Ascent to Power

Old Antagonists, New Antagonists

When Raoul returned that evening to the penthouse his feet were dragging. So many internal conversations had run through his mind. Nothing seemed appropriate. How could he let go of Christine so easily? That is what finding Erik meant. He would at last have to admit that the little flicker of hope would finally and forever be snuffed out. The flame would never rekindle.

At first he thought he had been blessed and both women had gone to bed. It was after all three o'clock in the morning. After Katherine had dropped him off he had not been willing to face either one with his news. His own mind and heart had trouble accepting the truth of what had happened. He had hired a cab to drive him endlessly around the gradually darkening streets. When the cabbie hinted at two thirty that the morning came awfully early for folks who worked for a living, Raoul got the hint. He would mind catching a few winks before the sun came up. Raoul had asked him to take him to his hotel.

The lobby of the hotel had been quietly deserted. The only person there had been the night clerk as well as a couple of the cleaning staff. Raoul had bid them a good-night as he past each one. For once Raoul took the elevator up to the eighth floor. When he was alone he made it a habit to take the stairs. Since coming to America his exercise had been limited. He had not even been astride a horse. The man in the elevator tipped his hat. He had no need to ask which floor. He recognized Raoul from the times he had ridden the elevator with his wife and the pretty little woman rounded with child. Others speculated she was his mistress. He left such speculating to others. He liked his job too well to risk getting fired for gossiping about one of the owners.

Raoul leaned against the door scrubbing his face tiredly with his hands. Pushing away from the door he began to undue the knot of his tie. Since he was in a new country he had adopted their way of dressing. Although some elements weren't as elegant as French fashion Raoul liked the less restricting garments. He did not miss the tails that hung down from the back of his jacket. He had even bought a pair of boots the man assured him the men of the wild and rugged west wore. Raoul had not noticed anyone wearing a sword but he had seen several men with guns strapped around their waists secured at the thigh with leather ties.

He had almost made it to his room when a soft voice called to him from the dark, "Raoul? Is that you? Where have you been? We have been worried sick about you." Meg's voice contained barely restrained tears. She turned up the lamp beside her, filling the room with a soft glow. Actually she had awoken with a fierce craving for a ham sandwich. Having gone to bed a couple yours earlier after she and Christine had given up waiting for the wayward man to come home.

Going over to the fireplace he poked it then added a log the staff had brought. It was May but the nights still had a chill. Some mornings there was even frost on the ground. Satisfying himself the blaze was sufficiently licking up the chimney Raoul turned to look at Meg intending to firmly tell her she should be in bed when he caught sight of her tears running down her cheeks. "Ah, Meg," he sighed. "You should not wait up for me. You need your rest. I am a grown man. I can take care of myself."

"I know that, it's just that we hear so much about people being attacked and robbed. I know things were the same in France but inside the opera house we did not hear much about things on the outside. We were almost like a separate city on our own. In fact the number of employees outnumbered a lot of the smaller towns around Paris." She paused to give him a searching look. He looked far less happy than he had earlier.

"So tell me what has saddened you? Do not even bother to deny that anything is wrong. I have learned to read your moods fairly well." She got up from the couch to approach him. Taking his face in her hands she gave him a searching look then said, "This not a face of a happy man. When you left you were whistling. I thought for sure you were meeting with some female companion." She tapped him on the shoulder with her hand, "Oh do not look so shocked. There is only one thing that makes a man growl like an animal in pain one moment then whistle like a lark the next. Come on. Sit. Tell Meg all about it." Taking his hand she led him to the couch sitting down then pulling insistently on his hand to drag him down beside her. Brushing her hand over her robe she waited for him to speak.

Damn if he did not feel like spilling his guts a second time in one day. Well technically it was the next day. Perhaps that made him a little less of a weak willow. Living among these two women constantly was slowly stripping his manhood. When had he become such a confiding fellow in the opposite gender? Damn he had to change things or soon he would be knitting before long. God, what a thought.

