The second day of rehearsals was finally over, having lasted from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon, with Zibler's declaration: "Good work, people. Same time tomorrow morning. We'll rehearse scene eight, 'The Lovers Are Discovered.'" Satine jumped down off the stage. Christian was involved in a conversation with Zibler about the costume designs when Satine came up behind them.

"Umm, Mister Londen?" she asked innocently, "I was having some trouble with my lines. I was wondering if you could help me."

Christian nodded. "Of course. Excuse me, Mister Zibler." He and Satine went into their private annex. She shut the curtain behind her and turned to kiss him. They kissed for a moment, then Christian said, "Are you going to come to my apartment tonight?" She nodded, then said, "Wait! You want to go have some real fun?"

Three hours later, they were in the back of a cab, riding down the packed streets of New York City. Satine was wearing a dark blue, spaghetti strap top and a short black, sparkly skirt with her hair half up and curled, and Christian was in a gray, button-down shirt with a white undershirt and khakis, looking rather sexy with his hair spiked and glasses on. Satine grabbed his hand and pointed things out along the way.

"That's Noodle Stop, they've got great pseudo-Chinese food. And that's Chateau Bellrisse - that's where I get my nice clothes. Oh! That's where you can go . . ."

Christian was only half listening. He was too busy staring at her beautiful eyes and watching her perfect red lips move as she spoke. She turned and saw him staring at her, and smiled.

"Of course," she said, "This is the only place that a girl can kiss a truly amazing boy." She slid her hand into his, intertwining her fingers with his, leaned in slowly, and kissed him.

When they broke, Christian said, "Oh, now that's not true." The cab stopped, and he took her hand to help her out of the car. As the cab drove away, he said, "You can kiss an amazing boy right here, too." Satine giggled, and they kissed again.

"Come on!" Satine grabbed his wrist and pulled him inside the building they were standing in front of.

Christian ducked inside and took a look around. A terribly horrible voice was coming from the speakers around the room. Satine pulled him over to a bar, ordered two beers, then turned to Christian.

"Isn't this place great?" she asked.

Christian looked at her. "It's a . . . a . . . It's a karaoke bar!" he exclaimed, taking a drink of his beer.

"Yeah," Satine said, laughing. Suddenly, a half-drunken man thrust a microphone into Satine's hands.

"All yours, baby," he said, tottering away. Satine looked at Christian.

"What?" he asked.

She looked at him over her blue-tinted sunglasses.

"Oh, no," Christian said, understanding.

"Please?" Satine begged.

"No," Christian said.

"Please?"

"No, you know I can't sing."

"That's beside the point, and yes, you can sing. C'mon. I'm going up there and you're," she grabbed his jacket collar, "Coming with me."

She pulled him up onto the stage. He stood there, looking sheepish while Satine held the attention of every drunk/non-drunk in the bar. She handed Christian another microphone as the first chords of a song began to play.

"Oh, no," he said under his breath. Satine, following the words on a television screen in front of them, began to sing.

"Listen, baby. Ain't no mountain high, ain't no valley low, ain't no river wide enough, baby."

Christian just looked at her. She nodded for him to start singing. He jumped in reluctantly, ". . . where you are, no matter how far. I'm singing the girl's part," he added to Satine. She shrugged, singing, "Don't you know that there ain't no mountain . . ."

"High enough," he came in again, "Ain't no valley low enough, ain't no river wide enough to keep me from getting to you, babe?"

He was finally getting into it as the crowd cheered them on. Satine grabbed his free hand and began to dance with him.

"Oh, baby! My love is alive, way down in my heart although we are miles apart," sang Satine.

"Don't worry."

"Just call my name I'll be there in a hurry. You don't have to worry . . ."

The final chorus came and they had the whole bar singing:

"'Cause baby there ain't no mountain high enough, ain't no valley low enough, ain't no river wide enough to keep me from getting to you, babe! To keep me from getting to you . . ."

Christian laughed as the music faded out and the bar applauded. They took a brief bow and set down their microphones, then hurried back to the bar.

"Holy shit!" Christian exclaimed, taking another swig of his beer, "That's the most fun I've ever had in my life!"

Satine smiled. "Let's go somewhere else," she said, slamming money down on the bar for the bartender. She grabbed Christian again, and pulled him out of the door.

She hailed a taxi, and as they climbed in the cabby asked, "Where?"

"Forty-fifth and main," she said. He looked at them.

"Are you sure?"

Satine looked at him over her sunglasses. "Of course."

The cabby shrugged and drove quickly to an old, dilapidated building on the corner of Forty-fifth Street and Main Street. Satine handed him a wad of cash, climbed out of the car with Christian, and he drove away. Satine smiled at Christian.

"Isn't it great?" she asked, pulling him with her.

"Umm, yeah, I guess," he faltered, trying to see what was so great about an old, falling-down building. He followed her inside, up a flight of unstable stairs, and into a room.

"Wow," he breathed. There was a bed inside, covered in pink and white silk sheets, with a white lace canopy covering it. A mahogany table with two chairs was set for two with a delicious-looking meal. There was a CD player set up on the other side of the room, next to an end table with a bottle of wine in ice and two crystal wine glasses. There were rose petals and candles everywhere. Christian turned to Satine, who closed the door, and walked over to the wine.

"Some wine, monsieur?" she asked, pulling the cork and pouring two glasses. She carried one over to him and asked, "What shall we toast to?"

"How about, love?" he suggested

"Hmm, a little boring, what about love overcoming all obstacles?"

"I like that."

They clinked glasses, took a sip, then leaned in and kissed, slowly and sweetly.

They set their glasses down on the table, kissed their way over to the bed, lay down. They broke apart for a moment.

"Is this what you want?" he asked.

Satine searched his eyes, finding nothing but love there. Then she smiled and said, "Yes. This is everything I want."

Christian smiled, then leaned down and kissed her.

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Aww, sorry, guys, no graphic stuff, it's just not my style. As always, these characters are not mine, the storyline isn't even exactly mine, but hey, I've made this my own, so sue me. And, also, as always, I would greatly appreciate any posting of reviews that you would care to do. Thanks! Sorry it's been so long since I've posted on this one.

Love always,

Evie