So guys here is chapter fourteen :D I guess I should feel guilty for leaving all my lovely readers with a cliffhanger but oh well :D That's FanFiction I guess :D Anyway thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed my story so far :D As you know I don't own any of the characters from Phantom although I would like to own Erik :) I just own my own character Charlene :) Now guys on with the show! :D

Heartache and Pain

Chapter fourteen: ...And I will never let you fall

Erik's POV

After that bastard Joseph was long gone I cried out Charlene's name when I saw her fall to the ground. The guy must have been a coward to shoot a defenceless young woman in the ankle when he heard the sirens blaring; I presumed someone saw the gun and called the police. I ran to her side and gently picked her up before proceeding to carry her back to the car bridal style. I had to get her medical attention immediately otherwise she could die. I couldn't bear to lose her; not after she came into my life and gave me a reason to live. I then drove as fast as possible towards the hospital in the hopes I wasn't too late to save her life. Why did Joseph have to try and steal the one thing in my life that made me happy? I eventually made it to the hospital and quickly ran inside the hospital without even locking the car knowing it would lock itself after about five minutes or so.

"Please you've got to help me!" I yelled suddenly causing everyone in the hospital to look at me with confused expressions on their faces.

"Please sir calm down and explain the situation as calmly as you can." The nurse from the reception desk asked calmly.

"Please she's been shot in the ankle! Can you help her?!" I pleaded quickly.

"We'll need to take her to theatre. Quick we need a stretcher and a doctor out here stat!" She called out suddenly. But when she tried to take Charlene out of my arms I couldn't bring myself to let her go.

"Please sir we need to take her to surgery otherwise she could die from blood loss. We promise we will inform you the minute she comes out of surgery sir." I nodded and then reluctantly handed her over to the nurse. I then resorted to pacing restlessly around the waiting room hoping to hear some news of Charlene's recovery or waking up from surgery soon.

I am not sure exactly how much time had passed but my restless pacing was stopped when I almost bumped into the nurse.

"Sorry about that; please tell me Charlene is alright?!" I asked pleadingly.

"Yes sir she is out of surgery now. She is asleep at the moment but you can see her now if you want to. We were able to stop the bleeding but whether or not there's any permanent damage to the nerves we'll have to see. Hopefully she will heal in a few weeks or so and will be able to walk again soon without the support of crutches. Of course after she leaves the hospital she will need the support of crutches in order to walk but after that she should be able to walk unaided." The nurse explained matter of factly.

"I'll see her right now please." I replied quietly and with that the nurse opened the door and left after I walked through the door. I almost cried when I saw her lying there; some people would have thought she was dead if they didn't see the way her chest was rising up and down slowly with each breath. I then took a seat in the chair next to her bed and held her hand gently.

"I know you might not be able to hear me but I just want to let you know I will be there to protect you no matter what. I'm sorry I didn't protect you better from that awful man and I will do anything for your forgiveness." I pleaded passionately.

"There is nothing to forgive." I heard a voice reply quietly and when I looked up I saw Charlene's eyes flickering open and I immediately burst into tears of happiness when I realised she was going to be alright.

"Charlene you're ok! When I heard the gunshot and I saw you collapse like that I thought you were going to leave me!" I explained rapidly.

"I promise now I would never ever leave you for as long as I live." She said passionately. I kissed her gently on the hand and I smiled a little when I saw her try to stifle a yawn.

"You must be tired; sleep, I'll be right here beside you when you wake up." I said reassuringly and when she closed her eyes I kissed her on the forehead gently and fell asleep soon after.

I wasn't sure how long had passed since I fell asleep but I woke up suddenly when I heard a scream and it took me a moment to realise that the scream belonged to Charlene.

"Charlene! Wake up it's only a dream! I'm right here please wake up!" I pleaded quickly. I then saw her sit bolt upright in the bed with wide eyes and a pale face.

"Charlene...are you alright? It was just a bad dream. I'm right here to protect you." I asked concernedly.

"Please sleep beside me; I'm scared to sleep in case he comes back again." She pleaded with a child-like innocence to it.

"It's only a dream, nothing can hurt you. I'll sing you to sleep and I'll never leave you, ever." I explained reassuringly. I then decided to sing Music of the Night since she reacted well to it when I played the music to it on my piano that night she took my mask off. I could hear my voice echo around the room and before I knew it her breathing slowed to a steady rhythm and I saw a peaceful and serene expression grace her features. I gently wrapped my arms around her waist and fell asleep beside her where dreams didn't haunt either of us that night.

Charlene's POV

After experiencing that nightmare and being sung to sleep by Erik I woke up from a dreamless sleep to find Erik still asleep with his arm around my waist. I smiled a little and snuggled closer into his chest. I now know why I love him so much; he makes me feel safe and he loves me for who I am. He also doesn't care about the disability I have or the fact I was raped; actually I think if I wasn't raped that night I wouldn't have met Erik and I would probably be alone for the rest of my life. I guess fate has a funny way of bringing two people together and I couldn't ask for more.

"Good morning my Angel." I heard Erik say quietly.

"Morning." I replied back and I kissed him gently on the lips.

"How did you sleep?" Erik asked.

"Great since you were sleeping beside me; you keep my nightmares away." I replied happily. I then giggled a little when my stomach gave a loud protest.

"I think my Angel is in need of some nourishment." Erik said teasingly.

"Erik! Please don't leave me alone!" I pleaded.

