Okay here's my new story, and within the next couple chapters I'm going to kind of fast forward to when they're older. But, I hope you like it, and, enjoy!

Eponine finally made it outside and crawled behind some trash that was stacked up near the street. She wiped the tears away from her eyes and studied her leg for a moment. There was already a bruise starting to form where she had been kicked, but the skin hadn't broken.. not this time.. she touched it and a quiet cry came from her lips. Eponine sighed quietly and sat back against the trash and pulled her knees up to her chest, resting her chin on her left knee, she felt tears start falling down her cheeks. She was only eight years old. Eight years old, and she was outside hiding from her father, terrified of what would happen when he found her. She closed her eyes and bit down on the fabric of her shirt, trying to ignore the pain in her leg. Feeling the trash being moved from behind her, she turned quickly and started to stand, ready to run. But rather than seeing her father, there was a little boy that looked to be maybe two or three years older than her, digging through one of the bags of trash. As soon as he saw her, however, he quickly knelt down next to her. "Mademoiselle? Are you hurt?"

Eponine tilted her chin up to look at the boy; he had blonde hair and blue eyes that somehow seemed gentle. Unsure what he wanted, she scooted back and turned her head away, hoping he would leave if she ignored him. It had the opposite effect, however. The young boy sat down beside her and wrapped one arm around her shoulders before taking her hand in his and pressing a kiss to it. "It's alright, I'll take care of you."

Eponine turned and looked at him with a confused expression. He didn't even know her name, why did he care about her? "Do you want my money? Have you got a knife with you?"

The little boy shook his head and pulled her closer to him. "I'm not going to hurt you. But you have a bruise on your leg, who did that to you?"

Eponine put her hand over the bruise and closed her eyes. "My papa kicked me."

The young boy looked at the place where she had her hand over the bruise for a moment with concern before looking back at her. "What's your name?"

She answered without looking at him. "Eponine."

He tried to gain eye contact but she refused to look at him again. "I'm Combeferre."

As soon as he said that, Eponine heard her father calling her from the inn. She stood up and started to limp back as quickly as she could manage, so that her father would not become angrier because she took too long to get back. She thought she heard somebody behind her but she didn't bother to look back, she just quickened her pace until she made it back. She walked up to the entrance and looked around cautiously before stepping into the room. Deciding it would be best to get to her room as quickly as possible, she turned to go, just before she heard her father's voice. "Where have you been Eponine?"

She turned just in time to see his hand about to connect with her face. Ducking down, she let out a terrified shriek which was met with a pained cry from someone else. She turned her head to see why she hadn't felt the blow, and who the other noise had come from. As she gazed up to see what had blocked her father's hand from reaching her, she caught glimpse of the gentle blue eyes that she had seen a few moments ago outside. Eponine reached up a shaky hand to touch his face, as to thank him for blocking her father from hurting her, afraid what her father would do to her if she thanked the boy verbally right now. After she got over the shock of what had just happened, she realized that Combeferre shouldn't be here. Why is he here? Did he follow me back here? Suddenly the boy was pulled away from her and she saw her father again, fuming.

The man looked over Combeferre for a moment. "What is this? Eponine, did you bring him home with you?"

Eponine stood up, avoiding putting too much weight on the bruised leg, she shook her head slightly. "Papa, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"

"I came here for a place to stay. Eponine told me you needed some help around here." Combeferre cut in, casting a side glance at Eponine, hoping she wouldn't interject.

Eponine watched her father as he seemed to consider this. "You know you wouldn't be paid, the shelter and food would be your pay."

Combeferre nodded his head. "I understand that."

Thenardier shrugged, not seeming to care much either way. "Fine, but cause any trouble and there's going to be issues, boy. Eponine, show him where he can stay."

Eponine ducked her head and started to walk to her room, still limping with every step. When she got there, she led him inside before closing the door. Combeferre watched as she limped over to the corner of the room and crawled under a small table.

As he made his way over there, he saw her rest her head against the wall and close her eyes. He knelt down and crawled under as well.

Eponine turned her head slightly to look at him, still trying to decide whether he would hurt her or not. "If you're going to hit me, can you do it now so I know it's coming, 'Ferre?"

Combeferre wrapped both arms around her this time, and let her lay her head on his shoulder. "I'm going to take care of you till forever."

Please review guys! It really means a lot if you do! Thank you, and God Bless.