A/N: I thought I would post another chapter. I didn't think you would mind. ^-^ Enjoy!


Chapter Twenty-nine

What Morning Brings

Gradually Darcey had stopped shaking and had started to regain a normal body temperature. Erik had stayed awake for a couple hours until she stopped shaking. He now lay awake though she was still asleep. He combed his fingers through her tangled hair, thinking about the events of the previous night. She had come to him again. Even though he had broken their friendship, she had still come to him rather than to someone else. His fingers reached a tangle and he used both hands to carefully work it out so that he didn't pull her hair. It was getting wavy now and he liked the feel of his fingers running through the locks of her hair. It was still in the early hours of the morning but he had a feeling she would wake up soon. He wondered if she would be embarrassed to find herself in the arms of him shirtless. He blushed slightly at the thought. This was perfectly acceptable. She was freezing and he had warmed her up. Nothing wrong with that. He knew that society would have frown upon this and would have forced them to marry immediately. He wouldn't have minded. Too bad they didn't know. He chuckled lightly, causing Darcey to stir. He froze and she settled back down. He began to breathe easily again. He felt a pain in his heart that it wouldn't always be like this. Waking up with the one you love in your arms creates an indescribable feeling. He wished it would never end.

All too soon, Darcey started to stir. The first sound she heard was of Erik's heartbeat. She realized she was still in Erik's room, in his arms. She blushed at the feel of his bare chest. She felt his fingers in her hair and she slowly looked up at him, lifting her head off of his chest. "Hello," he said softly, a smile on his face. She was still embarrassed and couldn't find her voice. She tried to sit up but he prevented her. "Shh. It's alright." She settled back down despite her embarrassment. She didn't really want to leave the safety and warmth of his arms. "Let's just enjoy this moment while it lasts."

She was surprised at that. He was enjoying their embrace? Sure he hadn't wanted to let her go but that could be for another reason. She rested her head on his chest and listened to the rhythm of his heart as it beat consistently under her ear. "Mmm..." She could get used to waking up like this. She blushed furiously at the thought and was glad he couldn't see her face. He started combing his fingers through her hair again but then his fingers moved to her back and to the light scars that were partially exposed. As he started tracing the light, white lines, she finally found her voice. "Thank you. I was so cold and exhausted and I don't know why but I felt like coming here. I promised myself I would be gone before you woke up. I'm sorry I woke you."

"Shh... It's alright. I didn't mind. I'm just glad you are warm now." His fingers stopped on her back. "Will you ever tell me how you got these scars?"

"Will you ever allow me to see you without your mask?" He was silent at her question but soon she felt his fingers moving again.

"Some day. Not today. I don't want to ruin this moment," he whispered.

She whispered a reply back. "You wouldn't ruin it. There is nothing you can hide that would change my opinion of you. Maybe I'll tell you my story someday. It's not pretty and you might not see me the same afterwards. I wish I didn't have to remember what happened. It was horrible." They were silent, Darcey listening to his heart in an attempt to calm her mind and forget the pain in the past. After a few minutes she was able to push the thoughts away.

"I don't think anything could make me think badly of you. As much as I hate to do this, how about we make a deal?"

"Hmm?" Darcey had gotten lost in thought, his even breaths and heartbeats taking a calming effect on her.

"When I let you take off my mask, will you tell me what happened?" Her heart started beating faster. He had said when, not if meaning he would eventually allow her to do it. She thought about his offer for a second.

"If you allow me to take off your mask, I will tell my story," she answered softly and carefully. She hadn't told anyone what had happened. It would be hard to tell it but then again, allowing her to see him without his mask had to be hard as well. She sighed and went back to listening to his heart. She could feel the firm muscles of his chest under her cheek and his waist under her arm. She knew she was blushing but she couldn't help but notice how strong he was. It was then that she fully understood the situation they were in. She was dressed in only her nightgown while he was only half dressed. Society would have been scandalized had this had happened before her parents had died. They would have marched Darcey and Erik off to the closest church and had them married immediately. She sighed. She may like him very much but she did not want him to be forced to marry her. He didn't feel that way about her so it would only be a source of torture for them both.

"What is wrong?"

She laughed nervously. "I was just thinking how scandalous this would look." She felt his chuckle deep in his chest.

"Society would have a nervous break down, wouldn't they?" She made a sound of agreement and instantly relaxed. She knew he wasn't always like this but she decided to enjoy this side of Erik. She knew she should leave soon but couldn't bring herself to move. "I'm sorry, Darcey," he said suddenly, confusing her for a second. "I've been cruel. I apologize."

She could hear the emotion in his voice and the catch in his breath. "It's alright. Don't worry about it. All is forgiven." He took a deep breath before relaxing slightly. "I forgive you. It's in the past now." They were both quiet for a long time. Darcey lost in thought about what she wished she could put where is belonged in the past. She was afraid it might haunt her for the rest of her life.