Good lord, I haven't updated in the longest time! I feel horrible for not doing anything except go to school, camp and work. I'm sorry about not updating. Thanks to Diamante's Tears, HighWay2Expression, and Megan Schmidt; your time and thought is appreciated!

P.S: This chapter is dedicated to Chloex, the most recent reviewer, who got my off my lazy arse and got me to write this chappie. I can't say thank you enough! I now bring you Chapter Three of 'Misery Mei.'

'Something to Sing About'

Grace woke up at the sound of someone knocking on the door. She groaned and pulled herself out of the bed and across the room. She yawned as she opened the door.

"Yes?" she asked groggily. Then her eyes snapped wide open and she gasped. "Oh, Lord, what time is it?"

Christian looked her over and frowned. "Grace, what time did you go to sleep last night?" he asked. She thought for a minute, then smiled.

"I think it was probably about one o'clock. I'm a fast reader," she answered. While she was talking, she retrieved the book and handed it to Christian. "I cried a lot, too. You're a very talented writer, Christian." She turned and went into the bathroom to draw a bath. He shook his head and followed her.

"Grace, to answer your question, it is going on nine o'clock. I did tell you not to read late, didn't I?" She froze, then turned around.

"Yes, you did. Christian, I'm really, really sorry. I just couldn't put the book down and...." Christian held up a hand to stop her rambling.

"Grace, it's alright. As long as you are ready to go to the theatre in an hour, I'm happy. Will that be long enough for you?" he asked. She smiled and nodded.

"Well, then, I'll just....um....leave you....alone!" He turned and walked out of the bathroom, mentally kicking himself for being so suddenly nervous.

Grace waited for the door to close, then gave herself a little hug and squealed softly. Then she shook herself, blushing slightly.

"Honestly, Grace; swooning over a man you just recently met!" She reprimanded herself as she slipped into the bath. The warm water woke her up, and she quickly cleaned up and dried off. She wrapped a robe around herself and opened her wardrobe.

"Oh, let's see, what to wear...." She looked through her dresses and finally settled on a dark red dress with sleeves that went halfway down her arms. She then put her hair up into a twist and left her room to go downstairs.

"Ready to go?" Christian asked, turning around in his seat in the parlor. What he saw made his heart skip a beat. Grace looked absolutely gorgeous. The dress suited her very well, he thought. It clung snugly to the right curves and contrasted lightly with her slightly pale skin.

"Yes, I am," she replied. He smiled and stood up. "You look very nice," he complimented, putting on his coat. She blushed and looked at the floor. "Thank you."

"The dress is beautiful, where did you get it?" he asked.

"My grandmother gave it to me. I went to see her before I came here. I'm glad you like it." She reached for her travel-worn cloak.

"Erm....Grace, I hope you don't mind, but I bought you something." Christian handed her a large box. Grace opened it carefully and gasped. Inside was a black coat with a pair of fur trimmed gloves. She pulled it out of the box and admired it. "Oh, Christian, you didn't have to...."

"But I did!" he insisted. He helped her put it on. "Your cloak is much too thin for the weather here. Think of it as a token of appreciation." She laughed and looked up at him.

"Well, thank you very much," she said softly, her brown eyes sparkling. He smiled gently as he looked into her eyes.

"My pleasure. Shall we?" He offered his arm, and she took it.

"Where is everyone else?" she asked as the headed down the street.

"They are already at the theatre," he replied. She nodded and they walked along in silence. As they reached the door, Christian turned to Grace. "I have no idea how Elizabeth will treat you today. She isn't exactly keen with the idea of me being with anyone, and with the situation last night, she may get ugly."

Grace laughed lightly as Christian opened the door. "I'm looking forward to today's rehearsal," she said as she slipped inside.

"Oh, me too."

"Christian!!" came the cry as they entered. Elizabeth waved crazily at him from onstage. Christian waved back and took Grace's coat. Elizabeth glared coldly at Grace and made her way to where they were standing. "I'm afraid I have some bad news," she said quietly. Christian tensed up and glanced at Grace nervously. "What?" he asked tentatively. Elizabeth sighed.

