Sorry this is so late, I've just got in from a party!
Oh wow! You all seem to be on the edge of you seats! You were all so sweet about the last chapter, I can't thank you all enough! I PM'd most of you to say thanks, sorry if I missed you, I promise I'll get there!
Newbornphanatic glad to see our Erik's got on nicely; I managed to sneak a cuddle from your Erik! *giggles*
So jealous of zoesy27 who is seeing Phantom Broadway on Saturday! Hugh and Sierra remind me a lot of my Erik and Christine, and both in my top list of Phantoms/Christine's! Have fun, cant wait to hear all about it!
Thank you all again, all so sweet of you!
*No ownership goes to me, and all things recognisable go to rightful owners*
Chapter 52-Nadir POV
I walked beside the doctor, both of us carrying large bags full of medical supplies, hopefully they would enable Erik to get better. I knew in my heart he would never get fully better, because it was not only his skin and bones that were damaged, no in time they would heal, but inside I knew he was destroyed, inside I knew he bore a broken heart. A heart shattered. It had hit me with a cold wave of sadness, the realisation that Christine was not coming back. That she was gone, that Erik had lost the love of his life. The thought made me fill with sadness, made me want to cry out, to scream, to get angry, but I was not angry with Christine, she was young only sixteen, nearly half of Erik's age, she was so very innocent, and I knew Erik's life, his past, and now his future was all very scary and overwhelming. I sighed and breathed in the air, spring was coming and the freshness was evident, but despite this I could only feel sad, spring was the time for young lovers to meet, to fall helplessly in love, to fool about, but Erik would spend it in agony and dealing with a heart that was no doubt ripped at the seams.
The doctor was silent beside me, his own head in thoughts it seemed, I noticed the flecks of grey in his hair, and realised he wasn't as young as I first thought, that he was probably only a few years younger than myself, his handsome face and boyish looks made him seem younger. Then he turned to me:
'I wish Erik could of found love.' He sighed, his pale face looking slightly pained and full of sorrow, I smiled at him sadly.
'He did monsieur, he did. He loved her beyond any mortal understanding, he adored her, and she gave him a taste of love. But you must understand she was young, too young and too innocent, I thought for a time she might return to him, but that hope is now gone.' I whispered, realising how cruel a fate this was for Erik, I watched the doctor shake his top hated head.
'It's an injustice, perhaps one day she will return to him, he deserves love.' I was nodding slowly, he was right; perhaps she would return to him, maybe one day, who knew.
We continued walking, we walked at a rather slow pace, both of us enjoying the cold sunshine, it was refreshing after spending so many days and nights underground, I really didn't understand how Erik did it. The Parisian streets were teaming with life, the evening Opera goers, visiting the many shops before getting ready to be entertained. Maybe Christine was singing, maybe he would return to him, I didn't know. I looked at the Opera Populaire's face as we walked past it, and how it reminded me of its creator, tall and looming, cold and daunting, but somehow if you looked at it carefully, you could see the hidden secrets, the magic, the beauty. I stared for a while, it was amazing to think, this was Erik's creation, that he was the father of this beautiful monumental child, no one would know of its real creator, no Erik had left all the glory to Garnier, but I knew who was responsible for this beauty, who deserved the real credit.
I was pulled out of my trance by frantic tapping on my back, I sun to see Madame Giry, her face splattered in tears, panting, as if she had been running, my eyes boggled, was she okay?
'Nadir, please! Christine-Erik-Raoul! Quick!' she begged between her pants, her words coming slowly and not making any sense, but her face told me something was wrong, the doctor looked confused.
'There is no time!' Madame Giry screeched, grabbing the cuff of my jacket, I ran after her, filling with dread, what had happened? Something was terribly wrong, who was hurt? Who had been involved? She had panted names at me, but I didn't catch them fully, she had said Christine, was Christine in trouble. But then why was she sprinting and dragging me towards Erik's iron barred entrance? Had Erik done something? Oh god! He hadn't tried to take Christine or visit her had he? He would have killed himself if he had tried. I was dripping with sweat, dread like a heavy weight inside of me as we raced through the bars and down the blackness, I noticed through my blurry eyes, the doctor was still following us. That was good we would probably need his help. I didn't dare to begin to imagine what I was going to see behind the revolving book case, I didn't want to know. I knew it was going to be bad. I knew that Madame Giry was frantic for a reason, she was not a woman who gave into her emotions easily so this break down showed me that the scene I was about to see was not going to be a nice one. I heard the doctor panting, Madame Giry weeping, my heart pounding as I pushed the book case, it turned and let us into the vast room.
