24 Down Once More/Track Down This Murderer
Erik's hold on Christine was nearly bruising, his anger beyond words or rational thinking. Every thought he had was interrupted by another one, his brain confused and jumbled about everything that had happened in such a quick amount of time. He had been set up by someone he trusted beyond words, and for what? So that he wouldn't go after Christine? Was Ivy really jealous? That way she had danced and sung and touched him made him think for that brief period of time that she cared for him, and in and instance it had been fleeting. Finally he found only one question burning against his tongue. "Why?!" His voice ragged and dry. "Did she tell you to do this to me?!"
At once, despite the pain in her arms Christine was shaking her head. "No Ivy had nothing to do with what I did. Get off of me!" she wrenched her arm free but didn't dare run. They had got off the boat, stepping foot onto dry land once more when he moved to block her. "If Ivy had nothing to do with baring my ugliness, this ugly repulsive face to the world then you tell me why Christine. Tell me why before I make you tell me why." his voice was just daring her to disobey him so that he had a reason to do something foolish.
"I didn't expect to be jealous." Christine cried out, tears streaking down her face. "Ivy came to me with the plan and I never expected... hearing.. her and then you. I wanted you to remember me. It was like something took over.. the way your voice hits me I.. all my thoughts were gone. I could not even see the heart break in Raoul's eyes. Nothing mattered in that moment except getting to you." The words had silenced the Phantom, drawing closer to her. He reached out for her again, but she drew back. "That is it.. you truly love me Christine..." he spoke softly. Very slowly Christine began to shake her head. "It is not love Erik.. it is lust.. and obsession... just as you are for me.. I care about you.. but not.. not like that.."
Erik stepped back, feeling like his heart was breaking in his chest. He was suffocating with all of the air around him to breathe if he just took a gulp. He felt a hand at his shoulder and looked up to see Christine by him, her face soft and full of pity. It should have angered him, but it did not. "Erik... Ivy did not do those things .. up there because she wanted to save you from being .. killed or to even save me and keep me away from you. She did it to make you see... I don't understand why you cannot. Erik.. how do you feel about her.." Christine knew deep down in her heart that Erik had his feelings for one woman all tied up in the other, or at least she hoped.
"She... has been the only friend I've ever had. Since that moment that Madame Giry put us together, she has been by my side and I could not picture ever leaving her side but I don't understand what that has to do with..." Erik's words were cut off. "All of those things she's done... for you. So selflessly forgetting herself when there's danger. You sang to her and touched her as if you wanted her Erik.." and Christine's soft voice faded, her head down as if she were ashamed.
Erik stood there, wanting to desperately scream and flee and somehow get all of these thoughts out of his head. It was getting too much for him to bare. Hearing Christine say that she didn't love him had caused a brief flooding moment of pain, but as she had spoke of Ivy a warmth came back to him. He thought back to all of those things, those moments that even when he had seemed to drive Ivy to the point of breaking she was still there. It was she that had held him, unafraid of the monster underneath the mask. She who wiped his tears and listened to him rant and rave about a woman he longed for. But was it Christine he really longed for? Pictures of Ivy flooded his brain, remembering that way her gaze had burned into his soul. A woman did not look at you like that unless it meant something.
--
Everything around her seemed to be burning before her eyes and Ivy finally pulled herself out of the stupor long enough to get off of the makeshift staircase. Her shoes quickly abandoned, she fought against the crowd to get to the other trap door leading to the catacombs below. Ivy pushed, being squished together by people she knew, some trying to stop her and drag her back the other way but she ignored them. Just before she hit the trap, two strong hands hit her. "Ivy..." Raoul's voice was loud and desperate, trying to be heard above the noise. Ivy said nothing and only grabbed his hand and lead him towards and inside the trap door.
"Come with me.. I know where he's taken her.." Ivy whispered once the noise had died down enough for her to hear herself. They made their way along the maze of dark and cold passages until they got to the sewer. But this time there was no boat. Erik had obviously taken it, which at least meant that they were on the right path. Immediately Raoul had jumped in and started ahead when he stopped and turned back towards her. "I am going to get her back Ivy no matter what it takes..." which seemed to make up her mind for her. She jumped into the water and found it freezing.
