Remember when I said we were approaching the time when the pairing had to be decided for certain? Well this is it.

FOREWARNING: There will be some strong-ish language in this chapter due to screaming matches. If it offends you, I apologize and give you a dozen virtual cookies. Also, some of the things Erik says may or may not be believable for the time period. However, I don't know any good Victorian insults so he gets some modern ones.

"Elizabeth, I'm back."

All the color slowly drained from Christine's face as she looked at me in horror. She knew what I had done and finally all the pieces were falling into place in her pretty little head. Nothing I could say would ever fix this in her eyes, not that it really mattered. Hadn't this been what I had been working toward the whole time? Hadn't I been trying to get these two into the same room so I could somehow force them to be happy together as my inner phangirl knew they should be?

All the blood that had left Christine's face slowly made its way to Erik's and I knew then and there that I was doomed. Brigit sensed the brewing storm and gently shooed Christine out of the room. Hopefully she sent Christine home because this wasn't going to be pretty or quiet. I closed my eyes in defeat.

"Before you start, Erik, lock the door."

The lock clicked ominously into place; at least no one but myself would be harmed by an enraged Erik. The silence stretched on and on without a sound from both of us. If it were anyone else I'd have said this god-awful silence was worse than the anger that was to come. I had to force myself to keep breathing steadily and not give in to the fear. I would not be afraid of Erik or his anger. I had stupidly brought this on myself so it was only right that I take responsibility for my actions.

I sensed rather than heard Erik approach me. The leather of his gloves creaked and I braced myself for the inevitable blow. I wouldn't hold it against him if he punched me right in the face after my little stunt here.

"Why is she here?" He hissed through clenched teeth.

"I. . .I didn't think-"

"That's right, you didn't think!" I flinched at his harsh tone. "You never think, do you? You've been here for months and I've yet to see you use your head!"

"But Erik, I-"

"I don't want your excuses!" He jerked my chin upward. "Look at me."

I forced my eyes open and saw nothing but Erik's face, twisted in rage, before me. Never before had I seen him this angry and, much as I hate to admit it, I was frightened by the look in his eyes.

"So, you're afraid of the monster? Smart girl."

No, I wanted to say I'm afraid of your anger. If only I could force my mouth to work!

"Was this all just to poke at the monster? You and Christine must have had a grand old time planning this out! 'Let's see how much it takes to get a reaction from the monster.' Was that it? 'Oh if this doesn't work we'll bring the Vicomte in.' He's here, isn't he?"

All I could do was shake my head furiously, which did nothing but convince him I was lying. He grabbed my arm roughly and threw me from my chair to the floor at his feet. I clutched at my arm as he stood breathing heavily over me, clenching and unclenching his fists. Oh god, what had I done? Erik knelt over me and placed a hand on either side of my head, effectively caging me.

"Where is he?" He said menacingly.

"Erik, that Fop's not here. Only Christine came back with me."

His eyes narrowed. "You planned this from the start. Everything you've said to me has been a lie, hasn't it? You were never lost in the cellars, Christine brought you to my door."

"No! Dammit, listen to me." I pushed on him, rolling us over. "I was trying to help you! You're in love with Christine for some stupid reason so I tried to help you be happy."

"Are you implying that I'm an idiot?"

"In this instance, yes, you're a bloody idiot! I will never understand what you see in that moronic child but if she makes you happy I'll do my damnedest to get you two together."

I stood and walked to the fireplace, leaning on the mantle for support. God, why could nothing be simple with this man? He only expresses himself in passion, be it good or bad, and I didn't. The people back home would be frightened to see me shouting at someone like this; I was always so shy and meek before I met Erik.

"You. . .think I want to be with Christine?"

I faltered. "Don't you? That's what you've worked toward for the past ten-odd years."

"She's not happy around me and I don't want her to be miserable because of my selfishness."

"Oh you've got to be shitting me!" I threw my hands up in exasperation. "Since I came here I've been trying to hook you two up. You're miserable because of that. . .wench. God damn it all to hell!"

Erik looked at me aghast. "So you brought her here to force the two of us into a relationship that you seemed to think we both wanted? Are you out of your fucking mind? This isn't some story, Elizabeth, and things don't work out a particular way just because you think they should."

And with that I collapsed in the nearest chair. Why was I even bothering? This was the greatest love triangle ever written I was trying to change. Many before me, I'm sure, had attempted to change the fate of these three and didn't succeed. The moron would always go with the moron, leaving the beautiful soul alone.

