A/N: As always, thanks to my beta, Le Chat Noir
Erik: the Vampire Hunter
Episode 20: Unwanted Company
By: Elektra
"Why did you come after me?" Erik demanded as he saw Christine slowly open his door and enter the room, his wet mask in her hand. He was laying on the bed, an arm over his ribs.
"Why did you run away?" Christine asked in return as she sat beside him. She gently reached out and brushed her fingers over the battered skin of his torso. It was starting to bruise. "The Leader hurt you…"
He quickly pushed her hand away.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Do you even have to ask that?" he hissed. "You kissed me... me. A man who has never been touched! A man who has been denied every normal human desire, want and need for over thirty years! And you... sweet naïve little Christine, thought it was safe? Did you have any idea what you were doing!" He closed his eyes, his anger a mix of both physical pain and intense emotion. "Damn it, Christine. WHY?"
"You know why. I already TOLD you why!" She hung his wet mask off the bedpost to dry.
"Yes. You said you liked me. As more than a friend." He shook his head, "But I am NOT a likeable person, Christine! You KNOW I've done things - terrible things – that you should hate me for!" He looked up at her. "Despise me. Fear me. Run from me. But don't care for me!" He looked away, his voice barely a whisper, "Regardless if I-" he stopped, not wanting to speak the word.
Christine swallowed the lump in her throat, her heart pounding in her chest. What was he going to say?
"Erik?" she began, but he didn't let her continue
"You don't understand what you're dealing with here!" Erik replied, his voice growing angry once more, "This is not a GAME, Christine!" He hit a fist against the mattress, and winced as the pain shot up his arm and went straight to his ribs.
"I KNOW it's not a game, Erik! I don't play games like that!" Christine protested. "What I said is true!" She wanted to cry. She wanted to run from his room, from his refusal to believe her, curl up into a ball and cry.
Erik glanced at Christine, but only turned his head away again. He then attempted to push himself into a sitting position, settling the pillows behind him. Every movement was agony.
Finally, with much effort, he was comfortable. "And how true could it be? Not even my mother could care for me."
"STOP IT!" Christine shouted, "Stop comparing me to HER! I'm CHRISTINE, not MADELINE. And I care for you. I'm sorry you don't – or WON'T – believe that, but I won't have you accuse me of playing games and lying to you!"
Tears filled her eyes, "If I could heal all your wounds, I would, but I can't! I can only-" she stopped, her voice cracking as she felt Erik slide an arm around her waist.
He tugged her beside him as best he could without straining his injuries, and shifted his body ever so slightly to meet her eyes. He couldn't bear to see her cry. "Christine, you are a darling girl… but I have no right to accept you. No right to-"
He could not finish as Christine placed a finger over his lips. "What were you going to say earlier, Erik? Regardless if I-WHAT, Erik?" she asked. He said nothing. "Tell me!"
He opened his mouth, closed it, then took a deep breath and finally answered, "Regardless if I… am fond of you." It was all he was willing to admit, lest he frighten her away with an overt admission.
She offered him a knowing smile, quite aware he was downplaying his feelings. "Okay then. Don't protest my affection any more. Because I'm fond of you too."
Christine positioned herself more comfortably, sliding down just a little to rest her head against his shoulder. "Kiss me?" she pleaded.
He simply stared at her a moment, not quite sure if he heard right.
"You are not drunk, are you?" he asked. "Or be-spelled still?"
"Erik!" she scolded, and he saw she was serious this time. Very serious.
He made no move… then gasped as he felt the intimate brush of her soft lips against his neck, another brush against the underside of his jaw.
He stared in wonder as she gently grasped his chin, tilting his face down so he could reach her without moving his aching body too much.
He licked his lips nervously, and tasted cherry lip-gloss from her earlier kiss. Where had he tasted that before?
It came to him then – when he was unconscious in the hospital, he had woken with the taste on his lips. He'd had no idea.
He swallowed hard, then pressed his forehead against hers. "Christine," he began softly, then steeled his nerve as he brushed his lips lightly against hers.
