A/n: Yes I know. It only took me two years to get the last two up. I'm sorry. Here they are, the ending to Stranger Than You Dreamt It!
Stranger Than You Dreamt It
Chapter 13- Dark Hopes and Dreams.
Erika woke to the smell of melted wax. Its fragrance wrapped itself around her, trying to lull her out her drugged sleep. Erika buried her face deeper into the sheet fighting the fact she had to return to the real world soon. Distantly she heard the beautiful and mysterious strains of the Moonlight Sonata being played. A smile touched her lips as she relaxed to the music. Nothing could hurt her here.
Resigned to the fact that she needed to waken from her slumber, she shifted. The satin sheets slid lazily over her body. Erika stiffened as she became aware of several things. One was she was nude under the warm sheets or very close to it. This didn't alarm her until she realized that her sheets in the underground house were made of silk. This wasn't her bed.
Suddenly it hit her as she remembered the scene the Opera House. The Count's henchman had fought her, then took the Inspector hostage. He drugged her with a sedative or was it poison. Did she die and go to the world beyond? Erika's heart jumped, she could see her sweet and gentle Papa again. All she needed to do was open her eyes.
A familiar scent of soap and spice reached her nose. Erika felt her heart speed up. She knew that scent. Slowly it crept into her system like the drug did earlier. Slowly she turned around. With every breath, she could sense his presence near her side. Finally getting up the courage she opened her eyes and fell into a pair of familiar grey ones.
Moriarty grinned predatorily at her. Erika felt her heart speed up. He finally caught her. After all their teasing and taunting each other, he finally got her. But how did she get here? Looking away from him she tried to remember what happened in that office. She nearly jumped as a hand twirled through her hair.
"I caught my little beauty." Moriarty whispered to her.
Erika turned back to him, her cheek meeting his hand, "I kind of noticed."
Moriarty grinned, "Now don't be bitter. I played your game Erika. Now you must play mine."
Erika was about to protest but his mouth covered hers in a kiss. Erika gave up trying to figure out what was going on in favor of the feeling he stirred. Lazily she kissed back as the kiss grew more passionate. Moriarty pulled away and stared at her.
"You are truly magical." He complimented her.
Erika merely smiled, "How did you find me? I thought the Count had won."
"It doesn't matter." Moriarty grinned.
Erika frowned at this, "How did I get here? The Count sent a henchman to drug and to kidnap me."
Moriarty brushed a hand over her hair unconcerned about the Count. He had his prize, let the Count find his own. Erika stared at him looking for the answers she needed. Taking a deep breathe she tried again.
"Professor, Please. If the Count knows you have interfered he will try to kill you."
Moriarty's eyes narrowed at the warning, "He isn't that stupid. He wouldn't dare defy my orders. Only one man dares to do that."
Erika's own eyes narrowed, "I will not help you kill the Phantom. I can not do it."
Moriarty growled as he grabbed her and hauled her up against, "Who the hell is this man that has such a strong hold on you?! I will pay him back for challenging me!"
Erika shouted back, "And what of me?"
"You are not leaving my sight ever!"
Before Erika could protest further, Moriarty sealed her mouth shut with another kiss. As he pulled her deeper into his embrace, Erika fell willingly. She wasn't such why but she couldn't break away from this man. Even as they endangered each other's life with this defiance, she couldn't walk away. He fired her blood in a way no one had for six long lonely years.
Even as she kissed him with all her heart, she could hear a voice deep and dark reminding her to be careful. Love is easily broken, easily lost. Erika gripped Moriarty tighter. Did she love him? Closing her eyes against unexpected pain at the thought of possibly loving him, her world went blank.
Erika winced at the pain in her arms and legs. The pain shot through her. As her mind cleared through the pain and took stock of the situation. She wasn't with The Professor. That was a dream, which meant she was still in danger. Fighting down the impulse to open her eyes and show her attackers that she was indeed awake, Erika called on her father's lessons.
Always sense how things are through your other senses rather than sight, he use to tell her. Things can be deceiving if you only rely one sense. Taking a deep breathe, she calmed her nerves. A calm mind can do more than a panicked one.
She was restrained by her wrists by rope or at least it feel like rope. She was still clothed in her partly Phantom attire that she wearing for her supposed meeting with Moriarty. Shifting ever so slightly, she felt the mask in a hidden pocket. Good, she wanted Ruelle to see what he created before she kills him. She moved her legs and was surprised that they were not tied up and felt the revolver that she wore high up on her thigh. Smiling to her self she was very happy she liked men's clothing.
