Disclaimer: Please don't sue. I don't own POTO... All I own is an overactive imagination.
Summary: ErikRaoul slash fic.
Warning(s): homosexual content, slash!
Pairing(s): ErikRaoul
A/N: Don't kill me please! I'm trying so hard to keep writing. I really am, but surprisingly enough. It's taking a very long time. But, the story is unraveling though slowly. Thanks for everyone who have reviewed and who have managed to remain interested in my story. I'm so sorry still! Why? Well, because I will remain sorry until I finish this story completely. It's taking me entirely too long to do so.
Oh, yeah. Christine's a total prat in this still.
o.o.o.o
Pass Time: Inquiring Minds o-
o.o.o.o
By: Lucifer Rosemaunt
o.o.o.o
Last Time: Erik saves Raoul's life after he ran into the house to save his violin, though Erik feels like he's failed the Vicomte since he's lost his home. Madame Giry sends the managers to the Chagny estate and they offer him shelter. Erik's in bed rest at least for a week. Raoul's sick and injured. They'll both live with full mobility though. :o) (I can't be that sadistic. I want them to get together; I'm with Erik with his happy ending theory). So, now Erik, Christine, and Raoul all live under the same roof. Madness ensues…
o.o.o.o
-.-
Christine woke up to the familiar morning sounds of the girls' dormitory. However, unfamiliarly, someone was shaking her and quite hard too.
"Christine, wake up now!" Meg sounded exasperated.
She wanted nothing more to do than turn over and continue sleeping. She hadn't slept well at all last night. 'Oh shit,' her thought resounded in her head. She hadn't slept well wasn't really the case because she hadn't slept much. Christine opened her eyes, wide awake.
Last night was a nightmare, had to be, but the look on Meg's face and the excited whispers the other girls were speaking in said otherwise. Christine caught snatches of conversation as it circled about her. She closed her eyes in an effort to shut them all out.
"Can you believe it? The Chagny estate burned down."
"Really? Who saw?"
"One of the stage hands had to go to Andre and Firmin."
"What of the Vicomte?"
"I've heard nothing. I thought he was out of town."
"He was supposed to be, but why would the managers need to go."
"Well, to show support of the staff that was still there of course. If the Vicomte ever came back again, they would put in a good word for the managers."
Meg started shaking her again. Christine moaned and sat up.
"I'm awake, Meg," Christine said.
Meg glared at her. It was actually frightening how similar to her mother she could be with just one look. "We need to talk. Meet me on stage in a few." She said simply before leaving the room. Meg was already dressed and ready for the day's practice.
Christine on the other hand, couldn't even think of a whole day's work of practice. She was too exhausted.
o.o.o.o
Madame Giry stood off stage pondering the events of last night.
She had visited Raoul early in the morning. His fever was going down with the help of Henri who had stayed bedside with a cool cloth. Raoul was certain to be up today already.
The managers had requested that she bring him food. She had been affronted at first considering that it was not her job to be a servant to the Vicomte, but considering that no one else knew that the Vicomte was living in the opera house, they really had no other choice. No need to alert everyone in the opera house of the new living situation. The managers could do it themselves, but that seemed like so much more work. So, the job fell to Madame Giry.
It was better that she would bring the food. She could actually show Henri and he would be able to, but it would give her a reason to check on Raoul on a daily basis. She would have done so without needing a reason but at least now, she had a good excuse. Madame Giry was entirely intrigued about the whole situation between Erik and Raoul. She was in good authority to believe that the Vicomte was more likely to give her the information she needed to unravel the secret than Erik was.
Erik had still been asleep when she left the room in the morning. It had surprised her. Erik was such a light sleeper she was both amused and worried when he did not even stir at her movements. He was more injured than he let on, or at least he was feeling the pain more.
She hadn't told Erik that Raoul was staying at the opera house. She hadn't planned to not tell him, but her instincts had told her to keep it a secret. He would learn about it eventually.
