Broken Sparrow

by ToryD

Modern Day. Computer software billionaire Erik is recruited to safeguard Christine after her sister and parents are murdered by a deranged madman who is intent on having her for his own. Very dark and sad.

10. Chapter 10

I do not own any of the characters from The Phantom of the Opera, although I do rather enjoy borrowing them from time to time.

ToryD

Broken Sparrow

Chapter 10

Christine felt Erik's hand on her cheek, fighting her way back from her internal terror; she at last focused on the beautiful man before her calling her name softly. Erik, her strength, her courage, her own angel. "Erik." was all she said. It was all she needed.

Erik released the breath that he was sure he held from the moment Marie had entered his study. Gathering her trembling frame into his strong arms, he merely held her. He held her as she cried for the shattering loss of her innocence. He held her as she cried for the devastating loss of her family. He held her as she cried for the unknown man who lost his life for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Meg watched powerlessly as the young woman who, in such a short time had made an indelible mark upon her heart, cried softly in Erik's arms. As she viewed the heartbreaking scene, she felt shame. Shame that she had not realize the true extent of Christine's suffering. Shame that she had failed to recognized the degree of terror that Christine had been experiencing. Shame that she had failed to comprehend the unimaginable grief that her friend was enduring. And finally, shame in that she was unable to ease Christine's pain.

Erik cursed his stupidity. His unforgivable stupidity that had brought Christine to her current state of unendurable suffering. Damn! Damn it to hell! Of course the internet news sites would feature Buquet's latest escapades. Some protector you turned out to be. Erik berated himself. As Christine's tears began to lessen he gently lifted her chin to look into her sorrow filled eyes. "Christine, please forgive me. I should have considered what the internet content would have held. I'm so sorry," Erik apologized with anguish reflected in his blue-green eyes.

Christine looked into Erik's beautiful half-masked face, his expression speaking to the heart wrenching guilt he was feeling for bringing her pain. Gently reaching out her finger to still the unnecessary apology spilling from his perfect lips, "Erik, it is not your fault. Please don't ever apologize to me for something that you can't control."

Erik heart turned over at her forgiving nature, well aware that he would never be able to forgive himself for his lapse in his duty to protect her. How undeserving he felt at her forgiveness. How truly humbled he felt in her beautiful presence. Smiling into her radiant face, Erik stood and gently helped her to her feet, bringing her hand to his soft lips to kiss the back of her hand. "Let us go down to breakfast, I think we all need a change of scenery," Erik said to all of the rooms occupants.

As Christine and Erik passed Carla, who stood near the entrance of the suite, Carla said with tears in her eyes, "Christine, I'm so sorry. I should have thought about what you might encounter upon the internet."

Christine looked into the guilt ridden eyes of the beautiful older woman. "Just like I had told Erik, please don't apologize for something you can not control. I appreciate that you thought of trying to make my stay here more enjoyable. Please don't think on it one more moment," Christine imparted with sincerity ringing out in her tone.

Carla gave the younger woman an impulsive hug, "Christine, you are too kind."

Christine smiled at the older woman, so grateful to be surrounded by the kindness of Erik's staff. "Carla, please let's go downstairs," Christine invited.

"I'd like that," Carla said as she returned Christine's smile.

Meg once again felt a strange twinge as she watched the exchange between the two women. Something is not right here, but what? What are you up to Carla? Why are you being so nice to Christine? I have never seen you be nice to anyone, with the exception of Erik. I'm going to have to watch this closely. Meg thought to herself suspiciously.

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Carla entered her office, just having left the dining room a few minutes earlier. Leaning back in her chair she put her hands behind her head as she placed her Jimmy Choo clad feet upon her desk.

Well Carla my girl, I do believe that you have a new budding career as an actress. Julia Roberts couldn't have done it better, I actually had the twit thanking me! What a stupid idiot!

I think we had better start planning stage two. Now that I have Miss Poor miserable me, Miss everyone feel sorry for me Daae aware that Buquet is in Maryland, and that he is not averse to killing again, the next step will be to make her see what a danger she is to us. If I play my cards right, I will have the little crybaby on her way before the end of the week. Ooh Carla, you are just too good! Carla smiled as her thoughts spread a sense of utter joy throughout her being.

