Jenna was aware of two things when she woke up, first that her ankle hurt more than she had remembered it hurting since she had fractured it and second…she was not in her hotel room.

She opened her eyes and blinked away the sleep before looking around the room. The carpet was a soft pink, the bed she slept in had cream and white and pink all over it. A wardrobe stood at the foot of the bed and an old looking desk sat against the wall right inside the door. There were hairpins scattered on the top of it, as though they had just been put there.

This was Christine's room that explains the unnatural amount of pink she thought to herself as she took in everything around her. A bathroom was located off to the left, from what she could see it was white marble all over. A fire was roaring in the fireplace, she sat up and smoothed her hair back. How did I end up in here? I remember getting into Erik's house, talking to him. God, I must have passed out. She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. What she really wanted was the pain medicine in her purse. Stupid Jenna…oh I'll just break into someone's house by crawling along the edge of a lake with a fractured ankle, just brilliant! She raged at herself.

She sighed as she pushed the covers back and swung her legs out over the edge of the bed. Her entire body hurt from yesterday's activities. She saw her crutches propped against the end of the bed. She picked up her crutches and pushed the door open and looked down the hallway "Erik?"

She didn't hear anything coming from the house. She saw the library door was cracked; she pushed it open and saw Erik reading.

"Erik?"

He jumped, startled but relaxed when he saw Jenna standing there. She sat herself down on the sofa and looked into the fire for a moment unsure of what to say to him, he watched her out of the corner of his eye. Her hair was tousled from sleep and her clothes were a bit wrinkled. He thought she looked gorgeous.

"I hope you slept well," he said finally.

She nodded "Yes, very. Thank you, for letting me stay here. I apologize for just showing up here. I just…I didn't want you to…well…you know…damn" she said realizing how dumb she sounded just babbling along.

He chuckled "I know what you meant. And it's perfectly alright that you are here. Though I must say I'm surprised you managed to make your way around the lake with your ankle being as it is"

:"It wasn't easy, let me tell you." She responded smiling.

She looked around "I should get home, change my clothes and leave you alone"

He looked disappointed she was leaving but nodded "Of course"

She saw the disappointment in his eyes, she thought for a moment "Maybe you would like to come back with me and we could..hang out or something? Get some coffee, tea…"

He nodded "That sounds good" his heart jumped up into his throat, the thought of spending more time with her excited him in a way that he hadn't felt in over a century. He rose and went to assist her into her jacket. She looked over her shoulder at him and smiled sweetly.

The air between them was charged as they returned to her hotel room. Once inside she felt awkward. "I need to wash and get changed…." She looked around, looking for something for him to do. He saw her anxiety and smirked.

"I will find some way of entertaining myself. Go, take as much time as you need"

She blushed and nodded moving into her room and shutting the door. She drew bathwater for herself and once again got in, draping her leg over the side. She took the boot off before, allowing for a more relaxing bath. She hurried to wash and get out. She walked over to her suitcase and began to contemplate what she should wear.

She settled for khaki Capri's and a light blue colored three quarter length sleeved shirt with a scoop neck. She hurried to dry her hair and apply her mascara and lip-gloss. She looked herself over in the mirror once more before walking out into the living room.

Erik was reading the book she had been the previous day. "You enjoy reading?"

"Yes, it has gotten me through some of the darkest days of my life…you also seem to enjoy reading"

She sat down across from him "Yes, I was always the bookworm of the family. I'll read anything I can get my hands on"

He set the book down and looked over at her, she blushed when she realized he was watching her.

"Can I get you some coffee or tea?" he shook his head.

"No thank you my dear"

She sighed and laughed "I'm sorry, but what does one say to the former Phantom of the Opera when he is sitting right in front of you?"

He smiled "Anything you want" he replied softly.

This sobered her somewhat, she cleared her throat "This may be rude but…how are you still alive?"

He looked at her, and thought for a second before he sat back in his chair. "I'm not quite sure. Fate had not the kindness to end my wretched existence 124 years ago and I still live to this day. I'm sure it's some rubbish like I will die after I have found a lifetime of happiness or the like. Therefore I am doomed to live forever, in the hellish form I've lived in for far too long."

"You think you will never find happiness?" she asked sitting forward in her seat.

He stiffened before shooting up from his chair to pace before her, his golden eyes blazing.

"Things have not changed Jenna! I'm still cursed with this face! No woman could ever want this!" he said gesturing to his face angrily.

"That's not true Erik. People today are a bit more open minded about those sorts of things. We aren't as sheltered as people back then were. And, well your story…"

He rounded on her "Ah yes, I have come to hear about the increase in my popularity due to the media, what was his name Andrew Lloyd Webber? I heard the show was a hit" he sneered. "They are nothing but ridiculous and silly girls who know nothing!"

She bowed her head, wondering if she should keep going or just leave him be. "I'm sorry Erik, I didn't mean to make you mad" she finally said softly, hoping to calm him down. Her first instinct was to shout back, but she knew she had to keep her head to prevent a repeat of the night before.

She sighed in resignation; she was trying to be his friend. To help him, but all she seemed to do was make him mad. Every time she tried to get him to open up all she did was cause an explosion.

Erik watched as she stared at her lap, he had lost his temper once again. She had done nothing to deserve his ire, if anything she had been gracious and kind. He truly was a monster.

"Forgive me, my social skills are…sadly lacking," he finally said stiffly. His shoulders slumped and he sunk back into his chair, looking tired and hurt.

"Erik, I'm trying to help you. I know I haven't exactly done the best job, but my intentions are good. You don't have to be suspicious of me, I have no ulterior motives, you can trust me Erik…you can. I won't betray you like so many others have done before"

He studied her, but only saw honesty and acceptance in her eyes. Maybe…maybe I can trust her. What do I have left to lose? I lost everything that night, maybe I do have a chance at happiness…don't be a fool! You really are losing it you silly old man. But at least this way I won't have to do it alone…

Jenna watched as he contemplated her words now's the time…tell him what you have been thinking about. Go for it! She took a breath.

"Erik, I've been thinking about something and I want you to hear me out before you dismiss the idea completely."

He arched an eyebrow and gestured for her to continue.

"Bernard told me about your small architectural business that you have set up, he told me that you are quite in demand actually. Have you thought about relocating? Somewhere other than the cellars of the opera house? I mean it would make business deals easier, and you might even be able to sell your music. Bernard hinted that your business has been fairly lucrative and that the finances to move are there…" she was afraid that her last comment was too bold.

She watched him, waiting for any sign he heard her.

"Of course I've thought about moving into an actual…home. And Bernard has hinted that he would help locate me a suitable house. But he is a nervous man who is terribly afraid of me and I do not want to stress him anymore. And I'm not sure if I can rejoin the world of men. It was humanity that drove me to the cellars of the opera house to begin with."

"Well, how about if I helped Bernard. I could be sort of an emissary between you and he. I'm not afraid of you, and I want to help you. I would help you secure a house, and a small staff to help out, and anything else you needed"

He thought for a moment. Could I really rejoin the world above? Am I strong enough to do this? You are being a fool! Nothing has changed, you will be driven back under the opera house and you will be worse off than you are now! But I should try. She was right…there are many painful memories. Maybe I can try one more time…if she is willing to suffer my temper and presence maybe…just maybe I can do it.

"I will consider it," he conceded finally.

She smiled widely "Good, the thought of you returning to that tomb is depressing to me" she admitted.

Perhaps, I will be able to rejoin humanity…with her at my side I could do anything.