AN:

About the Story: Another tryout for an Enjonine-Story for Les Mis. I'll try to update regularly, but I have to say, my muse is a fractious one. Anyways, this story will have both influences from the musical and the novel, so you can expect to find a colourful mixture of all. :) And don't be scared, my first chapters are always the longest ones, the next ones will be slightly shorter.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters nor Les Misérables, it belongs to Victor Hugo.

And in this chapter I copied a dialogue from the musical from the song 'The Robbery', so these lines belong to Claud-Michel Schönberg or whoever owns this musical (which is great, don't get me wrong!). There's one or two little changes, but in general...

Oh, and there are a few words in french in this chapter, I'll try to have little influences. :)

bleu = amateur

cogne = cops (slang)

Du balai! = Get lost! (pretty much...)

So, greets from Germany and ... leave me your opinion ;)

Catharina

I. Le Rêve Cassé - The broken Dream

The day ended and the sky's colour changed from heavenly blue to sun kissed gold until it ended, wide away at the horizon, in deep lilac shades, when Éponine arrived at the Seine's bank. It had been a hot day in Paris and the air was heavy and thick, sticking to every face like a second skin. Even the smallest breeze was pregnant with the smell of too many people on to little space, mixing with the flavour of exotic goods rotting in the heat, the fetidness of horses and the cheap perfume odours coming from dressed up prostitutes. On the uneven plaster, waves of people flooded the streets, carriage's clatterings were accompanied by neighing and dog barking, the cursing of men and the chuckling of women. It was loud and stinky as Paris was simply France's metropolis both with its good and not so good sides.

But Éponine loved the spirit. It was so different in these rich quarters compared to the one she lived and strayed around during days. You wouldn't see old, sick people here, waiting for their death, no creepy creatures lingering around. Life seemed easy and imprudent, nobody was fighting for their daily bread. The blithe atmosphere caught upon her, too.

However she was relived to reach the small garden path and leave the crowd's ice cold looks. While she crawled through the private park, a clutch of birds passed above her and their screaming and whining sounded almost like a lullaby to Éponine. Only that now, in the late evening hours, it was the time when her life really began. When Paris' bourgeoisies climbed into their beds and there was nobody to steal from around, she could dream her own dreams – not her father's mercenary ones.

But the ones of Marius, her sweet, wonderful Marius, who had brought her so quickly into two complete strange worlds: The rich nation's world where giant mansions and costly food was seen every day – and then into the world of love. It had struck her like a lightning bolt when he had stopped her to have her deliver his mail. The feeling had been so different than any emotions she had ever experienced before. There had been neither hate nor antipathy in his hazel eyes as he had pressed a golden coin into her hand and thanked her honestly.

Such a difference to her relationship with Montparnasse, the handsome but yet poor street thief. Both Montparnasse and Éponine had known their relationship had only been for personal advantages; while he assured for himself her father's approval and a higher share of all booties, she had been, as long as in his present, safe against any creepers straying in Saint-Michel. But even this little feeling of security had vanished with Marius' entry into her life.

Éponine sat at the bank's edge, the river far below her. It was slow and dry these days, the hot temperatures had taken its wild drift which had already demanded many children's lives. But Éponine didn't care about the rivers height or the scary stories about it, she liked that place for different reasons. Cut off from the street's life she was hidden from any anxious looks.

Her legs dangling she sank into her thoughts of Marius.

Those were the same as always. Moments, when she would walk with the young student on the water's edge, hand in hand, their fingers entangled, and his heart would beat equally fast as hers always did. They would share careful kisses, almost like shy children. It wasn't the first time she imagined how different his lips would feel compared to Montparnasse's'. They would never be as urging and rough, but soft and caring, making true what his eyes promised. She sighed, stroking her lips and wishing again it was Marius' hand fondling her face.

