I totally spoiling you people. But I figured it wasn't fair to leave you on two major cliffhangers in a row unlike SOME people I could mention, coughTwistedMindcough. So if everyone would PLEAE stop stealing my POTO DVD. Because I'm starting to have withdrawel symptoms! I mean, I literally just posted CHapter 36. Stupid Weak Willed Katie.

Chapter 37

Time has no meaning. I found this quote a few years ago and it felt just right.

Methinks I see the wanton hours flee,

And as they pass, turn back and laugh at me

George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham. I don't know why he said it. But I applied to me at that time.

God only knows how long I sat by Erik's bed, his hand clasped in both of mine. It could have been a few minutes; it could have been all day. Eventually I fell asleep and woke to find Samantha beside me.

"Christine?" she asked softly, shaking my shoulder. "Christine, I brought you some clean clothes. Why don't you go and change?"

She held out a pair of jeans and a t-shirt for me. I stared at them and then at her, confused.

"Charles told me that you were in the hospital. I went to your room but the nurse told me that you were here."

"He's so cold." I whispered. Samantha took my hands away from Erik's.

"Come and get changed. You need to eat something and your father wants to see you."

"I can't… I can't leave him. What if he wakes up and he's all alone?" I said, scared that I would cry again. Samantha shook her head.

"He won't be waking up for a while yet. And the doctor wants to come in and check on him, so you'll have to leave anyway. Look, we'll get you cleaned up and get some food inside you. You're freezing."

I let her pull me away, my eyes still fixed on the masked man lying on that white bed. She took me to a toilet cubicle and I changed, my fingers fumbling with the clothes. Samantha brushed out my hair and tied it back for me. I felt like a little child again, unable to do anything for myself. She cleaned my face, where it was tearstained and blotched and then took me to a cafeteria. Putting a bowl of tomato soup, a crusty roll and a cup of steaming tea in front of me, she sat over me until I had eaten at least some of it. I put my spoon done.

"I'm full."

"OK, that's good. Come on, let's go and see your Dad. Then you can get back to Erik."

She guided me to Dad's ward. He was sat with Joseph Buqet and they were talking quietly. When he saw me, Dad got to his feet, crossed the ward and hugged me without a word. I hugged back, slowly. I didn't seem to be able to do anything quickly.

"Christine." He murmured, holding me tightly.

"Dad…"

"How is he?" Dad asked Samantha who shrugged.

"He was still sleeping. The doctors are with him now and then I'll take Christine back." he nodded and looked at me, kissing my cheek.

"Sweetheart, have you eaten anything? You look so pale."

"I just ate." I whispered.

"Good, good."

He, Samantha and Joseph kept talking, deliberately cheerful voices. But I couldn't join in. It just didn't seem possible for me to be like that.

When Samantha took me back to Erik's room, the doctor's were still in the room so we sat down outside. But a moment later Nadir and Meg both arrived. They both hugged me tightly.

"Thank God you're alright." Meg whispered, her arms around me. "By the way, they found Ayesha. I took her home with me. I've got your bike as well."

I'd forgotten all about the cat but was relieved that she was alright. And the bike… suddenly I didn't care. It wasn't a part of me anymore. But who was I? I couldn't be Christine Daae. I couldn't be Christine without Erik, it just didn't seem to make sense. He was everything that I was. Christine was still sleeping, still gone. I could only be her again if Erik came back to me.

Nadir glanced into the room but couldn't see anything through the closed blinds.

"What's going on?"

"The doctor's are checking up on him. We haven't had much information about… if…" Samantha fell silent and Meg's fingers closed around me, squeezing tightly. I barely felt it. How was it possible to feel so numb? I felt as though I were moving through water, at half the normal rate, struggling to breathe or speak.

We sat in silence until the door opened. I stood and the doctor looked at me.

"Are you family? I'm afraid I can only let family in at the moment."

"I'm his girlfriend." I whispered. The doctor hesitated but I pressed on, "I'm all he has."

The doctor chewed the inside of his cheek and then nodded. He glanced at Samantha.

"Samantha…"

"I'm with Christine." She said. "And can these two come in just for a moment? You know I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important."

"Only because it's you, Samantha. But only for five minutes." He looked at Meg and Nadir. "You two go ahead. Christine, Samantha, sit down."

We sat as Meg and Nadir went into the room. The doctor sat opposite me and sighed.

"I've looked over Mr Lavonne's records and whilst his injuries are severe, I think he'll make a full recovery. It's a little early to say for sure but he's strong."

