Author's Note: Wow! Thank you guys for all the reviews on the last chapter! Why Fireflies Flash, RedDeathLvr, CassieXSesshie4ever(and for adding this to your fav's, extra love!) and xandi412 (and thank you for adding this to your alerts, double love!) for reviewing! I'm so glad you all loved it!

This chapter is actually pretty close to my heart. I absolutely love it and now see it as my baby and the turning point of the story. So please, be gentle. So, on with the show!

Disclaimer: Blah, blah, blah... I don't own Phantom of the Opera... Blah, blah, blah...

Chapter Five: Breaking In

He carried me through the corridors of the opera house; taking me through curtains and cobwebs alike. I nuzzled my face into the nook of his neck and shoulder, feeling his heartbeat explode under his skin. I relished in it, feeling the chest slowly heave up and down with each breath he took in or let out. Each step he took sounded through-out the wood paneled walls and the wood flooring. It was a metronome going off in my ears, lulling me into slumber for the night.

A chime sounded through he halls and he stopped immediately. With a silent breath, he wordlessly hid me behind a large curtain hanging from the grand ceiling. His finger touched my lips, as if sealing them from ever opening and questioning what was happening.

A second chime sounded as quickly as the first had. Erik stood straight up, his eyes glued to a door down the corridor we were just in. With silent steps, he walked away from me. I poked my head out from behind the curtain, watching as he mutely walked towards the door.

A third chime sounded once more and Erik let out a deep and relieving sigh. He turned his head back to me, his hand beckoning me to go to him. I pressed myself off the floor, doing as he had silently requested. My eyelids were barely staying open and I yawned as I reached him, my arms wrapping around his torso.

A large bang echoed through the corridor and my heart dropped. I was now completely awake. I looked up at Erik, his jaw clenching tightly as he looked at the door I had exited out earlier.

"My lair," he whispered, grabbing my hand and running down the hall, dragging me along.

We entered the room, closing the large wooden doors and walked back into the hidden door in the mirror. Erik ushered me inside first, following closely behind as he pulled the mirror to a close. He pushed ahead of me, grabbing my hand once again and proceeded to the lair. He walked fast, pulling me into him so that I wasn't more than an inch away from his strong body.

As we descended the stone stairs leading down to the underground waterway, Erik gently picked me up, placing me on the seat of the gondola tied to the ledge of the stone walkway. Erik stepped in, pressing the long oar into the water to guide us back to the lair.

The sound of a door closing startled the both of us, especially Erik who looked as if he were debating with himself to dive into the water and swim instead. I looked away from his face and to the upcoming lair, seeing everything as normal as when we had left it. I stood up, grabbing my skirt in my hands and hiking it up to my knees, showing off the porcelain skin underneath.

As soon as the gondola was close enough, I jumped onto the stairs Erik neared. I fell to my hands but, used them to climb up the stairs to keep me steady. I stood tall once again and neared my trunks, seeing the latches unlocked. I opened the two suitcases and held my breath.

Erik's steps sounded and the sound of papers shuffling brought me out of my shock.

"Erik," I called out, on my knees still looking at the contents of my cases.

He only walked over as his acknowledgment and I nodded, knowing I wasn't going to get an answer right now.

I grabbed the picture that rested on top of my cashmere sweaters and I held it up for Erik to look at. His fingers barely grazed mine as he took the picture and examined it.

"Is this you?" His hoarse voice asked.

"Yes," I whispered, my heart in the middle of my throat. I slumped forward a tad, my hand on my neck, massaging it lightly trying to get rid of the lump stuck in there.

"Who took this?" He asked, his green eyes burning into me.

"My brother, the day before he was killed. It was my seventeenth birthday," I finished, looking at the stone wall where the cases were sitting against. Tears welled up in my eyes, blinding my vision with their burning desire to escape. I brought my hands up, wiping the tears away and scarping my cheeks roughly.

"I remember the headlines in the newspapers. It was blamed as a police 'mishap'," he sighed, letting the picture rest on my shoulder, letting me take it back.

I took it back, looking at the young girl in the picture, smiling profusely as he brother was trying to situate the large camera's stand...

…

"Nathalie, stop moving, this takes a long time to warm up. Stay still." He laughed as I squirmed on the wooden bench in Jardin du Luxemburg. It had always been my favorite park to visit. The over-powering elm trees truly made those believe in knowing that the world was such a large place, making them feel like the tiny ant crawling across the blade of rich green grass surrounding the thick tree.

