Chapter twelve

"…Ohm… … where… where am I…" The pain in my chest, where did it go? What has happened? I open my eyes.

The room is lit by the coals of a dying fire, from above me on the mantle the clock chimes midnight. …I'm in my home, but how? I don't remember coming home, I wouldn't have made it… ah, now it makes sense. Daroga is asleep in the chair across from me, his hand supporting his head. "Daroga..?" he mumbles a protest and turns away from me. My patience wears thin, I need to know the consequences of my outburst. Was I seen! "Daroga!" His eyes spring open and he leaps to feet. "No Allah! Not the damn camels! I hate those stupid, smell…Erik! How long have you been awake!" I shrug, "Only a few minutes… what happened..?"

He sighs and disappears into the kitchen. Then returns with a pot of soup and I watch quietly as he pours us each a bowl, gratefully I take the one he offers to me. "Thank you." He nods and sinks back into the chair across from me. "You had another attack, couldn't you tell?" Mentally I curse myself, darn it! "Another one? Did anyone spot me?" He smiles sadly… a sound from the back rooms draws our attention. "Daroga… I think there's a mouse in my room, would you tell me where the trap…" Diana pauses, then runs over. I feel her arms around me and relax into her embrace.

"Thank God! You really scared me Erik!" Daroga chuckles as I shoot him a murderous look. "She refused to relax until I brought her here." My jaw clenches, "Do you think she will not be noticed missing! At a time like this! The last thing I will allow is for her to be put in any danger!" Daroga winces and nods, "We were just worried about you." …I think, from the look that I'm getting from both of them, that I must have just sworn in Persian. With effort, I force myself to relax. The choice was hers to make.

"…Forgive me, I worry too much… I just, I don't want to loose you…" Her lips over mine wipe out my doubts, calm my fears… I need her so much… and I can't even protect her. Not like this… "Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself, you have other things to worry about." Her hands in mine, oh lord above… she can't stay here! With effort I rise to my feet, she reaches out to support me but I push her back. "You must go back, I promise… I will come to you soon. You must not be found missing!"

I sit and watch the rain falling outside my window, running in the walls cracks to the pavement below. Gathering in puddles, reflecting the stormy sky… its soft pattering on roofs and the streets the only sound to be heard, I sigh. My clock reads 1: … something… I should be sleeping. But all I can think about is him. His lips against mine, the fire in his eyes… sinful thoughts! We aren't even married! And yet… the way he looks at me… it almost makes me forget…

My cheeks cool against the window, trying to sooth the blush on my face, but can I help it? He is made of fire! In his eyes, his movements, even in his breath! It's enough to drive a Sister of the church mad! But he's also warm, with a touch of spice. So every time he touches me… the fire that is part of him passes into me! What should I feel! Is this love? Or is it now just lust! …I need to speak to a priest, wait… oh goodness what would a priest think! Who can I talk to!

"…well, why not, you won't yell or get flustered, will you my God?"

The silence of my room is my only answer. "I have something to confess…" my hand strays to my hair, pulling it behind my ear. "I don't know if you are listening… you must be very busy, but I have a question." My confidence grew with the quiet. "God, is it right for me to feel this way?"

"…And how is it that you feel my child?"

I spin toward the mirror, laughing quietly. "Erik! This is probably beyond blasphemy." He smiles, raising an eyebrow almost mockingly. "Oh, is that so? I was unaware there was a point beyond blasphemy." The mirror opens to allow me access. In the light of the room his arms wrap around me, I sigh happily. "I can tell you cannot sleep, what is troubling you Diana? Have I caused you some kind of pain?"

I shake my head, "You could never hurt me, just hold me Erik… don't let go." His mouth caressed my cheek, laying soft kisses along my jaw. "You're air to me Diana, without you…" I pulled his mouth onto mine, silently enjoying the control I have over such a man. His arms hold me close, while our mouths cemented our bodies together. There is still something so timid about his kiss; as if always afraid it will be the last. With a gasp we pulled apart, his eyes bore into mine. "What do you want Diana." I reached up and caress the mask on his face. "I don't know what I want Erik, I want…I, oh drat to this blushing!" He smiles, running his hand along my side.

