A/N: Wow, its been a long time since I've last updated. Sorry about that, but what can I say, I only got one review on the last chapter and didn't feel like there was a hurry for this one. Also I read the HalfBlood Prince,saw the best waves at the beach the week-plusI was there, spenttwo weeks atBand Camp, andI had a bit of a writers block. So here is the next chapter, I must admit its not my best, but recovering from writers block, itsso muchbetter than the chapter I origionally was going to post. I also had to make sure the new character in this chapter worked okay, since 'it' will become more important later.
And if you want to see chapters up quicker, review, review, review!
Disclamer: Sadly I dont own Erik, or any Phantom stuff (well i do own the soundtrack and the movie!) but I don't own the rights to it...
Erik brought Aslynn into the room overlooking the lake. A think mist hung over the glassy lake, giving the room an eerie feel. The room glowed from the light of one hundred candles. He had the young woman sit on the couch and then disappeared down the hall.
Moments later the Phantom reappeared caring a fancy silver tray. Upon the platter was a teapot and two cups. Holding the platter with one arm he pulled the coffee table closer to the couch. After readjusting the dish he set it down on the marble topped table. With out any noise, he calmly picked up the teapot and poured a reddish, steamy liquid into the cups.
Carefully he handed one of the cups made out of fine china to Aslynn. She took it with caution, and sniffed the brew.
"Ginger? I'm not sick or hurt." She remarked, taking a sip.
"It will help calm you. There's more than ginger in it. I've learned a lot about healing herbs while in Persia." Erik replied, picking up the remaining cup and taking a drink.
Aslynn merely nodded. I don't think I want to know what else is in here.
Dazing off, the woman started to recall her 'dream'. Watching Aslynn, Erik sat down in an armchair. He watched her like a hawk. After taking a big swig of the tea, finishing it off, he set it down on the table, never taking his eyes off the woman.
Coming out of her thought a question popped into her head.
"So, I guess I'm staying in Paris. But what do I do? Do I get a job? I can't stay down here forever. I can't live with you forever. I feel like such a burden already, what has it been, two weeks?" Aslynn asked rambling off.
Erik stopped her as he said in a deep voice, " You can stay here if you want. It's not like any one else uses that room your staying in."
Aslynn looked over to the Phantom. Her eyes locked with his green ones. Her un-brushed hair fell into her face, which she brushed behind her ears.
"Really?" She asked, her fingers playing with the empty cup on her lap.
He nodded, not breaking away from her warm eyes. His face remained stone still.
"I don't want to sit around all day though. Maybe I can at least get a job, and pay you something." She set the cup back on the tray before she broke it.
"If you insist."
A period of silence passed until Aslynn decided to wash up. After letting Erik know, she got up and softly walked down to her room. Shutting the door behind her Aslynn walked over to the fireplace a picked up the one lit candle. She used it to light the rest of the room, then the candles in the bathroom
Back in the bedroom she pulled up the sheets of the canopy bed. After tucking the last blanket in she went back to the bathroom and started to run a bath.
There must have been caffeine in the tea Erik served, and Aslynn could feel it settle in. I haven't had coffee or soda in a while, so I guess my body is reacting more than usual to it.
She bathed and sat on the hearth of the fireplace in her corset and underwear to dry her hair. While running a brush threw her wet hair she thought about Erik.
He has loosened up to me a good bit. The most surprising was when he put his hand on my back to comfort me. Then bringing the tea out for me. But yet, he still doesn't trust me it seems. I recall that he was yelling at me when I entered his room. Well, maybe in time.
What was that feeling I felt when he comforted me? Whatever it is, I haven't felt it in a long time, the warmth of a man, the pulse of his heart. Was that it, or was there more to it? Why did I go into his room after all? Did I want to be in his presence? I guess so, well, he is the only person I really know here, my only friend. And his scent, damn, that alone could put me in a trance.
When her hair was dry she pulled on the red dress she bought, since she had been rotating between that one and the blue one. She picked up her thick cloak, unknowing how cold it was going to be. Running her fingers threw her hair she used her other hand to dim the lamps. After looking around the room she left, following he sound of Erik playing the organ.
The sweet melody filled the dark hall she walked down. When she entered Erik glanced back, still playing away. The song ended and he got up from the bench.
"You look nice," he said in a voice above a whisper as he walked towards her.
"Thank you. Is it a better time to go out now?"
"By the time we get up to the streets, if we leave now, would be around nine in the morning. Ready to leave?" He asked gesturing towards the boat resting on the misty lake.
Putting her cloak on she nodded and followed Erik to the dock. After seeing Aslynn into the boat Erik to got in and pushed off. The boat ride seemed longer than usual, but that probably was because the young woman's mind was racing with thoughts of her dream.
