Music of the Night: The Phantom of the Opera Returns (Guile & Melody)

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine knew that her friend was lying about this. He would surely hurt himself if he was left alone. "Come, Erik." She helped him up and toward the only remaining exit that they had. The mirror felt cold against Christine's skin as they passed through it. "Madame Giry! Oh, God! Please, Meg!" She wailed and spotted their daughter with a dagger to her neck, ready to take her life. As Madame Giry started her work on her oldest and closest friend, Christine managed to wrestle the knife from her daughter and toss it out the window. She then wrapped Catherine close and walked her toward Erik. Upon seeing her father in this state, Catherine flung herself on him."What have I done?" Was all she could say. "Oh, Papa! Forgive me!" She coughed up what was in her throat and out the window. "I'm so sorry!" She then took his hand. "Please, you must forgive me!" She kissed him once, not caring that it was inappropriate, just caring whether daddy lived or not. "Please! Please, live!"

 

[Guile]

Erik allowed Christine to help him up through the mirror to the world above. Each step he took filled him with agony for his ribs seemed to be digging into him and making it hard to breathe. Not to mention, his broken heart made him want to just collapse and give up. But, then there was Christine. Oh, the loving look in her eyes! And the concern he could see so deep every time she looked at him as they walked. It made him want to live...if only to stop his beautiful Christine's tears. At last, Erik was taken into the care of Madame Giry. He lay down on the bed, his vision blurry and unsure if he could take another minute standing, and grunted in pain as his aching body met the mattress. It was only then that Erik opened his eyes and saw Catherine - saw what she was trying to do. Erik bolted upright, trying to get away from Madame Giry despite the stabbing pain, and get to his daughter. He screamed for her to stop, but when she did not, Erik watched as Christine came in and intervened just in time. Now that the shock of the moment was over, Erik began to feel faint - his body was paying for that sudden bolt of movement from him. Half lying, half falling back onto the bed, Erik shut his eyes tight and groaned because of the pain. In moments, Erik heard and felt his daughter close to him, though he was starting to slip in and out of consciousness, as if he were on the verge of passing out. He made out bits and pieces of what she said, vaguely felt the kiss she placed on him. "Catherine..." it hurt to talk. It must have been his ribs. With each rasping breath he took in, Erik felt a stab of pain. Something was definitely wrong. "Catherine...I love you..." He forced his eyes open, fighting the blackness that threatened to consume him, and lifted his hand to his daughter's face, running his finger lightly across her cheek. Erik longed to say more - longed to tell her that it was he who should be apologizing. That he forgave her and understood why she was so upset. The only way he could get this message out to her without hurting himself too much, was in those three simple words. I love you.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Please, come away from there." Christine took hold of her daughter's shoulders and pulled her away so that the Girys could work. "I can't believe what I've done! He wouldn't be this way if I stayed home!" She kept crying, this time turning and hiding her face in Christine's dress. "I wish I never met Andrew." She felt a sudden rage, targeting at her ex fiance. "I hate him!" With those words, she kissed her mother, son, brothers and sister and left to search for the monster. "I'll kill him for what he's done!" She found her way through the maze of hallways and was eventually on the front steps of the Opera Populair. "This time, my clever friend, let it be war on you!"

 

[Guile]

Eventually, Erik slipped into a state of unconsciousness. He wasn't sure when it happened. All he knew when he woke was a horrible soreness in his side and the presence of the Giry's bending over him, working still. Erik's eyes fluttered open and he tried to stay awake, but he kept slipping in and out of consciousness. Unaware of how many times he had done this, or how long he had been out, Erik woke up with a soft moan and did not drift back off again. He blinked several times in an attempt to clear his blurry vision. The pain was still there, that was for sure, though Erik never did find out what was wrong with him. Broken ribs, perhaps? It had to be more, though. The pain was agonizing and he had had a hard time breathing. Well, what really mattered was that he was fixed up now. At least, that's what his hazy mind told him. Erik drew in a deep breath just to see how bad the pain still was - ah oh, was it there! God, that breath hurt more than he remembered the others hurting. However, he was aware that he did feel slightly better and he was alive, so the Giry's had to have performed some kind of miracle. That's when he looked around the room slowly, turning his head only slightly because of the aches and pains. The rest of the searching, he allowed his eyes do to.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Everyone stood back, other than Christine, who immediately kissed her husband. "My dearest!" She wailed with happiness. "Oh, thank God!" She didn't let go as she turned her head to their friends. "Madame, Meg, I am forever grateful. I am forever in your debt, friends." She wasn't thinking when she let go of Erik and, in turn, lunged on them, wrapping them up in her arms. "Oh, bless you!" Madame Giry pat her on the back, a soft, motherly smile cast over her lips, while, outside, the young Destler woman escaped into the shadows, knowing exactly where to go. "I'll end him myself for what he's done!"

