Stranger Than You Dreamt It
Chapter 14 – Night Reborn.
Lestrade swallowed hard as she stared at Ruelle. His smile was cold and dark sending chills up her spine. The Count trained his gun on Holmes. The two sized each other up. Lestrade remembered how they seem to dislike each other on sight. Now Ruelle had the upper hand.
Holmes merely stared at the man in front of him. He had to bid his time until Ruelle gave him an opening. Holmes knew it he messed up They were both dead. Anyone could see the Count wasn't playing with a full deck at that moment. Holmes cleared his throat, making sure he had Ruelle's full attention.
"So she is died now?" Holmes queried keeping his eyes locked with the Count's.
The Count smirked triumphantly, "Her line is now dead complete with three bullet holes. I must thank you for finding her."
Lestrade blinked, "You used us to find her?"
Holmes nodded, "He had no choice. Erika obviously knew he was hunting her down. She knew his men and his methods. After all she was your lover. She knew you better than any other woman would. Which is why you tried to kill her six years ago."
"Very good M'sieur Holmes. Your reputation is well received. I had set out that night to kill her. I arranged a meeting with her outside the cemetery on the Rue Scribe. I had her dangling for weeks about our possible engagement. Like an eager child, she came. It was suppose to be so easy and simple. I just had to shoot her. Except her father followed and watched nearby. Erik was always worried about his daughter. He never once worried about himself. He should have that night." Ruelle growled.
Lestrade realized, "Erik jumped in front of the gun. He protected her."
Ruelle's eyes went dark as if in a memory as he spoke, "Oui, the damn fool did. He should have fallen with that first shot. But he just kept coming, so I kept shooting. When Erik finally fell, Erika launched herself at me swinging. I fired my last shot." The Count sighed, "Too bad it only hit her shoulder."
Holmes held his cane ready, "All because she knew too much and you wanted to marry another."
Ruelle shrugged carelessly, "My title must come first. Besides she was a Noir woman. She deserved to die, like Christine Daae did. How dare they choose The Phantom over more respectable blood lines!"
Lestrade glared at The Count, "And now what?"
"It is so simple. I won the war. Now I just need to cover my tracks before I fade away into the Switzerland horizon. With the money I stole through the cigarette trade, I can live very comfortably. I just need to tie up a few loose ends." Ruelle stated firmly.
Lestrade glanced at Holmes, "You are going to kill us then."
"Of course. After all, you know my secret. But don't worry, you won't be alone. You see Erika's friends will look for me. They won't stop until they find me. So I need to get rid of them first." Ruelle grinned insanely as he aimed the gun at Sherlock's heart, "Good bye M'sieur Holmes."
Lestrade watched as Ruelle took aim. He wasn't looking at her. Lestrade knew he thought she won't do any thing to him. Running towards him, she knew she was only going to get one shot at this. Lestrade braced herself as she barreled towards Ruelle full force.
Holmes watched as Lestrade rammed into the Count knocking his aim off. Taking advantage of the distraction his partner caused, Holmes ducked away from the direction the barrel of the gun was pointing making his way closer to the two wrestling figures.
The Count struggled against The Inspector's grip on the gun. He couldn't lose now. He almost won. Desperately, he looked at the clock to see there was only twenty minutes left on the timer. He had to get rid of them and soon. Then he saw his opening.
Lestrade had to get the gun away. She had to stop him from shooting her partner. As they grunted and struggled, she was sure she was winning. Then she glanced up the stair. A figure lurched forward awkwardly in the shadows along the railing. Lestrade concentrate on the gun was broken as she tried to see whom it was.
The Count dipped low and caught Lestrade in the stomach. Lestrade grunted as her grip on the weapon was weakened. Ruelle grabbed her wrist and flung her towards Holmes. Holmes couldn't move in time to dodge as Lestrade sailed right in to him. Holmes caught her as they both went flying backwards on to the ground. Holmes twisted himself to cushion the fall to ground.
