Her answer was a slight grin.

"You disapprove then?" The Phantom's grin faded as he examined her closely. His eyes were slightly glossed, but still competent; he did not seem to have drank very much.

"I'm shocked," Madeleine laughed, putting her hand to her heart. "Joseph Buquet, I would expect, but you, Monsieur?"

"I've barely had a sip, Mademoiselle," He smiled. "No need to be worried; I can still maneuver my labyrinth. Your faithful Ghost will remain unharmed." The Phantom bowed, extending his hand with a grin. Madeleine took his hand and curtsied with a quiet giggle. As she rose, the Opera House shook as a boom of thunder shook its walls. The cool scent of rain began to seep through the thin wood, filling the theatre with its dampness.

"Oh my," Madeleine said, looking up at the ceiling instinctively.

"Are you to be staying then?" The Monsieur asked, keeping hold of her hand.

"I don't wish to intrude, Monsieur," she replied, pulling her hand away, but he kept it, placing his other hand over hers. The leather was cool on her skin.

"Your company, Madeleine, is never intrusive." Madeleine looked up at him, his eyes gazing into hers.

"I'm sure I can find some room in the dormitories," she replied, watching curiously as his lips gently turned to a frown.

"If a drafty, rusty room is what you desire, then be my guest, but I've a fire going downstairs if you desire a warm night." The Phantom's lips turned into a grin, his eyes flickering with mystery.

"Monsieur," Madeleine sighed, "are you sure?" He nodded in reply with a smile. "What are you hiding?" She asked with a smile.

"This rum has me feeling a bit...playful... actually." Erik smiled.

"I'm not going to end up in your noose, I hope," Madeleine asked curiously.

"You have my word, no harm will come to you," Erik bowed again, returning upright with a smile.

"What is it I must do, then?"

"Follow me," Erik grinned, dropping one of his hands as he lead her across the stage and toward the wall covered by the wing curtains. "Do you remember the night we performed Faust and Carlotta chided one of the ballerinas because they bumped into one another?"

"Vividly," she replied as they approached the curtains, "that ballerina bumped into her on purpose."

"What a kind young lady," Erik smiled.

"Thank you," Madeleine smiled in return. "It was quite fun I must admit."

"I enjoyed it, personally," Erik smiled. "That night, I detonated the trap door without having to approach the pit. This is how I shall lead you to my humble lair." He lifted the wing curtain and pulled her through the dark until they found the small opening in the wall. "You should crouch down a bit, watch your head."

Madeleine followed him through the pitch darkness of the small hallway until he pulled her upright. They walked in silence, descending a small set of stairs and emerged into the large stairwell, dimly lit by a distant lamp. Erik glanced back at her and grinned. As they moved down the stairs, Erik dropped her hand and disappeared behind the wall into the darkness.

"This seems all too familiar," Madeleine laughed, stepping toward the darkness. "I remember that fall I took not too long ago, Monsieur."

"Madeleine," his voice emerged from the darkness. "That trap," he said as a loud click echoed around them, "is disabled." She could hear the smile in his voice. Madeleine hesitated for a moment until his gloved hand emerged from the darkness. "I can lead you back up to the dormitories if you so desire..." Madeleine took a breath and grasped his hand, stepping into the darkness. His steps were silent as if he were truly a ghost.

"Are you still here, Monsieur?" Madeleine asked, grasping his hand with both of hers.

"You have my hand, do you not?" He replied, his voice echoing all around her.

"I hear my steps, but yours are absent." Erik laughed in reply, enveloping her in sound.

"This, cher, is why I am the Opera Ghost." His hand grasped hers tightly for a moment, assuring her of his presence. She laughed nervously in reply, holding his hand tightly. "You find no comfort in darkness, Madeleine?"

"Not very much, no," she replied. "I prefer a bit of light to help me see."

"I promised no harm would come to you, did I not?" he asked, leading her further into the darkness.

"Yes," she smiled to herself. Suddenly, he pulled her down a corridor to the left which seemed to tilt downward. They were descending quickly as their speed increased, moving rapidly down stairs and turning sharply down new corridors. Finally, they emerged into a small stairway that was dimly lit by a hidden lantern. Madeleine sighed in relief, reaching up to rub her slowly adjusting eyes. A moment later, she opened her eyes again and looked around at the empty corridor. "Monsieur?" she called, knowing he was waiting to trick her.

