A/N: Thank you all for having reviewed so faithfully. I think I will leave this here… I'm not sure an Epilogue would fit at the end but I'm sure I will go with popular demand.

Here goes:

UndermyAngel: You first as I missed you out last time! I'm so sorry, and thank you very much for your reviews, they have been wonderful. I apologise for the cliff hanger and I hope that you enjoy the ending.

GerrysJackie: I'm glad you've enjoyed the story and I'm glad that you found it. It's always nice to find new fans and new reviewers. I have read your profile and intend to read your story as soon as I get chance. Thank you kindly for your review.

Hicdracones: Thank you, as always, for your reviews. I think that it's important for Christine to be shocked into action and I've tried to do that in this. I have tried to keep her in character at the same time as giving her a little more… 'oomph'.

Kaledena: Thanks for your reviews. You have reviewed most chapters to this story and all I can say is thank you so much for your patience.

Nabira: Another faithful reader, and thank you very much. I hope that you are not disappointed by the ending!

Ahomelesspirate: Always do you shower me with compliments yet keep me in check. Thank you for that and for always taking the time to review each chapter. I'm sorry for the depressing tone… But rollercoaster emotions are good and show I am doing something right.

Pertie: I was actually going to leave this chapter a little longer but your review was so good I had to update sooner than I had originally intended. Thank you very much for all of your reviews!

Queensarah: Thank you very much for all of your very in depth and long reviews. You truly make my day and I look forward to your reviews. I'm sorry that the story has come to an end but I'm sure it won't be long before I'm putting more work on here.

CaptainOblivious: Thank you for all of the reviews you have given me. Particularly the last one about Raoul… I'm glad that I could make him out to be the character I believe that he is. Strong inside but kind and considerate. Thanks as always x

Angelofmusic: Thank you for all of your reviews, throughout this story. You have made me smile and made me want to continue. Thank you

Emmakins: I hope that the ending is to your liking and that you are not disappointed and thank you for the reviews you have left along the way x

Modesty: What cane I say? Faithful reader of TWO of my stories. Thank you, always x

Starsheep: Thank you for finding my story, thank you for taking the time to review. I appreciate it more than you know

Elektra: Wherever you have vanished to thank you for the reviews you left on this story. X

MysteryGuest: Again… thank you!

'When this cold world comes between us,
Please tell me you be brave
'Cause I can realize the danger
When forgiveness fades away' – Bon Jovi, 'Lie To Me'

Chapter 63- Forgiveness

The shiver crawled further along her spine like a spider as she looked back up, motionless, staring at the reflection. Her nerves tingled as she looked at the reflection in the carriage window.

All she saw now was the boats and the sea behind her, nothing had changed, nothing had altered. The breeze still blew so that the ships rocked giddily from side to side. The people still worked behind her, around her and the carriages still continued to queue. People shouted to each other along the expanse of the dockland. The smell of fish and men seemed stronger in the open, as if when the wind increased so did the ferocity of the smells.

The seaport was somewhere she no longer wanted to be. Suddenly she wished that she was with Meg, with her friend, in the warmth and comfort of her home… not feeling this heartbreak… never knowing what the pain of being so close yet so far away was.

More than that, suddenly, she wished she was back to years ago when her decisions could still decide her fate... when her decisions could have saved her.

She dropped her head back down to glance at her feet when she heard a voice behind her.

'Did you miss your boat, Madame?'

'Mademoiselle,' Christine corrected as she turned and nodded her head slowly.

'Perhaps we can get you on the next?'

She nodded again.

'Where are you going to?'

'England…' she said softly. 'I think.'

The gentleman nodded.

'The next boat is at five pm,' he said, his voice was thick and rich.

'Well, I was waiting for someone,' she said, and stepped towards him.

'And is he here?' the gentleman queried, looking around him.

'I'm not sure,' she replied, watching him carefully.

'You look…' he began and stopped, he looked at her face, her eyes. 'You look like you've been crying.'

'Yes,' she said. 'I missed my boat.'

'Is that really a reason to be crying?' he asked, almost coldly, watching her expression change. She smiled softly at him.

'It was an important boat,' she said, meeting his gaze with her soft brown eyes.

'No more important than the other boats on the harbour,'

'That's where you're wrong, Monsieur,' she said simply, staring at him. 'That boat was so much more important that any other on this harbour…'

He looked at her.

'You see, Monsieur,' she whispered, stepping closer to him so that he could hear her. 'I thought that my friend was on that boat…'

He said nothing but he allowed her to move closer.

'He is my best friend…' her voice glided through her lips softly. 'That boat was much, much more important than any in the world because I thought that he was on it… I thought that I had lost him.'

Still he stood their, curiosity covered his face as she spoke to him. The sounds of the sea poured into their ears, people talked loudly and brushed past them but still, it didn't distract them.

'And, well…' her smile fell from her lips and a tear trickled along her cheek. 'If I'd lost him… I don't know, I don't think I could have lived… I don't think I could survive without him.'

'Then, do you love him?' he asked, his voice was low and quiet, almost so soft it was as if it wasn't even there.

'What do you think?' she asked, her voice a whisper dancing on his ears as she looked into his soft blue eyes.

'I think,' he said softly. 'I think that I've missed my boat.'

She smiled.

'Perhaps we can get you on the next one?' she reached out to touch his arm, rested her hand there. He nodded at her, leaned forward as she asked, 'Where are you…?'

But he didn't let her finish.

'I'm always where you are, Christine,' he said, as he kissed the sounds of the people around them, away from her ear.