Disclaimer: I do not own PhofOp.

Ice Cream Makes Everything Better

Christine slammed her car door shut, locking it with jerky movements before stomping to the theatre. She tried to calm her frustration down as she made her way to the stage where Erik would be waiting for her, but it was hard to swallow. When she had almost arrived to the stage but still hadn't managed to calm down, she forced herself to stop and take deep breaths. Erik had been tutoring her for over two weeks now and she didn't want him to see her in such an unprofessional state after so little time. After a few minutes of breathing she still felt angry but was sure she was okay enough to get through her session.

Christine made it to the stage where she saw Erik already sitting at the piano, playing a few notes, pausing then playing few more.

"Good evening, Miss Daae." Erik greeted without turning and playing another set of notes.

"Good evening, Erik." Christine replied.

Christine watch Erik stop. He had been about to press another set of keys, but he sat there with a hand posed just above the keys but not touching them. After a moment, he turned to face her with curious eyes.

"Is something the matter?"

Christine stopped short and quickly shook her head. "No, of course not. Why?"

Erik continued to observe her. His golden orbs sweeping over her, trying to locate the faintest hint she was lying. Christine had to fight to keep her posture neutral. She thought she had done just that when Erik looked away and back down on to piano.

Until.

"I ask because most people who are feeling fine do not bite their lips out of habit Miss Daae."

Oh.

Immediately she noticed that she was indeed biting her bottom lip and stopped. Gesturing her hand to the side as if to sweep the problem away, she tried to change the topic. "I'm sorry, but really its nothing. Can we begin?"

"No…" Erik replied softly, his voice trailing off. The answer sending an uneasy jolt through Christine.

He then stood up and, before she could begin to speak, closed the top over the piano keys.

"Miss Daae." He stated, cutting off anything she was going to say.

Her hands twitched, wanting to clasp them but she fought the urge. "Yes?"

"Come with me."

Christine followed Erik as he led her through the backstage. She didn't dare speak, too afraid that she had somehow angered him. Probably for letting my emotions interfere, she thought disappointed in herself and sad that she had let Erik down.

She recognized the offices for the teachers and some of the head staff workers as they made their way through the small hallways. The two walked a little more when they passed all those offices before stopping in front of one that had no name plate. Erik took out a small golden key and unlocked the door. Once done he opened it and walked inside, turning on the light as he went.

Christine waited by the door, not wanting to enter without permission. So as Erik moved around, her eyes took in the room that belonged to her teacher. It was small but functional, probably would be even more so if it wasn't for all the music sheets and books scattered everywhere. From what she could tell, the books were over all kinds of subjects. Music and theatre, architecture, different kinds of engineering, and cooking, plus she was sure she spotted one on magic tricks. The room held a desk with a computer, a chair in front and behind it, there was a bookcase that was overly full and the back wall even had a clothing rack containing theatre costumes, though they appeared to be needing some type of repair. And was that…a purple glitter mask?

Erik brought out a small wooden chest from under the desk and set it on top, bringing Christine's attention back to him. He opened the chest and took something out that Christine couldn't see from the chest top blocking her view then closed it back up.

"Wait here."

Without another word, he brushed past her and left.

Christine waited in his office. To past the time, she browsed through the books in the case. There was definitely a variety of them. It was interesting to see what other interests Erik had other than music. She could tell that music was, non-surprising, the most important one though. It was a little after 10 minutes before Erik returned, and when he did she was startled.

"Your mask…"

Erik was no longer wearing the phantom white mask she had only ever seen him in. Instead, while he was still wearing a mask that seemed like the other, this one was a softer shade with white mixture of beige and pink giving the mask a color that was close to Erik's own skin tone.

"While I do love the dramatic flair the other one gives me, I cannot very well go walking around with something that grabs more attention than averts it in public. Such a thing would be counterproductive. This one allows me to walk around with no one second glancing." Erik explained causally.

Christine had to admit that he had a point. Looking at him directly, it is pretty obvious that he was wearing a mask. However, if she was just walking down the street, minding her own business and they pasted each other, she wouldn't have given him a backward glance. Or, at least, not because of his mask.

That was when she noticed that Erik was holding something in each hand, making Christine's eyes widen.

"You…brought me ice cream? Chocolate ice cream?" she marveled as she stared at the two ice cream cups Erik was holding. Not only did he get ice cream, the cups were from a shop a few building rows away from the theatre. No wonder it had taken him a while.

Erik shifted from foot to foot a couple times before holding out one of the cups to her, suddenly not meeting her eyes.

"Yes, you seem to be in need for it."

Reaching out, she still couldn't believe what was happening right before her eyes.

"But…but you hate chocolate! And keep saying how a singer should never eat ice cream!"

When she took the cup offered, Erik walked past her to get back to his desk. As he was shuffling in his desk drawers he responded.

"While I do not like chocolate in of itself. Ice cream I only suggest not having before a singer is scheduled to perform," Erik must have found what he was looking for because he closed the drawer. Again he held something out to Christine and she saw that it was a plastic spoon. She took it, and he continued. "Besides Madame Giry has always made it a point to say that when one is upset, it is a time for ice cream."

Christine chuckled at that and Erik signaled her to follow him. Together they made their way back to the stage and sat down next to each other on the edge, having their legs swung over, though she kept one leg bent in front of her. They sat there, just eating their ice cream, enjoying the silence. After a while though, Christine heard a melody she had never heard before. It was very sweet and had a calming effect on her, making her relax and almost fall into a dazed state. She realized that the sound was Erik humming.

