The Heart of the Seine

by Outofbinaryspace

Javert decides his life isn't worth living when he concludes that Valjean is both a good person and a criminal. However, he is rescued by Valjean and while he recovers they form an awkward friendship that could blossom into something more if Javert can learn to be more open-minded than the strict black and white worldview he held before the Seine.

The Heart of the Seine

Chapter One

Javert thought about all the years he spent searching and chasing Jean Valjean only to have the kind hearted criminal escape again and again into another city under another pseudonym. But this time was different. Valjean had offered to go back to prison-without any fights. His only condition was to get the nearly dead revolutionary to a hospital. However, that wasn't the only thing bothering Javert.

Valjean had refused to kill him. It didn't make sense to him. Why would Valjean not want to kill the only person in the world who would bring him back to prison? Why would he spare the one person who had made his life hell for so long?

Javert knew of Valjan's kindness and how charitable he was but he felt that the kindness shown to him by Valjean was undeserved. He was the reason Valjean fled cities, the reason he and Cosette had to move so often. He was why Valjean could never rest, could never let his guard down. He had caused him so much pain and yet Valjean refused to kill him.

The guilt and shame Javert felt overwhelmed all the principles he thought he stood for as he realized his dilemma had no solution that was both lawfully and morally correct.

As he stared up to the stars he whispered, "God help me" and threw himself into the welcoming Seine river. He felt his body hit the cold, rushing water and as it surrounded him he didn't struggle. After a few minutes he slipped into unconsciousness.

When he woke on the bank of the river it took him a few moments to realize he had not succeeded in his suicide.

"Javert, you're alive!"

Javert blinked in surprise as the gentleman who saved him wrapped his rather strong arms around him.

"I thought I was too late! I can't believe you just jumped! Do you have nothing to live for Inspector?"

All of this was said in a quiet rush as Jean Valjean tightly held the very confused Inspector.

"Valjean?"

Javert found his throat was incredibly sore and only managed a very strangled noise at the attempt to ask Valjean why he had bothered saving him yet again.

Valjean brought his face off of Javert's shoulder and looked at him in the eye.

"Yes, Javert, I'm right here."

Javert felt himself blush as Valjean stared into his deeply confused blue eyes and he stared right back into his beautiful brown ones.

"Why?"

Valjean smiled, "Why I didn't kill you at the barricade and why I rescued you?"

Javert nodded slowly, his head felt like it would drop off if he continued moving.

He broke into a coughing fit when he attempted to speak again. Valjean held him steady as the coughs shook his entire body and blood appeared on his mouth.

"Seeing as you are sick, why don't you let me take you to my house? And then I can answer any questions you have."

Javert was about to ask him why on earth would he want to help him when he passed out.