Éponine was no fool, she was aware her day dreams were just exactly what they were – dreams. She was reminded every day, eventually, when Marius would send his ‚little Jondrette' to deliver his mail for a sou or two. She didn't like taking his money, but it made sure for her dinner and Marius was aware of that. She was glad her father didn't know anything about these secret earnings. With a family like the Thénadiers she had learned to be egoistic and only care for herself. She was sure, Marius' money in her father's hand would've turned into stories while she would go to bed hungry.

She hadn't earned anything today. Often these times – too often for Éponine's taste – Marius had already left in the afternoon for the centre of Paris where she didn't dare to follow. She was ashamed sometimes for spying on him but then the curiosity would grow so big she mostly forgot her bad coincidence. Her endless thirst for knowledge was the only thing valuable she owned. It had made Marius teach her writing and reading and she had learned the cleverest tricks her father knew about stealing.

Consistent with the gurgling Seine her stomach mumbled and kept tearing her from her daydreams. By now the sky had taken the colour of velvety black, stars coming out. Across the river lamps were lit in windows, throwing their golden light onto the wavy river. The last noises vanished, leaving Éponine only with an occasional bird scream alone.

But she relished the loneliness. It reminded her of Marius' absence but there was no one to spit or curse one her, no one to draw back when she came along the streets. At least in Saint-Michel she was known as Thénadier's brat – and where she was still nameless her bare feet, her torn gown and the thick layer of grime on her body revealed everything about her home. She felt more comfortable without the people's piercing looks.

Time flew by and when morning dawned she stood up and lay down at a front door.

It was a maid to find her and Éponine was probably not the only one to be woken up by her scream. The tiredness of only little sleep dropped off her when she started her way home. It was still early morning, the city woke lazy. Only few people were wandering around.

Éponine chose the smaller alleys anyway. The hunger had grown and she was having a hard resisting even the slightest temptation of sticking her scrawny fingers into a stranger's pockets. It was too obvious, such frivolity wasn't worth the trouble with the cops.

Arriving home she saw she could've taken more time for the way back. In the shallow barrack, hardly be called ‚house' her family was sleeping placid. Her sister Azelma, peacefully and sweet, but such a beast when awake, her mother buried under grey but still thick hair and lastly her father, around him mist with the burning smell of alcohol.

Thénadier wasn't a man of stupidity, he was gifted with high intelligence and extraordinary astuteness but drinking made him often lose all constraints so that he would spend money his family didn't have.

Undetermined she stood in the portal. It was too early to go looking for Marius in his apartment, especially after long nights he liked to sleep until midday.

Finally, she laid down on her little ‚bed', consisting only of a few rags and towels trying to catch up on a little sleep. She hated being in the small barrack and it took a while until her eyes closed.

„Wake up, useless brat!" A kick in her ribs woke Éponine more painful than soft. Instinctively she inflected; she felt the next foot in her back. Hastily she got up and backed off, trying to bring as much space between her and her father as possible in the little room.

When her father noticed last night's alcohol he was often even more brutal and aggressive than she was used to- She knew the only sensible solution was avoiding him but he had that suspicious glance in his face, promising a robbery.

„You want to eat somethin' – follow me", he snarled and exited the barrack with quick steps. Éponine drew back when he rushed past her. A wave with the scent of sweat and dirt rolled over her and even though she was sure her own odour wasn't better she wrinkled her nose. She followed him quickly.

At Place du Cavalerie she stopped to throw herself water in her face. Similar to an infective disease the maids and women backed away when she came by, leaving the way to the well free. She passed the queue and shovelled cool water into her face. It was only shortly before midday but even now the sun shone with all its power and heated up the narrow alleys.

„Éponine!" Her father's cry made her wince and start running, he was already a few streets away. His eyebrows formed a straight lining, framing the angry eyes as he spat out. With the three ladies again he hurried on.

