Author's Note- sorry it took so long to get this out! I was gone all weekend, and then on Monday I didn't have time to write, and then I had a band concert yesterday…and when I got home, the power was out! oO…but, here is chappy 17 for you all. Enjoy.

ErikandChristine- thanks for the compliment, and hehe, you shall see what they have planned in the next chappy

Wandering Child 24- soon, yes, but soon is still a long ways away Glad you ish enjoying the story, and thanks for reviewing!

Rinny Leonhart Rikku- don't worry about it- I know what you mean! Sometimes it is hard to think of what to say! And, glad you are liking the story!

Ram Jas- haha, I read that comment about 'to heck with Gabby' at her house, with her standing over my shoulder, lol…but she didn't care. And, Jen seems rather outgoing, doesn't she? Well, Jen not exactly good at the whole flirting thing, lol…(trust me…), though she does seem to have many cute moments with Erik. And yes, he is still in love with Christine, or is he? Haha, you will see how it works out in the end. And, glad you are enjoying, and thanks for reviewing.

Tallacus- I should explain it to him, hehe…thanks for reviewing! (and happy birthday!)

Ch 17

You Always Have Me

A soon as she had left the room, Gabby had run to her and Joseph's meeting spot. He was there already, smiling as he saw her approach. The cellists smiled at one another, and he greeted her with a light kiss. "good evening, mademoiselle. Will your friend be coming?"

"Later." Gabby said simply. Joseph nodded. "Shall we?" His partner nodded, and the twosome made their way to the gala. Gabby smiled as they walked. She knew that she was going to enjoy herself tonight, with Joseph. Soon they were on the dance floor together, smiling happily along with the others around them. Gabby looked for Jen, but didn't see her. Maybe she wasn't going to come. Maybe she had other plans. The cellist smiled. Unless she didn't know better, she guessed that Jen was with Erik.

The party continued long into the night. At one point, Gabby had looked around again, scanning the room for Jen, and could have sworn she saw the percussionist dancing. With Erik. But, that was impossible, she decided, Erik wouldn't go to the dance if he might get caught. When she had looked again, they had gone. Gabby shrugged, and went back to her date, and they enjoyed their time together.

XxXxXxXxX

It was quiet when Jen returned to her room- almost everyone was at the gala still. Erik stood on the other end of the mirror and she smiled at him. The Phantom smiled back, and she waved for him to come in. Slowly, as if hesitating, Erik opened the 'door' and took a seat in the chair in the room. "I enjoyed tonight." Jen said softly, pulling out some wrapping paper and her gift for Gabby. She figured her friend would be gone for a long while yet, and it was an ideal time to wrap it. Her companion watched, slightly confused. "What are you doing?"

"Wrapping Gabby's gift."

"Oh." He said, trying to sound like he had known all along. Jen rolled her eyes. Pride always seemed to get the best of him. Much like her- her pride almost always kept her from doing certain things. She hated to sound wrong. "So, tomorrow is Christmas." Erik said, more to himself than anyone. "Yep. I love Christmas. The happiness, the food, the presents."

"Presents." Erik repeated softly. "Yeah. I love them. I remember when I was little, I used to wake up at like, three in the morning, and go see what I got with nothing more than a flashlight. Then I would attempt to wake everyone in my family up as well. Never worked though." Jen said, smiling at the fond memory. "And you?"

"I don't have any good memories." He said simply. Jen frowned. "Not one?" Erik shook his head. "That surprises me. I mean, surly Madame Giry would have done something kind for you."

"She would bring me food, and invited me to her house for Christmas dinner for a few years, but I always declined. When I was younger, she would sometimes bring me a small gift. But, I never had a family to share that morning with, and I doubt I ever will." That struck Jen hard. Not even his hopes of marrying Christine seemed to be real in that.

"You always have me." She said, looking up. "I will always be here, I hope." Jen truly did hope, but she never knew when she might be whisked back to the 21st century. Silence fell around them, and neither spoke, fearing that they might break it. They simply sat together, happy for the company of another person, yet lost in their own thoughts. Jen was remembering her Christmas' past, and Erik was thinking of his yet to come. A sudden knock on the door startled them both, and Jen quickly slid the wrapped box under her bed. Erik bolted up and ran to the mirror, but when he heard Gabby yelling to be let in, he sat down again. Jen opened the door, and the cellist gave Erik a strange look. "So…hi…"

"Hello mademoiselle." He said coolly, then stood. "You two should get some sleep, it is rather late." He nodded to them and disappeared in the dark tunnel.

"So, how was your evening?" Jen asked, looking up at her friend. "It was awesome!"

"Good." The percussionist commented, already beginning to pull out the components of Erik's surprise. "And your evening?" Gabby asked. That caught Jen off guard. "It was amazing. I convinced Erik to go with me, and…well, we danced then came back here and talked."

"I see." Gabby gave her one of those suspicious looks. "Nothing more happened."

"Uh-huh."

"I am serious." Jen said, her face making it next to impossible to think she was lying. "If you say so. Come on, let's go get Erik's surprise ready!" Gabby said, grinning and pushing aside the mirror door. "Ok. But, let's make sure he is gone before we do anything. They grabbed their boxes, and began to walk into the darkness.

XxXxXxXxX

Erik walked down the tunnel to his lair slowly, thinking. He needed to get something for the girls for Christmas. They were his friends, and even if they didn't get him something, he felt like he should do something for them. But what? He went to his study and shut the door, then began to pace. Back and forth across the room, pondering all of the different things he could get for them. An hour passed, and Christmas morn came all the closer. Erik sighed- he had no ideas. Then, something caught his eye. It was their costumes for the Bal Masque in a week. He smiled, and suddenly had an idea. He would find masks to go with the girls costumes. They had yet to get some. He also knew what they wanted for their chosen outfit. He thought Jen had done some sketches for ides, and began digging through the piles of paper scattered around the room. After a few moments search he found what he had been looking for, and held it up. With a satisfied smile he folded the sheet and stuffed it into his pocket, then grabbed his cloak and hat and left through one of the tunnels in that room, unaware of the two girls at work in the main room of his lair.

Authors note- there you have it…next chappy, CHRISTMAS! Wheee…alright, there will be one between then and now, but what the heck…still be Christmassy, yes?