Can't believe we're already at chapter 12! My other fan fiction that I started a year ago isn't even this far! Anyway I hope you are all enjoying this story as much as I am! Not much more to say except *Disclaimer* all characters are owned by ALW & Gaston Leroux. The OC is mine. On with the story!

Annabelle had drifted off to sleep in Erik's lap with her head on his shoulder. When he noticed she had fallen asleep he decided to read instead of moving and waking her up. He decided to pick up the Hunchback of Notre Dame, the same book that Annabelle read when she first landed there. 7 months. It's been 7 months since Annabelle landed in his home and started helping him. He continued to read until he heard a distant male voice calling his name. He groaned, cursing himself since he knew who was coming. He decided to let him find him because he still didn't want to wake up Annabelle. Soon enough the voice got closer and then the person walked through the door and into the library. Nadir saw Annabelle on his lap and was about to say something but Erik put his finger up to his mouth.

"Yes Daroga?" Erik whispered.

Nadir walked closer and sat at the armchair across from him. He hadn't said anything as he was observing Erik and Annabelle.

"What happened?" Nadir asked quietly. Both him and Erik were mindful to Annabelle sleeping.

"She had a breakdown."

"I see. And what caused this breakdown?" Nadir asked.

"I did." Erik said shamefully.

"How?"

"I said something really horrible and it brought back what happened the night Buquet was killed."

"Didn't you kill Buquet?"

"No, Annabelle did."

Nadir's eyes tripled in size.

"It's not what you think, it was out of self defense." Erik said quickly

"What happened to the extent to where she had to kill somebody to protect herself?"

"He was going to rape her Daroga. I found him just in time before any damage was done. I had put the noose over his head and started to kill him myself. But he hit me in the stomach, which knocked me down, and he went after Annabelle. She quickly moved out of the way and he was on the edge so he turned around and she kicked him, which knocked him over the edge. The end of the noose caught on to the railing, which hung him from the rafters. She was horrified; you should have seen her face. But I was too late, what Buquet had almost done to her brought back some painful memories from her childhood. Now she's been having nightmares these past 6 months. They have gone down in this past month, but I hear her screams at night and I come in and sing her back to sleep." Erik said

Nadir said nothing in return. He was too shocked to say a single word.

"Everyone thinks you killed Buquet Erik!" Nadir shouted quietly.

"I know Daroga. Be quiet, she needs to sleep. I would rather everyone think that I killed him instead of her. It would raise a lot of questions. No one knows she is here except you and me. Hell, she hasn't even left this damn lair except for 2 performances. People would look for her and-"

"They would take her?" Nadir interrupted.

"Yes and who knows what they would do to her." Erik said defeated.

"Knowing her, she would put up a hell of a fight." Nadir said smirking.

Erik scoffed in amusement.

"Yes she would." Erik said.

"For the first time Erik, I think that someone is actually safer staying down here with you instead of being up there. She doesn't know anything about this time or how to act. She is safe and well monitored here." Nadir said.

"Thank you Daroga. But she takes care of herself, like no woman in this time does. It's admirable." Erik said, looking at the woman asleep on his lap.

"Is that why you're drawn to her and care for her? Because she doesn't need you? Because she takes care of you?" Nadir asked.

"Think what you want, she's helping me win Christine over from that boy that Christine thinks she's in love with." Erik said, dismissing Nadir.

"Like how you think you're in love with Christine?"

"What was that Daroga?"

"Oh nothing Erik." Nadir said, dismissing Erik back.

Both men said nothing in return.

"Is she going to the Masquerade tonight?" Nadir asked.

"Yes, I will keep a close eye on her." Erik said.

"Did she ask you to go?"

"More like begged me to go. We worked up a plan on what will happen tonight." Erik said.

"I see. Will people be skeptical about who she is?" Nadir asked.

"I think people will wonder who she is since no one will recognize her. Since no one knows her."

"What if she catches the eye of a possible suitor?"

"She doesn't believe in love Daroga. She hates the idea of it. If it happens, I think she will turn them away. But it's up to her, I won't hold her back from being happy."

"Do you want her to stay with you and Christine?"

"Of course I do Daroga. But knowing her, she will want to leave because it won't feel right for her. I don't even know how she will get back home, if she can even go back home." Erik said now looking at Annabelle's sleeping figure.

