Nervous? I am. Also the hose thing is basically Erik improvising a flashlight

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"That's so strange" said Christine. Awwing at the device on a workbench table. "I've heard of more people getting these, but it's so strange in person. So bright. Can I touch it?"

"Sure but it's hot" said Nadir eyeing it cautiously. Christine touched the smooth glass of the bulb, at first timidly, but then cupped it in her hand.

"It's so warm." They had bought a small generator and bulb to better illuminate the operation in two days time. Nadir had just turned it on and was reading carefully the instructions Erik had written out for him. It was a design for a tube that would connect to a box the bulb would be in. In the tube they would use dull metals to reflect enough light out to direct and manipulate the light to see what they would be doing in operation.

"Hmmhm" He mumbled, squinting to decipher Eriks shaky hand. She sighed and mumbled something about tea, leaving him to his work. She walked into their room and stopped mid walk.

Erik was sitting up and facing the piano, for the first time on his own. His face was contorted in pain, and he was out of breath, leaning on the side of the piano, but he was up.

She rushed over to him, half happy, half concerned. She held his back, but he jerked sharply away from her touch. He shook his head and motioned to the pad abandoned on the bed.

No, I need to do this on my own… I… I want to feel like myself again

"Love, you will… let me help you, I know, I know you're worried.."

He leaned into her arms still outstretched, his back finally giving, scribbling angrily, but ending with worrying hyperventilating.

Scared? Scared!? Erik is terrified! If he, if he, hadn't seen his Chr… Chr..

She held him close as he began to shake. His mind was trapping itself in his worst memory. The memory of holding Christine as she died for a moment. "SHh. Hey, hey, Erik. I'm here now. For you" She pulled him back so she could stare into his eyes. She smiled reassuringly. "I gotta be. I want to be your living bride after all." He didn't smile but his breathing slowed

What if I never get to say 'I do'? Christine, my voice is one of the only redeeming things about me. What if I can never talk to you again? Sing? Erik is going insa- well. Erik is becoming less stable, being so silent. I don't know how to accept letting someone else have control over that…

"Well…" She said trying to think of how to calm him. "Erik. It is something that will happen, accept or not. I'm scared too, if I'm honest. It terrifies me, to lose you. But" She paused, wiping a tear from Eriks hollowed cheek. "Dreading it, hurting myself, hurting yourself, won't help. So if you want to play. That's fine. But tell me, let me help you. I'd hate for you to get hurt. I know you don't care but… How would you feel if our situations were reversed?"

The corner of his mouth twitched I'd watch you 24/7 barely sleeping, not letting you move unless needed… But we both know I get a little… Dramatic."

She laughed, "A little? A little? Love you BURNT DOWN AN OPERA HOUSE because you were mad" He smirked and shrugged a little. He couldn't deny it. "Now love, do you want to play or rest?" His hands reached out and he tried to play a somewhat more hurried song than normal. His hands slipped once, twice. He on occasion would have trouble playing as of late. But normally he would play easy songs to stay within his ability. But on the third slip of his right hand he balled his hands in fists and slammed the keys. Then he placed his elbows on the keys and put his pale shaking face in his hand. Tears trickled softly down his cheek. She rubbed his back softly. "Come on love, let's lay back"

He didn't resist Christine's touch, and she laid him back down. He turned his head to the right, away from her. After a moment longer he manages to calm enough to write

I can't even play like I used to… Never again will I be that great. I'm a broken, sobbing mess. I have been through many things, but I have always had my music… I'm so frightened…

She grabbed his hand "Love, you and I both know you are too goddamn stubborn to let that happen. You will get through this. There is no need to fear. A week ago you couldn't even play with your right hand. Now you can and you are getting better at a fast rate too. Just trust me love. Please…" She got an idea "And when you do, I want you to play and sing me a song. One I have never heard, where you put all your life, our life, all the world passion, in one song. Will you?"

You have more confidence in me than I deserve… But yes, I will try… but please Christine, please say you'll still love me if I fail…

"Oh love of course, of course. I just want something for you to strive for, now why don't y-" But just then Nadir came in with a bottle of gin. He stopped and blushed. Eriks face, which was soft with the emotion only Christine was allowed to see, grew slightly angry at having been discovered with such soft emotion.

