Hey everyone! I am horrified at how long it has taken to get this chapter up! The main reason behind the delay is that I have had some major computer problems over the last few weeks. I was lucky that I was able to retrieve the chapter before my computer completely shut down. Gah! That said I would like to thank you all for being so patient.

Of course this chapter wouldn't have been possible without the huge help of my wonderful Beta Terpsichore314. She is wonderful and I just can't praise her enough for her hard work!

Thanks to all of my reviewers! You guys are great and I love, love, love, discussing the story with you and hearing your thoughts!

Oh and before I forget I have to mention another great pic from IHeartPoto. It is at this site if you would like to see it. Oh and you will have to remove the spaces for it to work.

http/ i42. photobucket. com/ albums/ e317/ IHeartPOTO/ UGFinal.jpg

So check it out and tell me what you think! I like to send your comments on to her…sort of like her reviews. Or just send her your comments if you like! Whatever! (Oh and to UAEgal I tried sending you the pics but they bounced back from the email you gave me…maybe you misspelled it or something…but I am willing to try again if you still want to see them!)

But anyway enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 49: Confessions

Kneeling silently near the back of the empty chapel, Brielle worriedly ran the beads of a rosary between her fingers. Looking up at the image of Christ upon the cross hanging over the modest altar in the front of the room, she let out a shaky breath, pressing her folded hands against the butterflies bouncing about inside her stomach. Tracing her gaze down from Christ's peaceful expression to a small rack of candles off to the left, she stared into the lit flames, hoping to find some sort of serenity or understanding within their light.

She had spent the entire night lying awake in her bed, staring at her own reflection in the giant mirror within her room, haunted by four terrible words. I still love him. The hours had ticked by slowly, morning coming before any clarity found its way into her head. She had no idea what to do with this new realization, with the new feelings flooding her body and overwhelming her senses.

When Aria had awoken that morning, Brielle remembered helping her child dress before walking her down to the schoolroom, all the while numb with fatigue and emotional strain. Almost as if sensing her mother's distress, Aria had gone quietly, without her usual mischievousness, her gray eyes carefully watching Brielle's every expression. It had been a little unnerving how knowing her daughter's gaze had seemed to be. Having shaken off the feeling, Brielle had quickly returned to her room, but no sooner had she arrived than Marie suddenly appeared with a stack of brightly decorated cards and a lecture to explain their meanings. The lesson hadn't lasted long when Marie had grown disgusted over Brielle's lack of focus, and left in a huff, leaving the cards behind in her haste to depart.

Shifting her weight upon her knees, Brielle lowered her gaze to the stone floor. She had come to the chapel to try and clear her muddled head, but so far no moment of tranquility had descended upon her. Sighing, Brielle stopped running the rosary through her fingers and stuffed the long string of beads into her pocket. I don't know what I expected. Maybe a little divine intervention…or maybe just a little advice would be welcome. What does one do when they realize they are in love with an entirely unsuitable man? What does one do? Perhaps if I just don't say I love him aloud it won't be real. Don't say it out loud…

Glaring now at the crucifixion at the front of the room, Brielle heaved a sigh and climbed to her feet. "This is stupid…I shouldn't be asking for this type of help. What was I thinking?"

"Perhaps you were merely seeking a little guidance?" a pleasantly masculine voice inquired from behind her.

Spinning around with a start, Brielle recognized the drably dressed figure walking through the chapel door. "Father Thomas…I didn't think anyone was here," she blurted, guiltily looking about the room for a way to escape the priest's agreeable blue-eyed gaze.

Coming further into the room, the slightly older man flashed her a kind smile, obviously picking up on her discomfort. "I always give confession at this time…though I have to admit most days I don't do anything other than read," he said as he held up a small leather-bound book for emphasis. When Brielle only wrung her hands nervously, he lowered the book back to his side. "You don't have to be so on edge. I am not in the business of attacking those who come to pray in my chapel."

Realizing how silly she was acting, Brielle purposely relaxed her shoulders. "Of course not, Father. I wouldn't think such a thing…" Trailing off she lowered her eyes to the floor, hoping against hope that the priest wouldn't recognize her from when they had fought over Madame Dubois' unconscious body.

After a moment of hesitation, Father Thomas adjusted his glasses. "Will you finally tell me your name? I have been wondering for some time now who it was exactly who revived Madame Dubois."

Stiffening at where his words were going, Brielle quickly interrupted him. "I am sorry, Father, but I really should be going. There is always work to be done around here."

Tilting his head to the side, the blond haired man merely peered at her through his thick spectacles. "Now, now…" he began, pulling uncomfortably at his collar. "I know that I was a little unfriendly before, but that doesn't mean that we can't start over. Whatever reservations you have are absolutely unfounded. I am a priest after all…if you can trust anyone it is me," he finished with a funny lopsided smile.

