Chapter 27

Nicole and Anne approached their home cautiously, for Jacques sat on the front steps.

He saw them coming, and jumped up from his spot and ran to them wagging an accusing finger, "Where were you two? Not off to see your lover were you, Nicole?"

Nicole's face grew red with anger, "What if I was?"

"You would do well not to see him anymore! You are mine!"

"I do not belong to you!" she screamed.

"Both of you quiet!" whispered Anne furiously, "The neighbors, what will they think?"

Jacques and Nicole lowered their heads and mumbled apologies.

"Now," she continued, "Inside with the both of you. If you must discuss this do it indoors!"

She passed through them both, and went inside, beckoning them to follow. Jacques shot an angry glare at Nicole, but waved his hand forward indicating her to enter first.
As soon as the front door was closed Jacques whirled on Nicole and started their argument once more.

"Tell me where you were!"

"No!"

He grabbed her shoulders, and stared hard into her eyes.

"Nicole, I only want your love."

"You cannot have."

His grip on her shoulders tightened and she tried hard not to yell out in pain.

I will not show weakness in front of him! He and Anne both need to see that I am strong!

"Jacques that is enough!"

All heads turned to the head of the stairs where Marie stood. She walked lightly down, took hold of his arms and made him release Nicole.

She turned to face Nicole, "You must stop your foolish rebellion. Jacques is your fiancé now. You will show him the proper respect."

Nicole looked to Jacques who had a smug grin on his face. He was enjoying this moment too much for Nicole. She put on her most dazzling smile and walked right up to him.

She placed her hands on his waist, and she knew he thought he had one. She leaned in close to his ear a purred, "Only a cowardly man would hide behind a bitter old woman to try and force her daughter to love him. You are a coward Jacques DeChagny."

With one swift motion she, before he could react, she had pulled his pants free of his waist.
Anne shrieked in surprise, then started to laugh uncontrollably. Marie started yelling at Nicole, to get her attention, but Nicole's attention was only on Jacques.
She knew she had humiliated him completely. His face was red with anger, and his eyes burned with rage. He was clenching his fists so tightly they had turned white. She stared at him, with no mirth, no joy in her small triumph.

All she could do was say, "I pity you."

Hours later, Nicole found herself in room cut off from the rest of the house. As soon as Jacques had put his pants back on he stormed out of the house, muttering dark threats under his breath. Marie had grabbed Nicole by the wrist and drug her to her room and locked her in. Nicole did not fight it, there was no point. All she had to do was wait until nightfall and she would climb out her window.

Nothing will keep me from going to Erik tonight. Nothing. I only wish I could have said good bye to Anne. She will understand, and I will write her when I am able to properly thank her for all she has done.

It had grown dark an hour ago, but when Nicole pressed her ear to her door she heard activity about the house.

Drat, Marie! Must you stay awake last this night!

It was almost midnight when she heard a scuffling outside her door. Someone entered the key into her lock, and she held her breath not knowing what to expect. When the door opened to reveal Anne, she breathed in relief.

"You didn't think I would let you go without saying good bye did you?"

The sisters ran to each other and embraced each other.

Both started to cry silently, and Nicole whispered, "Where is Marie?"

Anne pulled away from her and smiled, "Out cold! I slipped some sleeping powder in her tea!"

"Anne! You are so full of surprises!"

"Not as much as you though! That stunt with Jacques earlier! I can hardly believe you did that, even now!"

Both girls laughed, trying hard to hide their tears. Once the laughter stopped Nicole looked at her clock.

"Midnight already. Anne, I really must go. He will start to worry if I do not leave."

Anne nodded her head silently, and embraced Nicole in once last hug.

Nicole slipped out her front door, and glanced around her. There wasn't a soul in sight as she ran from her home, not glancing behind. If she had glanced behind, she might have seen a dark figure detach itself from the shadows, and start to follow her.

Erik paced the stage of the Opera house back and forth, waiting for Nicole to arrive. He had been there since the moment that the sun set. He knew Nicole would have a hard time getting away, but he hoped she would still arrive early. As the hours passed he grew worried and anxious. Just when he was about to leave and retrieve her himself, he heard someone running into the Opera house and he knew it was her.

"Erik!" she said as she burst onto the stage, and rammed into him with all her strength, enfolding him in a hug.

She was breathing heavily, and sweat ran down her forehead, but a smile still graced her face.

"Did you run the entire way here?" he asked, chuckling.

"Yes, I had to! I know I must be late!"

"It's all right. I would never leave without you."

He kissed her lightly on the lips, and said, "I see you took my advice to heart, and packed lightly. In fact you packed nothing at all!"

She laughed and was about to reply when they both heard, "Get away from her!"

The couple turned to see Jacques approaching the stage, with a deadly sword drawn in his hand. Erik quickly put himself between Jacques and Nicole, and cursed himself for leaving his sword in his home.

"Nicole," said Jacques, "Come away from him! That is the Phantom of the Opera! He is dangerous!"

"No, Jacques I will not."

Jacques had taken the stage and now stood only a few feet away from them both.

"Is this the him, Nicole? Is this your secret beau?"

When Nicole did not respond he screamed, "You would choose this THING over me!"

Before Erik could stop her she walked in front of him to face Jacques head on.

"He is a man, and he is ten thousand times more a man than you will ever be!"

Erik saw the murderous range enter Jacques eyes, and saw what was about to happen. In one fluid moment, Erik pushed Nicole out of the way, and took her place in front of Jacques. Just as Jacques took the hilt of his sword, and knocked Erik across the face.

The world faded into darkness and the last thing he heard as he slipped into unconsciousness was Nicole screaming his name in terror.

dun dun dun!i know this one was short, but i had to leave it there!i couldnt resist! ;)