This story takes place almost two years after the first "Moulin Rouge" movie. This my first try at"Moulin Rouge" fan-fic. The only characters that don't belong to be are Christian, Harold Zilder, the Diamond Dogs and the Moulin Rouge. This story contains spoilers to the first. I also do not own the rights to any of these songs I just know them by heart and really like them, that's why they are in the book. The characters, and the songs are copyrighted; don't sue me I'm just writing because I like to write. Enjoy my fan-fic. Please R&R

Chapter One
The Moulin Rouge

The Moulin Rouge…kingdom of nighttime pleasures. The Moulin Rouge had been –just a few months ago- just a rotting shell of a once famous club. Now, the Moulin Rouge sparkled and glittered as it had almost two years ago. The large windmill that dominated the first part of the club turned, announcing to passers by that the Moulin Rouge never closed. Music could be heard from inside the main building of the Moulin Rouge far from the club itself.
Standing near the entrance of the Moulin Rouge, listening to the large red windmill's sails rotate, a girl almost eighteen stood staring at the club. At her feet was old worn leather suitcase, giving the impression that she had run away from home. Which she had; the girl was thinking about that day, the fight with her father that had resulted in her coming to the Moulin Rouge.
In her home in London, the girl stood in a large study engaged in another fight with her over-powering father.
"Jade, I will not allow you to go to the Moulin Rouge and waste your life as a can-can dancer!"
The girl, Jade, sighed and rolled her eyes. "Father, I don't want to be a can-can dancer! I want to be a singer, there I can sing and hopefully become famous."
"The Moulin Rouge is full of sin, I will not let you go. You can stay here and become a singer."
"But there I can be free, free to make my own choices and live my own life! I wish to be part of the Bohemian Revolution; I believe in Truth, Beauty, Freedom and-"
"Love! You're just like your uncle. Always this ridiculous obsession with love! You can fall in love with decent men here and not some male dancer at the Moulin Rouge!"
"But-"
"No, you are not going to the Moulin Rouge!"

She had stormed out then, hurrying to her room to pack her suitcase and catch the train to Paris then to The Moulin Rouge. That was nearly two days ago; standing in front of the Moulin Rouge, Jade felt a slight pang of homesickness. Maybe this was not the best idea but she had no money to get home so she had no choice. Stooping to pick up her suitcase, Jade said a silent prayer; praying this would all work out in the end.

Inside the Moulin Rouge, the party was in full swing, unaware that they were about to have a visitor. While the legendary Diamond Dogs entertained customers on the dance floor, one courtesan was backstage getting ready for her big entrance. She was beautiful, long jet black hair that reflected the dull lights and lovely pale skin. Her eyes were bright and blue, full of sparkle. She wore a long white flowing dress. She looked the part of a calm woman whom was under control, however inside she felt different. Tonight was her debut and she would be singing the song that had rung through the Moulin Rouge years before by the most famous courtesan: The Sparkling Diamond. This courtesan would be singing, "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend"; silently she was praying that she would do as well as The Sparkling Diamond, whom had died of tuberculosis two years ago during the Moulin Rouge's famous show "Spectacular Spectacular" written by her young lover. Shortly after The Sparkling Diamond died in her lover's arms, the Moulin Rouge closed; lately, due to a rich benefactor the Moulin Rouge was rebuilt and reopened. This courtesan, by the name of Roxanne, had come to Moulin Rouge partly because she was new in France and didn't have any money or a place to stay but also because she wanted to be a famous dancer. The owner of the Moulin Rouge, Harold Zilder, had told her that she could dance at the Moulin Rouge but also had to sing. Roxanne had agreed, foolishly because she knew she couldn't sing, and hoped that she would never have to sing but now she was in over her head. Her debut was in less than five minutes.

