Erik traced her name with his finger for the hundredth time since the packet had been brought to him an hour before. She was here with him. To stay. Forever. He had promised to only keep her for six months, but now that she was here, Erik knew he would keep no such promise. Love was forever. Christine loved him, even if she didn't realize it yet.

He was pulled from his thoughts as he heard his door creak open. Nadir slipped through, shutting it behind him. Showing the displeasure of being interrupted in his voice, Erik looked up."What do you want, Nadir?"

"Erik, do you really think this is wise?"

Erik wasn't going to even bother to dignify Nadir's question with a response. There were more important issues to worry about. "He let her get wet."

"Erik, all hell has broken loose in this storm. It was unavoidable. Erik, she is not made of glass." Nadir knew his last comment had been unwise as he watched Erik's eyes narrow and heard Erik's words come out in more of a growl than anything else.

"Nadir, no harm will ever come to Christine, ever again. Do I make myself clear?"

"Does she know how long you plan on keep her here? Or about your temper?"

"Leave before you make me do something you will regret." Erik stood to his full height. Nadir walked to door, letting the subject drop. For now.

Erik sat back down, fuming in his anger. How dare Nadir insinuate that he would hurt Christine! He picked up one of the numerous pictures of Christine that scattered his desk. Tracing the outline, a whisper escaped his lips, "Christine."

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Christine wandered out of her room and down several flights of stairs in search of the kitchen. A sliver of light was shining from underneath a door. She pushed slightly on the door and found herself standing in the kitchen. The woman set the bowl she was holding down before she turned to face Christine. "Dear, what are you doing up so early?"

"Um." Christine nibbled on her bottom lip for a moment. "I couldn't sleep, and I thought I would fix myself a snack."

"Did Nadir forget to leave you the kitchen number? Anytime you want something, all you have to do is call."

"That's what he told me last night. I didn't want to bother anyone." Christine watched as the woman moved to dump the contents of the bowl into a machine. Christine took a seat at the island that was separating the two of them.

"What do you plan on doing today, Christine?"

"I don't know. What is there to do?"

"There is a library next to the master's office, upstairs." The woman reached into a cupboard to pull out a glass and a bottle. Christine couldn't tell what the woman was doing until she turned around offering Christine a glass of orange juice and two pills. Christine was hesitate to take either one. "Take them, Christine."

"Why should I? I don't even know you."

"They're just vitamins. If you can't trust me with this, how can you trust me to cook your meals? If it will make you feel better, we can go discuss this with Master Erik."

"Why should I care what he has to say?" Christine mumbled but took the vitamins and orange juice. She was soon rewarded with a plate of waffles. Christine took a bite and with a mouthful asked, "What's your name?"

"Sarah, and don't talk with food in your mouth."

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Erik watched the interaction between Sarah and Christine on the television in his office. Christine's manners could definitely use some improvements. However, he was looking forward to dinner.

Nadir walked in carrying a pile of folders. Erik picked up a remote and turned off the television. "I take it you are enjoying your house guest."

Erik simply smiled. Enjoying didn't not begin to describe his pleasure. "How is the DIVINE project coming along?"

"There are a few problems."

"When isn't there one?"

"Councilman Brown said that they will listen to your solution at dinner tomorrow night."

"Just tell me what's wrong with it."

"They want to know what you are going to do with the waterway."

Erik glared at Nadir for a moment. Surely, these people were not that stupid. "That's all?"

"Yes. Oh, Councilman Brown wants to know if you will be bringing a guest."

"I'll let you know when I decide."

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A/N: So what do you all think? Alright, here are a few ground rules. I have a very busy schedule. Therefore, seven reviews are necessary for each chapter before I can post the next one. This gives me motivation to take time out of my schedule from hell to write it as well as let's me know how I am doing with it. Thanks.