In a rush he said without embellishment, "I saw Erik today. I actually talked to him. Needless to say we almost killed one another again. I have yet to look in the mirror. I know my lip is split. My left eye feels a bit puffy." Meg jumped up going to the ice bucket of the cart holding the bottles of liquor. Most of the ice was gone but the water was still cold. She grabbed a cloth from underneath the cart. Dipping it into the cold water she returned to Raoul.

Wiping his face she looked at him closely. "Your eye looks a little bruised but not too bad. There is a small cut on your lip. Do your injuries hurt much? When I see this Erik person I shall give him a piece of my mind. The very idea of hitting you. Shameful."

"To be fair Meg I did hit him as well. Quite a number of times. Can't say I am sorry either. No doubt this was just the beginning of many such battles. He's changed Meg. I actually came across him during business. He still wears the mask but there was something about him. He was confident. There were others in that office. They did not bat an eye at his appearance. He seemed comfortable as well."

"I know you do not wish to hear this but I am glad he has found a place in the light. I have worried he would dig deep in some dark whole again. Considering all he has been through it was a possibility. I have prayed for him to find the strength to come out of the shadows. Everyone deserves a chance Raoul. Even Erik."

"I know, I know. I am a selfish bastard. I can not help how I feel. If he had taken anything else from me other than Christine I would have been angry but my heart would still be whole. How does one live with only half a heart? Perhaps I should ask Erik. He is an expert at being heartless."

"Shame on you Raoul. Your situations are not the same and you not it. He has many wounds on his heart. You have one. One that with time can be mended. Some of his wounds I believe he has carried all his life and go too deep to ever be healed completely. Show just a little compassion. It is not his fault Christine changed in her feelings for you. Just as it is not his fault you have not mended yet. He can not help who he loved. It was just one of fates cruel twists that brought Christine into the lives of two men who love her deeply and that she loves as well. Yes Raoul she does still love you. Whatever you may think she does care deeply for you still."

"Now, I suggest we get to bed. Tomorrow I fear will be a day of strain. Do you wish to speak to Christine alone or would you like for me to be there?"

"If you would not mind Meg I would like for you to be there. If for no other reason than your cool head. You have a way of calming people on the verge of losing their minds."

"As you wish. I dare say you both will remember I am with child and therefore have a delicate constitution. Too much shouting is not good for the baby. Remember Uncle Raoul, you have a responsibility to your niece or nephew." Meg laid her hands on the round mound of her stomach. At six months she looked like she was going to explode. The doctor had been making predictions of twins. For Meg's sake he hoped not. Just imagining what was to come made him squeamish. Raoul sure to hell hoped he was gone the day she delivered.

Raoul woke to face the morning he considered as his venture into living hell. He had spent the last hours just before dawn rehearsing what he would say. So many discussions had plagued him he now had a raging head ache. His mind let a few of his more unrealistic offerings to enter his fogged brain.

Oh by the way Christine, I found your soon to be lover. Oh you need transportation to meet with your lover? No problem. What's that you say? You want me to escort you to Erik's bedroom. Of course I will. You want me to dance at your wedding? How delightful. Your naming me Godfather to your children? Fucking great. Just fucking marvelous.

Raoul brought his hand to his head. Closing his eyes he pressed his finger to his temple. Bending his thumb he made a sound like a gun firing. That was what he thought was more realistic. If he knew it would not delight Erik tremendously he just might consider it. Or better yet shooting Erik sounded even better. One of Raoul's first stops this morning was going to be to the gunsmith's shop across town. He would not be meeting Erik again unarmed.

Thinking over his discussion with Meg last night he had forgotten to mention they would be moving in a few days. Christine may not even want to go with them. He had no wish for any more speculation to be making the rounds during social functions. He was just beginning to be accepted into this new society. It helped that he was titled as well as being wealthy.

When he went into the dining alcove the two women were already seated sipping coffee or tea from their cups. There was a roll away cart topped with several chafing dishes. Lifting the lids he made a hearty selection before sitting down at the table. Raoul suddenly felt as a prisoner might at his last meal. How did one start a conversation like this?

"Ah, Christine I...well I have." Raoul wished his tongue would suddenly disappear of he could claim he had suddenly lost the ability to communicate. Merde. This was a fucking nightmare.