 

[Guile]

It wasn't a second after his eyes met Christine's that Erik felt her lips on him. Her arms held onto him and he only let out a small grunt of pain once, when she touched a sore area. At her reaction to her friends Erik wanted to laugh and he would have, but after the first hoarse chuckle he felt that pain in his side again and was forced to hold it back. He opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but words did not come at first. Closing his mouth, Erik cleared his throat before trying again. "Thank," he stopped for a moment, noticing his voice was as raspy as his laugh. 'Thank you...both of you. All of you." He added, for had his family not been there as well, Erik probably would have lost the will to live. He looked around the room and counted their heads, noticing only one was missing. However, this missing one in particular caused a great sensation of fear to hit Erik right in the chest. "Christine?" Erik choked out, still having trouble breathing normally. "Where...where is Catherine?"

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine hadn't noticed her eldest daughter leave, only felt the kiss that was placed on her cheek before the girl did. Never once did Christine suspect that Catherine would go after Andrew. Not alone, at least. Whipping around to look at the others in the room, she counted heads. "Oh....no." she breathed out in fear. "What is she thinking?" Turning back to Erik, she shook her head. "I don't know for certain, love." Catherine came upon the restaurant again, wanting to find Andrew and make him pay. But, how could she? This was her son's father, well, as close as he ever going to get. Instead of exacting revenge, Catherine went in and sat down in their booth, taking in the sounds and smells of the eatery. "Hello, madame, may I t-..." the waiter stopped down to get a good look. "I'm sorry, I'll have your waiter out here momentarily." He went away from her, teeth clenched and white fisted.

 

[Guile]

Erik closed his eyes and laid his head back on the pillow in exasperation. Not at Christine, but at Catherine. "There's only one place she could have gone..." Erik managed to get out. "...One thing she could have went to do." Why would she do this? Doesn't she know it's dangerous? "Andrew hates me." Erik started, knowing very well that Christine had the same hunch as to where their daughter went and why. "I do not trust that he will be good to Catherine. I can't...she could get hurt." Erik attempted to sit up, wanting to go after her. But the aching in his body and the stabbing pain in his side forced him back down. Damn it! He was furious at his own feebleness. I have to make sure she's alright! Erik attempted again, but didn't get his head more than a few inches off the mattress before he fell back again, the pain making stopping him from doing what he needed to most.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"What's the matter with you?" His manager asked as he stopped Andrew from entering the kitchen to fetch another waiter. "She's ready to give her order, now take it or you're fired." Andrew felt a shiver of regret as he went back to Catherine's table. Oh, how awful he felt! How he yearned to get away from this place. All these thoughts were in his mind as he repeated himself. "May I help you, miss?" He asked, trying to be civil. Catherine took a long time before she dared to respond. "Y-Yes, just a tea, pl-please, jasmine tea." She had a hard time looking at him, but, thankfully, he left to get her tea. "That'll be out in a moment, Miss Destler." This name sent a shiver down her spine, because she would be a De Chagney now, had it not been for that dark moment. She held no grudge against Erik nor Andrew, but didn't know what to do about this sickness she felt. Back at home, Christine sighed. "You cannot go after the child. You are hurt."

 

[Guile]

"I know I'm hurt, Christine. Trust me..." again, he wanted to laugh but could not. All he could do was smile. "..I know." For the pain was quite obvious. Just lying down caused pain. Being motionless was agonizing as he felt helpless to do anything. And breathing was even an effort now.


Ridiculous...I feel absolutely pathetic. Erik let out a growl of distaste at being practically bedridden. Especially when Catherine was out there with a man who had no problem doing this sort of thing to people. "I pray that Andrew will come to his senses...if nothing else, I hope he leaves her be - let's her say her peace, whatever that may be, and come back to us safely."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

She chuckled and kissed her husband on the cheek. "I believe that we should just wait for Catherine to come home to us, then, believe me, she'll be tied up for a month until I feel as though she won't leave again." Letting her hands rest on his cheeks, she kissed him again and waited for his answer. "You should only need a few weeks to recover, love."