He pulled back quickly, waiting for the rejection. Yes, she kissed him earlier. Yes, she asked him to kiss her now. But after so many years being tormented and rejected by both male and female alike, it was all he expected.
"You can do better. You showed me that earlier," she replied.
Christine looked up at him eagerly. He was surprised at her boldness, but tugged her as close as his aches and pains allowed.
Though he lacked any experience in such matters, Erik slowly brought his mouth down against hers once more, surprised as she parted her lips to offer more intimacy. Erik gave into his instinct, his fingers tracing their way down Christine's spine.
She leaned into his touch and remembered how very angry she had been at Bobby the Pervert for daring to run a finger down her spine. She had thought then that that it was the type of thing Erik would do…
… and she rather liked Erik doing it.
Her hands traveled over his horrid face before tangling her fingers in his damp hair, increasing the intensity of the kiss.
Erik suddenly broke away, gasping for breath.
"I… ahh… I think you should go," he said breathlessly, bringing his arms back and wrapping them tightly around his ribs. He clenched his eyes shut. "If you stay… I will end up permanently hurting myself…" His voice was strained, but she could hear the light jest.
"And besides…" he continued, "I think I enjoyed kissing you a little too much… "
"Better then NOT enjoying it," Christine smiled.
He shook his head. "Even then, Christine - 30 years, remember? 30 years without so much as a hug, and now, here you are, holding me. Kissing me," he let out a soft sigh, "It's just…. I am not used to physical affection." He ran a pale hand through his ebony hair, "And I fear for my restraint."
"If I want you to stop, I'll tell you," Christine started. "Until then, you have my permission to kiss me whenever you want, as much as you want, and as long as you want."
Erik closed his eyes. "Perhaps. But for now, it's best you head off. Let me try and soak all this in," he glanced back at her. "I am not exactly used to hearing a woman talk about how much she cares for me,"
Christine leaned forward and placed a kiss against his temple. "You'll get used to it soon enough. I'll make sure of that," she stood up. "Good night, Erik. And…promise me something?"
"Yes, angel?" he asked.
Christine smiled at the nickname. "Promise me you'll get your ribs looked at tomorrow? It'll be worse if you don't."
He nodded in acknowledgement, then spoke, "Christine… if you would be so kind… could you… get me a bottle of painkillers and a glass of water?"
Christine heart leapt at the very fact he was asking her for help – or at least, the closest thing to it. "Of course!"
"Thank you," he replied. Christine left the room, only to return moments later with the pills and water. He thanked her again and took the pills. "Good night, Christine…"
Erik then closed his eyes and lay back once more, allowing the medication to pull him under.
"Goodnight, Erik…" Christine replied, then kissed him gently on the forehead before leaving the room and closing the door softly behind her.
DeChagny Residence – Philip's Study (the next morning)
"Hey, Phil?" Raoul started as he came into his brother's study, "Can I borrow the Beamer for a few days?"
Philip looked at his brother with a raised eyebrow. "May I ask why?"
"I want to visit Chrissy. She's staying with the Girys for the summer. I hope to hang around for a bit. Maybe get a hotel near by …"
"And then what?" Philip asked.
Raoul shrugged. "Maybe I can convince her to come back with me for the summer? Not that I have a problem with the Girys, but Christine was telling me Madame Giry needed help around the house. And really… Chrissy shouldn't have to do that."
"Has it ever occurred to you that maybe she doesn't mind?" Philip asked.
"Well, I know she doesn't mind… she's a sweet girl. But still. She could have a nice luxurious summer here instead!"
Philip sighed, then shook his head, "Do what you want, Ray, even though I don't think Christine is all that worried about living in luxury. The Beemer is yours. Just bring it back in one piece."
"Got it! Thanks Phil!" Raoul replied, and headed off to pack his things. He would head out tomorrow.
And maybe he could win her back.
Giry Residence – Meg's room
"Well? Is he at least a good kisser?" Meg asked Christine eagerly as Christine related the previous night's events.
