Disclaimer: I don't own Phantom of the Opera or Wicked.

Remember: Keep your hand at the level of your eyes, and nothing matters but knowing nothing matters.

Chapter VIII – Paris at Midnight

Erik and Elphaba laughed long after the police and Raoul had rushed out.

"I've been waiting for another opportunity to give him a scare," said Erik. "Especially since he's been chasing after me lately."

Elphie grinned. "Where did you learn to do that?"

The mood grew tense as he shifted uncomfortably.

"I… was part of a gypsy freak show when I was young. There were magicians of all sorts, and I learned every trick there was to know. All the other children were afraid of me, even though quite a few were older than I was."

Elphie raised an eyebrow. "Odd."

He shrugged. "Not really. I held as much power in that camp as the wisest medicine woman, and just as much knowledge."

She glanced at the back door from their vantage point in the rafters. "Do you think he'll come back?"

Erik rolled his eyes. "Probably. He knows I'm still here, so make that definitely."

"What'll we do when he comes again?"

"Go live in la Tour Eiffel, to satisfy your craving for a tower home," he said dryly.

She gave him a look.

"I have no sense of humor, mademoiselle. And if I do, it is more twisted than anyone's in the world."

"So I see."

Elphaba silently marveled at the architecture of the building. All the Gothic designs, with angels and demons clashing in the enormous sculpture, and beautiful women statues along the staircase were crafted with such pristine perfection.

"You said Garnier built this opera?"

Erik nodded in assent.

"How long did it take?"

"Nine years."

"You know everything about it! You make it sound like you own the place!"

He stared at her. "That's because I do. I designed everything, alongside Garnier himself. He never knew about the passageways I put in, to make certain areas more accessible for myself."

He remembered Elphie's preoccupation with water, and decided to touch on the lake.

"He was so upset when we dug into the lake, he almost quit there. But I convinced him to keep building around it, and use the lake to get around below."

She shivered involuntarily.

"What is so wrong with a lake, mademoiselle?" he asked casually.

"Oh… nothing's wrong with it, nothing at all," she said quickly.

"But something bothers you about it. I remember a few days ago, you couldn't wait to get that raindrop off your hand. And when you couldn't sleep, one of the first things you said was 'I can't believe you live on a lake'. So what's the problem with it?"

Elphie shuddered harder this time.

"I don't know!" she burst out. "But whenever it touches me, it burns. Like nothing I've ever felt before. Ever since I was a child, I've hated water. It's like some innate sense is telling me to stay away from it. Even tears sting."

Erik's brow furrowed.

"So whenever it rains, you must be completely covered?"

"Yes."

He looked at her. "What a sad way to live your life."

She turned fierce in an instant. "I don't need pity from anyone, especially someone like you!"

She stalked away, but trying to hide was useless. Erik let her go for five minutes' head start, then caught up to her in the old costume department.

"I don't take pity either," he said softly. "However, one can always use compassion. Come with me."

She let him guide her to the roof again, where it had started to snow lightly. They gazed out over the blackened city at the Eiffel Tower, its many lights extinguishing the daytime ugliness of the building.

Elphie's breath caught in her throat. "It's beautiful at night."

"Everything is beautiful at night," he responded. "In light your eyes see only the truth, and that isn't necessarily what you're looking for. Darkness makes the entire world more attractive."

She leaned against his shoulder, smiling slightly. "Have you ever thought of taking up poetry?"

"That's what music is, my dear. Everything in life can be translated into verse, and music is simply notes behind the lines."

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A/N: Sorry for the short one, you guys, but I wasn't exactly sure how fast I wanted this to go. I think we're gonna find Fiyero before she discovers her feelings for Erik.