Sorry for the delay my lovelies. You're all so very sexy and kind. I will write a longer chapter to appease my audience. THE HEAT IS ON IN SAIGON…..not in my story. Cheers!

Erik awoke as he normally would, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and recalling what he had done before he went to bed. His mind was on its usual one track path, no thought of others, only himself. That was when his eyes adjusted to the dark and the shape of his beloved Claire formed before his eyes. She shifted silently in her sleep, the candles casting a harsh light over her body. It was the first time he had ever opened his eyes to find a woman next to him. He reached out a shaky hand and gently placed it on her thigh. It warmed his hand considerably and he drew it away. She sighed contentedly in her sleep and curled up into a tiny ball. The covers had fallen off her during the night. Erik gently placed them back over her body and sat up. He reached over and grabbed his mask from where it had been so hurriedly tossed aside. He pulled his undergarments and pants on.

Walking over to his throne, he once again took his watchful perch. Just as before, he was deep in thought. Not even Claire could have awoken him from that stupor he had fallen into before. One part of him had wanted to talk to her, break the silence, but the other parts forbid him too. He needed some time to himself. It was odd being in these sort of social situations after so long a solitude. Now, as Claire slept, he could have an un-worried time to be lost in his own thoughts.

Why had this woman chosen to love him so completely, give herself to him without a second thought? She was like an angel in hell, small and fragile, capable of flying away and leaving him at any time. He trusted her though. In that moment when they had become one he officially gave into trusting her. She trusted him so how could he not trust her?

How long he sat there lost in his own thoughts was a mystery to him, but a gentle hand on his arm brought him back to reality.

"Erik," he heard her say. His eyes turned to her kneeling form. She had draped a silken cover over her body, concealing her naked form from him. He knew it was un-lady like to walk around in the buff. He motioned for her to come closer and she did without hesitation. She took it a step further and sat on his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her head in his chest.

"I must leave you soon," she said softly, playing with his hair, "I have a performance tonight." Erik nodded and took in her scent, that heavenly aroma of vanilla. He rested his head on hers and reached beneath the cover she wore. He placed his hand on the inside of her thigh and felt her stir against his touch.

"But I can come back after tomorrow night and stay for awhile. The show is taking a small hiatus, a week or so. I can say I'm visiting my parents, no one will be the wiser."

"I would love that." He could not see her face but he could feel her smile, brilliant and wide. She lifted her head from his chest causing his to jump slightly. He had not expected her to do this and his own head was knocked off hers.

"Sorry love," she said apologetically, "But I feared I'd fall asleep." Erik grinned and kissed her forehead lightly. He removed his hand from the inside of her thigh and took her hand.

"The night is ending, the morning beckons Claire. You must return to your family above." Claire nodded and squeezed his hand. Erik was falling even more madly in love with this precious treasure. He felt her slide from his lap and watched her retreating form. Then he heard her begin to cough violently. She stopped walking and attempted to cover her mouth. Something was wrong.

He rushed to her side and wrapped a protective arm around her waist, supporting her weight and guiding her back to the bed. The coughing had not stopped even when they reached the chambers. Her body fell heavily, even though he guided her body downwards. She seemed to be giving into the violent spurts of hacking and gagging and losing consciousness.

"Claire!" Erik cried and gathered her in his arms. Holding her tightly he felt her body shake with the force of each cough and gasp for breath. She had been fine only a moment ago. Her body was covered in sweat which dampened his bare chest. The cover had fallen off her body when he had laid her down, her skin was once again pressed against his bare flesh but not in a way he wanted.

"Please stop," he pleaded, clutching her all the more tightly, "I don't know what to do." Almost as if answering him, her breathing began to slow and the hacking subsided into silent tears. If it had been possible to hold her any closer then she already was, Erik would have done it. He felt the tears stain his face as well.

"Oh Claire," he sobbed. Claire, who had up until now been no responsive to his embrace, took him fiercely in her arms as well.

"I'm so sorry," she said, sniffling. Erik rubbed his shadowed cheek against the side of her head, attempting to quite her suffering.

"It's alright," he reassured, "It was not your fault." This seemed to calm her down quite a bit.

"I think it's time for me to return," she said breaking the embrace. Erik did not question this and helped her into her clothes. He offered her some food but she turned her head at the invitation. Erik constantly gave her looks of concern but she seemed to shrug them off. As they crossed the underground lake he guided the boat with an unsteady hand. His mind was not on this, he didn't want to go another day and a half without knowing what had suddenly come between them. He stopped the boat.

"Erik," Claire cried distraught, "What are you doing?" Erik sat down across from her and looked her straight in the eyes.

"You seemed near death back there, I'm worried. Now you're treating me like I don't exist. What happened?" Claire didn't look away but she seemed distant.

"I don't know," she whispered. Erik brought himself closer to her. He could feel the barrier she was putting up. She did know what had happened back there.

"If you really love me you'll tell me," he cried and grabbed one of her hands, "If my love means anything to you!" She did not respond to his touch and continued to stare through him.

"I can't," she gasped, "I don't know, I don't know." Erik knew his eyes were pleading but he did not care. He had never known such emotions as the ones he was feeling now. Was he afraid of loosing her?

"You truly do not know?" he asked. For the first time since the incident she looked at him fully.

"I do not know," she truthfully said. She squeezed his hand and leaned forward to kiss him. He accepted this kiss and swam in its warmth. When they parted he got to his feet and began to maneuver the boat towards the shore. He would miss her, even if it was only for a short time.

The time they spent in the many corridors and passing through the many hidden doors was spent in silence. He led her by the hand, of course, his grip on her strong. He wanted to be able to touch her in any way possible, just to know that she was his and still there. When they reached the mirror he brought her to him fiercely. She wrapped her arms around his chest and he enveloped her in his. They stood there for a few minutes, Erik longing to hold onto her for just one more moment. When he let go he kissed her passionately and pulled the lever that would release her from him.

"I will return," she promised and disappeared through the mirror. Erik watched her cross over to the door and pause. She turned back and mouthed the words,

"I love you."