Chapter 38

Erik didn't wake that day.

He didn't wake the next day either.

On the third day I was losing hope.

Nothing that anyone could say would drag me away from Erik's side. I only left when the doctors came to check on him and when I needed the bathroom. But I was rarely left alone with him. If Dad wasn't in with me, it was Nadir or Darren or Samantha or Meg. In fact, on the morning of the third day Meg came in looking like thunder,

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Raoul called me this morning. He'd heard about you on the news and wanted to know if he could come and see you. Of course I told him where to go." She said, sitting down next to me. Her eyes wandered to Erik's face.

"No change?"

"The doctor's say that he's getting stronger but he just doesn't look any different to me." I said miserably.

Darren entered a few minutes later and looked at me.

"Have you had breakfast?"

"Not yet."

"I brought you some food. He's not going to appreciate it if he wakes and find you passed out from hunger on the floor." He said, handing me a packet of sandwiches. I smiled faintly and took the sandwiches. They tasted like cardboard in my mouth but I chewed and swallowed anyway.

Darren had been staying with Nadir at the hotel, as he didn't know anyone in the area. I glanced at Meg.

"How's Ayesha?"

"Oh, she's fine. I swear she's the cutest cat ever." Meg said, grinning. I smiled and then said quietly,

"What did Raoul say when you told him where to go?"

"Well, first he said was silent and then he started to say I had no right, blah, blah, blah. I just hung up on him."

"Who's Raoul?" Darren asked, pulling a face at the coffee he had bought in the hospital canteen. Clearly Meg hadn't warned him about it.

"Raoul was my boyfriend before I started going out with Erik." I said.

"And also whilst you were going out with Erik." Meg pointed out. Darren stared at me.

"Really?"

"It's not as bad as it sounds. I mean, I'd had a huge crush on Erik for ages and I was staying at the Manor with him whilst Dad was in hospital. Raoul had gone away for a few days and things just sort of happened between me and Erik. I broke up with Raoul as soon as he got back. And I felt very bad about it." I said defensively. Meg giggled,

"She told Raoul that he was a spoilt little boy."

"Wow. Harsh." Darren whistled.

I shrugged.

"Except he just didn't get with the whole moving on thing."

"How do you mean?"

"He showed up at the Manor. He and Erik got into a fight last Christmas, at the town's Christmas party. And a few days ago he got me really drunk, told me that he loved me and kissed me. But I walked off."

"How long were you with him for?" Darren asked. I considered.

"Two years. Maybe a couple of months more."

"That's a long time to be with someone. What made you go for Erik instead?" Darren said.

I looked down at Erik and sighed.

"He's my singing thing."

Meg and Darren exchanged a look. Meg said in a loud whisper,

"I think she's lost it."

"Lack of sleep. Makes people a little crazy." Darren replied in the same tone. I glared at them both.

"Shut up, both of you."

"Seriously, Christine, how much sleep did you get?" Meg asked. I shrugged.

"A few hours."

"Why don't you go back to my place and get some sleep?" Meg suggested. I shook my head vehemently.

"No, no I can't leave. If he wakes up and I'm not here…"

"OK, OK. Look, try and get some sleep now. We'll clear out for half an hour." Meg said, pulling Darren up. I smiled slightly and settled back in my chair, closing my eyes. I was tired. But I didn't feel that I could sleep.

I was proved wrong however as I felt drowsiness washing over me. The chair was so uncomfortable I couldn't drift off. I ended up half sat on the seat, half lying on the bed, my head beside Erik's hand. It was only then that I slept properly.

It wasn't rejuvenating sleep. It was filled with thick dreams, where everything seemed to be moving at half the normal pace and I couldn't think straight. I was vaguely aware that there were people around me but I couldn't speak because they were all moving too fast and none of them could hear me anyway. I couldn't do anything to make them hear me and I tried screaming, louder and louder but still not one of them would look at me.

And I could feel something. In the darkness, I could feel something comforting. I struggled to wake up and when I was semi-conscious I realised what the feeling was.

It was the feeling of someone stroking my hair. I lifted my head and turned to look at Erik, ignoring the painful twinge in my neck at having slept at an odd angle. His hand fell from my hair onto the bed beside him.

He was awake.