Outside of the Moulin Rouge, Jade had tried to enter through the front but had found the doors locked, so she had ventured around the back. Seeing another set of doors, Jade once again set down her suitcase and walked up the steps toward them. Jade wrapped her hand around the cold copper door handle and debated quickly whether to open them or come back later. Jade was about to enter the back room of the Moulin Rouge where the nervous Roxanne was silently praying that she would sing the song correctly.
Jade opened the doors and peered in, it was slightly dark, dim cracked lights provided the only light. There were bunks towards the left and right of her, against the walls and one room, a dressing room that had not been entered in a rather long time –Jade thought- that had a name plate that read "Satine" nailed onto the door. Jade entered the back room, letting the doors close quietly behind her; at first she thought she was the only one in the room until she caught a glimpse of a woman with her fingers crossed, nervous it was apparent. Jade crept silently toward her, the floor not creaking under her weight until she got a little nearer to the woman. The floorboards cracked, startling both the woman in the room. The courtesan jumped up in surprise, nearly tripping over her long dress.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I'm awfully sorry." Jade said. Already this wasn't going well.
Roxanne stared at the girl; she was young only around two years younger then herself she guessed. Her hair was a beautiful reddish brown color and fell down her shoulders. Her skin was tan, her legs and arms long and slender.
"That's okay, what are you doing here?" Roxanne asked, not unkindly.
"I'm sorry but the front doors were locked and I-" Jade paused, wondering what to say. Finally she decided on the stupidest question her mind could muster "Is this the Moulin Rouge?"
Roxanne smiled at the girl and nodded. "Yes, the doors are always locked when the club is filled to its capacity. My name is Roxanne." The courtesan introduced herself.
"My name is Jade, I'm from London. I came here to be a singer." Jade said.
Roxanne studied her for a second, a singer? Maybe I don't have to sing after all, Roxanne thought, if she is any good. She has to be better then me at least. "A singer?" Roxanne repeated, hoping she had heard right.
"Yes, I came on a hunch that I could sing here." Jade muttered, hoping her hunch was right.
Roxanne nodded hurriedly. "Yes, you can sing here-" Before Roxanne could say anymore, the main door to the back room was opened. Inside stepped a man, his stomach round and plump, his hair and mustache red and unkempt.
"Roxanne you're about to go-" The man began but stopped when he saw Jade. "Who is that?" He asked Roxanne.
Roxanne pushed Jade toward the man. "Harold, this is Jade, she came from London to be a singer." Roxanne said, a twinkle in her eye.
Jade smiled a "hello" at the man before turned to join Roxanne's side again. However, Zilder stopped her. "A singer, did you say?" The man asked Jade and not Roxanne.
"Yes." Jade couldn't understand why these two people cared so much about her wanting to be a singer.
Roxanne walked over to Zilder's side. "Harold, we both know I can't sing very well but maybe this girl could sing 'Diamonds are a girl's best friend' instead of me." Roxanne hinted.
Jade, who could hear what Roxanne had said even though the courtesan was trying to whisper, looked up at Zilder eager for his answer. Even if she didn't know that song, maybe Zilder would give her a chance.
"Yes, but can she sing?" Harold asked Roxanne; not whispering because he could tell Jade could hear them.
Roxanne turned to Jade. "Let's see, here's part of the song you'd half to sing tonight: A kiss on the hand may be quite continental but diamonds are a girl's best friend." Roxanne sung.
Roxanne was right, she did sing terrible but Jade didn't say anything, she just sung the verse.
Harold and Roxanne stared at her; Jade stared back nervously, did this stare mean "Wow, she's really good" or "Wow, she sings worse then you Roxanne"?
Harold spoke first, whispering more to Roxanne though. "She sings just like The Sparkling Diamond." He whispered, a touch of sadness in his voice.
Roxanne grinned happily and clapped her hands. "She can sing the diamond song instead of me." Roxanne said.
Harold frowned. "Yes, but can she learn it in less than five minutes?" He asked, both were talking as though Jade was no longer in the room.
"Yes, I learn fast." Jade said. Both Harold and Roxanne's eyes returned to Jade, who quickly faked a smile.
"Right, you have four minutes to teach her Roxanne, or you'll have to sing it for her." Harold said, and left. Jade noticed there was a far off type look in his eyes as he left the room.
"Right, than, let's get to work." Roxanne said and began to teach Jade the words to the song that had filled the club years before.