Sorry for the wait. I'm sorry to say though that after this updates might be even further apart. I hope they aren't thought. Enjoy.

Chapter 15-A Great Night

"If you lay a hand on her I'll-,"

She laughed. "You'll do what?" Kill me?" She picked up a large piece of glass from the ground. "News flash lover boy…," she attempted to cut her wrist, but there was no blood, not even a wound," I'm already dead!"

Erik was not frightened or intimidated by her act; in fact he was pissed. There was no way in heaven or hell he was going to let this monster hurt Christine. Faster then the eye could see, Erik pinned Audrey against a building. "If you lay a hand on her I'll find a way to kill you," he hissed. At that moment for the first time since he had nearly killed her he saw a twinge of fear in her eyes. She was scared for her evil life, and it gave Erik a since of pride that he had inspired fear in her. Smiling in satisfaction, he walked off.

Audrey was fuming. She had actually been bested by him…not tricked. Never before had this happened, and she despised the feeling.

"Are you ok?" Audrey turned around to see a bloodstained Patrick looking back at her. No doubt he had been having a fun night.

"What are you doing her?" she asked him angrily.

"Making sure you're alright?" he replied. "The man is such an idiot," Audrey thought.

Audrey gave a fake and annoyed smile. "I meant what in the hell are you doing here when you're supposed to be watching the ballet brat!" she yelled.

"Oh right!" he said before running off like a fool to do his job.

"I hate idiots," Audrey whispered to herself.

Christine and Meg were quiet as the elevator went to level six, the top level of an apartment building. It had been almost a month since Christine had gone out with Raoul, and after that night she decided she had to do a few things before getting into a serious relationship. She decided that getting a new apartment would be a good start. Her new salary as the Populaire diva could easily pay for it, and since Meg was moving in with her finances weren't even a problem. When the elevator stopped the two girls got out and walked silently to Apartment 15A.

15A was the apartment on the top floor. They had only heard good things about, and knew it would be a great place to live. The previous occupants had struck it rich in the lottery and left all the furniture in apartment which only meant one less thing to buy for the two girls.

"It's very spacious for two women such as yourselves and I'm sure you'll love it here," the real-estate agent explained to them. The woman went to stand in the middle of the apartment where the sun was shining in through a large bay window. "What do you think?" she asked.

Meg looked around in awe as she went to join the woman. "It's perfect!" she exclaimed. The apartment really was perfect for Christine and Meg. The rooms had enough space, the kitchen was small which was perfect for two girls who couldn't cook, it had a beautiful view, and was down the street from the Opera Populaire. "What do you think?" Meg asked Christine who wasn't paying any attention. Her attention was focused at a shrouded piece of furniture across from the main room. "Christine?"

Christine waved her best friend off as the walked slowly to the object. She knew exactly what was underneath the white cover, and it reminded of her of a person she never wanted to think about again. Her hands clutched a large bit of the white cloth. Taking a deep breath, she tugged it off to reveal a great black piano just like the one at the Populaire. Her hands graced the dusty keys giving her the memory of how Erik's long, slender fingers danced across the keys every time he played. She loved to watch him. What a painful reminder this instrument was.

"Christine?" Christine looked over to see Meg with a worried look on her face.

"We'll take it," Christine said. Meg nearly jumped for joy.

Erik watched with deep interest as Audrey talked with a man he didn't know. They were in front of a building he had never been in before, but he could here music playing inside. "Move over," a mean voice ordered. Erik looked up to see a tall, dirty man with an angry look on his face.

"Huh?" Erik replied too in shock to think about who he was talking to.

The man looked even angrier then before. "Move," he said again. The man didn't even bother to let Erik make the choice this time. He pushed the boy aside and walked through the door. Erik caught a glimpse of a lot of people with drinks in their hands. "What's in there?" he thought.

Audrey laughing turned Erik's attention back to her. "Come on Erik," she instructed as she gestured for him to follow her inside.

Inside there were tons and tons of people. All were laughing and playing. There were a few tables which were covered with food, cups, and things Erik didn't even want to know what they were. The place was loud with music and talk, and Erik didn't like the place one bit.

Frowning, he turned to Audrey. "Where are we?" he asked. "I don't like it here."

She laughed a little. "My dear we're at a tavern," she replied. "You're supposed to be having a good time," she continued with a smirk on her face.

She led him to a back hallway where they stopped in front of a door. "Now listen. You're about to meet some of those friends I told you about. I highly suggest you make a good first impression of yourself. You understand?" she explained. Erik nodded his head. "Good boy." Smiling, she opened the door.

