A/N: Thanks for the reviews!
Nadir and Raoul were already in the ring when I arrived.
"I'm glad you are getting some help there, Raoul." Because I am going to mark up that foppy face. I change quickly and hurry back out. I watch from the corner while Nadir coaches Raoul. I laugh when the boy lands Nadir on his ass. Raoul pulls him back up to his feet.
"Thanks a lot, man."
I must be smiling because Nadir narrows his eyes suspiciously and cocks his head at me when he comes to exit the ring. Raoul follows behind.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen."
"Erik," Nadir nods.
"I see my good man landed you."
"That he did." Nadir removes his gloves and climbs between the ropes. "Oh, you have some lipstick...on the corner of your mouth. Might want to wipe that off. Makes you look much less frightening." With a wink he jumps to the floor. Turning away, I remove my glove and touch my mouth. Ah...yes...very nice.
"Hi Erik." Raoul smiles at me.
"Hello." I turn my head, cracking my neck, then the other side.
"OK boys, now fight nice." We went on for nearly an hour. Had I not been already distracted and exhausted he never would have landed the punch. My head spun around and I land face down. I lay there for half a minute catching my breath and getting my bearings. Raoul leans down and helps me up. I can already feel my eye swelling shut and some blood rushing from my nose.
"Well I wasn't expecting that." I let my gloves fall off and I pinch my nose.
"I'm so, so, sorry Erik." Raoul stands there wide eyed, mouth hanging open. Nadir brings me a towel and ice pack.
"You're lucky, doesn't look broken." I sit back on the floor, leaning my head against the corner pole, pressing the ice pack to my eye. I just start laughing, and can't stop. "Uh, Erik, are you OK?"
"Let's take him to the ER!" Raoul yells frantically, freaking out a bit.
I move the towel from my nose. "I'll be fine. I deserved that...didn't I Daroga..." And I start laughing again. He smiles and joins in.
"Yes, you absolutely did." Raoul is wiping up the blood while Nadir pulls me back on my feet.
"Still got all my teeth?" I smile wide.
"Still perfect, albeit bloody. Head feeling OK?" I nod, lying.
"I might not see right for a day or two but I think it's just swollen."
"Let's get you in the shower." Nadir directed me into the locker room. I take my gym garb off slowly. My eye's pounding but I would never admit it. I didn't even look in the mirror. No reason to bring up any bad memories. It was a quick one, I didn't like the feel of the water on my face. The fop joined me half way through, profusely apologizing. I swished some water around in my mouth to get rid of the blood and get dressed back into my suit. I press the ice pack back on my eye. Raoul comes in starting again with his never ending apology.
"Buy me dinner and a drink and we'll call it even."
"Anywhere you want!" He started pulling on his khakis and polo shirt. Nadir joined us for some Italian.
"I'm honestly surprised you are not more upset with me, Erik."
"I know the risk when I get in the ring," I shrug. "It'll heal so it's not a big deal." The waiter arrived with raised eyebrows. I laugh. "You should see the other guy." I wink with my non puffy eye. The whole table laughs.
The meal was a joyful one. To everyone else we were just three friends grabbing a bite to eat. Nadir and I knew this was so much stranger than that.
"Are you OK to get home Erik?" Nadir asked as we were leaving.
"Absolutely. I've gotten myself home in much worse condition than this." He nods in agreement.
"My taxi can drop you off?" Raoul is still being over apologetic.
"No, I'm not very far, but thank you both. Good evening, gentlemen." We say our goodbyes but Nadir walks with me a bit.
"Are you going to tell me what happened? And don't lie because I can always tell." I tell him I spent some time with Christine. I tell im, bits and pieces. "Just remember..."
"Don't do anything stupid." We finish in unison.
"Good night, Daroga." I say as we part ways. I greet the doorman with a half smile, but he asks no questions. The doors open to my penthouse and I can't remember being this content despite my throbbing face. I am exhausted. In the bathroom I pick up the towel she used. It smells of her, smelling of me. I take some aspirin then grab my own ice pack. The bed is still rumpled as the maid has Sundays off. I strip and slide under the covers. I pull the pillow she had used down under my head. Once the pain wears off a bit I fall asleep.
I shoot straight up at the sound of the alarm. I had forgotten how shrill it was. I rarely sleep until the alarm goes off. My head is pounding as I drag myself in to put on the tea kettle. While that heats I take a quick shower. I stare at my swollen face while brushing my teeth. I thought it would be worse. Still tender to touch. I take another dose of aspirin and stow away the rest of the bottle in my inside jacket pocket. I sit down with some tea and a pear.
