Eponine sat in a daydream as her father and members of the Patron-Minette planned their next robbery, which she had over-heard was scheduled for the fast approaching night. She rarely partook in robberies, she was simply left to watch out for the police; a job she didn't mind doing. Her short day-dream was only interrupted by Montparnasse, who snapped his fingers in front of her face in an attempt to get her attention.

"Day-dreamin' about that Pontmercy bloke again, are we?'' he questioned, scoffing slightly as he spoke.

Eponine promptly snapped out of her day dream at soon as he uttered the name 'Pontmercy'. She understood and her chances with Marius were very low, yet she couldn't help herself from feeling the way she did; there was just something about him that made her feel safe for once.

"That Pontmercy bloke happens to be called Marius, actually… he's a student, so he is…'' she replied, with a 'matter of fact' tone in her voice, getting lost in her own words. " and yes, maybe I was day-dreaming about about him, what difference would it make to you?'' Eponine continued boldly, cocking her head vaguely.

Montparnasse knew that Eponine certainly wasn't the prettiest girl in Paris, but he was aware of the power he held over her; fear. She would never step out of line, in trepidation of the consequences. Montparnasse was barely considered as an adult, yet he had already been involved in a growing series of robberies and murders.

"If you were sensible, you'd probably stop stalking the lad and stop driveling on about him at every opportunity that arises…" he retorted enthusiastically, rolling his eyes once. "and if he's a student, don't you think he's a student, what would he be doing wasting his time with you? Obviously a waste of your own time as well, I say" Montparnasse proceeded mockingly, raising an eyebrow at Eponine.

She was used to being mocked my Montparnasse, it was nothing out of the ordinary. Most of the time he jibed about her looks or her intelligence, which she had learned to put up with over the years.

"I don't stalk him!" Eponine replied defensively, cringing at his comment and realizing that the words had came out in a tone that sounded slightly angry. "Its not a waste of anyone's time, for your information! I would call it more of a… work in progress" she stated jokingly, laughing a little as she spoke.

His words made her think about things in a different light. Why would Marius waste his time with a poor girl like her?; Why would anyone waste their time with a poor girl like her? Anyway, Marius had Cosette and they were perfectly happy; France's answer to 'Barbie and Ken'.

Montparnasse shook his head at her feeble explanation. "Work in progress, my arse!" he replied, laughing along with her. It didn't take him long to realize how out of place Eponine's laughter was, most of the time she stayed quiet and looked rather solemn. He thought it would be better to set her straight; the laughter fell silent and he kept a straight face.

"Listen here, you idiotic bitch. People like us are considered the scum of the street. Don't get you're fucking hopes up." Montparnasse whispered in a low monotone, with a threatening look in her eyes. He knew that his word choice had probably offended her, not that it mattered.

The look on Eponine's face dropped almost instantly and she found herself hanging her head to look at the floor to prevent herself from looking at Montparnasse's eyes. The thing that hurt the most was knowing that what he said was probably accurate.

Monparnasse looked at her facial expression, which overwhelmed him with a feeling of guilt for causing it. She was happy merely minutes before, and now she was back to normal.

"Come here, you broad" he said, smiling slightly and pulling her into his embrace.

Eponine didn't object, resting her forehead on his left shoulder though keeping her own arms by her sides. "Do you really think I'm that hopeless?" she asked, feeling tears welling up in her eyes and struggling to speak without her voice cracking. Usually Eponine would act as though nothing fazed her, but the possibility that she would have no chance with Marius was like a dagger through her heart.

"Absolutely" Montparnasse replied cold-heartedly, stroking her hair softly.

Eponine gave no response. The two of them stood there in silence for a few moments until they were interrupted.

"Right you two, no heavy petting" Claquesous joked, grinning.

Eponine laughed slightly, shaking her head at his comment.

"Shut it" she replied jokingly, shoving him feebly.