A/N: Thanks much!

To the guest: Thanks!

AyosDito: I like your pen name. Thanks much too!

Outtake 2: Jehan/Azelma time now! These two will feature a lot in the outtakes, as they have quite the story to tell too. This is their first meeting.

2: On the Stairs

October 1832

Sometimes, especially when Eponine was at work and their brothers were at school, there was little that Azelma could do other than sleep or occupy herself with her thoughts. After all their neighbours were busy and their street was sorely lacking in amusement; she would have to go as far as the neighbourhood of the Odeon or the Luxembourg for anything of that sort. 'I don't see why she can't let me go out to the Rue de Babylone sometimes just to see the gentlemen there,' she groused silently as she got out of bed and threw a fichu over her purple dress. 'Just because she already has that Theodule fellow of hers, that doesn't mean I can't go looking for one of my own,' she decided as she hurriedly braided her raven hair.

As she made her way to the door of the cramped apartment, she made sure to listen for any sign of their neighbours moving about. For once the silence was reassuring since it meant that Combeferre was still asleep after a long night at work, while Enjolras was most likely still at work. Azelma could not help but breathe a sigh of relief since this meant she would not have to come up with an excuse that could stand up to Combeferre's logic, or steel herself against Enjolras' piercing glare. 'Why they are on Ponine's side about things, I do not know,' she thought petulantly as she slipped into the hall and down the stairs.

In her haste she quite failed to miss the sound of the front door creaking open and a solid but hurried tread on the stairs. Suddenly she collided with something tall, and for a moment she felt herself teetering. As she shrieked with fright, a warm hand grabbed her arm to steady her. "I'm so sorry, Citizenness!" a smooth voice exclaimed, shaky with bewilderment and the loss of balance.

Azelma grabbed onto the wall for support even as she dared to raise her head, knowing that this young man was not one of her neighbours. He was tall, or at least had enough inches to see over the top of her head. His hair was mostly hidden by a floppy hat, which clashed with the rest of his otherwise smart attire. Something about his unassuming but friendly mien struck her as vaguely familiar, and so she did not push him aside rudely. "Who are you looking for?" she blurted out.

"I was going to see Combeferre," this man said, shuffling to one side to try to give her some room on the stairs. "Is he awake yet?"

"No, he's been quiet all this time. You should come back in an hour," Azelma replied.

The young man nodded amiably as he took off his hat and tucked it behind his back. "You must be Eponine's sister."

Azelma managed a stunned nod. "How did you know?"

"I didn't know, but I guessed," the young man confessed. "She mentioned you, and you do resemble her, a little."

"Very little," Azelma replied tartly. As far as she was concerned she and Eponine hardly looked alike; they were both slender as a result of living on the streets but this was their only resemblance. Eponine was taller, freckled, with reddish brown hair that easily drew attention, especially if she took the slightest bit of care with it. Azelma on the other hand was made for the shadows: puny, dark haired, and with a face that easily passed out of one's memory.

"I did not mean any offense, Citizenness," the young man said apologetically.

"I can tell."

"Are you stepping out?"

"You mean just going outside?"

"Will you allow me to walk you to the door?"

Azelma stared at him, searching his gray eyes for any sign of mocking, but there was only warmth and good cheer in his smile. "Like a gentleman would with a real lady?" she asked, trying to hide her astonishment.

"Naturally," the young man said, offering her his arm. "By the way, you can call me Jean Prouvaire."

Azelma nodded, trying his name silently on her lips. "It's a lovely name. Very proper."

"Sometimes I don't think so. What would yours be?"

For the first time Azelma managed a smile. "Azelma. Azelma Thenardier."