"Your play....well, it just doesn't work." Christian looked slightly perturbed and ruffled at the remark.

"It's not that you're a bad writer, Christian.....in fact, you're excellent! It's just the fact that it's rather......" Elizabeth bit her lip thoughtfully and screwed up her face in concentration. Grace thought she looked rather like a rat with her face in that position, and smirked subconsciously.

"Plain?" Grace supplied. Elizabeth came out of her trance and gave Grace a half-smile. "Yes, that. Anyway Christian, we've had a quick meeting before you got here and have decided that we would like to do another play."

Christian looked around at the other cast members, who were scattered around on the stage. They were quietly watching the scene play out. Grace stood next to him, waiting for his reaction. Finally, after a short time, he sighed.

"Alright...If you are absolutely sure." He hesitated, then looked up suddenly. "Everyone, you can have the day off. I'll need to really think about this." Everyone began to pick up their things. Nini came down by Grace and pulled her aside.

"Are you going to come back or stay here?" Nini asked. She spoke softly so that Christian wouldn't hear her. Grace smiled. "I think I will stay here. Christian said he wanted to hear me sing, and maybe it will help him." Nini nodded and hugged Grace quickly.

"I'll tell Paul to take Elizabitch along with him, then. You two don't need her hovering about while you're working." Grace laughed as Nini walked back to the stage to tell Paul to take her along, and then went back to where Harold, Toulouse, Felipe, Anna and Daniel were waiting. "Well, she's staying here," Nini announced happily. The others smiled broadly.

"Look at them," Harold said with a chuckle. They all turned and watched Grace and Christian talk quietly back and forth, laughing a bit. Toulouse gave a short, sad sigh.

"Seeing Christian so happy reminds me of two years ago. I want to see them together by the end of this." The others nodded in silent agreement.

"Well then, let us not stay any longer. Our two young flowers must bloom." Everyone looked rather surprised at Felipe's poetic outburst. Nini smiled shyly and threaded her hand into his. "Yes, let's," she urged. They all stepped off the stage and filed up to the door. As they passed the two, Nini threw Grace a reassuring wink and Felipe nodded encouragingly to Christian. Elizabeth looked rather upset when Anna and Paul insisted she come with them. Soon, however, the entire theatre was silent, surrounding Grace in Christian in a sort of peace and clarity that allowed them to relax. Christian plopped into a seat with a loud groan, running his hands over his face.

"I can't believe this," he muttered. Grace stood there, watching him. He dropped his hands and looked up at her with his grey eyes full of weariness and loss of hope. "Did you think it was plain?" Then, answering his own question: "Of course you did, you even said it yourself....How am I supposed to write a story and have the characters set and everyone knowing their lines in two months? It's impossible...." He sighed and closed his eyes, laying his head back. Grace quietly moved down the aisle onto the stage, taking in the large room more fully than she had before. It must have once been a theatre of popular name; the stage was larger than it seemed. There were large stain-glass windows that were covered in dust.

'With a little cleaning and remodeling,' Grace thought, 'this place would be gorgeous, and we would have huge crowds, and we could make enough money to go to more places, get more actors and actresses....' The thoughts ran through her head one after the other as she walked up onstage. The stage was somewhat cleaner than the day before. At least the scraps of paper were picked up. You could still see the faint footprints where everyone had walked, but that could be fixed as well.

As she crossed the stage, a melody began to play in Grace's mind, taking her back to when she was just thirteen. One day she was at the church after the sermon, and suddenly, echoing off the rafters, came a beautiful voice. Grace had been awe-struck, and wanted to know who it was. She finally found a young woman, no more than eighteen. She was very nice, and taught Grace the song she had been singing. Grace then sang it so much through the years that it became stuck in her head. The melody she was thinking of now was that of the song she'd been taught. Grace quietly sang the first verse, her voice gaining more power as she went:

There's a song that's inside of my soul.
It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again.
I'm awake in the infinite cold.
But you sing to me over and over and over again.