Catherine waited for her tea, thinking of what she would dare say to Andrew to make him come back to her. Suddenly, she felt his hand on hers and the tea sat beside it, steaming. "There's your tea, Miss." He was smiling at her, but still felt pain from what was done to him and...what he had done. "Is your father alright?" Catherine noticed his smile, but still was unsure of her friend across the table. "He's going to live, no thanks to you." Andrew smiled, nervous. "Oh, yes, I do apologize. Perhaps I should check on him." Catherine looked up, at long last. "He probably doesn't want to have you with us, Monsieur De Chagney."

 

[Guile]

Erik let a low rumble of half-fake distaste escape from his throat again. "A few weeks? I cannot lie around uselessly for a few weeks." He was complaining, but only because of this news that he was going to have to continue on being useless for a while. However, Christine's kiss made him smile and his eyes brightened. He chuckled at her earlier comment. "Alright, I'll be patient. Just so long as you tie her ropes nice and tight. I don't want her thinking she's going to be a free person again anytime soon." Erik joked and smiled up at Christine despite that gnawing fear for Catherine still creeping around inside of him

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Catherine got up, her tea only half finished. "I should go. They'll want me home now." Andrew also stood. "Good, I'll walk you out. This is my leisure time, Catherine." Catherine looked worried and scared, but shook away those feelings. "Do what you want, but you cannot come down with me." She stated. "I can't have you with us anymore. You're a De Chagney now." Andrew nodded his understanding, and helped her into her cloak before walking her out and toward her home. Christine laughed out loud. "Oh, believe me, Husband, I will most definitely tie her up."

 

[Guile]

Erik laughed, unable to stop it at first despite the pain. It only lasted a few seconds and was brought on by Christine's laughter. God, she made him so happy when she smiled and laughed, for he knew she was happy as well. "Good, good! But, you mustn't enjoy yourself so much around me, Christine. You'll end up killing me before I'm able to walk again!" Erik teased her, taking her hand in his own for no reason other than he wanted to touch her skin. Erik wanted to physically feel her there and not just see her before him. It was silly perhaps, but it was still something Erik needed.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine allowed him to do so, without complaint. "Oh, you must learn to control yourself." She teased back. "You must stop trying to lead me on. I'm not going to give in." She winked, flashing her teeth at him. At last, the trek home was over. Catherine was able to breathe again and not feel so sad all the time. Turning around to thank Andrew, Catherine didn't get the chance. His lips were on hers like two magnets stuck together. They wouldn't pull away, but she.didn't want them to, not even as they journeyed home, which didn't seem so long now that they.were.together again. "Mama, Papa." She opened the.dressing room door. Christine shot up. "You're home!"

 

[Guile]

Erik chuckled at her words, which was still a painful activity that he feared would remain so for a while. "Oh, please, Christine. Don't you remember that you were going to 'repay me'? You know? For all the kindness I have shown you?" Erik teased. "Since our wedding night you know you've been dying to-" his playful words were cut short by the clicking of the opening door. His face went red, hoping that whoever was on the other side had not heard what they had said. Then, he noticed that it was Catherine and his words hardly seemed significant now, for his daughter was home. "Catherine!" Erik had a smile on his face, obviously doing better than the last time his daughter had seen him. Hesitantly he added, "are you alright, my dear?"

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Thank God for Catherine. Christine thought to herself. He was about to make me repay him. Giggling at her own thoughts, Christine came back to reality. She felt his hands around her and pressed them tighter, though her children were watching. "Catherine, my darling." She held out her arms to the girl, who took them almost immediately. "You had us ever so worried, my dear." She stared into her daughter's eyes and saw something shining in them. Happiness. Hope. Forgiveness. Love. "Your papa wouldn't stop talking about how he was going to have you tied up and left there, living on crackers and water." Both females stared back at him, Christine blushed. Laughing inwardly about what her mother had said, Catherine smiled at all of them in turn. "I'm alright, my family. Honestly." She looked directly at the Phantom. "But, you, on the other hand, have much to make up for." She kissed his cheek again.

