Well...ready for a heart rending chapter? Get your tissuebox out. Don't worry too much, though- no one dies or anything.

Chapter 15 - Running

Aria's body lay beside me, the heat of love wrapping us like a blanket. She turned her green eyes to me and smiled tenderly. She kissed my lips with a certain careful way. "Don't stop..."

"ERIK GET UP!"

I sat bolt upright in bed, having been shook by small hands. I stared wildly at a face until it came into focus. "Aria...?"

"No time, Erik, get up! You have to get out of here!"

I grabbed Aria's face and held it with a gentle aura. "Aria, calm yourself and explain."

She had frenzied tears in her eyes. "A maid found this letter and gave it to Madame Giry!" she moaned. "They will be here tonight; You must leave!"

I took the letter she proffered and read it with widening eyes.

Dear Messieurs Moncharim Andre and Richard Firmin,

I will indeed help you in this dire need of removing the dangerous Opera Ghost. He is a threat to the Opera House and I am here to take care of removing that.

On Monday night, the 14th, I will bring with myself 50 men to aid in flushing the man out and killing him immediately.

As to the subject of our wage for iradicating the man above, it will be 30000 francs.

Sincerely,

Jean Fayette, Head of Police

I looked up from the paper, completely bemused. Aria's orbs were frantic. "You have to get out of the Opera House! They'll comb every tunnel, Erik, you have to go! They will kill you!"

I forced my brain- one so used to running from bodily threats, into action.

"Aria...rest here for a bit while I gather some things." I told her gently, pulling her down on the bed and making her lay down. A wave of love and longing wash over me, and I'm tempted to lie down next to her. "Hush, my..." I couldn't say friend. It'd be lying. She's more than a friend.

Aria seemed to collapse. I rushed off, gathering what all I needed, including all the francs the managers had paid me. Suddenly I see Aria out of the corner of my eye, standing by my organ and stroking the keys. I walked over and laid a hand on Aria's shoulder. "Aria?" I whispered. She wouldn't look at me.

I turn her and tilt her face up. Aria blinked back tears. I know what she's thinking and I feel my own eyes brim. "Oh Aria, don't think we won't...I won't let you go that easy...We'll see eachother again..." I pulled her to my chest and let my silent tears pour. Our bodies trembled together; A life without Aria? But she couldn't visit me where ever I found shelter- someone would notice. Finally, Aria pulled back. "C'mon. You have to...leave fast." she mumbled, averting her eyes. I nodded and picked up a bag, the only bag I needed. I stared with yearning at Aria, wishing I could take something of hers. Something to connect us. Or wondering what I could give her. Oh- I did have...I rushed over to my desk.

On a whim I had bought a lovely silver necklace- it was simple and unadorned, and I had thought about giving it to Aria. I hadn't because I would have had to make up an excuse. Icame up behind Aria and clasped it on her neck. My fingers lingered a moment too long on her alabaster skin. Aria made me feel like I had given her a chain of diamonds. "Thank you, Erik," she choked. She thought along the same lines as me, and pulled the green ribbon that held back her hair. I felt that burning, needing sensation as I watched her red tresses drift back to her shoulders. "It-it's not much, but..." She laid it in my hand.

"We are together in more than just objects," I whispered, laying a hand over my heart.

Aria nodded. "Oh, lets go," she begged, "Before I lose it."

We walked thru a labyrinth of tunnels to the trapdoor furthest from the Opera House. Our steps became slower and slower, dreading the moment we had to part. But, unless we would have stopped walking altogether, we arrived. I dropped my bag and turned to Aria.

"Aria...I..."

Tell her you fool, you may never get the chance! Tell her you love her!

"I..." My eyes got wet from the shame. I couldn't force myself to tell her...

"I...will miss you so much."

Aria nodded and didn't bother to stem the tears pouring onto her face.

I held her face in my hands and tried to memorize it. Aria removed both my wig and my mask, and I sighed as her fingers traced my skin.

Eventually, however, I couldn't help it. I slammed my mouth on hers and pressed her against my body tightly, determined to have a little light in my darkness. The kisses were passionate and desperate...desperate to feel love before I went back out into the cold, harsh world. Our breathing was labored and noisy. I moaned loudly, and she replied likewise. My tongue slipped into her mouth, shoving back as far as it could, and Aria's leg curled around mine. I ran my lips down her neck as I had longed to do for a very long time before kissing her lips again. "Don't...stop..." I gasped to her.

When I had gained control-barely- I softened my lips on hers, and ceased all movement, and pressed my mouth into hers delictely- like our first kiss had been. My trembling hands buried themselves in her hair and Aria's rested on my chest. My heart pounded with the beauty of this moment. Exremely reluctant, I pulled back and rested my forehead against hers. The tears on my face fell onto Aria's, and our tears mingled as we cried together. With a last loving, tender kiss, I whispered, my voice shaking. "Goodbye, Aria."

"Good b-b-bye, Erik," she sobbed. I pulled away, and picked up my things.

My head to the ground, my tears unstopable, and my sobs heaving my shoulders, I made my way, and I couldn't look back, because if I did I knew I'd never leave.