Hello, hello! I looked over my reviews for the last chapter, I am so glad that everyone enjoyed a more violent Erik. It was about time for him to loose his anger! Lol Ok not much to say but my brain is slightly dead so let me know if I have to redo the chapter. Sorry it took so long but I created another story, check it out when you can. It also took so long because i was on a trip to the east cost. Anyways Reviews!

Rue Marie- Glad you enjoyed it so much! He needed a mood change from all the fluffiness that I was letting slip through my fingers! There will be more in the future but as always keep me in check. I loved Erik's…fit, it was so like him

ModestySparrow9- Thank you, he was trying to hide the fact that she was with him…but she kind of got in the way. Plus he was in a rather mad mood at the moment.

Butlerfan666- Yes Erik is full of surprises . He didn't mean to push her down so hard, but he needed to give the impression that he didn't care. Plus he kind of underestimated his own strength.

Also there will be a slight change, twisting a bit of Susan's idea of Erik as a magician, so Erik will be showing Meg his talent…or should I say play with her mind a bit?

He walks along the fine line of life

At last the switch was flipped and the caped man arose to face his audience. His black eyes glowed with triumph and slight amusement of overcoming yet another challenge that was thrown at him. Black cape seemed to flicker around Erik like his shadow as he bend down to bow. Opening his mouth Erik let his voice fill the room. "Au revoir Monsieur's!"

His timing was perfect as he let the dust fall to the ground before it burst into a thick red smoke. As it completely covered him the ground dropped out from underneath him. Erik fell downwards into darkness the only light was from above the trap door. Then that light was shut out as the doors closed tightly shut.

He tried to land on his uninjured arm, but if he wished not to break anything he would have to land on both. Erik landed roughly and he crumbled to the ground. Pain seemed to cover his whole body; his back hurt from a large club and many kicks, His leg throbbed from the bullet that still was imbedded in his flesh, and his ribs hurt terribly.

Erik usually was not one to complain about his pains but he hurt! Still on the ground Erik let himself regain his sanity. His mind raced over the things that had just happened, the kiss, the mob hitting Meg…he couldn't remember what happened after that until he found himself on the ground being beaten. Around him lay quiet a few men that had fallen. He had then been brought out and then he escaped.

Erik slowly returned to his feet letting out a grunt of pain as he straitened his back. Meg was still somewhere up there, who knows what she would do. Erik then turned and with a limp in his stride he set off to find Meg.

It took a while before he was able to get up to the floor area of the opera. His progress was slower and he had to take back routes finding himself not able to shimmy up any ropes. Finally he entered through the fifth box and headed towards were he had made his escape.

He limped towards the open area and stopped to listen, it all was very quiet. Had everyone already left? Slowly Erik walked forward and stopped at the top of the staircase. He stopped as his gaze came across one man. The mans back was turned towards Erik, but Erik recognized him right away.

Alexander stood staring at the doors of the opera. Erik narrowed his eyes, he would not rather talk to the man who had caused all of this but he out of all people might know where Meg was. Erik would have preferred to walk forward but the last thing he needed was another battle, plus he hated having the appearance of looking weak. If he was to walk his limp would show so Erik stood were he was and called out angrily. "Where is Meg?"

At the sound of his voice Alexander spun around to meet Erik, his face paled. This man had defeated a mob with his strength and mind. He seemed bewildered that Erik was even standing, the mob had beat him to a pulp. He stuttered and took a step back, his voice came out quickly "She went off looking for you"

Flustered, Erik turned and left Alexander standing there dumbfounded. Where could Meg be? Erik paused and thought, if Meg was looking for him where would he most likely be? If he was not looking for her he would be at home. Shaking his head Erik headed once again to box 5 to return to his home where hopefully Meg was there.

……:…..

In a flash of red smoke he was gone. Stupid power, she thought she had hid that…and his other mask. Clearly had had either found them both or had more in other placed. Why red of all colors? Maybe blue or yellow, or even green, but red? She would nag him later. Now she had to find him and be sure that he was ok, from the first meeting she learned that until his dropping point he was strong and pushed himself too hard.

She ignored Alexander when he called to her, this was his fault any way. She had to find Erik hopefully he would be down there and not do anything incredibly stupid. She ran as fast as she could to her room and opened the trapdoor (She now had mastered the opening it)

Reaching the lake she grimaced at the sight of the boat. They had tore it part after they had finished with it, the fine carvings suggested that Erik had carved it himself. Now how was she supposed to get to Erik? Seeing a large part of the boat floating she pulled it to her. It was now or never.

She jumped into the icy water on top of the large piece of wood. Had it always been that cold? Burr now it freezing. Determined not to let go of the floating piece of wood that was keeping her above water she began to kick with her legs. It was a good thing she was a dancer and had the leg strength and endurance to keep this up. It was cold but she kept going.

