SOOoooo sorry I haven't updated. My grandfather is very ill and my mom had to go take care of him, and she took the laptop with her. So sorry.

Anyhoo, I will try to make it up here. It might be a few days until my next update. I'm sorry, but thanks for the reviews! (btw, It's late and I' rushing this so this chapter might actually be a bit sloppy. I will clean it up when I have the laptop back)

Once again sorry, and, ENJOY!


Phantom POV

I returned to Gabriella promptly as she began to stir. I had the bottle in hand, and the minute she opened her eyes I was going to have to put her under again. As much as I really didn't want to, I knew she was in no condition for explanation on why and how she had gotten here. And even so, I had important business to attend and I couldn't leave her awake in my lair to wonder. She might get into one of my traps.

She took a deep breath before opening her eyes. She was still going to be a bit weak, and I took this to my advantage as I gently propped her up and gave her more of the liquid. She drank it, probably not even realizing it. She was back asleep within a few moments. Carefully I backed off and left her alone. I stood and thought a moment before going over to my boat and jumping in casually. I grabbed my pole and began making my way towards Madame Giry.

The boat bumped into the shore and I got out and tied the boat down. It was late, and I knew Meg and the other ballerinas would be asleep, so Madame would be alone. Quietly I went to her door and knocked. She answered and let me in, not saying a word. When the door was closed and we were alone she looked at me "Where's Gabriella. I know you took her Erik" she said sternly, like she thought I was some sort of child.

I dipped my head "I did indeed take her Madame, please forgive me. She had a breakdown this morning when I tried to talk to her, so I simply put her to bed for some rest" I told her. She sat down and looked up "Are you going to bring her back?" she asked me, I sat down on a couch near her "Her little friend, Lizzy was it?", Madame nodded and I continued "Is she alright?" I asked. She sighed "She had several broken ribs and a broken arm. It's been two months though, so in a week or so she shall be returning" she informed me "Why does that concern you?".

"Mademoiselle Gabriella is in no state to return to her work right now. I shall keep her in my lair for one week until her little friend returns. I feel if they are reunited that she may settle down back to her old self" I told her, I had been thinking of this plan for a couple weeks now. I wouldn't mind keeping her, it would give me time to persuade her to sing, and I secretly longed for the company.

Madame Giry seems to think this over, they had just finished a performance, so the next one wouldn't be anytime soon. Gabriella missing one week would not hurt her "You won't harm her will you?" Madame asked. I shook my head like a little boy, I just wanted her to say yes. Finally she stood "Alright, keep her and try to get her to relax. And try not to get over excited, I don't want you frightening her" she said. I stood and followed her to the door "I'll stay calm" I assured her before slipping silently out "Thank You" I whispered before heading back to my boat.

I poled my way back towards my home, I was rushing slightly. The last thing Gabriella needed was to wake up in a strange place all by herself. I reached the shore and jumped out. Carefully I put the pole against the wall and tied the boat before heading up towards my bedroom. I passed my organ, it seemed to call for me to sit and play a few notes, but I fought the urge and went into my bedroom.

Walking in there, I realized how, girly my bed really was. I didn't know why I just liked the swan bed, it was different. I sat in the bed next to her and waited, but it wasn't a long wait before her eyes flickered and her big brown eyes locked with mine "Why did you bring me down here?" she asked groggily. I smiled slightly "You're staying here with me for a week so you can rest" I told her. She blinked at me, but seemed to accept the fact without question.

I stood up "Do you need anything?" I asked. She shook her head "Just let me sleep" she told me softly. I turned and left her, and she drifted off to sleep.


"Can I have some paper? And a Pencil?" Gabriella asked me. She'd slept all day yesterday, and a good part of this morning. She'd been up for a good hour or so, before she'd come to me with her simple request.

I handed her a pad of paper and a pencil. She took it gently and went over to the corner and sat down. She began drawing, I couldn't see what from my organ, but she kept looking up at me. Curiously, I stood and went over to her "What are you drawing?" I asked her. She looked up at me "Just go back to playing on your organ. When I'm done I'll show you" she said. "It's not me I hope" I told her as I began to walk slowly back to my organ, I heard her laugh "I can't draw people, only horses. So you don't have to worry about that" she said. I sat at my organ and began to work on an opera, Don Juan Triumphant. It was still a work in progress, but I was proud of it.

