A/N: While learning to be lonely is good sometimes... its also good to learn to be loved. I've learned this and am thankful for my friends. In future chapters, I will be having Darcey learn random songs. Let me know if there is one you think fits that you would like to have me use. Thanks!

Chapter Fifteen:

Learn To Be Lonely

She paid close attention to each turn, trying to memorize the path. She wanted to be able to get to and from his lair on her own. She hoped her ability to memorize music would help her with the effort. She counted twenty turns before they emerged into his lair. He brought her the short distance to the organ bench and set the violin case down. He opened the case and froze. He stroked the smooth wood before picking it up and handing it to her. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he said. "This used to be mine."

Darcey glanced between his face and the violin before settling her gaze on the instrument. She had felt something when she had first seen the instrument. Now she knew what. The instrument was somehow a piece of Erik and she could almost sense some lingering emotion left in it. She looked back at Erik and could see moisture in his eyes. "Will you teach me another song?" she asked in a voice so low that it could barely be heard. He swallowed before nodding slightly. He pulled out some music sheets and placed them over the ones on the stand that he had obviously been planing on teaching her. She read the title. Learn To Be Lonely. She began to play and she heard him softly singing along.

Child of the wilderness
Born into emptiness
Learn to be lonely
Learn to find your way in darkness

Who will be there for you
Comfort and care for you
Learn to be lonely
Learn to be your one companion

His voice increased until he was singing at a normal volume.

Never dreamed out in the world
There are arms to hold you
You've always known your heart was on its own

She began to sing with him, their voices mingling with each other's as she continued playing the slow, sad song. She felt a bond growing between them as they sang this song that obviously meant a lot to him.

So laugh in your loneliness
Child of the wilderness
Learn to be lonely
Learn how to love life that is lived alone

Learn to be lonely
Life can be lived life can be loved alone.

Their voices faded and she played the last few measures of the song. Once she finished, the final notes still ringing in the air, she lowered the violin from her shoulder to rest in her lap. She sat watching Erik as he tried to push pass the emotion. He cleared his throat several times before speaking. "Very good. Well done." His voice cracked and he jumped up to ruffle through some more music. He picked another and set it on the stand. She began playing the song and jumped when he began playing his violin. He nodded for her to continue playing and they began the duet. The night continued in this fashion, them either playing together or singing together. Sometimes he would play the organ while she played the violin. She was picking it up fast and wanted to continue playing but she was getting tired. They finished another song and she couldn't quite stifle a yawn. She was having trouble keeping her eyes open to see the notes.

She jumped when she felt his hand on her shoulder and jerked her eyes up to meet his. "I think we should be done for tonight. You've done well and are catching on quicker than I expected." She blushed at the complement and felt another yawn coming. She tried to stifle it but failed again, to Erik's amusement. He chuckled and took the violin and bow out of her hands. He took care of them, carefully put the old instrument away before turning back to her. She was almost asleep, her eyes closed as she sat on a chair next to the organ. He chuckled and scooped her up. Her eyes opened a bit before drifting closed as he carried her to the swan bed. He thought he heard her murmur a thank you but wasn't sure.

He laid her down and pulled up the covers. He tucked her hair behind her ear before winding up the music box and leaving with one final glance back.

Darcey was dreaming peacefully when a certain man entered her dreams causing her so jerk awake. Not again. She had been sleeping peacefully the last few nights and had thought she was over them. She stared out into the dark room and couldn't help the feeling that she was all alone. She was vulnerable and weak. She felt very scared and after standing up and wrapping a blanket around herself, went to go to Erik's room. She couldn't stand to be alone any longer. She was frightened and need to have another human being near. She knocked softly on the door and it swung open. She entered slowly and blinked until she could make out Erik's form on his bed.

"Erik?" she whispered. He didn't respond and she walked slowly to the bed. "Erik?" He still didn't respond and she hesitated before laying down on the empty spot on the bed. She curled up with her blanket still wrapped around her. She promised herself that she would leave before he awoke. She yawned before falling asleep.

Erik rolled over when he heard her breathing even out. He had been startled when she had entered and had pretended to sleep while she approached. He had felt the bed shift when she had curled up in the empty space next to him. She was curled up on top of the blankets with a blanket from her own bed wrapped around her. He watched with awe as the tension in her face faded until only a peaceful expression remained. He carefully tucked her hair back behind her ear, hearing her murmur in her sleep before resettling.

He was touched that she had sought his company for comfort but was glad that he had been turned away from her as he didn't have his mask on. At the thought, he leaned up on one elbow and picked it up from the table and put it on before laying back on his right side to watch her sleep. Somehow he was calmed and felt peace from watching her. She was very beautiful in the dim light. Her chest continued to rise and fall in a slow, constant rhythm. His presence seemed to comfort her but hers was surprisingly doing the same for him. He watched her for a while longer but fell asleep. She was gone when he awoke.