Fit Chapter 20.

Authors Note:: Greetings loyal reviewers!  Chapter 20 up and chapter 21 following close behind. So sorry that I am so b ehind! I just went up to my fellow authors house for a week and we did some writing together. And heres a sneak peek at whats coming next! The closer we get to the ending the closer we get to alternate endings! Be warned, when I post the end of this I post the alternate scenes too. It is what happens when sugar, late nights and computers are combined. They are absolutely ridiculous, so don't be offended. I am gonna stop babbling now so you can read.

~Miss Taken

Michael took each one of the steps up to the second floor with haste. He could not wait to see Carley. The way her golden hair fell over her shoulders, the way her beautiful blue eyes glistened in dawn's first light. He knew that he loved her. He had no doubts. Michael had been working the last few days on trying to ask her if she felt the same. Although, Michael had been keeping a very close eye on her, he never could tell just what she was thinking. Her thoughts and actions seemed very sporadic, yet planed out to the smallest detail. She was odd, indeed, but the seed of love grew in his heart.

As he rounded the corner, a thought jumped into his head. Who is that man that my dear Carley is traveling with? Is he Carley's lover? God I hope I'm wrong! Slowly, Michael opened the door to Carley's room and saw Erin sleeping in her bed. He took a few steps in and realized that Carley was sleeping in the chair. The breath that was with Michael when he walked into the room had now left him.

"Oh, sweet. How now my love." He spoke, remembering the words of a play he had read by some Shakespeak or Shookspear fellow, he could never remember the name. Everything in the room disappeared when he saw Carley. He hoped now, more than ever, that she loved him back. For now Michael realized that he could not live with out her. He would weep for days if she even showed a bit of sadness, he would fly if she laughed, and die if she turned him down.

"Mademoiselle? Dear mademoiselle? Time for you to wake." Carley groaned and rubbed her eyes.

"What time is it?"

"About eight o'clock. Time to wake."

"Yeah, I know."

"It's very clear to me that its none of my business but," Michael paused and searched for the words. "why is you sister sleeping in your bed?"

"Hum?" Michael pointed over to Erin on the bed. Everything from early that morning had come back with a rush. "Oh, um…. Rough night."

"I see. Well, never the less, breakfast is ready."

"Okay. Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me."

"You are very welcome." Michael walked out of the room.

Carley stood up and stretched her arms and legs out. Her gaze fell upon Erin. She was sleeping on her side with her arm draped lazily across her side. Carley remembered the jealousy she felt and scoffed. How could she have been so selfish? Wanting Erik only to herself. Sure, Erin got to lie next to him, but Carley got to be within two inches of his face. And that was more than just lying next to him with out his knowledge.

"Wake up, sleeping beauty." Carley threw a sock at Erin.

Erin stirred and muttered,

"Mmm… goo…. Owow…flag…. Humf…"

"Come on and wake up! Michael already has breakfast all ready for us."

"What?"

"Oh I'm sorry. Did you not hear me? Food! Downstairs! Now!"

"Alright, alright! Don't let your panties get in a bunch. Geez." Erin rolled out of bed and hit the floor with a thump. Carley winced at the sound.

"You get dressed and I'll go wake up Erik." As Carley turned to leave, Erin called to her.

"Just wait a moment and I'll go wake him up."

"No, no. You need to get dressed."

"But-,"

"No. That's final. Now get your butt into that skirt and put a blouse on! I'm serious."

"Fine! Goo. Go wake up Erik. And be more gentle to him then you are being to me!"

"Oh I will." Carley smiled.

* * *

Carley tiptoed into Erik's room, stepping softly. Her breath caught in her throat. Erik… She thought wistfully. She saw him laying on the bed in a quiet relaxed manner. He was breathing peacefully.

"Erik?" She said quietly. He moved slightly. She stepped closer and spoke a little louder.

"Erik?…" She said, projecting her voice a little more. He tensed and stirred a little. Carley jumped and hit the side of the bed. Erik's catlike movements proved he wasn't as asleep as he seemed. He caught her as she tripped and fell on the bed. Erik stared up at Carley. Carley stared at Erik hardly daring to breathe. Carley's blond hair fell in waves beautifully down her front, almost tickling Erik's side of the face that wasn't covered by the mask. Erik's eyes traced up her neckline to her face. Her blue eyes stared into his golden ones. Simultaneously Carley shoved off the bed and Erik rolled over to a standing position. Carley looked like a deer caught in headlights. Here eyes were wide and innocent, but horribly frightened. Not the scared kind, but the kind that she knows she did something wrong. Erik turned so as not to face her. She was sitting shocked at the end of his bed.

"I'm sorry…"

"Mademoiselle…" They both spoke at the same time. Carley scooted off the bed.

"Its time to eat breakfast." She said before scurrying out the door. She shut it quickly before he had a chance to respond. She sank against the door and closed here eyes. Being so close to him…

"Well now." Erin said with a smile. "What's with the sighing and the leaning on the door?"

"Hum?" Carley snapped out of her wonderful trance.

"That's what I thought." Erin walked over to Carley and pushed her off the door. "I don't know about you but I have to go and eat."

"Alright." Erin was halfway out the door when Carley called for her. "Erin?"

"Yeah?"

"Why do you think I'm 'sighing and leaning'?"

"It's so obvious!" Carley held her breath. "Michael!"

"Yeah!" Carley said with all her pent-up breath. "Michael… what a dish!"

"Mmmmmm Speaking of dishes…Come on. I'm hungry. Let's get some gruel."

"I like gruel!" They both laughed and headed down the stairs. Michael was there to greet them. He smiled at Carley who grinned back.

"Good morning Michael!" Carley said cheerfully. He grinned.

"Good morning Mademoiselle." He replied. He was wiping off tables.

"What may I do for you?" He asked while scrubbing a difficult spot off of the table.

"What's for breakfast?" Erin interjected. Michael turned to face them both, wiping his hands on the cloth tied about his waist.

"Well…. I am a bit busy right now, but if you go into the kitchen and find M. Paisley* in the kitchen, he might be able to fix you up something. I would love to help, but right after cleaning these we are expecting more customers soon"

Carley smiled again at him.

"That's alright Michael, we'll find our way." They both turned towards the kitchen.

"Oh, Mlle Carley. I have something for you after you eat. Come find me when your done." Carley turned to look over her shoulder curiously.

"Oooooh!!!!! Secret admirer!" Erin said poking Carley in the stomach with a playful nod. Carley giggled.

"Well, not so secret…It's a bit obvious!" Erin laughed, agreeing with Carley's statement. But secretly in their minds they were both thinking of one person. The same person;…Erik.