Taking a deep breath, Erika opened her eyes. Instinctly she shut them against the bright white light that flooded the room. She tried again as she eyes began to adjust. Sitting up she took in the elegantly styled room. The style was similar to her own room, deep in the underground house back at the Parisian Opera House.
"I'm so glad you are awake, my dear Erika." Ruelle's voice called to her attention.
Erika turned towards his voice. Ruelle merely smiled at her outraged and hate filled look. Ruelle was lazily lounging against the fireplace in the room. He took an amused sip from his wineglass as he surveyed her appearance. Erika wanted to growled and attack him, but she knew she wouldn't get far. This was a battle of wits and wills now.
"Are you really this desperate, Ruelle?" Erika smirked as she held up her bonds.
Ruelle smiled charmingly at her, "It was the only way to have you again."
"When hell freezes over, Ruelle."
"Such manners, Erika. You use to be such a lady six years ago." Ruelle smirked as his set his glass down and stalked towards her.
"I save my manners for true gentlemen, not rapists and murderers." Erika spat at him.
"Like who? The Napoleon of Crime?" Ruelle laughed, "Oui he is quite the gentleman. Tell me Erika what does he charge for his protection?"
"I don't need his protection from slime like you!" Erika growled, "You always were a coward. What's the matter? The Inspector grew wise to your schemes?"
"She will come around again. I'm sure of it." Ruelle grinned as he stalked towards the bed, "But right now, I would like to get reacquainted with you."
Erika's eyes went dark and dangerous, "Don't even touch me Ruelle. You will regret it."
Ruelle smiled at her in a way that made Erika's skin crawl. As he reached out to touch her cheek, Erika batted his hand away. Her blue eyes gleamed with a challenging fire. Ruelle merely smiled, pleased with her response to him.
"It is nice to see you still have fire." Ruelle grinned as he stopped in front of her, "I always preferred you with fire."
"I would prefer slipping my sword between your ribs." Erika growled.
"Temper, temper." Ruelle chuckled as his gazed raked over her, "Although it suits you very well. I believe I will enjoy this."
Erika twisted against the rope around her hands, "Touch me, Ruelle and I'll make sure you pay."
Ruelle eyes blazed brightly, "I don't fear the Napoleon of Crime. He can't care about you too much. After all, your family doesn't exist at all. By sunset tomorrow that little deception will be a reality."
Erika scooted away to put distance between them She needs to think and fast. There had to be something she could do to distract him. Then she'll have enough time to form a plan. Now her life hung in the balance.
Suddenly it was too late as Ruelle's hand closed around her arm. Erika felt something dark inside her begin to well up. Spurred by it she began to struggle against Ruelle's hold. She heard him grunt as her blows began to land. Erika pulled one of her legs back and hard a hard kick on his stomach.
Ruelle staggered back from the blow. His brown eye began to glow with an unholy fire as he stared at her. Erika brought her breathing back under control. She refused to show him her fear. Ruelle started chuckling as if he found her resistance funny. Erika quirked an eyebrow as she made sure there was enough distance between them.
"I should have expected a fight from you." Ruelle smirked, "You were interesting in this position."
Erik snarled at him, "I'm not yours any more Ruelle. I would rather die first."
"That can be arranged but I'm going to give you that. I think you owe me a few things first. After all I was your first love."
Erika spat at him, "The Professor is more of a man than you ever were. You might have been my first but you certainly were not the best. I believe The Napoleon of Crime holds that honor."
Ruelle growled before he lunged at her a second time. Erika realized she made a huge miscalculation. She should have waited until her hands were free. Erika struggled viciously against Ruelle. He couldn't win, not now not ever.
Distantly she heard the sound of fabric ripping. Alarming she fought back ever more viciously. She wouldn't surrender. Deep in her mind she felt something straining to be free. Desperately she tried to control as it strained against the leash she had on it.
Ruelle noticed her eyes become darker as if she was becoming another person. It surprised him enough that she was able to swing her faces across his face like a club. Ruelle turned with the hit, surprised by the strength behind it. Obviously he was being too gentle.
When he turned back, he stared at Erika intensely. Erika glared back at him. The two combatants stared at each other for several minutes. Neither one moved as they reassessed each other and looked in their minds for a way to win.
"Master De Chagny?" The old voice of the De Chagny's butler called through the shut door.
Yes?" Ruelle asked never taking his eyes from Erika.
"There is a messenger waiting downstairs from a Professor."
Relief washed over Erika, a reprieve. She wasn't so naive to think that James Moriarty was looking for her. She smiled at Ruelle as if to say I win. Ruelle frowned deeply at her. Then he smiled at her.
