Disclaimer: I do not own Erik, daroga, or other references of Leroux's novel. They belong to the author that created them.

Chapter Summary: in this chapter, Richard Grishold confronts the Phantom, William. The threats to both sides will lead to something unexpected. Someone will be shot.

Author's Note: Hello, everyone, I am back with another chapter! I have been pushed for this update you know who you are and I pray you will like this chapter. It is cough eventful. I am so sorry, ChristianAngel7 for not putting you on my reviewer's list! I will have you know that you have been faithfully added. All right, everyone, you better start reviewing or Erik will Punjab the lot of you pointedly glares at all the readers. On another note, I had not water for two days…I was very upset. I almost killed my car….long story You all would laugh and make fun of me! So, thanks to cassie, ChristianAngel7, Twinkle22, and harem98 for your faithful reviews.

P.S. I should be reading Wuthering Heights to chapter 11… but yeah… I am procrastinating!

Chapter 18- Woe to Those Who Loved Thee

William knew he had to get Stacy out of that house. She was panicked on the phone and all he heard her scream when she pulled away from the phone was, "William, help, they are going to kill…..me!" Then the line went dead.

He sent for the animals, so hopefully, the dogs would relieve some of her trauma. William ran a long white, slender hand through his golden hair in anguish. If anything happened to his lover, he would be the one to blame. George had sent her a note to let her know that William was coming.

William donned on his black eveningwear and a black mask. Putting his gun in its holster on his belt, he also put on his badge. He drove to the Russian Embassy to find the whereabouts of Nicholas.

To his dismay and surprise, George informed him that Nicholas was not acting alone. Nicholas was working with Richard Grishold, Vlad Kushoff, and the daroga to take Stacy away from him.

William was not worried, for he always had a back-up plan.

"George, get my car ready. I am heading to Stranzo's house."

With a nod, George walked away to complete his orders. William sighed with frustration, placing his hand over is masked forehead in thought, as he gazed out the window.

"Isn't it a beautiful sight of the city, Phantom? It must be frustrating not getting what you want?" A sarcastic subtle voice brought William out of his reverie.

With a cat's agile grace, William spun around and faced a man whom he knew but never personally met, Richard Grishold.

Sneering like a mad man, William questioned, "Do what I owe the honor, Grishold? I am William Addams, as you already know."

Extending out his white bony hand, Richard merely stared at it. Pulling back his hand, William smiled. One would assume his attitude as one of lunacy if he did not see the anger that boiled beneath the surface of his polite and nonchalant manner.

Richard was a foot shorter than William's six foot four, but he refused to be intimidated. Simply stating, "You knew all along, didn't you?"

Richard smiled in spite of himself. William, who folded his broad arms across his chest, just smiled maniacally.

His voice, tainted with venom replied, "Yes, I knew all along that you were interfering with me and my wife. That's very perceptive of you, detective! You are not as feeble-minded as I mistook you for being. I knew the whole time you were tracing my trail. I do commened you for your valor...or stupidity…Not many fools live to see the next day after they cross my path, yet here you stand, defying me at all levels. Why are you so devoted to my wife, tell me? Why is it that you are so intrigued by me that you are willing to sacrifice your life?"

Richard stepped forward and William detected a slight amount of sardonic amusement emanating from his form.

"I am always fascinated by the mind of a murderer. I doubt you would kill me, for if you DO actually love Stacy, then you wouldn't risk her hatred by killing me." Slightly cocking his head to the right, Richard's eyes glinted with a dare to continue.

William's blood boiled. How dare this belligerent fool question his love for Stacy!

He spat, "What do you know, simpleton! You have no right to question my love for Stacy! You know nothing!"

At that moment, William could have kicked himself, for he just revealed his raw weakness to this idiot and Richard knew it.

Richard turned towards the door, but William quickly diverted his attempt by blocking the exit. "If you think that you or the other morons will succeed in taking Stacy away from me, then you, my friend, are sadly mistaken."