Feeling completely moronic for the mistrust she had initially treated this obviously kind man with, Brielle let out a sigh. Stepping forward, she held out her hand to the priest, a hesitant smile lightening her features. "Sorry, Father…I have had a strenuous last few days. I am not acting myself and I fear I have been rude to you."

Taking her offered hand lightly, Father Thomas shrugged slightly, laughter glittering within his magnified sky blue eyes. "If you think you were rude you should see what some of the others do to me," he said with a chuckle. "The last priest assigned to the Opera didn't even last two weeks. Although…he was sort of a stuffy old bastar…" Releasing Brielle's hand, Father Thomas grimaced slightly. "Oops, I shouldn't have said that. He was a fine man."

A laugh bubbled up the back of Brielle's throat as she watched Father Thomas's face go red with embarrassment. For a moment her troubled thoughts settled into the back of her mind, allowing her a moment of freedom from the fog of apprehension she had been operating under the whole day. "My name is Brielle Dono…Donner, Father. I am sorry I didn't tell you before. I suppose the crowd just made me nervous."

Nodding in understanding, the priest moved past Brielle and walked to the front of the room where he tidied up the matches and unused candles near the altar. Turning back around to face her, he brushed a few curls of his hair out of his eyes. "I understand that. Rumors can spread pretty quickly backstage. Is that what you are worried about?"

The smile flickered then guttered out upon her face. "Worried? What makes you think that…" she murmured as all her pent-up confusion crashed in over her thoughts again.

"I may be a priest, Madame Donner, but I am not stupid. I know worry when I see it," he said, shaking his finger in her direction as a slight concerned frown creased his brow.

Relaxing again, the Irishwoman mustered up another smile for the priest's benefit. How strange that it took me so long to discover one of the nicest residents of this place. Of course, most of the people I worked with were not very religious. They wouldn't have had a reason to talk about him. I wish they had…it is always helpful to have someone to talk to… Nodding slightly, Brielle looked toward the door, then back at where Father Thomas was standing staring at her in concern. Well I was asking for some guidance…maybe it is right in front of my face.

"Did you say that you normally give confession around this time?" she asked slowly.

"Hmm…yes," he replied.

"Could you possibly take my confession today then?" she asked hesitantly, wondering all the while if this was the right thing to do.

Brightening, Father Thomas came back down the aisle towards her. "Absolutely I can. Come this way," he said excitedly, leading the way to the confessional booth in the corner before Brielle had the time to rethink what she was doing. Assuming a more serious expression, he opened one of the doors for her before stepping through the other and closing it behind him.

Trapped in her chosen course of action, Brielle took a deep breath and stepped into the confessional booth, closing the door behind her. Taking a seat, she waited anxiously for Father Thomas to slide open the veiled connecting window between the two small rooms. Is this a mistake? Can I trust…Lord, Brielle, have you become so cynical that you can't trust a priest? He is a man of God…perhaps some good will come of talking about things. It isn't like I have to mention names. This is a confession…not just any old chat. The small window slid open with a soft snick just then, making her jump slightly.

Clearing her throat and gathering her thoughts, Brielle bowed her head. "Forgive me Father for I have sinned. It has been six months since my last confession."

"So long? No wonder you have so many worries," the priest said almost conversationally from the other side of the barrier. "Just start wherever you like, then. What is most on your mind?"

"I hardly know where to start," Brielle muttered to herself, leaning her head back against the wall behind her. Most on my mind…there is only one thing that is most on my mind. No! Don't think about it…don't say it out loud. "I have found myself allowing my temper to get away with me. It happens much too often and I know I should exhibit more control." Though Erik certainly deserves every single time I scream at him, Brielle mentally grumped to herself, her eyes narrowing at the thought.

"Is there one particular person that incites your anger or many?" Father Thomas asked evenly.

Taking a breath to reply, Brielle clamped her mouth shut when she realized she was going to mention the man who most taxed her nerves. "No one in particular," she said instead. "Some of the other women here can be rather catty. I simply allow them to get under my skin."

"By allowing yourself to meet their insensitivity with malice you give your aggressors power over you. It is only by a conscious decision that you fall into anger's trap. We are taught to forgive those who trespass against us not to meet them with temper. Do you understand?"

Sitting up a little straighter, Brielle's mouth pinched into an irritated line. Oh that is easy to say. Forgiveness is always something to strive for…unless of course the blasted man you are supposed to forgive is such a confusing ass that you can't even see straight when he is in the room. "Yes, I understand…it is just that it is difficult to always find it in my heart to be so understanding; especially when someone is being difficult. Besides it isn't like he should be forgiven right away. Things should not be so easy for him."

"Now it sounds like you are talking about someone in particular," the priest said, a slight touch of amusement entering his voice at the rancor in her tone.

