A/N: Not the longest chapter... I'm sorry :( My family is busy moving, so I haven't been able to spend as much time on my chapters. I apologize profusely... I may not be able to keep a steady update every week, but I'll try hard to:)

Hope everyone has a good Sunday, and let us all pay our respects for today is Rememberance Day...

And thanks for all your wonderful kind words! It means the world to me :D

And lyrics from 'Ghost Opera' by Kamelot, are in this chapter.

Please read and review, that's all I ask of you!

-EFH

xoxo

Chapter 21. Oh Heart of Mine.

The wind nipped at his face as the horse galloped along the dense snow laden trails in the course of the night. Trees encircled them and the path, looming heavily over everything.

"Just a tad further till we reach the city." Henry promised the horse, Jameela. "I can already see the lights…" his eyes squinted as he saw little lights off in the distance; obviously gas lamps.

The horse nickered in response.

His mind traveled back prior to all this. He hadn't told Erik exactly where he had been planning to go… why worry him? The man needs to rest, whether he admits that or not. Henry thought as he stared bleakly at the darkness that stretched out before him.

The horse's soft thuds of her footsteps continued to echo out as they drew nearer and nearer to their destination. He could already hear the sound of the church bells ringing out, beckoning for people to come worship.

His eyes looked around, seeing no one in the empty Paris streets, except for the exception of a homeless person here and there.

Jameela gave out a low whicker when her hoof suddenly slipped on something. Luckily, the horse managed to keep her balance, much to Henry's relief.

Henry quickly dismounted, holding onto the bridal. "Steady girl." He whispered, one of his hands slightly caressing the horse's neck. He reached out and pulled the wretched item that she slipped on; the newspaper from her hoof.

"L'Epoque," He whispered.

He shook the newspaper, attempting to remove any water on it, off. He squinted his eyes in the darkness, and moved a few feet towards a gas lit lamp.

"What?" he asked no one. "It can't be."

The newspaper fell from his grasp in shock.

xoxo

"Raoul!" Coreena called from behind, causing Gabriel and Raoul to turn and look at the woman who had suddenly appeared behind her husband.

"Good evening Coreena." Raoul smiled his words very soft and forced as he forced himself to look back at Gabriel, who was now seemingly looking at the floor. Raoul could see already where the wind was blowing in this situation between the two.

Coreena caught the edge in his voice, and frowned. What was going on? First Gabriel, now Raoul…? She felt so confused and agitated.

"Gabriel…?" Coreena said softly when her husband said nothing to their friend who stood in the doorway. "Invite Raoul in. We were just about to have tea and dessert… would you care to join us?"

"No thank you Coreena. I'm only dropping in for a few moments." He looked at Gabriel, who had now caught his eye. "I wish to discuss some important matters with you Gabriel."

Gabriel nodded slowly, looking back to the floor once more. Had Coreena not been there watching with vulture eyes, he wouldn't have been so quick to let this man into his home.

Raoul looked around the familiar sight of the grand house, taking in everything about it. He recalled the times when Coreena and Gabriel had first married, and he would come over and visit. During those times, his mind had been so focused on Christine…

"I heard about the wedding." Coreena stated, her eye looking at him questioningly. "Is it true?" she decided to ask, knowing that Gabriel was so hesitant to tell her anything these days, grieving her immensely.

Raoul smiled slightly, his eyes an unrecognizable emotion. "Yes. The wedding is in two weeks. I'd love it if you came."

"That soon?" she asked, astonished. Before Raoul could become irritated by her comment, she managed to cover herself up. "But I suppose you've waited for her so long now… that a wedding is most appropriate and should be done fast." She smiled, but then laughed. "Just don't forget to make it an extravagant affair… she is a girl after all, your fiancée."

Raoul smiled; relieved he didn't have to go into great depth with Coreena about the wedding.

He turned to Gabriel. "Can we speak now?" his voice had a hint of venom in it, his eyes tense.

Gabriel nodded and left the room without so much as a word or a glance in Coreena's direction.

The only sound he will say he recalled of that night was the sound of the door slam behind him. The sound of Raoul's laboured breathing came up behind him, but Gabriel didn't want to turn and face his old friend.

"It's been awhile Gabriel." Raoul commented softly, actually allowing a hint of sadness to seep into his words… well briefly.

"I know." Gabriel retorted.

There was an awkward silence that fell between the two, Gabriel waiting for Raoul to speak, and Raoul trying to find the right words.

"I just wanted to say -. " Raoul started.

"Just get to your point already -. " Gabriel said at the same time.

Raoul looked at Gabriel speechless for a second. "That's a pretty negative thing to say." Raoul said dangerously.

Gabriel glared at the blonde man. "I know you're here to tell me something, now speak."

Raoul smiled slightly, a gleam a lit in his orbs. He paced slightly in front of Gabriel. "So your wife knows about the wedding then… I take it you do now as well?"

"Speak your point Raoul." Gabriel demanded. "I know you didn't come here to be friendly and have tea."

