Disclaimer: All things involving Erik and the show Ghost Whisperer are not mine. Only original creations belong to me.
AN: Hi! This is my new story crossing over the show Ghost Whisperer and Phantom of the Opera. For those who have never seen the show, Ghost Whisperer involves a young woman named Melinda Gordon, a young woman who can talk to the dead (played by Jennifer Love Hewitt, who I usually hate, but actually really like in this roll). She's also able to help them "cross over into the Light," where souls go to be at peace. Ghost Whisperer takes place in the U.S., but I'm hauling her over to Europe so she can meet my OC. Since Melinda's married (to a really hunky ambulance driver), this will be an OC/Erik story…sort of…its complicated, so you'll just have to read the story to find out! For more info, check out my bio page. Also, please review; I want to see if anyone will read this story or not. Thanks!
Chapter 1: We Have a Winner:
"Melinda, come on, we're going to be late!" Jim yelled up the stairs.
The sound of hesitant high-heeled shoes could be heard as his wife began her decent. "Jim, I have to know…" Her husband groaned, waiting for the inevitable. "Is the shawl too much for this outfit?"
Jim Clancy could only sigh in good humor as Melinda reached the last step. "Sweetie, it's a party for charity," he said, giving her a loving smile as he picked her up, ignoring her squeals while he set her down in front of the door. "Now, you look great," which he obviously thought was true, "and we are going to be late if we don't leave now." This was actually very true.
Melinda sighed as she patted her long dark hair, making sure it was still in a bun as Jim ushered her out the door and out towards their red SUV. As she sat in the passenger seat, she couldn't help but feel anxious as she smoothed out invisible wrinkles in her white Greek-style dress. The hem just barely brushed her knees, and the straps wrapping around the shoulders and criss-crossing between her breasts made her feel elegant and confident. A white shawl and white heels completed the outfit, which set off the dark eyeshadow and eyeliner that rimmed her brown eyes. Smiling, Melinda turned her gaze to her husband.
Beside her, Jim looked wonderful in his tuxedo, his head nodding along to the music coming through the radio. She was lucky to have such a tall, good-looking man, as well as such an understanding one. A face with strong, chiseled, masculine features, thick black hair, and blue-gray eyes, Jim still attracted the gaze of other women, especially during his job as a paramedic and ambulance driver.
'Sometimes I think that women pretend to need medical assistance just so they can meet him,' Melinda thought to herself, smiling at her own joke. 'Still, I'm lucky to have him.'
"So, are you still hoping that we win that brand new stereo system you entered for?" Jim asked, his teasing voice breaking into her thoughts.
"Oh, no, I'm hoping that you win that blending machine you wanted," she replied, laughing as he shook his head. "Or maybe a new set of chopping knives to replace the old ones?"
"Hey, what can I say, it's the inner chief in me!" he said, grinning as they approached Grandview's City Hall, pulling up to the valet so that a young man could park their car.
Melinda took a deep breath and waited for Jim to open the door and help her out, suddenly very nervous and excited. As the door to the car opened and Jim offered her a hand, a shiver ran down her spine, though she ignored it in favor of exiting the car safely and without injuring herself. Once her feet were safely on the side walk and her arm was wound through her husband's, Melinda turned her head, catching sight of an elderly woman in Victorian dress staring at her helplessly.
A small sigh escaped her lips as she turned towards the front door, the lights and music coming from the ballroom filling the air. Now was not a time to work with the dead; tonight was supposed to be for her and Jim. It had been forever since they had gone out and enjoyed themselves, and she wasn't going to let an extremely old ghost ruin it for them.
"Okay, what's wrong?" Jim whispered into her ear as they entered the crowded hall, the press of living people becoming very welcome to her.
Melinda gave him a half-smile. "Nothing, everything's fine," she said, using the lie she always did in situations like this.
"Nope, you've got that look on your face that says, 'I just saw a ghost that needs helping,'" Jim quietly declared as he led her to the beverage table.
"Well, I'm afraid that I can't help this one," she whispered back, accepting a glass of cherry-flavored champagne from the server. "Too old…I can't help spirits that have been dead over a century…there's no one left in their families for them to make peace with." Melinda took a sip from her glass. "No spouses, no children, even their grandchildren are likely to be dead by now." She smiled up at the concerned look that Jim was giving her. "Not to mention that times are so different now, they would only be confused if I made them realize that they're dead and need to cross over."
Now it was Jim's turn to sigh. "Well, if you're sure." She nodded and the two of them quickly finished off their drinks. Suddenly, he smiled. "Okay, I guess that means I can ask you for a dance?"