Christian opened his eyes slowly, thinking Grace was still standing next to him. He sat up fully when he realized she was onstage. "How...." He started to call to her, but stopped when he heard her voice ringing gently throughout the theatre. He listened in awed silence as she sang. Her voice....it was gentler, richer than Satine's, somehow....it reminded him of the darkest bittersweet chocolate, while Satine's was a bit more like strawberries. Both were comparatively beautiful, and both gave Christian the same warm feeling, down inside him so deep that it felt nearly non-existent, but the feeling grew as the song continued:

So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands
And pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope.

He could see Grace smiled shyly at him, a smile that reached her eyes. He knew the smile, even at this distance. He didn't realize it then, but he loved it when Grace smiled.

Sing to me the song of the stars;
of your galaxy dancing and laughing and laughing again.
When it feels like my dreams are so far,
Sing to me of the plans that you have for me over again.

So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands
And pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope.

Grace hesitated a moment before the next verse, gathering her breath to get her through it.

I give you my destiny.
I'm giving you all of me.
I want your symphony
Singing in all that I am.
At the top of my lungs I'm giving it back.

As Grace sang the high notes, it reverberated off the walls and rang in Christian's ears. It sounded as if a dozen angels were singing above him, triumphantly, announcing that Heaven was going to swallow Christian whole. At least, that was how he felt.

So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands
And pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope.

As Grace finished the song, she smiled faintly, remembering her childhood and her life before coming to London. She could hear her voice echoing back to her. Then, mixed with the last strains of the song, came a laugh, deep and full of happiness. She looked back to Christian and saw him stand up. He clapped loudly, grinning ear to ear. Grace began to blush, and she watched him dash down the aisle and jump up onto the stage, coming towards her. His eyes were bright, and she knew he had an idea.

"Grace, that was beautiful! I have never heard a voice quite like that! Did you hear it? It seemed as if Heaven itself was singing down, and....God!" Christian was completely ecstatic, and Grace could feel her smile getting bigger and bigger. "Was I really that good?" she asked, timidly. He stared at her.

"That good?" he repeated. "You were....I can't even begin to describe it!" Suddenly, she found herself swept into the biggest hug she'd ever received, and was being twirled around. She laughed and gripped Christian's shoulders tightly, a little afraid of falling back, and when he stopped, she threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you, Christian," she whispered. He pulled away and looked into her eyes, still keeping his hands on her waist. "Thank you, Grace," he replied, smiling gently. "And so you know, I would never let you fall." She nodded, keeping her eyes locked with his. They stood on stage, his hands on her hips, her hands on his forearms, eyes locked, for a few minutes. Grace could feel her heart race, but told herself, 'Don't push it Grace....don't count on anything!' Finally, Christian realized his hands were on her waist and dropped them to his sides, blushing.

"Sorry," he said with a sheepish grin. Grace let out a little laugh and brushed back a few strands of his dark hair. "It's fine, Christian," she replied softly. His smile slowly faded, and he stepped back just a little. "Grace, you know......I just......" Grace nodded and stepped back as well.

"I know," she answered. He cleared his throat and looked out at the audience.

"Well, I got an idea, listening to you sing......" He trailed off for a minute, and Grace knew he was remembering. Then he looked at her, his eyes filled with tears. "I want to tell our story, Grace," he murmured. A single tear slid down his cheek, which he quickly wiped away. "I remember the songs we sang, and Nini can help with all the others. We'll use the book, and it will be spectacular!" Christian smiled a bit at his own pun. Grace smiled, and shifted her weight from one foot to the other. "And do you know who will play who?" she asked. Christian nodded.

"We will all play ourselves, and we can substitute all who aren't here. Paul can play the Duke, Anna can play Marie, and Daniel can play......someone." Grace laughed. "And what about Elizabeth?" she asked. Christian shrugged, and held out his arm to her. Grace took it, and asked, "Will she be playing Satine?" Christian didn't answer, and helped her off the stage. Grace's heart fell; worried that he was getting upset trying to remember everything about that year. They pulled on their coats, and Grace headed for the door. Then she felt a hand grasp her elbow and pull her back. Grace looked up into Christian's sparkling eyes and her heart began to beat faster. He leaned in close to her, and as his cheek brushed hers, she shivered subconsciously. His breath tickled her ear as he whispered:

"Would you do me the honor of playing Satine for me? And possibly an actual dinner alone?"

