Thank you, to all of you who have let me know what you think so far. I am able to write chapters and get them posted quickly because my brain is a little bit like Erik's (though I do not claim to possess his genius). When the writing muse hits me, it comes out in torrents without much effort. I stop when the muse takes a break. I had a freak coffee related injury, earlier in the week, which has pulled me away from my usual routine of playing tennis, chores, etc. as I am currently unemployed. Anyhow, enough of me, I still only own Severine, Jean Paul, Dominique, Honore and the other more minor characters, if I owned all of them I would not be writing fanfiction, I would be sailing on my yacht somewhere in the Caribbean drinking daiquiri's…

Chapter 25

After a sleepless night, thinking about what his brother was offering to him, Erik still had not reached a decision. For the first time in his life, he willingly looked in the mirror, unmasked, to look at the beast that stared back at him. It was still a loathsome sight, he had never gotten over the horror that he felt, when he first beheld himself. He wondered what he had finally done, to deserve Christine's ever increasing love for him. In his younger years, he had consulted physicians in both the east, and the west, to see what could be done. It had seemed rather hopeless, and so he gave up. He had not really looked into it for a long time, because he did not want to get his hopes up, only to still be looking at the same ghastly reflection. He decided that he would ask Christine her opinion, although he was sure that she would want him to do it. Why spend an eternity with this, if it could be improved upon? Still, if she were really going to marry him, and not the fop, it was only right to talk to her about it. He still would not let his brother touch him, without reading up on the subject, and possibly watching his brother operate on someone else. Surgery was still a very risky option, there was still a high morbidity rate from infections. In the past such a risk was very acceptable, because if he died from the surgery no one would have cared, except maybe Nadir and Madame Giry.

For the first time in his life he did have people who would care, including, apparently, his cursed mother. He would definitely have to ask Nadir to obtain information about current Crano-facial surgery technique and facial prosthetics. Perhaps his brother could loan him a few books as well. He smiled to himself, as he thought about Severine, and her obsession with the Phantom. If he decided to have the surgery, perhaps he could give her one of The Phantom's masks. Perhaps he should design her one for her, preferably a full faced one with no hole for the mouth, he thought evilly. I'm sure that the world would thank me for it. He chuckled to himself at the thought. Sighing, he slipped the mask back over his deformity, readying himself to face the world once again. He was sure that if he tarried, the fop would try to swoop down on Christine, to reclaim her love. While he was feeling more secure in her love, he still did not trust her completely. The past betrayals were still too recent, and too painful, to have healed completely.

Erik was pleased that Nadir had wired him some of his money, which he deposited in a local bank. He did not want to remain dependent on the Vicomte's hospitality forever. He, of course, still needed to work on the plans for the renovation of the Chateau. If the Comte approved of them, he would have saved their precious Chateau. As far as he was concerned, that would wipe the slate clean, of the debt that he felt that he owed to the Vicomte for saving him from the mob, and for providing him sanctuary from the gendarmes. He also had instructed Nadir to hire investigators, to prove that his killing of Buquet was in self-defense, and to defend the ballet rats and chorus girls from his unwanted and sinister intentions. He felt confident that Buquet's victims would step forward to give statements on his behalf. Piangi would prove to be more complicated, the fire might have destroyed any exculpatory evidence, such as the gun that was pulled on him. On the other hand, the fire may have also destroyed any damning evidence as well, so it was a double edged sword. As far as the fire went, Nadir had informed him that he spoke to Andre and Firmen, and asked what it would take for them to "forget the Opera Ghost". They were actually less greedy than he gave them credit for. They had settled on a tidy sum, and even acknowledged that when the Opera Populaire reopened that they would not be averse to some of the Phantom's suggestions. They admitted that he had proven to be, somewhat, helpful in the past. Erik was amused that they would still want his suggestions, considering that they aided Raoul in his attempts to have him killed, or at least neutralized. He hoped that Buquet's and Piangi's next of kin would be as easily persuaded by the availability of compensation.

