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 anyway…I can't work, I don't make money. The end. The song featured in here contains part of "Come What May" by David Baerwald. It does not belong to me. (At least, the section that he wrote.) The rest of the lyrics belong to me. "The Last Words You Said" belongs to Sarah Brightman, Angel Records, and all that are affiliated with that song. All characters are owned by the aforementioned, except for Chantal, Nicholas, who are my own, and Trey, who is owned by, well, Trey. :)
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 death…some other aspects as well.
CHARACTERS: Christian, Chantal, and the rest of the cast
RATING: R for alludes to sexual situations, blood, sadness, and death
AUTHOR'S NOTE: So. This is the end. Shocking that it's all coming to an end so quickly. I've only been writing this for a month. Note: title IS in French, it means Broken Promises.
Les Promets Cassé, by Misako
Chapter Six A – Stars in Heaven
I can hear you whispering in the silence of my room.
My heart still surrenders like the sun to the moon.
I can barely stand this aching, burning endlessly.
"Love me now, forever" were your last words to me.
Heaven help us cross this endless sea with starlight above to guide you to me.
Waves crashing on distant shores.
They're calling out our names forevermore.
And I can still hear you whispering in the silence of my room.
My heart still surrenders, like the sun to the moon.
I can barely stand this aching, burning endlessly.
"Love me now, forever" were the last words you said to me.
-"The Last Words You Said by Sarah Brightman
Christian gaped at China Doll. "She's what?"
"She's returning." China Doll answered, her eyes sparkling and a small smile playing about her lips as she watched his rapidly changing expressions.
"May I see that?" He asked, gesturing at the letter she held in her hand. Silently, she held it out to him and he almost gingerly took it from her, as if expecting for it to spontaneously combust any moment. He walked over to a nearby chair and sat down heavily, raising a hand to cover his mouth as he coughed slightly. The cold was subsiding now, thanks to the doctor's medicine, and only the cough stayed stubbornly with him. He lowered his hand down to his side and read the letter silently. There it was. Written out there for him to see. Chantal was coming back. Happiness and anticipation surged through his veins, and all the pressure that he had felt ever since she had left, lift. He got up out of the chair and strode towards the doors of the Moulin Rouge. Almost roughly opening the door, he stepped outside into the cool morning, the bright light of the sun bathing his body in its warmth. He closed his eyes, breathing in deeply the cool air. He tilted his head back slightly and let the sun shine upon his face, the sun's rays bursting into fireworks behind his closed eyelids. He smiled, letting the letter flutter to the ground and enjoying the feeling of the sun upon his face and the hope surging though him.
******
Chantal stepped down from the car carefully, gazing up at the gigantic windmill that slowly spun over her head. It seemed almost reminiscent of the first time when she had arrived at the Moulin Rouge. She hoisted her luggage up with a small effort, then started towards the Moulin Rouge. The closer she walked towards the building that housed one of the most famous stages in the world, the more she felt that she was at home. She squinted into the morning sun at a tall figure that stood near the door of the Moulin Rouge, facing away from her and towards the sun. She smiled as she recognized Christian. A puff of wind blew past her, stirring her hair, which glistened red-gold in the sunlight. She set down her luggage once again and noticed wryly that she hadn't advanced much further than several feet. Her mouth quirked at the corner, and turned into a full-fledged grin. She left her luggage behind as she began walking towards Christian, then running, her shoes echoing slightly on the ground.
Christian turned at the sound of approaching footsteps and blinked at the tall figure advancing towards him at a run. As the spots in his vision faded slightly, he could see the long reddish hair, and the slim figure. Chantal. He stood, watching her approach with his hands shoved in his pockets. She slowed to a stop in front of him, and their eyes connected for a moment. Both stood, facing the other, as a breeze whipped up past them, then Chantal smiled and took that one last step and they fell into a hug.
"I missed you." She said, her voice slightly muffled as she was pressed into his shoulder.
"I missed you too." He replied softly.