Carla was just concluding her self-congratulations as Erik entered the offices in an agitated state. Quickly adopting a sorrow-filled expression across her beautiful face, she turned to her employer, "Erik, I am so sorry; it was so thoughtless of me to suggest the laptop for Christine."

Erik turned to look at his assistant, "Nonsense Carla, it is my fault. I am responsible for her protection, and yet I can't even have the forethought to protector from a website." Erik still in the throes of self-incrimination from the disaster of this morning.

Carla smiled secretly to herself, relieved that he did not hold her responsible in the least. "Erik, Mr. Gordon from the funeral home will be here in an hour. Do you want me to be in on the meeting?" She questioned Erik.

Erik sighed deeply, "No, I think it would be best if Christine and I attend to the details of this alone."

"Alright, I'll let you know when he arrives," Carla told her employer turned and walked to his office.

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Carla descended the grand staircase just in time to encounter Meg, who was on her way up to her room. "Carla, I hope you are not still beating yourself up over this morning," Meg commented as she stared intently at the older woman.

Carla inwardly cursed the younger woman's presence at the mansion. Carefully adorning her features with a guilt-ridden expression Carla said "Meg, I can't help but feel responsible for Christine's suffering this morning. It was so stupid of me not to think of the consequences of providing her with the laptop."

Meg looked towards Carla with her eyes narrowed, as if she was trying to discern the inner thoughts of the older woman. "Don't feel bad Carla. It's not as if you did it on purpose. I mean, if someone had done something like that on purpose, he or she would truly have to be the most despicable, unfeeling person on the planet. Not only that, but if someone had done something like that to Christine, then he or she would have to answer to me. And I know that you know me well enough to know, that I would not sit idly by and let anyone get away with hurting my friend. But like I said before, it's not like you did it on purpose."

Carla felt a shiver go down her spine at the stare of the younger woman. "You're too kind. Erik said the same thing about not blaming myself, but it is so hard not to, as I can't forget the suffering in Christine's eyes. I hate to think that I, even unintentionally caused her pain," she said with a worried expression on her face.

Meg merely nodded and continued up the staircase.

Concealing her internal panic at Meg's comments she resumed her decent on the staircase. Damn that interfering blond bitch! She knows. She knows. Calm down Carla, she doesn't know anything as a fact. Just be careful. Just a few more days and it will all be over. You're in control. Just a few more days.

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Erik entered his study and headed strait for his drink cabinet. Pouring himself a tumbler full of brandy, he downed it in one gulp, a thoughtless waste of the fine amber liquid. Having just left a grief filled Christine in the care of Meg, he felt as if the world had lost all of its light. The proceeding hour and a half had left him feeling as if man had indeed lost all hope of ever recouping the innocence lost one short week ago. After pouring himself another drink he sank into his leather chair. Reaching over he absently began to stroke Apollo's sleek black fur, his thoughts centered entirely on the beautiful woman upstairs, who in two days time, would say her final goodbye to her family.

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Christine and Meg descended the grand staircase. Meg had finally talked Christine into a walk in Erik's garden, spending the better part of the afternoon trying to get her to leave the suite. As the neared the bottom of the staircase they hear raised voices coming from Erik's study.

"The hell they will! I don't care if they get one hundred court orders. I will not allow Christine to be put through their questioning!" Erik's angry voice carried throughout the main floor of the mansion.

"Erik, it is not a choice! This is the FBI, not some small gnat that you can simply bat away!" Nadir's voice tried to reason with his friend.

Christine inhaled a deep breath and started towards the study door. Meg rushed after her friend. "Christine lets go outside," she pleaded with her friend.

"No, it is time I took back some control over my life, such as it is," Christine said gently. With a courteous knock, she entered without a formal invitation.

Erik looked towards the door with an annoyed expression adorning his face. Ready to admonish the perpetrator of the interruption he stopped short at the vision of Christine entering the study. "Christine," he whispered a direct contradiction to his tone of only a moment ago.

"Forgive my intrusion, but as I heard my name I felt that perhaps I might be of some assistance in this conversation," Christine said as she walked gracefully into the room. All three men stood in shocked silence as she took a seat in the leather chair across from Nadir and Brad. "I overheard something about the FBI?" she inquired to the rooms occupants, who as of yet had not recovered from her surprising entrance.