"I'll be right down. Are all the servants gone for the day?" Ruelle asked.
"Yes sir."
"Good. Go home your self. I will not need anything else to day."
"Very good sir." The butler stated as he shuffled away.
"Now there will be no one to hear you scream out, chère. After I dispose of Moriarty's little helper, I will return to finish this. I won't have long. I believe I'll set the timer to an hour. That will be as long as I will need."
Erika gave him a puzzled look, "Timer?"
Ruelle grinned insanely at her, "Why on the explosives that are scattered around this house. After I have you, I can't leave any evidence of my crime. Too many people will be after me. But don't worry; I'll take care of your friends at the club. I don't need Khan hunting me down while I enjoy the rest of my life. "
Erika gaped at him in shock. Ruelle merely smiled at her. Before Erika couldn't see what he was up to, his fist rammed into her temple. Erika's head moved with the force of the hit and banged against one of the posts on the bed.
Erika's mind blanked out. Distantly she heard Ruelle's laughter ring through her darkened mind. She had to get away. She couldn't black out now. Desperately, she tried to fight against the darkness that began to swirl around her thoughts. Soon The inky darkness closed over her as Ruelle shut the door and locked it to the bedroom.
--
Moriarty listened absently as Fenwick tried to distract the Count through the ear piece. His eyes scanned each room as he hurried through the guest wing of the De Chagny manor. He knew Erika was in here somewhere and so was his chance to meet the Phantom.
As he moved through the deserted corridor he found a locked door. Quickly, Moriarty dropped to his knees and began to pick the lock. In his ear he could hear the Count and Fenwick start arguing with each other over the recent drop in cigarette sale. Moriarty smirked at how forceful his lackey sounded when the door swung open.
Moriarty cautiously entered the room. It was easy to see that this was the Count's own bedroom. Soon his eyes settled on the heap on the bed. His eyes widen at the sight of long curly brown hair. Moving quickly he strode toward the vulnerable figure on the bed. His one thought was he was too late.
Erika was sprawled out. Her shirt was ripped down the center revealing the bullet wound she received six years ago. A small cut on her temple produced a small stream of blood down the side of her face. Her skin was pale and cold as Moriarty tried to check her pulse.
His fingers found a strong beat. A sense of relief went through the Napoleon of Crime as he tried to wake the young singer. In his ear, he could hear the discussion downstairs drawing to a close. Urgency filled him that he scooped Erika up and hurried out with her laying limply in his arms.
As he hurried down the hallway, he felt her stir in his arms. Ducking into an alcove, He looked down at her. Erika's eyes fluttered opened and she groaned at the pain in her head. Moriarty clamped a hand over her mouth. Erika's eye went wide and she began to struggle.
"Stop that! It's me." Moriarty whispered harshly gaining Erika's attention and her cooperation, "The Count is coming back up and when he finds you gone, all hell is going to break loose."
Erika batted his hand away, "Why are you here?"
"I made Nadir a deal. I retrieve you and I get an audience with the Phantom." Moriarty growled as he gripped her wrist.
"Such a romantic reason, Professor." Erika taunted as he yanked her back down the hallway.
"I'm full of them." Moriarty growled as he pulled her after him.
"I'm sure. I can walk on my own you know." Erika stated firmly as she yanked her hand back, "I had enough of being roughly handled for one day."
"Then you better keep up." Moriarty remarked as he continued on.
Erika hurried to keep up. Occasionally she glanced over her shoulder when she heard the Count's cry of outrage. Looking at Moriarty he heard it too. Roughly he grabbed her wrist again and pulled her along more quickly.
Erika was about to protest when the wall next to her shatter from the impact of a bullet. She looked back to she see Ruelle chasing them with a crazed look in his eyes, before they disappeared around another corner. Erika knew that look only too well. That was the look she saw when her father died.
"The fool. He doesn't know who he is messing with." Moriarty mumbled sending a chill through Erika's heart. Her father muttered the exact words when the Count stepped forward to challenge them. She lost her father that day. Looking at Moriarty, she realized she was about to lose him too. Everything was happening all over again.
Something deep in her soul began to tug free again. She could hear a voice in her head say we can change it. Erika made a plan as she followed Moriarty deeper into the maze of the De Chagny manor.
"No! This way I know a faster way out!" Erika shouted as she yanked back on Moriarty's hand with surprising strength.
Moriarty looked at her in surprise but didn't protest as Erika yanked him down a darker hallway. Erika quickened her pace, she knew he must live. She couldn't bear for another person to die in her place. Her eyes darted around until she found the alcove and pulled him in.
