(A/N to VagrantCandy: Thank you so much for the review! To be truthful, I only have a vague idea where this is going. I was tired of reading phics where the female lead always ended up with Erik on the most ordinary of circumstances. I mean, come on. He's a deformed man living under an opera house, how is that in anyway shape or form ordinary? And also thank you for the information. I really had no idea what sort of drugs they would have had in that time period, and I really appreciate hearing facts.

To LovesForgotten: Thank you for the review! That isn't quite the way I was going to have it happen, but a very good idea. Surprising how similar my idea is to yours, but you were just a little off. Keep reading, I hope you enjoy the story, and I really appreciate the input.

Chapter five: Misplaced Regret

"Anika? Darling? Can you hear me?"

The voice was soft, as though muffled through a blanket. The girl on the bed flinched at the sound, her muscles tightening as she clenched her fists. Anika felt so utterly tired. More than once Jennet had tried to get her to speak, but she just couldn't manage. The pain around her neck was like a vice, squeezing her throat shut as she tried to breathe. Swallowing was even worse. Anika had to try and relax the various uncontrollable muscles, letting whatever liquid Jennet gave her simply run down her throat.

Wearily Anika opened her eyes, squinting through the sunlight streaming in her window. She looked as if a wave of weakness had come and washed over her, stealing away all of her color and leaving her a shadow of her former self. Anika's reddish golden hair was plastered to her head, her breathing light and raspy. Her face was pale as she stared up to the worried form of Jennet sitting on the bed with her.

Nodding her head weakly, she tried to force a smile to grace her lips. Jennet saw Anika trying to please, and she smiled in return. She parted her lips only a bit as she spoke, afraid that all her worries and anxieties would tumble out if she were to speak any louder.

"Don't worry dear, I know it must hurt to talk."

Hurt? She didn't know the half of the pain it caused. It was as if needles were drilling into the tender muscles, pinpricks of a pain so deep it made your insides roil. Reaching out to Jennet, Anika's arm swayed at the exertion. She wanted her to know she appreciated the care she was receiving.

Jennet took Anika's hand in her own, stroking the back of her smooth appendage gently. Her hand was like fire, burning into Jennet's skin as she quirked an eyebrow I surprise. Taking her palm to Anika's forehead, she scowled over to the great grandfather clock sitting by the doorway. No wonder she was so warm, it was nearly nine --time for another dose. Her eyes began to water as she stared at the radiant young woman so weak, but she soothingly whispered words of calming.

"We'll get some more medicine in you, and you'll be good as new. Just hush darling, and relax."

Reaching over to the bedside table, Jennet grabbed the small basin sitting there. She removed the washcloth soaked in water from the depths of the bowl, placing it lovingly on Anika's forehead. Next she palmed the vial of liquid, spooning a bit into Anika's waiting mouth. She followed with a sip of water, all the while reassuring her it would be aright.

Anika wanted to spit both liquids out, her eyes watering at the unwelcome sensation in her throat. No matter how cooling the water had meant to be, it felt no better than a white-hot poker shoved in her mouth hole. Clenching her jaw to refuse any other offerings, Anika tried to smile through the pain.

Jennet patted her on the head, whispering a few I'm sorrys before Anika frowned at her. It was not her fault, why was she sorry? To be truthful, Jennet was not only trying to hide the fact she wasn't positive that everything would be fine in the end. Anika had been sick for a very long while, and every time she had awoken it would only be a matter of time before she grew feverish again. What would happen when the medicine ran out? Jennet did not know. Reaching over for a bowl of broth, she heard a moan of rejection come from Anika's direction.

The womanput down the bowl and eyed Anika, nodding her head in a defeated manner. She had realized it would be painful to even be around the young one while she was sick, but nothing compared to watching the fits of agony cross Anika's face. However long it took for her to get well again, Jennet was sure to be there. Madame Giry had been understanding at first, but Jennet had quite a large part in the opera. She wasn't making it to practices, and the way it looked now she wouldn't even make it for the first show.

The only thing left to do was wait on all their parts. And hope.

(A/N: Another edited chapter! I'd like to thank my brother Greg for editing, and my friend Katie for the support she has given me with the tireless plot ideas I have thrown at her for review. YEY FOR MY NEW BETA! Thanks for your help guys.)