A/N: Thank you everyone and Halley for a great job. Please don't forget to review!

Chapter 15: Midnight Conversations

It was well after midnight by the time Erik and Christine arrived home. The former Phantom, tired and miserable, knew his night was far from over until Christine had said her peace.

"Erik, you're a genius, I know. But when you pull a thick-headed stunt I sometimes question it."

He sighed. "I had no choice love. When I told your friend about Stephanie he doubted her abilities. You were the only person I ever trained and the Comte thought there would never be another triumph from my own account…"

"But dragging an innocent girl and your own flesh and blood was all right?" Christine retorted, pulling the pins out of her hair. "Why Erik? I don't see any motive to this but your own damn ego and pride."

"Perhaps it did," he snapped. "But I've been thinking lately about as to why she's here and I came up with a theory. Stephanie helped me to able to court you. In turn, I helped her with her self-confidence. We both got what we wanted, but now her Dan is incognito and appears just as our son is stuck in a rut, sort of speak. He's not allowing himself to feel for another person, even to go as far as to reject a childhood sweetheart, who we know he's been in love with since he was an adolescent."

Christine faced him, her chin sticking out with her hands on her hips. "What is your point dear husband?"

Taking a few steps closer, Erik held out his hands like he was about to embrace her. "My point is that Stephanie can teach Etienne the way she taught me. Those two are doing their best to stay away from the other without our interference, but what greater way to get them in the same room than with singing lessons? At least we wouldn't have to make up an excuse for them to be alone together. Fortunately, M. Oliver did not once complain with that extra bonus for taking tonight off. Stephanie has the potential, believe me, I wouldn't have agreed to it if she didn't. And Etienne will learn to be receptive and open towards another."

Christine tapped her chin in contemplation. "I see but what makes you think your little scheme will work?"

Erik smirked devilishly. "Trust me, mon Coeur. It will. Our son loves a challenge and who could be more challenging than Stephanie? And she for him. Her influence will produce the changes in him. She can be rather persuasive. Believe me, I put up with her for months. That boy will learn something from her, mark my words."

"All right, say I believe you. But what of Stephanie? She has to sing in front of hundreds of people!"

Erik rolled his eyes. "She can do it. I have faith in her and I have faith in Etienne to guide her in the right direction. Happy?"

"Not exactly." The singer shook her curls. "What do you get from this?"

"Simple: Etienne's attitude altering, Stephanie singing, and I can rub it in that fop's face!" And maybe Stephanie forgetting Dan…

A sly smile painted on her countenance as she moved closer to Erik, gently kissing his lips. "As much as I disagree with your approach, singing lessons will definitely bring them closer. And perhaps God will grant us a miracle with Etienne."

"So you'll consent?" He asked hopefully, eyes alit like a child with a new toy.

Christine giggled. "I consent. Though, I daresay we will be extremely hated the next day."

He chuckled, his hands drifting down her back. "Yes…Allowing ourselves all the free time we could hope for our productive use."

She swatted him, feigning a mortified look. "How impertinent you've become! What kind of example would that make for the children?"

Erik licked his lips, grinning like a mad hatter. "That making up is the best aftermath of a fight?"

"You!"

xxXXxx

Etienne couldn't believe he was doing this, but he had to see her again. The evening had ended so perfectly for him. After leaving the opera house, they teased each other good-naturedly and he even had made her laugh! He!

The reality of it was completely surreal that Etienne wasn't sure if it had all existed. But to his good fortune, before retiring, Stephanie had kissed his cheek. Kissed him!

It couldn't have been a dream. Not the warm press of her lips against his cheek, the friendly glow in her smile and eyes as she wished him a good-night. It was real. It was all real! Her opinion of him was changing for the better and deep down (really deep down) Etienne hoped that she might love him a little despite Dan.

His spirits definitely improved by that tender kiss!

