Author's note- I feel loved. I gets more reviews now! Reviews motivation for me! And, if there is anything I need, it ish that. High school band is taking away almost all of my sanity, but I can't stop writing, hehe…and Erik, he is always here for me. huggles Erik To my reviewers, thanks a lot, and to my reader's who don't review, thanks for reading.

Tallacus- thankers for reviewing, as always Merging with Raouls body? Interesting…oO…hehe. And, I don't need to watch out. Erik knows he can't kill me

ErikandChristine- Hehe, it does indeed. Thanks for reviewing.

Ram Jas- Looooong review, to which I replied via-email. Thanks.

WanderingChild24- glad you like it, and yes, she typically is…her character in most stories is part cat, just not this one, since…a cat-girl running around Opera Populaire might be a tad bit strange, lol

Chapter 12

Dinner Guests

Jen looked herself over in the mirror and pushed back her dark brownish-blond hair a final time. She guessed her clothes would work for later. With a smile, she opened the mirror-door, and went inside, going down towards Erik's lair. Dressed completely in black, she blended into the shadows well. The formalness didn't fit her- it never had, but she would deal with it. Within minutes she was back in the lair, and called for Erik. He emerged from his room after a short while, his typical black clothes and white mask. Jen picked up the cloak from the ground, and the hat. She smiled and handed the black cape to him. "Ready Erik?" she asked, placing the hat on his head and cocking it so that his mask was in shadow. The Opera Ghost sighed. "If I must be." He told her, then offered and arm. "Mademoiselle?"

"Thank you monsieur." Jen replied, smiling. "Will Gabby be joining us, or do I have to put up with you alone?"

"She is to meet us at the restaurant." Jen said simply. Her friend had been rather secretive about her plans, and the percussionist was wondering if it was a good idea to let her go about with them. She figured it didn't matter, Gabby wouldn't do anything too stupid- she knew what would put the three of them in danger.

Erik led Jen to a passage she was unfamiliar with, and they traveled it in silence, the only sound being that of their feet on the cold stones beneath them. Jen looked about, but could see nothing in the dark that surrounded them. A light appeared ahead, however, and she guessed that they were approaching daylight. The percussionist was correct, and she soon found herself being lead out of the tunnel into the small chapel in the Opera House. Erik smiled and pushed back the stained-glass window, and Jen followed him through. The Phantom shut it, and they found themselves outside. Jen blinked at the brightness. Her eyes had grown accustomed to the dark of the lair, and this was too much. She looked at Erik, who blinked in a manner rather similar to hers. "So…uh, which way?" she asked.

"Follow me."

"Like I was planning on doing something else…" Jen muttered, rolling her eyes. Erik grunted and pulled her behind him. "Hey!"

"What?" He was getting annoyed now. "I am supposed to be your girlfriend, remember?"

"No, I seem to have forgotten that detail." He said. Jen gave a sheepish grin, remembering what she forgot to tell him. "Well, uh, I'm gonna pose as your new mistress tonight, ok? Therefore, you gotta make it look like you love me."

Erik didn't seem to like that. At least, that is what Jen was inferring from his expression. She smiled. Perfect. Jen was going to enjoy this- being able to treat him like her lover, and him unable to do a thing about it. Tonight was going to be fun.

XxXxXxXxX

Gabby was impatiently waiting for her friend and the Opera Ghost outside the restaurant. "Should they be here soon?" a male voice asked. Gabby sighed. "I hope. I'm glad you could come Joseph." She said, smiling in his direction. Her fellow orchestra member smiled. "I am glad you invited me." Unknown to Jen and Erik, she had been dating him for two weeks now.

"Who exactly are we waiting for?" Joseph asked her after a short pause. "Jen, you know, the percussionist, and her companion." Gabby said quickly, still on the look out for her friends. Suddenly, two black-clad figures appeared, and she smiled. One of them could be none other than Erik, with the hat and cape, and she assumed the one beside him was Jen. The tall woman was also completely in black, and she waved when she noticed Gabby. Soon the party of four was together. "Who is he?" Jen hissed quietly to her friend upon noticing Joseph. "Oh, well, er…I kinda forgot to tell you…this is Joseph, my boyfriend…"

"Boyfriend?"

