Disclaimer: I don't own moulin rouge or Satine and I'm not writing this for profit. So don't sue me. I still have no money.

That night I had trouble falling asleep for my heart was beating so fast and when I finally did I had strange dreams. I dreamed that I was Juliet and Rik was Romeo and he was trying to tell me something only I couldn't hear him because Mr. Dumont was talking loudly about how bad it was to wear perfume that smelled like dogs. When I woke up the next morning all that I could think about was Rik; his big hazel eyes, his white toothed smile, his smooth dark hair. It was a wonderful feeling.

When Rosa brought me hot water, I was singing softly to myself. I kissed her on the cheek and spun in a circle, making my long, white, nightdresses puff out around me in a very romantic fashion.

"Oh Rosa I've never felt like this before!"

I couldn't stop smiling as I searched for the right words to describe the feelings going on inside me.

"It's as though the whole world has stopped spinning but it doesn't matter because . . . " I blushed. "There is someone who makes you forget all that and you want to be with them forever because they make you so happy."

Suddenly I fell silent feeling stupid but I saw Rosa was smiling.

"That's love Dear." she looked at me with a warm, motherly expression in her eyes.

"Love" I whispered. I was in love. This was what it was all about, this was why Alice was no longer Daddy's little girl, why all of us are alive, this is the most powerful amazing force in the universe. And I was feeling it. Rosa was saying something.

"So what is this Mr. Dumont like?"

"Wah?" I asked startled. Then I realized. She thought I was in love with Mr. Dumont. I figured loving Rik was forbidden. "Erm... he's alright. Very nice. Very... erm... interesting and erm... rich..."

Rosa raised her eyebrows and I could tell she wasn't fooled. I was a good making up stories usually but her question had caught me so off guard.

I recovered quickly and said much more convincingly, "I'm sorry Rosa its just I get all nervous when I think about him." I laughed. "So silly of me." and since I could think of nothing else to say I hurried to get dressed.

Later that day Daddy came to me in my room. This was very odd because I can never remember seeing him here. Surely he must have sometime but if he did I've forgotten. It's a very big house so usually he sends for me. I had tried to start the book Alice had sent me but I was having trouble getting into it. It wasn't the book, usually I would have loved it, it was just when ever I stopped Rik's face kept floating up and smiling with white teeth and when it did I got butterflies in my stomach. Daddy came in and sat down at the foot of my bed. I put the book aside glad for an excuse to stop reading it and surprised to see Daddy there. He smiled warmly at me.

"Miss Clark came to me this morning." he looked slightly uncomfortable.

"Who?" I asked in confusion. Then I realized. "Oh you mean Rosa.!" he looked very nervous now.

"Well she mentioned you had... well, certain feelings for Mr. Dumont."

I was going to strangle her.

"Erm..." I said, try to looked like a little girl with a crush. "Yes." I faked a blush and batted my eyes. "He's so handsome."

"I'm glad you feel that way because he liked you too and so I've told him that you will marry him."

I batted my eyelashes again and it took a second for what he said to sink in. "Oh... oh! Oh no Daddy how could you!" I felt sick. This was some kind of joke. "I just met him!"

Daddy laughed at me like I was a silly child. "Well I thought we should get things going fast. Can't have you running of with Protestants and theater scum," he said and he laughed hollowly but it didn't meet his eyes. I glared at him but was temporarily speechless. I could only gasp and gurgle in anger.

He got up and smiled falsely. "Well I'll leave you too think it over." He got up and left leaving me in a state of shock. I just lay on my bed. I closed my eyes and whispered to myself.

"I'm dreaming. This is just a dream. I will wake up and Mr. Dumont will be far away and I will marry Rik." I'm not sure if I actually fell asleep but I never went down for dinner and I spent most of the night fantasizing about me and Rik's life together and all the ways I could escape Mr. Dumont.

The next morning I opened my eyes with a plan fully formed. I rolled out of bed in my now very rumpled dress. I pulled one of my suitcases down from my closet and began shoving in dresses, books and jewelry. I sighed and leaned back against the wall. Daddy had given my everything I'd ever wanted but very little money since I'd never had any need for it.

I packed the picture of Mama I always kept close to my bed and the one of me Daddy and Alice that made Daddy cry whenever he looked at it. For the first time I understood why. We were all broken up. Daddy meant the best for us in every way but being an old man he didn't know what was best for a young girl. They were mysteries to him. He's watched his wife and older daughter die or leave and he was terrified that I'd leave too. He must have seen me with Rik and panicked because I was all he had left.

"I'm sorry Daddy," I whispered.

"Going somewhere?" said a voice behind me. I jumped and hurriedly dried my tears. It was Rosa.

"Daddy is taking me and Mr. Dumont to the sea shore for a few day." I lied quickly. It would be obvious I was lying soon but I'd be gone by then. "Isn't today your day off?" I added in real surprise.

"Yes, it is, but I stopped by to congratulate you sweety." She smiled and I almost cried again. suddenly I was hugging her.

"Oh Rosa thank you. Thank you for everything. I'll miss you so much."

"Its only a few days, don't cry dear I'll see you soon."

Right then I was tempted to tell her everything. But I couldn't, of course.

"I'm sorry, I'm just so emotional lately," I said. She kissed my forehead but had to stand on tip-toe to do so.

"I love you Satine," she said and left. I closed the door behind her, crying again.