Richard merely responded, quietly, "You hide from Stacy the real monster that you know you are. If all of your magic, deep intelligence, talents, and masks were stripped away and nothing was left except the hideous face and man, do you think Stacy would still love you? You know I am right. You know she is in love with the façade that you created. Addams, you need to end this whole mess before you break the woman that you claim to love more than anything else in the world."

"You know nothing about me or my life!" William snarled in reply.

As William headed down the hall, Richard called out, "I may not know about you or your life, but I know about loyalty and justice. You claim to work for the law, but in all honesty, you break it. You, Mr. Addams, are your own worst enemy. You are a murderer and no amount of hiding behind your mask and badge will ever change that! I am a man of science and law. Stacy is apart of my team and I will protect each member whom I deem as in danger."

William pretended to ignore the fool's rant, but his speech unnerved something within William.

Sighing as his violent rage subsided, William coolly replied, "I have no care nor worry for your concern for my wife, though, it is highly unnecessary since I am her husband. Mr. Gishold, I will only say this: be fore warned that your concern will ultimately get you killed. Now, if you will excuse me, I must retrieve my wife, and I would advise you not to follow me. It will do you no good."

With a mock bow William deftly strolled down the hallway, that is, until he heard Richard respond, "I only hope, then, that you won't make it to Stranzo's house too late to 'retrieve your wife.' I'm sure that by the time you find her, she will have nothing to do with you. She will have friends like Jacob, me, and Nicholas."

Blind rage blurred William's vision as he whirled around to face…no one. He was gone. William had too much to think about to be worried of the foolish man. He had to get Stacy out of Michael's house and out of Jacob's, Nicholas's, Grishold's, and Hugo's grasp.

William ran out of the Russian Embassy like a lunatic and rushed past a perplexed George into the black car. He sped off to the house of Stranzo.

The day was already rainy but a cold wind of the Arctic air froze the rain to ice. Slamming the car door, William stepped out, immediately chilled. He felt something was wrong.

Stacy's Point of View

I heard a car door slam and looked out the window expecting to see Michael, but it was William. Joy and fear filled my heart as I gazed at his graceful walk to the door. Suddenly he stopped and gazed towards my window.

Relief then flooded his features as he realized I was alive and safe. Reluctantly he turned his face away and ran to the wall. Jumping on top of the brick wall, he pulled himself on the balcony.

Retrieving some device from his pocket, he plugged it unto the security panel. The light turned green and the balcony door unlocked. I nearly leapt into his outstretched arms after thrusting the door open.

Nearly choking him, I crushed him to me. It was the first time I have seen him in nearly four months, and there were visible changes in him.

His beautifully long-fingered hands were both bandaged. He seemed to have lost at least twenty pounds as I felt his bony body. Looking at his face, his eyes were more dull.

His face etched in anxiety gave him a tired appearance. It was pale and taut and devoid of color.

He breathed deeply before he spoke, "Oh, how I love you!" Grasping his coat lapels, I drew him so that I could kiss him.

All of the sudden, the door of the room swung open with such force, had it not been for Willaim pulling me close, the door would have hit me. Richard, Hugo, Jacob, Kushoff, and Nicholas rushed in with their guns aiming at William.

"No!" I threw myself in front of William; I would not let them kill him. Feeling William's arms encircle my waist in a protective gesture, I held onto him with all of my might.

Closing my eyes, my stomach jumped to my throat in a queasy manner as William carried me and jumped off the balcony. We made it to the car with no trouble, but as we sped off, one lone gun shot rang out. The next thing I knew, William's blood poured out.

Author's Note: How do you all like my cliffhanger! I promise the next chapter will be interesting. Please review! Okay.. here is my updated Reviewer's List (much apologies to ChristianAngel7)

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NEW! 1-6-06

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So, let me know if you all liked this chapter or didn't. I appreciate constructive feedback. Okay, I am leaving to go watch COPS…or..uh… I mean read Wuthering Heights.

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