(A/N Sorry for the long delay... (author grovels in front of enraged readers brandishing Punjaab Lassos) But I think this chapter is worth the wait, I worked really hard on it. Thanks to my friend who put up with me running ideas by her until I got the right combination. Thanks also again to my Dad who lent me his/our Andrew Lloyd Webber to listen to while I type. Disclaimer: See previous chapters, no one new comes into this chapter. )
7. "Christine...Don't Leave Me..."
December 29, 1881
Elizabeth was woken up at some ungodly hour by a crashing chord. She sat bolt upright with shock, then recognised the sounds as Erik playing the organ. She knew she wouldn't be able to get back to sleep, so she sleepily got up. Erik had mentionned that she could swim in the lake if she wished, and she thought a swim might wake her up so she rummaged in the wardrobe for something she could use as a swimming costume. She found the clothes she had been wearing when she arrived at the Opera House, which included a pair of thick tights and an undershirt that looked a bit like a dancer's leotard. She put them on and padded out of her room, enjoying the feel of the luxurious Persian carpets on her bare feet. Erik's door was half open, and she paused a moment to watch him and listen to his stunning music.
The music made her feel uneasy after a few minutes, and as her unease grew she realized this must be Erik's Don Juan Triumphant. She turned and, instinctively moving as quietly as she could, she left Erik's dwelling and walked to the lake. The water was cold, and she was soon tired of swimming hard enough to keep herself warm. She left the lake, cursed herself for forgetting to bring something to dry herself with, wrung the excess water out of her hair, and returned to the comparitive warmth of the Phantom's Lair. As she crossed the 'living room' she heard Erik break off his playing and the rustle of papers as he scribbled down his music. While he was writing, he suddenly coughed a couple of times. Elizabeth paused at his door, and when he halted his furious scribbling she asked if she could fetch him a drink. He swung around at the sound of her voice.
"Good Lord!" he said, staring at her. "What are you wearing? Or not wearing, perhaps I should (cough, cough) say!"
"I was swimming in the lake," Elizabeth replied primly, suddenly remebering that wet fabric clings to whatever it touches.
"I see. Now that you mention it, my throat is awfully dry. Funny, I haven't been doing much singing. I'll get it, though. You don't know where the kitchens are." Erik stood up, and was immediately hit with a wave of dizzines. He nearly collapsed, saving himself only by blindly putting his hand out to catch himself and leaning his weight on the organ keys, which let out a horrible, discordant sound. Instantly Elizabeth was at his side.
"Erik, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice suddenly shrill with worry.
"'M dizzy..." Erik half mumbled, half croaked. He had trouble recognising her all of a sudden, trouble remebering her name. Elizabeth felt fear touch her with its cold finger at the sound of his voice. She reached up and laid her hand on his cheekbone and temple, and nearly gasped in shock. His normally ice-cold flesh was far warmer than hers.
"Erik," she said, "you have a fever. I'm putting you to bed. Then I'm going to find the kitchens and a drink for you. You shouldn't get dehydrated." She guided him towards his coffin, then thought better of it and steered him into her room. As soon as he let go of the organ he was forced to lean on Elizabeth, for the world seemed to be swaying as though it were as drunk as Piangi.
When he was tucked cosily up in bed, Elizabeth bent over him and asked him if he could give her directions to the kitchens. Haltingly Erik rasped out as much as he could before being caught by a paroxism of coughing. When he stopped Elizabeth was leaving the room.
" 'Lizabeth," he called, "put on some clothes." Elizabeth swereved to get a dress out of the wardrobe, and hurried out of the room. She was more worried than she let on to Erik. She put on the dress and ran up the passages and staircases to the ground floor of the Opera House. She soon found the hall Erik had spoken of and with it the kitchens. She entered boldly as though she were supposed to be there. and began to help herself to anything she thought she might need to take care of Erik. Soon an official-looking person bustled up to her, demanding to know what she was doing.
"I'm here on the Opera Ghost's bussiness. Please let me be." Elizabeth said. The official-looking person did more than let her be, he recoiled as though she had said she had the Black Death. After that Elizabeth was unhindered. She was allowed to take a large basket and fill it with supplies. She took her leave and retraced her route back to Erik.
When had she found her way and had once again regained his bedside she saw he was worse. He had thrown off the blankets and was tossing and turning. He was sweating and shivering. And he was muttering deliriously. Elizabeth realized she would need to get his fever down before she would be able to give him anything much to drink, for there was no way she could keep him still enough. She put down the basket and quickly filled the wash basin from the lake, praying as she did so that the water was reasonably clean. She dampened one of the towels and began to bathe Erik's burning face. He twisted away, complaining of the cold. Elizabeth reached out and laid her hand on his cheek and jaw to hold him still and recomenced cooling him down as she said:
"Hold still, Erik dear, this will help, I promise." In response Erik opened his eyes, and said:
"Christine...Don't leave me...I need you...Please..." Then he sank back into semi conciousness.
When the cloth was warm and half dry Elizabeth stopped trying to cool him off. Twice more he had called her Christine, each time becoming more agitated. Now Elizabeth went to the organ and took the piece of paper that had the least written on it and wrote Christine a letter, begging her to come to her Angel of Music, "For God's sake and mine if not for his". Then she slipped out and ran to the managers' office, only stopping once to ask directions. They agreed to send it to Mlle Daae, and Elizabeth sped back to Erik, praying Christine would come.