"But why, Andrew? I'm seventeen! I am absolutely legal and I know," I gave him a wink as he was bent over and fixing one of the legs for the cameras stand. He looked at me with his dark blue eyes.

"You know what exactly, little girl?" He gave a small laugh as he finally stood, his fists on his hips, eying the camera with suspicion.

"I know, old man, that every man, young or old, will be flocking to me now, begging to take my hand in marriage. But you know what," I smiled as he looked at me, a small tug at his lips.

"What, dear sister?" He asked, his head low with his eyes trying to scare me.

"I won't take any of them! I'll be an old hag with twenty cats and thirty dogs and fifty-nine horses along with two hundred canaries alone somewhere out in Germany, high up in the black forest where no one knows me or will find me!" I laughed out loud, my head resting in the palms of my hands as I watched Andrew kneel again to fix the stand's leg.

"I had always assumed you would be a high aristocrat, like our dear mother, and steal every man's heart, but always loving some man you could never really marry. He would be one: too old, two: very rich, or three: not in love with you but, in love with someone else." He smiled, three fingers held up to me as he showed me his options for my life.

I blew it off, laying against the wooden bench as he 'a-ha'ed and stood up quickly, grabbing the black cloth on the back of the camera and hid under it. His hands waved in the air, trying to get my attention. "Okay! Smile!" He shouted, his hands trying to figure out where the button was.

I kept myself still, looking away from the camera and away from Andrew's eyes.

"Hey," I heard his voice next to me. His hand touched my knee and rubbed it. His face smiled up at me, gently provoking me to look at him.

I turned my head to him and quickly looked away. "What?" I demanded, now not in the mood to have fun.

"You know I was only joking, right? Those things won't happen, I promise. Now, come on. Where is that beautiful smile men flock to you for?" His hands grabbed the side of my face, turning it so that my icy blue eyes were looking into his dark ocean blues.

I gave a small smile as he stood up, giving me a kiss on my forehead. "Alright then, kid. Let's get this picture taken and go home. I'm hungry!" He laughed, running a hand through his blonde curls. He stood behind the camera again, the cloth in his hands as he watched me pose. He smiled at me and ducked down, the cloth over his head.

"Smile, my little Nightingale..."

…

"Nightingale." I whispered, my fingers gripping onto the photo tightly.

"Hmm?" Erik questioned, his hand on my shoulder.

I shook off the last memory of my brother alive and looked up at Erik, giving him a shrug as I stood. "Have you checked your desk? Anything missing?" I asked, trying to get him on the subject of the things missing.

Erik shook his head and walked away, his hands rummaging through the papers in the drawers of his large oak desk. He squatted down, checking a bottom drawer and immediately stopped.

"Damn it," a whisper sounded silently.

I stood, walking over to where Erik was now sitting. I looked in the empty drawer. "They took everything?"

"No, just an important piece of paper." He sighed, pushing himself off the stone floors. As soon as he stood, his hands grabbed the front of his silk blouse, buttoning the two buttons close and grabbing the vest and coat hanging off the chair behind him.

"Just one piece of paper? Why did you only have one piece of paper in such a large drawer?" I asked, my eyebrow raising as I watched him dress.

"Because that one piece of paper held a lot of information," he quickly said, turning around and grabbing a large and thick cloak off the wall.

"What kind of information?" I pressed, wanting answers, wanting him to open up. Open up, Erik! Please, trust me!, my thoughts shouted wildly through my head, deafening all sounds with their pleas.

"Information about you."

What?

I stood still, my lips parted as he looked on at me, watching as I stood as still as a statue. My heart rate dropped and my knees were giving in; but, my paralyzed body wasn't responding, not letting me fall ungracefully to the floor.

Erik must have noticed this. His hands grabbed my shoulders, giving me a small shake to bring me back to reality. "Mademoiselle, listen. That information on that one sheet of paper could either destroy you or protect you." His eyes looked into my lifeless blues, trying to figure out any type of emotion that would circulate through them. "Nathalie?"

"Nathalie?"

My brother's voice sounded through my head, waking me from the black abyss of subconsciousness. I looked at Erik now, thoughtful of him being there.

