Love of a Stranger

Ob1MegOb1

Author's Note: Yeah update time Thank you to all who continue to read this story and enjoy Chapter 28!

Chapter 28

Ghost of a Good Man

(Jasmine)

He was pacing madly in front of me. I could feel his frustration and anger brimming from him with every step he took. I reached out hoping to grab his hand, "Please calm down Erik. I'm not hurt…he didn't hurt me."

"I know but the fact that he got that close to you," Erik muttered, "It drives me mad. It makes me think that everything would be better off if I wasn't here."

"And you think he's here because of you?" I said softly, "When the man never even met you before meeting me. No I think this would have happened whether I met you or not."

Erik kneeled down in front of me, "But I am here, and I promised nothing would happen to you or your family again. Especially at the hands of that man." His hands were shaking slightly in mine and I gave them a gentle squeeze.

"I know you will Erik," I said softly leaning my forehead against his. "And besides…I think if Paul had wanted me dead he would have done something already. The fact that he hasn't," I paused thinking about it, "I don't even know what to think about it."

(Erik)

It was true I had been wondering the same thing. There was so much he could have done with her in those moments when he saw her this morning. But he hadn't done anything…nothing at all. And that seemed more of a concern to me then if he had. If he had I would know what his intentions were. Now I just found myself questioning everything about the man and his motives. I sighed, "Very well I will try to calm down."

She smiled softly, "I know its hard…when I realized he had been in the room I will admit I was scared too. But I know with you here I having nothing to fear. I think," she added jokingly trying to lighten the mood. "Lets just try to go on like normal for now. And if Paul decides to rear his head again…we both know what to do."

"Yes," I muttered holding her close, "I know." But as I held her in my arms, the more I became afraid. I ran my hand through her hair and looked at her…reminding myself that this is what I had to lose. And I wouldn't allow it…even if I had to break my promise to her.

(Jasmine)

He held me so close and I knew what he was thinking. It was the same thing I was thinking also. I know that Paul had come for me but Erik was something that stood in his way. And I cringed to think about what he had done to people who stood in his way. "Just remember Erik," I said softly, "you are apart of this family now. We can't bear to lose you either."

His arms around me tightened, and l loved the way I felt in his arms. Safe and loved. And I was not going let that slip away.

(Erik – 1 week later)

"One agonizing week of walking on eggshells," Erik muttered rubbing his temples

"Shouldn't we just be glad nothing has happened?" William groaned, "I mean shouldn't we? It feels like that isn't even easy anymore."

"Because its not," I said slamming my hand down irritably. "Everytime we get lulled into a sense of security something happens. Something always happens, and I don't trust that he hasn't been doing anything this whole time."

"If he has taken a week to do so," William said fearfully, "I fear for what he may be planning."

So was I, but I wasn't about to share that information yet. We both turned as little Rebecca and Ev made their way down the stairs for breakfast. I was concerned as I saw Jasmine wasn't with them. "Where's Jasmine?" I asked simply.

"She's coming," Ev said simply, "she usually takes a little longer to get ready in the morning. You know that."

"Oh I'm not that slow," Jasmine said at the top of the stairs smiling. I went up to meet her taking her hand. She squeezed it gently, "Let's eat."

"Yes I am starving," William said enthusiastically.

"Good to see the appetite is back," Jasmine said in his direction, "are you feeling well today?"

"Much better then I have in a while dear sister thank you," William said simply. We made our way into the dining room and I reached over on the table and took a drink right away. As we were beginning to get ready there was a knock on the door.

"I'll get it," William said making the walk to the front door since he was closest.

"Who could that be?" Jasmine asked simply.

"Just as long as its not Paul," I muttered sarcastically.

"No far from it," William said coming back in the room. And in followed my friend the Daroga. I could see Jasmine was listening intently, remembering this person's footsteps. "Its okay," I muttered, "its my friend Nadir."

"Erik," Nadiar said coming forward shaking my hand. "I am sorry to disturb you but I wanted to make sure everything was okay. I heard that you've had an intruder problem."

"You would hear correctly sir," Jasmine said standing up extending her hand. He came forward and took it cordially. Jasmine smiled, "It is a pleasure to finally put a voice to the man."

