I do not own any of the characters from The Phantom of the Opera, although I do rather enjoy borrowing them from time to time.

A/N Wow did I ever get a divided answer on the make over team! I made my decision on what I thought would be the funniest for the story. The team will be revealed at the end of this chapter and will really get to work in the next chapter. Let me know what you think in your reviews.

B/N Let's send warm thoughts to Tory. She's sick.

Author – ToryD

Beta – MJMOD

The Science of Love

Chapter 3

Christine, wrapped in a fluffy white towel, wiped away the fog from the bathroom mirror as she reflected on the strange events of the previous evening. What a peculiar man Meg's 'brother' was, she thought to herself as she turned on her blow dryer. As she combed through her wet hair, an amused smile slowly graced her face as she noticed that indeed one side of her hair was just a little bit longer. There was something indefinable about Erik that touched her heart. Maybe it was his awkwardness that she found so endearing, or perhaps it was the expectant look within his eyes as he looked at her, as though he was patiently waiting for something of importance from her. Shaking her head, she wondered at the strange feelings that filled her when in his presence. She could well imagine how hard life must have been for him with his facial deformity. From what she had garnered from Meg, Erik had excelled academically at a very young age, receiving the first of many degrees by age nine. Looking at her watch, she saw that it was nearly 8:30. "Damn," she cursed to herself, as she knew that Meg had said that she wanted to be on the road by nine at the latest. Pulling herself from her thoughts, Christine kicked it into high gear, totally oblivious to the uproar taking place two floors below.

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"What's wrong with my clothes?" Erik asked in an annoyed tone as he glared darkly at Meg.

Meg gave Erik a look that screamed 'you've got to be kidding'. Taking a deep breath, she knew that she had to handle the 'sensitive genius' carefully. "Erik, you have ten of the exact same shirt and pants. Your shoes were bought back in the eighties." She said in a slow, measured tone.

"So, I like not to have to think about what I'm going to wear. I have much more important things to think about." Erik said in a defensive manner as he lifted his 'I'm with stupid' mug to his lips for a long drink of his overly sweetened coffee.

Rolling her eyes dramatically Meg shrugged her shoulders as she turned to make herself some toast. "Well if you ever want to catch Christine's eye you'll have to give up some of your…uh… nerdy clothes." Meg said the last few words under her breath in hopes that Erik would not have heard.

"Nerdy clothes!" Erik yelled a little too loudly, causing Marie to look up from her cooking. "The way you talk you'd think I was wearing a Star Trek uniform, pocket protector, all teamed up with thick black glasses adorned with the obligatory white tape." Erik said with a pouting expression.

The door swung open to reveal Nadir as he arrived early for his meeting with Erik. "Good morning," he greeted the three.

Marie turned and offered her own greeting in response while both Meg and Erik ignored his entrance.

"Erik, if you didn't want my opinion on how you could impress Christine then you shouldn't have asked." Meg said with a slightly exasperated edge to her voice.

Nadir stood in silence as he looked from Meg to Erik and then to Marie who was doing her best to hide her amusement at the absurdity of the situation. "Have I missed something here?" Nadir asked cautiously.

Meg turned her attention to Nadir and gleefully imparted the information of the day. "Erik is interested in Christine and has asked what I think he could do to improve himself so that he could impress her."

Nadir slowly turned to face his red-faced boss as a huge grin spread across his dark face. "So Erik, you find Ms. Daae to your liking after all." He said with an irritating smugness that had Erik vowing to knock ten percent off his year-end bonus.

"Shut up Nadir!" Erik growled as he looked down and sulked in his coffee.

Chuckling lightly to himself Nadir helped himself to some coffee. "So little Meg, what have you planned for the day?" He asked as he took a seat beside the still bristling Erik.

"Christine and I are going into the city for some last minute shopping." Meg replied as she slid into her seat beside Erik.

Marie plated Erik's breakfast with well-practiced precision. Two perfectly poached eggs encompassed the upper right quarter of the large plate, while four whole-wheat toast triangles, crust removed of course, were housed to the upper left quarter. The bottom half consisted of three strips of crispy bacon cut to equal length as to not cause any unbalance upon the plate.

"Thank you Marie," Erik said automatically as his customary breakfast was placed in front of him.

Marie patted his shoulder sympathetically as she passed him to resume her seat. "Meg will you please pick up some fresh sage while you are out?" She asked her daughter.

Meg groaned in response as she thought of the tedious chore, "Mother, if I take Christine into a grocery story I'll never get her out!" Meg complained in a whiny voice.