Erik noticed how tensely the woman before him sat. That must have been some hell of a dream she had. When the boat softly collided with the dock the asked man helped Aslynn out and lead her the rest of the way out.
Aslynn was to disturbed by her thoughts to try and converse with her leader. That was until they reached the door to the street and Erik broke the silence.
"I would like you back at four again, just to be safe. I wouldn't think it wise for you to walk the streets near dusk." He said to the woman. Pulling out some money he added, "For any food you may need. I know it's less than last time, but you shouldn't need new clothes."
"Thanks," she said accepting the money. "So, er, I guess you aren't coming with me?"
"No. I have things I need to do." He opened the door and in flooded a warm yellow light.
Aslynn walked out, Erik following, closing the door behind him.
"So I guess I'll be seeing you later then?" she quietly asked, looking down the street.
The phantom nodded and turned to head down a dark alley. Aslynn watched him leave her with slight doubt about going by herself. Biting her lip she headed down the street, the opposite way than what she went last time.
The street was scattered with a dozen people, some looking into windows, and others chatting with each other. It was warmer than the last time she walk the streets of Paris. Spring was definitely around the corner. A crisp air filled her lungs as she wandered, the sun warming her back.
Erik watched her walk away from the alley. Again he was having doubts about her leaving, if she would come back. He softly cursed himself before turning and going further down the dark alley.
As she walked, she smelt the sweet aroma of fresh, baking bread. Following the scent she found a bakery around the corner, fresh loafs filling the window. The door was open, letting out a warm breeze. The young woman couldn't resist going it.
Inside the bakery was lined with cakes and pastries. An elderly woman was pulling a loaf of bread out of an oven. Seeing Aslynn enter she whipped her hands on her flour covered apron and greeted the customer.
"What can I help you with my dear?" The white haired woman asked in a warm voice. Aslynn couldn't tell if her white hair was due to flour or just age.
"I don't know actually. I smelt bread and followed my nose to your bakery. It smells wonderful," she replied looking around at the bake goods.
"Thank you. Everything was baked this morning."
"Well, I think I'll take two of these things," Aslynn finally said pointing to a pastry. "And that bread you just pulled out."
The baker nodded and bagged up the bread. "Anything else dear?"
"No, well actually where does this road lead to?" She asked as she got out money and paid.
"Well, if you keep going it turns into a residential district. There are some very large, nice houses up there a bit. Not as many on this road, but take some of the side streets and you'll see some monsters. One of my best customers lives up there."
Laughing, the young woman replied, "Well, that might be worth looking at."
After thanking the white haired woman Aslynn left the warm bakery. Humming softly she walked down the street, passing people and shops along the way. The fresh air defiantly was doing her good.
Finally she started to walk past houses. The houses grew larger as she kept walking and she turned right on a side street with out any thought. She knew that she had never set foot here before, but she somewhat knew where to go.
The street started to slope upwards and she walked on. Up a bit on her left was a large house set up on a hill off of the road. The front was covered with a colorful stone and there was chimney on each side. There were three visible floors, and two side buildings that attached to the chimneys.
As Aslynn got closer she saw a horse and buggy up by the door, near the end of the driveway. Stopping dead in her tracks she looked at the buggy again. With her eyes wide in shock, she recognized as the same one that flashed in her dream. She saw this house when Heather slid the ring onto Aslynn's finger.
Blinking, she walked up the drive, shock clouding what she was doing. When she reached the door she knocked twice.
Aslynn was brought back to the world around her when the door opened and a woman stuck her head out.
"May I help you?" The woman asked, her white hair shining in the sun. She was wearing an apron and Aslynn could see a wooden bucket behind her.
"Umm, well, I… er…," Aslynn stuttered, unsure of why she was here.
"You're here about the ring then? Many young ladies such as yourself have come." The woman said opening the door more.
"Er… I guess." Aslynn ran her finger threw her hair nervously.
"Come in then. My master will be with you shortly." The woman opened the door all the way, letting the guest into the front hall. "If you'll excuse me, I'll inform him that you're here, then return to my chores."
"Oh, don't let me keep you." She replied, nervously looking around the room. On the walls was fancy blue wallpaper, which looked soft like fabric. She was standing on a gray marble floor with heavy Victorian furniture clustered in corners. Looking to the walls again, she walked toward the closest one. Stretching her hand out she ran her fingers over the wall. It defiantly was fabric. Aslynn recalled from history class (one of the few times she paid attention) that only wealthy people could afford to decorate their walls with fabric.
A rough voice startled the young woman and she quickly pulled her hand away from the wall.