His wife just laughed as she set aside her glass and let him sweep her up into his arms.
The evening was perfect. Melinda was content to just be 'normal' for a bit, chatting with friends, talking to people who frequented her antique store, and dancing the night away with her equally happy husband. Presently, she and Jim were taking a break, standing off to the side and watching others dance around the floor.
"Some night, huh?" asked Jim, his voice soft and soothing in her ear as he wrapped his arms around her.
"A great night," she commented, smiling happily.
Suddenly, the music stopped and a gong rang out, signaling the beginning of the drawing. Three weeks previous, most of Grandville's firemen and Emergency Response Teams had begun selling raffle tickets to help raise money for several different charities around the town. Tonight, all of the names were placed in a variety of buckets, a name going into the bucket for the prize the person wanted. So far, a great deal of money had been raised, and now it was time for the drawings.
"So, which to you think we'll win?" Jim asked with a broad grin. "The kitchen appliances, the stereo system, or the washer and drier set?"
Melinda could feel a dark eyebrow quirk on her face. "I don't remember us entering to win a washer and drier," she said, shoving him in the shoulder.
He shrugged his shoulders jokingly. "I'd like our house fully modernized."
"Well, let's just hope that it's something good," Melinda declared as she gave him a quick kiss on the lips.
After they separated, the two of them turned their attention towards the podium, where the mayor was pulling out names. All of the small prizes, such as gift certificates to a few of the town shops or cafes, were quickly done, and they were now moving on the electronics. The stereo went to a teenager, and the washer and drier set went to an older couple who looked more than happy with their prize. Now came the largest and most expensive prize of the evening…
"And the trip to the European city of the winner's choice is…" The mayor reached into the bucket, the entire crowd holding their breath.
For some reason, Melinda's eyes drifted to the bucket itself, and she couldn't help but be confused when she saw the names inside shifting around more than they should be. It could have been the mayor's hand digging around for a name, but the movement was far too vigorous for that.
'It looks as if something's stirring it around,' she thought, just as the movement in the clear plastic bucket stopped.
"The winner is…Jim Clancy and Melinda Gordon!" the mayor announced before waving the slip of paper around.
Melinda was quiet the whole ride home, trying to process what, exactly, had happened. Meanwhile, Jim was talking about how wonderful it would be to go to Europe and see the sights. After their names had been pulled, both she and Jim had been asked to choose which city they wanted to go see, and Melinda had let Jim choose. Of course, Jim had chosen the most romantic place in Europe for them to go to: Paris, France.
"But we don't speak French!" Melinda had protested.
Her words had fallen on deaf ears, and now Jim couldn't stop talking about a second honeymoon. He hadn't been able to afford a decent honeymoon after their wedding, so this was the perfect chance for them to take a dream vacation to Europe.
"So, what do you think?" he asked, glancing over at his beautiful wife as he pulled into the driveway.
Melinda started in her seat. "What?" she asked.
Jim sighed. "Okay, what's wrong, now?" he asked, keeping his tone patient as he stopped the car and turned of the ignition, waiting for an answer.
"Nothing, let's just…go inside," she said, practically leaping out of the car.
Rolling his eyes, Jim climbed out and followed the rapidly vanishing figure of his wife, closing and locking the front door behind him. Melinda had fled to the bathroom, so he merely slipped out of his tux and into a tank top and sweats. By the time he was comfy on the left side of the bed, Melinda seemed ready to tell him what was wrong. She emerged from the bathroom in her white nightgown and put away her evening dress in the closet. Once that was done, she joined him in the bed, pulling the covers over her lap as she sat up and took a deep breath.
"Okay," she said, heaving a big sigh. "I'll confess."
"Go for it," he replied, propping himself up on his right elbow so that he could look at her.
"Well…" she sighed. "I just…I'm afraid of leaving Grandville, that's all."
Now he was confused. "Why?"
"Because I have so much work I have to do here," she said, wrapping her arms around her bent knees and sighing. "I mean, I help so many people all the time…what if I'm away and someone needs my help?"
Jim sat up straight in bed. "Now I know you're making that up," he said sternly, reaching a hand out to grab Melinda's chin and forcing her to look at him. "I've seen you face down angry spirits, evil spirits, and even helped a hostile spirit while he possessed my body. In all those times, you've never fled or hidden yourself away from it. You're scared about something else. What is it?"
She wouldn't meet his eyes as she spoke. "I am afraid, Jim," she said, her voice soft. "I really am afraid to go to Europe, but for a different reason that the one I just gave you."
