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.

It may seem terribly silly to most people, but this felt like one of the most personal things I'd ever experienced with another person, and I'll be honest, I'm no virgin. But I've been wearing my mask on a fairly regular basis for years now. And I have never let another person take it off. Not once. So my heart started beating faster as her fingers gently found the edges. I pulled Kris' body closer to mine (which was no easy feat, let me tell you) as she started to pry the mask away from my face. Right before she took it all the way off I heard (and felt) her suck in her breath as in anticipation, and I couldn't help but smile. She smiled back, and I closed my eyes. I wanted to feel her reaction. Not whatever face she decided to put on.

Once my mask was all the way laugh, I felt Kris's body started shaking against mine. And then she broke out laughing. I opened my eyes and smiled at her.

She put her head against my chest and said through her laughter, "You know Erik, you really had me going there. I almost believed that you were actually disfigured." She then pulled her head away (which I was less than thrilled about) and smiled up at me while caressing the right side of my face. "Of course, all that glue, or whatever you use to make it stick, does give it a slightly weird look if you pay enough attention."

I laughed, and lifted Kris up and spun her around a few times. She squealed in delight, and grabbed tightly on to me. This was almost enough reason for me to keep spinning her for eternity. I finally set her feet back on the ground, and quickly captured her lips with mine.

Erik is kissing me. Erik is kissing me. Erik is kissing me! Was all my brain seemed to be able to focus on during that glimpse of heaven. But, after a little bit Erik pulled away. I must admit, I was rather surprised. And he wasn't disfigured. Not that it would have mattered if he was, but it sure was nice staring at a Greek God.

"Forgive me mademoiselle, I, I do not know what I was thinking."

I felt my jaw drop. "What? What's with this 'mademoiselle' crap, Erik?"

At this I saw him blush, "Er, well, merde, it's just that. I like you Kris, and I was under the impression that you liked me too, but. Well," his blush deepened, "When I kissed you, you didn't respond."

I immediately started to laugh. He was too cute! I had never seen him blush before.

"I'm sorr-"

"No, don't be," I said as I calmed myself down, "You want to know why I didn't respond? My mind was focusing on the fact that you were kissing me. I was so surprised, and happy, that I couldn't even respond." I finished while smiling up at him.

At this, his face broke into a huge grin. And he lifted me up once more to kiss him. I made sure he knew how I felt this time. After a few minutes I pulled away with a contented sigh. And grabbed Erik's hand.

"So, this looks exactly like it did in the movie. Did they come here and copy it just for the film?" I asked while walking toward the statue of Apollo.

"Yes, I do believe that they did," He replied while pulling me against his chest again, "Don't tell me that your honestly more interested in a statue than you are in me, mon ange" He said with a smile, but once again, it didn't extend to his eyes.

I smiled and gently kissed his lips, "Don't be silly, I just need to catch my breath, that's all."

He smiled and released me, but still held onto my hand.

I stood on the statue, and said, "Imagine, the Phantom actually stood here."

"Please, Kris, let's not start with that again." Erik replied in an exasperated tone.

I quickly whirled on him, "Don't start what again? Talking about the Phantom? Why shouldn't I? You knew from the beginning that I am a phantom fan. And you are too, obviously so why shouldn't I?"

"At this, Erik quickly turned on me, "Me, a phantom fan?" He laughed with absolutely no amusement, "Surely you must be joking."

"What are you kidding me?" I asked as I got off of the statue, "What do you mean you're not a phantom fan? You're wearing his mask to this party for God's sake!" I said as I gestured to the mask that I had dropped when he had kissed me.

Erik gave me a look that I can't even describe; it was almost like pity mixed with revulsion, "Family honor, Kristina. Nothing else but protecting my family's damned honor."

"What does wearing the Phantom's mask have to do with honor? That makes no sense!"

"What else would Erik Claudin wear? A peasants outfit?"

"What the hell has gotten into you? Of course you're a fan! You said so when we met!"

Erik scoffed, "Please. All I said was that I liked your shirt."

"But, I don't get any of this. Why are you suddenly being such a jackass?"

At this Erik's eyes seemed to soften, "Kristina, mon ange, I am so sorry. I don't know what came over me." He bent down to pick up his mask, and put it back on.

I was totally bewildered. "Erik, what came over you, it was like…you were someone totally different."

"I'm sorry mon ange, I really am. It's just that I have a temper problem. I'm so sorry, it runs in my family."

I walked over to him, and pulled his head down to mine, and kissed him. Yep, that settled it. The evil Erik couldn't kiss as sweetly as that. My Erik was back.

I pulled away and said, "Glad your back."

He smiled and replied, "Me too. Come," He said while stretching out his hand, "We must return-"

"Those two fools who run my theater will be missing you," I finished for him, while grasping his hand.

I'd done it. I knew I would. I try not to, I really do, but I snapped. I felt so bad for getting so standoffish with Kris. I can't even start to say how bad I felt. But she seemed to forgive me with a simple kiss. And that was amazing to me. The only other person to forgive me so quickly was Tony, and he had been mad at me for a week after I snapped at him for the first time.

I glanced back at Kris as we headed back to the ball, and she smiled up at me. And I knew everything was going to be ok.

Once we got back to the party we socialized with people once more for a while, taking frequent breaks to dance, of course.

The party finally ended at midnight, and I couldn't help wonder what would come next. The only reason Kristina and I had stayed in contact was because she promised to come with me to the ball, but what would happen now that it was over?

As I was thinking this, my angel came and slipped her hand into mine, and I stopped worrying, we would figure out what to do next as we came to it.

"Well Erik, that was really fun," Meg said as we walked outside to wait for Tony to bring the car. "Thanks so very much for inviting me."

I laughed in reply and smiled at her, "You are, of course, very welcome. Even if invite isn't quite the word I'd used."

"Yeah, you should have said, 'Thanks so very much for allowing me to beat you into submission for me to come.'" Kris added,

"You know, that wasn't quite what I was looking for either," I replied, "But I suppose it is close enough. Just then Tony pulled up with the car, and Meg got in. Kris started to head in to, but I grabbed her arm and pulled her to the side.

"Mon ange," I whispered, "I was wondering if you would mind allowing me to walk you home."

Kris smiled, and said, "Sure, I was wondering how to make you spend more time with me."

I laughed and went to tell Tony to take Meg home, and that I would call him if I needed a ride. I then went back to Kristina and kissed her as Tony drove off.

Yes! Erik was kissing me again! We stood there locked together until we heard the door to the Opera Populaire open, and Erik quickly pulled away, and called out a goodbye to the Colvilles, who were just now leaving.

"Ah! Erik dear, Mrs. Colville replied, "It has been wonderful to see you again! And it was a pleasure meeting you Miss Kristina."

"You too, Mme. Colville." I replied with a smile.

Once their car pulled away Erik started fuming, "Did you hear her? Miss! She called you miss! Not mademoiselle, as I had introduced you, but miss! That stupid old-"

But Erik never did get to finish his sentence, because I kissed him then. "It's ok Erik, really. I don't mind." I said with a smile.

"Very well, mon ange. I shall drop this. But only for you." He responded while taking my hand and starting to walk back to my hotel.

AN: Ah, another ten o'clock update. But that seems to be the best time for me to write, so I don't mind! This chapter was a little hard for me to write at first, so I was happy when it actually started to work. Hope you liked it!