Broken promises

Erik's Eyes:

I watched as she walked up the stairs, her face as morbid as if she were walking to her death. Oh my Gabby! What have you ever done to deserve this? I closed my eyes as I felt a timid answer work its way into my mind. Maybe loving me is her crime and I was supposed to be forsaken to a lifetime of solitude…it would seem a likely punishment from God. I had already seen the cruelty of God first-hand, every time I looked into a mirror. I pushed all thoughts of God and destiny from my mind. I've never believed in either before, why start now?

I suddenly realized how abandoned I was now as I looked around the empty living room. The lack of Gabrielle's presence gave the room a dismal feel and I was suddenly more frightened than I ever had been before and I quickly went upstairs, wanting desperately to escape the sudden feeling of loneness that had begun to consume me.

Without warning, I found myself in the doorway to our bedroom. I took a deep breath before I sulking in, barely paying any mind to my surroundings as I sat down on the edge of the bed. I looked around for a second and as the loneness of a moment before began to return, I buried my face in my hands. I took another deep breath, attempting to calm my fluttering heart. As I raised my head and looked around me, I had a sudden urge to cover my eyes once more. Even our bedroom, usually a place of great happiness, seemed cold, dark and depressing. I quickly stood and walked back out into the hallway.

I looked in both directions and saw to my left a faint light coming from the far wing of the house. Knowing full well that that was where both Raoul and Gabrielle were, made me suddenly mad with fury. The more I thought about Raoul and what he was doing to my family and I, even more specifically Gabrielle, the more it made me want to feel the life being choked out of him as I wrung my hands around his neck.

It killed me to know that he was alone with Gabrielle and I could do nothing. The thought of him resting his intense, jealous gaze upon her made me burn with fury, and then the thought of him touching her in any way, made murderous thoughts return to my head. But no matter how angry I became, I knew that Gabrielle would never allow me to harm Raoul. Regardless of what happened between him and our family, part of her still felt a connection with Raoul and I suppose I had no choice but to understand, though it pained me to admit that. He had done so much, all because of his love for her, but regardless: he aided in my jail escape, he rescued her from the same fate, and then he took her in when she had no were else to go, even though she was carrying my child at the time, and because of that she still saw the good within him.

She had once trusted him with her life. We all had put some amount of trust in him once and it was obvious that Raoul was hoping to renew that trust in one form or another, only this time manipulation was on his mind. However, I knew that Gabrielle was well aware of Raoul's intentions and being the strong-willed woman she was, wanted both Raoul and I to think that she wasn't bothered by the current situation between us all. For all I knew, her façade was fooling Raoul, but I knew her better than that. It was clear to me that every look Raoul sent her way made her throat constrict and her heart skip a beat in fear.

I had seen the effects of Raoul's nearness many times, and although to most she gave no hints as to the extent of her fear, I knew. When she wanted to be, Gabrielle could be seem entirely calm and collected in every sense of the phrase, all except for one clue that I had begun to notice. When she was truly terrified, the muscles in her shoulders would tighten, as if she were preparing herself for a blow. Occasionally, when we were talking at night, I would see the same reaction occur and I knew that she was thinking about some harsh interaction between her and Raoul. It was hard for me to remain calm when I noticed this change in her, but I knew that bringing it up would do no good either, and so I simply covered her shoulders with my hands and smoothed them over the muscles until she relaxed. The thought of her body tense with fear, lying next to Raoul, made extremely possessive, protective feelings overtake me and it took a great amount of effort to push their persuasiveness away.

As I was thinking through my emotions and staring down the hall, a gentle breeze blew through a nearby window causing the white lace curtains to dance in the wind. I walked over to the window and looked out below. Upon seeing the ledge below, and the way the walls of the chateaux were constructed, an idea came to me. Maybe there was a way for me to protect Gabrielle!

I wasted no time, taking off towards Raoul's wing of the house. Once I could see the doorknob of his bedroom door, I frantically began looking out each window in the hall leading up it. I quickly found the window I was looking for and opened it. A cool breeze blew over my face as I stuck my head out slightly and, upon noticing that the landing was directly below, I climbed out. I hung on to the edge of the windowsill for a moment before letting myself drop down a few feet onto the ledge. It took a few moments longer than I expected to reach the ledge, and I felt slightly panicked until I landed silently on my feet. Apparently I hadn't completely lost my touch, I thought as I took a breath to calm my thudding heart rate. I made the mistake of looking over the edge and I stumbled back, suddenly extremely aware of my mortality. I couldn't keep my mind from wandering in my moment of terror and my thoughts turned to my family and what it would mean for them if I were to die from falling off of the ledge. I shook my head, angrily ridding myself of the destructive thoughts that were taking control. I turned to face the wall and seeing the grooves within it, began to make the climb to the attic window, just above Raoul's bedroom, where there would be a vent, constructed to allow swift air ventilation in the event of a fire, through which I could survey Gabrielle and Raoul. The climb was both tiring physically and mentally, but as soon as I realized that every extra moment I took in getting to the vent was another moment that Gabrielle went unprotected, I was able to forget the difficulty of the climb.

