-Permanent Scar-

A/N- ENJOY!!

Disclaimer- The song I use in this chapter is, 'This Time Imperfect' by A.F.I.

The Moulin Rouge is not mine... and neither is Ewan McGregor... or are they?... the mystery deepens...

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Everything is going to be perfect today he promised himself, it had to be perfect.

How wrong he was.

'Hello,' whispered a nasal voice.

'Eek!' shrieked Satine, tossing Christian off her in the process. 'Oh, but my d-d-dear, Duke, how... unexpected...' came the quick reply. Getting up she quickly brushed herself down, it was no use, her hair and dress was a state, not to mention her make-up. She knew it was too late, they both did.

'Don't give me your petty excuses' snarled the Duke, whiskers twitching furiously, flecks of spit spraying everywhere and everyone.

'Well, I... We were...' murmured Satine, using that seductive tone of voice. As an onlooker Christian thought for a moment that it was going to work, she's going to seduce him again, lead him away and accidentally kick him off the cliff... Nice idea, but I think not...

As if hearing his thoughts the Duke looked down his nose to see Christian in an undignified sprawl on the ground.

'Ah... the penniless writer, or should I say, sitar player.' he muttered, making a show of bending down to his level.

Took you long enough... thought Christian, staring hard at the Duke whose hair was flopping over his eyes.

Glancing up, Christian saw Satine frantically wipe her face from the Duke's spit with some grass, only to think better of it and use the hem of her dress. Her eyes were turning into slits and her lips narrowing till they were just a thin line, she wrinkled her nose in such a way that it made her look like she was smelling a truly awful something... which wasn't that far from the truth actually.

It took all of his will not to burst out laughing, and keep a straight face... which was good, considering the situation they were in. Adopting a blank look Christian stared at the ground, which was becoming an object of increasing interest.

Sounding anything but human, the Duke bent down and whispered into Christian's ear, 'you think that you can just mess around and play with my things,' he snarled, spitting out the last word, 'things'. Satine wasn't an item to be owned, she was someone. Not just a nameless something.

Unable to stop himself Christian furiously pushed himself off the ground. gaining his strength back he slapped the Duke off him onto the ground, looking down at him in disgust. He was on dangerous ground now.

Seething, the Duke sprang up with surprising agility, and launched himself onto Christian's back; knocking Satine out of the way. For a few moments there was a short and silent struggle between the two men, until the Duke grabbed his watch chain, wrapped it around his hand and struck Christian on the side of his head. Giving out a short cry of surprise, Christian didn't have any time to react before he was abruptly pinned face first against a tree with his arms locked behind him. He only knew too well what the Duke was capable of now, and what the metallic thing jabbing into his temple was.

'Out of luck now eh? Thief.' spat the Duke. He was already breathing heavily.

'No Warner today? Finally getting hands on are you? I congratulate you,' muttered Christian, sarcasm dripping off every syllable. He may have seemed brave, but inside he was scared. Scared of what was going to happen. Scared of being defeated and crushed in front of Satine. Scared of pain, but that was too late, for pain was already racing up his left arm like a wild animal where the Duke was grasping . But pain also sharpened his mind.

'No!'

They both heard the shout behind them. As the Duke turned around Christian saw his opportunity, and took it. Pushing for all he was worth he kicked out with both feet, easily overpowering the Duke and making him fly backwards into a thorn bush, the gun spinning out of his hands.

But the Duke had already fired his gun.

Everyone had heard that explosive bang. Satine was starring at him in shock, a shocked expression on her face, and the Duke was just staring at him. I feel no pain, thought Christian. Why is everyone staring at me? Looking down he saw no red, no hole. Nothing.

But that was when he saw Satine.

It happened so slowly. She was still staring at him in shock. Then she bent double, hands clasped to her side. Next, she was on her knees, rolling over onto her side, then back.

'No! Please no!' screamed someone, was it him?

Reaching her side he fell to the floor. I won't cry, she wouldn't want to see me cry. I can't cry. He thought. I'll tell her she's alright. But he couldn't lie to her now, not when she'd been lied to all of her life. He couldn't promise her something he knew wasn't going to happen. But seeing the red flower blooming on her dress was too much for him.

Letting out a small whimper her cradled her in his arms, fruitlessly trying to rub the warmth back into her body.

Her once bright eyes were now a duller shade.

'No, Satine, no...' he cried, as if calling out her name could save her from fates cruel grasp.

'Shh,' smiled Satine, 'don't cry.' She winced, this was hurting her. Not because of the bullet that was embedded deep into her side, but seeing him cry just broke her heart. She tried to smile, but she knew that it wasn't reaching her eyes. 'Sing for me,' she whispered. Her voice sounded so different now, so weak and feeble.

'I can't,' he choked, his handsome face now streaked with tears.

'I can't see you cry like this,' she whispered, trying to lift up her hand to wipe away the tears, 'It's breaking my heart.'

Seeing her like this made him let out another pained cry. Rocking her gently back and forth he sung softly to her; just for her.

I cannot stay here, I cannot leave,

Just like all I loved, I'm make-believe,

Imagined heart, I disappear,

Seems... no one will appear here and make me real...

There are no flowers, no, not this time,

There will be no angels gracing the lines,

Just these dark words I'm fine,

I'd show a smile, but I'm too weak,

I'd share with you could I only speak,

Just how much this hurts me...

'Satine?' he whispered, stroking back her hair with his fingers. He knew it was too late. 'No, No... Satine...' Bending down he brushed her lifeless lips with his, and gently closed her eyes. Knowing that he would never see those brilliant eyes ever again.

But he had done it. He had managed to sing to her in those last precious seconds.

Come what may...

Finally, he let out a heart-wrenching cry into the eerie stillness.

Seeing all of this happen in front of him, Christian crying over Satine's limp body, the gun lying discarded in a nearby bush, he couldn't stand it; just because of a few moments of intense rage he had managed to kill a life, break another and etch a permanent scar into his. Getting up; the Duke didn't even bother brushing himself down, just a jealous and foolish man. You can't force love, its natural.