It seemed to take her forever but in time she was able to get across the lake. She finally was there. She was able to stager up the steps to his home. Her legs felt like jelly but she kept going. It was terrible every thing was in shambles. Music sheets were torn and thrown everywhere. The large organ was on its side a leg broken off but it could probably fixed with great care. Well now what she came here for. First she called out softly afraid that someone might be there "Erik?…..Erik!……..ERIK!"

Her chest started to rise and fall quickly, Where was he? She had forgotten the wet clothes that stuck to her closely. Then she heard a soft reply, it was like a whisper, but at least it was him "I'm here Meg"

Quickly she ran towards the hallway and looked around the long hallway. Was he really hurt and unable to move? She spun around in the darkened hallway and then stopped and waited for her eyes adjusted to the light. The she saw a huddled figure at the end of the hallway, by the torture chamber's door. The black shape was standing but its back was against the wall.

Meg ran towards the shadow worry biting at her viciously. She stopped at his side and wrapped her arms around his chest clearly forgetting what he had been through. Under her hug she felt him wince and he took in a sharp intake of breath. All most slapping herself she let go and stepped back from him. She quickly spoke "Sorry…."

He shook his head in the darkness, showing her that it was not her fault. Oh how foolish she was! Meg stayed a few feet back holding her arm, it was colder back here in the hallways. Erik seemed to glance her over (Who could really tell in the dark?) his voice spoke slightly surprised "Your soaking wet Meg, did you swim here?….."

He was cut off as Meg piped up "No I floated on a piece of wood……..from your boat" Erik shifted his weight and Meg shut her mouth so he could continue.

"……..go and change" He finished. Meg glared up at him opening her mouth to tell him to not order her around, but he passed by her. She watched as he limped past her towards his room. He wasn't himself, he seemed in a trance. Still concerned, Meg turned to change like Erik had told her it seemed best to do what he told her too.

After Meg had gotten out of her wet torn dress she felt much better. The dress she wore now was a light silk with a deep crimson color. She did not plan on going swimming again any time soon, so she let her golden hair stay free and fall down to her waist.

Looking at her reflection in the full-length mirror Meg saw that she had a black eye from where the man had punched her. It stung a little, but having been a ballerina all her life she was used to minor pain. She had gotten used to taking off her ballet slippers and seeing that her toes had began to bleed from all the practice. She had even been dropped a few times in rehearsals.

She turned away and started to head towards the door, she better see what Erik was up to, he seemed disturbed. Meg worried for him greatly. He always seemed to be walking close to the fine line of death. Like a game of Capture the flag he would cross the line on the deaths side only to leap back before he could be dragged away. It was almost a game he played taunting death and only escaping at the moment when it seemed that he had gone too far. Some times, like tonight, it seemed like he was Immortal.

Walking through the house by the lake, Meg surveyed the damage, she grimaced. They had left a few of the room's alone, but only because they had been locked and the mob had been too drunk to break down the doors. Her room had survived and of course the one she wished they had destroyed was still there. Erik's stupid torture chamber had come out of it unharmed. She didn't remain long in the room and quickly was out. How many people had he killed using it? She chose not to ask. She needed to find Erik now "Erik are you out here?"

Her reply was silence, she spun around quickly what was he off to know? Picking up the pace Meg moved towards Erik's door she placed an ear against it, there was the sound of scuffling feet. Meg bit her lower lip split on leaving him alone and knocking. Standing up a bit more she raised her hand and knocked on the door.

She only heard silence, she knew that he was in there. Why was he insisting on hiding? Slightly angered she pounded harder she pressed her face close to the door and shouted "Erik get out here! I have no idea why you are hiding but open the door…….please?"

Her voice became a bit pleading as she asked him to open the door. She would kick down his door if she had to, at the thought she studied the door thoughtfully. Maybe she couldn't break down the door….Then she heard a soft murmur it was quiet but at least she got something out of him "For now Meg leave me be, I have taken care myself before and I can do I again"

Meg never got another word out of him, she pounded on the door again but all she heard was her own fists hitting wood. He was insistent on taking care of himself, as he had for so long. With a sigh Meg gave up and left the door, she would come back later and try again…maybe he needed a few moments.

……:…..

He had gotten home, he slipped through the torture chamber and into the black hallway. He leaned against the wall, he was finally safe and away from all eyes. It was Meg's frantic call that reminded him that he was not alone. He straitened himself up…well at least the best he could and replied.

Why was he making sure that he was presentable to Meg? Habit more than anything, if you appeared weak than you were prey; a target. No, Meg was no predator, he didn't like the fact that he was so weak and Meg was there to see him like this. Also he could admit that he could not stand to feel like he couldn't watch over her.