I closed my eyes and thanked God under my breath, feeling like crying again. The doctor continued,

"But, we have a slight problem. Because of the damage caused, he's going to need some blood transfusion. But Mr Lavonne is a rather rare blood type and we're going to have to get some blood brought in especially. If what you said is true, and he has no family, this could cause some major setbacks."

"Wait… wait, maybe…" I said, thinking furiously. I got to my feet and went to the door of Erik's room.

"Nadir, I need you."

He came out and I clutched his hand.

"Have you got the telephone number for Theresa Waters?"

"Yes, why?"

"Erik needs blood, but it's rare. If she has the same blood type…?" I asked. Nadir nodded and reached into his case, which he seemed to take everyone. After a few moments he pulled out a small black book. He flipped the pages and pulled out a piece of papers. I took it and looked at the doctor.

"A phone?"

"Down the hall."

I rushed down the hall, fired by the sudden thought that Erik could be saved. I dialled with trembling fingers and listened to the ringing of the phone.

"Hello, Darren Waters speaking." Said a cheerful voice. I jumped.

"Darren? Darren, its Christine. Christine Daae."

"Hot Christine?"

I could have laughed but I pressed on.

"Darren, I need your help."

"Sure, what is it?"

"It's Erik. He's in hospital, our home burned down."

"Hey, I saw that on the news! I didn't realise that was you!"

"Darren, I need you to bring your mother here. Erik needs blood but they don't have any and they might not get it in time. If she has the same blood type, it'll save his life."

He fell silent and I begged,

"Please Darren. Please, I need him. Do whatever you have to do, please. Just get her here." There was no reply and then he said,

"What hospital are you at?"

I fell against the wall, weak with relief as I gave him the name of the hospital.

"OK, I'll get her. If traffics good we'll be there in a few hours."

"How are you going to get her here?"

"I don't know, I'll manage. Just hold on, OK?"

"OK. Thanks."

"I'll see you soon." He hung up and I turned to the doctor.

"They'll be here in a few hours." I told him.

Once again, time started to mess around. Hours slowed down and then suddenly seemed to disappear altogether. More than once I found myself glaring suspiciously at the clock, convinced it was mocking me. Dad came to see me, but I was sat with Erik at the time. I kept talking to him, even though I had no idea if he could hear.

"I don't know if she'll be the right blood type, but it's worth a try, right? Anyway, she might not stick around afterwards. I don't if you'd want to see her anyway."

When I went outside so the nurse could check on him, I found a man in a suit waiting. He shook my hand.

"Christine Daae? Richard Baileys, I've been investigating the cause of the fire."

"You know what caused it?"

"Yes. There was a leaking gas pipe in the kitchen. It was a complete accident and I've been talking to Mr Lavonne's lawyer and his insurance is all set. Assuming you want the house rebuilt, work can start within the week."

I blinked, wondering what to do. Would Erik want to go back to the Manor? Eventually I asked.

"How bad is the damage?"

"It's rather extensive. We've moved all valuables to safe place."

"The music room? Is that…?" I began. He looked regretful.

"All gone, I'm afraid. But as I said, the insurance will cover everything."

Not everything. Not if Erik didn't survive.

"Mr Lavonne's lawyer also informed me that there was a recent change to his will. I understand he is in… critical condition and I've been asked to inform you of the changes." Baileys' said. I blinked and Dad asked,

"Changes?"

"Yes. Previously, he hadn't made any decisions about what would happen in the event that his property would be passed on. But a couple of months ago he informed his lawyer that all property would be given to Christine Daae."

I sank into a chair.

"What?"

"Yes, the lawyer found that quite unusual but informed me that Mr Lavonne is an unusual man. So, whilst Mr Lavonne is unable to make any decisions, it's up to you, Miss Daae. Shall I inform the insurance company that the house will be rebuilt, or would you rather take some time to think about it?"

"No. No, we want it rebuilt." I said, a little stunned. Mr Baileys nodded and left soon after that. Samantha looked at her watch.

"I've got a counselling appointment with someone now. Charles, are you going back to the ward? You've got a meditation group."

Dad looked at me and I nodded.

"Go ahead. It's not like we can do anything until Darren gets here." He and Samantha left, leaving Meg, Nadir and I. Meg went to find some coffee for herself and Nadir.

He looked at me.

"How are you holding up?"

"I have no idea. I feel like I'm half asleep, in some surreal dream." I admitted, rubbing at my eyes. They were still sore.