The man had saved Raoul's life. That was wholly unexpected. Erik had never saved a life in his entire existence, not that she knew of. There was something very big happening between the two. First, Raoul sends Erik an organ. Then, Erik saves Raoul's life. It could be that Erik was really glad to have an organ, but that couldn't be the reason. At least not the only reason.
Madame Giry had to force those thoughts aside though as she brought her girls to attention. The day seemed too long already.
Meg was the first in line and looked a bit annoyed as she searched the stage for Christine. Christine had taken her time getting dressed and ready this morning so that Meg had yet to speak with the girl. She presumed that Christine did it intentionally.
She had of course. Christine wanted to avoid the conversation with Meg as long as possible, or at least until she understood it well enough herself. She didn't want to fully admit to what had happened the night before. She didn't even know what had possessed her to do such things. She would practice with the prima donna Carlotta and the director regarding her stage directions and such. It would provide a good distraction.
Meg would be mad at her, but at least Meg wouldn't be able to get to her until the end of the day since the ballet girls always had longer days than the singers. Christine hoped that she could hide from her at least well into the evening.
o.o.o.o
Raoul woke up slowly. He hurt. Not even just a localized pain. He hurt in general, overall. He just hurt. He moaned and rolled over. Henri had left earlier that morning. He remembered because he had woken up in the middle of his inspection. His butler had forced him to take some medicine and he had been checking Raoul's wounds. They hurt horribly, and what he did see of them, they looked really bad.
He figured it was a good thing his leg hurt though, that meant he wouldn't lose it. His arm and hands were also wrapped from the lesser burns he received, but he could mostly ignore that particular pain.
Raoul looked around the room carefully, worried that the phantom could be lurking nearby. He wondered how the other man would take the fact that he was living in the opera house. His opera house. According to Christine, Erik wouldn't take the news too kindly. The blonde sighed. If only he weren't so attached to the man, if only he had never met him... life would have been less complicated. But Raoul had to admit he'd never loved someone so much. He allowed the thought to go unchecked only because his near death experience had really shaken him. He had somehow been spared and for just a bit, he could allow himself to relish in the feeling of simply being able to love someone so much. He was uncertain as to how he had escaped that burning building. He could faintly recall seeing a shadow before he passed out, but anything after that was a mystery. His first thought on that subject was that it had to be the Phantom. However, Erik loved Christine and no matter how much Raoul loved him, he couldn't hope for the man to love him back. Wishful thinking on his part.
He did not intend to let those thoughts leave the room though. Once he was better, Raoul would go back to denying his reactions to Erik. He would deny ever being so vulnerable to the man that possibly wanted to hurt him the most. And hurt him he did. He wanted to believe he had a chance, but Christine had dashed his hopes. So for now, he had his dreams to keep him company.
He wondered briefly how Christine was doing. He had found out that Madame Giry had been the one to contact Andre and Firmin, so that meant that Christine didn't do it. Raoul wondered if she even bothered to try to help him. He winced slightly when he made a fist in anger. That woman would be the death of him. He wanted to get her back for burning down his house but what to do exactly was beyond his imagination. He wanted a good plan of revenge.
At that precise moment though, what he really wanted to do was leave the room. Too many memories made the enclosure feel suffocating. He couldn't help but feel a little like Christine in this room: wondering whether the Phantom was nearby, yearning for his presence, his voice. He couldn't go outside though. He couldn't even leave the room. Mostly because of his injuries but also because Henri and Madame Giry would have a fit if he was seen outside his room. It was supposed to be a secret that he was living in the opera house. He had no intention being found out so soon. Considering the repercussions, and definitely considering the fact that he was not fully healed to protect himself.
However, that left him nothing to do. He couldn't even pace. He could sit up, but once sitting he had nothing else to do.
Raoul looked around the room helplessly. Though tired still, he was already feeling restless. He closed his eyes and buried himself deeper into the bed. Sleeping was the last option he wanted to accept, but it was really the only option left for him. He felt a little hot from the fever last night and his body felt really heavy.