"You were dreaming. You're crying." He whispered in a painfully hoarse voice. I stared at him.

"What?" his hand lifted again and he touched the tip of his index finger to my cheek. When he pulled it away there was shining tear on it. I stared at the tear to his face. He was watching me tiredly. He was so pale, his skin drawn so he looked savage and brutal. Dark shadows ringed his eye and there were bruises and cuts all over him.

I reached over and touched his face, scared that I was dreaming. He caught my hand with his and kissed the fingers softly. I knew I was crying now, but I didn't stop the tears. I was too weak, too tired to sob and just let the tears roll down my face, dripping onto the white bedspread.

"Erik…"

"Christine." He murmured.

And then I glared at him and said furiously,

"You idiot!"

"What?" he seemed shocked. I would have hit him if he wasn't in such a weak state.

"I thought you were going to die! I was so worried about you! I swear, if you ever do this to me again, I'll-" I didn't finish the sentence because Erik reached up and pulled me towards him with surprising strength and kissed me. Nothing else, no explanation. Just a kiss.

He let me go and I pressed my forehead to his, crying helplessly. He was crying as well as he held me tightly. I was careful not to lean on him too much; I didn't want to hurt him.

"Thank God you weren't there, Christine. Thank God you weren't home." He whispered. I kissed his forehead and cheek, every part of his face I could reach.

"Where were you? How did you escape?"

"I don't… I can't remember. I just remember jumping onto the tree, and then you were there and… I don't remember. The house is gone?"

"Hmm. The insurance has covered it. They started rebuilding it yesterday. But all of our music, the piano, the other instruments, everything… it's all gone." I said sorrowfully.

"I don't care. You're alright." He said fiercely, holding me tightly. I kissed him again and he said,

"We can get new instruments, make new music. I can't get another you."

"I'm one of a kind." I joked weakly.

Eventually I sat up and said,

"I should call for the doctor."

"Very well. I just hope I can get out of here soon." He said, wincing at the ache in his ribs. He looked at me for a moment. "Have you been here by yourself?"

"No, Dad's here sometimes with Samantha. Or Nadir or Meg. Or…" I hesitated and he narrowed his eyes.

"Who?"

"…They needed to give you blood. But you've got this rare type and they didn't know if they could get any here in time, so they asked for family…" my voice faded away. He sighed.

"Theresa's here."

"No. She came, gave blood and left. But Darren's here."

Erik sighed and I pressed a button by the bed. A few minutes later a doctor arrived and smiled brightly.

"Good morning, Mr Lavonne. How are you feeling?"

"I've felt better, frankly Doctor." Erik said icily. The doctor didn't seem perturbed by Erik's attitude and began to note down readings form the machine.

"Well, apart from the flesh wounds you've got a pierced lung and a few broken ribs. We've fixed the lung, although it'll be weak for a while and the ribs will take their time healing."

"When can I leave?" Erik asked. The doctor glanced up from his clipboard.

"I'd like to keep you in for a couple of days for observational reasons. It's Tuesday today, so you can leave on Thursday morning. I take it you have somewhere to stay?"

Ah. Slight problem. I answered for him.

"With me. We can go to my house."

"Very well. Although you'll be on medication for quite some time and I'll need you to come in for regular check-ups. Miss Daae, if you'd leave us for a moment so I can examine Mr Lavonne?"

I stood and went to the door. Erik looked rather put out at this invasion of his privacy but reluctantly allowed the doctor to carry out his business as I closed the door behind me.

Meg and Darren were coming down the corridor with Nadir. It looked like they'd been out to Starbucks for some decent coffee and Meg handed me a paper cup.

"Here. Doctor's checking up again?"

"He's awake." I said quietly. They all stared at me.

"When?"

"Is he OK?"

"What did the doctors say?"

"He's only been awake for a little while. The doctor is in with him now." I said, sipping the coffee. Meg smiled at me.

"That's wonderful! What did he say? Did you get a chance to talk?"

"Yeah. Oh God, I yelled at him!" I realised suddenly.

Meg stared at me in disbelief.

"The guy wakes up after three days and you yell at him?"

"I didn't mean to! I just told him how angry I was for making me worry and he… well, he kissed me, so I guess I'm forgiven." I said, sitting down. "They think he can go home on Thursday."

