Of friends and Foes….

Erik POV—

I snapped awake instantly scowling. Part of me was woefully disappointed my target next spotted my weakness so soon.

It was always clocks. In all my work as an architect that was one detail I could never quite get right I'd found away to compensate for my weakness by making my scenes incredibly convincing and real down to the tiniest detail, I would settle for nothing less.

I pulled the cord absently from my arm and rubbed the fractured skin. Her keen observation once more annoyed me, I realized she hadn't been fooled for a second.

She was good but I was better. I glanced at the clock by my, well I suppose I should say bed but it was a coffin…I half sat up reaching in the darkness to turn the clock towards me in hopes of it still being late enough to give me time for a second chance. Time difference did not work in my favor in the end however.

I cursed darkly under my breath as the clock revealed the unwilling reality. I sighed exasperated I'd have to admit her win this round, but no more. I climbed out of my bed and quickly went to my computer.

"Nadir-" I called knowing my friend had probably decided to stay up and snoop around, a valiant effort to figure exactly what I was up to.

"Yes Erik?" Nadir asked trying to keep the exhaustion out of his voice.

I could tell he was leaning against my door and I only faintly remembered locking it. It would explain why he hadn't awakened me sooner. I quickly located my mask and secured it.

"Her flight is at seven right?"

Nadir's silence reminded me he hadn't a clue what I was referring to.

I tried to be patient as I quickly hacked into the airline's database and found the answer myself. It was child's play really.

"Erik I'm not sure exactly who you mean," Nadir finally admitted.

"Of course not," I murmured under my breath clicking and accessing what I wanted and sending the document to the printer. I grabbed the sheet and suddenly opened the door making Nadir collapse into my room. My assumption had been correct.

"Her, daroga, as in a mutual friend of ours."

Nadir slowly stood up taking my extended hand to help himself to his feet, "Madame Giry?"

"indeed you are catching on daroga." I mused stepping past him and descending to the first level of my home.

I could hear him noisily follow me almost clumsily, "She's going through with this?"

I laughed, "Oh don't be so surprised she knows a good deal when she sees one."

Nadir caught up to me looking at me indignantly, "What did you promise her? Money?"

I paused shaking my head, "Nadir do you really think money would bring 'The' madame Giry to me?"

Nadir looked frustrated at the clear cut statement I reached out and patted his shoulder, a little condescendingly I'll admit.

"Don't worry about what brought her here my friend. If I were you I'd be more worried why she is here." I headed for the library. Nadir hesitated but in the end once more pursued me trying to carry the conversation and get more information from me.

"She's an extremely skilled changer… Are you adding her to your team?"

I halted in my tracks opening the library door and admiring the mahogany door stroking it lightly with my fingers. I wondered if Christine would enjoy my library as much as I did.

"Erik?" Nadir called prying me from my distracted thoughts.

I turned flashing him a chilling smile, "Maybe." I closed the door behind me soundly as I entered sending off the clear note I was not to be disturbed.

Vague answers always did hopelessly frustrate Nadir and that was what I was banking on.

I waited curious to see if he would follow despite my attitude.

"I'll figure it out, Erik!" I heard him say muffled by the door, and open declaration of war.

I glanced once more at the paper in my hand and softly mused, "I'm counting on it."

XxxxxChristine Pov-

The morning was very busy there was so much to do and so little time. Since that scare with Erik last night I was close to paranoid and kept replaying the scene in my mind trying to figure out exactly when he'd gotten in.

I didn't have a cord attached to me as was typical if you induced the dream.

My roommate wasn't sure how such a realistic nightmare was possible. She explained that having a person create a dreamstate exactly like your position was rare and would require extensive knowledge of the layout since the tiniest detail could cause it all to come down.

I rubbed my arms feeling goosebumps prickle along my skin. I stared out the hotel window peeling back the heavy curtains. Erik having an extensive layout of this hotel was not exactly comforting and I tried to find another way for him to have set something up like that.

"Christine," the soft voice of Nadia interrupted my thoughts.

"Er yes?"

"We're getting ready to go now, if Erik did contact you in this room that's a very bad sign." She said keeping her voice polite although I could tell she was as unnerved about this as I was.

"I just wish," I muttered as she turned to leave.

"Wish what?" She asked curious.

I turned to her frustrated and showed her my arms, "There wasn't a cord… No machine was found I searched this whole suite! It doesn't make sense Nadia."

She nodded agreeing with me, "Your right it doesn't but Christine one thing you should know now… That I'm sure… your roommate, Meg, didn't mention.. .IS that frankly.. Erik doesn't make sense. "

I pulled on some locks of my hair unnerved at that statement, "Yeah he's some psychopath but why go after me specifically? How did he get me into that state if-"

I froze looking past Nadia to see my roommate ruffling around the minifridge and bringing out a half empty bottle of water.

