Her Story by GoldenLyre
Chapter 13
Previous disclaimer applies.
The tense silence lasted for what seemed like forever until the police officer leading the mob cleared his throat and said in a quivering voice, "Monsieur Opera Ghost, you are hereby under arrest…"
At this, all eyes turned to him. Terrified shock overtook me and I screamed hysterically, "NO!" I had Erik's arm in a tight grasp and I refused to let go. Erik turned to me, melancholic regret shone in his eyes. He seemed to be holding back tears. I buried my face into his shoulder murmuring repeatedly that I refused to let him go.
I felt Erik's hand tip my chin to make me look at him. Tears threatened to overflow in his eyes as they did in mine… He whispered brokenly, "Christine… I love you…" With that, he tried to pry my hands off his arm. I screamed again and tightened my grip. Why was the whole world against us!
Desperation overwhelmed me as I held him in an embrace, using what remained of my strength, both physical and mental. I was exhausted either way. I collapsed and brought Erik down with me. I felt his arms come around me in a warm embrace. I heard him whisper, "I have to go…" I shook my head into his chest, not trusting myself to say anything.
Then, I turned my head to the sound of Raoul intervening. "Monsieur, who was it who pressed charges against Monsieur Erik?" He asked calmly. I looked at my friend as if he were insane – what in God's name was he doing!
The police officer appeared flustered and surprised at the question, "Why… the managers! And was it not you who wanted this man's capture, Monsieur le Vicomte? We are merely following orders, sir!" Raoul appeared thoughtful and pondered this. Erik's head had shot up and stared at him incredulously. Renewed rage flared in his bright eyes.
I tightened my embrace, burying my face into his shoulder, silently begging him to not do anything that would ruin his chances at freedom from this. The oppression, the seclusion, everything. We were together now and that was all that mattered. He shifted me so that I was in his lap, seated more comfortably with his arms around my shivering frame.
I listened intently to Raoul and the police officer's conversation.
Raoul had replied to the officer, "What would you say if I retracted that order?"
The police officer appeared to be surprised yet again and said in a disgruntled tone, "Monsieur, that would mean charges would be dropped – however, I'd like to question why you had almost the entire troop of officers to capture this one man? And why you'd retract that order now? Besides, the managers and staff here very much would not allow this man to go free!"
Raoul sighed, hanging his head in what seemed like shame and replied softly, "I apologise for wasting your time, Officer. But the reason why I had gone to such extremes is because his capture was to solve a personal matter between myself and Mademoiselle Daae…"
Before the police officer said anything, a person in the mob yelled out in rage, "That monster murdered Joseph Buquet! And Monsieur Piangi tonight! We are not letting him get away with that!"
Now I had to say something to that because I knew no one truly cared about their deaths. They were never very well-liked in the theatre anyway! I sat up and defiantly exclaimed, "How dare you! Using their deaths to get rid of Erik! None of you even cared about them! Least of all you all! If I remember correctly, there was more hostility between you all and them than civility!
The nerve of you all… Blaming their deaths on Erik just so he'd be sent away! Have you no shame! How much guilt and pain must you cost this man before you're satisfied!" I was screaming in trembling rage with tears burning my eyes by the end. Erik intertwined his fingers with mine and squeezed in reassurance. I inhaled deeply and settled back into his embrace, sobbing softly into his neck. I whispered to him, "Why can't they leave us be?"
Erik replied equally softly, "I don't know, Christine…" and planted a soft kiss to my temple, his tears falling softly down his cheek. His fate was still left undecided. I knew everyone's eyes were on us in shock, eyes open wide with slack jaws. I closed my eyes tightly and kept as close as possible to Erik as I could as if it were our last moments together.
They probably were anyway.
Raoul suddenly announced, "I retract my accusations of Monsieur Erik of any wrong doing within this Opera House. As for the damage, I'd be happy to see to it that reconstruction starts right away."
The next thing heard was a raspy voice that no one expected.
It was Erik's voice.
"I'll oversee it," he said. Everyone now looked at him with undivided attention. He had his eyes looking at the cavern floor as he spoke, unable to look at anyone in the eye. He continued, "I volunteer my services to reconstruct the Opera Populaire. I take full responsibility for its damage."
I looked up and saw Raoul smile, obviously pleased at Erik's proposition. "Very well then, Monsieur Erik. I shall expect draft sketches next week in the office. I shall discuss our new situation with the managers," Raoul said smoothly.
