Chapter 2

Gaveroche wasn't sure exactly why he started climbing the wall. He just knew he had to. His friends needed him. His people needed him. He was not one to watch and wait for things to happen. You want things to happen. You have to make them happen. That's something he learned very young. Something he had to learn. Being cast out by his parents to live life on the streets at a young age. You learn and do what you need to survive. He named himself even though many know he is a Thénardier. He tunneled his way through the barricade and to the top. Searching for guns and powder his friends could use.

He began to sing. "And little people know, When little people fight"

He was near the other side when Combeferre noticed, and tried to get Gaveroche back.

"We may look easy pickings but we've got some bite."

Courfeyrac heard Combeferre and turned to see Gaveroche at the other side of the barricade. Panic rouse in his chest as he ran towards Gaveroche.

"So never kick a dog because he's just a pup."

The first shot fired missing Gaveroche. He looked over his shoulder to see Combeferre holding Courfeyrac back, and he smiled because they had missed him. He continued down the barricade collecting as he went. He could hear Courfeyrac and the other members of the ABC yell for him to come back, but in his mind he was already past the point of no return.

"We'll fight like twenty armies, and we won't give… up."

As he bent down to retrieve more supplies they fired again. This time hitting him in the arm. The shot startled him and caused him to stagger. Gaveroche knew he had to keep standing. The pain was unbearable he could feel the bullet moving as he did, causing even more pain. He decided it was best to ignore it no matter how hard that was. He continued his song through gritted teeth.

He could see the officers reloading, and somehow knew this time the shot would count. He could hear the steady beat of feet running. He was sure Courfeyrac got free and was running to stop him, but he didn't look back.

"So you'd better run for cover when the pup… grows… up!"

Before Gaveroche knew he was engulfed in darkness as the third shot fired. He shut his eyes. He could hear the boys yelling.

Any minute now. He thought. Any minute and I won't hear them anymore. This pain will go away and I'll be gone.

But he could still hear them. The pain didn't go away. It in fact intensified due to the pressure around it. It was like he was constricted. It was then he noticed the smell of Peppermint. He opened his eyes and glanced up.

The first thing he saw was an officers medal. He shifted his eyes higher right into the eyes of Inspector Javert. Those once cold orbs that looked at him with nothing but contempt, now seemed to stare at him in relief.

"Inspector?" Gaveroche asked confused.

He watched as the Inspector dropped to his knees and began to slump forward. Gaveroche hooked his good arm under the Inspector trying to keep him upright. This only cause Gaveroche to fall slightly with the Inspector. As the Inspector lay slumped on a crate Gaveroche could now see the bullet wound in his back that began to soak his uniform in blood.

Javert tried to keep himself upright, but was growing weak and couldn't keep his hold on the crate. He fell the rest of the way to the ground on his back. The pain from the wound shooting through his body caused him to cough and clinch his teeth. He heard yelling but couldn't make out what was said.

This is How it ends? He thought. I sacrifice myself for a common street thief. He couldn't help but chuckle as the world turned black.

Gaveroche was stunned as was most of the men around the barricade. Enjolras Along with Marius and the rest of the ABC couldn't believe their eyes. He was supposed to be dead. They stood and watched as Javert ran towards Gaveroche not sure of where exactly the Inspector came. They watched as he grabbed the boy blocking him from the shot, and even though they watched as Javert the most feared of the police engulf Gaveroche in a protective embrace accepting the shot. Even as they watched him fall and the blood clearly visible escaping the wound on his back, they could not believe their eyes. The only sound that was heard was an officer yelling to cease fire.

Gaveroche heard Javert cough as his back hit the ground snapping him back to reality. He bent down next to the Inspector.

"HELP!" Gaveroche yelled as loud as he could. To both the ABC and the officers. "It's Javert."

With that conformation that it was indeed Javert, Valjean was the first to reach Gaveroches side. Bending over the Inspector noting Javerts pulse was very weak. He knew they must get him to the hospital.

Courfeyrac ran to Gaveroche checking him over and inspecting his arm. While the officers and the boys crowded around watching Valjean.

"His pulse is faint if he is to make it we must get him to the hospital." Valjean spoke to no one in particular.

No one moved as they were still in shock. Gaveroche was the first to step forward out of Courfeyracs grasp. "Well don't just stand there. You heard him he needs a doctor. SO MOVE! Help me get him up."

Marius ran to retrieve Eponine. She would need a good doctor as well.

Both the officers and members of the ABC stepped forward each taking a spot around Javert. With Valjean in the lead they gently lifted Javert and carried him away from the barricade.

Gaveroche wasn't tall enough to help so he waited for them to clear Javert away, and noticed Marius and some of the woman followed closely behind with Eponine. He allowed them through. Gaveroche went to follow and noticed something one the ground where Javert had fallen. He bent down, picked it up and turned it over in his hands. He stared at Javerts medal. Running his thumb over the star.

Gaveroche? Courfeyrac yelled.

Gaveroche stuck the medal in his pocket and ran to catch up to the group.

They walked past the officers posts and on till they reached one of the police carriages. From there they transported Javert, Eponine and Gaveroche along with any other wounded. Valjean stayed with Javert the whole way. Watching his breathing, and checking his pulse. Even applying a makeshift bandage and pressure to the wound. All the while still in shock at the actions of Javert.

