14

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

Christine was sitting in her room in the De Changy mansion when her maid came and told her someone was at the door for her.The stars studded the black velvet sky. She stood and followed the maid to the door. Christine shot back when the mask was starring back at her.

"Christine." Erik began. "Do not think I am here to take you away; I only ask your assistance. Meg-"

"Meg? What happened to Meg? You didn't hurt her did you?" Christine asked all at once. Erik crossed his arms and continued.

"No. I didn't hurt her. She fell; and hit her head. She can't remember anything. I was hoping you could help try to trigger something. I've done all I could and nothing."

"Why me? Why not her mother? Or someone else."

"Do you want her to be alright or not? She can't remember anything but your name. You've got to help me!"

"Why are you so persistent about this?"

"Because I love her!" Erik shouted accidentally. He quickly covered his mouth after saying that, feeling very embarrassed about admitting that openly. Christine's frightened expression changed to that of happiness.

"OK. What do you need me to do?"

-----

Erik came back to his home to find Meg sleeping. He began to wounder if what he decided to do was right. She wouldn't remember him yelling at her; him not trusting her. He could start a whole new relationship with her; he wouldn't remind her of Sebastian and Alex; she would be all his. He walked into the bedroom and took his shoes off.He lay beside her; and starred at her. She looked like a china doll; her face was flawless; and she was beautiful. He began to remember, that day he dropped the back drop on Carlotta.

-----

Christine and Meg were ballet girls, before Christine hated Erik, or really knew him. He stood in the rafters watching Christine; his love. Meg looked as if she was really Christine's friend; but he did see a bit of irritation in her while Christine spoke of Raoul. Her blue eyes stayed wide with curiosity; but the shine in them wasn't there. Flames in them; and he could guess what she was thinking.

Like I care about your affairs.

All things considered; now that Erik was looking back; Meg was prettier than Christine. She filled out faster; and was more mature. She wouldn't have lead him on like Christine had.

-----

He opened his eyes and saw Meg laying dangerously close to him. So close; that he could feel her breath. His heart stopped for a sort moment, he brushed the hair out of her eyes; and watched as her lips curled into a smile. He couldn't help but smile too; and brush her hair behind her ear. Meg opened her bright blue eyes; smiling at him.

"did you have fun?" He nodded; unsure of what she meant exactly. It was either; did he have fun while he was out,Or, did he have fun watching her. Meg just smiled at him and watched him as he'd been watching her. Meg touched his mask; and he flinched, as if she'd pricked him instead of touching him. "Are you worried I will hurt you?"

"No. No. Just..don't touch it." He told her gently. She nodded obediently; and sat up.

"Then let us switch. You sleep on this side." Erik nodded and they switched his unmasked face facing her. She touched it; and he didn't move. "Why do you live here? Why don't you live up in the populaire?"

"I can't. I want to but I can't." He did not explain why; so she just took that answer. She rested close to him; closing her eyes and taking in his warm embrace. Erik loved holding her close to him; able to hold onto someone who he needed. He needed her kindness; her patiantness; and her love. He closed his eyes for only a minute; but soon felt his lips meeting with another pair. He opened his eyes to find Meg kissing him. He did not question it; he accepted it whole-heartedly. When she stopped; he just smiled at her.

"Was it wicked of me?" Meg asked softly; Erik shook his head.

"Tell me. What possessed you to?"

"I don't know. Just something inside made me want to. I feel as if I've had a longing to do that; but for one reason or another; I didn't." Erik grinned; and kissed her. As long as she could not remember; he could love her, without her being unsure.

He wanted to go tell Christine he'd changed his mind. He didn't want her to remember anything. He wanted to have her all to himself; if she could not remember her mother, Alex, or Sebastian, she would stay with him without being worried. His hand rested on her golden locks of hair; moving and closing around her arm. He didn't want to let her go; he wanted her all for himself.

But what kind of person would he be if he deprived her of a past? If he kept her from remembering the fire; if he kept her from remembering Christine; and if he kept her from remembering her family. He stopped kissing her; and just looked at her. He couldn't take it; he rose; slipped his shoes back on and walked into the main room. Leaving Meg dumbfounded.

Erik was selfish. He actually considered not allowing her to remember anything. If he loved her as much as he thought he did; he couldn't deprive her of the life she knew before. He couldn't just make her past up and keep her from meeting anyone and everyone she knew before. He couldn't have her all to himself. He felt Meg's hand on his. Swinging around he saw her looking at him with those big, blue, angel eyes.

"What is wrong?" Meg asked softly. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No. No Meg. It isn't you. God no." He told her gently, but insisting that it wasn't her. "It's me Meg. I-I can't believe myself. I'm so terribly selfish."

"How?" Meg asked; taking him to the organ bench and sitting him down.

"I had actually considered keeping you from remembering anything. I couldn't let you remember that you hated me; that you never wanted to see me again." Meg kept her hand on him. Never letting go; and never leaving.

"Erik..I understand.." she was so gentle; it almost hurt Erik to look at her and see his selfishness reflected in her eyes. "I understand that you don't want me to hate you. If I could only remember why.." Erik turned to her and took her body in his arms. Crying softly in her hair. She was the only person whom had ever cared about him, really cared about him; and he'd let it go so easily. Meg Giry, had taken him into her heart; and he'd taken it for granted. He scowled at her for looking under his mask; at what he considered to be ugly. But the Meg he held at that moment, was not his. She did not know why she had been angry with him, she didn't know anything of what had happened.

"Meg.." He whispered gently. "I'm sorry. I almost allowed myself to keep you here; away from the world; away from the freedom you need. My little bird.." He felt Meg's body tremble, She'd begun to cry. He held her and whispered sweet words of calmness into her ear. He knew then that caging her was not what was right. She was a cardinal. A beautiful bird that he didn't have the heart to cage.