"Always alone." I murmured looking up at Erik. "While everyone in the world bares their ugly souls they force the most beautiful soul to hide. Nothing is ever as it seems, is it Erik?"

"That was quite 'deep' as the lower classes say. Where on earth did it come from?"

"It was just a sudden realization." I sighed, rubbing my temple. "What are we doing Erik?"

"Well we were arguing until you started philosophizing." He said wryly.

"No, Erik, I'm serious. What are the two of us really doing here? Much as I enjoy being around you all the time, I know I annoy you to no end. You must be sick of my presence and all we do is bicker. I suppose I should just leave, yeah?"

"Leave? And where, pray tell, would you go?"

"I don't know. Home, I guess, if I can find a way. I'll get out of your hair and your century. Apparently you were happier here before I showed up."

How this had gone from a screaming match over my stupidity to a conversation about our strange relationship I'll never know. All I knew was that I had finally admitted to myself that Erik didn't want me around. Why would he? Half the things I said made no sense to him, I pestered him constantly, and I was quite the scandal with my behavior. I simply wasn't a Victorian girl who sat down and took whatever life gave me, I fought back to get what I wanted from the fates.

Unnerved as to why this realization bothered me so much, I stood and made my way to the door. It was no use staying here and having a pointless discussion, I might as well just leave. The door had almost shut behind me when I heard him.

"But what if I don't want you to leave, Elizabeth?"

-E-

I didn't leave my room for the rest of the night, barley even speaking to Brigit when she was around. My mind had been made up and I was almost physically ill at the thought of what I was about to do. I still couldn't believe my stupidity involving the girl and matters became infinitely worse after I fled to my room. There, sitting calmly on my bed, was another gift from Erik. It was another men's outfit resting in a box, this time cut for a woman. Where Erik had found someone who'd fashion the outfit I didn't know, but I knew it must have cost a small fortune.

Brigit helped me into the dark tweed pants, brown checked jacket, cream ruffled shirt, and dark boots the next morning frowning the entire time. She packed a few of my possessions into a small bag while I fought with my mane of curls. I sighed deeply, annoyed with the fact that my long hair frizzed uncontrollably. Brigit had given me some strange thing to help with the frizz but it wasn't nearly effective enough. Still, I appreciated the effort. Picking up my bag, I walked out of the room and downstairs toward the front door.

"Elizabeth?"

I jerked to a stop, closing my eyes. Damn! I had wanted to avoid seeing Erik on my way out. I turned slowly to face him and he gave me a quick once over.

"Oh, um, hello Erik. Th-thank you for the, um, the outfit. It's much more comfortable than the other. Not that the other's not comfortable! It's just, the chest's a bit tight. . ."

God, why was I rambling so much? And why was I so nervous? Erik's visible eyebrow lifted at my discomfort.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm, ah, leaving like I said last night. Brigit decided to come with. If you'll excuse us."

I made to spin around but his hand shot out and latched onto my elbow holding me in place. My gaze traveled up his arm and locked with his as time froze. What was that look in his eyes? Pain (it seemed there was always pain in his eyes) but there was something else under it, trying to break free. What was that? It was just there, barely hidden. If he were to relax at all I know it would have leapt to the front, eclipsing every other emotion. Could he possibly dislike me that much? Dear god. . .

"Erik?" I asked uncertainly.

He yanked his hand from my arm as if he'd been burnt. "Leaving, you said? You'll need a horse, unless you plan to walk the whole way. Feel free to take the mare, in fact I'll just saddle her for you."

I stared at him dumbly as he led Brigit and I through the house and out to the stables. Erik glanced in my direction before placing a normal saddle on the beautiful girl and I grinned triumphantly. I was no horsewoman and I sure as hell wasn't going to ride like a proper lady; with my clumsiness I'd fall off the damn horse before we got to the road. Caesar, Erik's black stallion, nudged my shoulder from behind and I stroked his head gently. For his great intimidate look Caesar really was a big baby of a horse, though he didn't really care much for me.

Erik handed the reins over to me and I studied the mare, having never seen her before. Had Erik just recently gotten her? She was a beauty though, her cream coat contrasting with her long black mane and tail. Her forelock fell a bit over one eye giving her a playful and young look. She nickered at me and nuzzled my hand.

"Why hello there." I giggled. "And what's your name?"

"I just recently acquired her. Perhaps you'd like to name her?"

"Oh!" I cocked my head to the side, thinking. "Hmm, how about Cherokee?"