"He doesn't have any experience with it… but I swear, it must be some inborn talent." Christine smirked. "He gave me goose-bumps, Meg! Made me feel like I was something special!"
Christine then looked away, a slight frown on her lips. "But then he got all noble on me. He said something about lacking restraint, and that was the end of it." She sighed in disappointment.
"Better noble and restrained then perverted and grabby, Chrissy," Meg smiled, then grew serious. "What about the intruder he fought off. Did you call the police?" Meg asked worriedly.
Oh yes. The intruder. That's the story we gave her. Christine recalled. She hated lying to Meg, but it wasn't her place to tell her friend what her own mother didn't want her to know.
"The police said there's nothing they can do except patrol the area," Christine explained. "You… uh… may see some shady guys hanging around the next little while. They're cops though… so it should be ok." Christine knew the Guild had been called that morning. They were to keep an eye out for the Leader.
"I hope Erik will still be well enough to have some fun with," Meg joked.
Christine blushed at that and grew rather uncomfortable. "It was a kiss, Meg…"
"You said it was a few kisses…" Meg pointed out, "A few good kisses. And good kisses lead to OTHER good things." She studied her friend a minute. "But, you will be careful, won't you? We don't need any mini-Eriks running around."
"MEG! It's… we haven't! I'm not … WE'RE not ready for that! Not yet!" Christine gasped, then shook her head. "It's already taken care of anyhow."
Meg furrowed her brow. "But you and Raoul never-"
"NO! Of COURSE not!" Christine sputtered. "I just didn't want a repeat of the white leotard incident."
Meg winced as she remembered Christine's most embarrassing moment on stage. She then put a relieved hand to her chest. "Well, when you're ready, you know who to talk to." She winked. "I can certainly tell you some things…"
Laramie Drive – The Leader's Office
"Tell me, Shay... if you get Erik where you want him, WILL you let me have my fun too?" Laura Ashton asked the man sitting at the desk before her.
"Of course, my dear! Surely the boy is going to need some kind of physical relief now and then." The Leader answered.
"Then why are you trying to keep him from me?"
"I'm not keeping you from him at all. But I need him to acquiesce to me first, you understand. I want to have a little heart-to-heart with my son."
Laura raised an eyebrow and frowned. "Maybe you'll break his arm during your next heart-to-heart!"
He laughed at that. "Do you honestly think I hurt him all that much? I gave him a beating that would send most men to intensive care. But Erik... Erik is not most men. He has a few bruises, sore ribs... but no permanent damage. He's stronger then you think, Laura."
"What do you want from him anyway?"
The Leader shrugged, "I want what most men want - an heir and an ally."
She furrowed her brow, "That's it? An heir and an ally? I thought you needed his help to take over the world or something." She seemed disappointed.
"Taking over the world is overrated. I don't WANT this world. I simply want to cause havoc WITHIN it. It's what my kind does, after all." He smiled coldly. "When bad things happen, who do you think causes it?" he asked. "Face it, my dear - Without us, this world would be so very boring..."
"Why don't you just have another kid and get HIM to be your heir?" she asked.
The Leader's voice grew quiet. "Because we are not always able to procreate. I found that out the hard way. I tried to do so with other women after Madeline had Erik... but I realized it was not to be. That was it. By the time I understood how rare such things were, it was too late. When I had returned to check on him and his mother, I found she had been carted away to jail and the boy had disappeared into thin air. I only found him recently."
He glanced at Laura, a small smirk on his lips. "If YOU hadn't been looking for him, I never would have." He raised an eyebrow. "Did I ever properly thank you for that?"
"No," she replied haughtily, nose in the air, "You never did!"
He stood up and took her hand, "Perhaps, then, I should spend the rest of the day and night thanking you..."
"Day... AND ... night?" she gasped.
"Unless you object," he replied.
She simply smiled, "Oh how I do hope your son is as energetic as you,"
"Well, judging from our fight, it seems Erik has as much stamina as myself. Otherwise, I would have killed him easily instead of merely injuring him."
