Gabrielle forced herself up out of bed to ready herself for the day, wincing as she moved. She could not begrudge Erik the previous night, unwise it had been. With no regrets she sunk into the tub, filled with hot water. As she washed she wondered where Erik had gone and if she'd ever see him again.

Three weeks passed before Gabrielle's eyes, the police no longer came to her home looking for Raoul as they had found the "Phantom's" body in the lake under the opera. She had marveled at the gullibility of people to believe that he'd given up so easily. Erik truly was a genius, now he could live out his life without being hunted as a wanted man.

Ripped from her thoughts by Henri entering the room with Nadir trailing behind she dismissed her butler and offered the Persian a seat.

"I'm sure you are wondering why I am here your Ladyship" Nadir said as he withdrew a letter from his jacket.

Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Erik's handwriting on the envelope. She accepted it hoping the gentleman didn't notice her shaking hand.

"Erik would not tell me what occurred after the night of the fire" he leveled a discerning eye to her "Though I think I can imagine. I know not where Erik's disappeared to. I am not privy to his plans of late"

Gabrielle passed a nervous hand over her face "I don't know where he is either. He came here for two nights, three days after the fire. He was gone when I awoke the next morning."

Another level look from Nadir had her blushing, she would not explain herself or defend her actions.

"I was instructed to deliver that letter to you, my errand complete I will take my leave of you. Thank you Lady De Chagny, you have been a good friend to him" he bowed to her before departing.

Gabrielle set the letter on her desk, she would deal with it later. Finally as the last servant went to bed she went to her study and pulled Erik's letter out of the envelope and read it.

My dearest Gabrielle,

I apologize for my abrupt departure, it was for your safety I fear. Those fools won't find the body floating in the lake for some time and I want no hint of my presence to disturb your life. I fear your life has been disturbed enough because of my miserable self.

You have given me the greatest gift my Gabrielle, I shall forever cherish you in my miserable, undeserving heart. But I am not fit to be amongst people. I couldn't live with myself if any harm were to befall you on my account and I fear that anyone within my path would suffer.

For too long I've allowed my inner demons to rule me, I once promised Nadir I would kill no more, I fear I have failed to uphold that promise in recent months. I have no one to blame but myself. Until I am able to control my darkest urges and temper I must remain where I am.

I must also rid myself of this love for Christine before I am worthy enough to seek your affection again. I wish it were not so but I have loved her for so long you see. And it is not a healthy love, I see that now; you have shown me what true love is and I am ashamed of myself for twisting such a pure emotion.

My greatest hope is that someday I may be worthy of your love, which you have given me so freely and I abused. I apologize for using you so shamelessly that night Gabrielle, you of all people deserve more than that though I can not regret the sweet outcome. You gave me my first true kiss and the only love I've ever known in my life, for that I shall be forever in your debt. You are an incredible woman, my Gabrielle. I hope to one day come to be in your good graces again.

Your humble servant,

Erik

Gabrielle swiped the tears away from her eyes as she sat back in her chair for a moment before tossing the letter into the fire. Once she was sure all the evidence was destroyed she too retired to her bed.

To her surprise Raoul entered her dining room as she was sitting down to lunch the next day, he plopped a kiss onto her forehead before sitting down.

"This is a pleasant surprise Raoul, where is Christine?"

"I left her with the Giry's in London. I came here to speak to you" he sipped the wine Henri placed before him with his plate "Gabrielle I'd like you to come back to London with me. I…I need your assistance"

"Of course Raoul! What's wrong?"

He took a deep breath before saying "Christine and I were married two weeks ago" he paused when he saw her face fall, hurt that they had not told her. He grasped her hands in his pleading with his eyes "Please don't Gabrielle, I had to marry her…I 'had' to" he exclaimed, not meeting her eyes.

Understanding dawned on her and she could only saw "Oh" she squeezed his hands offering him her support, she could hardly admonish him after what she'd done…fortunately there would no serious consequences as she'd found out the previous week.

"I…I didn't want…she insisted" he explained "Philippe has already taken an inch of skin, I spent the better part of an hour having him berating me for my foolishness so please don't"

"I'll set my maid to packing my things, I shall be ready in a day or so" she patted his shoulder "It will be alright Raoul. A baby!" she exclaimed trying to find something good "Raoul you're going to be a papa!"

Her heart ached for him when he could only muster a halfhearted smile. They finished their meal in silence, neither knowing what else to say.

And so Gabrielle departed for London, little did she know she would not return home for nearly 6 months.

Erik wiped the sweat from his brow, the Italian sun had finally start to set. After he left Gabrielle's home he decided he needed to be away from Paris, a city that held more painful memories than good. He chose Rome, he had once been happy here as a boy living with Giovanni. He hoped that the city would work it's magic on him once more.

