Author's note: Sorry if I get a few things wrong; I read Les Mis last year and may have forgotten some things ^^; But with the release of the movie, it brought back old feelings and ships, so I hope you guys like it!

Inspector Javert stood at the edge of the bridge, looking into the abyss that was the Seine. How had he, a stalwart man, gotten to this point? He used to know himself, and knew he was the law. The law was always right; there were no exceptions. Everyone must know the law, and fear it. He'd learned it thoroughly, from killing to kissing on railroads. He made sure everyone knew what to do and what not to do. Nobody could slip through the cracks on his watch.

That was the old Javert, though. Now, what was he? He was trembling, at the junction of the bridge and open air, the junction of soundness and freefall, the junction of life and death. He could just off himself, just jump now, and for what did he have to lose? He no longer knew exactly what was right and what was wrong. He couldn't keep going. What he knew all of his life, what he lived by and swore himself to, was now… meaningless.

The scum which he had despised and kept under control his whole life not only denied him his satisfaction by escaping him time and time again, but he also wouldn't just kill the man when he had the chance. This one moment was what deteriorated Javert's soul. It was what bothered him, to the deepest parts of his consciousness. This criminal, Jean Valjean, was the bane of his existence. How could this man, who should spite the world, show kindness to everyone, especially the man who was trying to lock him up?

Javert pondered how peculiar Valjean was. He treated everyone with respect. He risked his life to save an old man from his cart, provided a job for those who needed it most, and saved a… a… a prostitute, of all people, and treated her better than he did himself! This man, who had been locked up for almost 20 years, still showed compassion. He used his strength for good purposes, and quite brave, too. Over the years, the man had acquired some rather large muscles… He had the friendliest smile, too…

What was he thinking? This man was a criminal. And where were these thoughts coming from? Javert considered his wife to be the law. Or, rather, he had… And this man, what had he done to get 19 years in prison? He stole a loaf of bread, but it was for his starving family. The years built up with every attempted escape he had tried. He really hadn't deserved that time, since every escape was another futile effort to help his loved ones…

Javert looked over the edge one more time. Did he really want to go through with this? Did he really want to throw himself away? Besides, offing yourself is a weak way to go. He prided himself in being strong, and he needed something of his old self to cling onto. He was one of France's best. Maybe he shouldn't jump. Javert hadn't ever doubted himself before, but now he seemed to be having a lot of second thoughts. He had more to live for. He didn't have a family, but it wasn't too late to make one, was it?

Javert sighed. He couldn't do it. The inspector stepped off the ledge and brought himself back to the side of the living. Hands in his pockets, he walked down the road aimlessly.

AN: I know it's kinda short for a chapter, but I need some ideas and someone to refresh my memory of the exact progression of events in the book

And ideas for other chapters would be appreciated c: