Requiem: Mass for the Dead
Nadir's Indignation

Nadir was finally releasing his fury in small, fierce bursts of energy, stomping his way around the Opera Garnier to the Rue Scribe as if he were trying to crack every single cobblestone on the street. He was not what he would call a violent man, but when you are the conscience of a man capable of practically anything, the line must be clearly drawn! He had finally been content in the knowledge that Erik would never kill again except in the most dire need; why would he bother and bring down his friend's wrath? He had everything he wanted now, the man was finally happy- praise Allah!- and what does he do?

Carlotta! Hah! Did he really think employing such a clumsy approach would be sufficient to disguise his motives from the one man who knew him best? Nadir snorted in disgust, both with his charge and with himself for being so easily convinced of Erik's self-control in such matters. Carlotta hated Christine, and Christine had always been Erik's breaking point.

Reaching the enormous stone door to the underground house, Nadir prepared to hit the trip that would send Erik's alarm bells ringing; but the door opened before he could move. Erik stood inside the doorway; in his shirtsleeves, his collar undone and the ends of his cravat hanging down his front; he looked decidedly dishevled. One of his impossibly long, slim hands held the doorframe, his tall, whisper thin figure blocking Nadir's view of the house beyond.

The daroga raised a quizzical eyebrow, What is going on?

Erik rarely looked so flustered. His thick black hair- usually meticulously combed backward from his brow- was slipping over his forehead unrulingly, and he ran a hand through the errant locks, sighing heavily.

"I wondered when you would arrive," his disturbingly melodious voice was exasperated as he moved to let Nadir passed him into the house.

Christine was relaxing on the sofa with a glass of wine in her petit, gloved hand, her hair falling in haphazard ringlets from its gilded silver combs and her costume looking rather hastily donned.

"I know exactly why you're here, Nadir, but I didn't kill her." Erik said frankly from his post by the door, leaning against the wall with an irritated insolence.

Nadir turned back to him, his expression darkening, "You will forgive me if I don't believe you." He quipped cooly, bright green eyes flashing.

Erik sighed, pushing his hair back again in a helpless gesture.

"You honestly expect me to believe it was anyone else?" Nadir exploded, "I tried to defend you from the inspector moron they sent but I am not blind! I can't say I blame you for hating her, but you promised not to kill anymore! Not only me, you promised Christine!" the Persian's face wasn't just angry, but pleading.

"Nadir," Christine broke in quietly, standing from her vigil on the couch. "Erik didn't kill her," she rested gentle fingerson his arm, "we were here last night. Besides, he has told me he didn't and I believe him."

"Christine, I'm sorry your husband broke his promise, but who else- "

"Nadir! You know me better than that!" Erik interjected, looking genuinely offended at the charges against his honour. "I do not kill without reason and I do not break my word. Carlotta may infuriate me but I didn't end her life." He pleaded with his mismatched eyes, "I did not leave this house last night."

Nadir shook his head, reluctantly, but resolutely.

"Fine, believe what you please. I know I am innocent." Erik left the room, throwing up his hands in frustration, his footsteps heavier than usual.

Christine looked after him sadly, "I promise you Nadir, he didn't."

"Who did?" he crossed the room to stare into the fire, "Formerly I would
believed him if he said he wasn't responsible. His word should be enough for me;
he's never broken it so far as I know. But there is no other answer!"

"There must be, because my husband did not leave this house." She turned
away crossing her arms.

Living with Erik was good for her, Nadir thought absently as he came up behind her, "Alright Christine. I will do all in my power to find the real culprit."

She faced him again, smiling softly,"Thank-you."

A/N: Blah, this chap is somewhat bad…the next one is much better, more
fun, it involves wine, lots of winnneeeee! Ahem. Sorry about the shortness, I was
at singing lessons and I didn't have a whole lot of time to type this.