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Chapter 13

What the papers say

The story, as stories are entitled to do, picks up a couple of days later, Christine has been quietly convalescing, her fever has finally gone away with no more relapses into delirium. Erik has been nursing her back to health, the Docteur and all the others trying to help being held at bay by the Madame of the Pension (Having been frightened by Erik into thinking that she was being tended to by "otherworldly" souls.) There has been plenty of time for Erik to think about how, exactly, they will get Raoul out of their lives once and for all. That said, I think you are up to date on what Christine and Erik have been up to, Raoul is another story, here we shall see what exactly he is up to, at least what the papers say...

"Christine, I am going to see if I can find out what has been happening in Paris while we have been cloistered in here. We have to get ready to leave here soon, we have spent so much time here, I worry we may find ourselves under suspicion soon, if they are not yet and merely too scared to find out more."

"Erik, I will be ready to travel where ever we need to go, just say the word. I have rested so much lately, I tell myself there is no reason for me to still be tired, then I take a nap again, but really, I think it is more out of boredom now then need."

"Well, I shall see if they have resolved the investigation into the Populaire, and then we can go along with what ever plan fits into the current information. I may need to get the past weeks papers, it may even take you going to Madame and requesting them, however, that will alert them to your continuing health, which may stop our isolation, so I don't want you to do that unless I am unable to get the papers myself. It is early, there are not many people around yet, I should be alright, wish me luck, my dear."

With a blown kiss to Christine, he was out the window. Always chivalrous, thought Christine, as she lay her head back down on the bed, a smile spread across her face at the way Erik had changed since leaving the Populaire.

Erik climbed down the tree silently, upon reaching solid ground; he was immediately mingling with the shadows inter dispersed with the early morning light. He was nervous as he prowled the streets, hoping to find what he was searching for. There were some street vendors on the corner across from the Pension Au Derlie. He would have to find the Paris paper for the past week, that way he would definitively know what had transpired in their absence. The gentleman running the stand was placing the papers for the past few days out when the carriage came by delivering the current days' paper.

There were not enough days' papers, though; he only stocked the past 3 day's papers. That would have to do, he found the papers for Paris, so he waited until the gentleman was busy behind the cart and he came and took the papers, he left 2 franc on the cart and left the area briskly.

Christine jumped when he came back to the window. "Monsieur, I am unaccustomed to having men arrive at my window bidding entrance, it startles the sensibilities ever so slightly."

"I most humbly apologize." Erik replied, smile playing on his lips. "I found only the past three days' papers, there was no way to get more, we shall see what we can find out from that, if we need the rest of the past weeks papers, we shall just have to ask at the desk. Here, look at this, see if you find any articles pertinent to the Populaire." He handed her the paper from the previous day's printing. Christine opened the brown outer wrapping paper and exposed the newspapers headline. She stared, agape at the surreal headline that jumped out to her.

Vicomte de Chagny returns to Paris with Comte de Chagny; Opera Populaire's casualty numbers thus far 35!

"Oh my God, Erik, Raoul has fallen ill, his brother had to bring him home. The article reads;"

Today the Vicomte de Chagny, Raoul, was returning to Paris with the aide of his brother, the Comte de Chagny, Phillippe. He is in critical condition owing to his maniacal search for his missing (and presumed dead in the Opera disaster) fiancée soprano, Christine Daae. He maintains that the fabled Opera Ghost abducted her, and was in fact the man whom stole away with her during the performance of Don Juan Triumphant. Several people believed that the whole drama was created by the owners of the Opera Populaire, whom were having so much trouble with the battles between the promising up and coming young soprano Christine Daae and Carlotta Giudicelli, reigning diva. They fear that to draw an audience they were willing to do anything and when things could not be resolved, they planned to upset the opera house with the change of Don Juan's unknown to Mademoiselle Daae for added effect and the subsequent abduction, however the chandelier was in poor repair and went at that moment. This conclusion was decided by the chief of the Gendarme, who was there the night of the disaster. Further, they feel that the Vicomte has been so far unable to accept the facts of the death of Christine Daae, that he is losing grip on reality. Most in Paris feel that it would be kind if the Vicomte were to lose his battle with the Fever which has consumed him so furiously. It would be kind release, and allow him to join his fiancée in peace.

