Chapter 26

Hey there! I had read all the past reviews you all sent…glad to make you all laugh. And I know some of you are wondering and thinking to yourselves "he doesn't even know what doc martins are." Well Erik knows a threat when he hears one. And that was one. If he doesn't straighten up, he's going to get his ass stomped on by both of them! Anyway, on with the story!

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Erik set at the organ wondering if he had lost his mind. That 'visit' by the strange girl unnerved him. He had no idea what the hell was doc martens are, but the way she had mentioned them, he figured that he just might not what to know. He pushed the thought of the girl out of his mind. It would be best to forget her and concentrate on what to do. He repeated the question over in is mind. Do you really love Christine, or is she just an obsession? He thought back. When he first seen her, she was nothing truly special. A small depressed child that just lost her father. The variably of her had touched him, so he had felt pity. He had nothing else to do, but write and compose Don Juan. But he could only work on it at times. The score ate at him. So, he watched over her. When she had turned fifteen, she started to show promise in voice. Erik, of course, could not see talent go unseen. Plus, it was at that time Carlotta showed up. Even in the woman's younger years, she couldn't sing. He began teaching Christine. Over the years, he had become obsessed with her. For her to exceed. He had thought when he showed himself to her, that she'd be grateful, and love him. But, Christine was so much like a child. So, did he love her? Erik thought hard. No. No he didn't. He cared for her, which was something entirely different.

Once Erik cleared that up, he had still had another problem. Poppy. He had heard her say that she loved him. He had tried to ignore it. Then Antoinette had said that Poppy loved him, then the strange girl, had said the same thing. So did he love her? She matched his temper. He enjoyed arguing with her, when he yelled at her, she would only laugh. He even enjoyed her smart remarks at everything. Yes. He did. He loved her. Erik laughed. He could not wait for her wake up so that he could tell her. He felt like a child at Christmas, who could not wait to open his gifts. Erik began to pace, waiting.

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Poppy woke up feeling better, but bitchy. But she was not in the dorms. She could smell that the air was damper. So where were she? Poppy then remembered. After the almost rape and her killing Buquet she had ran into Mme. Giry. Mme. Giry led her away, Poppy telling her everything. Mme. Giry then told her that the best place for her at the moment was back down in Erik's lair. Poppy nodded, not really caring. Down in his lair, Mme. Giry comforted her. She had felt terrible. Next thing she knew was that Erik was in Mme's place, holding her. Shock and tiredness won out, and she feel asleep in his arms. He must have placed her in bed. She had loved being in his arms, but it was not meant to be. He wanted Christine, not some ugly, blind redhead girl. He wanted, the 'perfect' one. That's how it always is. Well, who is she to stand in the way of love?

Poppy let out a small sob. Huh, what you know? The Phantom of the Opera is capable of breaking hearts. Her heart sure was. She climbed out of bed. Poppy walked to the door, wiping her stinging eyes. Taking a deep breath, her held her head high, and opened the door.

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Erik turned at the sound of the door opening. In the doorway stood Poppy. Her ruby red hair framing her white face. How did he miss it? She was beautiful. "Poppy. Are you alright?"

Her head turned to his voice. Pain passed over her face. "Yes. I'm fine. I only killed a man yesterday, so yes, I'm all hunky dory," she snapped. "Now, if you would excuse me, I'll leave you to your sport: Christine Chasing." She turned to walk out of the lair.

Erik was behind her in a matter of seconds. He grabbed her shoulders and turned her. Poppy allowed him to do so. She stared rebelliously up into his eyes. Her white eyes not seeing, but still showing emotions. The emotions that Erik saw were hate, love, fear and contempt. "Poppy, I'm done with her. She is only a child. She does not love me. So many people have been telling me to open my eyes, so finally I did so. And what do I see? I see a beautiful, talented young woman. The one I love. Not Christine. You."

Poppy was quite for a moment, and then asked, "She turned away did she?"

Erik nodded, "Yes, she did as you said she would. She ripped my mask off. She hated and feared me."

Poppy nodded, hate in her voice, "So now that she's spurn you, you turn to me? Well…think again."

Silence pulsed around, pressing in around them. Erik was shocked, "What?"

Poppy wrenched her shoulders free, "What can't you comprehend?" She hissed, "Are you so stupid with 'love' that you can't understand anything? I'll spell it out for you! I don't love you! I don't want to a leftover! That now, that one has turned you away; you think that I'll come running to your open arms? Well, I won't! Au revoir Le Fantom! With that, she pushed him away and ran out the room and up the tunnel.

Erik stood there shocked. Hated him. She hated him. Suddenly he heard a small echoing cry. Grabbing his lasso, he ran up the same tunnel.