The two detectives hit the ground hard. Before they could get up, the sound of the gun's safety being cocked back. Lestrade stared into Holmes's eyes as if to say sorry. Holmes merely hugged her close as they faced the Count. Ruelle aimed the gun at them, delight danced in his eyes.
"Nice try, Detectives." The Count grinned, "But nothing can save you now."
A tenor voice spoke up behind Ruelle, "Is that so M'sieur?"
Ruelle turned to face this new player. Holmes watched as silver flashed through the air blocking the bullet. Before Ruelle could squeeze off another shot, the figure lunged forward. Ruelle gave a strangled cry as a sword went straight through his body. Holmes and Lestrade watched in horror as Ruelle fell to his knees. The sword was pulled back out but the detectives just stared at the dying Count.
Ruelle gasped his last breathe, "But I won. How did you survive?"
The figure merely stated, "You can't kill what you can't understand."
Holmes and Lestrade looked up at their savior. The figure watched impassively as Ruelle finally expired. Still shielded by the shadows the figure seemed to hesitate before limping towards the dead Count.
Slowly Holmes got to his feet with Lestrade. He watched the figure cautiously as they limped forward. Holmes could tell the wound was high up, possibly the thigh area. The ragged breathing indicated they were in a lot of pain as they moved. His eyes glanced as the blood stained sword and he recalled how fast the person moved to deflect the bullet. Obviously they were use to pain.
The figure stopped by the fallen gun. Slowly they bent into the light to pick it up. Holmes stared in disbelief. The white shirt was ripped in several spots and stained crimson red. The figure's blue eyes stared right into his as its finger closed around the gun. Holmes couldn't believe that she spoke in that voice.
Lestrade spoke first as she stood, "You're dead."
Erika smirked as she calmly held the gun, "You never saw my body. So that was a very naïve assumption."
Lestrade bristled at that remark, but Holmes realized their situation hadn't changed, "I see you now hold us hostage."
"In a sense. The night is closing in on me." Erika stated firmly, the tenor's edge in her voice, "I'm sure you have questions."
Holmes nodded feeling more relaxed, "I do."
Lestrade glanced disbelievingly at Holmes. How can he be so calm when she had a gun on them? Erika leaned against the banister as she waited for Holmes's first question. She was still bleeding in many spots. Her color was pale, which wasn't good. She must be on the brink of death.
"I suggest M'sieur Holmes, you ask them quickly. Time is very short." Erika prompted.
"Miss Noir, Maybe we should get you to the Hospital?" Lestrade stated.
"No, It's too late for that." Erika stated flatly as she pointed the gun at Lestrade, "Perhaps I should start first."
Erika took a deep breathe. This was it, her chance to reveal to whole story. Leaning heavily on the banister for balance, she gazed almost vacantly at her two guests. The past Slowly began to rush into her mind.
"I was born 26 years ago. My Momma and Papa were so happy but they knew the dangers to my family so we hide away from the world. Soon Momma grew sick and died. It broke my Papa's heart. He cried for days. I learned later that she was poisoned. My father's dearest friend Moses Khan found out." Erika began to tell them.
"Then why did you become involved with one of your enemies?" Lestrade asked.
Erika Laughed humorlessly, "I was young and infinitely stupid. He swore he was different and that he wanted peace between us. I wanted to believe him and I did. Hell Even my father wanted peace. He was tired of all the fighting. It cost him his mother, father and wife. That is a very high price for revenge. Of course The Count never wanted peace. My seduction was another step in the war. He took away everything from me that night he showed me the truth. My Father, my innocence and my faith in justice."
"So you swore revenge on him. That's why you killed his brother." Holmes prompted.
"I had six years to plan my revenge. I watched as he grew more powerful. And Don't think His brother was an innocent. He was just as bad as Ruelle. He would Brag about how he helped destroy the Phantom." Erika smirked evilly, "Play with Fire and you will get burned. If you expect me to cry over his death, I'll have to shatter that illusion. For six years I sabotaged the Underworld's dealing. Paris allowed The Count to walk away. Well, It was payday."
