A/N: Now people I'm back again with this new story. Well, I figured that in doing an Eponine and Marius fiction, I have to concentrate with these two characters. So here, just read it and tell me what you think.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN LES MISERABLES

XXX

CHAPTER 1: MARIUS PONTMERCY

He opened the closet's door and pulled out his belongings: shirts, pants, coats, sleeves, all of which are black and some with hints of blue or green that matches his eyes. It was a sudden decision, he reflected, but he had to do this. He tossed his clothing on a worn out but nice leather bag which was opened wide on the floor. It was a tossing game: each garment that landed directly on the open bag was like a point for him. His aim, however wasn't that good, the floor is now cluttered with clothes rather than his open bag. He sighed and shook his head, after a lengthy pause of watching his clothes swim on the wooden floor; he decided that it was time to pack his books. This time, unlike his clothes, he placed them neatly inside a box with outmost care. The boy had a love for reading and learning, his books are considered his treasures.

When he was done, carefully sealing his box full of books, he proceeded to the heap of clothes on the floor. This time, his friend, Coufeyrac enters the room with a question mark written across his face.

"Where are you going Pontmercy?"

The person in question smiled exposing perfectly aligned teeth that made ladies giggle every time he smiled. If Marius knew his effect on women then maybe he wouldn't act like a lovesick fool around the girl he fancied. He met her for awhile, a couple of years back at a convent on the outskirts of Paris. She was with her father, quietly praying, with golden hair like sun and eyes blue as the sky.

They locked eyes for a moment, and Marius is completely blown away. If they had any private time together, it was brief, dreamlike moment. Mademoiselle Fauchlevent.

Coufeyrac sighed, what is his friend up to? He watched Marius for whole five minutes of folding or jamming, rather, his clothes to fit inside his traveling bag before he demanded an explanation.

"I am sorry Coufeyrac, it's been a rush, however, I did not expect to find it so fast, I have failed to tell you of my intentions for staying awhile, I have found a place and here's the address, I don't want to be a burden to you and besides my grandfather knows I'm here,"

"Still in the process of running away I see," Coufeyrac replied as he unfolded a piece of paper Marius had given him, in bold letters the address was written. His eyes grew wide at the realization to where his friend is headed. He began to speak "but this is a place near the slums of Saint Michael! Marius, for Christ's sake, are you mad?"

"I am afraid so Coufeyrac, but what choice do I have?" Marius countered "I am running away and my budget is low, my wage as part time employee in the university is not enough to suffice... Coufeyrac, I could not hide here any longer nor could I live with my grandfather,"

Marius then proceeded with his previous activity. Coufeyrac had known him since childhood; no doubt Marius had lived a life of luxury. Marius had lived with his grandfather and father, since he was a little boy. His friend never met his mother since she died during childbirth. Ever since his time with Marius as children, Grandfather Pontmercy had been hard on his grandson. It was no shock for Coufeyrac when a week ago he found Marius outside his flat with his belongings neatly packed.

"I'll be out on my own today," the man of seventeen announced as he finally closed his bag "I pray that you would not tell anyone of my whereabouts,"

"Take care dear friend," his friend with black curls said "I hear that the place you are going is a rather dangerous place full of swindlers and thieves of all sorts, you must take care, Marius, I pray that no harm may come your way,"

"I would not be fooled," Marius said as he put on a coat and a hat for his journey. He then bade Coufeyrac goodbye and then left. When he was alone, Coufeyrac took a bottle of wine from the cupboard and sat down in an old soft couch. Marius is like a brother to him and he wishes him well. Of all the reckless decisions Marius has made in his life, he hopes that this decision wouldn't cause his downfall.

XXX

The narrow brick roads were slippery after a heavy downpour of rain. It washed the streets of its impurities, but also gave way into forming new ones. Strong odors of fish, molded bread and rotten fruits and vegetables were amplified by the cold damp air. These odors and visions of poverty is like a different world for Marius, for he was unaccustomed to such environment. Though he was aware that poverty exists, it is only till now that he was able to examine it up close.

If he was in such state of shock, why did he leave? Why did he leave his wealthy grandfather and his mansion? Why did he leave his life that was once full of flowers and sweet scents? Why did he leave his table always full of food?

Many young men would gladly exchange their lives for such a comfortable living, but he left them. Marius gave an inwardly smile, he must be out of his mind, a lunatic, a crazy mad man. Lost in his thoughts, the young man did not notice that a rider in his horse was fast approaching his way. The rider apparently had done something against the law and is now being chased by a group of law enforcers on their steeds.

Marius would have been trampled to injury if he wasn't pulled by a man of the street just in time. He could not see the face of his savior save for his big chocolate brown eyes, because his oversized coat was buttoned high enough to cover half his face.