Christine sat forward listening intently to him. She had a strange look of expectancy on her face. She could not possibly know. She would have said something right away.

Christine had over the last month fallen in love with Raoul all over again. They thought her tears were for Erik. They were not. They were tears she shed for her own stupidity over throwing something so real, so deep, as Raoul's love, away. Over the last month she had learned many things about herself. She did not like some of what she had learned. She was a selfish person. She had been spoiled by Meg and her mother. Even Erik had spoiled her. When Raoul came along he had continued the process of turning her into a selfish, thoughtless child. She had not really thought of anyone's feelings but her own. The two men who loved her the most she had treated in the most horrible manner.

In her arrogance she had felt because she loved Raoul and he still cared for her things would return to the way they were before. She had waited days for Raoul to make some sort of declaration. They had begun to have conversations. At times he even took her to the dining room for dinner if Meg was not feeling well. Once again she had thought the world revolved around her.

Now he looked so serious. He must be going to make his declaration today. Finally they could be together as man and wife again.

Meg's hand resting gently over the top of Raol's stilled his agitated movements. She gave him an encouraging smile. Before his tongue could unravel itself to allow him to speak Meg took over the conversation stating plainly, "Christine, Raoul saw Erik yesterday. He knows how to get in touch with him."

Christine was struck dumb. Of all the things she had expected Meg to say, what she did finally say, was not one of those things. Surely that was not what Raoul was having such a hard time saying? He had found Erik? She had to confess to herself her heart did race a bit at the thought of seeing her Angel again. She did still love him in some way. Even had lust for him. She admitted to herself that she would always wonder what it would be like to be with him at least once. God. She was such a terrible person. Why could she not make a decision and stick with it?

"Erik?" She cleared her throat when her voice came out sounding weak. Her mind suddenly seemed to disconnect from her mouth. She could think of not one intelligent thing to say after whispering his name. Looking down she saw Meg's hand covering Raoul's. Then a horrible thought flashed with incredible logic. Was this why Raoul was so interested in helping her find Erik? Did he want Meg? Oh please dear Lord anyone but Meg. Jealousy began to eat away at her common sense. She caught herself grinding her teeth. Christine was awash in the quagmire of her own making.

With nothing further coming from Christine Raoul told them about moving to the estate of Katherine. They wanted to know who she was and how he met her. Christine's interest was a little more intent than Meg's. How many women did Raoul have? Did he plan to start a harem? Christine narrowed her eyes the wheels in her mind turning. There must be some way to make him want her.

She simply could not tell him she had changed her mind for then he would know how stupid she had been. He thought badly enough of her without adding anything further. He would know how fickle her heart was. She had never before realized how weak her character truly was until recently. She had never before had reason to question her values, her strengths or weaknesses. Throughout her childhood since coming to the opera house she had always had Meg and her mother as well as Erik to depend on. To lean on. To tell her what to do. Now she had to make choices about her own life she was not equipped to do so.

Listening on the fringe of the conversation Christine sat with a false look of interest on her face. The other two carried on the conversation around her. Decisions were made not requiring any more from her other than a simply nod of her head with a smile. Her mind was miles away.

In one of the wealthier sections of the city Erik was just descending the stairs to join Nadir and Darius for breakfast. Tugging in irritation at the cuffs of his shirt he stepped down into the entryway. This morning he did not take the time to admire the beautiful things his wealth had provided him over the last three years. Once leaving France behind Erik found he enjoyed spending money. For a person of his intellect it still irritated him he had allowed the opinion of fellow humans to degrade him to the point he buried himself deep in the ground just as if he were dead.

Not any longer. Now he lived as he should have been living all his life. Only occasionally did he have a set back. He still struggled with all his old rage, but his shame concerning his face was slowly becoming a thing of the past. Until last night he had not dreamed of Christine in many months. Almost a year in fact. He had almost made a fatal mistake yesterday. He had let all the old hatred and rage he felt, surge to the surface. His outburst could have caused him to lose his opera house. Damn it. He wanted that building of art and refinement. He had always dreamed of truly owning The Paris Opera House. That can never be but he had a portion of The Richmond Royal Theatre and he'd be damned if he let a chit of a girl come along ripping it right out of his grasp.