Erik's attention snapped up abruptly at the mention of Christine's name. "Why would you say that?" he questioned sharply.

Meg's brow creased at the anxious tone of Erik's question. "Because she is somewhat of a gourmet chef wannabe." Meg said as she studied Erik's features.

Erik felt three pair of stunned eyes upon him. "Oh," he said simply as he looked down at his breakfast and continued eating.

Marie, Nadir and Meg all exchanged knowing looks as they each tried to hide their amusement. 'The sage, Meg?" Marie reminded her daughter.

Sighing with dramatic flair, Meg acquiesced, "All right, but don't get worried if you don't see me before midnight."

The kitchen room door swung open and Christine joined the foursome. "Good morning," she greeted softly as she gracefully entered the room.

Erik sprang to his feet at her entrance and just stared at her, totally oblivious to the little piece of egg yoke that hung onto his bottom lip.

"Good morning dear," Marie said as she rose. "Would you like some coffee Christine?" she asked.

"Yes, thank you." Christine said as she smiled up into Erik's piercing green eyes. As he continued to stare at her, she grasped for some way to put him more at ease.

Meg's whole body was shaking in an effort to hold in the hysterical laughter that was threatening to erupt from her at any moment.

Nadir as a fellow man was embarrassed for the male sex at Erik's complete betrayal of the 'man code'.

Not knowing what to do, Christine reached for Erik's forgotten napkin and gently wiped the egg from his lips. "There," she said with a satisfied smile. Lifting herself up on her toes, she softly kissed his cheek. "Please sit down Erik; you're going to spoil me with your elegant manners." She said in a soft tone that caused a happy grin to spread across Erik's disfigured features.

Meg and Nadir watched in stunned silence as Erik sat down and beamed at each of them as though he had just won a mega million lottery.

"Your perfume Christine, it smells so familiar to me." Marie said as she handed the younger woman a cup of coffee.

"It is 'Somewhere' by Evans. My mother used to where it. I'm afraid that they discontinued it about two years ago, so I only have a small amount left." Christine said in a sad voice that testified to her wistfulness.

"I'm sorry to hear that dear, it is nice to have something that helps us remember." Marie replied in a knowing tone.

Smiling Christine threw off the depressing turn of the conversation and decided to broach the subject of her cooking. "Mrs. Giry," she began in a polite tone. "If it would be all right with you, may I cook this evening's dinner?"

Marie smiled at her daughter's friend. "On one condition dear," she said with a delighted look in her blue eyes.

"Anything," Christine said with an excited expression.

"You must call me Marie," Marie said with a mocking frown.

Christine laughed softly at the Marie's condition. "Very well, Marie."

"Now, what can I get you for breakfast, Meg only wanted toast." She said with an affronted look.

Christine also only wanted toast but did not want to offend Marie. "I don't want you to go to any trouble." She said considerately.

"It makes me happy to cook for those I care about." Marie said as she crossed to her professional stove. "How about some bacon and eggs?"

"Yes, thank you." Christine said as she crossed back to the table and took a seat next to Meg.

Nadir looked at Erik and decided to see how well his boss could concentrate with the beautiful Ms. Daae in the room. "So Erik, are you ready for our meeting with the Rochester group?" He asked as he looked at Erik with an expectant expression.

Erik started abruptly at the sound of his name. "What did you say?" he asked an amused Nadir.

"I asked if you were prepared for your meeting with the Rochester people." Nadir responded.

"Uh…uh, what meeting?" Erik said a frown on his face.

Nadir looked somewhat taken aback as Erik, who in the past seven years had astonished him by not forgetting even the smallest of details had completely forgotten one of the most important meetings of this year. "The meeting that is scheduled for 2:00 tomorrow afternoon, the meeting that will decide if we get the funding for the stem cell research project." He informed his boss with a stunned expression.

"Oh, uh, I am prepared." Erik said in a low tone.

Meg watched Erik with a pained expression. Boy oh boy big bro, do you have it bad, she thought to herself with amazement. And while she would love nothing better than for Erik and Christine to find some happiness with each other, she was worried that one or both could end up getting hurt. I've got to have a long talk with Christine, she thought decisively. "Mother, can Christine borrow your coat? The one she has is only suited for California winters." Meg asked unaware that her question caused a little bit of embarrassment to Christine.

Erik who was watching Christine from beneath his lashes could tell that she was somewhat ashamed that Meg had mentioned her lack of adequate clothing. Deciding that he would do anything to take away the look of shame, Erik admonished Meg. "Well Megan," he began using the longer version of her name that he knew she hated. "I can certainly understand why Christine only has a coat to suit the climate in which she lives!"