She pulled back from the embrace slightly, looking at his face. She raised a hand and brushed his bangs off his forehead, and smiled. "I couldn't live without you. I don't care whether you love me or not. I'm not forsaking everything I have here for no reason other than spite."
"I'm glad you think of this as something valuable."
"It is valuable, with all that I've gone though here." Chantal replied with a small smile. They smiled at each other again, and fell back into the embrace. They stayed that way for a while, cradled against once another in the morning light.
******
They had taken Chantal's luggage back up to her room and unpacked a few items before heading back down to the Moulin Rouge.
"It's nice to be back." Chantal said, but her voice had a slight apprehensive edge to it.
"I wish you hadn't left." Christian replied as he pushed open the door to the Moulin Rouge.
Chantal was greeted by all that resided there at the Moulin Rouge with warm smiles and words of welcome. She realized that this truly was her home – where people would welcome her if she left, and mourn her when she died. Had she been in London with Nicholas, she would've expected that everyone would've been rather stoic about her return. One of Christian's friends, Trey, stepped up to her and smiled.
"I was sent after you, only to discover that you had skipped the country." He smiled, holding a small piece of cake.
"Sorry. It was unexpected." Chantal replied.
"He seemed devastated." Trey replied, taking a bite of the cake.
"Who, Christian?" Chantal asked, puzzled.
"No. Lord Worchester. I arrived just a while after you had left, apparently. The man was in shambles." Trey said, waving his fork around.
Chantal raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"
"Yes. But it's much better now, that you're back. That way I don't have to go chasing after you again." Trey grinned at her and laughed. Chantal laughed at his joke. A pretty, tall blonde woman appeared at Trey's side. "This is China Doll." He introduced the woman.
"I've heard about you." Chantal said, smiling. "It's nice to meet you."
"I hope what you've heard is good." China Doll replied, grinning.
"Yes. I don't believe I've ever heard a negative thing about either of you." Chantal answered.
China Doll smiled. "It's good to hear that."
Christian appeared behind Chantal. "So, how's the party here?" He asked, smiling and eating a piece of cake.
"Wonderful." Chantal smiled at him.
"Absolutely delightful." China Doll agreed.
"The cake is great." Trey said, smiling mischievously.
Everyone laughed.
"It's great to have you back." Christian said, smiling at Chantal.
******
Chantal and Christian had retreated to his room after the party and were sipping shots of absinthe at his balcony. They watched the sun set behind the horizon, but did not speak. Christian coughed, and Chantal looked at him worriedly.
"Are you sick?" She asked quietly.
"I have a cold. It's getting better." He replied, taking another small sip of absinthe.
"Ah." She replied, falling silent again.
"I do love you, you know." Christian said quietly.
"I know. As a sister." Chantal replied, but the tone of her voice indicated she was still hurt.
"No. As something much more."
Chantal looked towards him, bewildered. "Something…much…more?" She hesitated on the words.
Christian turned his head and met her gaze, his eyes shining. "Yes. Something much more." He gently removed the glass she held in her hand and set their two glasses down upon a nearby table. He stepped closer to her and gently touched her lips with his own. She froze, but slowly began to yield to his touch. They broke apart and stared at him incredulously. He was breathing shallowly, trying to capture the needed air that was so essential to life, and she too, was having a difficult time breathing.
"What changed your mind?" Chantal asked, her breathing ragged.
"Satine came to me." Christian replied simply.
"Satine?" Chantal asked.
"Yes. She told me that I truly did love you. And that she thought I was foolish for not knowing it sooner." His lips trailed down her neck and onto the curve of her shoulder. Chantal leaned her head over, giving him more space. Chantal sighed, closing her eyes.
He lowered the shoulder of her silky white robe down further, slipping it down her arm. Her hands fumbled with the buttons on his shirt, she herself dizzy, the swirling emotions inside her joined with her need for his touch. Her skin tingled at his every touch, and heat rose inside her everytime his lips touched her skin. They stumbled together towards the bed, their lips and bodies tangled. Christian broke their kisses then, and looked down on Chantal with a question in his eyes. She nodded, and he smiled. They kissed feverishly, the absinthe in their systems charging the passion to greater heights, and they fell into a night of want, need, and love.
