A/N: Meh, I'm back in my element; fluff. I regret nothing in this chapter, and I hope you like it because after this; it's Masquerade time! Ha ha! I can't imagine this story having more than four more chapters after this, and then a sequel, which I already have planned out. I'm so excited for the sequel actually, and for unraveling Sycamore's plan finally!

To NahlaKing: Hopefully this will help you feel better!

To Phan3145: Don't worry, you're not that crazy, I thought it was kind of cutesy too :)

To judybear236: Yep, it's soul-searching time.

I'd just like for you guys to know as I haven't mentioned this before but judybear236 has really helped me with tracking down all my errors in each chapter for me to fix in the near future. I really appreciate them for their help but I was a bit of a bitch to them at first, so this chapter is dedicated to them in hopes that there won't be too many mistakes.

But for now, enjoy this shameless fluff and leave me a review! I've noticed that you guys don't really like it when I write things in a darker way, perhaps because I'm rubbish at it?

Chapter Twenty-Seven: One Step at a Time

"When did you realize this, how long have you kept the secret?" Erik asked after a moment of silence and I decided to let go of my annoyance that he didn't answer my question. I shrugged.

"I honestly don't know." It was true. I'm sure that in any cheesy love story, the heroine can remember the exact moment when she fell in love with the handsome hero, but for the life of me, I couldn't. It was odd. My mind was murky when I focused it on that topic, and I tried to retrace my steps. Hatred had been the majority of what I felt for him for some time, but some where along the line, it changed and I don't know precisely when his gaze on me made my heart flutter.

"Ah." Was all he said before going silent once again. I shifted nervously, wringing out my wet hair gently and sighing before moving just a centimeter closer and folding my freezing hands in my lap. It was extremely cold down here, even with January approaching, it was chilly as the Arctic and the both of us were sopping.

"Did you ever feel anything for me?" I asked carefully and Erik ran a hand over his scalp, exhaling softly before nodding.

"You are the strangest person I've ever met, and I don't deny that wanted to kiss you throughout the duration of our friendship." My mouth fell open in shock.

"Really?" I asked in a strangled whisper and he nodded.

"Yes." He replied and I felt a hot flush come to my cheeks.

"Why?" It was an honest question, but Erik took his time to answer it. Again, I moved a little closer, shivering slightly from the cold. "Hey," I began, covering my cold hand with his, marginally warmer one. For once, my skin was ice and his felt hot in comparison, I think this must have shocked him, for he immediately closed his hand around mine and held it, trying to warm me up. "Let's be honest with each other, okay? No more secrets." He nodded and took a deep breath.

"All of my life, I have hidden in the darkness, never allowing myself to step into the sun." He began with a shaky voice. "But, it isn't as sad of a tale as you would imagine, for I always felt that I belonged in the shadows." I nodded, not sure what he was getting at. "And yet, you have been able to do what no one else has, you took me by the hand and led me out into the light, and made me feel as though I was always meant to be there, and when I am with you, I feel almost human." Tears are pricking at the corner of my eyes again as he continues. "Annika, you have given me life, but I am afraid." He says and I reach my other hand up to touch his shoulder.

"Why?" I asked and he shook his head.

"Because with life, comes death. The end of all things for nothing can last forever. I am afraid to let it happen, I am afraid to part this world and face my judgement at the gates of Hell, for truly it is where I shall end up." I give him a sad smile and it is my turn to shake my head.

"No Erik, you will not go to Hell, but all things must end, that is why we live, to be ready for what comes after it." He lifts my hand that is still clenched in his grasp to his lips and presses a kiss to it, making me blush.

"Then perhaps, we may start anew?" Erik asked me and I nodded happily.

"I'd like that so much, Erik." I replied and a beaming grin found its way onto my face. His lips curled up into a gentle smile as he kept a firm but soft grip on my hand.

"Very well then. In one week's time, the Bal de Masque will take place. Would you, Annika Walters, give me the permission to accompany you to this event?" He asked and I couldn't help but giggle a bit before nodding.

"I would love to go with you, Erik." I replied and a mildly shocked, but happy laugh of disbelief escaped from him.

"Until then, my dear. But for now, I think it is best to find you something dryer to wear, I would not want you to catch your death." He told me and I nodded, standing up from the terribly wet ground and walking towards the bedroom where I was allowed one half of the closet for my own clothing. Erik remained by the water and continued to look over its glassy, still surface, until I was completely changed and dried off. Only then did he rise from his place to enter the bedroom to change as well. I smiled to myself as I headed back towards Erik's organ. I sat down on its cushy bench and folded my hands in my lap, looking over his sheet music as my heartbeat raced happily in my ears.

"Love never dies, love never falters." I sang in as high a tone as I could muster. It still sounded very badly mutilated and I couldn't help but wince in disgust as my low tones bounced off the slick, rocky walls of the lair back to my ears. I took another, closer look at some of Erik's music made a quick decision that was probably not too good of one.

