"This is it isn't it?" Alex asked, her brunette hair swinging around her shoulders. "Box five."

Her brown eyes were practically glowing. Perhaps it was his cape that made her dark features stand out more.

"Yes. It is." Erik answered softly.

Erik watched as she took a quick inventory of the room. From the plush red seat to the curtain clad doorway and the splendid view of the stage.

"Marvelous!" She exclaimed her eyes taking in the stage.

"Yes, it is." Erik replied, trying to keep himself from reaching out to touch her. 

"You had questions Monsieur?" She asked, turning back to him as she gathered his cape up, and sat on his seat facing the stage.

Erik walked over and sat on the ledge. He pondered what to ask the vision in front of him and watched as she shivered under his gaze.

"How old are you?" He asked.

"Twenty five." She replied with a smile.

"Why are you here?"

"In Paris?"

"Yes." he replied. 

"To do some research for..."  her eyes went wide momentarily. 

He raised an eyebrow.

"I was supposed to find out what the french men in that warehouse were up to." she sighed.

"They sent a woman, by herself, to do that?" Erik exclaimed.

Alex crossed her arms over her chest. "And what's wrong with that?" She asked raising a perfectly arched brow.

"Nothing! I'm merely surprised. That's all." Erik replied quickly. 

"Well, to be perfectly candid with you 'they' didn't send anyone." Alex admitted.

"Oh?"

"I..." She bit her lip. "I may have just gone by myself. But to be fair I did get an anonymous tip from somebody..."

"Hmm. That's suspicious." Erik remarked.

"I suppose it is..." Alex mused. 

They both sat in silent thought when Alex's phone cut startlingly through the silence.

*Ring ring*

She sucked a breath in through her teeth. "It's Cindy. Shh." Alex said with a finger on her lip. She stood up and exited the booth.

"Hello~" She chirped. 

A cold voice greeted her on the other end of the line. "And just where do you think you are?"

"I'm at my hotel." Alex replied nonchalantly.

"Bull-crap!" Cindy exclaimed, loud enough for Erik to hear quite clearly. His eyebrows raised. 

"I beg your pardon?" Alex stammered, her face going red. 

"You can lie all you want but your GPS is turned on!" Cindy stormed. 

Alex's eyes widened. "I know you are at the Opera Populaire." Cindy accused. 

"No I'm not! The hotel is close sure but maybe the cellphone towers have me pegged down elsewhere." Alex lied slyly. 

Cindy was quiet for a moment before declaring.

"I'm coming to Paris."

"What?"

"I need to be there for you and I'm sorry I couldn't be there already. I got the first ticket I could."

"You really don't need to come down. I'll just be packing tomorrow anyways." Alex exclaimed. 

"Still you could use a friend."

"I'll be fine."

"I'm not taking no for an answer Lexie." Cindy replied shortly hanging up on Alex.

Alex let out a hearty sigh. Startling Erik who was marveling at the phone in her hand. 

"What is it?" He asked. 

"She only calls me Lexie when she's mad at me."

"Oh? So you're in trouble." He chuckled. 

"I shouldn't have even come here." Alex sighed, running a hand through her curly brown hair. 

"But you did." Erik said leaning over her.

Her eyes shot up to meet his.

"Why?" Erik asked in a rumbling voice. 

"I was curious." She replied keeping her eyes fixed on his.

His eyes held hers for a beat longer.

"Come. I will walk you to your hotel." He demanded, standing suddenly and extending his hand towards her. 

"I'd really rather you didn't." Alex replied. 

"Don't you trust me?"

"Should I?" I shot back.

He smirked at me as I walked to the door.

"Alex."

Alex stopped, her stomach doing flips.

"Yes?" she asked, turning back to look at him. 

"My cape."

"Oh I'm sorry." Alex blushed, fumbling with the buttons.

"Here." He said stepping forward to help her unfasten his cloak.

Alex froze as he stood over her.

They both halted looking into each others eyes. 

"Safe travels... Lexie~"  

Alex laughed, the sound echoing sweetly off the walls of the foyer.

"Take care Phantom~"