Mi Amor

Nini was alone in the theater when the Argentinean entered; her darkened silhouette slouched at the edge of the stage. She barely raised her eyes as he approached her.

"This seat taken, mi amor?"

The pale flesh of her shoulder raised in a shrug. He could just barely distinguish her Spectacular, Spectacular costume. She hadn't changed with the others.

"I was going to be a dancer." She said softly, her head lowered in shame. "Harold was going to make me the best dancer Paris has ever seen."

"What happened?"

"She came along." Her voice cracked at the mentioning of her. "She dazzled Harold with her beauty and talent. I was cast aside to be a dog." She drew in a shuttering breath that caused a lump to form in the Argentinean's throat. She was fighting back the angry tears. "I thought that I would finally be rid of her, but I feel her presence. She is mocking me still."

"She is dead. She cannot mock you."

"Don't you see what she's done?" She looked at him helplessly. Her cheeks shimmered with black streaks. "The Moulin Rouge won't survive without its Sparkling Diamond. Without Satine, it will go bankrupt and we'll all end up back on the streets".

"Come with me." The Argentinean said suddenly. "We will leave Paris after the funeral."

"You want us to run off like fools in love? It doesn't work that way."

"What do you have left here?"

"And what could I possibly have with you?" She absently touched the bruise had had left on her wrist when he cast her aside during their tango. "You of all people should know there could never be anything between us."

"Perhaps not. But I cannot bear the thought of leaving without you."

"You speak like a fool."

"I speak with my heart."

She turned from him, her dark lips pursed in contemplation.

"We'll start over in a new city. You can become the dancer you dreamt of. With a lead role. All eyes, they will be on you when you're on stage."

"You're wasting your time with someone like me." She said gravely. "I have nothing to offer. I'm already dead on the inside."

"You pretend there is not, but when we are together there is life in your eyes. I see it now even through your tears."

She shook her head, but he knew she could not deny it.

"Come with me." He repeated, pressing his lips to the milky skin of her neck.

She closed her eyes. A shaky breath escaped her parted lips. "Okay."

"Ah, mi amor, you have made me very happy!"

"You call me that, but what does it mean?"

"Nothing yet, mi amor." He smiled to himself as he stood. "But you will learn in time."