The 'Phantom' lead me up a winding staircase at the back of the theater. His grip on my hand was tight but not uncomfortable. We made our way to the top of the remarkably well kept staircase and he attempted to open the door.

"Stand back." He demanded. I complied as he rammed his body against the door. The door groaned and creaked in protest. Wind swept in through the door and fluttered his cape as he extended his hand towards me. I accepted despite the voice in the back of my head advising me not to be on a roof with a possible murderer.

We walked out into the fog, and I kept my eyes on the man in front of me.

"Well? What do you think?" He asked, suddenly turning back to me. 

"It's beautiful." I replied, gazing out at the swirling grey fog that nearly obscured the view of the people below.

I walked closer to the ledge as I looked down at the people below me. I vaguely wondered what Cindy would think of what I was up to. I turned to face the man beside me. He was looking down at something on the ground, with a distinct sneer before he noticed me looking at him. He smiled charmingly at me around his white half mask. 

"You wanted to ask me a question?" I asked, shoving down the feelings his smile was giving me. 

"Yes." He nodded, with another furtive look at the ground below us. 

I looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

He grabbed my hand suddenly and pulled me away from the edge.

"Why did those men try to kill you yesterday?" He asked in a possessive tone. 

I paused for a moment briefly considering lying, but when I looked up into his trusting blue eyes I just couldn't.

"I overheard something..." I admitted. 

"What did you hear?" He prodded.

'Awe hell, Gabby already got the scoop.' I thought to myself (rather sarcastically). ' Why not tell the mad man who lives in the Opera?'

"Those men stole gold from an English bank. I have their confession on a recorder back at my room." His eyes widened, and he watched as I continued pacing the length of the roof. "They found me hiding behind a crate and I ran to the opera to throw them off my trail." I finished, walking back over to stand in front of him again. I folded my hands behind my back. 

Erik looked thoughtful.

"It's my turn to ask a question is it not?" I asked.

Erik nodded stiffly his eyes clearly panicked.

"Are you the Opera Ghost?"

"Yes." He admitted, holding my gaze with his steely blue eyes. 

"Then you were here all those years ago?" I ask, watching him closely for any sign that he is lying.

"I was." He replies. 

"Then how are you still alive?" I ask throwing my hands in the air.

He looked down at his feet. 

"I do not know... Perhaps even Death herself is repulsed by me." He chuckled in a rather jaded fashion.

The sun had now finally made a break through the thick fog, turning the grey sky golden and pinkish. Bathing Paris in a rosy glow.

I walked closer to the edge of the roof to enjoy the view. 

"Look at it. The city of love." I scoffed. "What a joke."

"Tell me about it." Erik laughed walking up beside me. 

The wind picked up and blew fearfully catching Erik's cloak again and making him look vaguely heroic.

I shivered in my lightweight jacket. Erik's brow furrowed.

"Here." He said simply, wrapping me up in his cape and fastening the button.

I was glad that I could blame the harsh wind for the color of my cheeks.

Erik strode over to a gargoyle (and in turn the edge of the roof) with a distant look in his eye. He placed a hand on the creature's nose and stared into its un-moving stone eyes before spinning on his heel and walking to the edge of the roof where I came to join him. 

"L'appel du vide." I remarked softly.

Erik turned to me his blue eyes luminous. "What did you say?"

"The call of the void. Please Erik, I know a little french." I shrugged. 

"You feel it too?" he remarked glumly. 

"There is a reason they call it falling in love Erik, Tis' so much sweeter before the landing." I sighed. 

Erik nodded slowly.

"Come-" He demanded, grabbing my hand.

"What?-"

"You still owe me three questions Mademoiselle." He replied with a smirk.

"Two!" I denied, as he dragged me to the door. 

His eyes glimmered gold as the door shut behind us.