It's a short chapter, but an important one.

Little Lotte- Russian tea... ain't it great? Sorry, just had to work that into the story... I had to work the spider into this too, just had to... What is a lair without it's Greg?

Amber-Gasp! Two chapters without you! I know, you originally made an appearance in the last one, but I cut you out sorry the story is just stronger without your appearance, and I'm speeding certain things up... just like the next chapter.. sorry... you will come back... eventually.

Chapter 18

I returned home to find Erik sitting on his arm chair, his nose in a book. I approached him, sitting down on the arm of the chair, letting my hair drape around his head, trying to get a glimpse at what he was engrossed in.

"How did it go?" He asked, not looking up from the book.

"You were right, Sorelli is a lier." A satisfied grin spread across his.

When wasn't my Erik right?

My attention turned from the pages as Ayesha darted from the organ over to the door frame of our bed room. She seemed to be stalking something, her tail tauntingly swinging in the air.

"Ayesha, what are you doing?" I called to her. She turned her head to me, then returned to her prey.

"Come Little One." Erik called to her, but no avail.

"What has caught you eye?" I asked her, getting of the chair, approaching her. I picked her up in my arms, separating her from the frightened prey. A rather large black spider sat before me, huddled waiting for her attack. I took her over to Erik, disposing her into his lap, and returned to the spider.

"What is it?" Erik asked, curiously.

"Some poor little spider." I grabbed one of the sheets of music, and coaxed the creature onto it. I took the spider out to the main door, letting go up on the dark walls, out of Ayesha's reach, then returned inside.

"Did you kill it?" Erik asked calmly.

"Of course not! Why on earth would I do such a thing? It's not like the poor creature hurt anything. No, I let it go where our little one couldn't torment it." I placed my hands on his shoulder, bending down to kiss his cheek.

"I think I am going to retire to bed." I whispered into his ear.

"I shall join you soon. Good night Mon Ange"

"Good Night Erik."

Despite how tired my body was, I couldn't pass into my dreams till Erik's body curled up next to mine, wrapping around me protectively.

When I awoke the next morning, my angel's protective wings were gone, only the cold sheets surrounded me.

I tried to sit up, but the world around me seemed to blur, as a nauseous feeling filled my throat. A vile taste filled my mouth, and I knew I was going to be sick. I rushed into the bathroom,pulling my long hair away from my face, vomiting into the sink. I tried to call our Erik's name, but my voice cracked. I collapsed to the floor, resting my head against the cold, hard basin, which felt soothing to my screaming mind, that was questioning my sickness. I closed my eyes, trying to stop my head from pounding.

What if...

No, it couldn't be that. That couldn't happen to me, not now.

From the other room, someone called my name.

"Erik?" I croaked out. I opened my eyes to see Meg hurrying toward me, her face filled with concern.

"What's wrong?" She instinctively put the back of her hand on my forehead, checking to see if I had a fever. She didn't have to ask, I had ill written all over my face.

Were is Erik?

Meg helped me up off the floor, letting my lean over the sink as she tied my hair back, and helped me clean myself up, for I couldn't find the strength to do it myself.

"Mother is absolutely furious, she thinks you were just skipping practice." She lead me back the bed room, tucking my frail body between the sheets.

"She thought you lost track of the time... With Erik..."

Erik... How I hate him! If he did this to me... No... No, this is nothing, just a simple little bug, nothing to worry about, every one gets sick every now and then... But the timing... No, I'm not thinking about that now... I am just sick. Just sick, this will pass.

"Erik?" I found myself asking her. She shook her head,

"I haven't seen him." She placed another blanket on top of me.

"But I'm sure he will be back soon." She reassured me, before leaving the room. I can't recall if it was only seconds after she left, or hours, but she returned, carrying a steaming cup, placing it down on the night stand.

"Here, when you feel up to it, I brought you some tea. There is nothing a little Russian tea can't fix." I picked it up, holding it in my hand. The sweet smell intoxicated me, reminding me of Erik, after all, it was his favorite kind. The feel of the burning liquid on the back of my throat soothed my voice, allowing me to speak somewhat.

"Thank you." She nodded, gently kissing my forehead.

"That's what Friends are for. You'll be fine." I nodded, but the cup down, and rested my head on the pillow. I don't know when she left, or anything for that matter, only that I slipped into a dreamless sleep.