"The master of the house will see you now." A thin, balding man said. He was apparently the butler.
Aslynn nodded and followed the man to a sitting room. The walls in this room were also covered in a fabric, but it was red. Paintings covered the walls and candles partly lit the room. A warmer light came in through the back two windows. Cherry furniture decorated the room. The woman's eyes soon came to a dark brown leather armchair with an elderly man seated.
The man's hair was white and cut short, and he wore a monocycle on his left eye. His eyes were gray like storm clouds. Over his silk suit was a heavy, brown tapestry robe, and a roaring fire in the fireplace beside him made his wrinkly skin glow.
"Bonjour mademoiselle, please sit," he said in a raspy voice, gesturing to a chair facing him and the fire. The butler whispered something in his ear and the man nodded. Once the butler left the man continued.
"I hear you're here about a ring. Is that right? He asked in calm voice.
"Umm, yes monsieur." She quietly replied, her hands folded on the tops of her knees.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name?" The man asked, peering through his monocycle.
"I'm Aslynn O'Neil."
"Scottish name, Mademoiselle O'Neil, am I right?" Aslynn nodded. "Ah, I am Donatien Garnier."
"It's a pleasure monsieur." She said, her blue eyes darting around the room.
"Well, enough chat, you're here for business," M. Garnier started, but was interrupted by Aslynn.
"Excuse Monsieur Garnier, but how do you know I'm here for a ring, at your house for a lost ring?"
He smiled, "So you didn't see the posters then? The ones saying that I found a ring?" Aslynn shook her head. "Ah, well then. I put posters up after I found it, hoping to be able to return it to the rightful owner. Many women have come, claming that the ring is theirs. Would you care to describe the ring you lost?"
Nodding, Aslynn said, "It's white gold plated over eighteen kart gold. There is a diamond in the middle and two sapphires on either side, with swirls coming out of the sapphires. Engraved inside it says, 'with love to A.M.O. from C.P.M'." Her voice weakened as she said the last bit, her thoughts drifted off to her dead fiancé.
Monsieur Garnier watched the young woman as she described the ring perfectly. At the end, her voice became shaky and she dropped her gaze.
"Could you then tell me how you lost this ring?"
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she went on, " Well, I think I can. I didn't realize it was gone until later, but I think I lost it in a struggle." At this the old man straightened in his chair. "This old man was being robbed, and I tried to stop it. The two who robbed him then attacked me and dragged me off…" she faded off as she recalled how she came to Erik's.
"The rest isn't important," She added quickly.
The man stroked his white beard. This woman's description is perfect for the ring, as well as how she lost it. What happed after the men bragged her off is what I would like to know.
"I have found your description of the ring the best so far, as well with how you lost it." He told the woman, whose eyes were staring at a stain on the rug.
At this the woman looked up, and he went on, "I think it belongs to you, here," he broke off to open a wooded box that was on the table next to him. He handed the box to Aslynn. "Is this the ring you lost?"
Gazing at the ring Aslynn's heart skipped a beat. She thought she would never be able to see the ring again. Now, with her last connection to Chris, she felt a lump in her throat grow.
"Yes," she managed to get out, her finger sliding over the ring. "May I ask how you found it?"
"I was the man being robbed, the one you tried to help. After the two men dragged you off I found this ring in the street. Over the next few days I put up posters, and got many callers, all claiming it was theirs. But finally, several weeks later, I find myself facing the brave, beautiful young woman who stood up for a wrinkled man of my age." At the complement Aslynn blushed.
"May I ask, Mademoiselle O'Neil, what does the engraving stand for?"
The woman looked into the roaring fire. Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes. Opening them again she said, "It means to Aslynn Maria O'Neil from Christopher Patrick Morgan."
"This ring means a lot to you then?" She meekly nodded. "Who is Christopher?"
"My late fiancé." Was all that Aslynn was able to choke out, her gaze still on the ring.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. So this was your engagement ring?" Again the woman nodded. "I just lost my wife three years ago, so I know how it feels."
There was a long silence that grew. Monsieur Garnier watched the woman closely, his thoughts going back to where she had been the past few weeks, where the men took her. Finally, he couldn't take it any longer, so he asked her, "Where did the men take you?"
At this Aslynn looked up, her blue eyes grew wide. She wasn't expecting that question, and didn't know what to say. The last thing she would do is to give Erik away. She had to think of something quick.
"They dragged me off to this man who they said would punish me, since they didn't want to bother. They gave me to the man and said that he had a week, and if in a week I wasn't dead or back on the streets, where they would take me again, I was his. The man was very angry for them disturbing him, so he had them leave right away, leaving me with him." Aslynn paused, thinking of what to say next.
