Disclaimer: I, sadly, do not own the rights to Moulin Rouge, nor do I claim any. The plot in this fic is created by me, so no usurping, please! Thank you!

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Sandrine's brain slowly wakened, the noise of the streets filling her mind. She opened her eyes quickly and glanced around. A panic rose in her heart until she saw a mass of black curls escaping from under the covers beside her in the bed. The memories of the day before came flooding back to her. Zidler had brought them here, to a crumbling hotel used temporarily as a make-shift whore house for the Moulin Rouge girls. Sandrine pulled down the covers and checked her daughter's face. Saline was resting peacefully, something Sandrine wished she could do.

She rose from the bed and walked to the only window in the room, located beside the bed, bathing the room with morning light. The streets below were active, vendors moving around barking out so the people could know what they had to offer. Sandrine whirled around as the door to her small room was opened. Surprised cold blue eyes scanned the room. When the woman's gaze came to rest on Sandrine, she laughed. Sandrine just straightened and looked over at the woman disinterestedly.

"Well m'dear, wot have we 'ere?"

Sandrine crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't know Nini, what do we have here?"

Nini chuckled and entered the room, closing the door behind her. Sandrine shifted angrily, her face unwelcoming. Nini ignored it. "I thinks we have the Diamond's lil sister back from the dead...or is it back from the arms o' polite society?"

Sandrine looked out the window. "I wouldn't know. Polite seems to small a word for what I have come from."

Nini laughed. "Well, 'tis good to have you 'ome." The older woman crossed the room and gave Sandrine a hug. Sandrine's eyes widened in surprise and confusion. Nini was never this affectionate towards anyone, especially anyone related to Satine.

Nini held Sandrine at arm's length, then glanced over at the bed. A grin spread on her face, as a sleepy Saline sat up in bed. Saline slowly rubbed her eyes, and smiled up at Nini as the older woman squealed in delight. "An' who's this pretty lil child?"

"My name is Saline ma'am," the little girl replied, holding out her hand. "Saline Delacourt. And you are?"

Nini looked over at Sandrine, an amused smile on her face. "'ow sweet is this?" Nini put her hand in Saline's. "The name's Nini, just Nini. Don't be callin' me ma'am or nothin'. I ain't got no illusions that I is what I ain't."

Saline looked puzzled, but didn't question. "If you want m-I mean, Nini."

Nini turned away from the girl and approached Sandrine again. "I suppose you 'eard the news."

Sandrine nodded, swallowing painfully.

"I am sorry m'dear. But your sister didn't die alone. And soon, maybe one of us Moulin Rouge girls can win back the deed for the place from the Duke."

Sandrine frowned. "This Duke...is he still around here?"

Nini nodded. "Oh yeah, he lives up dere in a bleeding castle beside the Moulin Rouge. He hopes to have the Moulin Rouge destroyed soon, but me and the girls have got better idea, that we do."

Sandrine looked at Nini closely, her mind reeling with possibilities. "Zidler said that my sister defied the Duke. What did he mean?"

Nini frowned sadly. "Well, the Duke fancied 'emself in love with Satine. He felt that only he could have her. When she chose Christian over 'em, he evicted us out, and told us never to return."

Both woman looked toward the door as it burst open. Marie stood in the doorway, her elderly form braced against it for support. There were tears in her eyes as she rushed over to Sandrine and hugged her. Marie pulled away and took Sandrine's face in her hands, examining every part, almost as if she didn't believe what she was seeing. "You have returned," Marie whispered.

"Yes," Sandrine replied, barely able to hold back tears. Her voice was harsh with emotion. "I have returned to you...and to the Moulin Rouge."

Marie's tears fell freely then. She glanced to the bed and her whole face crinkled in an expression of surprise and delight. "Who is this beautiful little girl?"

Saline had been watching the whole exchange with an expression of awe in her adorable grey eyes. She rose to her feet on the bed and that almost made her at eye level with Marie. "I'm Saline Delacourt, Ms. Marie."

"My daughter," Sandrine added.

Marie eyed the girl carefully, which made Saline fidget nervously. Then Marie's face broke out in a grin, and Saline grinned back. "She is beautiful Sandrine. She will be quite a woman when she grows up."

Sandrine felt a shiver go down her spine, and she crossed to stand in front of Marie and Nini, blocking her daughter from their view. "Where is Zidler?"

Marie's smile faded somewhat. "He is downstairs, preparing the hall for the girls."

"Good. Please go tell him that I want to speak with him. I will be down shortly." She turned away, and picked up her daughter. Turning back she held her daughter in her arms possessively, eyeing the two woman defiantly. Her actions spoke words that the two older women did not misunderstand. "Thank you," Sandrine told them, dismissing them with a nod of her head toward the door.

Marie moved reluctantly away, while Nini stayed back for a moment. "Good work m'dear. Don't worry, your daughter is safe from becoming one of us. After all, you know just as all of us, what the life of a whore can be." Then she was gone, closing the door after her.

Saline glanced down at her mother, confused. "What did she mean mother?"

Sandrine's face was dark with anger. "Nothing," she snapped. Catching herself before she said things she would regret, she put her daughter back on the ground. "Get dressed, we are going to visit Mr. Zidler again."

"Mama, when are we going to see Daddy again?" Saline asked innocently, putting her slip over her head. She didn't see her mother freeze, or her eyes widen with panic. By the time Saline had the slip completely over her body, Sandrine was dressing herself calmly.

"Don't you worry about that sweeting. Put on your dress."

Five minutes later, both the Delacourts stood at the bottom of the stairs, searching the massive room for the red headed Zidler. Sandrine spotted him by the stage and pushed her way toward him, her daughter protectively held at her side.

"Harry!"

Harold Zidler turned at the sound of his name, and his face lit with a smile. "Ah, Sandrine! Feeling better now I hope?"

"Yes, but-"

"Just wait until you see tonight's performance. The hall is not as big as you might be used to-"

"But Harry-"

"-but I am sure we will manage."

"ZIDLER!"

"Yes my dear?" Harry asked.

"I came down here to talk to you about an important matter."

"Oh?" Harry asked, his tone intrigued. He took them over to a secluded table, far from the loud noise of the center room. "What is it my dear?"

Sandrine sat Saline beside her, making sure she was comfortable. "I want to know more about this Duke."

Harry's face twisted into an expression of confusion mingled with loathing at the mention of the Duke's name. "Whatever for?"

"Simple. You want the Moulin Rouge back, and the Duke has the deeds."

Harry frowned. "Yes, this is true, but I don't understand what you are getting at."

Sandrine sat back in her seat, laying her hands on the table. "You want the Moulin Rouge back, right?"

"Yes, of course!"

Sandrine smiled. "I know a way you can get it."

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A/N: Please R/R! Thanks. Oh, and thank you to EVERYONE who did review!