A/N: As always, thanks to my beta, Le Chat Noir
Episode 26: Watched
By: Elektra
Laramie Drive
"Damn it! Damn it Damn it Damn it!" Laura paced back and forth angrily in front of Shay's desk, still fuming about her run-in with Erik a week ago. "I don't get it! First, he ignores me, then he ignores YOU."
The Leader shrugged his shoulders. "My son is a stubborn man," he said.
"Stubborn indeed! I practically THREW myself at him, and he's still pining for that little girl!"
Shay let out a sigh. "Perhaps that is the problem then – his Christine is a challenge. YOU are NOT."
Laura opened her mouth to protest, then closed it again. She had a feeling even if she WAS a challenge, Erik still wouldn't show any interest in her.
"I thought you did something to his mind. Made him more open … or some such thing." Laura said.
"Oh, yes. It takes time, my dear. I have already completed step one – I have made him act without inhibitions. The rest will come. Slowly, but it will come. Patience, my dear. Patience."
Outside the Arts building - Night
Pale green eyes watched the masked one lead the female throughout campus to the building the two so often disappeared in. HE was told to keep an eye on the two.
Watch him… the Leader had ordered.
HE would do his job.
As quiet as possible, HE skittered from building to building, keeping up with the couple several feet away.
He crawled up the fire escape on the outside wall, up to the roof of the building they had disappeared in.
Waiting.
Christine and Meg's dorm room
Meg jumped up to answer the knock at the door, surprised when she saw who stood there.
"Raoul?" She blinked.
"Hey, Meg…" he answered, his handsome face appearing downcast.
"Um, if you're looking for Christine, she's with Erik."
"I figured as much. I was hoping to speak with you actually."
"Me? Why?"
"Because I get the feeling you're as in-the-dark about this stuff with your mom, Erik, and my brother's business partner as I am."
Meg nodded. "I should call RJ up here. His room is a few floors down." She picked her cell phone up off the desk.
"What does he have to do with it?" Raoul asked.
"Oh… geez, mom didn't tell you." Meg sighed. "RJ's dad is part of it too. One minute." She quickly called RJ's cell. "Hey, babe. Want to come up? I wanted to talk to you about that whole Guild thing…" She paused, waiting for a response. "No, RJ. I'm not inviting you for THAT." She frowned, pausing again. "NO, not even AFTER we talk!"
One more pause… and Meg exploded.
"Damn it, RJ, is that all you ever WANT from me? No, you know what? If you're going to be an asshole, forget it, ok? GOODBYE!" She disconnected and stared at the phone, scowling unpleasantly.
Meg quickly wiped away one stray tear, then turned back to Raoul, plastering a smile on her face. "Um, sorry about that… he… he's not coming."
Raoul raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow. "I'm guessing he wanted to do more then just talk."
"I'm surprised he was willing to talk at all. It's like he only thinks I'm good for one thing." Meg sighed and sunk down on her bed, then quickly shook her head. "Sorry… not your problem. Don't mind me. Take a seat."
She watched Raoul as he grabbed a chair from the desk and brought it in front of her, sitting down.
"So," Meg began. "What did my mom tell you, exactly? Probably not everything, I'm guessing."
"Something about how this Guild was a secret organization that worked above the law and protected society from dangers the police couldn't." He met Meg's green eyes. "Is this some government or vigilante thing?" he asked.
Meg let out a small laugh. "Not quite, no. But… I don't know if you'd believe what it was they DID do."
Raoul leaned back in the chair, putting his hands behind his head. "Try me. I'm pretty much open to anything right now."
Meg studied him. "Before I do…" she began, her voice growing serious. "Are you trying to do this to get Christine back? Because I think she's pretty much made up her mind here."
Raoul glanced away. "I don't think I'd be very successful if I tried. I already blew my chance with her in high school."
"But you DID reconcile for a bit…" Meg pointed out.
Raoul shook his head. "Maybe, but I think it was too late by then." He frowned. "She had already met him." Meg knew whom Raoul was referring to. "That's not to say I don't still care about her," he explained. "I do. That's why I want to make sure this is all okay. As for having a relationship with her…" he let out a dejected sigh, then glanced at Meg. "Is she happy?"
"More or less, yes. I mean, it's not perfect, but…" she shrugged. "He does love her."
Raoul blinked at that. "He loves her?"
"Yeah. He blurted it all to her out a while back. Seems he's been in lovewith her forever."
