Les Promets Casse

by Misako

Two years after Satine's death, a visitor comes to the Moulin Rouge who looks startlingly like her....

4. Broken Gem

DISCLAIMER: Moulin Rouge fanfic. All are owned by Baz Luhrmann, Fox, etc. :D just DON'T sue!!! :P -It's not like you're gonna get anything out of it anywayI can't work, I don't make money. The end. The Francois Mauriac quote is not mine either. This fic is purely of my own creation and is not being used in any way, sort or form, to profit from or to make money. I just like to write and have people read and review it. It is that simple.

SUMMARY: It's 2 years after Satine's death, and a stranger appears one night at the Moulin Rouge to see the newest show – who bares a remarkable resemblance to Satine.

CATEGORY: Romance

RELATIONSHIPS: I believe it should obvious, but don't expect anything. This is definitely NOT a typical "I loved someone, but they died, so I'll just fall in love with anyone and I'll be happy" fic.

SPOILERS: Well, yes. Satine's deathsome other aspects as well.

CHARACTERS: Christian, Chantal, and the rest of the cast

RATING: PG-13for nowit gets decidedly more graphic later thoughpushing into R

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Whoo hoo..I get to decide how HAPPY this fic is going to end. (Not going to end for another chapter or twobut I'm thinking of a way to SURPRISE you readers. May be happy, may be sad, you'll just have to wait and see. In light of a recent situation regarding the removal of a friend of mine's fanfictions, I have now taken precautions and I've been disclaiming every piece I borrow. I love you Cass! Note: title IS in French, it means Broken Promises.

Les Promets Cassé, by Misako

Chapter Three – Broken Gem

No love or friendship can cross

The path of destiny

Without leaving some mark

On it forever.

-Francois Mauriac

"Return to London?" Chantal asked, biting her lip.

"Yes. You see, I've made all the arrangements. We're to be married when we return." Nicholas smiled, ignorant to her hesitation.

"Married?" Chantal whispered, looking down at her hands, her gaze traveling to the finger her engagement ring had once sat on.

Nicholas's eyes had followed her gaze, and noticed the lack of a ring. "You're not wearing it." He said flatly.

"No. II put it away for safekeeping. I was afraid it would get stolen. It's in my room across the street." Chantal gestured at the beige building across the street with L'amour Fou in bright crimson letters across the side.

Nicholas took her hands, but to Chantal, his hands held no warmth, only coldness and desperation. "Well, let us go and retrieve it then." He began pulling her gently towards the stairs. She obediently followed him, quiet and subdued. When they exited into the main stage, the dancers turned to see them, but as Chantal scanned the room, she noticed that Christian was absent. Led across the street, Nicholas waited for her at the main set of doors on the lowest floor as she went above to retrieve the ring. She noticed Christian's door was open as she passed by, and could see him leaning against the doorway to the balcony, drinking a small shot of absinthe. She paused slightly, wondering whether she should enter or not, but then decided to enter.

"Christian?" she called softly, walking up behind him. He turned around slowly, his eyes taking in the expression on her face.

"I just wanted to leave you two alone." He answered her unspoken question.

"Thanks," Chantal said quietly, biting her lower lip so hard it hurt. "Christianoh, I can't do it."

"Do what?" he asked her quietly, his eyes a midnight blue and filled with questioning.

"I can't. I just, can't." Chantal repeated, not even caring if she even made sense.

"You can't" Christian prodded her gently, lifting a hand and tucking a loose strand of her auburn hair behind her ear.

"I just can't go with him. I can't. His life isn't my life anymore." Chantal said, feeling herself weaken further as she stared into Christian's face. I can't leave you. You've always been here for me, for these past three weeks. He has neverChantal couldn't bring herself to tell Christian why she was really hesitating.

"Go with him?" Christian asked, looking slightly surprised.

