Hey guys, sorry this one's been slow to get up. My mother's been sending me a whole bunch of stuff on future careers for when college is done.. Like it's not hard enough trying to figure out yourself, but mom has to get involved too. Anyways, enough of my rambling, on with the story!

Chapter VI.

Breakups and Makeups

Time passed and Tania was happy with Erik. They bashed heads and displayed some tempers, but for the most part got along. Tania was still curious as to what he was hiding under his mask, but she knew if she were to find out, she'd be forced to unveil hers as well. During the day, Erik molded her voice throwing her every aria he could possibly think of to ensure she could work on every level, while their nights were filled with piecing together her identity in her new time period. To everybody else, Tania Semler became Sophie Deveroux, born in America thanks to her lack of accent. Her parents were wealthy, but when they learned of her secret desire to dance, gave everything to her sister, who was married and lived in Boston (again to cover up the fact that she really had no sister). "Sophie" wasn't married, wasn't seeing anyone. Erik tested her over and over, cranking at her when she wasn't fast enough on her answers and frequently corrected her "modern" speech.

"Well, I can honestly say I've always wanted a sister. I've had a brother too long. Can I trade him in?"

"No. Now focus. I'm not doing this for myself you know"

"Yeah I know, but I'm bored of this. I know it's important but let's do something else"

"it's 'Yes'. If you go around saying 'Yeah' nobody will have any idea what you are talking about. Somehow I've managed to understand you, but everyday people are not that smart. And we cannot do something else; you asked for my help, I have the time now so you're taking it."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present Pablo Personality"

Erik slammed his fist down on the table so hard the whole house seemed to shake "FINE, you're on your own now. I go out of my way to help you with this and you can't even keep focused. You would be lost without me right now but if you think you can make it on your own, be my guest."

"I can…and I will!"

"Go right ahead"

"Fine!"

Each one stormed off to their respective corners, smoke blowing out of their ears. Erik flopped on his bed, sulking like a little boy telling Ayesha it is now acceptable to go claw at her, while Tania threw all of her things into her bag preparing to leave. She had just made it to the edge of the lake when he appeared behind her.

"So that's it? You're going to sneak out like that?"

"Umm, yeahh. I'm going to leave before you decide to throw me out. It'll just be easier that way. For my self esteem, you know" she admitted twirling her hair around her finger, wasting time trying to give him the chance to stop her. When he didn't, she pushed back the lump in her throat and stepped into the lake walking in the other direction. Erik stood by and watched her, surprised that it was actually happening, she was leaving him.

"No, wait. Don't go, not like this. I'll take you back" Nice try Erik, but it still came out wrong, try it again!

"Don't trouble yourself. I can manage. After all, you're pretty much forcing me to be independent here so why not start now? I'll see you around…I guess" In girl thoughts -Take me back now-

Say something...Anything…Last chance! "Yes, alright! Just stop bugging me!" Tania turned around and shook her head at him. "What did you just say to me?" Erik followed her to where she stood in the middle of his lake insisting to himself that being on foot was more romantic, and seeing as she had no problem standing there. They eyed each other for a few seconds, but it seemed like eternity. "Are you going to apologize to me?" he finally broke the silence.

"Me! Why should I be the first to apologize? I'm not one who lost my temper and kicked a poor defenseless girl out on the street alone"

"Ah, but I never kicked you out. You packed up and decided to leave all on your own"

"Well You-" Tania never finished her sentence. He was right, Erik was right about this. She closed in the space between them and hugged poor, unsuspecting Erik really tight. "You're right. I said you wouldn't be alone anymore and then here I am ready to walk out. I was wrong Erik, you're right." He stood in shock monetarily before wrapping his arms back around her grinning a little. "So, let me ask you again. Are you going to apologize?"

"What for?" was the response as well as her tongue pointed out in his direction

"You live to bust my chops don't you? Well I would have thought it was painfully obvious, but I will tell you. For scaring me like that" he whispered against her ear.

"Wait! Stop the presses! We have history in the making! The big bad "Opera Ghost" doesn't get scared"

Oh yes he does Erik thought to himself He was scared of losing the best thing that ever came into his life.

