Erik: Well, Angel… How do you feel?
A little light-headed… Oh, my head hurts!
Erik: That could be a result of hitting it on the floor when you fainted… I still feel a bit indignant about that, actually!
Sorry, Erik… You know I'm not shallow… No matter what your face looks like, I'll always think of you as an irritable, chauvinistic, conceited, self-absorbed, homicidal sociopath… I even have this theory that you're a megalomaniac…
Erik: Why, Angel, that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me! And you'll always be my annoyingly perky insane most-loathed closet-mate!
Why, thank you! But I have a headache, so would you mind terribly taking care of the reviews? You can touch my PC as long as I'm in the room…
Erik: I'm loving this…
GerryISUChick04: Shhh… Let's not tell Angel about the other night… Let's keep that between you and me… What the… You think I'm a funny drunk? Hmph! Well it's certainly not funny when I get the hangover!
the Unrequited Lover: Hmm… I see why Angel enjoys reading your reviews so much. Hey, it almost is like an essay! You really know your Phantom. I applaud you. (Applauds her). Hey, we actually have something in common! We both hate kids! Unfortunately, Angel likes them, and she told me she always thought I'd make a cute father… (Shudders). Being a father is one thing… But cute I just can't stand for!
Starrylibra: Hey, hotstuff! I've missed you. And I appreciate you keeping your "child" comments to yourself.
RowenaIsolde: You again! Hmph! Fine, I'll pay up… In Canadian money! Ha! How do you like them apples, eh? Muhahaha!
VictorianDream: Uh, Angel doesn't know about all the weird stuff I keep in my lair, so let's keep our voices down, shall we? I'm happy you don't hate me anymore, otherwise I fear for my health... You really are my favourite rabid morbid phan, you know!
Elphaba: Well, you seem like an agreeable sort of character... Are you fictional too? Sorry, I know that sounds like a stupid question to ask, but already I have encountered Hollom, Legolas, Yoda, Mr. Holmes, men from Troy, as well as many other versions of me... It's a screwed-up world after all...
DarkSilverMaiden: You're getting good with that rope... Such deep words of light and truth... You have touched my inner-child. Please, allow me a moment to bask in the glory of your great revelations... (10 seconds later) OK, I'm done... Thanks for defending me. Ha! Take that Angel!
Me and My Shadow: Well, normally I would skip out on those movies, since Johnny Depp annoys me almost as much as Gerard Butler... But you have won me over with cheesecake and pop... Thank you.
Pertie: Well, although she may suck, Angel does have something of a sense of humour, I suppose. Don't like Canada? She's Canadian, born and bred! Every morning I'm "treated" to her techno-version of the national anthem! She's as Canadian as maple syrup! I, however, don't like Canada at all... Too many crazies here, and more now that hockey's back. Plus the ecosystem is being overrun by freaky squirrels. Oh, how I miss France!
VagrantCandy: Yes, we have been running around in circles here, haven't we? Well I checked out this chapter personally. It sucks, mind you, but I think you're in for a surprise.
Tadriendra and Company: Well, for one thing, I would not kiss Angel if her mouth was a spring of water and my lips were on fire... And although I'd love to come live in your underground room, Angel has put one of those special dog collars on me that zap me every time I try to leave the closet... She said I needed to learn some obedience... (Grumbles) Annoying female...
Silent Phantasy: Oh, come now dear, there was no need to punish Muse!Erik... His was the first honest review I've answered so far! Hehe... Muse!Erik should come hang out in my closet sometime... I sense that we have much in common. He just might save me from losing my mind.
AngelofMusic8578: You lost it years ago!
MasquradingThroughLife: Ah, MY-Erik... I see your mistress is her usual frustrating self... She holds a wonderful point, though. Angel is such a wuss! Hey, wait a minute... You kind of sound like one of Angel's weird friends that used to go to high school with her... Your "forever and ever and ever, etc." sounds a lot like her... Oh man, you didn't happen to go to ENSS, did you?
Inuyasha-gal-97: Moo to you too... Yes, I am the true Erik from the book, not one of those movie wanna-be's... So you like fish? I like moose-meat...
dulciluisa: Oh, don't worry... I'd like to forget about some of Angel's fics, too... But alas, I cannot, for I am in all of her fics. Oh, I'll take that pie.
Lady Golodwen: I'm glad you found Chapter 16 so amusing... I thought it sucked... Man, if that hot thing came back to my lair... Pardon me, back on topic... You hold a good point, as the Unrequited Lover did... Perhaps Christine is not the brightest crayon in the box. And although I appreciate Mr. Butler's talent, his portrayal of me has done nothing for my privacy. I must say, I was pretty disappointed with his face as well. The first time we watched it, Angel said, and I quote, "That's it?" Well, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Haley Macrae: For the love of all things holy, will people please stop telling me that alcohol isn't the answer? I am not an alcoholic!
