A/N: Wow, I haven't updated in ages, sorry about that, school consumes me to the max! But here I am now! With a new chapter! I really hope you enjoy! Please R/R! Thanks!

Gaining Strength:

Raoul woke, finding Meg's eyes glued to his. Her face was pale, but there was a trace of rosy color within her cheeks. Her hair was down and tangled, sweat moved down her forehead, and her eyes struggled to keep open. She lifted her hand gently and placed it on Raoul's, she grasped it, and looked at him painfully. A tear fell from her blue eyes as her hand became weaker, slowly letting go. Staring, Raoul sat there, looking deeply into her eyes, scared, worried. He lifted his free hand, running his fingers through her tangled hair, never losing eye contact.

Meg struggled to speak, but found it useless, as no words would leave her dry mouth.

"Are you all right love? It's okay, don't speak, I'm here, and I'm not going to leave your bedside." Raoul said kissing her frail hand, "I'll always be here, always and forever. And as soon as you get well again, we are going to have a wonderful wedding; it will be the talk of the town. Oh, it's going to be an extravagant wedding, you're going to love it, I can't wait." Raoul said smiling now, trying to turn his and Meg's mind off the situation. "Do you know Meg, that I really do love you? I love you so much. Your mother should be in soon to check on you, she's terribly worried about you, I told her that you are strong and that you are sure to make a quick recovery, she agrees. You're doing much better than yesterday, I won't lose you, I can't lose you…"

Raoul brought out his handkerchief and wiped the sweat from Meg's forehead, gently moving it across. Meg shuddered a bit at the touch, and then relaxed again. He finished and placed the handkerchief back inside his pocket. Raoul pulled a chair in the room, and sat on it, staring at Meg, where he fell into a dream.

Right after Raoul had fallen asleep Madame Giry walked into the room, with a tray of iced water. She walked to the table where she placed the tray gently down, and poured a glass of water, brining it with her to Meg's bedside.

"Drink my child, you need your liquids." Mme. Giry said painfully, giving Meg the water. Meg took in the water, drinking it slowly, her eyes opening as the cold pierced her, then it quickly went away as it had come. Mme. Giry smiled as Meg finished, "I'm glad you are able to drink, you look better, you are recovering, that is good news." She returned to the table where she set the glass down. Turning she caught Meg's eye, it made her stop in place, it made her stiff. She didn't know what to do, she didn't want to confront the demons within her, the pain she felt for her child's illness, she couldn't let Meg know of the pain she had inside, she feared it would only harm her and weaken her. But she couldn't help it; she stood there, emotions rushing through every inch of her body. Finally the tears came, and she began to weep. She ran to her daughter's beside, where she fell on her knees, grabbing Meg's arm, "My child, my child. How I love you!" Mme. Giry breathed in deeply, "It's alright now, it's perfectly alright, you're getting well, nothing to worry about…" And at that moment, everything that went out went back in, quickly, she rose, kissed Meg on the forehead, and made an exit, closing the door behind her.

Meg laid there, the room quiet; the only sounds were Raoul's heavy breathing. She moved her hand to her forehead, where she gently touched the spot her mother had kissed her on. She smiled, and then slowly turned to see Raoul, who was slouching in the chair. Meg knew she was getting better, but still, she feared, that the worse was yet to come. As a child Meg was ill like this before, on her deathbed, struggling for life. She thought it would never happen again, she hoped that it was just an accident that it happened. But now as the day goes on, in Meg's mind, she feels as if it's always going to haunt her, and that one day, it's going to happen again, but that time, when it happens, she won't recover, or if she does, there will be severe consequence.

When the attack happened as a child, Meg was on stage, just as it happened this time. Her mother was teaching her to dance; she was happy, energetic, and eager to learn. Mme. Giry told her to calm herself, that it isn't good to be overly excited. Of course Meg ignored her mother, she didn't care, she loved to dance. She would dance all day if she wanted to, prancing around on stage, twirling around, laughing madly with happiness. Finally, as the day progressed, Meg began to tire. She began to feel light-headed, not sure of what she was doing anymore, as if she had lost all control of her body. Then, in an instant, everything went black, as if a candle had went out, then, she fell. Limp, her body cold, spread out on the dirty floor, motionless. People rushed to her assistance, exclaiming to get a doctor, and the same treatment that happened this time, happened as a child as well. After a week of rest, Meg fully recovered, and was back at health. Despite the collapse, Meg still went back on stage, and began to dance again, and again. She never lost the will to dance, and she never will.

"Raoul…" Meg spoke softly, "Raoul?" Raoul made no response, her speech was too soft, "Raoul," Meg spoke again, this time more sternly, "Raoul, wake…" Raoul began to cough as he looked up to see Meg staring at him yet again, "Raoul, you're awake thank goodness." Meg said, softly again.

"Meg! Oh Meg! You're speaking! I'm so glad to hear your voice, I'm so glad." Raoul said gently grabbing her hands, kissing them. Suddenly, all the agony and stress that changed Raoul's way, was gone, and Raoul was back to normal.

"Madame Giry!" Raoul exclaimed, "Madame Giry! Come quick!"

Mme. Giry raced into the room, "What is it dear boy?" She said out of breath, "Is it Meg?" She asked again worriedly.

"No! Look, you see, she's better! She's better! She's talking! Oh! Thank goodness!" Raoul exclaimed again.

"Not so loud Raoul! She still needs her rest, a couple of days from now and she should be back to normal, but for now, she must rest." Mme. Giry finished, shushing him, then turning to Meg, and staring at her lovingly, "rest my child, recovery comes soon, rest and I shall see you in the morning, sweet dreams my angel." Mme. Giry finished dragging Raoul outside with her.

"Raoul you mustn't be too loud, she still is not her normal self, she still is very ill, but she is recovering. She will get better, but we must be patient, we shall leave her for a while, I want her to be able to rest fully, come downstairs with me, I shall prepare us lunch."

A/N: I hope you enjoyed it! I'll try to update sooner! Bye!