Disclaimer: I wish I owned these characters, but I don't. ESPECIALLY EWAN McGREGOR! What a hottie!!! Anywho, like I said I own nothing!

Distribution: Please feel free to post this anywhere, just drop me a line, to let me know where it's going.

Contact: wickedy_witch@hauntedmansion.com

Author's Notes: This takes place a little bit after Satine sings 'One Day I'll Fly Away'. I'm sorry there's no 'Elephant Love Song' in this story. If this story is the same or a lot alike somebody else's story it was unintentionally done!

Summary: What if Satine left the Moulin Rouge before she and Christian became too attached. Then five years later she returns to the Moulin Rouge. Also Satine isn't sick! What about the Duke? What about Christian? Where did she go? Why don't you read and find out?


Remember Me



Satine sat down at her vanity exhausted after lamenting her sorrows and troubles to herself. She shook her head in disgust at herself, 'No use in feeling sorry for yourself Satine. This is all your own doing, so suck it up and stick it out.' She gazed up at herself in the mirror, and a sudden realization hit her. 'What if I should die this way? Here in an elephant. Cold. Empty. Alone. That would be terrible.' She was shaken out of her deep reverie when she heard a light knock at the door.


"Who is it?" she stood up checking her appearance one last time in the mirror.


"It's Marie," her friend called through the other side of the door. Instantly rushing to the door she quickly threw it open for her awaiting friend.


"Yes what is it?" Satine asked a little anxious and annoyed by being interrupted. Marie started searching in the folds of her clothes for something. After a minute or so she finally retrieved the lost item. Marie extended her hand to Satine to reveal an envelope.


"This letter has just come for you, Satine. It's marked 'confidential'," Marie sounded excited.


"Yes, thank you Marie. I know how to read," she laughed lightly. She turned it over in her hands to examine it further. "There's no return address. How strange."


"Well don't just stand there, open it," Marie pushed on.


"I am. I am. Jeesh," she tore the wax off the letter and began reading the contents. After about a third of the way down she stopped in shock. Marie who could she her friend's surprise and dismay prodded.


"Well, what does it say?"


Satine looked up from her letter, "Quick, Marie. Pack my things, hurry. And fetch me a cab as well. I can't explain everything right now, just go."


"Well yes Satine, but can't you just stop a minute and at least catch your breath dear?" Marie looked on at Satine, who was throwing things into a large suitcase. She momentarily stopped.


"Huh, no. I can't, but if you come with me to the train station I'll tell you everything." She knew that would please her friend for a little while. She started packing again, tossing in various items into one bag. Then repeating the same process with another bag.


"Ok, let me just tell Harold and..." Marie started but was interrupted by Satine's frantic plea.


"No, Marie. He cannot know, no one must know. This is just between you and me. Got it?" Her eyes begged Marie. She hesitated a little. How could she and Satine just take off in the middle of the night? She sighed when Satine flashed her the 'puppy eyes'.


"Oh. Alright, but you owe me one. Let me at least tell him I'm running out to visit my sister. He'll buy that," Marie walked quickly out the door.


Once Marie was gone Satine hurried over to her night stand. She removed a piece of paper and a pen. She stopped trying to think of what to say. How was she going to tell Harold she was leaving for good? 'It's got to be done Satine. This may be your only shot at true happiness. Take it!' She then started her letter.


Dear Harold,


This is going to sound terribly cliché, but by the time you read this note, I'll be gone. Please do not worry about me or my safety. I cannot tell you where I'm going, because knowing you, you'd send somebody after me. And I don't ever plan on writing to you. Don't think me harsh, just cautious. Marie is the only one who knows where I'm going, but she's sworn an oath not to tell. As for when I shall return, I cannot say. Although, I know it will not be for some time. Please do not be upset with me.

I know that the Moulin Rouge is just about to steal the spotlight with 'Spectacular Spectacular', but when was the last time I did something for myself. As for the courtesan's role, I suggest that China Doll takes my part. She's a bit shy, but given enough time I believe she'll come into her own. Tell the Duke that I'm sorry that he's invested so much time into the theater, but I cannot stay. Maybe he will find the charms of China Doll as good as mine, if not better.

I will return to the Moulin Rouge one day. Soon, I promise. Just remember this, good bye is not forever. Oh, and tell our writer, Christian, I wish him all the luck in the world. He's talented Harold, you'd be wise to keep him with the company.

I will stop writing now, for I will burst into tears if I do not.


Your Sparkling Diamond,

Satine



Wiping a little tear away she folded it up and wrote 'Harold' across it. She then placed it onto her night stand and hurried to the door. When she reached it, she turned around for one last glance of the room. She then looked out the window to the writer's flat. She could she him helplessly pounding on his typewriter. She smiled a little sad smile for him.

He'd been so comical earlier that evening when she believed him to be the Duke. She laughed at how he blushed when she made advances on him. Then she remembered the song he'd sung to her. How did it go? Oh yes, 'How wonderful life is, now your in the world.' 'Sweet' she thought, 'but it was just lust. Nothing more. A man never falls in love with woman who sell herself, it always ends up bad.'

"Satine, are you ready," Marie stuck her head in through the door. She looked behind her, just to make sure nobody was following them.

"Yes," she smiled and hurried out the door, but not until she'd blown the writer a kiss.

'Today's the day, Satine. You're flying away finally,' Satine smiled as she looked at the empty streets of France. The carriage slowly and quietly made it's way to the train station, leaving all the world behind. The booze, the men, the 'silly costumes', but mostly the Moulin Rouge.

End of chapter 1. What did you think? PLEASE REVIEW. NO FLAMES PLEASE. I do enjoy constructive criticism though.