A/N: This chapter is a little different. I hope it's not too out there. As always, I'd love to hear what you guys think. Enjoy!

Chapter 21 – To Sleep: Perchance to Dream

Music surrounded her – filled her with a sense of being. It echoed through the corridor that she walked down. As she continued down the corridor, it seemed to grow smaller and smaller with each step. The music continued to grow in intensity and suddenly stopped once she came upon a door at the end of the corridor.

Turning the handle, she stepped inside and into a small room. Contained inside was a lone chair and light from an unknown source. The music began again once she shut the door behind her.

"Sit."

A voice beckoned from above her. Without thought or reason, she sat in the chair. The room was freezing and she noticed all she was wearing was the nightgown that she had worn to bed.

Angelina's eyes widened as she saw two figures walk out of the shadows. Erik stood to one side as Jonathan stood on the other. Confusion filled her mind and slowly began to take over. She continued to hear the music in the background but her concentration was changed once Jonathan and Erik began to circle her chair.

"Your mind is torn." Jonathan sounded angry. Almost as if he was angry that Erik was in the same room as him. Angelina knew that Jonathan had no idea the feelings she had for Erik: neither did she.

"Your heart longs to be in love. Yet you deny what it wants." Erik's voice, although she now knew it was a dream, was still seductive and took a hold of her.

"You promised me you would consider my proposal."

"You said you would be my student."

"Did you lie?"

"To us both?"

"I…" She could not answer. Her mind wanted Jonathan. He was intelligent and was well placed in society. Her heart longed for Erik. He was talented and sensual. Both were at war with one another. It was tearing her apart inside.

"Can you not answer us?" Jonathan stood in front of Angelina and looked down at her. "Can you not look at me and tell me that you love me?"

Before she could answer, Erik's hand grasped her neck. A single finger began slow circles on it, causing her to sigh and close her eyes.

"You would deny me to make your mark in society? You would deny what was in your heart to please your parents?"

Was that what held her heart at bay? Did she fear what her parents would say if she admitted that she had feelings for her teacher? Maybe that was what was holding her back. She still thought of him as her teacher. She could not think of him as anything else.

Angelina rose; knocking over the chair and causing both Jonathan and Erik to take a step back from her. Before anything could be said, a bout of dizziness overtook her and she fell to the ground…

Her eyes slowly began to open and she stood. Her new surroundings were foreign. Hot sand covered her bare feet and the blazing sun scorched her skin. Angelina felt as though she were burning from the inside out.

The nightgown she once wore was gone and was replaced by a flowing blood red ball gown. The dark color did not help her with the midday sun that was above her. Although the sun was hot, once she began walking she realized that the sand felt cool against her hot skin.

The wind that blew from the east captured her dress but did not disturb the sand. Angelina continued to walk and began to grow fearful. There was not a sound. As she tried to call to see if anyone was around, no sound came out of her mouth. She frantically clawed at her throat but no sound would escape her lips.

Tears came to her eyes and fell to the sand. She watched as the sand turned to ice everywhere her tears fell. The ice began to grow along the sand – surrounding her and trapping her. With no voice and nowhere to go, Angelina fell to her knees and continued crying. Her sobs were not heard.

Clouds slowly covered the sun; turning the desert into a winter abyss. Her skin grew cold and smoke rose from her mouth. She shivered as the wind continued to pick up.

Alone. I am alone again.

She had told her parents that she wanted nothing more then to be alone. Ever since she left their side she had been alone. Both of her parents had told her it was not easy to be alone. She refused to tell them that they were right. Although she had Gabriella and was becoming fast friends with Rene, she still felt alone.

"You are never alone."

A cloak wrapped around her shoulders, gathering the little warmth she had left inside. Strong arms lifted her from the ground and helped her stand. The arms that helped her stand took a hold of her and pulled her close. Angelina could feel the muscles in the figure's chest. His heart was beating in time with her own.

She reveled in the warmth of him. The feelings of loneliness disappeared as soon as the figure had taken her into his arms. She had never felt so content.