I clean up my breakfast remnants and head out. There is a crispness in the air, indicating summer is starting to wind down. I arrive to the theater just after half past eight. Raoul greets me with a handshake and a coffee while I chat for a few moments with Stella and Bridgette. They say nothing about my eye.
"OK well if our first audition is here we may as well begin." The day passed slowly. Many great sopranos, but none who quite fit the bill. "Sorry I can't join for dinner this week Or at least tonight and tomorrow." I say to Raoul as he walks me out.
"Hot date?"
I simply glare at him.
"Well I'll want to hear a full detailed report tomorrow," he says with a wink.
"Not bloody likely," I murmur and walk down the street.
At the end of the block I call her.
"Hello?"
"Christine."
"Erik."
"Did you still want that practice." I loosen my tie. The sun is much warmer than when I left this morning.
"Of course! I have thought of little else since I woke up."
I chat with her as I walk. When I am about a half of a block away I say, "I am rounding the corner." I see her come out the door. I run across the street.
"Oh! What happened!?" I feel her hand on my cheek.
"Fight club." She laughs. I explain my very amateur boxing career.
"Ugh, men." And she rolls her eyes. We start walking toward my penthouse. After a moment she takes my arm. "How are the auditions?"
"Pretty good," I say.
"Should I worry?"
"Well you are still my number one pick."
The doorman greets me with raised eyebrows. I can't say if it's the eye or Christine that's the cause.
I direct her toward the living room while I retrieve a couple bottles of water. I hang my suit jacket up and remove my tie. I set the water on the edge of the piano. I unbutton a few buttons at my collar and roll my sleeves up.
"OK, still going with the same choice of song?" She nods. "Shall we warm up a bit first?" I take her through some scales. She turns to fetch her sheet music from her bag.
I start playing the intro to 'I Dreamed a Dream' from memory. She shakes her head. "Show off." We run through it once but I can tell she is nervous.
"That was good, but you need to relax."
"I know...I know."
"Just imagine you are singing in the shower. Or wherever you are most comfortable." I offer her the water. "Maybe you should stand behind me. Am I making you nervous?"
"Why would a musical genius giving me a private lesson make me nervous?"
"Well stand back there, sing to the door. I'm just a random accompanist. Don't even look my way." I turn to make sure she is listening. I start the intro again. I hear her take a deep breath and sigh.
"Much better. Again." And so it goes. I make her do the song a few more times that way. "Now as you know I will be there. So back over here. Nice and calm." Once more she sings, better than the last time. "Yes. Damn near perfect. This time, more emotion. Feel the words. Try to imagine what the character is feeling." She closes her eyes while I start again. I hear it now, right on the edge of tears. I close my eyes as she finishes. When I open them again her bottom lip is quivering and I see tears forming on her lashes. "Now that...was perfection. If you can do it just like that..." I shake my head, smiling. I stand, wiping the tears from her eyes. She hugs me tight.
She let's out a shaky breath and sit on the edge of the couch. "Will you play something for me?"
"Any requests?"
"No...I just like watching you play."
I start playing the song I sang to her the first time she came below the opera.
"Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation. Darkness wakes and stirs imagination." I continue, watching her closely. As with Marie and Raoul at first it's confusion. I stand and pull her to her feet. I try to duplicate every move I made to see if I can stir her memories. I can see her breathing change. Her eyes never leave mine. When I touch her she is trembling. And as she had done before she passes out before the end of my song. I carry her to bed once more and decide to let her rest a bit before I try to rouse her.
I just don't understand. I dial Nadir.
"Erik, my friend"
"Daroga...when you were reborn, you just remembered everything, correct?"
"Yes, just as you did. Like you explained it to me. Exactly like that."
"Why do you think some of us remember and others don't?" I explain what just happened. "Similar things have happened with Mother and Raoul but I never pushed it too far."
"Don't you think it's better this way, Erik?" he asks softly, after a moment of silence.
"Yes and no." I let out an annoyed breath. "I guess I just have the burning desire to know why she came back. I don't want to guess at it."
"So in other words, you want to have your cake and eat it too."
"Not exactly. It almost feels like I am deceiving her. I know if I try to explain things she will think me mad...but this feels wrong somehow. I just want her to remember and then I can deal with the consequences of that."
"I wish I had some advice for you aside from being patient because that has obviously fallen on deaf ears."
"Yes, yes, I know, I have no patience. I never have and probably never will. Do you think I enjoy driving myself crazy over this?"
"If she is meant to remember, she will, Erik. Stop trying to hurry things along. Enjoy what you have now. That is all I can tell you." I let out an aggravated sigh.
