Author's Note- Well hello again. Sorry it took a few days to get this chapter up…I have been having a bit of trouble finding my co-author to talk to her…glares at Gabby But, here is the next chapter, enjoy!

WanderingChild24- Yes, she is, hehe…and thanks for reviewing!

Erik and Christine- well, hopefully you can get into a Christmassy mood Thanks for reviewing!

Myst-uru- yes, she knows…or at least she suspects, hehe. Thanks for reviewing!

Ram Jas- haha, yes, tis rather sad. But I needed to write the sad- I have been wanting too since seeing the deleted scene. And, no doubt, song would work to teach him…though Jen is a rather suck-ful composer if you want my (her) opinion, lol. And, aye, I believe it does apply here! Glad you are enjoying the phic, and thanks for reviewing!


Tallacus- aye, poor Erik, and the admitting her feelings to him was kinda an impulsive action on Jen's behalf. No matter though, things will work out…

Chapter 15

Surprises in Waiting

"Do you think Erik would like these?" Gabby asked, holding up a silvery candle. "Hmmm…might be too feminine for him. You know how he is." Jen replied, inspecting a similar item. "Maybe some of these…" the percussionist suggested, pointing to another set. Gabby studied them for a minute. "Yes, I think those will do quite nicely." The cellist grabbed a large bundle of the white candles and went to purchase them. Jen smiled and continued looking about the store. "Lets go." Gabby said after a few minutes, returning with the candles, which had been placed in a Christmassy bag. The twosome had been shopping all day for their friends and each other. Jen was currently carrying a rather large amount of bags, as was her companion. "So, what are you gonna give him?" Gabby asked. Jen grinned. "You know those mallets I let him use when we rehearse? I got him a pair just like them, only new, and some chocolate." Gabby grinned. "Chocoholic."

"And proud!" Jen retorted. She had learned that one of Erik's few weaknesses was chocolate, not unlike herself. "I like chocolate too, but not as much as you and he do!"

"I know." The percussionist said with a laugh. She smiled as the familiar form of the Opera House came into view. "Perhaps, as a final present, we could go out to dinner. The three…or four…of us?" Jen suggested. Her companion smiled. "Perhaps. I can ask Joseph." The percussionist nodded and they entered. The sight before them still took their breath away, the large tree a spectacular sight. It was huge to say the least, covered with tinsel and shining glass balls that gleamed like stares in the golden light of the room. "Still amazing." Gabby said at last. Jen nodded, then quickly made her way to their room. Once inside the dorm, the two began preparing for later. "You know, tomorrow is the winter ball…" Jen said, trying to make conversation. "Yeah, I know."

"You going?"

"Yes, Joseph asked me. You?" Gabby asked, not looking up from wrapping a gift for her boyfriend. "I don't know. Probably not. I mean, tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and I was thinking about giving Erik some company."

"Ah." Gabby replied, all knowing. Jen glared. "What?"

"Nothing."

"You're lying! There is nothing between us, I swear!" Jen said, knowing it was true. "Yeah right."

"Fine! I swear upon my honor, as a knight of Gondor…"

"You tried that before." Gabby said, giving her a smug look. Jen narrowed her eyes. "So?"

"Like you said then- you aren't a knight of Gondor."

"Damn…you're right…well, how about…I will swear on…on…" she pondered, then grinned. "On the precious…" she said in a Gollum impression, adding the cough at the end. Gabby laughed. "Fine, fine. Nothing is going on between the two of you."

"Thank you!" Jen said, sitting back. She smiled. "You know…I can't wait until tomorrow…Christmas Eve already. I love this time of year. The snow, the cheerfulness, the presents…"

"The Erik." Jen glared, and her friend grinned. "I know, I know."

"Speaking of which, I think we should surprise him on Christmas."

"How so?" Gabby asked. "Well, I was thinking…" Jen made a gesture telling her friend to come closer. She whispered the plan to Gabby, who smiled. When finished, the cellist was beaming. "I like it! We just have to keep him distracted long enough to pull it off!"

"Aye, and that shouldn't be too hard…" Jen said, rolling her eyes. "Just lock him up in his music room with some paper and an organ. Get him to finish Don Juan, I don't know…we'll think of something…" Gabby said, nodding. "Aye, we shall indeed. This will be a good Christmas for Erik! We will have to get the stuff ready for tomorrow night though…perhaps now would be a good time for some last-minute shopping?"

"Sounds good to me."

"Then let's go!" With that, Jen grabbed her long, black coat, and ran out into the hall, to the world outside. She waited at the door for Gabby, then the twosome made it out into the wintry wonderland that was once Paris. Snow had begun to fall since they had last been out, and it was only enhancing the already powder-covered streets and shops. "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas…" Jen began singing softly to herself, and her friend joined in, the two walking down the street, singing happily to themselves, getting into the Christmas spirit.

Author's Note- Alright, there we go…again, sorry it took a few days, but I have been having trouble finding time to write…enjoy, and, I'm gonna start working on the next chappy! Wheee…Christmassy…review!