A/N: An extra-specialthanks to my beta, Le Chat Noir .
Episode 48: Dreams and Nightmares
By: Elektra
Alone.
Christine felt completely, utterly alone.
Before her had stood her mother, her father, her best friend, and her beloved.
One by one they had faded away.
"Mom… Dad? Meggy? Erik? Come back! Please… please come back! Don't leave me alone…" she cried out.
They don't want to be around you anymore… a voice spoke. Your Mother is gone. Your father followed her. And now, you hold on to the only two left in your life.
Meg doesn't want some needy orphan clinging to her. She tires of you. She wants you to leave her alone. She has plans that don't include you. You're a hindrance! A bother!
Christine shook her head. "No. She's my best friend. She… she wouldn't think that! We… we're like sisters!"
Sisters do not cling. She is planning for her future and you are getting in the way. She wants to be a ballerina, and you are preventing her learning. Leave her alone.
Leave her alone.
Leave her…
… alone
Erik didn't have to open his eyes to know someone was walking around behind him. A certain someone he knew very well. He did not acknowledge Christine, though. He could not afford distractions.
In fact he was so adamant about it, he was sure his beloved had forgotten what he looked like beneath the mask. It had been three weeks since they had spent any time alone.
Erik's eyes remained closed as he felt the sheet lift up and the pullout bed depress, followed by Christine sliding in silently behind him, carefully moving her way around Isis and her kitten, Kuroneko, the other two felines sleeping elsewhere in the apartment.
Erik felt Christine's arm slip around his waist, her warmth pressing against his scarred back. She let out a quiet sigh as she relaxed against him.
"Christine?"
"Had a bad dream…" she answered, her faced pressed against his skin. "People kept disappearing on me. My mom and dad." She was silent for a moment, her voice quiet. "Meg … and then… you."
The last word was said with such deep sadness. "I am not going anywhere, Christine."
She snuggled closer. "Someone kept telling me that they wanted to get away from me. Especially Meg." Her voice sounded lost and childlike. "And maybe she IS getting annoyed. I… I have no mom or dad… so maybe… maybe I am too clingy."
"I am sure Little Giry does not mind your constant presence," Erik answered. "And I am rather fond of it myself."
The arm around his waist grew tighter. "Sing me to sleep?" she asked.
Without hesitation, Erik did so.
Martin Ave. and Nurien Dr. (later that night)
Adam froze when he saw the girl walking down the street before him. Strawberry blond hair, petite build, and gentle grace.
"Megan?" he gasped, then shouted aloud, "MEGAN!"
The girl looked around, confused as to who was calling her. Adam quickly caught up to her and grabbed her arm. "It was me!" he started desperately. "I sent the flowers!"
"What flowers? Sorry, who are you?"
"My name… is Adam. I've been watching you for so long, sweet Megan…" he continued.
"Sorry, my name is not Megan. You have the wrong person."
He shook his head. "I love you, Megan…" he began, tightening his grip on the arm. "Do you love me too? I gave you flowers! And… I've seen you dancing. Oh, you dance so nice. And I know you were dancing for me. I KNOW it. I saw it in your eyes."
The girl stumbled back as Adam's comments grew more heated. "I'm not this MEGAN, and I don't dance! Let go of me!"
"Oh Megan… tell me you love me… please?"
"LET GO OF ME!"
Adam grew angry. "Is it HIM?" he accused. "That pretty rich boy?" He grabbed the girl's shoulders and shook her. "He doesn't love you! He'll cheat on you! Men like him always do!"
The girl screamed. Loud. Hysterical. She begged for help, but there was no one to help.
"STOP IT!" Adam cried out. "Stop SCREAMING! I only want to love you!"
The lasso was around her neck in an instant. She choked and struggled, so Adam forced her into the nearest alley lest anyone disturb them. Her knees buckled, and he took the opportunity to force her to the ground.
He loosed the rope a little and her eyes closed as she wheezed in a shallow breath.
"I know you love me," he murmured, withdrawing a knife. "I want to see how much you love me." Covering her mouth roughly with his left hand, he cut off her shirt. Loss of oxygen made her docile, but Adam knew that she was simply compliant because of her desire.
He plunged the knife into her stomach as she tried to scream. "Oh, look how beautiful you are! I knew it… I just knew it!" Adam pulled his gloves off and put his finger into the wound. "I've wanted so much to be near to you, to feel you this way."
He reluctantly removed his hand and pulled the rope away from her throat to slice open her jugular.