A few minutes later I heard footsteps and when I looked up I saw Darren hurrying down the hallway to me. With him was Theresa Waters, looking pale. I stood up and hugged Darren.

"Thank God you're here."

"I'll fetch the doctor." Nadir said, rushing off. I looked at Theresa and she said in a shaking voice,

"Where is he?"

I gestured at the door and she stepped back.

"I can't… I can't do this…"

"You have to! If you don't he could die!" I cried. Darren started at her.

"Mum, come on. We came all this way, you can't back out now!"

"You don't understand, neither of you!" Theresa cried.

Anger coursed through me and I seized her arm pulling her into the room. She cried out when she saw Erik. I heard Darren gasp but I had crossed to Erik and knelt beside him. I looked up at Theresa.

"He is your son. Look at him. Look at him!" I spat as she turned away. Darren made her turn around. I looked down at Erik and brushed a piece of his hair back. Without looking at her I said,

"I don't care if you just give the blood and leave. You don't have to stay and see if he lives. Just give the blood. I love him, you see. That's the only reason that I called you."

Then I reached over and removed the mask from Erik's face. Theresa gasped, clamping her hands to her mouth in horror. I glared at her.

"You abandoned him. All he wanted from you was love and you refused to give it to him because of how he looked. You didn't even care what an incredible person he is. You never listened to his music. You abandoned him once. Are you going to do it again?"

Theresa stared from Erik's face to mine and then broke down in tears. After a moment she nodded. I slipped the mask back onto Erik's face and pressed my lips to his forehead.

"It'll be OK. I promise." I whispered to him before standing as the doctor came in. He looked at Theresa.

"Mrs Lavonne?"

"No. Mrs Waters." She said sharply. The doctor blinked and I said,

"It's her."

"Very well, if you'll come with me…" he held open the door and she left. I kissed Erik again and then looked up at Darren.

"Thanks for bringing her."

"It's nothing. I sort of wanted to meet my brother. I mean… I know we're not related by blood. But still, he's my brother, right?" Darren said. I nodded, stroking Erik's hair softly.

He watched me for a moment and then said quietly,

"You really do love him, don't you?"

I didn't reply. I took a deep breath and whispered,

"We were fighting. We… we had an argument and I stormed out. I just… I just keep thinking that the last proper conversation we had was a fight. I only said a few words to him after he escaped the fire. I can't let that be the end." I rubbed Erik's hand in mine, trying to get some heat into the flesh.

I looked over at Darren. He was watching me closely.

"Yes. I do love him. So much that those words just don't seem enough to actually sum up how I feel."

"He's a lucky guy."

"I'm a lucky girl." I whispered. Darren put a hand on my shoulder.

"He'll be OK."

"I know. He has to be."

We went back outside where Meg and Nadir were waiting. I introduced Darren to them and then said,

"They're doing blood tests now."

"OK. How you doing sweetie?" Meg said, rubbing my arm comfortingly. I shrugged.

"Ask me in a couple of hours. I might be able to answer then."

We sat down to wait for Theresa to come back. It was about three quarters of an hour later when she returned with the doctor.

"The results will be back in a few moments. I've put it as highest priority." The doctor told us. Darren looked at his stepmother.

"Mum, I'm going to wait for him to wake up. I want to meet him."

"Darren…" she began and then shook her head. "I can't. I can't… I'll get the train home as soon as we know. I have to give blood if it comes back positive."

"Are you sure?" Darren asked. Theresa glanced at me and then nodded.

Moments later we got the reply. A matching blood type. Theresa was led away to give her blood to the son she would never see again and I was left to stare down at him, wondering even now if he would survive.

Yes, of course he would! This was Erik for God's sake. He was strong enough to get through this. He'd come back. He'd promised, hadn't he?

He wouldn't break a promise to me.

Within an hour the doctor returned with the blood and shooed me out of the room. I sat huddled up on the uncomfortable plastic chair beside Meg, who was flicking through a fashion magazine and Nadir, who was talking quietly with Darren who sat opposite.

I resumed my time-keeping, watching the clock and waiting to see what would happen next.

A/N: Well, that was relatively depressing chapter. Please bear in mind that I have no medical knowledge or training and all this stuff is off the top of my head. I'm totally making this up as I go along. Also, I'm thinking of drawing this story to a close within the next few chapters. I have this thing where I like to end stories on nice round numbers, so it may end on chapter 40. Not decided yet though.

Lotsa luv 'n' huggles

Katie