A/N: Sorry for the wait! My classes have been taking up pretty much my whole time, leaving me too tired to write. But I see some opportunities that might give me lots of time to do more writing and possibly quicker updates. Thank you all for being patient! And thank you Halley, my beta, as always for a great job. Please don't forget to review!

Chapter 19: Faeries and Standing Stones

"I got it!" Erik declared, busting through into the parlor and startling his wife and the cook as they were going over the menu for dinner.

"The lamb is fine. Now what did you get my love?" Christine asked after she dismissed the servant.

A boyish grin broke out on his face, lighting up his eyes. "Stephanie's situation. I think I may know why she is here. It's so obvious when you think about it."

"What then?"

Erik strode across the room and clasped her hands. "You were correct mon ange. Dan had left her a year ago and she mourns for him still. It pains me that she continues to wait for that…that despicable bast—"

"Erik," Christine gently interrupted, lightly patting his hand.

"Yes, well, what if she were sent to me to help forget his memory? Perhaps it was her subconscious that did this. Either way she's here."

"That does make sense. What did Stephanie have to say about this?"

He cleared his throat, averting his gaze. "I didn't and if I did, she would not agree I assure you."

As Christine opened her mouth, Erik shook his head fiercely. "Believe me she will refuse to accept the possibility. Without her knowing, we must and I mean must help her forget Dan. This longing cannot continue."

"I believe that might be taken care of as we speak." She grinned coyly, thinking of her son. "But do you think this is fair, though? Didn't you once say you longed…?"

"That's different!" Erik insisted. "She's young, beautiful, and has her whole life lain out before her."

"All right, all right. We'll see if your idea is true." Christine swooped down and pressed her lips to his.

"What did you mean by it's been taken care of?" Erik questioned.

Christine giggled. "You haven't noticed? I have suspicions that Etienne may be smitten by your Modern-Day Angel."

"Oh-WHAT!" Erik gaped. "Christine, are you serious?"

She nodded steadfastly. "How deep I do not know nor do I know if she feels the same. But it will take time. A lot. Are you not happy?"

"No…I mean yes. Stephanie will make Etienne a good wife and it would be a wonderful match. I would love to have her as a daughter-in-law."

"I see a 'but'," Christine said.

"But… there's too much separation. Where would they live? What would their income be? How will the children be raised? There are certain beliefs of Stephanie's that Etienne doesn't agree with, which Stephanie would say his views are 'old-fashioned'. Would it even work?"

"If their love is true, then these obstacles can be conquered and bring them ever closer," Christine persisted. "Don't tell me you're against it completely."

"Not completely. I love Stephanie, Christine you know that. Her happiness and Etienne's will make me happy as well, but I'm looking at this logically."

"What do you suggest then?"

"Nothing. We won't encourage them and we'll see how they handle it. If your suspicions are right, I hope that Stephanie won't break his heart if the feelings are one-sided. Though, I rather wouldn't have it be like that. At least Etienne is far better than Dan."

xxXXxx

"Oh my… wow," Stephanie finished, hands clasped to her breast. "Etienne… it's beautiful."

He smiled proudly, knowing he had rendered her breathless. Indeed, it was beautiful though much more.

They stood in the center of a circle of standing stones, ancient and weathered with edges missing and carvings etched across the rocky surfaces. The trees surrounding the area gave it a mystical and secretive atmosphere as the two visitors bathed in the beauty.

Stephanie ran her hand over the rough exterior, in awe and reverence to the age the structure must be. But she couldn't shake the feeling she's been here before. Somewhere….

"My sister and I found this long ago," Etienne spoke, his voice so soft and sonorous. "No one even knows of its existence. You're the first person, besides me, to ever step foot onto these grounds. I knew you would like it."

"I don't know what to say," she said, staring at him. The tiny pricks of apprehension began tickling in the pit of her stomach.

"Yes. Maddy and I felt this place held magic of its own. Silly, I know, but our mother would tell tales of faeries, angels, and insignificant places with mystic qualities to them. I believe faeries inhabit these stones…"

Etienne paused to study her to see what affect his words had over her. Her expression was unreadable, he wasn't sure if whether or not that was a good sign.

"People call me a genius, a master of music like my father. If it weren't for this I wouldn't have those prefaces."

"What do you mean?" Stephanie asked as her brow quirked with curiosity.

He never revealed so much of himself to another soul and already he was growing uncomfortable about what he had said. She's surely going to think me mad for sure.

But she's different. She would understand, a voice whispered. She will not judge.