They met the gang at the market, where booth after booth offered fresh goods. The scent of warm bread and juicy apples made her stomach cringe and she turned away. In the past years of poverty she had learned to get along with the torn clothing and comfortless accommodation but the painful hunger was something she would never get used to. The Patron-Minette was made up of four men, Montparnasse, Claquesous, Babet and Gueulemer, all of them definitely slightly yet their wallets were empty and their tempers fervid. „Hope you've got a good reason for ordering us at this time, Thénadier", snarled Montparnasse but his eyes were fixed on Éponine behind him. His looks were undressing her.

„I do, 'Parnasse", replied Thénadier in the same mood he always had in the Patron-Minette's present. The four were maybe working for Éponine's father yet they refused to include him in their sacred gang – he had a family to care for. It was a great offence to Thénadier and he let them feel it.

Montparnasse adjusted his hat which never stayed the way it was supposed to be upon his mane of blonde locks. „I guess you're cheating again, aren't you, mon ami?"

Thénadier laughed roughly. „"You ain't having a plan 'out my work, bleu", he scoffed and bright red flushed upon Montparnasse's face. „Be careful", he growled but there was nothing serious with the thread.

The four Thénadiers stuck together heads with the Patron-Minette, beginning their planning. „You know you're place, Gueulemer, Babet, Claquesous, 'Zelma. You Montparnasse watch for the law with Éponine, take care." Thénadier turned to his wife. „You turn on the tears, no mistakes my dears."

Multiple nodding, last whispered words, then the group parted and took their positions. Éponine was just about to take her place when she spotted Marius walking through the crowd. A smile spread upon her face, her heard warmed up. Rearward, she heard her mother's mocking. „Just look, these bloody are here on our streets again. Éponine would kiss their feet, for god, that girl never had a scrap of brain!"

Éponine let the hurting words bounce of her, after years and years of teasing she had learned to ignore such comments. She tightened her breath and turned to Marius. „Monsieur!"

„Hey, Éponine, what's up today? I haven't seen you much about."

Hearing his words her heart seemed to burst with luck. He had missed her!

„Here you can always catch me in", she promised nodding yet he only looked concerned. „Mind the police, you shouldn't be caught!"

Éponine laughed confidently. „Wotcher do with all them books? I could've been a student too. Don't judge a girl on how she looks, I know a lot of things, I do!", she assured but she couldn't help but smile hearing his worries.

„Poor Éponine", Marius answered, „The things you know you wouldn't find in books like mine."

She grinned. „I like the way you grow your hair", she smiled saying out loud what she had only hoped to think.

He got it wrong anyways. „I like the way you always tease."

Little he knows and little he sees, Éponine thought to herself. She was just about to reply when she spotted her father giving the wink for the mission, a rich man and his pretty daughter at back sight. She pushed Marius away, her dirty hands leaving stains on his deep blue coat. „Stay out of this."

„But Éponine…"

„You'll be in trouble here, it's not your concern, just stay clear. Please!" She pushed him fiercely.

Marius glance hit the pair which was about to be robbed. „Who is that man?", he asked.

„Du balai! I don't know!", responded Éponine, but Marius persisted. „What's a rich man doing out here? Hey, Éponine!"

She tried to shove him away again, only now he stumbled directly into the girl. „I didn't see you there, forgive me."

A smile spread on Marius' face. It was the moment when something broke inside of Éponine. She couldn't tell what was it but she felt it, the sharp edges scratched her inside causing so much pain she felt tears in her eyes. When they fell they left hot stains on her cheeks. That look Marius gave that girl, peacefully and blessed – it was the way he was supposed to look at her!

She stood there for a few seconds, unable to move, as frozen as the two young people in front of her. She was just about to go between them, break them up – anything! – when she spotted a policier's black hat. The velvet covered chest was hanged with golden shining awards. It wasn't just any cogne.

„It's the police, disappear, run for it, it's Javert!"

Her father's plan bursted when he was forced to leave the rich man.

Just that it wasn't only his father's dream. Èponine's last dream had bursted all along.