"And how does she feel about him?" He asked. "Because… you know, if she doesn't feel the same then maybe-"
"Raoul…" Meg interrupted. "You need to move on."
"I am." He insisted. "Currently seeing this girl. Well… one date, really. Seemed nice though." He then furrowed his brow. "Mind you, a bit boring. I think she rather have my money than ME."
He glanced back at Meg, "But I won't pursue Christine IF she's happy. IF, Meg."
"She's not unhappy, if that's what you're getting at. DON'T chase her, Raoul."
Raoul took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. "If I ever see a sign that she IS unhappy, then I have every right to break my promise!"
"Ok, ok!" Meg replied. "But… she's NOT unhappy."
"Fine then. I won't interfere." Raoul replied, secretly hoping Erik would screw things up. Meg looked at him warily as if she knew what he was thinking. "Scout's honour, Meg." He added.
Meg raised an eyebrow. "You were a Boy Scout?"
"Not one of my shining moments, but yes. Hated the camping trips. Was never big on the outdoorsy crap."
"Pampered little boy," Meg smirked.
"I suppose I was. Still am." He shrugged. "So goes life."
Meg held his gaze. "I'll hold you to your word regarding Christine, Raoul." He rolled his eyes and reluctantly nodded in agreement.
She then took a deep breath, and continued. "As far as this Hunter thing goes, I don't know a whole lot myself, just what Christine told me. And she only knows what Erik told her. And I have a feeling my mom knows more then the both of them."
She studied Raoul for a moment. "Maybe after I tell you, you can find out some stuff about your brother's business partner. He seems important for some reason."
Raoul nodded. "I know how to get into Phil's personal files on his computer," he smiled sheepishly at Meg's surprise. "I was curious one day," he explained. "Of course, I never bothered to look around much before, but now that he seems inadvertently involved, I don't want him to be in any danger here either."
"Fair enough. I'll sneak around my mom's office and find what I can. Then we share. Deal?" She held a hand out.
"Deal." Raoul shook it, then leaned back, and waited for Meg to explain what she knew.
"Okay…" Meg started with a single clap of her hands. "Do you believe in vampires?"
Arts building – inside
Erik sat at the piano, arranging the music before him. "Warm up first." He began.
Christine took a deep breath and went through the scales. When he was satisfied she was sufficiently warmed up, he bid her sing as he played the song he had written specifically for her.
She began the song, then stopped as he left the piano and came up behind her. "No, face forward." He said as she turned to look at him. She did so. "Straighten up now…" She did that as well. "Pull your shoulders back," She felt his hand between her shoulder blades. "Now breathe…" He brought his hand around and pressed his palm gently against her diaphragm. "And sing again…"
She did so, this time with more clarity and tone.
"A little more passion in your voice," he encouraged, "You're out of practice. I did not give you lessons all summer and you are paying for it now. My fault, I will admit."
Christine continued to sing, then felt the warmth of his breath against the nape of her neck.
The passion in her voice began to rise…
"Continue… a bit more emotion." He said as his fingers slid from her diaphragm and brushed against her sides. She did as he asked, finding it easier with every passing moment.
Christine closed her eyes, her spirit taking control of her voice.
When she was finally finished, she heard his applause. Christine spun around to see Erik had walked several feet away. She didn't realize he had been watching her these last few minutes without even touching her.
She smiled at him, "Did I do good?" she asked.
"Very good." He answered before coming back up to her.
Christine let out a yelp as he suddenly slid an arm around her waist and pulled her full against him, dipping his head and bringing his mouth within an inch of hers.
"Who knew you had all that pent-up passion inside you, angel?" Erik's voice was tortuously enticing, his lips barely grazing hers when he had spoken.
He suddenly let go of her. "Lesson over for now. Let's head back."
Christine looked up at him and blinked as she came to her senses. "Oh…yes… of course…" She finally spoke, then took his gloved hand and allowed him to lead her out of the arts building.
Outside the Arts Building
They were leaving the building.
HE quickly climbed down and followed them, keeping to the shadows of the various structures until he saw the two make their way into Residence.
HE knew this place. HE had been here several times.
No, HE had lived here.
It was like riding a bike. You never forget.
HE knew exactly where to go and what to do to keep an eye on the ones his Master instructed HIM too.
They slipped inside, and HE quickly followed.