"Yes?" Madeleine looked around, but his voice gave no hint of where he was hiding. She laughed, placing her hands on her hips. "Do you enjoy confusing me?" She asked playfully; it seemed to be contagious tonight.

"Very much," he replied, his warm breath grazing the back of her neck. Quickly she turned, but he was gone.

"Monsieur," she replied, her heart beating loudly in her chest.

"Yes?" his silky voice replied as his glove gently brushed her hand. Madeleine had no answer except a smile. Truthfully, she enjoyed his taunting and the gentle touches he teased her with. He always made the adrenaline in her body rush.

"I can smell the fire you're burning," she replied, "are we getting close?"

"We are," he replied, his voice now echoing from behind her. She turned quickly and was faced with another dim corridor. "Follow me." Madeleine smiled, enjoying his game of chase and made her way down the corridor, speeding up as the smell of the burning wood grew stronger. "You're enjoying yourself, I hope?" His voice came from her right side, directly in her ear.

"Ah!" she gasped, jumping back against the opposite wall. "Yes," she replied with a laugh as she rested her head back against the wall, catching her breath. "Yes, I am."

"Good." The voice now came from behind her, making her jump back into the center of the corridor. Madeleine laughed as she continued her way toward the burning wood. After a few minutes of silence, she emerged into a familiar stairway.

"I do hope the boat is there," Madeleine said, approaching the small dock. There, waiting patiently for her, was the Phantom, standing elegantly in the small gondolier, holding it in place with the long staff.

"It's here," he smiled, holding out his hand for her. She smiled, a blush coming to her cheeks as she took his hand and sat down onto the red velvet fabric and pillows. Behind her, the Phantom pushed the boat from the dock and began their sail toward his lair. The boat ride was silent as he pushed them down a thinner part of the river, closed in on both sides by two stone walls. Stairs emerged from the water in various places, leading off to mysterious places shaded by darkness.

"I hope you've enjoyed my game," The Phantom began, looking down at her. Madeleine turned, sitting back against the opposite side of the boat to face him.

"I have," Madeleine smiled. "You?"

"Very much," he replied, looking back out toward their destination.

"Will you ever tell me how you manage to move so silently through these corridors?" Madeleine asked, leaning back on the red pillows. The unmasked side of his lips grinned as he laughed, echoing his voice through the numerous halls.

"I don't think so," he replied, "not unless there is to be another Phantom in my midst." She smiled, laying back in the comfortable pillows. Her eyes shut as the gentle rocking of the boat calmed her heart and brought her breath back to a slower rhythm. The Phantom began quietly humming a slow tune that seemed to hypnotize her.

His cool leather glove carefully touched her cheek, gently rousing her. Madeleine opened her eyes and smiled at the cool, blue eyes that faced her. Erik smiled in return, leaving his open hand on her cheek for an extra moment. Slowly he held out his hand, which she took, and they stood, stepping off the boat and onto the stone floor.

The fragrant smell of the wood filled his lair, bringing warmth to every inch of her body. She stepped further into his home, approaching the massive organ surrounded by rows of candelabras. The scent of wood grew stronger as she made her way through the maze of candles and toward the concealed bed.

"Your home never ceases to amaze me," Madeleine smiled, gazing at the tapestries surrounding her.

"I've never thought of this as a home before," Erik replied, placing his hand on her back. "Shall we retreat to the fire?"

"I was hoping to do so," she replied, "but I can't seem to find it. It seems I've a lot to learn about your secret rooms."

"It seems so," he smiled, lifting the tapestry beside the bed to reveal a medium sized fireplace and a large bed seated before the fire.

"I thought you slept there," she said, pointing toward the swan bed.

"Only during the warm months," he replied. "I construct this so I can sleep in the warmth." Madeleline nodded in understanding as she moved toward the fire. Gently she removed her coat, placing it on the floor in front of the fire and sat down, hovering her hands toward the warmth. Quietly, they removed their shoes and placed them by the fire.

