Once again, I thank you for your reviews and for reading this story. We seem to have entered a few more issues, other than the courtship between our super couple. Rest assured, this all ties into their relationship and what they will go through together.

If you like what you are reading, please send a review and let me know. I treasure each one and as a writer, it fuels the creative juices.

I still own nothing...Wait, I do own Molly and I think she is mega cool. LOL On with the show!

Erik didn't really put up much of an argument. He didn't want to go alone but a part of him feared that Christine would somehow think badly of him, if what he suspected might end up being true. He didn't want her to think that he would condone that sort of behavior.

When they boarded the train, he remembered a small basket Christine had been carrying around with her.

"What was in the basket?"

She felt silly. "I was going to surprise you with a picnic, one outside this time before our lesson…"

He took her hand. "Angel, I need for you to know that if it is true…."

"Erik, don't."

"I have to tell you…."

"I already know. I know without any reservations that you couldn't have known. You would never be a part of something like that. If Meg…. Did what she did, it was on her own accord."

He kissed her hand in gratitude and softly told her thank you.

"Is that what you thought? That I would think you had any part or knowledge in this mess?"

He nodded quickly, and she flung her arms around him tightly. Erik found peace burying his head in the plethora of her curls. They stayed like that for a long time, just holding one another, rocking along to the sound of the train.

Finally, Erik lifted his head. "What if Antoinette blames me?"

"No, despite your differences she knows you. Although she will be devastated, she will not blame you."

Erik wasn't so convinced.

Christine's mind returned to when she saw Erik take money from his safe. "Erik that was an awful lot of money you pulled from your safe. Is that…. Normal?"

"I've been saving. I told you that I intended to make good on my promise to the Girys. This may set things back a bit." He suddenly wished he was still employed as the Opera Ghost. Money came so easily then.

She caressed the back of his neck.

"I'll sing with all my might and then we can charge double." She caught his eye and matched his grinned.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

When they arrived, Erik asked Christine to wait for him. She seemed hurt at first, but Erik quickly pulled her to him.

"This has nothing to do with my not trusting you or not wanting your input. I have every intention of telling you everything except…."

"Except?"

"These men won't. Right or wrong, I feel I'll get honesty from them if they don't have to talk in front of a lady. That and…." He shook his satchel.

"I understand. I'm sorry you have to waste time over my foolishness. I came here to help you, not hinder you."

"You have no idea how much it means to have you with me."

She kissed his unmasked cheek. "Good luck? I'm not sure what to say." She laughed nervously.

He squeezed her hand before letting it go. "With a sweet kiss like that, words are not necessary."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The time seemed to pass by so slowly and Christine felt as if Erik was never going to come out of the room. She suddenly started to fear that he would get into trouble and they would take away the park. She had to calm herself and since there weren't many options, pacing was her only alternative. After more time passed, Erik came into the hallway and Christine ran to embrace him.

"Thank God! I was so afraid the longer you were in there." She tried to judge his mood, but it was near impossible due to his mask. She hated it. She really did but she pulled herself out of her thoughts and focused back on him. Now was not the time for that.

"Are you alright? What happened?"

He looked tense and she could tell he was trying very hard to keep his anger in check.

"Erik?"

"Christine, I need to hear you sing."

She looked at him blankly. "Sing?"

"If I don't hear you sing and calm down, I am going to hunt Antoinette down and kill her like the animal she has become."