Nadir said nothing in return.

"Why are you here?" Erik asked Nadir.

"I came to attend the Masquerade tonight."

"And why are you attending the Masquerade?"

"To keep any eye on you of course. But I think Annabelle will have that covered." Nadir said.

Erik laughed in return.

The two men had nothing more to talk about. So Nadir went back up to the surface to get ready for the Masquerade that evening. Erik continued reading for a few hours, careful not to wake up Annabelle. At around 3 o clock he felt Annabelle stirring in his lap. He looked down at her and was met with Annabelle's brown orbs.

"What time is it?" She asked, still not moving from Erik's lap.

"Around 3 in the afternoon."

"When did I go to sleep?"

"10 in the morning."

"I've been in your lap for 5 hours?"

"Yes."

"You could have moved me to the bedroom you know?"

"I could have, but I felt it was best if I didn't disturb you. So I let you sleep on my lap."

"Did I do anything?"

"No, you seemed to be sleeping peacefully."

"That's good. I didn't have any nightmares."

"Nadir came today."

"Oh goodness, he saw our situation didn't he?"

"Nadir was shocked to say the least. But soon he forgot you were here and we started talking.

As soon as Erik had finished talking, the pair heard Annabelle's stomach growling.

"Looks like you're hungry. Come" Erik said and held out his hand.

Annabelle looked up at him and soon took his hand. Erik led her to the kitchen and pulled out a chair for her.

"I'll make us a meal before the Masquerade tonight." Erik said.

Annabelle simply sat at the table and watched Erik cook dinner. Erik decided to make some steak and potatoes before they left. Erik seasoned the steaks and placed them on the skillet to cook. He turned around to Annabelle.

"How do you like your steak?"

"Medium rare."

With that simple answer, Erik continued cooking the steaks until they were done. He also took out the peeled potatoes out of the boiling water in the pot. Once the steaks were done, he placed them on separate plates and also placed the potatoes on the plates. He brought Annabelle's plate to her and he placed his plate in front of his chair. Erik then sat down across from Annabelle where his plate was. The two ate their meals while they talked. They didn't talk about anything important but just small talk. By the time they were done with their meals, it was 4 o clock. But when they were done, they continued to talk and get to know each other a little more. They lost track of time talking and soon it got close to get ready for the Masquerade.

"So, you were chased by monkeys when you were little? And you ran around screaming because you thought they were going to eat you?" Erik said laughing with tears coming down his eyes.

"Hey! It's not funny, that's a terrifying event for a 5 year old!" Annabelle said with tears streaming down her face as well.

"What happened when you found your mother?" Erik asked. His laughter had turned into small chuckles.

"I found my mom and my dad and my dad picked me up and shooed the monkeys away. I was still crying over the whole ordeal!" Annabelle said with small giggles.

"Looks like your dad was a hero." Erik stated.

"Was. That's the key word there, was." Annabelle said.

"You said you had some good memories of your father?" Erik questioned

"That's one of the only ones I actually remember. My mom told me about most of them. But, I don't want to talk about him." Annabelle said, changing the subject.

"What time is it?" Annabelle asked

"It is a little after 5." Erik said.

"A little after 5?! Erik! I need to get ready!" Annabelle exclaimed, quickly getting up.

"Hold on Annabelle. First I have to show you something. Follow me." Erik said.

He then started walking in the direction of his room. He stopped right before his door and turned around.

"Wait here." He told her.

Erik slipped through the door. Annabelle stood at the very spot were Erik told her to until he came out. She heard doors opening and closing, footsteps, and rustling of fabric. He soon came out with a white bag that had a zipper in the front. He held it in front of him with the zipper facing Annabelle.

"Open it." Erik said motioning to the zipper.

Annabelle slowly opened the bag, anticipating what was inside. Once she fully opened the bag, she gasped in amazement.

"Erik." She breathed.

Inside the bag was gorgeous masquerade dress. The underskirt was a rich blue color and the overskirt had fabric like shimmering water and sea foam. The dress was studded with iridescent crystals. It had off the shoulder sleeves that were white. It had a matching white mask that had the crystals dangling from the mask on the left side. The mask only covered the area around Annabelle's eyes. The dress had corresponding white gloves that went above the elbow. Since Erik knew about Annabelle's height issues, he included blue flats with iridescent crystals to match the dress.