******
Chantal awoke the following morning, the sun streaming though the French doors at the balcony, and felt a sense of warmth. She looked over beside her and saw Christian, sleeping soundly. She smiled, and kissed him softly on the forehead. He stirred and his eyes opened at her touch, and a small smile touched his lips.
"That was nice." Chantal smiled.
"It was." Christian agreed, lifting a hand to brush a few errant strands of Chantal's auburn hair off her face.
Chantal looked at the clock over Christian's shoulder. "We should go."
He nodded. "We should."
Chantal reluctantly rolled over, walking over to the chair where her robe had been discarded. She slipped it on and smiled as she walked out the door, returning to her room to change. Christian got out of the bed, and walked over to the closet. He reached for a pair of pants to change into, and had just put them on when coughs began to wrack his body. He raised a hand to cover his mouth and was surprised to feel a slick wetness on his bottom him. He pulled his hand back and saw what it was. Blood. A shot of fear coursed though him, and he closed his eyes and relived that day – the day that Satine had died. This time, it was his blood, not hers, and he knew. He knew he had consumption. Feeling light-headed and faint, he closed his eyes, breathing shallowly and laboured, and collapsed upon the floor.
******
Chantal hummed slightly to herself as she walked down the hall back to Christian's room, clad in a burgundy corset with a lace trimmed skirt. She stopped at the door to the room and called in.
"Are you ready?" She asked. Silence met her question. She peered into the room, and saw Christian's crumpled form on the floor. "Oh god." Chantal rushed over to Christian's prone form and saw the blood on his lip. Chantal inhaled sharply, picking up her skirts and rushing out of his room, and out of the building. She ran quickly across the way to the Moulin Rouge. Roughly opening the doors, she rushed in, and everyone stopped their work to stare at her, shocked.
"Get a doctor!" She yelled, frantic. Trey looked at her in alarm and rushed off. He reappeared with the doctor a moment later, with China Doll trailing after them.
"What happened?" Trey asked, concerned.
"Christian – I don't know. He collapsed." Chantal replied hurriedly as she ran back to their rooms. The doctor and Trey exchanged worried looks behind her back as they hurried after her. They scrambled up the stair and rushed back into Christian's room. He was still lying on the floor, unconscious. The doctor ran up to him and examined him for a moment before taking a small vial out of his bag and after opening it, waved the bottle under Christian's nose. Christian stirred, and groaned when he opened his eyes, his hand coming up to cushion his sore head.
"Oh." He winced as his fingers grazed over a particularly tender spot.
"Christian! Are you alright?" Chantal asked, worried.
"Yes." He lied.
"Actually, I concur." The doctor said. Christian tensed. "Chantal, Christian has consumption."
Chantal backed away, a horrified look upon her face. "No no…people die of that. It can't be."
"It's true." Christian said, sighing deeply.
"I'm sorry, but you don't have long to live. The disease has already gone almost full circle. I'll give one night at the most." The doctor said. Trey and China Doll breathed in sharply. Trey staggered over to the bed and sat down heavily.
"But…oh, this isn't fair." Chantal crumpled to the ground.
"Fair?" Christian's voice held a tinge of amusement.
"Because I've only just gotten you back. I…I expected to spend the rest of my life with you."
"You'll always have me."
"No, I won't. Even through everything, I know that Satine holds you." Chantal smiled, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes.
"You'll always have me." Christian repeated.
"I won't believe it." Chantal refused.
"Believe what you want. But I know what I believe."
"And?" Chantal whispered, dragging herself over to Christian.
"I believe in this." Christian removed his arm from behind his head and pulled her close to him. And kissed her. Chantal was crying freely now, her tears falling on Christian's bare chest.
"You're right. I'll love you. No matter what. And I know you'll still love me." Chantal replied between sobs.
