a/n: since that last chapter was very very short, i shall settle for four reviews. This also isn't the longest of chapters, but i promise that after this things will begin to grow in length again.

phantomfreak258: I'm glad you like my take on the story!

Moonjava: thank you very much!

Tay-kun: I'm glad you like the story. yes, i understand that it was a bit drastic, but still, it was about the only way i saw this story going and it would happen eventually, I'm sure... btw, thank you for that little end to your review, that really made my day! smiles

wolfegurl006: knowing you, you would be too lazy at that time of night... tsk, tsk. "Relax" shiver And i already knew you liked "shriveled garden"... one of my best qoutes!

ERIK POV

He carries me back into the guest bedroom with little problem, as if he were carrying a kitten in his arms. I smile and curl into his warmth, enjoying the pleasant feeling of helplessness in his arms. Though I hate to admit it, I actually quite enjoy being helpless with him around. He's always taking care of me, and this means that he is making physical contact ninety percent of the time, a fact that brings a strange feeling to me. Christine could never touch me, and she could barely stand to look at my face without my mask. But this boy, this Vicomte, my Vicomte, is amazingly calm when it comes to touching this damned beast, and is even less deterred by looking at me, even without my mask. He can look at my damnable face, the face of a corpse, and still smile, still make eye contact, still love me. How? How could he love me? No one is supposed to love me, yet this man does, this man who praises me, and calls me his love, calls me his angel, can see past the monster and see the man who secretly wishes to emerge. This man is the person, whom I thought would be a woman, that I knew was out there, that I always hoped to find, that can actually love me. Love me!

Placing me gently back on the bed, he lays my feet down on the bed first and slowly moves up, until he gently rests my head on the pillow.

"You're an amazing person, Raoul," I sigh out, "Don't let your brother get to you."

"What?" he asks uncertainly.

"I said, don't let your brother get to you. I see the bags under your eyes and I recognize them too. You're very stressed, Vicomte. Don't let your brother get to you. You can't be so hard on yourself. No one is perfect, no one, especially not an angel, because no matter how perfect they seem, they still have one weakness," he looks at me and urges me to continue.

But I make him ask, "And what's that?"

"They can fall in love, far too easily. Love can cause pain, vast amounts of it," I point out.

"But it can also cause happiness," he counters.

"Depending on if the love is returned, yes, it can," I agree.

"Is my love returned then? My love for you, is it returned?" it's as though he has to hear it again.

"Always, Raoul, always," I smile, "I was more afraid that my love was not returned. The note said nothing to me about devotion, only heartbreak."

He turns away in what could be considered pain, "I'm so sorry."

"Why?" I reach out to wrap an arm around his waist, holding him close the best I can.

"You said heartbreak. I never meant to break your heart," he frowns, turning away.

I force myself into a sitting position and before he can protest I cover his lips with mine. Instantly I feel his hand snake to fit around behind my neck. Pulling me closer, his hands then travel to rest on my back. I allow my tongue to travel past my lips and I brush it along his, tasting his sweetness. His taste is indescribably perfect in every form. I feel his lips part and my tongue eagerly takes its place within his mouth once more. Finding comfort in this embrace, I allow my tongue to reach out and meet his. His tongue tangles around mine and a silent duel begins. A moan escapes from deep in my throat and I feel his hand start to move in circles on my back, very relaxing.

Finally we need air, real air, and we break the kiss, gasping.

"My God," he mumbles out.

"I'm not a god, Raoul," I smirk.

He shakes his head, "You're right. You're an angel."

He helps me lay down once more and then starts to run a hand through my hair.

There is silence for what seems like an eternity, and it's not a comforting silence either.

He breaks it, and I inwardly smile when he does, "Are you hungry?"

"No," I shake my head.

"You've hardly eaten," he points out.

"I'm used to it," I shrug.

"Erik," he scolds lightly.

"Please, try to understand. I was starved nearly to death for about ten years. If I ever regain my previous appetite it would be a miracle. I got used to little food, and now I eat little food," I argue.

"Oh, Erik," there's pity in his voice.

"Don't pity me, Raoul. If it means anything I was saved from that cruelty and then we found each other. If it were not for that cruelty I would not even live here, so maybe it was just meant to be. It's quite possible that if that had never happened to me that I never would have met you," I reach a hand out and lightly touch his face.

I feel a tear lightly brush my hand and I watch as many more begin to fall.

I look pitifully at him, "Please, Raoul, don't cry. I never meant to make you cry."

I motion for him to lower his head, and he does. I motion for him to lie next to me and he does. I place his head on my shoulder and I allow his body to wrack with sobs as he lies next to me, soaking my clothes.

I listen as his tears slowly subside and his breath shakily returns to normal. Wanting to stay like this forever I run my opposite hand through his hair and whisper to him. I whisper nothing in particular; I just mean to calm him.

After much reluctance his sobs stop and I hear his breath even out. My angel has cried himself to sleep.

"Raoul?" I try, just to make sure.

When no answer comes I allow him to sleep in peace. He must be exhausted. I know it is hard to take care of a person, no matter how much you love them. I know that it is going to be a difficult time ahead of us as I heal. For the more I heal the worse the pain will be. I wish it weren't so. I don't wish to cause him more heartbreak.

I close my eyes and allow myself to breathe in the scent of his hair, which rests right below my chin. I don't fight the sleep when it starts to come over me; I embrace it, hoping for a pleasant dream where I can see his face.

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a/n: alright, I'm asking for 6 reviews. please?