Erik dreamt. He dreamt of Christine, an angel who grew wings and flew above him. He saw Nadir holding a young boy. The boy grew wings and flew with Christine.

They floated above Erik as he felt himself sinking. They were laughing, Christine and Reza, they were laughing at him. Erik began to sink further into a black abyss. He felt an emptiness, an aching, and he reached out for anything. He felt his hands on a piano, a large pipe organ in a church.

The church floated around him as he heard laughing. The piano began to fall, and he too began to fall. Erik reached for Christine but he grabbed only air, and fire.

There was fire around him, an intense burning heat. Erik screamed, the laughing was louder, he saw Christine and Reza but they were gargoyles now, leering at him with sharp vampiric teeth.

All around him was fire. Erik screamed and cried out, and he felt himself rocking. He was on a ship, being tossed from side to side..."Wake Up!" Nadir's sharp voice screamed at Erik and he opened his eyes.

His heart was racing and his palms were sweating. Nadir was rocking him and he held up a hand. "Stop, please." Nadir sat beside Erik as he calmed down. "It was only a dream. Are you all right?"Nadir asked.

Erik shook his head. "Not a dream..That..was a nightmare." Erik sat up in the bed and clutched his arms. Nadir gently told him, "You need to bathe Erik. Do you need assistance in doing so?" Erik nodded no. Nadir stood up and held out his hand. Erik looked at him for a moment before he let Nadir help him out of the bed.

Together they walked to the kitchen, where Darius had left a tub of water to warm in the sun from the windows. Erik turned to Nadir, "If you..need money...A new, apartment...at least...with a bathroom...I am...," Nadir held up his hand. "Save your strength Erik, you can barely talk. I am quite happy living here. It is small but cozy."

Nadir let Erik stand on his own and motioned towards a small basket. There were towels and hand cloths, along with many soaps and bathing necessities. Erik nodded and Nadir told him, "I will be outside in the living room. If you need anything please call me."

He left Erik in the kitchen, and went to gather the sheets for the guest bed.

Darius and Nadir fixed the bed and cleaned the room again. Nadir lit several incense sticks and some candles, and they closed the door. Erik had been in the kitchen for over an hour, but Nadir was not going to interrupt him.

If he heard screaming such as the awful racket that morning, he would dash in immediately. But if no noise was being made, he was not about to risk his neck. Darius complained that it was past lunch and it was his duty to fix meals. Nadir reminded him that it was his duty to obey Nadir, and he did not want anyone in the kitchen.

Soon, however, after two hours had passed, Nadir became agitated. He had already knocked several times on the door, but Erik consistently told him to leave him alone. As long as Erik was alive, that made Nadir more comfortable. Finally, Erik cracked open the door and asked Nadir to come to him.

Nadir moved towards the kitchen and gasped. Erik had prepared steaks, fresh salad, corn, and quite a large number of other delicacies. In the center of the crowded table was a large bunt cake topped with pineapple.

The floor was clean from Erik's bath, and he himself was rather fresh. Nadir crossed his arms and chuckled. Erik too began to laugh, and said, "To thank you for everything you've done. You are a true friend Nadir."

Nadir held out his hand to shake Erik's, and the two men laughed with each other. Darius stood in the back and gasped. Erik waved his hand, "Sometimes a servant needs a day of rest. I promise I will clean the mess."

Darius walked with Nadir into the kitchen, and Nadir glanced at Erik. "Please, at least sit with us." Darius assumed his Persian habit of sitting on the floor beside Nadir, but Erik shook his head no. "You must eat here, as an equal." Darius was agahst as Erik had him sit in a chair at the table.

Erik sat across from Nadir, and Nadir asked, "How do you feel? It has been four days now." Erik replied honestly, "I feel this strong craving for morphine. I must keep my mind off it. But my body seems to have stopped twitching as bad, and I feel rather lightheaded."

Nadir nodded as he ate. "You will need to overcome the craving. Your most important task is to keep away from all types of drugs, not just morphine." Erik nodded, and reached out for a small asparagus stalk.

He turned away from Nadir and Darius and ate it. Darius said quietly, "If you plan to meet with Christine, how do you expect to act around her? Most women like to dine with a suitor." Erik looked back at Darius and Nadir watched. Erik replied, "I'll take her to a museum. To the park. Things will go slowly as she adjusts to me."

Nadir asked. "You are serious then, about this?" He asked. Erik nodded as he chose another apsragus. He held it as he replied, "I love her beyond words. She loves me as an angel, and soon she will love me as a man. She knows I would never harm her. I will not show her my face upon the first meeting, but after a few months, if she is not going to be frightened, I may reveal myself."

Erik slipped the asparagus back onto the plate. Nadir said, "How will you first talk to her? Just walk up and say your The Angel of Music?" Erik shrugged, "She will recognize my voice. Perhaps if you, introduced us. I as your friend, and I would explain myself to her."

Darius interuptted, "You have a lot of explaining to do."

Nadir hushed him and Darius was silent. "I may help you Erik, if you are set on this. But do understand that we can not judge Christine's reaction. She may accept you, or she may reject you. Can you face her rejection?"

Erik nodded his head no. "She will not reject me. I could always use my voice." Nadir shook his head no as well. "You will place no spell upon her. If you want things to be honest between you two you must be who you are, and not cloud her mind."

Erik simply said, "Yes. You are right. But to be honest, I would die if she rejected me."

Nadir told Erik, "I will do what I can do, but Erik, for what I've done for you already, and what I am going to do, I must ask for a favor." Erik looked sharply at Nadir, and glared. Nadir continued, "I must visit your home. I need to see, to satisfy my curiosity."

Erik sighed and stood up. He looked at the table and whispered. "You will keep your mouth shut. If one person outside of you or me learns about my home; I will cut your tounge out."

Darius grinned at Nadir and said, "He is cured. He is back to his old self."

Nadir shook his head, "No, he is not cured, not by a long shot. I accept your invitation and recognize your threat." Both Nadir and Erik bowed in Persian formalities, and Erik left the kitchen.

Darius muttered, "He said he would clean this."

Nadir left for his room to gather his notepad and pencil.