HaHa you guys are seriously the greatest! I love you guys! HaHa I hope you all like this chappie, it has major foreshadowing, some fluff... and a... mischevious ending (for the chappie, not the story LOL). You'll find out if our beloved Erik is going to let Jane stay, or if he'll make her leave. Which will it be? Just read the chappie to find out, DUH!

And congradulations to... Baby-Vixen for being my 75th reviewer! HaHa now I owe you a million hugs! -hugs a million times- And my everlasting gratitude! -gives you everlasting gratitude-... Oh yeah, and for that other nice thing, I'll make sure my friends and I write the sequel to "Jack and Rum and Some Other Ridiculous Stuff" really really soon! We already have some idea of what we want to do, but we need to write it!

Disclaimer: I don't own PotO, only Jane... Cool! I own someone!

It was early in the morning when Erik awoke. He groaned and stood up, then suddenly wanted to lay back down as a wave of dizziness spread through him. He shook it off, though, and opened his door, trying desperately to work up the courage to tell Jane of his intentions. He walked down the hallway with slow, small steps. He paused outside Jane's door, wondering how the hell he was supposed to tell the one person he loved most in his life that he needed to let her go. Groaning silently to himself, he pushed the door open and crossed the room to Jane's side.

"Jane?" he whispered, placing a hand on her shoulder. She opened her eyes without a sound and looked at him, then smiled.

"Oh, good morning, love," she murmured at last, reaching up to gently caress Erik's face. He pressed his hand against hers, his eyes shut as he savored the feeling.

"Jane... there's something that I have to tell you," he muttered after a long time, gazing at her with sad eyes.

"What is it?" she asked. Erik sighed, thinking to himself, She is not going to like this...

"Jane, I... I have to take you back," he breathed, refusing to meet her gaze. Jane, for a second, was very fearful.

"Take me back where? To the Ratcatcher?" she questioned, fear apparent in her voice. Erik turned sharply back to her, his eyes wide. Did she really think him capable of taking her back to the man who had harmed her, the man who had… raped her? Erik grabbed Jane and pulled her into his embrace. Of course she did really think that he could do such a thing. She was just scared, that was all, and she wasn't thinking clearly.

"Never," he whispered in her ear, squeezing her softly. "Never. I would never take you back to him, Jane, or any man who ever hurt you." Erik looked deeply into Jane's eyes.

"Jane, there's something you should know… about the Ratcatcher. When we were in his home, after he knocked you unconscious, I… I took his dagger, and I killed him," Erik admitted. For one time in his life, he was feeling… scared. What would Jane think of a killer? Jane didn't really know what to say. Erik had committed murder, but it had been for her. It had been to save her.

Oh, how things would have been different if only Erik really had murdered the Ratcatcher.

Far away, back in the Ratcatcher's home, the vile man regained consciousness. He looked down and grimaced at the mangled shape of his torso, though he could not clearly see it. He had already lost a lot of blood, that much was obvious, for the red stains were all over the ground, not to mention his own body.

"Damn." There was only enough air in the Ratcatcher's lungs for one word. He quickly sat up, wincing at the shock of pain that spread from his stomach. Ripping a sleeve off of his tattered shirt, he tied the material firmly around his gut, trying to stop the flow of blood. It was easy enough, for the Ratcatcher had had to dress many wounds in his time, before he decided to live beneath the Opera Populaire.

Once he had slowed the flow of blood, the Ratcatcher stood up. He limped over to his room and filled a wine glass with water, knowing that he needed to try and regain the lost body fluid. The Ratcatcher took a drink and lay down on his chaise lounge. It still smelled like Jane.

Jane! The Ratcatcher's eyes opened wide as he remembered. Erik had stabbed him, and he and Jane had gotten away! The Ratcatcher growled to himself. No one got away from him. No one.

Oh, he was going to cause Erik so much pain... The Ratcatcher smiled devilishly. Why stop there? Why not just... kill Erik? Yes, that would do... That would work.

