Author's Note:
My reviewers are the best, and don't I know it too!
I make them lots of cookies as thanks for their review!
And now the counter has reached up, past the big five o,
So please enjoy my unlimited dessert buffet before you go!
You guys are the best! I mean it! (Even if I can't write a good thank you poem to save my soul) Eat whatever you want; I'll make more if we run out! (Remember Internet calories don't count!)
Ah, I am so happy, my story is loved! Anyhow, there's a little bit of everything in this chapter so I hope everybody finds something they like. Sorry it's a bit shorted than normal but I just had to stop there, sorry.
Disclaimer: Okay today is…hmm, would you believe how long I've been waiting and I still don't own these guys yet! Well, except for Mandy. How long is this going to take?
Like a tiger stalking its prey, ever so slowly I crept closer to the target, silently closing in on my intended victim. Unsuspecting my evil intentions my quarry laid buried under the blankets, hiding from the morning sunlight that filtered through the window blinds. Closer and closer I crept, staying behind the sofa so he couldn't see my stealthy approach.
"Wake up!" I shouted, proudly having snuck up behind Erik without waking him.
"Is that how its done? I thought one was supposed to gently rouse the sleeper." I jumped at the sarcastic voice behind me.
"Erik!" I whirled around to see him causally lounging against the wall, half hidden in the shadows.
"The one and only." He grinned at my shock. Of course he was already up and dressed, looking spiffy as usual. "I was wondering when you would get up. I was going to fix you breakfast but there is absolutely nothing in this house to eat except something called Ramen noodles."
"Hey now, don't dis the Ramen, they're all us poor collage kids can afford!" Not to mention successfully cook… He didn't answer but gave me an odd look. I had that strange feeling you get when you've received one too many weird looks in a short time period. Its so great knowing that people have no idea what you might do next. It's even better when they start worrying about it!
"Never mind. So are you feeling better this morning?" I asked while still trying to cover my frustration at having my latest plan foiled. I will get him one of these days!
"I am fine as always" he scoffed, raising his brow in his arrogant manner.
"You think sobbing on my shoulder for an hour is fine?" I glibbed back sarcastically. His smirking face, so temptingly easy to smack, now appeared bewildered and confused.
"I have absolutely no idea what you are referring to." I looked at him in shock. He really didn't seem to know what I was talking about. That or he's a far better actor than I ever thought.
"Okay, think back. Last night - weird little Frenchman, Christine acting strange, Mr. December… any of this ringing a bell?" He slowly shook his head back and forth a touch of fear creeping into his eyes. "How about the chandelier?"
"The chandelier!" he asked with audible relief. "Was that all?"
"Well not really, but do you remember it now?" I questioned gently, not wanting to remind him of the real reason for his sadness.
"No, but I think I know what happened." He sighed.
"Care to elaborate?"
"Not particularly." I glared at him and he shrugged good-naturedly. "But since I know that you will pester me to death if I don't tell you, I will graciously satisfy your curiosity. For now anyway," he muttered, his face going dark and his mind elsewhere.
"About the now part…" I not so subtly urged. He sighed again and grinned at my eagerness.
"Well my dear, it seems that if too many people are reading the exact same part of Leroux's story at the exact same time and they believe in us strongly enough, we tend to relive the experience." He looked at me expectantly and I had the nagging feeling he was making this up. "Well?"
"Well what? Are you waiting for me to clap my hands to prove I believe in Erik's story? You'll be there for a while." He glared at me angrily as I began tapping my foot impatiently.
"You dare imply that I am lying!"
"Did I imply that? Funny, I don't remember that part, but it sounds to me like you have a guilty conscience. I can't imagine why…" I gave him an unbelieving look. He quickly avoided my gaze but his anger remained.
"What difference would it make if I did? he growled. "If you're foolish enough to believe everything you're told, that's your problem. It's not my job to make everyone tell you the truth!"
"But it would be nice for you to tell me the truth!" I growled right back, which wasn't exactly the best idea I've ever had.
"So you are calling me a liar!" he shouted, advancing on me in his anger.