Grace bit her lip as he leaned back, trying to hide a smile. It didn't work, and she smiled broadly. "Are you serious?" she asked. He just stared at her, then exclaimed, "Absolutely! You'll be a star, Grace, and we'll all help you." He stumbled back as she threw her arms around his neck, then grasped her back in a large hug. Grace tipped her head to one side, and Christian held his breath.

"I would love to go to dinner sometime. Tomorrow evening, perhaps?" He nodded into her shoulder. "That would be perfect. What time would you like to go, and where?" She pulled away then.

"Somewhere nice, I suppose," she answered. "I don't mind when we leave. You can choose, I'm not a very picky person."

"Alright," Christian agreed. He grasped her hand as they went through the doors, and she smiled.

"And by the way, I gladly accept your offer."

"You've got a date with Christian tomorrow night?" Nini whispered, incredulous. She and Grace were in Nini's room, talking quietly about what happened after everyone left. Grace giggled and nodded. Nini rolled back on the bed and squealed into her pillow. "That's wonderful, honey!" She then popped back up and wrapped her arms around the other girl. Grace laughed.

"A lot of hugs going around today," she mentioned. Nini sighed as she sat back.

"It's so romantic. Sounds like something Felipe and I have," she murmured. Grace smiled at the ex-can-can dancer.

"Nini, would you please help me tomorrow night? I'm afraid I'm not at all great at going out with men." Nini nodded as she climbed out of bed.

"Of course. Now, you hustle on downstairs. Christian's going to tell us the new idea for the play." Grace sighed as she rolled off the bed. "I already know it." She flounced out the door and down the stairs. She wandered into the dining room and heard Christian's voice. She slowed down and listened.

"Harold, don't start thinking the same thing will happen. Satine's case was entirely different than Grace's, and the Duke is long gone."

"I see the way you look at her. You act just like you did with Satine," Zidler answered. He sounded rather upset.

"This is different, Harry, so just shut the hell up and get over it! Don't try to stop me this time!" Christian exclaimed. Grace heard him push back his chair and head for the door. She quickly stepped back down the hall, but the door never opened. She hesitated, then went back down the hall and opened the door.

Christian jumped as Grace hit him with the door. Zidler gave her a broad smile. "Ah, Grace! Christian was telling me about the play. I'm eager to start it."

"So am I. I'm sorry about the door, Christian. I didn't know you were there." He shook his head and smiled.

"Think nothing of it. Now, Harry, could you gather everyone? Daniel and the rest should be here soon." Zidler stood and walked out, leaving Grace and Christian alone. They stood in silence, looking at the floor.

"How much did you hear?" Christian asked, breaking the silence. Grace looked up at him. He looked rather shy and guarded. She sighed.

"I only heard the last bit. Then you started for the door, and I went back down the hall. That's it." He nodded and sat down.

"I see." He was quiet for a minute longer. "Perhaps we could just talk about it tomorrow night?" he asked hopefully. Grace nodded and sat down a little ways from him. A moment later everyone began to shuffle in.

"So, Christian-doll, what are we doing?" Nini asked, waiting for Felipe to sit down so she could sit in his lap. Grace smiled as the others looked at him quizzically.

"We'll have to wait until the others get here. I don't want to ruin it," Christian replied, trying to keep his eyes on the glass in front of him. Zidler smirked and took a seat. Nini rolled her eyes.

"Well, then, we could've had just a little bit more fun before this," she muttered to Felipe. The latter chuckled and bounced her on his knees, causing her to giggle. Grace bit her lip and turned away, catching Christian's eye in the process. They both turned away quickly, blushing. Toulouse and Zidler shared a knowing glance.

Suddenly the door opened and the other members entered. Elizabeth looked a bit upset that the seat next to Christian was occupied. Paul smiled broadly at everyone as he walked in.

"So, we've got it all worked out?" he asked Christian. Zidler stood up to make room for Anna.

