Okay I know the song in this chapter is from Pokemon the First Movie, but it fits in so well with the plot line right now and it's one of my favorite songs. It's also one I would love to hear Erik sing.

Chapter 9: If Only Tears Could Bring You Back

Erik waited outside the urgent care unit waiting for any kind of word letting him know of Brittney's condition. Raoul, RaeAnna, Meg, Nadir, Phil, and Christine had all arrived and were all seated in the waiting room taking turns glancing at Erik to make sure he was okay.

The last two months and all the happiness Erik had witnessed in Brittney's presence floated through his mind; laying together in each other's arms, sharing breakfast, him playing music and dancing with her, walks along campus, working together in theatre, and her kisses. All of those were gone and he had no idea when he would get to experience them again.

"All I want to tell you Brittney is I'm sorry you had to see that. It wasn't my fault. I hate her for what she did. The only reason I should be blamed is because I even liked her in the first place," he thought to himself.

Suddenly he turned around and his gaze fell on Christine, who had begun to sober up, a bit and Meg was filling her in on what had happened. Meg looked up at him and saw the fire burning in Erik's eyes. In a split second Erik had lurched at Christine only to be held back by Raoul and Nadir.

"She's the cause of all this! Her jealously may have killed my girlfriend," he snarled struggling in attempt to get his hands around her neck.

"Anger won't help her, Erik," Nadir exclaimed holding tightly to his friend's arm.

Seeing that he couldn't get to Christine, Erik turned on Raoul forgetting everything Nadir had just said. "And he hit her."

Phil jumped up and pushed Raoul back taking hold of Erik's arm. "Knock it off. It was an accident. We don't know if she is dead or not. It's not safe jumping to conclusions just yet."

"If you don't settle down over there I'll have security escort you out," the receptionist called to them from behind the front desk.

Erik pulled away and sat down in a chair away from them. As he sat there it seemed as if he was the only one there and a strange light was coming from the emergency room doors. He looked up and the light nearly blinded him as someone stepped out. Once he could focus he saw Brittney walking towards him. She was dressed from head to toe in a white gown, but as she neared him her whole body seemed to fade and as he enveloped her in his arms there was nothing, but air.

His fist was shaking out of frustration. So many things that made him happy had been taken away from him. His parents had loved him, but they were taken away, he was happy with his face at one point, but that was left twisted and unworthy of love, and the one thing he had truly loved was hanging on to life by a single thread. If felt like his curse had rubbed off on her.

As he pondered a doctor had come out and asked the others which one of them was Erik. In unison they all pointed to him.

"Excuse me, but are you Erik?"

"Yes, I am."

"You're to come with me."

"Has something happened?" Erik asked getting to his feet.

"No, nothing serious has happened, but every since she was brought into urgent care she has been muttering a name under her breath and it ended up being "Erik." Seeing as that is your name I was told to bring you to her."

"I'll go right away."

The doctor led him into one of the back rooms where Brittney was attached to a couple different machines. Her face was pale and he could make out the rise and fall of her chest.

"Erik," she muttered.

Right away he went to her side and avoiding the machines took her hand into his. "Oh, Brittney my love, I'm so sorry. But everything's all right now. I'm here," he said tears starting to slide down his cheeks.

She muttered his name again making his heart soar. At least she still remembered him. But did she still hate him for what had happened? He smoothed back her hair and recalled a song he had overheard her playing in her room as she was brushing her hair.

"How will I start
Tomorrow without you here
Who's heart will guide me
When all the answers disappear
Is it too late
Are you too far gone to stay
This one's forever
Should never have to go away
What will I do
You know I'm only half without you
How will I make it through
If only tears could bring you back to me
If only love could find a way
What I would do, what I would give
If you returned to me someday
Somehow, someway
If my tears could bring you back to me
I'd cry you an ocean
If you'd sail on home again
Wings of emotion
Will carry you, I know they can
Just light will guide you
And your heart will chart the course
Soon you'll be drifting
Into the arms of your true north
Look in my eyes
And you will see a million tears have gone by
And still they're not dry
If only tears could bring you back to me
If only love could find a way
What I would do, what I would give
If you returned to me someday
Somehow, someway
If my tears could bring you back to me
I hold you close
And shout the words I only whispered before
For one more chance, for one last dance
There's nothing that I would not give and more
If only tears could bring you back to me
If only love could find a way
What I would do, what I would give
If you returned to me someday
Somehow, someway
If my tears could bring you back to me"

Tears were in his own eyes as he sang those words. They seemed to fit the situation so well and he wondered if they would work? Would his tears really bring her back to him? He watched her for awhile and saw her eyes moving under the lids.

"Brittney?"

Her eyes fluttered open and she looked around the room dazed and confused at what had happened. All she knew was that her head and sides hurt and that someone was holding her hand. She turned her heads and when she saw Erik sitting there she smiled as tears came to her eyes.

"Erik, you're here," she said her voice so weak.

He reached over and stroked her cheek. "I had to make sure you were all right. I didn't want you to leave me."

"But you love Christine. I saw you kissing her."

"Shhh, Brittney it's not what you think. Christine was drunk and the alcohol was controlling her actions. I love no one more than you."

"So I could have saved us both a lot of trouble if I had just listened?" she asked him looking back up at the ceiling, deep down feeling so stupid for running out like that. "I had no reason to get mad," she sobbed.

"In a way you did, but you had no reason to run out in the pouring rain and get hit by a car. Why would you doubt my love for you?"

"I never would, but I guess the shock of what happened was too much for me to handle and I didn't want an explanation. All I wanted was a chance to regain my train of thought and calm myself down. I guess I got my wish."

She let out a sigh and then a wincing gasp as the pain in her sides made her body ache. She closed her eyes for a second and then opened them before giving Erik's hand a squeeze.

"I know it hurts my love. Don't worry, I'll make the hurt go away in time," he said kissing her hand.

"I can't believe I lost my glasses. Mom's going to be so upset about this," she said suddenly giving his hand another squeeze.

He held up her original pair and fitted them onto her face. She looked through them and looked upon him glad that she could finally see him. Tears streamed down his face and she saw sorrow written in his features.

"You need to be more careful with these. They're not cheap."

"Erik if I wasn't like this there would be one thing I would ask of you right now."

"And what would that be?"

"Hold me."

I hope the song worked in this chapter and that I haven't bored you to tears or anything like that. I really want to make everyone happy. Please let me know what you think of the latest chapters. I'll be looking at my growing collection of Phantom images while I wait. Oh, Erik (huggles my Erik plushie a dedicated reviewer gave me) I love you all.