"I can see your heartbeat," he said, mesmerized by the rhythmic red spurts. "I can see your love; I know your heart is mine."
She shook and he tried to take her in his arms to comfort her in her passionate response. "I have you now; I'll never let you go, I swear," he whispered as he rocked her.
After a time, he released her and stood.
Breathless, Adam looked down at the girl laying motionless on the ground in her own blood. He coiled up his rope and tucked it back into his cloak.
He then noticed something he had not noticed before.
The dead girl was not Megan Giry.
Meg's Room
Meg glanced over to the form on the floor of her bedroom. Raoul had taken to staying in the apartment and sleeping on an air mattress.
He's so cute when he sleeps… she thought. Maybe I could offer to share my bed next time. She would have giggled at the thought if not for the other thought that came to her shortly after.
He agreed to stay here because he was worried about me. He wanted me to be safe. She flopped onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. This is more then just a crush. I'm really falling for him. Dammit.
Raoul had still not made an outward sign that he saw her as anything more than a friend, but she had hope.
The blonde man suddenly let out a startled cry and Meg turned to see him tossing fitfully. She wondered what he was dreaming of.
"She's not… she's not…" he muttered. "Not like them. She likes me. I'm her friend…"
"Hey…" Meg called aloud, brow furrowed at his odd behaviour. "You ok?"
He didn't wake up, instead continuing to talk incoherently. She could make out words here and there. Something about being a DeChagny, about people caring only for his money.
"Is that what's has you so worried? Did Philip say something?" Meg asked as she slid out of her bed and knelt beside him. "You're a good guy, Raoul. You could be piss-poor and I'd still care about you." She let out a soft sigh and sat down beside his mattress, glancing towards the wall.
"I'll probably never have the guts to tell you this while you're awake," Meg continued. "But I like you. I mean, I really like you. I'd love it if it was mutual, but hey, I get that your bro would rather you date some rich heiress."
Meg let out a soft laugh. "I'm SO far from one, it's not even funny. After my dad died, Momma had the guts to pick up the pieces and make a life for us."
She took a deep breath. "But it's been a good life, no complaints. Momma taught me to be independent and strong and I love her for that that. I've got great friends, and I'm pursuing my dreams. I don't need to be one of those girls."
She leaned back on her elbows. "I mean, what's the point of being someone like Paris Hilton if you're unhappy? Well… not that I'm saying Paris is unhappy since I don't actually know her, but-"
"Meg?"
Meg froze as she slowly turned her head to meet Raoul's eyes. "Um… sorry… I… didn't mean to wake you with my mindless chatter." She paused for a moment, then swallowed nervously. "Exactly how much of my mindless chatter did you hear?"
He raised a perfect eyebrow. "From 'I'll probably never have the guts to tell you this while you're awake'."
Meg closed her eyes, feeling a headache coming on. "Shit…"
"It's ok," Raoul replied. "At least you're honest." He glanced away. "It's more than I've been. I should tell you why I've been avoiding you – and why I might suddenly snap at any moment."
"What do you-"
"Dreams," he said. "I know it seems like a stupid thing, but these are hardcore night terrors I'm having. I can't even sleep a full night through without having one. Erik snapped me out of it long enough to get my ass here that night, but…"
Raoul shook his head. "That doesn't mean it's over. I keep having them. Then I wake up and see you sleeping in your bed, and I can calm myself a bit." He massaged his temples. "It doesn't help that my brother is on my case now too. He doesn't like me staying here."
Meg smirked. "What, with us lower class?"
"Oh, it was all well and good when he thought we were dating and you could help him out with his investors. But now..." Raoul shrugged. "Now he'd rather see me hanging out with some of his associates' daughters. Go figure."
He looked back at Meg. "And honestly, I've met some of those girls. I'd rather not meet more."
"You weren't impressed, huh?" Meg asked.
He let out a harsh laugh. "That's an understatement. They know exactly what to order at an expensive restaurant, how to act, and the best clothes to wear to impress their peers… but they're boring and self-serving. At least I can have a conversation with you and get your thoughts on things."
"So I'm blunt and opinionated?" Meg winked.
He placed a hand on her shoulder and met her eyes. "Yes, you are. And I like that."
Laramie Drive – Two hours later
Martine watched Adam carefully as he made his way into the bathroom, his clothing covered in blood. She shook her head.
Not that it mattered to her, but he really was becoming sloppy.
A few weeks ago, he had named the object of his affection in a bloody dedication, and now... now he had attacked a girl for bearing a similar appearance to Megan Giry and refusing his advances when he confronted her.
