The Love of a Stranger

Ob1MegOb1

Chapter 20

(Jasmine)

I hated waiting forever and always. And I loved how despite how far we had come as a group the boys still felt the need to hide things. I lay back on the bed sighing to myself. I could act irritated all I wanted though deep down I was happy everyone was okay. I smiled to think of feeling his hands in mine again, and how my whole body had coursed with relief at his touch.

But I couldn't relax for long though. The Vicomte was still out there and probably even more furious now that Erik had escaped his grasp once again. I turned my head though at the sound of a small knock at the door. "Come in," I said simply. Rebecca's timid footsteps made their way over to the bed and her small form crawled into my arms.

"Where are Will and Erik?" she asked softly. I smiled to hear her voice so strong and confident.

"They went to talk. They should be back soon," I said calmly.

"They went to talk without you?" Rebecca asked a confused tone in her voice. Jasmine's grip tightened on her small hands.

"Yeah but that's okay," Jasmine said softly, "At least they're getting along right?"

Rebecca's head nodded softly. "Jasmine?" she said once again.

I closed my eyes suddenly very heavy but I still listened to her, "Yes?"

"Do you love Erik?" her voice said sounding very innocent but sincere as well. As I thought back on these past few weeks of ups and downs I couldn't help but smile at my answer.

"Yes I do," I said back.

I could feel her body relax beneath my arms, "Good," she muttered, "I would like it if Erik were my brother." My heart skipped a beat at that. She was thinking that far ahead? I wasn't even thinking that far.

"Rebecca," I said nervously, "I don't even know…"

"Its okay Jasmine," she said even more softly, "I was just thinking."

Slowly her body relaxed and her breath turned to the soft gentle sighs of sleep. I held her closer so that I could feel her little heartbeat against my chest. How nice it must be to think of the future without any worries at all. As I slowly began to drift off to sleep I wished I could do that as well.

(Erik)

As we slowly made our way upstairs William grabbed my arm. I turned back to him his face extremely serious. "Remember we will give it at least a week. Who knows," he said his eyes almost hopeful, "Maybe he will give up on you finally." As much as I wanted to believe that though I knew better. I had always been hunted all my life and that had never stopped. But maybe the boy's plan could work…just maybe…

We softly opened the door to Jasmine's room to find her and Rebecca curled up on the bed. I smiled at the sight of seeing them so peaceful. William smiled walking over to them, "I'll take Rebecca," he said softly, "that way I can give you two some privacy."

"You don't have to…" I said quickly but William shook his head.

"Don't worry about it," Will said, "I think you two deserve some time together."

He gently cradled Rebecca in his arms as Jasmine's arm subconsciously reached out for her. I gently took her hand in mine and her whole body seemed to relax. I removed my shoes and carefully curled up on the bed with her. I put my arm protectively around her leaning my forehead gently into her neck. Her hair was still moist from the rain and was cold against my burning skin.

I smiled to myself as I slowly began to fall asleep.

(Erik)

The sun slowly peeked in through the windows gently waking me to the new morning. Somehow I had been freed from the nightmares as I realized that Jasmine and I had not moved all night. I gently brushed her hand with my thumb her smooth skin comforting on my callused hands.

She gently stirred beneath my touch as she slowly turned on her other side. She smiled softly without opening her eyes. "Rebecca is with William?" she asked softly. I gently kissed her forehead as her eyes slowly opened.

"Yes," I answered softly.

"Good," she muttered.

"You can keep sleeping," I said softly, "It is still early."

"It's okay," she muttered, "I don't mind lying here with you. Its peaceful."

I smiled to myself, "That is certainly a first."

(Jasmine)

I wanted more than anything to ask him about his conversation with William last night. But I knew now was not the time. Besides it was so peaceful lying with him here, I wished to never leave it. But how long could this peace really go on before being disturbed?

"What's wrong?" Erik said obviously feeling the sudden tension in my body.

I shook my head, "Not now…I just want to not think about any of that right now."

He nodded his head as he gently cradled me against his chest. His heartbeat was so strong and comforting. "You and Will okay though?" I couldn't help but ask.

"We've come to terms yes," he said simply, "for now. I get the feeling our friendship will always be up in the air."

"But the fact that you are using the word friendship is comforting," I said smiling.

He softly ran his fingers through my hair as we continued to lie there comfortably. "Yes I guess so," he answered softly. We slowly fell into a dozing state before falling asleep again.

(Erik)

I noticed that she had become tense in my arms after a few hours of sleep. I looked at her and could see her eyes were closed in a sleep state. But her eyes were fluttering beneath her eyelids. She was dreaming about something. I had noticed her tenseness when we had awoken and I knew she was nervous about something, and I didn't need to think very hard about what.