"Am I uh-"

Christine smiled politely "No you are fine. We were about done." He nodded and came close. Christine moved to lay on her side as Nadir took the bedside seat.

"Erik… With the surgery coming up, I read in your notes that you should drink a bit before bed each night to help kill any bacteria in your throat…"

Erik glared at the ceiling but motioned for the drink. He knew it would hurt horribly. Nadir knew this too and poured a rather large shot. Christine held Erik up as he threw back the drink. Erik squeezed his eyes shut hard, the drink searing his damaged throat. After a moment he opened his eyes to look at them. "You doing ok Erik, with all of this."

He started to write, his frustration finally allowed to How do I feel? How do I feel! Nadir… How do you think I feel? My life is going to shit and I must tell you this. Yes, while you have done more for me than I could ever ask or deserve but just know… You are going to be handling an instrument that even god would weep at. A voice that has made angels fall in love with devils. And if you fuck that up… I will not be the only one in pain. I will personally do to you things that would make what I did for the Sultana seem relaxing… Are we clear

Erik felt a bit better in writing this. Like he still had a bit of the power and fear of what he once commanded. A bit more control. Nadir read it and sighed. He knew Erik was doing this from stress. Then he smirked a little "Feeling a bit like your old self I see. Though I must say I find your lack of threatening arson as well, disturbing."

If Erik could he would growl, but instead he just gave Nadir a glare of if looks could kill. Which was ruined by Athena deciding it was time to jump up and settle into her favourite spot. On Eriks head.

They all broke out in laughter. Erik gave a pleading look to Christine and she moved he cat to sit next to him. Nadir bid his goodbye and Christine turned to Erik "Love, why don't we get some sleep?"

He nodded, exhausted. She smiled as she went to grab her nightgown and stepped behind the little changing wall. When she settled into bed she grabbed his hand and kissed his forehead. He smiled a little then quickly fell asleep.

Christine laid on her back looking at the ceiling. For hours she stayed like this. Since she did not have to worry about staying strong for Erik, she let her doubts and mind wonder. Not only that, but she had been trying to avoid sleep in general as of late. She was still trying to cope and wrap her head around her life so far and this was the only time she could. Not to mention she was terrified of the surgery as well and kept having nightmares about it everytime she closed her eyes. After about four hours she decided to get up. With Erik so tired he was sleeping hard for once.

She got up and went to make coffee. In all reality she felt horrible. She was exhausted and her stomach burnt with that exhaustion. She felt nausea hit as she made coffee and had to run to the guest bathroom as to not wake Erik. She felt like falling asleep over the toilet as she half leaned on it. That is when she jumped out of her skin as Darius spoke behind her.

"Erik would have a heart attack if he saw you right now. Then he would make you go to bed for a year"

Christine looked up and scoffed "Well, that's the point isn't it? For him not to know… I don't. Want him to worry about me. I don't want anyone to. I don't deserve to be worried over"

Darius bent down and sat next to her "Christine if anyone in this whole house deserves help it's you. Ever since you came back you have helped. You helped give a dying man hope and a chance, you gave a woman who had nowhere to go a safe home for her and her family-"

"And got Nadir tortured and my best friend hurt and-"

"And they would all do it again in a heartbeat. You know why?"

"Hmm?"

"We ALL care about you and Erik. Look Christine. I can't say I understand what you've been through. No one can. Well, except maybe Erik. But point being I know it is hard for you to sleep, and so I am asking, please, let us help. You're getting sicker by the day, and that won't help anything right now. And Erik will catch on pretty soon… and I would not want to be there when he does. So come on. I'll make you a sleep tonic and you can maybe get rest"

"Sleep tonic, sleep tonic. I'm scared that will be the only way I can sleep soon enough."

Darius smiled warmly "Do you really think Erik would let you get addicted? Christine when he is well, I am sure he will make sure you sleep every night just fine, without the medication. But until then we will use this because he needs you well rested." She pursed her lips. She didn't like to be wrong but she couldn't argue. Darius stood and offered a hand "Come on, lets go have some. I need a bit of good shut eye too. We all do it seems."