He had thought to threaten her with sending her father to prison but quickly learned that was not worth voicing as they did not share a typical father daughter closeness. In fact Daniel had seemed quite vexed when he had learned of his daughters return. At the time Erik had wondered why he had capitulated so suddenly after seeming to drag his feet hoping for a better offer. Now he knew why. It had not been his to sell with the return of his daughter. Erik would be looking into the matter closely trying to find any weakness. He wanted his opera house. Nothing was going to stop him.

Christine had been a distraction as he had lain in bed trying to think of strategies to outmaneuver that woman. He wondered what Raoul's relationship was with the woman. Remembering his body's unwilling reaction to her he had to concede Raoul did have excellent taste in women. She did not have the delicate feminine look of women of society. She was nowhere near as soft as Christine had been. Of course he had only felt her through layers of cloth. Her skin was slightly browned as if kissed by the sun. Not something society considered fashionable.

Considering she had spent eight years in the wilds doing God knows what she had not seemed to be uncivilized as her father had described. A little naive perhaps but quite civilized. When he remembered her pinning him to the floor not once but twice his pride stung just a little. Damn woman must be part Amazon warrior. Erik had not had a man hold him down in defeat since he left the Gypsy camp as a child. It was insulting to have been bested by a slip of femininity. In any confrontation he had come out the victor. Naturally Raoul's triumphant face slipped into his musings taunting him with his loss at the cemetery three years ago. That loss still rankled even if it were a simple act of bad luck that he had slipped on the frozen snow. Now that Raoul was here also seeming to be ready to pick up the battle where they left off perhaps he could win back his pride in defeating Raoul. Just the thought of running Raoul through had his blood pumping in anticipation.

Taking his seat at the head of the table he gave his instructions to his manservant Nigel. He would start with a strong cup of coffee.

"Well Erik please tell us what has you looking so chipper? You did not go to one of your customary fights as your face is still intact" Squinting at Erik he did see a bit of bruising on Erik's jaw. "Your knuckles are not swollen. So what sort of woman caught your attention this time? Please do not tell me you were weak enough to give into that man-eater Mrs. Cecelia Trenton. Her husband will kill you for sure. Did he not threaten to do just when he caught you in your little tryst wearing slightly less than society requires? Is that how you came by the faint bruising I see around your eye and cheek? "

"Damn it Nadir how many times do I have to tell you I did not know she was married? The woman was so free with her favors I thought her unattached." Waving his hand in dismissal he continued, "Besides that bag of wind could not take me any way. He is all huff and bluff. He had to make a show to save a little of his pride. I can understand that which is why I did not kill him when he did throw a punch hitting me in the jaw. One I thought I owed him. The second I stopped, warning him if he ever laid a hand on me again I would kill him slowly and quite painfully. I believe he left with his wife to head further north. Now pass me the plate of toast if you would not mind."

Nadir handed him the plate persisting in finding out the cause for Erik's unusual good morning cheer. "Well if it was not that woman who then? It has to be a woman. You have that predatory look you always get when you set your sights on some hapless female. I never thought I would have to worry about you overstepping the bounds with women Erik but I think you have turned into a bit of cad. As with all things there is such a thing as overindulgence."

"I suppose I should tell you. You will learn soon enough. I met Raoul yesterday." Erik's head jerked up from spreading jelly on his toast. Nadir had dropped his cup onto his saucer with a loud tinkling of broken china. Darius was poised with his fork halfway to his mouth.

"Erik you did not...Raoul is not...The cause for your good humor is not the demise of Monsieur de Chagny I hope? Please tell me you have not committed murder," Nadir asked in real fear for everyone's safety.

"Considering how our last two encounters turned out I should be flattered. Thank you for having faith in my abilities while at the same time having no faith in my self control. Although considering we did end up in a brawl exchanging punches I think you have need for concern. If others were not present I may well have strangled the boy. Unfortunately there was a pesky interruption." Erik took hold of his jaw with his fingers flexing it testing for stiffness. His mirror had shown only light bruising on the left side of his face. Nadir had not been able to see them as he sat on Erik's right. Or at least he thought he was safe until Nadir had disabused him of that fact.

