TITLE: The Power of Love at the Moulin Rouge

AUTHOR: Lady Sirius

PAIRING: many, in many fandoms

RATING: PG13

FEEDBACK: Of course all rights to XFiles, As the World Turns, Moulin Rouge, etc, belong to their creators, I am just having fun with them, although the characters of Sarah, Washu and Julie are indeed my own.

DEDICATION: To my two beautiful daughters - Katie and Sarah - who inspired me to write this, with great love.

The Power of Love - At the Moulin Rouge

- 10 - Liasons and a New Life

Mulder and Scully hustle Vegeta outside as quickly as they can. He looks unperturbed, as if unaware of the situation just narrowly averted. Mulder is steaming and Scully has to keep him from slapping the Saiyan prince around.

"Just what is your problem?" Mulder asks, glaring at the other man. "What was that little scene supposed to accomplish? Do you deliberately antagonize people or does it just come naturally to you?"

Vegeta remains calm in the face of Mulder's anger. "That was nothing. It's just a game I'm playing with that woman, the one they call Legs-in-the-air."

"What kind of a game?" Scully wants to know.

"She is trying to take over that nobleman for herself. She is a jealous, bitter woman, very spiteful, that one."

"No kidding!" Mulder exclaims sarcastically. "And just when did you figure that one out?"

"The moment I started talking to her," is the reply. "Vegeta is not as dumb as you seem to think."

"Oh, yeah? Then why are you playing such a stupid game? Or are you the kind of guy that enjoys playing Russian Roulette? Do you get your kicks from being hurt or possibly killed?"

Vegeta snorts. "Mulder, calm down. I am only doing this because the woman knows a lot about what goes on at the Moulin Rouge. She talks to me because she trusts me. She will not succeed in her game, do not worry. I am in control."

"That's what worries me," Mulder mutters to himself.

"Are you ready to listen, or do you wish to yell some more?"

Mulder has a ready answer, but cooler heads in the person of Scully prevail. "Go ahead," she urges, "what have you heard?"

"There was a problem here not too long ago, involving that same Duke and a courtesan named Satine over a young writer. It ended badly."

"I know all that," Mulder says impatiently. Vegeta is not flustered and continues.

"Yes, well it has caused a lot of nerves to be on edge."

"So?" Mulder wants to know.

"So, if you look in the right places you will find people who are willing to talk. Not just Nini, who will do anything for the right price."

Dana interrupts. "Did you find out anything that relates to the missing children?"

"Possibly. It's hard to say. Nini thinks that Washu has been here in Paris longer than she has been at the Moulin Rouge, but doesn't seem to want to talk about it. Possibly since the time that children started disappearing."

"Now there's a start," Dana begins, but Mulder interrupts. "No, no, no," he protests, "you're on the wrong track there. Washu has nothing to do with any of this. Look somewhere else."

"Mulder, be reasonable," Scully steps in. "He's not accusing her of anything, only presenting facts."

Mulder narrows his eyes at Vegeta warily. "Yeah, but he seems to be drawing a connection here where none exists, and I don't like it. Just leave Washu alone!"

Vegeta grunts noncomitally. "She is a pretty woman," is all he says, and Scully has to hold Mulder back. Vegeta is not worried, for although he is not tall he is far more athletically inclined than Mulder and can certainly hold his own against the FBI agent. "I think we have talked enough for one night," he says, "I am going to keep looking for my son. I will find you later, pretty Scully." He wafts a kiss through the night air and disappears into the shadows.

"Mulder," Scully begins, "you've got to stay objective here."

"I AM objective," Mulder protests, but it is halfhearted at best, and he wonders if he is compromising the operation because of the feelings he is developing for the beautiful show girl.

In a small house in Japan, the Sailor Scouts sit together, attempting to comfort their friend Serena, alias Sailor Moon, in her time of need. She has been crying, and her large blue eyes are damp. "I have been talking to my friend Bulma," she says, "and she tells me that her son Trunks is missing as well."

The other Sailor Scouts gasp in disbelief.

"What is she doing about it?" Mina asks. "Anything?"

"She says that her husband, Prince Vegeta, has been in contact with two FBI agents and that he has gone to look for Baby Trunks himself."

"Where has he gone?" Raye asks.

"To Paris," is the quiet reply. "To the Moulin Rouge."

The Sailor Scouts gasp in amazement.

"Isn't that where Darien went?"

"Yes, it is," Serena answers. "I have to believe that it is not just a coincidence, and that Rini and Baby Trunks are in the same place. I pray that Darien has found some information."

"Have you talked to him?" Mina wants to know.

"I've tried." Serena raises her tear-streaked face. "But he doesn't answer his cel phone and I am very concerned about him. Especially if he is in that place."

The Sailor Scouts nod in sympathy.

"The time has come," Serena continues, "for us to go to Paris ourselves and scout out the situation. I hope that Darien is okay, but I think he and Rini both need me and I must go to them. Will you help me?" She looks at them hopefully. Raye, Mina and Hotaru quickly nod their assent. The other Sailor Scouts are not available.

The four young women form a ring. Closing their eyes, they begin to concentrate on what they are doing. They are pooling their considerable powers and once they have reached the proper level, they will teleport themselves to Paris. "Sailor Scout Teleport!" they chant, as they begin to glow with an intense energy, and within seconds they are lost to the view of the two cats they have left behind.

Meanwhile in Paris, in their room at the L'amour Fou, Satie sits with Sarah, watching as she consumes a large bowl of chili, two hot dogs on buns and a pint of strawberry ice cream. "Are you sure you're all right?" he asks, worried.