"If there is any good in winter," Madeleine began as the Phantom sat beside her, "it is the warmth of burning wood." Erik nodded in agreement, sitting slightly behind her. Gently, he untied his cape and draped it over both of their shoulders. Madeleine looked over at him, taken by surprise at his gesture.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, his right arm leaning placed behind her.

"Monsieur, I don't expect you to make any special accommodations for me." Madeleine began, but he reached out to take her hand.

"Madeleine," he began, looking down into her eyes, "This Opera House is your home now, as is my lair." They both smiled at his word choice.

"Monsieur-"

"Erik."

Madeleine paused. He had been using her name, and speaking it comfortably, for some time now. Why hadn't she?

"Erik." Madeleine said, smiling as his name passed her lips. Not many had the privilege of knowing his true name, the name of the man behind the mask. "Erik... I don't want you to give up your lodgings for me. I can manage and make with what I have." He didn't respond, and she accepted the silence.

Enveloped in his cape, she could feel the warmth radiating from his body that was barely inches away. Slowly, he brought his left hand up to her cheek, cupping her face gently as he leaned in toward her lips. Their eyes shut as their lips made contact, sending waves of heat through their bodies. Madeleine reached her hand up to touch his face, gently finding his cool, unmasked skin beneath her fingers. As her fingers touched his skin, he pulled back for a moment, his eyes opening at the unexpected touch.

"I'm...I am so sorry," The Phantom said, unwillingly pulling his hand from her cheek, but Madeleine stopped him, bringing his hand into hers. Slowly she pulled off his glove, being sure to pull each finger so the glove wold slide off smoothly. His hand exposed, Madeleine placed the glove beside her and brought his hand back to her cheek. The touch of his warm skin against her cool cheek sent a shiver through her skin.

"Do not be sorry," she replied, bringing her hand back up to his face. With her other hand, she reached up to his mask, slowly letting her fingers make contact with its cool surface. He turned his head, making her hand move away from his mask, but she turned him back. "I won't remove it unless you want me to." She began. "I just want to touch it." Both of her hands now explored the two sides of his face; one hand tracing this cheek bones, the creases beneath his eyes, and his lips, while the other traced the symmetrical features of the cool mask. As she did this, he quickly removed his other glove and seized her in his hands, his fingers intertwining in her hair.

He pulled her in, thrusting his lips against hers as she held tightly to his face, moving her hands quickly to his neck and back, feeling every inch of skin she could. Never before had she felt his ungloved hand. She allowed him to lower her down; Madeleine had done this many times before with her husband, but it had never been so passionate or warm. His gentle movements guided her head to lay comfortably on her coat as his cloak remained draped around them.

Erik paused for a moment, looking down into her eyes as he allowed his hand to gently feel the now flushed skin of her face and move down to her neck. As his hand trailed down her neck, her hands moved to his chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath his vest. She reached up, pulling him down to her, demanding more contact, more of his wonderful heat.

Their lips collided again, pushing a bolt of electricity through her body. Gently, she began to slowly unbutton his vest, opening it to a now loose hanging poet's shirt. Erik let his hands move from her neck to her chest which beat heavily from her racing heart. A shock moved through her breasts as he moved his hands over her clothed chest, demanding more contact, less boundaries. It was as if the thought was contagious; Erik moved down from her lips, kissing every inch of her skin until he reached the edge of fabric concealing her body.

"The buttons," Madeleine breathed, "they're in the back." Erik pulled back for a moment, looking down into her eyes.

"Are you sure?" he asked and Madeleine smiled, giving him his answer. He took her hand and they stood, their bodies refusing to part. Madeleine reached up, untying his cloak and pushed it off his shoulders to the floor. She did the same for his vest which left his white shirt loose against his skin. Slowly, he turned her, carefully opening each button starting at the top of her dress. The distance between them, however, was too much, and he moved quickly against her, leaving kisses on her neck, moving down to her shoulders, and back as he opened the dress and slid it off of her arms. She shivered as his warm touch reached her bare arms; she was left with her petticoats.

