Here is chapter 8! This is the chapter with the time jump, which is why the last chapter was so short. Here is a link to Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D minor" you HAVE to listen to the whole thing in order to fully understand this chapter and what the characters are talking about.

watch?v=ho9rZjlsyYY

I promise it's not horrible and you have probably heard of it before. Anyway, *Disclaimer* all characters are owned by ALW. The OC is mine. On with the story!

It had been 6 months since Christine's betrayal and Annabelle's confession. During this time Erik and Annabelle became very close. They looked out for each other, Erik made sure that Annabelle didn't get hurt and taught her more self-defense skills. He was surprised when she knew most of them; he had to learn the hard way. Erik even started calling her mon belle as a nickname. It signified how close they were. During this time, Nadir stopped by every once in a while to make sure Annabelle was still alive and that she was taking care of Erik and herself. Nadir never stayed more than 2 days since he had to get home himself and work. Annabelle also helped brainstorm more ideas to get Christine to love Erik and accept him. But most of the time, Erik would spend day and night composing his opera. Annabelle had to make sure he ate and drank, she sometimes had to force feed him. Annabelle also had to feed and water Caesar since Erik would get so caught up in the music and forget about him. It was now a week before the New Years masquerade ball, Erik and Annabelle gave each other small gifts for Christmas since Erik never celebrated and didn't know what to give her. Annabelle made him a leather binder for his opera and Erik gave her a cloak since Paris was now deep into winter. Annabelle was now sitting in the library reading another book by the fireplace on the couch. She had a small blanket draped over her and her legs were tucked underneath her. Erik came in and sat on the armchair across from her.

"Ah, the Hunchback of Notre Dame. A fine choice." Erik said.

"I just started and I am liking it so far. What do you need?" She asked.

"I just came to tell you that I need to go above to get some things and that I will be back in 1 hour." He said.

"Ok, can you get some steak, potatoes, and vegetables while you're up there as well?" She asked.

"Of course, would you like anything else?" He replied.

"No thank you." She said.

"Ok, I will be back in 1 hour. Please don't hurt yourself or go above looking for me. I shan't be long." He said.

"Funny how when I first got here, you locked me in a room because you were worried I would run away or break something." She laughed.

"I still worry about you breaking something, but you at least have some common sense." He said also laughing.

She then shooed him away to go run his errands. Erik got up out of the chair and left the room. He took the boat across the lake and went to go above ground. Annabelle stayed in her spot for around 45 minutes but then became bored of her book. So she put a piece of paper where she left off and went to the organ room. She looked around at some of Erik's things. Anything that wasn't in plain sight, she didn't look at. She did not want to experience his bad side again. She looked around for 5 minutes until she came across the organ. She sat down at the bench and played one key. She listened to the glorious and beautiful sound that the organ played.

"Let's see if I remember." She said to herself.

She then played a quick verse she remembered. As if a switch flipped on in her head, she restarted and started playing Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor". The dark and haunting melody had always attracted her. Her fingers glided delicately and flawlessly across the organ's keyboard. Hitting every note and rhythm perfectly. She soon got lost in the music and began pouring her heart and soul into playing the piece perfectly and in the right tempo. What she didn't realize was that she had a 1-person audience in the background. Erik had finished his errands early and came back to his underground home. Upon entering, Erik heard a dark, complicated, and beautiful melody. He tied the boat to shore and walked over near the organ. He saw Annabelle playing the organ with flawless technique and hand position. He listened to her perform and heard that each note was played effortlessly and perfectly. He waited for her to mess up expecting it would happen soon, but it never did. He thought about stopping her when he walked in because he doesn't like anyone touching or messing with his organ. But when he heard the song being played, he knew he had to listen to it. He had never heard this piece of music before but he hoped she would keep playing, and she did. She never heard him enter; she thought he was still running errands. She kept playing for 9 minutes until the song ended. Once she hit the last note, she flew her head back in great victory. She then heard slow clapping behind her. She turned around and saw Erik clapping. She quickly got off the bench and started messing with her hands in a nervous manner.

