A/N: This is for all my loyal readers who come on the journey with me through all my different views of our dear Erik/Gerard Butler. Yummy man. I thank each and every one of you who give me the confidence to put myself out there to be critiqued either positively or not. Enjoy. R&R

Chapter Thirty-six

Old Foe's Return

Anna procrastinated the next morning as long as she could in bed. Erik had been pleased by the extra attention but even he had to say enough was enough when the hour of the arrival of the coach drew near. Anna only left the bed when she heard Erik running water into the tub for his bath. A very wicked idea came to her.

Hopping out of bed Anna striped off her nightgown. Wearing nothing other than her sultry smile Anna stuck her head around the door. Erik had his back to her as he took off the shirt to his pajamas. When he went to pull down the bottoms Anna felt like a voyeur as Erik exposed himself to her. Once again Erik treated Anna to a look at all his charms, at least from the back.

Erik had felt the draft when Anna opened the door. He had hesitated to remove his clothing with her eyes upon him. Silly really considering how intimate they had been. In the end he had slowly removed his garments unaware that Anna found the slow removal quite titillating but that had not been Erik's intention. It had been only a reluctance to bare what he considered to be a skeletal visage for Anna to see. When he felt her hands then her lips caressing his back Erik had to begin to think that perhaps he did not look as bad as he had before.

Erik for the first time enjoyed his bath for something other than a means to cleanse his body. Lingering over the bath caused Anna and Erik to be late coming downstairs. Anna gulped down her tea and wolfed down a croissant hoping it settled and did not cause her problems later. Anna's nausea had moved from the mornings to the early afternoons. Erik served her an herbal tea that helped tremendously.

When the coachman came for Anna and Gunner announced he would be coming along Anna had looked at him in surprise while Christine barely kept her frustrations to herself. She had planned to question Anna quite vigorously about how she came to know Erik. They could not have known one another for very long as Erik had been courting Christine only a few months earlier unless…No Christine would not believe Erik would have pursued her while he also courted someone else. When could he have done such a thing.

Of course Christine and Erik had not spent every hour of every day together but still would not she have known about another woman? Erik for all his talents singing and playing many instruments had shown a lack of finesse when he had spoken to her. Only a few months ago he had groveled at Christine's feet begging for her hand in marriage. He had nearly expired when she had placed her lips on his forehead and now he had a wife which it appeared he loved dearly.

Christine blushed to the roots of her hair when a vivid picture came to her mind. The jealous stab shortly afterward surprised her. It was ridiculous of course to think she harbored any feelings for Erik other than as her mentor and teacher. Christine looked across the seat at Anna. Preposterous or not Christine felt an unreasonable urge to smack the woman across her now smiling face. Anna had been daydreaming as she looked out the window ever since she and Gunner had entered the carriage.

Christine as a married woman knew well what would bring such a smile to a woman's face so early in the morning. Christine wanted to snatch Anna from her seat then shuck her out. Christine calmed herself knowing she could do nothing that she would like to do at this moment.

Looking out her own window Christine pacified herself by reassuring herself that what she felt for Erik had to be some remaining schoolgirl crush for her teacher. After all was she not a grown woman, married and just turned eighteen?

Gunner looked from one woman to the other. He sighed in resignation. Today would prove to be a long day. He just hoped it did not end with him having to separate a catfight. If one did occur, Gunner's money lay squarely in Anna's corner.

Contrary to what the two women felt or thought they soon began to speak of mundane things which led to more personal exchanges. Before long they were comparing notes on Erik's personality that each one knew. Speaking with Anna openly about Erik brought Christine's feelings into perspective.

Of course she would harbor some residual emotions toward Erik and be jealous of anyone taking the place she had held in Erik's heart. Anna's confession that she felt jealous toward Christine mollified Christine a little. Anna made her see that one could have tender feelings toward another without feeling a grand passion. For so long Erik had been the only man in Christine's life. She had replaced her deceased father with a living angel, Erik.

The two women sat over tea solidifying a friendship that would endure the passage of time. They neither one had any relatives close at hand that they could confide in nor friends. Toasting with a cup of tea they made a pact to be available for one another through thick and thin. Christine privately thought she would much rather have a friend who would be there for her to listen and over advice than have an enemy for no apparent reason other than girlish foolishness.