"Yes, it seems our brilliant writer has done it again, and mighty swiftly at that," he boomed. Christian continued to gaze at the wall. He seemed to be deep in thought. Everyone stared at him, and when he turned around, he paused, and then smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry. Anyway, yes, I suppose I did work something out rather quickly. So, here it is." Christian glanced at Grace, who gave him a reassuring smile and nodded. He took a deep breath.

"Today, after you all left, I sat down in the theater to think of another play. While I pondered, a voice began to make its way through the empty wings and seats. At first, I thought I was back at the Moulin Rouge, listening to Satine. Like these past two years have been a dream. Then, I opened my eyes and saw not Satine, but this lovely young woman by my side, on the stage." Everyone besides Elizabeth smiled at Grace, who blushed carnation. Christian continued.

"I was transfixed, and I began to reminisce of those times. It was then, when I heard that voice, sounding like angels on high, that I decided." Christian smiled broadly around the table, a grand suspense-filled pause. They all waited.

"I want to tell our story." Nini covered her mouth with her hand, and Toulouse let out a gasp of joy. Anna and the others looked a little confused, but happy. Grace smiled down at her hands, folded in her lap. Christian waited a moment.

"Are there any objections?" he asked quietly. Everyone shook their heads, but Elizabeth piped up rather quickly.

"Whose story are you talking about?" she asked, crossing her arms. Christian seemed to pale and leaned back in his seat. Grace gazed at him, while Elizabeth tapped her foot impatiently. "Well?" she demanded. "Whose?"

"You needn't be so pressing, you know! Isn't it obvious that he doesn't want to talk about it?" Everyone stared at Grace. "I will be quite frank, Elizabeth; I have never met anyone who is as cruel and ignorant as you are. If you would just shut your bloody hole, you might put your brain to some use and figure it out on your own!"

"I don't need to take this! I am an actress!" With that, Elizabeth stood up and flounced from the room.

"You keep telling yourself that!" Nini called after her. Toulouse snorted, stifling a laugh. Everyone else just sat until the door slammed. Then, with a look around the table, everyone grinned.

"You certainly pissed her off," Daniel commented. Christian chuckled and looked at Grace. The girl was red in the face. "I'm sorry, but it made me so angry that she thinks she has the right to know everything." She sat with her arms crossed, as tears formed in her eyes. "And now I feel just so horrible! I have never met anyone who hated me so!" She stood up and stumbled out of the room. The smiles and laughter subsided suddenly as Christian ran after her.

"Poor doll," Nini murmured. Felipe squeezed her gently.

"What did I do?" Grace sobbed into Christian's shoulder.They were standing in the upstairs hallway, Christian enveloping her in an embrace. "I've been here only a few days and I'm at the top of her hate list!" Christian pulled away and wiped her tears. "She only feels that you have intruded on her territory," he said gently, cupping her face and making her look into his eyes. She swallowed. "What territory?" He smiled and cleared his throat, causing her to smile.

"That's my leading lady." He pulled her into another hug. "You can handle this, Grace. You've had so much worse in your life. I know you can beat it."

Grace breathed deeply, memorizing Christian's scent. He smelled of peppermint, with a faint musty theater scent mingled in. His strong arms held her close, caressing her back soothingly. She smiled to herself and closed her eyes, wanting to stay here for all eternity. That was not to be, however.

"Everyone has gone to do their own things," Zidler huffed, just making it up the last stair. Christian and Grace pulled away, blushing a bit. Zidler glanced between the two, then beamed at Grace. "Well, chickpea, you had better sleep. You have a long day ahead of you." She smiled at the both of them, backing up to her room. "Yes, I suppose you both are right. Goodnight, Harold." She looked to Christian. "Thank you, and goodnight," she murmured, backing into her room. She and Christian didn't break eye contact until the door closed. He smiled and turned back to Zidler. The latter raised an eyebrow. "Christian...."

"Goodnight, Harry," Christian said shortly. He went into his own room, leaving Harold Zidler alone in the hallway of the old hotel.

YES! I now feel complete! Thank you SOOOOOO much to all my reviewers, especially Chloex. I will update ASAP!!!