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. I also have no claim on Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, I certainly hope that all will take this parody with the humor in which it was intended.

A/N Happy Halloween! My fingers are still tinted orange from carving two pumpkins. Thanks for making the trek over to I really am liking this site! Ok now on with our story, I am really excited about this chapter as MJ and I discussed this weeks ago and I have been dying to get it in print for you. So without further ado…

Author – ToryD

Beta – MJMOD (Awesome job as always!)

The Science of Love

Chapter 5

Erik frowned at his reflection in the mirror. "Maybe I didn't use enough," he said to himself as he once again reached for the styling paste the hair stylist had given him. Dipping two fingers in the sticky white substance, he proceeded to rub his hands together vigorously as he was shown earlier in the day. As he began to pull his hands apart, several gooey connective strings remained stationary on both of his hands. Pulling his hands as far as his arm length would allow, he was finally successful in breaking the connective bond of the styling paste. With a quick flick of his wrist, he was able to scoop up the hanging strings into each of the palms of his hands. Impressed with his newest skill, he placed his right hand on the top of his head, clumsily patting in the product on his freshly washed hair. He followed the same procedure with his left hand as he worked the product onto the back of his hair. Looking down at his still sticky hands, he wondered if he could invent a similar product with a less sticky residue. He made a mental note to discuss his new idea with Nadir at their next scheduled planning meeting. Reaching for his newly bought blow dryer, he pushed the button to activate the power. Holding the dryer at arms length, he proceeded to mimic the earlier actions of the stylist. As his hair began to lose its moisture, he was somewhat puzzled that his hair appeared to be hardening into an impenetrable shell, much like the surface of the Sulcata tortoises, indigenous to the North Americas. Switching off the dryer, he used his fingers to pry apart the coagulate strands of his hair. Satisfied with his handiwork on his hair, he reached for the cover up that Kyan had given him. Opening the flesh colored makeup; he used the small white spatula to dip a small amount of the cream out of the jar. Smearing the thickened makeup onto his fingertips, he proceeded to apply the perfectly matched makeup over the discolored area of his scar. Following it up with the accompanying power, he stood back and regarded his improved appearance. "Not bad Erik," he said with a pleased smile, "not bad at all." Exiting his bathroom, he headed towards his newly stocked closet to select the pre-matched ensemble that Karson has so expertly picked out especially for this evening's dinner. Once he had his new clothes in place, he turned to reach for the handmade Italian shoes that Karson had insisted he buy. Walking back into the bathroom, he reviewed his image with a critical eye. The charcoal grey cashmere sweater fit his physique to perfection, giving him the illusion of muscles he knew he did not possess. The black jeans molded to his thighs as though they were a second skin, a fact that Karsen had deemed necessary if he hoped to win the fair Christine. Teamed with his newly cut hair and cover up; he had to admit that he never looked better. If only Christine would think so as well, he wished silently to himself. Reaching onto the bathroom counter he retrieved his watch and saw that it was close to eight, the time that Meg had said that dinner was to begin. Inhaling a deep calming breath, he turned and exited his room, hopeful that all of his hard work of the day would prove successful in attracting Christine.

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Meg paced anxiously outside of Erik's bedroom, as she had been for the last twenty minutes. How he had made it into the house without encountering her she did not know, for she had set up a command post at the bottom of the staircase for the last several hours. Looking at her watch she knew that he had to come out soon, as dinner was only ten minutes away. Hearing Erik's footsteps on the hardwood floor, Meg jumped back and turned her expectant gaze upon the opening door. The sight that met her eyes had her tearing up with pride. Gone were the plaid short-sleeved shirt, navy polyester pants and pair of well-worn nineteen eighty's shoes. Gone was the scruffy looking, uneven hair that if it had the power to talk, would have begged to be introduced to a comb.

"Oh Erik," she said in a pleased tone as she gently embraced the man who had come to mean so much to herself and her mother. "You look amazing. Ouch!" Meg cried out as she held her cheek. "Your hair just gave me a splinter!" she said in irritation.

Erik gave her a look of distain as he watched her rub her injured cheek.

"Do you think that Christine will like my new look?" he asked nervously.

Seeing that he was very anxious to impress Christine, Meg didn't have the heart to tell him his head looked like a porcupine. "She is going to love it," she said with a conviction that caused a relieved smile to Erik's made up face.

Erik felt a little more at ease with his new appearance now that he had seemed to pass Meg's stringent scrutiny. "Is Christine ready for me?" Erik asked the petite blonde, as he held out his arm in a gallant gesture.