Quickly, he reached down, picking her up and placed her gently on the bed, moving himself on top of her and pulled his cloak over them. He knelt, one leg on each side of her right leg and leaned down to kiss her again, this time allowing his body to lean against hers. Madeleine shifted her hips, and brought him between her legs, allowing one of hers to run against his.

Erik moved down to her neck, kissing it softly and urgently as his hands moved down her sides; it was as if he were afraid to venture where he truly wished to be, but as she lifted her hip to collide with his, he lost control of his hands and grasped her breasts with such haste that she gasped slightly. Before he could even ask if she were alright, she untucked his shirt and allowed her hands to explore his chest and back, hot with desire. Between her legs, she could feel him growing just as she felt the heat inside of her grow.

Madeleine slid his shirt off of his chest running her hands across his revealed skin, feeling the heartbeat inside of him. Gently, she grasped the dark hair that grew there and pulled slightly to make him come nearer. At that moment, Madeleine thought she heard him growl. Quickly he moved to the hem of her petticoat and let both of his hands make their way up her legs, past her hips, and over her chest to remove the fabric. She shivered from the cool air and he replaced himself above her, letting the cloak keep them warm.

Her hips thrust against his as he grew harder and longer; the only boundary between them being the thin fabric of his pants. Erik's eyes moved up and down her body, taking in what would soon be his. The tuft of curly hair where her sex lay in wait tempted him, but this was not a time of haste; they had all the time in the world. He moved his eyes up the light skin of he stomach to her breasts. Her nipples were tight and extended, looking more and more delicious every second.

Madeleine reached up to his chest with both of her hands, pulling him down against her for more kisses. Their lips collided again, their tongues meeting, but Madeleine moved her hand down his chest to what she wanted and grasped it, stroking his length from outside of his pants. Erik's hands moved to her chest, grasping one breast as his lips seized the other, gently sucking and kissing her nipple. A quiet moan escaped her lips as he flicked his tongue back and forth against the risen skin.

"Oh God... Erik..." she breathed as he moved to her other breast, kissing and teasing her nipple as he did before. With her hand, she led his length toward her sex, letting it touch her wet lips which seemed to beg for more contact, more skin. "Please..." Her other hand ran down his back, running her nails gently across the skin, producing chills wherever they moved. Erik lifted his hips, allowing her to remove the last piece of fabric denying them contact.

When his pants were successfully tossed aside, he leaned back down, letting his length run across the inside of her thighs. As she reached down to guide him, Erik grasped her hands, bringing them back to his chest. His playfulness had not yet finished as he allowed himself to move his hard organ across her hips, making her grasp his chest in want.

"Please..." she breathed, her want making her wet and warm for him. "Erik... I want you. I want to be yours."

"As you wish," he grinned, moving himself toward her waiting lips. Slowly, he allowed himself to penetrate, feeling her tightness envelop him as he moved deeper inside of her. Both of them shut their eyes, their breath stolen for the moment as they reveled in the ecstasy of contact. Erik pulled out and returned himself back inside, feeling her back wall against his head. Madeleine pulled him close, their bodies barely touching as he moved himself inside of her. Sometimes he would pull all the way out and thrust quickly in, producing a gasp from his lover. Other times, he would only pull out a bit, letting himself build up speed as they moaned and kissed, grasped and wrapped their arms around each other.

"Madeleine," he whispered into her ear as she tightened around his length.

"Oh... Eri...Erik...Erik..." She gasped, feeling herself tighten around him as he hit the perfect spot deep inside of her. As she tightened, so did he, expelling that which he had held back inside of her. Erik gasped again as another shock flew through him. Madeleine pulled him close, her eyes shut tightly as she moaned, her body reaching its climax.

Erik collapsed beside her, pulling her close so no space intruded between their bodies. Heat radiated between their skin, their hearts beginning to slow after each heavy breath. Madeleine reached her hand up to his mask, caressing the cool material and smiled. He turned his head, placing a kiss on her palm and looked back into her eyes.

"Madeleine," he smiled, running his hand across her back.

"Erik," she smiled back, pulling him closer as she let her head rest on his chest.

Beside them, the fire burned quietly, illuminating their discarded garments and silky cloak which kept them warm and hidden from the cold.