Her hands though started to grip my shirt and she was softly muttering to herself. I could tell this wasn't a good sort of dream. "Darling," I said gently trying to awaken her. This time though she let out a small cry and turned away from me. She was beginning to toss and turn.

"Jasmine," I said again this time a little louder in an attempt to wake her. But she continued to flinch away from me, her talking in her sleep beginning to become more prominent. "No," she muttered, "please stop…"

I grabbed her shoulder but she merely slapped my hand away. Even in her sleep she was stubborn. "Jasmine darling please," I said again but she was getting more violent. And then suddenly as if she had been struck by some great force she vaulted up her eyes opening wide and then I realized that there were tears coming down her cheeks.

She let out a great cry and she put her hands to her ears as if she were trying to block something out.

"Jasmine," I said gently grabbing her wrists but she struggled with me. But finally I pulled her in cradling her in my arms. Her hands gripped my shirt as if her life depended on it and then I realized she had begun to sob in my arms. I held her tighter as she continued to sob.

"Please," she pleaded, "I can't get their voices out of my head. I can't…" and she tapered off, "Please get them out of my head." As I continued to hold her shaking body in my arms I gently began to hum softly to her. Something that came to me more quickly then I could believe. She began to relax in my arms and she wrapped her arms around my waist as I held her closer.

As she did it was the first time I noticed that William had been standing at the doorway. With one look I told him it was okay, that she was okay. He only nodded his head and slowly made his way out of the room. I gently rubbed her back as I tried to get her to calm down. Her breathing began to slow and I could feel her heart beat begin to slow as well.

"I'm sorry," she muttered.

"There's nothing to be sorry about," I muttered, "we cannot control our dreams…no matter hard we may try."

She sighed leaning back from me but still keeping her eyes downcast, "I was dreaming about the day my father died."

My breath caught at that. We hadn't discussed her father for a while now. Not since Madame Giry had come to tell me to stay away from Jasmine and her family. Look how far that had gotten me I thought to myself.

"Its so hard," she muttered, "Because all I see is darkness, and yet the sounds still echo so clearly in my mind. As if it only happened a few days ago…"

I rubbed her shoulder softly, letting her talk. This had been a conversation in the making for so long, maybe it was time…

She sighed, "I could hear everything so clearly, my father and brother trying to fight them off, my sister sobbing in my arms. The only thing I don't remember hearing at all that day was…" she stopped trying to still catch her breath, "was my mother."

It was then I saw something in her eyes I had never seen when she mentioned her mother before. It was almost on the verge of…anger. "She didn't do anything," Jasmine continued, "she didn't say anything. She didn't scream like the rest of us as our father died I realize now. I had always thought the screams I heard were Rebecca and mother. But that dream…no…that memory made me realize my mother wasn't the one screaming with Rebecca….it was me."

There was a great gap of silence as she said this and I wanted to put my arms around her, comfort her, at this realization. But I could tell by her body language that she wasn't done yet. Her fists slowly began to clench as she began to speak again, "She never said a word. Not even after the gedarmes were gone. She got up and walked to the door. I remember hearing her footsteps pause at the door though…maybe she looked at her children one more time…maybe she didn't care I will never know… but that was the last time I…." and she stopped there two small tears running down her cheeks as she did.

I gently put my hand up wiping them away, "We often do foolish things when we are stricken with grief. Stupid…foolish…things," I said knowing what I said all too well.

"But how can you just abandon your children like that?" she said her voice shaking with sadness or anger I couldn't tell, "We worried about her, cried for her, all these things she didn't deserve."

"You don't mean that," I said softly.

"But I do," she said more forcefully, "She just left us without so much a word! Left us there frightened, scared….did she honestly think that she was the only one upset over father's death! Did she think she was the only one who wanted to die that day just to make the pain go away?"

My heart froze at that. Never had she admitted so strongly of thoughts of death. She had always been so strong even in the hardest situations for her brother and sister. I gently put my hands on her cheeks putting her face up to face mine. "But we know that isn't true," I said softly, "that you would never abandon William or Rebecca like that. And although it is sad to think about…we both know you possess your father's strength….and that's what keeps you from abandoning your brother and sister like your mother did."

She leaned her forehead against my shoulder her body shaking and I gently held her close, "And the reason you shed tears about her instead of words of anger are because you don't hate her." She let in a sharp intake of breath at that but I gently rested a kiss on her forehead. "You love her, just as you love them," I said softly, "And even though the pain of that day is the one so prominent in your head, you still have all those days before it. The good memories with your mother…and your father."

