Alright, here's chapter 9! It's a miracle I got this one out; it's soooo hot here, and I simply cannot concentrate.

Anyway, just a quick reminder that this is the second to last chapter in this story; then I'll start writing the sequel. Any ideas for a title?

Also, many thanks to those of you who complimented my writing style and Charlotte's character design. I try to make it a point to only add scenes, not change them (the next chapter is altered a little, but nothing major). So that was a huge compliment to me.

Thanks to Captain Phantom Glass, namida no rekuiemo, SafteyPinStitches, and darklaughter for their lovely reviews! And keep them coming. Haha.

I apologize in advance for the fluffiness of this chapter.

Not much else to say, except that the next chapter might be a long time coming. Maybe even a week. It'll be HUGE, so don't fret.

Tell me what you think, and enjoy!

I navigated the tunnels as fast as I could in my dress. I was hoping that Erik was already home by the time I got there; I didn't really know how to get anywhere very fast, and I wouldn't be stumbling around in the darkness to find him. Thankfully as I shot out of a concealed door into the main cavern, my eyes met with Erik's. He just stared at me, probably because I looked so harassed. I sighed deeply and brushed past him and didn't feel like talking. As I stepped behind the dressing screen to change out of my dress I heard Erik enter my room.

"I'm changing, Monsieur." I finally had to grumble when he made it apparent that he wasn't leaving.

"You're upset." Erik said matter-of-factly. Behind the safety of the screen I bit my lip and sighed again.

"What's it to you?" I said kind of harshly, feeling cornered.

"You're upset with me." He continued softly. I felt my heart melt a little, but tried to ignore it. I wiggled out of my dress.

"I'm not upset with you." I said quietly, giving in. I hung my dress over the top of the screen. Erik was silent, but I heard him approach, "I'm indecent." I had to remind him. However, he was only coming to get my dress to hang back up in my wardrobe.

"I'm glad you came back." Erik finally said as I buttoned up my nightgown. I was struck by the sound of something like tenderness in his voice.

"Why would I leave?" I asked.

"Because you had the chance." He replied simply, but that was stupid.

"We both know I'm here now because I want to be." I said dismissively. Erik startled me by coming behind the screen and pulling me to him.

"Is that true?" He asked quietly. I just gave him a shy smile.

"Of course. Would I say it if it weren't?" I replied. He didn't look convinced.

"People say things they don't mean." Erik said with some distaste.

"Well, not this person." I said. But he still looked like he was holding something back, "Something's still bothering you." I prompted him, taking advantage of the moment to lay my head on his chest. I was still feeling affectionate from my drinking at the Masquerade.

"I thought that boy was sure to change your mind." Erik admitted almost jealously. I just snorted and closed my eyes as he wrapped his arms around me.

"He didn't have a prayer. And I didn't give him the chance." I said sleepily.

"Why not?" I vaguely heard him ask me curiously.

"Not my type. Much too rich and handsome for his own good." I answered, chuckling through a yawn.

I felt my eyes close and also a strange feeling of weightlessness. It took my tired mind a moment to realize Erik was carrying me to my bed. As he set me down I felt him press a gentle kiss to my forehead. I was surprised, but remembered how I'd kissed his cheek not long ago. It was as if we had a new understanding of each other.

But I still couldn't forget how he felt for Christine. This wouldn't be an easy fight. But as I drifted off it occurred to me that love was the most important thing a girl could fight for.

Later:

I was in a room of mirrors. Everywhere I turned I could see myself. I looked pale. And frightened.

My heartbeat filled my ears. Cold drops sweat slid slowly along my jawline. My mouth tasted like ashes.

My knees were weak, so I grabbed a rope that had appeared next to me. As soon as I'd touched it the ground fell out from under me. I screamed and held on as tight as I could.

I could smell something acidic. Looking down, I started into a vast pit of spitting fire and molten rock. The mirrors around me dropped into the pit as the floor crumbled away beneath them. Only now they didn't reflect my image. In one I could see an old woman, and elderly man in another; they looked like the grandparents I'd never met. I only knew them from pictures. Several mirrors fell away, but I didn't recognize any of the faces until I started into eyes not unlike mine.

"Mother." I whispered as she slipped away. I knew what was coming next. I turned to the last mirror to see the wide-eyed image of my Father.

"Poppa!" I called, reaching out.

"Charlotte." He replied, pressing his hand against the surface of the mirror.

"Poppa, reach for me!" I said, seeing the cracking floor quickly approaching him, "Come on Poppa, reach!" I cried more urgently, trying to swing to him. But it was too late. He was falling before I could even get close, "Poppa, no!"

I held onto the rope with both hands, my sobs echoing across the walls. But the rope wasn't a rope after all, it was an arm. I looked up into Erik's face as he looked down to me. But we weren't alone.

Christine was dangling over the pit beside me, clutching to Erik's other hand. He couldn't hold both of us. I felt his grip on my hand slipping.

"Erik please." I begged him; but he wasn't looking at me. Suddenly I was falling away, down into the fire.

I came out of my nightmare with a vicious jolt. I was wrapped tightly in my sheets and felt tears and sweat staining my face. Without any thoughts I tore out of my bed and ran to Erik's room. I lurked in his doorway, not sure what to say to wake him, or if I even should.

"Charlotte?" I heard in the darkness. My sobs must have been enough to wake him.

"I-I had a nightmare." I choked out, sounding like a child. Erik was silent. I was so intent on my sobbing that I didn't see him until he was right in front of me. I collapsed against his chest and cried harder. I felt him lift me and lay me down in his bed. When he got in I immediately folded my arms around his neck.

"I can't see." I said quietly when my sobs finally stopped. I usually slept with a candle in my room, since it got way too dark down here for me; but Erik kept his room pitch-black, "I'm scared."

"Don't be afraid." Erik said softly, wrapping his arms around me.

"Why shouldn't I be?" I sniffled, not convinced. I felt Erik hesitate.

"Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation." Erik sang gently in my ear. I closed my eyes.

"Darkness stirs and wakes imagination

Silently the senses abandon their defenses

Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendor

Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender."

I reached up to touch his face.

"Turn your face away from the garish light of day

Turn your thoughts away from cold unfeeling light

And listen to the music of the night."

I smiled dreamily as I felt sleep start to creep back into my mind.

"Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams

Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before

Close your eyes, left you spirit start to soar."

Erik paused as I sighed contently.

"And you live as you've never lived before

Softly, deftly, music shall caress you

Hear it, feel it secretly possess you

Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind

In this darkness that you know you cannot fight

The darkness of the music of the night."

I smiled again and let my hand fall to his chest when he brushed some hair behind my ear.

"Let your mind start a journey to a strange new world

Leave all thoughts of the life you knew before

Let your soul take you where you long to be..."

Erik hesitated again. I didn't know this song, but I could tell that it didn't end there. I didn't mind; I'm sure Erik had his reasons for not continuing.

"Thank you." I whispered, kissing his cheek again before falling into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.