Author's Note: I do not own The Phantom of the Opera and I make no profit off of this story.
It was strange but Erik didn't appear for the next few days. She tried calling to him a few times but he never responded, so she figured he was busy somewhere else. Perplexed, Meg finally decided to find him, searching out the first hidden doorway he had taken her through and made her way down to the boat. A little daunted by the hard task of rowing out to his island, she none-the-less steeled herself and settled herself in and put her back into it. Almost immediately she got a blister and she told herself she'd have to talk to Erik about finding another way to the island.
Quietly she pulled the little boat up to the steps. Erik watched her without saying anything, waiting for her to finish tying the boat up.
"You shouldn't be here."
"Why not?"
He was distracted, pacing and avoiding her eyes. "You shouldn't have come."
"Why not? What's wrong Erik?"
"It's all gone wrong. I didn't think." His voice sounded so lost and desperate.
She stepped up behind him. "What is it?"
He turned to finally meet her eyes. "You told her you love me." Whatever it was that upset him, it was clear that he thought it was self-evident.
"Yes? You're under no obligation Erik. I don't require you to do anything about it." She was still confused.
"But you don't see! You don't know!" His tone was full of pleading and pain. "I'm not…You shouldn't love someone like me."
And she understood and wept. "Erik…" Her fingers went to his mask and paused, waiting for him to move away or let her continue. He just lowered his eyes, the heavy lashes sweeping his cheeks. Slowly she pulled the mask away and looked for a moment. It wasn't as bad as she'd feared, as bad as he'd made out. She kissed both of his cheeks, feeling first the smooth skin of his left cheek and then the ridged uneven skin of his right under her lips. Tears shone under his eyelashes as she pulled back a little.
He opened his eyes. "Can you really love this?"
"Yes, Erik. I can love you. I do love you."
"But could you really give up everything to live like this?"
"Like what?" Meg asked. "Frankly, I don't see what the problem is. You've lived in the theatre long enough that I would have thought you'd be familiar with stage makeup. You'd be perfectly capable of appearing in public with a judicious application. You're a talented enough musician and composer to support yourself. You could certainly publish that Opera of yours. I don't see that I'd be giving anything up to be with you."
There was a long silence.
"What are you thinking?" she asked finally.
A small, true smile started to form on his lips. "You and I may disagree about your beauty or not-inconsiderable talents but I think once again you have proven your great gift for giving good advice."
She smiled shyly. "Then perhaps you might consider my advice that you come a little closer?"
"And perhaps a kiss?"
Her cheeks burned bright red. "That is excellent advice indeed!"
And Erik, the Phantom of the Opera, took her advice and they all lived happily ever after.
Author's Note: Well, that's all folks. Thanks for joining me on the ride. I had a ton of fun and hope you all did too. So, one last time: please review and let me know what you think!
