Eric sat at the piano bench studying the scores he had just written.

He cursed to himself throwing the pile of sheets across the room. Nothing was coming together right. It had to be perfect he had to show everyone what he could do.

Getting up slowly he made his way to the makeshift kitchen.

It had been three months since he threw Christine out of his house, he had never meant to hurt her that was for sure but he couldn't handle the thought of her rejecting him because of his face.

Eric grabbed a tall thin glass and a bottle of deep red wine. Eric hummed the song he had just written as he sat down to drink.

A knock echoed through the foundations of the opera house.

"Is it Friday already?" Eric asked himself taking a sheet of paper and writing a shopping list across it.

Eric finished his drink and put on his suit jacket making his way to box five.

"Madam" he announced climbing out of the trap door. The tall dark haired woman stood in front of Eric with a delicate smile.

"For 8 months I have been shopping for you I think it's time for a thank you!" Madam Giry joked.

"You seem quite preppy today, what is the occasion?" Eric asked trying the think of the day.

"It's Christmas Eric, even the fearsome phantom should know that!" She teased.

Eric's mind went back to the first and last Christmas he celebrated, he felt sick thinking of the mirror and his mother.

"Thank you madam." He grumbled taking the baskets of supplies and handing her the list for next week.

"There has been rumors of the opera ghosts death, he hasn't shown himself for three months now not even any notes to the managers."

Eric didn't answer, with Christine seeing Raoul he felt just like giving up.

"There is a masquerade ball New Years I think it is Time for the ghost to make another appearance." Madam Giry stated bluntly.

Eric cracked a sly smile "I think you are right madam."

The streets of Paris

"Raoul I told you I am not interested in you." Christine stated frustrated.

"And why not?" The boy asked his pale eyes saddened.

"Christine I can give you anything you hearts desire, I can make you into whatever you want." He pleaded grasping her shoulders.

Christine closed her eyes and turned around, "it's someone one else, isn't it?" Raoul asked his voice shaking.

"Please don't be angry with me, I just need time."

"Who is this other man?"

Christine looked down, "I'm sorry Raoul, you have been just like a brother to me my whole life and I love you for it." She paused and grasped his hand "but that is it."

Raoul choked back is sorrow, "please at least tell me who has taken my place. I deserve that much."

Christine looked in his eyes. "He is a beautiful person, a genius filled with love and tenderness."

Raoul was getting frustrated "you aren't going to tell me his name?"

Christine sighed "it's Eric."

"Eric what?"

"It's just Eric, that's all I know!"

Raoul was shaken, she didn't even know his last name?

"Christine, I worry for you." He cried

"I hope we can still be good friends." She said hopefully Before walking away.

Christine hugged her sweater closer as she walked across the snowy streets she had to see him it has been too long.

She came up to the steps of the magnificent opera house looking up at the flawless architecture. Slowly she climbed up the marble steps to the main door.

"Ah Christine! What a delight to see you!" Firmin stated his mustache bouncing about as he talked.

"Hello Monsieur." Christine smiled warmly at the manager. "Merry Christmas."

"Isn't it a delight! No more opera ghost, it seems like the last performance was such a success he saw no need to haunt us any more." The manager laughed.

All Christine could do was smile, if she said anything it could be a risk for Eric.

She left the bubbly manager and walked up the red carpeted steps to the boxes.

Slowly she opened the door into box five "Eric?" She whispered looking around the box. Convinced no one was around she climbed into the trap door.

She glided through the tunnels they seemed abandoned, every thine she came down she was welcomed by the candles that Eric had lit but now it was just darkness.

Christine could hear the organ playing in the distance, there he sat his elegant tall dark frame setting at the magnificent instrument playing a haunting melody.

Eric whipped his head around, "Christine" he said with a cry.

She smiled at him walking into the light.

"Christine I'm sorry, please forgive me I was cruel and foolish, I am"

"Eric" She interrupted but he didn't listen.

I am a miserable creature who doesn't deserve any kindness."

"Eric" she said again more sternly "I came back didnt I?"

Eric stood up his mask glistening in the candlelight, giving him a mysterious look.

"What were you playing?" she asked glancing at the organ.

"You will find out in due time."

She sighed, "why so secretive? Is it for Don Juan Triumphant?"

"Yes." Eric sighed looking at the papers written by him.

"What is this for?" She nosed walking over to a red masquerade suit. "Is this red death?"

Eric cracked a sly smile, "all your questions will soon be answered. Now may we start our lessons once again?"

Christine smiled "As you wish Angel."

Raoul has been friend zoned, and Eric and Christine have made up, but a lot of excitement to come!

Please let me know what you think.

Misha