She grabbed his hand and he guided her to her room.

After ten minutes of him giving her the brew she was fast asleep. Erik woke the next day, before her for once. She was curled on her side, head tucked down, up next to his shoulder. He stared at her for a moment, admiring her sleeping beauty. He himself was just waking and it was nice for a moment, to watch her blond hair swirl around on the pillow, her slender waist rise and fall with each breath.

He sighed and opening his eyes more his memory and mind snapped into focus. Today was the day before the operation. He shuddered. Christine mumbled and woke with his movement. She blinked at his face, trying to get him into focus only to find it stressed and anxious. Then she remembered the date and knew why. She sat up, pulling him closer.

"Hey love?" He tilted his head towards her. "I know that… You're nervous for tomorrow, so why don't I stay in here all day, and we have a lie in eh? We won't think about it. It won't help to dread. We can focus on other things… Maybe I could read? Would you like that? Me stumbling over book lines?"

He shook his head. He wasn't in the mood for books. He was in the mood for running as far as he could from his current problems. But that was not an option. "Well, how about more small questions? Those seem to help"

He let out a breath he had not realized he was holding. Questions perhaps. He nodded and laid back onto her shoulder. "Want me to go first?"He nodded. She thought for a moment. Something that could distract him. "Worst production the Opera has ever had and where you fought the manager or gers on every level and they ignored you."

He smirked a little. He knew exactly which one had made the old Opera owner very regretful at his own karma. Orfeus. I told him over and over that it was far below a soprano's range but he refused to listen. Then we fought on props, tempo speed, if we should adapt a key signature. At opening night it was so bad half the crown was gone by intermission. The next day the manager came up to box five and left a note of apology outside. I refused to help or even show my presence for three more productions. Then the fourth I told him what to fix and it became one of our greatest hits. He did not fight much more with me after that.

She giggled and shook her head "the new ones are still just as clueless according to Meg you know. Alright, your go"

They spent the rest of the day like this. Trying everything to avoid tomorrow. Everyone else in the house was moving rather slow, as if in mourning. They avoided Eriks room, trying to keep focused. Darius was practicing checking vitals while Meg and Nadir went over and over tomorrow operation. But soon night began to fall and Darius walked softly into the room. Erik was half asleep, listening to Christine tell him something about her childhood. They both looked so peaceful for once. And Darius hated to shatter it. But he must.

Christine paused looking at him. He sighed and said looking down. "We are all going to take a light sleep tonic. And Erik is supposed to have a drink, use the bathroom, and bathe. Do you need help with any of that, or can we go ahead and…"

Christine bowed her head and said a little tired "I am fine Darius. You all get sleep. I'll look after him. But I would appreciate if you left some tonic out just in case…"

Darius nodded and quickly left the room, leaving Erik with a heavy weight on his stomach. She sighed looking at her fiance. Then she took the gin from the small tray of bed side medical needs off her side and poured him a glass. He downed it wincing a lot. She rubbed his hand as the pain slowly passed. Then she went to pick him up and take him to the restroom, seating him as gently as she could on the floor while she turned the tub on. His mind still stuck on his imminent doom. Life was cruel. If it weren't for Christine he'd have zero faith that it would work. But the fact she was there was enough for him to have some form of hope. But he still had high doubts.

She snapped him out of his reverie by asking "Want me to undress you or do you want to try?"

He pointe to himself, any amount of self control was preferable. So with trembling hands he tried to unbutton his shirt. He got about halfway down before he clenched his fist in frustration as yet again the small button slipped from his thin fingers. Christine sighed as she finished the shirt for him. His mouth was an even thinner line than normal. If he could he would be cursing out loud. When she was done she pulled back and let him strip his pants and under pants off.

Courteously she looked at the water. She of course had seen him nude many times before, but she still tried to give him privacy when she could. When she heard movement stop she turned back to a nude erik who was lightly crossing his arms staring at the floor. She didn't say a word as she scooped him up and put him in the warm water.