"That's good. Except your home is currently rubble." Darren pointed out. I shook my head.

"My home. Dad's place."

The door opened and the doctor came out. He smiled as we all jumped out.

"Try not to tire him out too much." He warned as we all piled in. Erik looked thoroughly disgruntled but managed a faint smile as we entered. Nadir sighed.

"Honestly Erik, can't you go three days without a little drama?" Erik lifted an eyebrow but didn't reply. I sat on the bed beside him and asked,

"What did the doctor say?"

"Nothing particularly interesting. Some information about the medication and caring for myself once I'm out of hospital." He said, gesturing at some leaflets in his lap. I picked them up and flicked through.

Meg smiled at Erik.

"I'm glad you're OK, Erik. Christine was freaking out."

"I was not freaking out."

"Were to!" Meg shot back. I sighed.

"I'm not going to argue you with you, Meg. Because I know I'm right."

Darren was hovering uncertainly by the door. I took Erik's hand.

"Erik, there's someone you should meet." I glanced over at Darren he waved awkwardly. I gestured for him to come over and he did so. I could tell he was nervous.

"Erik, this is Darren. Sort of your brother."

"Hi." Darren said, holding out his hand. To my relief Erik shook it. Fro a moment I thought he was about tell Darren where to go. But politely. I couldn't imagine Erik saying anything that rude.

"Hello Darren. I've heard quite a lot about you. Especially after Christine got your letter." He said in meaningful voice.

"Erik, don't." I said warningly. Darren looked confused and I shook my head. "Don't ask. Erik's just being silly."

We spent a little time talking before it came apparent that Erik desperately needed sleep. The others went to leave but Erik said,

"You go too, Christine."

"I want to stay." I said.

"Go home. Get some sleep. You look like you haven't eaten properly in days."

"She hasn't." Meg said. Erik pushed me gently.

"Go. I'm fine."

"Well… OK." I said reluctantly. I kissed him and gave him a hug. "I'll come back later."

"Tomorrow. Come back tomorrow. If you come back before I won't see you." he warned. I pulled a face.

"You're so strict!"

"I do my best. Now go."

I went to the door but he said,

"Christine?"

"Yes?"

"I… I love you." he said softly. I smiled, feeling tears again. I really needed sleep.

"I love you too."

Meg took me back to her house where I immediately passed out on the spare bed, Ayesha on the pillow beside me. I slept the whole night through and woke on Wednesday morning to bright sunshine. After a fantastically hot shower I went downstairs to find Meg had made breakfast.

"Good morning sunshine!" she said cheerfully.

"That smells fantastic. Bit much though." I said, looking at the food laden table.

"Nadir and Darren are coming over for breakfast before we head over the hospital. Mum's already gone to work." Meg said, scraping eggs into a bowl and putting it down with the rest of the food. Sure enough, the doorbell rang. I answered it and the two males smiled.

"Breakfast is ready." I said, pointing them towards the kitchen. Ayesha came prowling downstairs and I caught her up, carrying her through. Meg cooed at the sight of the cat and put down some milk as we sat down for breakfast.

Nadir turned to me as I buttered some toast.

"I went to see Erik's lawyer yesterday, to sort a few things out. He showed me everything that survived the fire; they're in a holding place. I brought some things with me, if you'd like to see."

"That'd be wonderful. I'm surprised anything made it."

"Much of the damage was contained to the right hand side but most of the ground floor was taken out." Nadir said. He disappeared out to the car and returned with a couple of large boxes. I opened one and looked down sadly at the things inside. Pictures, some objects like vases and hangings from around the house, things like that.

And then my eyes rested on something and I reached in for out.

"Oh my god…" I breathed, staring at the CD that Erik and I had made in January. It was after our first big fight. We had spent the day in a recording studio, singing and playing together. I held it close to me.

"I can't believe it…"

"What is it?"

"Our music. Erik and I made this CD." There was another disc in the box and I pulled it out. The one of Mum and Dad, with Angel of Music on it.

The rest of the things in boxes were relatively trivial things but I still appreciated having them. And then Nadir produced the best part of all.

"These were also found. They were in the room by the balcony where Erik escaped. He must have brought them up with him." He showed me a black box. I recognised it instantly.

