Erik's pov.

Erik Listened in rapture as the injured woman he had helped yesterday sang. Her voice was sweet and pure, and so very full of sorrow. The song she sang was mournful and spoke to his very soul. He had been doing his best to stay away from her but after hearing her sing he couldn't help but applaud.

"Brava!" He cheered.

The woman's eyes widened in shock and she nearly fell off the piano bench.

"Holy Sh*t" She muttered.

Erik was down beside her in a flash.

"Are you alright?" He asked, worry lacing his deep voice. 

"No. But I will be." She muttered. Erik sighed in relief. 

"You know for a lady you have quite a foul tongue." He reprimanded.

"Yeah? Well for a ghost you aren't very ghostly. And I'm not a lady I'm a woman." She sassed. 

Erik blinked at her, surprised at her gumption.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you." She sighed. 

"I understand. You've had quite the day have you not?" He replied, extending his hand to help her up. 

"That's an understatement." she chuckled, accepting his hand and standing up.

Erik stared at her.

She shuffled her feet.

"I found this on the stairs. I believe this belongs to you." Erik replied taking her cell phone out of his vest pocket. 

"Oh my phone! Thanks." She replied taking the small object out of his hand, her fingers brushing his gloved ones.

Erik was suddenly very glad for the darkness that obscured his blushing face.

"I'm Erik." He said quite suddenly, breaking the silence awkwardly.

"Oh! I'm Alex. Alexandra Griffin." The lady smiled, her bright personality dispelling some of the darkness.

"Why are you here?"

She blinked up at him. "Because you saved my life, and its bad luck not to repay a kindness monsieur." She replied, pulling something wonderful smelling out of her bag.

"They're fresh." She smiled placing the warm croissant into his hand.

He blinked at her.

"You do know what a croissant is don't you?"

Erik stared down at the feisty brunette.

"Its food. You eat it." She continued as she moved his hand toward his mouth.

"Of course I know what a croissant is!" He barked rather suddenly.

Alex jumped backwards.

"Sorry... I'm... not used to company."

"I see that." She smirked.

She fiddled with her phone as Erik took a bite out of the croissant.

His eyebrows raised. "This is quite good." He commented. "Did you make these?"

"Oh! No are you kidding? I burn water!" She laughed.

Erik had the strangest warm feeling in his chest.

Alexandra looked up at him and something seemed to click for her.

"Wait, How did you know I've had a bad day? Were you listening to my conversation earlier?" She asked disapprovingly. 

The croissant turned to lead in Erik's stomach. He had in fact been listening to her break up with her fiance, hiding in a false wall near the entrance of the Opera. He didn't relish telling her and he didn't wish to scare her off so he tried to ignore the question.

"You aren't only here to repay a kindness are you?" He asked with a voice like thunder.

Alex blinked rapidly.

"It seems to me that we both are asking questions we already know the answer to." She replied stoutly. 

Erik cracked a smile. "Yes. It certainly does."

"I'm here to ask you some questions. I'm terribly curious you see."

"I do see." Erik replied, frowning as he backed away from the girl's reach.

"But you have questions too don't you?" She replied thoughtfully. 

Erik thought back to the two men he had had to scare off. As well as the strange feelings this girl had given him. He certainly didn't want her to leave.

"I do." he admitted. 

"Alright then. How about you ask a question. Then I ask one. We can take turns." She smiled looking into his eyes.

Erik's stomach flipped over and he found himself agreeing despite the feeling that this inquisitive girl might ask questions she wouldn't like the answer too.

"Fine." Erik stated. "But not here." He replied looking up at the stage with a pang in his chest.

"Alright, where then?"

"The roof." Erik surprised himself by saying.

The girl stood up and walked over to him. Grabbing his hand.

"Lead the way Erik." She smiled.

Erik smiled as he realized how humanizing it felt to be called by his name, and lead Alex up the stairs to the roof.