The Ratcatcher knew that it would take a long time to heal. He couldn't kill Erik, not by himself. He would need people to do it for him. He would need a plan. The Ratcatcher thought for a long time, and figured out how he could kill Erik. Not only that, but he could also get Jane as well. The Ratcatcher fell asleep with an evil grin on his face, dreaming of his revenge.

"Thank you, my love," Jane murmured quietly after a long time, wondering if she was doing the right thing by excusing murder. Erik looked at her almost incredulously, as if he was mentally asking her for a reason for her forgiveness. "You saved me, Erik. I could not hold you responsible for killing him. He was a killer himself. I love you."

Erik could not meet Jane's eyes. Not knowing what to say, he blurted out his plan to Jane. "Jane, I have to take you back home." Jane blinked once, mildly confused by his sudden outburst.

"But you… you'll come with me, right, love?" she asked. Erik shook his head, refusing to look at Jane. Jane gasped, but reached out and turned his face toward her with her fingertips.

"No… you don't mean that…" she breathed, her eyes begging him to tell her that he was only joking.

"Jane, I brought you down here hoping that you would fall in love with me. Probably not the most effective tactic, I know, but I wanted to keep you safe, hidden from the world and all of its hardships. I never dreamed that you would be harmed down here, but you were. You… probably had to endure the worst pain of your life down here. Jane… I just can't keep you." Erik felt tears run down his face, but he made no attempt to wipe them away. He held Jane tighter, and he could feel her shoulders shake as she wept with him.

"Erik, no… you can't…" Jane sobbed, grabbing a fistful of Erik's shirt. "Erik… why? I love you."

"Jane, I love you, too… But you don't belong here. You belong up there, with your friends and your family. If I could go with you, I would, but I cannot live amongst normal people… because of my face. You, on the other hand, can go, and you have to. Your mother dreamed that you would be a famous performer, and you… could be so great…"

"I don't care. I love you, Erik. My mother would want me to be happy. Please, don't make me leave." Jane laid her head against Erik and cried, the tears inaudibly streaming down her face. Erik listened for the soft sounds of her sobs, but there were none. Amazing how she could be so silent, even when crying. Erik, not really knowing what else to do, wrapped his arms around her securely.

"Jane, I have to let you go," he murmured after a while. He raised her head with two fingers, and lovingly wiped her tears away. "But I will never fully leave you. Your Angel will watch over you in day as well as night." Jane's sobs gradually came to an end, and Erik stood up and helped her up also. He led her out of the room and into the main room, where the boat was waiting.

"Oh, I forgot something." Erik ran back to Jane's room and picked up the small box that he had carried before. He took it to Jane. His eyes twinkling slightly, he opened it and showed Jane what was inside.

Resting on a few layers of white cotton, there was a beautiful gold necklace. The chain was a thin and delicate one, the purest gold in color. The pendant was molded into the shape of a heart, and Jane could see tiny emeralds and rubies set into it, forming the outline of a glittering rose. Erik lifted the necklace out of the box and stepped around Jane, so that he was standing behind her. With steady fingers, though his emotions were anything but steady, Erik fastened the piece of jewelry around Jane's neck, and she turned to face him.

"Oh, Erik… it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen!" Jane exclaimed, trying not to cry as she took the pendant in her fingers and admired the rose made out of gems inside it.

"It can't be," Erik declared, and Jane gave him a puzzled look. "It can't be the most beautiful thing."

"And why not?"

"You cannot tell me, Jane, that you have never before looked into a mirror," Erik remarked. Jane looked at him, surprised by the comment, and she smiled, her eyes glassy.

"Erik, I love you," she whispered, barely conquering the tears that longed to fall. Erik gazed at her, his aqua-green eyes shining, and Jane knew that he was trying not to weep also.

"But before you go, Jane, there was something I wanted to ask of you."

"Anything."