I placed my fingers on the ivory keys of Erik's organ like I had seen him do before, and pressed down lightly, drawing some sound. His written music looked like Greek to me as I carefully reenacted what I'd saw him do about a zillion times before. I let my eyes close and the image of his fingers moving flooded into my head, and I copied it exactly. I was so focused on the mental image, that I didn't even hear him behind me until Erik put a hand on my shoulder.

At once the picture faded and I turned to look at him, so sure that he would be angry. Instead of rage in his beautiful eyes, all I could see was pride as he sat down next to me.

"You read music?" He asked and I shook my head, making a confused look cross his face.

"I've got a short-term memory, but obviously not a good long-term one, and I've always loved to count things. The details are fuzzy before I found myself here, but I do remember a hospital. The doctors there said something about traces of Asperger's Syndrome, another illness that heightens memory and critical thinking." I said and lost look blossomed on Erik's face.

"Pardon?" He asked and I giggle a little bit.

"I can play that song because I've seen you do it before." I told him, simplifying my words and a look of understanding and amazement crossed his features.

"Incredible." He said under his breath. "Could you do it again?" He asked and I nodded, turning away from him to rest my fingers on the keyboard.

"Behold." I said in an over the top voice with a laugh before I closed my eyes and allowed the picture to swim in from my closed lids and guide my fingers across the ebony and ivory keys. I made a few errors here and there when my picture showed me a wrong note, but I knew that was just the Schizophrenic side of me. While my touch of Asperger's gave me my compulsive behavior and over-all good memory, my Schizo stored false information that I still felt confident was right.

I knew Erik was ignoring my minor errors, but I couldn't. They ate away at me like crazy, driving me nuts and before I even realized what I was doing, Erik had taken hold of both of my hands and gently pried them off the keys, holding them to keep me from playing anymore.

"Why did you stop me?" I asked "Was it really all that bad?" Erik shook his head and gave me a reassuring smile.

"No, you played beautifully, but Annika, you played the song three times in a row." He tole me and an embarrassed blush found its way onto my pale cheeks.

"I did?" I asked and he nodded. "Oh dear." He chuckled when I said this, making me smile as he shifted closer to me.

"Perhaps you should take a break and allow me?" he asked and I nodded. "What song would you have me play?" He asked and I racked my brain.

"Music of the Night?" I asked and he shook his head.

"I am afraid I cannot play that for you, my dear." He said and my face fell. I knew why though; he had written that song for Christine, not for me. I shook myself back to reality, I didn't care that Erik didn't want me to hear his song for Christine, I didn't want her left overs anyway.

"I understand." I replied.

"You do?" Erik asked and I nodded.

"Don't worry, just play me Masquerade, the song your music box sings." I said and he nodded.

"That I can do for you." I smiled as he placed his fingers carefully on the keys and began to play, singing along with his song.

"Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade . . .
Masquerade!
Hide your face,
so the world will
never find you!

Masquerade!
Every face a different shade . . .
Masquerade!
Look around -
there's another
mask behind you!

Flash of mauve . . .
Splash of puce . . .
Fool and king . . .
Ghoul and goose . . .
Green and black . . .
Queen and priest . . .
Trace of rouge . . .
Face of beast . . .

Faces . . .
Take your turn, take a ride
on the merry-go-round . . .
in an inhuman race . . .

Eye of gold . . .
Thigh of blue . . .
True is false . . .
Who is who . . .?
Curl of lip . . .
Swirl of gown . . .
Ace of hearts . . .
Face of clown . . .

Faces . . .
Drink it in, drink it up,
till you've drowned
in the light . . .
in the sound . . ."

Erik paused and I grinned madly as he allowed me to join in.

"But who can name the face . . .?" I sang as high as I could. Erik began to sing again, with me in the background, letting his voice wash over me.

"Masquerade!
Grinning yellows,
spinning reds . . .
Masquerade!
Take your fill -
let the spectacle
astound you!

Masquerade!
Burning glances,
turning heads . . .
Masquerade!
Stop and stare
at the sea of smiles
around you!

Masquerade!
Seething shadows
breathing lies . . .
Masquerade!

You can fool
any friend who
ever knew you!

Masquerade!
Leering satyrs,
peering eyes . . .
Masquerade!
Run and hide -
but a face will
still pursue you!"

Erik's voice faded away and it left me feeling a bit empty, but I didn't care. I loved the sound of his voice and I loved him. I noticed that his mask was replaced over the mangled side of his face and I immediately reached for it.

"It's still No Mask Friday." I reminded him and he let his gaze fall to the keys of his organ. I removed the thin piece of porcelain and his wig, giving him a beaming smile as no fear or disgust washed over me.

We sat there, singing songs and playing music for hours and for once, I felt truly happy, like i knew that this was where I was supposed to be; in a hole in the ground with a musical Phantom. This wasn't what I expected when I dreamed about telling him my secret, that was for damn sure, but I was happy, because all in all, I was moving too fast for his liking, not even giving Erik enough time to love me back, and with this, he could move at his own pace. It was wrong of me to be angry because he didn't immediately say he loved me back, and I suppose I realize now that these things take time. Erik was wounded, his heart was scarred and torn, loving him would not be easy, but I didn't mind trying, because I knew him, I knew all of him, and I adored every bit just the same.