Chapter Sixteen

Hypothermia and severe exhaustion. Other than that, the doctor told them that Dan would be fine when he was rested. But those conditions were hardly admirable or healthy to have. She had wanted to take Dan to the hospital, but the doctor and Tony both assured her that there was nothing to worry about. He wasn't in any life threatening danger and keeping him warm under blankets while he slept was the best medicine. And as Jess sat in a chair in her room, right next to Dan's bedside, watching his shallow breathing, it killed her.

It killed her to know that through all of this, all she could think about was Erik. The way his eyes looked at her, how the color changed. And how he acted differently to her. In her room, in his home, he was so sensitive and caring towards her, as if it hurt him to see her in pain or upset. And yet whenever he was around, she always seemed to be in harm's way. He had acted so violent, dragging her down almost drowning her in the lake. But then Jessalyn thought, jealously makes us do outrageous things. And she had certainly provoked Erik's jealously. Jess leaned over, feeling weak and stupid letting her head rest between her hands. Christ, she had embraced Dan right in front of him, refusing Erik to let him be taken without a fight. Her hands had clutched around Dan's body while at the same time had certainly come in contact with Erik as well. She couldn't have imagined how he felt. Erik probably thought she loved Dan.

But she did she? She did love him to a ceratin extent. He was after all her closet friend. But was there more? Or did she love Erik? She cared for and pitied both of them. Jess sighed in desperate confusion, wanting to cry but knowing she would have no one to hold her. Erik was like a puzzle stretched out before her with many missing pieces. And the longer it took for her to solve it, the more danger her friends faced. Daniel's hands clutched the many layers of blankets she had placed on her bed. She insisted since he didn't need to be checked into a hospital that he again spend to night in her bed. He wasn't asleep but he wasn't awake. He seemed in Jessalyn's opinion to be almost in a coma. He moaned something incoherent, and Jess quickly rushed to his side for comfort, putting her hands over his. That seemed to satisfy him.

The door swung open behind her and Tony walked him. He stopped by her side. "I can't believe Christmas is in another week, can you?" He asked trying to sound charmingly and break the sour atmosphere. Jess sighed.

"It not going to be a pleasant one. And I've never really cared for the holidays anyway." She said, still feeling a little guilty. They had been in Paris for almost a month now, away from her family during Christmas was something she had never done before. The holidays now had no meaning now as far as she was concerned.

"Well, I kind of knew there wasn't much to look forward too. At least will have a great New Years' Eve thanks to the gala, right?" He offered, then seeing his efforts where not improving her mood, he asked. "Well then how is he?"

"He's not talking, but at least he seems to be resting all night. He'll be out cold for the rest of the night." She explained.

Tony gave a small laugh. "That shouldn't be a change for him. He sleeps through everything."

Jessalyn nodded. She reached across to place the fresh towel she had been holding and replaced it with the one that was resting over Dan's forehead. She discarded the other one into a basin of warm water standing near by. "He not having anymore shivers or cold sweats any more."

"Well that's good." He put a hand on her shoulder. "Jesus, you look so tired. You can share my room tonight. I have no problem." He offered.

"No, I'm all right. I'll stay up with him." She protested. I'd want it that way.

"You're scared too." Tony said. The tone of his voice had changed as dramatically as his mood had. Jess turned to look up into his serious eyes. "Don't ask what I'm talking about. You know. I've seen it in your eyes Jess. You walk around this whole place frightened." Jess tried not to show her shock. He knew! "It's okay. I'm scared too." He admitted. Jess pointed to the floor.

"Then talk to me Tony." She asked. Tony flopped down onto the carpet, resting his cheek in his palm.

"I'm not nuts, but I thought I saw something pull Dan in the lake. I'm not sure, but for a split second I thought . . . " He stopped, sighing. "Do you understand?" She nodded

"Tony, believe me you are not seeing things. I know." She took a deep breath. She had to let him know, at least a little. If she couldn't trust him or Dan, then who? Erik . . . he had been a fool to trust her to keep a secret. But had he planned that. "I can't lie any more Tony. Something is happening . . . "

Tony cut her off by slamming a hand down on the floor that made her jump. "I knew it! Someone has been following us!" He exclaimed to Jessalyn's relief, not in anger. "But who is it though?"