This earned a gleeful squeal from Laura, and the two quickly headed out of the office.
Giry's Kitchen – the next day
"How are you feeling today?" Giry asked Erik as the two sat in the kitchen before the sliding screen to watch Christine and Meg have a splashing contest in the newly cleaned and filled pool.
"Sore. I was told bruised ribs usually take two weeks to heal. I am sure, however, that it will take me less then that. Until then..." he held up his bottle of prescription painkillers.
"Watch how many of those you take, Erik. They can be rather addictive,"
"I have found something far more addicting," he replied as he glanced over to Christine. His voice suddenly grew quiet. "She kissed me, Antoinette."
Giry raised an eyebrow, noticeably surprised. "Really? So that is what Meg and Christine were giggling about yesterday,"
Erik nodded, "My first kiss. Thirty-one years old, and it was my first kiss..."
"Be mindful, Erik. She is still young. She may not understand the consequences of her actions."
"I have said as much to her. She made it very clear that she understood." Erik then looked at Giry, the realization hitting him. "You knew, didn't you!"
She shrugged innocently, "I had an inkling that perhaps her interest in you went beyond simply platonic, yes..." She looked back at him. "I thought you deserved to know that not all people see you as some horrid monster, Erik. That you are as capable of being loved as anyone."
She studied him a moment, "But you do understand she is not going to drag you to a church and marry you any time soon,"
Erik shook his head, "Being in a church is the last thing I expect, Antoinette. Murderers are not usually on the best of terms with the so-called powers that be." He paused a moment and glanced over at Christine. "I do not deserve such an angel..."
"That is for her to decide. She may change you more than you think," Giry replied.
"I want to change for her." He glanced away, then spoke again. "But I must watch myself around her, Antoinette. I cannot lose control."
She studied him a moment. "Lose control?" she asked.
"Intense emotion brings out things better left hidden." His voice grew softer. "It almost did. After she first kissed me, I… grabbed her… lifted her up. She would not have been able to get free..." he stopped, not wanting to voice what he may or may not have done. "If not for the pain in my ribs, I do not know what would have happened. And yet… she still came to me. Asked me to kiss her again." He shook his head. "You know I am not used to physical affection, Antoinette. I am not sure how to react or when to reign myself in. When Christine kissed me, I became overzealous. I hope I did not frighten her."
Giry knew telling Erik that she had overheard Christine babbling excitedly to Meg about the very thing which concerned him would be pointless. He would never allow himself to believe that the girl actually enjoyed his fervent attention.
Erik's jaw tensed. "I must have ultimate restraint," he continued. "I cannot allow my desires to override my mind. I care far too much for Christine."
Giry commended him on his attempt to be a gentleman, yet she could not help but wonder if Christine would see his restraint as rejection instead. Young girls could be rather sensitive about such things.
"I thought I heard you girls!" A male voice entered the backyard.
Erik immediately jumped to his feet, trying not to let the pain show from his sudden movement. "What is HE doing here?" He hissed fiercely as the handsome Raoul DeChagny walked to poolside.
"What was that about showing restraint?" Giry asked sternly.
"Show restraint with HER. I said nothing about HIM!" Erik replied with a scowl.
Giry simply let out a tired sigh.
"Raoul!" Christine spoke as she climbed out of the pool, her tone surprised. She glanced to the screen door to see Erik practically fuming. "Um… Raoul… what… what are you doing here?"
Raoul took in her current state of dress, and smiled. "Did I ever tell you how great you look in a bikini, Chrissy?"
Erik suddenly walked out of the house and appeared behind the brunette, wrapping a large towel around her shoulders and covering the aforementioned bikini as he glared at the young blonde man before him.
Raoul's eyes went wide at the sight of the man. "Don't tell me you FOLLOWED her here! You really are some freak stalker!"
"NO! Raoul… please!" Christine began quickly, "Madame Giry invited him here to build the deck!" She indicated the mess of wood off to the side and the half-built deck in front of the sliding doors.