Christine could still admire Erik and think him a remarkable man without letting romance enter into their association. Erik had moved on and so had Christine. Christine could hardly wait for Raoul's return. He had not been in the best of moods lately as Christine had been moping over how things had turned out with Erik. When he came home he would find a new and more attentive woman to greet him.

The women would not have been so relaxed if they had seen the man hiding in the shadowy alley across from the café where the two were sipping tea. Harry Pascal liked his lips as he watched the two women. He recognized Christine from her time at the opera house and of course Anna he knew and planned to get to know her much better.

Things had not gone well for Harry since he had been let go by the opera house. That damn Phantom or Ghost whoever the hell he was needed to be taught a lesson. Harry spit on the stone of the ally glowering at the two women. He'd make them sorry, every last one of them.

Harry shrank back against the wall as he saw the big giant of a man join Anna and Christine. Harry did not recognize the man but knew he was not Mademoiselle Daaé's intended. Hell they could be married by now for all he knew. Perhaps the man with them was some sort of body guard as Christine had been kidnapped by the Ghost once already. Harry watched as the big man spoke a few words to the women then gestured down the street. They nodded their heads. Harry assumed the man would be fetching their carriage as he had pointed in that direction.

What perfect timing for Harry to sneak across the street then make his way up behind Anna. Christine would not recognize him as the high and mighty soprano had never looked at anyone other than de Chagny or her freak kidnapper during her time at the opera house. He could grab Anna and have her dragged down the ally and lost in the many twists and turns of the Paris streets before anyone could gather their wits.

His cheap apartment would have to do for his plans. He had not expected to see Anna quite so soon. If he had known he would have made plans.

Harry slipped across the street using the traffic as cover when he could. Stepping up onto the opposite sidewalk Harry cautiously made his way to Anna perusing the area to assure himself no one took special notice of him. Harry quickly made his grab for Anna hearing her surprised yelp when his arms closed around her waist to lift her out of her seat.

Anna's chair toppled and her feet kicked the table nearly knocking it over as well. Christine ran forward trying to pry Harry's arm from around Anna. The two women began to scream in earnest when they realized even the two of them together could not overpower this man without some sort of weapon.

Anna's first concern was for her unborn child. Without even having seen or heard the man speak Anna felt certain the man assaulting her had to be Harry.

Spotting Gunner coming down the sidewalk Anna felt a modicum of relief. Harry she knew would be no match for Gunner. Anna had not counted on Harry producing a pistol. Taking aim Harry prepared to shoot Gunner as he neared him. Christine had been knocked to the sidewalk during the scuffle. Gunner made a lunge for Harry when he drew near enough. Harry pulled back on the trigger. A loud crack sounded out in the busy street. Women screamed as men wrapped their arms around them protectively.

Gunner felt the burning in his arm as the little piece of lead tore into his shoulder. His promise to protect Anna rang in his ears. Gunner had never gone back on a promise in his life. He had no intentions to start now with Anna and Erik. Gathering his considerable strength Gunner dragged himself to his feet. He began to pursue Harry as he fled taking Anna with him. Harry turned once more firing his pistol. This time he hit Gunner in his left thigh. Gunner went down once more. This time he was not able to sustain consciousness.

The last Gunner saw of Harry and Anna was Harry's back as he turned a corner disappearing from sight.

Christine, having regained her wits ran to Gunner assessing his injuries. She began to call out for help. A crowd gathered quickly. Christine sent a man to fetch a coach and asked for the nearest doctor.

Several men picked Gunner up then placed him on the seat of the coach. Christine climbed in behind him. As the coach jostled along Gunner let out grunts and groans. Christine tried to marshal her thoughts so she could decide what to do first.

She must send someone to inform Madame Dupree as well as Erik about what had happened. Christine shivered just thinking of all the horrible things Erik would do to that man who had taken Anna. She could not help but have a little concern that Erik might hold her in some sort of blame for Anna's predicament.

A man had been dispatched with a short precisely worded note that he would place himself in the hands of either Erik of Madame Dupree. It only occurred to Christine at this moment that she did not yet know if Erik carried the Dupree name or not. She only knew him as Erik. Christine recalled that Erik had told her that Erik was not even his given name.