"Well thanks for nothing, Daroga." He laughs and ends the call.
I check the time. She can rest for a bit longer. I grab my ice pack from the freezer. I take my shoes off and lie next to her. Her breathing is even. I resist the urge to touch her. She comes awake suddenly then turns and sees me.
"Oh, Erik."
"How are you feeling?" I sit up holding the ice pack in place.
"I feel fine. What happened?"
"I'm not sure. You passed out again, fainted."
"So weird. What time is it?" She stands so I do too.
"Near time to get going." I put my shoes back on.
"Thank you for helping me." She follows me out of the bedroom.
"You could come again tomorrow...if you like."
"Why, do I need more work?"
"Not really, just an excuse to see you again. I thought maybe you'd like to see some more of the music from the show."
"I would love that." She grabs her bag. I take her hand.
"You don't have to go all the way back with me if you don't want to."
"I'd like to speak with Margaurite. And I want to make sure you get there safe." Once we reach the club I follow her inside. The staff doesn't take much notice of me. I go down to her dressing room so I can say goodbye privately. I watch as she puts her bag away and my eyes drift over to the costume that's hanging on the back of her door.
It's very similar to the first evening I saw her. Red corset with black trim, stockings with matching garters but a longer, ruffled skirt.
"I think I may have to stay." I whisper huskily as I pull the hem of the skirt between my thumb and forefinger. "I've just now remembered you said this evening is a dance show?" I glance over at her.
"It is. Straight dancing. Of course there is music, but I won't be singing." She is pulling her hair back, taming the curls with some clips. She nearly manages it then starts pulling make-up from the drawers of her vanity. As I walk over I trail my fingers over her exposed neck and collarbone. I feel her shiver, as well as see it. I take her hand and kiss her fingers.
"I suppose I will see you in a bit." Christine smiles and stands. Her hand sits on my chest as she raises up on her tiptoes to brush a gentle kiss against my swollen eye. My lips curl up at the sweet gesture and my fingers stroke her cheek. I give her hand a squeeze and take my leave.
I'm not ashamed to admit I teared up a bit at her move.
I find a bartender and ask to see Margaurite.
I question her as I did Nadir but the result is the same.
Defeated, I stomp back down the steps. My stomach growls reminding me I hadn't eaten since lunch. I leave the club and step back out into the muggy air. A short walk away I get a pair of hot dogs and notice a flower shop starting to close. I buy the last half dozen red roses and secure them in the crook of my elbow as I walk back towards the club. I eat as I walk noticing the sky has already turned dark.
The bouncers nod at me as I walk back into the club. I get a glass of red wine and find a seat. Again there is no VIP section tonight but high tops and stools arranged throughout. Another glass of red wine appears as I finish my current one and the lights fade.
What followed was the most sensual 45 minutes I have ever lived. Christine lead a group of 5 dancers through a borderline striptease.
I did not drink my wine. I did not shift in my seat. My eyes were the only muscle that moved. And they followed her. Much as they always had. She hadn't even sung a word and I was completely entranced.
Shaking my head to clear it, I throw back the rest of my glass then grab the bouquet. When she opens the door I give a half smile and offer the flowers to her. She takes them, and pulls me into the room.
"Thank you," she says bringing the roses to her nose. She turns back to me, smiling. Leaning over the vanity she unwraps the bunch and puts them in her empty vase. Quickly she removes her make-up. She is a bit pale, sweat still beading on her upper lip and at her temples.
"Are you well, my dear?"
"I will be once I cool off."
"Shall I deliver you upstairs?" I ask hopefully.
"Such the gentleman." She would not think so had she been in my mind mere minutes ago. I follow her up, hand at the small of her back. My fingers toy with the ties to her corset.
Once we are inside her apartment, she turns and asks, "Can you help me with this? I should have changed before we came up."
"Happily," I murmur in her ear. I begin to loosen the corset until she can lift it over her head. I see the markings left behind by it. My fingers run along them as I step in closer. My lips caress the curve of her neck and along her shoulder. I scrape my day's worth of stubble back up her neck. She shudders and turns around and sets the corset on the arm of her couch.
The next instant I feel her fingers unbuttoning my dress shirt. I hang it on one of the hooks just inside the door. Before I completely turn back around she is pulling my undershirt from my waistband and over my head. Her fingers slide up my stomach through the dusting of dark hair there and come to rest near my heart. I hesitate, curious to see what she'll do.
Her lips press against mine and I feel her hands searching blindly for my belt buckle. My breathing becomes shallow. I feel her pull the belt through it's loops.
