Here's the new chap... I want to take a quick sec to thank everyone for reviews follows and favorites! Ok now read on my Lovelies

The day had come and gone with Erik deep in his thoughts as he sat in his study Christine waited for the right moment. Buttoning her cloak she looked behind her into the room from where she stood on the balcony. Once she knew it was clear she looked down into the Shah's gardens. It was a risk but a risk she was willing to take.

Christine knew this palace like the back of her hand. Always afraid of one day getting caught she studied blue prints and maps since she was old enough to make sense of them. If she cut through the gardens she would be able to find her way into a servant's hallway and get into the Harem and get Maya. If Nadir wouldn't find a way Christine would. Maya wanted her in Paris fine but she wasn't going there without her family.

She looked over the rail and spotted each place there was a guard, then she saw her opening. Christine jumped over the edge and dropped about two stories. As soon as her feet touched the ground she knew that she would be feeling that in the morning. She quickly went into the bushes so she wouldn't be seen. She had studied each guard for almost an hour and knew their routine very well. Quickly she flipped up her hood to blend into the night better she moved through the gardens quickly and carefully, but the one thing she didn't expect was Erik.

Erik had a good view of the gardens and at nights he loved looking out into the gardens just to see the peaceful beauty of it. But tonight he saw a little more beauty than expected and it wasn't peaceful at all. As she rushed through the gardens Erik rushed out the same way she did avoiding the guards and catching up to her as quickly as he could. Christine was half way there when Erik grabbed her from behind covering her mouth so she wouldn't scream dragging her into a blind spot in the gardens he knew of. Putting her on the ground and removing his hand once he knew she wouldn't scream. "What were you thinking?" he whispered angrily. "You could have been caught and killed."

"Well I wasn't was I." She whispered back annoyed. "Everything was just fine until you showed up." She scowled at him. Erik gave a little puff of annoyance and grabbed her arm pulling her up. He quickly escorted her to another secret entrance and back up to his apartment. Erik practically threw her into the room and shut the door. There was nothing but silence between the two for hours. They sat by the fire together Erik in one of the chairs and Christine on the sofa with her feet tucked in beneath her. Erik was reading one of his books and Christine just sat staring into the flames. Then she finally spoke up "Why do you care?"

Erik looked up from his book confused. "Excuse me?"

She sighed and looked at him with her innocent little eyes once again filled with fear and hope. "Why do you care? You could have just let me go tonight and I would have been out of your life forever. You wouldn't have to worry about protecting me anymore; you could focus on your design again. Why did you come for me?"

Erik set his book down and leaned forward. "There are not many things I have in common with people, but you and I both happen to share a thing or two."

"We do?" She asked looking confused.

He nodded "You see, we both have something that the Shah wants, and if I weren't doing what I was doing now I would be wanted too. The second thing is, we both hate him with a passion." He got a little smile from her along with a little laugh. "Then, there's the fact that we are both broken people." She smile was lost and she just stared at him. "There are some things that no one can change."

She shook her head. "You don't know how broken I am." She said looking to the floor then into the flames.

"That doesn't matter. At least I can see that you're broken. Unlike the others that only tear you down more." He said. She only looked at him from the corner of her eye. Erik stood and looked at her. "Have some things I need to get done before I retire. The bed is yours until I can figure something else out, I'll take the sofa." Still nothing from her but the stare from the corner of her eyes.

With that Erik turned his back and went to the door. "Thank you." He heard from behind him. Erik turned his head and gave a short nodded as reply. He left the room and went back into his office leaving Christine alone with her thoughts. Maybe she could trust him; maybe he could actually help her. She shook her head clearing those thoughts. What am I thinking?! He's just like the others. If I wait long enough he'll want to use me just like they did. But when he does, how I am to get away? I can't give into him I won't! If I sink that low I'm no better than any other street rat.

Another few hours passed and Christine was curled up under the blankets when Erik came back into the room. He looked at her with her back to him. He thought a moment on waking her and demanding that she answer his questions, but he decided against it. Erik went to a closet and pulled out an extra pillow and blanket. He tossed them on the sofa then went back to change into his pajama's. When he came back into the room he started setting up on the sofa. Having no idea that Christine had been awake the entire time she rolled over on her side and watched him. "Why haven't you done anything yet?" She asked.

He quickly turned "I, um, I thought you were asleep. I'm very sorry if I woke you."

She sat up in the bed. "You didn't answer my question. I'm weak here. I can't go anywhere; I can't do anything about it. Why haven't you done it yet?"

Erik sighed and looked to her. "I won't do it. Believe it or not Christine you can trust me. I don't know what other men have done,"

"They haven't." She said as he paused and looked at her. "Because I'm someone desperate for money and food, they automatically thought, she's a whore, a slut, a one time lover, whatever you want to call it. After awhile I thought why not use it to my advantage. Men would come to me telling me what they wanted. I would follow them to wherever, then I would take what I needed. I'm a virgin. I've never let a man touch me, and any who has even come close regrets it. I can promise you that one."

Erik looked at her somewhat amazed. "Why didn't they turn you in?"

"Like I said earlier today, I'm a very observant person, and a lot of times the things I find out people don't want them to be shared with the world. I keep those secrets, and use them to my advantage. I'm not a helpless little girl no matter what anyone thinks."

Erik walked over and sat on the side of the bed. "Then why not just dig something up on the Shah and use that? Gain your freedom."

She scoffed. "You don't think I've tried that. What people would believe a girl? A little street rat. I'm nothing in their eyes. I could just be another crazed person who says things about the Shah to cause a rebellion that won't ever happen. These people fear him and you far too much to do something like that. Like I said I'm nothing important. I'm just the girl who was almost his child."

Erik looked at her and shook his head. "No. No I don't believe that." She looked at him.

"You don't even know me. For all you know I could have lied to you since the moment I woke up. I might be able to trust you but how the hell do you know that you can trust me." Her act was back and Erik didn't like it.

"Because, I can see it. Yes, you are still a mystery to me, but I can tell that everything you have said to me today is true."

"How?" She demanded.

"Slip ups." She looked at him wide eyed. He gave a little smile. "You aren't the only one that catches them." He got up and went back to the sofa. As he settled he looked to Christine "Good night." He said.

"Good night." She said in a very small voice. What's the use in acting around him?! Why not just tell him everything and be done with it? No! I can't tell him. What on earth would he think of me? Why the Hell do I even care?! I've never cared about what anyone's thought of me. What's so different about this one? She argued with herself as she fell asleep. The last thought she had was the answer she hated, but it was the thought that won the argument. He actually cares and you know it.

Thoughts? What could Christine possibly have to tell Erik? Well I guess you guys will find out next time I post ... Now I shall run off laughing evilly ! Reviews are love remember that...