He smiled slightly when he realized he could faintly hear the performers practicing. He could hear the orchestra clearly if he listened hard enough.
Music. It was beautiful. He could feel his whole body relaxing. He thought to pick up his violin and join in; hopefully, no one would notice. He felt his eyes closing however. He allowed his body to rest deciding to take a well-deserved nap before lunch. Then, he could see if his hands and arm would allow him to be able to play the violin.
o.o.o.o
Come lunchtime, Madame Giry decided to give the girls the rest of the day off. They had been surprised, but no one bothered to question her actions.
Madame Giry had her own reasons, and the biggest of which included to reveal the events after the Don Juan Triumphant fiasco. She arrived at her room and was surprised to see Erik in the exact same position as she had left him. She placed a hand on the Phantom's forehead but it was not warm.
"Erik," she whispered. Receiving no response, Madame Giry checked for a pulse. She was relieved when she felt a steady beat under her fingers.
Allowing Erik to rest and as quietly as she could, she left food bedside for Erik if he awoke and prepared lunch for the Vicomte before leaving the room.
Madame Giry made her way towards the once abandoned hallway towards Raoul's room. Most of the trip was spent looking over her shoulder but she arrived unseen by any other, for which she was glad.
She knocked on Raoul's door quietly and was surprised when it opened. Henri bowed his head slightly before taking the tray from her hands and allowing her entrance. She looked at the room in slight astonishment. No one would have guessed that the room had been used as storage just yesterday. Everything was sparkling clean and any feminine touches had been taken away.
"Thank you for bringing him food," Henri said while closing the door firmly behind her. He offered her one of the two seats beside, which she took. He continued to speak, "The Vicomte has been sleeping since the morning, but his fever has left. It must have been the shock of his injuries."
He gestured faintly towards the bed. On the bed, you could only see the back of Raoul's head as he slept facing away from the doorway.
Madame Giry looked at the butler questioningly for a moment. "I thought all of his staff had gone out?"
Henri nodded, placing the tray on the bedside table. He sat opposite to Madame Giry. "We appreciate you and your managers' hospitality. The others left for the market to buy supplies and check on the household. I myself came back earlier if the Vicomte was in need of something. The others will come back shortly. I am certain that we will find a place to stay in no time."
"It is quite alright," Madame Giry interjected, "You should stay here as long as you need. But, has any of the others of this opera house given you trouble or suspect anything?"
"No, not at all, Madame. We all left quite early in the morning and coming back no one took notice."
Madame Giry was relieved. She was worried they would be found out immediately, but luck was on their side. "As I was saying. You may stay here as long as necessary. You needn't rush to find lodging elsewhere."
Before Henri could answer, Raoul groaned and started to shift in the bed. A mumbled "Henri" was heard.
"Yes, Vicomte?" Henri answered walking bedside.
Raoul whispered hoarsely, "Is that Madame Giry you're talking to?" Vicomte slowly turned around, eyes not quite fully open.
"Yes. Madame has brought you lunch."
Raoul sat up in the bed with much effort before smiling to Madame Giry in appreciation. He cleared his throat and was happy to find that he could speak normally, "Thank you for your hospitality though I find that my hunger has not fully returned yet."
Henri ignored Raoul's statement and handed him a piece of bread. Raoul made a face at his butler but Henri gave him no choice, whispering only loud enough for Raoul to hear, "If you do not take this bread yourself, I will have to feed it to you myself."
Raoul smiled sheepishly at Madame Giry before taking the bread and grudgingly taking a bite.
Madame Giry watched the exchange in fascination. It was not as she expected. More to the effect that Raoul was not as she expected. She had thought him to be a spoiled, selfish noble. She expected him to order Henri and the others around without regard to the fact that they were people as well. In that exchange, though she had not heard the words spoken by Henri, she could guess at what he said. The Vicomte was gaining her favor.
Looking satisfied, Henri sat back down.
