Little Lotte- whistles innocently... no foreshadowing here...nope, non at all...let me just say this, when I was typing this, I couldn't get "Sheet Music" out of my mind...

How's the Robert Englund version coming? Pass out from the blood yet?

"Sing once again with me... our strange duet..." god that's getting annoying...

Chapter 17

Erik's finders gentle played in my hair, as my head rest in his lap. Rehearsal today was probably the longest one I have ever participated in, seeing as it was Madame Giry's first time since her health trouble, and she felt we are not up to our usual standards.

I was retelling Erik about the latest gossip, especially what I over heard Sorelli saying to one of the others.

"Well, you know that navy man, the one with the bad leg, Murtagh, his leg may not work the best, but other parts of him sure do." I recall her words perfectly. If rehearsal had not dragged on as it had, I would have ran to his house to confront him, but I could barely make it back down here, with out collapsing onto our bed.

"She is just lying, when have you known her to speak the true?" Erik tried to comfort me, but it did no good, all I could think of was Murtagh.

Despite the argument between Madame Giry and Meg, the relationship between her and scout has only grown. I have never seen either of them like this, sticking to just one person.

I swear to God if Murtagh is doing what Sorelli claims he is, He will wish he never returned to me with what I shall do to him.

"But I still can't help but worry. Scout has never been the faithful type."

"I could take you to him, if you would like? I know your tired, but if it will calm your mind..." I lifted my head out of his lap, looking into his eyes.

"No, Erik. This is something I have to do my self, He is my brother you know." I got up off the bed, despite my bodies protest. Erik followed my action, heading to the closet, getting out one of my cloaks. I slipped my shoes on as he draped the cloak over my shoulders, tying it as his lips caressed my neck.

"Hurry back." He whispered in my ear, his lips returning to my skin.

"Are you trying to break my heart, My Love? You know the longer you do that, the harder it is to leave."

"I know." He teased, kissing my lips this time, then allowing me to leave.

It didn't take as long as I had expected to reach the inn Murtagh was staying in. I pounded my fist on his pine door impatiently, almost hitting him square in the nose when he opened the door.

"Ace, calm down." He joked at my urgency.

"We need to talk." I said grimly as he escorted me inside. This was the first time I have ever been inside his make shift home. It looked rather dark, and small, much like Erik's home before I moved in. a single bed sat against the far wall, and a large writing desk next to us. There was no other furniture, so he sat me upon the bed, taking a seat beside me.

His usual smart ass grin was no were to be found on his face, only a serious, almost stern fatherly look.

"Young lady, are you pregnant?" I rolled my eyes, and slapped his arm, his grin appearing on his face again.

How could He joke like that?

"Sorry ace, seriously what's on your mind?"

I fidgeted uncomfortably, not knowing how to start, or how sugar coated my words should be.

"Scout, there has been some talk around the opera house, and quite frankly, I find it upsetting." He leaned closer to me, confused and interested.

"And what exactly has been said?"

He wasn't going to make this easy for me, was he?

"Sorelli and the others have been bragging about, well... your skill in the bedroom. Being the best friend, I have to stand up for Meg, and being your sister gives me the reason to slap you with a mistake like that." I blurted out all at once. He sat back, a dazed look upon his face.

"Ace, those are complete lies, Either Meg has been sharing our experiences with them, or there fantasizing, but I haven't slept with any of them! Although... they are right... I am rather skilled."

Must he always be like this? No matter what the situation?

"How can you believe what they say?"

"I know you!" I leaned to him, lowing my voice slightly, trying to bring the serious tone that was needed for conversation back.

"Scout, never in your life have you been loyal to any one person, and look how long it took you to bed Meg!"

"I rather don't feel comfortable talking about my sex life to my baby sister." He shifted uncomfortably.

"I am no longer a child Scout. And besides, Meg talks to me. Let me tell you , Big Brother, from what she said, the rumors surpass your actual performance." His eyes looked as if they would fall right out of his head, as his jaw dropped.

He never would have expected me to say something like that.

I couldn't help but grin at the look on his face.

"Scout, I just came over to make sure your intentions with Meg are honourable, just humour me please? I'm new at this caring for other's welfare thing." He rolled his eyes and laugh.

"My intentions with Meg are completely unhonorables," That grin appeared once again on his face.

"Your good at it, you're a real mother figure."

"Good joke, me, a mother figure? You must be crazy." Murtagh rolled his eyes, not agreeing with my complete banishment of Motherhood.

It was no big secret I don't like people, especially children. It hadn't hit me till that moment that I was going to be Meg's stepmother, after I marry Erik. How can I live up to my own Stepmother? How can Meg and Murtagh stay together with Me and Erik married? Our 'family' is almost dancing on the line of incest. How is it we found our selfs tangled in such a web?

"In all seriousness, I'm not cheating on Meg, nor will I ever. Sorelli wishes I was, and has on multiple occasions tried to get me to, but I haven't, and I promise I never will."

Never before have I accepted his word like I did tonight. In my heart I know he won't hurt her, He loves her.

"That's a relief. Sorry for just barging in on you like this, But I was just trying to be the good friend."

"And step mother to be." He commented.