I took in everything very quickly, and realised just how serious the situation was. In the middle of the room Erik was on top of the boy, his long fingers around his neck, thought his body was slumped, whilst in the boys hand he held Christine's wrist, who lay sobbing, pulling frantically screaming, trying to get away, over the three bodies stood a tall man, his hair a sandy blonde, in a tail coat, and shining black loafers, in is hand he held a gun. I realised with a sudden jolt of my heart that Erik was not moving, and neither was the boy, it was just Christine who screamed and screamed, filling the room with the sound, making me want to cover my ears.
The tall man turned, no one moved. We all just stood, staring, not knowing what to do. I watched as the man dropped the gun, raising his hands in defeat, crashing to his knees, he pulled his body all together into the most disgusting shape and began to weep loudly. His weeps seemed to make us all come back to life, Madame Giry ran to Christine, and pulled her away as she thrashed and screamed. She pulled her into an embrace whilst Christine wept and wept.
My heart was full of pain, as I turned and looked at the two men. No, surely, surely he wasn't dead. Erik's body was slumped forward, god no. I paced over slowly, everything seemed to stop as I took those steps, everything. I could no longer hear Christine's whimpers or the man's sobs, just the sound of a soft breeze and the keys of the organ, and Erik's strange laugh, the one that had filled my sons play room all the those years ago. Now I was filled with pain and sorrow, it took me entirely. I had lost him. I was beside the bodies now, though I felt as if I had floated to them, I bent down, tears rolling down my cheeks. I used both hands and lifted Erik's body up so I could see his chest and face. I closed my eyes, I didn't wish to see the damage. But I needed to; I looked with blurry vision and saw that Erik's white poet shirt was now a crimson red. I closed my eyes again, and let his body down gently, I didn't even regard the Vicomte I just wanted to see my friend was peaceful. I knelt beside his body, still not hearing, but I saw Christine collapse beside him, the look on face the sheer pain, the tears which ran down her cheeks, her lip was swollen, and her eye bruised. The doctor loomed over me now, casting a shadow over Erik's body, my hearing was coming back now, I heard him sigh. For a moment, we all shared in the bubble of grief, all of us weeping for the friend, the lover, the child, the memory we presumed we had lost. I couldn't believe it. I watched as Christine, changed her position so she was over him now, she smiled slightly then began to sing, it was so heart breaking, I had to turn away.
No more talk of darkness,
Forget these wide eyes fears,
I'm here nothing can harm you,
My words will warm and calm you.
Then, as she finished her song, we all watched in wonder as Erik's long hand moved and held onto hers. I watched Christine jump and then cling to it, I was surely seeing things, but then he turned his head, a slight smile could be seen behind his wonky mask, as he opened his mismatched eyes and looked at Christine.
Say you'll share with me,
One love, one lifetime,
Anywhere you go,
Let me go to.
Christine that's all I ask of you.
My jaw dropped, how was this possible, how were these croaky notes leaving his throat, I didn't no. I didn't care. He was alive! Christine was crying and laughing at the same time as she smothered Erik's hand in kisses, how could he be alive? I didn't understand, I was in a daze too amazed to care, I wiped away my tears as I watched Erik smile at Christine again, as she kissed his masked forehead, his breathing seemed okay, perhaps a little ragged but nothing major. I looked up at the doctor utterly confused, he was looking amazed, he bent swiftly beside me. I noticed Christine look at him with fear and worry in her eyes as she clung to her Maestro's hand.
'It's okay I'm here to help him.' The doctor smiled, Erik nodded and so did Christine. He ripped open Erik's blood sodden shirt, and I had to look away. The severe scabs on his chest now had two fist shaped openings in them, the blood spat from each bright red oval, it was a disgusting sight, I noticed Christine recoil and gasp. Erik seemed too tired to care, his head fell back onto the floor and his eyes were now closed in pain, Christine still held his hand tightly as the doctor examined him, he turned to me.
