Things are moving forward, but I believe in building slowly...be patient.

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 23

"How do you feel toward me, Erik?" She repeated.

Erik gulped down another swig of his coffee before leveling his eyes on her. Why was it so hard for him to tell her how he felt? She had the right to hear it and judge for herself as to how she would react.

"I only know this…I have never felt this way about anyone." He affirmed. "I know that I want to spend every moment of every day with you by my side." He whispered, "I know that just catching a glimpse of you makes my day worth the living." He paused for a moment and swallowed hard, hoping to relieve the twitter that had settled in the pit of his stomach. "I know that you make mewant to be the man I know I can be."

Christine felt a tear creep down her cheek and saw that Erik had focused his eyes on its lazy trail. He reached his large, warm, long-fingered hand across the table and wiped it away with the soft pad of his thumb.

"I've made you cry." He whispered, looking away from her eyes.

The waitress brought the food over and once again looked longingly at Erik, who was so busy assessing the size of the cheeseburger, that he didn't even notice her flagrant interest.

"These are happy tears, Erik." Christine informed him.

"Happy tears?" His eyes met hers.

"Your words were touching and no man has ever said such things to me."

"I will say it again; your ex is a fool, as is any other man who has a woman who loves him with every beat of her heart and he still chooses to cheat on her." Erik emphasized.

Erik was impressed with the cheeseburger, savoring each bite he took and thanking Christine for picking this place to eat. He took little time in his life for the everyday enjoyment of a greasy, juicy, cheeseburger or the perfect piece of pie…loneliness and longing had deprived him of many things.

"I want to get to know you Christine, and not as a friend." He finally admitted. "You and Meckenzie mean a great deal to me, and I want to explore these feelings and see where they lead."

He smiled at her at that moment, taking her breath away. "As soon as Meckenzie is well and life returns to normal…would you like to go out…with me?"

She breathed a sigh of relief that he had finally gotten the nerve to ask her out on a date. She had begun to think that he was never going to come around.

"I would love to." She smiled. "But there is no need to wait that long, I'm out with you now."

Erik thought perhaps he had misheard her and playfully banged his head against his hand, thinking to knock his hearing back into proper working condition.

"You heard me correctly." Christine teasingly responded to his antics. "I want to be with you, Erik...and only you."

"I have no idea what I'm doing, but I'm willing to learn with you by my side." Erik stated with a smile on his face.

Christine reached her hand across the table and took his hand in hers; she noticed the adoring smile he had on his lips as he watched her fingers curl around his and then his eyes slowly drifted from her hand to her eyes.

"It doesn't matter what experience you do or don't have, this is all brand new...for both of us."

She practically sang those words to him and he couldn't help the smile that spread across his features. They finished their cheeseburgers, Erik paid the bill, and they got in the car.

"Why don't I take you to your house so you can get your pillow and some clean clothes for the next couple of days, I doubt they will discharge her before Friday afternoon." Erik suggested.

"That sounds great, I think I'll take a shower before I go to the hospital…do you mind waiting?"

Erik was having a difficult time keeping erotic imagesof Christine in the showerut of his head. He pushed the images away and turned to her with a small smile.

"Not at all, take all the time you need."

Erik turned on the radio and they were very conscious of each other for the twenty-minute trip to Christine's house. Christine took his large hand in hers and gently massaged the fingers and palm. Erik thought he would come out of his skin - were hand massages supposed to be so stimulating?

There was a great deal being said in the silence, but they never verbally communicated.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

Erik stood in Christine's living room, listening to the water run while she showered. He looked at the pictures on her mantel; she and Meckenzie were practically inseparable, he wondered when the last time was that Christine had taken any time to herself. He would have to find out.

He made his way around the small but spacious house and was impressed with Christine's quiet, unassuming taste. She had very few material goods, but what she had was meticulously kept and cared for.

Christine finished her shower, dressed, and packed a few things for the hospital stay. She picked up a few of Meckenzie's Braille books and games and made her way back to where Erik was waiting for her.

His back was to her as she came to the edge of the hallway, and she realized just how well put together the man was. She had been avoiding going down that road, but she could not help the wandering path her eyes were taking as they meandered up his masculine frame.

She knew Erik did not see himself as attractive in any way, but she knew otherwise; as did just about every other woman who had the opportunity of seeing him.

"I'm ready." She announced as she watched Erik turn to look at her.

He tried not to stare at the lovely length of her legs beneath the confines of her jeans. He also noted how the bright pink of her blouse emphasized her blond hair and violet eyes. Her curves looked absolutely delicious and he was having a hard time keeping his gaze casual.

'Even in simple blue jeans she is gorgeous.' Erik thought as he walked over to the door. 'What on earth does she see in me?'

He took her bag from her, as well as Meckenzie's items, and carried them to the car. He opened her door for her and watched intently as she slid into the leather seats.

She was exhausted; he could see it in her shoulders and eyes. She quietly sat beside him, deep in thought, with her eyes focused on the road in front of them.

She felt his eyes on her and turned her head to gaze into the inimitable pools of sea colored wonder; he had the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen.

"Thank you for everything, Erik." She said in a tired tone.

Erik gave into the urge he had been fighting for so long, reached over, and wrapped a curl around his fingers. He gently massaged it between his thumb and forefinger, marveling at the soft texture.

He let the curl go and watched it bounce back into the other curls that surrounded her face. He moved his hand to the side of her face and felt her hand encompass his as she turned into his touch and placed a kiss on his palm.

Tears came to his eyes as he thought about the simple joy of her kissing his palm and caressing his hand; things other people took for granted but he found compelling.

"If I could, I would move mountains for you..." He finally uttered, "…and Meckenzie, too."

Her heart leapt in her chest and she heard that still, small voice in her head as it urged her to trust Erik and throw all her doubts and misgivings about men out the door. He wasn't like the other men she had encountered in life – he was refreshingly different.

"I don't want the mountains moved; Erik…all I want is you."

TBC