Author note: Allo! Time for another chapter!

But my thanks to:

Nyasia A. Marie

Twinkle22

Triplethreatchic

Erik'sTrueAngel

I was soo happy when I saw the reviews and well. Thank you to those 4 who reviewed!

-TheDragonEye

The Love You Never Had

"Christine I. . ."

"Yes? Erik . . .?"

Oh that look she had given him with those perfect brown eyes of hers made him nearly choke on his own tongue. The past month had gone by so quickly, and now Christine would be leaving, leaving Paris, leaving France. Hell! She was leaving Europe, but to better herself. Oh if only. . if only he could speak words he had spent hours upon hours dwelling upon. Hours in which he taken words of love and put them into poem, and song, and to music. Words in which he had made so many adaptations so that incase he should forget he could say something else but mean the same thing. They all should have expressed three simple words: 'I love you'. So he began.

"I'll miss you . . . and. . . I never really was able to thank you. For so long ago and years past. You and Raoul. .you both were so very kind to me."

"Oh Erik stop, you'll make me cry." And it was true, he could already see tears brimming, much like she had been when it had come to say goodbye to Raoul.

He held out his arms and she entered his embrace, giving him a tight squeeze with her own smaller ones. He could feel her face to his chest and his own eyes closed. He needed to say it now. NOW!

"Christine I-"

"Flight 409 is now loading, please step up and have your tickets ready."

Christine gave a small sniffle but managed a smile. "That's me." She said weakly and she gave him two kisses, one on each kiss before she moved away from his arms and picked up the carry-on bag at her feet, slipping it over her shoulder. "I'll write." She smiled once more and gave his hand a faint squeeze when he nodded.

"Good bye, Christine."

"Good bye, Erik."

Then she was gone, walking away and he was standing there too overwhelmed in unreadable emotions to utter anything more.

Erik gave a nearly inaudible groan as he stirred, his head pounding which was resting on a well placed pillow. A dim yellow light shinning next to him where Jacquelyn sat, reading a book by the light. Then it all came back to him. He was sitting on a plane, heading to New York City. He sat up a bit more and groaned as a headache came back to him as well.

Jacquelyn looked up from her book and at the man who had just woken up next to her. "I take it you're not a big drinker. I'll have to remember that. No more than three shots on a plane." She rolled her eyes to herself, wondering how this man was going to survive in New York. Sure, he did not need to be an alcoholic. But in such a life which involves the lime light there was more than one time in which celebratory drinks were handed out. It'd be rude to refuse often just because of his tolerance. That would change; a lot would change about that man even if he didn't come to realize it yet.

"They were strong." Erik grumbled in reply, more so out of embarrassment.

"Quite." Replied the woman, looking back down at her book once more.

The man's face grew flushed and heated under his mask. The woman was taunting him. He just knew it! Erik cleared his throat, "Anything interesting?" he asked motioning a hand towards the book in her hand.

She gave a huff and shut the book. "Not particularly, but I needed something to keep my mind occupied. I'm used to be constantly doing something in the city."

A awkward silence fell between them for a few moments before Erik spoke:

"Is it true? What they say about New York city? It might not be as crowded as Japan, but when you are meeting someone according to plans that it is impossible to find them without calling them? Even if you plan the destination before and tha-"

"That you can always find the person you least expected on the streets? Yes, I suppose some do say that. Love sick couples and long lost friends wandering about Central Park. We all know it's just coincidence, why? Looking for someone? Another person in your profession? I daresay you must have already forgotten why I am sitting here." She shook her head feebly.

"No. I was just trying to clarify some of the sayings and myths." He lied, hastily trying to assure her. He was coming to New York for a job and Jacquelyn had been kind enough to offer the chance to do that. He must not screw this one up. The world never offered chances like this, not for this man at least.

But Jacquelyn was no fool and had seen many a better liars than him. "Who is she?"

"No, th- . . it's two people actually." He might as well tell the truth. "Two very good friends of mine. One I believe might be in the city with what she wanted to do with her life, well she headed to America nearly two years ago. The other I know will not be there, but if Broadway is as big and famous as people say- would he hear about me in Italy?"

Jacquelyn drummed her fingers together through his explanation, slightly unnerving Erik at her quiet and her unreadable expression. "Have you heard of Idina Menzel? Michael Crawford?" Erik nodded his head twice. "Both debuted on Broadway." Jacquelyn continued. "Many writers you don't hear about, but people read quite often. Broadway hits like The Phantom of the Opera or Wicked or Les Miserables are then taken in by the public, many become obsessed until they know everything about them. I do not think your friends are people like that. But if they are into musicals then I am sure they would happen to look at a flyer and see your name on it somewhere for Nirvana but let's not be hasty. There are many things needed to be done before a show gets to Broadway."