He relaxed a little as the heat soothed his bodies constant ache. Christine began to sing as she gently raise one of his arms to wash. She usually did this while she bathed him, and he was glad. He tried to focus on her words, her voice as she sung softly Flower Duet" from Leo Delibes's "Lakme". But still the dread continued. Then a question hit him. One he knew he wanted answered…

When she finished bathing him, she sat him on the toilet, tactfully leaving the room to go put up clothes, grateful that he could wipe himself now. After she made the bed she went to get him and soon enough laid him down in bed. He grabbed his notebook and wrote very quickly What would you do if I do die tomorrow?

She sighed and lovingly stroked his cheek. "I really don't know. Die an old maid I suppose… Throw you a big funeral, maybe haunt the opera in your honour… But I could never sing again."

This caught Eriks attention. The thought of a world without Christine's angelic voice was unthinkable. Why?

She replied simply "Because I would have no one to sing for. What would you do if I died?"

Eriks reply was as she expected Follow you He paused then added. Anywhere you go, let me go too…

She nodded. Of course she didn't want him to do that. But she knew this was one of those facts about people. It was the kind of characteristic that was just engraved in their being.

Erik shuddered again, as his mind flashed to when Christine had nearly died from fever. Instinctively he reached for her hand. He needed it. To feel its warmth and know she was there. She seemed to sense this and pulled his hand up to her heart. He breathed easier feeling its beat against his thin hands.

"Erik. Feel that. This is why I know you will survive tomorrow. Because I know you will do anything and everything to make sure you can feel this again." She said this softly but with an air of confidence. He looked into her eyes and knew she was right. She kissed his lips softly, but her brain decided to play on her paranoia by asking 'what if this is your last kiss?' and so Christine instead of pulling back, began to kiss more passionately.

Erik was a little surprised by the sudden change in mood but complied and followed. How he wished they could stay like this forever, they both wished it. But Christine knew Erik needed air so she pulled back. He smiled, still feeling his lips tingling.

Every kiss he got from her always took him by surprise. He was not used to love like this, and he doubted he ever would be. But this only made him treasure each kiss more. She kissed him again softly and whispered "Go to sleep love"

With the kiss drowning out his fear he was able to drift asleep. Christine sighed thankfully. She looked at his face. Thinking what if this was the last time she could truly see him. On this thought it made Christine fight sleep even more. She wanted to memorize his every feature so well she could draw his reflection by memory.

The way his cheek bones, so delicate in their thin lines gave way to his jaw. Like a tent with its concave slope. The way his chin came to a perfect point, highlighting his slender neck. They never talked much on appearance, for obvious reasons, but she secretly loved his neck and had often caught herself fantasizing kissing it. His thin lips moaning he-

She shook her head. Now was not the time for those thoughts. Now was the time to memorize him… The reason why made her cloth headed with stress. Her stomach felt tense with the very idea. So she went on to just focusing on him.

He was like a strange piece of art. Not beautiful in normal standards, but in its own way, he was. She sat there for a few hours, going back and forth between stressing about tomorrow and her memorizing him. Slowly his eyes twitched. And out of nowhere he jerked forward. His mother had been before them in the dream, but when he opened his eyes, she was still there screaming insults.

Erik moaned and turned, feebly hitting the air, terrified at the figure in front of him. Christine grabbed his arms, shouting his name. Finally He looked at her as she said firmly over and over "Look at me Erik, it's not real, it's ok"

Erik eventually calmed and held her close, sobbing. Finally he calmed enough to write

Saw mother. I I saw her. Why won't she go away?

Christines heart broke "She is love she is. And her… her affect on you, it will fade one day perhaps… But love, she can't hurt you. She can't." He was shaking, wide eyed. But slowly he nodded. Christine then said "want to play any love?"

Normally he would agree, but he was too shaken. Instead he wrote drink Christine sighed "Erik… if it were any other night I would, but we have to monitor how much you have because the surgery in the morning…" His eyes went wide. With the nightmare he had forgotten. She hugged him close. "Here, there is a little tonic for emergency, maybe we can have a little… Because love, you need sleep." He nodded but when she turned to go, he weakly grabbed her wrist. She paused long enough for him to write please, don't leave Erik alone, she might come back…

Christine nodded and picked Erik up, taking him as quietly as she could to the kitchen. She laid him on the chair, making sure he was as comfortable as possible as she worked. While it brewed she came over to Erik and held him close, silent comfort in his dark mind. Finally the tea was brewed and she managed to tuck him back in and give him the medicine. He looked half scared at it, the thing that would make him sleep, but he looked at Christine and drank it. She settled his head on her breast, half sitting up herself, and stroked his hair, quietly singing him to sleep.