Smiling, Meg took his offered arm, and let him lead her towards the staircase. "I think she has been waiting all of her life for you Erik," Meg responded in a knowing tone that filled Erik's heart with a strong sense of hope.

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Christine had long ago chased a helpful Marie from the kitchen as she set about to prepare the evening's meal. Humming to herself, she carefully opened the oven door to check on her specialty, mushroom soufflé. With a satisfied smile, she removed the individual soufflé dishes to the cooling rack beside the stove. Glancing at the large clock on the wall, she saw that it was nearing eight, the time she designated for Meg to bring everyone to the dining room.

She wondered how Erik's makeover turned out. Shaking her head, she hoped that they had not changed him too much, for she found his strange, gawky appearance somewhat endearing. Transferring the lemon braised asparagus tips into the porcelain-serving dish; she garnished the perfectly seasoned vegetable with the pre-sliced lemon she had prepared earlier.

Reaching around her back, she untied her apron and smoothed down her winter white wool pants with a nervous hand. Picking up the large serving tray, she crossed to the refrigerator and withdrew the four chilled plates of mixed greens. Quickly adding her homemade honey mustard vinaigrette to the varying types of lettuces, she was pleased that everything appeared to be prepared to her high standards of perfection.

Marie opened the door cautiously, "Christine, do you need any assistance?" she asked helpfully.

"Thank you Marie, if you would please take the salads out," Christine responded with a smile.

Marie entered the pristine kitchen, impressed that not unlike herself, Christine appeared to be a clean as you cook type of chef. "This looks wonderful Christine," Marie said as she took in the carefully presentation of the salads.

"Well let's just hope they taste as well as they look," Christine said with a slight wrinkling of her nose. Picking up the covered dish with the garlic mashed potatoes in one hand and the asparagus in the other; Christine followed Marie into the main dining room.

Meg and Erik entered to find Marie placing salads on each individuals serving plate. As Christine entered the room, she did not look up immediately as she walked over to the large sideboard to place the two side dishes that she had prepared for the meal.

Meg waited with bated breath for Christine to turn around and get a look at the new Erik.

Marie looked up and held in her gasp of shock at seeing her employer so changed over the short course of one day. Smiling to herself, she realized that Erik was doing all within his power to impress their holiday guest. "Good evening Erik, Meg," she greeted as she awaited Christine's reaction to Erik's new look.

Christine hearing Marie's greeting turned to face her friend and host. The smile on her face froze as she took in Erik's new appearance. Realizing that she was staring, she silently admonished herself for her poor manners. Not sure if she should comment on his transformation of not, she opted for a simple complement so that she wouldn't embarrass him. "Erik, you look very nice this evening," she said in a soft voice.

Meg frowned at Christine as she expected a much more descriptive compliment for Erik.

Erik was secretly relieved that Christine did not make a huge fuss over his new appearance. "Thank you," he responded as he walked towards his place at the head of the table.

Christine felt Meg's anger as she took her chair next to her best friend. "I hope everyone is hungry," Christine said to lighten the atmosphere.

"From the aromas that have been coming from the kitchen all afternoon, I for one can't wait to taste what you have made for us," Marie said in a genuine voice.

Erik picked up his salad fork and pierced the lettuce on his plate. Aware that Christine seemed anxious that everyone should like her cooking, he made a great show of enjoying himself. "This dressing is amazing, did you make it yourself?" he asked in a confident tone that had Meg looking at him in surprise.

Christine beamed at his praise. "Yes, it's honey mustard vinaigrette; I learned to make it from the resident chef in our college cafeteria," Christine informed him with a small smile gracing her face.

Erik watched her from beneath his lashes; she seemed to be watching everyone closely as they ate her prepared meal. Once they had finished their salads, Marie and Christine rose to clear the plates.

"Marie, if you will serve the side-dishes, I will get the soufflés," Christine requested of the older woman.

"Of course dear," Marie said as she walked over to the sideboard and began to add the streaming dishes to each person's plate.

Christine walked into the kitchen and looked at the six soufflés she had made in hope that she had at least four without creases. Releasing the breath that she didn't know she had been holding, she was amazed that all six seemed to have turned out perfectly. Placing four of the soufflés onto the serving tray, she carefully walked back out to the dining room and placed her masterpiece upon each diner's plate.

"Christine, I wasn't aware that you were going too so much trouble," Marie said as she took in the labor-intensive entrée.

Pleased, Christine shook her head. "It was no trouble at all, I enjoyed making it for you," she said as she caught Erik staring at her.

Erik turned a light shade of pink, as he quickly looked down at his plate. "This does look like it took a lot of time to make," he said in a rush of words.

