Chapter 22

After her father, the Despreaux's, and the de Chagny's walked out the library door, Nicole turned and focused her full attention on Erik. Her gaze seared right through him. He knew she had every right to be angry with him, and yet she had still stepped in to try to protect him. He was hoping this little compassionate action on her part meant she didn't hate him completely.

"So you're the famous Phantom of the Opera, huh?" she asked coolly. "And that's the mysterious past that is yours to keep? Anything else you care to reveal before someone beats you to it?" She tried to keep her anger and voice under control.

He turned away, refusing to look her in the eyes. "I know you have every right to hate me right now. And I should have told you. I just didn't expect you to hear it from someone else, least of all, that idiot, Raoul de Chagny," he said bitterly.

"And now I'm sure you wish you had confessed, right?" she asked sarcastically.

He turned back to her, wishing he could come up with the right words to make everything as it was. He moved towards her, fully expecting her to shy away from him. "I'm so sorry that things turned out this way," he said as he touched her arm and sought to bring her closer to him.

She allowed him to pull her closer, her expression a mixture of disappointment and anger, but he thought he also saw a flicker of the affection he had seen many times over the past few days. "Why, Erik? Why?" she asked. "The man I know, my sweet angel, couldn't have committed the atrocities I read about in the stories that were in the newspapers after the fire. Could you explain it to me so I'll understand?" she pleaded.

He thought for a moment before answering her. "Simply put, though far too much of a cliché, I'm not the man I was back then. Back then, I was...um...obsessed...with Christine and longed to be loved by her, no matter the cost. I was prepared to do whatever it took to make her love me, to let me feel what I've lacked all my life...that which I've been privileged to have experienced since I've known you. When things didn't work out, and she chose that fop of a Vicomte instead, I...went a little crazy, got a little destructive..." he trailed off, shame filling his face. He closed his eyes and shook his head gently, as if trying to shake the horrible memories away. When he opened his eyes, he noticed he had her undivided attention, and he felt he should continue despite the overwhelming urge to flee back into the shadows that had become his place of solace and comfort throughout his life.

"But since I met you, and even more so, because of the events of the past week, my whole outlook on life and love has changed, and it's all because of you,"he stated. "I regret the things I did and the hurt I caused by my actions as the Opera Ghost more than anyone will ever truly understand or perhaps even believe. I am truly remorseful, and not a day goes by when I do not think, with regret, of all the trouble I caused and the people whose lives I destroyed. However, I was hoping...that I could work to redeem myself...with your help and your love," he said, looking at her with a mix of sorrow and hope.

With his words, the disappointment and anger dropped from her face, and her expression was only filled with love and affection for her sweet angel of music. "Somehow, I doubt your remorse will sway the Vicomte much, but I shall work to convince him to give you a second chance at life," she said as she caressed his uncovered cheek and then put her arms around him, hugging him tightly.

He put his arms around her and, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, returned her hug, reluctant to ever let her go. Finally, he gently pulled away from her, his expression one of deep curiosity. "So what do you plan on saying to the Vicomte, little one?" he asked. "And furthermore, what are your plans where I'm concerned?"

She tilted her head slightly, letting out a single chuckle. "You, my dear Phantom…" she began.

"Ah…former Phantom, my dear," he said with a coy smile.

"Very well, former Phantom. Honestly, I don't know what I'm going to do with you," she said with a slight smile. "I suppose that decision will have to come after we discover if the Vicomte can be persuaded to leave the past in the past," she finished with a slight sigh.

"Yes, of course, my dear. Once again, my fate lies in the hands of a man who despises me," Erik muttered bitterly. "Well, then, shall we get this over with? I'm sure the little Vicomte is looking forward to playing judge, jury, and executioner tonight," he said as he started for the door.

