hello all!as usual i will not be updating on the weekends since i like never get online then!so here is a very good chappy to leave you with, i am sure you will enjoy it!

Chapter 21

Erik sat next Nicole as she slept. He held her hand, never wanting to let go. His anger was still boiling inside of him, and he tried to calm it. He looked at Nicole, as her small form sighed contentedly in her sleep.

So beautiful. I could just stare at her all day.

Erik reached up out and touched her face, as soon as his fingers reached her skin a light smile appeared on Nicole's face. He drew back, instantly to see her smile fade. He released her arm and walked out of the room.

I should never touch her! She deserves more than this mere monster to touch her!

He passed a mirror, and looked into it. His mask stared back at him. His anger which had subsided grew to a steady boil once more and he punched the mirror. It shattered, and pieces of glass went everywhere. He cringed at the noise, realizing to late that it might wake Nicole. When he heard nothing coming from the bedroom, he continued to his organ, not caring about the broken mirror.

Why would Nicole possibly want me? I am nothing I don't deserve her! Jacques is much better for her then me! Will I give up so easily? Yes, I will. I could not live with another rejection. Nicole's would hurt a thousand times more than Christine's. Because I truly love Nicole. I can't live without her, I must continue under the precept that I am only her teacher. If only to ensure she stays with me a little longer.

"Erik?"

Erik turned to see Nicole standing behind him, smiling. Even with the bruise on her forehead, she still took his breath away with her smile.

"You are up? So soon?"

She giggled lightly, making his heart stop.

"The mirror being broken awoke me."

He cursed himself under his breath.

"My apologies."

"You saved my virtue and my life," she said, "You do not need to apologize."

She walked up to him and threw her arms around him in a large hug. Nicole had hugged him a few times, but he never returned the gesture until now. He placed his arms around her and hugged her for the first time.

"I couldn't let anything happen to you," he said, "I…um…how are you feeling?"

She released her hold on him and stepped away, leaving him cold and empty.

"My head still hurts a little, but as bad. I suppose physically I am fine, emotionally..I am not as good. If you hadn't been there….Wait, how did you find me in that alley? Not that I am angry you found me, I am just curious."

Erik smirked, but turned his head so she wouldn't see. "I followed you. I always do, at night, just in case anything should happen."

Erik waited for her to say something, but she merely nodded her head, understanding and grateful.

"Erik, why did you break that mirror?"

He looked at her, unwilling to answer, but the moment he saw her eyes, Erik knew that she already knows why he broke it.

He sighed deeply and said, "I didn't like what I saw in it."

"Then don't wear it anymore."

He was expecting her to say that and responded with, "What is underneath is far worse."

"Let me see."

Erik froze. He hadn't expected that.

She wants to see my face! Why? Should I let her see this ugliness? I never wanted anyone to see me, but I want Nicole to see me. I don't want to hide my face from her anymore.

Erik looked at Nicole. She stood there, timidly waiting.

Her eyes grew wide with wonder as Erik reached up, and grasped his white mask. He closed his eyes, not wanting to see her reaction, and with one swift motion tore his mask off. He heard her gasp. He clenched his eyes closer together to hold back the tears.

"This is what you wanted to see, is it not?" he said, darkly.

He kept his eyes closed, not wanting to look at her. There was nothing but silence for a long time after that, and he wondered if she had just left at the mere sight of him. Then he felt her hand on his shoulder. He opened his eyes in shock. She stood inches from him, staring into his face. She reached up her left hand and touched his face. He flinched, not expecting her smooth, soft hand to touch him.

She moved her fingers across every depression on the marred side of his face. She never blinked. Her touch left his skin hot, and wanting more. He looked into her eyes, and saw concentration, and concern. Not pity, not hatred, not disgust.

He stopped looking into her eyes, and looked at her lips. She bit her bottom lip, and then let it go, which made it red and plump. He watched as she breathed through her mouth, and his blood began to race. She was so close to him, with her hand caressing his face, his mind started to cloud.

Slowly, she let her hand fall to his elbow.

She looked into his eyes and said, "This is what you were hiding?"

Nicole waited for him to answer, startled by what she saw in his eyes. His eyes were burning, and hazy, and a smirk appeared on his lips. His breathing was rapid, and suddenly she felt his arm around her waist. She gasped in surprise, only for the gasp to me suppressed by his lips descending on hers.

Nicole wasn't expecting this. Her eyes grew wide with shock, as she received her first kiss.

My first kiss! Wait, what do I do?

His arm was pressed against the small of her back with such force she almost fainted, but she didn't allow herself.
She closed her eyes, letting him lead her. His strong arm pushed her closely to him, and she sighed. His other arm was caressing her neck. His lips took hers easily, with a feverish need. Without thinking she touched his face, and he stopped for a second, but then kissed her harder. She almost fainted from the force he put into the kiss. Her knees weakened and she lost balance, but he held her up, continuing the kiss. She had dreamt of this moment for so long, but no dream ever came as close to the real thing. At first she kissed back weakly, like a beginner would, but soon she kissed him back with as much passion as he. His hand was still on the small of her back putting so much force on her, she thought she would break, but she didn't care. She felt his tongue on her lips and she gasped in surprise, only to feel his tongue enter her mouth. She felt passion and need in his kiss. They broke their kiss, needing to rest their heated lips Nicole blushed the deepest shade of red. He rested his forehead on hers and was breathing heavily. Erik held her close, not wanting to let go, and he was looking at her with his big blue-green eyes.

"Erik..." she said, but she couldn't find the right words.

She buried her head into his shoulder, letting him hold her, hardly believing what had just happened.

Then she heard Erik whisper, "Nicole, I...I love you."