Erik floated in a darkness that was laced with pain. Every so often, pain ravished his head. He could feel a soft hand holding his. Soft, sad murmuring reached his ears. He felt his head checked frequently and bandages changed. Something wet fell on his face, followed by more. "Erik wake up, please wake up." Anguished pleas fell upon his ears drawing him from the darkness.

Meg stared dismally at Erik. His breathing was shallow and whatever color he had, had drained from his face. Tears slipped from her eyes, if she lost Erik she would have lost two people that she loved in less than a month. She finally admitted to herself that she loved Erik, but she still battled whether she was in love with him. Because after all, the leap between love and in love was huge! All she knew as she couldn't lose the man she called angel only two days earlier.

Meg began to take her hand out of Erik's to brush away her tears but her hand was caught in a grip of steel. "Meg?" Erik whispered hoarsely, his eyes fluttered open. "Water?"

The chair she was sitting in flew back as she ran to get Erik a glass of water. In a few moments she was back. She helped Erik sit up by propping him up against pillows. As she lifted the glass to his lips she kept her arm around his shoulders. When Erik finished drinking, he put down the glass on the bedside table and looked up at Meg. Her eyes were shining and tears were pouring down her face. Erik reached up and brushed away teas with long fingers. "Why all the tears?" He cupped her cheek in his hand, running his thumb under her eye.

Meg leaned into his hand inhaling his wonderfully masculine sent. "I thought I was going to lose you," she whispered brokenly. Meg placed her hand over his and entwined their fingers.

"You would only have lost a monster." He said bitterly. He words stung Meg, drawing more tears from her aching eyes. "Meg please don't cry," the tears confused Erik, he had only told the truth after all.

"Erik you are no monster. You have made mistakes, but you are no monster to me." She ran her fingers lightly over the right side of Erik's face. "You don't look much like any of the people I know, but he people I know, Erik, are so wrapped up in how they look that they care not a wit for all the other things. The music you write is like nothing I have ever heard. Your music holds so much truth, so much pure emotion, that no composer can rival your music. You make them sound unfeeling and empty. How could a monster do that?" She gave him a weak smile.

"But I have killed Meg. Would an angel kill?" tears welled in Erik's eyes for the monster he had created inside himself. The monster he could not always contain. It got to be so much for him sometimes that he had to unleash it. Though when he did, it only left terror in its wake.

"Has God killed Erik? And when have you killed? Was it ever for the joy of watching or for blood lust?"

"But what about Joseph Bouquet? He never did anything to me." Erik desperately tried to justify his monstrous belief.

"What of the young dancers he terrorized and threatened? What of the ones he raped?"

At her words Erik bowed his head and looked at their hands; their fingers were still intertwined and resting on his leg and Meg's arm was still around his shoulders. Shivers danced up and down his spine as he realized he was in a half embrace.

"Why are you so hard on yourself?" Meg's warm eyes looked at Erik.

"Because I was always told that I was nothing, the devil's child. I just wanted to be normal. When I was smaller, I was beat and put on display at a gypsy fair. Often times the reaction that came from my face was often screaming or women fainting. I was told I was being punished for my sins. I guess it became habit to think of myself that way." Meg squeezed Erik's hand as he finished speaking.

"Please don't think that. And don't ever think that no one cares." Meg let go of Erik's hand and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Don't ever think that." She murmured fiercely into his chest.

Awkwardly Erik put his arms around her, ignoring the growing ache in his head. His body burned in the spots Meg touched him, which was basically all over. Again, Erik could feel his heart crack for the dancer. Erik brushed his lips to her hair tightening his grip on Meg. Meg lifted her head to look at Erik, "I'll be right back." She untangled herself from Erik and walked into the other room.

When she came back, she was holding a bowel of warm, soapy water, some bandages, and a small purple vial. "Drink," she ordered, handing the vial to Erik.

He gulped it down and made a face, "Nasty," Meg giggled and unwrapped Erik's bandages. The cut was not very deep just long; however it was healing quite well. Meg dipped a piece of cloth in the water and began to make sure the cut was clean. Once she was fully satisfied, she rebandaged his head and crossed over to her dresser. "Where are you going?" Erik asked.

"Meg laughed as she settled her cloak around her shoulders. "You don't expect me to feed us on air do you?" I am gong to the market. I'll be back soon." She walked over to Erik and leaned down. "I'll be careful, I promise." And with that she laid a soft kiss on his forehead to smooth out the worry lines between his eyes.

