Here ya go my lovlies, enjoy; don't worry - a real kiss is in the near future...you know I won't let you down!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Erik or Christine. They are the wonderful creation of Mr. Leroux – but ALW gave them depth and humanity – as did Kay. I do not own any lyrics that are used; they will be credited at the end of the chapter in which they appear.

I do however; own the plot and any original characters, which appear from the dark caverns of my mind.

Character portraits:

Erik – Gerard Butler (There is no other – not for me!)

Christine - Scarlett Johansson (with violet eyes, and a little more of a mature look)

Meckenzie - Emma Karwandy (from Butterfly on a Wheel)

Vince - Pierce Brosnan (slightly shorter)

Karen - Bette Midler (only about ten year's younger, seven inches taller, and long, brown hair)

Ms. Jennison- Samantha Bond (Miss Moneypenny from the latest Bond movies)

Mr. Lynch - Bruce Davison (Senator Kelly from the first X-Men movie)

All other original characters, you can use your imagination.

Enjoy.

CHAPTER 18

The "extra" car Erik had been talking about turned out to be a 1966 Ford Mustang GT convertible; white with a blue racing stripe down the middle. She was in mint condition – from the seats to the paint job.

Erik had written a note and taped it on the glove compartment…

Christine,

She's yours for as long as you need her…just take good care of her.

Erik

Christine admired the strong sway of his handwriting; he wrote elegantly and gracefully; unusual for a man, and such an educated one, at that.

Vince smiled at her as he dropped the keys into her hand. He gave Meckenzie a hug and then winked at Christine as Karen pulled into the driveway.

"Now, you girls be good today…don't get on the teacher's nerves…" Karen teased as Christine came to the window to greet her. "…unless that teacher's name just happens to be Erik Trudeau, of course."

"Honestly, Karen…he acts like I have the plague or something; maybe he just wants to be friends." Christine stated, hoping she was wrong.

Karen playfully scowled her forehead and pursed her mouth, "Now, we both know, Christine, that Erik is not the kind of man that a woman can just "be friends" with…you want more and I can tell."

"He seems intent on keeping me at arms length; it's like he is afraid I am going to hurt him." Christine surmised. "I'm not her…that Summer girl that broke his heart."

"He knows that, Christine, give him time." Karen stated. She started to drive away and then stopped. "Vince and I are going out of town for a couple of days…sort of a honeymoon trip. We'll be back on Wednesday."

Christine smiled and let them know she hoped they had a safe and wonderful trip. She watched them drive away and ran into the house to get Meckenzie; they didn't want to be late for school.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

Erik wasn't sure what to make of Christine Daae. She was the most alluring and interesting woman he had ever met. He had fallen in love with her voice years ago; and now, he was certain he was falling prey to the woman to whom that voice belonged.

'Don't even think about it, old man…once she sees what you hide from the world, she'll be casting holy water at you and caring a big, silver cross – you're a monster…' Erik criticized himself, '…and you always will be.'

And yet, she seemed to flirt with him openly – at least Erik thought she was flirting – she had even kissed his cheek. He really had no experience in the area at all. She could have been sizing him up for the kill, as far as he knew.

Why would she flirt with him? He was clearly not the type of man to which she was attracted. Her ex-husband had golden blond hair and honey colored brown eyes. He was only about five-feet, ten inches tall, and had a much smaller frame than Erik had.

Raoul Changy had the type of looks that made women drop at his feet to do his bidding. 'Women drop at my feet, too; but it's because they faint from the horrible sight of me.' Erik said to himself.

He debated with himself for about five minutes, but did not come to any conclusions regarding Ms. Daae. She was a mystery to him – as were all women – but he was going to enjoy whatever rays of sun she chose to shine on him.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Erik." Christine stated as she saw him locking up his classroom after Meckenzie's music lesson.

Erik turned toward her voice and caught his breath at the sight of her. He had never seen her in a dress before – his eyes immediately lowered to her shapely legs and roamed up her body.

Her generous curves were very accented in the dress; she was slender, but well-endowed…Erik had to jerk his eyes from the swell of her breasts and tried to focus on her eyes.

Her dress was in good taste, of course, but she could have been wearing a burlap sack and Erik would have reacted to her in the same way.

She wore a periwinkle blue, mid-thigh dress with short sleeves. She complimented it with a beautiful silk scarf, sheer, thigh-high hose, and black pumps. She had French braided her hair and the braid hung down to the middle of her back with a butterfly pendent securing it in the back.

"Christine…" He breathed, huskily. "...hello."

She looked deep into his green eyes and graced him with a sultry smile. She almost giggled as he backed away from her and ran into the wall behind him. He was cornered, with nowhere to run.

"I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed last night…you inspired me and gave me my voice back…you're my Angel of Music." Christine purred.

Erik swallowed hard, fighting the rage of desire that was rushing through him. He scoffed at her words – his self-deprecation immediately thwarting the wayward direction of his mind.

"I am no angel, I assure you." He admitted.

She sashayed up to him, as close as she could without touching him. His scent lingered in the air around her and she wanted nothing more than to touch her lips to his.

"You are to me." She assured him. She closed her eyes, breathing in his scent, "You smell good!"

Erik cleared his throat, but could not bring himself to move. She was almost touching the entire length of her body to his; and his body had sprung to life in anticipation.

"Would you like for me to work with you, bring your voice back to its former glory, and beyond?" He heard himself suggest.

Christine smirked, calculatingly; he was falling right into her web, even though he was not aware of it. There was something between them – a spark, a flame, searing passion? She didn't know what it was – but she had to follow her heart.

"You would do that?" Christine inquired innocently. "How much are the lessons?"

Erik almost laughed, "It is an honor for me to have the opportunity to train you…there is no charge."

Again, she leaned into him without touching, "When do lessons begin?"

"Thursday, when Karen and Vince return; Meckenzie can stay with them while you have your lesson." Erik suggested, "Come to my home and the lessons will begin at 7 pm."

"Every Thursday evening…is one night a week enough?" Christine asked coyly.

"Your voice has suffered little from its lack of use; it won't take long to recover what little you have lost." Erik assured her.

Quickly, not giving him a chance to react, Christine reached up and caressed his smooth, flawless cheek. She watched his eyes close at the intimate contact; that was certainly better than the flinch she had gotten last night.

'This man was made to be cherished and loved.' Christine thought. She lifted a silent, heart-felt prayer toward the heavens, 'Please Lord, let me be the one to give it to him.'

Erik watched her retreat from him. He found his legs and began walking toward the door. He had no idea what had just transpired between them, but he was certain she had purposefully goaded him and was silently, and with deadly accuracy, reeling him in; he was bait on her hook.

TBC