No note today. Too busy packing for Hawaii. FYI, Towards the End it gets a bit racy. I'm practicing for my first trashy romance novel.

Stranger Than You Dreamt It

Chapter 6- Read a Book a Day! (That's it for the Educational promotion)

Moriarty slipped silently into the empty archives room. For a police station they had lousy security. Moriarty pulled out a small luminator and began to search. As he scanned the old boxes, he was surprised that the Surete even kept a paper trail for all their cases. Scotland Yard had everything on their computers. This was so archaic and yet very smart. If the system ever crashed, they would have the paper copies to restore everything.

Moriarty looked around among the boxes until he spotted a terminal. He grinned. That would make his job easier. Walking over, he looked around at the deserted room. Obviously no one comes in here that often. Sitting down, he quickly hacked his way through the system. Soon he found what he wanted -- the Noir murder case. He began to download it.

"I can't believe you would risk your neck for some singer," Fenwick grumbled over the earpiece.

"She is connected to the man I want to find," Moriarty growled. "Besides, this is research."

"Zut, you are obsessed with the girl. Not unlike when you fancied the Inspector."

"I would like to know who I'm dealing with. She ruined two crime and is tied to a rival. Maybe I can blackmail her into helping me."

"Whatever," Fenwick grumbled. "I'm not bailing you out."

Moriarty sighed with relief when Fenwick cut the connection. Sometimes he was too nosy for his own good. Moriarty continued to search the file when he noticed an odd link. Clicking it, he went right to the Phantom's file at the Surete. As he scanned it he noticed the strong ties between the Noirs and the Phantom, especially the Noir women.

Moriarty copied and downloaded it. Leaning back he waited for the file to finish loading on to his data disk. It seemed a visit with Erika Daae would be in order. If he struck before she could bat her eyes at him, he could do it. Moriarty smiled; he could almost see the shock on her face. Maybe he could convince her to work for him and bring him the Phantom.

Moriarty retrieved his disk and shut off the terminal. He froze as he heard a voice coming towards him. Quickly, he ducked behind a set of cabinets just as Leroux entered while talking on the phone. Moriarty watched him closely as he picked up a box to carry out.

"Nadir, I know things are getting hot. I'm getting hot by just talking to you. Listen, tell Erika that her secret is safe. As far as I know, Holmes and Lestrade have not figured her out yet." Leroux grunted as he moved the box. "Now listen here, Khan. Erik was my friend too. There is no reason to get nasty."

Leroux rolled his eyes as he carried out the box. Moriarty grinned. Nadir was the name of the man who watched over Erika. How many Nadirs and Erikas that knew each other were there in Paris? It seemed as though Miss Daae were getting a little antsy. Maybe he could add some heat to the fire.

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Lestrade sighed over the books in the library. Holmes had insisted that they use resources outside the Surete. Lestrade couldn't think why but agreed anyway. She glanced up at him. He was bent over another book, furiously writing down something of interest. Beth wondered briefly if he ever got tired from all that writing. Absently she picked up another book.

This one was very light and small compared to the others. Lestrade briefly read the title and snorted. What was a piece of fiction doing in their pile? Phantom of the Opera indeed. She'd turned to put it on the return cart when Holmes stopped her.

"That was a case during my time. I want to read it to remind myself of the details," Holmes spoke up. "If I recall correctly, Erik Noir was the name of a witness to the whole thing."

Lestrade perked up at that. "Do you think that he is an ancestor of Erika Noir?"

"I like to think so," Holmes stated hesitantly as he flipped through the book. "I think they even describe where the Phantom lived."

Lestrade snatched the book back. "I'll read it while you research. I read faster than you, anyway."

Holmes chuckled as he read through the tomes he'd picked out. Soon he found himself looking over Charles Garnier's notes of the building of the Opera House. Holmes smirked as he came across the name Noir several times. It seemed the Noirs were also tied to the Opera House. He wouldn't be surprised if Noir had built himself a home there.

Holmes suddenly got an idea. If that Noir did build a home, it was possible that his descendants might use it as well. After all if it were in the Opera House, it would be very well hidden. The perfect place to hide -- and Erika was a Noir. She would know where to find it. In fact she could probably hide away there whenever she was in danger.

His mind whirled through the possibilities. Erika could have easily hidden away from everyone, possibly until whatever was haunting her was gone. He was certain the singer was Erika Noir. They looked too much alike not to be the same person. Even her fake last name, Daae, was a throwback to the Phantom debacle.

