AN:  My muses and I have a love-hate relationship. Sugar doesn't help much. Thus was born this.

Thank you, Sandra-imouto, for bearing with my insanity; and thank you, Rosemarie, for your criticism and encouragement.

Another's Story

It amazes me to think how relief and sadness are so intricately entwined sometimes. It's amazing how they can change one's outlook on everything. But perhaps most amazing is what they can make someone do. Particularly for love.

When she had finished her plea he felt his life leaving as quickly as she was. He was falling fast, his mind was blank, and all he could do was agree to the painful something she had asked of him.

For that he would be glad that he was not aware.

Her labored breathing hurt him as much as it must've hurt her. She was no longer looking at this world, he could tell that much. Her eyes were seeing something else. He was jealous of it, whatever it was � he wanted to be the only thing, the only person she saw. Especially then.

Especially then.

The warmth was leaving her. He felt that when he kissed her. He tried to control his own breathing. He licked his dry lips. He tasted her blood that was on them.

And then he saw something only he could see.

The blood � the blood! Why had he not thought of it before? Of course, of course, he could not have thought at all. He was too busy feeling. That was why someone once told him to keep emotions at bay. But he, with his bohemian soul, could not understand that. He was glad he hadn't, too, for if he had, so much would have happened and so much wouldn't have been.

The blood. There was one way she could be saved. But he would not force her. It could be a blessing or a burden. He had to act quickly, lest he lose her before he had the chance to ask! She was already seeing death!

"Satine," he whispered urgently. "Listen � would you be willing to live eternally here, on this earth?"

"I�" She took a wheezy breath, eyes unfocused. "�yes. If� with you, yes�"

"Forever, truly forever?"

"Yes�"

"Knowing �" he sniffled, trying to be fast and say everything "� that others will die, and you and I will live?"

She could only nod.

With care and swiftness he stood, taking her with him. He left to a more secluded place behind the stage. None followed, having a deep sense of respect for the privacy of the writer and the performer.

He lay her to rest on a makeshift bed of used costumes in a room backstage. He stared at her eyes, lifting her head so she could see him. Only when their gazes locked did he lean forward and, with cuspids of normal size but of abnormal sharpness, bite his beloved's neck.

She cried out; her eyes closed, her shivering ceased. Her breathing was now as of a dreamer's � soft and rhythmic.

He searched the room with his eyes for anything sharp with which to cut himself. A knife, a pair of scissors, a loose earring. He was frantic, desperate � he'd never done this before, so he did not know if there was a time limit. Finding nothing he resorted to his teeth. He bit the heel of his hand as hard as he could; he put it to Satine's mouth so the blood drip down her throat.

Long seconds went past them, and when it seemed she would never wake, she gave a cough and opened her eyes. They met Christian's. The lovers smiled in the ecstasy of relief.

She would live. He would not die.

Perhaps love does conquer all.

AN:  And because I am weak of heart, this will go on. With no ending in sight. Not much of anything in sight, really. x_o; Just lots of drama, chunks of angst, bits of romance, and a LOT of flowery language. And I mean that.