"Stay away if you wanted to live!" the man told him in a harsh threatening voice, though, the effect was rather different for him, for he could tell that his savior wasn't a grown man. The voice is a bit high pitched, must be a young lad of 13 or so. Before he could even respond in gratitude, the young lad ran away. Marius' deep blue eyes decided to follow the young lad. Caught in the excitement that ensued afterwards, his feet carried him towards the inner part of the city's slums, not once letting go of the young lad in sight. However, a sharp turn in the alley way made him lost him. Marius had no choice but to abandon the pursuit. The young man's trails had led him to some unknown territory away from the heart of Saint Michael.

Still, the young law student continued his way. The address of his supposed home is lost. The excitement earlier at the square had made him lost for directions. There is no point of turning back, he thought, he might as well move on with his journey. By night, he would have to find a cheap flat, a place to stay for a while. In his wanderings along the city's interiors, his mind too began to wander to reasons and events that had led him here: escapism, loyalty, bravery, valor and a dream.

Time must have well passed; he now felt his stomach protest for dinner. Smells of wine and bread led him to the tavern just near the docks. He was greeted by sailors, beggars and men with lives unlived. He sat by the counter and orders for bread and ale, whatever on the menu to keep him satisfied at a low cost.

As the night gets deeper, so does the night life. Vices over vices, Marius gets carried away and gambles. As if beginner's luck on these streets smile upon him, his cards were perfectly aligned, card after card, win after win.

The men around him jeer at his luck. A young, handsome man is winning at his game and is being quite a sight for many. His feat had attracted many hopefuls who wanted to have their share of luck. Some men cheered while some men are skeptic. The women on the other hand, had placed their bets on the handsome bachelor. Smoke of imported tobacco and cigars hung in the air like silvery weightless curtains, alcohol had been everywhere and many weren't spared of its effects including Marius Pontmercy, who laughed his way through each winning card. The conclusion came and money poured in. Pontmercy had become a rich man tonight.

To celebrate his success, the men urged him to spend a night with a lovely lady. At first, he refused but then given in with a drunk intent. A pimp whispered his selection of ladies, however there was one lady that got his attention.

"She is the most pricey monsieur; I assure you that she is fresh meat. You must understand, she is quite difficult, I don't recommend her for starters monsieur, it is her first time, "

"You must have seen my earnings for the night dear friend," an intoxicated Marius said "money doesn't mean much, I want her in my room tonight."

XXX

He paid for a night's lodging by a nearby inn. He had earned so much that he had a plan in mind. His grandfather's words echoed in his consciousness, how can you bring justice to his dear mother France? He looked at small sack of money in his hands and decided to hide it under his mattress for safe keeping.

A knock at the door disrupted his train of thought as he lay comfortably naked on his bed. The rain outside was getting worse, and a flash of lightning filled the dark corners of his room. Feeling dizzy as he stood up, he grabbed a nearby bathrobe and began to dress himself for his guest. Soon enough when he opened the door, he saw a girl that seemed younger to him in comparison, being half a head shorter than him, yet her eyes told stories that she knew more than him. Her dress is a simple wine colored velvet and isn't very revealing. Her arms are covered in long sleeves, that it looked a bit medieval to his taste. An old gown, he thought. He noticed her brown mop of dark curls with of red that flowed just above her waist in uneven lengths. He skin is in rich olive tones, a color he finds unattractive for women her age, yet very alluring. Her eyes were hazel, deep hazel brown like chocolates. In the end he concluded that she was a dark beauty, a girl shrouded in mystery. By the time he decided to let her in, another flash of lightning filled the air. She is not the kind of visitor he expected, yet he was convinced that he is drawn to her.

"Where do you want to do it monsieur?" she asked in a tone unsure of what is about to happen. Marius noted that she tried to feign her confidence, yet the shakiness of hands that grabbed the hems of her skirt suggested otherwise.

"Your name first mademoiselle?" he asked back.

"Claudia."

"Your first time?" he asked half jokingly and half serious. The girl just glared at him, her big brown eyes seemingly judging his character. Hostile.

"Is that what he told you? That man with his graying hair and decaying breath is not to be trusted. You are new here in this part of the city I can tell..."

"Your observation skills are good mademoiselle, you are very smart" then he gestured her towards a chair, "please, be comfortable."

The girl looked at him as if he was out of his mind "I need no sympathy of yours monsieur, you can keep it."

"It's called hospitality, dear Claudia," he corrected her.

"Tell me more about yourself Monsieur; you don't seem like a type of man who would just randomly invite a girl into your place, I would like to know much about you,"

"Name is Marius," he said a bit theatrically "a law student at the university,"

"What brings you here?"

"A number of reasons," He replied unsure of how much information he should reveal to this beautiful mysterious stranger. "Some of which are better left unheard, better left unsaid."

The girl remained silent; Marius could not help himself but drown into his deep thoughts. He hated it when he can't tell anyone what was troubling him. Nobody knew and nobody cares. He is truly alone in his sentiments. Nobody would ever understand…

"Nobody would understand you if you keep things to yourself," The girl said, as if reading his thoughts. "I think you would not burden anyone, sometimes, you have to admit that you need other people too."

