Therapy Chapter Twelve: Reunions

A/N: Thanks for all the positive reviews! It is really motivating, especially since I'm pretty new at this.

Disclaimer: I don't own Moulin Rouge.

"Come on, Satine! We have to go! Our train leaves at 10:15 and it's 9:00 already!" Christian called to Satine from the sidewalk. They were leaving today for their trip to Paris and Satine was taking her time getting ready. "I'll be down in a minute, Christian! I just have to make sure I have everything packed!" she called back down.

Christian sighed. This was the fourth time Satine had done this. "Satine, we've been through this! You packed enough stuff for a four-month trip to Romania! I'm pretty sure you have everything you could ever need in these bags!" he said. "They certainly weigh enough!" he thought as he loaded them into the carriage that was taking them to the train station.

Satine emerged from the house. She took a moment to adjust to the bright sunlight before joining Christian on the sidewalk. Christian did a quick check to make sure all the bags were there and they were on their way to the train station.

Three hours later, they were on a train bound for Montmartre. It was the same train that had brought Christian there almost a year and a half ago. Christian returned from the dining car to find Satine looking out the window. She looked a little nervous. He sat down next to her.

"Hey. How are you?" he asked.

"Fine." Satine answered.

"Really? You look a little nervous about something.

Satine sighed and looked at Christian. "I'm just a little nervous about seeing everyone again, that's all. I mean, I ruined their show when I left. I don't know what happened to everyone," she said.

"Satine, we got a letter from Harold last week saying that everyone was fine. They'll be glad to see you again, believe me." Christian said as he kissed her cheek.

As it turned out, Satine's fears were unfounded. As soon as the stepped off the train, Christian and Satine headed for Christian's old garret. Surprisingly, the hole in the ceiling remained. "Hello!" Christian called out. "Anybody up there?"

Christian's calls were greeted by a familiar voice. "Cwistian! You're back!" There was the sound of footsteps down the stairs, and Toulouse burst into the apartment. "Oh, it's so good to have you back. And Satine, you're wooking wovely as always. Come, we must bring you to the Moulin! Harold is anxious to see you!" he said as he grabbed both Christian and Satine's arms and dragged them down the stairs.

The Moulin Rouge looked just like it had before they left. It was still set up as a theater. Christian was curious to find out what had been performed there since he and Satine had left. Toulouse ran down a hallway, exclaiming "Harold! They're here!

Satine looked around. Everything was so similar to when she had worked there. It was a relief for her. Even in her absence, the Moulin Rouge theater was still running. Suddenly, Satine was pulled from her thoughts by another familiar voice.

"Gosling!"

Satine turned to see Harold, and couldn't help but run to him. Despite what he had done, he had been her father figure since she was twelve. "Harold, it's so good to see you again!

Harold looked at the woman who for years had been his "little sparrow". He knew all about what had happened to her since leaving Paris. He couldn't believe she was so, well, normal. She didn't seem to be scared at all. Harold wished that he didn't have such bad news to give her.

"Gosling, you look wonderful! I'm so proud of you! And Christian, you're looking well yourself. Come, we have catching up to do!" Harold decided his news could wait until later. Christian, Satine, and Harold spent the night making small talk about what had been going on in Paris. The other performers at the Moulin Rouge had kept producing plays, with the girls alternating who played the lead role. While the plays were good, everyone missed their sparkling diamond and Christian's brilliant writing. As the performers were off that night, the theater remained empty. As Satine and Christian prepared to go back to the garret for some much-needed sleep, Harold pulled Satine into his office. He told Christian to go ahead, and Satine assured him that she would be fine.

About twenty minutes later, Satine came back to the garret. She looked upset, and Christian noticed immediately. "What happened? What did Harold want?" he asked.

Satine hesitated for a moment. "Harold received word yesterday from my father. Apparently he is very sick, probably from all the drinking, and wants to see me again," she said.

"Well, what's so bad about seeing your father? I mean, I know you two didn't get along but

"He hit me, Christian." Satine said. She said it quite bluntly, as if she just wanted it to be out in the open. Christian stopped and stared at her. "He hit you?

Satine nodded, and sat down on the bed. She gave Christian a look that seemed to say, "Get comfortable, it's time for another one of my life stories." Christian sat down next to her as she spoke. He noticed that she hadn't been crying, which was a change.

"When I said that my father and I didn't get along, that was an understatement. He hated me. He hated that I took my mother's attention away from him. He never wanted any children. I was a mistake to him, and he let me know it. He would hit me for everything I did wrong, and sometimes when I hadn't done anything wrong at all. Usually my mother would stop it before he hurt me too badly, but after she died, no one was around to protect me. After I was raped, my father was sure that being associated with me would ruin his reputation. That's why he sent me away.

Christian wasn't sure what to say. "Well, are you going to go and see him?" he asked.

Satine thought for a moment. "I'm not sure. I'll sleep on it," she said.

Later that night, after Christian was asleep, Satine walked out onto the small balcony outside the garret. She could see her former "home" across the way. She wondered who was living in there now.

She thought of the night there that changed her life forever. A familiar song came to mind as she remembered the night she broke her golden rule.

Why live life from dream to dream And dread the day when dreaming ends

Satine sang softly to herself as she thought. Her father had hurt her in the past, but she wasn't a little girl anymore. Moreover, she had Christian now. She was no longer alone in her fight. Satine decided that she would go and visit her father.