The Love of a Stranger

Ob1MegOb1

Chapter 19

(Jasmine)

I just lay there my breath so slow it felt as if I was hardly breathing. The wind was howling from an impending storm, the branches scratching menacingly at the windows.

(Erik)

The handcuffs were cold as they put them on my wrists. "Madame Giry," The Vicomte said his eyes on me the entire time, "Take the children back to their sister. I am sure she is worried." But as they walked out Rebecca lunged towards me. I reached out to catch her but William yanked her away too fast.

"No Erik!" she cried out as they took her out of the room, "No please!"

And then they were gone.

(Jasmine)

And then it was like a shock to my system. Suddenly it felt as if everything was going to crash at this very second.

(Erik)

As they left I turned to the Vicomte, "Thank you for letting them leave."

"As long as I get you, that is all that matters," he said softly.

I chuckled softly to myself, "Oh my dear Vicomte you still have not learned." I turned to him his eyes confused, "If dropping a chandelier on the Opera House could not teach you then let me say it plain and simple. I never go quietly."

(Jasmine)

I got up not even noticing the pain in my leg. I felt my way down the banister, to the front door. I threw open the doors and I could smell it. The fresh scent of the oncoming storm and the electricity in the air was palpable.

(Erik)

With all my strength I swung back with my elbow and had it connect with the officers jaw. He fell hard to the floor.

(Jasmine)

The thunder rumbled in the distance and I felt like I could almost see the lightening flash.

(Erik)

A shot filled the air but I still kept going. I swung out again knocking the wind out of the gedarme who had followed us for days and weeks on end.

(Jasmine)

And then as if on cue the rain began to fall, and the cold drops bit at my skin.

(Erik)

I swung out knocking the gun from the surprised Vicomte. And then I ran for my nearest exit, down into the catacombs. But not before one more shot went off.

(Jasmine)

"Erik," I said softly, as I suddenly realized I had not heard him in a while.

(Erik)

I fell to the ground hard as the trapdoor closed behind me. My side was screaming in pain and it was then I saw the blood.

(Jasmine)

My head turned instinctually though as I heard the sound of hooves on the road leading to the house. My heart skipped a beat. And then I smiled as I heard the small feet running across the yard towards me.

(Erik)

I laughed to myself as I realized the irony of my injury. Somehow, someway, it had traveled the exact same path as the bullet months ago. I got up slowly, my side not liking my attempts to move now. But I needed to get somewhere fast before the bleeding got any worse.

I made my way through the tunnels until I got outside. Gedarmes were everywhere though and in my condition, there was no way I was going to outrun them. I was surrounded. And then out of nowhere there appeared a carriage. It slowed to a stop and the door swung out in front me and I nearly collapsed in relief.

I laughed at the sight of him and he only rolled his eyes in return, "What would you do without me Erik."

I shook my head, "Daroga," and then as quickly as possible got into the carriage as it pulled away safely passed the gedarmes.

(Jasmine)

"What happened?" I asked them both as we finally sat down dry and comfortable in the living room.

There was a long silence as they both sat there. I felt William's hand take mine and immediately my heart fell. "William?" I said uncertainly.

"Honestly Jasmine I do not know. The Vicomte had us taken from the room when Erik arrived. Afterwards we heard fighting and shots fired and then the Vicomte came out roaring mad."

I smiled, "That means he got out."

"That's what I told him," Rebecca piped up from the corner.

But I could William's doubt spreading through his touch and as he sighed in frustration, "I'm sorry Jasmine. I should not have left." His voice panicked all of sudden, "I was just afraid for everyone's safety and I knew he would follow us."

I nodded my head, "Please I don't want to talk about it right now." And he let go of my hand reluctantly and I could feel his guilt filling the room.

"I'm sorry Jasmine," he said softly, "But that whole place was filled with gedarmes both inside and out. There is no way he could have escaped."

I smiled to myself, "If anybody knew that Opera House inside and out it was Erik. And if anybody could escape it undetected it would be the Phantom of the Opera."

(Erik)

Nadir carefully bandaged my wound, my ironic wound at that. Except this time I missed the gentle fingers, and delicate hands. "Don't you dare be thinking of her while I bandage you," Nadir said irritably.

I smiled at my friends innate ability to know what I was thinking. "I can't help it if your fingers are clumsier than her."

Nadir glared at me, "You can bleed to death than, and good riddance to that."

I chuckled softly, "But seriously my friend, thank you."

He stopped suddenly looking up at me, "What has she done to you?"

I looked at him confused, "What you are acting as if it's the first time I have said Thank you."

He raised his eyebrows and I suddenly realized, "Oh," I muttered softly.

Nadir shook his head as he finished, "All I know Erik is that I know nobody luckier than you. Truly. What were the odds that the bullet would follow the same path?"