Except when I was with Erik. Or when I was with Jonathan when I was little.

The feelings that she had for both men were still at war with one another. Would there ever be a time when she would figure them out? Would she ever find out if she truly loved one man?

Until then, she would take in the warmth from the figure that held her close to him. The wind continued to blow around them, causing her to shiver. But the shivers were not from fear but from the cold. She feared nothing now. At this point in time, nothing could touch her. Every sensation that she felt was through the man that held her.

The music, from the beginning of her dream, began once again. This time it did not grow in intensity but stayed at a steady tempo and volume. It did not frighten her as it first did. This time it made her feel warm and safe.

The figure pulled back from her and looked down upon her. She could not see him in the shadows that covered his face. He did not speak but just looked upon her.

"Will you not speak to me?"

The figure did not speak but put a hand to her face. She closed her eyes from his touch. It was as if it was hot and cold at the same time. Angelina wished she could figure out who it was that stood in front of her. She knew it was either Jonathan or Erik and it disturbed her to know that she could not tell which one it was.

Before she could register any more thoughts, lips were upon hers without warning. The strong arms that once gently embraced her now pulled her close to him with intensity. It was as if fire had consumed her. The exploration of her mouth and his was a sensation that she had never experienced.

His rough, yet gentle, hands began slowly exploring the bare skin on her back. Their lips did not part as he slowly brought his hands around and explored her waist and slowly began upward. He swallowed her sighs as he gently continued upward, grazing his hands over the top of her breasts.

Without warning, he pulled away and backed into the darkness. He left Angelina standing there, her breathing labored and her hand upon her swollen lips. Tears began to form in her eyes as everything around her began to lighten and slowly fade away…

Angelina sat up in her bed and held back a scream. Her hand quickly covered her mouth. Dear God! Did I actually just dream that? Never before had her dreams given her sensations and visions such as the ones she just had. Her breathing was still heavy and her heart continued to pound in her chest.

Who had been the figure who kissed her in her dream? Angelina could not begin to imagine that it was Erik. It had to have been Jonathan. But the feelings and the sensations she had felt did not seem like Jonathan. She had only felt those feelings when she was with Erik on the stage.

God, please, save me from my heart.

She slowly rose from the bed, keeping the sheets gathered around her for protection. Erik was nowhere to be seen and the mirror was tightly shut. As badly as she wanted to tell him about her dream, she knew that if he was standing there she would not have the courage to tell him.

As she stepped toward the window, she noticed her bandaged feet. He had taken care of her before leaving. She smiled and it grew once she saw something sitting on the table by the window. Slowly walking over, she gently placed her hand over two pairs of ballet slippers. One was midnight black while the other was snow white. They were both beautiful and just her size.

Angelina noticed a note just off to the side – unsealed and unmarked. Pulling the note from the envelope, she noted Erik's handwriting right away.

Dearest Angelina,

By the time you read this, the sun will have already risen over Paris. Before you are two pairs of ballet slippers: one black and the other white. When you perform your dance, you may choose which one you wish to use. You must stand out from all of the other dancers. You are unique. Your dance will be in top form and I wanted you to have something from me to remind you that I am always with you.

The other pair you will save for another day. Keep them hidden so that you cannot use them. I will give you the reason as to why later. Practice. I will be watching.

Erik

Angelina would do as she was told. She chose the black ones to go with the costume Meg had already chosen. Taking a small box from under her bed, she gently placed the white ballet slippers inside. She returned the box to its home and looked back out the window.

Paris did not seem so lonely now. Although her dream still disturbed her, the gesture from Erik warmed her heart. She was filled with hope and a sense of belonging that she never had before. Angelina would not let Brigitte take over her life as she had. Hope. Angelina smiled and sighed. She would give something for Paris to talk about. Her dance would make men fall at her feet.

Angelina only wished for one at her feet but knew that she would have two. Soon she would have to decide which one truly claimed her heart. Until then, the war would rage inside of her and take over her: both mind and soul.