Love of a Stranger
Ob1MegOb1

I'm sorry its taken so long to update. School as been as harsh as usual and I've spent more time at my computer typing essay than updating this story. I want to thank all of you who continue to support this story!

"Fair is foul and foul is fair" ---William Shakespeare

Chapter 7

(Erik)

"What do you mean they are gone!" I demanded my face now inches from hers. My blood was boiling at her smugness, her reluctance to tell me where they were. Jasmine was upstairs probably in pain at the loss of everything dear in her life and she had the nerve to stand in front of me and tell me these words.

"I'm sorry Monsieur but I just heard this news today. If you want more information maybe you should try tallking to the Vicomte. He is the one heading the search."

I snorted in disgust, "I could find them long before the Vicomte ever could."

"I hope so Monsieur," Madame replied, "For the the children' sake."

When I turned to retort though, she was gone. Out the door and probably not wanting to answer my questions. I sighed as I sat down on the floor my head pounding. I rumbed my temples gingerly. Just trying to find a way to solve this. And yet as I sat there thinking, what Madame Giry had told me about Jasmine's mother kept echoing in my head. If she had been a dancer at the Opera Populaire I would have certainly seen her at some time.

I sat there my thoughts constantly thinking back to that time. When I had haunted those walls, halls, mirrors, trapdoors...

When the theater had belonged to me in all my heinous acts and feelings. When I had been nothing but a monster searching for a soul.

And then it was like a lightening bolt in my mind. And the name suddenly seemed very familiar. Antoinette...Antoinette...

(Flashback)

"Antoinette!" Madame Giry said smiling broadly. She went down the steps to greet her friend. The young woman who had entered smiled broadly. Her dark black hair draped down to the middle of her back and her eyes dark and comforting. She held a beautiful young girl by the hand. Her gaze unfocused, unclear.

"Madeliene," Antoinette said embracing her friend, "It has been too long."

"And is this Jasmine?" Madeleine asked kneeling in front of the six year old child. She looked up at her friend concern on her face, "We had heard about what happened three years ago. I can only imagine how hard it has been on the both of you."

"Yes it has been," Antoinette sighed, "But she has been a very brave girl to work through this. She is adapting very quickly to not being able to see, and she can already hear better than me and Charles."

Madeleine laughed, "Well the body has to make up for it in some way."

"Well I only hope she does before her new brother or sister comes."

Suddenly Madeleine's face turned serious, "Anne you are having another child?"

"Yes, believe me it was not planned but we are not fearing it either. It may be nice for Jasmine to have some playmates. None of the children her age will come near her because she is blind and scarred."

Suddenly Jasmine's head jerked to the right. "What is it darling?" Anne asked.

"Somebody is here," she said softly.

"Nonsense dear," Anne cooed, "There is nobody here but us."

"It is easy to understand why she thought she heard something," Madaeleine said, "Some say the opera house is haunted."

"Oh plese Madeleine," Not those stories again," Antoinette said laughing.

"Oh you never know, Anne," Madame Giry said softly, "Anything is possible."

(Jasmine)

I lay there crying, out of fear, out of pain. Hearing the story of my mother's past had brought to light many memories I had forgotten. Or repressed. I remembered going to the opera house and meeting Madame Giry. I remembered hearing my mother cry at night when things got tough. And I remember how she would confide in me on everything. Everything, I guess except for her past.

I heard footsteps approach my bed and a prescence in front of me. I sat up and quickly wiped the tears from my face. I smiled, "You weren't as quiet that time."

I felt him sit beside me and sigh, "Well it seems that you have always been able to hear me. Even in the most unlikely of places."

I smiled. It felt good and comforting to hear his voice. I don't know why but it always calmed me. Made me feel better. "How is that so?"

"Well once I found out who your mother was I remember her very well. I also remember her visiting the Opera House with her young daughter in tow."

"Oh god," I whispered. I couldn't believe it. He had been there all that time.

I felt his hand on mine. "I need to tell you something, but it is not easy." I squeezed his hand trying to show how strong I was.

"What is it Erik?" I asked curious as to what it was.

"Its Rebecca and William," he said softly. "Madame told me that they have disappeared from the de Changey home."

My heart suddenly dropped into a state of panic. Gone? How could they be gone and where would they have gone? I sat there trying to say something but no words could come out.

"Jasmine," he said softly, "Please say something."

I just sat there my mind racing, "Where---where could they have gone?"

"Nobody knows," he said softly, "I was hoping you had some idea as to where they might have gone."

(Erik)

Her eyes became worried and unsure. Like they had when I had come here the first night. When she had known I was going to hurt Charles. Now I could see she had absolutely no idea what to do next. "Jasmine," I said gripping her hand, "I will go out and look for them. But that means I have to leave you here by yourself which I will not do."

She shook her head, "No you need to go, don't worry about me. You know I can take care of myself."

"No," I said forcefully, "I am not taking that chance."

She shook her head. Tears, had begun to come down her cheeks, "Listen to me Erik. I know you are concerned about me, but if I stay here I am safe. I can take care of myself here. If anybody comes I will hide myself in the very place I hid you."

I shook my head in disagreement, "There will be nobody here to protect you if they do find you."

She suddenly looked in my direction her face serious and set, "Then God help them if they do. For they will have to escape you."

I sat there extremely confused on what to do. The fearlessness in her eyes was comforting, but in the end I knew she would be completely helpless if they came barging through the door. Her hand suddenly touched my cheek, and with the other she removed my mask. "I have faith in you Erik. I know you will find them, and I know you will bring them back to me. I will be here waiting for you."

She then leaned forward and gently kissed my ravaged cheek. I felt a cool calmness in my body. I gently placed my hand now on her cheek and gently touched her scar. The bond that held us together. "I promise I will find them," I said voice steady, "And I will bring them back to you."

She smiled, "I know."

And then she leaned forward and her lips gently brushed mine. I leaned forward cupping her neck in my hand and allowing her lips to meet mine. The first time I had kissed her it had been full of fear and doubt. Now I was sure of this. This feeling I had been holding back for so long...well the last few days at least... was now being felt in this one moment.

(Jasmine)

At first I had been unsure why I had done it. I had never loved anyone before. My life had been so concentrated on my family and just surviving that there had been no time for love. Maybe that was why this kiss felt so wonderful. We separated for a moment and I could fell his warm breath on my skin. My breaths were shaky and my body was trembling with anticipation or fear I'm not sure.

He gently kissed me on the forehead, "Do not worry."

I laughed softly, "Don't worry I am not. But you should go, the sooner you leave the better."

I could feel his face turn serious under my fingertips. He took my hands from his face and gripped them tightly, "I promise I will return with them. And you and I will be able to leave and protect your children somwhere safe."

I smiled, "I know you will. Now you need to go."

I slowly felt his hands slip away and my heart raced as he did. I heard him walk towards the door of my room. But before he stepped out I rushed up nearly falling over him. But I straightened myself and placed one last kiss on his lips. I held him close feeling like this was the last time I was going to feel him or touch him, or talk to him. I felt so stupid with my actions but I really was afraid of what lay ahead.

"Its alright," he whispered in my ear, "I will be back."

I nodded my head even though my heart would not accept it. He slowly separated from me and turned away. I heard his footsteps slowly disappear, and the door close downstairs. Then he was gone.

I sat down on my bed tears going down my face. So this is what if felt like to love someone. I smiled, now I know why they said you could only truely love someone once. It felt so wonderful, but so painful you could only endure it once.

TBC
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