Authors Note: This scene happens instead of Eponine's Errand and A Heart Full of Love. The story moves on from there.
Disclaimer, I do not own anything from Les Miserables.

Chapter One
A Mistake

The rain that had begun to fall so suddenly began to pelt and harder and harder against the buildings along the streets until the figures on the streets became blurs to Cosette. Had her father fallen asleep so quickly he hadn't seen her escape into the night? It hurt her deeply to leave him, like she was parting with her other half, but she was much older now, no longer a scared little girl - at least, she couldn't be. Leaving this town with that face still fresh in her mind would have hurt her far more though. That face that she had seen so abruptly in the crowd of people before Javert had caused them to flee in the village. Had he seen her too? Did he even give a second thought about her?

A strange rustling in the bushes shook Cosette's train of thought. "Who's there?" She whispered suddenly, hiding behind a nearby tree.

"Cosette?" A voice answered back hesitantly. Cosette could make out two familiar eyes looking in the night.

"Who are you?"

The voice breathed in deeply before answering, "Eponine."

Eponine Thenardier? Had this been the girl who had lived with Cosette during her time staying at the Thenardier's inn? A rush of memories flood into her mind causing her to stumble slightly. Why had Eponine sought her out after all these years? The Thenardiers never showed any compassion towards Cosette; the only compassion they'd shown was towards their daughter, and what had that daughter done about it? She never played with Cosette, never talked to her, and only basked in the riches her parents were spoiling her with. Surely all bought from the lousy income they made from stealing the goods of others.

"Why are you here?" Cosette asked bitterly, moving closer and closer to her voice.

"Because," Eponine said looking back at Enjorlas who was twiddling his thumbs anxiously near the wall, "I have someone who would like to meet you."

"Oh," Cosette looked back to the direction of her home, missing her warm bed and beginning to regret ever leaving. Perhaps this person could be the boy she had seen so briefly before.

"Where is she?" Enjorlas whispered to Eponine before suddenly locking eyes with Cosette. What a beauty she was, her soaked hair shining like gold in the night, her eyes like the very stars above.

He had only briefly seen her today in the village, hoping that perhaps she was looking back at him instead of Marius. Instead of feeling angst and hatred, he began to feel a softness in his heart. Something he had never felt before...

"Enjorlas," he introduced confidently sticking out his hand, smiling like a fool.

Eponine giggled quietly at the sight before her. How could such a man as Enjorlas fall in love with such a naïve and helpless girl like Cosette? She had watched him grow into the leader of the barricade, supporting his entire crew like they were his brothers - all except for Eponine. He had barely acknowledged her until Marius had suggested she introduce him to the girl he had been so entranced by in the village. Now, he was just a mumbling fool.

"EPONINE?" A voice suddenly called out, harsh and aggravated.

"It's my father!"

"Why is he here?" Enjorlas asked breaking his eye contact with Cosette. Had he expected Eponine to return to him all of a sudden after these few days?

"Mr. Thenardier?" Cosette breathed, suddenly trembling like a leaf in the wind. His face made a regular appearance in her nightmares, theatening to come and take her back from Jean. Enjorlas embraced Cosette, sharing his warmth and making Eponine shake with anger.

"Come, follow me." She whispered, dragging them both into the darkness of a nearby alleyway, praying that her father would not find them.

"EPONINE?" He called out again, "This is why ya don't have kids. They turn ta idiots!" He mumbled, walking away.

Eponine could feel herself begin to boil over with anger as Enjorlas and his new found love barely acknowledged what was happening. What a father he was! Here was Cosette, saved at last from a horrible childhood that was passed down to Eponine. Saved at last by her prince in shining armour, and what was Eponine to him? Nothing but some pathetic girl that hung around Marius as a desperate attempt to make Enjorlas notice her. To maybe dream that one day he would put everything on the line for her as she would surely do for him.

"He's gone." She said, slowly following Enjorlas back onto the streets.

"Where are you to staying?" He asked Cosette tenderly.

"She can stay with me." Eponine replied quickly, giving Cosette a dirty look.

"But –" Cosette argued.

"Don't fret; I don't live with them anymore." She laughed, "I sleep in a small room next to Monsieur Marius' on the top floor, when I have no time to go home. Consider that your permanent room for now."

"Thank you Eponine." Cosette smiled, hoping that this Monsieur was the same one she had seen earlier and trying very hard not to look directly at Enjorlas who had the look of determination completely wiped off his face. What had come over him so suddenly, when they needed him most?

Eponine became baffled all of a sudden – did she not like him? Did Cosette not wish to have anything to do with him? Why had she even run away from her perfect life if she wasn't looking at Enjorlas today at the village the same way he was looking at her?

"Eponine," Cosette began, "who is Marius?" She now walks fully in front of Enjorlas.

Suddenly, everything became clear to her. Cosette had only run away from her home for Marius, not Enjorlas, and now he assumed that she was to be his lover... What had she done? What would Enjorlas think of Eponine now that she knew the truth? Perhaps she would just have to hide it…