Okay, shorter than my other chapters. But thats mostly cause this is more of a transition chapter. I'm hoping this will be an end of the angst (For Now Anyway :)) Of course, more to come. Hope You enjoy this chapter. I will try my best to get the next Chappie out ASAP. Cheers!

Jenna took his tray and went to leave him to rest when she heard him say something to her. She turned around, surprised. "I didn't hear you, what?" she asked softly.

"I said…will you come back?" he asked, his eyes closing at the obvious effort he was having to put into speaking.

She nodded "Of course, let me just take this down to Henri and I'll be right back"

He sunk into the mattress, relieved. She took the tray down and set it on the counter before turning and slowly making her way back upstairs. She entered the room, seeing Erik lying there, almost asleep she didn't want to disturb him. She turned to make a discreet exit but was stayed by his voice.

"Leaving again?" he asked dryly.

"I didn't want to disturb you, you need rest," she said softly taking a few steps towards the bed.

"You never disturb me," he answered; the insinuation in his comment was not lost on her.

"Alright" she cautiously sat on the bed.

"How was your holiday?" he asked in a falsely social tone.

"Erik, you need to sleep. I woke you up…please try to sleep?"

She saw the hesitation in his golden eyes; she also saw longing and love gazing back at her. Her heart ached for him; she gave in to her weakness when he was involved. She settled herself next to him.

"If I lie here with you will you rest?"

He nodded, letting his eyelids droop. Jenna scooted closer to him and tentatively put her arms around him, drawing him to her. She felt the tension in his frame melt against her; she closed her eyes taking a deep breath as she felt his head on her shoulder.

Erik fell into a peaceful sleep in his angel's arms. Jenna held him for a few hours, letting herself fall asleep as well. She woke when she could no longer feel her arm. She moved it carefully trying not to wake Erik up. She watched him sleep for a moment before placing a light kiss on his forehead.

"I love you so much" she whispered.

She got out of bed and exited the room quietly. She saw Erik's door slightly ajar. She walked in and was shocked by the devastation she saw. Tears crept to her eyes as she surveyed the damage, knowing he had wrought such destruction in her absence. She would begin work on those rooms as soon as Erik was feeling a bit better.

She wandered around the manor, taking it all in. Even though it had only been a little over 2 months since her departure it felt like she hadn't seen it in years. She paused in front of the music room before stepping inside. There was a layer of dust on the piano that shook her to the core. This room hadn't been touched since her departure. She sighed as she made her way to find Henri and arrange for that room to receive a decent scrubbing.

To her surprise Jenna discovered that her tour had taken over two hours. Erik was most likely awake and none too happy that she had left. She made her way to her old suite and opened the door. Sure enough Erik was sitting up, flipping through a novel looking very unhappy. She walked over to the bed and sat down carefully trying not to jar him.

"You left" he said bluntly setting the book aside.

Jenna smiled "Yes, I did. I'm sorry, but you were asleep and I had some things I had to take care of"

"Oh. Work?" he asked curiously.

"Something like that" she responded Vaguely.

Jenna watched as his eyes darkened, but was gone so quickly she might have imagined it. She cleared her throat, never thinking that so many topics would be taboo between the two of them. There were so many things she wanted to say, but she didn't want to bring up. She sat back against the headboard, settling herself next to him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't expect to be gone as long as I was," she said finally.

"It's quite alright…you have more important things to attend to. I'm sure this whole thing has been a damned inconvience for you"

Jenna looked at him, a somber expression on her face. "Erik there is nothing in this world more important to me than you. Don't ever forget that"

"But I wasn't enough to keep you here" he said suddenly.

Jenna felt like he had punched her, all their dancing on eggshells was over. She sighed, "Erik, you know why I left" she said sounding very tired.

"I still love you Jenna. I've been miserable without you"

She closed her eyes, her heart and mind battling it out. "Erik, this has never been about love. You know I love you, more than anything. But you don't trust me"

"But I do" he protested.

She opened her mouth to respond, but he put his finger to her lips "Wait…I'm not done. Jenna, I do trust you. You accepted me, knowing what I was, what I've done. No one has ever done that. I do trust you, but I can't ignore my instincts. I…I've spent my entire life running from the scrutiny of others. You have to give me time before I step back into the world like that. I would like to think you're family would not be cruel, but unfortunately it is human nature…"

Her face fell; as much as she hated to admit it she knew he was right. She asked him to jump into the deep end of the pool right off the bat.

"Erik…I…" she couldn't seem to find the right words.

"It's alright Jenna. You were right about some of the things you said. And as much as I hate to admit it most of my hesitation stems from my own fears as ridiculous as they seem they have been breed into me from infancy. It will take some time for me to be rid of them"

"I never wanted to push you like that. I just wanted you to meet my family, I love you so much I want to share you with them"

He smiled at her "I know, and I do want to meet you family. But I think it would be best if I met them here. At least here I have somewhere to escape to if needed."

Jenna nodded, managing a weak smile. "I'm sorry about everything Erik…I never wanted to hurt you. I feel so horrible" she said, tears forming in her eyes.

Erik reached over and pulled her to him, kissing her. Her arms weaved themselves around his neck as she deepened the kiss.

"I forgave you the moment I read you letter. You are 25 years old, far too young to be taking on the burdens you are to be with me. And I'm the one who should be sorry for putting you through all this. You shouldn't have to deal with half the things you do because of me."

"I put up with everything because I love you. I want to be with you, I Know that things are going to be complicated and there are going to be challenges that I have to deal with. But I wouldn't have it any other way"

"Come back to me Jenna. I can't live without you in my life" he whispered.

"Of course" she responded softly.

She kissed him again, before lying down with him letting him hold her against him. She sighed as she finally felt like she had returned home.