"Oh my god Erik. You got this for me?" Annabelle asked breathless.

"I did." Erik replied.

"When? How? Erik it's beautiful." Annabelle.

"Well 3 months ago, when I told you I had to go run some errands, I actually went to Madame Giry's office and I told her to get this dress made. I had it sketched it out to the very last thread. Every month after that I checked in with her to see how it was coming. Then that day when you got upset that I wouldn't let you get a dress, I had actually picked it up. I had to act like I was being protective of you so that I could keep it a secret." Erik said.

"Wow Erik. That's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you." Annabelle said.

She then went in and hugged Erik and Erik hugged her back. They pulled away and Erik handed her the dress.

"You better go get ready. The masquerade starts soon." Erik said.

Annabelle then took the dress and ran to her room to get ready.

Annabelle put the dress down gently on her bed. She walked over to where her mirror was stared at her reflection. After a few minutes of planning of what she wanted to do, she got to work. She started on her hair and decided to leave it down. She created a small braid on both sides of her head starting from above her ear that went around the backside of her head. It created a braided headband look with 2 braids. She had curled the ends of her hair the night before, so it created loose waves. She then got started on her makeup. She created a smokey eye look on her eyes that used a variety of blues that matched her dress. She then winged her eyeliner slightly and she also applied mascara. She put a light pink natural color on her lips. She then applied foundation and didn't bother with blush since she could never apply it correctly. She then went on to put on her dress. She didn't bother with a corset since she didn't see the point in putting one on, especially a woman of her size. She put on the dress delicately; worrying that one little move could destroy it. Once the dress was on, she put on the gloves as well. She then carefully put on the mask; she tucked the string under her braids so that it wasn't visible. Once everything was put into place, she slipped on her shoes and went off to find Erik. Annabelle left her room and went into the organ room to find Erik pacing back and forth. She stood back and observed him. He was clenching and unclenching his fists in a nervous manner. She decided to make herself known so she walked into the organ room and waited until he saw her. After he made his second way back, he stopped immediately when he saw Annabelle. His jaw nearly dropped to the floor and he couldn't stop staring at her. The dress complimented her in all the right places, her make up accentuated her face perfectly, and her hair cascaded down her back beautifully. The mask framed her face and blended in with the whole dress. She looked absolutely beautiful; all thoughts of Christine had quickly vanished and had been replaced with thoughts of Annabelle. Annabelle, not used to this kind of attention looked around her and at her dress.

"What are you staring at? Is there something wrong?" Annabelle asked, still looking around.

Erik walked towards her, still in amazement at how she looked.

"No, you look amazing Annabelle. No woman tonight will look as exceptional as you look." Erik said.

"Except Christine of course." Annabelle added.

"Oh right, yes." Erik said, thinking about if Christine could really pass up Annabelle's beauty.

Did he really mean what he said? Would Christine really look as beautiful as Annabelle tonight? Annabelle quickly snapped him out of his thoughts.

"You ready?" Annabelle asked.

"What?" Erik replied, not hearing what she had said.

"Are you ready to go? It's a quarter till 8." Annabelle said.

"Oh yes, of course. Let's go." Erik said.

The pair took the passage that led to the main staircase of the Opera Populaire. This was the beginning of a very interesting night.

Well that's it for Chapter 12! The next chapter will be the actual Masquerade and I'm so excited! If anybody is interested in knowing what Annabelle's dress looks like, here is the link. I tried my best to describe it. search?q=1800%27s+masquerade+ball+gowns&safe=strict&espv=2&biw=1204&bih=682&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwis3eGmwujKAhUKOCYKHdLVCYAQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=EZAt0Vx7UlozYM%3A

Here are the shoes, just imagine the background matches the underskirt of the dress.

search?q=1800%27s+flats&safe=strict&espv=2&biw=1209&bih=437&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjfiO6h6-jKAhWDSiYKHX22DIkQ_AUIBygC#safe=strict&tbm=isch&q=iridescent+crystal+flats&imgrc=P20pOE3lNUlv-M%3A

I felt like the dress fits her perfectly. Anyway, see you in the next one!

-S