Author's Note- Whooot! Here is the next chapter…I like it…and sorry about taking awhile to write it…homework ick…and every time I try getting it uploaded something pulls me away…sigh
Rinny Leonhart Rikku- Perhapes he did…perhaps he didn't…you'll find out soon enough, hehe…
Araiona Dubois- I think it might, but who knows what the Authoress has in store? Heh…oh wait…I'm the authoress, hehe…well, you'll see in a few chapters…
Ram Jas- I saw the update and reviewed! And here is MY update…a bit overdue I suppose…enjoy
Tallacus- What do you mean the finale is coming? We are just getting started! And your ideas are good…I was actually thinking of doing some of them…
PhantomoftheShadows- Hehe, well here you go!
Chapter 25
Lost and Found
When the two girls arrived, all they found was an empty lair. Jen glanced about for any signs of it's usual occupant, but there were none. Jen thought for a long while, and Gabby continued searching. What would make Erik leave his lair without telling them? Jen didn't know. She continued thinking until it hit her. The percussionist kicked a rather large rock into the lake and shriek "DAMN IT!"
Gabby turned around, shocked and wide eyed. "What?"
"That bastard! How could I forget?"
"Forget what?" her cellist friend asked, obviously still confused. Jen glared at the ripples the stone had made to ignore the pain coursing through her foot. "Where does Christine go after Masquerade?" Gabby gasped. "The Cemetery."
"Yes. The Cemetery." Jen agreed, upset. "Erik is there." She said, her voice now softer. Jen swallowed, knowing what would probably happen when he returned. She wasn't sure if she wanted to see his reaction. Jen growled at the thought of him returning and being sulky all day, or worse, homicidal. That typically was more true when it came to Raoul. Jen decided that it would be best to wait. Erik would need the emotional support when he returned. That is, if things happened like they were supposed to. Hours passed and the two girls sat around, doing much of nothing, until Jen began complaining about how hungry she was. Then Gabby went to cook something for them, and that is when he arrived.
The fuming man entered the room, swearing to himself and looking positively pissed off. Jen raised an eyebrow, trying quite hard to conceal the fact she knew what had happened. She was trying even harder to conceal the fact that she didn't care. Of course, she cared about Erik. Just not about Christine and Raoul. "Erik! What's wrong?" she asked, hoping it sounded genuinely concerned. He turned and looked at her, apparently noticing her for the first time. "Nothing." He spat. Jen rolled her eyes. "Right. Try again."
"I do not wish to speak about it, ma'mselle." With that he disappeared behind his bedroom door. "That went well." Jen said after he was gone. With a shrug she stood, and went to bother Gabby some more.
XxXxXxXxX
"Erik came back." Jen commented offhandly. Gabby turned and looked. "And?"
"He glared at me, told me he didn't want to talk about it, and locked himself into his room."
"Sounds like it went well." Gabby told her while pulling out some plates. "Maybe some food will make him happier. Jen rolled her eyes. "Doubtful. I'll take some too him after we eat and try to talk some sense into him."
"Ok…can I come?" Gabby gave her friend a pleading look. "I guess…"
"YAY! Er…let's eat then…" Jen nodded and watched her finish preparing their meal and took her usual seat. Typically Erik would be seated beside her. Jen sighed. Just then she wondered what would happen to him if they ended up back in their own time. The thought was horrible, she concluded after a moments thought. She and Gabby could not leave him alone. But what if fate intervened? Why were they here anyway. Why-
"Jen?"
"Wha?" Jen asked, looking at Gabby. The cellist was watching her with a strange look. "Sorry…was lost…in thought…"
"About?"
"What if we are sent back? What will happen to Erik? I mean, he doesn't depend on us for a lot, but we are his only real friends I know of." Jen knew Madame Giry was Erik's friend, as was Nadir, but she hadn't ever actually seen them around him. Erik, though he would never admit it, needed her and Gabby. Their dinner was spent in silence, both contemplating Jen's questions. When finished they made up another plate and knocked on Erik's door. Jen doubted her heard them- the sound of an organ being played rather loudly filled the room behind the door. But, after another, louder, knock, the music ended and the door creaked open.
"Please come out Erik." Gabby said. "You need to talk." There was no response, but he left the room and shut the door behind him. Jen handed Erik the plate and they went to sit down in the kitchen. "What happened?"
"I knew Christine was going to the Cemetery today. She always goes around this time of year, and I heard her talk about it once. So, I knocked out the carriage driver and took her myself, planning to bring her back to me. Her angel." He began, the fire from earlier still smoldering in his eyes. "Then that damned vicomte showed up, as always. We fought. He almost killed me. I begged him to kill me, but she wouldn't let him. Then she left with him." There was silence for a long while, no one knowing what to say. Erik ate the food they gave him, and Jen and Gabby simply watched. When he finished, he stood up. Jen did the same and followed him to his room. Gabby saw the look in Jen's eyes and decided not to join them.
When Erik opened the door to his room, Jen entered after him, not caring if he wanted her there or not. When he turned to lock it and saw her there, Jen returned the angry stare and he simply reached past her and locked the door. "What do you want."
"To talk." The percussionist said. "We already talked." He said harshly, coldly. "I am aware of that." Erik glowered, realizing that he wouldn't be able to get rid of her. "Alright, fine." He consented, letting her have her way. Jen smiled smugly. "See, wasn't that easier than trying to get rid of me?" She replied, looking around the room. She noticed the bed and smiled, trying not to laugh. It was most defiantly not a coffin. Instead it was a rather large and luxurious bed with black blankets and gold trim. It made her wonder- who started that crazy coffin theory anyway? Leroux, a voice in her head answered, and she bit her tongue. "Erik…what happened to your coffin?" she finally asked, unable to resist any longer. He cocked an eyebrow and she laughed, falling back on the bed. Erik watched her with confusion- her behavior was rather out of character. "What?" he finally asked, making her laugh harder. It was apparent he wasn't getting an answer for awhile.
"Nothing." She said at last, catching her breath. "Nothing at all…"
"What did you want to talk about then?"
"You. Me. What is happening around us." She told him. "You need to give her up, as I have said before."
"Why?" he asked, appalled by her saying that. "Because, she will hurt you in the end Erik! I have already said that! But you don't listen! You are like a small child- you have to make a mistake before you learn. I don't want to see you hurt anymore."
"How do you know?" Erik raged at her. "How do you know Christine doesn't love me?"
"I…" Jen began, unsure what she should say. Erik watched, waiting.
Authors Note- Well…there you have it folks…a cliffy…yay. Review and enjoy…or something like that…