Araiona Dubois: White-chocolate popcorn? Erik likes!
On that happy note, let's read this chapter!
XxXxX
Fantine poked her head outside her room.
"Erik?" she called softly.
She stepped out. He wasn't in the main room with his organ. Perhaps his bedroom?
She pushed the door to his room open. All was dark inside. Erik was not in his bed.
She searched the kitchen… the bathroom… She peeked inside the sitting room…
An empty bottle of brandy sat on the desk. His cloak hung from a hook on the wall.
Had he left the lair without his cloak?
Fantine walked over to the desk and picked up the bottle.
"Oh, Erik," she whispered. "What are you turning into?"
XxXxX
"I gave that wench a home," Erik slurred over his third glass of scotch. "I gave her food, shelter, a place to sleep… Hell, I gave her bloody conversation!"
The bartender nodded, listening intently.
"And how does she repay me? By pursuing some pretty dancing boy!"
"Sounds harsh."
"Did you dream of marrying her?" inquired the intoxicated man beside Erik.
Erik paused. "Well… yes… I… I wanted to spend my life with her."
Erik was amazed at the effect alcohol was having on him. He never would have shared the details of feelings for Fantine with another person had he been sober! And yet, that's exactly what he had been doing for the past hour, being careful not to let anything slip about being the Opera Ghost.
But for all the changes the drinks were inciting within Erik, the ache in his chest still did not hurt any less.
The other drunk smiled as he got a distant look in his eye. "I was going to marry once…"
"Oh, please," the bartender moaned. "Not this story again!"
The drunk looked perturbed and glared at the bartender. He held a finger against his lips. "Sssssshhhh!" he shushed him. He returned to telling his story. "She was beautiful… funny… and really nice, too!"
Erik stared at his drink. He didn't really care about this man's long lost love. His thoughts were dwelling on his own love.
"I asked her to marry me…" the drunk continued. "I was so happy when Fantine said yes!"
Erik nearly spewed his drink.
The bartender shook his head. "It's been five years, Albert. You've gotta let her go."
Albert glared at the bartender. "I can't let her go! I loved her!"
"How could you love her?" Erik hissed. "You left her!"
Albert frowned at him. "I did not!" He sighed and propped his head up on his elbow. "She was a dancer… A beautiful, graceful dancer… But five years ago, there was an accident at the Opera Populaire where she worked. I don't know… I wasn't there that night… I heard gossip about some Opera Ghost nonsense… But anyway, the chandelier fell and the stage caught on fire…" Albert broke down in tears. "Fanny got burned… She got burned bad… I went to the hospital to see her, and… Oh, her beautiful face was all burnt up! I went in to see her and she pushed me away… Kept pushing me away and screaming at me not to look at her… Told me to go and not come back… Said she wanted no visitors… Then Fanny sent me a letter with the ring I gave her… Said she couldn't marry me now… Said I must be disgusted by her face…" Albert looked at Erik with pleading eyes. "But I wasn't! I loved her! I still wanted to marry her! I tried to find her… Looked everywhere… Then I found out those worthless managers at the theatre fired her… I… I tried to ask her ballet mistress where she went… Madame Giry wouldn't tell me anything…"
Erik stared straight ahead as Albert's words sank in.
"Try not to pay attention to the poor fellow," the bartender whispered to Erik. "He's been here every night for the past five years crying about her. A lot of whiskey under the bridge. I'm afraid he's not all there." The bartender shook his head. "Shame. I hear he used to be a really successful lawyer."
Erik barely heard him. The ache in his chest suddenly increased.
Fantine had lied to him…
XxXxX
It was getting late. Erik had not returned. He had been gone all day long.
Fantine sat curled up on the couch, hugging her knees to her chest. She had just spent the last several hours crying. She feared for Erik's safety. She feared what he would do, for she was quite certain that he was intoxicated when he left, judging by the empty bottle on his desk. But most of all, she feared that he had left her for good!
Angry and hurt as she was by his behaviour as of late, she still didn't want to be left alone again.
"Maybe," she whispered, "I'm better off being alone. At least I won't ever be hurt again."
With a sad sigh, she stood up and headed to her room. A splashing sound from the lake froze her in her tracks.
She turned around in time to see Erik stagger out of the boat and into the lair.
"Hi, honey! I'm home!" he announced. Rather loudly, she noted.
"Erik? Have you been drinking?" she asked, quite sure that she already knew the answer.
"Like a fish, Fantine!" he sneered.
Fantine sighed. What was it about alcohol that could turn an intelligent, polite gentleman into a rude tyrant?
"You know what, Fantine?" he slurred, stumbling closer. "I learned something very interesting today!"
"How to steer a boat while intoxicated?" she asked sarcastically.