What was He thinking? Why did he come back to the barricade? Why on earth did he save that boy? Valjean asked as he watched Javert closely. So many why's I may never have the answer to.

Eponine was in and out of consciousness. She opened her eyes to see Marius beside her. It made her smile. Courfeyrac was tying fabric around Gaveroches arm. Relief spread through her. Her boys were okay, but where were they? She glanced to her right. She saw Valjean first. She recognized his face, but couldn't seem to place it. She glanced down to see who he was fussing over only to see the Inspector himself. Only he wasn't as she remembered him at the barricade. The cloths he wore were different. He wasn't wearing his uniform before. What had she missed? She's surrounded by her boys, a man she couldn't place, and Javert. What on earth happened at the barricade. She thought as she lost consciousness again.

They had managed to reach the hospital. Javert still seemed to be hanging on. Valjean had cringed at every bump for fear it could harm Javert more. He didn't know the reason he was so worried. He resigned himself to the thought that he wanted his answers and knew he wouldn't get them if Javert died. Though somewhere deep down he felt that wasn't the only reason. He and the others helped the nurses remove Javert and Eponine from the carriage and into a surgical room.

The hours pasted. Gaveroche was the first to emerge. Arm cleanly bandaged and held in a sling tied about the neck.

"Gaveroche?" Courfeyrac asked.

"I'm fine. I just won't be able to use my arm for a while. They said it wasn't to bad. They were able to remove the bullet. They even gave it to me." He said with the brightest smile on his face. He took out bullet to show his friends.

Marius chuckled despite his fidgeting. "Only you Gav could get a bullet removed and then want to keep it as a souvenir. Should have just told them to leave it where it was."

Gaveroche laughed. "But then who would I show it to?"

All the boys laughed at this.

"Gaveroche did they say how Eponine was?" Marius questioned.

Gaveroche looked down. "No they didn't say. They wouldn't allow me to see her."

Gaveroche looked at Valjean noticing the look in his eyes. "Nothing of the Inspector either Monsieur."

"Thank you boy." Valjean said.

"Gaveroche Monsieur."

Valjean smiled. "Thank you Gaveroche!"

"Monsieur?" Enjolras asked. Walking up to Valjean. "Did you not shoot the Inspector in the alley?

"No I did not." Valjean admitted. He looked at Enjolras noting his eyes and knew it would be wrong to lie to the boy after everything that had happened. "I did not shoot Javert as I did not view him as a threat to you anymore. He was broken and wanted me instead. So I told him when everything was over where he could find me."

"Why you?" Courfeyrac asked.

"That is my business boy not yours. I'm sorry I had to lie to you, but I'm not one to kill an unarmed man. I have my reasons let's leave it at that."

Enjolras stepped forward to confront Valjean. As Valjean stood to accept it Gaveroche came between them. "Your friend Gaveroche could have cost us lives."

Marius stood and walked over to them. "Enjolras he saved us. Had it not been for him those marksmen would have picked us all off. I'm sure his reasons were just. Lets us not fight anymore. Look at them Enjolras they're exhausted. Many lives have already been lost tonight, and many more could have been. Yours and mine included. We lost for now Enjolras. Let us rest and be thankful of who we've still got."

Enjolras huffed went back to his spot on the wall and waited

Valjean grew impatient. He sent for his daughter for both his and Marius's sake. The boy looked as though he could crawl out of his skin at any moment.

He needed fresh air. He couldn't stand to be in that building any longer just waiting for news. He decided it would be best to be outside for awhile. He paced the street in front of the doors. He turned when he heard someone behind him, relieved to see it was Cossete.

"Papa, are you alright?" Cossete asked. Running into her father's arms.

"Yes Cossete I am fine." Valjean reassured her as they separated.

"Cossete I had thought you'd gone?" Marius asked. Marius emerged from the hospital. He had come to talk with Valjean, but was stopped at the sight of Cossete. His heart beating so fast he could swear they could see it through his chest.

Cossete turned to see Marius behind her., and glanced at her father. All he did was smile and nod. She ran to Marius. Embracing him.

"Marius I'm so happy you are alright what happened?"

"I was at the barricade. A few of us were wounded, but I am fine." He told her. "Cossete your father is this man here?" referring to Valjean.

"Yes he is, why?" she asked.

"I am sorry Monsieur I did not know." He said as he walked over to Valjean and offered his hand.

Valjean took it and chuckled. "That's quite alright Marius."

Cossete came in stood by Marius in front of her father. Marius saw the question in her eyes before she had a chance to ask it.

"Forgive me Cossete I should explain. I sent Gaveroche with a message for you from the barricade I was afraid I may never see you again. He said a man had opened the door and took my message. That would have been you Monsieur?" He asked Valjean and received a nod in return. "Cossete." Marius said turning to her. "Your father is a saint. When they came for us. He took up arms at the barricade. Their lives and mine he saved, and now here I am with you."

Before Cossete could say anything they heard Gaveroche yelling from the door to the hospital.

"Monsieur, Marius come quick the doctor is out."

Without another word they all ran back into the hospital.

I apologize for the late post. My computer is broke so I am writing these from the Word app on my phone. I hope you enjoy, and feel free to review.