I smiled to myself, "Fate."

Nadir backed away from me sarcastically, "Now I know you have gone mad."

I laughed out loud this time, and he continued to stare at me as if I had gone mad. Then he just rolled his eyes at me, "I give up," he muttered, "Where are we going by the way. I would think away from Paris, but why do I get the feeling we are not?"

I only smiled in return.

(Jasmine)

We were all sitting in the main room just sitting and talking when I heard the hooves on the road a second time. They were mixed with the falling rain but I could hear them. "William somebody's here," I said casually.

I could hear him head to the window behind me and his quick intake of breath. "Who is it?" I said jolting up.

"Its that Persian's carriage. The one that took us away from the de Changey residence the first time. The Persian is a friend of Erik's."

Before he had even finished I had already jumped up and dashed to the door. I scrambled for the knob, and not even caring that I was about to be drenched again I ran out. The rain echoed all around me chilling my skin once again. I listened again for the sound of footsteps but there were none. I reached out my hand my whole heart hoping and crying out that those familiar hands would take it.

But I jumped as I suddenly felt those hands on my face and my heart soared as he pulled me in and kissed me quickly and passionately. I smiled as we parted, and reached up my hand and gently stroked his right side while he gently fingered my own scar.

I laughed softly, "Don't you ever do that again."

I could feel his head shaking beneath my fingertips, "Then tell your brother not to be so foolhardy next time."

I smiled pulling him in close to me, and I jumped as he tried not to let out a groan. "Your hurt," I said immediately.

"Its no worse than I have had before," and he gently guided my hand to the same place he had been shot nearly a month ago when he had first come into our lives.

I shook my head, "I don't know whether to call it fate or coincidence."

Erik answered back sarcastically, "I don't care what you call it but we should probably get out of this rain."

I nodded my head and then he gently kissed me one more time before we headed in.

(Erik)

I had to admit I was surprised at the welcome I got. I thought maybe I was going to expect more resistance or anger from her because I left. Quite to my surprise, she was just relieved I was okay. Still I was not so enthusiastic about going into that house. A certain brother was the one that I was worried about.

Upon first stepping inside I was nearly barreled over by a small child who I guess was more happy to see me then I had initially thought. "Erik!" Rebecca cried latching onto my legs very quickly, "I'm so glad you are okay." I saw a small smile tug at the corner of Jasmine's mouth

"As am I little one," I said patting her head gently, "I am glad as well that you and your brother are well."

I quickly looked up searching for the older brother, and found his eyes at last. He looked confused but more in an unsure way. But he gave me the look of we will talk later, and I knew that me and him were not through yet.

Jasmine started to walk forward as she heard William leave the room but I gently grabbed her wrist, and while her eyes were confused I knew she was figuring it out.

"How did you escape Erik," Rebecca said tugging at my sleeve. I smiled gently glad to have this little ball of energy back in our sights. I leaned down in front of her a mischievous look in my eye for sure.

"Now my dear, you did not think that I was going to let a sniveling little Vicomte stop me now did you?"

She giggled softly, "Of course," and then bounded away into the next room.

(Jasmine)

What had been a moment of extreme happiness had once again become a little wary. "Erik," I said nervously," Placing my hand on his hand that he had placed on mine, "you didn't kill those men did you?"

I felt his surprise echo in his fingertips, and I immediately regretted my words. I turnd my head away but he gently guided it back with his hand. I could feel his intent gaze even though I could not see it.

"No," he said softly, "They might be a little worse for wear, but no I did not. Would it have mattered if I had?"

I shook my head, "I don't know. Most likely not but how can one be sure of what they would feel in a moment?"

He gently took my hands in his, and lifted him to his lips and gently kissed him. "We have a lot to talk about. Especially since we were never given the chance to finish our conservation before."

I rolled my eyes, "It seems like an eternity ago."

His head nodded slowly beneath my fingertips, "Why don't you put Rebecca down for the night? I need to talk to William," I started at that, but he gripped my hands gently, "It will be a civilized conversation I promise you. And then you may ask me anything you wish."

I smiled semi-evilly, "Anything?" I leaned in closer to him so that I could feel his breath gently flowing against my skin.

"Anything," he whispered in my ear. His lips gently flowed from my ear to my lips, and then he was just about to kiss me gently…

"Jasmine," the small voice said from left. Erik's groan was unavoidable, "I am really getting tired of that."

I smiled, "We will have plenty of time later."

I slowly took Rebecca's hand as we both headed to the stairs. "Is that a promise?" he suddenly added as we went up the stairs. I turned towards his voice smiling, "For certain this time." And then me and Rebecca headed upstairs while I left the boys to their words.