Suddenly, the climb was easy beyond compare and I reached the attic window quite quickly. Once inside, I scoured my surroundings for the vent. I was pleasantly surprised to find the vent exactly where I suspected it would be. Finally, the years of studying architecture and masonry pay off! I quickly went over to it and got down on my hands and knees to slide the lever over to open the vent, so I could see and hear inside.

From where I sat I would clearly see the entire spans of Raoul's bedroom, giving me the perfect opportunity to watch over her, without causing any problems, assuming that I could hold my tongue, regardless of what happened.

I then took a deep breath and turned my full attention to the two forms in the room below. Raoul was sitting on the edge of his bed, eyeing Gabrielle with a controlling, smug gaze. By beautiful Gabrielle simply stood before him, her head held high and defiant. I couldn't help but admire her willpower.

"Well, now…look where our lives have directed us, my sweet….look who is master of this household!" Gabrielle looked into his face and said nothing. The sly grin on his face faltered. "I said, who is the master here?!" His voice was lined with anger, an anger that I wanted to strangle out of him.

I watched in horror as he leaned over and took a bottle of bronze liquid off of the bedside table and took a deep drink from it, before placing it back and turning his attention back to Gabrielle. I couldn't be sure, but I thought I saw the muscles in her shoulders tighten, the clear cut sign that she was indeed frightened. Raoul reached out and grabbed the edge of Gabrielle's dress and fiercely pulled her closer to him. When she resisted, he tugged on her dress a little harder and a loud ripping noise filled the silence of the room. Gabrielle's eyes widened and a soft hissing noise escaped her lips.

It took every ounce of self-restraint I had acquired over the years after I had forsaken the Phantom from me to not run down and beat the smirk off Raoul's face.

"Come now, Gabby! There is no reason for it to be like this between us."

"You may do and say as you wish, but you will not call me Gabby!" She hissed back at him. For a moment it looked as if he was going to retort, but then decided against it.

"Fine…There is no reason for us to behave in this manner Gabrielle, if you would only accept the idea of us being together, your life could be so much easier, my love."

"I am only here because you demand it in exchange for a sense of normalcy in our lives…nothing more…" Her voice was flat and emotionless and I shivered, imagining what it would feel like to be on the receiving end of her detached words.

"Oh, my sweet, beautiful Gabrielle…You deserve so much more than what Erik can give you…He is not half the man I am…and what I could be for you…is nothing compared to what you are used to…" Gabrielle remained passive, even though he was attempting to perversely seduce her and so he continued, this time attempting a different approach. "I do not know why you remained loyal to him…even after you thought he was dead… We could have started a beautiful life together, with our two children…if only you hadn't been so completely captivated by that monster of a man." I felt my throat constrict with rage as he spoke words meant to humiliate and tantalize her.

"Raoul…the love I have for Erik is so intense, that I wouldn't expect a man like you to understand how deeply in love I am with him." Her eyes glittered slightly with emotion while she spoke of me. "Erik is unlike any man I have ever known…and my feelings for him would not allow me to be anything other than faithful to him."

"Ah…but what if I demand that you forsake that loyalty for me to keep my silence…and not turn both you and Erik into the authorities…then, might I know what it would be like to feel your love?"

She was silent for a moment, before I heard her shaky breath shatter the silence. When she next spoke, there was so much emotion behind her voice that, if I hadn't known better, I would have thought that she was a completely different woman. "Raoul, you were never this kind of man…in all the time that I have known you and as I assume, when Christine knew you, you were always a kind-hearted, giving man…what happened to you Raoul? I might have been able to love that man…but I could never love the man that you are now…I just cannot understand why this change has occurred in you." She looked into his eyes, hers filling with tears as she spoke.

He growled before letting go of her dress and turning his head away from her inquisitive blue eyes. She took a few hasty steps backwards, but did not take her eyes off of him. "Gabrielle! Enough! You cannot know what it has been like for me since that day long ago, when I first met Christine…"

"Why? What do these events that occurred so long ago have to do with the present?" I watched as her shoulders relaxed and she took a step towards him. Silently, I urged her to keep her distance, knowing all too well how unpredictable a man's actions can be when he is speaking of his emotions.