Erik snorted. "Cherokee?"

"What? You put me on the spot. It took me days to come up with a name for my kitten so be happy the first thing out of my mouth wasn't incredible stupid." I raked my fingers through the mare's long mane. "Besides, her mane's so long and dark it reminds me of the Native Americans."

"Very well, Cherokee she is."

I lead Cherokee over to the mounting block before swinging up onto her back. After settling into the saddle I pulled Brigit up behind me and she immediately gripped my hips firmly in her hands. I chuckled. So Brigit was afraid of being on a horse? Erik lead us out of the stable before turning to face me. He stared at me for a long time, before bowing stiffly and all but sprinting to the house. Well that was. . .odd. Come to think of it, why had Erik let me name Cherokee when she was his horse? And why was he being so damn friendly?

Sighing, I turned Cherokee toward Paris and set off. There were only two places I could stay, one of which I doubted would be empty much longer and the other I didn't even know how to reach. Still, the second one was really my only option no matter how hard it would be to find one house in the sea of thousands. I hadn't really even considered the stir my appearance would cause until we reached the edges of Paris. The whispers erupted around me like wildfire and the staring was worse than the corset incident. Well, riding astride and wearing pants are huge no-no's here. I didn't really care though, I'd never fit in simply because I wasn't like these girls. Before I could go down that destructive mental path again I spotted someone who looked like they could help me down the road a-ways.

"Darius!" I shouted.

The Persian man jerked to a halt and stared at me in a vague fear. Hmm, had I frightened him? I hadn't meant to, honest. I knew he hardly spoke French so it was safe to assume he knew no English.

"Darius. Nadir Khan?" Those were some of the only things I knew he'd understand.

Darius shook his head and attempted to back away.

"Darius," I said in what I hoped was a comforting way. "Nadir Khan?"

"Non, non, non! Non Nadir Khan!"

"Darius." I sighed. "Nadir Khan? Daroga?"

"Oh, oui!" He cried. "Daroga!"

He pointed down the road and then to the left. I smiled gratefully at him and set off the way he'd directed. I could only hope he understood what I wanted and had truly pointed me toward Achmed's home. The quaint little cottage rose up before us sitting on the very edge of town and it certainly looked like a place Achmed would live. Brigit and I dismounted in the side yard and I wrapped Cherokee's reins securely around the fence enclosing part of the yard. After a good five minutes of beating on the door I gave up and walked into the house.

"Oh, Achmed! My dear Daroga! Where are you?" I called.

I found him sound asleep on the couch beside the fireplace looking so peaceful I almost didn't wake him up. Almost. I shook him, yelling something incoherent about Erik's pants being on fire and he started awake.

"Oh, good, you're awake!" He blinked at me bleary eyed. "Mornin, sunshine!"

"Who. . .who are you?"

"I'm hurt, Achmed."

"Achmed? But I'm not. . .oh sweet Allah."

Now he was getting it! He looked around suspiciously like he thought Erik might be lurking in the shadows.

"Erik's not here."

"How did you find this place, then?"

"Darius is ever so helpful!" I said brightly.

A murderous look crossed his face and I took a quick step backwards. Was he really angry with Darius for giving someone directions? Then again, if it had been someone who meant Achmed ill it could have ended badly. He turned his thoughtful gaze toward Brigit and I before moving to the bag near my feet.

"Why exactly are you here, Mademoiselle?"

"Achmed, I thought we were closer than that! Call me Elizabeth. And I'm here because I need a place to stay, if you'd be so kind."

"Why aren't you staying with Erik?"

"Oh," I deflated instantly. "we. . .had a rather bad argument. I did something incredibly stupid and Erik was livid with me. I realized it was better if I simply left since we didn't get along that well anyway. I'm sorry to bother you by coming here, but I couldn't go back to the Opera. I doubt he'll stay at the house very long before returning to his sewer."

"The house? You mean the house by the lake?"

"Didn't you know? Erik has a country home. He, ah, bought it a few years ago apparently and recently remodeled it."

Achmed seemed to catch my drift and realized exactly why he even had the place. He'd bought it for Christine and fixed it up for Christine. How funny that he was living there with a female and it wasn't the her. Who would have guessed?

Achmed showed myself and Brigit to a spare room, apologizing profusely that we'd have to share, before disappearing. I sighed and dropped my bag on the floor near the bed.

"Well, Brigit, I guess this is home now."

What can I say? When the muse hits it hits. Apparently this plot bunny also has an evil streak. . .