hello again!i am SO SO SO sorry! I know I haven'y updated for like, to long! I did have a slightly good reason though! I got sick. Just a head cold, but it was one of those colds were I didn't want to do anything! I felt miserable! And since I update at work, it was also tough. I got really busy and had like no time to log on. Good news too! Our computer is like so close to being fixed, so in a few days I won't have to update at work anymore!thanks for still reading and please review!this chapter is filled with FLUFF!just a warning. And it may seem out of character for our Phantom, but I just love a sweetie! Since my husband is such a sweetie, its my weakness! :)

Chapter 29

Erik had arrived when they were eating dinner. It took all of his might to stop himself from barging in, picking Nicole up and propping her over his shoulder like a caveman. He knew that the element of surprise would work best with Jacques, but even that plan had to many faults.

He watched from the bushes outside the window as Nicole limped to her room. He ran to the side of the house, and waited. Not a minute later he saw a shadow move against the light in a room on the top floor, and he knew that was where she was.

He climbed the side of the house with little trouble, and reached her balcony. It was tiny, and barely had room for him, but in the wind and the rain, he was grateful for it. She was laying on her bed, and was drifting into slumber.

Saying her name softly, and caring his voice into the room took slight effort. She responded instantly, and looked about the room. He called to her again, and this time was rewarded with her bright smile, and hearing her call his name.

She bolted up out of the bed, and ran to the window which almost caused her to fall, but she caught herself on the vanity. Without waiting another moment, he opened the window and went to her.

"Nicole, what happened did he hurt you?"

"No," she said, "I hurt myself! I tried to run from him, and well, failed."

Suddenly, she had her arms around his neck, and was almost choking him with her hug.

"Oh Erik!

"Nicole, my love, I am soaking wet, perhaps you should not…"

She silenced him with a quick kiss, and continued hugging him tightly. Feeling her need and relief in him being there, he returned her hug, happy to have her in his arms again.

"Oh, Erik, I knew you would come for me!" she whispered.

In moment she was soaked through her clothes and was shivering fiercely.

"My love," he said into her ear, "You are shivering."
"I don't care! Erik, I am scared. He wants me to stay here, forever. Without any contact with Anne. To be his prisoner not his wife! He wants me locked up for him and only him. He is no longer the man I once knew. He has changed so much."

Erik hugged her tighter, and rubbed her back in comfort.

"How did you find me? I thought I was lost to you forever."

"I thought so too. Thankfully Anne knew of this place, and even had directions to it. If she hadn't, well I don't want to think about it."

"Thank God for Anne! Erik, I was so worried about you. I had no idea if Jacques had killed you or not when he hit you. You just fell to the ground, and stopped moving."

Her lips were turning blue, and her teeth were chattering together.

"Nicole, please get out of that dress."

Her face went white, and then red with seconds as she wrapped her arms around herself protectively.

Erik, realizing what he had said, began stammering and apology, "Nicole I am sorry, I..I didn't mean it that way! I don't want you to take off your dress, well I do, but what I mean is, your chilled to the bone and you need to put on something warm and dry."

Her face broke into a large smile, as she nodded, "Yes, Erik I know, it's all right."

She turned and entered the large closet, and he heard her rummaging for a new dress. He was not bothered by the rain, but he took his large cloak off and hung it near the fireplace. He then proceeded to start a fire.

She emerged from the closet in new, simple, lilac dress. As plain as the dress was, she still took his breath away.

She sat down next to the fire in a small chair, and started rubbing her swollen ankle.

Erik leaned down and took her normally slender ankle into his hands, and started to inspect it.

"I've never even hurt myself this bad dancing! I have no idea if it is broken or not."

"It is not broken but very badly sprained."

Nicole's heart fluttered as his hands touched her skin. She had decided not to put on stockings because it had pained her too much to try. Now, she was not regretting that decision. His eyes studied her ankle with concentration, and his hands worked softly on her flesh. She let her eyes slip closed and sat enjoying his touch. His finger tips briefly grazed the sensitive skin behind her knee, and she nearly jumped out of her skin. All too soon he had placed her foot back on the floor, and released her.

She opened her eyes to see him staring intently into the fire.

"Erik?"

"Yes?"

"Are you going to take me away from this awful place?"

He crossed his arms over his chest, and furrowed his brow in deep thought. At that moment they heard footsteps outside her doorway. Erik turned in an instant, and was about to go charging into the hall, but was stopped by Nicole's small hand on his. They both waited with bated breath as the footsteps got closer and closer, stopping right outside. For a full minute they dared not to breath. As the footsteps started again, and receded the both let go a breathed a sigh of relief.

"Nicole, I am not taking you away."

"What? Why not?"

He turned to her and gently pushed her back into her chair. He leaned down on one knee in front of her and brushed a stray hair from her face.

"If I took you away in the dead of night, he will know that I reclaimed you. He will hunt us down our whole lives. We will always be looking over our shoulders. I must confront him."

"Don't hurt him."

Erik closed his eyes, and she felt his grip on her hands tighten.

"I am not sure if I can promise that."

"I know he has changed, but he is still the man that I befriended long ago."

"I understand, but Nicole,"

"No," she interrupted, "Erik, don't hurt him."

I must remind him, that Christine did not let Raoul hurt him.

"Remember the graveyard."

This had the effect she had hoped. He closed his eyes and nodded.

"You are right, about him hunting us down," she continued, "So what shall we do?"

He opened his eyes and cleared his throat, "I will talk with tomorrow. I must let my rage cool down before I confront him."

"There are many rooms you may hide in."

"I will be in the one right next to you. I will not be far if you need me."

"I need you all the time, Erik."

At this he smiled, and her heart soared.

How I love to make him smile!

"I wish we never had to part." She whispered.

His smile suddenly grew larger, and she wondered why.

"I couldn't agree more, My Love. Even when we are one room away, I die. Will you marry me?"

Nicole nearly fainted.

"Wh..What?"

"Marry me, Nicole. I don't have a ring at the moment, but I love you. I always will. Please Nicole, I need you."

It took her only one moment of shock to recover as she blurted out, "Yes!"

She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her, and picked her up. He spun her about never once breaking the kiss. As they broke apart, he placed her gently on the floor. They looked into each other's eyes, beaming with joy. In this short moment they had no worried, and the troubles surrounding them faded away.

"I am your future bride! I am so happy!"
"I must go now, you need your rest."

She placed her hand on his mouth and said, "Shhh, don't speak of leaving me at the happiest moment of my life."

She then felt his lips kissing her finger tips, and she lost all the strength in her knees. He took her hand away from his mouth and smiled mischievously.

"Then I shall sing you to sleep."

"What if Jacques hears?"

"Do not worry, my fiancée."

She giggled at her new title, and let herself be lead to the bed. She crawled in under the covers, and when she laid her head on the pillow she realized how tired she was.

Erik began a soothing lullaby, and her eyes drifted closed. In moment she was sound asleep.

But Erik did not leave her side. He sat by her all night, never letting go of her hand. He had her left hand in his, and was stroking her ring finger. He was imaging the perfect ring for her, as he picked up her hand, and laid a gentle kiss on her finger.

"I will always love you."