A/N: Thanks for the reviews, AS ALWAYS!

To my anonymous reviewer, I'm not sure what to make of your review but it sounded profound :D

Modesty: As always, thank you… great new chapter on your story too!

Amber: Happy to collaborate as soon as we both have time! Thanks for the review!

Chapter 28- Out of towners.

As she opened her eyes he filled her vision, he was kneeling by her side, softly touching her shoulder to rouse her from her sleep. Christine blinked and forced a smile, trying to recall exactly what had happened and when she had fallen to sleep. Her back ached from being on the hard ground for so long but she realised that she felt oddly revitalised and with a smile she remembered his voice.

The sound had played on her senses and through her tears she had listened to him sing to her, remembering the days when it was all that she longed for.

To hear his voice humming in her ears.

She looked up in the darkness and held her smile there for a second and as he returned her smile he reached his hand out to her, which she took gratefully. He eased her to her feet and she stumbled into him almost knocking him off balance, but he had caught her and steadied her. Her gaze drifted up to his eyes slowly and she looked at him nervously, she was still in his arms.

'Are you okay?' he asked and she nodded, not knowing whether to let go or not. He smiled and moved her away from him so that she was standing with no support. He surveyed her for a moment. 'Will you be okay to walk?'

She looked at him and then down at her own body, she brushed dry dirt off the back of her dress and took one step. Wobbling she stopped and glanced back over to Erik who nodded slowly, stepping over to her then lifting her back into his arms. He began to walk again, made his way over to the road and continued along the path.

'I'll be okay soon Erik.' She said. 'I'm just feeling a little bit drained.'

'We're nearly there anyway,' he said and shifted his arm under her.

He was strong, she thought, he barely even noticed her weight at all. He had walked for hours earlier with her cradled in his arms and he never once complained. She'd forgotten how powerful he was, and how quiet he could be. She longed to talk to him but she feared a repeat of earlier, of making a fool of herself again and of confessing too much to Erik, to whom she should be confessing least.

'I'm sorry about…' she started and he shushed her with a soft smile, which vanished quickly.

'You don't have to apologise to me, Christine.' He said. 'You're tired and things are obviously not all well for you. It's okay.'

'Thank you.' She said and rested her arm over his shoulder softly. 'How long do you think it will be until we reach town?'

'Not long. I think ten minutes actually,' he said and nodded forward. She glanced in the direction of his nod and noticed some light ahead, what looked like buildings and she smiled.

When they reached the town it was lot bigger than Christine had anticipated and she stared around in awe as Erik gently placed her feet on the floor at the first building they past. She stepped cautiously at first and once the shaking had worn off she didn't feel too bad, allowing herself to keep up with Erik.

The town looked relatively new by London's standards and the streets were quiet, although it didn't seem too late in the night. They walked a little further down the main street before Erik took off down an alley and she was forced to chase after him. At the back of the alley was another street and he poked his head around the corner to check that everything was clear.

When he had convinced himself that there was no one around he walked down the little side street and stopped outside a small house then turned to face Christine.

'Okay,' he said. 'You need to go in here and say that you need a room.' He said and nodded encouragement at her. 'Then come out and get me when you have the key, okay?'

She smiled and took the bag of coins he was holding out for her. She stepped inside and was immediately hit by the warmth of the place, it was light and airy and not at all what she had expected. She chastised herself for not learning about appearances and their deceptiveness and stepped over to the counter.

The gentleman behind it was tall and broad with a bushy moustache and green eyes. He flashed her a grin and leaned over the counter,

'How can I help you?' he asked with a deep voice.

'I need a room,' she said, returning his smile.

'Just you here ma'am?' he asked.

'No, my…' she stopped herself and looked at the man, who was waiting patiently for her answer. 'My husband and I. He is just dealing with our luggage.'

The gentleman nodded and handed her a key before tapping the board next to him which had a list of prices on it. She smiled and handed him a coin, much to his pleasure. When he turned around to take the money into the small room behind him, Christine went quickly to the door and nodded for Erik to come in.

'I hesitated,' she whispered as they made their way up the stairs. 'When he asked if I was alone. I hesitated.' She giggled. 'He thinks I'm a whore.'

Erik couldn't suppress his smile as she opened the door to their room and stepped inside. He followed her and clicked the door shut behind him, taking the key and locking it from the inside. He turned and allowed his eyes to drift over the room, he noticed how comfortable and warm the bed looked and how bumpy the seat opposite him looked.

'The bed is yours,' he said with a small sigh. 'I'll take the chair. I only plan to sleep for an hour anyway, I have things to do.'

'What things?' asked Christine as she made her way over to the bed and lay Erik's cloak on the end. He looked over at her as he settled himself into the seat.

'I'm going to find your husband.' He said and she stared at him.

'Without me?'

'Yes.' He stated simply. She frowned.

'Why?'

'Because from now on things are going to become more dangerous.'

Her frown deepened in her forehead and he could see anger, of all things, shoot across her eyes.

'I want to come' she said and he shook his head firmly from side to side.

'No.'

'Erik, please!' she said.

'No.'

'Erik! I want to help.'

'You may be more hindrance than help, Christine.' He said watching her reaction. Her face changed and she nodded at him, acknowledging that yes, he was probably right but he saw her eyes. She was coming whether he liked it or not, even if she had to follow him.

'Fine but you stay behind me at all times.' He said and she nodded. 'And you do everything I ask.'

'Don't I always?' She said with a smile and a glint in her eyes.