Chapter 8 – "No Doctors"

Nicole found a letter on her desk in the morning, opening it up she saw it was from a man named Monsieur Firmin who had been the previous owner of the Opera Populaire. He wanted to meet her (Nicolas Leroux) and Erik to congratulate them in finally making it work. Monsieur Firmin would be arriving within the week. Nicole bit her lip in thought and decided to consult Erik, who, she was sure, would know more about this character than herself.

XXX

Erik grinned as he read the letter.

"Yes, I know Monsieur Firmin very well." At Nicolas' curious look he added, "Firmin tried to have me arrested the day the Opera House burned down. I can't wait to meet him face to face."

Nicolas became stern, "Now Erik, I just got you out of jail. Don't go making trouble so soon, especially with this man."

Erik smiled. "I will try not to."

The two partners had worked so late that night that Nicolas fell fast asleep right in his chair.

He's going to get a kink in his neck, Erik thought. He got up and, because Nicolas' form was so slight, he didn't feel as odd picking up Leroux as he might have felt picking up some other man. He placed Nicolas on one of his couches and threw a blanket on him. Erik had the strangest urge to lay a kiss on his forehead and shook it off immediately.

Still looking at Leroux, something caught Erik's eyes. He had been in the theater business all of his life and he prided himself on being able to tell the difference between real hair and wigs. His brow furrowed when he realized that Leroux was wearing a wig. He reached down to remove it when a realization stopped him. Nicolas had never once tried to remove his mask, unlike numerous others, and so Erik pulled his hand back. Maybe Nicolas would tell him in his own time. He smiled when Nicolas sighed and snuggled into the blanket.

XXX

"And this is the new ballroom." Nicolas said, opening the well furnished double doors.

Firmin had been shown nearly the entire Opera House in five hours. All through the tour he had kept a look of polite interest on his face, commenting here and there on certain places that were different or recalling fond memories. He was still calm and polite even when Erik greeted them.

The Phantom reverted back to his old self, scathing, stalking, planning. The look and feel of his former nemesis unnerved him. Normal people, who had grudges against him, would be in his face, annoying the hell out of him with their insecurities and then backing away when he looked at them too fiercely. But something had changed in Firmin. He no longer felt…human. Maybe that piece of humanity had been striped away when his former partner, Monsieur Andre, had died a broken man with not a franc to his name.

"Well, that's it. How do you like it?"

Firmin nodded slowly, "It certainly hasn't lost any charm."

Erik smirked, "And never will again."

The ex-owner of the Opera House didn't show any sign of anger, he ignored Erik completely.

"I can see it's in good hands. Monsieur Leroux, would you kindly see me out? I'm afraid this old man's memory isn't what it used to be."

Nicolas nodded his head, "Of course."

Erik lightly touched his partner's arm. "Allow me."

Leroux frowned, "Really, Erik. I don't mind. Besides, don't you have that music piece to work on?"

Erik spoke hesitantly, "Yes…" The music piece in particular was Don Juan Triumphant. He had been rewriting it for some time, since the first one had been completely eliminated in the fire.

With no other valid reason to stay with Nicolas and Firmin, Erik watched as his partner led their guest out of sight.

XXX

Nicole was so tense she thought her body would break into pieces with every step she took. She had hated to see Erik go, but could sense that he was getting irritated.

"I want to thank you again for giving me a tour of the Opera House." Monsieur Firmin said, catching Nicole's attention.

"You are quite welcome. After all, you were a manager yourself."

A strange glint appeared in his eyes at the mention of his former station. Nicole was put on the edge again.

"Do you want to know how my partner died?" He asked quietly.

They had stopped on the circular landing. The new manager was fidgeting slightly.

"If you are willing to tell me…" Nicole felt that was the safest answer. Not a flat-out 'no,' nor a flat-out 'yes'. She felt the strongest urge to step back from the look he gave her now.

"He died from a broken heart and a broken mind. Do you know why he died?"

Now Nicole did step back. "No."

Monsieur Firmin smiled, "He died because that hell-spawn you are protecting destroyed us both."

Despite her fear, Nicole growled, "Erik is not hell-spawn."

The crazed ex-manager seemed not to have heard, "Why does he leave you alone, Leroux? Are you giving him your blood in exchange for peace and quiet or…" he looked up and down her petite form. "Your body?"

She saw red. Nicole flew at Firmin and punched every inch of him she could get to. While under her wrath, Firmin laughed and pulled out a shining piece of metal. Nicole didn't see it until too late.

XXX

Every step Erik took the greater his foreboding grew, until he finally stopped and turned around. Suddenly, he felt quite better. A weight had been lifted. Erik strode back to the place where he had left Nicolas and found a sight that left him shell-shocked.

Monsieur Firmin was leaning over Nicolas, holding a bloody knife in his grasp. The crazed ex-manager began to laugh. Hearing that insane laughter sparked life back into Erik's bones. He raced down the rest of the staircase and barreled into Firmin at top speed and knocked him, head-over-heels, down the rest of the staircase. And the bottom of the stairs was where he lay. Blood started to pool around his head. Erik looked back at Nicolas.

Nicolas was looking back at him with eyes that were ghosting over. He bent down and gathered his small form in his arms, grimacing at the warm blood that started to soak his own shirt. A hand reached up and grabbed his collar. He gazed into his partner's dazed eyes. Nicolas' lips moved and Erik lowered his head to hear.

"No doctors."

And with that order given he passed into unconsciousness.

XXX

This one is a little longer...hope that makes you all happy.

Gasp! What wil happen next? Tune in next time...