"Hey Christine did you want this?"

Nadia turned to see what I was staring at and I felt myself pale slightly.

"Oh my gosh.." I murmured lowly putting a hand to my mouth my mind finally remembering a bit more of what had happened last night.

Meg shrugged and went to pitch in the garbage when I screeched, "Stop!"

Nadia turned to me looking at me disturbed, "Christine what—"

I crossed over to Meg and snatched the bottle from her shaking it in my hand, "This is how he did it!"

Both parties in the room gave me a blank look and I tried to explain.

"I drank some of this water and then I felt suddenly very sleepy.. I think I was drugged.."

Meg and Nadia exchanged glances.

"Look.. that might be true.. but.. ," Nadia crossed over and took the bottle from me looking at hard, "this explains how he got you to sleep but not how he was able to meet with you on the dream plane…"

I shook my head, "I don't know maybe some special chemical…"

Meg shook her head, "I don't know of anything like that which could've done that.. Usually all dream state's are established and maintained with a machine."

Nadia sighed shaking the bottle a little watching the liquid swish innocently in the bottle, "Nonetheless.. I'll take your guess into account Christine and give this to our chemist to check out.."

"Thanks, Nadia." I said relieved she seemed to be considering what I guessed.

Nadia gestured around the room, "In the meantime.. I think we need to get out of here as soon as possible. I doubt Erik made physical appearance here but one of his staff might've…If it was one of his staff we need to move NOW."

She left the room briskly leaving me with meg to wrap things up.

I threw my meager belongings into a suitcase I'd brought and waited for Meg to do the same, I noticed she moved slower sometimes pausing to glance at me.

"Is there something on my face?" I asked becoming annoyed with her behavior.

She smiled unabashed at being caught, "No it's just.. I think I've met you before.."

I stared at her realizing she did look familiar, "I..I'm not sure how you could've… I went to a special school under my father's instruction.."

" What's your last name again?" She interrupted.

"Daee. Christine Daee." I pronounced.

She suddenly squealed and threw herself at me shocking me. Her blonde hair flew in my face and tried to pry myself free from her.

"Oh my gosh Chris! I can't believe I didn't see it sooner!"

"Er okay.. You obviously know me but—"

She let go of me and held me armslength looking at me excitedly her blue eyes sparkling, "It's me Meg! Meg Giry the one who you used to goof off with all the time? Remember the incident in class where I turned the scene to a ball pit?"

"Meg?" I said hardly believing this was the same childhood friend I had lost a little before my father started acting paranoid.

"Yeah!"

"Oh my gosh I can't believe this!" I said hugging her suddenly, "Where have you been?"

Meg rolled her eyes, "Well mama finally figured out I was exactly architect material.. She switched me to a different school to train as a changer. IT totally rocks! When we get out on the field I have to show you!"

I laughed shaking my head from what I remembered of the wildly creative friend I had she had to be one heck of a changer. Of course I dully remembered her being a bit of a show off too…

She shook me a little, "But what about you what happened? How did you end up here? "

I fell silent and looked down all the chaotic thoughts coming back- from Erik's first visit to the school to father's paranoid behavior.. to him….

"Chris? Chris are you okay your crying…" Meg asked panicking.

I shook my head putting my hand to cover my mouth, "I'm sorry. .. it's just… My dad.."

I looked away from her swallowing with difficulty and hurriedly wiping away the tears, "He.. He died.."

"Oh Chris I'm so sorry.." Meg murmured hugging me again.

"IT's okay.." I mumbled, "you didn't kill him.."

I tried to calm down and finally succeeded. Meg was silent at my subtle hint and let me go when I had steadied my breath.

"So that's why you were so terrified when Erik appeared, " she said going back to packing her stuff, she carefully folded a pink pajama pant with hearts all over them.

"Yeah ," I quipped zipping up my suitcase. I wanted to run out of here but I had to remain calm. Who knew if someone would drug me in the elevator or.. or…

"Um.. So should we throw away the rose?" She asked as we stood at the door taking one last look around the apartment.

I sighed conflicted. On one hand I wanted to tear that thing to pieces and never see it again. But on the other hand it seemed such a shame to destroy something so beautiful even if it did come as a creepy token from some psycho… Ugh why was I feeling conflicted?

I hesitated then picked it up examining its soft petals.

"Christine?"

I turned to Meg and slowly walked over to the garbage can. I looked at her and I slowly let the rose slip out of my hand.

I didn't want anything to remind me of him. No matter how beautiful and innocent it looked.

Good? Bad? I need feedback badly please.. :/

~002fox