Love of a Stranger

Ob1MegOb1

Author's Note: Thank you once again to all the people who continue to read this story! And yes the lyrics I use in this chapter are not my own…I couldn't help but use them after hearing them on the TV show…if you recognize them then kudos to you

Chapter 27

Don't Let Go

(Jasmine)

It had been a week since the events at the lake, and we had settled into a very, dare I say it, quiet lifestyle since then. My poor brother was still weak and had to spend most of his time in bed. It frustrated him beyond hell, and I didn't blame him. I remember what it was like when I got scarlet fever and my days of confinement. Those dark days had been ones I didn't care to remember…and yet as I saw my brother in this state I kept thinking about it more and more. How alone I had felt during that time…and that I didn't want him to have to go through this alone.

(Erik)

"She's been awfully thoughtful the past few days," I said sitting across from William in his room. The boy was so weak he had been there for most of the last week. He was using all his energy just to have this talk with him right now.

"I think this whole ordeal with me is striking a chord," William said softly. "I think its reminding her of when she got sick. I think she's worried because well, quite honestly, that period was a rough time for her. To be so young when she lost her eyesight…and all she had back then was mother and father. And she barely had them." He looked down gripping his hands, "I don't want her to be so concerned but knowing her…"

"She has every right to be concerned William," I muttered softly, "You all have lost so much family already," I was quiet for a moment. "She just doesn't want you to have to wander in the dark like she did. To be scared…"

"I'm not scared of dying," William said quickly.

"Truly?" I said eyebrow raised, "Even if you are not…she is scared, Rebecca is-"

"You too?" he said sarcastically.

"I'm worried," I said just as quickly, "for all of you."

(Jasmine)

I was laying on the bed resting when I softly heard the soft tones leaking up from downstairs. I smiled sadly to myself, thinking how he hadn' t touched the piano since Elizabeth's death. This time though the song wasn't sad. There was a small bit of hopefulness this time that had been absent before.

I got up heading downstairs and heading to the room where the music was coming from. It was still playing strong as I walked into the room. I just stood there leaning against the wall my eyes closed as the song began to fade away, the final notes beautiful. As the song came to a close I didn't even hear him come to me until I felt his warm breath against my neck.

I smiled laughing softly, "That tickles you know."

He gently kissed the small of my neck and muttered, "Good." He gently wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me in a little closer. "So I see got you to emerge at last."

I leaned back confused, "Emerge?"

"You've been hiding out in your room," he muttered softly.

I sighed, "Yeah I guess I have." I didn't like admitting that, but unfortunately it was true.

"Do you need to talk?" he asked simply.

I smiled simply, "Not right now. Its too early in the day for such serious talking."

He was quiet for a moment befoe saying, "Alright I guess that will work for now. Besides," he said whispering in my ear, "I can think of a much better use for our time."

I turned in his direction eyebrow raised, "Seriously?"

"Why not?" he whispered back. And quite honestly I didn't want to deny him but I was also…I don't know out of it I guess was the best word. I could feel his touch soften on my cheek. I could imagine his supportive but disappointed smile right now.

"You sure you don't want to talk?" he asked again.

"Look at you," I said teasingly, "the man who was scared to talk."

"Jasmine," he said irritably.

She laughed softly, "Actually there is something you can keep doing," I said sitting down beside him. "You can keep playing this piano and help me relax."

"Fine," he said with an eager reluctantness, "this isn't over though."

"I'm sure," I muttered back.

(Erik)

Even though I wanted to push the matter further I knew better then to try and fight her. She put her head on my shoulder and let out a small sigh. "I'm waiting," she said smiling.

I rolled my eyes but finally started playing. As I played this song I noticed her tenseness disappeared and she became more relaxed. We sat there in silence for a while. Nothing but the sound of the piano echoing in the room.

"What is this?" she asked softly, "this song I mean."

I sighed, "Its one of my songs."

"Which one?" she asked again.

I took a deep breath before answering, "My song for you." There was a very long pause after I said that. For a moment she seemed to stop breathing.

"My song?" she said disbelievingly, "I already have a song?"

I laughed softly, "you've always had a song. I've heard your melody loud and clear since the moment I met you."

She just sat there bemused at the words coming out of my mouth. "I don't know what to say," she said softly.

I smiled, "You don't have to say anything. All you have to do is listen. Because this also has words I need you hear." I gently placed my fingers on the piano and began to play. And then finally I spoke words I had never thought I would say.

The first time I loved forever

Was when you whispered my name

And I knew at once you loved me

For the me of who I am

She was quiet as she listened, but I could see her eyes were intense and focused. Her hand was gripping my shoulder out of passion or some other emotion I couldn't tell. But it wasn't gripping me like a vice so I knew that had to be some kind of sign.

The first time I loved forever

I cast all else aside

And I bid my heart to follow

Be there no more need to hide

Her face was still unreadable as I continued.

And if wishes and dreams

Are merely for children

And if love's a tale for fools

I'll live the dream with you

Then her face changed. Her features softened and she put her hand to her mouth. I saw something change in her eyes. I wasn't sure what to think but as I sang the last verse, I felt something change.

For all my life and forever

There's a truth I'll always know

When my world divides and shatters

Your love is where I'll go

And as I played the last few notes she turned from her back the only thing I could see. My god, I thought to myself I had gone too far. I went to put my hand on her shoulder, and when I did she grabbed my hand, ran her hand up my arm to my neck and pulled me in. With luck she land her mouth on top of my mine. I was taken aback by too many things to react really, but she smiled as we separated.

"You truly are amazing," she muttered. "If that is my song then it truly is. Because never have I heard my thoughts echoed so clearly."

I chuckled, "Yeah well its supposed to be my thoughts about you, you know."

"Well then we both are meant to be," she muttered, "because if I had the same talents as you. I would have written the exact same thing." She leaned in and this time I met her halfway so she didn't have to guess. She started to push me against the piano a few notes escaping from her hands and my elbows.

"I'm sorry," I said smiling, "but I have to insist…not on the piano."

"Are you serious?" she muttered teasingly.

"Sorry but I work on this instrument," I said smugly.

"Hmm what will we do then?"

"Oh my dear," I said smugly picking her up in my arms, "that is easily fixed."

(Jasmine)

I woke up smiling…or I'm sure it looked that way if I could see. I put my hand on the other side of the bed and my smile disappeared for a second. He wasn't there. But there was a stem and petals, I lifted the rose to my face smiling.

I headed downstairs carrying the rose in hand. I could smell breakfast cooking in the kitchen. I smiled as I came in, "Well I must say you are full of surprises this morning."

I heard him chuckle but as I heard his footsteps turn towards me suddenly everything went still. "What?" I asked concerned, "What is it?"

He rushed forward grabbing the rose, "Where did you get this?"

"What do you mean?" I asked, "You left it for me didn't you?"

"No I didn't," his voice said concerned.

"Then who did?" I said my heart racing. If he hadn't left it somebody had been in the room….and then I thought about it. There was only one person who had done this to me before. And there was only one person it could be.

TBC

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