He watched as Meg ran down towards him, expecting what was coming he tensed before she wrapped her hands around him. He winced as pain cut through his ribs were many bruises were. She quickly retreated and admitted an apology. Erik nodded absently, they both were alright Meg didn't seem hurt at all. He noticed though that she was soaking wet. He took in a large breath and spoke softly "Your soaking wet Meg, did you swim here?….."

He had not stated it as a question but more of a fact. How else could she gotten here? She cut him off as he tried to go on claiming that she had swam. Erik waited loosing his impatient, for once he was tired and his whole body hurt terribly, he needed to remove the bullet out of his leg which was going to be painful. He continued on telling her to go and change.

Not wanting to hear a sharp remark he made his way to his room, he didn't notice that he was in such a dazed mood. He was more in a deep thought than anything, he made his way to his room and closed the door behind him. Automatically the door locked itself with a quiet click.

Once inside Erik let his shoulders hunch over, he walks over to his desk and sits down. He lays back in the chair and sighs to himself. He takes a few moments to gather his thoughts before again standing. He changed into clean clothing wearing only a white button down shirt and black pants. On pant leg was rolled up as he examined the place where the bullet entered, to his luck the bullet had avoided the bone and the major artery and he could see the end of it.

He got up and walked towards his drawers limping the whole way. He pushed aside some other stuff that was in there; his other masks, keys to his house and the opera rooms, his ring to Christine, a couple of small bottles with his own concoctions inside. He passed over those items and picked up a crude piece of mettle that looked like tweezers. He usually used it for when he handled something that could not touch his hands, but it would do for removing the piece of mettle that was in his leg.

When a timid knock came into the room Erik froze, maybe if he acted like he wasn't here she would leave him be. She shouted through the door a couple of times and banged even harder. Erik finally replied to her "For now Meg leave me be, I have taken care myself before and I can do I again"

Her voice did not stop calling through the door, Erik ignored her and again sat in the chair by the desk. He placed the tweezers over a open flame on a candle, After a moment Erik pulled it away and taking a deep breath he managed to put the hot mettle into the wound and pull out the bullet. His rather quiet cry of pain was lost in Meg's pounding on the door.

Breathing heavily Erik dropped the mettle grippers and laid back, his back shivered for a moment from the trauma his body was going through. Once again he sits back up to continue to wrap his wound up in the gauze. Once he was done he tended to other wounds that where along his body, it was mostly bruises though and maybe a cracked rib that hurt terribly.

Meg finally had left Erik be. He shook his head and sat in the lounge chair for a long time lost in his own thoughts. Meg had come my once or twice but he had not replied, he wasn't ready to face her. He feared for what she know thought of him….he somewhat knew what happened in the room when the men hit Meg. He had showed a more monstrous side of himself. He couldn't deny that he saw fear flicker in her eyes when she had gazed up at him. What did she think now? He fell deeper into the chair as thoughts rambled on in his head.

…...:……

It didn't matter how hard she knocked or what she said, she could not get him to come out. He wouldn't even reply to her. Meg was fed up with him being so stubborn, it now had been three days with nothing to go off of. She was growing restless, had he gotten himself sick again?

Meg shook her head again. He could take care of himself but still she worried. She had turned the house inside out looking for another way to get into Erik's room but found nothing. Now she was moving inside the large room with the lake.

Her eyes fell onto the fallen organ, Erik had never played it why she was around. He seemed to not want to do anything with music anymore. He had sung to her once in the chapel but that had been all. His voice had been amazing, why had he stopped? Then she remembered Christine, it was most likely she who had ripped music from his life.

She looked onto the top of the broken organ, halfway off the side was a small bag. Curiosity again took the better part of her and she snatched up the bag and opened it. Not being able to see well enough into the bag she turned it upside down and to her surprise two keys fell out.

Meg studied the keys for a moment before running off towards Erik's room. Hopefully she could open the door with this and finally get to Erik. She slipped the key into the door knob and to her surprise it turned. It was sitting here this whole time on the organ too! Once the door was unlocked she called out letting him know that she was entering. "You better not be in any embarrassing situation because I'm coming in." Before anyone could lock the door again she swung it open.

A single candle was lit in the room but to Meg's surprise no one was there. Curse Erik and his trap doors! Meg stepped into the room glancing around, she then saw the dresser in the corner, once again glancing around she turned and walked to the dresser and pulled it open curiosity getting the best of her again.

She glanced at the items inside she studied each item for a moment before her eyes came level with a assortment of masks. A black velvet one that covered the whole face, two white ones that covered half, a white skull looking one that must have been for the red-death, and the one for the recent masquerade. She let a triumphant smile cross her face and took all the masks into her arms and dashed from the room.

-Sorry small chapter…..I don't know if I liked this one very much, if you have any questions let me know or comments. So yah….Review please!-