Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far! It's greatly appreciated.

Funnygirl: Ah, I see. And yes, there will be conflict coming up. Physical, verbal, the whole nine yards.

I woke up to a throbbing head, and I groaned in pain. Memories flashed in rapid succession, and I wondered that I was still alive. My hair was still damp, and I knew that it had been a few hours since I fell into the lake. I opened my eyes and found that I was in my room in the house by the lake. Erik saved me. At least that's what I presumed, since I was in his house. I sat up slowly, not sure how my body would react. I saw him, then, sitting in the opposite corner of the room, just like he had before.

"Erik," I murmured, and he looked up at me, the relief clear on his face.

"Christine," he said, coming to my side. "You're all right," he kissed my knuckles reverently and I smiled wearily at him.

"Thank you," I said hoarsely.

"I'm so sorry, Christine. I truly am. Can you ever forgive me?"

"Erik, you saved me. There is nothing to be sorry for," I said, stroking his hair. "Thank you," I said again.

Erik looked at me for a long while. "I heard you," he said solemnly. "I heard you calling my name. And I ran. I ran as I've never run before. I could see your outline on the lake, but I knew you couldn't see me because of the mist. I saw you fall…"

"But you came and got me," I said. "That's all that matters… Erik, what was bothering you last night?" I asked. He immediately stiffened.

"I don't want to talk about it, Christine," he said darkly. "I don't want to burden you." I sighed and shifted in my bed. I realized that I was in a nightgown. I blushed, knowing that Erik had undressed me. He always seemed to know exactly what I was thinking.

"I didn't want you to catch pneumonia," he growled. I started to glare at him.

"Erik Girard, if you're not going to tell me what's bothering you, despite my insistence, then you need to stop being so gloomy." His eyes flashed angrily.

"Fine, Christine, fine! I'll tell you! You drive me insane sometimes, woman! So much that I don't know what to do!" I bristled at his words. Perhaps I didn't want to know what was bothering him. I cleared my thoughts. No, I needed to hear this. I wasn't perfect. "And especially last night. Oh, mon dieu! I had to cope somehow! You looked perfect, Christine, and I couldn't stand it! I couldn't stand it!" He placed his head against the mattress, sighing and shaking his head. I was speechless. He was upset because I looked beautiful? It took me a little time to understand, but when I did, I felt horrible. Of course he had needs. But what could I say? Should I apologize for dressing the way I did? I didn't know how to react.

"Erik, I—I…" I stopped right where I was. Why should I say something if I didn't know what to say? What if I said something wrong? I shook my head. "It's not your fault," I said finally, hoping that that would help. I closed my eyes.

"But Erik does not deserve to feel good! And he feels terribly for neglecting Chrstine!" My eyes flew open at Erik's words. He was referring to himself in…third person? Why was he referring to himself in third person? I realized that he must revert to that when under great duress.

"Erik," I started stroking his hair again. "Everything will be all right." I felt like his mother, comforting him after he fell and scraped his knee. He looked up at me then.

"Oh, Christine," he said forlornly. "You are so merciful." I knew he needed me then—just as much as I needed him.

Yeah, I know it's a short chapter, but it seemed like a good place to end this one. I hope you enjoyed a semi-Lerouxy Erik chapter, haha. Please, please, please, please, please review. It makes my day and motivates me to write more. And I'm sorry that I'm not better at writing fluff. My sincerest apologies.