Hello readers!

I'm sicker than I thought I was last week, but last night I managed to sleep 7 hours without coughing, which is good, though I don't feel really rested... I'm doing my best to stay in a good mood, so it helps get me through this. lol. I really hate being sick, especially when I was supposed to have a whole week off school and had plans... It will have to wait until the next days off I guess. :(

Okay here's is your chapter, it's kind of a beginning to a new plot. In hope you will enjoy yourselves,

Kaya

Chapter 21

Without an ounce of hesitation, Erik brought Catherine back to the house by the lake. There was no way he was taking her back to De Chagny, not in the state she was in. He wanted her to feel safe when she wakes up and he needed to be there once she did. She needed him, more than ever.

Gently, Erik laid her on his bed, covering her with many blankets in an attempt to lessen her shivers. She was terribly cold to the touch, but he knew her shivering was not only caused by the outside chill, but by the terrible shock of being attacked by the man who killed her family. He hoped she would not develop a fever, or a pneumonia…or a depression. Whatever would come out of this, Erik was ready to fight for her, with her.

Catherine's eyes fluttered open and it seemed to take her a moment before she realized she was back in the Phantom's home. Erik was caressing her face and hair gently, smiling down at her. She could only stare at her angel tired, veiled eyes.

-"I have to leave you for a few moments." He whispered softly. "Do not be afraid, I won't be long and you are safe here."

Closing her eyes once more, Catherine fell back asleep. Erik wondered if she heard him at all, so he decided to write her a note, just in case she would wake while he was gone. It explained to her where he was going and when he thought he would return. Once the task was done, Erik left the lair promptly, heading to l'Avenue des Peupliers.

Madame Giry was desperately trying to find some sleep. She was horribly worried. First, after Catherine was taken by the policemen, she was unable to find Erik and then Raoul came back with some upsetting news. When he arrived to the police station with his lawyers, there was no trace of her niece. And the strangest thing was that no one ever heard about that particular investigation. Nor had they ever heard about any of their gendarme name Brassard. Something was terribly wrong…

Elizabeth was shaken from her worried thoughts when there was some violent pounding knocks at the front door. She hurriedly put a green wool shawl on her shoulders and grabbed her cane, just in case. Carefully, she made her way down to the ground floor, trying not to trip in the darkness. More knocks were pounded upon her door and fear gripped at her heart tightly.

-"Open to me, Lizzie." Erik's voice said from beyond the yellow wood panel

The fear did not dim, but changed drastically. Quickly, Elizabeth opened to her old friend, only to see him sweating profusely, out of breath and a bag on his shoulder. Something had happened to her niece, it was the only reason why he would come to her in the middle of the night, looking so upset. Her throat tightened painfully, she could not utter a single word.

-"You must come with me." The Phantom declared

She did not ask any question, she knew he would give her the answer she was seeking soon enough. She went to change clothes and quickly joined Erik outside. On their way to the old opera house, he explained to her about what happened. It all made sense to her now why these men looked so suspect and why they never arrived at the police station. Her niece was almost killed that night and the pain it caused Madame Giry to even think about what she almost lost was unbearable. Silent tears fell from her cold eyes as she thanked God for protecting her niece by sending her Erik. Now she only hoped Catherine would not stay permanently marked by those terrible events. Only time would tell, she guessed.

The Phantom leaded his friend through some new paths leading to his underground home. Those were shortcuts he just designed, but he told her never to take them on her own. Elizabeth had no intention to disobey his wise advices. They arrived soon enough and Madame Giry, though tired by an eventful and emotional day, ran to the bedroom. Erik chose to wait at the small table in the alcove where Christine's wax mannequin used to be. He knew his friend needed some time alone with her niece, if only to assure herself that she was alright.

Elizabeth grew pale when she saw Catherine's bruised face. She was still fast asleep, but one could tell she was having nightmares from the groans leaving her parted lips from time to time. Madame Giry took Catherine's hand in hers, trying to comfort her even though she was unconscious. She felt so guilty for not doing anything when these men took her niece away. She tried to tell herself that she could have done nothing to prevent what happened, but it was no use, she felt terrible. She should have guessed something was not normal. At least, Erik was there and eh saved Catherine's life, that thought comforted her and she would be forever grateful.

Hours later, the young woman woke with a heart breaking cry, tears spilling from her wide, frightened brown eyes. Madame Giry took her in her arms, rocking her as a mother would her child. She was murmuring soothing words in her ear and, though it took a long moment, it managed to calm her niece.

Catherine looked into her aunt's eyes, grateful for her presence, but remained silent. When she was calm enough, Elizabeth helped her niece to undress and wash a bit with the help of the basin by the bed, before dressing into a nightgown Erik had brought her. Apparently he had made a stop to the De Chagny's before finding Madame Giry… That explained the bag he was carrying… She did not approve, but she was glad he had thought about bringing some of her niece's stuff.

When Catherine was changed and tucked back safely into the phoenix shaped bed, she asked her aunt if she could see Erik. Elizabeth gave her a smile, glad she was speaking to her, nodded and immediately went to find him. She was relieved, somehow, because she had feared what happened tonight would bring Catherine back into her old mute state. Again, she thanked the Heaven for this.

As she came out of the bedroom, Madame Giry saw her friend sitting on the lake shore, staring at the water, his fists and jaw tight with repressed anger. She sighed, knowing what her niece's death would have meant for him. It might have been even deeper a sorrow than what she would have felt herself. Feeling her approach, Erik turned to her, rising on his feet gracefully, though tiredly.

-"How is she?" He asked as calmly as he could, truly concerned

-"She is awake and asking for you." Elizabeth answered tiredly. "I will leave her with you tonight. Take good care of her, my dear friend. Now I have to go and explain everything that happened to monsieur le vicomte."

Erik nodded. He was glad to be given permission to keep Catherine in his home, but uncomfortable that De Chagny would be told about her being with him… He could only hope the viscount would not come with an army of gendarmes to take Catherine from him… He dared hope the boy had enough sense to understand that the young woman needed to be with him at the moment.

-"She needs you, Erik, not her old aunt who does not seem to understand her." Elizabeth smiled sadly." You're the only one to whom she had ever opened up. She trusts you…"

She almost said that her niece did not only trust him, but loved him also. Yet, she knew it was not her place to say. She wondered if they revealed their feelings toward each other… Erik looked away as a soft smiled was drawn to his lips. It was almost dawn and Elizabeth chose that time to leave. As soon as she was gone, Erik returned to Catherine's side.

Sitting beside her on the bed, Erik took her hand as their eyes met. No words were spoken. Catherine wanted to thank him, but she could not find words strong enough to express how grateful she truly was. He seemed to understand what her silence meant and he smiled kindly at her as he put his warm hand to her face, wiping the tears she did not realize had escaped her tired eyes.

-"Sleep now, my dearest. It is late." Erik whispered tenderly

-"W-will you…s-stay with me?" She asked, sounding almost childish

-"I won't be far." He murmured, placing yet another kiss to her forehead. "You are safe."

Closing her eyes, somehow reassured by his presence, Catherine held tightly on his hand as she fell back asleep. Erik waited until he was sure she would not wake and only then did he begin to nurse her injuries, humming at the same time to make sure she would not wake up. He tenderly rubbed some of his homemade ointment into her bruises so they would heal faster, then cleaned and dressed the cut on her neck. The cut was not too deep, it would hardly leave any mark. With his care, she would mend in a matter of days. He hoped though it would be the same for her spirit.

-"I will take care of you, my love, always." He murmured, though he knew she could not hear him