Hi! Sorry it took me so long but My English teacher is entirly stupid when it comes to projects and I was catching up on all my work I missed from going to New York. Anyway... Thanks to everyone who reviewed,

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So ya here is the chapter...finally. Review PleaseJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

Chapter 16 "I Will Learn to Love Again"

Lizzie watched people exit the Opera through blurry vision. No one looked down upon her tear stained cheeks, no one asked if she was alright, no one cared.

Once the Opera house had only a few remaining inhabitants left, she made her way to box 5 and though the secret passage. Tears continued to fall even as she opened the door to Erik's home. To her surprise he was not at the pipe organ composing, but on the shore of the lake holding his head in his hands.

She walked over to him and sat down. Once he noticed her presence he exclaimed,

"Oh Lizzie I thought I'd never see you again." He said pulling her into an embrace. Only when he pulled away did he notice her tears. "What is the matter Love?"

"Never mind about that, How did you escape? Are you alright?" She asked.

"Yes, Yes I'm fine. What did your father do?" She paused threw a cluster of tears then continued,

"He told me I can't come home." Lizzie said as she adverted her eyes to the ground. Erik sat in shock. 'Damn him! How could he refuse his own daughter, over a disagreement? How can I help her? Of coarse!'

"You can stay here, if you'd like." She smiled then said,

"Erik, I'd like that very much." And thanked him by kissing him on the cheek.

"Good, so would I." He said sincerely. She blushed, there was silence until he spoke again. "Are you hungry?"

"A little." She replied simply. He stood then said,

"Come, I will find you something to eat." She then followed him into the kitchen.

"What would you like ?" He asked.

"I don't mind, anything would be lovely." She said smiling. He walked to the pantry and pulled out a tall, skinny jar. Inside were preserved noodles. He pulled down a pot and began to cook her a small meal.

Lizzie watched him intently. He moved around the kitchen with such refinement and ease. Her breathing began to get faster. No man had ever effected her like this before, not even her so called lovers from before.

Erik noticed her glance pause on him and smiled. Lizzie caught note of this and quickly changed her momentary look.

"I'm sorry for staring. I've just never met anyone like you. It amazes me how you can completely entrance people and not even be aware of it." She said, not making eye contact. She felt stupid for elaborating so much.

"I'm flattered Lizzie." He said with a wider grin. No one had truly loved him and for the first time in his life he had no idea how to react to her adoration and compliments. He loved her more than anything, but had no idea how to show it. He was certain now that he had approached Christine the wrong way, and obviously did not show his fondness for her in the correct manner. But this time he was determined to get it right.

She sat waiting at the table, until he brought her the food. He sat the bowl in front of her and she said:

"Thank You." He nodded then sat opposite her at the table. Once she noticed no food in front of him she asked,

"Why aren't you eating?"

"I don't eat very much. Maybe 4 or 5 times a week." She gave a shocked expression then asked another question.

"Why?"

"I am so committed to my music I don't have time." She shook her head then handed him the biscuit that laid on her plate.

"No I can't, it's yours." Erik replied to her generosity.

"Yes you can, I'm offering it to you. And who knows when you'll have time to eat again." She said with a smile. He finally gave in and took the bread from her hand.

"Thank you." Erik said just above a whisper. She nodded and continued eating. They sat in silence for a moment until Lizzie broke it by saying,

"I'm really sorry about tonight. My father over reacted."

"No, no it's not your fault."

"I know but I feel awful."

"Don't I'm used to everyone trying to kill me." She giggled softly at his remark.

Lizzie stood up with the bowl in her hand then asked,

"Would you like me to wash this?" He shook his head then replied,

"Just set it down I'll handle it." She nodded and set it on a counter, before returning to her seat. "So how are you and Fredrick doing?" Erik said, disgust weaving through every syllable of his words. Lizzie rolled her eyes then answered,

"He is so…inconsiderate! I dread the day, with a new loathing, when I will be forced to marry him." She said with her fists clenched.

"But you said that if you truly didn't want to marry him your father would not force you into it."

"That was before…tonight. Now he will probably make me marry Fredrick out of spite. Anyway lets not talk about them, they only make me irritated." She said trying to look…content.

"Well then what would you like to talk about?" Erik said with a particular interest that only sparked when she was around.

"How did you escape the mob of police?" She said, her eyes gleaming with a child-like curiosity.

"I used a magic trick I had learned from the gypsies. Where I twirl my cape around me and…wait, magicians don't share their secrets." He said with a devilish grin. She smiled and shook her head in disbelief.

"Your so mean." She said jokingly.

"Only to you." He said, the same grin marked on his face.

"I Will Learn To Love Again"

(To love again...)

Drowning in tears that wont be me
I will soon be free the chains of all this pain inside
And though I cry it wont be long till I regain the strength to know
I can go on
I will find my way through the heart break I will not give up on love
I believe

I will learn to love again I will learn to trust
Once this heart can start to mend
I will learn to
Learn to love again

All of these tears time will dry them I will survive them
And make it through into another day all of this pain
Time will heal it there'll be a time sometime I know
I won't feel it
I will live through life without you after the hurting is done
I believe

I will learn to love again I will learn to trust
Once this heart can start to mend
I will learn to
Learn to love again

I will find someone who deserves my touch after all the hurt is through
I will be so over you I will not give up on love
I believe yeah