"I haven't even thought of this Diana, and I should have. It should have come to me quickly …but perhaps I am wiser than that now." His eyes are deep, remorseful. "You, are you wanting, to be always near me, to know me? Is what you want? I don't know who would join us… such a brave priest would be rare." With regret in our hearts, we release each other. His eyes turn from mine, becoming creased with thought… then they return to me. "Wait, I have a priest in mind, we go back awhile… somewhat…" his gaze wavered, a sense of unsteadiness sweeping into his being. "You must be sure that this is what you want. Do you wish to spend the rest of your life by my side, as my, as my wife?" What he has just said… it's overwhelming… I can only nod. His eyes are such amazing things; they show his emotions so purely…

He moans gently as I run my hand down his chest, telling me that he is feeling exactly what I feel. "Whenever it can be arranged, I will marry you." Something furry rubs against my leg, it mews angrily. Erik raises an eyebrow as I lift Phantom into my arms, my cat glares at him. "What did I do?" he snickers as a small paw bats out at him. I giggle, "I think she's afraid you're trying to take her place."

"He smiles, running his hand down Phantom's back, forcing her to calm down. "…I understand, I had a cat not long ago. They are such jealous creatures!" I smiled, wanting him to continue talking. "What was its name?" He smiled now, obviously remembering fondly the lost pet. "Her name was Iyesha, a Persian Siamese. I found her, and she stayed with me." I stroked Phantom, and for a moment the image of a delicate Siamese, reclining on a couch, formed in my mind. Erik continued, "I'm not sure why, but I have always gotten along with animals. I remember my mother had a dog…"

I can feel his mood change, becoming bitter and cold. This is the first time he has ever mentioned his mother! A sudden terrible thought strikes me, what if she contributed to the scars on his chest! He notices me trembling and immediately softens. "Diana? What is it? What's wrong?" I push the thought aside. "Nothing Erik! Ignore me, my mind was wandering, that's all." A sound from outside my door causes us both to tense. "Diana! Diana open the door! Please answer me Diana!" Erik looks at me, I look at him. "…It's Peter, its just Peter."

"Diana open the door!" I have to get her out of here, there is simply too much going on! I would never forgive myself if she came to some kind of harm! Darn that Meg! Why couldn't she have told me the entire story at the beginning of our careers! I can hear Phantom meowing, please be here Diana… "Diana! Open the door! Please open the door! It's Your brother!" To my relief the door opens, Diana pulls me in and closes the door behind me. "Peter! What is it? You're going to wake the entire opera house!"

A strange smell reaches my nose, I blink. "Diana? Since when have you worn men's Cologne?" A pale blush sweeps over her cheeks, "You've come here to question my hygiene?" She's hiding something from me? Why? Oh lord, focus Peter! This isn't the time for this! This is about that man! "Diana, we need to speak about your monsieur Erik." The blush fades, replaced by a pale and wide-eyed confusion. "What about my vocal instructor? What's wrong Peter?" I sigh.

"Diana, I have spoken with several people, I will not say that you could have known. You are in very great danger!" She has moved away from me, her eyes truly were blinded in this! "The man you call Erik is the same madman who terrorizes this theater! Meg Giry thinks that this monster is…" The blow comes from out of nowhere! From the spot I have fallen I can only stare at her in shock!

"I am so tired of everyone calling him a Monster!" Her eyes are on fire! What have I done to enrage her? "Diana! What has possessed you! Why are you acting this way!"

"Because I love him Peter!" Her eyes narrowed as my mouth sagged open. "L…Love… You love him? God Diana do you realize what your saying!" She turned away from me, her fists clenching. "Of course I know what I'm saying! I'm not a little girl anymore Peter! I'm a grown woman! So if I say something, I know perfectly well what it is!" She whirls around to face me, "You've judged him before you've even know him!" I am at a complete loss for words, and she knows it. "Now, if you have nothing else to discuss with me." She opened the door, "I bid you good day."

"Diana? Talk to me! I'm worried about you!" She opens the door wider to emphasize her point.

So here I find myself! Outside my sister's room with a handprint gradually fading from my cheek… what do I do now? She refuses to even listen to me! Know him, I don't have to know him! I saw him kill, isn't that enough! I move of down the hallway, feeling grateful that it is to early for other people to be walking about. Is there someone I should go to for help? Does Diana realize what she has gotten into?

Diana watched with Erik by her side as her brother walked of. Her hand gripped his tightly, tears running down her cheeks.