Christian awoke with a startle. He had been writing all night, and he had only fallen asleep two hours. He was still sitting by his typewriter. He gathered his papers from last night and hugged them close to his chest.

"It's all for you, Satine." He whispered. He gathered his things and headed to the Moulin Rouge.

A love that will live forever. The end. Ava put down Christian's book. She dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. Ava had bought the book the night before, and had been reading it non-stop.

Christian was a true poet at heart. Each word was so beautiful and poignant. The story was so tragic and heartbreaking, but a wonderful love story at the most. And it was all true! Ava knew everything about Christian, why he had been so sad, how he had lived, the woman he had loved. The book had made her fall even more in love with Christian. If only she and Christian could have such a love as Satine and him!

Christian and Toulouse headed over to Zidler's office. The Moulin Rouge always looked different in the daytime. Empty and bare compared to the crowded and jaded nightlife.

The entered Zidler's office. Already there was Zidler, Ava, and another man. The man had is arm wrapped around Ava. Ava smiled warmly at Christian, and avoided the man's loving gaze into her eyes.

Zidler introduced the man as the Count. He would be investing in the play. Seeing Ava and the Count reminded him of Satine and the Duke. Last Christian had heard, the Duke fled Monmarte the night of the play.

In the Duke's eyes, believes that he and Satine married and lived the rest of their lives together. If only that were true. The Duke had no knowledge of Satine's death. If only the Duke's reality was real.

Christian then began to explain the play to everyone.

Ava stared at Christian the whole time he spoke. She loved him, she knew it. She looked over at the Count.

Oh, he was dreadful. Ava wished she could just run away from it all, and Christian would fall in love with her and they'd live the rest of their lives together. But, Ava was a courtesan. She had no choice in the matter. And besides, Christian was still in love with Satine.

As Christian finished explaining his play, the Count nodded and quickly signed the paper. He would invest, and become Ava's patron.

"You are going to be a star, my dear." The Count said, signing the papers.

For once, Ava did not care.

Zidler and the Count left the room to discuss other things. Christian started to collect his things. Shyly, Ava walked behind him.

"Hello, Christian." She said softly.

"Hello, Ava." Christian replied.

"I'm sorry about last night. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. And I'm sorry about the dress."

Christian had tried to forget. He clasped his bag together.

"It's not your fault. I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable. I didn't mean to act like that, with the…crying. If you know what I mean."

Ava nodded. "I just wanted to tell you, that I read your book. It was wonderful. You are so very talented. I'm looking forward to being apart of this show." Ava said, growing more excited with each word.

Ava reminded Christian of Satine so much, it was hard to look at her.

Christian gave thanks. He gave Ava a kiss on the cheek, and left.

Ava sat backstage, getting her makeup on for her next performance.

Baby Doll walked in and handed her a bundle of papers.

Ava excitedly sat down and began to read them. It was Christian's play! Ava was determined to finish all of it. She began reading. She hung on each and every word.

Christian spoke of love so poetically. Love is a many-splendored thing, love lifts us up where we belong, all you need is love. The words spoken once to Satine echoed in her head. If only Ava and he could share that kind of love.

Christian walked into the Moulin Rouge. That morning they were going to begin rehearsal. Christian walked in and he immediately saw the stage. For the past two weeks they were converting Moulin Rouge back into a theatre. This was the stage where Satine fell to her death.

You've got to go on, Christian.

Christian sighed heavily. He would go on. For Satine.

Everyone had already gathered around. Christian distributed the script for the play.

"We'll begin with the second song. Our stage manager will take the dancers. For now, I need the singers. Miss Ava, I need to speak with you."

Ava smiled and walked over to Christian.

"I need you to sing a few bars of the song, Miss Ava."

Ava nodded and began to sing. Her voice was so beautiful Very sweet and tender. Christian hung on every note, and when she finished, he thirsted for more.

"Beautiful" Christian said in awe. "You will have no problem with this then."

Ava smiled. Christian knew that these rehearsals would be quite wonderful having Ava around.

Ava quickly got ready. For two weeks, she and Christian had been rehearsing together. Ava loved being with him. With Christian, Ava was able to avoid being with the Count. She knew him being angry would mean the end of the play, but Ava knew how to handle everything.

Ava quickly rushed over to Christian's garret.

When Ava arrived, he opened the door for her, and greeted her warmly, as he always did. Ava looked around the garret to see a small table for two in the middle of the room.

"This looks quite wonderful, Christian."

"What? You don't think a man can cook a nice dinner for once?" Christian said jokingly.

Ava chuckled. Every time she came to the garret, it got less messier. Maybe Christian was cleaning up his old life, hopefully. Christian held the chair out for her. Ava sat down.

"I didn't know rehearsing involved a feast."

Christian sat down. "Oh, it's hardly a feast. Just a few things thrown together. I thought you might enjoy it. We always part around dinner time, why not share it?"

Ava noticed tons of papers on the left wall. She pointed to them.

"What are all those?"

"Oh. The first draft of my book." He said quietly.

"Your book is so wonderful. You must've really loved Satine."

Christian gazed at the papers longingly. "I do. I miss her every day."
Ava felt a tinge of jealousy. It was terrible of her, but she did. Christian collected himself and turned to Ava.

"So, does Count Peters enjoy the show so far?"

Ava sighed. She just wanted to escape the Count. Ava knew the Count 'loved' her. Or lusted her, Ava didn't know. She knew she had to indulge him, though. In each and every way.

"Well, yes. He must enjoy it, if he's investing."
"I think you're the only reason he's investing, Miss Ava." Christian said, smiling.

Ava blushed. How she loved spending time with him!

"Yes." Ava said softly.