"Erik! What did you do to your hand?" I asked once he took off his gloves.

Erik looked down and grimaced, "I, er, well, I plead the fifth."

"We're not in America. It doesn't work like that." I said sternly, "Now what happened?"

"You are quite attractive when you're trying to make me do something, mon ange," he responded with a mischievous smile.

I couldn't help but smile, while still trying to gain control, "Don't change the subject."

Erik sighed and responded simply, "I punched a wall."

"You did what?"

"Punched a wall."

"Why would you do something like that?" I asked while taking hold of his hand to look at it carefully.

"I got mad," he said before tilting my head up so he could kiss me. I responded without even thinking, but once I regained control of myself I pulled back.

"That's not a good enough reason, Erik."

"Is there ever a good reason to punch a wall?"

I just lightly hit him on the shoulder, "Don't be a smart ass."

Erik laughed and grabbed me around the waist to pull me closer to him. I gave in and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"You are so beautiful, mon ange."

I blushed, but I managed not to turn my face, that just made things more difficult.

"Come, let us go to bed."

"Go to bed? Together? You must be joking!"

"Why would I be joking? Rochelle is asleep, we've already had dinner, and you said you'd forgiven me." Erik said, sounding genuinely confused.

"Well, yeah, that's all true, but your sister and your mother are still in the house.

Erik cocked his head and gave me a strange look, "Did you not see how big the house was, Kris? I assure you she will have no idea what's going on."

"Well, I'm sure Meg is worrying about me, and I have no clothes."

Erik sighed, "Well, you could call Meg, Tony could get your clothes. Or you could just walk around without them. I'd be fine with that. But it sounds as though you don't wish to stay here tonight, and I only want to make you happy."

My heart melted, "Just point me to the telephone and I'll call Meg."

Erik smiled, gave me a gentle kissed, and escorted me to the nearest phone.

"Have you told her yet?"

I slammed my coffee cup down a little harder than was absolutely necessary before snapping, "No, I haven't Tony."

"That's what I thought. You've got to tell her. The longer you keep from telling her the harder it will be for her to accept."

"You think I don't know that? But what's the point? She's leaving in a matter of days anyway! If I tell her now, what's it going to matter? She'll just leave even faster!" I said as I gripped the handle of my cup as though I was holding on for dear life.

Tony looked disgusted with me. "If that's your attitude, you obviously don't care for her as much as I thought you did. Or as much as I care for her, for that matter," he said as he walked out.

"Tony!" I bellowed, "Get back here! What the hell do you mean?" But it was too late, I could already hear the car start as Tony left. "Fuck." I said as I broke my coffee cup that I had been holding had broken. "Fuck," I said again as the coffee poured out of the cup and burned my hand. "Fuck." I said once more, just for good measure as I put my hand under the kitchen sink.

As I was walking down the stairs, I smelled coffee, and knew I was in heaven. I could see it already. Erik was sitting down in the kitchen (hopefully wearing very little), and sipping his coffee, with a fresh batch ready for me. Once I turned the corner, I wasn't disappointed.

"Hey Erik," I said before giving him a kiss, "I hope you don't mind, but I borrowed one of your shirts, I think I forgot to ask Tony to get my clothes."

"Hm, I thought we had decided you'd be wearing nothing, but this isn't too bad," he replied with a small smile, "and Tony just left to get your clothes a few minutes ago, I think."

"Sounds good. What kind of coffee is this?" I asked as I helped myself to a cup.

"Just coffee nothing special."

"Not decaff?"

"Hell no."

"Thank the gods." I said while taking a sip. "So what do we have planned for today?"

"To be honest, I'm not totally sure yet, I was thinking you could hang out with Rochelle some more while I did some more work."

"Sounds great!" I replied, "Rochelle is such a sweetie. But I better get to see you quite a bit. Otherwise I'll be disappointed."

He smiled a bit wider than he had before, and said, "Of course."

"Grasp it, sense it-tremulous and tender. Turn your face away from the garish light of day, turn your thoughts away from cold unfeeling light, and listen to the music of the night. Close your eyes and surrender-"

"You never told me you had such a lovely voice, Kristina." I said with a smile.

Kris quickly turned to face me while covering herself, "Erik! Get out! I'm changing!"

"It's not like I haven't seen it before," I pointed out.

She quickly grabbed a pillow from the bed and threw it at me, I left laughing. Once she was finished she came out of our room.

"You should have knocked!"

"But it's my room," I said while pulling her to me. "I shouldn't have to knock."

"You make it so difficult to stay mad at you when you hold me."

"I should do it more often then," I said while gently kissing the top of her head, "Have you already grown bored of Rochelle?"

"Of course not! How could you even think such a thing?" Kris replied, "She just said that she had a lesson, so we stopped playing chess so she could go to her class."

"Ah. Of course. How could I forget? Well, its past noon, you must be hungry, let's see what we can have to cook make for us, perhaps we could have him pack us a picnic. Would you like that?"

"I'd like that very much."

"That was delicious! Remind me to compliment the chef!"

"I'll make sure he knows that you approve." Erik said with a strained smile.

"Erik, what's the matter," I asked as I grabbed him by the arm and made him start. You've been so distant today, even when you smile, it's not like you really mean it."

"It is nothing mon ange, don't worry."

"That's the thing Erik, I do worry! You've been so out of it today, you've barely said anything to Tony, you merely uttered a 'thanks' to him when he brought my clothes and that's it! What's the matter?"

Erik's anger seemed to be rising, "Please, Kristina, drop it."

"No, don't you get it Erik? I'm really worried about you! What's the matter?"

Erik had to breathe deep before responding, "Tonight."

"What?"

"Tonight, I'll tell you everything tonight. But for the rest of the day, just let me be with you as you see me now."

"Erik, what are you talking about?"

"Please Kristina, just promise me."

"Ok, I promise," I was worried, but I didn't want to push him away so I just dropped the subject. I gave him a kiss to show him that I meant it, and then we headed back to the house. Once we got there, Rochelle ran out and gave us both a hug.

"Come! Let me show you what I painted today!" Rochelle said with a huge smile.

"Of course, mon petite chere." Erik said as he picked up his little sister.

I let Erik walk a little bit a head of me, because I was suddenly having trouble walking. I had just figured out why I was so worried about him. I was falling in love with Erik. This would definitely make leaving much harder.

AN: So, this chapter is over a thousand words, so I hope it counts as a decently longchapter for you guys. Obviously Kristina was singing "Music of the Night" which I did not right. Full credit goes to Andrew Lloyd Webber and his lyricist. We're getting so close to Erik's secret, and other cool things that have been where I've been trying to lead up to this entire time. So close! Hope you enjoyed!