Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to POTO.

Another day had come. The sun rising on a new day, and a new life. The three awoke to the sounds of birds chirping and the smell of freshly baked bread. "I'll go down to the kitchen and bring up something for us to eat. Erik, keep an eye on Christine for me please?" He walked out the door. Before leaving, he gave the two a smirk along with an odd look that seemed as if he knew something they didn't.

Christine looked up at her father confused by the look but at the same time mortified that he was treating her like a baby. "Papa, I'll be ok. You don't have to make Erik watch me as if I were a newborn." How could he embarrass her like that in front of him?

Choosing to ignore his daughter's little outburst he simply replied, "I'll be back shortly." The door closed slightly and the two were alone. Erik rose to build the fire. He took the poker in his hand and aimlessly prodded the burning wood. Christine watched him. His back was to her, and her thoughts went from how thankful she was that he saved her to how tall Erik was for a boy his age. Even though he was dirty and only had on a pair of torn pants along with his mask, he had this air about him that made him so much more than just what his outward appearance showed. The way he moved and spoke was unlike anyone she had ever met before. He seemed so put together.

In stark contrast however, Christine knew she must have looked a mess. Her hair was tangled and she was sweaty from her fever. Christine tried to smooth her hair and use the sleeve of her dress to wipe her oily face. How she wished she could take a bath right about now. Perhaps after breakfast.

The room was very quiet, so she decided to use this time alone to get to know him a little better. "So, Erik, have you traveled north of here? That's where we're headed to."

"I'm afraid my travelings have been solely in the company of the Gypsies and I didn't see much as you can understand."

She began to enthusiastically describe their destination. Hoping he would come to have as much of a tenderness, one day for it, as she did. "Yes, of course... Well, I really think you'll love it there. It's so beautiful and the view is just breathtaking. Sometimes papa and I like to sit on the porch and watch the sun set over the sea. I'll show you everything when we get there. The pathways through the hills and sand dunes. We can go for a walk on the beach. Can you swim, Erik?

Eluding the question he replied, "I'm quite looking forward to seeing this 'House by the Sea.' From the way your carrying on, it must be very lovely. Sasha will enjoy the opportunity to frolic around the open land, won't you, Sasha?" After hearing her name, Sasha sat up and gave her paw to Erik. After careful observation he made his diagnosis. "Her paw is healing well. In a few days she should be walking about just fine. Now you, on the other hand, are a different story. I don't want you still passing out on us, you're rather heavy to carry around after a while. So shall we have a look and see what the damage is?" He made his way over to her bed, sitting on the edge.

Christine could have sworn that there was a faint smile gracing his lips when he spoke. She went to sit up when he put his arms around her, guided her up slowly and bracing her in case she fell back down. "Erik you're as bad as papa! I'm all right, really."

"If you would Christine, kindly leave the final analysis to me." She shrugged off the left side of her dress where the wound was on her upper back, closer to her shoulder. He examined it very carefully, almost as if afraid to touch her, she thought. "No infection, but we'll still have to keep it very clean and change the dressings often. It seems to be healing rapidly, however, I suspect it will leave a scar. The fever has already broken so all in all, you're healthy enough to make the trip. I will inform your father were ready to leave by tomorrow."

As Erik finished speaking, the door opened and Gustave entered. "I've got breakfast." Immediately Erik stood and she recovered her shoulder with her dress. Gustave cast a questioning gaze at the two. Christine answered him quickly. She just hoped that Erik wouldn't get in trouble. Nothing happened, after all, and it wasn't about to. It just seemed worse than it really was. "Papa! Erik was just checking to make sure I was ok, which I am. Isn't that right Erik" She heard some incoherent mumbling and a gulp come from his direction. Apparently she would have to continue conversing. "In fact I'm feeling so much better we can leave tomorrow."

"Well, I'm glad to hear you are all right my love." He kissed her forehead and laid down a package on the bed. Inside contained some cloths and food. "Oh don't give that look you two. The door was cracked open when I left. I stayed outside for a moment before entering. Here, these are for you, Erik. Why don't you go get yourself cleaned up. There's a bathroom down the hall." Erik still seemed to be a bit shaken up. He just took the clothes, said a fast 'thank you sir,' and moved quickly out the door. "I'll return in a moment as well, I must see that we have enough supplies. Rest, and I'll be back when you awake." Gustave left and Christine headed his advice.

Later, when she woke, her papa was perched on the corner of her bed stroking her hair. Since Erik had not yet returned, she used this moment to confront him. "Oh papa, why didn't you tell us that you knew everything sooner. Poor Erik couldn't even speak he was so nervous. That would have saved us a lot of anxiety."

