A sister. Erik's hands froze over the keys of his organ for the fifth time. He couldn't stop thinking about … her. A sister. It just couldn't be true, this was some terrible trick. How could he accept that this random woman who simply walked into his home had the same blood as him? Growling, he slammed on the keys making them growl in return. Standing up he began to pace and wonder why it was so difficult to accept that someone actually wanted to love him and not just frivolous love but the true love of a family … the kind that can never die. Erik stopped in his tracks, a sister. This was tearing him apart, he thought at last he would be left alone, in peace, to play his music, rot, and die. He didn't need or want a … a sister to make his life better, or try to care for him. He was better off alone … right? She would want him to change and be someone he was not. She would try to make him acceptable to the world and … and not so lonely.

Erik ran a hand down his face, but quickly pulled it away after feeling his deformity. He needed sleep, and a clear head. This little Aimee girl was starting to drive him insane. With a sigh the musical genius slowly walked to his bed and laid down his head still swirling with the day's events and the image of blue-green eyes staring back at him. He was almost asleep when he thought he smelt something that wasn't quite right. It smelled like something was cooking, and then it finally register in his mind that the odor was smoke. His reflexes taking over he jumped out of bed to see an orange glow coming from the main room. Looking out he saw fire engulfing his lair. Wondering how this had happened he saw through the smoke some lit candles that had been knocked down, possibly by the many rats that lived with him. Realizing that he had little time to escape, Erik quickly grabbed his cloak and swiftly but carefully tried to make it to his boat. Unfortunately, along the way, something hit his arm causing severe pain to shoot up his nerves. Crying out, he continued on to the small boat and quickly began to row away from his destroyed home. His vision became blurred with tears not only from the smoke in his eyes but from the deep sadness now penetrating his heart.

He eventually made it out of the Opera House, and was now alone on the darkened street. He had no where to go and with an injured arm he couldn't get very far. The hospital most certainly was out of the question, one look at him and he'd be in jail. As he tried to think fast of what he could do or where he could go the image of a dark haired girl fluttered into his mind. No, he thought, I don't know her, and I don't want to get to know her. But as pain continued to run through his arm, Erik knew he really didn't have a choice. She was the only one who would help him now. Quickly he tried to remember where she told him she was staying for the night. It was an inn not too far from where he was, and by this time of night he could probably sneak in with no trouble. He carefully threw on his cloak and began to dash through the streets making sure he stayed in the shadows. There were not many people out and about, but he still could not risk being seen by anyone.

Once the Phantom finally found the inn Aimee had described, he took a peek inside to see if the owner was at the front desk. Thankfully the owner had set out a bell for late customers and was no where to be seen. Silently, the Ghost entered the inn and sped up the stairs, stopping for a moment at the top to catch his breath but gritting his teeth at the intense pain in his arm. Now he had to find the right room, she had told him the number, but what was it? Closing his eyes he tried to remember her babbling when he was escorting her out. It was twenty something … twenty … twenty-two! Opening his eyes he headed for her room but once he got there he simply stared at the door.

What was he doing? How did he actually convince himself to come here? What was it about this woman that made him act so different? If it was anyone else he knew he would not have come, he would have done something else or simply died. But here he was outside her door, about to ask for her help, her help! He never asked for help. A part of him must have believed that this girl was actually his sister, and right now that part was beginning to win as the throbbing in his arm was not dying down. Finally he knocked on her door and after a few minutes he knocked again. Suddenly the door was opened and there she was, somewhat disheveled and blurry-eyed from sleep. Blinking a few times Aimee suddenly realized who was standing in front of her, her face turned confused and he opened her mouth to say something when her eyes caught a glimpse of blood on his arm. She then realized that he smelled smoky and his face and hair had ashes on them.

"Oh, Erik," was all she could say as she quickly stepped aside to let him in. He finally entered the room, stumbling somewhat, exhaustion settling in. Aimee thankfully caught him and sat him on the bed, "What happened?" she asked taking a look at his arm and pulling back his sleeve.

"My home … it's … it's gone," he whispered not looking at her, wincing at the pain he felt.

"Thank goodness you're all right."

Aimee went to the bathroom and came back with a bowl of water and several towels. She knelt down beside him and began to clean his wound. Erik watched her. As Aimee glanced up he turned away. He felt so weak and useless, he shouldn't have come here.

"You're not going anywhere you know?" Aimee stated plainly as she wrapped his arm, "You are going to stay here for the rest of the night and in the morning you are coming home with me, end of story."

"I don't have to do anything you say!" he whispered fiercely, "You do not own me and I still don't even believe that you are my sister."

"Then why did you come?" she snapped.

Erik was silent. His arm finally bandaged he moved away from her and stood in the middle of the room. He was tired, confused, and angry. He wanted to leave but he had no where to go and he wouldn't get far anyway with his damaged arm. He heard the girl sigh from behind him.

"All right, Erik, I'm sorry. You are a grown man who can do as he pleases, but will you at least stay the night, where else would you go?"

He turned to look at her and faintly nodded. Aimee relaxed and smiled walking to the closet and pulling out some extra blankets which she set on the floor. To Erik's surprise the girl laid herself down and started to pull the covers over herself.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Going to bed, what does it look like? Good night Erik," she smiled and turned on her side.

Looking at the bed she left for him, Erik was dumbfounded. He spent several moments glancing back and forth at the girl on the floor and the bed ready to take him to sleep. An act of kindness, a real act of compassion, even if she wasn't his sister he could get use to being treated with dignity. Slowly he slipped into bed taking one last look at the dark haired girl. A sister … why not?

Aimee woke the next morning her back stiff her neck aching. Looking over at the bed she was surprised to see that the Opera Ghost was still there sleeping soundly and peacefully. She couldn't help but smile as she stood up and stretched. Quietly she readied herself and packed her things for the train ride home. Eventually she found herself gazing down on the slumbering Phantom, the deformed part of his face showing itself in the morning light. Aimee studied his so called ugly features. His skin was slightly red and scared and uneven, but it wasn't horrifying. People were probably more afraid of him than his face. She realized that his face had turned into his scapegoat for all his problems. She could understand why, but it was time he got a new attitude about his features and himself. If only he would let her help him.

With a sigh, Aimee continued to pack her suitcase. As she did, Erik slowly began to wake up and was soon sitting up and gazing at her.

"Aimee?"

"Morning, just getting packed up my train leaves in about half an hour and I need to get going. I'm very homesick," she came over to him and suddenly gave him a hug her eyes looking misty, "I'm glad I met you and know you're all right. Please take care of yourself."

"Uh … Aimee," being caught off guard by the hug Erik tried to get his wits together, "If it hadn't been for the fire … I mean … I normally wouldn't but … what I wanted to ask," he sighed trying to figure out what he wanted to say.

"Get your cloak on Erik, or we'll be late for the train," Aimee smiled tossing his cloak on his lap and picking up her suitcase.

The train ride home was thankfully uneventful. Erik had simply left his hood up and Aimee kept him close by so he would wander off into trouble. Finally Aimee and her brother were home, she stopped on the small path leading to her front door to gaze up at her cozy house.

"Welcome home Erik," she said glancing at him. He also observed the house wondering if this place would ever feel like home.

"How did you ever get me to come here?"

"With a little sisterly love, and I think deep down you want a new start for your life, and I just so happen to be at the right place at the right time," she answered leading him into the house, "Now, first things first … a bath."

Erik looked down at himself, his clothes were dirty and he still smelled like smoke.

"I suppose I can't argue with you on that point," he sighed realizing that this "new life" was going to take some adjusting to.

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Author's Note: Hopefully the next chapter will be better.