"Well, why are you afraid of Europe?" he asked, stating the obvious question. "Tell me!"
Melinda lowered her head so that the right side of her face lay on the tops of her bent knees, her dark eyes focused on him. "I'm afraid of the spirits I'll see over there."
Jim blinked, not comprehending what she'd just said. "Why?"
"Because the spirits over there are all so old, so different from those over here!" she said, sitting up straight and throwing her hands in the air. "Europe has so much more history than America does! They've had plagues, wars, executions, the Crusades, the World Wars…there are bound to be countless numbers of restless, angry, and, God forbid," she shivered, "hostile spirits over there! I've seen how they promote haunted hotels over there for ordinary people to go stay at, but I see the actual thing every day! What if I see and hear so many tormented spirits that it drives me insane?"
He hurriedly wrapped his arms around his now crying wife. "Don't worry," he whispered into her hear. "I'm sure it'll be fine. While we're there, all you need to do is focus on me and watch for my reaction to people around us, okay? Besides, it's only for a week or two." He smiled as he tiled her head up to face him. "Besides, we could use a vacation from everything…even spirits!"
Melinda sighed in defeat. "Well, alright," she conceded. "Since it means so much to you, we'll go."
The two exchanged a quick kiss before going to sleep in each other's arms.
Outside the house of the Seer, Madame Antoinette Giry watched in satisfaction as the light went out on the top floor. The woman was asleep, most likely wrapped in the embrace of her husband.
"Good night, little one," she whispered, smiling. "Sleep well."
Truly, the young woman up there was innocent and good-hearted, just like her little Meg. Oh, how she missed her darling daughter! Ever since the day she had died, Madame Giry had watched over her daughter, her grandchildren, and the children of all her blood, right up until today. It had been a somewhat pointless thing, given that all her descendants turned out to be decent men and women who had led good lives and had good values instilled in them from the very beginning. However, she had felt the need to wait for the right time and place to help one particular person that she loved so dearly, someone that she had unknowingly disappointed while they had been in her care…the one who still haunted the hallways of the Opera Populaire in Paris.
The thought of that great failure had haunted the old ballet instructor until the day of her death, trapping her in her own personal hell until she had merely opened her eyes one day and found that she was no longer alive. Instead, Madame Giry had found herself staring at her own gravestone, shaking in disbelief at her ill fortune. She had died, and yet, she was still in the realms of the living, a spirit doomed to wander until she felt at peace with herself. That had not happened, not until today.
It had happened right after watching a great-grandchild walk for the first time, and Antoinette had felt a sudden pull to go elsewhere, to someone/someplace that could help her find the peace she had sought for so long. She found herself in a small town on the eastern coast of America, watching those horrible motor devices drive by as a young woman with dark hair opened a shop for the day, a cheerful smile on her face as she waved at passing adults and children alike.
Fascinated, Madame Giry watched as the young woman entered the shop and began her day. To her amazement, the woman talked with others in the shop that were obviously not of the living; a man in an outfit from the time Madame Giry had lived, a child with a ball and stick in his hand, a woman in a short dress with beads dangling from it (which Madame recalled was a 'flapper' dress). It was then that she realized that this Seer of the Dead could help her.
For some reason, Madame feared going to see the woman face-to-face. If she went, it was possible that she would be refused, or would be helped to the afterlife without the spirit still in Paris finding peace themselves. Instead, she had interfered in the drawing for the trip to Europe, stirring the contents until the correct names had fallen into the mayor's hand.
Jim Clancy and Melinda Gordon…the Seer and her husband with the kind heart…
Sighing, Madame Giry closed her eyes, feeling extremely tired all of a sudden; in all her years as a spirit, she had never felt this tired before.
"Maman?" called a familiar light voice, one filled with laughter and innocence.
Her eyes flew open as her head jerked up in shock. "Meg?" she called, not daring to believe it.
"Maman, it's time to come home," Meg's voice beckoned as a bright light appeared before her. "Come towards the light, Mama! We're all waiting for you!"
Smiling, Madame Giry nodded. She had done her duty. The woman who could help would soon be on her way to Paris. It was only a matter of time before she entered the Populaire and found what she needed to do and who needed her help so desperately.
"I am coming, petite!" she called to her daughter, gladly stepping towards the bright, warm glow before her.
It was time to go home…
AN: Well, what do you all think? Please leave a review and let me know! If no one reads this and gives feedback on how they like/hate it, I'll take it down. For more information on this fic, visit my bio page. Thanks!