Author's Note: The assignment for my Creative Writing class was to listen to music in class and brainstorm. The 4th song was this jazzy bit and for some reason it got me thinking about the movie Casablanca. If you haven't seen it and don't want the ending spoiled, don't read this. I took the end and challenged myself to go into Ilsa's thought process of why she left on the plane instead of staying with Rick like I always thought she should. The perspective is kinda this she needs to leave now, but she and Rick have memories and have Paris and maybe one day the'll meet again in Paris under better circumstances. Tell me what you think!

Disclaimer: I don't own Casablanca.

"We'll Always Have Paris."

The deafening growl of the engine, the monotonous hiss of the reeling propellers, and the words of solace pouring from her husband's lips were plunged into a sea of drowning before sound or reason passed her ears. Her senses were filled to the brim with the delicate cords of a tinkling piano, the saccharine aroma of red wine and Parisian perfume, his arms tenderly embracing her as they swayed as palm trees in the tropical breeze to the smooth, jazzy voice crooning out the lyrics of their song.

"You must remember this,

A kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh.

The fundamental things apply,

As time goes by."

Ilsa's gaze remained focused out the tiny porthole of a window on his solitary figure burning his face into her memory to stay for all eternity. Though with the blink of an eye, the tears eclipsed her vision to an opaque outline, fading, fading with the growing distance between the plane, the rescue of the future, and the man, the love of the past.

The shuddering spasms that threatened to accompany her mournful tears were forced to subside. Her husband need not be worried by her unnecessary display of emotion. He needed her strength and her everlasting loyalty to keep his firm conviction of beliefs and brave stability in the presence of danger. But her courage could never be solely dedicated to him. Her courage was devoted to her Rick. Him, her love, him the man who'd forfeited his very freedom to protect her, him the man who'd let go of her for the greater good of herself.

Memories, fond, beautiful moments captured and engraved upon the mind were all that remained of their passionate affair. His sultry kiss still smoldered her lips. That unforgettable song played again and again as a broken record of a remembrance and that city that defined their lapse of time together stood proud and tall above the edge of the map.

And the lingering fire of hope in her heart ignited at the thought. "We'll always have Paris."