"Sure, I'm sure," she assures him between bites. "I feel fine." She reaches for a pickle, dips it in the ice cream and eats it in two quick bites.

Satie shakes his head in wonder at the sight. "Not long ago you were sick to your stomach, and now you eat like there's no tomorrow."

Sarah sets aside the tray with her meal. She pats the bed beside her. "C'mere," she beckons. He sits down, and takes her slender hand in his, fearing the worst. "You can tell me anything, sugarlips," he says, but inside he is cringing.

Sarah smiles at him gently, kisses his hand. "Don't worry," she says, "I am not hiding anything from you, I promise. I am not sick. I am perfectly fine."

"But first you throw up and now you're eating the weirdest food. I don't get it."

"It's simple, my love," she explains. "You and I are going to be parents."

"Parents?" Satie looks confused, as if unsure of the meaning of the word at first. When comprehension begins to dawn on him, his eyes open large and a big smile breaks upon his face. "We're having a baby!" he states the obvious.

"Yes, we are," Sarah replies. "That's what being a parent usually means."

He reaches over and hugs her. "Ohmigod, Sarah, that is SO wonderful! A baby!" He can't get over it. Sarah is pretty excited herself.

"It won't be here for a while yet," she says, "plenty of time to get ready."

Satie looks around him, at the not very large apartment. "If Christian comes back, we will have to find somewhere else to live. How can we afford that? I don't know. And we have to be married before the baby comes. No question about that."

"No question," Sarah agrees. "I hope you don't mind, but I have approached Julie on the subject. Please don't be mad, but I knew you would feel this way. I've talked to her about us having the wedding at the Moulin Rouge. What do you think of the idea? After all, it's where we spend all our time, it is our life, it's where we met."

Satie smiles at her. "That is a perfect idea, my love. How soon can we do it? How about tomorrow?"

She is touched by his impatience. "No, dear, it takes longer than that to set up a wedding, even a small quiet one like the one we were talking about. Julie has asked if we can wait until after the Duke's birthday party and I said that would be fine. She is going to help me with arrangements, like looking for the dress and decorations and stuff. Is that okay with you?"

"That is fine with me, sweetheart, as long as you're happy." He kisses her gently. "Are you sure that you feel okay? Here, sit back and put your feet up. Take it easy."

She laughs at his concern. "Satie, I'm just fine. Here, come and sit with me while I finish eating. And then we can talk some more about baby plans."

He settles down beside her on the bed, as she continues eating her pickles and ice cream.

After Vegeta disappears into the night, Mulder and Scully turn back toward the Moulin Rouge. On their way inside, they pass the Duke and his lady on their way out. He clutches her protectively and has no words to spare for the two FBI agents, as he hands her into his waiting car with Warner at the wheel, and they too are lost to the evening. Inside, Mulder finds Washu shaking a leg with Toulouse, and Nini, the perpetrator of all this unholy mischief, nowhere to be found. Darien is waiting for Dana, and pulls her onto the dance floor where they fall together with a kiss. Mulder takes the place of Toulouse, and moves Washu handily about the dance floor.

The rest of the evening passes quietly and without incident. At closing time, Mulder asks Washu if she'd like to go out and get a bite to eat.

She shakes her head at him, then gives him a rather coquettish look. "I have a better idea," she volunteers.

"What would that be?

"How would you like to see my elephant?" She takes him by the hand and leads him away before he has a chance to reply, or even say anything to Dana. Not that she will notice his absence, for she is completely tied up with her mystery man. Mulder finds himself soon following Washu up the stairs of the elephant, and into her room.

"Make yourself at home," she says, while removing a bottle of wine from an ice bucket. He seats himself on the bed, watching her as she pours the wine and carries a glass to him. As he sips the chilled wine, she slips behind a screen and begins tossing articles of clothing over the top of it. Mulder's eyes grow large as he witnesses the disrobing process, wondering just what she has in mind. When she comes out, she is bearing a red teddy and a matching robe. The sight of her takes Mulder's breath away and he finds it hard not to stare.

She sashays toward the bed, rolling her hips in an exaggerated manner as she approaches. "Do you like?" she breathes sultrily. Mulder can only nod, being temporarily deprived of the power of speech. She takes the glass of wine from him, finishes it off in one quick gulp, and sets it down on a bedside table.

She positions herself around him so that she is has one leg one either side of him and she is sitting on his lap. Hungrily, she reaches for his lips and he responds in like fashion. They fall together on the bed, where she stretches out her full length upon him, their lips never losing touch. He rolls her over so that he is in the dominant position, his hands caressing her soft skin.

When she comes up for air, she whispers to him, "Fox, please don't leave me tonight. I need to be with you."

"I won't," he promises, and he stops any further words with a kiss, as they begin to make love. Later, they will watch the rising sun as it spreads its dawn over the Parisian skylight.

Dana and Darien are still together on the dance floor. When the music stops, Dana tells him that it is late and she must go.

"I understand," he says.

She takes his hand, and they walk out together. The night is still. In the distance, a dog howls, piercing the stillness. Dana starts to speak, but Darien stops her words, placing one finger against her lips. "I have a room at the L'amour fou," he says and she understands exactly what he means. She nods her head and he reaches down for her, engulfing her mouth with his own. Her mind is all awhirl and she can't tell whether or not she is dreaming. If she is, she doesn't wish to be awakened. Darien is consumed by a great hunger for this beautiful woman, and all thoughts of Serena and their future lives as King Endymion and Neo Queen Serenity fly from his mind. All he can see or think of is Dana.

He takes her into his arms, carrying her easily, out of the street and up to his room in the L'amour fou. They too will greet the dawn together.