Chapter II: For the best

"Did the boy give you any trouble?" Zidler asked, trying to hold his laugh when he saw Christian kick the two before being thrown out in the streets.

"He's out cold," the large man replied. "He won't be bugging you for some time, sir."

"Good." He said before dismissing the two. Another person to worry about was not what he needed at the moment. He had never counted the fact of 'what if the boy had found out Satine was here'. Knowing the Duke, he would check if Satine were at the Moulin Rouge first. He had to protect Satine. Zidler glanced around the stage before making his way towards the hidden dress room.

X

Satine woke up with a fluster in her throat. She slowly caught her breath. She looked out her small window and let out a sigh. She had barely arrived almost two days ago and the thoughts of what would happen when the Duke found out began stirring her mind. He had been on an emergency trip to visit his ill uncle in London and had left her alone with his manservant Warner. A perfect time to make her get-away. Surely it wouldn't take long before he found out. Going back to Montmarte was surely a big blunder, but she had no other options. The Moulin Rouge had been the only home she had known. Her thoughts began to drift to Christian as she began to sing;

Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick,
And think of you
Caught up in circles confusion
Is nothing new

Flashback to warm nights
Almost left behind
Suitcase of memories,
Time after -

Sometimes you picture me
I'm walking too far ahead
You're calling to me, I can't hear
What you've said

Then you say, go slow
I fall behind -
The second hand unwinds

If you're lost you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you, I'll be waiting
Time after time

After my picture fades and darkness has
Turned to gray
Watching through windows you're wondering
If I'm O.K.

Secrets, stolen
from deep inside
The drum beats out of time -

If you're lost you can look - and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you - I'll be waiting
Time after time

You say - go slow -
I fall behind -
The second hand unwinds

If you're lost you can look - and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you - I'll be waiting
Time after time time after time
time after time...

She longed to be with him. She looked out her window, saw his garret and figured that her poet would somehow still be there, waiting. That's like Christian, she thought as a devious smile surfaced on her face. She began to pack some of her belongings when there came a knock on her door. By how loud it was, she immediately knew who it was.

"Come in, Harold."

"Oh dumpling! You're awake?" Zidler crooned.

"Oh yes...I heard someone call me, was that Christian?"

"Who?" Zidler said surprised by her remark, "Oh, no that was um..." he hesitated," That was Rico, he was looking for Nini."

"But I could have sworn it was Christian..." she replied, not satisfied with his answer. That didn't sound anything like the Argentinean.

"Oh no...that boy." Zidler knew she was beginning to get the picture and had to make some brilliant lie to save his hide. "Didn't anyone tell you?" he stated.

"Tell me what?" her brows shot high, "What?" she demanded.

"About Christian leaving. No? Well when you left, he just couldn't handle living here so he went back to London. He though it was for the best."

Satine was in denial. How could he surely it was another one of Harold's lies. "No." She heard herself say.

"It was for the best, he didn't fit in."

"But I LOVE him."

"If you loved him, you'd know it was for the best." Harold said gently. Satine twitched, those words stung Satine hard. She wasn't being selfish was she?

"We're creatures of the underworld remember? We can't afford to love. Remember my little sparrow, the show must go on."

She felt awful, not only did her true love leave her, but she had the Duke to worry about too. Deep inside she knew she had done the right thing. She had to do it, for the good of everyone at the Moulin Rouge and for Christian.

X

Not the greatest but it was the only excuse I could think of at that moment...any suggestions?

Note: some parts of the song(s) may be altered to fit the situation.

Songs used: Time after time By: Cindy Lauper