Raoul pouted for a moment before remembering Madame Giry was present. He cleared his throat again, a light blush showing on his cheeks, "I would like to extend my appreciation to you. I heard that you sent Andre and Firmin to my household. I don't know quite what we would have done if the managers hadn't offered us lodging. We are indebted to you."
Madame Giry smiled, "You are in debt to no one," she paused considering something for a moment, "though I would like to ask you a favor."
"Anything in my power, I shall offer it to you," Raoul said.
"I would like to ask you what really happened since the night of Don Juan Triumphant."
Raoul was glad he had finished eating the piece of bread because he was certain he would have choked on it. Of all the things to ask, Madame Giry had to ask the one thing Raoul wanted to avoid. Henri noticed that Raoul had paled considerably once Madame Giry asked her favor. He had noticed the change of the Vicomte's behavior since that night, but he did not know the actual cause. He had heard the gossip as everyone else did in Paris of the Phantom that lurked in the Opera Populaire, but did not think anything of it. He thought nothing of it until last night when he found the man himself.
"O-okay," Raoul hesitated a bit. "After we parted, I continued down but fell into a trap door. I managed to get out and continued on my way."
Raoul looked at their expressions. He rolled his eyes seeing them both expressionless. He knew that he wouldn't tell the entire truth, so he hesitated no longer. "I found Christine in the Phantom's grasp. I was stuck behind the portcullis though. I asked him. No, more like begged him to let her free. I offered myself in her place. He raised the portcullis but it was all a trap and I found myself with a noose around my neck. He made her choose between him and me. Christine kissed the Phantom and he freely gave us our freedom."
Madame Giry raised her hand to stop him, "Christine kissed him and then let you go?"
Raoul smiled a bit, "Which one don't you believe, Madame, the fact that Christine kissed him or the fact that he let us go? Both are true though."
Madame Giry nodded. Henri gave him a glass of water to drink. Raoul thanked him; his throat was starting to hurt a bit.
"So, we fled. However, Christine wanted to go back to the Phantom one last time. So, I waited. I couldn't help but feel a little betrayed. It didn't matter that she had won us our freedom. I- well, I was shocked and more than a little jealous. When she came back, I put her in the boat and pushed her off by herself. I went back, but all I found was broken glass on the floor. Then the mob came and shot me, so I ran. I got a little lost trying to find my way out, but I finally managed and then Henri and the others found me."
"The blood," Madame Giry pieced the facts together, "The blood they found on the floor was yours."
Raoul nodded.
"Why did you run?"
Raoul looked at her incredulously, "They had just shot me. What did you want me to do? Wait until they aimed correctly?"
Ignoring his tone, she asked, "Why did you go back?"
"I needed to confront the man. He was no monster and I... I don't really know what I was doing. I just knew that I needed to see what had just happened."
"Okay," Madame Giry nodded, "I understand."
"Do you know what has happened to the Phantom?" Raoul asked tentatively.
"No," Madame Giry lied, "I hadn't even heard that part of what happened."
"Didn't Christine tell you?"
"She didn't want to talk about it. Meg might know but she has yet to tell me." Madame Giry looked at him expectantly.
"What else?"
"What happened then?"
"What else is there to tell?" Raoul asked confused.
"You broke the engagement with Christine."
Raoul nodded, "I... it wasn't Christine who I loved. It was the idea of Christine, of what we once had. I couldn't marry her."
"And the secret funding of the opera house?"
"What?" Raoul exclaimed shocked.
"Why else would the managers rush to your aid?" She stated matter-of-factly.
"I didn't want to see her again," Raoul answered, deflated, "but I couldn't let the opera house stay in shambles. I love music too much to let it die."
"And the organ?"
Raoul was really confused, "Organ?"
"Nothing," Henri interjected. He fussed over Raoul enough to distract him from the question before forcing him to lie back down. The blonde looked at his butler suspiciously before letting him have his way. He was really tired, but he would make sure to ask Henri about it later.