Her glittering mismatched orbs took on an understanding he never saw before. "If you don't want to tell me, you don't have to," she softly said. "I know how you feel."

"I'm afraid this will certainly change your opinion of me quite greatly," Etienne admitted. "I often wonder if it wasn't in my head. Such happenings couldn't exist in the real world."

"Well, I'm no expert, but I doubt it's not as crazy as me being here. Then again, I could be just a figment of yours and Erik's imagination, in which case I strongly recommend you two get locked up."

A small grin curled at his lips, though no humor touched his expression. "Mlle Larson, I trust that you would keep this in your confidence. I do not wish of this ever being let out."

His solemnity didn't go loss on her as she nodded with extreme seriousness. Though why her of all people he would choose to confide in she didn't understand. Perhaps he knew she would never tell a soul, probably from overhearing Erik. Certain secrets of the Phantom's she would never tell to his wife or children, not when it was his own business. She was only the ear.

Etienne unleashed the air he was holding. This was a leap for him. A big leap and the prospects of what could happen in the future was daunting, he found it a relief through her-- this incredible woman who unknowingly found a way into his heart.

"I was a bright lad, a gift of natural talents concerning knowledge and languages. Except the language of music was far from my grasp. I envied my siblings, especially the twins, who were barely eight months old when their talents emerged. However, I could not do what they could accomplish. I was ashamed of myself, coming from a family where music was our bread and water. My, my parents in the beginning didn't know what to do. I felt I failed them."

Stephanie's eyes watered, though no tears fell. Etienne's countenance was distant yet she could see the lingering of the small boy within. The feelings of loneliness, being detached from a family who could do what he could not and hopelessness tugged at her heartstrings.

"The day Madeleine and I discovered the standing stones were one of the happiest days of my life. I was just ten, nearing the age where bedtime stories were farces, but I believed that this was different. Strange as it seems but I could feel the electrifying powers floating around the rocks. And a song in the distance could be heard, very sweet and soft, like the faeries Mother used to tell us.

"'If you hear a fairy's song,' my mother would say, 'You can make a wish and your deepest desire will come true as long as you're pure of heart.' So I made a simple wish that night but it didn't come true right away. Nor the next or the next after.

"I grew angry and in the dead of night, I stole away from the manor to come here to vent my disappointed frustration. I was riled beyond belief that I eventually passed out with sleep. It wasn't until morning I awoke, realizing I overdue my stay and fled. I was fortunate that no one noticed my absence and the day went on like nothing new. Until…

"Until I sat down by my father's piano and the strings of Mozart's 'Piano Sonata No. 11' came flowing from me. My parents were in shock, and later overjoyed. No one could explain my sudden triumph, but I knew it had been the faeries. This is the only miracle I know of that exists."

By the time his narration was over, Stephanie stood before him. His eyes searched her face, her sympathy glowed. He was losing his grip on reality as he was drowning into her darkened irises of green and brown. There was no mockery or disbelief or judgment. She didn't laugh or scoff at his inane secret like anyone else would have done.

There was understanding.

And above all: acceptance.

Stephanie Larson accepted him and her opinion hadn't changed. He was a man. Only a man.

He vaguely remembered his father saying she was dealt a hard card in life. It seemed impossible with this strong, amazing woman standing in front of him. Yet, he wanted to know. He wanted to know everything there was about her; he wanted to share her sadness and pain.

Even though she belonged to another man, Etienne couldn't lose her. No… wouldn't.

His finger traced her lower jaw slowly, lovingly and teasingly. Her lids lowered as his thumb grazed her bottom lip, her breath coming in short pants.

His own blood was drumming loudly, his breath racing as a breeze blew through them, bringing a quiet melody that his ears could hear.

Faeries' song, he thought as his face drifted closer to Stephanie's. Mine…

Stephanie was falling victim to the sensations rushing through her body. This has to be a dream, she thought dreamily as her head tilted upwards, her lips parting in anticipation. Oh Etienne…

Her eyes snapped opened, her mouth dropped in horror as she backed away. Oh my God! What am I doing?

"No," she whispered.

"Stephanie—" Etienne murmured, reaching out. "Don't—"

Stephanie turned on her heels and ran, not looking back.

The hand that once caressed her fell lifelessly at his side. Etienne stared at her retreating back, frozen.

He let her go to Dan Shaw's invisible hold. He let her go as the faeries' droning drowned his senses. He let her go, filled with regret.

TBC…

Now… before you all bombard me with threats, I did this for a reason. –chuckles evilly- There will be some angst in the next couple chapters, and there will be developments. Ta loves!