Flushing slightly at her slipup, Brielle nervously smoothed a hand down her skirts. "Oh, well, yes, I suppose."

"Now why does this particular person make you lose your temper?"

Great job Brielle… "Um…well, it is a long story, Father. Not something I would think that you would like to…"

"I have all day, child. If you wish to be absolved for your sins you must confess the reasons behind them."

A moment of silence followed this as Brielle clenched her fists at her sides. Damn, damn, damn! I wanted to get that man out of my thoughts and first chance I get I start blabbing about him. Though I did want to come in here…maybe avoiding talking about it isn't the right path. Sighing in defeat, she leaned back and launched into the long, dramatic story of the last year. Purposely she left out key details like names and the fact that she had recently found out that the man she had saved from the cellars was the Phantom of the Opera and that he was still living somewhere within the building.

Father Thomas cleared his throat after Brielle drew her story to an end. "And so now you have to face the same man who left you and your family? I can understand your anger now, Madame Donner. It is not a stretch of the mind to comprehend why you would hate him."

Stiffening Brielle frowned. "I don't hate him," she blurted, bristling slightly at the disapproving note in the priest's tone when he spoke of Erik. "Actually the main problem is that I love him…" Aghast that she had broken her own rule and mentioned her feelings out loud Brielle clapped a hand over her mouth. Stupid, stupid!

"Ah, I see. That would be a problem…but love is not a sin. Surely you don't think you have done any wrong by just loving this man. Even if he has made some mistakes."

Sitting forward again, Brielle shook her head. "No…it isn't the fact that I care for this man which worries me so, it is who he is which plagues me. He is entirely unsuitable…"

"Unsuitable how? Did he mistreat you? Physically hurt you?"

"No…he is always so careful around me. Except for under the greatest of stresses he has always treated me as if I were made of glass. And even when I do push him too far he hasn't hit me." As she answered her mind turned toward Andrew; remembering the cool, collected expression on his face when he had brought his hand across her cheek.

"Does he drink too much, then?" Father Thomas asked, sounding a little more confused.

"No, I don't think I have ever seen him even have a drink."

"Then what is so unsuitable, child? Compared to the man you agreed to marry…this man seems rather tame, especially since he seems to be sorry for leaving without notification."

"He is unsuitable because I am half way sure that he is still cares for his first love! He never says anything about her…but surely one doesn't forget something like that," she blurted, saying out loud one of her greatest fears. Why am I babbling on like this? I shouldn't be saying these things? Erik hasn't ever said that he still loves Christine…why am I talking about this? Why am I feeling more and more jealous of a girl I haven't ever really met?

"Have you asked him about this?"

Horrified at the thought Brielle began to feel ill. "No, I couldn't ask him that!"

"Then you will never really know the truth, now will you?" Father Thomas chided lightly. "Perhaps you are simply mistaken…"

Spurned on by the priest's dismissal of her concerns Brielle sat forward, desperate to substantiate her misgivings, desperate to keep the anger close. "He has killed people, Father!" she burst out before thinking better of it. "Though he said each time was in self defense…Certainly you can understand my hesitation in allowing myself to feel anything for him."

"And do you believe that it was in self defense?"

Brielle opened her mouth to respond but quickly shut it again. She suddenly realized that her first instinct was to reply with a yes. Is that right? Do I believe what he said? Trying again, the Irishwoman raised a hand to press against her temple. "No…I shouldn't believe him but I suppose I am coming to trust his word. At first I didn't because I was so angry with him; but he has been acting so strangely…so not himself that I cannot honestly say that I do not believe him. Usually he has a certain confidence in his actions…like he doesn't care what anyone thinks…but I haven't seen that lately. Lately, actually, he has been so uncertain around me that I hardly know what to do…it is endearing…and I hate that."

Dropping her hand to her side she continued. "But that still doesn't change the reality of what he has done. Since I was very small I was taught to honor the lives of others and I know that for him to be able to take a life that somewhere he must lack that. How do I resign myself to that?"

The priest made a soft disapproving sound as he shifted behind the barrier. "Then that is your true problem. You have taken upon yourself the duties of God himself. It is not your place to judge another person for past sins that did not involve you. Only God can see into a person's soul and know their heart. Those crimes were not against you and therefore it is not up to you to forgive him or judge him for what he has done," Father Thomas replied.

"That is ridiculous!" Brielle sputtered, outraged at the very thought. "I do not judge him…The reality of the situation is that…." Coming to a slow stop the initial burst of anger faded as the full extent of his words sank in. Raising a hand to cover her mouth in shock, she slumped down in her seat. "Is that what I am doing?"

