Ahh, holidays.

Disclaimer: I do not own Phantom of the Opera (though i really want to)

# Part Twenty-six:

Turning a corner, Erik grumbled to himself under his breath, he had lost sight of Lark. "Now where did she go?" he wondered aloud. He looked around him only to find stone walls and empty passageways instead of a girl. He moaned, 'Brilliant, now she disappeared, again.' He thought, scolding himself. "Found you!" a familiar voice echoed. Erik turned but apparently wasn't quick enough, for Lark seemed to come from the ceiling to land on him. She landed on his shoulders, forcing him to stumble, and she laughed loudly and wrapped her legs around his middle and hung onto his shoulders with her arms; like a piggyback ride to put it simply.

"That was fun!" she declared from his shoulders. He turned his head and glared at her. Lark just beamed at him. "Well someone had to get you out into the world," she explained, "you need something different in your day once in a while." She slipped down off Erik's shoulders and smiled at him and started walking back down to the lair like they were before. He stared at her, her innocent words affecting him more than Lark would have guessed. " 'Out into the world,' " he repeated quietly, still not moving. A small hand worked its way into his, he looked down. "Are you coming?" Lark asked, worried. He had worried her.

"Yes." Erik allowed himself to be led back down to his home, their home, with Lark's small hand holding his. He listened to her chatter about different things, not really listening, but looked up. "What?" It was her turn to make a face at him. "I said, 'can I try to clean the kitchen?' It's really, really dusty." She moaned at the memory. "All those empty, dusty, dirty shelves, rah." Erik seemed to raise his eyebrows, eyes glittering in amusement. They continued walking, this time both were lost in their own thoughts. Breaking the silence Erik mentioned quietly, "I did not know that you sang." It startled her. She turned to him, still walking with wide eyes. "Oh! You heard me?" He nodded and was surprised that she blushed. "That's so embarrassing," she muttered laughing, "I can't sing at all!"

His eyes frowned, "Yes you can, and I heard you." Lark shook her head, "No you don't understand," she said, "I can't sing anything else, not even a simple scale! It's just that one song that…that Mama made us perfect." They were both surprised that they found themselves back at the house so soon. Erik tried to say something again but Lark skipped away calling over her shoulder, "I'll be cleaning in the kitchen!" He scowled then sighed throwing his hands up. "I give up." He muttered before going to his own room. He had to live in an Opera.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Lark had avoided Erik's questioning on purpose, she didn't like to sing that requiem and she knew she would have sung it again if Erik had asked. Coming into the kitchen she lighted a few more candles for light. Looking around she didn't really know where to start, everything was in need of cleaning. The girl wondered if there was any food around but, searching the cabinets, it seemed that he didn't eat much. "Doesn't he ever get hungry?" she asked herself. She decided to dust off everything, then get rid of all the empty bottles. Sighing determinedly, she got a few rags and began to wipe everything off.

As she was cleaning, her thoughts drifted, not really staying or worrying on one thing. It was amazing to think of how far she had come, staying at the Opera, working, seeing performances, meeting Erik, not bad for a twelve year old girl. A shock went through her, she had forgotten that her birthday had come and gone. She was no longer twelve, she was thirteen. Blinking, surprised, she could only say to herself, "Well, happy late birthday, Lark." Getting up, she decided to treat herself to a snack. Lark blinked again, surprised as she opened up everything only to find nothing.

She listened to the music that poured softly into the kitchen, Erik really was a wonderful composer, he would be angry if she bothered him now. Lark's stomach growled loudly, she sighed. "But then," she said aloud, "I'm going to be angry if I can't eat something…" She headed for the room where the music leaked out; again sometimes it would stop then start again, which meant he added whatever he played. Lark's forehead creased. "Hopefully, he won't be too angry…" she murmured, opening the door.

Updated. XD

Heehee! ooh Erik is a funny, funny person indeed! (get's Punjabbed)