Seeing Monsieur Garnier's expression she quickly went on. " He didn't hurt me thought, he was very kind actually. He gave me a room in his house to sleep in, and food. After the week was up he let me stay, to keep me safe. I'm still staying with him now. He's done so much for me, even lent me money."
The wrinkled man watched as Aslynn finished her story. He couldn't tell what she felt for this man, her expressions kept changing.
"So this man you've been staying with, do you trust him? I mean from what it sounds, your kidnappers thought he would finish you off."
Aslynn smiled, "Yes, I thought he would finish me off too. I enjoy being with him, even though he has a very quick temper, and when angered, he's scary. He's a broken man, been broken many times. There are times when it seems like Erik doesn't want company, but then he asked me to stay. He seems to keep away from the rest of the world, but I guess with his musical talent, he feels its best that way."
"So is he good for you?" Monsieur Garnier asked, noticing how the young woman talked about the man she was living with.
With a questioning look, Aslynn replied, "What do you mean by that?"
"Do you care for him?"
Aslynn shrugged her shoulders, "I guess, I mean he's my only friend here."
"What does he think of you?"
"To be honest, sir, I don't know. He does a good job hiding his emotions. But…"
"Yes?" Garnier asked, eyeing the woman with curiosity. Even if she could tell, or didn't want to admit it, he could tell that she had feelings for this man.
"I don't know. There are times when his eyes are soft, and not full of the usual darkness. And when I'm around him, when he's not angry, I cant explain it."
The old man nodded, and leaned back in his chair. As the grandfather clock chimed noon, he ask, "Would you care to stay for lunch?"
"Sure, that would be great." Aslynn replied hearing her stomach grumble.
Garnier picked up a silver bell that was on the same table that the ring was and rang it. Soon after the butler came into the room, asking, "What may I help you with Monsieur?"
"Charles, can you please set and extra spot for lunch, mademoiselle O'Neil will be dinning with us."
The butler nodded, and left with a bow. Garnier returned his attention to Aslynn.
"After you mademoiselle." He said, slowly getting to his feet. He picked up an ivory cane that was next to the chair to lean on.
Aslynn also got up, and as she did she asked, "Which door?"
The man pointed to the far left door and followed Aslynn into a grand dinning room. A long wooden table was set for two at one end. Garnier sat down at the head, and the butler Charles pulled out the seat on his right for Aslynn.
As food started to come in, Garnier turned to Aslynn. "My wife would have like you a lot. You remind me of my daughter, who was about the same age as you when she died."
"I'm sorry that I never got the chance to met you wife."
"Ah, well. I know you said that you are living with Erik, yes I think that what you said his name was, but if you ever need a place to stay, my house is always open."
"Thank you Monsieur, I will keep that offer in mind. But, um, what I'm really looking for is a job."
"I might be able to arrange that, if you wouldn't mind working with accounting. In my age I find it hard to keep track of everything." Aslynn nodded, with a questioning look on her face. "I'm surprised you haven't asked what I used to do, how I can live in such a nice house."
"I did wonder that," She meekly replied.
"Well, I am the owner of a trading company, that trades with countries all over the world. I started out as a sailor, who luckily came to own my own ship. From there I went to a whole fleet of three large ships, and then started my own company. Now, I am just the owner of the company, I find it hard to travel in my age. But back when I was young I made a fortune."
"Wow, that amazing." Aslynn said. "So what will I be doing?"
"Mostly keeping track of bills and stuff, the company is still doing pretty good."
"That I can handle, thank you so much. When do you want me to start?"
Peering through his monocycle he replied, "In two days, if that works."
Aslynn spent the rest of the day talking with Monsieur Garnier. When she looked up at the clock and saw that it was 3:45, she started to freak out. Erik told her to be back by 4:00, and it took her more than fifteen minuets to walk here.
"Don't worry, I can have my driver give you a ride to his house. You should make it in time." He calmly told Aslynn.
"Thank you so much. For everything, the job and my ring." Aslynn said as she put her cloak on.
"It's nothing. It was nice to have company again. Please, I would like to have you and Erik over for dinner sometime, I would like to meet him."
"I'll ask him, I don't know what he would say." She hurriedly replied, heading out the door to the buggy. "Thanks again."
She had the driver drop her off at the front of the opera house. She thanked him and hurried to the place where she was to meet Erik.
She arrived just as the clock struck four, and she found Erik waiting in the shadows. He came out of the shadows when he saw her, and quietly led her to the back door of the opera house.
A/N: Please review and let me know what you think. Reconize the name of the old man? haha you should... hinthint (And dont think I can't tell all of thoes who read and don't review...)