When she reaches back down for my trouser button and zipper I pull her tight against me. I deepen our kiss as I fumble to unhook her bra. I want to feel her skin against mine. I pull it free from us and her hardened nipples caress the middle of my chest. I break our kiss and take one in my mouth. My teeth scrape against it and gently nip.
She moans, fueling my desire. I fill my hand with her other breast, squeezing gently, tweaking her nipple. Again I feel her hands at my waist. With a grumble I step back and allow her access. I continue to toy with her nipple while she unzips me. I step out of them and pick her up. Her hips cradle mine as I carry her to the bed. I set her down in the middle and pull the skirt from her.
My hands slide up her thighs and tug her panties down. I drop them on the floor and gaze down at her. I lean down pressing a gentle kiss on the inside of her thigh just above her knee. The stockings were the next to go. I continue kissing a path up the inside of her thigh, my teeth pulling gently as I get closer to her center. I push her legs open wider, switching sides. Finally, I slide my tongue against her eliciting a shriek. Her hips roll and I search for her sensitive nub. My lips close around it and I slide a finger inside her. My cock strains against the side of her bed.
My tongue swirls around until I hear her moan my name. When the tremors of her orgasm finally subside I stand and remove my socks and boxers.
I stare down at her. With her hair tousled and cheeks flushed I have never seen a more beautiful sight. She scoots back and holds a hand out to me. I climb on the bed and immediately press my lips to hers, I explore her mouth with my tongue and her body with my fingers. A whisper of fingertips against her side and she squirms against me. I move my lips to her throat as my fingers trail over her hip. I feel her fingers in my hair.
"Erik..." She pleads. I move between her thighs, sliding against her entrance. I continue to tease her until she calls out my name again. "Must I beg?"
"No, it is I who should beg," I breath into her ear, pulling on the lobe with my teeth as I finally slide inside. Her nails dig into my back. I move slowly at first savoring every second. My hands touch every bit of skin I can reach. Her arms slide around my neck and she buries her face there. Her legs wrap around my hips and I feel her lips and teeth on the skin of my neck. My hand moves to her throat tipping her chin back. I kiss her again as my speed increases.
"Faster, Erik." I follow her command, my breathing speeding up. I press my forehead against hers and I feel her hand on my cheek. For a moment I pretend it is not my second life, but my first.
"I can't hold back much longer, Christine."
"Don't then." Her legs squeeze tighter around me. As though waiting for her permission, my climax wracks my body. My lips trace her hairline as my hips press against hers. I know I should move...I'm probably crushing her.
I finally find the energy to roll to the side and collapse. I turn my head from her and wipe my tears away in a subtle movement. I feel the weight of her arm go across my waist.
After a quarter hour or so she stirs. She presses a kiss to my cheek. It's like she knows to always kiss the ruined side. She climbs over me and trudges to the bathroom.
It's been a struggle to hold in the rest of my tears, I let them go now, quickly before she returns. I sit up shaking my head. I pick my trousers up, folding them over the partition. I pull the covers back and lay back down. A few minutes later she reemerges stopping briefly to get water. She hands me a bottle and I drink most of it. I stand planning on heading to the bathroom myself. I feel her hand grab mine.
"I hardly had the chance to look at you." She says her eyes traveling over me. I cross my arms over my chest as smile ghosting on my lips. She taps a finger against pursed lips, then twirls her finger indicating I should turn around. I let out a sharp bark of laughter and turn. I throw a glance over my shoulder and walk into the living area. I try to compose myself while I am away. My eye is still slightly swollen and I remember my jacket aspirin is not here. I wash my hands and make my way back out.. As I walk back toward her she asks if I can get her phone from her bag I turn and retrieve it. I hand it to her. "Oh could you check the lock, too?" I nod and see that it is indeed locked. I am nearly to the bed again when she asks if I can grab her a snack.
"Anything else before I come back?" She laughs and shakes her head. I hand her the requested snack and climb in beside her. She sets it on the small nightstand beside her. "Did you even want that?"
"No. I was just enjoying the view too much."
Her head settles on my chest, some of her curls fanning out over me. I feel her relax next to me, breathing even. I pick my head up, shaking it in awe. I'm not sure how long I laid there staring. Just as I feel my eyes growing heavy, she lets out a little sigh and turns on her side, back towards me.
I gaze down at the tattoo that was revealed to me a few days ago. Something about it seems so familiar. I'm not supposed to be the one with the memory problem. I will have to ask her about it. I wrap my arm around her gently, sliding closer My last thought, before drifting off to sleep and after her behind bumps into me, was that this may turn out to be an uncomfortable night for me.