"Yeah...we've been going out for two weeks now." Gabby gave her a sheepish grin. Joseph smiled and extended a hand. Jen shook it lightly, and gave a false smile. Erik, as far as she could tell, was scowling through his mask. "Nice to meet you. This is Monsieur Erik." She said, pointing to the Phantom. "Monsieur." Joseph said, nodding his head. Erik tried to smile, but Jen knew he was looking for Christine. "Shall we enter?" Jen asked, taking Erik's arm.

XxXxXxXxX

"And that Christine Daae…" a female voice said from across the room. Christine looked up when she heard her name. Apparently the group of four at the table opposite them was discussion the Opera house. She looked back at her meal and took another bite. "Yes, she is an angel isn't she." A male voice responded. Christine looked up again, this time in shock. She knew that voice. She saw a man dressed in black, along with two women dressed in similar colors, and another man. The one dressed in black seemed to be hiding his face however. He moved his head slightly, and Christine was sure she saw the gleam of a mask. She gulped.

"Are you alright?" Raoul asked. "What?"

"I asked if you were alright. You look frightened Little Lotte." The vicomte looked concerned. "I'm fine Raoul. Thank you for asking." He nodded, but sensed a lie beneath her cheerfulness. He looked at the table at which Christine had been staring. Nothing unusual about it. Granted, the one man seemed a bit odd, trying to stay hidden, but nothing too strange. He shrugged it off and went back to eating.

XxXxXxXxX

Jen smiled when she saw Christine turn. She draped an arm across Erik's shoulder, and he cringed a smile. Jen grinned. "Having fun…dear?" she asked. The phantom glared at her. "Yes Jen. Are we about ready to leave?" he asked, motioning towards the empty plate. "No, we haven't had dessert yet!" The percussionist said cheerfully. Erik glowered. She was getting on his nerves. Joseph and Gabby were having fun, chatting about cellos it seemed. The waiter returned. "Would you like dessert?" he asked, smiling in that charming way waiters smile. Jen grinned. "Yes please. Chocolate soufflé." She said. Erik gave her a strange look. "A la mode if you don't mind."

"Not at all." He said, jotting down her order. "And you?" he asked Gabby. "Slice of cheesecake please." The waiter nodded, then left. Erik sighed. "You know you're paying for this, right?" Jen told him. "I wasn't aware of that…" he ground out, glaring. Jen and Gabby smiled. "Yes, you are." The percussionist said, wrapping her arm around him tighter and kissing his cheek. The Opera Ghost sighed. Their desert arrived, and Jen smiled. "Wanna bite?" she asked him. Erik shook his head. Jen smiled and licked some chocolate sauce from her lips. "Sure?"

"Yes."

"Positive?"

"Yes."

"You don't sound positive…try it! It's chocolaty!" Jen said, smiling widely. Erik glared and took the fork with the bite of cake. Upon tasting it, he smiled. "See? Told you." Jen muttered, scooping another bite for herself. Erik nodded and took another bite. Soon, there was nothing left but an empty plate smeared with chocolate sauce. The waiter handed Erik the bill and he sighed, but paid. "Thank you for joining us, Joseph." Jen said, smiling at him. Gabby grinned. "We should be going." Erik whispered to the percussionist. "Shall we?" she asked, and he took her arm, leading her out. Jen cast a final, smug look at Christine, who's eyes widened in shock when she saw who the man with her was.

"The Phantom…he's here…" she whispered. Raoul gave her a strange look. "Are you sure you are all right Christine?"

"It's him." She said softly. "How many times have I told you, there is no Phantom of the Opera. And he is just that, of the Opera. He wouldn't be here, even if he was real."

As they left the room, Jen started to laugh, receiving strange looks from the man taking reservations. "Stupid fop…" she muttered, and found herself arm in arm once again with Erik. She waved to Gabby with her free hand, and then turned to her escort. "Shall we my dear?" she asked. He glowered, and she smiled as he lead her back to the lair.

Author's Note- there you have it. Enjoy. Review!