Erik was on stage talking to a few men when Christine and Gustave returned. When he saw them, he smiled and waved. Christine couldn't help but laugh at such a simple gesture.

The infamous Opera Ghost waving hello.

"Christine, would you please come up here? I think it's time you met Tom." Erik looked over at Tom and whispered, "You are to be helpful to her but keep your hands to yourself."

"Mr. Y, I would never…."

"Spare me, I know all about your reputation. If I ever find that you put your shenanigans before your work, you will answer to me." He leaned into him. "Meg's replacement better be just as talented as she was, or you will answer for it. Do we understand one another?" Erik didn't flinch.

"Yes... Yes, Sir." He forced himself to stop shaking.

Erik smiled as if nothing had happened. "Excellent." He then introduced Christine to him. "Why don't you two talk and we'll leave when you are ready…. Or…"

"Or?" She asked.

"I could take Gustave with me and we could both wait for you…." He then stopped, realizing it was far too soon to suggest such a thing. "I'm sorry. Forget I even mentioned it."

Christine smiled at him encouragingly. "It's alright. I won't be long, and you didn't say anything wrong."

He nodded and then pretended to look busy to not make Gustave anxious, until the boy called his name.

"Mr. Y?"

Erik came hurrying down to the main floor. "Yes, Gustave?"

"Do you really have horses here?"

"I do. Do you ride?"

"No. But I would like to learn. There are many things I would like to learn."

Erik kneeled to be at eye level with him. "You can learn to ride here if you wish."

"Really?"

"We'll ask your mother."

Not knowing Christine was behind him, Erik got up and turned swiftly. "Oh…. Hi."

"Erik, what did you say to Tom?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"He was frightened to death to even give me one recommendation or make changes to my ideas."

"Well, he obviously agreed with you."

"Erik…." She raised her eyebrow.

"Christine, I only told him to be a gentleman. If he doesn't know how to behave without being a cad, I'll know soon enough."

"Is that all? Because I told you I didn't want any special treatment."

"You also don't want to be manhandled, do you?"

She looked back at Tom and spoke softly. "He does that?"

"I'm looking into it. He's a good worker but he likes the ladies a little too much." He then looked worried. "You aren't…. Aren't interested in him, are you?"

She rolled her eyes. "You can't be serious."

"Well, you seem to be asking all sorts of questions about him…." He sighed. "Tom needs to know that you are a lady and sometimes he forgets that his work and his personal interests are not mutually exclusive."

"I appreciate your chivalry, but I can defend myself."

Erik looked at her sadly. "You shouldn't have to." He then touched her wrist and rubbed the spot that he knew Raoul had bruised before.

She softened her tone when her eyes met his. "If I need you, I know you'll be there."

Gustave was growing impatient. "Mother? Can we go see the horses now?"

She took her son's hand. "Yes, Gustave. Thank you for being so patient." She looked at Erik. "Mr. Y, will you please lead the way?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The stables were a complete wonder to Gustave. He loved the horses and Erik was so happy to see the boy smiling again. Gustave was still too short to comb the horses' manes but with Christine's permission, Erik found a small stepstool for the boy to stand on and he stood behind him to make sure Gustave kept his balance.

When one of the horses saw Erik, he hurried over to him and made it known he wanted to be petted.

"My, he really likes you, Erik." Christine grinned.

"How do you do that, Mr. Y?"

Erik leaned in closer into the boy's ear. "I'll show you. It's a secret though, so do you promise to keep it between us three?"

He nodded eagerly.

Then as if by magic, Erik had an apple appear in his hand and started feeding the animal.

"You see, Gustave. It's all about having the right treats." He winked again, and Christine saw the playfulness in his demeanor return.

After the horse had eaten half of the apple, Erik gave the second half to Gustave. "Would you care to feed him, Gustave?"

"Mother, may I?" He practically implored his mother to say yes.

He sounded so excited, Christine didn't dare refuse. "Go ahead, sweetheart."

Erik moved out of the way and allowed Gustave to take control. He stayed close by though, just in case the horse started to get mischievous. Christine grinned, and he couldn't help but notice her happiness.

"This was a good idea, after all?"

She kept her eyes on Gustave but remained smiling. "Oh yes." She then looked at him. "You're at peace here, I can tell."

"Animals were always easier for me to connect with." He then looked back at his son and then to Christine again. "He looks happy."

"He is. You and he are more alike than I ever realized."

"Christine?"

"Yes?"

"Did you ever worry that he might…. When you were carrying him, did you ever fear that he might look like me?"

She looked at him in all seriousness. "Never. I suppose I should have, knowing that…. Erik, you were born... Like that, weren't you?"

He nodded.

"Nevertheless, I never thought about it and when I held him in my arms, all I could think about was how beautiful he was and how…."

"How what?"

"How you would never see him." She looked away. "I thought about that a lot."

"Do you think…. Do you think Gustave could come back and I could teach him how to ride?"

"Teach him?" She looked concerned.

"Not alone. You too. I know he wouldn't want to be alone with me. I know better than to assume that you would allow that just yet."

"Erik, calm down. I'm not worried about you seeing Gustave. I just get a little protective of him. I think your teaching him would be a wonderful idea and maybe you could teach one more student?" She saw his confusion and answered his unspoken question. "Yes, me."

"You? But you ride…."

"No, you helped me onto the horses, remember? I'm not as good as I'd like to be. I never got to ride very often at the de Chagny estate. Raoul didn't like it much and he didn't see the point of my doing something alone." She averted his stare, feeling embarrassed.

"It would be my pleasure, my lady." He bowed. Then he called Gustave over. "Gustave, your mother just asked if I would teach both of you to ride. Would you like that?"

His eyes widened. "Really mother?!"

She kneeled and opened her arms wide for her son to hug her. "Absolutely. When do we begin, Maestro?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

They came back to the stage and Erik offered to escort them back to the hotel. "I just need to grab a report. Do you and Gustave want to come to the office? I can offer you both something to drink."

"No, that's alright. We will wait here for you."

Erik noticed a change in Christine's demeanor. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No, it's just…. I don't think I am up to seeing Madame Giry again."

He eyed her carefully. "What happened?"

"Erik, she said some very unpleasant things before and I don't want Gustave to overhear anything else she might have to say."

Erik cursed under his breath. "That woman…. Christine, she isn't upset at you. It's me."

"No, Erik. She is different. She looked at me with such contempt. I don't know what it is she thinks I have done. We were so close once."

"It's because of me."

"What do you mean?"

"Antoinette's change. It's my fault. It's all my fault."