We shall keep you updated as to the Vicomte's health, as well as any other reports garnered with regards to the Populaire's demise. May God have mercy on the souls this freakish accident has claimed thus far! The count stands at 35, some identified, most just labeled male or female. The Gendarme wish to once again ask that all who fear they have lost a loved one or friend go to the station and give them the name, they shall check the opera roster and see if they were there, then they shall see if the body may be one recovered. With deep regards to those in mourning, I shall say good day, 'til morrow.

"Erik, he is ill, they believe you were just part of the performance and I am dead. The count is at 35 people dead so far, I hope they died quick, that would be horrible to lay there in pain dying slowly. How weird and sad things have gotten." Christine looked up from the paper with a tear in her eye, and saw Erik looking at her. He had a strange smile playing about his lips as he said;

"Oh, my sweet, this could be good. Yes, it is regrettable that 35 are dead, I meant nothing of that sort by this, I shall not wish for his death however, it is not necessary. This article seems to button up the situation very well for me. I know what we shall do to get him off of us. We can settle this once and for all, and there need be no violence, nor direct confrontation of any sort. You will have to help me though, if you are willing, and it may take some patience, but it will be good. It is good that you are ready to move soon, we must get to Paris before Raoul is well again; it is the only way things will work. They must think that the fever pushed him over the edge. We must also keep our eye on the paper, in case he does not make it through this fever of his."

Christine and Erik became silent, each thinking their own thoughts of the next few days. Part of Christine was reluctant to leave this place; it felt the most like home of any place she had been since her father's death. Though there was sickness, there was also discovery and security here; she was reluctant to give that up for the uncertain world yet. She knew she must, but there was sadness in her eyes when she and Erik became aware of each other again. Thoughts having spent themselves, they knew their time there was over. They silently went about gathering what little they had accrued since their stay began. Shebegan to lay out her freshly cleaned clothes, Madame having gathered them and washing them for her to ensure the fever was not spread. Erik was watching Christine move about automatically, worrying about her still. She recovered well, and quickly, he didn't show signs of getting the fever, and God knew, he did nothing to keep from getting it, if anything he invited it every turn of the way. Knowing that Christine needed him was more then his health, his life, he would never turn away a human being due to the human condition of which no one had any control over . It was base cruelty to do so, his mother had done it to him out of fear and he would never forget the deep injury to his soul that had caused. Christine was the healing he needed to make the pain of that injury go away at last. When he thought about how close he came to losing her, he turned away and wiped the gathering tear away from his eye. Quietly he spoke to himself; "Thank you God, even though you may not want to hear it from me, I still thank you for Christine, I shall try to earn the blessing you have bestowed upon me with each remaining breath you allow me on this earth."

Christine no longer felt shy in front of Erik, having received his ruminations during her illness, it included some very intense sponge baths, of which she was always fully aware of what was happening. She knew he would not do anything, though it still managed to make her tingle all over as he cleansed the fever from her body so gently. She would keep her eyes closed so he would not know she knew what he was doing. This was her secret to be cherished and held close with all the other good memories she garnered even in the face of uncertainty. This fever was a gift of sorts, sent to allow them to finalize their relationship and fully realize the intimacy they would be sharing for the rest of their lives. It left them strong and happy, with a healthy relationship that would survive anything. Christine placed her corset over her head, needing Erik's help to tie it, she turned around to find him coming over to her already. "Would you please, help me tie myself into this prison?"

"Your figure is so remarkable already, why do you need to tie yourself into this thing to put on your clothes?"

"That is just the way it is done, I don't know, I just know that it would not look right without it."

