A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in so long. I have been very busy. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I know that not all the words of All I Ask of You are correct. I changed them to fit into the situation. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter Fifteen
Returning
The next few weeks were spent teaching and perfecting Maria. Erik loved listening, watching, and singing with her. She was becoming so strong that soon she wouldn't even need him. He hoped that day never came. She was finally starting to heal completely. The only evidence left was the small scar over her eyebrow. He knew that she would have to go back, but he never wanted to let her go.
Maria walked out from the bedroom with a slight smile. She was carrying some of her clothes. Erik gave her a funny look. She only shrugged. She sat the clothes down and then sat.
"The light is better out here," she said and picked up a skirt.
Erik could see a small hole. Maria had been repairing clothes a lot over the past few days. Erik didn't mind; he liked to watch her work. He walked over and sat down next to her. He watched Maria's hand pull the thread and the concentration etched on her face. He didn't want her to leave.
"Maria," he said softly.
Maria turned to him with a childish smile. As she looked at him, it quickly faded.
"I know what you're about to say," she admitted.
"Then you know how hard it is to say," Erik fumbled.
Maria tossed the skirt aside and stood. She didn't want to hear the words. Erik followed her steps with his eyes.
"Maria, you have to go back. They will start to look for you."
Maria turned. There were already tears forming in her eyes. She would stay forever in this world if she had to. She looked away with a longing sigh.
"They will never notice that I'm gone," she said sullenly. "They won't even question where I've been. And if I go back, they'll most likely blame me for what happened."
Erik shook his head. He had thought about all this too. He didn't know exactly what would happen, but if anyone crossed her, he would be there. He stood up.
"I thought you would want to escape this darkness," he said.
Maria spun around. "There's more darkness in that world." She stopped and pointed above them, "then I have ever seen here."
Erik was taken aback by the statement. He had discovered, in this time with Maria, that she loved him. He was glad that she had stayed this long, but he thought she would want to go back. He gently touched her shoulder and then pulled her closer to him.
"No more talk of darkness," he whispered. "Forget these wide-eye fears. I'm here, nothing can harm you. My words will warm and clam you."
Maria dropped her head against his chest as he sang to her. She pulled him closer as he started again.
"Let me be your freedom, let my night dry your tears. I'm here, with you, beside you. I'll guard you and I'll guide you."
Maria smiled and turned to face him. "Say you'll love me every waking moment, turn my head with talk of nighttime, say you need me with you now and always. Promise me that all you say is true. That's all I ask of you."
Erik gently cradled her face in his hands. "Let me be your shelter, let me be your light. You're safe, no one will find you. Your fears are far behind you."
Maria closed her eyes at his delicate touch. This was what she never wanted to end. "All I want is freedom, a world with no more strife."
She paused. She looked deep into Erik's eyes then gently touched his cheek. "And you, always beside me, to hold me and to hide me."
"Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Let me lead you from your solitude. Say you need me with you, here, beside you." He pulled her closer, so that their hearts were beating as one. "Anywhere you go, let me go too. Maria, that's all I ask of you."
Maria smiled at the simple request. She would go anywhere with him. "Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Say the word and I will stay with you. Share each day with me, each night, each morning. Say you love me."
Erik smiled. "You know I do. Love me."
They both smiled and sang together. "That's all I ask of you."
Erik grabbed Maria and lifted her off her feet. He pressed her soft, slim, delicate body against his. Her lips quickly found his and placed the most passionate kiss he had ever felt on them. She clung to him and held the kiss until she couldn't breathe.
"Anywhere you go, let me go too. Love, that's all I ask of you." They whispered breathlessly.
Maria hugged Erik again. Erik held her tightly, savoring each sensation that he felt. He finally let go and took her to the boat. Maria said nothing the whole time. They both had so much to tell the other, but the time would come for that.
Erik docked and helped Maria to shore. She glanced at the stairs leading to her world. Then she looked back at the lake. Erik could see that she wanted to stay.
"I will miss you," he said suddenly.
Maria looked up at him with a weak smile. "Thank you, for everything you did."
Erik yanked her up and gave her a powerful kiss. His strength and intensity passed to Maria with great force. Finally Erik released her.
"You better go," he whispered.
Maria nodded. She started toward the stairs still holding Erik's hand. She let go and went up. Erik watched until she was out of sight, then he returned to the boat.
Maria walked through the mirror and went into her room. Everything was as she had last seen it. There was even a fresh rose lying next to her sapphire ring. She quickly slipped the ring on and smiled.
Suddenly the door opened. Maria swung around, worried she had been caught sneaking back in. She sighed when she saw Raoul standing there. Then she swallowed hard.
Raoul rushed over and took Maria in his arms. She felt sick as he touched her. She hurriedly pushed him away.
"Maria," he said, trying to kiss her.
Maria pushed him away harder. She wasn't going to allow him to get this close. She shook her head and walked over to the bed.
"I have missed you so much," Raoul said, not even realizing that she didn't want him there. "Madame Giry told me you were in the hospital and could have no visitors."
Maria turned to him with a confused look. Then she realized that Erik had created the story to keep anyone from looking for her.
"I got out yesterday," she lied.
"I thought that I would never see you again," Raoul placed a hand on her shoulder.
Maria tensed under his touch. She hated being like this with him. He wouldn't harm her, and she knew it. She sighed and turned to him.
"I'm glad to be back," she said.
Raoul smiled. He pulled her close to him. "Could we go outside? There is something I want to talk to you about."
Maria looked at him. The months had changed into winter. She didn't want to go outside in the snow and freeze. She shook her head. Raoul, however, wouldn't let it go.
"It's a beautiful night," he said, pulling her toward the door.
Maria pulled away. "Perhaps tomorrow. I want to rest."
Raoul nodded. He gently kissed her forehead. She closed her eyes, longing for Erik's lips. She hugged Raoul a little, and then he left. She sat down on the bed, wishing she had stayed with Erik.