After that she was more alert. She did not want to sleep, for fear of not being there for him as well as battling her own demons. Sometimes she felt she feared the necessary function than Erik. She was always so scared of her not being there for his nightmares, or if something happened. What if she had been asleep when the mask broke? He would be dead. And this frightened her, more than she would say. Then add in the constant nightmares of the night of the murder, of seeing the dead who have already passed in front of her.

She didn't want to see that.

So she refused to sleep.

Instead she watched over Erik until Nadir came knocking on their door. Christine swallowed. This was it. She said quietly to come in, and Nadir entered. He took one look at her and asked "bad night?"

She nodded and said quietly, trying to let the sleeping figure of her concern have as must rest as he can. "He hallucinated… His mother. Had to use sleep tonic. It was… Rough on him. And hard to watch. He wouldn't even let me leave him alone to make the tonic, had to take him to the kitchen with me." She sighed and stroked his hair. Then said in a choked voice "I am so scared Nadir…"

Nadir came close and hugged her lightly, letting her whip away her tears into his sleeve. "You've been so strong, you both have, and soon. Soon it will be ok. It will be over. You only have to last a little longer. One more day." She nodded and collected herself. He was right. Her Erik needed her. "And, after this, you miss Daea are going to have a nice long rest. No if ands or buts, or so help me alah I will personally tie you to a bed so you can sleep. Because honestly you look like Erik did after his chandelier… Incident."

"What do you mean?"

Nadir sighed, looking at his friend to make sure he was asleep "He… He didn't sleep. For weeks it seemed. Only ate what I forced him to eat, drank profusely though, and composed. To say the least I was worried. But finally I calmed him down. But that was awhile ago."

"I think you mean lifetime ago… You know, he asked for a drink last night."

"He does when he's stressed and incapacitated. Thankfully for you he surprisingly is not angry when he is hammered. Just very…"

"Emotional" supplied Darius as he came in. "They are almost done setting up the cot. Asal has breakfast and coffee. Want me to bring some?"

Nadir shooed him away saying "Thank you, and no, I'll get some in there, Christine. Perhaps it is best you wake him without our company. I'll have some breakfast for you. While we set you up and make it easier for us, it might be best to eat then, as to not antagonize him with food. Then again, Erik rarely complains of hunger."

She replied "Sounds good. We will join you in a moment, does he need to change?"

"No shirt, and you might want to wash off his neck right before you bring him in."

She nodded as they left. She looked down, where Erik was still asleep on her chest. She shook him lightly. "Erik.. Erik honey" After a few tries he blinked tiredly, then his eyes went wide. His head started to shake back and forth. No, no, not yet. "Love, love, look at me. Look at me."

He finally did. She took a breath and said soothingly,

"Erik.. I know you are scared, and so am I. But honey. It's time. And no matter what, just know you will always have me. Until the very end. Whether that be in a few minutes, hours, months, years, centuries, forever, you will always have me. I will be right with you. Holding your hand. Loving you. So really,

What is there to fear?"

He wrote in reply, looking still doubtful and scared not ever having enough time with you

She smiled a little at that "love, there will never be enough time. Never is when people love each other like us. Hence why we have to make every second count. And how we get more is taking this risk, and doing the surgery. So love, are you ready?"

For you, yes He still looked scared, and who could blame him. He was putting his entire life, Christine's most precious love, and his voice, an instrument only surpassed by Christine's angelic voice, into someone else's hands. But he could do it, only for her. She with his consent, then slowly removed his night shirt and after wiping his throat clean, she carried him out of the room.

In the living room the furniture had all been pushed aside. Except for a cot, a table, and couch. On the table sat the small generator and light. The cot had fresh sheets and medical supplies on a tray that shared vicinity with the generator. The couch was slightly higher than the cot and had sheets as well. She gently laid him on the sheets and tucked him in. Nadir rolled out a strange hanging curtain and put it next to the cot. He then helped Christine lay down on the couch. She was just high enough to be able to lay down and still see him. For now she sat up and stroked his cheek, trying to not eye the emergency transfusion kit, hoping it would not be filled with her blood soon.