Erik's eyes met Raoul's. "And fix the roof… and patch a few holes in the wall… and paint the outside of the house…" he pointed out, making it clear that he wasn't going to be leaving any time soon.
"Since when can you do all that?" Raoul asked suspiciously.
"You forget what I do for a living, DeChagny!" Erik replied. "You think I only design? I am quite familiar with hands-on work as well!"
Raoul sneered. "Fine! As long as you just keep your hands OFF Chrissy!"
"RAOUL!" Christine snapped.
"What about his lips?" Meg snickered quietly.
"Megan Giry!" Madame Giry spoke as she marched herself out to the backyard. Giry looked at the young man before her. "Come inside, Raoul. You look like you could use a cold drink…"
Raoul nodded. "Yes, Madame. Thank you." He replied, oblivious to what Meg had just implied. He chalked it up to her quirky sense of humour as the group headed into the house.
Giry kitchen
Erik stood leaning against the wall off to the side, keeping as far away from the blonde boy as possible. They exchanged a few dirty looks, but said nothing to one another as he chatted with Christine, Meg, and Giry.
Erik scowled beneath his mask. How easily the boy charmed the three women. Erik felt quite invisible as the group talked about this, that, and the next thing.
Everything but what happened between myself and Christine, Erik noted. Nothing had been said aside from Meg's sly comment, which DeChagny had obviously not taken seriously.
Christine glanced over to him, and met his eyes, as if waiting for him to mention something.
When Erik remained silent, she turned back to the conversation. Erik swore under his breath, and left the kitchen.
It was not his place to tell Christine's ex-boyfriend about the latest events, even though she seemed rather hesitant to bring it up herself.
Erik scolded himself as he walked into the foyer – and what about the latest events? What had it meant? She liked him, so she said. But really, they were not together. What right did he have to expect anything from her?
Erik was startled out of his thoughts when his phone went off. He quickly grabbed it from his belt, and spoke.
"Hello?" a pause as he waited. "Pareau Women's Prison?" he asked when the lady on the other line informed him of her name and place of business. "Madeline Renau? She has nothing to do with me!" he answered. "…. is she now? I do not know why she gave you my number!"
Erik took a deep breath, trying to calm his temper as the woman on the other line continued. "No. I refuse to take responsibility for her! I am currently staying with someone for the summer, and I cannot-" he was interrupted, and swore under his breath. He was not happy to hear what he was being told. "Very well. I will accompany her. But I will not be held accountable for her behaviour!" Another pause as he waited. "You make sure her parole officer does his job then. Goodbye!"
"Erik? What was that about?"
Erik spun around to see Christine standing a few feet away. "Aren't you busy talking to your ex?" he snipped.
She blinked at that. "What? Yes… but… you came out here upset. I wanted to know-"
He angrily flipped his phone closed and placed it back on his belt. "You did not mention me to him once during your entire conversation, Christine!" he interrupted.
She looked uncomfortable for a moment. "I… I don't know how to tell him…" she said softly.
"Ah, I see," he began. "Should we play a game then? I will pretend I care nothing for you and that you did not say you cared for me. That you did not lead me to believe you had a female's interest in me. Perhaps I will also pretend that it does not bother me to have your EX in the house with the impression that he can win you back. And perhaps I will be so good at this game that in time, it will become truth."
"Erik, that's not-"
Erik moved closer to her, silencing the petite girl as he continued to speak, his voice harsh. "Would you like that, Christine?" He hissed. "Would you like the game to become truth? Are you starting to think that perhaps you made a mistake now? That perhaps you would be better off back with HIM? His handsome face, his pretty car, his wealth… and his normality?"
"I'm SICK of you getting bitchy at me!" she snapped angrily. "God, why do I even have all these confusing feelings for you?"
"I wonder that myself!" He replied. "I told you that I am not a likeable person, and what you're seeing now is exactly what I was referring to. I would rethink your choice here, Christine. I have never been considered a stable man!"
