Author's Notes: I know this took me a long time to update. Darn school…Thanks for being patient. I would like to say again I'm not a doctor and neither is Erik. I only have a vague understanding of medicine. So if it's not all accurate, that's ok because this is fiction. I would also like to thank everyone who reviewed on the first chapter. I appreciate the feedback whether it's good or bad. I'm always looking for ways to improve my writing. So here is Chapter 2. Enjoy!

Buried Deep Inside

Chapter 2: Little Bottle of Death

The light of the moon gazed down onto the prone form of Raoul. He was beginning to move fitfully in his feverish state. He murmured words that were impossible to make out.

Erik watched from his chair in the corner. He sat in the shadows with his arms crossed over his chest. He was tired from traveling and now watching Christine's husband. Christine herself was sleeping in a guest bedroom. Erik had to command her to get rest for she was reluctant to leave Raoul. Erik assured her he would watch the young man.

While Christine slept, Erik decided to try some healing methods. First, he made sure the Vicomte got enough fluids throughout the night. He also decided to try bleeding Raoul. He didn't let a lot of blood escape Raoul for it looked like he needed all the blood he could get. In theory, if there is something bad in his blood, by removing some of the blood, he should show signs of improvement. Indeed, Raoul was improving for now he was beginning to move and talk.

"Christine," muttered Raoul. When he did not get a reply, he spoke louder. "Christine."

Erik got up from his seat and approached the sick man. Raoul's eyes were still closed but Erik knew he could hear him. "She has retired for the night."

Upon hearing the voice, Raoul willed his eyes open. A weak expression of shock spread across his face. "You," was all Raoul could mutter.

"Yes it is me," Erik responded simply. He noticed Raoul became tense and rigid as if waiting for Erik to strike him. Erik sighed knowing it would take much convincing to prove to the young Vicomte that his intentions were good.

"Why are you here?" stammered Raoul.

"I'm here to help you. To cure you of your illness."

"I don't believe you. You tried to kill me before to get Christine. Now you're here to do it again!" Raoul's eyes went wild and he desperately tired to get himself into a sitting position.

"I'm afraid your fever has created incorrect delusions in your head. Someone has already tried to kill you." Erik picked up Raoul's arm revealing his veins still bulging from his arm. "You've been poisoned."

Raoul pulled his arm away and stared at his arm intently. "How?" He said in disbelief and looked up at the phantom. "Did you?"

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I did not." Erik brought his chair next to the bed and sat down.

Raoul began to relax once he saw Erik sitting down and not likely to kill him. As his adrenaline slowed down, his eyes started to glaze again. It appeared that he was about to pass out but he kept his eyes open. "All I've been seeing over and over in my mind is that day back when the chandelier fell. I am tied helpless to the gate with a noose around my neck. Christine walks towards you and I know what she's about to do. She's about to spare my life. Then she kisses you, but instead of freeing her, you hold her to her promise. You take her away. I'm standing there screaming but no sound seems to come. I search for her but I cannot find her anywhere. And then, I am standing in complete darkness unable to do anything. I cannot find her. I cannot save her."

Erik stared at Raoul as he spoke. He could tell the young man was wearing himself out and had sweat starting to run down his face. He also realized that Raoul was aimlessly rambling for he would never reveal such personal information to his enemy. It was only a matter of time before Raoul slipped into the darkness of his nightmares again.

"What were you doing before you fell ill?" Erik asked.

Raoul wearily turned his head to Erik. His eyes were glazing over. "Christine and I visited the new opera house." Erik knew of the new opera house that was to replace the Opera Populaire. "We met the new staff. Madam Giry and her daughter have moved there. Carlotta is singing there now."

That is definitely poison, thought Erik. "Who came to the cottage?"

"Meg," Raoul closed his eyes briefly trying to concentrate. Sleep was pressing on him heavily. "Madam Giry."

"Any servants?"

Raoul shook his head. "Not recently."

Erik rubbed his forehead. He suspected someone had slipped Raoul poison here at the cottage. If the culprit was smart enough they could have given a slow working poison at the opera house. It was all becoming too complicated. Who would want to poison the Vicomte and why would they want to? What was to be gained by Raoul's death? Many more questions and scenarios flooded Erik's mind. When he looked up again, Raoul had fallen asleep. The only chance to save Raoul was to find an antidote and he knew of one place in Paris where he could find it.

Quickly Erik got up to leave. He was sure the Vicomte would survive the night without him watching him sleep. As he went to leave, he passed by the guest bedroom. The door was opened slightly. Gazing inside he saw Christine sleeping. He couldn't help but think how beautiful she was. Even though she was sleeping, Erik could tell her mind was filled with troubled thoughts. No doubt she was dreaming of Raoul and the worst possible outcome. Erik wanted nothing more than to comfort her in his arms. He knew that wasn't possible. He would only scare her away. Right now Erik was grateful to be as close to her as he was today.

He turned away from the sleeping Christine and left her a note telling her he'd be back with a cure for Raoul. With that he left the cottage and entered the cold winter air.