Marius gave a smile or a smirk, depending on how one would interpret it. "You should not be doing this for a living,"

The rain outside grew stronger as his turbulent thoughts. He looked at Claudia and her seemingly perfectness of her wit hidden under the streaks of poverty and ignorance. "The reason to why I've called you here... Is because, I'm releasing you. I'm not taking anything from you tonight,"

Her chocolate eyes looked at him in shock. "Monsieur,"

"You heard me," he looked at her with his deep blue eyes "I'm not that kind of man you are thinking. I have my reasons."

"You are releasing me?" Claudia exclaimed in disbelief. "I could not thank you enough monsieur," then she paused "why?"

"My good deed,"

"I do not understand you monsieur, if you release me then I would not be having my pay. M'sieur I need francs tonight and don't mock me by your saintly ways..."

"I went here empty handed and earned a fortune overnight; I don't want a day to pass without doing something good. This is my deed and bought you freedom for a night, mademoiselle, you are blest, for the day's pay is yours to keep."

"Spare me a day monsieur and I'll be a virgin, well, at least, for a while." the girl explained to him when they faced each other eye to eye. "Forgive me monsieur if I said that you and your deed have mocked me and that I should be in your mercy. I work hard for my keep and try to be as honest as I can."

"What do you want then? Do it with me tonight and have your pay? Give up something precious from you?" he said as he pinned the girl beneath him on the bed. Their faces just inches apart. The girl seemed to be playing with his feelings, he never felt so hungry for flesh that even his own words mock him. He stared at her eyes, deep and dark. "You better go," he warned "or else…"

The girl sighed as she let him sit by his bed. She then began to massage his back suggestively. "You are just tense," she said with a tease. "I've never met someone like you monsieur. If you'd ask, I'd rather loose myself to you rather than someone else," then she got off him for a while. He watched her walk away from him, grabbed a bottle of wine form the inn's cupboard then looked at him smiling, revealing a deep dimple on her cheek "look, m'sieur, somebody had left this for us," and then she proceeded to wrap her arms around his neck. "The night is still young M'sieur Marius, enjoy yourself with this," then she shook the wine bottle in a seductive way.

Marius could feel his breathing go faster, for a moment; he was immediately lost in her eyes "Shall we?"

XXX

He awoke the following day with a head that throbbed like hell. He had never been so drunk that it hurt. The alcohol is slowly fading him and he didn't like it. When he opened his eyes, he realized he lay naked on tangled sheets.

The girl is nowhere to be found. What a seductress! He thought with outmost surprise. He even doubted if it was her first time. But what happened? He wasn't at all sure. The poor mademoiselle did not have her pay that night, he thought to himself as he lifted up the mattress to retrieve his sack of money and to his surprise, he found it empty save a few sous that could last him a day.

Damn that witch!

XXX

The francs jingled merrily in her pocket. The boy was so easy to tease, and she went out victorious of her feat. However she had to be careful and not let her father or his gang, know of her fortune. Maybe spare him a franc or two but not everything. This is hers and hers to keep, at least for a while.

She passes by a bakery and sees the pastries that are displayed. She thinks of her brother who is turning seven today. She buys him a pastry while humming to herself. She walks at the square, smiling to herself that her deep dimples show on her cheeks. She knows her brother lives by the hollow of an unfinished elephant, together with other children like him.

She doesn't see him or get to talk to him. She spots a little girl whom she knows is dear to him. She hands her a box with a pastry inside. "Please give it to Gavroche, will ya?" she said.

The little girl smiled and promised that she will. "I will mademoiselle,"

Then as a reward, she gave her a spare sweet pastry that was initially hers to eat.

XXX

Marius hastily went to the tavern and searched for the pimp who introduced him to a new whore. He really needed the money badly. He needed to catch Claudia. Unfortunately for him, the pimp was nowhere to be found and that the bartender was the only one present. He asked him whether he knew the lovely ladies of the docks, to which the bartender replied that he had slept with them all. He now describes of a new whore named Claudia, with her small stature, dimpled cheeks and long brown curls. Marius added that she wore a wine colored old fashioned dress.

"Claudia?" the bartender said. "None of those lovely ladies is named Claudia, perhaps Cecile or Celeste, those girls I know have never been touched by a man,"

Marius was found by the doorstep of the tavern. Poor and penniless, he asked the bystanders and random ladies to whom this Claudia was and that they all gave the same answer. Claudia is non-existent, he must be dreaming. Who is Claudia? Why did everyone not know her? It's like she didn't exist, like she suddenly disappeared with his fortune. If he remembered everything right, she was too smart and beautiful to forget. Where could she be? A dream? He now blames himself for being so careless to his desires. Did something happen?

What he didn't know was that Claudia in fact did exist, and that "Claudia" was just a pseudonym, a pen name, a make-up name a clever girl could use to trick her victims… For her real name was Eponine Thenardier, one of Saint Michael's vicious con-artist.