"I don't know" Jess said with a gulp, not being able to bring herself to tell the whole truth. She could feel tears of betrayal threatening to surface. "Please . . . don't ask me." She begged.

Tony glanced at her. His eyes had softened and his brow was not clenched as tightly now. She could trust him not to frighten or pressure her anymore. But she hated herself more than ever keeping secrets from him. He picked up one of Dan's books from the desk. "Then I won't ask you." He said flipping through the book. "I know there is a lot on your mind now. You just make sure Dan gets his rest." He then pointed a playful finger at her. "And that goes for you too, missy." Taking the book with him, Tony made his way to the door. "If you need any help, I'll be in my room."

Jess laughed. "What kind of help do you think I'll need." She questioned.

"Protection." He said without missing a beat. "Because if I find whoever tried to hurt you and Dan, I'll kill him."

The clock hands ticked past midnight. Jess slouched in the large high back chair, wishing she had some coffee, pop, or anything to help her stay awake. She could have put on some TV or blare some music, but she didn't want to wake Dan or distract herself. She kept at his side in silence no even daring to get up to go to the bathroom. She pondered Tony's advice and his threat, but she thought for now, she physical was the best protection for Dan now. As long as she was in the way, Erik wouldn't hurt Dan and Tony. Perhaps she believed he wasn't that desperate . . . yet.

She had used a shawl she had packed to wrap around her hands, which were shaking. Stay awake she commanded.

"Jessalyn" she heard Daniel moan her name. Her lids were growing heavy. "Jess, please." He called again. Jess thought she had turned into the direction of the bed at the sound of his voice, but she didn't see him. In fact she didn't see anything at all. She wanted to be excited hearing his voice. But nothing. "Jessalyn . . . " Then out of nowhere, she thought she felt Dan's lips on hers. They were cold, like before and she squirmed in disgust.

But Erik's lips were warm . . .

"It is truly pathetic how you wait by his side like a dog." Erik's hard voice broke through mocking her. Jess jerked upward. She had fallen asleep for a few second. Erik's voice was coming from behind the walls. Now she was angry that he had been spying on her.

"Why, wouldn't you do the same thing for me?" She whispered as a comeback. She could feel the room grow still. She starred at the mirror across from her, certain that he was standing behind there. She wished more than anything she had a gun, or something to protect herself and Dan. She glanced over at Daniel, seeing that he was fast asleep. Feeling strong and determined she got up, throwing aside her shawl and walk deliberately to the mirror. "Show yourself Erik." She demanded.

She heard him chuckled darkly. "Maybe I won't. For some reason I don't feel entirely trusting of you Jessalyn." He spoke. "Perhaps I'll be inclined to do so if . . . "

She cut him off. "You and I both know that you want nothing more than to come into this room. So just do it." She challenged. She tried clenching her shaking fists, to show she wasn't afraid. But her bold speaking was doing nothing more than deceiving her.

"You'll have to shut your eyes first." He counterpointed. Jess gave a gulp in uncertainty. What kind of game was he playing now?

"No, do you think I'm a fool?" She asked.

"Fine then I won't come out." He teased. He was trying her patience on purpose. She could have let him stay behind the mirror, away from her and Daniel. But then he remained unseen, and there was no telling what he would do, or how else he could get in. Jess on impulse when over to the door and locked it. Again she heard Erik laugh, and it angered her to be in the center of this game of cat and mouse. She went back to the mirror, standing up as straight as she could. Forgive me Dan. She shut her eyes, feeling like she was closing the doors to her freedom.

"All right then." She whispered. She heard nothing, not even a gust of air or the sound of foot steps. Her skin began to crawl and her palms started to sweat. She had to think of Daniel. She was doing this for him. She was agreeing to play this deadly game if only for his protection. Or was she only fooling herself.