Erik walked over to the table and wound up his music box again. The little monkey moved its mechanical arms and clinked his cymbals together, and the twinkling melody began to play. Erik strode up to Jane and bowed.

"Would you share with me one last dance?" he asked, his hand extended. Jane, a bit taken aback, hesitated, but she took his hand, slid into his arms, and began to dance.

Erik stared at Jane softly, but Jane couldn't bring herself to look at him. Does he not love me anymore after what happened? she wondered to herself, troubled by her thoughts.

Erik sensed her discomfort, and pulled her closer to him, so that their bodies rested against each other, yet the feet still had room to move. Jane's eyes finally looked into his, and she knew that he loved her, when their gazes met. She smiled and laid her head on his chest, letting him guide her through the dance. The music grew slower, and so did their steps, until the last note died away, and they stood still.

Jane raised her head and looked at Erik. She didn't want to leave him. She loved him.

"Erik, may I ask something of you?" she questioned.

"Of course," he answered, wondering what it was that she wanted. She smiled and continued.

"Erik, I want you to forget all of the reasons that make you want me to leave," she began, and Erik opened his mouth to protest, but she put a finger to his lips. "I also want you to forget all of the reasons that make you want to let me stay. Forget everything, and let fate decide. Let… let this decide."

Jane slowly leaned up and touched his lips with her own. Her arm traveled over his shoulder and around his neck. Jane's eyes closed peacefully as Erik's left arm pulled her closer still to him, and his right hand went up to gently massage her scalp. Jane opened her mouth, and somehow Erik's tongue found its way in, forcing her to emit a soft moan of contentment.

Erik tried to think, but couldn't. His mind was only focused on the kiss, and how he wanted it to never, ever end. The kiss seemed to take him to another dimension, where a second was as long as a lifetime. If he did let the kiss decide, Erik knew that he couldn't let Jane go. He had promised her that he would do as she asked, but he still felt like she had to go, to be safe.

No, just let her stay… You know you want too… the voice spoke in Erik's head. Just let her stay… Erik opened his eyes. The voice was telling him to let Jane stay. The voice was always right… he could let Jane stay! But there was still a hint of doubt in his mind, though Erik dismissed it. He could let Jane stay!

Jane finally separated herself from him, her eyes bright and focused on him intently.

"So, Erik?" she asked, and he sighed. He had to let her stay. No. She wasn't safe with him. The voice said he could… Erik blinked back tears and turned away from Jane, quickly trying to decide what to do. A hint of sadness glinted in Jane's eyes, but she confidently laid a hand on his shoulder, and walked around him to see his face.

"Am I to leave or stay, Erik?" she questioned, and Erik looked deeply into her pupils. In that moment when their eyes met, Erik knew that he couldn't let Jane go. She was everything to him, the only person who had looked upon his face without fear the first time. Erik had never loved someone so much in his life, not even Christine.

"Jane, I love you," he murmured. He grabbed her waist and hugged her tightly to him. He couldn't live without her. He had to let her stay…

"Jane, there is one more thing I need to ask of you," he whispered quietly in her ear. Jane, unsure of whether or not he was going to let her stay (though it was pretty obvious), said nothing. She simply looked at him with wondering eyes, and that was Erik's cue to keep talking.

"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime,

Lead me, save from my solitude

Say you'll want me with you, here, beside you

Anywhere you go, let me go, too

Jane, that's all I ask of you," he sang, and Jane beamed. He was going to let her stay! Jane laughed, more of relief than anything else, then reached up and touched his face. She let her hands slide over his soft skin, tears of joy streaming down her face. Erik's eyes shut as he savored the feeling of her skin against his.

"I love you, too, Erik. I will gladly do as you ask," Jane whispered, and Erik kissed her softly on the cheek. He pulled the length of her body against his own.

