Thanks for the lovely reviews so far! :) I hope you enjoy this short but hopefully quite sweet chapter. :) Let me know what you think! :)

Erik's Guest: Well I have lots planned for this story, it's just getting there hehe. ;) But thanks for the review and I hope you enjoy this chapter. :)

EriksAngel70: Thanks for the review. I know that problem isn't really addressed in this chapter but it certainly will begin to become addressed in the next one as like you say, it's difficult to tell who Christine loves more at the moment and how this situation will resolve itself. But anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. :)

Chapter

The Phantom turned back, eyeing me curiously as he spoke. "As much as I dislike the Vicomte, you have to acknowledge his stubbornness. Perhaps the two of you will be more compatible given how alike you are."

I frowned. "Is that meant to be some sort of a warped compliment? I am nothing like him."

"You are as stubborn as each other and both dislike losing an argument. It is a shame you cannot observe your disagreements from an outsiders perspective. It is rather humorous watching you both become as infuriated as you do."

I narrowed my eyes. "Yes very amusing. Clearly you are just using that as an excuse to forget certain other problems."

A frown etched its way onto his features. "Given that Christine has decided to leave, it seems that these problems will remain so I do not understand how talking about them will improve anything."

"She only left because you frightened her. She will be back soon enough, when she has had time to think."

He tilted his head to the side, watching me in curiosity. "You appear so certain of that."

"I have learnt to accept you, have I not? It is spending time and talking honestly with you, that I have realized that whatever crimes you have committed do not matter. All you have ever wanted was kindness and friendship and you have already gained that from me at the very least."

He offered an uncertain smile at that. "Well that is something. Though it appears you are uniquely kind. I fear that not many people will ever learn to be as accepting as you."

"Do you fear that Christine might be included in that?"

He frowned but forced a reluctant nod. His head dropped as he moved back towards the small room at the back of the lair.

I followed him forwards, only just realizing that I was still wearing Raoul's jacket. The truth was; I hadn't even noticed when he left. I had still been too busy reflecting the weight of his confession. I flushed freely now. His jacket provided warmth and a certain comfort.

I addressed the room better now that my head felt a little clearer. The rug underneath our feet was bold, decorated in the paisley flowers. There was an armchair perched in the corner of the room, which was shaded in gold and cream. The whole of the small room was decorated in different colors. A small wooden desk at the side of the room was filled with a number of scripts and a bookshelf besides that was filled with a number of heavy looking books.

"I know one person who will be most certainly returning soon enough." He insisted as he took a seat besides the small instrument he had been singing along to before.

"Christine." I smiled.

He rolled his eyes to the ceiling. "Are you purposely choosing to be unperceptive?"

I frowned at his word, wondering what on earth he was talking about. "What do you mean?"

"I was speaking of the Vicomte."

I scoffed. "You sound so certain of his imminent return."

He eyed me closely. "But yet, even after confessing his feelings, it appears you do not share my confidence."

Now it was my time to roll my eyes. "He confessed his feelings to Christine often enough and he was so certain of his love for her. And now, it seems he is continuously desperate to announce his feelings for me. I do not understand how somebody can suddenly fall in love with someone when they are still engaged to another."

He shrugged as I continued to linger in the doorway, uncertain of where to place myself.

"Perhaps he did not truly love her. I have always struggled to believe the reliability of his feelings."

"Well then how can you feel so certain that he will return?"

He offered an uncertain smile as he glanced away.

"Perhaps I am simply hoping that you shall not be proven as disillusioned as I am."

I frowned in pity, wishing that I could say something to make it better. There was only so many times that I could promise that Christine would be back and I didn't want to be giving away false hope given the already distressed state he had gotten himself into tonight.

I sighed, stepping forwards slowly and glancing towards the Phantom's. His gaze was still locked to the floor and after pausing for a moment, I took a seat on the rug beside him.

I ignored his curious stare, elbowing him lightly. "She'll be back."

"Your confidence in that belief deteriorates the further you attempt to assure me."

"Well even if she is insane enough not to come back, it shall be her loss."

"I fear that she would be insane to wish to return to me." He scoffed.

"At least you shall have one thing that you have always wanted."

"What is that?" He asked uninterestedly.

"Acceptance," I replied confidently. "You have definitely won my acceptance and I understand that that is probably not as important as Christine's, given how much you love her but, well it's at least one advantage, isn't it?"

"Yes," he sighed. "That is an incredible advantage."

I grinned in response. "What is your real name anyway? I feel rather silly constantly labelling you as just the Phantom."

A frown made its way onto his features again. "I have never revealed my name to anyone before."

"I assumed as much but you must realize that you can trust me by now."

He continued to frown, his eyes remaining on the wall in front of us.

After he didn't reply for a while, I offered a nod. Of course I understood his reservations about sharing his real name. "Never mind, I understand why you cannot yet." I quickly insisted.

I glanced away quickly before bravely lowering my head to rest against his shoulder. I wasn't very good with comforting or with offering very comforting words but this was my attempt. I felt him freeze under my touch but he seemed to slowly grow more comfortable.

"It is Erik."

I grinned before I could stop my smile from breaking out, repeating his name before grinning further. I found the name suited him well and it made him seem more real too.

The smile dropped from my face at the sudden sound of splashing water from the main room of the lair. My heartbeat sped, a gasp slipping free as I lifted my head to glance at Erik.

"The Vicomte cannot have returned already."

Erik frowned in agreement.

I pressed a hand to the rug, helping myself up from the floor.

Despite knowing I shouldn't, I couldn't help but wonder if it was the Vicomte. Perhaps he had rushed back so that we could talk. It was silly I knew given that it was impossible for him to have been that quick but I still found myself hoping it was him.

I edged towards the entrance, peeking around the doorway slowly before my eyes widened at the person I saw making their way up the stairs in the middle of the lair.

Yeaaaah I ended it on a cliffhanger. Don't hate me too much! :) Who do you think or hope it is? Hehehehe. :)