Erik nodded, no, Raoul wasn't like that and from what he knew- Christine never took obsession with anything, besides the once in a while Kodak frenzy.

"Now, what did you say your majors were again? Now that you're awake I might as well pester you about a few things. My book was going no where."

"My major was of course Music, I had a minor in architecture."

"Why architecture? Where does that come in with your Music? I am surprised you did not say an acting degree. It seems as though that is the only combinations people have now a days. I have to say yours is. . . unique."

"Thank you." Though he wasn't sure if he had supposed to take it as a compliment. "I do design, it had been more of a enjoyment, until someone found some of my drawings. I have to say I was dragged into it, not so much of an enjoyment, but a perfections. Every angle, every curve- all have to be perfect in a building, all of them fitting together just to make one final, astounding structure." He murmured. "It was frustrating, but I could always turn to my music. The man at the college who taught those architecture classes was a perfectionist, so was I and as you can imagine: we did not see eye to eye."

Jacquelyn gave a small 'Ah' and remained silent, having a hunch he was not finished and she was somewhat correct.

When she didn't speak Erik thought she had wanted him to continue. "I had thought it was because our ideas clashed and when the man threatened to fail me I found out his true reasoning. 'It's your face! Everyday I teach and it's always a black mass, staring at me, challenging me. No, now if you do not leave I will report you to the dean!' that had been his reply when I lagged behind and asked him. So, if there is any reason you are helping me to try and expand my musical overseas just because my mask would attract people or advertise it as something strange. . just take heed. I will not tolerate it."

Jacquelyn couldn't help but show a look of shock. To think, a few hours before she thought she had this man completely figured out. Now this. The intelligent woman caught her expression and turned it into a half smirked look of glee. "Mr. Destler. I am a very sought after agent. Now if I had wanted to find someone to make fun of I'd go to the circus. Now don't you worry about it. We'll both prove ourselves to one another soon. Soon enough any ways."

Erik shook his head a few times, "I'm sorry, that was very much out of line for me to say."

Now Jacquelyn felt as though she was being toyed with. This man was very difficult to understand. A true musical genius right? She was making a pact here and now. All men were easy to unravel, Erik would be no different. Why did he pique her interest so much? He was different, that was why. No only physically, but his mind was a lot more complicated then other men. Other men had one thing on their mind and she found it rather revolting.

Cultured- that was one thing she could say about him now from just speaking to him now. He was very closed off, to himself, but his voice had changed when he spoke of his friends. They must be pretty close to him, but if they were how was it that he did not know their exact locations? Poor man, he wouldn't be surprised if the friends he spoke of had just toyed with him and then abandoned him when the fun was over.

"You know Erik, if you tell me your friend's name, the one whom you think is in New York, I'm sure I could locate her for you." For a small price "And even if she's not in New York City I have a few more contacts who might be able to." I wouldn't get your hopes up though.

Erik looked hesitant once more and Jacquelyn hid back her scowl. Yes, he was very reserved, very hard to talk to. But she was either way. "Come now Erik, we cannot establish even a good professional relationship if you keep this attitude. You'll like America. . fit right in to New York."

"Her name is Christine Daae. But Jacquelyn please, I-"

"Good evening passengers, this is your pilot speaking. We shall be arriving in New York city in twenty minutes. Please remain seated with your seat belts on until we do so. Thank you and have a good evening."

Daae. Why did that sound familiar? She shrugged it off, maybe it'd come around to her memory eventually. "New York City, Erik. I'm sure you're going to love it. A lot more crowded than London or Paris, and the air is definitely a lot ranker, but you'll grow used to it. Just don't go wandering about, alright? You get lost, you're screwed. Which reminds me- you need a cell phone, correct? Or at least something that will work over here. Locals don't do well in this business. You'll need a better package and perhaps an entire new phone."

Erik was sure that Jacquelyn had said more but he had slowly begun to tune out. New York City. He was almost there, he just hoped that Christine was.

Ending note: Yes, yes I know everyone is like 'WTF mate! Where in the world is the EC-ness? Next chapter guys. . promise. .even if it has to be so much longer. Just review and I'll keep my promise and even throw in a quicker update. It's the weekend guys. . love it. I'm also working to update 'Life Debt' too for those who read it.

TheDragonEye