"Yes…" Father Thomas responded gently. "It is not for you to worry about his past. Redemption can be had even by those who have taken another life. However, that said…it will be up to him to repent for his sins…if you suspect that he is continuing along his old path you will have to find the strength to separate yourself from him. Darkness often seeks out the light…do not fall into shadow."

Brielle remained quiet for several minutes after the priest finished, mulling over his words. Redemption can be had by anyone…but only God can see into the souls of man. And yet, I have been judging Erik. It will probably take all that I have to stop…to find the strength to forgive him. Sighing, she felt the anxiety begin to slip away, a strange, unexpected feeling of peace replacing the sickening panic. Something within her clicked into place, partially filling the gaping hole within her heart. Raising a hand to press against her chest, Brielle sucked in a shaky breath. She had forgotten what it felt like to feel whole.

"Thank you, Father," she murmured vaguely, hardly even paying attention as the priest went on with the confession, absolving her of her sins.

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Moving quietly down a dimly lit corridor, Erik reached up and swiped at a low hanging cobweb in irritation. The last several days he had holed himself up in his underground home, reading feverishly anything he could get his hands on. At first he had only intended to keep himself as busy as possible in order to distract from the single most important thing on his mind, Brielle, but slowly he found himself selecting books that wouldn't have normally caught his interest. Medical textbooks and Irish historical accounts were suddenly of great fascination and Erik knew exactly why that was. His attempt to not obsess over a certain Irishwoman had failed, and so, always one to never admit defeat, he turned this irritating realization into something useful, gathering subjects and stories which he deemed 'safe' to strike up a conversation with Brielle.

Not like I got to use any of what I read about. Damned woman startled me when she showed up in the library. And as usual I said something stupid and she made a polite and hasty retreat. His brows drawing down into a dark, brooding frown, Erik paused in the passageway. Serves me right though…you would think that after everything that has happened that I would have learned a little respect. Right before she left I was actually on the verge of grabbing hold of her and…

Embarrassed with his own thoughts, Erik cursed and began to stalk back down the corridor with no particular destination in mind. I really am a fool. Kissing her would have ruined everything. I am certain she forgave me for the first time…but doing it again would certainly be unforgivable. God I really am a beast sometimes…I tell her to trust my sincerity and not even a week later I actually consider breaking that tenuous friendship in a moment of weakness. Where has my discipline gone? Passing a familiar intersection with that on his mind, he stopped and gazed off to the left. After a moment of hesitation, he then made a hasty turn down that side hall. Slowing his pace and quieting his step, he approached a large gray rectangle suspended in the darkness ahead.

Hearing several voices behind the mirror before him, Erik eased up to the sheet of glass, a fierce glare glittering in his eyes. Who the hell is in Christine's old room? Startled, he watched as two young boys picked up the music box he had given Aria on Christmas. What the hell? Flicking his gaze about the room in front of him, he suddenly realized that it was now occupied, and stranger still that he recognized the few possessions that dotted the small space. Feeling like he had been bashed over the head with a shovel, Erik suddenly realized who had moved into the haunted dressing room. She said that she had moved…she never said where.

A feverish, scattered emotion washed over him, seizing control of all thoughts as he continued to watch the two boys examine the music box. Brielle is going to be living in Christine's room. Looking in this mirror just as she did…Walking the floors…dressing and sleeping here with her hair down about her shoulders. No…this can't be right. He raised a hand to shakily scrub across the left side of his face as he fought to control the baser thoughts threatening to overtake his mind. Lord…don't think about such things. You are only setting yourself up for disappointment!

The door to the room opened with a protesting squeak just then, causing both boys to jump and turn their attention to the little girl now entering the room. Erik watched Aria pull up short at the sight of the other children, her gray eyes instantly going wide and wary, just like her mother's often did. "W-What are you t-two doing h-here?" Aria asked slowly, making an obvious effort to make her words clear.

The taller of the two boys, the one still holding the music box, stepped forward insolently. "W-What are y-you going to d-do about it?" he asked, using an over-exaggerated stutter.

Coloring at the insulting tone in the boy's voice, Aria turned her gaze to the floor. Behind the mirror Erik ached inside, knowing exactly what the white hot burn of humiliation felt like. Blinking rapidly, Erik struggled to throw off the disorienting feeling that instead of watching Aria he was somehow seeing himself at a young age. I forgot how much alike we were…god, how could I have left her without a word? Slowly a new and terrible realization dawned over the dark guilt within his mind. I did the same thing as my mother…I abandoned Aria even though I said I would stay…even though I knew how much it meant for me to stay…I am just like all the people in my life who turned away…I caught their cruelty. But before Erik could work himself into a black and blinding rage over his own boorishness, something unexpected happened. Aria raised her head slowly, her cheeks still burning pink in embarrassment, and she narrowed her eyes into an icy glare, her mother's temper flickering to life behind her steady stare.