Erika steadied her grip on the gun as she continued her story, "I put my father's training to use. He was grooming me to become the Phantom. Ruelle reinforced to me what becoming the Phantom meant. We donned the Mask to survive. We became ghosts, hidden from the world and its cruelties. According to your computers I don't exist and that is what Allowed me to live as long as I have."
Lestrade glanced at Holmes before remarking, "Why did you trust us?"
"Oh But I did. I gave you all the clues you needed." Erika smiled, "and you pieced them together beautifully."
Holmes nodded, "You send us the notes on all those other cases. You kept sabotaging Moriarty and his Paris connections."
"I was making my bid for the Underground. It worked rather well." Erika sighed, "Sadly all game must end."
Lestrade glanced at Holmes. A silent message was conveyed between them. Lestrade reached for her ionser as Holmes ready his cane. Erika pushed away from the banister and started laughing wildly. The Detectives paused in their motion to stare at the laughing dying woman. Erika grinned evilly as she leveled the gun at Lestrade.
"Nice try, Inspector, Detective, But This game won't end in an arrest."
"We aren't leaving without you in custody." Lestrade warned her.
"You need medical attention and while you might not believe in Justice we do." Holmes confirmed.
Erika merely shrugged, "A Pity then."
Erika aimed at Lestrade. Before Lestrade could move, the gun went off. Lestrade stared shocked as she gazed into Erika's hardened eyes. Lestrade staggered back as the bullet impacted with her right shoulder. Erika merely squeezed off the second shot. Lestrade fell to the floor as it slammed into her leg. Lestrade was down. Her vision began to darken as the pain took over.
Holmes stood immobilized by shock at his partner being down. He wanted to rush to Lestrade side, But Erika was still Armed. Erika Lowered her weapon. Her breathing was quick and shallow. Holmes noticed her color was completely gone.
"You have a choice, Holmes. Arrest me or save her. You have five minutes until this whole place explodes to make you choice. You can't save us both." Erika Stated.
"You are a very clever woman, Erika." Holmes commended her.
"Take her, Holmes. Take her and forget me. Forget all you seen." Erika whispered.
Holmes nodded as he walked over and lifted up Lestrade, "You knew my choice."
Erika smiled in a bright and childish way, "Life is too short, M'sieur Holmes. Treasure her. She is rare indeed."
"Is there anything I can do to persuade you to come with us?" Holmes asked.
Erika sat on the stairs, tiredly, "No This is my destiny. Go on. Forget me."
Holmes stared at the tired figure on the stairs. Her face was lined with fatigue as she closed her eyes. Holmes took a step towards her to try and plead with her. Erika stared at him in hard way and stood.
Erika growled, "GO. Leave me. Forget me. Forget all this. Forget all you have seen. Go Now! Before this place explodes."
Holmes stepped back at the show of anger before he could argue any more. A huge bang shook the foyer. Several more sounded in succession. Erika stood calmly among them as she stared at him. Holmes began to retreat as the room nearby exploded, spewing fire and debris between him and Erika. In the glow of the approaching fire, Erika stood like a defiant queen. Holmes gave her a look of admiration and respect before he ran from the house of death.
Holmes began to run for the door with Lestrade in his arms. He needed to get her to safety before the whole place exploded. He could feel the flame lick at his heels as he reached the door. He turned to take one last look at Erika.
Erika caught his gaze and shouted one last order at him, "Swear to me never to tell the secret you know of the angel in hell. Go now and leave me!!"
Holmes felt the need to shout back, "I swear, Erika."
Just then another room exploded and Sherlock jumped into the warm afternoon sun. He ran as fast as he could as the fire vehicles pulled up. Few medics swarmed around Lestrade checking her vitals and dressing her wounds. Holmes watched as they wheeled her away assuring him she was fine. Suddenly a deafening roar reached his ear. Holmes turned around as the manor collapsed into a mass of flames. He heard what one of the firefighters said about no one being able to survive.