"Those are some pretty bold words for a man in your position."

Gabriel raised his eyebrow. "I know." He acknowledged, refusing to look or feel intimidated by his old friend.

Raoul sighed for a second. "I truly didn't want it to end like this, you know." He admitted. Gabriel said nothing. "I thought you were the last person I would come to feel this way towards."

"It doesn't have to end like this Raoul." Gabriel replied back softly.

A silence fell once again on them.

"What do you think of the wedding?" Raoul asked finally. He really didn't know what he wanted to hear… but he felt he had to ask.

Gabriel shook his head, staring at the wall in bleak anger and misery. "I think it is wrong Raoul, you know that very well." He knew he was walking on thin ice.

Raoul's hands balled into fists at his sides as he attempted to control his anger.

"She doesn't love you." It was a whisper barely audible, but Raoul heard it none the less.

"What do you know?" Raoul snapped. "You weren't there for her back in the Opera. She never came to you, crying and begging for love and protection." Raoul hissed. "She told me she loved me." He said in full out tears.

Gabriel felt bad for his friend. "I know I wasn't there… but it doesn't change what I saw and what I heard that night."

Raoul turned and glared at him. "And what did you see? Tell me, what did she say?"

Gabriel shook his head. "Don't play dumb you fool, you know of what I speak." Gabriel said haughtily.

Raoul shook his head. Deep down he knew the truth… but he couldn't admit to it. "She loves me." He declared. "She said so."

"People say things all the time." Gabriel muttered. "Things are easier said then done."

"She loves me." Raoul repeated.

Gabriel shook his head and clasped his hand to his face in agony. "I can't help you if you won't let me." He repeated the words Coreena had said to him not to long ago.

Horror welled up in him as he thought about all the times he had pushed her away. He loved her… what is wrong with me?

It was as if Raoul read his thoughts. "You can condemn my relationship with Christine, yet here you are, rejecting your wife." He saw Gabriel's sharp look. "Don't think I didn't see the way you treated her and the look in her eyes Gabe." He purposely used his old friend's nickname.

"That is none of your concern." Gabriel said darkly.

"So you are hiding from her. Why Gabriel? What do you have to fear?" Raoul asked, taking a step closer to the man.

Gabriel said nothing, just glaring at Raoul with a burning hatred.

"What do you have to fear?" Raoul repeated, putting a lot of emphasis on each word.

"None of your damn concern!" Gabriel growled. He gave a deep sigh. "Tell me what you came here for and be on your way Raoul. Stop these mind games of yours."

Raoul's smile faded. "Mind games? You think I came here to play mind games?" he asked, slowly drawing the pistol out.

Gabriel saw it and paused. "You wish to off me?" he whispered.

Raoul looked from Gabriel to the pistol in his hand, then back to the young man. "Truthfully, I thought about it." He admitted.

Gabriel shook his head, trying to hold back any tears. What had happened to them? "So you'd condemn my family then." Gabriel whispered painfully. He never left Raoul a chance to answer. "Well go on and kill me Raoul. It still won't change anything; Christine does not love you."

He knew he walked on thin ice with his choice of words.

Raoul felt his anger flare once more. "I find it amazing how you can turn and stab me like you do now, after everything I've done for you."

Gabriel stared at Raoul.

"Was I not the one who helped you get to know Coreena…? The one who helped you get rid of Marc and who gave you the money to lead a false life just so you could have the woman you loved?" Raoul listed off.

Gabriel said nothing, knowing his worst nightmares were coming true. "So what are you going to do?" he asked softly, his voice barely audible under the intensity it inhibited.

"Killing you would be too easy." Raoul stated. I could never kill him. His thoughts reminded him the real reason why he would never kill Gabriel; he was still very much like a brother. "But I do think it's time the truth was unmasked for Coreena."

Before Gabriel could reply, the door was opened. "What truth?" Coreena asked.

Raoul looked at Coreena and then back to the extremely pale Gabriel. He smiled. "Yes Gabriel, I think it's time."

xoxo

"Welcome all, to curtain call. At the Opera, raging voices in my head, rising from the orchestra like a crescendo of gratitude…"

Christine's eyes snapped open, revealing the darkness that filled the night. A pang hit her as reality slowly dawned on her and her dreams dispersed once more. If only she could sleep for the rest of her days… where her and Erik never had to be parted.

Sometimes she truly did believe that Erik was not dead. A voice in the back of her sorrowful heart screamed it… but her mind said otherwise. If he were alive, why had he not come for her? Not to mention Raoul was a determined maniac…

"Hush my dear, let the music fill the night… and soon, it's all we hear, screaming out for my attention."

"Why do you haunt me so?" Christine whispered, as if in a trance.

She recalled all those times back in the Opera, when Erik had sung to her, putting her into his trance… it had been such a strange and unique feeling, Christine couldn't help but feel attracted to it when it beckoned her.

"Don't wake me until it's over… I may be dreaming and awake."