Christine looked up and gave Erik a grateful smile.

Erik felt as though he had just scored a winning touchdown as he watched her expression change.

Meg scowled at her brother, "Well Erik," she said with a sarcastic edge. "That may well be, but it still doesn't change the fact that it is 23 degrees outside and Christine only has a light rain coat to protect her." Meg finished with a look of irritation in her eyes.

"Hush the both of you!" Marie admonished as she set Christine's breakfast before her. "Christine, I have a wool coat that is a size too small for me; it would make me so happy if you would allow me to give it to you."

Smiling, Christine still felt embarrassed, "Thank you Marie, I promise to take good care of it." She said as she picked up her fork and began to eat the perfectly prepared breakfast.

Erik felt a sadness fill him at the thought of Christine having to accept a gift of a used coat. From what Meg had told him, he knew that Christine was all alone in the world and was working a full time job in addition to her full class schedule. What little assistance she did receive from the government was immediately eaten up by the high cost of her tuition. As he sat there and considered the difficulties that she must face on a day-to-day basis, he decided that it was up to him to see that she never had to do without again. It was to be his role to ensure that she was taken care of and loved. 'LOVED?' His mind screamed out in confusion. "Excuse me," he said as he quickly rose and exited the kitchen with four pairs of bewildered eyes watching his retreat.

Meg looked at the swinging door back to Erik's half-eaten breakfast. "He didn't finish his breakfast," she said in an astonished whisper.

Marie shook her head at the strange events that had begun with the arrival of one Ms. Christine Daae.

Meg, shaking herself rose, from her chair as well. "Mother, where is the coat so Christine and I can get going?" She asked abruptly without an ounce of manners.

"In the hall closet dear," Marie said in a resigned tone as she was well used to her daughter's impolite way of conversation.

Christine took a few more bites of her breakfast and thanked Marie once again. "Thank you Marie, for the delicious breakfast and the coat as well."

Marie patted Christine's hand. "My pleasure dear, now you had better hurry or Meg will leave you behind." She said with a beaming smile.

"Good bye Mr. Khan," Christine said as she loaded her dishes into the state of the art dishwasher.

"Goodbye," Nadir called after her departing form. Turning to Marie, he shook his head. "Well this should be an interesting couple of weeks." He offered in an amused tone.

"Yes, I'd have to say that I agree with you on that statement, Nadir." Marie responded as she poured herself a fresh cup of coffee.

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Erik paced the foyer as he waited for Meg. 'LOVE' the word kept repeating itself over and over again within his head. Love wasn't scientifically proven. As a scientist he had always scoffed at the idea of love, yet here he stood in the midst of a nervous breakdown at his undefined feelings for a woman. Hearing Meg's light footsteps he turned and pounced on her unsuspecting form. "MEG!" he yelled in an anxious voice.

Putting her hand to her chest she tried to slow her rapidly beating heart. "Jesus Erik! You scared me!" she said as she gave him a look of intense fury.

"Sorry," he apologized in a low voice.

"Did you want something?" she asked with an inquiring gaze.

"Umm…I want your help with my clothes." He mumbled under his breath.

"What?" Meg replied as she tried to decipher his words.

"I said that I want you to help me pick out some new clothes." He said with a twinge of red accenting his cheeks.

Meg failed to hide the satisfied smile that spread across her perky features. "Ok, I will help you Erik." She said in a cryptic tone that gave Erik's heart a lurch.

"Fine, we can go shopping tomorrow." Erik responded with dread filling his voice, as there was absolutely nothing he abhorred more than wasting time in the pursuit of clothing.

"Oh no Erik, you are way beyond my talent." Meg replied as she circled him taking in his polyester pants and familiar plaid shirt. "No, I will need to call in the professionals for this task."

Erik scowled at the look of glee that alighted her blue eyes. "What do you mean professionals?" he asked with a great sense of apprehension.

"I know five guys that do this sort of thing for a living. Don't you worry one little bit Erik, I will arrange for you to meet with them later today. I'll call you with the time and the place." She said as she reached up and gave him a quick hug.

Erik watched her warily as she skipped happily towards the closet. Knowing that he would have to endure her torture in his quest to attract Christine he shrugged his shoulders resignedly as he turned and ascended the stairs towards his second floor laboratory.

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A/N Ok so now you know that the Fab 5 will be doing Erik's make over. I hope that no one on the What Not To Wear side is too disappointed. I just think that it will be extremely funny to see how Erik deals with Karsen. Please let me know what you think in your reviews. Thanks!