'He will be fine, he just needs some stitches, then he will be fine.' I sighed in relief, but then I turned and noticed the man that still sobbed on the floor, the gun near him. Who was he? His face seemed strangely familiar. If he hadn't of shot Erik, then who had he shot?
'He's dead.' Madame Giry said quietly, we all stopped and turned to look at the body of the Vicomte. It was white in the face, his hair flopped onto his pale forehead, his eyes open, his mouth slightly open too. I noticed the blood that surrounded him, coming from his side. I hadn't noticed it in my panic for Erik. The doctor ran to his side and knelt down; lifting up his shirt to reveal the perfect bullet hole that entered his upper chest, before his under arm and the bullet no doubt pierced his heart. We all stood for a moment, looking at his body. No one said anything, no one moved. We all just stared at his lifeless corpse. I didn't know how to feel. My emotions were in turmoil, he was such a cruel man, but as he lay lifeless, I realised he was just a boy, an angry boy. I would never forgive him, but seeing him dead was a shock. I heard the soft steps of the man behind us, he had got up out of his weeping position and now stood behind, we all looked at him. This was the man who shot the Vicomte, who the hell was he? His tall frame was swaying and his eyes red and filled with tears.
'I did it, he is gone now. He can't hurt anyone, any longer. No more pain.' He whispered, his voice making me tremble. I watched Christine rise, her eyes transfixed on Raoul's body.
'Th-thank you.' She stammered at the tall man, her eyes filled with tears, I didn't understand who was he?
'You're welcome Christine; he would have killed you in the end. You and your-your lover.' He whispered, his eyes wide and deranged looking as he regarded Erik's body, which Christine stood beside.
'Philippe what happened?' Madame Giry murmured from the corner of the room.
'I found him, he was forcing himself on Christine, I managed to get her away, then he attacked me. I followed him here, the Phantom had him, but he was already injured, Raoul knew if he got Christine involved the Phantom wouldn't fight properly, he dragged her into the fight, and hit her again and again. I knew Madame; I knew I had to do it. He would have killed her in the end. He would have killed her or taken her by force.' The man said quietly, and simply. Good god, it sounded as if a mini war had gone on since we had gone. The name Madame Giry had said 'Philippe,' it rung bells in my head.
'You're the Vicomte's brother aren't you?' I asked quietly, I watched the tall man nod in reply, I gasped, yes I remembered him trying to help me.
'Why did you help her?' Erik wheezed from the floor.
'I murdered her father, I took his life. I can't explain how that has changed me, destroyed me, I caused you so much pain and regretted it every day. I knew she loved another, and not Raoul. I knew a life with him would be a misery, a life of force and pain. I thought if I could help her, maybe just maybe some of the guilt would go away.' He was crying again now, his body shaking with tears as he looked at Raoul's body. 'He was a good man once. But he would have killed you; he would have killed all of you if he felt he needed to.
It was silent for a moment no one seemed to even breathe, all of us stared at the body of the young Vicomte, all of us except the doctor, had been hurt by him in some way, emotionally, physically or mentally he had got to us all. I believed his brother was right, that he eventually would have killed us; eventually he would have gone completely mad.
'What are we going to do?' Christine squeaked from beside Erik looking worried. Yes, what would happen now? We had a dead body, and a murderer in the room, how were we going to sort this out?
'I will turn myself in.' Philippe said quietly, tears rolling down his cheeks. I snapped my head up and looked at him in wonder, I had expected him to run, I had expected him to beg us to help him.
'What?' I heard Madame Giry said confused, she came forward from her corner.
'I need too, what I did, what I have done, to Christine and now my brother. I deserve to be locked away, I need to be. The guilt is eating me alive, I need to do this, I need to serve for the crimes I have committed, for the problems I have created, for all the mistakes I have made. I need to do this! Lets say I shot him at my home, let's say it was a family feud, I don't care, I don't care I want this guilt to go away!' He screeched I took a step forward; he was shaking all over, fear evident, but determination written all over his face. I nodded at him, what he was doing was right, it didn't patch up the major wrongs he had committed, the fact he had removed Christine's father from her side, the fact he had allowed Raoul to continue with his plans even thought he knew, it all showed me that yes he did deserve to be in prison, but the way he looked so scared now, so frightened, showed me he hadn't intended to do wrong, that he had done wrong with no intention. But that was not an excuse.