Christine sat up, feeling nostalgic and miserable. She got onto her feet and grabbed a shawl. Pulling it tightly around her body, she made her way to the door and peered out of it. Jonathon was nowhere to be seen.

She sighed, relieved. She had not the faintest idea of why the man wasn't watching her, but she wasn't going to question her bit of luck she was finally receiving.

Her feet sauntered down the long narrow and darkly lit halls, leading her in a certain direction. Truth be told, she really don't know what she was doing. I'm going insane with Raoul. What an interesting pair we'll make when we wed.

"Like the dead, I am on the other side. There have it in my head… no remorse, and no redemption."

"I am with you in spirit, Erik." Christine whispered as she entered the room, only to find herself gazing upon the hated object; the wedding gown.

Yes, the elaborate wedding gown was finished. And yes, it was gorgeous. But outer appearances don't make you beautiful. She thought disdainfully.

The padding of her fingertips ran down the sequin beaded, lace and crème coloured sleeve. She had the greatest desire to take a knife and destroy it… but common sense told her otherwise.

"He'd make my life a living hell if I did." She muttered. "He already makes my life a living hell." She corrected herself.

She sighed, pondering what to do. She still considered suicide… but she was reminded once more that it was a mortal sin and would probably be double the times worse in her case, as she would be killing hers and Erik's baby as well. No, that is not the answer. Homicide? I could never kill Raoul… despite the wicked things that man does, he was once my best friend… And she knew she could never kill another human being.

"How did Erik do it all those times?" she asked softly, just running her hand across the dress absentmindedly, staring out at the bright moon that hung in the sky, which was matted with stars.

She looked down at her abdomen, knowing her question would never be answered. She panicked as she thought more and more about the baby. What would she do and say when the bump started to show? More importantly, what would Raoul do?

"Oh God," She cried as she ran forward, vomit erupting from her mouth. Just the mere thought of the horrors Raoul could put her baby through, made her sick. "Why me?" she demanded of no one. "Why me?"

She pulled back and sat on the floor, her knees drawn to her chest as she sobbed into them.

"Welcome all to curtain call. At the Opera, raging voices in my head, rising from the orchestra like a crescendo of gratitude…"

"Just leave me alone." She whispered bitterly. "Just leave me alone."

And she continued to cry deep into the night… for her life was falling to pieces, along with her sanity.

xoxo

"Coreena, please, let me explain!" Gabriel begged his wife as she tried to leave the room. He grabbed a hold of her arm, but she shook him off.

"Explain? What is there to explain Gabriel?" she demanded, not looking at him. "You lied to me all these years, what more can you possibly say?" she was openly crying and screaming.

Gabriel only felt air where his hand had once held her arm. He tried hard not to cry along with her. "I know I lied… I didn't want to…"

"Then why did you?" she demanded, rounding on him, resisting a great urge to rise up and just slap him.

Gabriel was silent, not sure what to say. There were so many reasons why he did it… where did one start? "I loved you." He whispered. "I still love you."

Coreena glared at him, her tears most visible as they reflected off of the fire. She shook her head in horror. "When you love someone, you don't lie to them." She whispered bitterly.

"Coreena, please," Gabriel begged.

"No Gabriel." She said harshly, turning and looking at him. "No. You did this to yourself." She shook her head and stormed out of the room.

Gabriel watched his wife leave in horror. His shoulders sagged as he let his tears invade him. Never had he felt so abject before. "Oh God," He cried. What more could possibly go wrong?

Raoul watched the scene, his heart as cold and wicked as Satan's. He felt no compassion for the older man who had lost everything in only a few moments.

"I warned you Gabriel." Raoul reminded. "You got in the wrong person's way."

Gabriel glared at him, wanting to kill him desperately. He held back though, knowing that wasn't the right thing to do. "You asshole!" he yelled. "I hope you rot in hell!"

"Some pretty strong words." Raoul commented, smiling.

"What in God's name is wrong with you?" Gabriel demanded, clenching his fists. "You selfish, arrogant bastard! You may have ruined my life, but you've ruined three others as well!" Gabriel yelled. "Do you think of anyone but yourself?" he hissed. "I feel sorry for Christine; another life you're ruining."

Raoul narrowed his eyes at him. He opened his mouth, but Gabriel spoke first.

Gabriel turned to leave from the room. "I'm leaving before I do something I will regret… you horrible, gormless, sorry excuse for a man!"

Raoul said nothing, watching as Gabriel left. He actually didn't know what to say. Yes, he had told Coreena everything… including Marc. He had been so determined to make Gabriel suffer like he was… had he been right in doing so?

"He shouldn't have gotten in my way." Raoul growled, picking up the nearest object and hurling it with as much force as he could muster.

And what did he have to feel horrible for? He didn't believe in God…

Gabriel walked at a brisk pace through the house, distancing himself as far from Raoul as possible. He searched for Coreena… wanting desperately to hold her and just make everything better.

He stopped dead in his tracks at the sound of her tear stained voice.

"I'm leaving him."