A/n: I would like to take this time to thank all of my reviewers, without you I would go no where. I'm afraid you'll have to forgive my absence of late as the past seven days have been absolute chaos. In light of my lack of updates I have decided to Finish this tonight. If it's good enough please as me for a sequel.

side note: In the book, Leroux says that Raoul was enrolled in some kind of ship thing, so for this i'm saying it's the navy since i don't remember what Leroux called it.

Chapter Three: Break Down
As promised, Christine awoke on the couch at seven the next morning.

Alone this wasn't a bad thing, however it was at this very second that the front door flung open and there appeared the sisters De Chagny who stopped at the sight of her.

She was of course wearing yesterdays dress which was now terribly wrinkled and her loose blond curls were flying in all directions.

Her cheeks flushed as she heard the elder whisper.

"Oh my, do you think the little scamp got kicked out?"

To which the other responded with a giggle.

"I've heard of the husband being thrown out but never the wife. Brother must have someone on the side."

Christine stood without a word and fled up stairs, slamming the bedroom door behind her as she entered.

Raoul woke with a start but quickly smiled at her.

"You're awake early. Good morning my darling."

She sank to her knees with a sob.

"Raoul why must they be so cruel to me?!"

He stood quickly and knelt next to her, softly brushing away her tears.

"Who? Are Annet and Mercy here?"

She nodded, a new set of tears sliding down her eyes.

"They were whispering about me. I fell asleep on the couch last night and well look at me, I'm a mess."

He couldn't help but smile as he brushed a stray curl behind her ear and kissed her forehead.

" You look beautiful. You're always beautiful. Surely they couldn't have said something that bad."

She tried to glare at him but she knew it wasn't his fault and shook her head.

" Yes Raoul, they said you probably kicked me out of bed because you had a mistress...and Annet called me a little scamp."

Raoul looked shocked and stood, pulling her to her feet and leading her over to the dressing table.

"Sit. You dry those tears and I'll make sure they're put in their place."

He leaned his chin on her head and smiled at her in the mirror, tracing a gentle hands down her cheek and over her neck where her own hand met with his.

Suddenly a thought crossed her mind and without thinking she asked the question that had consumed her for nearly a month.

"Raoul...if you knew I would be happy, would you let me go?"

He frowned down at her and bent to his knees next to her.

"What on earth do you mean?"

She closed her eyes as he took her hands into his.

"I'm not happy Raoul. There's only so much I can take it the pressure is beginning to be too much. When we married, I thought I would be happy for the rest of my life and that's what I truly wanted."

Raoul sighed heavily and closed his eyes, kissing her fingertips.

"I would do anything for you. First let me try to right what I have wronged. I'll be back in fifteen minutes."

She nodded silently and watched as Raoul stalked to the door, intent written deep in his eyes.

Christine glanced at her reflection and shoo her head.

"I'm not sure that can be done."

Nearly an hour passed and Raoul never returned.

Slowly Christine slipped down the stairs and found him sitting numbly on the couch, a letter pressed tightly in his lap.

"Raoul?"

He looked up at her, tears brimming in his eyes.

"Christine..."

His voice was broken as she quickly sat next to him, taking his hands.

"Raoul, what's wrong?!"

He bowed his head.

"I've been called away. I'm afraid it's not an option to stay and a war ship is no place for a woman."

She blinked a moment, desperately fighting back tears.

"How long?"

He didn't answer but as he released the note and it fell to the floor she saw.

"Six months?! Is there no way out?"

He shook his head.

"No. I was onlyfifteen when I signed up with the navy. I never thought this time would come when I had just settled down. We have two weeks Christine. Promise me you'll be here when I return."

She nodded slowly and he smiled at her warmly.

"What am I crying for? It's only six months. It's not like it's forever. It's only training, it should go by quickly. I've been through this before."

But there was something nagging at both of them.

Something told them this could be their last good-bye.

Okay, short chapter but don't worry, the next three are going to be nothing but Christine/Erik romance. Please review!