"What are you humming?"

Erik stilled, then looked at her from the corner of his eye. "Just a lullaby. I wrote it long ago."

Seeing that Erik appeared to be in a talkative mood, Christine eagerly jumped on the chance to learn more about her mysterious tutor.

"A lullaby? That doesn't seem like something you would write." Realizing how that might have sounded Christine quickly continued. "Not that there is anything wrong with that! It is very beautiful."

Erik shrugged, messing around with his spoon in the reminder of his melting ice cream.

"I wrote it when my niece was born. It was my first gift to her. Madame Giry was very pleased with it."

"Madame Giry is your sister?!" Christine couldn't help but yelp, imagining the strict formal/ballet dance instructor she had class with twice a week with and tried to find any resemblance, which was difficult with the mask.

Erik smirked at her reaction but shook his head.

"Oh no, I'm a single child. Madame Giry and I have been friends for many years. The niece part is unofficial, but I have been with her since she was born, so I was given the title 'uncle.' She is old enough now to understand that I am not blood, but continues to address me as such."

While his outward appearance didn't show anything to give away his thoughts, the sparkle in his eyes certainly did.

"May I hear it? You singing it?" Christine implored, wanting to hear Erik sing.

"If that is what you wish." Erik answered, putting the now empty cup of ice cream next to him before turning back to meet her eyes seriously. "But you must tell me in return what was so distressing for you that it interfered with your lesson?"

Christine flushed red. "I know. I'm sorry for letting my emotions distract me. I—"

"Miss Daae." Erik cut off firmly. "You have no need to apologize. It is perfectly natural to sometimes allow emotions to cloud over thoughts. I ask for your reason out of concern, not to seek apologies."

Christine pursed her lips and Erik waited as she got her thoughts together.

"I got into a fight with my boyfriend." Christine started. "We got into a stupid fight over something I already can't remember for."

The second part was a lie, but she couldn't exactly tell her teacher that the real reason was because it was about her growing feelings for him and that she had been trying to convince Raoul to come meet him.

"Have you been together long?" Erik probed.

"We've known each other since we were kids, but we only got together a couple years ago."

"Ah, fighting with partners who are also long-time friends can be difficult."

Christine nodded and sighed dejected. "It's funny. One minute you are in the greatest thing you could ever hope to be in then the next it's like you're each other's greatest enemies."

"Because they know so much about you?" Erik smirked, causing Christine to let out a playful huff in return.

"Exactly!"

"Do not worry yourself, Miss Daae. I am sure this partner of yours will come around." Erik consoled.

Man, I sure hope so, Christine thought as she watched Erik stare out into the empty auditorium.

When it had been quiet for a few minutes, Christine heard Erik begin to hum the same tune from earlier. She let herself relaxed as the melody filled the air surrounding her. When Erik finally began to sing, her body filled with warmth as if she was engulfed in an angel's flame.

Wandering child,
So lost, so helpless
Yearning for some guidance.

Angel or family
Friend or phantom
Who will be there, staring?

Its there, your Angel of Music.

Erik let his voice trail off. Silence returned.

"That was short." Christine stated brows furrowed downwards.

"Yes well, that was just the first verse." Erik raised up his hand as Christine began to protest. "If you were to ever feel troubled again, I shall sing it again but add another verse and so on."

"I could just pretend to be upset then every once in a while to get you to sing it." Christine countered, though knowing she wouldn't.

"Yes you could, however that would interfere with your lessons and would greatly sadden me." Erik replied easily.

When Christine just bite her lip, he reached over and gently tapped her once on her forehead. "Look at it this way. The next few times you are saddened, you will know that there is actually a reward for you to cheer you up."

"But I liked this." Christine objected, gesturing between the two of them. "I like that you showed me another side of you that wasn't the teacher. Is there any way we could do this again? Without the need of me being sad."

Christine waited as Erik appeared to think over what she said. After a few distressing moments Erick answered softy.

"Yes…That would be nice."

Christine let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding in and beamed.

"Great! I can't wait then! We can figure out what to do and when later though."

Erik nodded and began standing up.

"Your session has ended a little while ago, so you best be heading off now. We will continue your lessons in the next meeting."

Christine stood up as well and watched Erik head towards the piano. She began walking but felt the need to say something. The thought came to her.

"Oh and Erik." She called back as she reached the wing of the stage.

"Yes Miss Daae?"

Christine turned her head back to look at Erik, who was also looking at her waiting, and smiled.

"I think I like the other mask better."

Erik let out a startled laugh, the first time she has heard it causing her breath to catch. Erik was smiling sincerely when he responded and Christine felt her heart skip a beat.

"I like it better too."

Yes, in this Erik has a mask that fits his skin tone so that he can go out in public. People still notice of course but only when they are close enough too and are paying attention. ;) And yes, Erik and M. Giry are BFFs in this with Meg being a child that adores Erik as her uncle. Oh and for those who actually read the lyrics, yes it's different in order to take on something that would be more appropriate for a lullaby. I really love 'Wandering Child' so wanted to find a way to put it in the fanfic.

Next chapter will be in Christine's again for a short part before going to Raoul. It is time that Raoul got to meet the modern phantom.

So there it is. Hoped you enjoyed it enough to leave a comment because comments are loved.