"Because those were the days when I first knew love…and also the first time I felt jealousy in love…" She sat down beside him and he looked at her affectionately for a moment before continuing. "Gabrielle…when I first met Christine, she was unlike any woman I had ever known…beautiful beyond my wildest dreams, and so caring that her huge brown doe eyes could never betray what she was feeling. It was because of that, that I felt jealousy. I saw how her eyes filled with a passionate fire when she spoke of Erik to me. She loved him Gabrielle…maybe not in the same way that she loved me, but she loved him none the less…and I can never forget the look in her eyes when they were both on stage together…" He took a shaky breath and buried his head in his hands. Gabrielle remained impassive and silent while he took a few minutes to compose himself before he continued once more. "Christine was supposed to be helping us capture the infamous opera ghost, and originally she intended upon doing just that…but as soon as Erik came out on stage…it was as if he lit a fire inside of her…a fire so bright and intense that she could not deny him anything. Now, I know Christine loved me, after all, she left him for me…but still…it just hurt to know that I would never be able to ignite such a powerful passion inside of her. "

"And then, when I met you…it was as if an angel had been sent from God to give me another chance at love…but then you told me that you only found me to ask for my help in freeing the love of your life…Erik. You were such a divine creature…even in your sorrow, and so I could not deny you my help…but at the time I thought I could give you my aid, without falling for you. Well I was wrong…I fell for you and have remained in love with you since that day you walked into my home and my life. But I guess I just cannot handle my jealousy towards Erik anymore…It is driving me mad…seeing the way you look at him, and remembering the way Christine looked at him…it just gets at me…and causes me so much pain that there is no other way to get rid of it other than drinking. I am sorry for all the pain I am causing you, truly I am…but I just hate Erik so much for how his imperfection means nothing in the scheme of things…he has love and here I am…alone…though I have never been flawed."

Gabrielle leapt up from the bed, as if she suddenly remembered why she was there and who she was dealing with. "Raoul, I can offer you my sympathy and condolences for all the pain you have suffered, but as soon as you start implying that Erik is deficient in any way, I must remember my place and you yours. I am sorry that I can not love you…but it is not fair to expect my love, since when we first met, my heart was not free for the taking… and drinking is no way to solve your problems…the only way for you to solve your problems now is to go out and attempt to begin a new life with another woman, because no matter how hard you try, or how much you trick yourself into believing it, I will never love you."

"Never?" He nearly whispered.

"No, Raoul…never…" Her voice was surprisingly cold again and I held my breath, wondering what would become of this moment. I didn't have to wait long. Raoul reached over and took the bottle off of it's table to take a drink. Gabrielle turned her head away in disgust. It was then that Raoul grabbed her neck and forced her to look him in the face.

"AND YOU WONDER WHY I ACT AS I DO! YOU TORTURE ME WITH YOUR DIVINE BEAUTY! YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A WHORE AND I WILL MAKE SURE YOU KNOW THAT!" His anger was taking over and I could see Gabrielle's composure begin to crumble before her very eyes. Her head was still held high but tears glistened within her magnificent gaze. I let out a pent up breath when Raoul released her, but sucked one in again when he hurled the bottle at a wall, only a foot away from Gabrielle.

Raoul leapt from the bed and walked to the nearby mirror and stared into it for a few minutes before turning back to her. "So…What happens now? You know very well what I would like to do to you at this moment," he cooed, walking towards her and running his fingers along her cheek and neck. I growled deep within my throat at his innuendo, but quickly checked myself, unwillingly stamping down the roaring fire that was beginning to spread within me.

"Please, Raoul…stop!" she said softly as a mouse as she raised her hand to press Raoul's away.

"You will do as I SAY!" He said a little too harshly. It took a great amount of effort not to go to her now, but I knew I had to trust her strength in order to help her through this ordeal. "Now…I am going to change quickly and when I return, I expect that you will be more obedient to my…needs…" With that he walked away and went through the doorway to his bathroom.

I watched as Gabrielle let out a deep breath before closing her eyes in shame and letting the tears roll down her cheeks one by one. I wanted to kiss them away and it hurt more than anything, knowing that on this night, I couldn't.

Softly, I whispered to her through the vent. "Gabby…"

She looked around, suddenly alert, fervently searching for the source of my voice. "What kind of trickery is this?" She whispered to herself.

"No trickery, my love…I am here…watching over you…" I said, attempting to make my voice as comforting as possible.

"Erik?!" She asked, still not believing that she was truly hearing me.

"Yes, my love…I am here…you will be fine…"

"But where are you?" She sounded so desperate that I had to close my eyes to block out the twinge of pain that the tone of her voice caused within me.

"I am here…look up, I am on the other side of the vent." I watched as her searching eyes found the vent and, unknowingly bore into my own.

She rushed over to stand directly beneath it and looked up expectantly. "Oh Erik!" Then as if remembering her surroundings she quickly turned to look at the door Raoul had disappeared into. The sound of running water calmed her a bit. "Erik, I am so sorry that you had to witness all of that…you shouldn't have to…I am fine, just go to bed…all will be ok…" I could tell, though I knew she hoped I couldn't, that she, herself, doubted every word she said.