There was a heavy hush, no one appeared to breathe, I knew I needed to take action, I knew that we needed to move the body and get the story we would tell believable. I took of my coat ad covered the Vicomtes now still body.
'Come let's get gone, we need to move the body now otherwise it won't be believable.' I bent down and lifted up the Vicomtes body, the blood poured from his heavy side. 'I will wait at the gate, get your carriage to come round. Then we will go.' I beckoned to Philippe who stood wide eyed and shaking, he nodded, then turned to Christine, I saw Erik snarl in anger.
'I'm sorry, for all of this.' He sobbed, before turning up and into the open bookcase. The weight of the dead man's body in my arms was a lot, my back aching already, but I needed to get this done.
'I will help.' The doctor croaked, running to my side helping me carry the body. I turned slightly and nodded at the room of silence, then followed after the sobbing and stumbling man that walked before us and towards his fate.
XXX
Erik POV
The Vicomte was dead. I had just watched Nadir pick up and take away the still body. I had never felt so much anger in my life, the fear that was in Christine's eyes as the boy had clutched her wrists making her scream, I forgot my own pain and had leapt on him, my leg and sides feeling as if they may burst. The Vicomte thundered his fists into my chest, the pain taking my breathe, the darkness had tried to take me, but then, then he had raised his fist and slapped Christine! I saw black and my rage had taken me entirely, I had never had a stronger urge to kill then I had at that time. How dare he hurt her! How dare he, I knew he had caused her pain, but to hurt her in front of me! My hands had taken his neck gratefully, but then his fingers had wormed their way beneath my shirt, and I felt him grab at the sore flesh, the pain was like a fire destroyed and burning my body, I had screeched as his fingers had dug deeper, I had to save Christine, but then the dark had taken me, she screamed then there had been a shot. I had slumped forward and let the pain take me.
The room was silent now, it was just me, Madame Giry and Christine. I was sprawled on the floor, pain shooting through my body, Christine knelt beside me, her eyes staring at the puddle of blood that had come from the Vicomte, her hand was shaking in mine. I looked at her face and felt my stomach go cold, her eyes were so wide they looked as if they would pop, her face was white, ghostly white and her breathing was erratic, so fast I thought her tiny chest may burst, sweat was pouring from her brow, and her split and bleeding bottom lip was trembling.
'My angel?' I sat up wincing, I was concerned, she didn't turn to even look at me, her eyes still focused on the blood stained floor.
'This all happened because of me.' she whispered, her voice tiny and cracking. My heart nearly burst, she was in emotional pain I could tell.
'No Christine listen, it wasn't your fault.' I squeezed her hand with mine, but again she didn't even turn. 'Christine? Angel? Christine, please its Erik. Look at Erik!' I begged her, panic filling me as her breathing got dangerously faster, her arms and legs shaking now, again she didn't turn.
'She's going into shock!' Madame Giry ran to my side and knelt down in front of Christine, her own pale face full of concern. She shook her shoulders, and begged her to listen but Christine just didn't acknowledge us. I knew what it was like to be lost and completely taken by thought, to be haunted by them, devoured by them, but that was me, it didn't matter now as I looked at Christine's pale face, her unseeing eyes and he reaching hands, her moving soundless lips, I filled with panic, my poor angel, she was being eaten inside by some figure I could not fight, or warn or threaten, I began to panic.
'Its all my fault...' she whispered again, her hands went to her mouth her body shaking, her eye now filling with tears.
'Christine, please listen...' Madame Giry tried to kneel n front of her and take her hands but she thrashed about and began to sob. My heart was racing, this was like a torture seeing my darling in so much pain, a pain I couldn't stop, I dragged myself wincing as he blood poured from my chest, to her side.
'I'd stay away Erik!' Madame warned as Christine shook and rocked back and forth, her eyes never leaving the blood.