"Christine, my angel, one day when you have a beautiful young daughter and she has a 'friend' that's a boy, you'll be obliged to do the same." He smiled at her and she pouted.

Not grasping his full meaning she answered him. "What are you talking about papa? Of course Erik's my friend. What else would he be?"

He laughed and kissed her forehead again. "Oh my love, you are still so young! One day soon you will know what it is I speak of. I fear that day is coming to soon for me though. However, when it does come, I believe and can only hope, both you and Erik will experience it together." She looked up into his heavy-hearted eyes and a sad smile formed on his mouth. "Although the final decision will be yours, I can only hope you make the one that's right for you... and he would be."

Completely lost as to what her father was saying to her she shook her head. "Are you sure you don't have a fever papa?"He just laughed at her. This didn't help her confusion one bit.

"One day, Christine. One day!"

Before taking his bath he sat on the floor thinking about what just happened, and was glad Gustave wasn't going to kill him on the spot. He could even speak he was so flustered. It did seem, well... He wasn't even sure himself what it looked like, but whatever it was, it wasn't good. At least Gustave understood and he still had all his boned intact. He learned and will remember to always check her wounds in the presence of her father's company. An important lesson that did not require repeating.

Erik finished his bath, put on his new pants and did something he had not done in a long time. He looked in the mirror. Keeping his mask on, of course he examined himself. His body was thinner than he remembered and he had certainly grown. His skin seemed paler and his hair was the longest it had ever been in his life. Figuring out a plan in his head to remedy these things, he went about trying to fix them. Perhaps when they reached the house, outside sun and air would do him good. Now he could eat more than the one meal a day if even that he received while in the circus, so that would be fixed as well. His height was not really a problem, he rather enjoyed being tall. Maybe one day he would surpass Gustave, and he was a tall man, around 6'2. The only thing changeable now was his hair. Opening the cabinets he found what it was he was looking for. Combing his hair he began to trim away some of the overgrown raven locks. When he finished he wet down his hair once more and combed it all back. "That's much better." Looking over the results one more time to be sure, he put on his shirt, shoes and left.

Before reentering the room he overheard, through the slightly ajar door, Gustave speaking. One day what, and what was it that they were going to experience together? Why would she need to choose him? For as much of a genius he was, these words perplexed him immensely. Though being an expert in many fields, he still maintained a boyish innocence in at least one area. This distressed him. Something he didn't know about. If only he knew just what it was, he would one day conquer it as well... But with Christine? He shook his head and entered. Perhaps Gustave was right, and only in time would they come to know what it was he spoke of.

Gustave couldn't believe his daughter's innocence. One day my love, I could only hope that you two will be so fortunate as to find in each other someone more than just a friend. He knew with a certainty one day soon they would and he wouldn't be happier than to have Erik be that man.

Erik entered and seemed to emit on the outside what he was on the inside. Confidence, grace, intelligence and above all a kind of mysterious presence that enveloped him. Something never before seen in his entire lifetime, until Erik.

It seemed as if his observation did not go unnoticed by his daughter. Who had apparently, since the presence of this young man, come to know the difference boys and girls, and as a result, had her very first crush. With or without her knowledge. Although 'without' was more like it.

Once Erik entered, Gustave had seen that she no longer gave any attention to their conversation. Her jaw hung slightly and her eyes began to have a glazed far away look about them. All he could do was smile and wonder how despite it being so painfully obvious, it completely eluded both Erik and Christine.

"The bath is free." Erik walked over to her and he could have sworn he heard his daughter actually sigh. "Why don't you go on in. It would do good to clean out your cut thoroughly once your in there and rinse off some of that perspiration from the night before." It seemed all she was capable of doing was nod. Then as if in a trance and with hearts in her eyes, Christine walked out of the room down the hall. How did he do it, and unknowingly nonetheless? If Gustave had this kind of knowledge he knew marrying his wife would have been that much easier. This was going to be very interesting watching them grow up together.

Christine was completely puzzled about these new feelings that were beginning to develop in the pit of her stomach. As she lay in bed ready for sleep to take her, she pondered just what it all meant. Erik was her best friend, maybe these where how best friends felt. Never having a Best Friend before, it could be very possible, although it seemed like something more than just a friendly feeling. As sleep overcame her these questions went unanswered for the time being.

The moon was still out when she was woken up by Erik. "Christine, wake up. Your father went to get the horses. I have to bring you and Sasha to him. We have a long day ahead so step lively." When she was out of bed and after a once over of the room to be sure nothing would be forgotten, the trio left. Erik extended his arm as she made her way down the hall. Christine took it cheerfully and soon they were on their way.