"His music."

I seized the box and tore it open desperately. Il Muto, Hannibal, Don Juan Triumphant. All safe and complete. I smiled.

"His music. It's all here. His operas, they're all here!" I cried, shifting through to make sure it was all there.

"His what?" Darren asked in amazement.

"Operas. Look, it's all safe! He's going to be so happy!" I said excitedly. Meg held something up from the other box.

"Christine, look! Your singing award." I looked at the trophy and smiled, glancing through the boxes.

"There's at least another four dozen boxes in storage."

"I guess they'll have to stay there for now. We don't know how long it's going to take before we can get back into the Manor." I said sadly.

Erik was sat, looking very bored when we arrived. He smiled and I kissed him.

"How do you feel?" I asked in concern.

"Better than yesterday. What's this?" he looked at the cardboard box in my hands.

"Some stuff that they managed to rescue from home. There's a lot more, but these are some of the important things."

I reached in and brought out the black box. Erik closed his eyes and breathed deeply.

"I thought it had been burned."

"No. It's all safe. Look, Erik, all of your work, its safe." I said quietly. Erik nodded and then lifted an eyebrow when he brought out our CD.

"I thought this would have been lost."

"Nope. We wanted to bring Ayesha, but we didn't think we could get her past the nurse." Meg grinned. I sighed,

"It's still horrible about your piano though."

"I know. But we can get a new one. We've got our music, our cat and when the house is rebuilt we can start again." Erik said calmly. Darren grinned.

"You're a good person to have around during an emergency. You just see the bright side in everything!"

I couldn't help laughing at that and Erik gave me a look.

"Sorry." I muttered, smiling to myself.

We spent the day in Erik's room, discussing what we would do when Erik got out of hospital the next day. I would take him home and he would spend the day relaxing. On Friday we would go up to the Manor to inspect the damage.

"Are you sure you want to go?" Erik asked. I nodded and smiled.

"I spoke to Thomas and Penny, by the way. They've gone to stay with their son, whilst the building work is going on."

"Fair enough. The noise must be atrocious."

"That's what Penny said."

"Who are Penny and Thomas?" Meg asked. I brushed my hair back my ear as I replied,

"Thomas is the gardener and Penny is his wife. They live in a cottage in the grounds."

Darren whistled.

"OK, I haven't actually seen this place but it sounds incredible."

"It was before it all burned down." Erik commented. I smiled,

"It'll be incredible again."

It wouldn't be easy. I knew that already. But just the fact that I could sit there and smile with Erik's hand in mine, Darren making a joke and cracking us up, Meg chattering cheerfully and Nadir watching over us with a smile assured me that I wouldn't be alone. It wouldn't be easy, but having them there would certainly help.

A/N: This was a hard chapter to get through… I'm not sure if I like it very much. Ah well, it's posted now and you can't like everything you write I guess. I just hate tying up loose ends. I'm still thinking about ending it on chapter 40, but then I get another idea and think 'OK, to work that in I'm going to have to keep going'. So it could end on 40 or if I don't think that's possible it'll go up to 45.

I told you, I have to end on a good number. I couldn't end it on something like 42. I'm just weird that way!

Le Fantome De L'Opera: Are you kidding? I LOVE your reviews! They really make my day!

Also, I was shocked at how many of you thought that I actually would kill Erik. Come on, he's too cool to die. And thank you for everyone who has voted for me in the competition! Although I have NO chance of winning! My two best stories are up against 'No Return' by ChristineX. But hey, I got a nomination and that's good enough for me! The link is in my profile, go vote because there are some truly awesome stories up!

I told you, I have to end on a round number. I couldn't end it on something like 42. I'm just weird that way! And I really love the characters I've got in this story; I'm a little reluctant to let them go.

Somebody asked if I'll be writing any other POTO stories after this is over. I can tell you with a lot of certainty that I definitely will be! And I can say this because I've already started it. And when I say started, I'm on Chapter 13 and it's over a hundred pages long. But I won't be posting that until this is over. it's something to keep me going as this one comes to an end.

Sorry about the huge Authors Note, I had a lot to say! Anyway, please leave a review. Love you all, you all rock my world.

Lotsa luv 'n' huggles

Katie