Knight to Queen's level 2

Erik's eyes fluttered open for a moment. His skin felt clammy and cold. He was nauseous beyond belief. His stomach constricted and immediately he felt the hot liquid rushing up from his stomach. Erik could barely move his body but he managed to turn his head to the side, not wanting to choke on his own fluids. He found a bowl waiting for him there. With sickening regularity, the hot liquid rushed up burning his throat. His mouth was gently wiped after each new spurt. Erik opened his eyes again and looked up gratefully into his caretaker's eyes.

Christine! Oh God! Not her!

He couldn't finish the thought before the nausea struck again and he lost his restraint into the bowl. Erik was wide-awake now and painfully aware of his surroundings. Every time he felt the knotting in his stomach, he tried to hold it down but was helplessly defeated. Never before had his body betrayed him like this. He wanted to just be allowed to crawl to the nearest bathroom and hang his head over the bowl until it was over. He loathed himself. There was no music in this, no artistry, no poetry. I am human after all.

Erik was mortified but unable to stop his treacherous body from betraying him and worse… to have her witness it, his beautiful angel. His weakness for the opiate had brought him to this. Would he ever be free? He deserved this punishment but did she? Why subject her to the consequences of his loathsome vice. Guiltily, he stole a glance and noticed she had dark circles under her eyes. A little smile danced on her lips as she wiped his mouth again. "You came back." he managed to rasp. Before she could answer, sleep blissfully overtook him.

To Erik's dismay, this pattern continued throughout the morning, He grew so weak that she had to hold his head up above the bowl so that he could relieve himself. He was sweating profusely and his clothes were wet and clammy on his skin. This made him shiver bringing a new bout of nausea. No, no! He tried to swallow the bile in his mouth but his stomach knotted again and he had to let go. Dutifully she was there with her little rag and cleaned his mouth. "I'll do that," he whispered, but he didn't have the strength to lift his arm and take the rag from her. She was looking at him with so much pity and something else maybe revulsion, he cringed. Why can I not I just fall sleep and choke…end her misery and mine. He closed his eyes not wishing to see the disgust in her face. When he looked her way, she smiled at him. Why did she have a smile on her face every time he humiliated himself? Was she mocking him?

As Raoul neared the door, he could hear what was going on. He would have wanted to relieve her but even from this distance, he almost lost his breakfast. She is amazing. With that thought, he pivoted and returned to the library. Erik caught a glimpse of Raoul by the door. What the hell was the boy doing here?

The cramps in his legs were the worst but Erik wasn't intimidated by the pain. He would just take the pain. He had lived with pain all his life. That was one area his mother and the gypsies had trained him well in. Erik knew about pain. He had made a personal study of it. Not only did he know how to give it he knew how to take it and transform it to his advantage. This is my playground now. Pain, this he could handle quietly, privately, but the humiliation in front of his beloved was eviscerating him.

"Forgive me Christine, forgive me." I know she will leave me again. I hope she leaves me. I do not deserve her. What was I thinking? What gave me the idea that this angel could love me or want me? If she ever had the crazy notion in her head, it is over now. This is the real me Christine this filth before you. Is this what you would share your life with? Marry? Why couldn't he have just cut his throat or used his Punjab lasso on his own neck? He, the expert assassin, couldn't even finish off his own repulsive existence without dragging her into it. Gently she stroked his hair pulling it back away from his face. "I know, shush"

Christine kept the doctor's words in her mind. It is almost over. She was so overjoyed that she had to do everything in her power to keep herself from dancing around the room. Her angel had survived. A future together was now possible. Looking down on him, she could see all the emotions and questions that ran through his eyes. She felt sorry for his discomfort and pain but her heart rejoiced because her angel would live! Christine began to sing for him and felt his body quiet down. I have made your voice exquisite, my angel, my love. Sing.

When his eyes opened again, his chest was covered in her dark curls as she slept on his chest. She was still dressed in the wedding dress, his Aminta, his bride. Erik was thirsty but did not have the heart to wake her so he contented himself by blowing on an errant curl. The nausea was almost gone and the cramps had eased to slight twitches. The thirst and fatigue overcame him and he fell asleep.

Erik woke up to her accusatory eyes. "The Doctor says you took an excess of morphine." What could he say? It was not even a question.

