Chapter Twentyseven

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

The day before the Masquerade; Karen bought herself a new costume. She and Meg were trying on the dresses they bought for their costumes. Meg was going to wear a long white gown with a mask that looked almost like a cat's face; and Karen was going in a long green gown and a green mask that was made mainly for the eyes. After Meg had gone back to the dormitories with her gown; Erik stopped Karen from changing out of it; and kissed her.

"I'll wait up for you OK?" Karen shook her head.

"You are coming with me." Erik let her go and told her he couldn't. "Because of three years ago?" He nodded. She just smiled. "Meg said that three years ago you made a dramatic entrance, and you dressed like Red Death. This year; your going as The Phantom of The Opera."

"So, I'm going as myself?" She nodded.

"Cape and everything."

"Won't that make people see that I'm not dead?"

"Just trust me." He thought it over; and nodded. Bringing her into a kiss which lasted the rest of the night.


"You guys are sick." Meg told her at ballet practice the next morning. "One day you hate him, the next you love him."

"I could never hate him." She told Meg; placing her leg on the bar and bending. "I was angry. Besides; that was two months ago."

"I'm surprised your not pregnant yet." Meg replied smirking. "You guys go at it like there's no tomorrow."

"Now who's being sick?" Karen taunted smiling. They laughed and continued with the conversation.

"So he's going to stay home while you come with me to the Masquerade right?" Karen shook her head.

"He's coming with me." Meg nearly fell off the bar with that news; she bended and they kept talking about the Masquerade that was to be held that night.

"How? Everyone hates him." she spoke softly so none of the other ballet girls could hear them.

"Meg; do you think I'd let him go out in a crowd of people who wanted him dead without a plan?" Meg shook her head. "Trust me, I've got a plan."

"OK, your lucky that at Masquerade; everyone wears a mask."


Karen was getting ready for that night; Erik was on the organ. She was putting her hair into a low pony-tail; when he came up from behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He lifted her up and spun her around.

"excuse me miss." He teased. "But I must say; I've seen you from a far; but I can not see beneath your mask; please allow me to see." Karen laughed and lifted her mask. Erik acted surprised. "Karen! My god, no wonder I was so attracted." They laughed; and Erik kissed her. "Your beautiful."

"Shouldn't you be getting ready?" Karen asked placing her mask back over her face. Erik smiled and layed on the bed.

"I'm going as myself. I've been ready all night." She smiled and moved his mask. "Just don't do that at the masquerade."

"Of course not." Karen told him smiling. "That would ruin the plan." Erik had been laying on the bed before he suddenly remembered what he had forgotten.

"Close your eyes." Karen did as she was told. He placed an emerald green necklace around her neck; he laced it and told her to look in the mirror. She opened her eyes; and saw the emerald necklace.

"It's gorgeous!" She gasped. Erik kissed her.

"A gorgeous necklace for a gorgeous woman." He replied. "Is this were you plan to make everyone forget about the past?"

"If it happens; but I do not plan on it." She finished her hair; and they had a few extra minutes before having to leave. Erik took her out to the main room and began dancing with her. "Alittle ahead of schedule isn't it?" He laughed and kissed her neck.

"Probably." He spun her around so her back was to him; and his hands were on her waist. "Could you have gone to a Masquerade with another man if I hadn't gone after you?" She shook her head.

"No, I wouldn't be going if they even had a masquerade." He hugged her; until he noticed her mood had changed. "Iris would have had fun."

"I know." She shook off the feeling of sadness; if not just for the night.

"But were going to have fun." She quickly changed the subject. "You and I." He nodded and kissed her neck again. "Erik; what do you think about a baby?"

"I think having one would be amazing. Why? Are you trying to tell me your pregnant?" Karen smiled and shook her head.

"No Erik; I'm not pregnant. I was just wondering. I've been thinking about it lately and I wanted to know what you think." Erik spun her back around to face him; and he was smiling wide.

"Don't get my hopes up like that." She smiled and kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Do you want one?"

"Eventually." She let his neck go. "It's time to go." He nodded and helped her into the boat; keeping her from getting wet.


They met up with Meg in the entrance hall. She was dressed like a formal cat. Many people came up to Karen; and asked who her man was.

"His name is Erik." Erik watched her as if she were insane; he thought she was trying to give him away. "He lives two towns over." At that time; Carlotta was speaking to them.

"Those weeks you weren't here?" Carlotta asked; Karen nodded. "He's a good looker. Do you want to trade?" she grabbed the arm of her current boyfriend; but Karen declined. That's when she saw the ring. She grabbed Karen's hand and examined the ring. "My god! Look at that rock! Good looking and rich too! Damn, ballet girls get all the luck." Erik snickered. Carlotta walked off and while Meg was talking to Karen; Erik noticed Carlotta making sexual gestures towards him. He looked away and back at Karen. He had his arms around her when he shuddered.

"What's wrong?" Karen asked when she felt him shudder. He shook his head.

"Nothing." The music was blaring; and people were dancing.

"Erik. Go dance with Meg, I'll catch the next one with you." He nodded and kissed her. Taking Meg's hand and dancing with her. Madam Giry stood beside Karen as she watched them dance.

"You've got guts." She commented. "Bringing him here. Why is it he looks like himself?"

"The best place to hide." Karen began smiling. "Is in plain sight."

Karen got the next dance; as promised; and Erik had more fun dancing with her than with Meg. He couldn't dance with her the way he wanted; he wanted to pick her up and spin her around; but he couldn't do that; he'd hit people. He never thought he could fit in so well. At the Masquerade; he wasn't a man with a deformed face; he was a real human being. He had a woman in his arms; and no one suspected that he was the murderer from three years ago.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Can I have your attention?" Everyone stopped; Erik had his arm around Karen's waist; and the band went silent. A man with a bandit mask was speaking; and Karen shuddered when she recognized the voice. "This is a fine masquerade; many things have happened this year; good and bad. But; one good thing is that Karen Edalene is getting married! lets congratulate her on her rich fiance!"

"And good looking!" Carlotta shouted. Everyone started to clap; and face Karen. She and Erik waved at them; and smiled. The man with the bandit mask walked to them; and shook their hand.

"We are glad to say that Karen will be heading off to a wonderful life in marriage bliss. But we need to see her fiance without his mask; or we will forever remember him as the man who dressed as the Phantom of so long ago."

"N-No." Karen spoke softly; defending Erik. "What fun would that be? Unmasking someone at a masquerade?"

"Come now!" The bandit masked man spoke. "Let us see." He took the mask and ripped it off.