Turning, she set the small textbook she was carrying on a side table before fisting her tiny hands upon her hips in a characteristic Donovan woman battle stance. "G-Get out, b-both of you!"

"Or you will do what?" the taller boy asked snottily.

"Yeah what?" the smaller one chipped in.

Puffing up her cheeks in indignation, Aria stomped her foot. "T-This is our r-room now. You aren't allowed t-to play in h-here anymore."

"Oh?" The older boy asked as he tossed the music box in the air slightly. "Well, I don't think you will be staying long. This room is haunted by a ghost. He comes out at night and burns people with his eyeballs!"

To her credit Aria merely scoffed at this. "T-That is stupid. N-Now give m-me my music box b-back!"

Disappointed his story hadn't scared her, the older boy screwed up his face into a sour expression and dropped the music box onto the floor. "Fine have it back. I don't…"

In a flash, the exact moment that the music box hit the floor with a metallic crash, Erik finally lost his temper, redirecting his fury at himself toward the two interlopers. Opening his mouth he let out a low, ghostly-sounding howl, throwing his voice so that it sounded as if it were coming from a spot right behind the taller boy. Narrowing his eyes he watched with a small amount of satisfaction as both boys whirled about, their faces going white as they searched the room for the source of the sound. Seeing nothing to explain the noise, they both ran out of the room without another word.

As soon as the boys left Aria walked over to where her music box lay smashed upon the floor, picking up the body of the monkey from where it sat a foot away. Her bottom lip trembling slightly, she looked up at the mirror, her large gray eyes passing over where Erik stood. Stepping back slightly, the masked man shifted uncomfortably, feeling almost as if she could see right through the glass. I don't think I am brave enough to face her yet. She was the first…the one who made me feel as if I could live again. And I didn't even think of her the day I left. I forgot her…

"Are y-you there?" Aria asked quietly, as she looked back down at the broken toy in her hands.

Thunderstruck, Erik momentarily panicked, falling back several more feet. Damn it! I keep forgetting how careful I have to be around these women…can't lie to them and you can't hide. Sighing, he determinedly tamped down the rolling waves of apprehension sloshing about within his stomach. Moving forward, he pressed the secret button on the right side of the mirror and slid the panel open slowly. Sheepishly he moved out of hiding, feeling very uncomfortable under the little girl's intent gaze.

Aria watched his approach with a guarded expression before turning her attention back to the broken toy in her hands. "I knew y-you were there."

Clearing his throat, Erik came to stand near to where the little girl still crouched over the music box, gathering its pieces in her little hands. "And how was that?" he asked stupidly, when all he wanted to do was to beg the forgiveness of this five-year-old girl.

Looking up as if startled, Aria's hands stilled. "That is t-the voice y-you used f-for the bad guys w-when you used to r-read me stories," she said simply.

The room fell into silence then as both Aria and Erik stared at one another. Finally looking away, Erik moved to go and sit upon the edge of the bed. Brielle must have slept here last night…he thought absently before the danger of where his thoughts were leading suddenly occurred to him. Having barely settled his weight upon the mattress, the masked man jumped up again with a jerk. Don't think about it, for God's sake. She is a dear friend...not so much has changed…she is a friend…

Watching his strange behavior in silence, Aria's dark eyebrows drew down into a frown. "W-Why did you c-chase them away?" she asked suddenly.

Blinking stupidly for a moment, he struggled to reroute his thoughts back to the conversation at hand. "I didn't like the way they were treating you," he replied honestly.

Aria merely pinched her lips together into a thin line to keep them from trembling as she turned her eyes once again to the small monkey in her hands. "T-They broke m-my Christmas p-present," she said on a sigh. "It w-was the only t-toy I had."

Forgetting for a moment to be careful of what he did, Erik stepped forward and knelt at the child's side, helping her gather the broken bits into a small pile. "Don't worry. I can fix this. It will be even better than before," he said quickly, hoping to stay the growing threat of tears he saw gathering in Aria's eyes. "Whatever happened to that doll your mother gave you last year? Don't you still have her to play with?"

Aria gave a little hiccup and raised a fist to rub at her eyes, wiping away the tears as they spilled down her cheeks. "I d-don't play with Erik a-anymore," she whispered, lowering her hands to look raggedly up into Erik's face.

Struck dumb by the anguish he saw in her wet childish face, Erik leaned forward as if to wipe the tears from her cheeks, his gloved fingers hovering a breath away from her skin, before pulling back once again. It felt wrong to make any sort of contact, like he would somehow contaminate the child just by touching her. "I don't know what to say to make up for what I have done. I am so sorry…"

"W-Were you m-mad at me back then? W-was I so b-bad that you w-wanted to leave?"