I ignored Madame's warning and knelt beside Christine, tears falling from my eyes, my body shook as I put a hand on her shoulder, twitches going through me. Her head didn't turn; she didn't even notice me it seemed. Then I knew what I had to do, our relationship was built on music, I would use my voice to get her back, I tried to calm myself before beginning.
Wandering child,
So lost,
So helpless,
Yearning for my guidance.
Her shaking stopped, and her head turned to me, her eyes still wide and pouring with tears, she looked at me as if she had never seen me before. I sung more, she was returning back from her shock, she was coming back to us.
Too long you've wandered in winter,
Far from my fathering gaze,
Let your mind return to you,
Listen to me and obey.
I watched as she shook her head, the tears still pouring then she threw herself onto me wrapping her arms around my chest I flinched and twitched wildly but couldn't help but sob with happiness, she was safe again, her breathing had returned to normal, I dared not wrap my arms around her, just in case, but put a hand on her hair and let the curls tickle me. She looked up at me with large teary eyes, as I winced I noticed Madame Giry looking at us in wonder, I dropped her gaze.
'Erik, it's all my fault.' She cried into my bloody shirt, I pushed her up slightly, as my chest roared with pain.
'Christine, listen. This is not your fault. No one blames you. No one.' I told her firmly, but my heart melted as she held me again, my mind spun as the pain began to replace the adrenaline.
'Oh Maestro, I thought I had lost you again, I thought you were gone!' she cried.
'No, Christine, I would never leave you.' I gagged slightly, the pain making me feel as if the room was spinning. 'Are you badly hurt my angel?' I asked, as she removed herself of me slightly, she shook her head and then showed me the large bruises on her wrist, her lip was split and her cheek was shining with a red handprint. My inner flames rose again with hatred for the Vicomte, I knew there was a lot more to the story then what I knew. The anger caused my body to shake and for me to vomit, I was so cold, but I didn't care I had to check Christine was okay, everything else could wait.
'Oh Erik, you're hurt terribly aren't you?' Christine said tears rolling down her cheeks, I could barely focus on her, I nodded.
'As long as you're okay Christine.' I managed to croak, Christine came close to me so close I could feel her body warmth, she pulled her cloak off and used the corner to wipe my mouth from vomit, my eye twitched at the sensation.
'You both need rest, Christine you need sleep you're emotionally drained and Erik well-' Madame Giry said quietly, coming forward, her eyes full of wonder.
'I won't leave him.' Christine took up my hand looking scared as she told Madame Giry. 'Oh Erik you're so cold!'
'Okay, well then you can help me if you feel a little sick you must tell me!' Madame Giry told Christine, who nodded and then went off in search for something, now Christine was gone from my sight I began to let the guards down and give into the pain. I let my eyes roll to the back of my head, the skin on my chest aflame. Madame Giry was beside me now, looking at me curiously.
'I need to get you into the house.' She put her hands beneath me, making me thrash and twist, she dragged me too my feet, I was so weak; I just wanted to lie down and rest. Now I was up right the room spun even faster. The patent smashed in door was spinning, vomit rose to my throat as Madame Giry all but dragged me to it, my body was twitching wildly I hated her touching me, I hated it, but it was that or fall in a heap. Once inside she sat me on a chair I fell into it, panting shivering wildly, thought he fire was a blaze, Christine was beside it throwing paper into it trying to make it get bigger. I watched her, but had to close my eyes the light was too painful. I felt hands on me again, and my eyes shot open, my lip snarled. But I realised it was Christine, she smiled at me slightly, and then I felt her hands again, I looked down and realised she was tucking a quilt around me, I felt warmer already, but still my mind spun and my body ached like hell.
'Thank you.' I wheezed, Christine shone like an angel her little smile burning through the pain. Then the darkness took me again.
When I awoke it was dark, I was under the quilt and was alone. My body ached, but it was a dull annoying ache, rather than the previous fire that had torn through my body. I stretched my back clicking horrifically, and my chest feeling very numb. I looked around, there was no one. I panicked, where was Christine? I scrambled to my feet, hissing in pain. I had to find her, was she safe? The memory of what had happened came rushing back, oh god, the poor darling was petrified. I stood wobbling, my legs unable to balance it seemed. One of the doors opened, my head snapped up, there was Madame Giry who came rushing to my side.