Moriarty watched as her finger searched the wall for something. There was a panicked quality to her movements. Moriarty realized that she frightened of what was happening. As her finger tripped the trigger, he spun her around. Fear was reflected in her blue eyes.
"Why are you scared?" Moriarty demanded.
"Please, Professor, this isn't the time. We must get you to safety." Erika shot back.
"I'm not the one in danger. You are."
"We are all in danger if we stay here arguing. Ruelle has this place wired to explode in one hour. Then he is going to kill everyone who knows about me."
Moriarty paused as he absorbed that information, "What are you saying?"
Erika hurried to the mouth of the alcove and listened. Satisfied they were alone she hurried back and gripped Moriarty's shirt. Moriarty stiffened as the dream from a few days ago flitted through his mind. Moriarty gripped her arms tightly ready to move her in case of gunshots. Erika began to push him back.
Erika pleaded softly recapturing his attention, "He will kill everyone he knows is involved with my life. Nadir, the Detectives, you, and my friends in the club are all in danger. He wants to wipe my memory from this world."
Moriarty felt the need to assure her, "Erika, he won't harm you again. I swear it."
Erika smiled sadly at him, "Oui. He won't harm anyone I care about ever again. I will make sure of it."
Moriarty looked at her, "I will take care of it Erika. I'll make sure he doesn't bother anyone again."
Erika shook her head," No. The Underground needs you more than it does me. I had hoped I could continue to play cat and mouse with you. However Fate has handed us a new set of cards."
Moriarty scowled down at her, "I had enough of this cryptic non sense."
Erika smiled at him as she maneuvered him in to position, "You were right on the roof top that night. I'm sorry. But I enjoyed the time we had stolen together."
Moriarty searched her face but as he began to piece together the puzzle. Erika merely smiled as she brushed her lip over his in a parting kiss. Moriarty stiffened then relaxed as he went to deepen the kiss. Erika saw her opening and shoved him straight into the passage that had opened behind him.
Moriarty stumbled back as Erika reached up and hit the trigger that shut the passage. The tragic look on her face told him what she was going to do. With a roar he launched himself at the shutting door only to be seconds too late.
Moriarty blinked at the thought he was just outmaneuvered by a woman. Torn between outrage and concern he began to try and force his way through the door. Erika listened for a few moments before speaking.
"Please Professor you must hurry. Follow the passage out." Erika shouted.
"Get your arse in here in Erika. You will not confront that madman alone!" Moriarty raged through the door.
"I'm sorry, James." Erika stated softly using his Christian for the first time, "But I must end this. The Underground needs you now. I will never forget you."
Erika hurried away. She paused at the mouth of the alcove and looked back at the wall. Gently she wiped away a lone tear before going back to confront the Mad Count and end it all.
--
Lestrade followed Holmes closely as they entered the Manor. Gently she traced the edge of the ionser on her hip. She couldn't shake off the feeling of foreboding in her gut, but somehow the ionser seem to stop it from growing. Cautiously she looked around.
Holmes noticed how empty the house was. There were no servants or butler to greet them. Was it possible the Count had taken Erika to another location? Looking around he could tell something wasn't right.
"Sherlock, I don't like this." Lestrade stated firmly.
"We are agreed on that point, my dear Lestrade." Holmes stated as they moved closer to the main staircase.
Lestrade merely nodded. Her sense of urgency began to build up inside her. She glanced around looking for some sign of life. Nothing seemed to move but her and Holmes. Trying to look composed, she rested her hand against the ionser on her hip.
Holmes could feel the tension in Lestrade next to him. He knew she was feeling nervous. As he looked around the empty foyer, he couldn't blame her. Something wasn't right here. He gripped his stick tightly as he began to make his way up the stairs.
Holmes just set his foot on the fourth step when he heard it. He and Lestrade froze together. They stood in shock at the sounds. Holmes look at Lestrade as if convey some sort of message.
Suddenly three more gunshots were heard. They echoed across the empty house. Soon the stench of blood began to waft through the air. Holmes nodded to Lestrade who drew her ionser. They turn to run up the stairs when a figure appeared at the top.
Holmes turned fully to protect Lestrade from the aim of the gun. The Count grinned sarcastically at the Great Detective. Blood spattered his clothing. Feeling powerful he began to walk down the staircase. Holmes began to back up. He knew the Count had the advantage.
Lestrade spoke up, "Where is Erika?"
Ruelle grin got bigger as he leveled the gun at them, "You know the old adage. Ding dong, the Witch is dead."