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Disclaimer: I don't own POTO, duh! But I do own any OC's I do not own Meg or Erik. Sadly..

She'd gone back with Erik; keeping her promise to take care of him. Sebastian was asleep when she was taken out. Erik took her behind the mirror, and hugged her again.

"Oh god. God.." was all he could say. They weren't far from the window when Erik held her. His arms locked around her tightly, fearing that she was leaving. "That bastard was lucky I didn't kill him."

"Erik..I'm sorry." Meg apologized as if it was her fault. "I should have hurried back; if I'd gone faster he'd never-"

"Meg, don't say that." He told her softly. "It wasn't your fault. Now. Let's get back home." That was the first time he'd ever called his lair; his home. It was a place that had a bed for him to rest in, but he never thought of it as home. He helped Meg onto the black horse he had waiting for her; and lead it down to the dock where the boat waited. He helped Meg off the horse, and into the boat.

Meg was silent all the way there, as if she was afraid he would be angry at her for what Alex did. But when they stepped off the boat; he hugged her again.

"I'm sorry for hugging you so much." He told her, trying to smile. "But. I was scared I'd never see you again." She locked her arms around him, and told him she understood.

-----

Erik had begun thinking that keeping his feelings for Meg hidden was for the best. She obviously cared about him; because she didn't leave for anything. She did not act any different from her usual visits; she laughed with him; she ate with him; and she listened as he played the organ. That first night; after they ate dinner, Meg decided she'd ask him about the paintings.

"The-what?" Erik tried to pretend he had no idea what she was talking about. But she took him to the closet and showed him the paintings.

"They're amazing. But why are you hiding them?" She asked; showing him her favorite ones.

"I didn't have anywhere else to put them." He lied. "You really like them?"

"Yes. All of them but that one of Christine." She pulled it out; and set it infrount of them. "When was it painted?"

"Recently; around the time the others were painted." She was silent, unable to ask why. She saw him shaking his head. "I don't know why I painted it; I must have been thinking of her. You can give it to the Vicomte if you wish. Tell him it's a gift; something to remind him of his beautiful bride.." Meg slid her hand onto his, trying to keep him from hurting. But he shook his head and grabbed one in the back; and showed it. "You didn't see this one did you?" It was a portrait of her; it was beautiful. It looked as if he put more effort into it, than he had in the one of Christine. Her face seemed to glow.

"I didn't." She loved how beautifully it was painted. Erik put the one of Christine in the back; and asked if she would give it to Christine. "Of course. Do you want me to tell her it was from you?"

"May as well. Christine won't tell anyone." He couldn't stop smiling at Meg; she was such a pretty girl. They put the paintings away and Erik played the organ for her. Meg began to dance to the music, her mind was lost in the music. Erik glanced at her from the corner of his eye; she moved gracefully, showing that she's had years of ballet. Erik liked watching her; her blond hair trailing behind her spinning body, he kept playing so she would keep dancing.As he played; and watched her from the corner of his eye, he began to let his mind wander. He began to let himself fall again; Meg was different than Christine, she was more open to the strange.

But there was Sebastian and Alex. They apparently had feelings for Meg just as much as Erik did. Alex was obvious; because of the way he forced himself on her; and he could tell that she disliked him now. But Sebastian..he wasn't as point-blank with his feelings for Meg as Alex was. He harbored a secret love for her; and Erik secretly knew Meg would choose Sebastian if the time came.

-----

Meg had woken before Erik. She had been with him for over a week. She did not know what time it was; due to the lack of light in Erik's home. So she just lie there; watching him.

He'd slept with his mask on; and last night when she asked if he would be more comfortable with it off; he refused.

"I always sleep with it on." he'd told her. "It's fine."

"Are you sure? it doesn't look very comfortable." But he'd slept in it anyway. He'd slept fine during the night; as far as Meg knew. But that morning; while Meg lie there watching him, he looked as if he was having a terrible dream. He was mumbling something Meg could hardly understand, but she did.

"no.." His voice was soft; but his expression was angry. "let her..Meg..." he clinched his fists "no..you..let Meg go..." Tears sprang from his eyes as his mumbling continued. "no..Meg..no..." Meg sat up and shook him awake. He opened his eyes and realized he'd been crying in his sleep. He wiped the tears out of his eyes.

"You were having another nightmare." Meg told him gently. "What was it about?"

"I dreamt that.." He started, glad she was there to listen to him. "That the carnival workers where I lived as a child took you, and then killed you." He shook his head. "But it was just a dream." Meg nodded; smiling at him. She fell back onto the pillows; the silk bed holding her body gently; and Erik still sitting up; watching her for a moment. He couldn't help himself; he kept falling in deeper and deeper. No matter how much he told himself that he would be hurt again; that he would be rejected again; he couldn't help but fall. He rested himself back against the silk bed like Meg had; she gave him a bright smile and closed her eyes, but she did not fall asleep.

He'd been trying to keep himself from loving her. He knew how that scene played out; he'd done it before. He'd gone through such trouble with Christine; he'd been hurt; and now he was doing it all over again.

No matter how much he nagged at himself not to fall; he did. Meg's angelic face took him in, like a tide, and was pulling him under, deeper and deeper until he was unable to get out. He was swallowed up by so many temptations that he knew she'd hate him for if he fulfilled; the temptations kept telling him what to do; but he couldn't listen to them. Meg and Erik had gotten up for breakfast; but the temptations wouldn't allow him to enjoy his breakfast without losing himself in Meg's eyes. She spoke; and when he realized he wasn't paying attention to what she was saying; he just nodded his head.

------

Erik was playing the organ while Meg drew. He'd given her some paper; and let her sketch on it. He couldn't stop thinking of those temptations; the ones that wouldn't let him forget how deep he was sinking. But as much as he thought about it; the more it hurt. He was hideous; because of his face he was not meant to be with such a pretty girl. He did not show sadness over his inability to love Meg, because it was not something she had to know.

He'd gotten so wrapped up in his thoughts; he did not know Meg was behind him, not until the half of his face that was covered; felt the rush of cold air from the basement. Erik acted without thinking; he pushed Meg to the floor; covering up his face with his hand. His hair fell out of it's combed position; and into his eyes. Meg never felt so scared of him; he'd never pushed her over before. He was shouting curse words at her; words neither of them thought he would shout at Meg.

"Leave!" He shouted; hurt in his voice. "Get out! Don't come back! Forget everything down here! JUST GO!" Meg hesitated; but when he grabbed his sword; she rose to her feet and did what he was told. She could hear his sobs echoing all the way out. Meg was not sure how she knew the way out; but she did.