And that she wrapped her arms around my waist and buried her face even further in my shoulder as she continued to cry. I held her close and surprisingly great relief coursed through me. We had just jumped a huge hurdle together. But I couldn't help but think that as soon as we came to my past, my hurdle may still be too high.

I gently lifted her face to meet mine again and I smiled wishing she could see it, "Are you okay?"

She nodded, "Surprisingly yes." She gently reached her hand up and placed it upon my cheek, "Thank you…"

(Jasmine)

We both jolted at the sound of a small knock at the door. I quickly wiped the tears in my eyes away and took a deep breath. "Come in," I said my voice still wavering a little bit. The door creaked open slowly and for some reason Erik squeezed my hand comfortingly. I waited patiently for somebody to say something.

"We thought we would bring breakfast to you," Rebecca's small voice said. I smiled softly the smell of food finally wafting over to me.

"Put it on the table over there," William's voice said by Rebecca.

"Oh yes," Rebecca said her little feet shuffling towards the back of the room where I knew there was a small surface they could put the food down. "But where are we going to eat?" Rebecca asked, "There isn't enough room."

"Oh well that's what the bed is for," I said smiling and patting beside me on the bed.

"Really?" Rebecca said excitedly.

I nodded my head enthusiastically, "Get your food first and then you can come over and sit on the bed." I smiled at hearing her excited footsteps head back to the back of the room. William put his hand on my shoulder and I gently squeezed it back letting him know I was okay as well as thank you.

"I'll get your breakfast," Erik said leaving the bed. I nodded not fighting him on how I was perfectly capable of getting my own food. But I figured I would indulge him just this once.

(Erik)

Breakfast went by so peacefully it was hard to believe what had happened the past few days. Jasmine was so happy with her family and I just thought I was lucky to be apart of it. I did notice however that William was very quiet this morning. I wondered if it had anything to do with our plans, or even this morning. But physically he looked haggard today as well. He was pale and looked exhausted.

But as I thought about it, we all were exhausted and not necessarily at top form. "You're not eating Erik," Rebecca said across from me her eyes wide and concerned.

I immediately shoved some food in my mouth so I could get their eyes off me. Jasmine giggled beside me and I couldn't help but laugh at how stupid I looked as well. Soon enough though we finished our impromptu breakfast and were clearing things away.

"You do this often?" I said to Jasmine curiously.

"Do what?" she said coyly.

"Have impromptu meals on the bed," I said playfully.

She shook her head, "Just breakfast," she said simply trying to look serious. But then a small smile just began to break as she tried to hold back her laughter. We both started though as a hacking cough broke the happiness. Dishes clattered back on the table as William covered his mouth to continuous coughs.

"William?" Jasmine said getting up nervously.

"I'm fine," he answered too quickly his voice raspy, "Just choked on a little bit of food. Some water and I should be…" but he was interrupted by another deep cough. He quickly poured himself some water and downed it. I could see he was breathing deeply as if he was having trouble doing so. I was concentrating on him so much I didn't even notice Jasmine make her way over.

"William?" she said eyebrow raised, "You're not sick are you?"

He shook his head, "No if I am its probably just from being out in the rain last night, I'm fine."

Jasmine smiled softly, "Okay." But it wasn't okay I could see it all over her face. And to be honest I wasn't convinced either. That was a deep cough, and not one from a simple cold at that.

(Jasmine)

His hands were warm, and as I touched his cheek I could feel that he could possibly have a slight fever. From my experience of working in places I would rather not speak about, I knew that cough was bad. But he yanked his hands away and I could hear him rustling with the dishes again. "Will, you don't have to…" I said softly.

"No, its okay," he said smiling, "I've got it."

My heart fell as he hurried out of the room. Something was wrong and once again he wasn't telling me. I just kind of stood there trying to figure out what to do next. I turned around in the direction I assumed where Erik was and asked, "You don't know what's up with him do you?"

I heard Erik approach me, "No I don't. I am as confused as you are, he didn't have that cough last night though."

"That's not true," a soft voice said beside us that I recognized immediately as Rebecca. "He did have that cough last night when he took me to bed. He even slept in a separate room because he kept coughing."

My heart froze at her words. How bad was this and how much had my brother been keeping from me? Erik grabbed my hand giving it a small comforting squeeze as he stepped in front of me judging by the sound his footsteps. "Rebecca," he said softly sounding like he was kneeling in front of her, "I know this seems scary but how long has he had that cough?"

