Here's the second chapter, also by Little-miss-laughs-alot

DISCLAIMER- I DON'T OWN LES MIS!

They hurried through the cold, empty streets, trying to keep Eponine dry. Marius shook his head, the words of the doctor running through his mind. Probably won't pull through. He blinked hard; that was only if the wound wasn't kept clean! He reminded himself sternly, turning his head slightly to check on Gavroche, who was right behind him, the boy's expression saying that he was thinking of the doctor's words too. Marius breathed a sigh of relief when his house came into view. They could get out of that infernal rain.

"Here we are. Mme Marque!" Marius called as he walked in the door of his home, carrying Eponine with Gavroche close behind.

The housekeeper hurried to the door at the urgent tone in his voice and gasped. "Oh my!"

"Can you light the fire in the guest room please, and put new sheets on the bed. I'm assuming you are staying, 'Roche?" The young gamin nodded decisively before the scholar continued. "And please put a cot in the room, Gavroche is staying too."

As the middle aged woman hastened away, Marius placed Eponine on the couch and sat on one of the chairs. Gavroche kneeled on the ground near his sister and held onto her hand. The young boy had been displaying an uncharacteristic show of emotions that day, he had learned from an early age that showing too much emotions on the streets could get you killed.

"You okay, 'Roche?" Marius asked gently.

"'Course I am!" The boy straightened immediately, keeping his back to Marius.

"She'll be fine, don't worry. You heard the doctor, we just need to keep it clean and change the bandages and she'll be fine!" Marius didn't feel like he was doing a very good job of convincing the street urchin, or himself for that matter. He looked at the girl laying on his couch, pale and young looking, the walls she always had up were gone. "She has to be fine." Marius murmured.

"Monsieur?" Mme Marque's voice rang through the silence, although she used a soft tone. "The room is ready."

"Thank you. Come, 'Vroche." he turned to Gavroche. "I have some clothes you can borrow; they'll be big, but clean." It was a mark of how long and stressful the day had been when the little boy didn't argue, just moved over to the door. "Mme Marque, do you think that you could find something for Ponine to wear?"

"I'm sure I could find something." Mme Marque smiled slightly. "You two go, both of you bathe and change, you're filthy! And I'll take care of her, don't you worry now!" She added when the two boys showed signs of reluctance about leaving the girl. "Go on!"

The two left, looking back until they turned the corner. The housekeeper chuckled lightly before turning to the girl on the couch. So this was the famous Eponine, whom the young scholar spoke about so much! She shook her head at the sight of her; all bones, tangled hair, dirt and blood mixed, and dressed in rags, the dirty cloth contrasting with the clean bandages wrapped around her.

The maternal woman frowned. When was the last time the girl had eaten? Or taken a hot bath? Too long ago, but that would be remedied as soon as possible. Stooping down, picking up the petite girl and frowning at how light she was, she carried her into the spare room, where a fire was blazing. She left for a moment to talk to the neighbor, who had a daughter, leaving Eponine alone for a minute.

"Monsieur? Monsieur Dupont?" She rapped on his door, hoping he was home. Her prayers were answered quickly when the man came to the door.

"Ah, Madame Marque! What can I do for you today?"

"May I please speak with Abrielle for a moment? It will be quick."

"Of course! Abrielle?" The light haired man called back to his daughter, "Do come in!"

"Merci." She moved into the room, glancing around while waiting for the girl to come.

"Ah, Abrielle! Mme Marque would like to speak to you. I will be in the study."

"Bonjour, how may I help you?"

Mme Marque quickly explained the current situation, "And would it be possible to lend me an old dress? It would not be very proper for her to be wearing men's clothing."

"Oh my! Of course I can!" Abrielle jumped up then halted, turning to Mme Marque. "Is this the Eponine of whom Marius speaks so often?" The sweet girl said wryly.

"The very same." the was a twinkle in the older woman's eye as she said this, following her to the room.

LFORLFORLFOR

A few minutes later back at Marius' home, Mme. Marque entered the guest room, this time carrying a bundled up old dress. Abrielle had told her just to keep it, for the injured girl needed it much more than she. The room was just how she left it, but with two additions; two boys sitting near the girl's bed, having seemed to have taken the fastest baths known to man. Gavroche was wearing a pair of trousers and a shirt that absolutely swallowed him, his hair wet and dripping onto his shirt.

"Excuse me, boys, but I am going to change her dress, so I suggest you leave." Marius immediately turned pink and hurried out of the room, followed quickly by the little street urchin. Mme. Marque smiled fondly before setting to work dressing the girl; she could wait to be bathed until she awoke. Soon she was in a clean dress, and the older woman had placed the tattered dress aside, just in case.

"Ah, Mademoiselle, I hope you awake soon, your boys are very worried about you."

As if in answer, Eponine's breath sped up from the slow, deep breathing Mme. Marque had grown accustomed to, and her eyelids fluttered.