Erik shut Christine's door. Erik had watched her sleep for the past few hours, afraid that if he couldn't see or hear her, she would disappear on him. His heart was too fragile to through that sort of rejection from Christine.

He walked down the hall and entered into his study. He didn't bother to turn the light on. He was halfway through pouring his drink when a lamp near the desk was turned on. "What do you want, Aros?" Erik finished pouring his drink and recapped the bottle before turning towards the man. He handed him a drink before sitting down, cradling his own.

"Mother is displeased with you."

"When is she not?" Erik swirled his drink. His brother stood up and walked over to the bookcase. His fingers found the ipod that was hooked up to the stereo. 'She lives in a daydream, and I don't belong.'

"Turn it off." Erik growled as the song drug up fears that were residing deep in his chest.

Aros complied and waited a minute before commenting. "Not something I expected you to listen to. "

"Christine has a diverse musical taste." Erik finished his drink. He wanted another one, but if he didn't watch his temper, he would drink the whole bottle and that just wouldn't do. Tomorrow would be perfect. That was the promise that he had made to Christine.

"You should keep a tighter leash on her, starting with the music she listens to."

"Watch your tongue, Aros." Erik growled once more. More tempted than ever to kill his brother.

"Did you know that she sent mother's invitation late? She didn't receive it until this morning.:

"If it wasn't for Christine, she wouldn't have received one to begin with. When Christine found out that I had destroyed the first invitation, she had me take her to the post office for her to mail it in person this time."

"You don't deserve her, Erik." Aros smiled smugly. Erik would have killed him at that moment if not for the statement being true. As it was, he wanted nothing more than to beat him to a bloody pulp but Christine would see it in the morning and would be terribly upset with him. A sudden scream came from Christine's room, and Erik headed towards it ready to defend what was his.

He found Christine sitting up in her bed, breathing heavily. He sat down behind her, dragging her into his lap. "What happened?"

"It was just a dream."

"Would you like to talk about it?"

"No. No. I am fine. Just stay with me a moment."



"Alright." Erik started singing softly into Christine's ear and waited well over an hour after she feel asleep before he moved her back to a laying position on the bed. He pulled the covers up over her and kissed her forehead before leaving the room.

He went back to his study and began playing the piano, choosing to ignore his brother, who had been waiting for him to return. "You took long enough."

"Christine needed me." Erik continued with his song. "Both you and mother will behave yourself tomorrow."

"Mother expects you to come home."

"Goodnight, Aros."

"We will discuss this later, Erik." Aros left the room while Erik continued playing, not paying any attention to the time.