LITTLE KNOWN FACT- In the first stages of FWSE (chapter one, then finally abandoned after chapter four), Erik was originally going to die from the Emperor's wounds.

Chapter X-…We're Sure to Meet Below

"We find the defendant Erik…um… Giry," the jury said, looking at the parchment he was reading and fixing his wiry glasses. "We find him guilty on all accounts!"

Meg's heart dropped, and she sat unresponsive as the audience filed out. A tear slid down her cheek- but she didn't weep. She had wept too much over the months. It was not that kind of sadness… she felt dead.

"Very well… punishment will be hanging, and will be carried out on the third of August. Court is adjourned." The judge banged his gavel in dismissal and got up.

What happened? She was so positive that Erik would be acquitted… what had happened? What had HAPPENED? Her head pounded in her brain and she covered her temples with her hands, trying to connect her thoughts to another.

The bailiff was not unkind. He left Meg and Erik is alone for a few minutes. Erik put his arms around Meg in a powerful hug, and all Meg could do was cling to him.

There were no words spoken yet, just comforts given. He wiped her tears away with his thumb, cradling her face in his hands. It might be the last time they would ever be like this… together, alone….

"No, none of that," he whispered into Meg's hair as another tear slid down her cheek. He wiped it away and kissed the paths her tears had formed, one on each side of her face. "Don't cry, Meg, don't cry…"

She shook her head again, trying to be strong. What happened to her? She seemed to be crying nonstop since the baby.

Erik traced her jawbone with her thumb, and kissed her, softly. He gave her three more of those caring kisses. He got up; ready to surrender himself, but Meg grabbed his sleeve. "No," she said, as two more tears rolled down. Be strong, Meg, be strong. He kneeled down so she was at eye level.

There were no 'I love you's. They both knew they were loved by each other… it was unspoken this time. Finally, Erik, who was so strong, broke down.

He began to cry, and the man and the woman both cried together.

She sat him down in one of the chairs, the one her Mama had sat in, and wrapped his arms around him. He was always so strong- he pretended to be strong… but he really wasn't. He didn't have to be so strong all the time…

His mask, wet from his tears, fell off and clanged loudly on the ground. "Meg," he murmured softly into her shoulder, like her name was a relief.

She pulled away, and this time it was her turn to mop up his tears, to comfort him. Her touch seemed to soothe him. Erik seemed to calm down, but Meg realized just how much he seemed to have bottled up inside.

She kissed all around his face- not hard ones, but soft ones. The kind Erik had once called 'Meg Kisses'.

The Bailiff stepped inside the courtroom again. "I'm very sorry missus, but we have to take him now." He looked like his heart would break, but he remained firm.

Erik slipped back on his mask, turning away from the bailiff. Lesser Policemen took Erik away while Meg sat helpless.

Erik looked back at her. He was saying goodbye. Meg's heart broke one more time.

The bailiff approached Meg slowly. "I'm truly sorry, Missus." He said, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I have a wife at home- can't imagine what pain you must feel."

Meg looked up from her seatat him. "If there is any justice in the world left, they'll let him go."

The bailiff sighed and pointed his cane at the door. "Then I'd be suggesting you go talk to that Emperor who's so keen on you."

"He set this whole thing up." Meg said, absolutely furious. "He fixed the whole thing." Meg wanted to throw something, to hurt it just as badly as she was hurt right now. She dug her nails into her fists, and blood came oozing out.

The Bailiff handed her a handkerchief, looking slightly ill. She took it, wiped her eyes, and then wrapped one of her bloody hands.

"Your best shot is talkin' to that Emperor." The bailiff said. "He has a soft spot for you, he'll break down and let him go, and I know that."

Meg looked at the door to the courtroom. Would the Emperor really pardon Erik? Whatever he had done, the Emperor wasn't truly evil… he had to have a heart somewhere….

…Very deep down.

Yes. She would talk to the Emperor, and make him see her way. She stood up and thanked the bailiff, and without another word marched out of the courtroom.

"Good luck, Missus," the bailiff said, quietly. "You are definitely going to need it."

AN-

-dabs eyes- Aw, man, guys, I really was crying at a part there.

–sigh-

Poor Erik…

I was writing this as I was watching my BRAND NEW PHANTOM OF THE OPERA DVD! So while I was chatting with my friend Michelle, I was also writing Erik's sentence and watching him get dumped by Christine.

Funny, but sometimes Erik seems like a very real person- and that was exactly one of the times. And then I feel all bad because I can't go medieval on him and jump him or something.

But Meg can certainly do it for me. Teehee.

-runs away from spork before Diana can stab her-