As the two started to swim, Ivy's dress got heavier and she was falling behind. Unzipping it she shimmied out of it, letting it float down to the bottom. The water was almost freezing cold but she tried not to let that stop her. Finally they approached the gate, finding it closed and the two heard noises coming from the other side, and then things had gone quiet. Too quiet. Ivy saw the mechanism to raise the gate from this side and dove under the water, to avoid being seen by Erik. She had to be quiet and swift if they were to sneak up on the two.
Ivy got up on the side and pulled the chain as hard as she could, the raising of the gates startling both Erik and Christine who immediately turned to look at whoever might be entering. It was Raoul, still swimming earnestly now that he was through. "Well well.. look at what we have here.. your little boy." Erik sneered, stalking into the water after Raoul. He had been so set to let Christine go perhaps, up to the surface and take his leave and never see either of them again. But seeing that snivelling little coward who had thwarted him time and time again kicked his anger into overdrive once more.
"You let her go, you perverse foul creature." Raoul growled and launched himself at Erik who was knocked back into the water with a splash. At once Raoul was on him, pushing Erik under the water, meaning to hold him there and drown him. No one had seen Ivy slip through the gate and then lower it, except perhaps Christine who was obviously more concerned about the two men fighting in the water. Erik had surged up through the water and grabbed Raoul by the throat, having him thrashing about a bit. It was then that Erik saw Ivy in only her bodice and slip and barely much more. His eyes went wide slightly giving Raoul enough leverage to break free.
Raoul backed away, coughing and trying to catch his breath. Christine was in a second down into the water and coming to his side. Erik let the boy go, since the gate was once more down and neither one of them could leave without either he or Ivy pulling the chain. She was shivering and watching him, her expression cold and full of hurt. "Why did you bring him here?" His voice full of venom in her ear. "Because he loves Christine" Ivy spat back fiercely. "He would do anything.. risk his life and everything else to come to her rescue. He doesn't care about himself.. and that is what love is.."
Erik knew the words were familiar, realizing that it was something Christine had said earlier. Ivy had done all of those things, for him. "They are not leaving." he growled, his teeth bared as he turned and pushed Raoul up against the gate, taking a rope and wrapping it around his neck, crushing him again. Raoul let out a strangled gasp and fought against Erik, clawing at him slowly. But Erik's eyes were fixed on Christine as he pulled the rope a little tighter. "We are going to finish this.. You betrayed me Christine, and now it's time that you and your lover will pay."
"If you kill him, there will be no going back Erik. You can leave here, completely and fully loved. Let me go, Erik.. realize that it's not me that you want. Even if you don't love her in return, let yourself be loved for once." Christine spoke fiercely, her words coming out in broken sobs. She needed to do something, anything to get Erik to loosen the rope. Erik was staring at her, shaking his head. "You will not trick me that easily.." And slowly Ivy saw Christine give her the slightest of nods. The sign would have meaned nothing to anyone else, but Ivy recognized it immediately.
The two during their little staged rehearsal made sure that if something was to go wrong, the other would give a signal and they would know. And now Christine was giving it to Ivy but why? Ivy gaped slightly, unable to figure it out. Raoul was about to die, and Erik would be sent to death, especially when the echoes of men and women were getting closer. They were angry, and wanted blood. Somehow, they had found a way in. Christine moved towards Erik slowly and cupped his cheek with both hands.
The rope in Erik's hands went slightly slack as Christine's mouth moved closer to his. His lips were dry, his breath shallow. He closed his eyes in anticipation when suddenly everything changed. Christine turned him by his arms so that he was facing Ivy and suddenly Ivy realized what she was supposed to do. At that moment, it wasn't because Raoul was dying and they needed to save him. It wasn't because Christine had asked her to. In fact she hadn't. It seemed to be just the little push Ivy needed, almost as if permission. Ivy's arms were around his neck and pressed her cold, trembling body up against his and seized his lips with her own.
She did not stop, opening her mouth even when his remained closed. The shock was evident throughout his body, the rope going slack and Raoul falling into the water. Ivy was determined and eager, trying to coax his mouth open even just a little bit. She moaned against his lips her tongue grazing his bottom lip and finally felt him respond. Finally his arms were around her slender waist, and pulling her even closer. One hand was in her nest of hair, the other at the small of her back as he kissed her. His lips opened, experiencing his first kiss as her tongue slid inside his mouth. He shuddered, returning the kiss harshly. Soon his mouth was moist and yet rough, invading every space of her.
