And I'm back briefly! School is killin' me dead this semester, but I did get this short update out for y'all.

As always mad props and love for my Beta and good friend, Erik.


"...why do you condemn a man whom you have never seen, whom no one knows and about whom you yourself know nothing?"

-- From "The Phantom of the Opera" by Gaston Leroux


Being suddenly faced with total sobriety, Erik's nicotine cravings skyrocketed, and it wasn't long until he was forced to down several aspirin, pull his hair back into a half ponytail, put a ball cap on low over his eyes, and set outside to face the world.

Stupid, fuckin' sun, he grumbled inwardly as he walked with his hands shoved in his pockets. Why's it always so bright when I have a hangover? Scowling, he moved through the lunch crowds that blocked most of the sidewalk; bloody pedestrians...

The pattern ingrained in his memories, he followed his feet into the grocer's and over to the counter where the clerk was counting packs of cigs. From behind the girl had straight blonde hair, pulled into a loose bun and a full figure. Erik tilted his head a bit without thought to appreciate her generous hips a moment before coughing politely. "Excuse me Miss--oh fuck..." His faint smile collapsed as the girl turned and he recognized her sudden sneer.

"What the hell are you doin' here?" she asked acidly. She was a plain girl really, but she looked rather impressive with hateful fires burning in her eyes.

His headache flared suddenly and he closed his eyes, lifting a hand to uselessly rub his temple through the leather. Under other circumstances he would have snapped back that he had every right to be there, but now he couldn't bring himself to try and rally the effort. "I just wanted a pack of Red Apples," he muttered softly, glancing down to the counter.

---------

Christine was not pleased when she'd received a call this morning that the afternoon person couldn't work and Mr. Gordeep needed her to come in. Still, at least she'd gotten some rest after Mandi had come in at 6-am to relieve her. She'd shakily explained what had happened last night to her friend, who was horrified by it, and then gone home to go stand under a nearly scalding shower for an hour or so.

Christine still got chills thinking about it; that voice...that Goddamned haunting, sorrowful voice! She couldn't get it out of her head. Christine had fallen asleep listening to skeletal angels singing the Dies Irae.

And suddenly he was back, speaking in a soft voice behind her as if last night hadn't happened. She'd turned without thought and sneered openly at him and readied herself for another battle.

Instead, he'd grimaced and looked away, mumbling about wanting cigarettes, and her anger dissipated swiftly. He was just so baffling! Releasing a heavy breath, she shook her head and lifted a hand to brush a few flyaway hairs behind her ear. "Yeah, no problem," she replied tiredly as she turned to retrieve the cigarettes.

He paid for them without another word and turned to tuck them into his pocket with the change. As he did so, she suddenly noticed that because his hair was pulled back beneath his battered ball-cap, she could see that he had no left ear. Only terrifying scars around a small, unnatural hole. It's all true, she realized. She'd been shocked with Darren had told her, but the reality of it hadn't sunk in. Erik had to wear that mask.

Christine fought down a flash of annoyance at how easily the man before her played with her emotions. In one breath, he was a completely unrepentant ass that she would dearly love to bitch-slap, and in the next he was kind, loyal, and hurting in such a way that she wanted to draw him into her arms. She snorted softly at herself as he left the store silently; probably just getting ready for my period, she thought with a faint smile as she turned back to the case behind her.

"Look, I just wanted--"

She jumped and screamed at the unexpected return of his voice, speaking hurriedly. Spinning around with her hand over her heart, she shook her head and laughed breathlessly. "Dammit they should put a bell on you!" she declared.

Erik quirked a skirt-melting half grin and tilted his head a bit, shrugging his shoulders with his hands tucked into his pockets. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," he said softly then sobered a bit, shifting awkwardly and lifting a hand to tug lightly on the bill of his cap. "I just wanted to apologize for yesterday."

Christine's smile faded and instinctively crossed her hands over her chest. He grimaced at her defensive motion and rested his hand on the back of his neck, glancing past her. "I know I can't make excuses for it, but I was drunk as a skunk..." he trailed off and frowned deeply. "I barely remember it m'self, but still, I'm sorry." He shrugged again and turned to leave again, shoulders tight with tension.

She was calling out before she could think about it. "Hey wait." He paused in the doorway, looking back at her expectantly. She bit her lower lip, suddenly hesitant and then hating herself for feeling that way. "Thanks," she shrugged a shoulder and glanced away fighting a blush as she watched him smile. "I'll...um...probably see you around when I'm with Mandi," she finished lamely. Christ, I sound like some pre-teen, doe-eyed, twit.

He nodded a bit, still smiling. "I'm sure I'll turn up," he answered, his shoulders falling a bit as the tension left his frame. "I'm like bad penny."

And with that he was gone.