hello!i want to thank everyone that is reading my phic!it really means alot!and thanks to those that review!it really helps me to see others like my work!i just wanted to comment on the length of this phic..it has about 40 some chappys!i know what your thinking!40 chappys!this will take forever!but keep in mind that the chappy length!i dont write very long chapters, which helps me to strecth you want i can start combining chappys, to make for a shorter phic with longer know!and as always please read andreview!thanks!

Chapter 19

Erik was in his bedroom when he heard someone out on the boat in the lake. It was early evening, and Nicole usually came after dark. Last night was Nicole's performance, and he wasn't expecting her until tomorrow. For a moment he thought someone else had discovered his lair, so he grabbed the nearest heavy object, a large candlestick, and looked out over his home. He was rewarded with Nicole, struggling through the murky waters of the lake. He dropped the candlestick and immediately went down to help her.

"Nicole, what are you doing?" he asked as he saw the skirt of her blue dress was soaked through, and was starting to weigh her down.

Without waiting for a response he picked her up in his arms, and carried her ashore. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and gently laid her head on his shoulder. This caused warmth to spread throughout his body, and he wished to keep her there forever. But as he reached the shore, he gently set her on her feet, and he thought he saw disappointment in her eyes.

But the look was gone a moment later when she smiled and said, "I couldn't wait to see you, I got your note! Mamma went to bed early tonight because she is sick with a cold, so I got to come early!"

She was so full of excitement when she spoke, he couldn't help but smile down upon her.

Nicole, precious Nicole. I wish for your love, I wish for the chance to earn your love! Curse the fool that has your heart, and hasn't noticed! Why would he ever pass you up?

She continued talking excitedly, and Erik tried to listen, but kept getting distracted by her lips. He imagined her lips whispering his name in desire, or of them being captured by his. Erik's smile grew roguishly, and his eyes smoldered as he looked upon her. She noticed him looking at her like that and blushed a deep red.

I like the affect I have on her, the way I make her usual boldness turn shy. I hope I am the only one ever to see her shy side. It's incredibly adorable.

She looked up at him and smiled brightly, a thought coming to her mind.

"Erik, could I ask you a favor?" she said, timidly.

I will give you anything, Nicole.

"Yes."

"Could you sing for me?"

Erik took a step back, surprised.

Sing for her? Why would she want that?

She saw his hesitation and said, "I know it's asking a lot, I am sure you haven't sung anything for well at least two years, but I am dying to hear your voice again!"

Nicole stopped realizing what she said.

Erik looked at her puzzled, "Again? You have heard me sing before?"

She turned red with embarrassment, but she looked at him bravely and said, "I was here the night Don Juan Triumphant was performed. I heard you sing."

Is he angry with me? He is just staring at me!

"I am sorry I should have told you."

Erik shook his head, "No, it's all right."

He lapsed into silence, clearly thinking on her request. Nicole stood in front of him, her heart racing.

Oh, please sing! Erik, I love your voice!

He held out his gloved hand for her to take. She toke it without question. He led her to the organ and sat her down in front of it. He stood in front of her, just looking at her. The way he looked at her made her heart pound. It was as if he wanted to give her everything she desired. She mentally shook her head clear.

He doesn't want to give me everything, he still loves Christine. Maybe he won't sing for me because that was something he only did for her?

"Nicole, I have not sung in a long time. I only sing for those whom I care for deeply."

She nodded, thinking that he was refusing her. Then Erik smiled and started to sing.

"Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination
Silently the senses abandon their defenses..."

As he sang Nicole closed her eyes and she felt his music flowing through her.

"Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor
Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender
Turn your face away from the garish light of day,
Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light
And listen to the music of the night"

She could feel the darkness flow over her, embrace her, and she felt like she was in the safest place in the world.

"Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams!
Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before!
Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar! And you'll live as you've never lived before..."

Nicole lost all control of her mind, she didn't even realize that Erik was holding her gently. She thought it was darkness, comforting her as it always did.

"Softly, deftly, music shall caress you
Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you
Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind,
In this darkness which you know you cannot fight
The darkness of the music of the night..."

"Let your mind start a journey through a strange, new world!
Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before!
Let your soul take you where you long to be!
Only then can you belong to me ..."

Erik placed her gently back down on the seat in front of the organ, and Nicole started to feel the light again.

"Floating, falling, sweet intoxication!
Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation! Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in
To the power of the music that I write
The power of the music of the night..."

Nicole's body shivered, with the realization that song was ending, not wanting the light to cascade over her. Wanting the soft darkness to continue.

"You alone can make my song take flight
Help me make the music of the night... "

She sat there with her eyes still closed not really sure where she was. Her face broke into the largest smile she ever had.

He sang for me.

That thought was most resonant in her mind. She slowly opened her eyes to see Erik standing before her.