Wow, Chapter 10 already! I feel like I just started this story! Thank you to everyone who reviewed the past chapter, it really means a lot to me. So, remember to review and enjoy!

Erik

I heard the splash. I couldn't see the dock yet but I could hear the shriek that no doubt belonged to her. I started to row the boat quickly towards the landing where she was supposed to be waiting for me. When I could finally see the dock, I didn't see her.

My eyes desperately searched the edge of the water, hoping that I would see her. Nothing. I looked down into the water but it was no help, there was no way to see through to the bottom, it was far too murky. I remained very still, hoping to get some glimpse of where she was. Suddenly a group of bubbles rose to the surface of the water. Without a second thought I jumped from my boat and into the water and began to swim towards the area where I saw the bubbles.

I reached the spot and I dove down, submerging my whole body under the water. I opened my eyes, attempting to see where she was. The water was brown and stung my eyes but I paid to attention to the pain; I needed to find her. Suddenly I saw a figure, a few yards away from me, thrashing around wildly. The figure stopped moving and become still. I raced over to her hoping desperately that I wasn't too late.

I came up behind her and grabbed her by the waist and began to pull her to the surface. When we reached the surface she immediately began coughing, then she went silent. I swam furiously to the shore. When we were finally were in shallow enough water, I stood to my feet and pulled her into my arms. When I reached the land I laid her down on her back.

Her eyes were closed. She wasn't breathing. I panicked for a moment before I began to push down repeatedly on her chest, trying to get her to breathe again, she needed to breathe again. After a few more pushes she began to cough, spitting up water as she did. I quickly helped her sit up so she could cough up the rest of the water that was filling her lungs. When she was done coughing she lied back down and closed her eyes.

I sighed in relief. She wasn't conscious, but she was breathing. I carefully picked her up and began to bring her to my home.

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I carefully set her down on the couch in the center of the room. She had regained consciousness but was shivering too hard to talk. I handed her a small towel and some dry clothes. They would be a bit large for her but they would have to work for the time being. They had been intended for someone a little bigger than her a few years ago…

"Get out of those wet clothes." I said quickly, trying to interrupt my own thoughts. "Put these on."

"T-t-thank you." She managed to stutter out. She took the clothes into her hand and I turned to leave the room so she could change.

I paced across the floor, trying to clear my mind of all the thoughts that had filled my head the past few minutes.

What if I hadn't gotten there in time? What if I had been just a few minutes later? I would have lost her for sure.

In the short time that I had with her I had, against all belief that it could ever happen, began to care for this young girl. When we had first begun our lessons she was a bit quiet but I soon learned that it was not because she was shy, but because she wanted to listen. She wanted to learn. And she was a quick learner, she absorbed everything that I told her and perfected it almost immediately.

I had also learned that she was kind. I learned this not just from our lessons, but from watching her throughout the day while she lived her life in the theater. From the way she helped a set builder after he had dropped a bucket of nails all over the hall to the way that she happily put up with the Little Giry's constant chatter over pointless topics. She was never cross with anyone.

She was devoted. No matter how many times I would make her repeat the same scales she wouldn't complain, though I could see the frustration growing in her large eyes after a few times. Not only did she try her hardest at my lessons, but after talking with Madame Giry the night before, I learned that she was improving in her dancing at an amazing rate.

I had grown fond of her. I didn't know what I would have done if she had died today. Of course it would have been my fault; I was the one who let her go alone. I should have been with her, to protect her.

I heard her soft footsteps coming up behind me. I turned around to face her. She was wearing the clothing I had given her. Her hair was still wet but at least she had stopped shivering.

"How are you feeling?" I asked.

"I am fine." She answered. She looked down at the floor. "Are you tired of having to save me yet?" she joked quietly.

I smiled at her. "Almost." I joked back. I made my voice more serious, attempting to make her understand. "Mary-Alice, you must be more careful. You were lucky this time. And the last time. But one of these days I won't be there to save you. And what happens then?" I asked, not really wanting an answer.

She looked up from the floor and her big green eyes looked directly into mine. "I'm sorry Monsieur. I will try and be more careful." She said, her voice shaking a bit. I had not meant to upset her.

"All is forgiven." I said as I walked towards her. As I got closer I could see she was still shaking a bit from the cold, though not nearly as violently as before. I walked over to a wardrobe I had on the far wall of one of the rooms. I took out a small blanket and handed it to her.

"Thank you." She said quietly as she took it and wrapped it around her shoulders.

"Come over here." I said as I walked over to my small kitchen-like area. It could hardly be called a kitchen; it had only a table, two chairs and a few cupboards with a bit of food in them. I took out a cup and got a kettle that had been sitting over a fire. I poured the water into the glass and added a few tea leaves. I handed it to her.

"Drink this." I instructed. "It will help you warm up." She nodded to me as she took the cup in her hands and began to sip it. She drank slowly at first but after it had cooled down a bit she began to drink it quicker, obviously enjoying the warmth.

"Thank you Monsieur." She said as she set down the cup onto the table. "For everything." She added. I smiled at her.

"Should we start our lesson now?" she asked me. I let out a small laugh.

"Eager aren't we?" I teased. "If you feel well enough, of course we may start our lesson. Though I'm afraid we will not have as much time as usually. We have used up about half of our lesson time and Madame Giry gave me specific instructions not to make you late for bed as you need your rest." She nodded and then looked at me questioningly.

"You talked to Madame Giry? she asked. I nodded.

"Yes. She is an old friend of mine." I answered simply.

"How old? How long have you known her?"

"Since I first came to this opera house."

"And how long is that?" I laughed a bit.

"A bit curios are we? Well, that is a story for another day my young student. Now, did you want to start our lesson or do you wish to continue asking me questions that are not likely to be answered?" I asked her.

"We can start" she answered quickly as she scampered over to her usual place next to my organ. I laughed quietly at her sudden change in focus. I walked to my organ and sat down on the bench next to where she was already standing, ready to begin.

"Alright, let's start with the B minor scale." I instructed. She groaned quietly but quickly became silent when I looked up at her.

"Don't worry, we will start a song when you are ready." I told her.

"And when do you think that will be?" she questioned, obviously growing impatient. I was quickly learning that she didn't have much patience with anything tedious.

"Well, I am not sure of the exact date." I said sarcastically. She scowled at me. I laughed. "Soon." I assured her. She gave a small smile.

"Let us begin then." I said as I began to play the organ and waited for her to start singing the scale.

So how did you like it? So, as thanks for all of the wonderful reviews I have been getting I have decided to give you an extra chapter! Enjoy!