AUTHORS NOTE: I had nothing but trouble from this chapter! GRR angry growl My word program had a fit when I had the chapter nearly done…and it lost it all…so now I have to start it over…AGAIN! SNARL! (sorry for breaking into my 'happy loveable phantom world' but I was/am so MAD!) But anyway…I hope you enjoy! While I'm here, I would like to thank my Gracie and all my other faithful readers! I appreciate your kindness and devotion!

I dedicate this next chapter to Liz: I hope your trip to England is nothing but fun and excitement. May you return to us safely!

Our Passion Play Has Now, At Last Begun

I had fallen asleep, crying over Erik. The tracks from the tears trickling down my face were still visible when I awoke. Before sleep had overtook me, I had realized to my great delight, that our love lasting through all these trials would be the proof of our undying love. The tears I had cried were out of both happiness and complete mourning. I was overjoyed that I had finally found the love I had been looking for all my life, but the thought that death might separate us was more than I could handle. I hadn't realized that I was so exhausted until I noticed that it was nearly noon when I woke up. I chose a dress from a few of mine that had been retrieved from Christophe's empty home. Throughout my hurried preparing only one thought remained fixed in my mind. ERIK! I was going to receive news of ERIK!

Around a quarter to, I sat completely alone in the Opera's stables. Even the horses were absent because of the performance that was occurring somewhere above my head. I listened inventively for any sound that might suggest someone approaching. My hopes were met head on by silence. Deafening silence. OH, how I love him. He will be well soon and we will be so perfect together! I can scarcely wait. Perhaps he can compose music for both he and I to sing along to. We can pass the hours together, in each other's loving embrace, joining our voices and professing our love! I could almost hear his gorgeous and intoxicating melodies.

An agonizing hour passed. I was known to have an overly active imagination and I made every attempt to not allow my mind to linger on what could be keeping the officer. Unfortunately, on this day, my self-control was lacking as well. Perhaps something went wrong? What if my Erik is dying? My imagination painted a horrifying picture in my mind's eye. He was sprawled out on an operating table, breathing harshly. Death had come for him. All present could tell he was nearing his end. NO! I screamed out to him but no one acknowledged that they could hear me. I watched on helplessly. Erik was whimpering in pain. He grabbed a nurse harshly, "Where is Gabrielle? Where is my love?" I am right here, my beloved! My own sobs shook my body. He continued brutally, "MADAME! I fear I will not live past the hour…I need my love…I need her to be here." His eyes glazed over extremely quickly. "NO…the darkness…I cannot see…Where is she? WHERE IS SHE? GABRIELLE! I AM FRIGHTENED! I NEED YOU HERE, BESIDE ME! I LOVE YOU! PLEASE…GABRIELLE SAVE ME! GABRIELLE!" Abrupt silence. His last breath was spent with my name still on his lips. I screamed out in torment and horror. "NO! MY LOVE…You CANNOT die for me! FOR ME! I WILL DIE WITHOUT YOU! NO! ERIK! MY ANGEL…my angel…my angel….my…my…no…Erik…" A hand on my shoulder jolted me back to reality. I shrieked at the sudden intrusion of the officer into my thoughts. I couldn't control myself anymore. I threw my arms around his neck.

"Thank God in heaven you are here Monsieur!" I bawled on his shoulder. "I had envisioned him dead…can you imagine…my strong, beloved angel…dead…… PLEASE MONSIEUR, tell me he lives…and if you cannot, don't say anything…take your gun out and end my misery!" I choked on my words. The officer stared at me for a moment before speaking. My grip was like iron on his arm.

"Madame…calm down…"

"I WILL NOT CALM DOWN! NOT UNTIL YOU TELL ME HE LIVES! PLEASE…TELL ME AND TELL ME NOW! IF HE DIES…If…If…If he dies," I had completely lost all control. "If he dies, I don't know what will happen…I just….I don't know…"

"Madame! Please…he lives…calm down…"

Relief hit me hard in the stomach. All breath left my body in one gasp. THANK THE HEAVENS!

"God love you monsieur, You cannot know what it means to me…"

"Listen to me on moment….please…" His tone was stern and serious. I gave him my complete attention, minus the half of it that was still dwelling on Erik. " Erik has called for you to come to him…" I was ready to leave in that instant. The look on his face stopped me from rising out of my seat. "But I must inform you. The doctor thinks it a poor decision. He is not yet sure whether Erik will survive and your visit may be too…strenuous…for him to handle at this time. The doctor cannot tell you not to come…because it if his patient's wish for you to do so…but he does ask that you consider what is best for Erik at this time."

"Is it really possible for my visit to push him into death?"

"We believe that it might be…yes…"

I withheld my tears effectively this time. "And how is he otherwise…is he in a lot of…pain?" I choked on the last word.

"No ma'am. He doesn't feel much."

"Excuse me sir…what do you mean by that?"

"He is unconscious the majority of the time, ma'am." He averted his eyes to the ground. I cast a glance back towards the darkened hallway that led to his home. Pain that felt equal to that of physical abuse contaminated my heart.

"All right, I will not go to him…" The policeman made to leave, but I stopped him by standing in his way. "But swear to me, that you will let him know that I would be by him in a heartbeat if we thought that his health wouldn't be endangered by it. DO NOT by ANY MEANS allow him to think for one minute that I remained here because I didn't love him!"

"No Madame…it is quite clear how much you care for him…You have my word, I will relay your message!"

"Thank you Monsieur!"

He smiled and left the stable. I felt numb inside. All I wanted was to see Erik looking at me as he always did. Love in his glimmering eyes. I longed to give him equally loving looks and to kiss the pain away. But I knew that those kind of intimacies would have to wait until his safety was secured.
Somehow I must have returned to his bed, because I soon found myself beneath the covers. The numbness of my body was almost comforting as I reflected on my love for him. That night before I slept, I shed one tear for the only I would ever refuse to go to him.