If you're seeing this and know I went MIA for several years, the full story as to why will be on my profile shortly. Just know that this is the first in a series of new stories that I'll be starting, and enjoy.

Please be noted that, while a few details have been taken from the books or songs from the theatre version, all character appearances are based on those of the movie.

Thanks to the amazing Snakequeen-in-Norway for being my beta!

Cosette stood by her father's side, a basket hanging from her arm. Her father was in the middle of a conversation with a man they had met on the street; she was humming quietly.

After a minute or two, her father said softly, "Why don't you go look around the shops, try to find something you'd like."

He slipped her a small pouch, and Cosette could feel the money jangling around inside it. The other man, still speaking, missed the exchange. Cosette set the basket down and wrapped the string around her wrist, then stepped away from the two men.

The streets of Paris were congested, but the shops were mostly empty. Cosette window-shopped, peering at the store displays curiously but not yet buying anything; with the starving people all around her, it didn't seem right. As she stood in front of a dress shop and admired a pretty pink day dress, she saw a girl around her own age staring at her intensely from under a shaded ledge. Cosette glanced at her; it was clear she was homeless, or nearly so; the girl's dark hair was matted, hanging limply around her head, and her quilted dress was loose-fitting on her body, despite it being clearly being a small size. Cosette felt a flicker of recognition, but couldn't quite place it.

On instinct, she called, "Hello? I see you there." The other girl stepped out of the shadows, her gaze maintaining its unnerving intensity.

The other girl said, "Hello, Cosette."

Cosette started, jumping slightly. "How do you know my name?"

"You don't remember me? I suppose you would not, now that you are well off and I am…well, you can see for yourself how I turned out."

Cosette looked her over again. "Éponine? Is that you?"

The other girl smiled bitterly. "Yes, it is me."

Cosette gasped, hands flying to cover her mouth in shock. "Good God, Éponine, what has happened to you?"

"My parents lost the inn not long after you left, and we have been living in a small flat nearby here ever since." Éponine paused. "Are you not going to mock me about this?"

"About what?" asked Cosette, genuinely confused.

"Perhaps about the fact that you are now wealthy, and I live on the streets, begging for a piece of bread to fill my empty stomach."

"Why would I mock you about that?"

Éponine stared at her in bewilderment for a moment, but before she could respond, a voice called, "Cosette?"

"I'm here, Papa!"

A moment later, Valjean appeared. "Shall we go, Cosette?" Cosette glanced an at Éponine and said, "Please wait here for just a moment." Then she pulled her father aside. "Papa, I knew her as a child. It's Éponine! She is still forced to live with…them. We should invite her to come with us!" Valjean looked at her skeptically. "Cosette, those are the people that treated you as a servant. I saw the way she in particular treated you."

"It was not her fault, papa, she was merely a child, emulating her parents."

Valjean paused for a moment. He had once promised Fantine that her child would want for nothing, and since this was in his power, and Cosette wanted it so badly, he could not refuse. "You are such a lonely child…and she could be like a sister to you. Are you sure you want this, Cosette?"

"Yes, Papa, I am positive."

The two walked back over to Éponine, and Valjean said, "My dear, would you like to come with us?"

Éponine blanched, staring at the man disbelievingly. "Pardon—pardon me monsieur, are—are you serious?"

"Yes, of course. I would not joke about such things, Éponine."

She hesitated. "I—I have a younger brother. He does not live with us, but I care for him…I make sure he doesn't go hungry."

Valjean paused for a moment. "I cannot take the boy into my care—we live relatively small, and it will take time adjusting to just one new addition—but I can promise you that he will remain well-fed and alive."

Éponine stared at the two for another moment, still clearly disbelieving of the turn of events. "I would never be able to repay either of you."

Valjean smiled. "You wouldn't need to."