Chantal sighed. "Back to London. He wants me to return to London with him. He says," she paused for a moment, shaking her head slightly. "All preparations have been taken care of, and that I am to marry him when we arrive."

Christian looked startled. "Well, that certainly isquick."

"I know. And I don't even want to marry him." Chantal said, giving a helpless shrug.

"You don't? Not even when he's come here and kissed you like he's never kissed you before?"

"No. I just, I'm tired of living in the world of the rich. I'd rather be here, working, but still enjoying life for what it is. Living for the ideals of the Bohemian Revolution." Chantal turned her gaze away and stared at the courtyard, watching people walk about their daily lives. "He doesn't believe in them, you know."

"Truth, Beauty, Freedom and Love?" Christian asked inquiringly.

"No. He used to tell me it was all a sham. Just the thing to make people want to join. That it would never come true." Chantal said, looking back at Christian. "But you've, and everyone else here, has taught me that what I'd hoped for all along, is indeed an ideal that can be attained."

Christian was silent. When he finally spoke, his voice was softer. "Yes, but that doesn't make us any more impervious to the dark side of life. Death hunts us all."

"Satine," Chantal murmured, taking the empty shot glass out of Christian's hand and placing it on a nearby table before taking his hands. "But isn't it worth it? At least to live the life you want before Death steals you away?" Christian did not reply.

"If I returned with him, all I'd end up doing was that I'd go and court the dukes, the earls, the high society. What I'd say would not matter, whether if it were something that could be a great contribution or not. Here. Here, I can live the life full of freedom. Here, people listen to me. How could one choose the other over this?"

Christian sighed heavily. "Because you were born into that society. And were brought up to be in it."

"But, you spend your entire live preaching that all the ideals are important – especially love"

"But he loves you, does he not?" Christian asked. "He wouldn't have come in to "rescue" you from this Underworld of Sins if he didn't love and care for you."

"But" Chantal hesitated as Christian's statement sunk in. "He won't love me like you do."

Christian reared his head back, looking startled. "I'm sorry?" He asked.

"You love me, don't you?" Chantal asked quietly.

"I love you as I would love a sister, someone to care for, yes."

Chantal removed her hands from Christian's and began to walk away. "Then I have no reason to stay."

"But" Christian began, but Chantal had already made it to the door.

"I'm sorry Christian." Chantal said, before disappearing around the corner, and re-emerging a moment later. As she passed by the door, he could see the faint sparkle of a ring on her finger that hadn't been there before.

As the full implications of that simple image began to sink in, Christian sat down on the ground and buried his head in his arms. One simple statement from him, and she had already resigned herself to a life she did not want to live.

******

Chantal reappeared down at the main doorway, slightly breathless from running down the stairs.

"Ready?" Nicholas asked, holding out his hand. Chantal took it, and they walked off together to a waiting car.

"Let's go." Chantal replied, entering the car, and as Nicholas closed the door after her, she looked out the window back up to Christian's balcony one last time.

******

Christian sat alone, looking at the dimming light of day, having only moved to retrieve a bottle of absinthe since Chantal's farewell.

I feel like I've lost a part of my heart a second time. He thought, downing another shot of absinthe. He raked a shaking hand through his dark hair before pouring himself another glass.

His vision was suddenly filled with sparkles as a slender form wearing a sparkling white, diamond encrusted dress descended and hovered before him. Even though the heavenly light he could see that the apparition was Satine, smiling gently at him. He pushed himself up slightly, placing the still full glass down beside him.

"Satine?" he whispered, not quite sure if he was really seeing her.

"Christian. I've been watching you know. You're such a fool." She said, smiling at him.

Christian was confused. "Fool?"

"I suppose you have been so afraid of falling in love again, that even though you have, you don't acknowledge it." Satine's said, her voice soft like an angel's wing.

"I've fallen in love." Christian asked in disbelief.

Satine's laugh echoed in his ears. "Oh yes. Go. Find her. I know you will never forget me, and I want you to move on. To still have love, not just despair."

