"I'm happy to hear that everything ended well," Nadir pointed out as they walked outside.

"Thankfully," Erik breathed. "Though I've no idea how long it will be before Christine lets Gustave out of her sight again."

"She's a good mother."

"I know." He paused, eyeing him. "There's something else you wanted to discuss, isn't there?"

"I know this isn't going to be easy to hear," Nadir began, "but what happened…you and I both know this isn't Adellade."

"I'm aware."

"This won't stop, Erik. What you told me she almost did…. That won't go away."

"What are you saying?"

"I made a call while you were away," he began. "You and I both know that Adellade can't be left alone ever again. I found someplace. I looked into it and everything. It'll be good for her. They'll get her the help she needs."

"I can help her, Daroga. She needs me to help her."

"Adellade held a revolver to your son's head, Erik. This isn't something you can help her with on your own."

"She can't leave, Nadir," he argued. "Not where you're suggesting. They won't help her. With all the times she's been locked up before…. It won't help her. It'll make her worse."

"Erik…."

"She's my sister. I'm the only one who can look after her-who can help her. They won't help her, Nadir! They'll make things worse for her. Much worse. You can't send her away."

"We don't have a choice. They're coming tomorrow."

"She can't leave. Adellade can't leave…. You can't do this. She needs me."

"You still have tonight," Nadir pointed out, placing a hand on Erik's shoulder. "You might as well say your farewells now."

"You can't take her away…. Adellade…. You can't…." He swallowed. "She can't leave. Not like this."

"Tonight, Erik."

XXXXX

Erik sighed and knocked on the door. Adellade opened it and paused, seeing him there.

"Is something wrong?"

"No," he lied. "I simply wanted to see my sister." He stepped inside and looked around, seeing the contents of her flat. "I presume we're alone?"

"Yes." Adellade slowly nodded, closing the door behind him.

"Of all the people…," he began. "Erik is sorry he couldn't keep his Adellade safe from her."

"No one ever could," she pointed out. "You're certain nothing's wrong?"

"I am."

"Is Gustave alright?"

"Yes. A bit frightened, but he'll be alright."

"I never thought that I would...I mean I would never try to…." She sighed, unable to find the words.

"I know."

She sat down and stared at the floor. "I don't know what happened, honestly. Somehow...I…. I know she's not really here-that she's dead, but some part just...I think I wanted it to be real, Erik." She looked up at him. "You're upset with me, aren't you?"

"No." He shook his head and sat down across from her. "I never could be upset with you, Adellade."

"Even after everything that's happened?"

"Even after everything that's happened. You were frightened and needed someone to be there when Erik couldn't. I should've realized that there was something more. That the nightmares were worse than before. I'm sorry, Adellade. If there was ever anything I could've done to stop this-any, all of this-from ever happening…."

She smiled and bit and went to hug him. "You're here now, aren't you?"

"I am." He returned the embrace, holding her. "I am, Adellade."

"Then tell me." She looked at him. "Something's wrong. I know something is. I can see it in your eyes. So what aren't you telling me?"

He smiled and stood, kissing her head. "You always knew."

"That's not an answer."

He walked over to the shelves, seeing the books there. Erik sighed, knowing how much she loved them, how much she would miss them…. He couldn't help but see the one containing the Angel of Music-her favorite….

Erik turned, seeing that she had placed her hand on his arm. He looked at her, seeing her eyes search his. She reached up and removed his mask, letting her fingers rest against his skin. Those very gentle fingers that had never once thought of harming him the way others had…. He reached up and touched her hand to reassure himself that she was truly there.

"Erik?"

He looked at her, seeing the need in her eyes. She deserved an answer however much it might hurt him to say it-for to say something was to admit the certainty. The longer he kept up the silence, the longer he could pretend that it wasn't true...that he could still lie to himself….

She deserves to know, a voice whispered in his mind. Give her that much at least.

"There are people coming here tomorrow," he began, turning away from her.

"What do you mean?"

"They want to take you away," he forced out. "I can't stop them-can't convince them otherwise. Everything's been decided already. It's out of my hands. The Daroga's already arranged things and there's nothing Erik can do to stop it."

There was a moment of silence before she spoke.

"I don't want to leave."

"And Erik doesn't want you to go."

"Is this supposed to be some sort of punishment then? I'll be good. I'll do everything right-the way I'm supposed to. I'll go to sleep every night. I won't listen to Madeline. I won't hurt myself. Adellade will be good. I promise." She grabbed at his shirt, wrapping her arms around him. "Just don't make me leave, Erik. Please. Please don't let them take me away."

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. "How much I wish I could change this…. To keep you here with me…."

"I'll be good. I promise. Just don't let them take me-don't let them punish me for this. I don't want to leave." She sniffed, tears falling from her eyes. "You said this would never happen. You said you would never leave again. You promised, Erik. You promised."

"I know," he whispered. "I know."

"You promised!" She broke away from him. "You promised this would never happen! Not again! Not ever again!"

"Adellade-"

She ran into her room, closing the door behind her. He walked over and gently knocked.

"Adellade?" He tried to open it only to find that she had locked it. "Adellade: listen to Erik. Please. Just open the door, alright? Adellade? Open the door."

"I'll be good," she whispered. "I'll be good. Just let me stay here. Let me stay with you. Please, Erik. I don't want to go."

Erik sighed and sat down, leaning his back against the door.

"And I don't ever want you to leave."

"I don't want to go."