Rebecca was silent for a few moments before she said, "I noticed ever since we were taken to the de Chagney residence he's had it."

I suddenly felt really weak when I heard her say this. It had been nearly a month and a half since then. My mind already beginning to jump to the worst conclusions. Somehow Erik was at my side again squeezing my hand gently. "Let me talk to him," Erik said softly, "For all we know this could be a slight cold."

"But he's my brother and I want to know what's going on too," I said, "Maybe we should both talk to him."

I heard him sigh softly, "I have been around a lot of sick people, and I know how to treat them. We don't want to come on him too strong or he will run like always. And besides," he said gently touching my cheek, "You are jumping to the worst conclusions, I can see it all over your face. And that's what we need to not happen right now."

(Erik)

I could see her internally struggling with what I was saying. I knew if she came she would go all motherly on him and that meant freaking out at the fact something was wrong. I liked to think that me and William had come far enough that I could talk to him in confidence. But what if he asked me to not tell her? It would be just another secret to keep. Even though in reality it really was not since she suspected something was wrong anyway.

"Okay," she said softly. I could see the reluctance spreading on her face but she knew as well as I that there was no other way.

I slowly walked away from her and headed down stairs towards the kitchen. I could hear him still coughing from the hallway. I slowly peeked in and I could see him doubled over the sink his hand to his mouth. I slowly walked up behind him and presented him with handkerchief. He jolted in surprise at the sight of it and even more once he realized I was the one holding it.

My eyes were not so much on his reaction though as the flecks of crimson that were on his hands. "You're going to have to be more discreet from now on," I said handing him the cloth, "This will help to hide it better."

He took it from me reluctantly his eyes downcast and ashamed, "Nothing can hide it now…especially since you're here and can see it now. This means Jasmine must be wondering also."

I only nodded my head in agreement my heart extremely heavy as he confirmed our greatest fears. "How long have you…" I said my voice losing itself along the way.

"For a while now," he said simply, "the nice thing about this disease is that it kills you slowly, and allows you to get your affairs in order as well."

"Are you that short on time?" I muttered softly.

"Who knows with this disease. I could be dead tomorrow or a month from now who knows. But I will admit it is getting worse. I used to only be bad during the night, which was convenient for me to hide it. But now its beginning to rear its head during the day, and I figured you had begun to notice."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise, "Surprisingly we just noticed today with what happened upstairs."

He sighed deeply his voice shaking, "Now you understand what I said last night? That I want you and Jasmine to work believe me. Because once I am gone, they will need somebody to help them."

And then it struck me with the other words he had said last night, "The plan…is that why you decided?"

"Listen Erik," William said a little more forcefully, "I decided on the plan because it is the best plan. Yes this disease did factor into it but it works in favor of our plan."

His eyes were determined, but I knew deep down he was scared. Who isn't scared of death anyway? And while he seemed satisfied that this disease would kill him slowly allowing him time with his family, I knew there was a lot more pain to come. The blood, the coughing, the fever, everything was about to get worse.

"Are you going to tell Jasmine?" he asked softly.

I paused for a minute thinking about the worried look on her face as I had left her. "It's not my place to tell her," I said finally, "This is your problem, and she is your sister. I think it is only right that if she is going to find out from anybody, she find out from you." He faced me his eyes scared as they gazed into mine.

"But telling her will make it…" his voice tapered off at the final word.

"Real?" I said saying the word he was afraid to say. "Yes when we finally say the words out loud to people we care about, it does make it real and it hurts." I thought back on that night with Christine down in my lair. Oh the truth had never hurt more. "But then we think about how the people we love deserve to know the truth. They deserve to understand why you are sad, or afraid about the future." I almost laughed at my next comment, "And the unfortunate thing about a blind person," I said simply, "She will always hear in your voice when you are feeling these things. So doesn't she deserve to know why you are feeling that way?"

He was shaking now and I could see he was trying very hard to hold back his tears. I put my hand on his and gently squeezed it, "I know you can tell her, and if you need any help whatsoever I will always be there to help you until the end."

He looked up at me with grateful eyes, and he gently let out a deep sigh. "Can you give me a moment to collect myself?"

I nodded my head in agreement. "I'll go upstairs and send her down. Will that be enough time?"

He nodded his head, "Yes it should be."

I gently grabbed his shoulder in support, "If you need anything, either of you, I will be upstairs."

William smiled up at me gratefully, "Thank you Erik." As I turned away from him I no longer saw the boy I had first met. Now there was a person who was unafraid of his responsibilites and ready to face them like a man.

TBC

A lot of cheesy in this chapter but still…

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