"Hey," she spat, pulling him back to her. "Don't you dare go in there with that attitude. The goal, for starters, is to show all of them how much you've changed," she said, her irritation showing. Nicole thought for a moment, and then something occurred to her. "Raoul explained to me that you let them both go and urged them to get out before the mob showed up; is that true?" she asked.

"Yes, but what has that got to do with anything?" he asked absently.

"Well, it just means we'll have to appeal to the gentleman within him. You spared his life and the life of his future wife, freeing them so they could be together to live the life you had hoped to have with her, and now it's time for him to return the favor," she said with a slight grin.

A plan formed in her mind concerning Raoul's feelings and possible actions of retribution towards Erik, and she decided to put that plan into action. She asked Erik to wait for her in the library as she went to the dining room to announce her desire to speak with the de Chagny's after they were finished eating.

When she approached the dining room, she noticed the room was unusually quiet. The tension was almost tangible, and she nearly faltered in her resolve to face Raoul once more. She also wondered what her father thought of her standing up for the erstwhile Phantom and protecting him in such a manner.

She entered the dining room cautiously and took her normal seat next to her father. The maid started to come over, but Nicole gave a smile and shook her head. She then focused her attention on the Vicomte, who was sitting across from her. "Monsieur le Vicomte, how are you enjoying dinner?" she asked sweetly.

He looked at her suspiciously, but politely answered, "The food is quite good. Thank you for asking."

"That's good to hear. And you, Madame?" she asked, directing her attention to Christine.

"Very well, thank you," she replied in a similarly sweet tone.

"Well, then. To business," she began, realizing she sounded just like her father. She turned to him briefly and gave a slight smile. "Monsieur, after dinner, I would like to discuss the fate of the former Phantom of the Opera with you, if you don't mind."

"His fate? He's a murderer, Mademoiselle. His fate should involve either being locked up in jail, or better yet, he should be put out of his and everyone else's misery. All the pain he's caused mustn't go unpunished," he said vehemently.

Nicole glanced at Christine to see if she shared her husband's feelings. What she saw didn't surprise her since, knowing how she herself felt about Erik, she figured Christine might still have a fondness for her former teacher, though she was sure that fondness probably irked her husband. As soon as the Vicomte mentioned putting Erik out of his misery, Christine closed her eyes and sadness crept over her face. Nicole had the feeling that, while Christine was aware of just how much trouble Erik had caused, she didn't want to see him suffer any more, wanted him to find the peace and love she had been unable to give him.

"I understand your position, Monsieur," she began. "However, I would appreciate your indulgence in discussing the matter fully after dinner. When you've finished, I would like to request to have you all rejoin me in the library."

Raoul looked at Christine, who again gave a nearly imperceptible nod. "Oh, very well," he said resignedly. "We can discuss it, but you'll be disappointed if you expect to change my mind."

"Monsieur le Vicomte, I thank you for your time and patience, and I shall await you and your wife in the library." She turned to her father, "Papa, may I be excused?"

He nodded, and she got up from the table and returned to the library.

When she entered the library, she found Erik again staring out the window. She went over to him and put her hand on his shoulder. He turned to look at her, his face full of consternation. "Why, may I ask, are you in such a hurry to defend me, little one?" he asked as he turned back towards the window. "You now know that I really am a monster, and yet you rush to defend me and protect me from that little fop of a Vicomte."

"Erik, if you call yourself a monster one more time, I shall scream…or better yet, I shall tie you to a chair and then play every piece I've ever learned in the worst manner possible," she said with a slight smile. Returning to a more serious tone, she said, "I defend you, dearest, because you're not a monster, and as you yourself said, you're not the same man who did those terrible things. Your remorse shows that, and you deserve a chance to live a more normal life filled with laughter and love."

He looked at her, unable to speak. Each time she expressed any affection for him, it took his breath away. He caressed her cheek before taking her in his arms and holding her tightly. He couldn't believe this precious angel had so much faith in him. He knew he didn't deserve it, but for once in his life, he was going to allow himself to accept her love without question.