Disclaimer-Wishing that I somehow owned this stuff, knowing that I never will.
I was bored and started to type…this is truly overkill.
Please keep reading anyway, and maybe in your heart you'll find
Some time to spare and write with care, a review would be so kind!
A/N- Sorry sense of humor there. Figure if I have to type a disclaimer, I might as well have a little fun with it. Anyway I have to take a second or two to thank my reviewers. Never did I think that someone would read this and actually like it, much less ask me to post more soon. I am doing the best I can time and idea wise, but I had to thank you. Hands out cookies to everyone!
So onto the next chapter..
Erik awoke with a start, and immediately realized his mistake in attempting to sit up. What the bloody hell, he wondered as the drug induced vertigo caused him to quickly lie back. Nadir jumped up from the opposite corner and quickly sat beside him.
"Easy there. The more you keep still the less dizzy you will feel."
Erik licked his lips in an effort to get some sort of moisture on them. "I am quite still now Daroga and there are still three of you in my sights."
"Considering the evening you've had," here Nadir sniffed almost amusedly, "I'd say you are quite lucky to be seeing anything at all."
"The evening I had…" Erik tensed as the events that had unfolded rushed back to him. Forgetting the man's previous advice, Erik shot up again and fought losing the contents of his stomach. "Christine was shot by that damned boy. I must…"
"Antoinette has gone for word of Christine." Nadir pushed Erik back down on the pallet while debating the advisability of sedating him with some more laudanum. "You have not had a rosy evening either. Unless you wish me to play seamstress on your skin again I suggest you lie still."
Erik then became aware of the tight dressings on his right shoulder. Reaching across with his good arm, he attempted to assess the damage before the throbbing became too much. "How bad?" he muttered half to himself.
"Considering that they were aiming for your head…not to awful. It didn't hit any vessels, but it took me a good bit of prodding to get the thing out of you."
"I'm sure you didn't mind the extra digging…" Erik turned to look at him. "An opportunity for a little payback hmm?"
"I've already chastised Antoinette for getting herself involved again, and you certainly know my feelings on the matter."
"Ahh yes..I am like the plague aren't I? Destructive to everything and everyone around." His voice grew softer. "Even my own mother knew it was better to be rid of me. But no worries Daroga. I plan to leave this miserable hellhole I have called home."
Nadir looked surprised. "And go where with the price that's sure to be on your head?"
"Money can accomplish many things Daroga, that I have learned. It will simply be a matter of letting things cool down a bit. Then Monsieur le Fantome shall vanish as a proper ghost should."
Nadir raised his eyebrows questioningly. "And what of Mlle. Daae?"
Erik felt a lump in his throat. Sighing a bit, he closed his eyes and replied. "She has no need of the plague either." You can only bring death to her, monster. "Now if you wouldn't mind, I feel rather tired at the moment."
What a horrid liar you have become Erik. Nadir was half amused by the thought as he resettled himself in the corner. Traveling to the other side of the globe wouldn't help a man whose soul is possessed by another.
"What do you mean she won't sing again?" Andre looked aghast.
"Simply that." The physician regarded the group. "She may eventually regain a normal sounding speaking voice, dependent upon infection and post operative swelling."
"Not that it matters.." Raoul interjected.
"I beg your pardon, Monsiuer? How can it not matter?" Meg's voice became shrill. "This was Christine's dream, she worked so hard.."
"Perhaps you do not know your friend as well as you thought." Turning to the managers Raoul continued. "This was not the way we had intended to inform you of Mademoiselle Daae's retirement. However, the situation being what it is now is as good a time as any. Mademoiselle Daae has agreed to become my wife, and as such would not be performing any longer."
"I had heard of no retirement plans." Madame Giry interjected.
"No you wouldn't have. Christine….umm Mlle. Daae requested that the engagement be kept quiet until this ghost problem was dealt with. Since you apparently can't handle that messieurs.." Here he gave the managers a disapproving scowl. "..it seems appropriate that Mlle. Daae should go ahead and exit, particularly in light of her injuries."
Turning his attention back to the physician Raoul continued. "I will make arrangements for Mlle. Daae to be moved to my family's residence tonight." At the hesitant look of the physician he hurried on. "She will be far safer there while that thing is still loose."
"Very well, Monsiuer. Now if you will excuse me, I must check on Senior Piangi. My assistant will remain with Mlle. Daae until you are prepared for travel." He nodded his farewell and walked down the hall.
"Monsieur le Vicomte, before you leave may I make a suggestion?" Madame Giry placed a hand lightly on his arm to halt Raoul's exit.
"And what would that be Madame?"
"Allow Meg to go with her, monsieur. A friendly face would be a comfort in her recovery as well as…" her voice softened. "provide a chaperone that would dispel any harmful rumors."
"Madame after what I saw on that stage this evening one hundred chaperones wouldn't be able to stop the rumors that will fly." Raoul hissed as he looked over at Meg. "And no offense to you Mademoiselle, but I plan to get Christine away from this madness and not return. The quicker we cut our ties.." the managers eyes widened at this statement. "the quicker we can get on with our lives. No worries, however dear messieurs. You will have the money I promised as patron of the opera…..when O.G. is hanging from the end of a rope."
A/N- Please review!