A brief silence drifted on us again before the police officer stuttered, "Umm… I suppose the case is closed then… Monsieur le Vicomte, we shall send the paperwork to be signed to you tomorrow."
Raoul bowed slightly and replied, "Of course. Thank you very much. Now if anyone doesn't mind, I shall be taking my leave."
Just like that, he got into the gondola and started to row away.
The now embarrassed and ashamed mob quickly made their way out along with the police officer.
Leaving Erik and I by ourselves.
I looked at him. He looked at me.
We both asked each other simultaneously, "What just happened?"
TBC
A/n: Hahahaa! Don't you luve how it left off? See, I just had a lot of chocolate and my exams are finally over so I came up with this random crap as a chapter… Wasn't as well as I intended cuz I lost the notes I made for it! Nevertheless I hope you guys put up with it, and review or flame me, whatever you want :D
I got tired of all the drama so I left it off on a rather funny note I enjoyed that! Hehee! Anyway, explanations include : Raoul is a nice guy, I give him that and I believe he's the kind of guy to step aside willingly for Christine to be happy. Next thing, my Christine got a backbone and stands up for what she thinks is right. My Christine kicks ass! Umm.. and the whole "you're blaming Erik" thing? I got Christine to lie well. And strike guilt into the mob (so they'd leave her and Erik alone) :D That was fun too
I LOVE
Razzy : Hey there! Thanks for sayin I stay true to the scene. I was nervous about it, coz I didn't want to ruin it for phans of the movie :) And I believe Raoul's a good guy, just stoopid Hahaa! Hope you enjoyed my random filler chapter!
LovingMemory : Haha! You love Raoul-bashing don't you? Haha then you'd probably hate me for making him the good guy here. To be fair though, he's got power and used it to get Erik out of trouble. But I could use your camels to eat his supply of hair gel coz lets face it, gel is just gross And ribbons gay.
ElvenLadyOfLegolas : Hello hello hellooooo :) Glad you liked! I try to stay as true to the story as I possibly can. But this chappie is very random and filler-like, but review anyway ok? Much appreciated:P
obsession is love : Hehee.. Thanks heaps :) Well to be perfectly honest, I spent ages pondering how I'd get Erik out of trouble. It was really tough! He killed people and destroyed the Opera House! So this seemed the best way to do it. Sorry if it doesn't seem all that realistic though hence the phrase "PHICTION" :P Hahaha!
yay : Um. Wow. Short. Thank you though!
SilverRose12 : Yeah I changed the ending! I couldn't possibly have Christine picking Raoul over Erik again! I love responding to reviews – you guys make the fic what it is ;) And I try to make my fics as believable as possible so I'm glad you think so! Thank you so much! And yes, it's gonna end happy. I can't have EC end any other way ;)
monroe-mary : Hey there! Yeah Raoul was raised as an aristocrat, so he's gotta have nobility :) hence the nobility And duude, when people in power are threatened, it's not pretty. I've read to many fics where Raoul turns murderous and totally OOC. And Im glad you're into my story so much! Hahaha! I feel so flattered .
Number 356 : I know! It's what all EC shippers dream of :D
Bumble0Bee : Honey I cant have an EC any other way than happy ;)
Maeve Of The Nile : Glad to see you back :) Thank you for thinking it's great, I'm really flattered :) And hope I managed to amend their almost "on-the-run" situation.. My lack of knowledge of the French law stumped me so I did what I was capable of.. Hope it was tolerable :P
Rikku Ree : Nyah Im really nervous bout this chapter coz you wanted so much to see how it works out.. I really hope I didn't disappoint! And as much as Erik and Christine together is pleasing, I think it'd be more than a little uncomfortable for them to be running for their lives the entire time.. Sorry I couldn't update sooner. This chappie was really for you ;)
tiny dancer : Hey there! Hahaa.. I can be deep when I wanna be.. That "masquerade" bit was so sad I couldn't help myself – how could anyone NOT notice the bitterness there? Thanks for everything you said – you know how to make a girl happy :) And hope this chappie didn't disappoint. Im really nervous about this one..
Sister Rosette : Hello! Welcome to my fic :) Haha! Yeah I wish the movie could've been made this way too, which is why I wrote this fic in the first place ;P I am a very.. umm.. "passionate" EC shipper.. ;)
Guys I love you all, I truly appreciate your tolerance, and Chapter 14 is in progress!
Heaps of luve,
GoldenLyre / Kel xoxo