Author's Note- Here be replies to reviews-

Ram Jas- your story is NOT horrible! I am rather enjoying it! And hehe, I hope Erik ends up loving Jen in the end too, lol. Though, he is a stubborn phantom…sigh

Tallacus- hehe, don't worry. I am more lazy than you. And, glad you liked that chapter! And, those copiers! Lol, stealing my ideas. Hehe, and yes…I like the cutness. And no, I got the ideas for his childhood from the Susan Kay novel…or the pieces I have read of it (since I can't find it anywhere…).

Araiona Dubois- wow, thanks. Glad you are enjoying my story.

ErikandChristine- glad you liked it. The Bal Masque ish gonna be lotsa phun, hehe…

Chapter 22

Morning

Jen shifted slightly in her sleep and opened her eyes just enough to see the barrier between her and the opposite side of the bed. When she recognized the form, she opened her eyes completely and smiled. She was currently in Erik's embrace, the Phantom still sleeping soundly. Jen moved closer and lay her head down on his chest, then closed her eyes again. She was quite content- if only she could awake to this every morning! Erik wrapped his arm tighter around her, and she ran a finger through his hair. "Morning." She whispered, but he didn't move. She turned her head to see a grinning Gabby in the other bed. "Morning to you too." The cellist said. "I see you slept well."

"Aye, well indeed." Jen replied, playing with her companions hair. "I guess we just kind of fell asleep here while talking. "I'm sure." Gabby said, stretching. "So, are you going to get up?"

"Actually, I believe I might stay for a few minutes…it is rather comfy here."

"You WOULD say that, wouldn't you?" Gabby asked, and her friend grinned. "You know, it isn't every day you get to wake up next to the Phantom."

"I would agree with that." Gabby told her. Erik muttered something and turned over. "Morning." Jen told him softly, kissing his deformed cheek. "Hmmm?" he moaned, and opened his eyes slightly. "Jen?"

"The one and only." The percussionist said with a grin. Erik blinked. Why was he in the girl's dorm, in Jen's bed? He thought back to last night- he remembered that he had been talking to Jen, and she had begun to nod off. The Phantom smiled- he must have fallen asleep as well. Perhaps that explained his strange dream. She had been in it, oddly. "So, how did you sleep?"

"Quite well thank you." Jen said, cuddling up to him. "You are rather comfy as a pillow, Erik."

"Glad to know." He told her. Then he realized Gabby was sitting in the other bed, smirking at both of them. "Mademoiselle." He told her with a nod. "Monsieur." Gabby replied. Jen glared at her friend. "What?" the cellist asked, trying to look innocent.

"Stop it!"

"But...it's fun annoying the two of you!" Gabby protested. Erik and Jen both glared. "Alright, fine…fine…I will wait until the next time I walk in on the two of you snuggling." Jen and Erik didn't lighten their looks, but then began to laugh. "I do suppose that we were being a bit improper." Erik admitted. He didn't really know why he had enjoyed that night so much. Perhaps it had been the fact that he had actually felt cared for, wanted by someone. No one else had ever shown him affection like Jen. Even though it hadn't been Christine, the woman he truly wanted to be with, she had been a decent substitute.

"So…the Bal Masque is tonight." Gabby said. "You guys ready?" Jen nodded, as did Erik. No one could think of anything else to say, so the room was quite for a moment. Erik decided to break the silence, and stood. "I should go." He said, and both girls just looked, neither speaking. "I will see you later."

"Bye." The percussionist and the cellist said in unison. Then he was gone. "So…what should we do today?" Gabby asked, bored. "Dunno." Jen replied, stretching. Just then, something gleaming and white caught her eye. She looked closer, and realized that Erik had left his mask. The percussionist picked it up and put it in the drawer. "There." She said.

"We could get something to eat and then er…do something…"

"That was…oddly specific…" Jen said, rolling her eyes.

"I know." The two girls sat down on their beds, trying to think of something they could do until the masquerade that night.

XxXxXxXxX

"You look lovely." Joseph told Gabby, taking her hand. The cellist grinned. "Why, thank you." She replied, swirling her black cape around. Jen waved to the two of them, then returned to the dorm. She was also dressed completely in black, no cape however, and instead of her dragon mask, she was wearing a simple mask made of a strip of cloth with two eye holes- similar to the one worn by Zorro. The percussionist smiled- this way she wouldn't be recognized as the partner of the phantom later that night. Jen entered through the mirror, wanting to speak to Erik one final time before their appearance later that night.

Jen was smiling to herself in the dark. Her plan, if nothing else, might make Christine jealous. If the singer truly loved Erik, then she wouldn't want to see another woman on his arm. It only made sense. At least, to Jen it did. Maybe she was just different though. She didn't think like other people at times. Perhaps this was one of those times. Jen didn't think it was though. Soon she was in the familiar surroundings of Erik's home. "Erik."

"yes?" came the reply. She saw him sitting in a chair near his desk, flipping through his score to Don Juan. "Ready for tonight?"

"Yes." He told her, closing the tome and looking up. "And you? Shouldn't you be enjoying yourself?"

"You mean I can't enjoy myself here, with you?" she asked, smiling sweetly. Erik smiled. "You need to prepare for later. We have a party to crash."

"I know." He said, choosing to ignore her strange phrase. "Go upstairs, Jen. Have fun. You know when and where to meet me."

"If you insist. Be careful, Erik." Jen knew it wouldn't be the last time she would tell him that. She kissed his cheek then turned and walked back up to the surface where people were just beginning to arrive to the infamous Bal Masque.

Author's Note- there you are. I doubt if I will get another chapter up before Christmas, so happy holidays to you all, and thanks for reading.