~ * ~ E S C A P I N G * T H E * U N D E R W O R L D ~ * ~



by Karadarlin and She's a Star



~ * ~ T W O : O V E R * L A N D * A N D * S E A ~ * ~



by Karadarlin







The loud, quick pounding on his door pulled Christian out of his fantasy world. The steady tap-tap-tap of his typewriter was silenced and he walked towards the door. There stood Satine, her eyes red and her face blotchy as though she had been crying. She threw herself into his waiting arms and sobbed out her story. He listened, stroking her hair for comfort, until she had finished. "You want to leave, right?"

She sniffled and nodded. "Before I change my mind."

Christian haphazardly threw his meager belongings in his suitcases and the two escapees went to say goodbye to Toulouse.

The stairs of the building that had been Christian's home for that whirlwind few days creaked as they walked. The place smelled of cigars and absinthe, and Christian was glad he was escaping. He would miss the Bohemians, but saving Satine was completely worth leaving them. Satine opened Toulouse's door and they stood in the doorway for a moment, watching him paint. The picture was Nini with tears dripping down her face. It was frightening how he had captured her essence. "Toulouse?" Satine whispered.

He spun around and looked at them. "Are you leaving?" It was as if he already knew without being told.

"Yes."

The artist looked sad. He simply said, "Goodbye, Satine. Goodbye, Christian." He turned back to his painting and Christian left his key on the table.

"Goodbye, Toulouse." Christian said before he closed the door.



~*~



It was hard for Satine to step on the train. She took her final look at Montmartre, and, with tears in her eyes, waved goodbye to unseen friends. Christian, knowing little about Satine's life prior to their meeting, simply held her hand as the train left the station.

"It feels as though I'm saying goodbye to my life." She said, resting her head on his shoulder.

Christian said nothing. He was thinking about the green fields of England. Satine went on, "Will I like England?"

"I'm sure you will. You'll love Claremont; it's an Elizabethan manor that's been passed down from generation to generation."

"Tell me about your family."

"Well, my father is a banker. His name is Edward. His sister, Sarah, is eighty-two and slightly crazy because when she was young, her lover was killed. Mum stays home and plans Lavinia's coming out season. Lavinia is sixteen. Victoria is the baby; she's seven. Colin, my brother, is three years older than I am and he works with Father. There's also Nanny Kelly, who's been with us since Colin was born, and Bet, Bertha the book, Kitty, and Janie the maids."

Satine laughed. "Do you miss it?"

"Not my father. I miss Claremont and Mum and my sisters and Nanny Kelly, though."

"Will they…like me?"

"I'm sure they will."

"Your father won't."

"He's an old prude, darling. Mum and the girls are sweet and Nanny Kelly is adorable."

"Tell me about Claremont."

"It's giant-there are three thousand acres. There are stables with the finest Thoroughbred horses and a river that Lav and Vic will surely show you. The house is easy to get lost in. We have many servants and lots of animals. It will be different, Satine, from living in Paris."

"I suppose in time I'll be a farm wife who feeds chickens."

"Oh no. Claremont isn't too far from London; you won't be too far away from other people."

"It sounds lovely, Christian."

"It is."



~*~



Satine surprised Christian with her knowledge. She was very well read; she loved Tolstoy and Dickens. She knew much more about art than Christian did, and she informed him about this place or that place on their journey. They discussed politics; Satine was very opinionated and when Christian teased her, she answered, "You're not going to be able to push ME around." They talked about literature, they talked about music. They talked of their life together and how wonderful it would be.



~*~



The slow, steady chugging of the train lulled Satine to sleep. Christian stared out the windows at the scenery and smiled as they left France. Satine was free. He daydreamed about their future together; first, he would take Satine to his uncle Andrew, a doctor, to see what they could do about her cough. Then he would marry her. His thoughts wandered to Satine's past life. He wanted to know more about her- her early life, how she had gotten involved in Moulin Rouge, everything. Did she have any children? Had she loved other men? Christian didn't want to wake her up, so he left his questions unanswered and tried to doze off as well.



~*~



The soft morning light awoke Satine first. The busy streets of London flashed by her and she became very impatient. She wanted to see Christian's glorious home as quickly as possible. Satine looked over at him; he was fast asleep. Softly, she kissed his forehead and waited for his eyes to open. He grumbled at first, but when he opened his eyes a smile broke out on his face. "Where are we?"

"London."

"Almost home." He sat up and looked out the window. The train slowed to a stop and the conductor yelled, "London! London!" Satine grabbed her bags and flew out the door. Christian laughed and caught up with her.

"Excited?"

"Very. How are we getting there?" Satine surveyed her surroundings with wide eyes. She'd been to London before, of course, but now it was like seeing it all over again.

"We're going to walk."

"Walk?!?!"

"It's not that far. Only several miles."

"Only," Satine pouted.

"Spoiled." Christian teased.



~*~



Satine enjoyed the walk. Christian knew his way blindfolded, and the scenery was beautiful. Satine had lived in the city all her life, and the country was refreshing. "Christian! Look! A rabbit! A rabbit!" She squealed.

Christian laughed. "Yes, diamond, there are lots of them around here."

Satine drew in a deep breath. "I'm going to love it here."

Finally, they came to Claremont. "Stop," Christian commanded. "Close your eyes."

"I'm going to fall!"

"Hold my hand." Satine did so. "Now walk."

Satine followed like an obedient puppy until Christian stopped her again. "Open your eyes."

The house that Satine was looking at was like a palace. It was magnificent! It seemed to go on and on forever.

"This is where you live?"

"We live." He corrected.

She squeezed his hand. "Let's go inside."