Henri walked toward the door, gesturing for Madame Giry to follow. Once in the hallway, Henri walked slowly away from Raoul's room.
"Madame, I do not think he knows about the organ."
Madame Giry looked at him oddly, "You sent an organ without his permission?"
Henri stopped walking, "That night of the opera, Raoul left early but he wasn't exactly himself. His clothing was in disarray and he seemed to be in a trance of some sort, as though some grave thing befell him. He kept mumbling to himself, most of which the groundskeeper could not understand. When he arrived home, it was almost as though he was a statue. He wasn't even blinking, but simply staring off into space. The groundskeeper and I had to carry him inside. We placed him by the fireplace and gave him some cognac in hopes that he would snap out of his stupor. It seemed to work for he blinked and smiled. He hurriedly wrote a note and placed it in an envelope saying that we were to send an organ to you directly. So we did in hopes that with this complete, he would return to normal. Instead, he simply began to stare at the fire. We changed him into his nightclothes and made him go to bed. We don't know what happened to him, but in the morning, he didn't remember anything that had happened. Not even the organ. Do you know what happened, Madame?"
"That night, the phantom of the opera supposedly came back."
"Supposedly?" Henri asked, intrigued.
"It was not him, but if Raoul thought it was, then it might be the reason why he was shocked," Madame Giry commented. She had a lot to think over, but something didn't feel right about he Vicomte's story. It did not explain why Erik had decided to save the Vicomte's life. She bade her farewell before heading towards her room. Maybe Erik was awake finally.
Henri walked back to the room. He was slightly disappointed to find that Raoul had indeed fallen asleep.
o.o.o.o
Meg had smiled almost evilly when she heard that her mother was giving the rest of the day off. Christine had yet to finish her practice. Meg wandered toward where her best friend was singing. She waited there thinking over the things she wanted to talk to Christine about. The forefront being what had happened at the Vicomte's house.
Christine was glad that practice was over. She began to walk offstage when she noticed Meg waiting for her. She cursed her luck.
"Hi, Meg," She smiled as sweetly as she could manage.
"Hi, Christine," Meg frowned at her, "We need to talk."
Christine sighed and followed Meg. They walked to the audience seats and sat down far in the back where no one would hear.
"I want to know what happened, Christine," Meg started straight to the point.
"Okay," Christine said, resigned to her fate, "I went to the Chagny estate and knocked on the door politely. Raoul opened the door and he didn't even offer for me to enter. I finally had to remind him that I was standing outside, so we went into the living room. I asked Raoul kindly why he hadn't informed me that he was in town. He said some rude curse and said that I was no longer his fiancée so he needn't tell me anything."
Christine was so wrapped up in her story that she didn't notice that Meg did not believe anything that she actually said.
"I was outraged and bade him good night. I had the misfortune of leaving my lantern behind and Raoul decided that the best way to return it to me was to throw it at me. I of course, dodged it and the house caught fire. I tried to get Raoul to leave, but he was trying to keep me inside while the house burned down. I had to escape. That is what happened, Meg. I am the victim here."
Meg stood up and walked away. She completely ignored the indignant sound Christine made as she left. She hoped to find her mother and talk to her about the whole fiasco.
Christine sighed, happy that Meg had left. She did wonder what had happened to Raoul, but she was certain that with her threat and the fact that his house had been burned down, that Raoul would leave Paris forever. She would live in peace now that both the Phantom and Raoul were gone.
o.o.o.o
Madame Giry had a lot to think about. There were many holes in what had actually happened. She hoped that Erik would be compliant enough to give some straight answers. She walked toward her room and came just in time to see Meg opening the door.
Madame Giry rushed to her, but she was too late. Meg had entered the room.
o.o.o.o
A/N: Don't forget to R/R (Read and Review)!
LOL, you know what I've realized. I've come to the realization that I shouldn't leave cliffhangers because it takes me entirely too much time to update. We'll see what happens. Hope this chapter isn't too crappy.