Chapter Twelve

DISCLAIMER: OK; I don't own phantom of the opera. Plain and simple

Karen and Erik stood on the rooftop together for hours. It wasn't until they were about to leave; that Karen; while hugging Erik;felt a surge go through her. Erik was the only truthful man she's ever known. Even her own father wasn't as truthful and loyal as him. When she started off back to the dormitories; he grabbed her hand and pulled her back into a hug. He lifted her chin with his finger and planted a kiss on her lips. There was nothing sweeter at that moment; than the feeling of her lips against his, and vise versa.

Erik frenched her; he stuck his tongue in her mouth and everything. When he let her go; her breath was caught in her throat. He still had his hand on her's when he let her go.

"Karen I-I've been thinking it over; and I-I love you." A smile spread across her face as she locked her arms around his neck and he spun her around.

"Erik; I love you too! I love you so much!" He held onto her tightly; and kissed her neck.

"Why don't you come home with me? Meg can cover for you can't she?" Karen paused; and then nodded. He smiled and swept her off her feet. Her arms locked around his neck and he ran her back down to the mirror and into the boat. When they got to his lair; she grabbed his hand and was escorted off the boat; and onto the land. He held her once again; and kissed her. "You know I'll do anything to protect you; don't you?"

"Of course." She smiled and hugged onto him. He ran his fingers through her hair and nuzzled the top of her head. He brought her face up with his hand; it gently held her soft face; the face of the only person in the world who could love him.

"Do you mind if I ask; are you in fact; in your right mind?"

"Yes, why?"

"Because you love me." He told her. "I never thought anyone could. Because of my face.." Karen placed her finger on his lips gently, and then kissed him.

"There isn't anything about your face, that I don't love. I love the half that is distorted; I love the half that isn't. I'd still love you, even if your whole face was burned off. I'd love you; if half your body was burned gone. I'd love you if your whole body was one big burn." He smiled and picked her up; swinging her legs over his arm.

"Karen, my god, your such an angel.Why, why couldn't you have been with me three years ago?" He kissed her jaw bone. "I love you, so much."he kissed her under her ear; and Karen giggled; He lifted his head to see her eyes. "What are you laughing at?"

"That tickled." He grinned and kissed her under her ear again. She kept laughing until she backed away. He grinned and lifted her off her feet. He rested her in his bed; caressing her face; and letting her lay on the pillows. He lay beside her; caressing her and kissing her.

"Don't leave me like Christine did..." He begged softly. "I can't lose you too.."

"Erik; I'd never, ever leave you. If it wasn't for Meg, Madam Giry, Iris, Raphael and everyone in the opera populaire; I'd stay here with you." She moved so his head was resting under her chin. "I love you. I will never, ever, betray you." He smiled and kissed under her collar bone. She smiled and stroked his black hair. "Your way too important to me." He slid his arm around her waist and let her stroke his hair; it was a comfortable position. She lifted his mask off his face; he took it from her hands and put it on the end table. He put his arm back around her waist and hugged her. As if he were to let her go; she would leave just like Christine.

"Will Raphael leave you alone now?"

"Doubt it." She told him; caressing him. "Your supposed to be dead. Only Meg and Iris know. As far as everyone knows; your dead and Raphael and I are back together." She rested her head on top of his; and slid her hand down to meet his.

"Oh right." He moved so his head met with her's. "Oh well. I know you won't ever fall for his tricks." Karen smiled and kissed him.

"No I won't. Not ever again." He hugged her; and for a long time after wards; they just lie there. Karen was facing him; and he was facing her with his eyes closed; her hand was resting on his jaw; as she sang to him. "Child of the wilderness
Born into emptiness
Learn to be lonely
Learn to find your way in darkness

Who will be there for you
Comfort and care for you
Learn to be lonely
Learn to be your one companion

Never dreamed out in the world
There are arms to hold you
You've always known your heart was on its own

So laugh in your loneliness
Child of the wilderness
Learn to Be lonely
Learn how to love life that is lived alone

Learn to be lonely
Life can lived, life can be loved alone" By the time the song finished; he was fast asleep. Karen smiled; and lay very close to him. She pulled the blankets over them, and rested her headunder hischin.It was his heartbeat that put her to sleep.


aww! How cute is that?anyway. The song is "Learn to Be Lonely" From POTO. But; the singer is Minnie Driver. :DD