Déjà Vu Forever
by
angelinhell
I don't own any of what I am about to write, including the characters (POTO) and the concept (Groundhog Day). However, the plot is mine and mine alone. Now that that's done with, let's go.
Chapter One: The Bargain
The first day without her.
He reminded himself that death was on its way and that he did not have long to wait. But it did not make the lingering, torturous hours any shorter. Life...how could there be life anymore, without light? How could he continue to live in the night now that he had known the day?
Of course, there was always—
"You idiot."
He started and looked around desperately for the source of the voice. "Who...what are you?" he asked.
"You stupid, stupid man."
"I would be grateful," Erik said through clenched teeth, "if you would stop calling me an idiot and explain your existence."
"Grateful! Ha! I'll bet that's a word you've never used before in your life!"
Erik simply stared straight ahead, a glare piercing the air in front of him.
"But I didn't come all the way here to insult you."
"I should hope not," Erik muttered.
The voice laughed. "I came because I have a proposition for you."
Erik waited.
"How would you like the chance to go back and do it all over again?"
Erik looked up, hardly daring to hope. "Do what all over again?" he asked.
"To have the chance to win Christine, to have the chance to try again?"
Erik's heart gave a wild leap. "If you are what and who I think you are," he said coolly, "I think you know how I would like it."
"You don't believe me."
"I'm not inclined to trust disembodied voices."
Suddenly a short, rather mousy man appeared in front of Erik and extended a hand. "The Archangel Gabriel at your service," he said pleasantly.
Erik took the hand somewhat gingerly and looked incredulously at the archangel.
"What," Gabriel said, a smiling rising to his lips, "don't tell me you expected white robes, harps, blond hair, blue eyes, and a ten-foot wingspan?"
"No. But I must admit I expected someone more..."
"Majestic? Attractive? Angelic?"
Erik cracked a smile. "Someone taller, if you must know."
Gabriel laughed. "My greatest failing as a human. Well, to business, shall we?"
Erik nodded. "But before we begin...why are you doing this?"
Gabriel sighed. "There are some of us back There who have an...interest in your life. We know all the things that you were meant to learn this time around, and there are a few which...well, let's just say we haven't gotten the message through very well."
"Not exactly the most informative of people, are you?" Erik said sardonically. "What does this deal of your entail?"
"We put you into a temporal loop that causes you to live over your...experience...until you get it right."
"Until she falls in love with me, you mean."
"Until you get it right," Gabriel repeated, smiling.
"What's the downside?" Erik asked pensively.
"You won't be able to leave the loop until you do get it right."
"Ah." Erik sat down. "That's quite a downside."
"The question is," the angel commented, "as the question always is, is it worth it to you?"
The man closed his eyes slowly and pictured her face again, as it had been when she had left him. "Yes," he whispered. "Oh, God, yes."
"Then let it be so."
FLASH.
And that's the end of the chapter. How's it going so far? Good idea, d'ya think? Ah, who cares. Next chapter soon. Siobhan out.