"Oh, contraire, I think you would look fantastic without it, as a matter of fact, you need no clothes to look fantastic to me, Mademoiselle." Erik began to try to remove her corset, she held it on, though, trying to keep herself from giving in, she felt they needed to get out of here, on the way to making their future, she didn't want to be distracted now.

"Erik, we need to get out of here, we can't do these things now, there will be time for this…" The rest of her words were swallowed by Erik as he turned her around and kissed her with all the passion he with held through her long hours of sickness. The torture of tending to her feverish body chastely was more then he could bear for one minute more, time had come to cherish her wantonly, not chastely. He needed to be with her more then breath right now. His mind was muddled by her mere existence in his life, he was on the waves and quickly brought her in with him. It would be a long time before they would have this chance again, the reality of this hit them and they rapidly lost themselves to the passion within them. Again and again they rode their passion until they were sated enough to think clearly once more. It seemed that they would never grow tired of their mutual body language. They were made to be together, totally and completely.

Later that afternoon, when they were spent, Christine rested upon Erik's arm as she began to talk; "Erik, when will we grow sick of this folly? I find the more we are together, the more I wish to stay that way forever. It is hard to think of anything but this. It shall change, won't it? We shall find time to function properly, yet, right?"

"I would imagine so, though it feels like I have died and gone to heaven to hear you delight in my body so, I am honored to have such a love as yours. I feel sorrier for Raoul every day. Though, he could have pursued anyone, he didn't need to interfere with us when you told him to leave the first time. It was his idiocy that he didn't heed the warnings. Now, let us abandon our wanton behavior for more proper activities, my lady. Dress yourself, and please don't ask for my assistance any longer, lest you never find your clothes on your body again!" Erik nibbled at her neck before rising to dress himself. He had to think clearly, that would now take some time, as thoughts of their activities never left his mind quickly.

Christine watched him rise through the mirror, feigning modesty, it was always amazing to her how beautiful his body was, how could anyone be put off by him, he was a work of art, with a brilliant mind and he could do things with that body that left her blushing at the thought, yes, it was difficult to imagine ever getting bored with him around. She could hardly wait to be married to him, though she supposed for as many times as they had sealed their devotion and love for each other, they should already consider themselves married. That voice, he would always be there to comfort and protect her with that voice of velvet, which could convince a person to do anything. He was such a master of people for as little as they had desired contact with him, it was something to respect, that he worked so hard to get to know human nature so well.

Once they were both dressed, they gathered the rest of their things and Erik left out the window, Christine went down to the front desk and set the key on the counter.

"I am going to check out now. I wish to thank Madame for all you have done for me this past week. I was grateful that you let me convalesce in my room, I hope it was not too much trouble."

"No, Mademoiselle, with your angel to help you to your good health, I was not exposed to your illness, it was no difficulty for the Pension, we were fine. It was fortunate you had an angel there to help you. If you don't mind my asking mademoiselle, who was your…."

"Actually, I do mind, as I knew of nobody attending to me but myself. I am grateful to you all the same, what do I owe you for the time and the meals?"

"140 franc, Mademoiselle." Madame was put off by the snub Christine had given her, though she was curious as to whom she was yelling for in the throes of fever. She concluded that she would never know.

Christine paid the Madame, and turned to leave, she could not help but say something to get Madame going again; "It was a lovely sunset yesterday evening, was it not Madame?"

Madame looked at her with narrowed eyes, suspicious of how unconscious she truly was throughout her ordeal that day she came into the room with the tray. She was tempted to ask how she knew of this threat, but thought it best to simply let her go, no more questions asked. She was glad to be rid of her, she turned out to be much more trouble then she was worth. "Au revoir, mademoiselle. May you have a safe and healthy journey home."

"Merci, Madame. Au revoir." With that Christine walked out of the Pension Au Derlie, once and for all at last. She felt grateful when she gathered in that first lovely brisk breath of cold, crisp, air. Then she felt a bit intrepid, treading into the vast unknown future which would be up for grabs until they were free of Raoul's grasp once and for all. She was anxious indeed to get it over with.