Nadir glanced over at me and I nodded letting him know that she knew everything now. He smiled covering her hand with his other one. "And it is a pleasure to finally the beautiful woman who has tamed friends wild heart." He said that last part quietly so that only she could hear it.

"Please sir," Evelyn said coming forward, "stay with us for breakfast."

"Yes please," Jasmine said enthusiastically, "it will be nice to have a friend of Erik's here for once."

Nadir laughed, "It seems I have no choice."

Jasmine smiled widely, and it was weird to say that this whole scene felt…normal. Even though it was under unusual circumstances he had come this had become a ver nice scene. And we talked about things, checking in on everything. Renovations were already happening at the Opera House, and that for now it seemed the Vicomte had moved on. I wondered if that had anything to do with conversation I had with Christine a while back.

But I found my mind wandering as we sat there. Suddenly my vision began to blur, and I rubbed my eyes trying to clear my vision. Jasmine grabbed my hand, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I muttered taking a drink. Suddenly I felt hot as well…almost as though I had a fever.

"Erik," she said touching my cheek gently, "you're hot darling."

"I'm fine," I said inistently taking another drink.

(Jasmine)

But he wasn't I could feel his hand beginning to shake beneath my own. He most certainly had a fever I knew that for certain. "Erik," I said once again.

"Stop!" Erik said forcefully and everybody became quiet at that. But I wasn't going to be deterred. I knew what it was like not to think straight when you had a fever. And then suddenly his hand gripped mine like a vice and I felt his whole body compulse.

"Erik!" I said as suddenly I heard the chair fall out from underneath him and he collapsed to the floor.

"Take Rebecca out!" I heard William immediately say to Ev who escorted a protesting Rebecca out of the room from the sound of it.

"Erik!" I said trying to keep the panic from my voice. His hand was still gripping mine but he didn't answer me. "What's wrong? Somebody tell me what's going on!" I nearly cried.

I heard Nadir's footsteps standing near me. There was a scrape of glass and then he said, "Its poison. Somebody poisoned the water he was drinking."

"Good God," William muttered, "he took more drinks of it when he realized he had a fever."

"Erik showed me how to treat this before in Persia," Nadir said addressing me now. "But I don't have the materials here I would need to go back into town to get them."

"Will he survive that long?" I said breathlessly.

"Erik has built up a slight defense against poisons but that will only last for so long. The poison seems to be slow moving for now so I should be able to get back in time. What you need to do is get him to a bed and start treating fever. Start bleeding him as well the poison needs to filter out of his blood. Realize though this is going to make him weak so be prepared for that." I nodded my head listening to every direction, and I knew I had William there to help me as well.

"Alright I'll head into town now," he said.

"I've got him Jas," William said lifting up Erik's body, "You get the water and rag, and I'll ask Ev for the bleeding kit."

I merely nodded my head, but I felt Nadir's gently hand on my arm, "Jasmine he is going to fight being bled. He was never one to take treatments well so be prepared for that."

"We will," I said tersely, "you need to go."

I heard his disappearing footsteps and I quickly headed to the kitchen grabbing for the bowl so I could fill it with water. I had to steady myself my whole body shaking. A week of peace…that was all he had allowed us before he struck. And know he had struck at Erik and I felt my world begin to crash down around me. I was shaking so bad from fear or anger I didn not know. But I needed to take a deep breath to calm and collect myself. He had guided me in a time of need…now it was my turn.

I turned and made my way up the stairs to his room. As I came in I heard his breathing quick and shallow and William quickly came forward taking the basin and rag. "Ev brought the bleeding kit," William said quickly.

"We need to be careful," I said softly, "Nadir said he will not react well to being bled."

"Distract him," William said tersely, "the best you can. And then I will bleed him while you do. We'll just do a little at a time."

I nodded my head my stomach going crazy at the though of draining him. Thank god I couldn't see it even though I could imagine it quite well. But I quickly got down next to him gripping his hand. I grabbed the moist towel and gently placed it on his forehead. He turned his head in my direction as I did.

"My darling," he said softly.

I tried to smile and keep his head turned towards me, "Erik," I just managed to say.

His voice was still weak, "You are sad."

I jolted up at that gripping his hand. "Not at all," I said confidently, "I'm just not used to seeing you sick is all." He gently took my hand, "I am glad he decided to poison me…not you."

"Too bad I can't return that feeling," I muttered bitterly.