Hours went by, she was locked into her work, and I was locked into mine. Finally I stood up "Are you hungry" I asked. She nodded "I'm almost done" she told me "You go ahead and set it and I'll be there in a moment", she seemed to say it as if I was her father calling her for supper. I smiled slightly at the thought, to have a loving family would be bliss.

I set out some bread, I really didn't have much. But I had noticed Gabriella never really ate anything so I hoped she wouldn't mind. She stood up and handed the pad to me "It's finished, and it's for you" she told me. I looked down on the paper and studied it closely.

It was perfectly drawn, every detail was exactly perfect. It was of a pegasus, he was beautiful with large, intelligent eyes. His eyes were flipped forward and he stood regally, and yet, his wings were no so perfect. They were tattered and ripped, useless for flight "It's you" she told me softly. She took her pencil and carefully drew a halo over the stallion's head "You are an angel, it's just that you're wings are broken. But in time they'll mend, and when you can finally go to join the other angels, they'll accept you openly" she explained.

I felt a tear tears spring to my eyes, it was so beautiful, and what was more, that she thought a monster like myself, was really an angel. I looked at her "Thank You" I said kindly. She smiled "You're welcome" she replied.


(Back to Normal)

Gabriella and Phantom talked a lot the next two days. He found out a lot about her, about where she'd lived, what she had done and her many adventures riding her horses through meadows and forests. When Gabriella was asleep, Phantom would sneak up to the Chapel to teach Christine. He looked forward to seeing her, and as he taught her, he thought of how he could get Gabriella to sing for him.

On the 3rd day of Gabriella's stay she woke up, surprised to see the Phantom was not there. She searched but it didn't take long to confirm, she was alone. She shrugged and went to her pad and began to draw, he'd probably went somewhere. When a few hours passed and he didn't return, she stood and decided to search for him. She waded through the water, and then swan through the tunnels, he'd taken the boat.

She made it to shore and carefully scanned the walls for a secret passage. She found one and carefully slid into it. There was a torch on the wall, she took it and began making her way forward. She jumped startled as some rats crossed her path, but she continued forward. Suddenly she heard something and peaked around the corner. There stood her Phantom, limping along slower than a snail. With each step he made a muffled little yelp.

Unafraid, she walked up to him "What happened?" she asked. He looked up at her and sighed "I think I sprained my ankle badly. I'm not used to coming down to the chapel and I tripped over a ledge when I was leaving" he admitted. She leaned against him, but he was too heavy "Wait! I'll get my horse Cesar, and We can get you back down to the lair" she said. He told her how to get to the stables and back from her position, and she rushed to the stables to get Cesar.

The black stallion nickered happily as she entered the stall and saddled him "Alright Cesar, get ready. We're going in a bit of a tight space" she told him. He nudged her shoulder in understanding. Quickly she grabbed his reins and led him into the tunnel. THe stallion snorted reluctantly and slowly, began to move forward. He jumped nervously as some of the rats, but as the pair continued down into the tunnels, he settled down.

The all powerful Phantom was sitting where she'd left him. He struggled to his feet and hopped over to the stallion. The black beast moved uneasily as the Phantom swung his way ungracefully into the saddle. He winced before he settled in the saddled. Gabriella stroked Cesar's neck before leading him down into the tunnels.

The stallion seemed to relax as the tunnels widened. They were getting closer to the lake, and it occurred to her that she would be unable to get him into the boat, they'd all have to swim. They paused at the edge of the lake, before Gabriella started leading them in. The water was very cold, colder than she remembered. The Phantom gripped the stallion's mane tightly as they wet deeper into the water. Soon Gabriella was swimming, and Cesar's head and neck were the only thing's above water "My saddle's gonna be ruined" Gabriella moaned sadly.

Finally they made it back to the lair. The stallion leapt to the shore and stood, dripping wet. Carefully, Gabriella helped the Phantom off her stallion and he leaned on her as they made their way to his bedroom "You're gonna do as I say and let me take care of you" she said firmly, almost through gritted teeth. He looked at her in surprise, but didn't reject. She laid him down on his bed "You go ice down here?" she asked.

