...Friend of Phantom

Erik's Eyes:

Helplessness. I felt completely helpless as I watched Gabrielle be broken by Christophe's words and then continued to be dismayed by him. I will skip over the fake intimacy she shared with him, because the pain I felt during that was too horrific to relive. I, of course, had not known that it was false and every moment of it made me want to curl up and die.

I had always thought Gabrielle to be a very readable person, but she continued to prove my assumption wrong. The ultimate proof of this was her suddenoutburst at Christophe himself. Her words were complete venom coursing into his every vein. I saw it all happen in slow motion. Him running at her in an attempt to strangle her, my reaction to defend her and then her thrusting a knife into his chest. I immediately froze as the realization of what had just happened took hold. She had transformed from my innocent and dependent kitten, to a culpable murderous lioness. She was obviously beautiful, but she also had a lethal side which had reared it's fangs and proved she knew how to use them.

I was completely caught off guard. Never in a million years would I ever thought her capable of cold-blooded murder, and for a moment I thought that perhaps she wasn't my docile lover any longer; that perhaps I never truly knew her to begin with. All doubts were immediately laid to rest as she slumped onto the ground in sobs.

"LEAVE ME! LOOK WHAT I HAVE DONE! I HAVE KILLED! I AM A MURDERER! I DON'T DESERVE LIFE NOR LOVE…I HAVE KILLED! LOOK WHAT I HAVE DONE…DON'T YOU SEE IT? HE HAS CAUSED ME TO BE CONDEMNED TO HELL…to HELL….to…to…"

I felt tears threatening my composure at these words. We were now completely one. I had always been a murderer and never did I think myself worthy of a normal man's life nor worthy of love. Since birth, I had been condemned to Hell. She and I had shared everything and I felt closer to her now, if that were even possible, than ever.

I refused to let the tears come, I needed to be strong for my broken-winged angel. Raoul attempted to console her, but she pushed him back immediately. I then attempted to do the same thing. I was extremely surprised when she fought against my embrace, but I could tell that she needed to be soothed, whether she knew it or not, and I held her tenderly, but with strength. She finally stopped fighting and entirely gave in to my solace. I held on to her, refusing to allow my hold on her to diminish in any way. After allowing her to cry on my chest for some time, I decided it was time for us to leave.

I gently told her that it was time for us to leave, before we were found. She accepted this better than I imagined she would. She merely nodded and followed me, her hand in mine.

In the carriage ride to the Opera house, she fell asleep against my shoulder. The weight of her head against my body rendered me completely tranquil. Raoul rode with us, but had remained silent since the murder of Christophe. I looked at Raoul who met my gaze for a moment before quickly glancing away. I had hated him so deeply when Christine was still alive, but now I was indifferent to all that. He had not refused my Gabrielle when she came to him for help, and now he was helping us both be together…perhaps he thought he owed me that, but I didn't care. I was grateful none the less. I spoke to him softly, being careful not to speak loud enough to wake Gabrielle.

"Raoul, I…I just…" My words failed me. I had never apologized to anyone I once hated so badly and wanted to kill, let alone THANKED them…usually anyone I wanted to kill didn't live long enough to redeem themselves… I could not come up with the correct way to say all I wanted to, no matter how hard I tried. Raoul saw my troubles and raised a hand to silence me politely.

"Listen Erik…I know we never liked each other and we would have killed each other the moment an opportunity arose, but I would like to think that none of that matters now. The woman who caused such hatred between us is gone. Let our loathing be buried with her body. Agreed?"

"I could never hate you…not now…you do realize that the guard will give you as an accomplice, do you not?"

"I do."

"What can be done to save you that trouble on our behalf?"

He thought for a moment on this question. "I have to believe that since Christine wanted me to help you both, she will also make sure I am not condemned for it."

"Christine wanted you to? Is she not dead?"

"No, she is indeed, but your Gabrielle told me of a dream she had, in which an angel told her to ask for my assistance. I asked her to describe the angel and she did. She described Christine to a tee."

I couldn't believe it, and yet, had I not spoken to the angel of Christine through my dreams as well? He smiled at me gently, then nodded towards Gabrielle on my shoulder. I returned my attention to her. She was still peacefully sleeping, her features expressing a relaxed and less invigorating beauty than that she depicted when awake. Her arm was wrapped around my own. I gently shifted her so I could free it. Once I had freed my arm, I wrapped it around her shoulders and pulled her closer, placing a kiss on her forehead.

"I cant seem to decide who needs each other more…Gabrielle, or yourself…"

I looked at Raoul and smiled once more. "Its not that we need each other, its that we are essential to each other, if we wish to continue living. I have to have her…there is no other way for me to live…without her I would die, of that I am certain. I love her so much it hurts."

"I am so very happy for you, Erik."

"Thank you!"

There I had said it. I had thanked Raoul and he looked at me in a way that verified that he truly took that as a compliment. He knew me well enough to know that it wasn't a common thing for me to give thanks to someone.

"You will be very happy together…you deserve each other…I mean that!" I believed him and knew he spoke the truth. I owed him something more important than my life…I owed him for the love he had given to me. Raoul. No longer an enemy but a friend. I had a friend. My first true friend.