Christine and Meg's dorm room
Raoul simply stared at Meg after the girl had explained all that she knew. He didn't quite know what to make of the information, his mind still registering the fact that not every unsolved murder involved a human suspect.
He opened his mouth to speak, but could think of nothing to say and closed it once more. He tried again, but was unsuccessful. Finally, he just threw his hands up.
"Hard to take in, huh?" Meg asked. "I was the same way."
"Am I supposed to believe this?" he asked. "I mean, seriously, Meg? It sounds crazy!"
"Momma confirmed it, Raoul. And unless you're saying my momma is crazy…" she frowned, leaning forward threateningly. Well, as threatening as a 5'2", 110lbs ballerina could be.
Raoul quickly put his hands up defensively. "No no… of course not! But… this is just…"
"Crazy." Meg finished for him.
He let his hands drop to his lap. What could he say, really?
A knock at the door interrupted the uncomfortable silence, "Meggles?"
Meg rolled her eyes. "It's RJ."
"He calls you Meggles?" Raoul asked with a snicker
"Oh shut up…" she muttered with a frown, then went to the door and opened it. "What do you want?"
"I wanted to see you." RJ answered simply.
"Uh huh…" Meg replied, not convinced. "And how much of me did you want to see?"
"C'mon, Meg! Don't be like that." RJ began as he stepped in the room, then froze. "Meg?" he began as he glanced at the blonde man sitting on the chair beside Meg's bed. "I didn't know you had a visitor." He frowned.
"She DID call you to talk with us, RJ." Raoul explained. "You weren't interested."
"Well she didn't tell me YOU were here too!" RJ protested.
"You didn't seem overly interested in anything I had to say, RJ." Meg frowned. "Raoul and I were talking about your dad and my mom and this Hunter thing." She shrugged. "He was worried about Christine."
RJ scoffed as he glanced at Raoul. "Get over it, Raoul. She prefers doing freaks. She's that kind of girl."
Raoul jumped to his feet, hands fisted. "She is NOT that kind of girl!"
"Hey, don't feel bad! I hear Grandma Giry is still available!" RJ snickered.
Raoul would have let a fist fly if not for the fact Meg had stepped between them. "STOP IT! No testosterone show here!" she pressed a hand against each man's chest, separating them. She first glanced at RJ. "For your information, Chrissy cares about Erik. And she would slap you silly if she heard you call him a freak." She then glanced at Raoul. "And I think you and I should probably finish our conversation another day."
Meg reached for RJ's hand, then for Raoul's. "Come on, boys. This room isn't big enough for your machismo." She led them both out the door and into the hall. "Get going!"
RJ looked back at Meg, "Come to my room?"
"In a bit." she agreed, if only to get him to leave her alone for the moment. RJ gave her a kiss on the cheek, then headed off.
"I don't trust him." Raoul muttered.
Meg turned to find that she was still holding his hand and quickly let go. "He's all I've got."
"I'm not talking about your crappy taste in men," Raoul began. Meg frowned, but Raoul paid no heed as he continued, "I'm talking about what we're trying to do here – finding out more about the Guild. I don't trust him to keep it a secret. Don't tell him anything."
Meg shrugged. "Hey, if RJ doesn't care enough to talk about it, he doesn't deserve to know what we're planning."
"Good." Raoul replied. "Now... my brother went out of town on business the other day, but he's due back later tonight. Hopefully I can check out his computer before he returns and see what I can dig up." He grabbed his cell from his pocket. "Can I have your phone number? I'll call you."
Meg quickly headed into her room and grabbed her own cell. "And I'll take yours too."
They added each other's numbers to their phones and parted ways.
With a reluctant sigh, Meg headed downstairs to RJ's room.
Erik's Room – half-an-hour later
Christine had headed back to Residence, in need of a shower and some sleep. Erik had retired to his room for the night, recording another song on his computer to be sent out to the radio stations.
Erik… do you belong here?
Erik stopped what he was doing, knowing that voice could only belong to one person. "What do you want?" he hissed angrily.
Answer my question - do you belong with HER?
"I do not belong WITHOUT her!" Erik answered. "And I would quite appreciate it if you would STOP having conversations with me in my head!"
Well, Erik, since you refused to meet with me when my people came to claim you, I have no other way to get in contact with you.
"Try my cell. Less invasive! Would you like the number?"
You CAN have a place of your own, with me.
"I decline your offer, Shay. I am quite happy here."
