Erik followed her like a lost puppy.
"One has to have a heart to live," he argued.
Erika sighed and turned to face him.
"I have a heart," she replied. "But it is stone cold."
Erik looked at her and could see how tired her eyes looked; as if her heart and soul had been beaten time and time again. He knew what she felt – he had felt it many times before. She was heartbroken, sick – if not physically than mentally, and she was tired.
"I'm sorry I'm such a burden." The words tumbled out of his mouth as if pulled by an unseen string. He had never apologized to anyone – not even the Sultana – but Erika had that effect on him. He had never done that with anyone else – why would a common woman like her have such an effect on HIM? He was the Phantom of the Opera – there were stories about him for Christine's sake – and he could be softened by a mere girl. Maybe he felt comfortable with her considering their strange bond to each other.
"Erik, look me in the eye," Erika commanded gently. Erik did as she asked. "I will never regret having you here. You are welcome here as long as you wish."
"The word that parts us will not be spoken by me," Erik said, smiling at her softly.
"Then the two of us will grow old with no one but each other for the rest of our lives," she said with a small smirk, imagining the two of them knitting like old ladies on her front porch. She chuckled. Erik remembered when Madame Giry had said the same thing to him when she took him to the Opera Populaire. But she had left him and married the man of her dreams – left him like everyone always did.
"Erik?" Erika's hand reached for his. Erik jerked back to reality and stiffened. He couldn't allow her to be close to him. He saw the confusion on her face and gently took her hand and kissed it.
"Thank you for your sentiments, Mademoiselle," he said stiltedly, leaving the area they had been talking in. Erika, noticing his sudden mood change, became angered. Yes, being his reincarnation gave her understanding of Erik's mood swings, but it didn't help her mood swings.
"What is your problem?" Erika cried, walking after him.
"My problem?" Erik asked, raising his voice. He had never raised his voice at a woman before, but with Erika he knew he could make an exception. "You are the one who locked me in your bedroom for hours on end!"
"I didn't want you getting into everything!"
"I'm not a child, Madam," Erik said, his tone deadly.
"Says the man who was in shock of a vacuum cleaner! Says the man who can't stay out of a girl's room! Says the man who would wander the streets in awe of everything because he isn't even from here!" Erika screamed. Suddenly a crash came from the adjoining room. Fight forgotten, Erik pulled his dagger out from his boot and stood in the defensive position in front of Erika. The two of them walked slowly to the room. Erik peeked around the corner and saw Erika's father covered in eggs and pancakes. Erika slowly lowered Erik's dagger, but he stayed in front of her. Erika sighed and gently pushed past Erik and walked towards the table.
"What happened?" Erika asked, surprised when Erik pulled her chair out for her.
"I tripped on the rug. Who's your friend?" Gustav asked. Clearly he had been too drunk the other night to remember Erika taking Erik to the guest bedroom and too hung over that morning to remember interrogating poor Erik.
"Erik. He came to offer me a job in an International Chorale." Erika silenced Erik's protests with one look. "He's the director."
"But you don't sing anymore," Christine said gently.
"He is here nevertheless and we need to treat him well." This was pointed at her father.
"Of course," Gustav said, nodding but looking at Erik suspiciously. "Whatever you say, love."
"He is a friend of mine," Erika said, putting some food on a plate and passing it to Erik.
"Yes, Erika and I go back quite a ways. She is just what I'm looking for in our Chorale," Erik said, putting on his charm and praying it would convince them.
"My daughter doesn't sing, Sir. And may I ask where you are from exactly?"
"I am from France, called in for special work with this city's local group. Even if the Mademoiselle does not sing, she could be my assistant director."
"Assistant director? Erika you're not seriously going to work for this guy, are you? I don't even know him!" Gustav exclaimed.
"You may not, dad, but I do. I knew him from when I was at the orphanage." Erika said.
"Orphanage?" Erik whispered, confused.
"Later," Erika whispered harshly in his ear. Erik shut his mouth knowing that she would tell him when she was ready.
"Erika, sweetie, I just don't feel comfortable with this. You hate music which is why you don't sing," Gustav said as he sat down. Erik raised an eyebrow at Erika noticing that she had been lying to her adopted family about her reasons for not singing.
"I know, dad. But I feel like this could be a chance to get me out of my shell and help me get over my problems. Music frees people, and I hope it can free me." Erika quietly explained.
Christine giggled and began to quietly sing, "…let your soul take you where you long to be!" (AN: Lol, I love Music of the Night!) Erik looked at Christine in shock at the fact that she randomly started singing. Erika, however, caught Christine's reference and quietly laughed.
"Erika, I guess that whatever you do I'll have to support you." Gustav sighed.
"The Monsieur-"
"I am staying until I receive an answer from her." Gustav blanched at the thought. Erika took a long time to make decisions about anything – she was horribly indecisive.
"If it is all right with you," Erika added hastily. She pleaded with him in her eyes. She couldn't push Erik out now – he hadn't given her very many answers and besides, they somehow had a connection. It bugged her that she was so connected to her past but, then again, who wasn't?
"Of course," Gustav said. "As long as you need. You should ask Christine actually – I'm leaving on tour in a few days."
"How long this time?" Christine asked, finally through with singing Music of the Night under her breath.
"Six months." Erika pouted externally but was internally grateful. That was plenty of time to figure out how to get Erik home.
"You won't have to worry about their protection Monsieur Daae. They will be safe as long as I am around," Erik said, flashing a charming smile. Gustav saw right through Erik. Something about him and Erika was off, but he didn't know what. They were hiding whatever it was from him – he could tell.
"But will they be safe from you?" Gustav asked, standing up at the table. Erika gasped and Erik's smile faltered.
"You have my word as a gentleman-"
"Ha! Some good that is in this day in age!" Gustav snorted.
"I swear on my word as a gentleman and all that matters in this world that if any harm comes to your daughters while I am with them I will deal with myself as harshly as you would," Erik said. Again the words bubbled out from him as if beckoned by an unseen force. Why did these random words fall form his lips? Erika was smiling at him and his stomach fluttered. No, no, no – he was not going to fall in love again, especially with his reincarnation. That would be…wrong…wouldn't it?
"I hope you are a man of your word, Monsieur," Gustav answered, shaking Erik's hand. It was official. Now Erik couldn't get out of anything he had just almost unwittingly promised. Damn.