"Well in that case" Tania said, as though she could read his mind "I'm sorry for scaring you. Can I still set up shop here?" Erik picked her up and brought them back on warm ,solid ground "Always mon ange, always"

Tania lost all control of herself, brain, body, and emotions and kissed him. He'd come after her, she was in his arms, and he just said she could always come back. How many more hints did she need before she kissed him? She backed away smiling "And that was real, not an accident like the last time." Erik made a non commental noise in the back of his throat and set himself up for another smooch, but was highly disappointed when it never happened and she only laid her head on his shoulder." What?" she asked noticing his confused state, "I can't spend all my time here smooching you, otherwise I'll never follow up with our plan, I'll never want to leave. Smooching right now is out" Smooching sounds good to me, to hell with reason. "Besides, I believe I need to get faster on my new life, that's where we left off is it not?"

"No, not yet, we will; but there's something I need to show you first" Erik replied carrying her and ending up into the bedroom. "Erik if you're doing what I think you're doing, you're in big trouble buddy"

"Don't flatter yourself, I just want to talk to you, but I do need to be comfortable"

"Talk to me?" Oldest trick in the book! Ok girl, stay alert. Don't space out. Erik sat on the bed next to her quietly and rubbed his face with both hands before looking around. Oh my God, he really does want to talk, but it doesn't look good. Why's he so nervous? She moved in closer to him brushing his hair back gently. "Erik what is it? Why are you so nervous? Just say it fast and get it over with." He turned and wrapped his arm around her once more laying his head on her. "I want to show you something" he told her shoulder fighting back tears that threatened to escape at any moment. "Show me what, Erik?" He backed up, took a deep breathe, and slowly removed his mask, the blue eyes watching her expression very closely, looking for any sign of disgust. Over the years, he got quite good at picking out even the slightest fear, no matter how hard one tried to hide it.

"This." Please don't let her be afraid, please please please. I can't take it anymore, I need her with me

Tania studied him closely, the left side of his face was just beautiful, the right looked nothing like its mate, but was beautiful too, what was he ashamed of? All that was there was what could be passed off as a bad burn, perhaps makeup could cover it for him? This was nothing. "Erik, please come over here and don't you dare close your eyes." He moved closer and she touched the rough skin staring as hard as she could into his eyes. "This is nothing to be ashamed of, I've seen much worse. I don't think you're a monster, or a corpse, the Devil's Child, evil Opera Ghost, any of that. You're Erik who's a human being who's had the roughest life of anyone I know- and this isn't pity. You're beautiful and anyone who says any different from here on out will deal with me. I'll protect you Erik, you don't have to be afraid anymore." The tears he fought so hard to control flowed freely down his face, he couldn't help it. Someone was being nice to him, wanted him around, and loved him. Tania held him close as he cried, trying to hold back tears herself that this poor man was so desperate for a friend and a soft tone of voice.

"Tania I want you to perform" he choked out in-between sobs, 'but please stay here with me, I don't want you to leave, please don't leave me." She rubbed his head softly and reassured him she would stay, finally convincing him enough where he felt comfortable taking her up to the surface. The pair didn't talk; they didn't have to as they made the journey to the tunnel which would lead them up to the street right up to the front door which would give everyone the impression that it was her first time inside. "Erik I'm scared now. I don't think I can pull this off convincingly. If you're my friend you'll drag my sorry but back down right now and there will be no more talk of being on the stage, I promise." Pulling his friend into a hug, he asked what she was scared over. "Aww, look at you, you can be sweet when you really want to be, but I'm scared that after all of this, all of our hard work and fighting that I'll let you down." Tania lacked any other male figure in her life besides her brother; she motored on praise and approval.

"Mon ange, I am already extremely proud of you. The only possible way you could ever let me down is if you do not go on. Show me all our hard work and fights were for something special. Go on now, go" he told her pushing her into the bright light while he stayed hovered in the shadows. "Erik? Two things… One, will you ever leave me, and two, what does 'mon ange' mean?"

"Never my dear, I will always be watching you in case you need me. Nobody will harm you in there, now get moving. The longer you wait, the harder it will be. Go ahead, you'll be hearing from me sooner than you think…My Angel" he promised closing the passage door before she could protest. Each one leaned back against their respective walls and sighed. Each one couldn't believe it… Each one thought they were in love.

Alrighty, next chapter we meet Tania's new self and see her take first step into the Opera House. As always, it's started but I'll wait until the chapter is done. Until we meet again :)