Bonjour once again! I wanted to do another Enjolras fic, so this is what appeared. I hope you like it.

Btw, I know I am out of canon by giving him siblings, but it provides some nice story opportunites. Bear with me, please.

Please review and let me know what you think.

CHAPTER ONE - BAD TIDINGS

"That was without a doubt the most boring lecture I have ever had the misfortune to witness!" said Christophe Joly, as he left the university with Etienne Combeferre.

"I think the whole class would agree with you there!" laughed Combeferre in reply, as he pulled on his jacket. "One wonders why Professor Alfonse got into the teaching profession as he seems to detest every student he sets his eyes on!"

"Lucky for him, the majority of our class are quite solemn anyway." grinned Joly, fishing for a handkerchief to blow his nose – which, incidentally, wasn't even running. "But I'd love to see him try to teach some of the law students – Courfeyrac would drive him round the bend in an hour!"

Combeferre laughed. It was true; though he was a law student, Courfeyrac was far from solemn. He saw humour in everything and seemed to spend the majority of his lectures larking around. It was one of the qualities which made him so endearing to his friends.

"That would be amusing!" agreed Combeferre, as they arrived at the door to Joly's lodgings. "Or even more amusing – we could find a way to introduce him to Bahorel!"

Joly burst out laughing, thinking of Sebastien Bahorel – their short-fused friend who would pick a fight with his own shadow. He would be more than a match for their sour tempered teacher. He fumbled in his pocket for his keys.

"We should try to make that happen, mon ami!" he chuckled as he opened the door. "Anyway, I'll meet you tomorrow at the library. We can get working on those essays."

"All right, Christophe." replied Combeferre as he set off again. "Have a good evening. I shall see you tomorrow."

Combeferre lived in reasonable proximity to the flat Joly shared with L'Aigle, so he didn't have far to walk. It was a nice spring evening, however, so he continued to stroll at a leisurely pace towards his own lodgings.

After climbing the first set of stairs, Combeferre paused briefly on the landing to chat to Courfeyrac, who shared a flat with Prouvaire on the first floor, before climbing the final set of stairs and arriving at his own door.

When he stepped inside, Combeferre stopped in his tracks in surprise. His best friend, Julien Enjolras, was sitting in the alcove of the window. He didn't even seem to have realised that Combeferre had joined him as his face was buried in his shaking hands.

"Julien?" asked Combeferre worriedly. "Are you feeling all right?" He remembered the last time his stubborn friend had been ill – he'd almost died from trying to hide it!

"What?" Enjolras raised his head and Combeferre was alarmed to see tear-tracks on his friend's pale cheeks. "Oh, I beg your pardon, Etienne. I didn't hear you come in."

"Never mind that!" said Combeferre impatiently. "What's the matter?"

Enjolras fought to blink back tears again. He didn't trust his voice and so settled for gulping instead.

"Julien, I've watched you drive yourself into the ground once," said Combeferre warningly. "Don't think I'll do it again. Talk to me!"

Enjolras's face crumpled and two tears made their way slowly down to his chin.

"I've got to catch the morning coach tomorrow." he choked. "I have to go home."

"Home?" repeated Combeferre in alarm. "You don't mean to say your father is taking you away from the university?" He had threatened to do that once before.

"No…" Enjolras shook his head sadly. "It's worse than that."

"Worse? How could it possibly be worse?" Combeferre's heart almost stopped beating. "Julian, for the love of God, will you tell me what's the matter?"

"I've had a letter from René." said Enjolras, angrily scrubbing the tears away from his face. "It's…it's Christine. She's dying."

"Dying?" repeated Combeferre, feeling the colour drain from his face. Christine was the youngest of the Enjolras siblings; she was only fourteen. "Why? How?"

"Appendicitis." Enjolras could hardly manage to get the word out. "He…he said she's been ill for the last month. They've tried everything, but to no avail. They've given her…oh God, Etienne, they've given her less than a week!"

Combeferre was speechless. He knew how fond Enjolras was of his youngest sister. This was an especially cruel blow.

"I'll come with you if you want." he offered gently. "It's a long journey for you to make on your own with such bad tidings hanging over you. You need a friend at a time like this."

And I should be there for the funeral, he thought sadly, but he couldn't bear to voice the words; seeing the turmoil that already raged in his friend's blue eyes.

"I…I must confess I would be grateful of the company." said Enjolras quietly. "As long as you are not inconveniencing yourself as regards your studies."

"Not at all." said Combeferre firmly. "Christophe will lend me his notes when I return and I can continue to work on my essay when I accompany you. I haven't seen my parents in a while and you shouldn't have to do this alone."

"Thank you." whispered Enjolras, his eyes brimming over as he ducked his head to hide his face again.

"I'm your friend, Julien. It's the least I can do." said Combeferre softly before heading for the door again. "Please, try and eat something, will you; you look half-dead. I will be back shortly. I'll just let Christophe know we're leaving in the morning."

And in a flash, he was gone again.

Enjolras leant back against the window and gave into his tears, glad he was alone to shed them. He hated appearing 'weak' in front of anyone else.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Oh dear God, that's all he needs!" sighed Joly sympathetically. "He's already lost one brother, now his sister too! Don't worry, you can get all my notes when you return. Don't rush back."

"Look after him." said Prouvaire softly, who had come over to help L'Aigle with. "You know what he's like. He'll make out he's coping while he tears himself apart. Don't let him hide his grief."

"I won't." promised Combeferre. "I know what to expect. I was there when his brother died. It's his family who'll make it difficult for him. Especially his father. But I'll keep an eye on him, I promise."

"All right then." said Joly, clapping his shoulder. "Safe journey, and don't let him do anything rash!"

To be continued...

Yes, it's another sad story. Now I have to decide on an ending, as I have three possible plots in mind. Any preference?

Reviews would be much appreciated.