While Martine had not actually been WITH him at the time, she saw him - as she saw all those she associated herself with - killing the girl far more brutally than he had killed the others.
"Your 'fake' son is becoming a problem, Sytri," Martine said as she sensed the creature's presence coming down the hall behind her. "He has gotten reckless."
"Adam knows how to clean up after himself." Sytri answered.
Martine shook her head. "Not this time." she answered. "The police will find a few more bits of evidence. Instead of using his rope immediately, he grabbed the girl and allowed her the opportunity to fight back. His fingerprints will be found upon her person."
She glanced over at Sytri. "And I have a feeling that his prints will not be unknown to the police."
Sytri leaned wearily against the wall. "From what I understand, he has had... problems... since he was a child." He then offered a cold smirk. "Not unlike my REAL son."
"Your REAL son did not kill an innocent girl to satiate his sexual needs."
"Adam did not force himself upon the girl, did he?"
"No, but would you care if he HAD?"
Sytri shrugged. "Only that it would leave DNA evidence."
"That has already been left. Since he did not kill her cleanly, she managed to scratch him up in self-defense. His skin will be found beneath her nails."
Martine studied the creature before her - the thing that pretended to be a man. "He will find out you are NOT his father."
He waved away her concern. "That no longer matters to me. He is useless. I HAD hoped he would assist me in my attempts at organized chaos..." He shrugged. "but he is far too unstable for that now."
Martine raised an eyebrow at him. "THAT is all you wanted?" she asked. "Then you are no more than a troublesome child wanting to cause a ruckus. How disappointing."
Sytri glared at her, golden eyes glowing ever so slightly. "What is THAT supposed to mean?"
"Only that with your power, you could do so much more."
He studied Martine closely. "I am listening."
She smiled in response. "First, may I suggest you cut your losses?"
Sytri thought about this for a moment, then came up with a solution. "I would rather leave that up to Erik. He is trying far too hard to be a 'good boy' for his lover and it sickens me. Let him take the boy's life. He needs a good reminder of what he is."
The next morning
Raoul walked out of the apartment building and turned on his cell phone. "Hello, it's Raoul DeChagny," he began. "I want someone at 1321 TownCircle Drive to guard the grounds 24/7. I have reason to believe my friends may be in danger."
"Sir, we are DeChagny personal security. We are not to be hired out to your friends." came the answer.
Raoul frowned. "I will be staying here as well. I expect you to do your job and protect me, as well as those I am associating with. Do you have a problem with that? "
"No sir, Mr. DeChagny," came the answer on the other line.
"Good. Then I want your people here as soon as possible."
"Yessir, Mr. DeChagny."
Raoul disconnected the cell phone and slid it in his pocket. He took a deep breath and took a walk around the apartment.
As he continued to walk, he felt a shiver down his spine. It felt almost as if someone was here, watching him. He spun around, looked left and right, but saw no one. He continued walking until he reached the front door again.
He quickly went back inside to gather Meg. He was sure she'd benefit from a nice day out.
Outside 1321 TownCircle Dr.
Adam ignored the feel of his nails digging into his skin as he watched the DeChagny boy walk around the apartment building and back in. He emerged a few moments later with Meg and led her to his BMW.
Following shortly after was his older brother and his brother's lover, who climbed on his bike as the two kept a short distance behind DeChagny's car.
He smiled as he realized that now he could leave his special present in Meg's room. The one he had worked so very hard to get for her.
He was certain she would appreciate it.
Meg and Christine's Apartment – that evening
Christine, Meg, Erik and Raoul returned to the apartment together after spending an entertaining day at the movies.
Though Raoul and Erik were, at least being civil, the sniping and arguing did not cease save for the length of the movie. It was about foolish things, and it was driving the girls crazy.
"They're like brothers or something," Meg spoke loud enough for the two to hear. "Sibling rivalry and all that." She winked at Christine.
"DeChagny will NEVER be my brother!" Erik snapped impatiently. "And you would do well not to annoy me with such talk again!"
Meg rolled her eyes and headed into her room. Seconds later, a screamed ripped from her throat.
The other three quickly ran in to see what had happened, only to find an opened gift box on Meg's bed.
Erik swore and quickly placed a hand over Christine's eyes, turning her away from the object that lay in a pool of thick red liquid upon Meg's bed.
Meg bolted out the door, followed by a concerned Raoul as she retched in the bathroom.
The card that accompanied her gift fluttered to the floor.
From your secret admirer.
END OF EPISODE 48