Even though you know about your true nature, you are still trying to deny it…
"Well, if denying it gets me Christine, then so be it. I will gladly deny it for the rest of my years."
You really are a stubborn man! Came the reply. Then his presence was gone.
… only to be replaced by something else Erik knew was lurking far too close for comfort.
Residence
Christine showered herself in the washroom she shared with three other girls – Meg, Jammes, and Sorelli – their dorm rooms neighbouring one another, the bathroom in between.
As she wrapped one towel around her and used another to dry her hair, Christine looked up at the ceiling fixture. Why was the light flickering so much? The last thing she needed was to be left blind in the bathroom.
"Oh no…" Christine muttered as Residence was suddenly plunged into darkness. "Don't tell me the power just went out!"
"It did," came a male voice in reply.
"Erik!" Christine screeched.
"Yes. I am here…"
"WHERE, exactly?"
"Right behind you…"
Christine spun around and stormed forward in the darkness, ready to blast him for spying on her when after only two steps, she ran into a living, breathing wall.
Erik's hands grasped her hips, preventing Christine from falling backwards and possibly losing her rather thin towel. "I would suggest you get dressed… though I rather like what you're wearing right now." He spoke.
"Wh… what were you doing lurking in here?" she asked, noticeably flustered.
"Nothing as vulgar as you are thinking." He answered as he ran a finger down her spine, noting the way her breath caught. "Though I imagine watching you shower would have been rather… uplifting."
Erik grazed graceful hands up and down her arms, pressing his masked face against her neck. "You have wonderfully soft skin, Christine…" he breathed. "How I love touching you." He suddenly let go of her, leaving Christine attempting to calm her pulse. "But… alas… my current attitude makes you far too uncomfortable for that."
He was tormenting her on purpose. She knew it.
"There is actually a reason for my presence here." Erik continued, his tone all business now. "I sensed something nearby and needed to investigate. I suggest you head back to your room and allow me to take care of things."
Christine blinked, finding herself a little flushed. She was quite sure he could see it in the dark. "Uh… right…" She quickly turned around and began to blindly reach for the door.
"Turn left, go straight," he offered, his night-sight far better then hers. She finally found what she was looking for and headed back into her room. Erik followed her out, waiting.
"I'm not going to change with you standing there. I know you can see me!" Christine frowned, hands on hips.
The masked man released a cool chuckle, then slipped into the hallway and slid into a corner – not as if any of the college girls running around fretfully could see him in the darkness.
There was something about this power outage that bothered him. The weather was fine, no high winds, or rain. It was as if the power had purposely been cut.
Erik's thoughts were interrupted as he heard Christine scream from her room. He practically broke the door down to get to her.
In the moonlight coming through her open window, he could see someone pinning her against the wall. Him again! Erik muttered, noticing that Bobby the pervert had once again returned to Ravelle.
Christine still only had on her towel and was pounding his head with her hairbrush, frantically yelling at him. She gave Bobby a swift knee to the groin, causing him to fall to his knees with a cry. "DON'T EVER sneak into my room again!" she shouted.
Well, at least she didn't need Erik's help at the moment.
"Ahhh, it looks like the Leader sent us one of his mindless servants. How lovely." Erik commented.
Before Erik could attack him, however, Bobby leapt up and shoved Christine across the room before rushing out the window.
Erik caught the petite girl quickly, the momentum sending both of them crashing to the floor, Christine landing atop him. "Ok, if he's so mindless, why did he grope me?" she demanded.
"Because you are rather pleasant to grope," Erik replied, then suddenly rolled them both over, pinning her beneath him as he rested his head upon her shoulder. "Do you suppose I should go after him?" He asked, seemingly content with his current position.
"YES, Erik!" Christine began. "He's going to get away!" She pushed at his shoulders ineffectively.
He let out a quiet sigh and closed his eyes. "But… I would much rather stay here. You're far more pleasant company. And so very comfortable too…"
"I swear to god, Erik!" Christine huffed. "All I have to do is raise my knee and Cam will be singing soprano!"
Erik quickly pushed himself into a sitting position, preventing Christine from following through on her threat. "I'm surprised, angel! Do you really want to damage something you will have use for in the future?" He smirked triumphantly when he saw Christine turn a shade of red he had never seen before.
"No matter," he began suddenly, "I suppose you are right. I must get back to business." He seemed disappointed. "Give Antoinette a call. Tell her there is an intruder I need to deal with. I'll explain it all to her later. Until then, she should call 911 and get an ambulance here."
