Disclaimer: I don't own Les Mis. It is solely Victor Hugo's.

Chapter One:

"Just minimize your naughtiness meter to low or not at all, okay? It's lucky enough he agreed to look out for you for free." Éponine reminded Gavroche as she led him down the carpeted corridor to Courfeyrac's flat.

"Yes, I heard you the first time." Gavroche replied, breaking free from his sister's hold. "But really, sis, I don't see why you can't just leave me at our place."

"The last time I did that, we almost got kicked out. I'm not taking any chances this time."

"I was just bored…" grumbled Gavroche.

"Bad things happen when you get bored, little brother. Especially when you're alone so no." Éponine told him. "And besides, Courfeyrac's a nice guy. He's a friend of Marius and –"

"- any friend of Marius is good enough for you."

"Oh shut up." She snapped.

Gavroche simply smiled smugly, knowing he was right. Éponine rolled her eyes then shifted her attention on the numbers at the apartment doors. 50, 51, 52… "Here we are." She announced, stopping in front of door 52. She knocked three times.

"Wait a sec," someone said from the other side of the door, followed by steady footsteps. The door was opened by none other than Courfeyrac. He was of moderate height, slightly broad but slender. The grin plastered on his face was sort of impish yet still approachable. He was wearing a green hoodie and a pair of jeans.

"Hey," Éponine greeted. "Going somewhere?"

"Nope, just arrived actually." Courfeyrac replied and looked at Éponine's companion who was looking shrewdly at him. "You must be Gavroche. Name's Courfeyrac and I'll be babysitting you this evening." He offered his hand to Gavroche who in return shook his with a wink, "Good luck with that."

Éponine didn't miss that and reminded Gavroche sternly, "Behave."

"S'alright, Ep. I can handle Gavroche here." Courfeyrac assured her.

Gavroche smiled as if saying Well, we'll see about that which his sister and Courfeyrac didn't notice.

"Come in," Courfeyrac ushered. "I was just making some sandwiches."

The little boy let himself in and went straight to the living room.

"Can't. I have to go." Éponine told him with a smile. "Thanks again for doing this, Courfeyrac. I owe you."

"No worries. I could use the company anyway. My flatmate's out for the week, visiting his family."

Éponine nodded. "Well, I better be off. My shift starts by ten. I'll be back before three to pick him up. See ya."

"See ya. And good luck with your work."

"Thanks, Courfeyrac." She said with a wave and left.

o0o0o0o0o

L'Ecluse – a wine bar overlooking the Seine offered a spectrum of 70 reds. Bordeaux were its specialties and they went wonderfully well with plates of Parma ham, smoked goose, carpaccio and Chavignol crottin cheese. It was located along Quai des Grands-Augustins and was frequently visited by singles or couples alike with the occasional throng of university students. This was where Éponine found her new job, a modest one rather than at the Twickenham. Though it made the manager's eyebrow rise after reading her one-year history at Twickenham, thankfully she didn't ask her anything much about it and based her judgement on Éponine's audition piece. The pay was decent and, after calculating her approximate expenses, enough for her and Gavroche. Plus, she didn't have to wear 'costumes' that made her uncomfortable. The music starts at around 10:30 and that's when her shift starts.

When she arrived, the manager, Madame Liesel led her to the backstage and introduced her to the band. "Everyone, this is Éponine. She's Amanda's replacement."

Éponine, though feeling nervous, smiled at them. A gray-haired man who looked like he was on his mid-forties introduced himself as "Monsieur Claude the pianist" and the others followed. There was a female redhead with a British accent, a blonde who was her boyfriend and Madame Liesel's son, Alfie.

"Here's tonight's playlist." Louise, the redhead, handed Éponine a white sheet of paper with fifteen songs, all of which Éponine was very familiar. It ranged from ballads, to jazz and classics. Éponine thanked her and scanned the playlist, just in case there was something she missed.

"Be ready in five minutes, everyone." Madame Liesel reminded them.

"Nervous?" Monsieur Claude asked Éponine, who was sweating her palms off.

"I don't know why but I always am during my first times." Éponine replied.

"That's all right. Just don't think much about it and just enjoy the music, you'll be all right."

Éponine smiled gratefully at him. "Thanks, monsieur. I'll keep that in mind."

"It's time!" Louise announced. Éponine took a deep breath and followed the band walk out from the curtain to the stage.

o0o0o0o0o

There's a spare key by the heater. – C

Éponine read on her battered phone as she exited the bus. She texted Courfeyrac earlier how she could enter the apartment without disturbing his sleep.

Her first night didn't end up badly as she thought. The crowd even seemed to like her performance. Even the band and Madame Liesel were impressed. "You deserve it." Louise had told her after handing over Éponine's 70-franc tip. Hardly anything favourable happened to her so she was genuinely glad after receiving it. She hoped this was the start of the turning of the tides for the better. Maybe fate was finally being kind to her. Still, she should be precautious. She didn't want to be caught off guard again so she didn't keep her hopes up. She had learned that the more you dream higher, the more painful it is when you fall.

Just as Courfeyrac said, the key was right behind the heater down the hallway. The apartment was dark when she opened the door. Éponine wasn't really afraid of the dark but she hadn't really been inside Courfeyrac's flat so she didn't like being inside an unfamiliar turf with no light. She tried feeling the wall to find the light switch but she couldn't locate it. It wasn't totally dark really. A small night lamp was on, slightly illuminating the living room. She spotted someone sleeping on the couch. Must be Gavroche, she thought and walked to shake her brother awake.

"Psst… Wake up. I'm here now." She whispered, pulling over the blanket that covered him.

To her surprise it wasn't Gavroche who was asleep on the couch. Nor was it Courfeyrac. She froze midway, not wanting to wake the male version of sleeping beauty. He looked so calm and peaceful. Even though with barely any light, she could tell he was shirtless. Éponine couldn't help but notice how fit he was. Who was this guy? She wondered. Maybe she entered at a wrong apartment. That's right. It's the only explanation. Oh god, it meant that she was trespassing. Slightly panicked, she replaced the blanket over him and took a step backward – which was a big mistake. She didn't notice the lamp by the couch and it fell to the floor with a clang.

And that's when he woke up.

A/N: Thank you for actually reading this. It's my first ever fanfic. Les Misérables really had that much of an impact on me that it gave me some many feels and pushed me to write this. Question: should I continue this or not?