The follow on from the last two chapters.

Thank you for all the wonderful reviews.

Thank you for following me and I hope you will enjoy this instalment.

Please Note: In the last chapter I did not mean to imply that Erik was cured of his opium addictions using Garlic, He went through the same 'Cold Turkey' everyone else does if they come off opium addiction (Since it is both a Physical addiction and a psychological addiction.) But like most people when clean, there is still a need for something to occupy the mind when stressed, even if he cannot access the drugs, and an antsy Erik will annoy a calm Nadir so one afternoon just before they left Persia, (after Erik dried out!) Nadir got so fed up with Erik's anxious pacing that he went and grabbed a jar of Torshi Seer from his kitchen and thrust it at Erik and told him to "Eat that if you are anxious you are NOT getting any more drugs!" and so a new and safer addiction was born.

(Thank you starwatcher2018 for pointing out my grievous error!)

I do not own anything by Gaston Leroux, Susan Kay or Andrew Lloyd Webber, everything else is my own work.

Take One Vicomte add Generous Garlic and Allow to Stew.

Christine took the sensible option and actually gave the daisies straight to Madame Giry; who was delighted with the arrangement and laughed when Christine explained what had happened.

Meanwhile Erik had concocted and drunk the anti-daisy medicine and as his symptoms subsided was carefully watching the distillation of the flu remedy whilst trying not to scratch the now fading rash that was also caused by his wife's dangerous daisies.

It was just as Erik was scratching his neck, that Christine came back in, "Erik! My goodness you are covered in a rash! Stop scratching it!" Christine exclaimed dashing over to grab his hand from his neck.

"it is merely a urticaric rash caused by your daisies," Erik grumbled as he lowered his hand and turned off the Bunsen Burner under the now empty flask that had held the flu remedy in its original form.

"I am so sorry," Christine apologised again, "Let me get some of my skin balm to soothe the itch away," she called as she released his hand and shot off to her dressing room, coming back moments later with a jar of pale pink balm which she opened and scooping a small amount out, started to gently rub it into the rash on Erik's neck.

"Is that feeling better?" she asked, as she finished rubbing the balm in.

"mmm Much better!" Erik declared, as he took his jacket off and scratched at his left arm.

"Oh, no you do not! Stop scratching!" Christine ordered as she peeled back Erik's shirt sleeve to see the rash and taking more balm from the jar, she started to rub it in.

Erik was enjoying his wife's ministrations and the balm was stopping the itching, so a naughty thought crossed his mind and with his free hand he started the scratch his chest.

"Erik just take the shirt off!" Christine instructed, removing yet more balm from the jar.

"I itch everywhere!" Erik sighed, as he removed his shirt and hid a little grin at the thought of Christine rubbing the balm all over his body, especially certain parts.

ooo

Quite a while later, as Christine stared at the now empty jar of balm, "Well that is one way to relieve itching!" she declared with a smile as she finished buttoning up her bodice.

"A most wonderous way, Angel," Erik replied as he kissed her, before buttoning up his trousers, and replacing his shirt.

"Erik?" Christine called as her eyes located the beaker containing the distilled flu remedy, which now looked like a greenish sludge. "Are you really going to make Raoul drink that?" she asked.

Erik had just finished tucking his shirt in as he wandered over to where Christine was standing, "that is only part of the remedy as some of the herbs were already present in the bitters, so I would not make anyone drink the contents of that beaker as it is, unless I wanted them to consider living attached to a water closet for several day… Humm! What an idea!"

"Erik do not be mean!" Christine chided, "Poor Raoul is ill enough without you giving him a rotten tummy as well!" Christine pointed out as Erik grinned evilly.

"I was joking angel," Erik responded as he wandered over to a small sink at the side of the laboratory and washed his hands, before returning to the table picking up the beaker and staring at its contents. "Perfect, now I need to mix in a reasonable amount of honey and then combine with the bitters and we have a Vicomte friendly remedy!" he finished as he reached for a jar of golden honey which was sitting beside the bottle of bitters.

"Wonderful!" Christine exclaimed as she turned to leave the laboratory, I shall get us some supper, since I think a good meal is due, before you head off to sort out Raoul. She declared before kissing Erik's cheek and heading off to the kitchen.

ooo

Having gathered everything, he thought he might need, it was nearly eight o'clock at night as Erik set off to the Chateau de Chagny. The tinkle of the clock in the main hallway indicated that it had just turned ten o'clock as Erik knocked on the front door of the chateau to be met with a harried looking Louis.

"Thank the heavens you are here!" Louis exclaimed looking like he was about to hug the bemused masked visitor.

"Louis?" Meredith called as she came towards the front door, "Is it Monsieur Erik?" she asked as pulled the door open wider, grinning with relief when she saw Erik standing there a puzzled look in his eyes.

"Raoul shot Louis!" Meredith explained "He ran a high temperature and fever a couple of hours ago and was hallucinating about cats, when Louis came through the bedroom door with some broth, next thing I knew Raoul yelled 'get out cat!' and Louis nearly made it out of the door when the gun went off." Meredith then produced the navy revolver from her gown where she had hidden it. "Raoul was happy he had shot the cat and Louis required Monsieur Proloux to dress a wound on his rear." She finished, before turning to face Louis. "Please go and get some rest Louis, Monsieur Erik will take care of my husband now and you have had quite the time of it." she instructed.

Louis nodded appreciatively and with a wince turned clutching one buttock and hobbled off.

ooo

Erik and Meredith headed up the stairs, "I cannot believe that your husband shot his valet in the arse!" Erik said with a snigger.

"I can, that is why I have confiscated the revolver." Meredith answered, "I have to admit that once Raoul has recovered and Louis has healed, I will probably find it amusing, but not right now." She finished as they reached the door to Raoul's bedroom.

"Is there any other weapons or items that can be thrown within reach of your husband?" Erik enquired.

"Only the chamber pot," Meredith answered as she opened the door.

Erik stopped and stared at the Vicomtess, "Not full I hope?" he asked,

"The last job Louis did before you arrived!" Meredith answered as she stepped inside, and Erik followed her.

Raoul was huddled up under a mound of bedding and looked miserable, his red nose glowed, and his bedding was strewn with handkerchiefs.

"Hello!" he mumbled, before starting to cough hard as Erik took a seat near the fireplace, before reaching into the saddle bag he had brought with him.

"You came by horse?" Meredith asked,

"It is rather a long walk," Erik replied conversationally,

"I meant, where is your horse?" Meredith asked, as Raoul tried to snigger but coughed even more instead.

"Loose in the front grounds of the Chateau, do not worry he does not wander off. Probably eating some of your bedding plants, he does love spring pansies!" Erik answered as he pulled the bottle of 'Vicomte medicine' out followed by a tin mug, a knife and the salami, all of which he placed on the small table beside his chair. Then he reached into his cloak and removed a small jar which he handed to Meredith.

"What is this?" Meredith asked as she looked at the pale yellow balm inside.

"A skin balm very good for when your mask rubs and makes your skin sore," Erik responded, "I created it myself, It also works on noses sore from blowing!" he added pointedly.

"Oh!" Meredith remarked turning to Raoul she took the lid off and handed the jar to her husband, "Erik says try this darling!" she cooed as behind her back Erik pulled a face, and Raoul started spluttering again.

"I think you should rest dearest!" Raoul muttered as he spread some of the balm on his nose. "Men talk and such will be boring for you and I do not want you ill!" he finished before blowing his nose. "Ahh! Much better!" he replied before putting more balm on.

Meredith shook her head fondly at him, "very well I will rest but please call if you need anything either of you!" she stated before leaving the two men to their own devices.

With the door shut Erik winced, he could now clearly hear Raoul breathing, a slight wheeze hardly noticeable but it was there. Reaching into his cloak he pulled out a wooden tube like a trumpet with an ear piece on one end. Then removing his cloak and Fedora, he approached Raoul.

Please lift up your shirt Vicomte!" Erik instructed, "I wish to listen to your breathing with this." Here he flourished the device. Raoul looked wary as he followed Erik's instructions.

"Am I going to die, Doctor?" Raoul asked with some levity until the cough came back.

Erik waited until the cough receded and then listened, keeping his features neutrally schooled. There it was the slight bubbling that indicated the potential start of pneumonia. Erik hoped in his thoughts that he had got there in time to halt the infection. "No unfortunately," Erik replied sarcastically as he rallied his thoughts and his plan of action.

Encouraging Raoul to cover up and keep warm, Erik next opened the bottle and had poured a generous amount into the mug and was just replacing the stopper when Raoul interrupted his apparent train of thought.

