A/N: Okay first off I'm SO sorry for taking forever to update! I've been busy finishing my associates and getting ready to transfer to a university for my Bachelors and Masters! But have no fear because I'm back in the game! Enjoy :)

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Sparks shivered to life in the fireplace as Erik placed another log onto the fire, bringing the flames back to life. As the fire grew, he moved back to the bed, climbing under the layers of blankets covered by his cloak. Madeleine turned, still sleeping, and laid her head back onto his chest. Erik closed his eyes as he gently ran his fingertips up and down her back.

Silently, he remembered his rash actions from the night before. Behind his closed eyes, he could see her face, eyes shut in pleasure, lips parted as they took quick breaths. "I want to be yours..." Her voice echoed through his mind, and she had become his, if only for that one night. He let his hand rest on the small of her back, drawing small circles with his fingers.

Madeleine's hands seemed to trace his cheeks once again; one hand leaving chills along his skin, the other curiously tracing the contours of his mask. She did not remove, nor did she demand him to reveal his hidden features that night. No one had ever done that; not even that cursed soprano.

"Don't stop," Madeleine whispered, still in a dream. He did not realize his hands had stopped moving. As the circles commenced, her hand moved up his chest to where his heart beat, gently moving her fingers against his skin.

"I've woken you," he began quietly, "I'm sorry." Against his skin, he could feel her lips curve into a smile.

"And I've stolen your bed," she replied, her eyes remaining shut.

"You've stolen nothing that was not already yours, cher," he replied with a smile. "It's a wonderful feeling to wake beside a lover." Madeleine turned to look up at him and smiled. "Good morning."

"Good morning," she replied, moving herself further up his torso to better see him. Smiling, she placed a gentle kiss on his lips. "You fed the fire, I see. Thank you."

"No need for thanks," he smiled, pulling his cloak over her exposed shoulder. "I'm sure both of us enjoy the warmth." Madeleine smiled, resting her head back onto his chest. The warm smell of wood grew around them as the fire burned, but there was another scent she could not place. It was a mixture of sandalwood and roses that she smelled, but did it come from him? She allowed herself to inhale deeply, taking in more of this wonderful smell.

"Is everything alright?" Erik asked as Madeleine took another deep breath.

"Yes," she smiled, "there is just this wonderful scent that I can't quite place." She laughed quietly, smiling as she buried her face closer to his warm skin.

"Sandalwood?" Erik asked.

"Roses as well," she replied.

"It's what makes the water smell better when I wash," he replied. "I found it to be the most pleasant smell years ago in Persia."

"Persia?" Madeleine asked, looking up at him. "I thought you were a native Parisian." Erik smiled, turning onto his side and sitting up on his elbow. Madeleine lay on her back, pulling his cloak up to her chin.

"That was ages ago," he replied, hinting at his now mysterious past. "But those are stories for another time." Gently he reached up, placing his hand onto her cheek. "I apologize for my rash actions last night... I..."

"It's alright," Madeleine replied. "I understand. It was the rum." Erik pulled his hand away from her face and looked down in confusion, his brow ruffled.

"Rum?" He asked. "Cher, alcohol had nothing to do with my decisions."

"No?" Madeleine was hopeful now.

"No," he replied, shaking his head with a small smile. "Last night, I acted upon what I felt in my heart. I would never betray someone in that manner, especially you." Madeleine gaped down at him in amazement. "Is there something wrong?"

"No," she replied, "It's just...every time... with my husband... I did not think there was anything after."

"After?" He asked, pulling the stray cloak up to cover her shoulder.

"Yes," she sighed. "I mean... there was nothing. No words, no affection, nothing. Just two bodies and a need fulfilled."

"Cher," he sighed, taking her hand. "I am not him. That beast of a man is gone now; only we remain. And I have no intentions of harming you in such a way." A heat rose to her cheeks as she shut her eyes and laid her face onto his chest.

"You cannot be serious," she sighed. "There is no such thing as love."

"No such thing as love?" Erik asked, sitting up to look down at her in surprise. "Love is a real thing! What makes you think otherwise?" She shook her head silently. "Am I to assume your marriage was not voluntary?" Again, she shook her head. "That is why you do not believe in love, because you were forced to marry." He reached down to wipe away an involuntary tear from her cheek. "Madeleine, look at me." She let him guide her face up to meet his eyes. "Love is real. Never doubt that. It may be hard to find and it may be weak at first, but love is real nonetheless. Do you understand?"

"Yes," she nodded, feeling a quiet laugh escape from her chest.

"What is so funny?" Erik asked.

"We are quite a pair," she laughed, "both recluse, both damaged. Don't you think?" Erik gazed at her in confusion, but as her smile grew, he began to laugh.

"Recluse?" he laughed, "You are the recluse by choice, cher."

"By choice," she smiled. "But only until you wish me gone."

"Never," he said, taking her hands in his. "I will never wish for you to leave." A blush spread across her cheeks as he kissed her lips, holding her tightly. "Promise me," he said as he pulled away from her lips, "Promise me you'll never leave."

"I promise," she nodded, "I'll stay as long as you promise not to leave me."

"And I shall never leave." Erik replied. Madeleine looked into his cool, blue eyes, feeling like this was nothing but a fantasy, but he seemed tangible, and truthful. "You doubt me."

"I've always doubted everything that was so easily attained." she replied. "I've always questioned my own decisions and their outcomes."

"My motives are pure, if that is what concerns you." Erik said.

"I have nothing for anyone to take." she sighed. "Only myself. Only my heart."

"You have mine." Erik replied.

"But..."

"No doubts." he continued, grasping her hand. "Think nothing of the past, for it is over."

"Even her?"

"Even her." For a moment, she stared into his eyes, waiting for any sign of falsehood or doubt, but nothing came. He was sincere. She could say nothing, only take his head in her hands and kiss him. His warm arms wrapped around her back, pulling her closer. "Madeleine," he breathed, a smile spreading across his lips.

"Erik." She smiled, but another voice caught her attention.

"Erik!" It was a woman's voice, but older, and seemed somehow familiar. "Erik!"

"Wait one second, Madame, please!" Erik called back, sitting up.

"Alright," the woman replied as Erik looked down at Madeleine.

"Is that..."

"Giry," Erik replied. "Yes. It's her."