MW (peeks out) Hey, between battling finals, students and strept throat, I got this done. Sorry if it's short, But i promise the next chapter will be longer. grins That's when Erik meets all his saviors including the mysterious girl with white hair. Stay tuned, all my loyal readers. Things will get interesting. On with the show!!

Second Chance

Chapter 4- Follow your Heart, Your Intuition

Erik was going for small victories in his recovery. H.G was a regular visitor over the past two days since he had already gave his students his midterms. It was nice having a visitor besides the Father and Dammit. Not that he minded the Father. There was a serene feeling that washed over him when he sat talking with Father Nevyn. Even Dammit was a calming presence. Often when Erik thought about his home in Paris, Dammit would nudge his hand for a scratching. Like the dog knew what he was thinking.

Pride filled Erik's chest as he made it to the living room without any help. Soon he would be able to go outside and not worry about falling down. His mobility has improved over the past few days. Slowly he made his way to a nearby arm chair. Dammit was following with caution. His brown eyes watched Erik's every movement as he sat in the armchair. Dammit barked joyfully now that Erik was safe. Erik smiled as Dammit trotted and laid his head on Erik's lap. Absently Erik petted the dog's head. Erik's mind wandered a bit. If only he had his cane, he move around a little more and go farther. He looked at Dammit and got an idea.

"Dammit." Erik spoke to get the dog's attention, "Fetch me a cane, Dammit."

Dammit looked at Erik questioningly. After a few moments, he got up and strolled from the room. Erik waited for the dog. He should have thought of this earlier. Dammit walked in with a pair of slippers clenched in his teeth. He dropped them at Erik's feet. Erik wasn't sure if he should laugh or groan. Maybe he should try again.

"No, Dammit." Erik explained, "Get a cane like the one Father uses."

The dog tilted his head to the side to show that he was listening. When Erik finished Explaining, Dammit got up and hurried from the room. Erik watched him go. Now he knew why he preferred cats. Soon, Dammit walked back in proudly. Clamped in his mouth was a ratty rag doll. Dammit placed it in Erik's lap. He sat back in front of Erik waiting. Erik ran a hand over his face. He was going to kill the poor animal in a second. Dammit just sat there with his tail wagging, oblivious to any danger.

The sound of laughter caught Erik's attention. Leaning against the door frame was H.G. He smiled at Erik as he walked in. Slung across his back was a large duffel bag. Erik smiled back at his friend as H.G. sat in a nearby armchair. H.G put the duffel bag down.

"Go…oo…od mo…or…ning." H.G smiled, "I se…ee Dammit is pl…lay..ying with you."

"That he is. Damn dog." Erik grinned, "Is that how he got his name?"

"Who knows?" H.G shrugged, "Father to…ol...ld me th…at you mi…ig….ht need some cl...ot...hes."

"That would be nice. I think my dress clothes would be a little out of place."

"I bro…ou...ght over so...om…me of my old th...in…ngs." H.G remarked as he motioned to the bag, "I hope they fi..ii.it."

Erik leaned over and picked up the bag. After opening it, Erik noticed the array of clothing. Obviously, H.G raided his closet recently. Erik noticed a few shirts that looked pretty new and a pair of jeans that definitely looked like they would fit him. H.G. busied himself with petting Dammit. Erik's eyes narrowed on the dog whose tail thumped away on the floor. Erik carefully got up from his chair.

"I'm going to go try these on." Erik stated as he left the room, "Before I kill that dog."

H.G blinked after him before he started to laugh. His laughter was cut short when he heard timid knocking on Father's front door then it opening. The voice that floated through the house cut off H.G's ability to breathe. His face began to blush before he even saw her.

"Hello? Is anyone up?" Mira's voice called out.

"I…i…in h…he…er…ere." H.G answered as he fumbled with his glasses.

Mira walked in with some grocery bags. Her reddish brown hair was pulled back. H.G jumped up at the sight of her. Mira flashed H.G a smile as she walked into the living room. Dammit let out a bark as he abandoned H.G for Mira. Mira greeted the dog gently before looking back up at H.G. H.G's blush got deep when he made eye contact with Mira.

"Where can I put these, H.G?" Mira asked shyly.

"Um… L..le…et m…me….ee t…ta…ak…ke th…he…em." H.G stated as he reached for the bags.