Yes it was amiable but it was a start--a start to a possible friendship, then perhaps confidantes, and later to lovers. The latter was a high fancy dream, but it could happen. All he had to do was win her over. He had to prove he was more worthy than Dan. It would be difficult but Etienne was determined. He would have his Modern-Day Angel as his wife.

Never had he felt so alive! Which was why he was standing outside her room, hand securely wrapped around the doorknob.

All he wanted was to see her face; a little glimpse to sate his desire and perhaps inspire some sweet dreams.

Heart drumming loudly in his chest, he took a deep breath before sneaking inside. Sealing the door tightly, he quietly stalked over to the bed.

Stephanie was fast asleep beneath the covers, her hands tucked underneath her cheek. Her luxurious hair fanned out on the pillow as part of her shoulder was uncovered by the sheet.

Breathing scarcely in fear to disrupt the heavenly image, Etienne bent over so he could see her face, to hear her soft intake of air. So beautiful…

Staring so enchantingly, Etienne failed to forgo the impulse to touch her as he tentatively reached to caress a loose strand fallen from behind her ear. Just as he was pushing it back, her hand quickly snapped out to grab his wrist.

A peeved jade iris gazed at him.

Fumbling, Etienne cursed as he landed on his backside as Stephanie jumped up.

"What the HELL are you doing in here!" she hissed. "Christ, you scared me!"

Faltering for the right words, he relied on a lame "sorry". His mind wasn't working much once it registered the silken nightdress on her body and the quick rising of her bosom. Closing his eyes, he cursed himself once again.

"Sorry? Why are you even in here?"

"Uh, sleepwalking?" Etienne offered, his face reddening.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Yeah right. Try again."

He tried scrambling for another excuse, anything but the truth. Then it hit him.

"I wanted to speak to you about the singing lessons," Etienne rushed. "I'm sorry to have disturbed your rest and I know it was foolish of me to come in without an invitation and I profusely apologize."

"Couldn't it have wait until tomorrow?" Stephanie whined with irritation.

"I suppose but I wanted to tell you now. I doubt my mother would ever agree to them. I understand you not wanting to and with my father forcing you was unfair."

"I'll say," she muttered, scooting to the side. "Well, don't sit there on the floor. It must be cold. Come on up!"

Etienne blinked at her as if she were speaking in a foreign language. "P-pardon?"

She patted the mattress. "Sit. I don't want to be stretching my neck to look down at you."

His mind was screaming at him to not do it, to beg her forgiveness and leave. Yet, his legs weren't willing to run, they down right refused to retreat, and before he could realize his actions, he was already sitting on the bed.

"For the record, you will pay for this later," Stephanie warned him. "Rule number one: never ever disturb a girl's beauty rest."

Etienne sheepishly nodded. "Again, I apologize. It was wrong of me and I fully accept the consequences for my rash behavior. I thought it might put your mind at ease to know we won't go through this ridiculous agreement."

"How do you figure?" she asked quietly.

He smiled. "Once my mother sees none of the justification for it. She's has a strict sense of morals than my father does and she would not allow it to transpire despite father's wishes. We are safe."

"We're safe? I think you mean you are. I am no nightingale, trust me," Stephanie chuckled. "I think I might make you deaf."

Etienne laughed. "Then let's hope Maman wins."

They continued to laugh amongst themselves until he locked gaze on her. There was a small amount of moonlight shining through that enabled him to see her whole visage. The anger that was in her irises was no longer present and tenderness settled about in them. If he moved a few inches closer…

"Thank you for that. I guess we can call it a night then," she said, breaking the contact from him.

Etienne sat for a while, not sure what to do (or say) and thought properly for him to tell her good-night and be off in his own room.

He did with much reluctance, wanting to stay with her longer. But it was too soon and early for such a wish. Even though it felt right being there in the same bed with Stephanie, he dared not comment on it.

When Etienne was out of sight, Stephanie fell back on the pillow with confusion written all over her face.

TBC…