Ivy breathed him in, her body feeling no longer cold but flushed with warmth. He was almost stroking her bare back, only seperated by the tiny fabric of her corset, his fingers kneading her scalp. And his tongue, his tongue was a thing of wonder, exploring and taking her mouth fully. The world had stopped, everything had stopped as they kissed, and finally Erik knew he must pull back before he would lose his mind completely. As he pulled back, she was amazed to find that he was crying. There was no sound coming from him, except the humming of his skin so electric with arousal. And yet he was weeping, and it seemed that he himself did not know this.
Ivy's hands remained cupping his face, on both sides as she tried to get control of her own breathing. Her eyes were begging, and pleading. This was his choice, his point of no return. His next decision could break her whole world apart. Would he go with her? Or would he leave? Slowly Erik's face turned away from hers and to the two behind them. Christine and Erik had not cared or seen much of the kiss that was between Ivy and Erik, only wanting Raoul to be safe. "Get out... take her and get out and never come back." Erik pulled away from Ivy and pulled on the chain that raised up the gate once more. "Take the boat and leave.." his voice was choked and near sobbing.
The two wasted no time getting to the boat and making their way out of the lair. "Remember what I said Erik.... let her love you." Christine's final words rang through his ears as they disappeared around the corner. Erik was not looking at Ivy, hiding his face almost as if in shame. She went to him, and turned his chin, making him look at her. "Look at me.... Erik... before.. Christine. Before she took off the mask, I was going to tell you.. I love you. I always have.. I.. I always will." Her own voice seemed to be shaking in fear. She closed her eyes with the admission, not wanting to see him walk away. But instead she felt fingers against her hair again, pushing it away from her face.
"Forgive me Ivy for being such a fool." Erik began, but found her could not finish. Slowly she took his hands and wordlessly lead them both out of the water and onto dry land. As much as she wanted to settle this, there was no time. They were coming and getting closer. She could only pray that Christine and Raoul would not give them away. She let him go and turned around to gather things for the both of them, slipping into another dry dress. You will not break down, she told herself vigiliantly, you will wait until you're both safe. "What are you doing?" Erik's words finally broke the silence. "I'm getting us out of here. They're after you Erik.." Ivy said quickly, almost snapping at him.
Erik's hand touched her shoulder and turned her around this time to face him. "Why when I've treated you so badly.." he let his head drop, quite ashamed with himself this time. Ivy reached out and kissed his forehead. "Because I love you and I said I would never ever leave you." she told him and sighed. "I know you do not feel the same way about me, but I will not let you go so easily." Erik's head raised up to look at her and slowly he shook his head. "I don't deserve you." And she smiled. "No.. you don't.. " It was teasing really, but they both knew it. "You're wrong though..." His voice whispered into her ear, his voice full of longing and trying not to break down once more.
"I let them go because I love you.. and I would do anything to make sure you are safe." Erik spoke gently, kissing her temple. Ivy gazed up at him, she shock in her eyes evident. "You mean you just didn't do that.. because... " her voice trailed off and he shook his head, trailing his finger over her jawline. "You and Christine were right. Love is someone who would do anything for the other person. Selfless love, and I want to give you the kind you deserve Ivy.." Her face had nuzzled against his hand, seeking out the warmth a she closed her eyes. She felt his lips brush up against hers, this time soft and loving and chaste almost. "I'm only sorry I did not see it sooner. My lust for her blinded me to all but her."
Ivy gave a little nod, opening her eyes to look up at him. "In time I will make you forget all about her, and all the pain that she caused you." She leaned up and kissed him again, more deeply but very slowly. She heard him moan into her mouth and smiled against his lips. Pulling back, she gathered their things with one hand and took his hand with the other. "I would love nothing more, as long as you are beside me." Erik grabbed the rest of their things she had thrown into a makeshift suitcase and stepped away. As they got to the passageway that would lead them outside and into the snow and the world, Ivy silently thanked Christine and hoped she would find as much happiness as she would soon have.
As they walked down the winding passage, Ivy slowly began to sing softly. "Say you'll share with me, one love, one lifetime say the word and I will follow you. Share each day with me each night each morning" She knew it was the words that Christine had shared with Raoul and how it had broken Erik so badly. How he had longed for someone to say those words to him. "You alone can make my song take flight, come with me into the music of the night." she whispered, and then kissed him once more. Ivy and Erik left the Opera Populaire in the dense of night, but in both of them all they could find was light.
THE END