His voice then grew expressionless as he cocked his head to the side. "To be honest… it seems that seeing you chatting with DeChagny stirred something inside. Jealousy? Is that what this is? I suppose it must make you feel good to know you incite such emotion in me."
"I don't want to incite NEGATIVE emotions in you, Erik! Only GOOD ones! Why can't you get that?"
He simply scoffed at her comment, and turned away.
Christine was silent for a moment. She took a deep breath and ran a hand through her hair, her voice growing softer as she tried to reign in her emotions. "Who were you talking to?" she asked, trying to change the subject. She had a feeling there was more to his foul mood than simply Raoul's visit. "I heard you referring to a woman… and a parole officer. Who's the woman, Erik?"
He turned his back to her, his tone growing cold. "It doesn't matter. I am merely being called upon to accompany this person to a halfway house, then I do not have to see her again. From there, she can find herself a job and a more suitable home. That is all."
"Who IS she, Erik!" Christine demanded with an angry stamp of her foot.
Erik spun on her, "Someone you are better off not knowing!" he replied.
"If she's in JAIL, then maybe it's better if you didn't know her either!"
"If only it were that easy. But I am afraid I do not have a choice in the matter!"
Another voice inserted itself into the conversation, "I should have figured that YOU would hang out with convicts!" Raoul spoke as he came out into the hall and glared at Erik. "I knew something was wrong with you!"
"Raoul, please," Christine replied, "Stay out of this."
"No!" Raoul protested, "I'm sorry, Christine. But if you're buddies with a guy who's in contact with criminals, then I need to get involved in this!"
Erik was growing angrier by the minute. "You know NOTHING about me, DeChagny! Do not presume to JUDGE me!" he hissed.
"I'll judge you if I want to judge you!" Raoul insisted, "I've seen nothing even remotely likeable about you. You're rude, inconsiderate, bad-tempered, violent, and what's worse - you follow young girls around who obviously have NO interest in you! Why don't you go back to the hole you crawled out from and STAY there!"
Erik's hands balled into fists, and it was only Giry's presence out of the corner of his eye that prevented him from punching the young man in his perfect face. She had just stepped out of the kitchen, and he had far more respect for the woman then to start a fight under her roof.
He turned to Christine, amber eyes ablaze. "It seems your EX believes I force my attentions on women who have no interest in me." Erik started. "Is he right, Christine? Did I misunderstand things the other night? If so, then I will leave here immediately to save you from suffering my presence any longer. It is up to you!"
Without another word, Erik spun around and stormed out the front door of the house.
Raoul turned to Christine. "What was that comment about? What happened the other night?" he demanded.
"Please, Raoul… let's sit down." Christine answered.
"Tell me what he's talking about, Christine." Raoul demanded.
Meg now stood beside her mother. "Do you want ME to tell him, Chrissy?" she asked softly. "Because if you don't, Erik will think-"
"I KNOW what Erik will think!" Christine interrupted.
"Well now," Giry started calmly, "I cannot afford to have my contractor leave his job half-finished. I request you take care of this problem immediately." Giry studied the brunette before her, her voice growing serious. "Do not play with Erik, Christine. Either let him know your intentions, or tell him you have none and leave the poor man alone."
"And what intentions does she supposedly have?" Raoul asked.
Christine pressed her fingers against her temples and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. After a moment, she held her hand out for Raoul. "Come out back. We need to talk."
Outside the Giry Residence
Erik sat upon the stoop of the Giry's front door, noting that it had gotten dark since he had last been outside. He buried his head in his hands and thought on what had just happened inside.
He'd had no right to snap at Christine. Jealousy was new to him. He believed that at any moment, she would look at his face and realize she would rather have kissed a man who didn't look like a corpse. Or that she would prefer to have feelings for a man less temperamental. Someone safer.
The current ache in his ribs was nothing now compared to the ache in his chest. What if he had turned her away permanently with his outburst? With his need to hide Madeline's current situation from her.