"I'll only be gone for a few minutes; but you need to gain your strength back after losing all that blood. Once you've eaten I'll see if you're well enough to come home with me." Erik replied reassuringly. I nodded in agreement and let go of his hand to allow him to get to the canteen. I don't even think five minutes went past and I am already missing him; I just hope Joseph isn't around to hurt me or him for that matter. I then heard the door open and for a moment I wished I had some way to defend myself in case it was an unwanted intruder; I then breathed a sigh of relief a moment later when I saw Erik come in carrying a tray full of food.

"Here we are Charlene; this should build your strength back up as long as you eat it all." Erik explained gently.

"I couldn't possibly eat all of that; there's so much food!" I replied teasingly. I then tucked into my bowl of soup which was potato and leek flavour and it tasted delicious especially with some bread on the side. After finishing the soup I proceeded to eat my apple and then I managed to eat most of the chocolate cake which Erik polished off once I conceded defeat.

"I'll call the doctor in to see if I can fill in the forms so we can go home." Erik explained and he took the empty tray with him out of the door. A moment later he came back in with the doctor in tow.

"Ah Miss Rose I am glad to see you awake and eating well I see. I'll get your erm...friend over here to fill in the paperwork then I will give you some crutches to help you walk." I was then handed a pair of crutches and after manoeuvring my legs out of the bed I tried to get up I fell back due to weakness in my legs.

"Here Charlene let me help you." I heard Erik say gently and with that I felt him take me gently around the waist. I tried yet again to get up and once I got the support from the crutches I felt Erik's grip loosen slightly and I tried yet again to walk to the door. I eventually got to the door and I almost fell if it wasn't for Erik catching me around the waist.

"Take it easy; you've been in bed for ages and your muscles are stiff. Since I've signed the paperwork I can take you home now; here I'll carry you to the car." Erik explained gently. I then felt him lift me up and I instinctively put my arms around his neck.

"I'll collect your stuff once I've put you in the car." Erik explained. I nodded and I heard the car door unlock; after Erik placed me gently in the front passenger seat he explained gently.

"I'm going to get your belongings now; I'll leave the car open but if anyone tries to get you I want you to use this button here to lock the car. I'll be back in a few." And with that he went back into the hospital. I then saw him come out of the hospital with my crutches and a small bundle of what I presumed to be my belongings. I caught a glimpse of him putting them in the boot then he went around to the front of the car and clambered elegantly into the driver's seat.

"Would you like to listen to some music?" Erik questioned suddenly.

"Yes please." I replied quietly.

"There are some CDs in the glove compartment; once you've picked one you can put it in the CD player." Erik said and with that I opened the glove compartment to see a lot of different genres and I eventually picked an album by the artist Bitter Ruin; I remember listening to them and being introduced to the artist by my sibling. I have enjoyed every single album since being introduced to their first album. I smiled a little when the opening chords of Brand New Me started to play which was one of my favourite songs by this particular artist. I then subconsciously started to tap the rhythm and even humming the tune a little bit as well.

"I see you enjoy listening to Bitter Ruin as much as I do. How did you come to know their music?" Erik questioned happily.

"I was introduced to their music by my brother before he..." I couldn't say the next word as I promptly burst into tears as memories flooded my head of that dreadful night when I lost my brother forever.

"Charlene are you ok? You're crying...I'm sorry if I brought up bad memories for you. I didn't mean to upset you." Erik explained gently.

"It's ok. I was just remembering the good times with my brother that's all; he was the one who introduced me to this band in the first place." I replied quietly. Before Erik could reply I realised we were at home and after Erik stopped the engine he went round to my side of the car to let me out. After helping me out of the car I hobbled over to the front door and Erik let me in through the door.

"Oh my God are you ok?!" I heard a voice yell and I was almost knocked to the floor by an overexcited Christine.

"Hey be careful Christine; she is injured enough as it is and doesn't need you knocking her to the ground!" Erik explained quickly.

"But what happened...I was going to ask how the date went but when I saw her come in with crutches I had to ask how that happened!"

"The date went well but when Charlene went to the restroom she came back out with that bastard Joseph who was threatening her with a gun. I think he was going to make her choose but then there were sirens so he went to run from the scene but not before shooting her in the ankle." Erik replied matter of factly.

"I am so glad you're ok. We'll all help you in any way we can to make sure you recover as quickly as possible." Christine said reassuringly.

"I'm glad I have you for a friend." I said sincerely and after giving her a hug I decided to go to sleep as I was still tired from the events of that day at the restaurant.

"I think I'll go to bed; I feel so tired. Goodnight Christine, Erik and Nadir. I'll see you guys in the morning and thank you Erik for a truly wonderful night." I said politely and with that I went towards the stairs. But before I could touch the staircase I heard Erik say quickly.

"Here let me help you up the stairs."

"No I'm alright. I'm not made of glass or anything." But when I stepped on the first step I almost fell and if it wasn't for Erik catching me around the waist I probably would have fallen on the floor.

"Right I will carry you upstairs; you are clearly not in a fit state to be walking at the moment. After all you have just left the hospital and so you should rest before attempting to walk up and down the stairs. I promise you in the morning I will allow you to scale the stairs unaided." Erik explained gently. I nodded and after he placed me gently under the covers he gave me a gentle kiss on the head goodnight. But instead of letting him out of the door I grabbed his arm gently and brought him down to kiss me on the lips. I giggled a little when he walked out of the door without saying a word and with that I fell into a hopefully dreamless sleep...