"I hope you found your peace, Erika." Holmes whispered before climbing into the emergency vehicle with the unconscious Lestrade. The whole ride into the hospital, he gripped her hand, remembering Erika's advice about Lestrade.
--
A few days later, Lestrade was finally resting comfortably in a New London Hospital. She frowned over a logic puzzle book that the Irregulars brought her. After dealing with the Surete's questions and French doctors, Lestrade was happy to be home. Granted, Leroux took care of most of Surete business for them. He apologized that she had gotten hurt. Something that all of Erika's friends wanted to avoid that happening.
Lestrade merely nodded at that. She remembered Erika's eyes as she shot. There was no light in them as she squeezed the trigger twice. Lestrade often shuddered as she thought of it. It was scary to stare in the face of a person who had no feelings left. Lestrade often wondered if she was at fault. A clue she missed. Maybe she should have been faster or smarter.
Lestrade began sinking into such thoughts when Holmes walked in. Lestrade looked up at her partner. He didn't talk much about what happened after she was shot only that Erika told him to go. Lestrade often felt he was hiding something. However she didn't ask. She would rather forget Paris.
Holmes watched Lestrade closely. She was recovering nicely. Not for the first time, He wondered if Erika planned it that way when she shot at her. Lestrade tried to ask what happened after she blacked out. Holmes wasn't sure what to tell her. Erika got them both out and taught him a lesson. Life was indeed too short for nonsense. He only wished they could have saved Erika too. But her fate would have been a lifetime in prison. Erika must have known and chosen death.
Holmes sat in the chair next to Lestrade's bed. He took a moment to collect his thoughts. Leroux had phoned him this morning with the final report on the De Chagny case. It was unsettling to say the least, yet somehow Holmes expected no less of this affair. Holmes gazed into Lestrade's violet gaze. He took comfort that Erika gave him the chance to see those eyes again.
"I have the final report from the Surete." Holmes sighed.
Lestrade tensed then relaxed, "Is she?"
"Her body wasn't found. The Count's body was, charred beyond recognition, but that was the only remains found." Holmes informed her, "She is still out there. Alive or dead is the real question."
"She is alive, Holmes. I know it."
"I think so too. She was too strong to lie down and die that easily. But it is in everyone interest if she presumed dead."
"How so?"
"If she dead, we won't be able to look for her nor would anyone else. There is a new plaque in her family's tomb. Let it go, Lestrade."
"I'm not sure if it's that easy."
Holmes put a hand on hers and squeezed it gently, "We'll do it together."
Lestrade looked up into Holmes's eyes. What did happen in the house to bring about a change between them? Lestrade gripped his hand back. They did nothing but look at each other for the first time in a long time, which is how Watson and The Irregulars found them when they came for a visit.
--
Moriarty turned up his collar on the great coat as he entered the Noir tomb. Everything was silent on the Underground on the Phantom. Ever since the explosion, Paris has been holding it breath. No one knew where the Phantom was or Erika Daae. The club claimed she was on vacation. However Moriarty suspected the worse.
He should have broken through the door. He had left after a half an hour of pounding, after he heard the shots. Never had gunfire caused his blood to run cold but it did that day. He ran with the intent of going through the front door. Instead the place exploded.
He watched in shock as the place came down. Erika was still inside, injured and weak. She sacrificed herself to protect him, something no one had ever done for him before. The Underground was a place where everyone was out for themselves. Trust was a luxury he couldn't afford. Yet this woman who claimed to have no mercy left, saved him. That was something Moriarty wouldn't forget ever, even if he wanted to.
He walked into tomb. Before it felt forbidding and mysterious, now it was a bit warmer and welcoming. His grey eyes swept over the different name plaques until it settled on the newest one. Moriarty walked up to it slowly reading the name: Erika Aria Noir, Beloved Daughter and Friend, May she have found peace.
There were no dates on the plaque but that didn't bother Moriarty so much as what it confirmed. His possible queen was dead. Reining in his emotions, he laid a bouquet of white roses on the flower holder. It was the least he could do, he would prefer to present them to the living person, but she was gone. No more taunting, teasing, No more near seductions from a brown haired blue eyed beauty. She was taken away by her own sense of honor.
