Disclaimer: Don't own POTO….blah, blah, blah.

Okay, quick announcement: The Phamily shall be returning to their wonderful little cave in Chapter 36, with a few more friends than when they left.

OneWhoSitsWithTheTurtles: Oh, man, being taken captive by Anna and Brooke would have been a far more pleasant experience, but such is life, still we love it, eh? And yes, that is two more for the home team.

Solecito: You used 'phamily'! I don't know why, but that made me extremely happy. (easily amused). But see above A/N for the answer to your question.

LenisVox: Yeah, Christine is out of character, but like you said, it makes her more despicable. I need her to be unlikable; otherwise it's just difficult to work with. (Besides, tis loads of fun)

Master Darth Warious: Do you know something? the new trilogy goes through bad guys like normal people go through underwear. They should have just kept Darth Maul around. I, mean, Count Dooku? (facepalm) who thought up that name?

Cold Fate: (happy hobbit dance) yah, on being one of your favorite authors! Thank you! (feels all warm and fuzzy inside). Presents reviewer with Persian plushie.

Tian Sirki: SQUEE! I'm your favorite, too! (more warm fuzzies) Absolutely on the emailing thing. My address is posted on my profile.

xxXGoddessXofXdeadXloveXxx: More Erik coming up!

Heather Lynn: Thank you for clearing up that typo thing. Had me worried. Anywho, thanks for recommending the story to others…word-of-mouth is always a good sign.

Phantress: 'ello! I think your review got cut off or something…which makes me sad cuz I love your reviews. Erik: Mmm, yes, she was very distraught over that, quite uncontrollable, and you know how she is when that happens.

Oh, and must tell you, Phantress, blueberries will be making an appearance in the next chapter! Yeah for the blueberries!

OneWhoWalksWithPigeons: Ew. Good luck with the finals. And, yes, laughter is a good medicine…"a cheerful heart is good medicine!"

SimplyElymas: Cuddly Persian plushie for you!

ShaShiSar221: She hates the dark? Hmm…that is so cruel (maniacal laughter) I LOVE it! (I'm evil I know)

Marianne Brandon: (Gasp!) I'm anxious to see Dear Frankie. Some review on the net said that Gerry wasn't good in it (snarls)…but I hesitate to give much credit to the assertion as the review was poorly written anyway. You have given me new hope! I still haven't read all of Sense and Sensibility. Pride and Prejudice is, like, the most amazing book ever. Misty Darcy…how does that sound?

LCCoconut: Yeah! You caught the Emperor's New Groove allusion. I love that movie. (sigh)

Pleading Eyes: Yeah! I'm so flattered that you missed me! But your phic has got me all tied up in suspenseful knots! ARGH! That's a good thing though…I love Little Erik…he's so snarky.

easternelvenlady: It really makes me happy to know how much you enjoy this phic.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

PLODDING ON A DIFFERENT LEVEL

There had been no excitement the few weeks following the fourth of July. The vacationers had woken up on the beach, happy to find that no one had a hangover. They did not remember anything about the fireworks, which was definitely beneficial to everyone's sanity.

Only a select few recalled the spectacular pyrotechnics: the cousins, the hobbits, the Opera Ghost, the Vicomte, the singer, and the Gerry. When Raoul and Christine discovered that no one else remembered the fireworks they decided it would be wise to not mention the whole thing for fear of being taken for lunatics. The others feigned ignorance as well…but for other reasons.

Much to Gerry's satisfaction, his long night of babysitting had paid off. Though the relationships were still plodding along at a snail's pace, things were plodding on a different level for Brooke and Raoul and for Anna and Erik.

Following the bizarre firework night, Christine made the mistake of assuming that if she stayed abed for a few days, faking sickness, her two beaux would pay her every flattering and nurturing attention. With Christine 'indisposed' for four days straight, Raoul was free to spend time with a particularly rambunctious group of young people, including Annette and Max, Cecily and her brothers, and, most importantly, Brooke.

Raoul found the quirky brunette intriguing for she was so different from Christine. All of the qualities he secretly wished Christine would someday acquire, Brooke already possessed. Intelligence was definitely at the top of the list. Brooke read voraciously and was capable of holding her ground in an intellectual debate. She challenged Raoul and he enjoyed it, because, despite popular belief, the Vicomte was very well informed.

Brooke was pretty, too. That night on the riverbank, Raoul had carefully studied her face by the glow of the fire. He noted the slight turn at the tip of her rounded nose and the bemusing twist of her smile. Her emerald green eyes sparkled when she laughed and joked. And the simplicity of her clothes made her seem more tangible and real.

