What Lies Beyond

Chap 5: Gifts and Curses

To my reviewers: Thank you all for reviewing! Sorry for the wait for this chappy but, I've been a little busy. If anybody has any suggestions for the story, Please let me know. Thanks again!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but Mary Jane; Sadly I don't own Erik...(tear)

Chapter 5: Gifts and Curses

Mary's POV

I woke up to find myself, again, in the swan bed. My eyes felt puffy and I was in need of a hot bath. I slowly got up and looked around for a mirror to fix my hair in. Oh yeah, no mirrors...just wonderful. I did the best I could with just feeling my hair. If I was right I probably looked like the night of the living dead because, my hair was going in all directions. I gave a long sigh and tucked it behind my ears. I became bored with looking at the walls and left in search of Erik.

I opened the door and a heavenly tune filled the air. I followed the sound and quickly found myself in Erik's mucic room. He was clearly lost in his music. His eyes were closed and his hands..oh his hands...they flowed over the keys of the oregan as if they were flying. The song he played kept going from soft and gentle to loud and angry. It finished with a soft, sad tune. He stiffend as he finished and he opened his eyes. He must have just noticed me because he turned around, with a look of shock and maybe a hint of anger, but it slowly faded.

I slowly walked over to him and stood beside him. I looked from him to the floor and back. His gaze never left me. I finally decided to break the silence by complimenting him.

" That was absolutley beautiful, Erik." I said softly making eye contact.

He hesitated before sayng," Thank you mademoiselle." He looked deep into my eyes and smiled.

He obviously was thinking of something because his head was turned slightly to the side and he continued to look at me intently.

"May I ask you a question mademoselle?" he said turning his head upright in one sharp motion.

"On one condition," I began. He arched an eyebrow," as long as you agree to call me Mary Jane or just Mary." I stated with a innocent smile.

He gave me a look of amusement before nodding.

"Alright then, ask away." I said.

"Can you sing?" He asked, clearly anticipating my answer.

I should have seen that one coming.

I looked at him and sighed. " I can...a little." I said with a look of uncertaintyon my face.

He gave me a puzzled look and said," What do you mean by, "a little"?"

"Well, I've never had a lesson.My father..he was a famous singer..in America..before he..umm...h-he..was..killed." my stupid emotions began to mess me up again because, my eyes began glazing over. Erik looked at me with concern and put a hand on my back to comfort me. "He..promised me that he would someday teach me all he knew but, that day never came." I finished looking at my hands.

Erik was caught totally off gaurd when I leant into his chest and hugged him. He put his arms around me as I got control over my emotions. I stepped back after a moment but, I immediatly missed the heat and comfort of his embrace.

I looked up to him and felt ashamed of myself for being so emotional around him. " I'm really sorry for looking like a Mary Sue." I said with a small laugh.

He looked at me with confusion," But, I thought your name was Mary Jane?

I couldn't help but laugh at his puzzled look. "Yes, my name is Mary Jane, but, a Mary Sue is someone who has no backbone."

"It's alright to cry, Mary, it mearly shows you are human." He looked at me with pure sincerity.

"Erik, thank you for listening to me, you know, even though we've known each other for such a short time."

"No need to thank me Mary, it's a pleasure to be in your presence."

I blushed furiously at his kind words.

"Erik?" I asked nervously.

"Yes?" he said looking at me with a small smile.

"Can I make you a deal?" I said trying to not show my fear of his reaction.

"Oh, and what deal would that be?" he asked with a evil smirk. Oh he makes me melt lije ice cream...sigh.

"If I sing for you,...umm...wil you let me remove your mask?"

He looked at me blankly for a moment before anger crossed his hansome features.

I thought you had already seen it, mademoiselle? In what you call a movie? He said obviously trying to sound calm.

"Erik, I didn't mean to offened you I just want to know if you trust me enough to let me see the real you." My fear of him being angry was well hidden.

He growled and looked like he was thinking.

If I agree to your deal, and you see what lies beyond..will you stay..here..with me? He asked.

"Yes." I said sounding confident.

"Fine. But, first you must sing."

I gulped nervousely. Alright, no preasure. Your just singing for the greatest music genius of all time who just so happens to be the man that you dream about. Gosh, I hate that voice in my head.

"What would you have me sing?" I am going to suck at this.

"You choose."

I began thinking of all my cd's back in 2005. I needed something sad but powerful. A song popped up in my head by Yellowcard and I nodded to tell him I was ready.

He lead me over to the oregan and helped me warm up. When I was warmed up, I stood in a spot I was comfy in and tried to remember all of the lyrics.

Erik watched me sing the lyrics silently to myself. I then began to sing aloud. For him. For Erik. And Erik alone.

Mary belongs to the words of a song.

I try to be strong for her, try not to be wrong for her.

But she will not wait for me, anymore, anymore.

Why did I say all those things before?

I was sure. (She is the one), but I have a purpose, (she is the one), and I have to fight this, (she is the one), a villian I can't knock down

. I see your face with every punch I take, and every bone I break, it's all for you.

And my worst pains are words I cannot say, still I will always fight on for you.

Mary's alive in the bright New York sky,

the city lights shine for her, above them I cry for her.

Everything's small on the ground below, down below.

What if I fall, then where would I go, would she know?

(She is the one), all that I wanted, (she is the one), and I will be haunted, (she is the one), this gift is my curse for now.

I see your face with every punch I take,

and every bone I break, it's all for you.

And my worst pains are words I cannot say,

Still I will always fight on for you.

Fight on for you ...

Erik's POV

Beautiful cannot even began to describe how she sings. She lets the words flow like silk. She even looks more beautiful when singing. The lyrics were very powerful and held a story.

Her voice made me forget what I had to do next. I had to hold up my end of our bargain. She finished and looked at me. Her face was so beautiful it actually looked as if it were glowing.

Oh how I wish it would stay that way. But I was not about to break our deal after what she had done. For me.

But now after she had shown me her gift, it was time to show her my curse.

Yay! this one was a bit longer than the others! The song was called " Gifts and Curses" by Yellowcard.

Please review! Suggestions are appriciated! Thanks!