Hello, Lady Elanya here, sorry about the random prologue. I just needed a way to explain that the Opera House was being rebuilt. This is truly the first chapter and I hope that you enjoy it. Thank you for reading and please read and review.

Without You

Chapter 1

Looking for a Lead

Firmin stood looking at the numerous young ladies that had come to try out to become either a dancer or a singer in the world renowned Opera Populaire. All the women were very beautiful but one stood out among the others. She was taller then the rest and had features that almost matched Christine Daae's, with the exception that her hair was straight instead of curly. He could not take his eyes off of her but he knew that he had to get the auditions started if they were to get through all the girls in one day.

He finally looked away and pulled out the note in his pocket. He had received the note that very morning. It wasn't that long but he knew that it was serious so he decided to read over it once more to make sure that he hadn't missed anything.

Firmin, I am respectfully telling you now that I will control who I want to be in my Opera. As you allow the women to audition today, you will look to box five to find out my reaction to the girl. If the curtain is open then I want the girl to be in the Opera, if it closed then you shall send them on their way.

I hope that you learned your lesson about disobeying me and will listen to me from this moment on. I remain your obedient servant. OG

Firmin knew that he had no other choice then to follow his instructions. He turned towards Andre and together they took their seats in the audience. They waited for the first girl to step forward. She was a short Italian woman who sang very beautifully and when she was finished the two men looked up to box five and saw that the curtain was closed so they sent the singer on her way.

Thus the day continued with one woman after another coming and going. The Phantom seemed to be very picky about the women he wanted to be in his Opera and then finally they came to the woman who had stood out at the beginning of the day. She slowly walked to the middle of the stage and heaved in a large sigh.

"I will be singing a portion of the song "Think of Me" from Chalumeau's Hannibal." She took her position to start singing and took in a large breath.

"Think of me

Think of me fondly

When we said good-bye

Remember me once in awhile

Please promise me you'll try

When you find that once again

You long to take your heart back

And be free

If you ever find a moment

Spare a thought for me."

She finished the portion of the song that she was singing and waited to hear the fate of what would become of her. She knew that her voice was no where near as good as many of the women who had been sent away so she had a feeling that she had no chance.

Andre stared in awe at the curtain for not only was the curtain open but he could see the Phantom staring at the woman. He had a feeling instantly that this woman had potential and that if they allowed it, she could take lessons from the Phantom and they would have a new Christine on their hands. They would have a voice that would echo in the memories of everyone forever.

"What is your name, mademoiselle?" Firmin finally spoke up. The woman seemed to be relieved.

"My name is Lorraine, monsieur Firmin, but most just call me Rain." she spoke with confidence. "I have very little training in singing but I am an experienced dancer. I have grown up dancing since I was four years old."

"That is fine," Andre smiled at the woman. "You may follow Madame Giry who will show you to the dormitories." He motioned as Madame Giry walked on to the stage and motioned for Rain to follow her.

---

The dormitories were not that far and soon Rain found herself being led to a small bed that she would call her own. She thanked Madame Giry and set the small bag that she had been carrying down on to the bed. The room was stuffy, with only one tiny window in corner of the opposite wall. For ten years she had lived any where she could and now that she had a place to stay, all that Rain could think about it getting to a place where she could get some air.

"Madame Giry," Rain stepped out of the room and walked up to the older woman. "Is there any place where I can get some air? The room is a bit stuffy and I am light headed from singing."

Madame Giry looked at the young woman curiously. She slowly nodded. "Up those stairs, down the walkway and then up another flight of stairs and you will find yourself on the roof where you can get plenty of fresh air."

"Thank you, Madame." Rain turned from her and wandered up the stairs and made her way down the walkway and then up the second flight of stairs. The roof was cold as the snow had begun to fall but being cold did not bother Rain.

---

The sun had begun to set as she continued to stare out at the vastness of Paris. Long ago she would have found beauty in the dim lights that spread out across the city but now all that she could see was tears. Each light represented a tear to her, nothing more, and nothing less. She heaved in a sigh as she prepared to sing.

"Have you ever thought of me?

Or have you forgotten me?

You told me that you would be there

You told me you would always care

But you left me alone in the dark

You left me in a world so stark

How could I go on with out you?

What is life without you?"

Her face could not hide the grief that was in her heart. With every passing moment that her eyes were open she could feel herself losing a little bit more of her composure. She knew that within a few more seconds she would be ready to burst out in to tears.

"That was quite an impressive performance." A voice echoed all around seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere at the same exact moment. Rain turned around quickly to find herself staring at…

Dum, Dum, Dum…. Well until next time. I'm sorry if the update time takes a little while. I am combining my Junior and Senior years right now and life is a little hectic but I hope to get the next chapter up as soon as I can.

Love and Peace

Lady Elanya