Darius brought her a croissant, still warm. She ate it quickly as to remind Erik how hungry he was. Erik did not care. He kept glaring at the tray of supplies that would soon be dismantling his body. Once Christine had finished, Nadir came over, with the others and gave Erik his final sip of drink to clean out his throat. He winced. Then Nadir said " Ok Erik, I am going to have to cut a slit and put in the breathing device. Then we can numb you. But it will hurt a lot, and you will have to be very still. You understand?" Erik nodded and held Christine's hand, turning his knuckles even paler than before.

Nadir looked up at Meg "Could you hold his head still. Just in case." Erik looked up at meg with wide eyes as she did so. Nadir then pulled over the curtain and drape it just under his eyes. He started to vibrate. It reminded him of the breathing mask.

"Erik, Erik look at me, it is ok" Christine said, rubbing the back of his hand. He relaxed enough for Nadir out of nowhere to start the incision, while Erik was relaxed. His eyes went wide with pain and he wanted to scream as it felt as if he were being stabbed in the throat. Because he was. Madam giry used a small suction device made of rubber and wrags to clean the blood. Nadir then inserted the tube and pulled the string to loosen the rubber disk. Darius then cut on the breathing machine.

While they worked to seal and clean the site Erik was in torture as he heard the monstrous machine and his throat lit aflame. He was bewildered with the white hot pain. But he kept still. Only because he could see her eyes. Eyes that could always anything from hell. Christine wanted it to stop, looking into those eyes, eyes in utmost pain.

Pain that Madam Valerium had died wearing.

She took a deep breath. She needed to be strong. Then finally after an eternity (maybe five minutes) much to everyone's joy Nadir announced he would now inject the medication that would numb his body.

This is where Christine came in, because with how risky this all was, he needed to be awake, and it was her job to keep him so. Slowly his eyes relaxed and everyone could take a breath of relief.

They waited ten minutes for the medication to spread. It was unnerving and traumatizing to see Eriks eyes, staring at her, unblinking, unmoving. As if he had already died. She would have believed it if Darius had not been as kind to call out his vitals every few minutes. She could only imagine how weird it was to be awake and not moving at all or feeling. Nadir had told her what to watch out for to show how he would look asleep like this. Small eye twitched up, glazed eyes. She kept constant vigilance.

It was a weird sensitisation, to be able to move or feel, but just see. Like he was looking through a window, or a cage. But as long as he focused on Christine, he would be alright. But still it was strange, to not feel pain, after it had accompanied him for so long. All his life really. Even when he was healthy, his damaged bone structure would ache, his legs especially. But he grew to ignore it, but now he felt so different that it was gone, lighter. He wondered if this is how normal people felt. His heart skipped a beat when he heard Meg tell where his vocal chords where. He hadn't even known her hand was in his mouth. Nadir then announced he was dying Eriks veins.

Christine was dying to peak behind the curtain but knew she had to keep eye contact. Still she wondered what dyed veins looked like. The others however could see, and it was odd, to see the translucent skin turn murky purple with lines, big and small. Nadir found two spots where there was hardly any dye, and then carefully, as careful as he could he cut two holes into his throat and placed two clamps to hold the skin apart. "Madam Giry, the light" and so with light, he began to pick bits of dried and decayed blood and flesh. Applying oils. There was so much damage. Meg began to do the same procedure to the top of his mouth. The room was tense as the tedious and hard task last for hours.

Then Nadir finally applies the oil to the last spot and leans back. He has a smile as he looks around "its out. ⅓ the way there" and they let out a breath they did not know they were holding.

Christine smiled down at Erik and said to his death like appearance "see honey, we are doing ok love" She then tearley kissed the back of his hand. If Erik could smile, he would. To say the last few hours of hearing his own flesh being prodded at without even feeling it was weird, was an understatement.

Nador moved to take Megs spot at the top of the throat. Then he began to cut out Eriks tonsils.