He had returned to his trade of architecture, it had been far too long since he'd plied that particular trade. Though he was far from being destitute he needed something to keep him busy and since he was no longer receiving his salary…it seemed the best idea all over. He often would come to his work site after his men had departed for the day and continue the work, physical labor had always helped him clear his head.

Gabrielle was never far from his mind, the memories of his last night with her sustained him through even the darkest days. He had never thought to enjoy a woman in that way, he had been certain he would die after Christine had left him, that his wretched heart would give out for good.

It turns out his survival instinct was much stronger then his will to die…he had stumbled through the underground caverns undetected for days after the fire, though his home had been breached it was no longer safe. He dare not go to Nadir's home, he feared he would finally kill the meddlesome Daroga for leading Raoul to his home.

The only other place he could think to run to was Gabrielle's. He closed his eyes as he heard her soft gasps as his hands caressed her body, feeling her respond to him. With a gasp he forced himself to focus on the task at hand. He missed Gabrielle with an intensity that surprised him, he was also surprised at how little Christine occupied his mind. Perhaps it hadn't been love, but merely obsession. Since finding true, honest affection his feelings for Christine seemed to have waned.

Her betrayal however, ripping his mask from his face before the audience of the theatre was one he would not recover from quickly. Her lies as she continued to return to his home while seeing the Vicomte at the same time. Returning to the task before him he refused to give in to his rage, instead working his anger out on the stones beneath him. He hoped to return to Gabrielle, if she would have him...if not...he cared not to think of that.

Six months went by, Gabrielle was happy to be home. She'd enjoyed London society immensely, more so than Christine who was having a hard time fitting in amongst the haute ton. Henri and the footman struggled with the last trunk of clothes, she feared she may have gone a bit overboard but Raoul had insisted she take Christine to get some proper clothing and had paid for her own wardrobe. Her brother and sister in law were not happy, not eager for the impending arrival of their child. Too often she heard them arguing in their rooms at night…often with Erik's name being brought into it. Christine had withdrawn from Gabrielle and Raoul more and more as her pregnancy progressed. Gabrielle had been able to take no more and had told her brother she was returning home.

After helping her maid set the room to rights and changing into a day dress from her traveling clothes Gabrielle was shocked to see the sun setting, she took a tray in her room.

It felt wonderful to be home, though she loved her brother…there was little for her to do to help him with his wife. She hoped they would work it out for her brother didn't deserve a wife who did not love him. As she settled into bed for the night she thought about Erik as she often did. She missed him and hoped he was well.

News of the scandalous marriage between the French Vicomte and young opera singer made it's way to Rome…to Erik. As he perused the paper he saw that the De Chagny's were enjoying London society along with the youngest De Chagny who had made quite a splash. His Gabrielle deserved her moment in the spotlight, she deserved the lavish parties and handsome beaus. He could not help the pang as he thought of her with another man.

As he looked at the magnificent library he'd built he realized something he'd been trying to deny for months. He loved Gabrielle and he missed her desperately. As he'd toiled over the designs to his latest piece he couldn't push her face from his mind…he could no longer deny what his heart was screaming at him. He needed Gabrielle as much as he needed air.

With that in mind he began to ready himself for his trip back to France. If she would not have him, he would return to Italy to continue what he'd started and do his best to rip her from him by the roots so he could move on.

And so their paths were to be crossed once more.

Gabrielle was preparing herself for an afternoon ride, it had been far too long since she'd indulged herself. She smoothed the skirt of her riding habit and adjusted her hat before stuffing her feet into her boots. After she grabbed her riding crop she turned around to see Erik…real as day standing in her sitting room, watching her warily.

Her breath was stolen from her lungs as she stared at him for a moment, looking as handsome as ever. It was as if the last six months hadn't happened. Her heart flip flopped when he moved towards her slowly, waiting to see her reaction.

She had no words, her brain couldn't think of a single thing to say to him. All she wanted to do was feel his arms around her, smell his cologne. After a painful moment she could not stop herself she hurried into his arms, feeling his sharp exhale as he wrapped his arms around her.

Finally Erik was at peace…finally he felt as if he belonged somewhere. When she tipped her head up he obeyed her silent demand as he bent his head down to kiss her. His fingers tangled in her hair to pull her closer. After forever and not long enough they pulled apart, letting her head fall to his chest, listening to his heart thunder in his chest.

When she was sure he wasn't going to disappear into air she pulled him to the love seat in her sitting room. They needed to talk before they went any farther.

"You look well" she finally said, unsure of how to continue.

"As do you" he responded "I'm sorry for just appearing here, it seems old habits die hard"

With a chuckle Gabrielle said "I would've expected nothing less" her eyes drifted to her lap as she said "Where did you go?"