A few hours later they decided to take a rest and enjoy a late lunch. Dismounting they laid the blankets on the ground under a large old tree, relaxed and took in the afternoon breeze. "I'll be back." Announced Christine. Walking around the edge of the woods gave her time to collect some flowers to bring back for papa, or maybe Erik would like them. She made her way to the thicker wooded areas and decided to use this alone time for a quick bathroom break. Drinking all that water earlier had finally caught up to her. She was just about done when she heard Erik's voice closer than she would have liked. "Christine! Where are you?" "Oh, no." She muttered to herself. Hurrying up and trying to 'finish' she stood and turned around quickly. Christine thought she would have happily welcomed death if he saw her like this. There stood Erik. She knew for a fact that at the tender young age of eight, she would just drop dead.

Erik called out to her. There was no answer from any direction. Perhaps she didn't feel well still and he kicked himself now for not accompanying her. Again he called out to her and was relieved when he noticed her squatting over the ground. He came closer to see what it was she was looking at, perhaps a bug or flower. Then he noticed the puddle beneath her feet as she rose. He wanted to run away and die, preferable in that order. Before he could do either she turned around and faced him. Her face was the brightest crimson he had ever seen. Yet he was sure his would have been even brighter if not for the mask. He closed his eyes and tried to explain. "I, Christine, I. Forgive me. I didn't see anything, really! I was just checking on you... Making sure you were ok, which you are... I." He wished he hadn't volunteered to go get her and let Gustave go instead. Her eyes welled up and she threw something at his feet while running frantically back to the picnic. "Here, these were for you!"

He looked at the ground and there lay a bouquet of flowers.

The quiet afternoon was shattered by a loud wailing noise. It turned out this noise came from his daughter. She ran up and embraced him. Her head buried in his chest. "Christine, what's wrong? Where is Erik?" At he sound of his name she seemed to sob even harder. Then Erik came out of the woods, shuffling his feet and his head down. "Erik, what happened?" When Gustave called him he looked up and walked in his direction slowly. He stayed a few feet away and explained.

"Well, Sir."

"Erik, please, you know you can call me Gustave. Now why is Christine crying?"

"Alright, Gustave, I went to find her as I told you I would, and I came across her, out there in the wood... And she ... Well, she... This isn't easy to say, you see she was..."

Suddenly she looked up at her father and yelled out. "He saw me peeing!" The sobbing and frantic breaths continued.

"I didn't actually see you pee! I didn't see anything, really!"

Christine detached herself from Gustave. "Really? Really! Oh, papa! It was horrible. Now I'll never be able to look at him again. He'll probably just remember me as pee pee girl!" Her father tried his best to hold in his laughter and failed miserably. Christine looked up as him along with Erik.

"I'm sorry, but it really is funny." They both gave him looks that convinced him they thought otherwise. "Look, let me tell you both about something that happened a long time ago. It's about your mother Christine." He guided her to sit down on the blanket. Erik followed and sat on the other side of Gustave. The both of them still unable to meet each other eye to eye. "You see, when I liked your mother and one day worked up enough courage to ask her if I could court her, do you know what happened? Well, that day when I called on her, she wasn't feeling very well and told me so before I asked her. Apparently a cold of some sort, but she insisted that I continue what it was I wanted to ask. After I asked her she was about to speak when all of a sudden she turned, grabbed the nearest waist basket and lost her lunch in it. I hoped it wasn't her reply, and after her little, um, vomiting fit, she was so embarrassed and said if I still wanted to court her despite all of this I could. So I turned to her and told her I'd be more than happy to hold the basket next time if she'd let me. We laughed and eventually forgot about it. You see, don't let something like this ruin your friendship. You just have to put this behind you and move on. Erik can you do that?"

"Gladly."

"Christine, what about you? Can you do that?"

"I'd want nothing more."

"Good. Let's pack up then and get going. I would like to be there by tomorrow night."

The rest of the day was uneventful, both Erik and Christine were more than pleased by this. They set up camp, ate, and slept till it was time to move on from where they were. If a bathroom trip was needed ,it was announced that they were going for a little walk and not to be followed. Soon it was a joke between the three and they were able to move on, though Erik and Christine both still wished it hadn't happened in the first place. After a while it seemed they made a silent agreement not to speak of it any longer, which was fine with the both of them. Finally they arrived. The sun was setting over the sea. Brilliant colors and magnificent shades painted the sky and were reflected off of the sea. There on the horizon, a small house sat on a hill, overlooking the sunset. They entered the house happy to be starting a new life together. Gustave, Christine, Erik and Sasha.
A/N: He he, I was in a silly mood when I did the second half of this chapter. I've noticed I tend to pick on Christine a lot. ; ) Oh well, review and let me know what you think! Until the next chapter - GP