Nadir was the first to respond to her question, "Yes Christine, we have been contacted by the FBI; they want to question you in hopes of gaining some insight into the case."

Erik still stood, now glaring at his friend through narrowed eyes. "That's enough, Nadir!" he yelled. "Christine, I am sorry but you do not have to feel obligated in any way to speak with the FBI. I will not allow anyone to intrude on your time while you are in residence here," Erik said to her in a gentle tone.

Christine stood and crossed to where Erik stood, gently taking his hand in hers, she smiled up into his protective blue-green eyes. "Thank you for trying to protect me. Please try to understand that I must do everything in my power to help stop this madness. I owe it to the poor man that lost his life so senselessly at the hands of Joseph. I owe it to my family, who lost their lives, because of no other reason than they loved me. If my contribution can help bring an end to all of the insanity, then I have to do all that I can."

Erik marveled at the beautiful woman before him. He stood in awe of her. Her very presence radiated with such immense grief, and yet she showed such courage. For all of her suffering, her terror, and her loss, she exuded courage. Courage to face her demon and to fight. To fight for all of those who could no longer fight. His heart filled with love for her. Love! Love? His conscious thought slammed its fist forcefully into his stomach. Love? Yes, love. I love her. I love her. Oh God, I do love her.

Christine puzzled look interrupted Erik's stunned reprieve, gathering his confused thoughts about him, he responded to her statement, "I…I understand your need to help with the investigation, it is just that I don't want you to feel pressured in anyway."

Christine favored him with a grateful smile, "Thank you. I would like it if you could be with me."

Erik's heart melted at her beautiful smile, "I would have insisted upon it, even if it was not your request." He informed her with a rare smile.

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(TWO DAYS LATER)

The morning sun's rays danced brightly across the Maryland sky, in direct contract to the solemn mood of the small party below on the bluff. Christine stood in tense silence, looking intently at the three beautiful mahogany coffins that rested side by side, each one representing a father, a mother and a beloved sister. Each coffin was adorned with an exquisite floral arraignment of 36 snow-white roses, with three equally exquisite dark red roses placed carefully into the mist of the white. Erik lightly held her hand, as if to give her the strength to face the difficult moments that were taking place.

Meg stood to Christine's left, holding onto her mother's hand as she watched her friend honor her fallen family. Christine looked beautiful, even in her sorrow she projected an air of such fragile beauty that it was almost painful to look upon. Meg gave her mother's hand a gentle squeeze, needing reassurance that she was not alone, that her beloved mother was at her side.

Marie felt the pain radiating off of her daughter. How proud she was of the young woman Meg had become. It had never been as evident as it had been in the last few days. Meg had taken an instant liking to Christine upon their introduction. Her daughter had made it her mission to make Christine's burden as light as was humanly possible. It was Meg that had taken it upon herself to make sure that Christine had the proper attire for today's somber events. No one else save Meg thought of such trivial things, but to Christine, they appeared to mean a great deal, for when Meg presented her with the elegant simple black dress and shoes, she thanked Meg with tears in her eyes, saying that now she could make her parents proud of her one last time. And indeed how proud they must be, as they look down upon their beautiful daughter.

Nadir watched with pain-filled eyes. His heart was breaking for the young woman who was so heart-wrenchingly beautiful that he was sure God had lost one of his angels to earth. Erik, how he had embraced his role of protector to the grief-stricken woman who held his hand. While he had had some concerns regarding the feeling that Erik had developed for Christine, he now felt with a certainty that these two were somehow destined to meet. Their undeniable connection was a truly rare and tangible entity to any who were privileged enough to encounter them in each other's presence. Such a union was truly a gift from God.

Carla stood to the back of the group, not wanting to intrude. She felt uncomfortable to be in the presence of such utter grief and sorrow. She felt a small measure of guilt at her actions of late, as she stared at the undeniable loss Christine was suffering.

Erik tried to focus on the words of the reverend that he had hired to perform the service, but his thoughts were absorbed on the woman whose hand he held so tenderly.

