Hey all! Ok so I am so sorry for this chapter being so late but rehearsals for the play I am in are crazy right now and I just had auditions for a musical so that has been keeping me pretty busy as well. Anyways I'm happy you all enjoyed that last chapter and I really hope you enjoy these upcoming chapters too!

Newbornphanatic haha I love your reviews! I do admit that I did use the Pirates of the Caribbean thing but also I had experience this past week in wearing a corset and dang, when they say you can't breathe in those things they really mean it haha!

So here is chapter 18, I really hope you all like it! Please read and review! Thanks so much!

The soft silken skin of her tiny hand felt light and amazingly gentle against the ruined flesh of Erik's face. For so long she had imagined what was hidden behind the stark white mask that hid him from the world, and now she was staring at it. The flesh upon his cheek was pulled tight revealing all of the bones and veins that made up his face. His eyes were horribly sunken in and his lips were bloated and large. It was a truly horrifying sight.

No matter what she did, she couldn't take her hand away. No matter how horrid his face was and no matter how badly her body shook she couldn't move; all she could do was speak.

"E-Erik."

The world began to go dark around her, as she spoke his name in a hardly audible voice. Spots of black flashed through her vision and she began to feel almost weightless. Suddenly she was very aware of how cold she truly was and how badly her body ached. All she wanted to do was close her eyes but with Erik before her, she was unable to do so. Finally after moments of complete shock and discomfort she let the darkness consume her.

The gentle touch of her light hand slipped from his cheek almost instantly. As he watched the deathly pale girl in front of him go limp against the couch, Erik wanted nothing more than to scream in horror and destroy everything in his possession.

His hands flew to his face, as he grimaced at the touch of his horrid skin. In a flash Erik was on his feet, tears streaming from his eyes and a fire burning at his throat, as he slowly began to back away from the unconscious ballerina.

In that instant he hated himself with a deep hatred he had never unleashed before. He believed that May was unconscious because of his disgusting face, and he knew that there was nothing he could do to ever make the girl see him the way she used to. She would hate him for the rest of eternity. She would curse his life and everything he was made of. She would surly scream in horror as soon as she awoke and there was nothing Erik could do about it. It was hopeless; he was hopeless.

His hand skimmed down the rough skin against his cheek and he let out a horrid scream as he remembered the gentle feel of May's little hand against his flesh; so soft, so gentle, and so innocent. He ruined his once stature façade, he ruined the small portion of his life that he owned, and most importantly he ruined the greatest friendship he had ever come to know.

He crumpled to the ground and sobbed.

As he slouched on the floor in a cocoon of tears and hatred, Erik had hardly noticed the presence of another person enter his lair.

"Erik, Erik!" the voice yelled with anger. Suddenly Nadir Kahn burst through the hidden door of Erik's lair in a frenzy of emotions. Once he spotted Erik upon the ground he quickly ran towards him.
"Erik what in the world have you-," His angry yelling was cut off as he spotted sight of the unconscious girl upon the couch. Her eyes were shut tight, her lips were bloated and had a tint of blue to them, her complexion was a horrid shade of white, and her entire body shook from head to toe.

He quickly looked to Erik and noticed that his clothe were completely soaked, and as he raised his head, Nadir noticed his mask was missing.

"Erik," he questioned cautiously. "What have you done?"

Suddenly Erik shot up from the ground and began to pace around, "Nadir it happened so quickly I didn't know what to do?"

"What are you talking about?" he asked franticly as he approached May.

"She ran down here and was screaming at me with an anger I had never seen in her before. I did not know what to do so I yelled back which made her yell." He sounded like a young boy rambling on and on. "She called me a Monster Nadir, a Monster. After yelling some more I retreated to the study to find some solace, but then I heard her scream." His last statement caught Nadir's attention.

"So I ran to find what had happened and somehow she must have fallen into the lake and while she was trying to get out, one of the traps was triggered and forced her down into the water. So then I dove in and saved her but when I brought her up she was barely breathing, but then I was able to get her back. But Nadir my mask, my mask is missing and she saw me. She saw me Nadir, oh the horror. In an instant she passed out and now here she is, lying lifeless upon my couch and all due to this horrid face!"

Nadir kneeled on the ground next the girl and laid a gentle hand against her forehead. From the feel of her skin it was quite obvious she had a fever. He quickly grabbed her wrist to take her pulse. Her heart beat was unusually slowly which concerned him. He began to act quickly.

"We need to get her out of these clothing quickly. Let's move her to a different room."

Erik froze. Besides his personal room, the only other room suitable for May was the Louis Philippe room designed to fit the needs of Christine and Christine only. As much as he didn't want her in there, he knew it was best for her. Looking from Nadir to May, Erik quickly lunged forward and captured the girl in his arms running her to Christine's room.