She got some ice, and a pillow and went to the Phantom's bedside again. He looked at her, his eyes burning with cold fire, why had he been so stupid and fallen down? She grabbed his injured ankle and he roared in pain. She stepped back and looked at him "Quiet!" she yelled at him harshly "I swear if you so much as make another sound, move, or touch me in any way, I'll slap you so hard that mask'll fly all the way to China!".

He stared at her in disbelief, how dare she speak to him like that! She propped up his ankle and put ice on it before going out. He saw her get a rope and put it on her horse before leading the stallion back out into the lake. She didn't return for a good hour or so, but when she returned she said nothing to him, just stormed over to the desk and began drawing quietly. He looked over at her "Why are you angry with me?" he asked.

She stood and looked at him "Why were you going to see Christine? Going into tunnels you never used and getting hurt?" she snapped back at him. His eyes narrowed "Don't you speak to me like that" he roared. She stormed over to him and ripped his mask off without thinking. He sat straight up and snatched his mask back. He tried to hit her, but she evaded him easily "If I wasn't injured you'd be dead" he said coldly. She turned her back on him and went back to the desk.

The room was dead silent for a long time, before he heard her quiet sobs. She stood up and flung herself on him "I'm sorry!" she cried "I didn't mean to be so disrespectful. I'll do whatever you wish of me. I don't know why I snapped like that" she sobbed into his chest. He knew why she snapped, her mind was too unstable, and when he left her alone she'd panicked, and when she'd found him injured she'd been frightened. How she managed to stay calm during all that was a mystery to him, but now she'd snapped.

Gently he stroked her hair and began lulling her with his velvety voice. She began to quiet down, and soon had fallen asleep on him. He sighed and lay still, the feeling on a woman, well a girl, lying in bed with him was nearly overwhelming. He wanted more than anything to get up and go to his organ to play, but he knew that he'd be better off staying in bed. He sighed and closed his eyes, carefully slipped his arms around her waist, and she sighed. Well, at least they could be happy together for one moment.


He had to stay in his bed the entire day. He thought he would surely go mad, but Gabriella kept him entertained as best as she could. First, she drew a couple pictures for him, of cute little ponies and mighty pegasus. After a few drawing she played some games with him. She proved to be very good a poker, much to his dismay. When he began to get frustrated after losing yet another game she decided to do something else.

She danced a couple routines, and he corrected her on a few things. She was already a good dancer, but there were a few little things he corrected her on. Finally he made his request "Will you sing for me?" he asked. She stopped dancing and stared at him "Sing?" she asked. He nodded "Sing what?" she asked. He told her to go over to his organ, and take whatever piece of music caught her eyes. But she was NOT to touch the Don Juan Triumphant.

After a few minutes she finally returned with the aria for Hannibal. "Sing it" he ordered. She picked up the sheet music and began to sing "Think of me, Think of me Fondly when we're said goodbye". Her voice was soft, and unused. But he could hear the promising talent, she could be a great singer. Finally she finished her song and she looked at him "You happy now?" she asked. He thought "Well yes, but you still have a long way to go".

And that was how it began. The next day, he hobbled over to his organ and played, teaching Gabriella to sing. He kept her going all day, only stopping to rest her voice and get her some water. By the end of the week, she could sing the aria to perfection.

She hugged him as he led her back to the dormitories "Aren't you gonna miss me?" she asked. "No, we'll keep in touch. Write me a letter and put it under your pillow in the morning, and when you return at night I shall answer you" he told her. They reached the dormitories, Madame Giry would be waiting for her. "Come down here" Gabriella said softly. He lowered his head so they were looking each other in the eyes. She leaned in and kissed the good side of his face "Thanks for Everything" she told him. She hugged him one more, gave him another kiss, before going out into the dormitories to greet the other ballerinas.

He stood, dumbfounded. She'd kissed him, she'd hugged him, she touched him. Did she love him? He wondered, and he felt a strange feeling welling up inside his chest. Maybe, just maybe, he loved her too.