"Its better this way," he muttered. "I am nobody and will always be."

I squeezed his hand hard, "Don't you dare say that. You know how I would feel if I lost you."

His eyes were searching as he asked, "How would you feel?" He give a small hiss of pain…Will must have started bleeding him. I quickly grabbed his hand and turned his head away from that direction.

"It would be as if there was no light in my life again," I said softly. "Like nothing would shine brightly, everything would remain in dull gray colors." I gently played with his fingers, "Like nobody could ever hold my hand again and make me feel safe. And sing a song that would bring me comfort and piece. It would be this piece missing from my life…a piece I can never regain back."

His hand squeezed mine gently, "I'm sorry," he muttered. Then his whole body convulsed again and I held him. Trying to help him as the pain sent his whole body rigid.

"Hurry Nadir," I muttered. He was beginning to burn up again, and I wasn't sure what would get him first…the fever or the poison. Either way I prayed Nadir would return before it got any worse.

(An hour later)

"He's beginning to get the chills," I told William as I applied another rag to Erik's forehead. "How does he look William?" I asked trying to keep my voice calm. There was only silence as I asked and I was suddenly reminded of that night all that time ago when William had stared horrified after shooting Erik. "William!" I said a little more forcefully.

"He's pale Jas," he muttered softly, "he looks weak also."

"We should stop bleeding him," I said simply. We had bled him twice at the half hour, and I was thinking it wasn't helping. All we were doing was taking bad blood out but nothing in return. That was why he was weak.

"I agree," William muttered, "but we need more then that."

Erik gripped my hand tighter, and I turned to see if he was going to say something. He did this everytime me and William talked about him. It was also like he was comforting both of us. "Can we try to give him some water Will?" I asked.

"Yes," he answered his footsteps heading over and then he paused, "But how do we know its not-?"

"It won't be or else we all would have been sick also," I said softly. He must have agreed with me because his footsteps headed down the hallway to the kitchen.

I sighed trying to keep my composure. But my nerves were fried, I was exhausted, and my heart was sinking. Here I was waiting for a miracle again…the very thing I hated to do.

"So tired," Erik muttered softly. His delirium had been very calm, but I knew that could change in an instant.

"I thought you were sleeping," I said softly.

He attempted to chuckle, "Yes just like you had slept so well…" he tapered off there but I rolled my eyes knowing what he was going to say.

"Nice to see the delirium hasn't affected your wit," I muttered laughing softly.

"Did Christine leave?" he asked catching me off guard.

I turned to him reminding myself it was the fever talking, "She left a long time ago Erik."

"Good," he muttered, "I hurt Jasmine letting her come here. I shouldn't have-I don't-" I leaned forward kissing his hand gently.

"Rest easy darling," I said smiling, "you don't need to defend yourself twice. I know everything," I muttered. "There's nothing you could say now that would make me leave. I can't leave—" I muttered guiding his hand gently to my stomach, "I won't leave because now we share something more important then either of us."

(William)

I resisted every urge to drop the cup I was holding in my hand at that instant. I closed my eyes catching my breath so I wouldn't have another attack. I had known this was coming…ever since the first night Jasmine and Erik had been together. I knew this wasn't too far away. She was with child and hadn't told anybody though…so she probably had only just found out. Another hitch….another factor they had to add in. They just couldn't catch a break.

I felt her hand on my arm and I turned to see her there at the doorway trying to turn in my direction. "I'm sorry," she muttered, "I wanted to tell you earlier but-I wasn't sure."

I reached forward wrapping my arms around her and holding her close, "My dear sister…you two will be the death of me you know that right?" I laughed softly.

She did too but as I looked upon her again she had tears in her eyes. "Jasmine," I said softly wiping them away.

"What if he dies Will?" she said desperately, "I don't know-I can't do this alone."

"You won't be alone," I said supportingly, "I will be here. This disease will not keep me from seeing my nephew. It seems the more factors we put in the more I have to live for so this is a good thing." She continued to look hopeless a look I was not used to on her. "He's going to be fine," I said softly, "that man would do anything to be with you. And I promise he's not about to give up yet."

We both turned though as we heard the front doors open and slam closed. "I'll go get him," William said excitedly, "go calm Erik down."

