Authors Note: Happy Easter Everyone! Here is Chapter 14! I hope you like it. And thank you for your continuing support! ::munches on some easter candy:: Mmmmmmm candy. And Phantom of the Opera. What could be better?

Disclaimer: I OWN CARLEY~!  That's about it though. ::weeps::

Erin.

Carley dragged Erin up the first flight of stairs. Erik couldn't help wincing slightly as Erin's head smacked painfully against the wall and back into a lolling position against Carley's chest. Erik hesitated for a moment.

"Mlle are you sure you can do this?"
           "Oh.....yeah" Carley huffed. "Done it...before...." She paused gasping for breath. "Don't.... worry...It'll....knock some.....sense into her." She said tilting her head to indicate where Erin's head had hit the wall. Abruptly she heaved over to the side. "Just .... a moment..... then we'll continue." She laid Erin down for a moment and sucked in a breath. "Just a quick breather."

Carley closed her eyes for a moment as if to concentrate her energy together. Suddenly she felt arms lift her up and she opened them in surprise. Erik had drawn Erin up and slung her over his shoulder and proceeded to pick up Carley in a half support, half carrying fashion. He reached the top of the stairs and set her down, but continued to carry Erin to the bedroom. He laid her on a couch and turned to face her.

"I shall return shortly with a doctor if she does not awaken. In the meantime it should be just an after effect of the wine and she should come too." He said briskly. Carley gaped in amazement.

"You didn't have to do that...." She said hoarsely.

"Mlle, you will have to tell me where you have done that before." He said. She heard the smile in his voice. She smiled a little sadly at him.

"Sure... But it will need a couch, patient ears, and some tea because its a long story."

"As you wish." He said and disappeared.

Moments later he returned with two steaming cups and motioned for her to sit on the couch opposite of the one Erin was on. She hesitated, surprised at his earnest desire to listen to the story.

"Now we have a couch, two cups of tea, and two patient ears. I believe that is all you asked for. No?"

"You're right. That's all I asked of you." She smiled to herself. "Well... it all begins with her. My little sister, and my best friend~"

                    *                  *                  *

Erin had always been a rebellious child. She loved the night life more than anything and often went out until the early morning hours. Her sister Carley indeed had a sense of adventure, but liked her beauty sleep also. The biggest bond they shared was music. Although music brought them together, it sometimes drew them apart too. Erin often times went to loud, obnoxious parties. But she also loved the softer classical music too. She played the violin and the piano at times also. Sometimes she was the life of the parties by playing music. Then one day, she met a boy. Not just any boy. He was kind and, well drop dead handsome, if one must put it that way. He was nearly wonderful, respecting Erin's talent and beauty. She was "One of a kind" in his eyes. She brought him home to meet her family. Carley was thrilled for her sister. Erin had never had a real boyfriend and she was so happy for her. She truly liked the boy, if not for her older sister sense nagging in the back of her mind. She ignored it. "You're just jealous you can't have a catch like that," she told herself. When he walked in the front door, his blue-green eyes sparkled. "Wow, beauty must be a hereditary thing here." He said eyeing Carley. Carley smirked. "Yeah. Nice to meet you too. I'm Carley."

"How do you do? I'm Josh."

Eventually the two dated for quite a while. Moving away from their home to get out on their own made little difference. Josh moved into a nearby town about 30 minutes away, so he could stay close to his "sweetheart" Carley wasn't sure she liked this but, she ignored it again.

Erin's started a job at a nearby store. She earned money and Carley took a part time job that was close to home. She worked as a housecleaner. When she wasn't cleaning other people's homes she was cleaning up after Erin. Not that she minded much.

All in all they were living "the life". They had a stable income, A nice apartment, and Erin had a steady relationship. They lived off of music and work and loved their life. At least they did for a while. Erin then had an experience that ... changed her for a long time. Josh turned out to be the wolf in lambs clothing.

He tried to take advantage of her, and when she refused, he in a drunken rage had shattered her left hand. It had changed her. She  came to Carley in a shocked state. She was trance like as she brought her to the doctor and he operated on her hand. She was silent on the way home. At the apartment all of the days events caught up with her and with a sob she lost consciousness. Carley brought her up the stairs and into her room. For days she would not eat or drink anything. Carley would cry for nights outside her room, begging her to come out. She often heard Erin unlocking her violin case and locking it again, but never touching it or drawing it out~~

                             *                  *                  *

          "~And now...she can't play the violin or the piano as well as she used to...." Carley's eyes were shimmering, and not in 18th century Paris. Erik watched her carefully. She hadn't sipped her tea at all. "Or we don't know if she can.... She refuses to touch an instrument."  She sat there quietly deep  in thought. Erin, who was laying on her back, stirred slightly. Carley's attention turned towards her. She opened her eyes.

"Geez, that French wine really does something. I only had a sip and my head is splitting." She rubbed the spot where her head had hit the wall earlier. She turned her head to look at Carley. Carley hid a discreet smirk.

"Don't worry it'll pass. I'm sure you just drank a little more than you could handle." Carley smiled innocently. Erin scowled.

"More then likely you dragged me up the stairs and smacked my head again." Carley laughed at this.

"Actually I did. Sorry about that. But you do need to lay off of those creampuffs."

"What are you talking about? I don't even like creampuffs!" Erin stated. But she was sitting up now and in a tolerable mood. Carley got up and placed a pillow underneath Erin for support. Erik watched, fascinated. He had seen many types of people come to the opera house. Mostly couples. Sometimes, small business groups. Of course there had been some riotous, wild ones coming from a night of too much wine.  And there were the couples that sought dark corners. Although...never really a family, much less, sisters. These two intrigued him, and if nothing else kept him there with them, then that was definitely the reason.  Erik continued to watch Carley. An air of graceful caring surrounded her as she tended to Erin. He watched her every move. The way her blond hair rippled and swayed when she turned. And the way she laughed gently at Erin. Erik turned away, realizing he had been staring. He cleared his throat nonchalantly.

"Mlle's, I think it would be wise to retire to our beds. Mlle Erin, should you need anything, talk to Mlle Carley and she will fetch me. I, will retire to my room to leave you some privacy. Goodnight."

Carley watched him go with a faint smile on her lips. Such an astounding man. I hope we never are separated Erik. You are really an Angel.