MetalMyersJason: Fear not... as I said before, Erik will be well taken care of. Just need to have a little creative "fun" first. :)

Child of the Dark Wood: Again, thanks for the cool reviews. I really didn't intend to leave everyone in suspense, though I must say it's a real thrill to have ya'll so interested. I guess it just doesn't seem full of suspense to me since I know what's going to happen... ;)

Jen Lennon and catnipp: Here ya go. The answer to who the latest (and last) mystery guest is...

Since ya'll have been so great with the reviews and the guesses, I decided to update for the weekend! So here it is... Hope ya'll enjoy. And thanks again for the reviews. It was truly inspiring.

Chapter 20

Nicole opened the door to welcome in their last-minute guest; however, instead of just one person as Monsieur Despreaux had stated, there was a man and woman roughly her own age, both elegantly dressed. The gentleman was dressed similar to Monsieur Despreaux, wearing a top hat and tails. The lady's dress was a deep royal blue. Her long curls were pinned back, and her jewelry sparkled like the stars on a clear night.

"Monsieur, Madame, I bid you welcome. We've been expecting you," Nicole said with a smile. Again, playing the gracious hostess, she made small talk on the way to the library after she acquired his hat and put it in the closet. "Did you have a pleasant ride from Paris?" she inquired.

"Yes, it was quite pleasant. It's been some time since I've been out in this area, though I don't believe I've had the pleasure of visiting your lovely home here," the gentleman replied. "The grounds are quite spectacular, don't you agree, my dear?" he asked as he turned his attention to the lady at his side.

"Yes, everything is just beautiful," she said sweetly.

"Thank you," Nicole replied politely. "Now, if you'll follow me this way. Everyone is in the library already." As she led them the rest of the way to the library, she wondered where she might have met either of them before. The gentleman looked a little familiar, though she couldn't quite place where she had seen him before. The lady was rather pretty and also looked familiar. It wasn't until she asked their names so that she might announce their arrival that she realized who she was talking to.

When they reached the library, Nicole opened the door and stepped inside so as to announce their latest guests.

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Just as Erik had started to convince himself that the evening might actually not turn into a disaster, he heard Nicole open the door to the library and announce the names of the last two people Erik ever expected to see.

Nicole's voice echoed as she announced, "Monsieur le Vicomte Raoul de Chagny and Madame Christine de Chagny."

With that, she walked over and took her place at Erik's side, wondering why he seemed suddenly very stiff and so intent on staring out the window.

"Ahh, Vicomte. How good of you to join us for dinner. I must admit, though, that I was expecting your father... That is,since Michel said he had invited the head of the board..." he said, trying to sound jovial.

"My father was unavailable, so he sent me in his place. That won't be a problem, will it?" the Vicomte asked.

"No, no. Of course, not," Monsieur Clary said uneasily.

Raoul nodded to Monsieur and Madame Despreaux and then focused his attention back on Monsieur Clary. "You remember my wife?" Raoul asked rhetorically.

Monsieur Clary took Christine's hand and kissed it gently. "Welcome to our humble home, Madame. It's a delight to see you again so soon."

"Merci, Monsieur," Christine replied sweetly.

"Come, let me introduce you to our other guest," Monsieur Clary stated, gesturing towards Erik.

Nicole looked up at Erik, wondering why he wouldn't turn around to be introduced to their newest guests as he had earlier when he had been introduced to Monsieur Despreaux and his wife. He closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh, knowing that everything he'd gained in the past three days was about to be stripped away from him for good, and there was nothing he could do to prevent it.

She turned back to her father and shrugged her shoulders. She couldn't fathom what could be wrong with her angel. "Erik, what's wrong? Why won't you turn around?" she asked in a hushed voice.

"Nicole, before I turn around to face our guests, I just want to tell you something," he said in a whispered tone that terrified her.

"Tell me what? Erik, you're scaring me," she whispered back, her grip tightening around his hand.

"I know that your opinion of me is likely to change for the worse in the next few minutes, so I just wanted you to know...that I love you, Nicole. I truly do. You have shown me more love in three days than I've known during my whole lifetime, and for that, I'm grateful. I'll never forget you for it," he said sadly. The look on his face was enough to nearly bring Nicole to tears. Finally, Erik turned around to face his host and fellow dinner guests.

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As soon as Christine saw their fellow guest, she let out a loud gasp. Raoul's jaw dropped to the floor with disbelief. Monsieur Clary looked from the Despreaux's to the de Chagny's to Erik and back to the de Chagny's, wondering if he had suddenly missed something.

Erik stood before them, stone-faced, pushing Nicole off to the side. She tried to hold on to him, but the fire in his eyes frightened her, and she took a step back. "Go away," he growled at her, "and please forgive me for what you're about to witness."

Without warning, Raoul unsheathed his sword and lunged at Erik. Fortunately for Erik, Raoul was far enough away that he was able to position himself for a successful defense. Erik dodged Raoul's sword and shoved him to the ground off to the side. Christine let out a soft shriek, and Monsieur Clary simply gasped at the fiasco occurring in his library. Monsieur Despreaux and his wife looked at each other in stunned silence.

Raoul stayed on the ground, gathering his strength and his anger, looking at Erik with extreme hatred; however, he lingered too long, for during his attempt to get up and lunge at Erik again, Nicole stepped in the way. Raoul was barely able to stop in time to avoid piercing her with his sword.

"NO," she yelled as she stepped in front of Erik. Meanwhile, Erik tried to shove her back out of the way, but she remained strong and refused to budge. "What in the hell is going on?" she screamed, making sure to stay between Erik and his attacker.

Raoul sneered at Erik as he spoke to Nicole. "Mademoiselle, do you realize you are trying to protect a murderer?" he asked, his voice full of venom.

"I know nothing of the sort," she said, still on her guard. "And I ask that you drop your weapon now, Monsieur."

"Monsieur le Vicomte, I believe you owe me an explanation," roared Monsieur Clary. "You better have a damn good reason for attacking a guest in my house without so much as a word."

Feeling that Nicole would act as an acceptable barrier for the moment, Raoul chanced a glance at Monsieur Clary. "Monsieur, do you have any idea who you've allowed into your home? Do you?" he asked incredulously, returning his gaze to Erik. When Monsieur Clary didn't respond, Raoul continued.

"Monsieur Clary, Mademoiselle… ," he said as he pointed his sword in Erik's general direction. He took a deep breath before continuing. "This man you so gallantly protect, Mademoiselle, is the former Phantom of the Opera. The man responsible for at least two murders and the burning of the Opera Populaire in Paris," he spat. "Do you wish to protect him now?" he asked as the color drained from Nicole's face.

She immediately turned to face Erik, a mixture of anger and fear in her eyes. "Erik, is this true?" she pleaded, hoping Raoul was mistaken.

Erik closed his eyes and took a deep breath, a familiar gesture to Nicole, which was all she needed to confirm the Vicomte's story. "Erik, how could you?" she asked in a whispered voice.