"Italy, Rome more specifically" his hand reached out to capture hers "I'd been there as a boy, I ended up there after I escaped the gypsies. I figured I had begun to heal there as a child, perhaps I could do the same as a man"

"And did it?"

He knew what she was asking, her eyes not quite meeting his own. "Marginally" he answered after a moment of reflection, her eyes finally met his "I'm never going to be a normal man Gabrielle. I have far too much blood on my hands and have seen and done too many horrible things" he squeezed her hand gently "But I discovered that this miserable heart of mine beats only for one person" he could see her hold her breath "You Gabrielle. You deserve far better than poor Erik but I find I'm not strong enough to let you go"

"Erik I've never wanted any other. I know you've done horrible things, I've seen some of them." She traced his jawline with a gentle finger "But I also know that while you've done awful things to others that far worse things have been done to you." His face flushed with shame as he bowed his head, he hoped she would never know of those things. She tipped his face up to hers "I think I've been a little bit in love with you since that day I heard you singing at that fair Erik. All the things I've done have been because of you"

Erik didn't follow her logic, he frowned as he puzzled over that.

"All the work I've done for the homeless people of Paris; the money and time I've donated…it's all been because of you Erik. I saw you huddled in that cage treated as no more than an animal" she grabbed his arm and held him still when he attempted to surge to his feet, unwilling to rehash his past humiliations.

"Erik, listen" she pleaded "I knew then that our society treats people of lesser means as less than human. Every penny I donated, every stitch of cloth and moment I gave to them I hoped someone somewhere was doing the same for you."

His Gabrielle, his sweet and kind Gabrielle had once again reduced him to tears. Her words mended his broken heart better than anything he'd known.

She took his face in her hands and pressed a soft kiss to his lips "I love you Erik. I know there's darkness in you, but there's also good. I know it" her thumbs wiped away his tears "I know you can be a good man, I've seen it. But you have to embrace the good and not allow yourself to succumb to the evil. I'll help you"

Erik buried his face in her neck, allowed her to stroke his back and run her fingers through his hair. He hoped he was strong enough to do all that for her. After what seemed an eternity Erik pulled back from her embrace.

"I interrupted your plans" he pressed a silencing finger to her lips "I promised to pay Nadir a visit, he is giving me a bed until I can procure rooms of my own" he kissed her forehead "May I call on you tomorrow?"

Impulsively she said "You may return tonight" then blushed at her forwardness.

With a rich laugh Erik pulled her to him to hug her "Oh my Gabrielle, you certainly are a balm to my battered ego" he dropped a kiss to her lips before turning serious "I do want to make love to you again sweet Gabrielle" he whispered, his voice husky with passion "But we must not be hasty, I wish to court you properly."

She hid her face in his chest, embarrassed that she even suggested such a liaison. "You are of course right Erik. I'm sorry"

"Never apologize for that my dear. Just know that I too want it as badly as you" he kissed her one last time before taking his leave of her.

A brisk ride was just what she needed! With cheeks flaming she went to the stable to do just that.

Gabrielle struggled to focus on her ride, her thoughts straying to her mysterious phantom. Before she knew it she was pulling her horse back into the stable, allowing one of the stable boys to take the Mare for her cool down.

Her heart had nearly burst when she saw him in her dressing room, looking much different then the broken man who had sought refuge with her those many months ago. The impenetrable sadness and tightly leashed anger were gone. Italy had worked wonders on him, though Gabrielle wasn't so naïve to think that the years of torment and pain had been washed away by one night in her bed...the very thought of which made her cheeks turn red. She could only hope that he had found an outlet for his anger, time would tell she supposed.

The rest of her day and night passed by unbearably slow, finally she turned in for the night only to have a restless night, unable to sleep.

All the clocks in her house had stopped working, she was sure of it! Time couldn't possibly move any slower!

She'd taken great care when she dressed for the day, choosing a day dress of light blue and had left her hair unbound. It seemed as though a hundred lifetimes had passed before she heard the telltale pounding of hooves on the stone driveway, indicating she had a guest. She had warned Henri that Erik would be calling on her and to show no reaction to the mask and to keep everything very discrete.

Resisting the urge to run out to meet him Gabrielle waited rather impatiently for Erik to be announced. Her brilliant smile lit the room as Erik hesitantly stepped inside, clearly uncomfortable at being so exposed to her staff. Gabrielle dismissed Henri with instructions that she wasn't to be disturbed and offered Erik a seat on the sofa next to her.

As he took his seat she could see the tension in his shoulders, it pained her to see him so stressed. "My staff are trustworthy Erik, they won't say a word to anyone" she reassured him.

He gave her a pained smile "Old habits die hard it seems" his eyes watched her, gone was the confident man from last night...her Phantom was back.