"Well fairs fair since you just called me a fool!" I angrily replied, unconsciously backing away from him. "If you're going to start calling people names, be ready for some payback!"
"Payback!" he snarled, his voice dropping eerily. "If it payback you so dearly desire, I think I can accommodate you, my dear."
"What the heck is that supposed to mean?" I retorted, struggling to keep the confident tone in my voice even as my insides trembled at this dark Erik who stood before me.
"Fear not, you'll learn soon enough," he grinned maliciously.
"Tell me!" I whispered, my command sounding far too much like begging. He just grinned at me.
"Mandy?" came a soft voice from behind me. "Is everything alright?"
I watched as Erik's eyes shot towards Christine's face. Instantly he dropped his threatening posture and masking his surprise, once more became the charming crazy man I knew.
"Yeah everything's fine," I told her without turning around, closely watching Erik. "Was there something you wanted?"
"Well, you'd said we're going shopping today and I just thought we could have lunch together too…"
"Sure," I said finally turning to look at her. She smiled at me uncertainly, aware that something was wrong but unsure what to do. "Lunch sounds fine. Would you care to join us Erik?" I asked without looking at him.
"Oh, please do!" Christine pleaded before he could refuse. "It will be marvelous! Just the three of us!"
"Very well, if you insist." He politely replied. She smiled gleefully and clasped her small hands together.
"Do you want to go out and eat or should I go bring something back?" I asked him; almost able to physically touch the tension in the room which Christine now seemed unaware of.
"I think it best for you to bring something here. We're not exactly going to blend in dressed in these clothes."
"Anything particular sound good to anybody?"
"Hmmm, those chips you had at the party were good, maybe some more of those?" Christine asked hopefully.
"I think there's some left in the cabinet but I've got to go the store to get some more. Maybe we could stop by after lunch when we go out."
"Okay!"
"So what do you want to eat besides chips?"
"I don't know," she answered, pouting her lips and wrinkling her forehead becomingly. I heard Erik deep inhalation of breath, though she missed it completely. "Do you have any suggestions Erik?"
"No, whatever Mandy brings will be fine." She nodded in agreement and I went to my room to grab my wallet and stuff. As I was coming back out, Erik met me in the hallway.
"Yes?"
"I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier. I didn't mean to frighten or offend you," He whispered gravely, though his voice was nearly empty of emotion. I was about to make a scathing reply but looking up into his eyes, I could see the confused and desperate plea for forgiveness.
"Yes you did," I began, watching him stiffen in pain. "But because you're my friend I'll forgive you this time. But it better not happen again." I couldn't help but grin as I tried to remain strict with him. He sighed again. "What did I tell you before about all that sighing?" He grinned and shyly came forward to give me a hug.
"I'm glad you're my friend Mandy. I have a bad feeling for anyone who isn't." He chuckled softly in my hair.
"Yeah well remember that if you decide you really want your payback after all."
"I never said I didn't." I stiffened in his arms. He simply winked at me and let me go. "Get going, a hungry Christine isn't a pretty picture."
"Alright, alright! I'm going, grouch." I stuck my tongue out at him. "But after lunch we're going shopping."
"We?" He asked, arching his visible eyebrow.
"Oui," I replied, headed towards the door.
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Having returned from Crazy Ed's Killer Cowburgers loaded with the store's famous slaughterhouse special combos I carefully maneuvered up the stairs trying not to drop anything, wishing Christine had come along to help carry stuff. The food may not sound too great, but even though Ed purposely picked the most horrid names for his burgers they were still the best around for miles. I decided I would let them eat their food without telling them what I had ordered, unless of course someone saw fit to become obnoxious again.
Finally reaching the door, I set some of the stuff down and unlocked the door and scooted it inside with my foot. Happy laughter escaped from the open door and I silently crept closer to see what was going on. Entering the empty living room, I set the stuff down on the coffee table and followed the sounds to the kitchen. Erik and Christine sat side-by-side, though not too close, perched on the barstools. He said something to her and she laughed again.
