Chapter 6

Katie stared into the mirror of the room she shared with her best friend just a night before, a room now that felt empty, dead. Time held no value to her now, as she sat motionless, her tears running dry almost an hour ago.

"Jammes." She whimpered, seeing not herself in her reflection, but the soft, round face of Mandi.

"Why?" She asked, placing her palm against the cold mirror.

Cold as death, she thought, thankful that no more tears ran down her cheek, but she believed she could never cry again, nothing could hurt her as losing such a person. Mandi was more than just her best friend, she was a sister, part of her soul. They belongs together, they didn't feel complete alone. They were one soul trapped in two bodies, neither could live without the other.

"Why didn't he save you? Why? He saved you last time, what made this different?" She dropped her gave to the top of the vanity, The cursed pistol that stole her world sat in front of her, the cold metal taunting her, like a wicked demon tearing her soul apart.

Slowly, her shaky fingers wrapped around the heath of the weapon, brandishing it before her. Looking back up at her reflection, she stared deep into her eyes, into her soul.

"What good is a broken soul? What good is a shattered heart? I thought that my heart was lost, I thought I knew true pain, oh how blinded I was, pain is watching your life slip away, while your body continues on, but no more." Slowly she moved the barrel of the gun up towards her chest, the butt resting between her breasts.

"For you Jammes." She whispered, resting her finger on the trigger. taking a deep breath, she steadied her courage to go through with this needed act.

"Lotte, Please no." Mandi's voice rang in Katie's head, looking up to nothing, she dropped the gun.

"Love him for the both of us." Her final words repeated over and over again, driving Katie to the point of insanity.

"Must you always have your way, Jammes?" She asked herself, a small chuckle escaping her thin lips.

"Fine, but it's all for you." She said to the Voice in her head, just as she did, a knock was heard upon the door. turning towards the noise, she watched Erik push the door open with his broad back, carrying a tray in his arms. he gently smiled beneath his mask, placing the tray down before her. Quickly Katie hide the gun in the folds of her dress,

"I brought you some tea, and something to eat." He spoke softly, his eyes falling upon hers. For the first time, she truly looked into those golden orbs, never had she seen such emotion as what hides in his. Love, compassion, sorrow, tenderness, only the kindest feelings made residence when he looks at her.

"Thank you Erik," She smiled up at him, Mandi's words echoing in her mind.

"For everything you have done for me." Gently, she placed her hand upon his leather covered hand, wishing she could have felt his soft skin.

"I don't know what I would do if you weren't here." she whispered softly, watching Erik practically jump as she touched him. A satisfied smile spread across her face, as she picked up the cup of tea with the hand she had resting upon him, and sipped it. Nodding his Head, Erik went to leave her room, making his way to the door.

"Erik," She called, as he placed his hand upon the door nod. He turned his attention back to her, trying to understand why she would call him back.

"Do you think you could stay here with me? I really don't want to be alone." She admitted, looking down at the floor in shame.

"Of Course Mon Ange." He spoke as if he was a servant, obediently sitting down upon the edge of the bed, his hands laying in his lap. They sat awkwardly, unable form some sort of conversation, both wishing to end such silence.

"What happened to her?" He asked lowly, his gaze resting on the floor.

"I've never seen..." He faded off, as he saw the sorrow in Katie's eyes.

"Nothing for you to worry of Erik, she's home." Katie told herself more than him.

"She just went back, she had to." Erik raised his eyes brow, curious as to what she was speaking of.

To Heaven I suppose, He thought to himself, for be believed his Christine was nothing short of a true god sent angel.

"I'm sure you are right Mon Ange" He spoke sweetly, he would agree with anything his Christine said.

"Christine..." He began, watching Katie give him her full attention.

She was done fighting over this Christine business, Yes, she didn't believe it, but If he wanted to, all she cared for was his happiness, and following Mandi's 'order'. Her heart fluttered as she watched him sit upon the bed she slept on, her mind finally allowing her true feeling to be felt. No matter how she tried to hide it, to claim her heart could not love, to protect herself, she loved him. She always has loved him, but she could never have satisfied her heart at home, not with her best friend. She knew Mandi loved Erik as much, if not even more than she does, but she wasn't afraid to show her love, and to except she will never be loved in return. Katie always admired Mandi's ability to truly forsake such love, while she always denied it.

Thank you Jammes, She thought, she would never have allowed herself to love Erik, without Mandi.

"I'm sorry." He spoke at last, the bottom his his eyes starting to tear up.

"Forgive me, It's my fault, everything. Raoul coming back, Jammes... Oh Forgive me Christine." He moaned. Katie looked at him in shock. This was not the Erik she had always known in her mind, he was not this sensitive man that sad before her, he was not this fragile man begging for forgiveness.

"Erik, please, this has nothing to do with you." She tried to convince him.

"If I hadn't got involved with you, she would be alive..."

"No!" She practically screamed, causing him to jump. Smiling at him softly, she rose from the chair, to kneel before him, taking his hands in hers.

"Erik, I came back to you, because, because... I love you." She admitted, the words not belonging to Katie.

"Love?" He asked like a small child in awe, his eyes wide and watery.

"Yes, Love." She stated, not caring about the walls around her heart any longer. She didn't care about consequences, only the here, now, after all, Mandi always served as her 'Jiminy cricket.'

"No day but today." She joked to herself, locking eyes with the man who her heart claimed as it's owner.

Slowly, she rose to meet his face, letting her lips brush against his, before pressing herself into him. Tears streamed down his cheeks as she held their kiss, Her arms wrapping around his neck, pulling her deeper into him. Katie pulled away gasping for breath, resting her forehead against his.

"I Love you too." He admitted, shyly letting his lips meet hers again.