'Where is Christine?' I asked straight away on not seeing her.
'Sleeping, she is fine.' Madame Giry gestured to the room, I didn't wait to listen to her or what she had to say, I dragged myself to the door, my leg cracking slightly as I did so. I needed to see Christine, I need to see her right away, to check my angel was all okay. I pushed open the door, and realised this was my bed room, the dark reds, the black drapes that covered the walls were intact, so where the shelves and the desk too, it seemed this room hadn't been demolished, it was exceptionally dark, barely any light, I picked up one of the candles and gasped as I saw Christine's figure tucked beneath the jet black covers . I stood at the end of the giant bed, the four poster of blackness, and gazed upon her in wonder. She was in my bed. Sleeping where I slept, she clung to the covers with her tiny hands. She looked like a fallen angel or star, her pale skin looking even whiter against the black silk, her coco curls danced around her face, and her split lips twitched slightly. The sight took my breath away, I had to lean upon one of the bed posts to regain my composure, even in sleep, with a split lip and bruised cheek, she looked like a vision of heaven. An angel that was in my bed.
I sat on the end of the bed, far away from her body, but enough so I could still see how beautiful she was. I stared at her sleeping form for what felt like an age, then I realised I couldn't take it anymore, I loved her so much, I wish she knew the extent of my love for her, I wish she could know the feeling inside of me, yes she said she loved me, but I wanted her to know that no matter what I would love her more than anything. I sighed, I knew I would need to tell her, and I wanted too but this was all happening so fast, but today had shown me how I couldn't lose her, how close I had been too losing her, and how utterly terrifying that prospect was. I smiled as I looked at her sleep, she moved slightly, snuggling further into the bed. Then I began talking, imaging what I would say to her as I shuffled ever so slightly closer to her body I began.
'I love you Christine Daae, more then you will ever know, more then anything in this world or the next. You are my everything, my love, my heart, my music, you are it all. I fell in love with you from the first day you came to me, scared and lost; you and your voice captured my heart within seconds.' I whispered, she shifted again in her sleep this time the quilt slipped and left her shoulders uncovered, I held my breath and pulled them back over her, she smiled adorably in her sleep and her hand took mine. I smiled at its slack grip, though she appeared to still be asleep. I sat close to her now, my body wanting to run, but I didn't care about my twitching, fitting body, I just stared at the child like hand that was in mine, I turned it over and drew patterns on her palm as she slept, then I began to speak to myself again.
'You're a remarkable girl Christine, so remarkable, your bravery is second to none, and your heart is so beautiful, you see the beauty in things that no other people can. You even-you even, well you can look at my face. You kissed my face, my face with no mask! No mask, oh Christine, when you kissed me-I love you! I love you so much!' I said a little louder now, my heart was so light as I said these things, as I told her sleeping form, my heart was ready to burst with love. I wrote on her palm with one of my long fingers 'i love you.'
'I'm sorry I ever doubted the love you had for each other. Truly, I' am. You really love her don't you?' I nearly jumped out of my skin, as I heard Madame Giry's voice from the door. How long had she been there?
'Yes, I do.' I replied, looking at Christine and not at Madame Giry, my cheeks slightly red from blushing.
'I'm glad she loves you Erik. I really am, it is strange how much light can come from dark. She will adore you forever that's clear. The way she looked at you today Erik, it was remarkable, I won't be surprised if wedding bells will be heard soon.' Madame Giry said walking into the room, now standing beside Christine's bed opposite me. What had she said? I froze. Wedding bells?
No, surely she didn't think Christine would wish to marry me?
I hope you liked it, I wrote it half asleep and very quickly.
So that's bye bye to Raoul, I'm sorry I killed him off I didn't know how else I could of done it please let me know what you thought of his death. Erik roses if you do!
Thank you all so much for your continued support, it really does help.
Please let me know your opinion on this chapter, I was slightly nervy about posting it.
Erik and Christine really enjoyed the pyjama day with you all, and hopes you can all come to the Lair again.
*Erik is singing for reviewers*