"I must leave. Please, do not travel anywhere. When I come back, I will not knock but, open the door. If anyone knocks, and I mean anyone, do not open the door. Please." Erik pleaded, his hands taking my face.

"For me, Nathalie."

"For me, Nathalie."

My brother's voice echoed through my mind again, his smile haunting me as I looked at Erik.

Erik's eyes searched my face, darting back and forth, looking for any sign of acknowledgment. He sighed, bringing his lips onto mine.

My eyes opened as shock as the heat between our lips grew. I closed my eyes, melting into his sweet lips.

He pulled away as soon as I settled into him. "I'll be back. I promise." He kissed the top of my head as I watched him leave for the hidden door, opening it and closing it shut.

And so, here I sat, alone again in a cold place. My knees had given out as soon as he walked out. I was trying go grab for air, begging for it to inflate my lungs.

"Oh, Andrew, what do I do?"

…

I sat on the stage, watching as the hole in the roof allowed the sun to begin to shine in. It started slowly, letting the dark purples and blues first penetrate the empty and abandoned auditorium. Then, dark magenta and red began to shine through, allowing colour to finally take hold of the place where I sat in. I looked up at the opening, watching as the stars began to recede and blend in with the dark blue, orange and magenta sky. They were trying to outshine the sun but, they were refused by the huge ball of fire, slowly creeping up over the houses of the city of Paris.

I let out a sigh and looked around, seeing the burned chairs and cobwebs strategically placed about the grand room. I stood, turning back to the stage area to return to the lair. As I walked through the room and into the mirror, I felt the cold chill of night still lingering through the air. I grabbed onto my shoulders and rubbed them to get rid of the goosebumps appearing on my skin.

I quietly made my way down to the stone ledge and the steady stream of water. I climbed into the gondola and began to row back to the lair. My hair fell into my face, the oil in it leaving me rubbing my face wildly. I sighed as I realized I would have to bathe as soon as I got back.

As I neared the edge of the stairs where the gondola was parked last time, I tied it off. I stepped out, walking to the left and into the bathing room. I stripped myself of the dirty clothing and walked to the stone bath tub. I looked in, seeing it empty. I peered over to the other side, looking at two cold buckets of water sitting next to it. I bravely stepped in, grabbing one bucket and dumping it slowly over my body, allowing the ice cold water to beat on me with their tiny knives. I shivered, grabbing the scented oil and gritty sand and rubbing it in my hands, then applying it to my hair, allowing the sand to scratch the oils and impurities out of my scalp.

I grabbed the second bucket and slowly washed my hair out, making sure all sand was gone before I began to work on my body.

All the oil and sand finally left my body as I washed it off and stepped out, drying myself with my black skirt lying on the floor. I looked around for a towel and failed to find one. I grabbed my sweater and bunched it along with my skirt and held it against my body as I opened the bathing room's door and walked out.

I climbed the stairs and walked over to the swan bed, taking a long nightgown from a suitcase and holding it up, trying to smooth out the wrinkles in the soft silk. I slipped it on, my arms falling into the sleeves and my head fitting through the neckline made of lace. The soft pink lace paired nicely with the cream silk and the individual pearls sewn into the lace. It was burning up now and I pulled the long skirt up, showing off the entire portion of my legs as I tied it off with the ribbon sewn in from the inside.

I turned around and met the light green eyes watching me the whole time.

"Erik..." I mouthed, my voice unable to work.

"Mad-mademoiselle." He stuttered, looking at my body as I stood still next to the lace curtain surrounding the circular bed.

"H-how long have you been here?" I asked, undoing the ribbon and letting the long dress drop down to cover my ankles.

"Long enough." He answered quietly, taking in all of me.

I looked down and realized for the first time since wearing this gown, it was almost see-through. My nipples burned slightly as the skin around them tightened, making them bore through the almost already nude gown. I crossed my arms over my chest and felt the rush of blood swarm my face, making me take on the look of a tomato.

"I apologize, Erik. I didn't know you were here." I said honestly. I spun around and walked to the edge of the bed.

His footsteps made their way towards me and I held my breath, waiting for his hands to touch my shoulders, to pull me into his warm safe haven. I closed my eyes, ready for his touch.