Erik was by no means a poor man. Until recently he had kept the extent of his vast fortune unknown to all but himself and Nadir. He did not want to persuade Christine, or anyone, to love him simply for his money. He had to know that her love was for him and him alone. He had not yet had the chance to discuss the future with her, because he had been too caught up on winning her love. She probably thought that he existed only on his "salary" which was substantial in its own right. He had demanded his salary mostly to help the Giry's and to make anonymous donations to both the Opera house, and to help the injured members of the corps de ballet and the chorus. One of the advantages of being the Opera Ghost was the ability to find out about the issues affecting them. "The Persian" had become a fixture at the Opera and was almost as mysterious as the Opera Ghost. He was known to mysteriously appear and hand out alms to whomever needed them. No one knew how "the Persian" would find out what was needed, but he was always there, at the right moment. Erik never wanted the Persian to be connected, in any way, to the Phantom because he wanted to maintain everyone's fear of him. It was easier to be feared than to be loved for his generosity, he could get more done without being bothered by any visitors to his kingdom below the Opera.

Erik's vast wealth originated during his years in Persia,and in building as well, however it had increased tenfold due to his and Nadir's savvy in investments. Together they had bought shares of diamond and gold mines in Africa, Railroads and Electricity in America, Opium in China, armaments and Steel in Germany, shipbuilding in Scotland and Ireland, and wineries in France and Italy. He also invested in a new technology, from America, known as the telephone. He had corresponded with a man named Amedee Bollee, who had built a self- propelled steam road vehicle, called the Mancelle in France. They were working on a new vehicle. None of the other titans of the era knew of Erik and of his vast wealth. As in everything that he did, he wanted to remain an unseen hand, a Phantom. He did not spend all of his time underground for all of those years simply composing his music, giving Christine music lessons, and terrorizing Operas. He had a veracious appetite for all subjects of knowledge, and craved more. Until the past few weeks, the only goals to elude him, were those that he really cared about. He wanted to win Christine's love, to be loved and to love for his own self, and to be able to look in a mirror without self-loathing. He would have gladly donated everything that he owned to achieve those goals, but they never seemed to be attainable. Suddenly they were.

Erik was up before everyone, and therefore worked on the plans for the renovation. He was in the morning room, before either Christine or Raoul. The General and his adjutant, were already seated for breakfast as was Honore. She greeted him, with a smile, and tried to break the ice between Erik, and her still suspicious, husband. Finally she succeeded when Erik and the General argued the differences between the military tactics of Von Clausewitz and Antoine-Henri Jomini. Erik was partial to the theories of Von Clausewitz, while the General had actually served under Jomini. The poor adjutant tried to stay out of the battle. When Raoul came in, he was afraid that he was going to have to convince Erik not to choke his stepfather.

He was surprised, when the General turned to Erik, and told him amiably "Don't bother to ask the boy, he is a naval officer, he doesn't know anything about real warfare."

Erik snorted contemptuously "Of course he is in the Navy, that slave of fashion only cares about how he looks in the uniform."

To Erik's surprise, he paid him back, in kind, by taunting proudly "At least I don't spend my time making diva's croak, I serve France. I was the third generation of De Chagny to attend the Naval Academy at Brest." He smiled triumphantly at Erik, certain of his victory for once.

Erik smiled reluctantly, and viewed the boy with more respect than normal. Of course he could not mention that he would never have dared to serve with a face such as his, he likely would have been the victim of "friendly fire".

The General turned to him "You look to be the right age to have served in the late war with the Prussians. I thought that you might have been wounded in battle."

Erik shook his head sadly "No, sadly I was born with the battle scars that my mask covers. I was working with Garnier in Paris, at the time. I did not think that I would be welcomed into the army."

The General dismissed his words "Nonsense my boy, with your abilities, and insights, you could have made a fine military officer. I have seldom encountered an officer, whose knowledge of military tactics, is superior to yours."

He looked over to his adjutant, and sneered "Young Robert here, still has trouble with understanding sound battlefield theory. I may not agree with all of your positions, but you would have made one hell of an aide."

Raoul was once again, reluctantly, impressed with the scope of the Phantom's knowledge. His stepfather rarely praised anyone's knowledge of any subject, let alone military related knowledge. After his father died, and his mother remarried, Raoul was only ten years old, and lived in fear of his stepfather's withering criticisms. The Opera Ghost seemed to have won his respect by barely trying.