"Audrey!" a male voice yelled before Erik even had time to see where the voice was coming from. There was a table in the room surrounded by beautiful women and handsome men dressed in fine clothing, and all of them were just as pale as Audrey was.

"Hello John," she replied as the two hugged. The rest of the people in the room were looking at them with smiles on their faces.

The man turned to Erik with an emotionless face. "Who is this young man?" he asked bending down to get a good look at Erik. Erik couldn't have been sure, but he thought he saw the same sharp teeth that Audrey had in the man's mouth. "This is Erik, John. He's the one," she answered.

"Ahhh…I see." He looked a little disappointed and surprised. "Audrey may I talk to you for a second…alone?" Erik knew it was because of his face. A person with manners would always act like that when they saw his face.

Audrey ignored him. "Well Erik I suppose I need to introduce you to everyone." She pushed him forward to the front of the table. "This is Maggie, Grace, Samuel, Lily, John, and Claire." She pointed to each one as she introduced them. All of them had frowns on their faces, and Erik could tell they were all staring at his face, all of them except Claire. She had bright red hair, deep blue eyes, and pale skin. She was definitely the most beautiful of the women. The fact that she actually smiled was the main cause of that…even if she did have the same sharp teeth.

"Hello Erik," Claire greeted as she stood up and put out her hand. Still examining her, Erik gladly shook it. "What a handsome young man you are," she told him. The woman Audrey had introduced as Lily snickered, but Claire ignored her.

"I'm not handsome," Erik replied sadly.

"Nonsense, looks aren't the only thing that matters," she explained. Erik almost smiled.

"Well since you two seem to get along so well why don't you take him outside Claire…perhaps show him around a little," Audrey suggested.

"What a good idea," Claire agreed. "Let's go Erik."

Erik opened his eyes to stare at the familiar sight of the ceiling of his room. He hadn't had a dream of his past for awhile now. He hated his past…to be reminded of the terrible things that had happened to him was awful. And this was the last memory he could ever want. Claire. He had almost wiped that beautiful smile out of his mind forever. Why it had to come back tonight he didn't know. She was the last person he wanted to remember.

"Erik!" Nadir's voice rang outside the basement door.

Erik was actually glad to hear the voice of his friend. He put on a shirt and went to answer the door. "What do you want Nadir?" Erik asked.

"I have something important to tell you," Nadir answered.

Erik shifted his weight. "Well shoot."

"It's Christine…" Nadir started.

"Wait Nadir, surely you heard the news. I haven't seen Christine in over two months," Erik cut him off to say.

"I heard, but I thought you would want to know this," Nadir explained.

"I don't know. It's hard enough for me to stop thinking about her. The last thing I need is to learn something about her -,"

"She moved into the apartment building one street over," Nadir said.

"What?" The news really wasn't big, but to him it was huge. To know that Christine was just behind his old building almost made his heart drop. It was hard enough to get over her at first, and now he might even be able to see her in the next building. This was the last thing he needed.

"She moved into the building behind you," Nadir said again.

"Dmn."

"What are you going to do?"

Erik chuckled. "Nothing, I'll just get over it, and hope I don't ever see her," Erik replied.

"Well that's going to be hard."

"Well that's life." Erik backed up to let his best friend in the room. "Lets not talk about it."

"Very well then," Nadir said as he entered the room.

"So is the news the only thing that brings you by?" Erik asked.

"No. I thought we could do the whole best friend thing you know. And I figure you'll need something to get your mind off your new neighbor."

"Well I appreciate your concern," Erik replied.

"Christine sat wide awake." Even if she was used to the bed she still probably wouldn't be able to sleep. She could never sleep anymore. After the first month she had gotten used to staying up all night. "I wish you'd come back Erik." She still missed his lessons, and his beautiful voice. Having a lesson with him could help her sleep through anything. Even two months after the lessons had quit she still couldn't sleep. She missed him so much. Raoul was always trying to be there for her, but he wasn't Erik. He didn't have the mysterious personality, the sweet and humble act, or even Erik's remarkable voice. Raoul nonetheless was a very good man, and if she could get over Erik, Raoul would make her happy.

"Christine?" Christine looked up to see Meg standing in the doorway. "You still not sleeping?" Christine simply frowned. Meg laughed. "What kind of man could you be so hung up about?"