Erik ignored her. "You know what, Fantine? It's a small world after all! Why, I went up to the surface today, looking for a little sympathy and a cold, hard drink! But do you know who I met?"
"Erik, I have no patience for this now!" she snapped, grabbing his arm and attempting to lead him off. "You must go to bed, now. You're not going to be a happy fellow in the morning…"
Erik tore his arm from her grasp. This movement caused him to stumble backwards and he fell against the wall. Steadying himself, he leaned against it and grinned at Fantine. "I don't want to go to bed… I'd rather finish my story…"
"Erik, I don't have time for this!"
"You know, that Albert was a very pleasant fellow…"
Fantine's hand flew to her mouth. Her eyes grew wide. She choked back a sob.
"Oh, my!" Erik said mockingly. "I didn't even have to tell you what he said to me… You guessed!"
"Erik…" she whispered.
Erik smiled cruelly. "Broke your engagement, did he? That's funny… He's under the impression that you sent him your ring along with a letter saying that you didn't love him anymore!"
"That's not true!" Fantine sobbed. "I did love him! But he deserved better than me! He deserved a normal life! He couldn't have that with me!"
"Do you know what you left him with, Fanny? A broken heart and an endless flow of whiskey! Your successful lawyer is nothing more than a pathetic drunk in a bar!"
Fantine hung her head as tears flowed down her face.
"Oh, Fanny," Erik gazed at her mockingly. "It seems I've hurt you. Is the truth too much for you to handle?"
Fantine looked at him. Through her tears, an angry fire burned. "I will be tolerant with you this once, Erik," she growled, "only because you are drunk! In the morning, we will talk."
"We will talk now!" Erik snarled, grabbing her wrist. He squeezed it so tight, Fantine feared he would bruise it. "Care to tell me why you lied to me?"
Fantine turned her face away from his glazed eyes. "I thought if you knew the truth, you would think me petty… Or weak…" She gazed up at him. "Sometimes I still regret pushing him away… But I couldn't stand him seeing me like this!"
"So you just threw away his love like it was cheap trash?" Erik said. "Well, I understand why you would be concerned about me thinking you're weak, then!"
Fantine wanted to scream at him. Or hurt him. But the events of the night of her accident were rushing back to her… She was having a terrible flashback of the chandelier's fall… The hot flames…
"Help me! Help me, someone, please! It's burning! It's burning me!" That echo from her past still haunted her in her nightmares.
Fantine broke down into uncontrollable sobs. "No! No!" she cried as she tried to pull away from him. She squeezed her eyes shut. This was more than her heart could bear!
Had Erik been sober, he would have found her current state a cause for concern. But right now, all he did was squeeze her arm tighter and sneer at her.
"Mademoiselle is upset? I suppose you want my comfort, then! Well, I ought to be an expert at this by now!" Erik flung her against the wall and pinned her wrists beside her head. His mouth was upon hers in an instant.
Fantine normally enjoyed his attentions, but now she recoiled from him in fear. His breath reeked of alcohol, and his motions were violent. She was not used to his behaviour, nor did she like it!
"What's wrong, Fanny?" he hissed against the smooth skin of her neck. "Repulsed by the idea of a monster touching you?"
"I don't think you're a monster, Erik," she whispered.
"Oh, then you won't mind if I do this!" Erik pressed himself hard against her, burying his face into her neck and nipping at her throat. To Fantine's shock and disgust, she found that his hands had released her wrists and were now grasping her chest.
"Erik, get off of me!" she demanded.
"Oh, come now, Fanny… You're going to enjoy me…"
One of his hands slipped inside her dress.
Fantine freed one leg and brought her knee up into Erik's groin.
Erik cried out painfully and doubled over. In his drunken state, he had forgotten how hot-tempered Fantine could be. Putting his hands on her had been a big mistake. He gazed up helplessly into her angry, flashing eyes. She grabbed him by the hair and pulled him upright.
"I liked you a whole lot better when you were sober!" she screamed into his ear. "Even though you have been a complete jackass lately!"
Erik put his hands over his ears. "Please…" he moaned. "Not so loud…"
Fantine dragged Erik by the hair off to his room and threw him inside, slamming the door behind him.
She stalked away to her own room and slammed the door.
She paused, then quickly locked the door so that no one could get in unless she let them. She didn't want Erik to catch his second wind and come back for round two.
Fantine didn't even bother to get undressed, but flung herself onto her bed and curled up. She grabbed her pillow and hugged it close. Erik's words had brought back many painful memories. She was in for a long night… one full of nightmares…
XxXxX
Erik: HEY! SHE JUST KICKED ME IN THE B-!
Erik! Could you please stop shouting? I have a headache!
Erik: This chapter sucked! I just got beat up by a woman!
Oh, it's not like I was being unrealistic! I beat you up all the time!
Erik: You suck!
Jerk... Well guys, we'll see you all tomorrow!