"Why Erik?" She said her voice rising. How do you admit that you did the most stupid thing you have done in your miserable life because she left you and you were too much of a coward to continue fighting for her love?

"Why would you do that? You had a way to get out of the lair." Tears pearled in her eyes. "I untied Raoul and went right back to you."

"You came back to me? You came back to me that night? To be with me? I thought you'd left." He had no defense. She chose me! Why?

"You didn't even try to leave." She rolled up her small fists and struck him in the chest. "I almost lost you" Tears streamed down her pale face. Erik put up a trembling hand to her cheek. Her tears rolled over his fingers and fell. He looked so remorseful and vulnerable that her heart broke for him and she hugged him.

Christine had not left me but why? Could she truly love me? I let her go. I wanted her to be happy even if it killed me. She had stayed and I…He shook his head. It was impossible for Erik to feel more of a fool. "May I have a little water?" He managed to croak without looking at her.

Christine frowned at him but she brought a glass up to his lips and let him sip a little. "I hope this discomfort teaches you a lesson!" she said as sternly as she could manage. She wiped Erik's face with a cool towel taking care to be extra gentle on the marred side of his face. Her action reminded him that he was not wearing his mask, yet this time instead of feeling ashamed he felt her caring through her hands and he accepted her ministrations. Her eyes also told him it was all right to be barefaced in front of her. We are one.

"Sorry" he murmured. She kissed his moist brow. He sighed and caressed her chin. Christine trailed kisses down his cheek and brushed her lips against his. "Don't scare me like that again" she said and brushed his lips again lingering there until he responded.

"Where are we?"

"Just outside of Paris in Raoul's parent's home, I think they are in England. He saved your life Erik and brought you here"

Now, he owed the boy! Erik knew very well that if the vicomte had done anything for him it had been to gain favor with her. What was important was that she thought he owed the vicomte for his life.

"Christine saw the look on his face and added, "He's been really helpful Erik, you have to be gracious." Erik rolled his eyes. "I mean it"

"I may live in a cavern and look like a beast but I do have manners Christine." Instinctively she caressed his cheek and cupped his face with a look of concern.

'I know that Erik. But I also know your…reactions"

"Bah! Just don't expect me to grovel in front of the boy!"

"You are feeling better!" Still holding his face, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his. This time she did not have to wait for a response.

He broke off the kiss, looked at her and tensed. "You changed. Did he buy that for you?" He pointed to her dress.

"Raoul let me borrow from his sisters' things", his tone reminded her of their encounter at the Masquerade.

Erik could feel the possessiveness that bothered her so much returning. He saw the look in her eyes and quickly he changed the subject. "Where is the boy now?"

"I asked him to go find out about Madame Giry and Meg"

"Good, he'll be gone for a few hours" Erik patted the bed next to him. Christine sat next to him, and he put wrapped his arms around her waist. "Eventually, I'll have to return to the lair. I have some items to retrieve."

"I took this out for you", she said. He gave her a quizzical look and followed her with his eyes. Christine got off the bed and brought the jute sack to Erik.

He rummaged through the contents. "Precious girl!" he exclaimed, extracting his Punjab lasso from the sack. Christine gasped. "Don't worry, my dear, no one has been at the end of this, that didn't deserve it." She looked worried but sat on the bed again and his arms went around her once more.

"What counts as 'deserving it' Erik?

He put a finger to her lips and smiled at her. "I hope all is well with Madame"

"We'll soon know" Christine knew that once Erik was on his feet Raoul would have to watch his step or risk finding a lasso around his neck.

Erik felt her warm body next to him and drew her to him. She lowered her lips to his, her hand going to the back of his head. He met her lips and surrounded her lower lip with his, slowly sucking on it. She moaned softly and her mouth relaxed inviting him to enter. Erik did not waste the invitation and claimed her mouth vigorously. A warmth unlike any they had ever felt enveloped them.

On his half of the narrow bed, Erik leaned back on the headboard with the monkey box on his lap. Christine's head rested on the crook of his neck, his arm securely around her, she held on to his fingertips. Contented, they sat and watched the Persian monkey with his enigmatic smile clap his cymbals and play a tune.

Thank you, for all of your reviews. Mary Anne T, Pony210, and Phantomphan1992, here it is I hope you enjoy it. Please review, it is very inspiring and makes me write faster.