"You want me"

"To find her. To love her as you did me." Satine replied.

"But I could never love her as much as I loved you. I loved you with all my heart – and I still do. How could I do that to her?" Christian asked, staring up at his one true love.

"True. But I'm sure you still have enough room in your heart to love her for the rest of your lives." Satine smiled at him one last time, the edges of her form blurring slightly before she disappeared entirely.

"Wait." Christian said, biting his lip.

"Trust me." He could hear her voice, and then the soft touch of her lips on his own, one last kiss.

Christian slowly rose to his feet, before walking, slightly dazed, out of his room and down towards the Moulin Rouge. He sought out one person:

Trey.

Trey was a Moulin Rouge whore, and a good friend of Christian's. He was of average height but his looks were still accented by dark dark hair and very brown eyes.

"Trey – could you go to London and discover where Chantal is? And if possible, please give her this," Christian held out a folded note. "And tell her I'll be on my way soon."

Trey nodded solemnly. "Of course, Christian."

Another dancer named China Doll walked up to Christian at that moment. Her blond hair was pulled up in a French twist and various gems adorned a small headdress she wore. "Christian?" she asked timidly. He turned to look at her, and saw that she was holding a small letter, which had obviously been crumpled. "I found this on the floor in her room." She watched him then, her blue-green eyes full of concern.

Christian took the letter from her, thanking her. Opening it, he noticed the date on the top right corner – she had written it two days prior. Christian began to read:

Dearest Christian,

I can't quite understand myself the depth of my feelings for you. Perhaps it's because of your kindness, your sincerity, and your willingness to give all your love to someone you love. In that way, I envy Satine so, because she was loved, and loved wholly by you, and I have naught experienced this. I love you

The letter trailed off then, and Christian realized that she had tried to write him a letter betraying her true feelings but could not bring herself to give it to him. As he lowered the letter, he began to wonder if he was too late.

LPC4 –Last one before the ending of LPC! How will it turn out? There are more secrets than the ones presented already

A.N. and Thank Yous:

I'm going to have SO much fun with the surprising ending:) I'm kinda annoyed at the ending I gave this though, but I suppose, the following chapters will end much better. :)

Thank you's to:

First and foremost:

Trey: Since you ARE the messenger, I'm here to inform you that you will be back in LPC4. :)

Liz- I'm eagerly awaiting your review when you return! And you will be in LPC4 as well. :)

Kate-Stay out of trouble, darling, on vacation at least. ;)

Plu- [hugs] these past few days have been tense, with the CC thing

Rhysenn- IP9:) I can't wait! I'm also very angry about the CC thing, but I've discussed that on FF as well as the list.

Cassie- I feel so bad for you. [hugs] But you know, we will always love you. :)

And all the rest of you that were lamenting over the lack of Moulin Rouge fanfictions on FFN. Here's something for ya! ;)

Thank you to all that reviewed on Fanfiction.net:

SugarPrincess (I love your fanfic too!), Kenobi (well, this will be semi-twisted. I can't tell you how, you'll just have to see.), Magic (I'm glad you gave it a chance!), Danalas (nope, they're too smart, you know? *wink*), EloraSalecite (Oops, sorry about that. ;) )

All my Moulin Rouge Whores at fanforum:

karabehr
BarelyPink
LimeWarp
Cora
Trey, the Moulin Rouge Man Whore
noah blue
bistyboo1974
misery chic
Behrdogz
kookio
Maria G
AussieFehrFan
RebeccaSHF
katscar
KervyQT16
izzylizard
AngelGirl
ANGELforBUFFY
stekko
spfmaxyo
Trory4ever
and our Honorary Diamond Dog: SmittenMitten

And to the most fabulous people on the screen: Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman for making this all possible. For bring love like Christian and Satine's to the bright light of the silver screen.

And a VERY GREATFUL thank you to Christian, who has been my muse all this time.