She opened her eyes, against her will only in the desperate need to see what was happening. Erik was inches away from her chest, almost engulfing her with his body. She tried not show her emotions, but a terrified cry escaped her lips in seeing how close he had gotten to her without knowing. Erik grinned darkly, holding up a finger to his lips. "Ssshhhh . . . " he said quietly. "We wouldn't want to wake anyone, my dear."

She wanted to slap him across the face. No, she didn't love him. She despised him. She could not let herself keep being deceived over and over again. "You broke your own promise. I've kept silence about you, and how do you return my trust? Daniel heard you last night. Tony has seen you. So much for remaining a ghost. You broke our bargain, so why do I owe you anything now." She let loose upon him.

"Really, well I never swear to any oaths. Promises are for fools. And if I do recall, long ago you broke a very important promise to me." His words stung at her.

"And what promise would that be?"

He sighed, glancing away for a brief moment. "Christine . . . " He whispered very softy as if he couldn't bear to bring himself to say that name. "You promised to sing only for me." Jess turned away from the sight of him, cursing the situation she was letting herself slip into.

"You sir, are dwelling on the delusions of the past. I would never make that sort of promise to you. Not in a thousand years." She said bitterly. She didn't care about sparing his feelings for he had already sliced apart hers. She noticed his eyes looking over her shoulder to the sleeping form of Dan.

"So you think your friends will discover my whereabouts and protect you from me. I see proof before my eyes that you are wrong mademoiselle." He remarked. And he was right, but Jessalyn was furious that he mocked her and Dan, who was now helpless.

"You a heartless coward." She hissed, tears of fear turning to those of anger. "And I swear to you, if you do anything to harm him, I'll hunt you down myself."

The eyes behind the mask narrowed, and Jess swallowed hard, wondering what effect her words would have. Erik leaned his head down close to hers, his two hands coming up to rest near her neck. "Is that a threat?" he asked, inching closer. He had a firm grip on her by now and she couldn't pry herself away. His lips came closer to her own, his eyes now directly starring into hers. Now Jess was starting to feel afraid again. "I'm honored." He said simply. He lingered there for a few more seconds, toying with her, having her stress on what he would do next. Finally he backed away slowly, the swirl of his cape trailing behind him. His gaze focused on the red rose on her dresser that rested in a simple cup. "Oh I see you got my flower." He pointed out. He held his fingers over the brim of the cup, tipping it sideways. Jess wondered if he would break it, only just to prove his anger. Jess now realized that he had indeed left the rose in Box Five, and worst he had been following her for a lot longer than she had thought. Erik then stood up straight, clasping his gloved hands together. "But enough of this, instead let us settle this manner as civilized beings." He announced. He pointed dramatically to the mirror. "Shall we?"

Down once more into the dudgeons of my black despair . . .

She would be getting him away from Daniel, she thought. And as much as he frightened her, there were still many answers she needed that only he could give her. She glanced back at Dan and then to Erik. She took a moment to rush back to the bed, checking to see if Dan was all right. He seemed fine, and she removed the cloth that rested on his forehead, assuming he did not need its comfort anymore. She had to leave his side to protect him, even though it destroyed her inside. At last she could understand the sacrifices Christine had made throughout the story, returning to Erik's house to please him and ensure her own lover's safety. She understood now. Jessalyn leaned over and planted a kiss on Dan's still forehead. "I'm sorry . . . "She whispered, a tear falling from her eye and landing on one of his cheeks. He did not stir.

She felt Erik's hand grasp hers, pulling her up slowly from her knees and making her stand once more. She could feel herself now slipping away, once again under his power. He dragged her away step by step as she watched Daniel's body vanish from her view and her world turning slowly into endless night.

A/N: Sorry this chapter is rather short, but trust me there is a lot more to cover in the next one, I assure you. But I thought it would be interesting for Jessalyn and Erik to play a little "hardball" first.