Shocked that she thought such a thing, Erik quickly shook his head, desperate to correct her misunderstanding. "No! That isn't it at all. You were a light in my life. You could never have done anything to make me want to leave. I left because I was stupid…and I made a mistake. Have you ever made a mistake that you wished with all your soul to be able to undo?"

"Y-Yes…I t-told M-Momma that I h-hate you. I s-shouldn't have d-done that b-because it w-wasn't true."

Not entirely believing what he heard, Erik tilted his head to the side. "You don't?"

"N-No I w-was just m-mad and s-sad, and I k-know you are sorry. Momma s-says we should forgive p-people who are mean to us. It just t-took me a while."

Unable to respond over the lump gathering in his throat, Erik looked away, his one visible eyebrow drawing down, he fought against the nearly overpowering urge to allow the tears gathering in his eyes to fall. "Out of the mouths of babes," he murmured halfway to himself. "Then you forgive me for leaving. Do you think that is wise?"

Standing, Aria pattered around the small pile of broken music box bits to stand near Erik's side. Sticking her thumb in her mouth, she shifted from foot to foot until Erik reached up and after a moment of hesitation he gently pulled her digit from her lips. "It d-doesn't matter. B-Besides I missed y-you m-more than I w-was mad," she finally said as she latched one hand onto his sleeve.

Staring open mouthed at Aria, Erik couldn't comprehend the maturity and poise with which a mere child had handled a horrific situation. Maybe we are not as alike as I thought…at her age I never would have acted as she has. I would have courted anger and revenge. How is it she came by such wisdom…I don't deserve such consideration…from either of them. "Why did I ever leave such a wonderful little girl?" he murmured half to himself.

"I heard M-Momma s-say it w-was in a m-moment of insanity," Aria quipped with a slight smile lightening her sober gaze.

Unable to hold the laugh back, Erik let out a half choked chuckle. "Did she now? Well your mother is a smart lady."

Twisting her midsection back and forth, Aria watched her skirts swing about her knees for a moment. "You aren't g-going to leave a-again are you?" she asked hesitantly.

"No…never again," he replied, the conviction in his voice surprising him. "Never again."

The smile grew upon Aria's face until the grin stretched from ear to ear, her dimples flashing gaily in both cheeks. "T-Then I am h-happy you are b-back," she sighed contentedly as she leapt forward and wrapped her arms tightly around her former teacher's neck.

Freezing instinctively at the unexpected contact, Erik stiffened against the blatant sign of affection. Letting out a pent-up breath, he allowed himself to relax into the embrace, silently marveling at the bliss such a simple gesture afforded. I would never have thought a year ago that such a thing as being hugged by a child could have been possible. In my whole life no one had ever willingly touched me for any reason…except for in anger…and now…now things are just so different. How could I have been so stupid as to leave this behind…to leave the only people who have ever showed me the true meaning of family?

Pulled from his musings when Aria squirmed out of his arms, Erik smiled stupidly at nothing in particular, a cool shower of contented serenity raining down over all his senses. Aria walked curiously toward the still-open mirror panel behind them. "T-That is r-really n-neat," she said enthusiastically, having already moved beyond the serious subject of her forgiveness to other, more interesting, things.

Taking a moment longer to gather his thoughts, Erik stood slowly and walked over to the mirror. Opening the panel further, he chuckled at the astonished expression on Aria's face as she peered off into the dim corridor beyond. "Yes, and it even as a secret tunnel behind it. No one else in this entire theater knows about it besides me…and now you," he said, pitching his voice down dramatically as he used to do while reading her a story.

Clapping her hands excitedly, Aria hopped up and down. "W-Where d-does it go!"

Holding out a hand for her to take, Erik leaned down conspiratorially. "How about I show you?" he asked as Aria reached up and took his waiting hand. Nodding vigorously, the child jumped over the threshold without a second's hesitation, waiting only for Erik to close the mirror panel behind them before ploughing ahead into the darkness.

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Conner waited impatiently outside the chapel doors, his fairy green eyes watching for the familiar figure of his sister to appear. Glancing momentarily at his pocket watch, he tore his gaze from the closed doors to curse silently at the time. Lord a' mighty, what in the world could she be confessing in there? It isn't like she ever does anything wrong. Tapping a finger against the cool metallic surface of his watch, he snapped the gold lid shut with a click. Sighing heavily, he crossed his arms and forced himself to be patient. It isn't like I have anything particular to be doing…all practice is on hold until the new tenor arrives…and I guess that is the problem…I don't have anything to do besides haunt the ballet practice rooms. And just when I need a little distraction Brielle decides to come clean to the priest and is taking forever in doing it!