(Jasmine)

I nodded my head practically running back to the room. "Erik," I said grabbing his hand excitedly, "he's here its going to be okay." He gave my hand a small squeeze and I waited for his approaching footsteps. Suddenly Erik's hand lost its grip, before finally going slack and falling from my hand.

I turned towards the bed my heart racing, "Erik," I said feeling for his wrist again. His pulse was slowing. "No," I muttered. Now his heartbeat was getting incredibly slow. "Erik!" I cried, "no please no!" He was slipping away as I heard the hurried footsteps finally enter the room.

"Stand back Jasmine," William said grabbing my shoulders and pulling me back.

"What is he doing?" I said breathlessly.

"I am injecting the antidote now," Nadir answered himself. "There," he finally said, "now all we can do is wait." I made my way over again sitting down on the bed. Waiting…the thing I hated most to do.

(Erik)

It was a world filled with darkness and confusion. "Erik!" I heard Jasmine call behind me. I turned around but she wasn't there. Every now and then a few dashes of light appeared but would disappear again. "Erik!" she called again. And once again she didn't appear to me.

Suddenly a bright light appeared behind me and I turned toward it. Its light was so warm and comforting that I instinctively found myself walking towards it. A light so bright had to be her…had to be where she was at.

But suddenly a small hand grabbed mine holding me back. I turned behind me and I found myself staring at...a child. My breath caught at how much the child looked like me, but no scarring a perfect beautiful face. "You are here to tempt me," I muttered softly.

"No Erik," the child said, "I am here to show you what you are going to lose if you choose that way." At first I was ready to walk away and ignore this forgotten demon but then I saw that something that made me stop in my tracks. This child's eyes were not my eyes. These eyes…I laughed to myself as I realized whose eyes they were. They were those damn eyes…

I stopped laughing as I realized, "Does that mean?"

The child smiled smugly, "You have to follow me to find out."

I laughed, "You are most certainly your's mother child." I rolled my eyes realizing I was talking to a delirium hallucination. At least it was a good one.

"Alright," I said, "I shall follow you child." I took his hand and then…I woke up.

(Real World)

My world was hazy and blurry, and my whole body felt as heavy as lead. I'm sure I looked as wonderful as I felt I thought smugly to myself. That damn bastard poisoned me and I didn't even notice until it was too late. But I soon forgot about that as I realized her hand was on mine.

I turned my head and there she was curled up on the bed next to me. I could see Will lounging on the sofa in the room with Rebecca curled up on his lap. Both of them were sound asleep as well.

I barely had enough energy to turn on my side and face her. I smiled to see her so peaceful…and yet there were dark circles under her eyes, and her face was tearstained also. I had made her upset again…or Paul had. Either way…I gently touched her cheek in a comforting manner. "I'm sorry," I muttered. And then an image of a child suddenly popped its way into my head and I found my hand traveling and landing on her stomach. Could she really be?

Suddenly her hands were on mine and her eyes had jolted awake. Her voice shook, "Erik?" she said her voice cracking.

"Yes," I said hoarsely and before I could say anything she launched herself on me wrapping her arms around me.

"Thank God," she muttered beginning to cry, "I thought-"

I held her close and tight, "Its okay…I'm here." I was already feeling exhausted though from these exertions alone. My arm was sore, and I realized they had probably bled me, and that could be why I felt so weak. But there was only one thing on my mind.

"Jasmine," I said softly and she separated from me her eyes turned in my direction. And it was then I remembered the child's eyes in my delirium, and how they looked exactly like hers except for the fact that they were seeing eyes. "Jasmine," I said again, "are you with child?"

It took a moment but a small smile finally crept onto her face. She took my hand and guided it to her stomach once more. "Yes," she said softly.

I shook my head disbelievingly, "Why didn't you say anything?"

She smiled softly, "I had just figured it out the morning you got poisoned. That's why I took so long to come down."

I shook my head, "My darling…what have we gotten ourselves into?"

She smiled, "Something wonderful. I hope it is something wonderful."

I leaned forward gently kissing her on the lips, "I hope so my dear. I hope so. But know this…I am not going anywhere. And I will never stop loving you no matter what." And then I kissed her once more holding her close. I tried to take deep breaths as I fully took in what I had just found out. I was going to be a father…and that scared the hell out of me. For more reasons then one. But I knew with her by my side we would be able to do anything. And I am not going to let anything change that.

TBC

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