That's when it all went wrong

A momentary flick, a tremor with the scalpel, and Nadir had accidently cut right into a vein. Nadirs eyes grew as blood came gushing out. Christines face turned into one of horror, as Erik began to feel really light headed. One pause, then Nadir set into motion.

He held down the cut to keep blood from seeping out as he yelled "Meg! Grab the suction nossels and get the blood out, Darius, keep track of his vitals, Madam hand me the green bottle of ointment." Everyone moved.

"He's fading fast." Darius announced.

"Shit" muttered Nadir. "Asal! Get Christine on blood stat!" Asal, who had been in the corner of the room, rushed over to the pake Sweeden.

Christine was crying but holding Eriks hand saying over and over "You stay with me Erik. I need you, Stay. I love you."

And Erik was trying. The world did not hurt, but it felt light, too light. Christines face, so scared, was growing hazy. He wa growing scared. But it was her blue eyes that stayed in focused. He could not stand to see them so utterly scared. But he kept looking at them. Long as he could see them, he would stay. This he was determined

Asal jammed the needle into there arms and Christine still kept focus on Erik. Still holding his hand. Minutes ticked by as Nadir smeared a thick pack over the hole, which was not deep, just happen to hit the vein, so he was able to use a skin healing oil that could seal the hole. Then slowly Eriks world became more into focus.

But this did not help his state of mind because his Christine was growing more and more pale. Her stomach was writhing and she was starting to black out. Her ears rang. But she kept eye contact, like she knew that keeping eye contact would keep him there.

Then finally Darius announced they could take out the I.v. Christine sank as far as she could onto her pillows, trying so hard not to puke. Erik kept staring as Nadir was able to pick up the operation from there, and ten minutes later, Erik was tonsil free. Something which Erik had not minded as it caused him to get ill even before this multiple times, making it hard to sing and function. What was hard was seeing Christine so pale because of him. She was hurting and it was his fault. He really needed to make it up to her he thought as he watched her pale face stay concentrated on his own.

Then came the scariest part. The vocal chords. Nadir took a sip of water and then, opening his jaw as wide as possible, he began to clean and rub oil on the rings that caused such beautiful music. Even covered in painful rough debree and completely relaxed, they still felt incrediably strong. There was one pocket of scar tissue he needed to drain, and put a skin shrinking oil on. The rest was mostly small infected and dying infected scratches, which he managed to pick off, and applied oil.

With one last plink as dried blood his his pan he threw his arms back laughing. A success. He had done it.

Christine smiled truly for the first time in a long time "See Erik! See! We are ok, We are ok" She kissed his hand with her semi cold lips. Erik was beyond relieved.

After he had sealed the two side slits he said "Ok Erik, this is gonna be the hard part. It is going to hurt like crazy. But I'm going to stick you with a stimulant so you can swallow. Meg, get the liquid ready." She nodded, this would wash clean and help heal everything. When she had it in her hand, he stuck Erik with another needle.

A few seconds ticked by. Then Erik blinked and opened eyes wide in pain. He wanted to puke. Nadir knew he had to hurry. He gestured for meg to come close and give him the liquid. Meg then grabbed his head to keep him still. "Ok Erik, you HAVE to drink this ok? On the count of three. 1.2.3."

On count 3 he pulled back on the disk, freeing his esophagus that lead to his stomach, but still blocking out the windpipe. Imagine being gutted like a fish, then while pulling a hoof through your mouth you had to drink something.

But Erik did, for her. It burnt and burnt, but he did. Nadir sighed with relief when the cup emptied. Then he used a light anstetic to numb the area but not incompaitate it.

It helped enough. So Nadir said a silent prayer, and with a nod to Darius, he pulled the other string that made the disk shrink and pulled out the tube, shutting off the machine. Eriks eyes were wide and he squeezed Christines hand because he could not breath. But then Nadir sew the hole at the base of his throat nice and tight.

There was a pause. But then, Erik took a breath. Then another. And another.

Erik was breathing.

Erik had survived.

Ogogogogogogogogooggogogogogogogogoogogogogoggogogoogoggoogogogogoogogogogogogogoogogogogogoogoogogogogog

It is 2 am, I am bed now, night night