Chapter 9:

"I can't believe he would do that, Erik. Where did my best friend go? It will kill me if he doesn't stop!" I screamed pacing back and forth waving my hands like a lunatic. Erik sat on his organ bench listening to me rant. He got up and placed his hands on my shoulders to stop me from wearing a hole in his floor. I sighed and kissed the back of his hand. "Thank you."

"For what?" he asked turning me toward him.

"Everything. You listen to me. You comfort me. I love you for that, all of it. I love you." He planted a kiss on my lips and smiled in his quirky way.

"Now, before you become mush, what is it you came here to tell me?" he caressed my cheek with his hand.

"This is a sickening display." A voice commented from the water. I stood their in shock and fear as Jonathan came into the light. "Come with me, darling Meg. Leave this monster to his hole." Jon walked closer. Why did Erik leave his mask off? It wasn't helping the situation.

"No! I told you that I don't love you. Cant you just except that?" I screamed closing my fists in anger.

"And you love this thing, this beast?"

"Yes." I stated firmly. Erik was slowly bending down; a rope was within his reach.

"Let us see if this thing loves you." He pulled out a revolver and pointed it at me. I gasped and placed a hand on my stomach. "Put the rope down and move away or she will die." Erick moved away leaving the rope on the floor.

"This is not the way to accomplish anything," Erik interjected, "Killing her won't solve anything. I know it won't."

"Well, sir." Jon bowed mockingly his gun still fixated on me. "You do not see my logic behind this. If I made her choose, she would choose you and I would be forced to kill a worthy opponent. And, what would be the joy in stealing her. You see, if she dies, it is none the better or worse since she is damaged goods already. But, I know you will not let her be killed as her mother was. So in the end, I will win her from you. This is your choice. This is the point of no return." Erik looked at me trembling. There was a remembrance in his eyes.

"How do you know Madame Giry was murdered? I do not believe Meg told you."

"She didn't," he sneered, "It's a funny thing, but Iocane powder is tasteless, colorless, dissolves instantly in liquid, and leaves foam at the bottom of a glass." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Jonathan killed my mother. I felt helpless, hopeless.

"Why Jon?" I screamed, his cold eyes looked at me and he grinned.

"I needed you Meg. With your mother out of the way it made a place for me. But like a little whore, you filled it with this Phantom." Erik's face cringed in anger as he took a step forward. "Don't even." Jon cocked his gun.

"So it's come to this then?" Erick said his words harsh and sad.

"I'd rather die than go with him. Id rather die!" I yelled.

"Is that so, Meg my sweet?" Jon laughed. Erik dug his nails into his palms drawing blood. He wanted to kill Jon, but if he moved he's risk my death. Jon looked at Erik, "Either way you choose you cannot win. Do you end your days with her, or do you send her to her death."

"Angel of music,

friend and lover.

Give to him no glory.

Angel of music,

let him kill me.

Turn from me, my Angel" Everything was silent. I closed my eyes ready for the blow.

Silently, Erik spoke, "Take her." I opened my eyes and saw his tears. A shot rang out and time stopped as Erik fell.

"Couldn't risk him coming after you, now could I." he grinned. With a depth of anger I had never felt before I ran over to the rope and flung it around Jon's neck.

"This is for my mother!" I twisted my wrist tightening the noose. "This is for Erik!" I pulled the rope and he fell face first into the water. "And this, this is for me!" I came over to him and strangled him. His blue eyes went lifeless and, letting go of the rope I ran to Erik.

Blood covered his chest and I ripped of my sleeve to stop the bleeding. Tears flowed mercilessly down my face.

"Meg. What I say now is going to be very important." He said, his breathing labored. "There is a rose, with a ring on it." He paused, gasping. "Give it to Christine."

"Why? I don't understand." My hand touched his whitening face. "I thought you let her go."

"I did, a long time ago. I never got to see her to say it." He coughed. I put my knuckles to my mouth."

"I still don't understand. Why give it to her?" I could hear his heartbeat, slowing, pausing. His hand cupped my face.

"Because, Meg, I love you." He breathed no more. His eyes at peace. A peace I had never seen before.

"But our child, our child!" I cried into the night, holding him.