Disclaimer: I don't own Phantom of the Opera or Wicked.
Remember: Keep your hand at the level of your eyes, and nothing matters but knowing nothing matters.
Chapter XI – Heartbreak
Elphie snatched her hat and fled the catacombs. She and Fiyero stopped at a café a few blocks away from the opera and threw themselves onto a bench.
"He really is a true magician," she said, Erik's last disappearing act still fresh in her mind.
Fiyero shrugged, glancing vaguely at passersby.
"He was somewhere in the vicinity, though," he replied. "Close enough to hear us."
It was Elphie's turn to shrug as she slipped her hand in his.
"But we can get on with our life now," she insisted. "I only went to him because I needed help finding you."
That's not all, something nagged at the back of her mind. You felt a connection, you said so yourself.
Fiyero shifted uncomfortably as they started walking again.
"About that, I… never mind." He wouldn't look at her, but she smiled gently.
"I've missed you so much, and there must be a lot that's happened… Do you want to talk about it?"
Fiyero sighed. He turned toward her as if he were bracing himself against a stampede.
"Elphie, I – we – can't go on like this. I have to go back to Oz."
She laughed. "You honestly thought I would want to stay here? We're leaving tomorrow!"
His face remained troubled.
"It's not like that. I can't go on like this with you."
She stopped walking. "What do you mean?"
"Before I left, that… that whole affair. It was just a fling, Elphie. We weren't meant for each other."
Elphie could only gape at him. "Two years… two years and you call it a 'fling'?"
He looked away. "You have to understand, I did love you. For awhile. But… I've always loved Glinda."
Elphie stiffened and slowly backed away.
"How…' her eyes welled up with tears. "How could you? I gave you everything."
She stopped, her eyes on the ground. She looked at him for a last time, a tear line shining on her left cheek.
"I love you."
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Erik stood stock-still outside the de Chagny gates, concocting a plan. He would not make the same mistake that almost got Elphaba killed. Mentally judging distance and height, he vaulted over the iron pikes. His cloak blew out behind him, making him look like an overgrown (yet still extremely thin) bat. Landing softly on the manicured grass, he sprang straight up into a tree and made his way through the branches toward an upper window. If Christine were here, she'd be in this room. It was where Raoul housed her when she came to "visit". Erik glanced down and made note of the four armed guards stationed on either side of the enormous front door. Security had tightened up since he was last here.
He slipped through the window like a ghost and ducked behind a writing desk. There were voices just beyond the door; Raoul and Christine.
"It's wonderful to finally see you again, Raoul."
"Likewise, but you must change before we go out for lunch."
She giggled as she slipped through the door, closing it firmly behind her.
Erik rose. "Christine…"
It was barely a whisper, but she spun around.
Her eyes grew huge and she screamed.
Erik grimaced as he ducked behind the desk again and Raoul burst into the room.
"What is it, Christine? What's wrong?"
"He's here," she whispered shakily. "There, behind my desk…"
Erik winced, cursing himself inside his head. Christine was the only thing standing between him and the full wrath of the Vicomte. And now there was nowhere to run.
"Léon! Armand! Rapidement!"
Erik rose again as two servants rushed into the room. He raised his hands in surrender, but Raoul's lip curled.
"You actually believe I'd let you go free before justice is served?" he hissed.
Erik glared at him as the men grabbed him roughly by the arms.
"Christine," he growled softly.
Raoul struck him across the face, knocking the mask away. "You are not worthy to speak the name of an angel like her."
Armand twisted Erik's right arm behind his back.
"Sir, what shall we do?"
Before the Vicomte could respond, Erik spat in his face.
Christine gasped at the hatred she found in his eyes as he looked at her.
A melody from years ago rushed into her ears, a plea for life.
"Christine, I love you…"
Raoul sneered, his arm wrapped protectively around Christine's waist. "Yes, but does she still love you?"
He looked at her lovingly. "Well, Christine?"
She hesitated, then picked up Erik's fallen mask.
"We parted ways years ago, Erik," she said quietly.
"And now our paths cross again," he growled hoarsely.
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "I can't go back to that life. I haven't sung since; I doubt I remember how."
Erik could only stare at her. This wasn't the Christine he remembered. How could she have changed so much?
"Tragic, isn't it?" Raoul's steely voice interrupted his thoughts. "The most terrifying man this city has ever known, to be killed at last, alone. Not love, not power, nothing."
Erik shot him a look of deepest loathing. "I'm never alone with music."
Raoul glanced at Léon, and he slammed a fist into Erik's chest.
"Music no more," the Vicomte hissed as Erik doubled over. "I'd be surprised if you could speak after that."
Erik snarled. "Kill me, then."
Raoul arched an eyebrow. "So, it really doesn't take much to make you beg for death."
"There are worse things than death, de Chagny."
"Is that so?"
Erik stared at Christine.
"Heartbreak…"
Raoul smirked and cocked an ivory-handled pistol.
"Very well, then –-"
"No, Raoul!" Christine suddenly leapt up and snatched the gun from him. "Not like this."
Erik and Raoul both gaped at her.
"Would you force me to live without you?" Erik growled raggedly.
"No," she said. "I've forced myself to live without you. Go."
Armand shoved him roughly to the floor.
Christine tossed his mask to the ground and spun from the room, flanked by the servants.
"She will never be yours," Raoul snarled.
Erik straightened and produced a dagger, leaving no trace of Léon's assault.
"Very well, monsieur."
He flung the dagger into the far wall, leaving it quivering in the fine wood, and was gone in a whirling of his cloak.
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A/N: C'mon, you guys know I'm partial to Erik. Of course his piece is dramatic. Well, Elphie's was, too. Anywayz, you know what to do. Click the little button, give me feedback, and I'll see what I can come up with for the next installment.
Phantomfreak07