Inside now, he gently set her upon the large bed and turned as he watched Nadir enter as well throwing his dress coat upon the vanity.

Erik watched as Nadir flew right to May's side and began to inspect her again. Nadir Kahn had quite a bit of medical background to him, and knew exactly what he was doing. Gently he lifted May up and began to remove the already opened bodice of her dress, setting her down once it was removed. He then turned to Erik quickly and spoke in a stern voice.

"Erik, you might want to leave for a moment." He informed him.

As much as he felt like running out of the room and fleeing the lair, Erik felt the strongest urge to stay with May. He felt a strong sense of guilt for what happened to the girl and he needed to stay by her side and make sure that nothing happened to her. He hated to see her this way and didn't want any more harm to be put onto her.

"Nadir, no I have to stay with her."

"Erik, if I don't get her out of these clothe she might freeze to death, and same goes to you if you do not change." Erik hardly realized that his clothing was dripping wet and he was freezing. "Now please go get changed and bring back a basin of warm water, a washcloth, and something for her to wear."

With one last glance at May, Erik fled the room. He quickly sprinted to his room and threw off his damp clothing changing into dark pants and a rather heavy long sleeve shirt and placing securing another mask upon his face. He thought about what kind of attire he should put May in; the idea of putting her in one of Christine's nightgowns made him feel uneasy. He knew there was no way he could do that, he could never stand to stare at the girl while she wore one of Christine's dresses. Deciding quickly Erik raced to his wardrobe and pulled out a white long sleeve shirt, and a dark button down. From there he quickly filled a basin with heated water, grabbed the nearest washcloth, and ran back to the Louis Philippe room.

When he returned Erik nearly dropped the basin of water as he stared wide eyed at the sight before him. Covered by numerous blankets was a still shivering but now naked May. The blankets completely covered her body but left her collar bone and shoulders exposed. Erik began to shake again as he looked over the girl.

Nadir approached Erik quickly, grabbing the materials out of his hands. Erik barley took notice to him as he continued to stare at May.

Nadir set down the basin of water and laid the clothing out upon the bed. He gently began to lift May, but stopped as he remembered Erik was still in the room.

"Um, Erik, you might want to turn away for a moment." He stated. In a flash Erik was turned the opposite direction, staring at the wall thinking of May; her perfectly untouched skin against the silk sheets that belonged to Erik. He felt ridiculous thinking of such things at a time such as this.

Once Nadir was done Erik turned around and went right up to May, kneeling beside her. He scanned his eyes over her face; so pale, with the same light blue tint to her trembling swollen lips.

"Will she be okay?" he asked Nadir nervously.

"Most likely yes," Erik let out a sigh of relief. "I believe though that she has either a case of the flu or pneumonia."

"Pneumonia?" Erik asked jumping up from the bed. He knew that the flu was only temporary and not as severe but he also knew that pneumonia sometimes led to death depending on how bad it was.

"Calm down Erik, I am not exactly sure. From the symptoms she has told me, it could be either or, so we don't want to be too careful."

"But Nadir what if she-," his sentence was cut off. Violent coughs erupted from May's chest as she shuffled around the bed beneath the covers, her shivering becoming fiercer than before. Nadir and Erik exchanged concerned glances, and then they both sprinted into action.

"Keep her down!" Nadir yelled as he ran to the opposite side of the bed. Erik knelt upon the bed and pinned May's shoulders to the mattress as she coughed and sputtered. Her eyes remained shut as she struggled to catch any possible ounce of air she could.

Watching the struggling girl, Erik wanted to do nothing but cry. He vowed to keep her safe yet he was the one to hurt her, and now she might slip from his fingers and be gone forever.

Erik didn't take notice to Nadir leaving the room; he came back quickly with a glass of a strange liquid. Erik recognized it from the day prior; it was the medicine he forced May to drink.

"Lift her up." Nadir stated as he came around the bed. Erik moved beside May and held her still with her back against his chest as she coughed. "Ok try to keep her as still as possible." Nadir added. Erik quickly threw one arm around her waist and another around her shoulders restraining her from moving. This is the closest he has ever been to May.

Nadir came forward and attempted to pour the liquid into May's mouth as Erik held her. Most of the liquid fell into her mouth, but some slid down her chin and onto Erik's shirt she was now wearing and onto Erik's arm.

As soon as the medicine was swallowed her coughing seemed to stop, and her head drooped down as she fell back into her slumber. Erik still held onto May as she shook aggressively in his arms. She was so cold against Erik; he began to attempt to warm her by running his hand up and down her arms to gain heat.

"Why is she so cold, Nadir?" Erik asked franticly

"She's sick Erik, and on top of that she was just in freezing water so she will be cold."

"When will she wake up?"

