A/N: I'd like to give a TON of credit to my cousin, Paige, who inspired this story, and helped me write it. There would be no story without her, so thank you!

Another thing: This chapter is rated M-ish. Hey, don't look at me like that! It was bound to happen!

It wasn't long before I'd officially spent a week living with Erik in the catacombs. There had been some angry moments, some really fluffy (yes, I'm using fan fiction terminology) moments, and even some really melancholic moments. Moving into Erik's home was probably the best decision I'd ever made.

Still, Erik was being cautious with me. I could sense it. He pulled away from our kisses when things got heated up, he left me in the middle of the night to sleep on the divan, sometimes, he even insisted I stay with my friends in the opera 'for my safety'. I, of course, being the devoted idiot I was, refused.

Yes, life in the catacombs was ideal, at least, for me. I loved Erik with a burning passion, with all my heart and soul, and he loved me. That's all that mattered.

I remember, now, telling you in the first chapter that this was going to be a pretty gory story, am I correct? If you haven't already noticed, I sort of lied…

Sort of. The story seems all wonderful now, but that could all change. Remember, dear reader, that I am writing this in the present, as in, something happens, and then I sneak out my laptop, type it, and post it. I was just warning you in Chapter 1, in case something terrible happened.

Moving on to the actual chapter…

It was Saturday. Erik was playing his organ, while I sang along. I sat on the bench next to him, my head resting on his shoulder.

Erik's music came to a sudden stop. My head snapped up as I heard footsteps. Turning around, I saw Madame Giry walking toward us.

"I have terrible news," she said sadly.

I stood up, worried. "What is it?"

"Your friend, Marisa Kubaki, has been paralyzed from the neck down."

My eyes went wide. "No…"

Madame Giry shook her head sadly.

No! This couldn't happen! Marisa was a dancer, but she obviously couldn't dance now! What would become of her? Where would she go?

"But," Madame Giry continued. "two girls, Madam Webber and Madam Laufle, I believe, arrived at the opera soon after the news spread about Marisa. Apparantly they own an estate nearby, and will be taking her in. Madam Webber said that I am to tell you that she invites you to their estate."

I smiled. Madam Webber and Madam Laufle- Alexis and Kelly were here, too! And they were rich! How in the world…?

"Tell them that I will visit them soon," I said. Madame Giry nodded, and left.

"You know Madam Webber and Madam Laufle?" Erik asked.

I nodded. "Childhood friends," I explained. "Very rich, apparently… oh, poor Marisa…"

"Well, at least your friend is in good hands," he said comfortingly, wrapping his arms around my waist. I leaned my head on the crook of his neck, smiling.

"She's not the only one in good hands," I murmured.

Erik smiled. "Very true," he agreed.

I could've stood there forever, in the arms of my lover. I still couldn't believe that this was happening to me, even after all that had happened. I was basically the Phantom of the Opera's girlfriend, after all those years of dreaming it would happen. Who would think that simply wishing it to happen at eleven eleven would work?

I turned my head upwards and kissed him lightly on the lips, which suddenly turned into a very passionate kiss. It started out the same as all others, Erik was careful and confined, and I was pushing him to give in a little. I wound my arms around his neck, bringing him closer.

It was then that Erik snapped.

He then lost it, lost all control over himself and his actions.

His kiss turned forceful and hungry, I could sense the lust in his actions. Lust that had been boiling up inside him since that first touch, that first kiss. Lust that he had been trying to control, but he could only contain it for so long.

I parted my lips, allowing his tongue entrance into my mouth. His hands cupped my face as I ripped of his wig. His hands grasped my hair, pushing my face closer, if that was even remotely possible.

His hands ran down my back, unbuttoning the dress, as I unbuttoned his shirt, pulled it off, and threw it to the floor.

"Paige," he moaned softly. "We need to stop."

"Bedroom…" I ordered.

"No," he groaned.

"Please?"

"Paige…"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

I smiled. "No kidding."

Soon. Erik was carrying me in the direction of what I hoped was the bedroom. I soon found that to be true, as I was set gently on the bed. Erik lay down beside me, kissing me again.

There's no need to explain in detail what happened next, because I think you know what did. But let me sum it up for you anyway:

Erik gave up on 'self control' and forgot about 'my safety'.

~0~0~0~0~0~

Erik's POV:

I woke up that morning in the swan bed next to Paige. The night before came rushing into my head.

Oh, dear God. What had I done?

I looked down at my sleeping angel, my beautiful Paige. I stroked her hair gently, momentarily forgetting my worries, forgetting how ashamed of myself I was for losing control. Not that she seemed to care…

"Erik?" she asked, opening her eyes.

I smiled down at her. "Hello," I murmured, still stroking her hair.

"Thank you," she whispered. I looked at her, confused.

"For last night… I need not go into details."

I chuckled. "I'm so sorry," I apologized.

She gawked at me. "What for?"

"We… I shouldn't have done that," I said. "We're not even married… and, well, as you said, I need not go into details."

She smiled. "I don't care," she said, her voice calm and sure. "I don't care, as long as I'm with you."

I kissed her cheek gently, hugging her around her waist.

"Breakfast," I said.

Paige merely laughed.