 

[Guile]

At Christine's words, and her blush, Erik laughed. "Christine! You traitor! You weren't supposed to say anything!" He joked and pointed at her, looking at Catherine as though he were completely innocent. "You mother came up with the whole idea. Blame her!" His voice was still very hoarse and cracked occasionally, but he didn't mind. He was just so happy to see his whole family safe at last. And at Catherine's kiss, Erik smiled. "Ah, yes. As soon as I can move without pain again I shall make it up to you." His words were meant as a joke, and Erik made that clear. "I shall do anything and everything you ask of me, my precious daughter."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Finally, at long last, the family was happy and together again. "Fantastic news, by the way, everyone!" She faced them all. "Two things. Number one, the chandelier and stage are up and running just in time for the new season!" She felt like jumping excitedly, but couldn't, for fear of hurting Erik. "Yay!" Lilly pounced on Catherine. "Now I'm old enough and can audition for the new season!" She held her mother's hand. "Can I? Can I, please?" She swung back and forth, holding Christine's arm for leverage. Her mother put a finger to her lips. "Hush, Sissy's talking." Catherine smiled at the child's excitement. "And, two, Andrew and I will work something out!" She lifted her brother and spun him, causing Alistair to laugh.

 

[Guile]

At her first bit of news, Erik smiled and felt genuinely excited. "Wonderful! That's just wonderful news. Despite being the reason for the destruction, I'm glad to hear everything is well now." He laughed weakly again at everyone's excitement. Then, came Catherine's second bit of news. At first, Erik was worried. He didn't know that he could trust Andrew around his daughter. It didn't seem like the young man would hurt her, physically, but still...this idea was making Erik nervous. However, he saw the excitement, the happiness in Catherine's eyes as she said these words. How could he deny her what she longed for most? Love. He could not, Erik didn't have the heart to do such a thing. So, he forced a smile and prayed everything really would work out for her and Andrew. "Catherine...I want you to know that..." he paused, feeling as if his reaction to this news was what everyone was waiting for. "I truly hope that you and Andrew do work something out. It was my fault all of this mess happened..." Again, the guilt came back to him. "Whatever you do...I just want you to be happy, my dear." Erik's words were only the truth, and the smile he gave his eldest child was so genuine, it would have been hard not to believe his words, even if he were lying.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

She hugged him. "Oh, Father! How could I be anything but happy!" Catherine couldn't let go of the feeling that Erik was upset. "Father, are you well?" She felt his forehead. "You don't feel sick." She dropped her hand. "I don't blame you for anything, dear Father. You simply got angry because you thought that we were in danger." She could never be mad at the man that brought her into this world. "I love you so much and I won't leave your side until you are well again." To prove her point, she pulled up a stool and sat there, staring at him as she pulled her brother onto her lap.

 

[Guile]

At Catherine's words of forgiveness, the world seemed right again. However, he still couldn't help the echoing of his daughter yelling out 'I hate you' coursing through his mind. God, what a sickening feeling that had given him when she said it. Even now, he felt physically sick and she was by his side, hugging him, forgiving him. "I'm just fine, Catherine. Well...I will be." He smiled, indicating that he was obviously not going to be able to go anywhere for a while unless it was absolutely necessary, and wouldn't be able to do so without help if it were. "I cannot thank you enough for you kindness and understanding, my dear child." Erik reached out and took her hand in his for a few moments, smiling at her as he held his eldest daughter's hand. "I do appreciate that you want to stay with me, but I do not wish to be an inconvenience. You are a young woman who deserves to be out having a good time with her friends and...well, you shouldn't be wasting your time sitting around with your bedridden father." Erik chuckled slightly at his own words.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"All of my childhood friends have gone away, Father. It is just Andrew now." She spoke softly, as though her father were on his deathbed rather than sickbed. "Everything that I choose to do is my business." She smiled. "I'm staying with you until you are able to walk again. She felt guilt creep up on her. He wouldn't be like this if it weren't for her and Andrew. "You can't make me go." Then, she teased. "I thought you wanted me to stay with you and be your little girl."

 

[Guile]

Erik sighed, knowing she was right. He couldn't make her go. And, as selfish as it may be, Erik found himself loving that his daughter wanted to stay by his side. He chuckled at her tease. "I do, I do!" Erik assured her. "But...I didn't think you'd actually stay!" He laughed harder, causing his side to hurt again, but he didn't care - he had the love of his daughter back. Now, he was going to tease her. "You know...now that you're going to stay...I think I may start to regret wanting you to." Erik's eyes brightened with the tease and he started to think that maybe being bedridden wouldn't be so bad after all. Though, he still hated the idea of being practically helpless for a few weeks.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Catherine's heart beat against her ear drums, at a rapid speed, mind you. He didn't want her to stay? Oh, God! That thought hurt her, or not. Her smile told him that she knew he was joking with her. "Oh, dear." Catherine teased back. "If I must leave, I may never come back and watch your children. I may get lost out there, cold and alone!" She felt herself almost suffocate on the laughter that she held in. "That's child abuse!"