Of course, Raoul being the honorable young man that he was, felt uneasy about just striking up a courtship between himself and the bewitching girl. Thus, he resorted to attaching himself to her group of friends, so as to make everything seem more respectable. The Vicomte twinged with guilt whenever he visited Christine in her room. He never stayed long for he was always anxious to be joining the group in some outing. As he sat by the singer's bedside, he mentally compared her to Brooke and began to find more and more faults with Christine. He felt that he was being positively unfaithful…but he just couldn't help himself.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

To Gerry's utmost amusement, it was faintly apparent that even the passionate, obsessive Erik was susceptible to a change of heart. Like Raoul, he began to neglect Christine in favor of another lady.

Anna's foolish attempt to saved Erik from a certain mass of squeeing fireworks had touched a cord deep within the Opera Ghost's guarded, darkened soul. He still could not quite grasp the fact that someone—a woman no less—had been willing to throw herself (literally) in the path of danger for his sake. What was more, she had slept in his arms that night. His attachment to Anna deepened from brother and sister to friendship, with just a hint of something more.

Anna appreciated it. Being a phangirl, she understood that Erik's confidence and friendship was a rare gift. He permitted her to peer into his mind and soul. In return, she allowed him the same privilege. And much to her relief, he accepted that privilege.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Anna stood beside the piano, which had been rented out to the Lerouxs during their stay at the inn, and skimmed through some of Erik's work.

"Do you approve?" he asked, coming up behind her. A few days before, he would have nearly punjabbed her for taking such a liberty, but now he wanted her to understand this side of him.

"Yes…some parts are not nearly as complicated as I thought your work would be," she replied.

"Complexity does not always equate to greatness. It is best to remember that, in some cases, less is more. If the piece does not require a dizzying arrangement of sixteenth notes, then it should not be included. A composer must think of the piece first, and never give a thought to impressing anyone."

Anna smirked, "I always hated playing sixteenth notes anyway."

Erik glanced at her in surprise, "I did not know you were gifted musically in any way, Anna." He eyed her with new interest. Anna could practically see the clockwork-like wheels turning in his mind.

"Don't get your hopes up, Erik. I only played the flute for my high school marching band and I sucked at it."

"A marching band?"

"Yes, that's where you walk and play music at the same time…from memory."

"I gathered that much, but you are a woman."

"So?"

"That's right. I forgot, for a moment, that you are from a different time."

"Tis okay. I forget that myself sometimes." Anna paused for a moment before continuing, "Erik, do you think you could teach me to play the piano?"

The Phantom arched an eyebrow. She blushed and fidgeted under his stern gaze.

"I used to play it when I was very young. I always wished I had continued. You're the best pianist I've ever heard. Please?" She turned up the charm and puppy-ness of her brown eyes and pouted (very prettily, Erik observed).

Gerry, who was watching the tête-à-tête from a crack in his bedroom door, thought the two made a lovely pair, Erik so tall, elegant, and a wee bit shy, Anna slender and sweetly encouraging. If only that dolt could see this for himself, then perhaps he'd come to his senses and love her like she deserves.

Erik didn't get the chance to answer Anna's request. The clock on the mantle chimed five o'clock in the afternoon. Both the Ghost and the girl jumped at the unexpected clamor. Anna backed away towards her room.

"Crud, I promised Brooke I'd meet her and the others down stairs for dinner and if I don't get ready now I'll be late. You can think about it…maybe?" She peered up at Erik with hopefully pleading look of child begging for a present. Erik gave her a curt nod and she scampered away to ready her person for the evening's activities.

The girl reappeared in half an hour, dressed in the pretty white evening gown that had stolen Erik's breath the night of the thunderstorm and chat with the phans. Her copper hair was swept up in an elegant mass of curls and a pair of glittering chandelier earrings dangled from her ear lobes like crystal teardrops.

Erik stared. Anna blushed. She moved forward shyly and, to break the strange tension, twirled around once, and asked him what he thought of the look.

"You look like…an angel, my dear," he answered quietly. Anna's heart fluttered violently. An angel? But that was the pet name Erik reserved for Christine…or what Erik was referred to himself. Anna did a happy dance on the inside. Feeling elated and giddy, she forgot to be shy and skipped up to his side.

"You can join us if you like…just lurk in the shadows or something," she suggested. She gave him that hopeful look again.

Erik stiffened and pretended to be aloof and replied coldly, "Perhaps."

Anna smiled and squeezed his arm…he couldn't fool her anymore. "Thanks, Erik." She trotted to the door and called out, "Gerry, darling, are you ready?"

The Gerry emerged from his room, bedecked in his classic evening clothes by way of a reply. Anna couldn't help going a little droolly for a moment (hey, could you?). Much to his own surprise, Erik seethed with jealousy and silently resolved to take Anna up on her offer to join everyone down stairs.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Okay…everyone read and review!