"I will not leave you here alone…"

"Please, Erik…It is not necessary for both of us to endure this-"

I cut her off with a deep growl. "Gabrielle, when we were married, we promised that we would share everything until death, and that's what I intend to do…"

I watched as tears filled her eyes once more. I sighed her name compassionately.

"Erik…What do I do? I am frightened…he is still drinking…I am scared, Erik! Oh please, Erik! I am so scared…" Her beautiful rosy cheeks were now stained with tears as she looked up at me. My protectiveness suddenly took over and I desperately looked around, wanting to find a way to get to her. When I found no way out, besides the window, I grabbed hold of the vent cover and pulled it up, out of it's hole. Her eyes lit up as she saw my face without the bars between us. I reached my hand down as she raised hers to mine and I held it tightly within my own.

"Erik, I love you so much," she sighed as she rubbed her face against my hand.

"Oh Gabrielle…I cannot endure this…we should leave….grab the children and go…"

She looked up at me as if I were mad. "We cannot do that, though God knows I want nothing more…Angelique has already began a life here…as have all the children…we cannot pull them out now…force them to restart…None of this is their fault and they should not have to suffer for the sins of their parents."

"Sins?" I asked suddenly sad that she would consider all that we had done a sin.

She sighed, "I mean the bickering between us and Raoul…never think for a moment that you are a sin in my eyes…"

I smiled down to her and her eyes locked onto mine. It was then that I wanted nothing more than to put my arms around her and love her as she should be loved. As if reading my mind, she began to look around her frantically. She found a chair nearby and left me to drag it over beneath the vent. She then stood on it and my first thought was that she was close enough for me to reach her mouth with my own. I didn't hesitate for a second and brought my mouth down upon hers. I kissed her deeply for a few moments, being rewarded by the sound of her soft moan into my mouth. As I deepened the kiss, slipping my tongue into her mouth, she sighed against my lips and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. I closed my eyes at the hot coiling feeling that began to form within my stomach. I gently pulled away, ignoring the roaring desire that was urging me to continue. "Gabrielle…we must stop or this night will be horrible for us both…"

She sighed sadly. "Yes, you are right, of course…" She looked at me once more, longing consuming her bright blue eyes, before she climbed down and replaced the chair to it's original place. Taking her cue, I slid the cover back into place, concealing myself from view once more. She went over and sat on the edge of the bed, wiping the tracks of her tears with her fingers as she did so. She looked up over at me one more time before the sound of water stopping snapped her back to her senses. Her eyes darted around the room frantically, before looking back at the vent.

"Erik…?" she whispered, half in tears already.

"I'm still here…stay strong…I am here." It was the only thing I could think to say to calm her.

Raoul stalked out of the bathroom then, the smirk on his face faltering as Gabrielle's gaze quickly snapped to meet his, her eyes full of guilt. He followed her gaze but thankfully, saw nothing. He walked towards her slowly. "What were you doing just now?"

She was silent.

"I asked you a question, and you would do well to answer me when I am speaking to you!"

"I was looking out the window…nothing more…" She said, her calculating eyes darting to the floor, feigning guilt. Catching hint of her guilt, he trudged over to the window and looked out, clearly finding nothing.

"So…your lover been here to see you," he spat, his voice reminding me of a serpent's hiss.

"Technically, he is my husband…but no…he has not…" her eyes filled with painful tears, fooling Raoul completely. He turned his back on her to grab another bottle of whiskey from his nearby cupboard and Gabrielle's eyes met mine through the vent and I thought I saw a hint of a smile cross her charming lips.

Raoul returned to her side all to quickly for my comfort. He sat down beside her and ran his hand along the neckline of her dress, brushing across the top of her chest. "So…have you decided to be obedient tonight?" I watched her close her eyes. "Good…" He cooed, taking her silence as consent, pressing her on her back and leaning over her.

"Raoul…I agreed to sleep beside you…not with you…" She said, harshly into his face.

He got up then, and looked at her as if she were the devil. "But…"

"No, you said nothing would be expected of me, because I was a refined woman…or have you forgotten your own words?"

He got off of her and laid down beside her instead. "But…I thought…well…never mind…good night Gabrielle…"

"Goodnight…"

"My name…please say my name…"

She turned away from him and blew out the candle beside her bed, casting the room into darkness. After a few tense moments, Raoul's even breath could be heard through the silence of the room. Even in the pitch darkness, I could feel Gabrielle's gaze upon me.

"Goodnight, my love…my wife…" I whispered softly.

"Goodnight Erik…" she sighed before she too fell into a deep sleep.