Author's Note- I'm glad you guys are enjoying this! As is my sis…)

The Mouse in the Opera House- lol, I don't know too many who wouldn't...I'm not complaining, hehe.

Tallacus- hehe, couple cuteness you say? Perhapes…grin Erik still resents the crazy comment though…pokes Erik and yes, I love that line too. And, I'm gonna find a way to add your suggestions! I likes them!

Chapter 3

Tacos and Chocolate

Raoul and Mary walked arm in arm to first class dining room. Passing table by table, and seeing people's expressions to others they had never met before. "Oh, Raoul! Look, our table is with Rose!" exclaimed Mary to her companion.

"Who's Ro…" said Raoul suddenly.

"Come Raoul!" Mary cut him off. "Here we are!" she took a seat and looked at the one that had Raoul's name-plate on it. "Oh, Raoul, it seems you must sit next to… Monsieur…Erik…Destler. Your.. best… friend." She frowned and looked at Erik, who was lost in conversation with Rose's snobbish mother about the Opera. When he heard his name however, he turned and became wide-eyed, giving Raoul an evil look. He stuck his hand in his pocket again, as if to pull out his lasso but was stopped with a harsh look from Jen. "You had this all planned, didn't you my dear?" the Phantom whispered in his 'fiancé's' ear. She smiled sweetly. "Why, of course not!" she whispered back. "Just ignore him." Jen smiled at Mary who was giving her escort similar advice.

The two did as told. Erik stared at Raoul. Raoul tried to stare off somewhere else and not think about the crazy guy next to him. After moments a waiter appeared with drinks. " What will you be having?" asked the waiter smiling at the circle of people.

" CHICKEN AND BREAD!" shouted Mary to the waiter. The other's at the table all gave her a startled look and she smiled sheepishly. "I mean, I would like the chicken platter with a slice of bread if it is possible sir." The waiter nodded, still shocked at her original reaction, and turned to Raoul. "And for you sir?"

"I want a taco!" the vicomte said, smiling. Everyone at the table stopped what they were doing and stared at him. "A what sir?" The waiter asked, giving him a confused look.

Thus, Raoul explained the delicious food substance. What it held, and what the incredible ingredients were. How each piece was cut perfectly to shape, and of all types of taste at once. An explanation that put Raoul into a dream world of a Mexican plate he had never heard of till this memorable moment that would change his life forever. He had no idea what had popped into his head, but this taco certainly sounded wonderful. He didn't notice Jen's evil grin as she played with her remote.

"So, you would like…that?" The waiter asked after taking notes. " If I'm with a taco, then my life is perfect…'' said Raoul, still in his dream-world of… Tacos. Mary gave him a strange look. "What about me?" she asked. It was Raoul's turn to give strange looks.

"Right, sir, right. Yes… for you Ma'am." exclaimed the waiter still looking confused and perhaps more. He attempted a charming smile at Jen. "Fillet mignon please." She said, giving a charming smile. "Well done if possible." The waiter smiled and wrote it down, happy that someone wanted a normal meal. "And you, monsieur?"

"Same as her." He said simply, mask gleaming in the candle light. The waiter then moved further down the table, taking orders as he went. Rose's mother turned back to Erik. "So, Mr. Destler, what have you written? I heard you mention music." Erik went wide eyed again, but it was mostly hidden by the half-mask. "Nothing much, just a few songs here and there." He said, not knowing exactly what he should say. She nodded. Jen sighed softly, so she wouldn't draw attention. She didn't know much about herself, so she decided to delve into her memory. First off- her name. She looked at the little place-holder with her name engraved on it. Her name was Sarah Leskay, she was 20, from England, and fairly wealthy. Her father had been a business man of some kind, though she didn't know what. At 17 she had traveled to Paris to join the Opera, being a musician of sorts. It was there she had met Erik, and the rest was history. She was now engaged to him, and upon reaching America they would be married. Jen smiled, she planned on keeping her identity of Jen, at least when around Jessica- Mary, and Rose. Erik, she could tell, planned on it as well.

After short conversation the food was finally brought out. She smiled and cut a piece of her steak. "Good my dear?" Erik asked, trying to stay in character. She smiled. "Yes, it is." She replied simply. She looked at Mary, and Rose, and then Raoul. What she saw on his plate made her laugh. Sure, it slightly resembled a taco, but it was almost pitiful. It probably tasted alright though. The Vicomte seemed to be enjoying it. She played with her steak, pushing it around the plate while chewing. After swallowing she smiled. "You know…fillet mignon means 'cute steak' in French…" she said softly. Erik shook his head slightly. "What does that have to do with anything?" he asked so only she could hear. Jen shrugged. "I don't know. Conversation starter I guess." Rose seemed to understand and smiled. "It does?"

"Yes." Erik replied. He was fluent in French, as he should be Jen thought. She herself did not know a lot, but what she knew was enough. "You speak French, mademoiselle?" Ruth asked. Jen glanced at Rose's 'mother' and shrugged. Not overly lady-like she figured, but she didn't care. "Some. Not a great deal, but enough. Erik helps me with what I don't know."

"I see." From there, a light conversation of the French language began. Raoul smiled and joined in, as he, like Erik, knew it as his native tongue. Jen sighed, she was bored. Finally the waiter re-appeared. "Would you like any dessert, ma'am?" he asked. She smiled and pointed to the menu. "This please."

"And you?" Erik glanced at him. "Anything with chocolate." Jen cringed inwardly. He was a chocoholic, and enough of one to make it seem like she never ate it. Jen herself couldn't go one day without chocolate of some form. The waiter nodded and moved on. Dessert was brought and Jen ate hers, trying to look like she had a clue as to how she should act. She wasn't use to this whole '1st class' thing. Erik, however, seemed at home. He would never cease to amaze her. He finished his, and asked for more. Seven dishes later, he was finally ready to go. Everyone stared in amazement at the Phantom- how could he eat so much chocolate? The world may never know. "Brandies and a smoke?" one of the wealthy men suggested. Erik politely declined and stood, taking Jen's arm. He noticed the music playing. "Care to dance?"

"Erik…" Jen began to protest, already being pulled onto the dance floor. "You know I can't dance." She hissed in his ear as the song began. There were few other couples on the floor, though as dinner ended a few more joined. Raoul asked Mary who agreed, and they were soon on the floor beside Jen and Erik. Erik ignored Raoul, or tried to look like he was. Jen wasn't sure which was true. She stepped on his feet more than once and he ground his teeth. When the song ended he did not ask for another dance. Jen smiled sweetly. "I told you I don't dance."

"I regret having not listened…" he muttered, leading her away from the room. They found themselves on deck. It was a beautiful night. Jen smiled at the stars and leaned against the rail, Erik beside her. Meanwhile, back in the dining room, Rose, Raoul, and Mary were enjoying a conversation with the rest of the table. Yes, it was a wonderful- if strange night.

Author's Note- Review? Pweese?