Disclamer: Idon't own any Phantom stuff. I wish I did. I saw Timeline for the first time last week, and man, Gerry Butler is so hot in that movie. Wow. Just incase anyone was wondering, becasue I don't recall saying it, but picture the Phantom in my story as the Gerry Butler phantom. Thanks to my reviewers, and answering a question that came up about Erik asking Aslynn if she was ever going back to her time, well I hadnt thought of it, but you gave me an idea, so I can say it is possible he does, but won't be for a bit. But anyways, heres chapter 12!

Erik's eyes first found Aslynn standing next to the table, lighting the candles. The chandelier was already lit. His eyes grew wide with shock from seeing Aslynn. He had never noticed how beautiful she was. Her light brown hair fell down a bit past her shoulders, framing her face. The cuts were completely healed, and didn't leave any scaring. Her blue eyes danced with the reflection of the candles she was lighting, her red lips drawn tight in concentration.

On her slender body was a plain, yet elegant gown the same color as her blue eyes. It flowed gracefully down her body, revealing her curves. The low neckline of the dress showed the tops of the breasts. On her neck was the same necklace, a silver cross, guarded by two black, triangular shaped, sharp teeth.

As his eyes traced the young woman, Aslynn looked up.

"Oh, you're here. Good. The only thing I have left to do is get the drinks. I didn't know what wine was good to open." She said, her voice warm and confident.

Erik moved his eyes away from her, and noticed what was on the table. The table was set for two, directly across from one another. She had already served the dishes. On each plate was a chicken breast, some type of pasta and asparagus. There were two glasses filled with water, and two empty wineglasses.

"I'll find something." He said in a deep, strong voice. He went over to the wine rack and pulled out a bottle. After blowing off the dust he said, "1860 Merlot, from southern France. Even though white wine is better with poultry, this has better flavor."

"You've got a vast selection of wine I see." The woman replied, looking over the wine rack.

"I find myself a collector of fine wine. I only buy the best."

Aslynn nodded and watched him open the bottle. He looked extremely handsome tonight, the mask creating a bit of mystery. She still wondered why he wore it. He was dressed in a deep burgundy suit, which was almost black. The suit was made of high-quality silk, but Aslynn was unable to tell this. His black hair was tucked behind his ears, and his green eyes concentrated on the task at hand.

She watched him as he walked over to the table, and poured the wine. He set the bottle down on the table, and then pulled a chair out. He glanced up at Aslynn and gestured her to sit.

"Thanks," she said as he sat down in the opposite seat. She was shocked by his politeness.

"May I ask why you went threw all this trouble?" The masked man asked.

"Well, I just thought it's the best way to thank you. Since I have not money or anything to give you. I mean, you've done so much for me. Just letting me stay is more than enough." She replied, blushing.

"You shouldn't have wasted your time on me."

"It kept me busy today, so I didn't waste my time."

Erik didn't want to disappoint the young woman, but his diet was very small, just enough to keep him alive. Even though there have been many times when he went with out eating, with his music possessing him. Or when he hated his life more than normal.

Erik hadn't touched the food in front of him so Aslynn spoke again. "It's not poisoned. Its acido a la pollo, tortellini and asparagus."

"Really, you shouldn't have wasted your time on me, I don't eat."

Aslynn glared at the man sitting across from her. "You have to eat, I mean, your body is so toned, it would be hard to maintain it if you didn't eat."

Erik didn't know how to reply to this because of shock. He had never heard someone mention his body like that, let alone a woman. The only way was with a simple question.

"What?" he asked, his voice wasn't as strong as it usually was.

"Your body is in good shape, in other words, very muscular. I noticed that day you instead on getting me out of the water." She calmly said, color rising to her cheeks. She had to look away from Erik.

This baffled Erik. He just watched this strange woman as she began to eat. She seemed embarrassed about what she said, even though she said it with truth in her voice.

Aslynn was about half way done with her meal when she finally looked back up at Erik. He still hadn't touched his food.

"Since your not eating, I'm taking it that what you said is true, you don't eat. But how do you get by then?" She said, looking into his green eyes.

"I manage."

"Really, what about having so many spices and stuff in your kitchen. Hmm?"

Erik didn't reply to this so Aslynn added more to the question. "You have to eat sometimes."

"I do, when I absolutely need it, which isn't much." He coldly replied.

"So you do eat," Aslynn said with a smirk.

Erik realized his mistake in saying he sometimes has eaten. This is going nowhere, he thought. Sighing, he picked up his fork and slowly began to eat the meal in front of him. As he did so Aslynn just smiled.

As Erik ate, so many thoughts went flying threw his head. Most of them about Aslynn's comment about his 'toned' appearance. I have never heard anyone, speak of me that way. Most of the time they are too caught up on my face, my mask, that they forget that there's a body behind it.

When Aslynn was done eating, she looked over to Erik, who was staring off. He had eating at least half of his food, but had stopped. She finally decided to break the silence.

"So, Erik, do you have a nickname?"

"What kind of a question is that?" he replied, coming out of his thought. He took a sip of the red wine.

"Well, I guess you could say a conversation starter. I mean I've been living in your house for about two weeks and hardly know anything about you." She paused, waiting to see if he said anything. Since he didn't, she went on.

