(A/N: This has got to be one of my favorite chapters of my story (It's also the shortest)! I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!)

Chapter 8

I put Christine down in the soft, velvet red cushions in a seashell-shaped bed and removed her shoes, placing them beside it. I watched Christine move around for a moment, finding a comfortable position to sleep in. When she was finally at ease, I smiled. I tried to yank the blanket out from underneath her, careful not to disturb her sleep. She stirred and grunted in an annoyed tone, so I pulled even more gently.

After a few minutes of tugging, the blanket was finally mine. I threw the blanket over her and finally let her sleep in peace. I stood and just stared at her, somewhat mesmerized by her beauty. Her eyes were shut, but they were looking up at me.

I shook my head, trying to keep myself focused on what I was doing... I thought for a moment, trying to remember the reason (or excuse) for bringing Christine here. I sighed and quickly went to retrieve some bandages for Christine's hand. As the minutes passed, I became more angered. It was not like me to misplace things or forget where I kept something. I growled to myself and began to ramble on, incoherently. Not even I knew what was pouring from my mouth. Finally consumed by impatience I took off my black cloak and threw it on the ground. Underneath it I wore a a white shirt that was tucked into black trousers. I grabbed a sleeve and tore it off visciously.

"This will do."

I returned to the seashell bed with the sleeve I ripped off in one hand and a chair in the other. I let the chair down next to the bed and grabbed Christine's injured hand. The feel of her delicate skin relaxed me and my anger quickly vanished. At my own leisurely pace, I wrapped the soft cloth around her hand.

My effort to keep Christine from waking was to no avail. Her voice sounded tired as she spoke, "Thank you, Erik," She said.

I heaved a sigh, exasperated at my failure. I just gave a huff of acknowledgement.

"What is wrong with your shirt?"

"Nothing. Go back to sleep."

She nodded and shut her eyes again but she opened them once more. "What?" I asked. "Did you not hear me?"

She blushed, laughing lightly. "Well, it is hard to sleep with you watching me like that."

"Oh." I took the chair and turned it around so my back was to her. She thanked me and I answered with another huff. I heard her moving around from behind me and I could tell she was feeling a bit awkward about her surroundings and my presense. To calm her, I sung to her a lullaby... at least, I think I did.

I have never heard a lullaby before.

-

Christine had finally awoke from her deep sleep and groaned. She rubbed her groggy eyes and what used to be my sleeve touched her face. "Huh?"

"I could not find any bandages." Although I could not see what she was doing, I knew what she questioned.

I heard her gasp, somewhat frightened and apalled. I rose from my chair and pushed it off to the side. "What's the matter? You sound uneasy," I said.

"No, that is not it, I forgot you were there."

"Oh." I looked at her with bored eyes, just waiting for her... she just sat there, silent. "Are you going to get up or not? It is already past noon."

"Oh, no, it is?" She jumped out of the bed and ran around in nervousness. "Madame Giry will make me take that walk of shame again! I cannot have that happen! Oh, it is so mortifying..."

I chuckled, watching her. She could act so childish; it was one of her most precious of mannerisms, though.

"Oh, now even Erik is laughing at me! Just like all the other girls did! Such humiliation!"

"I disagree. I was not laughing at you," I said.

"What was it that you were doing then?"

"I was chuckling. Chuckles and laughs are very different from each other."

Christine's earlier worrisome face had transformed; she was now smiling from ear to ear, bouncing in enthusiasm. "Erik, you laughed! I have never heard you laugh before!"

I blushed furiously, "...chuckled." I corrected.

"You have a beautiful... erm, chuckle. Can I hear it again?"

"Eh, what? 'Hear it again'?"

"Please!" She implored of me. She really didwant to hear my chuckle.

"Okay, but perhaps later. You need to get situated for the day first. I shall get you a dress and a hairbrush then I will take you back up to the Opera House."

"Oh, no! Please, can I stay longer?"

"What about Madame Giry?"

"It's okay! Erik, please?"

"Are you sure?"

"I want to stay here with you in your house! It really is beautiful!"

I looked at her; her eyes and her body language told me just as well as her voice did, 'I want to be here with you longer. With you, Erik.'

Maybe... she loves me too.

(A/N: Wow. I said chuckles a lot. I hope that didn't bother anybody.)