He was staring so intently at the chapel doors that he hardly even registered the group of ballerinas that walked by. With a quick distracted glance he noted that the giggling girls were all brunettes, and looking quickly away he mentally dismissed the passing women and went back to glaring at the closed doors in front of him. But his fleeting gaze apparently emboldened several of the girls to coyly flutter their eyelashes in his direction. Starting when one of the girls laid a hand upon his sleeve, he blinked blankly down at the upturned face of the pretty blue-eyed girl staring up at him.

Overcoming the initial wave of irritation which flashed through him, Conner plastered a reluctant smile upon his face. Don't be surly…It isn't their fault you are turning into a grouchy old man. "Not now girls," he said lightly, shrugging out from under the girl's grip. "As you can see, I am waiting to confess…I have a lot to think about…as you can imagine."

Pouting slightly, the girls withdrew, but not before one turned and called out "You know, you aren't any fun anymore, Conner. If you have a sweetheart just tell us other girls so we aren't wasting our time!"

Waving absently, his mind already wandering, Conner merely smiled and turned his eyes back to the chapel door. Yeah right…me having a sweetheart…that is a laugh. Where the hell is Bri? Checking his watch again, the redhead leaned his head back against the cool stone wall behind him and closed his eyes. Several moments passed as he listened for the sound of the opening doors to reach his ears.

Out of nowhere a childish voice screeched unexpectedly in his ear. "BOOO!"

Springing away from the wall, Conner whirled upon the sound, his heart racing madly within his chest. He lowered his balled fists when the source of the howl laughed, delighted by his reaction. "Uncle C-Conner you were s-scared!"

"Sweet Mary, Aria, you nearly made my heart jump clear of my chest!" he admonished a little breathlessly as he pressed a hand against his chest, trying to catch his breath. "What the hel…er…why are you out wandering around by yourself? You could get lost, you know," he stated darkly as he wagged a finger in the child's direction.

"I highly doubt she would get lost, Conner, considering Aria was in my company," a smooth masculine voice stated matter-of-factly from behind the redhead.

Without even having to turn his head, Conner knew exactly who was standing behind him. A spark of relieved glee burst to life within him, there was no other person in all the theater whom Conner would rather have seen. There was no one else who was more fun to tease. Finally, someone to talk to. Thank the Lord! "Well then blast you, Erik! Letting her sneak up on me like that. I could have died!" Conner said dramatically, a grin lighting his face and taking away from the seriousness of his words. Turning then, he slapped the slightly taller cloaked figure on the shoulder, eyeing the wide-brimmed felt hat the man was wearing. "I should knock your teeth out!"

A smug smirk tilted the masked man's mouth up at one corner from under the brim of his hat. "You are welcome to try," Erik said serenely, the soft tone of his voice disrupted by the teasing glitter within his blue eyes.

Tilting his head to the side, Conner wondered momentarily at the uncharacteristic playfulness he saw in the masked man's face. Maybe he and Bri have finally made up. They have been driving me crazy lately…Bri has been moping something fierce these last few days…no doubt because Erik was being stupid. "My, what a good mood you are in today. What in the world could have caused such a dramatic change? Have you and my sister stopped dancing around each other?" Conner asked with a slow smile.

The smirk falling from his face, Erik glared daggers in the redhead's direction. But before he could say anything, Aria jumped forward and tugged insistently upon her uncle's pant leg. "No, I s-said I w-wasn't mad anymore…so n-now he is happy! And he s-said he would f-fix my music box b-because it was s-smashed," Aria said overly loudly in the deserted hall.

Placing a hand on Aria's dark head, Conner winked down at her. "Ah, well, that is nice. You are far more advanced than your mother. From now on you will have to try and get her to be nicer to poor Erik."

"Don't tell the child that!" Erik exclaimed with irritation.

"Why? Are you afraid a five-year-old could fix your problems faster than you could?" Conner asked innocently as his raised one ginger-colored eyebrow up in question. Erik sputtered in outrage in response to that, but Conner turned back to Aria and lifted her up onto his hip with a flourish. "Isn't that right, Aria? Couldn't you fix Momma's and Erik's problems?"

Raising her hands to cover the giggle bursting out of her mouth, Aria momentarily cast a glance in Erik's direction before joining the fun. "I c-could! I c-could fix everything b-because I am a genius!" she squealed happily, delighted by how flustered Erik was becoming.

Shaking his head, Erik closed his eyes with a sigh. "Damn…I am terribly out of practice to stand up to your special sort of irritation, Conner. I am constantly forgetting how incorrigible you are."

"Why thank you," Conner replied sweetly as he shifted Aria's weight in his arms in order to be able to cover both her ears. "By the way…Brielle is in confession now if you would like to wait for her to come out. Though she has been in there for an awfully long time…is there something particular she may be confessing, sir?" he asked with a wink, deliriously happy to be fighting with Erik rather than thinking about a certain blond ballerina.