He furrowed his brow at the girl. "Well now, what are you waiting for?"
Christine clutched the front of his coat and pulled herself into a sitting position, "Get OFF me!"
Erik glanced down and saw he was currently sitting on her legs. He met her eyes, "Well now," he began, his hands slipping up over her toweled back to cup her shoulders. "It appears I have you at a disadvantage,"
Christine let out a startled whimper as he suddenly captured her mouth with his… though against her better judgment, she found herself relaxing against him, responding enthusiastically to his attention.
"Hmmm…" Erik slowly pulled away, "It seems my new attitude does not bother you as much as you claim." He jumped to his feet and made his way to the opened window. "Call Antoinette while I deal with your intruder. I will be back later."
Without waiting for acknowledgement, Erik headed out in pursuit.
Residence Rooftop
Once Erik reached the rooftop, he saw his quarry. The boy seemed confused as he stared over the edge of the roof. He had obviously failed to formulate a plan of escape while Erik had been pleasantly distracted.
Erik quickly tackled Bobby from behind, knocking the boy to the ground before bending his head unnaturally and digging a knee into his back. He heard the boy cry out, much to his satisfaction, and would have ripped his head right off his shoulders if he didn't need answers at the moment.
"Care to tell me why you were trying to attack Christine in her room? Were you going to take her somewhere, or was it just an attempt to cop a feel?"
Bobby twisted his head slightly, showing Erik his soulless eyes, "I was sent to watch you."
"Watch me?" Erik hissed. "I see the Leader is keeping good on his promise. That still does not give you permission to TOUCH my woman!"
"Your daddy is waiting for you!"
"You are not answering my question!" Erik dug the knee in deeper and yanked hard on Bobby's hair. The boy whimpered but made no attempt to fight back.
What a waste…Erik thought. He had been itching for some violence.
"He wants to make you an offer." Bobby's voice sounded unemotional and robotic, as if simply repeating what he was told.
"I already rejected his offer." Erik reached into his duster. "Tell me, boy… if I let you go, will you continue spying on us?" he hissed angrily.
"It is what I was trained to do…" Bobby answered.
"That is a shame then. Would you like to see what I was trained to do?"
Before he could answer, Bobby found Erik's rope tight around his neck.
Outside Residence – Ten minutes later
Antoinette Giry was called to the scene immediately, her eyes looking over the pale form on the ground beside the newly arrived ambulance. The boy was currently being tended to by the EMTs.
She looked up at the roof to see a shadowy form, long coat flapping out behind him, peering carefully over the edge.
Erik… what have you done? Giry worried. Her attention then went back to the unmoving Bobby.
She heard the EMTs speaking, saying how lucky the boy was to be unconscious before he fell. That his body was limp enough that the large evergreen outside Residence broke his fall and saved the boy from certain death.
There was no sign of him waking up soon, but he was alive. He would be rushed to a nearby hospital, his parents would be contacted, and care would be given.
Giry glanced back up to the roof, but the shadowy figure was gone.
Christine's dorm room
When Erik returned to Christine's dorm, he saw the girl had fallen asleep on her bed, dressed in her pajamas. He was quite sure she had attempted to stay awake to find out what was going on… but he had taken his time returning. He had, in fact, taken a short lurk around the air ducts, trying to see if anything else was amiss.
Taking a deep breath, Erik glanced around the room, then opened the door a crack and peaked down the hall before closing it again, relieved to find that Little Giry was no where in sight.
Erik crouched beside the bed, watching Christine's face as she slept. For all his earlier taunting, his heart truly did ache for her.
He shrugged off his duster and placed it atop her, tucking it around her carefully, intent on keeping the girl warm. He then slid on the bed and gathered her little form protectively against him.
I love you so very much, angel… Erik thought as he brushed his lips lightly against her forehead, his fingers gently caressing her cheek. No words could ever do these feelings justice. He closed his eyes and buried his face atop her head, inhaling the scent of her freshly washed hair, still slightly damp. And I would die before I let anyone hurt you.
He would stay here until first light, then would disappear into the air-ducts. He did not want Christine to wake up and grow uneasy with his presence.
Of all the things he had missed prior to his change, it was this. There were two nights when she had been content sleeping in the same bed as him, trusting that he would not make any uncomfortable overtures towards her.
But now…
Now Erik wondered if he could resist.
END OF EPISODE 26