Oh, here is love, and here is truth,

And here is food for joyous laughter:

He/She will be faithful to his/her sooth

Till we are wed, and even after

~Pirates of Penzance, Gilbert and Sullivan

-o-

~~~Epilogue~~~

-o-

Erik sat alone in the private dining car of their train. It wasn't technically private, but they had it reserved for this time. Only a professional looking bartender stood behind the bar, awaiting an order. Erik rose, crossing to that bartender, and ordered a glass of wine. He was dressed sharply, yet felt utterly naked. The bartender poured him a glass of Bordeaux, which Eric drank down nervously. The man looked at him a bit perplexed.

"Is something the matter, monsieur?"

"No, not at all. I just..don't like trains."

"Ah, well, we will be arriving in Milano before you know it," The bartender replied dutifully.

Truthfully, that wasn't why he was nervous. He was to have dinner with Christine, who was currently getting dressed. She was to meet him here. What she would not be expecting was the fact that he was not wearing his mask. She...seemed to accept him as he was. Perhaps, then, it was time for him to accept himself in the same manner.

A short time later, Christine entered wearing a gold and ivory dress, immaculately fitted and the perfect shade to highlight the gold tones in her hair, which she had kept down as flowing over her shoulders. She startled when she looked up to his face and an immediate, loving smile spread across her face. She rushed over to him and took his head between her hands, guiding it down so she could kiss him. "I am so proud to be yours," she murmured, kissing each cheek, first the perfect one, then the ruined.

Erik was nearly shaking. Being out like this without the mask was a new and terrifying experience for him. "And I am honored that you are mine...You look so beautiful, Christine." He kissed her once more, slowly; on the lips.

She finally, reluctantly, pulled away. "As do you, Erik," she responded honestly. "Now what do you have planned for us this evening?"

"Dinner, and then whatever we wish on the confines of this train," he said simply, giving her an uneven smile.

"I can think of a few things to pass the time," she teased with a glint in her eyes.

He gave her a look, glancing back to the bartender who was dutifully minding his own business. "Pray tell, what did you have in mind?" He asked, his voice dropping to a growl.

Christine stepped away and slid her hands down his chest, feeling the defined muscle under the shirt. "Perhaps dinner could even wait a little longer. Why don't you show me the sleeper car- you promised it to be quite avant- garde," she responded, pulling him toward the door.

~Le Fin~