"It's late," he spoke after a while, "Really late. We should, uh… probably go to sleep." Jane nodded, and he took her hand. He brushed his lips across her fingers, then led her toward her room. He paused outside her door, as though unsure of whether or not he should go inside, but Jane brushed past him. Before she could get too far, he tugged suddenly back on her arm and brought her neck to meet his mouth.

Jane moaned as his tongue explored the smooth flesh of her throat. Her breathing became deep, and her eyes widened, though from fear or from pleasure, Erik could not tell. Jane felt the warmth of his breath heat her skin, and she moaned again. Erik pressed her up against the stone wall, forcing her to momentarily look into his eyes before he once again began to feverishly kiss her shoulders and her neck.

Erik's hand slid up and down the side of Jane's middriff, which was laid bare by her costume. She whimpered as his fingers danced over her body, making her every cell feel as if it was on fire.

"Erik?" she breathed before everything comprehensible retreated to places out of the reach of her mind. She could feel him all over her, each caress feeling like a new wave of heat spreading through her body.

"Yes, Jane?" There was a seductive, almost playful tone in Erik's voice. Jane did not answer him with words. Instead, she met his lips, and he released her from the wall. He put his arms around her, and Jane could feel his fingers fumbling over the lacing of her costume in his frenzied hurry to get it off of her. She allowed the corners of her mouth to turn up slightly as Erik supported her from the waist, leading her backward into the room...

Madame Opera Ghost- HaHa thank you, I'm so glad you like this story and I hope you liked this chappie! How could I have made Erik let Jane go? HaHa anyway, thank you so much, you are awesome!

Gabreil'sGirl- No prob for letting you know, and by now you probably know who it will be who rapes Jane again... hehe, tell me if you think it was too weird that he didn't die... it was... a figment of my muse, let's just say... HaHa anyway, thank you for expressing your concerns, I love getting constuctive critisism!

xxXGoddessXofXdeadXloveXxx- HaHa I like talking to you online, thank you for your sn! I'm ot on right now, but I might get on later, I hope you're on! Thank you for being so dedicated! You rule!

RoSeQuEeN- HaHa of course I couldn't make Erik make Jane leave! They're to... meant to be... Oh damn, how I wish I was Jane! Thank you, I'm so glad you loved that last chappie, I hope you felt the same way about this one!

pinkyphantom- HaHa oh well, I guess I could give you a million hugs and my everlasting gratitude, to! -gives both a million hugs and everlasting gratitude- HaHa enjoy! thank you for being so dedicated and cool! And you seriously read my mind about the whole Ratcatcher revenge thing! I have already written the story (I just post it chappie at a time) and that's exactly what's gonna happen! LOL

PhantomAngel- HaHa I tell ya, ever one of my friends has been shown every review you've ever left, I love them! They are always funny, and they show how you get into my story... Thank you! OMG I love you so much (but not like that of course)! And yeah... I'm fourteen, no older. Hey, do you have an email address or an IM sn? Cuz I'd love to talk to you sometime, if you want. I know, you gotta be wary on the internet (I am, too), but if you ever wanna talk sometime and you have email or IM, look me up!

Baby-Vixen- HaHa my 75th reviewer! You rock! I already gave you your prizes, but here's a million more hugs just cuz I love you! -million hugs- But, of course, I don't love you like that, don't get me wrong! LOL But anyway, I'll make my friends work on that sequel for ya!

Countess Alana- Thank you, I'm so glad you like my story! Long Live Erik! I totally agree! HaHa hope you liked this chappie!

TheAngel'sMaggie- I'm glad it wasn't too graphic for ya... it wasn't, right? Be honest, now! LOL But anyway, Thank you so much and I hope you liked this chappie!

HaHa that was mischevious, but tellme what you guys think! I've never, ever written anything that sensual before, so I'm excited on getting reviews about it! Please Please Please tell me what you think! Anyway, I'll update as soon as I can just for all of you, and even though only Baby-Vixen was my 75th reviewer, You all get a million hugs as my everlasting gratitude! -gives both a million hugs and everlasting gratitude to every reviewer!-

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