Authors Note - First of all, let me apologise for not posting for so long. RL has been hectic and my muse was hiding. Luckily, my muse has started to be useful again. Only a short chapter but I'll try and post another, longer chapter soon.

Review replys are no longer allowed in stories, according to the rules but thank you to everyone who has reviewed this story so far :)

Chapter Seventeen

Arriving back at the bedroom using the mirror, Madame Giry moved straight to Charlottes bedside. She was shivering and she immediantly moved to her dresser, finding her another night dress. Joshua watched silently, not sure what was going on. He held Angel close to his chest.

'Erik, take Joshua into his bedroom while I help Charlotte,' Madame Giry said.

Erik nodded. 'Come Joshua,' he said, indicated the door into the boys bedroom. Joshua nodded, standing, looking at his sister once more before he went with Erik.

Joshua moved and sat on his bed, watching Erik who remained standing. Erik was startled when the boy started crying.

He frowned, unsure of what to do. 'I.. it's alright Joshua,' he said softly. 'Your sister is well, she's just asleep,'

Joshua sniffled and looked up at him and wiped at his eyes, holding Angel tightly before he moved to sit on the floor and play with his toy carriages.

Erik watched silently as he did so and watched as a carriage rolled across the foor and hit his foot. He smiled before he leaned down and pushed it back to Joshua who grinned at him and Erik smiled back.

Madame Giry changed Charlotte into dry clothes and wrapped two blankets around her, folding Eriks cape and placing it at the end of the bed.

Once she had settled Charlotte, she knocked on the door which joined the two rooms before she opened it and was surprised at the sight which confronted her. Erik and Joshua were playing with a spinning top together, Joshua laughing.

Erik looked up as she entered. 'Madame Giry, is she alright?'

'Yes, she shall be fine,' she assured him. 'She's still resting,'

He nodded. 'Someone should stay with her until she wakes,' he said, peering into her bedroom.

'I can stay for awhile but then I must go to rehersals,' Madame Giry said.

Erik nodded. 'I'd like to stay with her,' he said softly.

Madame Giry was surprised but simply nodded. Perhaps he would stay when she awoke? Was it too much to hope for? 'You know where I'am if you need me. I suggest you lock the door so no one can walk in though,' The Opera House was fairly empty now, all the dancers and chorus had gone out for the morning. 'I shall tell the girls she is sick and cannot attend rehersal today. I shall return later with lunch,' she told him.

Erik simply nodded before she left and he locked the door after her, returning to Charottes bedside and watched her sleeping form. She was even more beautiful then he had remembered. Her red hair gave a strong contrast to her pale skin, which was even more pale now. Her hair was loose and across her face and he reached across with his gloved hand and pushed it from her eyes.

As he touched her cheek, Charlotte whimpered softly and he was about to pull away when she nuzzled his hand before becoming still again.

His eyes had widened slightly at her action. 'Charlotte,' he breathed her name before he settled into the chair he had placed beside her bed to wait for her to awaken.