"It's hard to say. It may be a while yet; a day or two at the most." Nadir went to the water basin and dipped the washcloth into it, bringing it back up and wringing it out. "When she does wake up though, she is going to need her rest; lots and lots of rest. Her body needs time to heal itself, so we don't want her to push anything." He walked back to May.

Erik gently laid her down again and pulled the covers up to her chin. Nadir came forward and placed the wet cloth upon her pale forehead. They were both quiet for quite some time as they watched the sleeping May.

Nadir glanced over at Erik and spoke calmly. "Erik, what happened tonight?" he asked

"Daroga, I told you and obviously you are looking at it." He stated, motioning to May.

"I did not mean that," he paused. "The opera, Erik why did you do that?"

"Why did I do that?" he reiterated his question, in an angry tone. Nadir was mentally preparing himself for one of Erik's temper outbreaks. "I was angry," he stated rather calmly, "I was sad, I was betrayed."

Nadir didn't respond so Erik went on. "Christine, she's now engaged to that, that fop. She ran to his 'safe' outstretched arms and professed her love for him and her hatred for me. She betrayed me, and I lost it. It wasn't until May came to me did I realize I almost killed them both. I hated myself for that Nadir. I realized that not only did I nearly kill the women I love but I also nearly killed my dearest friend."

Nadir felt bad for Erik but he knew there was nothing he could do about it.

"When May came to me she was in a crazy rage. She was screaming at me calling me a monster over and over again." He paused. "Nadir, I realize now she was right. I am a monster a horrible monster with no heart, and such a horrible cursed face.

"Erik if you are a monster, than why is this girl lying in your bed?" Erik glanced at May and realized that what he has done most likely saved her life. She could be dead in his lake right now and all because of him. He looked down at his hands.

"She could be dead Nadir; I would have never forgiven myself for that. She means so much to me, I could never lose her."

"Cherish her Erik," he said, approaching him. "She's an extraordinary girl, you are very lucky to have her around." They were both staring at May, watching her closely. Erik nodded lightly in response to Nadirs statement.

"Well, she seems to be doing just fine now, and her shaking is lessoning." He slowly removed the now cool cloth from her forehead and placed it back in the basin. "I suggest you watch her closely throughout the night and over the next couple of days. Make sure to give her numerous doses of that medicine each day and if needed, anything else you believe is appropriate; I trust your judgment on that." He moved to the vanity and picked up his coat putting it back on. "If anything else changes, send for me right away. I will most likely stop by over the next few days, but until then keep her safe and if she wakes make sure she gets plenty of rest."

"Thank you Nadir." Erik stated.

"Stay safe my friend and take care of her." With that Nadir turned and fled the lair. Now it was only Erik in the unconscious girl before him.

Pulling up a rocking chair from a corner in the room, Erik sat beside May and watched her helplessly as she shook and trembled. He reached over to the water basin and took the washcloth once more and set upon May's forehead gently.

Water from the cloth slowly slid down her face. Erik hesitantly reached forward and wiped away some of the water droplets, reveling in the sheer softness of her silken skin. His hand lingered on her cheek for a moment feeling the coolness of her flesh beneath his fingertips, and memorizing the texture of her skin. He slowly moved his hand over to the loose damp curls which lay aimlessly upon the pillow beneath her head. So soft and pretty her hair was; not to curly but the perfect mixture of ringlets and waves combined to make her beautiful dark blonde locks.

Nadir was right May was truly extraordinary. For one so young she was so brave, for one so alone she was so independent, and for one so loved she was so humble. Erik began to instantly hate himself again realizing that the wonderful girl before him could be dead at the moment and all because of his blood stained and cursed hands.

He began to sob, as he spoke helplessly.

"May, I'm sorry, I am so sorry for what I have done to you." His tears were hot against his cheek. "You do not deserve any of this. For one looking for guidance and a friend, I have showed you nothing but misleading hope and an enemy." He wept. "I am so, so sorry."

He stayed like that for quite some time, motionless in his distraught state of sadness and anger. His large hand wrapped around May's small trembling one, tears streaming from his eyes. It was odd for Erik to comfortably be making contact with another person and not be tense or bothered by it. He enjoyed the feeling of May's hand in his and her soft skin against his hand seemed just right.

After sometime his tears stopped flowing, but his hand remained clasped around May's. She was still trembling and pale, with blankets piled up and pulled to her chin. It was quite obvious she had a fever but just to make sure Erik quickly left the room and came back with a small thermometer. Moving back to the bed he sat beside her and gently slid the thermometer between her quivering lips. As he held the thermometer to her mouth Erik waited for quite some time watching May closely.

