"Madame et Monsieur Colville! How good it is to see you again! May I present to you, Mlle. Kristina Cadogan."

Mme. Colville smiled and held out her hand to Kris. "It's a pleasure to meet you my dear."

Kris shook Mme Colville's hand and smiled "It's a pleasure to meet you too,"

"Would you listen to that dear!" she said while turning to her husband, "Another American. And see how polite she is. You see, we're not all brutes."

"Mme. Colville is American as well," I quickly told Kris, "If you listen to her, she says that she had to practically beat M. Colville to make him see that she wasn't the brutish American he thought she was."

"Now Erik! How many times must I tell you? Our names are Amy and Joseph! You do not have to call us by our last names."

Joseph just shook his head, "Pay no attention to these two. They are always like this," he said while shaking Kristina's hand, "And, before you judge me too harshly. I do not consider all Americans to be 'brutes,' as these two put it. Only my wife." He added with a smile.

"Well, I do hate to rush off like this, but I must introduce Mlle. Kristina to everyone else. Au revoir," I said while gently leading Kris away.

"They seemed nice," Kris whispered as we walked.

I snorted, "Please. Mme Colville was insulting you. She just tried to hide it so she can get closer to me and my family. And M. Colville wasn't joking when he said that he considered his wife a brute."

"Oh," was all Kris said in reply.

I was starting to believe Erik when he said that this would be no picnic. The Colville's really had seemed nice. But I didn't doubt for a second that Erik was telling the truth.

The next hour passed in a bit of a blur. Erik went around introducing me to everyone. I couldn't tell you half of those people's name to save my life. And after every person he introduced me to, Erik seemed to get more agitated, before putting on a fake smile for the next person we talked to. I was happy when I saw Tony and Meg come in, and started to head over to them. But Erik stopped me.

He apologized, and said that we still had to meet more people, or we would be considered rude. I thought it was all rather stupid. But I didn't say so. I just nodded and followed him.

When all the introductions were finally over, Erik smiled down at me, and said, "Thank the Gods! I thought that would never end!"

I nodded emphatically at this, and Erik just laughed. "I thought you would agree," he said, "Now, mon ange, would you care to dance with me?"

"I thought you'd never ask!" I said while grabbing on to Erik's hand for the dance. I have no idea if Erik paid off the band, or if it was just a coincidence, but once we started dancing, the orchestra started playing Masquerade. I looked at Erik questioningly, but he just smiled that enigmatic smile of his, and kept dancing.

Dancing with him was heaven itself. I didn't want to stop. But, of course, after that song was over the orchestra decided they needed a break, so Erik walked me over to the table where Tony and Meg were sitting.

"If you all will excuse me," Erik said when we got there, "I do believe I could use something to drink. What about you, mon ange?"

I nodded in reply.

"Wow Kris," Meg half whispered once Erik left, "You didn't tell me you could dance!"

"Well, it's not like it came up in any conversations. Besides, you saw me dance at your cousin's wedding!"

"Yeah, but not like that! That was…wow."

I just blushed, because I knew exactly what she meant. I'd never been as agile as I had been when I was dancing with Erik.

"Damn. I wish I could dance like that," Meg said enviously.

"Well, we will just have to see how well you dance!" Tony said with a wink, "You know, listening to her talk, Kris, you would think that I hadn't invited her to dance, but she was too busy staring at everyone's costumes to accept."

"Well, they are very extravagant costumes," Meg told me, "So we'll just have dance once the music start back up again. Won't we, Tony."

"Sounds fine to me Mademoiselle," Tony replied.

Just then Erik returned with our drinks. "Here you mademoiselle," he said while handing me my drink, "I thought some red wine sounded delicious, but I forgot to ask you before I left. I hope that it is to you liking."

I took a sip and smiled at him, "Perfect. Thank you."

"My pleasure, mon ange." He responded. Just then the orchestra started back up, and Tony quickly stood.

"Now Mlle. Megara, I do believe you said you would dance with me. How does right now sound?"

"Terrific," Meg said while setting down her drink, 'We'll see you guys in a bit."

Erik and I sat in silence for a while as we watched our two friends dance. They were laughing and having a good time. I knew that both of them were splendid dancers, but I smugly thought to myself that Erik and I were much better.

"You know, Kris," Erik said as if he were reading my mind, "I do believe we need to show them how it's done."

"I couldn't agree more," I said while getting up.

Nothing had changed in the few minutes since the band had stopped for the first time. It still felt terrific to be in Erik's arms dancing. I was so happy. And as we waltzed around the room, we talked. Mostly about other people's costumes, and how it was a shame that Meg was gay, because she and Tony really did make a cute couple. And other little things. Time passed, I couldn't tell you how much. All I know is that I was quite tired by the time we stopped dancing.

"Forgive me, mon ange," Erik said with a worried look on his face, "I did not realize you were fatigued."

I laughed, "Even if you had wanted to stop. I wouldn't have let you. I was having too good of a time. But I must admit, I could use another drink."

So we headed over to get a drink, while smiling at Tony and Meg, who had once again resumed dancing.

After we had gotten our drinks, Erik turned to me and asked, "It is rather hot in hear, wouldn't you say? Would you like to go and stand on the roof for a while?" As if he really had to ask.

Apparently my face said just that, and he laughed and took my hand in his and escorted me to the top of the Opera Populaire.

I knew she would be thrilled to go onto the roof. I had been planning this for her since we had opened the door to box five. And I was not disappointed in her reaction. She squealed excitedly, and started running and twirling around the building. I smiled and walked to the center of the roof.

It truly was a breathtaking view. It's easy to forget that if you have been on top many times before, but looking at it with fresh eyes. It was truly beautiful. Now most movies tell a lie. In France, you can't see the Eiffel Tower from every window. But you could see it clearly from up here. And it light up the sky wonderfully.

Finally Kris stopped jumping around, and slowly walked back to me blushing.

"You must think I'm a freak. Jumping around like this, but it's just so beautiful."

"I can assure, mon ange, that I had no such thought. I was just thinking that your beauty compliments your surroundings wonderfully."

At this she blushed more, and turned her head away. I lightly chuckled, "How many time must I tell you? I love looking at your face, so please don't turn away from me."

Although her blush had not lightened, she looked back at me, and stepped closer, so there was barely an inch in between the two of us.

"You know Erik," she quietly said, "It really isn't fair that you get to stare at all of my face, and I only get to see half of yours."

I threw back my head, and laughed heartily at this. "Of course, you're right," I said as I wrapped my arms around her, "For you Kristina, I will take off my mask."

"No, wait," she said before I could so much as release her to take it off, "I kinda wanted to take it off myself." She finished.

I must admit, I was slightly taken aback by this, but it thrilled me too. She was getting bolder, and I liked that. A lot. "Of course, mademoiselle, how rude of me not to offer to allow you" I said while bringing my face closer to hers so she could take off my mask.

AN: Yay! I updated sooner than I thought I would. Apparently, this whole cheating thing has just made me want to be more romantic. Lol. I'm not complaining! Anyway, hope you enjoyed!