Erik's mouth dropped open in shock over Conner's suggestive question. Gaping at the redhead, a slow blush worked its way up to the masked man's face. Closing his mouth with a snap, Erik straightened regally, drawing himself up to his full height in order to distract from the embarrassment staining his cheeks. "Unfortunately I have other business to attend to. Give your sister my best wishes," he said stiffly as he sketched a hurried bow and turned to make a hasty retreat.

Laughing and removing his hands from Aria's head, Conner watched the masked man go until his cloaked figure disappeared through what had appeared to be a solid wall. "Well that was fun," he said with a fair amount of satisfaction just as the chapel doors opened with a creak.

Brielle stepped out from the room slowly, her eyes downcast in deep thought. Stepping forward quickly, Conner opened his mouth to greet her, but hesitated at the sober, slightly dazed expression on her face. Poor girl…this whole Erik thing is really eating her up inside. Though she does seem a little better…not so sad. But no doubt a simple confession won't have fixed everything. She needs to get her mind off serious things for a while…have a little fun. Actually, I could use a little fun as well…Frowning at the thought, Conner pursed his lips in consideration. Yeah…we all could use a little entertainment…A slow smile spread across his face as a brilliant idea crossed his mind.

"There you are Bri," he finally said. "I have been waiting out here for you for ages."

Not missing a beat, Brielle glanced up at her brother and rolled her eyes, momentarily snapping out of her thoughtful mood. "I highly doubt that," she replied as she stepped forward to transfer Aria from Conner's hip to her own. Kissing the child on the cheek, she smiled a slightly. "What sort of trouble have the two of you been getting into?"

"None so far," Conner said on a dramatic sigh as he came up beside his sister to drape an arm about her shoulders. "And I think that is the problem…you see, I have far too much time on my hands and nothing to do with it."

"Aww, poor you!"

"No, really, Bri, everyone around here is so boring lately! Especially you! But I have the perfect idea on how to fix that!"

"Oh, and how is that?" she asked without much enthusiasm.

"I have decided to throw a welcoming party for the new tenor. Picture this," he began spreading his hand out before them in a dramatic sweeping motion, "music, dancing, good food and endless bottles of wine! What do you think about that? Doesn't it sound great? It will get all of our minds of the things that are troubling us."

Scoffing lightly at his excitement, Brielle shook her head. "There is a fatal problem with that idea, Conner. The lead tenor isn't even here yet. I don't even know if Andre and Firmin have decided who they want to fill the spot. You can't throw a welcoming party for someone that isn't even here!"

Straightening slightly, Conner stepped away from her for a moment, trying to look as offended as possible. "I am not stupid, Brielle, I know the man isn't here yet…but can I help it that he is a rude sort of fellow and is missing his own party?"

"How would he even know about it in the first place!"

Wagging a finger in his sister's face, Conner merely shrugged. "That isn't my problem."

Flabbergasted by his total abandonment of logic, Brielle raised a hand to her temple. "There is another problem, Conner. You can't afford to throw the entire theater a party. Even you don't make that amount of money."

With a grin splitting his face, Conner reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a money clip full of folded paper money. Shocked, Brielle reached out and snatched the wad of money from her brother's grip. "Where in the world did you get this!" she nearly shouted, her gray eyes almost bugging out of her face in astonishment.

Snatching the wad of money back from her, Conner let out a laugh over his sister's expression. "Actually, it is a funny story. Remember the day Andrew showed up to sign on to be a patron? Well unfortunately I almost got into a tussle with the man. I grabbed a'hold of his jacket but didn't have time to hit him before Firmin held me back."

"What does that have to do with the money?"

"I didn't have time to hit Andrew…but I did have time to lift his money clip," Conner finished. "I have been debating what to do with it ever since. I knew he was leaving that day for London so I just kept it."

Staring at her brother as if he had lost his mind, Brielle could only shake her head. "You are absolutely mad!"

"Thank you," he replied, tucking the bills back into his pocket.

"Conner, you can't use that to throw a party. Sweet Mary, what if Andrew comes back looking for that?"

"He won't…a man like him won't miss a couple hundred pounds. He practically owns half of Britain…so his loss is my gain…and yours too! But there is so much I have to get done between now and tonight! I shouldn't be standing about blabbing to you!" he said as he turned to stride off down the hall. "But before I go, tell me you will come. You have to, it won't be any fun without you!" he called over his shoulder.

"Conner, I will absolutely not participate in…" Brielle started, completely scandalized by the whole situation.

Cutting her off, Conner waved back to her over his head. "Great, I will see you there then!"

"No, Conner I won't…"

"Bye, Bri! I will talk to you later," he shouted as he rounded a corner. Slowly allowing the smile to fade from his face, now that he was alone, he let out a deep sigh. Good maybe a good bout of drunkenness will help me forget that blasted dancer…