Chapter 9 – Nicole Leroux

Chapter 9 – Nicole Leroux

Erik's mind raced. He looked at the wound in Nicolas' side and all the blood stemming from it. It was deep, a wound that was serious and would take awhile to heal. Erik would need assistance with this.

Meg Giry was the first to meet him in the hallways. When she saw him holding Nicolas her eyes widened. "Phantom, what happened?"

Even though the whole world now knew his name, old habits died hard. "Where is your mother?"

"In the barracks."

"Tell her to meet me in my lair."

Meg raced off to deliver the message and Erik continued on, wincing at every drop of blood that hit the floor. The journey took longer then Erik ever remembered. Every step down the stairs was one more chance to over balance and snapping both their necks. Using every short-cut didn't make it easier. Erik was never more pleased to see the little boat rocking lightly in the underground lake's wake. He gently lowered Nicolas in and heard footsteps coming up the tunnel. The Phantom came face to face with Madame Giry.

"Erik, what has happened? Meg was so upset - "

"Get in the boat."

Mm. Giry practically yelped when Erik picked her up and all but tossed her into the boat. He shoved off with the staff and began pushing through the water. On the way, Erik explained M. Firmin's sudden attack of madness and the obvious distress of Nicolas' wound. When Mm. Giry finally got over her shock she began checking over the manager, assessing what items and materials would be needed. As the lair came into view, she told Erik the supplies she needed. The two moved Nicolas onto one of the couches and Erik went to get the supplies. Mm. Giry removed Nicolas' coat and began to unbutton his undershirt when she heard Erik setting the materials down on the table nearby.

The third button down and Mm. Giry knew something was wrong. "Erik, was he harmed before now?"

"No, why?" Erik leaned over her shoulder and felt his eyes widen in shock when he saw the bandages wrapped around Nicolas' chest. He reached over and firmly tugged on Nicolas' mustache. It came away in a smooth strip. Erik and Mm. Giry exchanged glances and Erik once more reached towards Nicolas and removed the wig.

Mm. Giry gasped, "He's a woman?"

XXX

Nicole's eyes opened and she found herself looking up at a stone, domed ceiling. She blinked and all of last night's events came rushing back. She struggled to sit up and made a pained sound, which echoed in the cave, when the stab in her side twinged. A dark form passed over her and she winced when her eyes met Erik's. She quickly looked away. A tear traveled down her cheek.

Her secret was out. Erik now knew that she was a woman. What would happen now? The next words out of his mouth surprised her.

"How are you feeling?"

She looked at him in shock then blushed and glanced away again. "Fine." Her blush deepened when a warm palm was placed on her forehead.

"Your fever is better."

Another shadow joined Erik's and Nicole's shame grew when she realized it was Mm. Giry. Giry's arms were crossed and her eyebrow was raised.

"Now that your life is no longer threatened…Who are you exactly, Nicolas?"

She still refused to look at them when she answered, "My name is Nicole Leroux. The only thing I have kept from you is my true gender and first name.:

Mm. Giry clearly expected a better story, because she sighed and stalked off to fiddle with something else. Erik sat down beside her and before Nicole could protest he placed her head in his hands and forced her to look at him.

"You're the woman from the Ball."

Her eyes teared up as she nodded. He ran his hands through her hair and made soothing sounds to calm her.

Nicole almost choked on the words, but they had to be said, "What will happen now?"

Erik pulled a handkerchief out of his breast pocket and dried her eyes. "What do your mean?"

Breath shuddered out of her, "Won't you turn me in?"

Mm. Giry gained enough control over herself and seemed to take pity on the girl when she strolled over and crouched down beside her. "No, we won't. Erik and I have already decided that this changes nothing. You are still the best manager that has ever run this theater and you will continue to do so."

Her tears were slowing and she was starting to breathe more easily. "And Monsieur Firmin?"

Erik continued to wipe her tears. "I took care of his body last night."

Nicole grabbed his hand. "Body?"

"He was about to stab you again…I threw him down the stairs and he cracked his head on the marble."

Nicole had mixed feelings. On one hand Erik had saved her life and her secret simultaneously, while on the other hand…the Phantom of the Opera had struck again. Realizing she was staring at him, and still holding his hand, she dropped the hand and looked down.

"So…Everything will just…go back to normal?" Erik startled her by drawing back the blanket that covered her. "Excuse me!"

He glared at her and she shut her mouth. "I'm checking your wound. As you can see, we left your other bandages, so there is no reason for you to be so anxious…"

Nicole sighed in defeat and Erik pulled back the rest of the blanket to carefully inspect the wound.

"I think it would be best if you remained here for at least a week."

"A week! But I can't! I have bills, bookkeeping, auditions - "

Erik placed a finger against her lips to silence her. "Don't worry about anything. I've watched previous managers before, I know their work. You just lie down and take it easy for a while, okay?"

Looking into his beautiful gold eyes, she just couldn't say no.

"Okay."

XXX

For the next week, Nicole lounged around in the lair while Erik took care of business. In a way, it was like being on vacation…A painful vacation. Every morning Erik checked in on her, then went to the office. Mm. Giry came to see her too in the afternoons and prepare a meal. When the evenings came Erik and Nicole would sit down for dinner and Erik would probe Nicole about her life with her family. After dinner, he would sit down at his organ and play a piece from "Don Juan Triumphant."

On the third night of Nicole being enchanted by the Phantom's music, she asked him for a favor, "Will you teach me to play the organ?"

Erik seemed to think on the request and after a few minutes, spoke. "I think that would be a charming idea."

Erik took his lessons seriously. Every spare moment he could spend with her teaching the organ, he did. The more time Nicole spent with him, the more she grew to love him. Unlike most males she knew, Erik treated her with respect, taking her thoughts and ideas seriously. As far as Nicole could tell he took immense pleasure in her company. She hoped that was true, because she was certainly taking pleasure in his. The way his baritone voice washed over her made her shiver. The way his hand directed hers on the keys made her skin flush. Yes, she really was falling for him.

But even as her love grew, so too did her curiosity. What lay behind the mask?

XXX

Next time: Carlotta returns!