Moriarty touched the name Erika as he spoke to her ghost, "You were my equal, Erika. No woman ever was before. May you finally rest happily."
There was no response. A slight chill filled the tomb. Moriarty dropped his hand, vowing to visit her when he was in Paris. He was going to continue her fight. There were a few De Chagny cousins flitting around. Moriarty grinned evilly. He could rein them in tightly and pound this feud out their heads. He paused and looked back at the tomb. He owed her that much for saving his life.
Finally he walked away. After all he had a criminal empire to run and Erika would have been the first to teasingly remind him about it. He was going to make it the best ever, no more rebellions. He walked forwarded into the dying light with a determine step. He never looked back and saw the shadowy of Nadir gather up his flowers and disappear again.
Nadir sighed in relief as he slipped back through the secret passage in the tomb. That was close, he wasn't expecting the Napoleon of Crime to show up. But he was there with flowers for Erika. Jumping in to the boat, he began to row down the underground lake.
As he glided along the smooth surface of the lake, he remembered the scene inside the quickly burning up De Chagny Manor when he finally got in. It took him a few minutes to figure what Moriarty was up to. However, Nadir's first concern was protecting his best friend Erika at all costs. He barely made it out alive
He docked the boat outside the unassuming house built into the wall. After securing the boat, Nadir carefully picked up the budding bouquet and entered the house. The interior was beautifully decorated with furniture from the years gone by. Nadir quickly walked past them and entered the kitchen area.
Danash was bustling about making food for their dinner. His honey eyes met Nadir with love and affection. Nadir smiled lovingly and his boyfriend before planting a kiss on his temple. Nadir Walked to a shelf and pulled out a vase of the flowers. Danash's eye fell to the flowers.
"Oh Nadir, You can't put those in that ugly vase. Roses deserve a Waterford. I see the vendor made more money off of you." Danash stated firmly as he pulled out a carved Waterford Crystal vase.
Nadir sighed as he turned the roses over to Danash, "I didn't buy them, Danash. We have enough flowers down here anyways."
"Then who did?"
"The Professor paid a visit to the tomb. He brought the flowers." Nadir remarked casually, "I figured he would be by sooner or later."
"What a nice gesture. She will love them." Danash smiled softly.
"Did she wake up yet?" Nadir asked hopefully.
"No, But my father always told me they can hear you. Take them into her. I'll have dinner ready soon."
Nadir nodded as he took the vase. Walking down the hallway he approached the fable Louis-Phillip room. Slowly opening the door, he slipped into the Victorian room. His eyes settled on the sleeping figure in the black bed. Ayesha was curled up next to her lovingly, obviously keeping a vigil over her companion.
He walked forward and placed the vase right next to bed. Erika was laid out like Sleeping Beauty. Her breathing was slow and steady. A simple chain and golden ring hung around her neck, a simple promise to continue the family tradition. Nadir smiled it was also a promise to never give up.
Nadir sat on the bed and touched his best friend's hand. For three weeks she slept without stirring. Nadir often worried if she was just going to slip away one day, lured by her father's spirit. Every time he thought that, he remembered the ring she continued to wear and he no longer worried. Now he had something else to give her to fight.
Softly Nadir told Erika's sleeping form about Moriarty's visit. He didn't trust The Napoleon of Crime but he did respect the man. Nadir learned he tried to save Erika and Nadir could respect that. Nadir knew Erik would definitely approve of James Moriarty. Nadir sighed as he finished his report. Erika continued to sleep peacefully. Then Nadir felt the softest of squeezing on his hand.
Nadir smiled, "Rest, little sister. You have all the time in the world."
Nadir got up and let go of Erika's hand. He plucked the youngest bud from the vase. After stripping it off its thorns, He placed it next to Erika's hand and Walked to the door. When he looked back Erika's hand was closed around the rose. Nadir smiled, Danash was right. They do listen. Nadir turned off the light and left The Phantom to rest and dream of better times.