"Erik. I'm sorry I didn't mean to, it's just that-I-I-I didn't-I thought you were gone and-" She stuttered but was soon interrupted.

"That was beautiful. I have never seen anyone play so perfectly and effortlessly." He said.

"Thank you." She said shyly.

"Who is the composer?" He asked.

"Bach, it's his Toccata and Fugue in D minor." She said now looking at him.

"I see, I am not quite familiar with that piece. Who taught you to play?" He asked.

"I did. I bought a book that had the keys and notes labeled on it and also the basics of time, tempo, and other things like that." She said.

"How long did it take you to master that piece?" He asked.

"That's the first time I have played through it perfectly. I stopped playing 2 years ago since I had to focus on my studies. I practiced for years but could never play through it without messing up." She admitted.

"I am impressed, and no one hardly impresses me. Any other talents you would like to tell me?" He asked amused.

"I used to play clarinet pretty well and I also play piano." She said.

"I see. I may have a clarinet down here somewhere." He said.

"Oh no Erik, I can't. I am years out of practice, more than the organ and the piano. I don't think I can remember." She said.

"Yet you played the organ perfectly." Erik said.

"Yes but I practiced that piece and the organ for years. I didn't play the clarinet that long, I'd probably end up squeaking and I can't hit the high notes as I used to. My embouchure isn't as strong. " She said hoping he would drop it.

"I think I might have one in my room, I'll be back." Erik said, turning around and heading to his room to retrieve the clarinet.

"Oh Erik." She said putting her head in her hands. "He is setting me up for embarrassment." She said laughing.

Erik then came back into the organ room with a clarinet case in his hand. He then handed it to Annabelle.

"Here, I want to hear you play." He said.

Annabelle took the clarinet and opened it. She saw a perfect clarinet, a lot nicer than the one she used to play.

"Oh Erik. I can't possibly play this. This is too nice for my amateur playing, at best." She said.

"Nonsense. I don't use it; think of it as a second Christmas gift. Put it together and play." He replied firmly.

She then sat down on the bench and put the clarinet together delicately, afraid she would break it. Once it was together, she put the reed on the mouthpiece and tightened it.

"I'm warning you now that this may be awful." She said.

"Just play! For God's sake Anna!" He exclaimed.

"Ok, ok." Annabelle said.

She then put the mouthpiece into her mouth and played an open G. (AN: A open G on clarinet is where no fingers are pressed on the keys) After many years of not playing or practicing clarinet, her G was in tune. Annabelle took the clarinet out of her mouth and observed it.

"Holy mother of God. This plays beautifully." She said.

Erik then nodded at her to continue. Annabelle put the mouthpiece into her mouth and started playing scales as she remembered them. To her surprise, her fingers and mouth seemed to know what to do, because she couldn't even process what was going on. Her tonguing was sharp and accurate and she took breaths at the correct times. Once she finished her scales she took the mouthpiece out of her mouth and looked at Erik expectantly.

"Soooo?" She asked.

"Perfect technique. Your scales were played through flawlessly. It sounded as though you have been playing for years." He said.

"Wow, really? I thought that you would've said it was ok." She said.

"There is not a lot to improve on that can't fixed within a few weeks. Your embouchure just needs to regain it's strength." He said.

"Oh, well thank you." She replied.

"Do you know of any melodies you could play?" He asked.

"Only one, but it's very hard and complex. I haven't played it in forever. I don't even know if I remember the whole thing." She admitted.

"Well go on." He pushed her.

"Ok ok." She said.

She played the first note of "Flight of the Bumblebee". She her fingers started at an impossibly fast pace, and her tongue was right there keeping up with her fingers. Erik stared at her in amazement. He was trying to watch her playing but all he could watch was her mind and soul being poured into the music. The song came to a abrupt end and he looked over at Annabelle. She was bent over panting with the clarinet still in her hand. He bent over with her to see her face.

"Are you ok?" He asked frantically.