"Meg…"

"I know, I know I could never understand because I've never met him," Meg finished for her. She had heard the words every time she had mentioned Christine's little sleep. She went to sit on Christine's bed. "But come on Christine, you've got to sleep. It's not healthy and you know it."

"I know Meg. I just need a little more time that's all," Christine explained.

Meg frowned. "Well would it help if I were in here with you?" Meg asked.

Christine smiled. "Nah, not unless it'll help you sleep. I don't want to keep you up. You've been too good in this whole problem," Christine answered.

"Well I like your room better so I'll stay here," she said as she got underneath the covers. Smiling, Christine scooted over to make room.

"Goodnight Meg." Meg must have already been asleep because she didn't answer. Christine almost laughed. Meg was so sweet. She was always there for her. Her smiled turned to a friend, however, when her thoughts went back to Erik.

"Oh Erik, I miss you so much," Christine whispered to herself as she got comfortable in an attempt to try and sleep.

Erik sat staring out the window at the building behind his. Christine was so close, but he couldn't see her. He knew seeing her would only make things worse, and staring at the building probably wasn't much of a help either. Sighing, he leaned back in the chair to try and focus his mind. He needed to stop thinking about Christine before he went insane.

"You still not sleeping?" Erik opened his eyes. The voice was low, so low he almost couldn't hear it. But he recognized it immediately as Meg Giry, and if Meg was around then Christine must be too. "What kind of man could you be so hung up about?"

"Meg…" Erik's nearly cried. That was her sweet voice.

"I know, I know I could never understand because I've never met him…" "…But come on Christine. You need to sleep. It's not healthy and you know it." Meg said to her. Oh God she's not sleeping because of me Erik thought. He didn't even bother to listen to the rest of the conversation. He couldn't live knowing Christine was suffering he had to do something about it, and he had a pretty good idea of what might help.

Christine's eyes shot wide open. Someone was playing music on the piano in the other room. She would have been scared if she didn't know the song they were playing.

"Night time sharpens heightens each sensation

Darkness stirs and wakes imagination"

She quickly got out of bed and ran to the main room almost in tears. There sitting at the piano was the man who had caused her more heartbreak then she thought she could bear, but he was also the man she loved. He stared straight at her. He was playing the song he played the first night they had met. She loved that song.

"Silently the senses abandon their defenses."

Crying, she ran to him. He stood up, and she almost knocked him down when she hugged him. "Oh my gosh Erik," she exclaimed through her tears. She hugged him as tightly as she could. She never wanted to let this man go again.

Erik loved to feel her arms around him…no matter how tightly. He loved to feel…to see her beautiful form especially so happy. It was a moment he'd never though he'd get to experience. "I didn't want you to get up," he said.

She looked up at him. "I thought I'd never see you again," she explained. "Why did you have to leave?"

"I thought I told you."

"Some big secret right? Listen Erik I don't care about your face, or whatever ever secret you're hiding.

"Christine you'd ca-." He was cut off be her lips against his. He didn't even realize what was happening at first. She was actually kissing him. It was hard to believe, but this was his first kiss with a woman he actually loved. Everything was real, and he knew it. He was really and truly in love with this girl.

Clearing her throat, she broke the kiss. "Erik I don't care. I would forget about anything as long as I was with you," she said.

Her words sounded so reassuring, but Erik knew she would care. Hardly anybody knew his kind existed. He knew she'd go crazy once she knew his secret. "Oh Christine I wish that were true," he simply uttered.

Smiling, she pulled him into another kiss. This time Erik put more into it turning it into a truly passionate kiss. "Ahh!" Erik broke the kiss and turned around. "Christine I shouldn't do this. I only came here because I heard you weren't sleeping. Trust me. You'll care about this secret of mine, and I don't think I could ever tell you the truth. I don't even think you could handle the truth," he told her.

Christine sighed. She would do whatever it took to stay with him. "Well then tell me when you think I'm ready," she suggested.

"What?" Erik turned around to look at her.

"We stay together, and when you think I'm ready tell me."

"Christine…I don't think you'll ever be ready," Erik said.

She went to stand right in front of him to look into his big green eyes. "When you tell me…I promise that I'll take it in," she said sternly.

"Christine…"

"I promise Erik."

"I don't know about this," he argued.

"Please," she begged. Erik didn't want to give in, but the look on her face was so sad and wanting. He could tell she loved him so he had no choice.

"Very well then," he agreed. "I just don't think you'll be able to take it."

She smiled. "Try me."