"Erik where did this free for all take place? As hard as you have worked to secure a welcome into society I hope you did nothing to deter your efforts." Darius raised his brows in inquiry. Secretly he wished he could have seen the exchange. Erik was becoming quite proficient with his fists in the ring. A practice he continued after they had moved to Virginia. Ox had given him the names of several contacts in the area. It would seem men were willing to beat the crap out of one another no matter where they came from or there social status.

"You just wish you had been there Darius. You have become quite an aficionado of the sport." Leaning forward with his arms resting of the table Erik narrowed his eyes as he continued, "One day we shall have to get in the ring together. I am curious if we would have a standoff or a clear victor."

"Oh Erik let me assure you there would be a clear victor. You would be watching him walk away as you lay on the floor nursing your wounds." Darius smiled to let Erik know he was only teasing. Well only partially. Darius excused himself to get ready to leave the house. He had some investigating to do in the matter of stolen property and a certain Jackson Tyler.

"Arrogant bastard." Erik scowled after Darius as he retreated. Then he returned his attention back to Nadir. "As you know I went to see Daniel Montgomery. He wanted me to look over his warehouses to see if I might be interested in purchasing them as I have need for storage since I still have the import and exporting business in New York. The railway runs just behind his warehouses. The river is only a mile or so away. That would be convenient for an alternative way of transport to other cities located on the river. My main interest was the theatre as you know."

"You remember his daughter was returned after being captive for eight years?" He continued when Nadir nodded in the affirmative. "Well it would seem Daniel only had partial control of everything. He has no access to any of the money. He could only handle the business side as he and his daughter have equal shares. Or they did until Daniel began selling off portions of his daughters shares. Since his daughter returned the legal issues concerning transactions made during her absence came into question. More importantly the ones made after her return. It would seem Daniel did not have permission to sell any part of The Virginia Royal Theatre or the warehouses. Miss Katherine Montgomery has come back to claim her inheritance."

Nadir looked confused, "But what has any of this to do with Raoul? How did you meet him?"

"I have no idea how he met Miss Montgomery but can you imagine my surprise when she informed us he was her consultant. Sneaky bastard knew he had no legal rights to practice here. The boy has more brains than I gave him credit for. As a consultant he has no legal standing, but it will not impede him from giving her advice. I must admit the boy has more intelligence than he showed when he was younger."

"Before you ask I will tell you Christine is here. Although I somehow do not think that is a great surprise to you or Darius. Did you think I did not know about the detectives? The letters from Antoinette? I have always known Christine wanted to see me again. Why would she not want to see her teacher for so many years? I have been planning our meeting for a long time. Why do you think I was so adamant to purchase the opera house?"

"Erik have you learned nothing from your past mistakes? Nothing good can come of this. It is true she looked for you. She had become as obsessed with you as you had been with her. Obsession is never healthy Erik. Nor does it engender the true emotions of love. Love does not lead one to commit unspeakable acts. Not just to win the one you love. Obsession is an unstable emotion at best. At worst it is dangerous. Remember what it brought you to before."

Nadir could see his pleas were falling on deaf ears. Erik would hear nothing that did not support what he wanted when it came to Christine. He always had lost his ability to reason when it came to that young woman.

"I can see it is useless to continue this conversation. You will do as you please running down anyone in your path to get to what you want. So when will you be contacting Mrs. de Chagny?"

"I have not decided yet. I only found out yesterday she had finally caught up with me. It will have to be in a public arena. Some function where it would be acceptable for me to approach her. I would not want anyone to spread any false gossip about her. Daniel's daughter is all but blacklisted from every social function. She did nothing wrong yet they still shut her out. I am sure that will change once everyone learns she controls the money. The fact that de Chagny has befriended her will open doors. His title has all of Richmond panting to have him attend their gatherings."

Nigel returned with Erik's breakfast. The two men settled into quiet self-reflection. Each man was left to dwell on his own thoughts. What would the next day bring? How could they keep Erik from making a colossal mistake? The south was just recovering from a horrible war. They just may be revisited with the cries of battle with only two combatants instead of many. Would anyone remain standing?