As he pulled the thermometer away Erik's finger brushed delicately against May's lower lip, and with a gasp he nearly fell off the bed admiring the beautiful softness he had just felt. Had he really just done that, had he really just touched such a precious girl so intimately? He felt ridiculously childish as he looked at his hand imagining the feeling of her lips, yet cursing himself for doing so. Never in all of his life had he ever been graced with a kiss. Not even the smallest of kisses to his forehead. When he was younger he would beg his mother to give him the simplest kiss or the lightest embrace, but no affection was ever shown. All that was ever shown was hatred and a loathsome fear that drove him to near insanity.

Erik had spent days upon countless days dreaming of what it would be like to be given the gift of a kiss, but he knew that it might never happen. The many nights he spent fantasizing about Christine finally accepting him and embracing him with true affection and love forced him into a horrible agony, leaving nothing but constant pain and unwanted distress. And looking upon this girl and now knowing the feeling of soft lips upon rough flesh made his skin tingle and his need grow.

He thought about her; she had already confided to him that she had kissed Jack, and that she even enjoyed it. Oh how Erik hated the boy in that moment; such a gift of amazing pleasure given to one who barley deserved it. The way he longed to know what it was like to feel the electric pulse of romance and love that sparked through entwined lips of passionate lovers was unbearable. But in no way did he love May like that. Yes he cared deeply for her and adored her friend ship; he could never force himself to love any other women besides Christine. But in that moment as he stared absentmindedly at her lips, he was willing to let a forged love consume him and have the power of passion take him over.

With daring and shaking hands, he reached forward and laid the gentlest of caresses to May's chilled cheek. His hand skimmed past her cheek and grazed along her chin as he memorized its feel. Feeling overwhelmed and amazed by the touch of her perfect yet freckled skin, Erik gently ran his fingers over May's soft yet trembling lips, drinking in every ounce of feeling he could absorb. He felt dazed by his mixture of strange emotions building inside him and as he pulled away, stunned by his actions, he couldn't help but let his need speak.

She's out cold, she would never even notice. Just for the shortest of a second that is all. Oh this is not right. But she won't know and she will never find out. Do I dare?

It was tempting, tempting to the point of acting upon. May was lying before him completely unconscious and vulnerable, and Erik's longing was rising to a heated need. All he needed to do was press his lips to hers and it would all be over. Just a simple caress to her soft shuddering, innocent lips and his longing would be extinguished.

Just one kiss that is all it is, just one simple kiss.

Was he really doing this, leaning in, closer and closer to this girl? He was so close, so extremely close, he could smell her sent, her lovely rose petal sent that intoxicated him completely. He could hear the silent clatter of her teeth as she shivered from the cold. He could see the tiny adorable, childish freckles that branded her pale cheeks. He stared at her full lips; the blue tint was slowly fading exposing the natural pink shade. God he was close, so close.

Breathe man, you can do this. She will never know.

He inhaled slowly taking in her scent one last time then slowly closed his eyes as he tried to meet her lips with his own. He couldn't do it, he wouldn't move. There was nothing he could do to get himself to kiss the poor girl before him. Opening his eyes quickly, he took one last long glimpse at May from the close distance he was at.

Ripping himself away he sprinted from the bed and into a dim lighted corner of the room where he stared at May with pained eyes that shown a branding shame.

"Erik you fool!" He whispered to himself.

He couldn't believe what he had almost done. Had he almost kissed this poor innocent girl? He hated himself.

Standing in a stare for the longest time, Erik wanted nothing more than to scream and disappear into the dark but he knew that he could not leave May's side.

Ignoring every ounce of shame that boiled inside him, Erik paced back over to the rocking chair beside the bed and picked up the thermometer which he had neglected to check.

107 it read. A burning 107; she was truthfully horribly sick, which made Erik feel completely helpless and ashamed.

"My god, May." He whispered to the sleeping girl.

There was nothing he could do to help her fever go down and there was nothing he could do to make her feel better. He was practically useless.

Wanting to do more he quickly found another thick blanket and tucked it over the girl attempting to smother her chill. He then replaced the damp cloth upon her forehead and resumed his position in the rocking chair.

Hours seemed to pass and there was no change in May's condition. She still shook, she was still deathly pale, and she still let out an occasional horrid cough. Erik found himself nodding off a couple of times but he as soon as he realized it he would snap out of his tiresome state and go back to watching May as she slept.

Minuet by minuet nothing changed and Erik was growing more and more tired. He once again replaced the cloth upon May's forehead and gave her a small dose of the medication, then went back to sitting in his chair. His eyes were burning from his insufficient lack of sleep and he wanted nothing more than to be able to wake up and see the girl back on her feet and healthy once again, but he knew that would take some time.

Finally after a long time his eyes forced themselves shut and he let the darkness of slumber consume him completely.

Thanks so much for reading! Please review, I would love to hear what you all think! Thanks!(:

Ps. Sorry again for the crazy delay on this chapter. I will try to have Chapter 19 up as soon as possible!