Author's Note- Here is the next chapter…no more evil cliffy…dun dun…enjoy.

Ram Jas- I would love to be your co-author! We can discuss the plot via email or on DBCA- I don't care, I check both every day. And, thank you for your review as always.

Erik's Ange de la Musique- Haha, it was evil, wasn't it? No cliffy here though…I don't think…thanks for the review!

Kirsten Rose- Thank you very much, I am glad you are enjoying it!

Rinny Leonhart Rikku- hehe, aye, it was, wasn't it? And I know what you mean, though I hate writing cliffy's…prolly why there aren't many…Thanks for reviewing.

ErikandChristine- yes, she does…but she doesn't know it yet, hehe…thanks for the review

Chapter 26

Truth and Dare

"I…it is just a feeling. My instincts are telling me that she will not choose you." Jen said at last. She watched Erik's face closely for his reaction, but he did nothing. "Your instincts are wrong." He hissed. "Christine loves me." With that he stormed out of the room, leaving Jen alone. The percussionist sighed and looked at the empty room, then lay back on the bed. "Christine loves and angel." She said, "But not a Phantom."

XxXxXxXxX

Erik walked past Gabby and got into his Gondola without a word. The cellist looked at him and could see that he was more than a little upset, and let him be. It seemed the more Jen and Erik were together, the worse things turned out in the end. Gabby sighed, it wouldn't be easy for Jen to get closer to Erik. She doubted it would work out, but Jen wouldn't listen when she told her that. With a sigh, Gabby went and knocked on the door to Erik's room. Jen emerged, looking rather pissed off and upset. "That damn phantom. He won't listen!"

"I know. But, perhaps you push to hard?"

"Doubtful. He is like a little bratty child! He won't learn unless he makes the mistake, even if it hurts him in the end!" Jen fumed. Gabby watched, not wishing to further upset the temperamental percussionist. After a long while of silence, Jen had finally calmed down. "I'm sorry." She told her friend. I shouldn't have done that."

"Done what?"

"Done…everything I did today." Jen said, looking genuinely sorry. Gabby smiled. "I forgive you, but I can't say the same for Erik."

"I know." With that, they walked upstairs to get ready for rehearsal.

XxXxXxXxX

"Whoever wrote this music must have a soft spot for percussion." Edward commented as he flipped through the new score he had just been handed. Jen glanced at him and nodded. "Aye, he must." She said, knowing that it was quite true. "In fact, I know he does."

"You do know? Do you know him personally?" Edward asked. Jen smiled. "No, but you can tell in the way he uses our instruments in the piece. There is more percussion here than I have seen in the last two operas combined."

"Very true indeed." Her fellow musician agreed. They had no time to say more however, as the rehearsing began. Jen played through her parts with minor difficulty- Erik had written it for her level, yet made it challenging as well. She liked that. Edward also seemed to enjoy his numerous parts, his focusing around drums and accessories, while Jen's were nearly all keyboard instruments. When the practice was over four hours later, Jen smiled. She would have to tell Erik that she liked his Don Juan Triumphant very much. Hopefully it would help get her back on his good terms. As she was about to leave, Edward grabbed her arm and pulled her into a corner. "We have to talk." He said, rather harshly. "Edward…what? Why now? Can't we do this later?"

"No." he said. His eyes met hers, and for the first time Jen noticed that they were a dark blue. "Alright, what is it?"

"Who is he?"

"Who is who?" Jen asked, not seeing where their conversation was going. "The man from the Bal Masque. Who was he? I know you know- your timing in leaving could not have been more perfect. And that person with him, who was that?" Jen's fellow percussionist held her arm rather firmly.

"I…I do not know! Please Edward, let go!"

"Not until you tell me." She knew he was not lying.

"Alright. I know him. But you can't let anyone know. Please Edward." Edward gasped when she told him. "Who is he?"

"His name…is Erik." Jen said slowly. Edward watched her. "Just Erik." Jen finished. Edward knew he didn't have enough information to turn this Erik in, but he could turn Jen to the authorities and have her tell them. He thought that this Erik probably had something to do with the infamous Phantom, but did not with to be too rash with his assumptions. "Please, keep what I told you secret. It means a lot to him…to me."

"To you?" Edward gave her a strange look. "I care about him a lot." Edward sighed. He knew he couldn't turn Jen in for similar reasons. He loved her. But, he was inferring from their conversation that she was in love with this Erik. "I will,." He told her. Then Edward did the unthinkable. He pulled her into an embrace and pressed his lips to hers. Jen's eyes widened with surprise. She had suspected for a long time now, but this was certainly more forward than Edward typically was. When he pulled away, Jen looked at him with surprise. It hadn't been unpleasant, just unpredicted. "Jen…I'm…I'm sorry…" Edward said, turning to walk away. "Don't be." She told him, then kissed him again, lightly, unaware of the man watching her from the shadows.

XxXxXxXxX

Erik watched as Jen practiced, silent. Jen could sense something was wrong, and it made her nervous. Finally Erik spoke. "I was not aware you had a boyfriend."

"What?" Jen asked, caught by surprise. "I don't."

"You don't?" Erik asked, raising an eyebrow. "No, only you. But you won't agree to that."

"Then what was that between you and Edward?" Erik asked coldly. Jen gasped. "That…he loves me Erik."

"And you?"

"I love him like a brother, nothing more. I am yours. Of course, not that you will have me." Jen told him, her eyes as cold as her voice. "Jen…I wanted to tell you that I am sorry."

Jen smiled. "Apology accepted. I am also sorry Erik. I will let you pursue Christine if it makes you happy. I love you, and therefore, all I want is for you to be happy. If it means you can't be happy with me, then so be it." Erik was surprised. Typically Jen did not apologize. "But," she added, "If she leaves you, will you promise…to give me a chance?"

Erik looked at her sadly. It was a lot to promise. "Yes." He said, voice little more than a whisper. Jen smiled and stepped away from the keyboard, walking towards Erik. She wrapped her arms around him in a friendly embrace. "Friends?"

"Friends."

Author's Note- There you have it…poor Jen, poor Edward, and poor Erik…anyone else seeing this cause problems? Well, perhaps. Review, and I will try to get the next update up soon!