A Star within the Barricade

"It is a rather strange thing for you to stand on the edge, Monsieur." Marianne, as timid as she was had fully intended to walk past the inspector. She knew he was harsh, cold. Uninviting to nothing but the law, yet here she was - Trying to speak to the fabled Javert. Then again she had come across something of his. It wouldn't be right to not give him what was rightfully his. He stared out to the sky for a long time, making her believe he had blanked her until his cutting voice spoke and sliced the silence between them. "You shouldn't be out in the streets, Mademoiselle - It is a dangerous time and it would be wise for you to be indoors." With those words he looked back forward, in fact, Marianne couldn't tell if he had even cast one glance her way.

"As you shouldn't stand so close to the edge, it is a long way down. But the stars are very beautiful, Monsieur." She smiled softly towards him, his figure intimidating and remaining so very threatening as he stood upon the ledge. He mumbled, words which she couldn't understand but she settled with her assumption that he agreed. "You ignore my advice." He spoke, not in question but a cold fact, still not casting a glance in her direction as she stood on the cobbles beside him. She folded her arms and leaned against the ledge, looking over with a subtle smile at what he was staring at. "You don't speak much, Monsieur?"

"I see no benefit in idle chit-chat." With those words, he made his way down from the ledge and stood beside her, even as she stood from her own leaning stance - he was far taller than her. His figure even on the ground, intimidating as it loomed over her. He finally cast his eyes down to her, and more focused upon her rag-like attire. Marianne wasn't the richest of girls in Paris, in fact she was with the likes of the beggars and made her money with pitiful jobs on the side - Her whole manner was of that of a poor beggar, her clothes ragged and torn revealing patches of skin which bore dirt and filth, her hair matted and unkempt.

Her face, although showing signs of perhaps an average brunette woman was so crowded with dirt and neglect that it aged her into a rather unattractive woman beyond her actual years. He stared down, his eyes cold and dark, his lips straight. Barely moving. He was unimpressed, perhaps even disgusted.

There was a looming silence until he turned swiftly on his heel without a further word, perhaps a mumbled goodbye and he continued on his way. Something snapped inside Marianne, for his stare was so empty and cold as if she were nothing but a bug on the ground. Her pride had been essentially squished in those few seconds that she walked after him until she fell into step by his side. "They say you're a harsh man, Monsieur." There was no sign of any acknowledgement in his features. "That you're cruel, uncaring. Some of the more brazen say you have no heart." Still nothing. "Some of the young'ens, they don't understand you see, they think you're on kin with the devil himself - I tell's them better, you know? Tell them's they should respect a good man for doing honest work.." He didn't even flinch at anything, just continued on. Ignoring her. Blanking her completely as if she were nothing.

Although she dealt with this often, it was common in her social standing to be ignored as if she were irrelevant in the higher society's lives, but it was the manner in which he did this that hurt her most, he had spoke when he was unaware of her appearance and yet now he knew of her impoverished appearance he blanked her completely.

"I understands Monsieur, I look...I know I look like a common scum, you deal with the likes of my kind on a day to day, the bad ones, I know that fairly well for I have to deals with them too, But you have no right to ignore me, I'm human just like you."

This seemed to finally get a reaction, his eyes turned towards her, cold and unyielding still as they bore into her own blue eyes. "I do not know you, Mademoiselle, I am of a position where my time cannot be wasted with pointless chit-chat, especially to a sewer rat." His voice was so calm, as if he were involved in casual conversing. Yet his words stung and caused Marianne to try and regain her composure.

He stared down as she sniffled, almost entirely unaffected, but his eyes gave something away, a small flicker. Something which she noticed but wasn't fully aware of in her state of upset. "I'm sorry you think of me, stranger or not in that way. I'm sorry I can't afford to look presentable, that I offend you so much." She dug her hand into her little pocket and withdrew what she had intended to give him in the first place, she began to regret making conversation with him. "Here" She passed him his previously stolen franc's with a final sniff.