"I will always love you. As I have always loved Satine. I will always love the both of you." Christian raised himself up slightly and kissed Chantal's cheek. "Remember that."
Chantal held his hand in a near painful grip and watched, crying, as Christian took one last shuddering breath. And all was silent once again at the Moulin Rouge.
******
Christian stepped though the shimmering light, and straight into the arms of a woman. Satine.
"I thought that I'd see you here." He smiled.
"I'm sorry you had to leave her." Satine sighed, looking down at the floor, and when Christian followed her gaze, he could see into the room. He could see his body, and…Chantal.
"I'm sorry I did. I did love her."
"I know you did. I told you so, silly." Satine sighed.
"But I can't go back now. So I suppose I'll have to spend the rest of Eternity with you." Christian smiled and placed a kiss on Satine's lips.
"Now, that can't be that bad, can it?" Satine smiled.
"No. It can't. And I know I'll see her again one day. And then I'll be together with the only two women I have ever loved." Christian said, looking into Satine's eyes.
"Yes. And it just happens to be humorous that both Chantal and I look alike."
"I told you. It was the red hair."
"Ah." Satine smiled. Christian smiled back, slowly lowered his lips to hers, and kissed her.
I've been missing you
Wanting the touch of your lips on mine
Everyday I yearn for your touch
But that doesn't change much
You became a diamond
In the sky
And I was left on this terrestrial plain
But destiny has never meant to take us apart
And I join you
As a star in heaven.
The stars in heaven
Sparkle through the night
Chasing dreamers below us
Dancing through the light
Forever we'll be together
And nothing can change that
I've left a part of my heart on terra
But my soul belongs to you…
Never knew I could feel like this
It's like I've never seen the sky before
Want to vanish inside your kiss
Every day I'm loving you more and more
Listen to my heart can you hear it sing
Come back to me and forgive everything
Seasons may change, winter to spring
But I love you till the end of time
*FIN*
LPC6A –One of the two last chapters! I hope it was up to par. I realize it does seem a bit rushed, and that Christian died fairly quickly. Just had to point out these things:
- The consumption was already advanced
- He did love her. He loved both of them.
- And all of you that wanted a happy Christian and Satine ending, here it is! :)
A.N. and Thank Yous:
Thank you to everyone for waiting so patiently. I did not mean to take this long, but I had prior duties to take care of in real life that kept me from writing this.
Thank you's to:
First and foremost:
Trey: You are like the comic relief in the beginning, and then the saviour at the end…*sigh* It's over. It truly is. I feel a sense of, well, sadness coming on…but I knew this had to happen. Plus, I have 4 billion other fanfictions to finish, and I would like to end those as well. You'll probably see a small side fic later…something with Christian's thoughts immediately after Satine's death, and Chantal's thoughts after Christian's death.
Liz- Sad that you had to see his death…*sigh*….I suppose nothing can be done…Ah well, it's the end of an era…and Toulouse is gone, so nothing could be done to cheer up anything…*sigh* I hope you liked it! :)
Kate-Whadya think? :P Very wacky eh? Well, there's Chapter 6B…:)
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!
All my Moulin Rouge Whores at FF: (er, this is the old list…)
karabehr
Barely Pink
noah blue
Treyd13, our dovely man whore
*Caddy*
SmittenMitten
misery chic
sweetivy
PoisonIvyDiva
izzylizard
thorn
LizzyEvans21
TashaR
SSSliverrrz
Satine
ANGELforBUFFY
Lothuial
christinedechagny
Cora
Maria G
KervyQT16
mukooh
Behrdogz
katscar
altastarlet
ColorMist
Whiteotter
eM_au
LadyOphelia
last dance
thara
zine
Selina
giddy_up_lance
LimeWarp
tv_addict
dani_yelly
kathryn merteuil
Alymae1010
petiteprincess
oblivious
MegtheCanuck
Elflyn
angel_aguilera: Man Whore #2
Love Kills
limegreenli
Trory4Ever
artemis_pie
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. :)
*mwah*! *Misako sails off into the deep mists*