Meg felt like busting out laughing at Erik's strange behavior. "Yeah, Christine this really looks good," she said as she stabbed her fork into the hardened surface to release the steamy aroma of mushrooms. MUSHROOMS! Meg thought to herself in alarm.

Erik had just put the first forkful of the soufflé in his mouth when a dozen warning bells went off within his head.

Marie took the delectable bite into her mouth and froze in horror as she identified the main ingredient. Quickly looking to her right she saw that she was too late, for Erik was already beginning to show the tell tale signs of his impending allergic reaction.

Christine felt a strange undercurrent within the room as all three diners appeared to be frozen within their seats. "Is it all right?" Christine asked with a weary expression on her face.

Erik swallowed hard at the look of hurt in her eyes. Hell, he thought to himself, what was a little scratching compared to the look of disappointment in Christine's blue eyes. Taking a second forkful, Erik turned and gave her a broad smile, "All right? It's more than all right, it's the best thing I have ever tasted," he declared as a horrified Marie and Meg looked on.

Christine felt as if she were on top of the world at Erik's high praise. Settling back into her chair, she began to eat her own dishes, satisfied that she had made Erik happy.

Marie watched with a growing concern as tiny red welts began to appear on Erik's neck and hands. "Erik," she called to him softly.

Erik looked over at Marie and gave her a small shake of his head as if to silence her in deference to Christine's feelings.

"I forgot to give you your medication today, Erik," Marie said as she rose from the table. "I'll be just a moment."

Meg hoped she knew what her mother went for, as Erik's hives appeared to be spreading with every second that passed.

A few minutes later, Marie emerged with a small pink and white capsule. "Here dear," she said as she handed the allergy medication to Erik.

Erik gave her a grateful smile as he took the offered remedy.

Christine was just about to put a bite of potatoes in her mouth when she happened to glance Erik's way. "Oh my God!" she cried out in alarm.

Erik cursed his sensitive allergies, as he knew his secret was now out. "Please don't be alarmed. It is just a small allergic reaction," Erik said in a calming voice, which did little to alleviate Christine's fears.

"Allergic reaction? To what?" she asked, concerned that she was the one to bring about the large red welts appearing on his neck and face.

"Umm, mushrooms," he said under his breath hoping to spare her any guilt she might be feeling.

"Mushrooms, but that is the main ingredient in the soufflé," she said as tears began to fill her eyes.

Erik rose to cross to where she sat beside Meg. "Please don't," he said clumsily as he took her hand in his.

Marie looked on, as Erik seemed to be comfortable around Christine for the first time. "Meg, will you help me in the kitchen?" she asked her daughter in an attempt to give Erik and Christine some much-needed privacy.

"In a minute, Mother," Meg said absently as she watched the tender scene unfold before her.

"Megan!" Marie called with a little more force.

"Fine!" Meg said pouting as she rose from her chair to stomp into the kitchen like a scolded child.

"I'm really sorry," Christine said between sniffs.

Tightening his hold on her hand, Erik attempted to push away her guilty feelings. "Don't be, I can honestly say that I really did like the dish," he offered kindly.

"Is there anything I can do for your allergy?" she asked as she looked into his blotchy face.

"Well, now that you mention it, you can make sure I don't scratch," he said as he rose to a standing position.

Relieved that he appeared not to hold her responsible, she smiled up at him. "And do you have any suggestions on how I should do that?" she asked with a gleam in her eyes.

"Perhaps if you held my hand," he said as he watched her closely for a reaction.

Reaching out Christine took his hand in hers. "I think I can handle that," she said with a flirting he wasn't used to.

"Would you like to watch a movie with me?" he asked as he had practiced with Jai much earlier in the day.

Christine nodded her head. "I'd really like that," she said as she lifted herself up and gave a surprised Erik a soft and lingering kiss upon his lips.

Erik stood stone still as he enjoyed the feel of Christine's lips. Swallowing hard he simply stared down at her as she ended the kiss.

Seeing the surprise in Erik's eyes, she leaned her head against his arm, "I believe you mentioned a movie?" she reminded him as he continued to stare at her in awe.

Shaking himself out of his trance, Erik felt a happy grin spread across his red-welted face as he led Christine out of the dinning room.

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Story recommendation.

I have been helping out a new writer with her first story, entitled Unforgiven posted on the Fan Fiction site. If you like my angst type of stories, then you will certainly like hers. Her penname is KatieKay90, and she is really quite talented. So, if you have some free time, it's a really intense read. Also, she is currently looking for a beta to take her on, so if anyone has some free time, I know that she would appreciate it. Just send her a message on the FF site.