"I found this, well, witnessed it being pick pocketed and I made sure it was all returned too." She held out her hand, dirty with signs of her hard work and lifestyle. He stared down at it for a moment, silent. The rejection-like glare to her hand was another blow. She looked away from the intimidating Javert to compose herself again, it was only when his hand brushed hers to take it she looked back. "Thank-you." He grumbled, awkwardly placing it back into his pocket. She could tell by his expression he would want the names of those involved, but as they were just children she wouldn't give their names in any circumstance. Perhaps the expression on her face gave him warning to that, for he didn't bother asking.

"I'm sorry for offending you, Mademoiselle." He cleared his throat, Marianne could tell by his expression he was unaccustomed to apologizing - and by the look on his face it was perhaps the first time he had to apologize to someone way below his social standing. "Thank-you, Monsieur. I'm just doing my duty as any other would I'm sure - I'll waste no more of your time, as you say, you are a very busy man in your position. I'm sorry myself." Marianne faintly smiled again, feeling rather awkward and horrible in herself for having tried to make conversation with him. She began to walk away when something inside Javert snapped, his resolve fell away and he found himself asking a rather strange question. "What is your name, Mademoiselle?"

She turned, glancing his way with her kind smile, although surrounded with matted hair and covered in a rather disgusting dirt, her smile shined just like the stars above. "Marianne, Monsieur." She looked down at her feet, becoming rather nervous as she spoke. "It has been wonderful to meet you, Marianne." His voice was gruff with an awkward attempt of being friendly, she noted he moved his feet slightly as he spoke. He was very unaccustomed to acting in this manner with the rats of the Parisian streets. "You too, Monsieur." She smiled again as he looked upon her, his cold eyes softening just a touch as he spoke. "Call me Javert - As I use your name it is only fair you call me by mine." He cleared his throat a little as he spoke, once again becoming awkward as she grinned a little. "Very well, Javert. Have a good night." She was sincere in her wish, smiling once again before turning and going on into the darkening streets of Paris.

Javert did not move, for as she turned he mumbled the same wish, a part of him feeling almost protective as he watched her walk on into the streets, although she seemed very wise of the world he feared she may become in danger; He had seen it often. Such violence in the hidden streets of Paris which no woman, especially one of her sincerity and kindness should be victim to. But she was gone before he could come to a choice on what to do. Leaving him standing and looking up at the stars, which now seemed slightly different, and he had no idea why...

Marianne awoke as usual in the bitterly early morning. The crisp bite of the cold morning air was fresh upon her skin. It made her feel awake, but with it cold and chilled through the flesh. She had to work, in fact she could tell by the light if she didn't move quickly she would surely be late. With little choice she shoved her usual ragged dress upon her body and tried to fix her hair, which by this standard of neglect was of little use. Work was hard, Marianne was usually exhausted by the time she got back to her rather pitiful apartment which she shared with two other girls - Jenina and Jacqueline, sisters who had other ways of earning their keep. Luckily for Marianne she never had to resort to such ways of getting money.

She worked in a small Café, as of late it had become rather entertaining with the Le Amis de l'ABC buzzing about a potential revolution. Their presence seemed to lighten the place, perhaps it was the hope in the air around them. The chance of freedom. Of course, although she had a soft spot for Enjolras, as did most of those around him - His charm, charisma, it won the hearts of anyone close to hear him. The real focus of her affection was little Gavroche, the cheeky boy always tugged at her heart strings. She considered him her own little brother.

Marianne always found herself bored starting work in the Café, before the Le Amis' occupied the place. Those few who attended earlier rarely gave much entertainment other than the occasional smile or conversation. Her job was mostly to clean the place and keep everything orderly, She did enjoy the little bit of peace she had during this slow paced moment; For once Grantaire arrived with Enjolras and the rest it would surely turn into a wreckage.

The morning passed with little change; Marianne simply wiping and then re-wiping over the tables in a way of making time pass. Of course, the arrival of a familiar Inspector, Javert to be precise, did cause some interesting reactions. The Café had become quite associated with the students of Le Amis', She was surprised to see him even step foot in here. The boss was almost sweating at the sight of the Inspector, but it was when he approached Marianne that the boss seemed most worried. "Marianne." Javert cleared his throat, looking very straight-faced and serious as his usual expression was. He stared down towards her, holding the rag in a pitiful work. He felt almost sorry for her. "May I speak with you for a moment, Mademoiselle." He had already began walking to a far corner, not allowing her to have a choice in speaking to him or not.