Then again, how does a man tell the woman he loves that his mother is a prostitute? A recovering drug addict? A petty thief?
Erik suddenly lifted his head up and narrowed his eyes, sensing a presence a few feet away.
He did not need this now. Not when he was suffering bruised ribs and a foul mood. He quickly jumped to his feet and walked down the driveway to the sidewalk.
It was nearby. He knew it.
Erik heard a low deep growl as his prey snuck up behind him. Erik spun around to face It as It immediately advanced on the Hunter, sending a fist at Erik's head which he instinctively blocked, trying not to wince from the stress it put on his injuries.
The two dropped into a half-crouch and began circling each other cautiously. Erik slid a hand into his pocket – only to be reminded that he had run from the house weaponless, far too distracted to grab one before heading out.
His quarry launched an uppercut flying toward his jaw, sending the unprepared man sprawling. Erik quickly regained his balance and shot his foot out, hooking the creature behind Its leg and sending It crashing to the ground.
Erik jumped to his feet and immediately regretted such a sudden movement. He winced as fire spread through his torso, but ignored it as he broke a twig off a nearby tree - it was the closest thing to a weapon that he had access to at the moment.
The creature regained Its balance and tried to ram Its elbow into Erik's face, but the hunter sidestepped it deftly. Erik's eyes narrowed as he grew angrier, rushing at his quarry and tackling it to the ground.
Instinct took over, causing Erik to momentarily forget is injuries – until a fist in his midsection reminded him. He stumbled back, clutching at his midsection as he cried out.
The Creature seemed surprised for a moment, then seeing an opportunity, brought a fist hard against Erik's ribs once more. Erik bit back the pain and backhanded the creature, knocking it down before rolling It onto It's stomach and pressing his knee into Its back.
He then swung the tree twig into Its torso with deadly efficiency, leaving nothing but a pile of dust in his quarry's place.
Erik remained in place, catching his breath as he tried to stop his ribs from throbbing.
"What the hell…?" Erik heard a voice sputter desperately. He spun around to see DeChagny standing in the doorway of the Giry house.
The boy then ran inside, and returned moments later with Christine. Erik calmly got to his feet and dusted himself off.
Christine ran up to Erik, looking concerned. "Raoul says you were with a man out here. That you were fighting!" she took his hands, startling him with a gentle kiss to his knuckles. "Are you ok? Did he hurt you worse?"
Erik closed his eyes a moment - the worry in her voice was almost heartbreaking, her tender gesture of affection making it clear that she did care for him after all.
Guilt consumed him, filling him with shame at how harsh he had been with his little angel earlier. "Christine, I-"
"He killed him!" Raoul interrupted, pointing a shaking finger. "I SAW it!" He turned to Christine. "You've fallen for a murderer Christine…"
Erik was both surprised at the fact Christine had told Raoul she had fallen, and pained by the fact the boy was closer to the truth than he knew.
Erik was not about to admit such things to him though. "I see no dead man here," he replied. "Perhaps YOU would like to look?"
"You hid the body!" Raoul accused.
"In the two seconds it took for you to run inside the house and grab Christine?" Erik asked with a frown.
Christine glanced at the faint dust around Erik's feet and knew what had happened. No doubt one of the Leader's lackeys had shown up.
"You have a weapon! I saw it!" Raoul indicated the object in Erik's hand.
With an impatient sigh, Erik held the twig up. "You saw this, DeChagny. I found it on the ground, no doubt having broken off a tree. We had quite the storm a few nights ago."
Raoul looked at Christine, as if expecting confirmation. She shrugged innocently, "Well, we DID have a pretty bad storm. Lighting, thunder. Wind."
Raoul glanced between the two of them, grew annoyed, and marched back in the house, saying nothing to either of them for the rest of the night.
Erik's Room - later
Erik was sitting on his bed against a pile of pillows, book in hand, when he heard the soft knock on his door. "Come in, Christine…" he said, quite certain who it was.
She went up to him, hugging her cotton robe around herself as she sat on the bed. "I have intentions." She stated simply.