Erik looked on shocked as she sauntered from the room. Meg had kissed him! Fighting the urge to laugh out loud, Erik decided to find out how well his legs worked. Much to his relief, they were fine, except for a slight dizziness from lying down for two days. Erik walked into his music room and sat at the organ.

After about two hours, Meg came back to the lair laden down with many full bags of food. She was greeted by the sound of Erik's music bouncing off the stone. Meg smiled and went into the kitchen to put away the food and make lunch. She sliced a loaf of bread and topped them with slices of ham and cheese. After retrieving two glasses and placing everything on the rickety table, Meg went to find Erik.

The music led her into the music room where Erik sat composing, stopping every so often to scribble on a piece of paper in front of him. Quietly, Meg walked into the room and placed her hands on his shoulders. Erik played for a moment more, wrote a few more notes then looked up at Meg. "Lunch is ready," she said softly. He responded with a nod and stood to stretch. As he walked past Meg he stopped to grab her hand. A smile graced her features as they walked into the kitchen.

"What would you like to drink?" Meg looked shyly up at Erik.

"Water is fine." Reluctantly Erik let go of Meg's hand and sat as Meg poured his water. She sat in her chair and nibbled at her food, throwing him quick glances every so often.

"Meg?"

"Yes?" She peered at him over her cup.

"Thank you."

"What for?" Meg's brow furrowed in confusion.

Erik chuckled. "Only the fact that you forgave me, took care of me, and put up with me on a daily basis."

"Well then I have a thank you too."

"For?" This time, Erik was confused.

"You gave me your home." Meg said simply. Erik just shrugged and they finished their meal in silence.

After they finished, Erik clasped Meg's hand again. "Come, I want you to listen to something." Erik led Meg into the music room and sat at the organ. Meg perched on the edge of the bench. Settling, Erik let his fingers fly over the keys. Quiet and loud notes resounded in the stone cavern. The notes ranged from a soft, gentle caress to a harsh, brutal assault. The ending reached a crescendo then nothing was left but quiet and a breathless Meg.

"That was incredible." She breathed, scooting over to lean her head on Erik's shoulder.

"Thank you." Erik could feel Meg's warm breath on his neck and the pressure her thigh put on his. Erik knew that if only he turned his head a few slight inches, his lips would meet hers. A burning desire welled up inside him, sending a chain reaction through out his body.

Erik bit the inside of his cheek and repositioned his body so he was facing Meg instead of the organ. But in doing so, Erik caused Meg to fall as she had been leaning on him. Meg fell against his chest throwing her arms around his neck. A small gasp escaped Meg's lips as Erik snaked his arms around her waist, crushing her to him. Erik slid his hand up her neck to cradle her head, and with his other hand, traced her jaw line with his fingertips sending tremors down her spine. Meg looked into his eyes and tilted her head up to him. He smiled slightly and lowered his mouth to hers. Tiny explosions rippled through Meg's body and fireworks danced behind her eyes. Erik's lips were soft and gentle against hers, not the harsh demand of her former suitors. The feeling in her stomach went beyond anything she had ever known before. Meg couldn't take her mind off all the places Erik touched. Her lower back, her neck, her waist, her thigh, all those places burned with the imprint of Erik's touch. Erik broke the kiss only to trail kisses over her face and down her neck. With a soft touch Meg explored the muscles on Erik's arms and chest. She marveled at how fit he was.

Erik brought his mouth back to hers and she opened her mouth just a bit. Happily Erik obliged exploring every inch of her mouth. The feeling Erik gave Meg made her want to scream! She wanted to touch and taste all of him. Meg trailed her hands down his chest and stomach, but a pair of strong hands stopped hers before they could trek further.

"You truly are Aphrodite," Erik said softly, "But your virtue is one that should be protected, more than likely we have already overstepped more than a few boundaries." He chuckled softly and kissed her softly, lingering for a moment. With a small sigh he stood and untangled their limbs.

"Where are you going?" Meg whispered opening her eyes staring up at him dreamily.

"To look at the needed repairs, would you like to come with me?" Meg nodded and grabbed his hand. "Let's go."

a/n: this my dears is the fruit of my boredom. i was at my grandparents all weekend and i wrote most of this! try writing a romantic scene with your peers looking over your shoulder... no fun i will tell you that.. read review please!