The fever chapter, short but sweet and a little angsty. Please, I have no beta and no one to help me bounce ideas around. At the end of the chapter, I explain the poll where my readers can vote on what ending they would like to read and once I get enough votes, I will upload the ending. Or, I'll leave it like this, that's an option. Anyway, thank you for your patience!
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When he awoke, he was in his bed, his shirt was unbuttoned, and his mask was off. Why was his mask off? Where was Jane? Why was he so cold? All these questions whirled around until his head throbbed and panic squeezed his chest relentlessly. He thought he would surely die from grief until Jane walked in and he relaxed, closing his eyes again, she would take care of him. She sat next to his bed and began to change the cloths that cooled his body. She was happy he was finally awake but worried nonetheless. Madame Giry told her that he had barely eaten or slept while she was gone.
Erik had fallen into sickness and a fever tore through his body, throwing him into a state of delirium. Due to his lifestyle and the exposure to the horrible things in the gypsy world, he was prone to illness and was quick to get worse.
Jane worked hard to cool his fever, "keep him hydrated, fed, and clean," was her mission.
Since her coming in, he opened his eyes again and started to panic, "Mon Ange, where are you?" His glossy eyes searched the room.
A small, sad sigh slipped through her lips, even with all the care she provides him, he still seeks out the diva, "She's not here, mon phantom." She stirred his porridge and turned his head so she could feed him. She had to focus and not let her broken heart distract her.
His expression brightened when his eyes landed on her, "There you are. I missed you. Please don't leave me again mon ange."
So he thought her Christine. It felt like her heart was breaking all over again. But she couldn't deny him, doing so would only make his delirium worse.
She would play along, "I'm not going anywhere, mon amour, I'm always here." She laid her hand on the disfigured side of his face. He surprisingly leaned into it, sighing heavily.
"Your touch soothes my soul, mon ange, I wish I could keep this feeling forever."
A small spark of hope burned in her chest. Perhaps if she gave into temptation, all thought of Christine would be banished and he would only see her. Taking a chance, Jane moved closer, "You could…"
His eagerness was childlike, "Really? How?"
Softly and slowly, Jane leaned down and kissed the delirious man. She felt him gasp against her lips and his hand came to rest on the back of her head. It was different than when Lea kissed her. That had been a rush of lust that flooded her body and left her breathless. If that was crazy, then this was madness. The way his lips molded with hers, his touch on her head, she thought her heart would burst in her chest with love. But she couldn't let it go too far or she would never stop. Before it could get any deeper, she pulled away.
Erik's eyes sparkled in sickness and happiness. She knew that was his first kiss and while it hurt that he thought her Christine, there was a twinge of smugness that she had it nonetheless.
She got up to leave when his hand shot out to grab her arm, his face was twisted with fear, "Don't leave me again mon ange." There was so much desperation in his voice that she nearly collapsed in his waiting arms, only to never leave again and proclaim her everlasting love. She had to distance herself, it wasn't her he wanted.
No matter who he thought she was though, it warmed her heart that he needed her. She gave him a small smile and leaned over him as he relaxed, kissing his forehead "I just need to get your tea, mon amour, I won't be long." He let her go and the panicked look didn't disappear until her hand was in his again.
"May I have another kiss, mon ange?" His eyes begged Jane and it hurt her to say no.
"After you wake up mon cher."
With the blissful promise still ringing in his ears, Erik finished his tea and went to sleep. It ended up being the longest night of his fever, Jane running to the lake and back, changing the rags that cooled his forehead and praying for a miracle. Madame Giry came down occasionally to help but all they could really do was wait for the fever to break. His nightmares tormented him throughout the rages of the fever, his body twisting in the sheet while he cried out for his angel to save him. It nearly broke Jane to watch him. The tears never ceased their trail down her face as her love suffered before her.
Around 3 in the morning the next day, his fever finally broke and Jane almost collapsed with relief. It was a bittersweet victory, though. While she was ecstatic that the fever was gone, the whole night would be forgotten with it. The kiss, the sweet words he called her, and the love in his eyes would all be locked away for Jane to enjoy in the confines of her room. A single tear dripped down her face as she walked away from the bed, it was all the mourning she could do for those lost moments. The next morning it would be back to the same thing, his love for Christine, and her unspoken love for him.
Only…
He remembered.
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Alright folks, with the conclusion of this chapter, I'm having a poll for what the ending should be. Please vote. I have two endings written but I want it to be what you guys want. Let me know if the link doesn't work. I'll have it open for a couple days after I post this chapter to allow folks to vote.
Due to fanfiction's apparent rules on Links, I have put the poll below. Comment your number in the comments section. I can't wait to see what the final answer is!
How should "Blind to the Light" end?
1. Keep the cliffhanger
2. Over a week of tension until Lea comes to take Jane away and Erik is faced with a choice.
3. Questions are asked and answers are given through the passionate words of Christine and Raoul on the rooftop of the Opera. (All I ask of you)
4. Surprise me!
5. I want both available.
Thank you dears and I will see you soon. Happy voting!