She followed, knowing it would be something of importance for him to stray away from his prized position as Inspector. "Yes, Monsieur, how can I help you?" She offered a smile with surprisingly looked after teeth; a full set with no real signs of neglect or dirt. It was a rare sight in this area. He cleared his throat a little, holding out something in his hand. As she looked, she felt herself freeze. It was at least 20 francs. "You deserve something for your kindness, I believe the honest should be rewarded." He placed it in her hand, not allowing even a second of argument. "I cannot accept this, it is far too much Monsieur." He looked down at her as she tried to give it back. His eyes narrowed; in her current position he knew she must be desperate for anything she could get. Her clothes and appearance simply highlighted she was obviously poor. All this made him doubt if he had even given her enough. "You will take it for it is owed, nothing more." He cleared his throat, awkwardly moving his feet like a nervous boy would. He was clearly uncomfortable, being in here in the manner that he was. It was perhaps against most of his beliefs. Before she could offer further argument to his charity, he nodded and turned.

"Good day, Marianne." He walked out of the café before she could even give him a thank-you.

Javert walked out of the Café quickly, he had felt uncomfortable there as it was. Knowing what he had to do didn't help, it just made the whole experience even more unpleasant. Even as he walked away he wondered why he just did that. Had it been another, would he have taken the time to give them what he gave her? probably not. In fact, the situation seemed strange to him. He was a man of the law, not accustomed to being charitable to those who he was usually placing in the cells or taking to court. Yet even now he was debating if he had given her enough. He was used to seeing sights of poor women, children. He had even grown up surrounded by the same thing and yet it was only now, seeing a woman with a good heart in such a position of poverty that effected him so. He wanted to help her, he didn't know how he could help one of her kind; grown on the streets as he and yet not making the same choices he had made, remaining on the streets. He was completely and utterly lost as for what to do.

He had tried to move his mind away from Marianne, but the sight of her dressed in such pitiful clothing, in a no doubt small paying job. It was distracting him from what his duty was. He tried to blame her for it, perhaps as she distracted him from his duty he should. But it was no use, he could not. Unfortunately, just as he had began focusing on cleaning the streets of Paris, a familiar woman was walking towards a small group of beggar children; the same which he noted to be around the irritating Gavroche. He watched from afar as she openly gave the children most of the money he had previously given her.

He would've usually seen this as a slap in the face. A part of him was indeed annoyed she hadn't bought herself some new, more presentable clothing. Yet, seeing her give what little she had to a group of children, perhaps even worse off than she was. They seemed to know her. They children openly gave her hugs and affectionately called her "Mari". She gave them all a single kiss upon the forehead before she went back to the Café.

He stood for a long time, staring at what he had seen. He felt different towards her, still he had no reason what it mean.

Marianne enjoyed being charitable to the children. They had so little and in comparison it was even more unlikely they would make enough to get dinner. She had a job, a decent pay enough to pay for her rent and some small things. They had what they got from begging, which was increasingly shrinking as the tensions between the poor and the rich grew, and what they got from pick-pocketing - which was scarce as most had become aware of their tricks. They had nothing, she had money. She couldn't allow them to starve. Some of them did have families, but that just meant the children had more mouths to feed and more pressure on what they got in the day.

In her spare time, the boss allowed her chances to go for a small walk or a chance for just a break. She went out into the streets, shortly down the path was a small group of children. She recognized them from the daily activities of Gavroche. He was always up to something, although most of the well-doing men and women of the town perhaps find him irritating, She thought his cheeky ways were endearing. The children smiled with gap-toothed grins. She felt it tugging at her heart-strings already as they laughed and hugged her. "Mari' you're back." They had such kind faces, It made it all the more difficult to see them in rags with barely a mouthful of bread to live on.