"Yes. I'm fine, just a little out of practice. My hands cramped up and I ran out of breath." She said still panting. She tried to stand up straight but wobbled a little.

"You are not fine." Erik insisted.

Erik took the clarinet gently from her hands and took it apart. He then put it in the case and put it on the ground. He put his hand on her back and helped her stand up straight.

"Erik I'm fine. Just a little light headed." She reassured him.

"When was the last time you ate?" He asked.

"I don't know. Yesterday? The day before?" She asked.

"You need food. Come, I'll make you something to eat." He told her.

"Are you sure you can work a stove?" She asked.

"Mon belle, why would I have a stove if I didn't know how to use it?" He asked.

"Just asking, I've never seen you cook." She replied

"Because you are the one who cooks." He replied with a smirk

Erik then helped Annabelle into the kitchen. He led her over to the table and chairs in the kitchen and helped her sit down. He then went over to the food and picked and chose different foods to put into his meal. He then bent over the counter and started cutting the vegetables. Annabelle watched him in amazement, she couldn't keep her eyes away

I'm so in love with him. She thought.

Her head then popped up realizing what she thought. She looked over at Erik to make sure she didn't say it out loud. Erik paid no attention to her, so she knew she didn't say it out loud.

Wait, where did that come from? I do not love Erik. There's no way, I can't. Love is for fools, I will not let myself go through that heartbreak. I'm just thankful, yeah, that's what it is, thankfulness and admiration. NOT love. Those feelings are not love; I will not get in his way to happiness with Christine or be heartbroken like I was.

She snapped out of her thoughts to see Erik staring at her.

"Are you ok? Are you lightheaded again?" He asked.

"No Erik, not anymore. I just got into deep thought." She said.

"Oh, so that's what that was. No wonder I saw smoke coming out of your ears." He said with a smirk.

"Haha. Very funny." She mocked.

He then turned back around to finish cooking. He cooked for 5 more minutes until he brought a bowl to her. She looked in it and saw that it was beef stew. Not realizing how hungry she was, she immediately started eating. Erik then went back to the counter to grab another bowl and he sat across from her. He began eating as well.

"Why have you not been eating?" He asked.

"I don't know. I guess from feeding Caesar, feeding you, and trying to keep this place just a little clean. I guess I just forgot to feed myself." She said.

"I'm sorry." He said.

"What are you apologizing for? You don't need to." She insisted.

"No, I do. If I actually took care of myself and my things, then you wouldn't be starving yourself for others." He said frustrated.

"No, Erik. It isn't your fault, don't you dare think it's ever your fault. It's just not me taking care of myself like I should be. I'm sorry for scaring you, I should've been feeding myself and taking care of myself." She said.

"Anna, the man in the household should be taking care of the woman, not the other way around. I got so caught up with writing and composing my opera, that I forgot about everything around me." He admitted.

"Erik, I knew that was going to happen. After what happened on the roof, I knew you were going to distract yourself with something for a while. I knew I was going to have to be the one to force-feed you, feed Caesar, and clean a little. It's ok, honestly. I'm eating now and I feel better. I promise I'll take care of myself better." She said looking him straight in the eyes

"And I promise to look after you and not let you starve yourself." He said laughing.

"Are we married now?" She said sarcastically and then uncontrollably laughing.

Erik then joined her laughing. They sounded like a married couple reading their vows to each other. They laughed until a pair of footsteps appeared in the room. They both looked up and saw Nadir with his hands crossed above his chest with an amused look on his face.

"What's so funny?" He asked.

Erik and Annabelle then started laughing again realizing that they probably looked stupid laughing at nothing. But they were at least being stupid together.

That's it for Chapter 8! I hope you all enjoyed it! And uh oh, looks Annabelle maybe growing some feelings for Erik, but she doesn't want to admit it ;) See you all in the next one!

-S

Future me typing! I am getting so behind on writing ya'll, by chapter 10 I planned on having 11-15 done. I just got done with 11 yesterday, so I don't know how long you guys are going to wait for chapters after chapter 10. I'll let you all know in the next one on how things are going.