"Nice manners I must say!" Raoul commented "Comes to see me, because I am ill and brings himself a drink and a snack, would you care to share?" he remarked as Erik used the knife to cut a chunk of salami.

"Of course!" Erik replied smoothly, "I only did not offer because You most likely will not like the drink it is a strong herbal alcohol from Prussia, and the sausage is an Italian salami!" Erik added as Raoul held out one hand for the mug.

Taking the mug, Raoul quickly took a swig and coughed, "It is very warming and sweet!" he commented as the mixture seemed to settle his cough quickly, then he held out his other hand, "Now hand over the salami chunk!"

Erik repressed a grin, his plan was working, Raoul was so socially affronted that his guest brought himself food and drink and did not seem inclined to share with his host, that he was not paying attention to what he was drinking, and as Raoul took the chunk of salami Erik proffered, Erik knew that it was only a case of ensuring that Raoul finished the bottle of drink and the garlic salami during the course of the night and he would hopefully be on the mend.

The clock on the bedroom mantle told Erik it was just after one in the morning and Raoul had already drink a third of the bottle and a reasonable portion of the salami, when Erik's earlier observations became curiosity and he had to ask.

"I got the impression from Meredith that you were at death's door!" Erik remarked as Raoul bit into another piece salami and chewed thoughtfully.

Swallowing the mouthful and chasing it with more of the drink, Raoul grinned weakly, "I am not feeling at my best but, I fear my darling is fussing somewhat." Raoul informed his guest.

Erik nodded sagely, "Yes it seems that once married, women are predisposed to nag and worry in regard to their husbands… Hang on a minute, if you are not as ill as Meredith is making out, why were you hallucinating enough to injure your valet?" Erik suddenly asked.

"I was not hallucinating!" Raoul answered, "I detest medicine and will not take it, I was sipping a glass of brandy that Louis had given me when I stopped to blow my nose, I had a few seconds in which I could smell before my nose blocked up and during those seconds, I went to sip my brandy and it stunk of onions!" he continued, "I was annoyed enough he was covertly giving me the medicine I told him and my wife I would not take but he spiked my best brandy!" Raoul complained with a sneeze.

"So, you shot him?" Erik questioned, "I have to admit, it is something I probably would consider in the same situation!"

"As soon as I had realised what he had done I told the cad to get out' grabbed my revolver and went to shoot him!" Raoul finished looking indignant.

"You shot him in the arse!" Erik pointed out, "I see your firearms skills have not improved!"

Raoul huffed then gave a less violent cough, "Whatever, pass the bottle and do not drink it all yourself!" he ordered as Erik smiled and handed Raoul the bottle.

Some more salami also if you do not mind!" Raoul requested as he filled the mug up.

"So that is why Meredith confiscated your revolver?" Erik had to know the answer to this and was all ears as he cut another piece of salami and handed it to Raoul.

"Well she did not confiscate it straight away, but I also knew that I was in trouble, so I was pretty panicky as I heard her running down the corridor," Raoul started before taking another swig and a bite of salami. Swallowing his mouthful, he continued, "So I started tossing and turning in bed and by the time she reached my room I looked like I was in a fever so she snatched the gun out of my hand and declared I was hallucinating and could not be held responsible for my accidental shooting of my valet. I got away with it, but only just." Raoul finished as Erik started to laugh.

"It seems I am starting to rub off on you!" Erik said between laughs.

"Right now, the only aspect of you I want to rub off on me is your innate ability to survive!" Raoul mumbled morbidly.

Erik sobered up quickly and stopped laughing, "Lift your night shirt again, I want to listen to your breathing!" he instructed and waited patiently whilst Raoul complied.

Listening carefully to Raoul's breathing, Erik could swear that the bubbling was slightly reduced, and more air was getting into his lungs. He was just about to remove his ear and the listening device when Raoul coughed, and nearly deafened Erik.

"Ow!" Erik yelped as he shot back, "Kindly control your coughing!" he grumbled as Raoul grabbed one of the handkerchiefs and coughed into it.

Finishing the latest coughing fit, Raoul grinned weakly, "I was just thinking," he started, "I never could have imagined you and I alone in my bedroom and you lifting my shirt!" he finished with another grin.