I opened my eyes slowly, looking at Erik who stood on the other side of the swan bed as he shrugged out of his coat and vest. I let out my breath and looked down at the bed, pulling the back the red comforter. I looked back up at Erik who stood watching me, just standing there waiting and gazing at me.

"What?" I demanded, noticing my harsh tone. I gave him an apologetic look and he only gave a soft smile.

Erik walked around the bed and towards me. He paused, looking into my eyes as his fingers traced from my jawline down my neck and down my shoulders. I closed my eyes, sighing against his palm as he brought it back up to my face.

His free hand had traced my collarbone, his rough fingers tickling the hollow area in between my neck. I brought my hands to his chest, feeling once again the muscles hidden under the silk blouse. I let my hands glide up his body, relishing in the chest waiting to breathe in my warm breath. I opened the first three buttons and let the shirt hang open.

I my fingers slide in, softly moving around under my soft hands. I gave a small smile as I felt his heart beat frantically under the skin.

His hands pulled at the sleeves of my gown, pulling them away from my shoulders. I looked at him and he just kept his eyes glued to mine, never looking away. I swallowed and allowed the removal of the gown, letting it be pulled off my still wet body. My damp hair fell to my back, the cold strands bringing the goosebumps back. I gasped as I felt them surge through my body. Erik took this as a sign and began to back away.

I shook my head, grabbing his blouse and pulling him back, much closer this time. I didn't let go of his shirt. I held on for dear life, feeling his large hands take place on my shoulders, soothing out the goosebumps that had formed. He let my hands unbutton the shirt even more; I pulled the silk from the inside of his black trousers, finally letting it fall and undoing the last remaining buttons.

I spread open the shirt, looking at the body of a god. I lost my breath for a moment. I was brought back as he pulled my face up with his hands, gently kissing my lips as if I were made of glass and he were a large rock about to break the perfect material he was loving.

I ran my hands up his shoulders, letting one finally grasp onto the back of his neck, holding him against me so he wouldn't pull away like last time. I melted into him, feeling him trying to hold back. I opened my eyes for a moment, watching as his face held a painful look. I pulled away, watching as his eyes opened. I looked to the white mask and touched it, only to have my hand grabbed.

I shook my head, assuring him I wasn't going to do what he thought I was going to do. I let my other hands touch his shoulder from under his blouse, moving it off as I glided down his soft arms, feeling the muscles. He pressed his lips against mine once more, letting the sweetness penetrate his guard, allowing him to take in the moment before him.

I let him wrap his arms around my body, pulling me into him. His hands held my back, the scar-infected skin being held so tenderly, I almost felt like they weren't there at all. I pulled off the silk blouse finally, his hands only leaving my back so I could take it off. I dropped the shirt to the stone flooring, at last feeling the hot back of the man in front of me.

His skin so silky smooth, I felt as if this were a dream being played out. A dream of all my desires and wants being exploited, making me curse myself for thinking of this so that it too, may haunt me. I wish this wasn't a dream though; please, God, don't let this be a dream, don't let this be a tease for thinking of a man in this way. It feels so real.

I felt his arousal press against the lower part of my stomach. I pulled out of his kiss and looked down, seeing the prominent arousal try to escape the confides of it's 'cage'. I looked back up to him and, with a large swallow, I smiled.

"I'm sorry," he said, pulling away from me and trying to turn. My hands held steady onto his arms, keeping him in the same position. His face was turned away, the mask only showing itself to me. I pulled him close again, taking his face in my hands as he did to me and locked eyes.

With a saddened look from him, I shook my head, smiling. "Don't be sorry. Please," I begged him, grabbing his hands and pulling them to the top of my chest, allowing his hot and sweaty hands to touch my hot skin. "I am just a nervous as you are," I whispered, looking down at his stomach, seeing the trail of hair travel down and hiding in the security of the black trousers. I placed my hands there, hearing him gasp as my hands followed the hair downwards and then back up again. I let my hands guide along to the small of his back, feeling the detail of his proud muscles.

His hands moved downwards, cupping my breasts. I could hear his heart beat out of his chest, his life about to end if it began to beat harder and faster. I took in a sharp breath as he kneaded my breasts tenderly, living in the soft skin. He grabbed my rosebud nipples in between his fingers, rubbing them and sending streams of fire through my body, making me moan softly.

