AN: Okay, sorry it took so long. I'm honestly blank on this one. Shows me better than to just write a story on a spurt without a plot in mind. Oh well. I… I think Erik's mom IS dead… however. She is going to be alive in this story. Eh… a change, I know. I'm sorry.

Chapter 5:

Erik caught her falling form, easily sweeping her into his arms. Someone as… strange as him shouldn't have such strength. It was another one of his many gifts.

"Oh Christine." He murmured, pushing one strand of blond hair from her face before sitting back on the bench, propping her up beside him and laying her over. He awaited her return to consciousness.

-

Raoul felt a warm rag on his head… he felt like he was on fire! He couldn't figure out what it was… where he was.

A moan escaped his lips.

"There, there." A voice said soothingly, removing the rag and replacing it with a cool one. "You've been through quiet a shock young man. You keep quiet now, and I'll take care of you." A spout of cool liquid trickled across his lips, and he opened his mouth hungrily. How long had be been out? What was wrong with him?

"I… I…" He couldn't seem to form words.

"You've caught the fever young one. Shush now, I'll take care of it."

His eyes opened momentarily, taking in the kind face of an older woman. He nodded once.

"Thank…" The word, 'you', couldn't pass his lips. Mercifully, he slipped back into unconsciousness.

-

"You love me?" She sputtered, shock ringing throughout her system. Perhaps he had indeed, and she couldn't even remember… and if he loved her…

Why had she come here, if not because she loved him as well?

(A little confusion NEVER hurt anyone)

Erik had not been shocked when she spoke. He had felt the signs of her stirring for quiet some time. He had been wondering when she would open her eyes. Her first words did not even shock him.

"Yes." He could truthfully say that. He did love her… more than she could ever know.

A moment of silence followed, then:

"Erik?" She asked softly?

He looked down at her, golden eyes flashing; some dark emotion laid within their depths.

"What is it my Angel?"

"I, I love you too?" It was more a question than a statement. However… it was something that Erik had been desperately wanting since he first heard her sing. She had confessed… Perhaps she had loved him all along, and now only that emotion had returned…

Better not to fool himself. One could love neither a man that she couldn't remember, or the monster that she could. It was better for him to play this slow. Maybe if her memory did return, the fact that he had not used such a perfect opportunity for manipulation would shock her. It certainly shocked him that he hadn't taken it.

"Christine…" He started to reach a hand out, then retracted it slowly. "You do not even grasp more memory of me than to recall my name." His wasn't a question: it was a statement.

She looked up at him, her blue eyes glassy with confusion. "I can remember nothing, but what else could it be? I came to you and thought of no one else. You love me… should I not return that love blindly?"

His heart wrenched. He couldn't believe that such a perfect opportunity had fallen into his lap, as if God himself were apologizing for giving him such a hard time! Such an chance… and he couldn't let himself take advantage of it. Something inside screamed to him that it would be wrong.

He wanted to prove to Christine that he was a man, not a monster. Not the monster that he was. He had to show her that he had more than just one side. She had to know that he wasn't…

"Erik?" The confusion in her voice pleaded with him to lead her. He could choose the path, and for once… he had no idea what to say.

"You look tired." He finally said, in a near curt voice that sent a shock of tenderness through Christine's eyes. He struggled with himself for a moment, turning his tone to something softer. "Why don't you go back to bed."

When she didn't move, he gave a sigh and took a step towards her. "I'll walk you."

She looked up at him, and such an expression of confusion and pain leapt into her eyes.

"You'll be okay Christine. You'll be safe."

After a moment, she nodded, and allowed him to lead her back to her room.

-

Okay, sorry it took so long, I'll try to have another chapter up soon. I've just been into re-reading L.J. Smith books lately! Anyway, hopefully I'll have the next chapter up soon, sorry that this one is so short and put together sloppy.

Deathsrequiem07