Christine, oh my beautiful Christine. I would give anything to spare you this pain. How I would have liked to meet your family. To meet your father, who must have been so proud of his firstborn and all that you had achieved. To meet your mother who must have possessed the same quality of kindness that radiates off of you like a beacon in the night. To meet your sister who must have aspired to be just like her big sister. To know what kind of daughter you were. To hear all of the endearing stories of your childhood as told only as a parent will do. Or to hear the stories from your sister, stories of sisterly spats and sisterly secrets that only a sisterly bond can produce. Oh Christine how I would move Heaven and Earth if it were in my power to bring you some peace. Yet all I can offer you is my hand. All I can offer you is my unwavering love. And so here I stand, with so little to offer you, just my hand.

Christine listened to Reverend Townsend's comforting words, yet she felt little comfort. She held onto Erik's hand as if he was holding her earth-bound; for she wished she could sprout wings and fly to the Heavens to escape this all-encompassing pain.

"For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

A time to die, but it wasn't their time to die.

Her father, only forty-nine, had yet to travel to see the world as he so often voiced his desire too. He had yet to learn to sail as he had said he wanted too. He had yet to take his wife to Paris as he had promised to, on their thirtieth wedding anniversary. He had yet to see his daughter graduate from medical school. He had yet to meet the man she would one day marry. He had yet to hold his grandchild in his protective arms. He had yet to finish the life as he was destined to live.

Her mother, only forty-seven, had yet to finish knitting the sweater she had started two years ago as a gift for her husband. She had yet to plant the bulbs that she had so carefully picked out for the front lawn. She had yet to help her daughter decorate her first home. She had yet to help her daughter plan her wedding to the man she loved. She had yet to receive a smile from her grandchild. She had yet to finish the life as she was destined to live.

And perhaps most tragic of all, her sister Janie, only seventeen, had yet to graduate high school. She had yet to experience the wonders of college life. She had yet fall, deeply and utterly in love. She had yet to see the world, and all that it had to offer. She had yet to marry, and to feel truly connected to one person. She had yet to become a mother, and to feel all of the joy that it encompasses. She had yet to finish the life as she was destined to live.

Christine felt Erik squeeze her hand lightly bringing her out of her internal thoughts; looking into his caring eyes she found a small measure of comfort. With him by her side she was now ready to say goodbye. She took her first step towards her father's coffin. She gently pulled her hand from Erik's and laid it upon the smooth mahogany finish. Closing her eyes in a silent prayer of love for her beloved father. Taking a perfect dark red rose from her other hand she entwined it into the 36 snow-white roses, which now were adorned by four perfect dark red blooms, each bloom representing a father, a mother, a sister, and the sister who again placed her hand upon the coffin and leaned down for a gentle kiss upon its cold hard surface. "I love you Daddy, goodbye."

Christine moved to the coffin of her mother. She laid her elegant hand upon the surface of her mother's coffin. Again she offered a silent prayer of love for her gentle mother. Taking a perfect dark red rose from her other hand she entwined it into the purity of the snow-white roses, which were now adorned with four perfect dark red blooms, each representing a father, a mother, a sister and a sister who once again place her hand upon the smooth surface of the mahogany coffin and leaned down to place a gentle kiss upon its cold hard surface. "I love you Mom. Goodbye."

Christine moved to the coffin of her sister. She laid her hand upon the surface of her sister's coffin. Again she offered a silent prayer of love for her beautiful younger sister. Taking the last perfect dark red rose from her other hand she placed into the beautiful snow-white roses, which were now adorned with four perfect dark red blooms, each representing a father, a mother, a sister and a sister who for the last time place her hand upon the smooth surface of the mahogany coffin and leaned down to place a gentle kiss upon its cold hard surface. "I love you Janie. Goodbye."

Erik's eyes were filled with tears as he watched his beautiful Christine say goodbye to her beloved family. As she at last turned towards him, he reached out and once again took her hand in his, and once again wished he had more to offer her, but to his everlasting sadness all he could do was to hold her beautiful hand.

A/N Sorry about the delay in posting, Fan Fiction was having some problems this week. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, even if it was filled with sadness. Next chapter will definitely be more up beat. Lots of Meg and American Idol!