After a 14 hour drive down long darkened highways and around curvy mountain roads, I found myself sitting in the driver's seat looking up at the small green cabin. It hadn't changed that much from when I had spent my summers here with my grandparents; tin metal roof, flaking green paint and the old poplar tree beside the screened in porch that had all the children and grandchildren's name craved into it. Residing beneath the peak of the mountains and surrounded by woods, Giry would never find us here.

I had just enough cell-phone signal to call my grandfather to tell him that I had gotten there safely; it had been two years since him and my grandmother had gone to live with my parents in the Triad of the Carolinas, but he still loved that little cabin where our family tree was created with my great-grandfather.

"Yes, grandpa, I know where the electrical box is and where the generator is. Yes, I know how to turn the water on and start up a fire, if we get cold."

Eric sat motionless in the passenger seat as I finished my conversation on the phone. It was late and I know we could both use some rest after our long drive. Eric had offered several times to stop for the night while I had been driving, but I refused. I couldn't let Giry harm him and I know that if there was a chance to stop that she could possibly find us. I wasn't about to take that kind of risk. But we were here; here at great-grandpa's sanctuary.

I immediately started to unload the groceries and my belongings, but Eric stopped me.

"You have done enough, Catherine. You have put your life on hold for mine and left your dream behind. Please, let me do this for you. Please go inside and rest," he pleaded grabbing the trunk of clothes and several baskets of food.

I didn't argue with him as I turned and walked towards the house. I unlocked everything and opened the door to the smell of mountain musk and old wood. Home, sweet, home. Before I went completely in, I went behind the house to flip the electrical box on and crank up the generator. The water hook up wasn't far from the house and once everything was turned on, I could see the lights flickering on. The woodpile was by the front porch and the propane tank read full. We were set to hideout for a while.

I went back to the car to find it empty and the front door of the cabin standing open, fully lit up.

So I locked the car and went running towards the house to get warm. Everything was still looked the same from my childhood, even the smell of wood interior just made me feel as if my grandparents were still living here. Eric was in the kitchen putting the baskets and bags of food on the table. The old wood stove stood in the corner with a stack of wood beside it ready to be burned. I started the stove to get heat to the house as Eric continued to unpack the food. I put it all in the cabinets as he finished and went exploring.

I smiled. He was so vulnerable and so out of his element. He was away from his piano and I knew that he was going to need his own space to write. I could fix the old bedroom in the back up to be his office, or composing space. I was going to have to go into town and see if I could find an electric keyboard for a reasonable price. Or maybe, he could the old one down at the school house. I would figure it out.

After the groceries were up, I went to get my belongings from the couch and make my bed for the night. Eric sat at the edge of the neatly made bed as I entered and placed my stuff beside him. He was so quiet. The fear was getting to him, or maybe just the peacefulness of the mountains was settling him.

I broke the silence as I gathered my clothes and threw them into the dresser, "You've been silent. Anything I can do to make you feel at ease?"

He sighed, "It just so peaceful, but it seems too easy. I feel as if something is going to jump out and attack. But then, I feel like there is no worry here. I don't understand it."

This was a completely different side of Eric that I don't believe anyone had ever seen; from the legends and stories, I always knew of the Phantom to be brave, fearless, and to have a harsh temper. What happened to him to make him fear? I paused and came to him, getting down on my knees to be at his level.

"You are safe here. Believe me, we are far from most civilization and I have friends and family here who would literally give the clothes of their back to help ya," I explained, "We are protected by these mountains and by God."

Eric smiled, "You are so optimistic about things. How did you ever become this way?"

I laughed, rising to me feet, "It wasn't easy, but I managed. I used to come here often as a child and to this day I still find this place as my sanctuary. I know I am always welcome here."

Eric stood, pulling me to his chest staring deep into my eyes; peace. The calm had come and I knew that he was going to be alright, for now. His long fingers entangled into my hair as my eyes closed at the slightest touch of his skin. His scent engulfed me in a warm embracement as our lips met and the tenderness of old reach deep into my soul. This was a kind of affection that no one of my generation knew. I, a simple romantic, was given the privilege to experience this and I was never going to forget this kind of moment for the rest of my life.

Suddenly, I felt myself being picked up and laid onto the bed. My eye shot open; my shyness of what could happen kicked in. I pulled away from the kiss to look up into his deepen eyes with the taste of affection resting upon my lips. Fear of rushing and being distracted fell upon me, and I could see that I was going to be hard for me to explain.

"Yes?" he softly said. Oh that soothing sultry voice.

"I…I…"I stuttered, trying to find the words to keep something from happening. But that's when he leaned down and kissed me again, letting his lips move down my jaw line to the crease of my neck and the base of my neck. His lips were sensual and felt like fire upon my skin; how could I resist? His eyes peered up to mine and I couldn't stop myself from grinning. I couldn't hold back. That's when I lost all control.

"To hell with it," I said, pulling Eric to my lips. My arms wrapped around his neck as his hands grabbed for my hips. The shock and thrill of my aggressiveness excited him as he pushed me harder onto the bed. I felt his hands wander in between passionate kisses, giving me the opportunity to let my hands wander as well. He let out a pleasurable sigh as our hands moved along each other bodies.

Eric whispered, "I want to hear you sing to me, as I ravish every inch of your angelic body."

"Yes, my angel."