"Yes, and I have something for all of you." Marianne held out the money, dividing it into equal shares for the children. They took it with familiar snatching hands and loud chants of appreciation from each. The boys, sheepishly thanking her, whilst the two small girls hugged her openly. Even some of the younger boys hugged her for the little gift. "Now I know you all well, spend it on some food or shoes, maybe a coat. You need something on your feet or on your back. Go to Francois's little shop and tell him I sent you, he'll give you all what you need, and then you'll have some money left over for enough food to last for a while okay?" They all looked up at her, money in their tiny hands with a slight grimace. "But-.." One of the boys who she knew had a rather strict family tried to argue, but she simply held her hand up and told them again. "Shoes, clothing and food. Don't your feet hurt?" They all looked down to their small feet, they knew what she said was true - they hurt.

"Exactly, and I bet you're all cold too." They nodded a little, she knew they were in pain from the rough streets and freezing because of the scarce rags on their back. Marianne smiled a little before giving them all (Even the more shy ones.) A hug. "Okay now be good, I don't want to have to pry you out of a police man's hands okay?" They all laughed a little, knowing what she said was true enough, but they wouldn't follow it. Even she knew it herself.

She went back to the Café, although on her way she felt a pair of eyes upon her. She didn't look up to see the source, she guessed it may have been one of the children or something. But it irked her even so.

Going back to work in the Café was fairly uneventful again, she doubted if Le Amis' would even make an arrival today; perhaps they were busy? She went back to scrubbing the tables and serving a few drinks. The boss smiled occasionally; he had told her whilst she worked she shouldn't have given her money away, that she needed it more than anyone. Marianne looked up from the table to scowl. "Maurice you know I cannot let them starve, they're but babes." Marianne hated when those around her didn't understand. Perhaps Maurice was one of the most understanding, if there was anything left over from the day he was the first to give anything he could to the children. "Just think about your own back once in a while; the way you're going you'll end up on the street."

"I'll be fine, Maurice. I have all I need." Marianne rolled her eyes, although she flashed a smile towards Maurice, he spoke out of his heart; he meant well regardless.

Her work killed some time, which worked for a while as a calm way to go through the day, until the familiar sight of Gavroche went running past. Only with two grown men in tow running after him. She silently cursed, throwing down her rag and quickly going after the trio. Maurice was used to seeing Marianne running off to sort the problems out; with the lack of business he didn't mind too much as long as no trouble was brought to the Café.

"Monsieur's let him go!" By time she had reached the trio they had managed to grab the usually slippery Gavroche by the scruff. "He is just a child!" Marianne placed her hand upon the rather bulky man's shoulder. "Monsieur, he knows not what he does. He is only a child, this is no way to treat the boy!" Her words fell on deaf ears as the man continued to practically throttle Gavroche and ignore her pleas. Gavroche meanwhile looked rather calm, considering a pair of hands were very close to grabbing him by the neck. "Sir, please!"

"Get yer' filthy hands off'a me you dirty slut!" He knocked Marianne away from his arm, causing her to stumble upon the cobbles and very nearly lose her footing. Luckily she managed to drag herself from stumbling and gather herself up. It was after this his words seemed to hit home, Without thinking she struck the man across the face with her right hand, smacking his face so hard the connection practically echoed through the streets and caused some passer's by to stare in shock. Even the man and his accomplice were in shock, so much that thankfully they allow Gavroche slip from their hands. He took the chance to clear off and run into safety - not before shouting back an insult, Marianne was in shock at her actions.

She had never hit a man before in her life. Gavroche had run and now she was on her own with two rather bulky (or "Fat men" as Gavroche had called them) surrounding her with rather angered looks. "He got away because of you, you damned whore!" He raised his hand, which caused Marianne to flinch, and rightfully so. As he struck her with a punch right in the eye and caused her to fall back. She tripped upon the uneven cobbles and ended up hitting her head on the hard ground under her. The last thing she heard was the screaming of a near woman, calling desperately for the inspector. It all began turning rather blurry around her as hard steps near her closed in. The last thing she saw was Javert himself.

Then, as a warm liquid seemed to pool around her - it went black.

My first ever fanfic, I love Javert's character but I believe maybe if he met a woman within the poor of Paris who wasn't as he expected, maybe it would change how everything played out in the end? sorry for any mistakes - First fanfic ever :DDD

Reviews would be amazing! thanks,

Jenny xx