Chapter Dix-Huit

          He was in Toulouse's apartment when he heard the scream. He had been looking at some of his friend's paintings, but he dropped everything when he heard the desperate shrieks.

          He knew it was Satine.   

          He ran down the staircase as quickly as he could, almost falling at the landing. When he reached the door to his garret, his fears were confirmed. The screaming was, indeed, coming from inside.

          He pushed the door open quickly, its knob slamming into the wall. His eyes widened when he saw that Satine was curled in bed, crying hysterically. She was holding her knees to her chest and her white nightgown was clinging to her skin, from what seemed to be sweat.

          "Darling? What's the matter?"

          She looked up at the sound of his voice, but her sobs only intensified. He rushed to the bed, not bothering to shut the door. He heard the sound of a cane, realizing Toulouse was coming, but nothing was more important then Satine…nothing at all.

          "Darling, tell me what's wrong. I heard screaming," He said softly, touching her arm lightly. She looked into his eyes and he knew she was trying to speak, but her tears were coming too strongly down her cheeks.

 Her sobs intensified again and he pulled her to his chest. She placed her hand on his heart, scratching at the fabric of his shirt.

"What are you doing? What's wrong?"

"No bullet. There's no bullet," She whispered, sighing. He didn't understand. Bullet?

"Satine, tell me what happened," He urged. His wife closed her eyes.

"He shot you. He…you…you collapsed and…I had your head in my lap…and he just shot you. You…died…in my arms. I felt your blood…Christian…" She began to cry again, tears flowing from underneath her closed eyelids.

"Shh…Satine, it was a nightmare. Nobody shot me," He whispered, pulling her against him again. She pulled away.

"No! It wasn't just a nightmare! It was real…so real. He'll find us…and then he'll…he'll…oh God, Christian! He'll kill you!"

His brow furrowed, but he knew whom she was talking about. She had seen Richard kill him.

"It's alright, darling. Richard will never find us. I'll protect you from him," He said softly, yet assertively.

Satine shook her head, "He'll find us. I know he will…we have to leave."

"Leave? I'm not going to leave, Satine. I'm not afraid of him," He said, standing from the bed to look down at his lover.

"Christian…he could destroy everything," Satine whispered, her tear-filled eyes meeting his gaze.

He froze, "You said I was everything."

He didn't know why he said it but the second he did he regretted it. Saying this had struck a nerve in Satine and fire formed in her eyes.

"YOU ARE!!" She screamed, rising from the bed and standing up in front of him. He wanted to apologize, but, judging by the look in Satine's eyes, it wouldn't have done much good.

There was a moment of silence before Satine sighed and looked down.

"I'm sorry," She whispered under her breath. He heard her and held back a smile.

"It's all right…I was angry," Was the only thing he could think to say. Satine nodded and turned away.

They had never fought before, so he didn't know what to do.

"Um…I'm going to write part of the play. Do you want to help me?" He asked, cursing himself for asking such a stupid question.

It didn't surprise him when Satine shook her head, "I think I'll go get the mail. It comes around this time…maybe your mother wrote."

He watched her back as she walked towards the open door. When she reached the doorway, though, he heard her whisper, "I love you."

For some reason, the words surprised him. She had said it millions of times, but it seemed strange for her to say it at that moment. Hadn't they just been arguing?

He smiled. She said it because she truly loved him. He knew that what he felt towards her couldn't be put into words. It wasn't just love…it was a spiritual connection that he'd never felt before in his life. He had been blessed with an angel.

He walked towards her and put his hands around her waist, "I love you, too…" He took a deep breath, "I'm so sorry."

Satine squeezed his hand, "It's alright."

They stood there for a moment and he kissed her hair.

She laughed, "Are you going to let me get the mail?"

He chuckled and shook his head, "No."

She laughed again and turned in his arms. Her eyes looked straight into his and he could see the love flowing through them…love for him. He'd never realized how blessed he was.

She grinned and brushed her lips against his, "I'll see you in a minute."

He frowned, seeing snow falling from outside his window, "Don't you want your coat?"

Satine shook her head, "I'll be back in five seconds."

His frown deepened and his brow furrowed.

"Christian! I won't catch pneumonia in five second!"

He laughed and she smiled. A moment later, she had closed the door behind her.