Author's Note- Alright, here be another chappy. Poor Erik, poor Jen. Well, enjoy! And, thanks for all the reviews! They make me happy!

Erik's Ange de la Musique- thanks for reviewing !

PersonageoftheUnderverse- thanks so much for the compliment! Marshmallows…yum…

Ram Jas- haha, knew you would like that. It may be a little while before we see any Erik/Jen action again though…stupid Phantoms, can't figure out who they really love…

Lonemutant- haha, thanks. And yes, he should…:P

Tallacus- haha, we shall find out what happens when le Fantome discovers our hidden technology, shan't we? Muahaha…

ErikandChristine- hehe, thanks for reviewing, and glad you are still enjoying the story.

Chapter 20

Friendships

"So, how was your holiday?" Edward asked Jen, helping her get the percussion equipment set for a rehearsal. "Eh…it was pretty good." she said. She didn't really want to talk about it. After that kiss, she and Erik hadn't talked to each other. It had been three days, and she hadn't once visited the lair. She really missed Erik, but couldn't bring herself to face him. She knew that he wouldn't give Christine up until after Don Juan, and even then she didn't know if he would continue clinging to his 'angel'.

"How was yours?" she asked Edward. "It was alright." He said simply. They double checked the area, then headed back to the store room for more equipment. "I missed this though."

"Yeah, me too." Jen said. Her fellow percussionist smiled at her. Jen smiled back, and soon they were in the room once more, pushing out the new marimba. "Alright, I think that is it." Edward said, scanning over the room, satisfied. "Yep." Jen replied passively. She spotted Gabby and Joseph sitting together, the former of the two laughing about something her boyfriend had said. Jen sighed. She needed to visit Erik. She needed to make things right between them. After rehearsal, she resolved. She would go talk, and try to apologize.

"Jen?"

"What?" she asked, turning to see who was speaking. "I asked if you are alright- you aren't responding."

"Oh, sorry…I was just thinking about something." She replied. Edward smiled. He was rather cute, she thought. "I just wanted to ask if you wanted to join me for lunch after rehearsal, along with Joseph and Gabby."

"I would love to." She said, smiling. Erik could wait. Maybe he would see her reasons if she let him think about them longer.

XxXxXxXxX

Erik sighed. He hadn't had company for three days. Typically Jen would spend nearly all her free time with him. He sighed again- it was his fault she hadn't come. He knew that what he had said about not being able to give up Christine had hurt the percussionist. She was in love with him, he could tell. But, he was in love with Christine. That made him think- perhaps Jen was feeling the same rejection he felt. Feeling that the person you care about more than anyone will never return that affection, that it is just a dream, a glimmer of hope- a fading and false hope. Perhaps he could try to love another.

Erik stood and began pacing around his study. He looked at all the drawings of Christine he had, his eyes scanning the walls. Then he stopped, and stared at one in particular. It wasn't like the others- it was of Jen. He studied it for a few minutes and smiled. Perhaps, he though, he wouldn't have to try. He was beginning to fall under the dragons spell. He could remember that kiss- the one they had shared when in the lake, and the one from Christmas morning. Erik shook his head, clearing away his thoughts. He loved Christine. Not Jen. And, nothing would change his mind.

XxXxXxXxX

The four friends were sitting at a small, circular table outside of one of Paris' many cafes. Jen sipped her drink quietly, thinking about Erik. She smiled at Edward, and he smiled back. His was different though. Jen could sense something in it that she hadn't seen before. "Well, are you going to the Bal Masque?" Joseph asked, elbowing his companion. Edward shot him a dirty look and rubbed his arm. "I don't know. I might. How about you, Jen?"

"Hmmm? Oh, yes, I am." She replied simply. "What is your costume?"

"Wait and see." She told them with a devious grin. "I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise." In truth, she couldn't tell them, because of what might happen should they recognize her. She was going to make her entrance at Erik's side, that she knew. So did Erik. Her costume was rather good, if strange. It also covered nearly all of her face, so she wouldn't be recognized. "Aw, but how will we find you?"

"You won't. I will go to you." She said, once again, simply. Edward nodded. "Alright then. Keep your secrets. What are you going as, Gabby?"

"A bat." She said, grinning. The two men gave her slightly odd looks, but smiled anyway. They continued to converse in a similar manner for the remainder of the meal, and Jen remained in her thoughts for most of it. Later, when she and Gabby were in their dorm again, the cellist gave her strange look. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Jen replied, almost mechanically.

"You haven't been acting it."

"I know." Jen sighed, she didn't need this right now. "It's Erik, isn't it." The percussionist nodded. "Why are you doing this to yourself? I want to see you end up with him as much as you do, but, if he won't give in, you can't do anything about it."

"I know, damn it!" Jen yelled, turning on her friend, angry tears running down her cheeks. "I know that I can't change his stubborn-ass mind! HE WON'T LISTEN. 'No one would listen' he said. HA! I listen. HE doesn't listen!" Jen erupted. She was breathing heavily, thoroughly upset. "I'm sorry…" Gabby said, backing off. Jen broke down into tears. She buried her head in her pillow. Gabby sighed. She had to do something. The cellist stroked Waffle's silky fur one last time, then headed into the tunnel behind the mirror, determined to set things right.

XxXxXxXxX

"Erik?" Gabby called out softly, wading through the lake. "Yes?" came the faint reply. It sounded as if he had also been crying. "This is Gabby. We need to talk."

"About?"

"About Jen." She said. Gabby stood there, on the shore, waiting, and soon heard the click of a door opening and shutting. Erik was there, his hair disheveled, the visible side of his face red and covered with tears. He looked like a wreck. "Erik, is everything alright?" Gabby asked, disturbed by his appearance. "Yes." He said, but his voice belied the word. "You have to come talk to Jen. She…she needs you." Erik sighed. He knew that. He couldn't give up Christine though- it would hurt him too much. "I…I can't."

"You have to! She is becoming more temperamental that she usually is. She won't talk to anyone, and the only thing she thinks about is you! Her music is suffering, and she hasn't drawn anything in days. Her inspiration is gone. She needs to talk to you."

Erik sighed. He knew he couldn't fight. "Alright." He said at last. "thank you Erik." Gabby said, giving him a friendly hug. The Phantom sighed and tried to smiled. He hoped that he could work things out between him and Jen.

Author's Note- well…there you have it. Read and Review!