He studied her a moment, brow furrowed. Intentions?
"More than friendly intentions," she answered as if she had read his mind.
Erik didn't know how to respond. Did this mean that she had chosen HIM over the pretty boy?
Christine bit her lip nervously. "I'm sorry I didn't tell Raoul when he first showed up. It was … awkward. You just don't blurt that kind of thing out to an ex."
Erik was still surprised at Christine's decision, then finally spoke. "I showed you and DeChagny a rather offensive side of my personality tonight, didn't I?" He asked, then glanced away. "I apologize for that, Christine. I felt… protective, I suppose."
She raised an eyebrow. "You mean possessive."
He turned back to her, and nodded in shame. "I'm afraid I'll behave like that on occasion. This… this will take some getting used to. Please forgive me for anything I've done, or will do." He lowered his eyes, voice growing quiet. "I've never had someone, Christine. Let alone a female someone."
"Erik…" Christine's voice grew soft, taking his hand. "Speaking of females…" she met his eyes. "Who is she? This person you know in jail?"
Erik took a deep breath. "Yes. You deserve an answer to that… but I ask you not to tell anyone – especially not DeChagny, or he'll think even less of me than he already does. The only other person who knows about it is Antoinette."
Christine nodded, and waited.
"It's Madeline." He answered bluntly
Christine's eyes went wide. "Your mother?"
"She's been in and out of jail for the last 20 years," He explained. "Either drugs, prostitution, or thievery. She finishes one sentence, then re-offends and is thrown back in."
"She's being released on parole - again - at the end of the month, and for some reason she told her handlers to call me, claiming I was the only living relative she was in contact with. I was asked to be there to accompany her as the authorities check her into a halfway house."
He was quiet for a moment, then spoke again. "I should tell you something else – in case it comes back to haunt us." He looked back at her. "At age fifteen, I myself spent a night in jail - after Laura's unfortunate accident."
"Erik! Why?"
He glanced away. "They thought I had purposely chased her into traffic." He then let out a cold chuckle. "It's odd - the only person who talked to me like a human that night was some little girl. Apparently, her father was reporting his car stolen. Halloween, I remember now."
He slumped back against his pillows. "The police took my mask so they could take mug shots, then left me handcuffed in the squad room with my face bared to the world. I'd be embarrassed to repeat some of the terms I heard others use when they caught a glimpse of me." He explained.
"When that little girl saw my face, though, she grew curious and said it was a good trick, then asked if I could make myself pretty. I look back on it now and realize she's the first female I've known NOT to be disgusted by the sight."
Erik glanced back at Christine, a warning tone in his voice. "This is not information I share freely, you understand?"
Christine nodded, then was silent for a moment, nibbling her lower lip. "Erik," She began. "The little girl…" she took a shaky breath. "Was her name Chrissy?"
Erik met Christine's beautiful blue eyes… and remembered those same eyes in a much younger face. "Christine?" He gasped softly, "It was you?"
She shrugged sheepishly. "I… would have mentioned it before, but it never came up. I remember you, Erik. I was only little, but I remember."
"You looked so sad that night," she continued. "You still do sometimes." She traced her fingers over his mask. "I don't want you to be sad any more, Erik." Christine slid her arms around his neck, gently brushing her lips against the underside of his jaw.
When she pulled away, Erik's eyes were closed. The expression through the cotton mask was calm and relaxed, as if he were savouring the moment. He seemed to appreciate every little sign of physical affection he was given.
"I know you don't share much about your past," Christine continued. "But I want to know. I want you to tell me. I'm probably going to poke and prod, and you're probably going to get really pissed off about it… but I already know the worst of your secrets." She paused. "Don't I?"
He nodded as he opened his eyes, a ghost of a smile upon his lips. "Yes. What you know is the worst of it."
"Good." Christine was relieved, and decided now was the moment to take a chance. "Erik?"
"Hmm?"
Christine took a deep breath… then got straight to the point.
"Can I meet your mom?"
END OF EPISODE 20