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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For two days Erik was delirious. He had a really high fever and, sometimes, Melanie would have to call the servants to help her keep him in bed. He fought them vigorously, trying to stand up, his eyes wide open and his mouth mumbling incoherent words. He would fight until he lost his strength and then he’d faint.

Melanie spent most of her time by his side, cooling his forehead with wet cloths and giving him his medication.

On the fourth day, his fever subsided and he calmed down. Melanie figured she’d have lunch with her father, since she had spent days in Erik’s room taking care of him, and, therefore, she had her meals by his bed. The doctor advised her to feed him soup, so he would not dehydrate, and so she did just that, with the help of one of her maids.

“Your dedication is saving his life.” commented Dr. Serge, satisfied to see Erik’s peaceful sleep.

Melanie left the room and locked the door. She was afraid he would get out of bed and, due to his still weak body, fall off the stairs that led to the first floor of the house.

“How is he today? You finally got out of his room, I imagine he is feeling better.” The duke said as she entered his cabinet.

“Thank God, daddy! He is calm, his fever subsided and I think he will wake up any minute now.”

“You know you are saving the life of a violent murderer, don’t you my daughter? Why such an interest in this creature? What made you dedicate your self to him like that?” the duke asked from his desk as he watched his daughter sit on the couch by the window.

“Compassion. Isn’t it enough dad?”

“But for a murd…”

“Daddy, please, come sit next to me.” She asked tapping the empty space beside her on the couch.

The duke stood up and limped to sit by her side. She took his hands in hers.

“I’ve heard stories about the Phantom of the Opera since I was a little kid. Some would say he was a genius who lived in the underground of the Opera. Others called him deformed monster, murderer. However, no one has ever seen him or known him! I wish to know the truth. Who he really is. I do not believe that someone who loves, like he does, that young soprano, capable of even killing for her, has such a terrible soul. I do believe that he is tortured, unhappy. If he was renegade by everyone he knew just because he has a deformed face, how could he be any different? No one should expect him to be a docile little lamb. Have you ever thought about the sorrow that lies in that heart? Why was he born with that face? If he is the genius, the magician, then why don’t we accept him just as that and forget about his ugly face? It was this human injustice which made him the murderer he is and since no one knows or understands him, I want to be the first to do so.”

The duke let his eyes drop to their entwined hands and, in a very low voice, spoke:

“I know of someone who does know him. I’ve been reluctant to call him, but I believe I have no other choice… he is the one who brought this… Erik… to Paris. His name is…”

He didn’t have time to finish what he was saying. A loud rumble coming from upstairs made them jump off of the couch. The noise was followed by an anguished cry and another loud thud of an object falling.

Melanie ran upstairs while her father, not being able to follow her, yelled for the servants. However, before anyone could reach her, Melanie unlocked the door and entered the room.

He had his back to her as she walked inside the room, but turned around to face her. They stood there looking at each other for a while.

He was very pale, and her father’s clothes were ruffled as a result of him being in bed so long. A white bandage was wrapped around his head with one small spot of blood on it. His jaw was clenched and his chest rose violently with each deep breath he took. His green eyes were dark with anger.

Erik examined the blonde hair which fell down to the waist of the young woman standing before him. Her sweet, yet scared face, the big blue eyes, the small mouth slightly opened as if she would say something. She looked like an angel.

Melanie looked around the room, seeing the smashed chair by the window and also the basin she left by his bed to wash his wound.

She turned her attention back to him and saw fear and sadness in his eyes as he watched her. Then, the most beautiful sound she ever heard, his voice, filled the room as he spoke.

“Why am I locked here? What happened to me? Where am I?”

Before Melanie could speak, two servants entered the room. Erik’s eyes flew to their direction and she could see his anger building again.

The servants looked at the damaged furniture and then at Melanie.

“Duchess, your father is terrified. What should we tell him?” the eldest asked bowing his head.

“Tell daddy that it is all fine. Erik is calm now and we will talk. Help him climb up the stairs and come here.”

The men reluctantly left and Melanie slowly approached the man standing in front of her. She was considered a tall woman, but still she had to lift her face higher to look in his eyes.

“Erik, it is alright now. You are amongst friends. We will help you until you are completely healed.”

He bent his head down a little to look at her, confusion spread across his face.

“Erik? Who is Erik? Healed from what?”