Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Phantom of the Opera characters, only my own.

Chapter 22: Promise Me

Annabelle's eyelids felt heavy as she slipped out of the grip of sleep. There were hushed whispers in the room. A deeper voice drifted through the room. "…some rest. I assure you, she will be better by the morn."

"How could this happen?" Her father's tired voice responded.

"You're family is wealthy, and has a reputation to uphold. Enemies can surface from the most unlikely of areas. Have the authorities check the rest of your stocked food, and remove all remnants of tea from the house."

Orders from her father were quickly put into action. The shuffling sounds of feet scattered from the room.

"Lord Firestrom, I urge you to get some rest. I will wake you if anything changes."

"Yes. Yes, of course."

How late was it, for her father to sound that tired? Annabelle tried to move her hand. It felt like a heavy blanket was resting over her entire body. Her ears picked up the sound of the door clicking shut. Erik's boots clicked across the wooden floor.

The side of the bed dipped as it supported Erik's weight. She felt the callouses of his hand brush the hair off her face. Using whatever strength she had left through her body, she forced her eyes open. Erik leaned in closer.

"Don't force yourself to try and get up. You're body is still in shock."

Annabelle's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

He took her hand in his. "I need to leave for a few days."

With her free hand, she slowly signed: 'Why?'

"I promised to protect you, remember?" His thumb brushed over her knuckles. "I failed you. Therefore I need to regain my honor by killing the one who did this to you."

Very slowly, Annabelle managed to scoot her body back against the pillows to sit up. 'You'll kill her?'

"Her?" The dark creeping into his voice gave her the answer she needed.

'Yes. The one that threatened my life at the Opera.'

"It is the only way to stop her obsession, and keep you safe."

Annabelle looked down at her lap. 'When will you leave?'

"Once you are better."

'Will you promise me something?'

"Anything."

'Promise me you won't kill her.'

Erik stood up from the bed. "I cannot promise you that."

Her hands reached out to grip his wrist. He looked back to her. Annabelle's eyes were pleading. His hard gaze softened. 'Please.' she signed quickly. 'You can do whatever you want, but please, do not kill her.'

Erik sat back down at her side. "Why do you care what happens to her?"

'Because… I don't think she really is a bad person. She just has not accepted what has happened concerning you. Make her see, and she should leave you alone.'

He sighed, but took her hand and kissed the back of it. "As you wish, my lady."

Annabelle smiled sadly, and tugged on his hand. 'Will you stay with me tonight?'

"I will stay until you fall asleep." He stood, about to head for the nearby chair when he felt a tug at his shirt. Annabelle was shaking her head. He arched a brow. "No?"

She tugged harder, pulling him back to the bed's edge. With another pull, he fell over the side, catching himself before he fully landed on her body. "I see what you are trying to say," he murmured with a chuckle.

Annabelle scooted to the side as Erik kicked his boots off. He laid back on the pillows, tense like he usually was. She could feel the slight awkwardness of the situation. Her body shifted forward until she was pressed up against his side. His body tensed more. Annabelle began to retreat until he spoke.

"I'm not used to this."

'What do you mean?'

"This." He gestured to her and the bed.

'You just gestured to all of me.'

He laughed and rolled to face her. "I'm bad at explaining things." His face grew a bit more serious. "I grew up avoiding people. I'm not used to someone wanting to be near me for long periods of time. And if it was a long time, it was usually for beatings."

Annabelle tucked herself against his chest, an arm wrapped around his waist. She held even as he tensed in her grasp. She nuzzled his chest and breathed slowly, allowing him to relax at his own speed.

It felt like hours had gone by, but her tutor finally wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tighter against him. His body shook still. She tilted her face up and kissed him lightly. Erik reciprocated, running his hands down her back. The shaking began to subside. He rolled onto his back, keeping Annabelle tucked against his chest. She rested her head in the crook of his neck.

Erik continued to rub her back, lulling her to sleep. He stared up at the ceiling, feeling her ribs push against his stomach with every breath she took. He closed his eyes, memorizing the way her body fit against his. "Annabelle, you are a wonder," he said softly to the dark room.

Author's Note: Almost made it go in a different direction, but it's too soon for that. So, will Erik keep his promise? Or was it just to make Annabelle happy? We shall see.