Chapter 6- New Hope

Once his shirt was off, the shock of her female form against his bare body awakened instincts he thought had vanished years ago. The music in his head grew louder and all at once her hands reached for the buttons on his trousers.

They moved to the bed, tangling themselves in the sheets. Isabelle was experienced and gently guided Erik's movements and soon they moved as one. Erik never knew he could feel this way or that any woman would give herself to him. With Isabelle he did not feel any embarrassment. She had probably seen it all, and aside from his face she had no reason to be repulsed.

Isabelle lifted herself from on top of him and slid beside him. Erik sighed and turned his head to look at her. Isabelle smiled, almost coyly, and Erik thought he saw her blush. Erik could not help but smile, he sweetly kissed her cheek and stood up.

Isabelle unashamedly sat up, covering herself with the sheet, "A standing ovation? How appropriate of you, it's been a long time… although the one you just gave me was more than satisfactory." She grinned and Erik blushed as he began to put his trousers back on.

"I cannot believe I allowed you to seduce me," he murmured as Isabelle grinned.

"Well come on Erik you were just begging for it to happen, you just needed to find the right woman up for the task." He smiled tiredly as he buttoned his shirt.

"You are too kind to me."

"I'm not kind, I'm in love. I don't know if I love you but I had a wonderful time just the same."

"I did too. You're an amazing woman, Isabelle. God knows I don't deserve you, not many men could or will. Please take care of yourself." He searched the room for his discarded cloak." Isabelle had begun to dress also.

"You flatter me, but not many men will sleep with a hooker for free, if you know what I mean. I'll just have to wait for some handsome fool to fall madly in love with me and…" she stopped herself realizing what she had implied, "Oh Erik, I didn't mean."

Erik turned away hiding his hurt, "No, don't, it's alright."

Isabelle bit her lip in regret and gave him a confirming embrace. Erik was about to leave when he turned,

"Isabelle… you look different to me after all these years."

Isabelle shifted away from him uncomfortably and grabbed the rest of her clothing off the floor in a rush.

"I probably just look older Erik, that's all. It's been awhile since you've seen me you know."
Erik looked suspiciously at her and then grabbed her shoulders firmly and examined her face.

"Erik, please!" she squirmed in his grasp, "Stop staring at my face, you among all people know what that feels like now let me go!" Erik dropped his hands but could not stop staring at her. Isabelle turned from him and whispered,
"What is wrong with you?"

Erik spoke, "Your face is different. You were always a beautiful girl but now, you're… perfect. Your lips and nose and even your cheeks are tapered and artificial looking… how…"

Isabelle spun around with tears in her eyes, "Don't you dare judge me Erik! You have little perspective on feminine beauty so do not presume to say I was beautiful. They kicked me out of the ballet because the rich patrons did not care to look upon my face as much as your precious Christine or even Meg. They kicked me out because I was plain and homely. Do you have any idea how hard it is to do what I do now looking homely? Goddamn it Erik!" She rustled around the room but soon found herself in Erik's comforting embrace. Her tears stained his cloak but left no mark.

When she had calmed down a bit she explained herself,

"I met this man while looking for customers this one evening. By this time I had had some men but I was poor and starving and not looking very appeasing to most men. But this man was middle aged, and plain himself so I jumped at the chance of a meal. After… words, he told me he was a doctor, a plastic surgeon. I was too dumb to understand what that was but he told me he could make me beautiful if I slept with him for free. I was so stupid Erik, I believed him. He cut me open and sewed me back together and I became this. Thank God he was brilliant Erik, or I don't know what would have happened… I get ten times as much work now."

Erik paused to admire her face, and then slowly asked the question,

"Isabelle, you don't remember the name of this man do you?" There was such hope in his voice. Under his façade of strength he was still just that little boy who wanted nothing more than to look like everyone else.

She stared at him and almost whispered to him, "His name is Dr. Guillaume Fournier. Tomorrow I'll take to you where he works. I can't remember his address."

Before she could leave, Erik grabbed her hand, "I would prefer if you stayed here tonight, Madamoiselle. It's safer here with me."

Isabelle smiled and hugged him. Erik did not see the tears filling her eyes but he would never see, nor would he ever know how much she truly loved him. Taking him to that plastic surgeon might be one of the few acts of true kindness she could ever really bestow upon him.