Watching them together I couldn't help but feel happy for my friends. They seemed so right together, not just cute like Raoul and Christine did. Erik was smiling freely, his tense posture gone, and he seemed to radiate a sense of peace I had rarely seen. Christine was beautiful as always but she seemed happier than usual also and dare I say somewhat more intelligent. I decided right then that I would do whatever it took to keep them both this happy.
"Mandy?" Erik asked, sensing me in the shadows. His grin didn't fade even as he deftly scooted away from Christine as though he were a schoolboy who had just been caught.
"Nope, guess again!" I joked, stepping into the room. "You guys want to eat in here or in the living room?"
"Why would we eat in the living room?" Christine asked innocently.
"Well I usually do so I can have the TV on." She looked at me confused again.
"Why do you watch the TV while you eat?"
"Lots of reasons. I like to watch the news and make fun of the dumber reporters, plus I don't have to hear myself chew. Besides," I added with a grin. "Its my apartment so I can eat wherever I want!" Yeah! Now how cool is that! "So where do you want to eat?"
"Lets eat in here so we can talk."
"At last, a decision is made," came Erik's voice behind us and we turned to see him with his arms loaded with the food I had brought up. We both giggled then moved to help take the stuff from his arms and set it on the table. Soon we we're all happily devouring burgers and chips.
"So what did you want to shop for Christine?" I asked the girl who was busily stuffing chips into her mouth.
"I'm not sure," she answered as soon as she had swallowed. "Something I can wear when I visit so I can go see stuff and not feel awkward." She paused to sip her drink then almost choked in her sudden excitement. "We should get Erik some clothes too so he can accompany us!"
"Hey now there's a thought," I agreed happily, even as Erik made a small choking sound. "Maybe we could even get him to wear some colors."
"Oh yes!" she cooed happily. "Raoul has a pink shirt he looks so adorable in, maybe we could find one that would fit Erik!"
"I think not," came the stern reply from the would-be pink shirted man. "The last thing I will ever be is adorable." I looked over to Christine and rolled my eyes and she giggled happily.
"Well its pretty much the only thing left to be after mastering just about everything else," I teased him as her giggles quieted. "Seriously why didn't you just pick one occupation and stick to that, you're making the rest of us look like slackers."
"I'm not wearing pink," came his pouting reply. "I notice you never wear it either."
"And I am so obviously fashion conscious!" I sarcastically joked. Christine started giggling again and I hoped she didn't choke. "Anyway I wanted to buy some black pants for school, my last pair have totally faded out. We'll get Christine a pair too. I usually go the grocery store today anyway, so we'll stop by there while we're out. Let me just get some comfy shoes on and we'll go."
Five minutes later we were headed down the road.
"Erik pick a station and keep it there." I snapped as he continued to endlessly turn the dial. Rap, Country, Rock and Roll, all went by in an incredibly irritating blur that was quickly giving me a headache.
"But I haven't found the station I like," he complained as the dial continued to spin under his fingers.
"Well, what are you looking for?" I asked through gritted teeth. The man looked at me astonished.
"Opera!"
"Erik they don't play opera on the radio stations around here." Stop changing channels, if you know what's good for you stop changing channels…
"Yes they do, you just have to find the right station…" the dial continued its dance and I completely lost it.
"No they don't!" I screeched as I knocked his hand away and turned off the evil sound monster he had created. Clearly stunned, my anxious passengers said nothing about my outburst but Erik kept a watchful eye on me as we drove along. "Stop looking at me like that."
"How would you prefer I look at you?" he asked sarcastically.
"Not like that."
"Well that was conveniently vague." I turned to glare at him. "While you are driving I would prefer you didn't look at me. It is not a habit conducive to safely operating a motor vehicle."
"You are so going to pay for that." I muttered as I glared at the road. Christine sat in the back of the car, happily watching the world go by.
AN: So what do you think? Erik's off for a day out with the girls! Are you ready for this? (Techno music starts up) No wait! He's going shopping for clothes, people! (I'm Too Sexy starts playing) That's more like it! You go Erik!
PS - While you are impatiently waiting for me to update, go read CloudXInXCrimson's The Tale of a Fateful Trip! It's great, I promise!
Obligatory yet still heartfelt plea for REVIEWS PLEASE!