A/N: Right!

Star Sheep: New reviewer! Thank you very much for all of your reviews. I've enjoyed writing it and glad you've so far enjoyed reading it.

Hicdracones: The cover story came to me in a moment of clarity when I was wondering what fate to give to the Comte de Chagny. I thought it quite fitting :-D Thank you for your reviews.

Modesty: Thank you as always for your reviews. Have you updated yet?

Captain Oblivious: Nice name by the way! And thank you very kindly for your review. I hope you finish reading and the ending is satisfying for you.

Emmakins: Glad you like it and thank you for taking the time to review.

Angelofmusic: I did mean Henry and I'm sorry about that! Thank you for the review!

Ahomelesspirate: Thank you as always! I try hard with the last lines… sometimes its not possible to end a chapter the way you want but sometimes it just pops into my head!

Pertie: Sorry for the cliff hangers… a couple more to come as it happens. Stick with me the rides nearly over. Thanks!

Kaladena: Thank you for the reviews, keep reading…. I'm doing my best not to disappoint!

Nabira: Thanks for the reviews! All of them lol Christine's heart has been breaking from the beginning… on and off, don't you think? Her life has been quite marred with tragedy.

Cupid: Thank you for your review, stick with me!

Queensarah: Thank you for the very long reviews. You always put so much detail into them. We see a little more of Raoul… in this chapter and the next. It's difficult times all around!

If I missed you I'm VERY sorry!

Chapter 59- … Open Minds.

It was the look in his eyes as she walked through the front door that made her stop. They were soft and wet, the sparkle disappearing under the redness. Christine walked to him, sure her eyes didn't look much better, and placed her arms around his neck. She kissed him softly and then with more passion as he responded.

Their bodies pressed together and instantly she lost herself in him, feeling the comfort of his arms wrapped around her.

Raoul closed his eyes and allowed the kiss to envelope him, feeling the warmth of her body and the softness of her lips made him forget, for a moment, his troubles. He ran his hand along her back, there was no sensuality in it, it was simply intended as comfort.

As she pulled away from him and looked into his eyes he knew that now he had to make a decision and that decision would affect the rest of his life.

'Madame!'

Thud, thump.

Antoinette opened her eyes at the sound of hammering at her door. She looked around her and realised that she had fallen to sleep on the seat by her fire, her legs were hot and she quickly moved them away. She yawned and the banging continued and as she pushed herself to her tired feet she wondered what the commotion was about. She glanced towards the door as she woke herself up, and stood up straight as she caught a glimpse of Henry as he walked to open the front door.

'Madame,'

Antoinette brushed down the front of her gown and carefully neatened her hair before she walked through to her entrance hall where she was greeted by a red and out of breath Christine.

'Madame,' she said, trying to catch her breath, there was sweat on her brow. 'Where is he?'

Antoinette raised her eyebrows and then dropped them again into a frown.

'Please...' Christine pleaded, her eyes begging. 'I need to find him.'

Antoinette looked forward, over Christine's shoulder, at Henry and her daughter who were watching with interest. Then she let her eyes fall back on to the young Vicomtess, who was barely calm enough to stand still.

'He is in Calais,' she said softly, watching Christine's eyes.

'Why?' Christine asked, her throat becoming tighter. 'What's he doing there?'

'He is leaving for England and then from there he will go to America.' Antoinette said gently. 'He wants to start a new life... without this...' she took a breath. '...stigma.'

'When...?' Christine said as a sob caught in her throat, she looked at Meg whose face was fallen with sadness.

'Tomorrow afternoon.' Madame Giry said, in her own eyes she was sorrowful, not only for Christine but also for her life long friend.

'I need to get there,'

Antoinette shook her head.

'I don't think you'll make it,' the ballet mistress said as she stepped past Christine and walked towards the back door. Christine's mouth gaped in shock as she followed her, anger filling her veins.

'So you won't help me?' Christine growled but Antoinette Giry did not react to her tone. 'Madame!'

'I didn't say that,' Antoinette replied, letting Christine follow her to the garden.

'Then why are we wasting time! Madame... please...' Christine cried. 'I need a cab... you said yourself I don't have much time.'

'No,' said Antoinette as she continued to walk. Christine began to cry but, as they walked around to the outhouse and her eyes drifted to what stood in front of her, she suddenly realised that in the end true friends will always come through for you.