The coachman drove his horses to the maximum of their ability. He knew the seriousness of the situation and Madame de Chagny had amply rewarded him already with the promise of more if he performed his task in the shortest time possible.

Arriving at his destination the coachman climbed down to be addressed by a manservant as the door opened. He quickly informed the servant of his mission.

He was taken to a parlor occupied by an elegantly dressed older lady and a very frightening gentleman. Trying to avoid looking at the man directly he stated his business then extended his hand with the note. Erik nearly tore the paper in his haste. Quickly reading the contents Erik roared like a wounded animal flipping over the little table between his grandmother and himself that held a chess set. Pieces scattered all across the room. Erik strode about slamming his fists into whatever object came into his path. The coachman made sure he was not anywhere near the strange and raging man.

Georgina demanded the man hand her the note that Erik had thrown to the floor when his rage had taken over his reason. Reading the contents of the note Georgina calmly made a mental list of everything that would need to be done. She could not afford to lose her control. One madman raging about was quite enough.

Georgina thanked the man instructing her manservant to take the man to the kitchen for a meal and something to drink. She also instructed him to send the houseboy down to the stables to have the fastest mount saddled and brought round to the front of the house.

Once Georgina and Erik were alone once more, she quickly set about calming Erik forcing him to focus his energy on Anna and how to go about affecting her return.

After a while Erik heard his grandmother's words filtering into his mind. She began to make sense. He calmed somewhat thinking how best to aid Anna.

This time he would not be letting that damn man live one second longer than it took to wrap his Punjab around the man's neck. Erik did not care if anyone thought him a murderer or not. He would not continue to let a man live who had threatened Anna not once but twice.

Contrary to what Erik thought the last thing his grandmother said to him was for him to resolve this issue permanently. Erik stared into her eyes reading the deadly message she sent to him. His grandmother silently gave her approval for Erik to end another man's life. Erik gave his grandmother a nod conveying he understood and would obey her command. He need not tell her that he had intended to end the man's life with or without anyone's approval.

Erik got the address from the coach driver as to where Gunner and Christine had been dropped off. Erik did not even think of his mask until he came to within sight of the outer fringe of Paris. By now he cared not who saw or did not see his face. All his energy he put into finding Anna.

The hat Erik had on cast a shadow upon his face giving him a certain amount of cover. If anyone saw and made comment on his appearance he took no notice. Erik rode straight to the physician's home. Tying the reins to the hitching post Erik mounted the stairs in a couple of quick strides. He did not hesitate to knock upon the door. The woman who opened the door received quite a shock.

"Glory be Monsieur what has happened to you?" Henrietta the doctor's wife had placed her hand on her chest while she stared up at Erik's towering frame. His massive height alone would give pause to others but his face bearing such urgency, worry and anger would cause concern in the hardiest of souls. A face which looked like no other in normal circumstances now had the appearance of death looking for its next soul.

Erik saw Christine approaching the woman from behind. Discarding any manners he may have shown at another time Erik brushed by the woman blocking his way into the home.

Urgently he grabbed Christine by her upper arms to shake her as he asked, "Anna, where is Anna? Have the gendarmes been alerted to her kidnapping? Do you have any idea where he would have gone?"

Using her hand Christine gently pride Erik's steely grip from her upper arms. She would have his fingerprints marring her skin for sure.

"Calm down Erik, please. The authorities have been alerted and they are now as we speak canvassing the area. Gunner has been shot twice in his attempt to prevent Anna from being taken. He had gone to fetch our coach when that man grabbed Anna from behind. I would never believe anyone would have the nerve to assault a person in broad daylight."

"The man Christine, tell me about the man." Erik knew very well who had Anna but for safety's sake he had to be sure. Christine confirmed his suspicions. Erik whirled back around to head out the door.

"Erik where are you going? What should I tell everyone when they enquire as to your whereabouts?"

"The people who matter will know where I am. For your peace of mind I will tell you that I am on my way to the opera house. Anna has a couple of friends who may know where this Harry lives. They will give me his whereabouts or I will tear Paris apart until Anna is back with me safe and sound."

Christine rubbed her arms as she shivered. Erik would do exactly as he said. If he could not find Anna through her friends Paris would be under siege of The Phantom once more.