Chapter 36

XXx

When Poppy woke, her headache had died to a dull ache. She was lying on her bed. She hoped Erik was not mad at her for sneaking away from rehearsals. Standing up she walked over to the wardrobe. She felt along the dresses, until she came to what she wanted. Poppy still hated dresses, but she had no choice. A few weeks ago she was looking for her jeans, but had not found them. When she had approached Erik about it, all he said was that she had no need for them any more. Poppy had stomped off angrily. She didn't talk to him for hours. When he was gone one day she had hid all his pants and shirts, replacing them with dresses. When Erik had come back, he of course did not find it amusing. He had raged and yelled. She had just stood there and waited. Then calmly told him that it was one step away from her making him wear the cages. And that since he had not been upholding his part of the bargain, she deserved some leeway. Erik had considered that, and gave her a pair of old breeches and shirt, telling her never to wear them out of the lair. She gave him his clothes back.

She pulled them on now. She ran a brush though her tangled hair. As she dragged the brush though the knots, she would've shorn that the rats played in her hair while she slept. After she finally untangled her hair, Poppy quickly braided it. When she had first come here, her hair was at her waist. Now it was at her hips. She sighed as she gave her hair one last tug. Poppy grabbed her cane that Erik had carved and given her for her birthday. She didn't really need it any more down here, but she loved it, can't put it down.

Poppy walked out the door. She found Erik at his organ. He was not playing, so she guessed that he was just writing. She waited for a few minutes before speaking, "Erik?"

Erik had been working on some documents, when he heard Poppy say his name. He looked up at her and inwardly groaned. She was wearing the shirt and breeches that he had given her after her stunt she pulled weeks ago. Where she was almost as tall as he, she filled the clothes out very well. So well in fact, he felt a part of him stir to life. He forced his self back under control. "Y-yes?"

"I have to ask. Are you upset that I snuck out during practice?"

Erik was surprised that she asked that. "No. In fact I don't blame you for doing so. They were getting rather loud. Monsieur Reyer has them under control now, and they are sounding much better. The group has departed. They are finished for the day." He turned to put the papers away, "We, however, are just starting. Come here."

Great, Poppy thought, another long night. She did so though. Poppy stood beside him.

"Good. Now, sing your scales." Erik played the accompaniment on the organ.

She did them perfectly, but then surprised Erik by singing the soprano scales. He stopped playing, but she kept on. He watched her. She was hitting all the right notes. Poppy finished and grinned at Erik. "What? I had a great teacher," she said, winking. "We were going to sing?"

"Oh. Yes, we are."

For the next hour they sang. After the initial part of practice was over, Poppy stopped singing. She just stood there, listening to Erik sing. He was deeply engaged in a score she knew she should recognize. As she listened, she silently walked up behind him, and let her hands slowly slide up his spine to his shoulders and neck. The muscles were tense and hard. She marveled at the strength in him. As she massaged him gently, he began to relax. He turned and stared up at her. "What are you doing?"

It was time. Time to see if he knew who she was. Time to see that when he saw her, he knew who she was. "Erik, who am I? Who do you see?"

He was taken back by the question. At first he thought her confused, then he understood the meaning of the implication. She wanted to know that it was her he saw, not Christine. "I see a beautiful, fiery young woman. One that has opened my eyes. I see someone who is blind, but saw things much more clearly then one who can see. I see you, Poppy O'Collen. The one that I love is—"

Poppy just stood there. Unchecked feelings ran though her. Surprising them both, she leaned in and found his lips. It was only a brief kiss, but it had much more then just a brush of lips. Erik reached up and grabbed her by her waist, pulling her down onto his lap. Poppy pulled back, blushing lightly. "Well, you aren't shy no more. Are you?"

Erik laughed lightly, "No." he leaned in again, kissing her harder.

Poppy didn't complain. His lips were addictive. They were like that for a long while. When Erik's hands began to stray elsewhere, Poppy allowed him to so, until they got a little too bold. She got scared and nervous. Pulling away lightly, she stopped his hands, from traveling to her breasts. She shook her head, "No. Not now. I—we shouldn't. When I'm ready. But not now." She whispered regrettably, breathing hard.

Erik nodded. He understood. He wanted to wait as well, make sure this was she wanted. He got his self under control. Helping her up, he turned back to the music. "Shall, we practice some more?"

Poppy let out a breath of air and nodded. They sung until, she was almost asleep on her feet. Erik noticed, stopped, and went to carry her to her room. She glared at him, but made no move to stop him. She was already asleep when he laid her down on her bed. Erik stared down at her, brushed a stray hair out of her face. He then turned and left to prepare for Don Juan. It was to be performed very soon.