Mira handed him a few bags, "Just be careful, H.G. One of them has eggs in it."

"I wi…il….il." H.G blushed as his hand brushed hers as he took the bag.

"Thanks." Mira smiled as she followed H.G in to the kitchen., "How is our patient? Every time I get a chance to come by, he is always asleep."

"H…e i…s u…p." H.G stammered as he set the bags on the counter.

Mira smiled as she put hers next to his, "Really?! How is he, H.G?"

"I think I can answer that." Erik spoke as he walked into the kitchen in H.G's clothes.

He smiled at the auburn haired girl standing next to H.G. She gave him a gracious smile as she began to unpack the groceries. After he made his way to the kitchen table, she walked over to him and sat next to him. Erik looked at H.G whose face was red as he watched the girl move. Erik grinned to himself. He heard H.G's stutter suddenly get worse from the bedroom. Intrigued he quickly changed, or as quick as his injuries would let him, and came out to see his good friend blushing and stammering over a young lady.

"My name is Casimira Newberry." the girl smiled, "I'm glad you were okay. You had us scared for a bit."

"Pleasure, Casimira." Erik smiled.

"Please," Casimira grimaced causing H.G to laugh, "My parents call me Casimira. Call me Mira."

"Mira then. Erik Noir." Erik grinned.

"Pleased to meet you. How are you feeling? Kurt demanded I come back with a full report what I saw before he went to class."

"Very well. I can make my way around the house."

"Excellent. You can probably walk around the campus today. It's an excellent day for it."

H.G smiled as he sat down as well, "I a…agr…ree. Fa…ath…ther B wa…as ho…op...ping yo...ou wo...ou...ul...ld jo...oi...in him."

"That may not be a good idea with a face like this." Erik pointed out, "Or at least until I can cover it up."

Mira tilted her head to the side and gave him a considering look, "Maybe you could wear a muffler or something. It is getting colder out. No one would think anything of it."

H.G beamed at her lovingly. Erik smirked at his friend. Obviously H.G was in love with the girl. Erik wondered if she was another teacher. She seemed very close to H.G in age. He was about to ask, when his host returned from his errands. Mira's face brightened up when she heard Father B's voice. Erik noticed how much the small house seem happier when The Father returned home. Father B smiled as he entered the kitchen.

"Is that Mira I hear?" Father B grinned, "I see Dr. K has released your from the Lab for the day."

"Only because I was bringing you your groceries." Mira informed him, "He is such a hard case. I hate having him as a teacher."

"Ju…us…st o...on…ne mo…or…re ye..ea...ar." H.G reminded her.

"Not even and I'll be out." Mira smiled at Erik, "I'm in my senior year here. When I graduate, I'll probably be back as a lab technician."

"People don't graduate from Niagara, they just become employees." Father B joked.

"Exactly." Mira grinned as she stood up, "Well, I have to get going. I have Ethics with Professor Slyvesty in fifteen minutes. Naptime."

"Et..th..hics yo..ou?" H. G laughed.

Mira flashed a smile in response before walking out. Erik smirked as H.G watched her go with a pink tinge in his cheek and was convinced. H.G was in love with her. Erik was about to open his mouth to tease the professor when Father B intervened in his calm and quiet way. Erik wondered what his life in Paris would have been like if he knew someone like Father B. Dammit barked bring Erik out of his revelry. Erik glared at the dog remembering his earlier frustration. Dammit just scratched himself and gazed Erik with pure adoration. Father B cleared his throat drawing Erik's attention back to him.

"Are you feeling up to joining me for a stroll?" Father B asked gently, "It is a beautiful day out."

Erik's heart jumped. A chance to see the world that was beyond the quiet cottage, to see this strange new world he dumped in. Erik frowned, he never realized he had an adventurous streak until now. Maybe being coped up was getting to him. H.G moved to find Erik a coat and muffler from the hallway closet. Erik glanced at his friend as he pulled a long black trench coat and scarf from the closet. Father B smiled at Erik gently. Gingerly Erik got up.

"I think I would love a walk, Father."

MW pops back in carrying a a black and white border collie puppy By the way This is Dammit, my nieces new dog. I only hope he will live up to her fanfic counterpart. My niece Taylor who is two named him after severe brainwashing from me and my brother in law. Don't forget to reveiw.