Author's note: It seems I start every chapter apologising for taking so long to update. I think it will just need to be this way since there are so many elements of my life that come first that I rarely have time to just relax and write. That being said, I hope you enjoy the chapter.

"Hmmm… good. Relaxed, peaceful. Keep on playing," she said as she continued resting on his shoulder. She was still very sleepy and enjoying her current half-asleep, half-awake state.

"What am I going to do with you?" He chuckled as he continued to play; this time a lighter, slower melody.

She felt the vibrations of his voice through his body and smiled at the rich timbre and the beauty of the situation. She was beginning to understand how living underground could be so much more peaceful; you could create your own little world where you were safe and free to use your time as you please.

Once the song ended he moved as if to get up, forcing Christine to sit up on the bench. "How about we go outside like I promised? It'd be dusk right about now. It's usually a beautiful sunset on the rooftop near Apollo."

"Apollo?"

"The statue Apollo, Poetry, and Music, sculpted by Aimé Millet in the 1860s. Perfect combination," Erik said nonchalantly as he stood and closed the piano lid.

"Mmm, sounds like the perfect combination. I'd love to see it," she said brightly, sleepiness gone far from her mind at the thought on going on an excursion with Erik.

It's so much more fun now that he's not an angel, she thought.

He chuckled. "Well get your coat and we will see it this very instant mademoiselle," he said, raising his left eyebrow.

She smiled, feeling warm inside from Erik's rich, musical chuckle. "And then will you sing for me when we get back?"

He turned slightly and said over his shoulder, raising his eyebrow even higher, "Perhaps. If…" he trailed off.

She skipped after him. "If…?"

He thought for a moment. "If you promise to try your hardest in your lesson this afternoon. I don't want you to get distracted now that you can see me. I still expect your best efforts, Christine," he said a bit more sternly than he felt.

"Of course! Does that mean you'll sing to me every night?" She brightened, excited by the prospect. "We could sing duets! Oh, could you sing 'Garden's Charm' from Hannibal with me? Your voice would be so perfect for it, so much better than Piangi. If only you could be the leading man, Erik."

Erik snorted. "Me? The leading man? More like the laughing stock," he said, clearly displeased with the notion.

Christine looked quizzically at him, apparently surprised by his harsh reaction and disgust of himself.

He pointed to his mask with a sarcastic smile.

"Oh," she said as she looked down to her feet, blushing slightly. "Well stranger things could have happened. Opera stars are known to be eccentrics. It could be part of your charm," she smiled, a hint of flirtation.

"If only this mask was a result of my personal flair, Christine. I'd rather be quite normal, believe me. And I'd go to great lengths to get that squealing pig and her overly confident beau to leave too."

Christine smirked at the seriousness with which Erik insulted Carlotta and Piangi.

"But, my dear, with you as their star we are half way there. Now we shall have to patiently wait for Carlotta to kick up a stink and take her injured pride with her to another opera house. No doubt Piangi will follow like the loyal dog he is."

"And who will replace Piangi?" Christine questioned.

"Ah, I don't know, my dear. There are some men with some potential but either their acting is wooden or their voices are weak."

Christine laughed. "And Piangi possessed those qualities?"

Erik smirked. "Not quite, but enough to fool most audiences. You, my dear are the real star. The true angel." His eyes shone with pride and penetrated Christine's gaze like a laser; warming her up but at the same time making her nervous, as if she had great expectations to met.

"I'd love nothing more than to make you proud," she shyly smiled.

"You already have, my dear."

His intense stare grew so much she felt she had to break the moment and get them both back on the task of getting up to the rooftop before they missed the sunset.

"Umm…Erik, so will you take me to the rooftop?"

"As my lady wishes," he said after a moment, picking up his and Christine's coat and putting it over her shoulders. He looped his arm around hers and they were off.

Note: I did plan for them to get up to the rooftop by the end of this chapter but since I'd left it for so long I felt it was probably best just to get something up and then start working on the next chapter soon.