He heard them and he gave a soft smile, taking my lips in his once again. I let my arms surround his neck as he left my breasts, his fingers slowly undoing the button of his pants, letting them fall down, allowing the caged arousal free to breathe. I never looked down and I kept my eyes closed as his hands took to my body again, rubbing the smooth skin of my sides and stomach.

He reached down and with one sweeping motion, placed me on the bed, our kiss never broken. His tongue and mine dancing so intimately, creating their own dance for only the two of us to know. Our breathing became one as he lay his body on top of mine, his hands at the side of my head, holding himself up so his body weight wouldn't fall on top of me.

I brought my knees up, surrounding his body as he lay within them. He deepened the kiss, his hand cupping the back of my head, tilting it to the side as he broke our kiss, taking my neck and jaw as his new hostage. No harm was done to the porcelain skin but, the burning want of him was breaking me. I wanted to make love with him and I want it to only be him, forever.

I felt the slightest nip at my neck and a moan escapes my throat. His hot body lay against mine as he breathes heavily on my neck, just breathing on my neck.

"Mademoiselle," Erik whispered, his hot breath running through my hair and into my ear, once again releasing goosebumps and producing another quiet moan.

"Yes, Erik?" I ask, breathing heavily as he does nothing, his arousal still holding steady against my womanhood, as if begging to be introduced to each other.

"I am a monster, please, do not allow this for the means of pleasure but," he paused, his voice quivering as he whispered into my ear.

I lay my hands on his back, feeling the sweat decorating his tanned skin. I bring my hands up and under his arms, my hands gripping onto his shoulders. Erik looked into my eyes, his darting back and forth as he tried to search for the answer to the question he hadn't even asked.

"But, please, do it for the love of me." He whispered.

I gave a small smile and kissed him.

"Take time to realize, that your warmth is crashing down on me.

Take time to realize, that I'm on your side.

Didn't I, didn't I tell you." I sang to him, feeling the tension in his arms slowly disappear.

He kissed my cheek and my neck, his breath grazing my porcelain skin once again.

"But, I can't spell it out for you

I know it's never going to be that simple.

No, I can't spell it out for you." He sang back, his tenor voice so romantic in the way to harmonize with nothing in the room, making it feel like a whole chorus was singing back.

"If you just realize what I just realized then we'd be

Perfect for each other and we'll never find another

Just realize what I just realized,

We'd never have to wonder if we missed out on each other now." We sang in harmony, our lips close to touching yet, so far away it felt like. Every word so true, so perfect. If only he would realize my love for him would everything be okay, I know it.

"It's not the same, no it's never the same

If you don't feel it too.

If you meet me halfway, if you would meet me halfway,

It could be the same for you." I sang back to him quietly. My voice almost not even producing a sound. I want him to know that I am here, I am willing to love him as he could love me. Love me.

"If you just realize what I just realized, then we'd be

Perfect for each other and we'll never find another

Just realize what I just realized

We'd never have to wonder..." We sang together again, our eyes never leaving each other.

Erik took my face in his hand and rubbed my cheek with his thumb, rubbing away the small tear that had escaped.

"You tell me you're in love with me

Like you can't take your pretty eyes away from me

It's not that I don't want to stay

But, every time you come too close, I move away." Erik sang, his voice soft as he pulled himself off of my body, bringing me with him as we sat on the bed, my face in his hands as his lips gently kissed my jawline.

"I want to believe in everything you say, because it sounds so good

But if you really wanted me, move slow.

There's things about me you just have to know." He sang quietly, his lips having left my jaw to look me in the eyes. Taking both of my hands in his, he placed them on his chest, letting me feel the heartbeat raging out of control.

"Sometimes I run, sometimes I hide.

Sometimes I'm scared of you, but all I really want

Is to hold you tight, treat you right,

Be with you day and night,

Darling, all I need is time." He ended, taking my face in his hands once again, almost devouring my lips with his, letting us fall back to the bed once more so that he was on top of me. His manhood beckoned to enter the warm and tender love of my body.

I looked into his eyes. "I love you,"

He finally loved me.

A/N: Sooooo... getting a little steamy up in this underground lair for Monsieur Phantom! Qui qui!
Lmao, anyways... 'Realize' by Colbie Calliet and 'Sometimes' by Britney Spears are definitely not owned by me but, Erik and Nathalie definitely seem to own them in this chapter.

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