"I found it!" Lestrade shouted excitedly, resulting in several patrons shushing her. "Holmes, I found out who Erik Noir was."

Holmes leaned forward. "Really?"

"He was the Phantom." Lestrade smiled, causing Holmes's breath to catch.

Holmes shook his head and tried to concentrate on the matter on hand. "Where does it say that?"

Lestrade leaned forward, showing him the passage in the book. "Right here in Christine's confession to the Vicomte. She even tells us where the Phantom lived."

Holmes carefully read the passage. Now it all made sense. It would make the perfect hiding place. In a place so dark and dank, no one would venture there willingly. It was so isolating, anyone could disappear, even in this age of technology. The cellars and catacombs under the Opera House were rumored to hold many secrets. Nothing as important to them as the Phantom's lair, the home of the Noirs, though.

"She is hiding in the cellars of the Opera House," Holmes stated softly. "Miss Noir is waiting there."

Lestrade paled. "Are you sure that is where she is?"

Holmes stared at the passage. "I'm sure of it. It was never destroyed. And it's the perfect place to hide from a cold and unfeeling world. No one knows how to get in but her family. I'm sure the Noirs have lived there for centuries and no one ever knew."

Lestrade nodded uncertainly, fear circling around her. "It makes sense. What are we going to do with this?"

Holmes smiled. "We need to talk to Leroux. See if we can get in."

Lestrade felt relieved. "That's good. We can save it for tomorrow morning."

Holmes looked surprised. "The morning? We should go tonight when we know they aren't expecting us to come."

Lestrade felt panic fly through her. Tonight? In the dark? Was he crazy? He knew how she felt about dark cellars, especially unarmed. Slowly it dawned on her; she wouldn't be unarmed. Her ioniser would be at her side. Gradually she began to relax.

Holmes watched her with concern. She'd seemed very frightened for a second. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask her what was wrong. However, he decided to ignore it. After all, Lestrade was a very proud woman; to insinuate that she was afraid would rub her raw. Holmes was enjoying the peace between them and didn't want to upset it. Instead he explained his plan to her. Lestrade would nod at certain places and disagree at others. Holmes smiled as he fell into the routine that was the basis of their relationship.

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The Phantom gently played on the piano at the empty club. In an hour the patrons would swarm in to watch the show, to watch Erika sing and dance. A smile touched its lip; Erika was a small part of a greater whole. A whole that was missing pieces since Erik's death. But the Phantom intended to find those pieces for her, intended to protect her as well. Protect her from what had been done to her, from men who would take advantage of that.

As the Phantom's fingers danced its way through the melody of the song, its mind flipped to the Napoleon of Crime. He had been back to the club several times since he ended up with Erika in his lap. The Phantom smiled; it was very amusing to see Moriarty caught offguard by a pretty face. He looked ready to scoop Erika up and carry her off with him. Too bad. Erika was too well protected for him to get far.

The Phantom turned to the bar. Nadir sat there waiting for his orders or the crowd, whichever came first. Dear loyal Nadir, who had been there to help with dealing with Erik's death. Nadir, who kept a watchful eye on the Underground to see if the Count were trying to find them. Nadir, who brought the Phantom back through his gentle urgings and silent support. The Phantom knew it would be lost without its best friend. Nadir smiled at the Phantom before returning to converse with Danesh, his boyfriend and part owner of the club.

Soon. It was only a matter of time until the Count came himself. After all, Holmes was slowly sniffing out its trail. It was only a matter of time until Holmes completed the puzzle and tried to remove its mask. The Phantom refused to be revealed like that. It would reveal its identity when the time was right, when the Count, Ruelle, drew his last dying breath. The Phantom got up from the piano, drawing the attention of its friends and allies.

"We need to prepare," the Phantom stated strongly. "He will arrive soon."

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Silently, Moriarty slipped into the room that he'd watched Erika walk out of. He shut the door and smiled. It was nice of Erika to leave the light on so he could see. It was very simple yet elegant. On the far wall was a big mirror that made the room seem much bigger than it was. It reflected back the small vanity covered with makeup and perfume bottles. Moriarty noted a few expensive brands but dismissed them as being from a few admirers. He walked into the room a bit more and headed to the closets lining the wall to his left.

Gently, he rifled through them. He was surprised to see a few tasteful dresses mixed in with clothing that he figured Erika wore in her downtime. However, he didn't see any of her costumes. Moving to the next closet, he noticed a divider leaning against the wall. He'd figured these were burned a long time ago. He remembered waiting in several dressing rooms as his interest of the moment had changed on the other side. He wondered if Erika changed behind it as a young man waited for her. A frown caressed his face as he remembered the Phantom's claim on her. Did he wait in here for her after a show?