Erik took a few seconds to realise what Raoul had implied, then his eyes shot wide open with horror and he shuddered, "One thing I never have been and never will be is a shirt lifter!" Erik declared, "I am a one woman man!" he finished, with a grimace before pointing a finger towards the bottle on the night stand beside Raoul and added "I think you need more to drink and fill that mouth with salami instead of disgraceful ideas!" he finished as Raoul followed the instructions and poured another mug of the mixture and took another chunk of salami that Erik offered him.

Silence ensued for a little while as Raoul drank the contents of his mug and ate the salami, before he broke the silence. "I feel rather sleepy now!" he declared softly with a yawn, before placing the mug on the night stand and snuggling down into bed.

"Rest now and we shall continue our discussions when you wake up!" Erik replied as he reached again into the saddle bag and produced a book which he opened and started to read.

"Will you read to me?" Raoul asked cautiously, "Christine says your reading voice is very soothing!" he added.

Erik looked up from his book a little surprised, however he started to read. "Once upon a Midnight dreary whilst I pondered weak and weary…"

Raoul lay in his bed and listened, Erik's voice may be soothing, but the poem he read was anything but, As Erik finished with a dramatic flourish, "And my soul from out that shadow, that lies floating on the floor… Shall be lifted Nevermore!"

"That was creepy!" Raoul declared with a shudder before yawning and snuggling even further into his warm bed.

"That was Poe!" Erik replied, "I suppose next time you will ask what I am reading before asking me to read it aloud!" he pointed out quietly as Raoul fell asleep.

ooo

The clock was showing quarter to three, when the thump of a book hitting the floor woke Erik from his unintentional nap. Glancing over at the lump in the bed that was Raoul, Erik sighed, picked up his book and then threw it at the part of the lump he estimated was Raoul's backside.

"Ow!" Raoul mumbled, as he sat up, "What hit me?" he asked blearily.

"Edgar Allen Poe!" Erik replied smoothly, as he took the listening tube from the table and stood up.

"He is in this room with us?" Raoul asked in a puzzled tone as he sat up.

"I threw my book at you to wake you up!" Erik replied, as he approached the bed.

"That was not a very nice way to wake me!" Raoul complained,

"You were expecting a Kiss, perhaps?" Erik asked sarcastically.

"No!" Raoul answered, "But I am expecting you to get out of my way, I need the bathroom!" Raoul continued as he struggled to get out from under all the bedding.

Erik stood back as Raoul finally freed himself from the sheets and stumbled hurriedly to the bathroom. It was a few moments before a much relieved Vicomte wandered back to his bed.

"Right I shall listen to your chest again!" Erik instructed, "Then more alcohol and more salami." He finished.

"Have you had some?" Raoul enquired,

"I had some when you fell asleep!" Erik replied as he waited for Raoul to lift his shirt.

The bubbling had definitely reduced and so had the wheezing. Raoul seemed to be breathing easier as well.

The rest of the night was spent with Raoul, drinking the bottle empty and finishing the salami, in between napping and Erik checking his breathing.

ooo

The sun was rising as Meredith knocked on her husband's bedroom door and was bid entrance by Erik to see him and Raoul playing poker using the bed as a table for the cards.

"Good Morning Meredith!" Erik greeted as Raoul laid his cards on the bed and huffed.

"Good morning Darling," Raoul started, "I fold, you win!" he added as Meredith came over to see her husband sitting up in bed and looking better than he had in days.

"I am so happy to see you looking better!" Meredith cooed as she came over to the bed and bent to kiss Raoul's forehead, before coughing and standing up quickly. "What does Erik win?" she asked curiously.

"The unfortunate right to have your husband annoying me for many more years to come!" Erik replied glibly, as he stood up and picked up his now empty saddle bag, cloak and Fedora and made to leave, when Meredith stopped him.

"Thank you so much for what you have done!" she gushed, "Would you care for some breakfast before you leave? She asked.

"Thank you but no," Erik replied, "I have a wife who most likely thinks I have run away, I would very much like to get home and rest properly." He added. Turning to Raoul, Erik gave his final instructions. "A hot bath, fresh bedding and rest for a few more days and you will be back to fopping around in no time," he added before taking his leave.

Erik had the last laugh as he closed the bedroom door and was turning to leave when he heard Meredith's next words to her recovering husband.

"Dearest Raoul, I am so glad you are on the mend, but I have one problem," Meredith started.

"What is that my love?" Raoul asked, concern in his voice.

"You absolutely stink of second hand Garlic!" Meredith complained.