(Erik)

I walked into the common room a little nervous. I had had two heart to heart talks with William. The first had been horrible, the second very good, so where would this one land? He was sitting on a chair his head in his hands and he slowly raised his head as I came in.

There was a lot going on his face, and I was surprised by the confusion in his eyes. He smiled though as I sat down across from him, "Déjà vu," he said to me softly.

I nodded my head in reply and I laced my fingers together nervously and sat there waiting to see who would have to make the first move. To my surprise he sat up and began our now third time conversation.

"You are confusing to me," he said confidently.

I was taken aback by the statement at first. Of all the things I expected him to open up with that was not one of them. I opened my mouth to reply but he raised his hand silencing me. "Please just let me get this out Erik."

I closed my mouth sat back and let the boy get it out. "You are confusing to me," he said again, "For many reasons. You are confusing to me in the way that my sister is confusing to me. Which if you remember I explained that to you the first time we had one of these little heart to hearts."

Oh I remembered, that had been our really bad but beneficial conversation. "You both live in a world I do not understand," William said softly, "A world where you both think you can be together."

(Jasmine)

I quietly crept back down the stairs after Rebecca had fallen asleep. I had tried to stay away, tried to let them do this privately, but my curiosity and fear got the best of me. I knew that Erik and Will had never come to full terms with each other. Even though they had begun to improve right before Will and Rebecca disappeared, they had gone in and out throughout this whole ordeal.

I listened carefully hoping this conversation would be beneficial more than detrimental.

(Erik)

I sighed, "So that is what it is then? You do not want us to be together."

William smiled sadly, "Not necessarily, I am just being realistic. This world is too harsh a place that it would never allow you two to be together, and be happy."

I snorted shifting a little upset in m seat, "No offense Will but I am a little tired of people telling me who I can and cannot love."

At first his gaze was confused, and then the dawn of realization slowly came over his face. He smiled sadly again, "Christine."

I did not answer but just sat there thinking of how Madame Giry and everyone at that Opera House including Christine herself had doomed me. "But why?" I said softly, "What is so wrong about loving your sister? We are both outcasts of a sort, and William…" I stuttered on the next line, "I have never loved anyone more."

(Erik)

The boy's eyes were so sad, " I know how much you love her Erik," he said softly, "But sometimes no matter how great the capacity, the greatest loves have been destroyed. If anything ever happened…."

"I would never allow it," I said now my voice firm and determined.

"Your not God Erik," he said a bit desperateness in his voice, "You can't be by her side at all times. Look at the fire…"

"Whose fault was that?" I said immediately.

"The attacker here?" he queried right back.

"That was a mistake I will not make again," I said sternly.

"But you can't guarantee that Erik!" he said once again, "While I have come to see how incredible and kind of a person you are, the rest of the world has not. You are still the Phantom of the Opera, and you will be hunted the rest of your life."

I looked up at him my eyes I'm sure very serious, "What if we ran?"

William shook his head, "If it ever came to that it would only be you two. Because who in their right mind would put Rebecca through that. And would you honestly take her away from her family?"

I sighed to myself thinking long and hard on what I was going to say. "William, I surely do know the dangers that come with being with me. I have known my entire life how people have treated me. A mother who abandoned me, a gypsy camp that beat me, and only one kind soul before you allowed me the opera house to live. Christine was my first love and I did not handle that well. I drove her away because of jealousy and hate that she ultimately chose the "normal" person over me. But your sister….while she is anything but normal, I have never known somebody who I have loved more. And it may be wrong and it may be dangerous, but ultimately she will be given the same thing I gave Christine….a choice."

"Hopefully not in the same manner of speaking," he interrupted smiling, "Hopefully you won't string me up on a noose saying, 'Choose me or he dies.' I stared at him surprised.

"How?" I asked softly.

"We were captured by the Vicomte you know. He was kind of there to witness it." He laughed softly.

I rolled my eyes, "It was a stupid night. If I had known I would ever meet someone like your sister, I would have let her go without a fuss."

"But you didn't," William answered softly, "Yet your result has ultimately been the same."

So I looked up and met William's eyes directly, "So what do we do?"

William sighed, "I think I have an idea but we will need to work together if we want to pull it off."

I raised my eyebrow, "I'm listening."

"Not here," William said eyeing the stairs, "Because the stairs have ears," he nearly yelled upstairs.

(Jasmine)

"Damn," I muttered. They knew me too well.

"Don't worry sis," Will's voice answered, "We just need to discuss this over for a little while, and then I promise we will talk to you about it."

I sighed almost scared about leaving those two alone but I needed to trust them eventually. "Very well," I said reluctantly getting up slowly feeling my way up the banister. And I prayed to God that they did not kill each other in the process.

(Erik)

I slowly watched her leave wondering what William had planned for this. I finally turned toward him and asked, "So what do you have in mind?"

(TBC very soon!)