Turning, he noticed the simple bed behind him. It was neatly made with red sheets. Didn't Erika say she slept in black sheets when he first met her? Curious, he walked over and ran a hand over the satiny sheets. His mind was soon flooded with Erika entangled in the red sheets, waiting for him.

Moriarty tried to free himself from the image but didn't succeed. Then he heard it. Erika and Nadir's voices floated to him. He tore himself from the image and wildly looked for a place to hide. Quickly, he dove in to the open closet and pressed himself behind all the costumes so he was not easily seen.

Erika walked into her dressing room quickly. She was surprised that the Professor hadn't come tonight. His lackey was there, and Erika had been tempted to ask him where his boss was. But Nadir stopped her. He was right, she needed to be alert. After all, how long until Ruelle found her again?

Weary, Erika picked out a simple change of clothes from her closet. She smiled at the ripped jeans and t-shirt she hadn't worn in years. Erika prayed they still fit. Choosing the appropriate undergarments, she set up the divider while Nadir arranged her perfume and makeup.

Settling herself behind the divider, Erika unknowing showed her back to the hiding Moriarty. Moriarty stared at her back. She wasn't going to change, was she? He felt his mouth go dry at that thought. As a gentleman he must stop her from exposing herself to him. A small voice whispered, she doesn't know you are there, so you are safe. Moriarty shook it off. He must step out and stop her.

Nadir spoke up, reminding Moriarty that if he did step out, his life was over. "You know, I'm glad no one accosted you tonight. I'm getting tired of growling."

Erika snickered as she removed the pins from her hair. "You can always have Danesh play bodyguard."

Nadir sounded appalled. "My sweet Danesh? He is hardly intimidating. If he watched you, that would be the day your new admirer snaps and tries to seduce you."

Erika laughed, a low and husky sound that forced Moriarty to hold his breath. "I doubt the Professor would do that."

Moriarty frowned. She obviously underestimated his nerve or overestimated his control. Either way she was playing with fire, he thought as her long curly hair was finally freed and flowed over her back. Casually, she dropped the pins into the bowl before leaning down to remove her pantyhose. Moriarty nearly choked as she rolled it down her long toned legs. Why was the closet suddenly so stuffy?

Nadir snorted, throwing some cold water on Moriarty. "Somehow, I don't think he is as controlled as you think."

Erika kicked the pantyhose to the side with a laugh. "I know he isn't. I think he just isn't sure what to do. We have all been there."

Moriarty felt his legs get weak as Erika reached up to remove her underwear. Slowly, he slid down the wall as Erika did the same with her undergarment. Moriarty watched as she cast that aside as well, only to replace it with a fresh pair. Closing his eyes, he grasped for control. Never had he been tempted like this by anyone and she didn't know it.

"I have no idea what you mean," Nadir stated primly.

"Like hell you don't," Erika shot back. "I remember Pierre, Irving, and Herb."

"And I remember…" Nadir started before pausing. "Damn it, there was only the bastard Count, huh?"

Erika frowned behind the divider. Why did he have to bring him up?

Moriarty noticed the change in Erika as she wrapped her arms around herself. What was the history between them? he wondered.

Nadir spoke up softly. "I'm sorry, Erika. I shouldn't have said that."

Erika brightened up and she reached up to unzip her dress. "No harm done, Khan."

Moriarty felt his throat close up as Erika slowly shed her dress. She stood in front of him in only her undergarments. He nearly groaned as his clothing suddenly became too tight. Moriarty closed his eyes as Erika turned and picked up the jeans and slipped them on. He needed to hold out until she was dressed and Nadir was gone. A few more minutes were all he needed.

Suddenly, a beeping filled the room. Erika froze as she buttoned up her jeans. Moving a speed that Moriarty had never seen before, she left the divider. Moriarty breathed a sigh of relief.

"Someone is in the Opera House," Erika cried out. "They can't find the house."

"I'll make the excuses. You need to hurry," Nadir stated firmly.

Erika reappeared and quickly slipped on the t-shirt. Moriarty's overloaded mind was struggling to absorb what was happening. Soon he heard the dressing room door slam shut. Moriarty suddenly realized that Erika was leaving. He mustn't let her get away. Quickly fighting his way out of the closet, he radioed Fenwick to follow Erika and report back when he knew where she was going. As he cut the connection, he just hoped he would have his control back by then.