a/n: yep, an update! And just for everyone's knowledge, there is one chapter and an epilogue left... that's it!

Thank you to:

NightmareFX

Tay-kun

inkie pinkie (nah, just sick... no eating disorders here)

Lize Radcliffe(go vanilla! YAY!)

I wake up to instant pain. I open my eyes and see that I'm covered up, but not in my bed. I look to my side and see Erik, lying on top of the covers, reading a book.

"Erik?" I turn over for another shot of pain.

He looks down at me and instantly there is relief in his eyes, "Thank God, you're okay!"

"Of course," I look at him in confusion, "In pain, but okay."

"I knew it!" he looks to his side and brings back a couple of pills, "Here, take these, they'll help."

Handing me the pills he helps me swallow them with water. He then holds me in his arms like a baby and starts running his fingers through my hair.

"Hey! I'm not the one who needs care! You have your wrists to worry about," I scold.

He shows me them, and they are un-bandaged and completely healed, "I'm fine."

I let myself fall limp in his arms and instantly concern draws his face into a panic, "Raoul?"

"I'm okay, just really tired," I answer.

"I'll have our meals brought up here," he walks off, leaving me suddenly feeling empty more so than alone.

ERIK POV

I walk out and head toward the library, knowing where that is after Philippe showed me last night. I needed to ask him for the ingredients for the painkillers and asked where I could find him if I needed to. He showed me the library. I like it there, it's huge and has so many great places to explore. And not literally or physically, but mentally, with books from all over the world. I could spend hours in there, and I will, once I know my angel can be there by my side.

I walk in and see him at his usual desk. He looks up at me and beams.

"And what can I do for you, Erik?" he's really not this cheerful, he sounds more stressed than anything.

"It's Raoul, he's not feeling well this morning, I was wondering if we could get the meals taken to the room?" I stand in the doorway, wishing to intrude no further.

He looks back to his papers, "I'll see to it as soon as I'm finished here."

I turn to leave, then stop, and turn back, walking over to him.

He looks up, his voice much harsher, "You heard me, didn't you?"

I nod and sit across from him, "What time did you retire last night?"

"What?" he looks at me in disbelief.

"What time did you retire to your room last night?" I repeat, "If I'm not mistaken it was quite late, right around 3 in the morning."

"Yes. So I was, big deal! It comes at the price of being a Comte, or a Chagny for that matter," he lowers his head to return to work.

"What time did you come back to continue work?" I insist.

"What?" he slams his papers on the desk, hard, "This is none of your business! Go!"

"Just answer the question," I stare him in the eyes and watch a strong man start to cower.

"About six this morning," he admits.

I pick up the papers, "What are these?"

"Documents, I need to file them over there," he points to a wall filled with documents much like these.

"How are they ordered?" I set them back down.

"Alphabetized by the person who wrote it, this one I can not seem to find though," he rubs his eyes in an exhausted manor.

I look at the papers, "Tell you what, you go tell them about our meals and then you get to bed, I'll tell them not to bother you and I'll finish this when I finish my breakfast. Deal?"

He heaves a great sigh, "Deal."

We both stand and I follow him back to the door.

He stops and turns to me; "You really are a great man."

He leave before I can respond, but I know he already knows what I would say. I'm grateful he feels this way, especially after last night. Not many people could respect a man with my face, despite the fact that he is their brother's lover.

I walk back to my room in silence to find Raoul flipping through the book I had been reading.

"The Merchant of Venice. Shakespeare," he comments, "I never understood him."

"It's unimaginably simple," I answer, "You just need to understand the people."

"And how do you do that?" I laugh at his innocence, something I fear I never had.

"Just see how they speak and how they get along with the others, once you get the manner in which they act understood you can understand the manner in which they speak," I take the book and open to the first page, "In sooth I know not why I am sad. That was a character named Antonio. What does this quote tell you about him?"

"Umm… that he in sooth knows not why he is sad?" his look of confusion brings a smile to my face.

I can not help but laugh, "It means he is depressed and doesn't know why."

"Oh," Raoul's eyes lower and I pull him into a tight embrace. His eyes close and I feel his body relax.

A knock on the door spoils our fun.

I sit up and call out, "Come in."

Our food is brought in and wordlessly set before us.

Time for me to hold up part of my end of this bargain, "Mademoiselle?"

"Oui, Monsieur?" she turns back to me at the door.

"I was asked to make a request that no one is to bother Comte Philippe, he is terribly busy in his room," I answer.

She nods, "Of course, Monsieur, thank you."

I nod and she leaves.

Raoul turns to me, "What business could my brother possibly have that is that important in his room? Everything important is in the library!"

"I have told him to get some rest, and that I'll be taking care of what needs to be done," I kiss his cheek, "Now eat."

And he does, along with me, with no further questions.

When we finish I turn to him and smile, "Now I must hold up the rest of my bargain."

Standing and leaving I watch as he stares at me until I leave. Feeling guilty I dare not turn back as I head for the library, knowing if I do so this job will never get completed. Walking back in I look at the document and sigh. The poor man really must have been exhausted; the signature is right on the front. Sighing I find its rightful place on the shelf and walk back to the room, eager to see my love again.

When I return he is grinning.

"What?" I cock my head curiously.

"Nothing," he smiles some more.

"Tell me…" I urge.

He seals his lips shut and shakes his head.

I approach him like a wild animal would approach its prey, "Tell me, Raoul, or I'll have to force it out of you."

Still he persists, and I give in, lying on the bed, "Fine! You can be so stubborn…"

He grins that brilliant smile that only he can wear and lays his head in my lap. I gently run my fingers through his hair.

RAOUL POV

Oh yes Erik, there is something. As I lay here I know perfectly well that, though Philippe may be resting, he is wide-awake, writing letters and making arrangements. In good time all will tell its tale… in good time you will know.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

a/n: please review! ().