"Well, for example my Dad used to call me Bonnet when I was young. His reasoning behind it was something like I was his scotch bonnet, like the shell. Since I get my Scottish blood from him, and love the beach and ocean."

Erik placed the wineglass down, and looked off. "Opera Ghost," he said.

"Opera Ghost?"

"Yes, that or the Phantom of the Opera." His eyes remained off in a distance, and his face emotionless. He held back the other names he has had from when he was young.

"That's very… original." The woman replied, confused. "Ghost, as in the spirit of dead people?"

Erik was a bit amused at her confusion and simply answered, "Yes."

"But, your alive, very much so. How does a person get a name like 'Opera Ghost'?"

Erik grinned as he said, "I would walk around the opera house, and people would spot me in the shadows. They would look back and find that I was gone, so they thought I was a ghost. So they dubbed me with the name the Phantom of the Opera, or Opera Ghost, which I actually got to use to an advantage. I needed money so I would 'make things happen'."

Aslynn's brow was creased as she looked at Erik, trying to figure out who he was. "What do you mean, 'make things happen'?"

"I'd rather not share now. Maybe later."

"Come on, you've got me interested. It can't be that bad," she said, trying to pry the story out of him.

"Women are always very curious, which isn't always a good thing."

"What's that mean?"

'Nothing," Erik simply replied. He watched as Aslynn's eyes bore into him. She really wants to know. Maybe I could tell her. But wait remember Christine, she was terrified of you after she saw what you did. The last thing you want Erik is to have her hate you. So far she doesn't have any reason on to do so. Lets keep it that way. Erik continued to watch Aslynn's curiosity grow. Well I guess I could leave out the killings.

"Props would disappear, or fall. Even stuff I didn't do, it was said 'the Opera Ghost' did. Everyone feared me, as they should have. I had control of the opera house, as if it was my own. I had my orders, and if they weren't followed, then more 'stuff' would happen. Most of the time the managers listened, except the last two fish-brains. They ignored my requests and well, that's why the opera house has been closed for five years. Even though I'm presumed dead, they fear my ghost is still here."

When Erik was done he looked at Aslynn, expecting to se fear and hatred, instead he saw question.

"So, Opera Ghost is more of a second life than a nickname?" She asked.

"More like my life, at the time."

"Interesting… wait, the Opera house is still closed because they fear a ghost of a ghost? That doesn't make much sense."

"That and among other reasons I'm sure." Erik replied, watching Aslynn lean back in the chair, and take several small sips of wine. He was relieved that she didn't respond negatively to his explanation.

There was an uncomfortable silence after that. Erik was the one to break it this time.

"You said that some time you would tell me about this surfing thing you do. Would you care to enlighten me?" He asked, his deep voice very soothing to listen to.

"Well, I guess I can start with a brief history of it. Some of the things you might have heard of before. Surfing is an ancient Hawaiian pastime, most of the time used to state the status of a villager. It became first known to the western world because of Captain James Cook who explored the Pacific oceans. Traditionally surfing is done on very long, heavy wooden boards. What the natives would do is put the board in the ocean, and paddle out past where the waves broke. They then would paddle in as a wave was breaking, and "catch it". Catching a wave is basically riding the wave as it breaks. Now the fun part of that is they ride the wave standing on the board.

"Now a days, wait, well, in the 20th century and on boards are made of fiberglass, which is a whole hell of a lot lighter, and easier to carry. It is a recreational activity now, and had no religious value as it did. The professional surfers are sponsored by companies, and participate in competitions. That's what I was talking about the second day here, getting to a competition. I was surfing before I awoke on the street here…"

Her last line was soft, and it faded away. She closed her eyes, trying not to let much emotion out about what happened when she first came here. Erik watched her do all of this after she was done telling her story. He wanted to do something for her, support her in some way. But he didn't know how, and was afraid of rejection.

A new thought occurred to the Phantom, as he watched Aslynn, her eyes closed. Maybe it's worth trying, I don't have much to loose, he thought.

"This surfing activity you talk of sounds very challenging. It seems like such an odd way to send your time." He spoke, softening his voice, trying to sooth the young woman.

She opened her eyes and looked over to the masked man. Before she could speak he added on.

"But, it sounds like you enjoy it, and that's what matters."

Listening to Erik say this was a bit shocking. He wasn't one to really care about others, or at least show it.

"It's a lot of fun, and the adrenalin rush is awesome." Aslynn said with a smile. Erik's voice had calmed her, and stirred something inside.

The two went on talking about different things, music, sports, and ways of life for some time. It seemed to Aslynn that Erik finally had opened up a bit to her. Especially the since the day she arrived, when he was extremely tense in her presence. His eyes were something that she could get lost in, but resisted. His voice was gentle and had this beautiful sound to it. Listening to him talk was quite relaxing.

Erik was making Aslynn feel comfortable around him before he proposed his idea. He actually held a decent conversation with her. Finally he felt that she was warmed up enough from talking with him, and wouldn't reject his idea so coldly.

"I want to show you something. I think you would enjoy it," he told Aslynn, his green eyes looking into hers.

Please review, it really helps to know what my readers think, and like. I had a lot of fun writing this chapter, even though its not as much action. Also the part of the history of surfing is all true, gotten from many different sites and books, i've done many a projects on teh topic so i know it well if you want to read more about it, just google "History of surfing" and some good sites should come up.