A Second Chance

DISCLAIMER:

Title: A Second Chance.
Author: Larissa
Summary: She has the courage to save his life and give him a new one. Based on Susan Kay's and Gerard Butler's phantom.
Rating: R.
Pairing(s): Erik/Melanie and Erik/Christine.
Feedback: desired and appreciated.
Characters: Erik from Susan Kay's book "Phantom" and from Gerard Butler's interpretation.
Disclaimer: I do not own Erik, Christina and Daroga. The other characters listed in this story are all mine. I do not make any money out of it.

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“We are here! What is it that you want?” Melanie said as she and Erik approached the two young men who came looking for them.

“Your father is very worried mademoiselle. He ordered us to come here and see if we could find monsieur Erik outside the house.” The older man of the pair said.

“From where did you come from?” Melanie asked.

“We made our way around the house, mademoiselle.”

“So go back and tell my father we will be there in a second.” she said.

The two men bowed their heads and hurried back to the house through the same path from which they had come.

Melanie and Erik stood watching them as they walked away. As soon as the two servants left their sight, they made their way to the secret passage. Erik wrapped his arm around her waist as they walked in silence.

She shivered under the heat of his hand. Without the corselet she could almost feel the soft touch of his palm on her skin.

“Are you cold? Is that why you’re trembling?” he asked narrowing his eyes to look at her. She noticed the irony in his question. He knew perfectly well the effect he had on her.

“No, I’m not cold. It’s…” she blushed and looked away. “I don’t know how to explain it… every time you touch me I feel chilly and I start to tremble… Do you think that’s a bad sign?” she blinked innocently at him.

Erik noticed the teasing tone in her voice and laughed. He then turned around to face her and quickly wrapped both his arms around her waist, pulling her hard against his chest.

“That’s called desire my love. Your entire body yearns for mine.” He brushed his lips against her ear as he whispered those words and his right hand traveled up and down her back, caressing her.

He took one step back and looked in her eyes.

“How can you feel desire for me, my sweet angel? I’m a monster, deformed, lonely and anguished. According to the Persian, I’m a cold murderer who kills without mercy...” a sad look crossed his face as he bent his head down and stared at the floor.

Melanie placed her hand over his rammed cheek and forced him to look back at her.

“This is one side of the coin… one which must be forgotten. I do not believe you will ever kill again. As for your face, I’ve told you, I don’t care. Besides, I’m used to it already… I’ve watched you sleep so many times, I’ve memorized every trace of your face and I love it. What matters, Erik, is the wonderful artist you have inside your heart… inside your body. Body which, by the way, attracts me more than you can imagine…” she slowly brushed her hand inside his shirt, passing her index finger over the well defined muscles of his broad chest.

Erik grabbed her arm and pushed her hand away.

“Don’t do this… please.” He said in a low voice.

He leaned his head down and she thought he was going to kiss her. So she closed her eyes in expectation.

“I will not kiss you again Melanie. If I do, we won’t go anywhere pass that room in the secret passage. In fact, from what I could see, the bed looked pretty comfortable… would you like to try it?” he smiled as her eyes flew opened.

“No. If we stay here any longer, my father will personally come look for us.” She said in a slightly harsh tone, embarrassed with the fact she had openly showed him she hopped he’d kiss her.

She looked at him and saw the uncertain look on his face. What was she doing? He was right! If he kissed her now she’d completely give herself away.

“We can come here some other day and take a walk around the woods. It’s a really beautiful place.” She said smiling.

“Really? When? Tomorrow?” his eyes were shining with anticipation.

“I don’t know… maybe…” she turned away from him and walked towards the entrance of the passage, swinging her hips as she walked.

He took two large steps and grabbed her by the waist again, pulling her so, this time, her back was against his chest.

“Do not wear the corselet anymore.” He inhaled the scent of her hair and closed his eyes. “You don’t need to squeeze yourself with such an uncomfortable piece of clothing. Besides, your waist is so small I can encircle it with my hands.” He placed both hands around her waist to prove his point. “And it’s much better to feel your skin under the dress instead of more layers of clothing.”

Melanie forced herself to step away from him. It’s not my waist that is small… it’s your hands that are too big. She thought.

“Let’s go inside Erik, before you convince me to go try that bed…” she said those words and blushed again.

Erik saw her red face and laughed again. At least she was feeling rather comfortable in his presence.

They made their way through the door and inside the room. Taking the candles they had left behind, they began their walk through the dark corridor.

Once in Melanie’s room, they closed the passage and quickly headed towards the dinning room.
They found the duke pacing back and forth with his crippling steps.

“By God, what happened?! What were you doing outside the palace, Erik?” the duke said as they entered the room.

“I’m sorry, monsieur. As I walked through the corridor of the passage thoughts of the dark tunnels under the Opera invaded my mind and I felt very uncomfortable… suffocated, to say the truth. So I went outside and… your daughter found me. It was not my intention to upset you…” he said looking at Melanie and then back to the duke with a concerned expression on his face.

“Erik said he would be able to hear any strange noise and would return to the secret room, daddy.” Melanie said taking one step forward and standing beside Erik.

“And I believe him, my child. Your ears are very sensitive, Erik. But still, it is very dangerous to adventure yourself outside.” The duke said placing a hand on Erik’s shoulder.

“Not, let’s go eat something… I’m famished!” He added, turning around and slowly making his way to the table.