As soon as Nadir left, Katja wondered how to draw Erik back out. Nadir said that it was best to leave him alone while he was sulking, but she wasn't sure that was such a good idea. He always gave her privacy, so she wanted to respect his and didn't want to go into his room uninvited. But how could she get him out here?

She began pacing in the music room, trying to think of an idea. Suddenly it sunk in. Music! He would help her when she was playing. Erik would always drop everything to teach her. Katja sat at the piano and began to practice one of the pieces she was learning. It was one she had been struggling with. Since she still made so many mistakes, Katja was hoping it would tempt Erik to come out.

Katja continued to play, but his door remained closed. She practiced her pieces and scales, occasionally making a glaring error, hoping Erik would sit beside her and gently correct her like he always did.

After a while, she realized he wasn't coming out. Nadir said he would sulk for a while, but he didn't say how long. For all she knew, it could be hours or it could be days. Katja felt awful. She didn't mean to upset him. Even though Nadir told her to keep away, she went to his door and knocked. "Erik?" she called. When he didn't answer, she continued with, "Erik, I'm sorry."

The door remained closed and the house remained silent. Katja sighed and walked away. Nadir was probably right. Erik would come out when he was ready. Hopefully it would be soon.

Erik closed his eyes and listened to her struggle to play. He knew what she was doing. She was trying to coax the monster out, but he wanted to know why. Eventually the instrument fell silent, making him wonder what she was doing now.

He got his answer when he heard a timid knock on the door. Erik sat up and cocked his head as he heard her soft voice. "Erik? Erik, I'm sorry." His heart gave a sharp pang. From the tone of her voice, he could tell that she wasn't exactly sure what she was apologizing for, but for some reason she was apologizing anyway, and she seemed genuine.

Burying his face in his hands, Erik tried to get his head straight. Katja was willing to apologize for reasons she didn't quite understand, but she was still trying. That was more than anyone had ever done before. She wasn't scared of his face, that was also stunning to him, but he also didn't want her pity. He didn't want to upset her either. Erik leaned back and pinched the bridge of his nose. He didn't know what he wanted anymore.

That wasn't true. He knew exactly what he wanted, but he couldn't have Katja. Erik knew that the only reason he wanted her was because it had been so long since he had been near a beautiful woman. He hoped.

For the next few hours, the lair remained eerily quiet. Erik assumed that Katja had gone to sleep. He was going to have to face her in the morning though. There was no way he could hide from her forever.

Katja watched Javert, fear in her eyes. She kept her arms wrapped around her stomach and waited silently as he paced furiously, murmuring something in his language under his breath. Tears slid down her cheeks, her body covered with fresh cuts and bruises from her beating. Every so often, he would glance her way, his eyes glowing with rage.

Eventually the woman from before walked back into the tent. She handed Javert a small vial. "This will take care of your 'issue' and will prevent it from happening again."

Javert ripped it out of her hand. "Get out!" he snapped. She glared at him before storming out of the tent.

She backed into the corner, the cold metal bars pressing into her skin. Javert grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. Katja struggled but couldn't escape. "Please don't!" she begged.

He threw her down. Her head slammed against the ground, leaving her dazed for a moment. Javert knelt beside her, his knee on her chest, successfully pinning her. She tried to break free, but couldn't fight his size and strength.

"No!" Katja screamed as he opened the vial. "Oh God please no!"

"Shut up," he growled, forcing her mouth open and pouring the liquid down her throat. She tried to spit it out before it could take effect, but he pressed his hand over her mouth. A white hot fire started to burn her stomach, making her scream.

"Katja!" Her eyes snapped open to see two stunning green orbs full of concern. Erik jumped in surprise when she threw her arms around his neck and buried his face in his chest. He gently began to rub her back soothingly. "It gets better," he murmured. "The nightmares will fade."

"No it won't," she cried stubbornly. "There's no fixing what he did!"

"It will get better," he promised. "I swear it will."

"How long did it take for your nightmares to fade?" she asked once the flow of tears finally began to trickle down to nothing.

"I still have them when I get upset," he admitted. "But they're not often and they're not nearly as bad as they once were."

Katja closed her eyes, her head still resting on his chest. "How do you live with all those memories?"

"Just take it one day at a time," Erik whispered in her ear. "Don't focus on the bad things that happen. Try to think about all the things that make you happy."

"Sing," she said softly. "Sing ein Leid. Das werede mir glücklich machen."

Erik had to think for a moment, but didn't know enough German to translate what exactly she was asking. Sing, that was easy enough though. He knew that word. He could sing for her.

"Suddenly I see
Suddenly it starts
Can two anxious hearts beat as one?
Yesterday I was alone
Today you walk beside me
Something still unclear
Something not yet here has begun.

Suddenly the world
Seems a different place
Somehow full of grace and delight.
How was I to know that so much hope was held inside me?
What has passed is gone
Now we journey on through the night"

Her eyes began to drift shut. Erik laid her gently back on the pillows and tucked her in, while continuing his song for her.

"How was I to know at last that happiness can come so fast?
Trusting me the way you do
I'm so afraid of failing you
Just a child who cannot know that danger follows where I go
There are shadows everywhere
And memories I cannot share

Nevermore alone
Nevermore apart
You have warmed my heart like the sun.
You have brought the gift of life
And love so long denied me.

Suddenly I see
What I could not see
Something suddenly
Has begun."

When he finished, Erik looked down at the sleeping girl. She was so beautiful, like an angel. Without thinking, he leaned in and brushed his lips against hers with a touch lighter than a butterfly. Katja stirred ever so slightly, and for a moment, he thought he saw her smile. But no, of course she wouldn't have smiled. No one could enjoy a kiss from a monster.

Suddenly it hit him. He had kissed her! Realizing what he had done, Erik leaped up and ran out of the room, his head was spinning with that stolen kiss. He had absolutely no right to do that! Oh God, what had he done?

German Translations

Sing ein Leid. Das werede mir glücklich machen.- Sing a song. That will make me happy.