Marius came to visit her a few times over the next two weeks, making work that much more bearable. Every now and then Courfeyrac would show up with him and the pair would make sure to sit in her section. It always made the night go by faster and then they would insist on taking her to a diner after her shifts. It gave her an excuse to leave immediately upon closing and then she could go straight back to her apartment afterwards, giving her father time to get so drunk he wouldn't remember wanting her to steal from them.

Éponine was back in the dressing room helping some of the dancers get ready, hearing them snicker and complain about any customers they had lined up for the night. Her father's true business here use to send chills down her spine, but she eventually became numb to it.

"Éponine," her mother called from the doorway, "We need to speak with you."

She finished fashioning up the corset for the dancer she was helping and then turned to join her parents in the hallway, "What is it?"

"Your birthday is next week," her father started and she perked an eyebrow, "Meaning it's time for a promotion."

Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped a little, "I don't want..."

"Doesn't matter what you want," he said. Her eyes flicked to her mother who stood behind him shrugging.

"Besides," she spoke up stepping forward, "You'd make us a pretty penny with the way some of those rich ones seem to like you."

"What?" Éponine raised her voice, "I will definitely not be that kind of dancer!"

"You will be whatever I want you to be," Thénadier snapped stepping towards her, "Unless you want to end up back in our house and out of the privacy of that little apartment."

"I pay my own rent!" Éponine yelled. Yet again she felt her father's hand against her face, this time causing her to fall to the ground. She brought her hand to her face and looked up at her parents. Her mother was pursing her lips and her father was glaring down at her.

"You know I have my ways, Éponine," He said before leaning down to grab her and pull her up. His grasp on her wrist was tight but she refused to show any fear, "You will dance come your birthday and I will arrange for your first customer. I trust Monteparnasse took that virginity of yours a while ago."

She cringed a little bit. Even if she was still a virgin, her father would still sell it to someone. She pulled her arm from his grasp with a grunt and only glared at him. There was no point in arguing. If they try to take her home, they'll find Gavroche and both of them would end up paying.

"Now be a good girl and tidy yourself up," he said stepping back, "We're opening soon."

A couple hours later, she was making her rounds to each table wearing a smile as fake as ever. She tried to cover up what was now a slight black eye, but she was sure some of it still showed from under the make up. She put drinks down for two men who nodded towards her but otherwise ignored her. She rolled her eyes and turned to see Marius walking through the entrance of the club.

He saw her and a smile spread on his lips, causing one to appear on her's as well. She tried to peek over the crowd and caught glimpses of Courfeyrac and Grantaire as well. As they started walking toward their section, she quickly tried to make sure her hair was covering the bruise near her eye. She walked over but hesitated slightly when she saw they brought more of their friends. Éponine took in a deep breath and walked over to them. This time she was wearing a dark green corset over a pair of black silk ruffle shorts. Sheer stockings covered her long legs which her heel black ankle boots enhanced the look of. Her dark brown hair was down and her soft curls bounced around her shoulders.

"Welcome back boys," she said as she approached the table. She leaned forward over Courfeyrac's shoulder and gave him a chaste kiss to the cheek then stood back up as Marius stood to give her a small hug. She found over the time they had spent together the past two weeks that she would get this fluttering feeling in her stomach when he touched her. She saw Grantaire sitting between two of the new guys and leaned over the table to plant a small kiss on his cheek as well.

"Éponine," he smirked, "Just as lovely as the last time I saw you."

"I think you're just drunker, Monsieur," she chuckled as she stood straight up, "Have a few pre-club drinks again?"

She chuckled a bit as he shrugged in response before turning to Courfeyrac who grabbed her hand gently to put a soft kiss against the back of it, "Is this our thing now?"

"Seems like it, Mademoiselle," Courfeyrac leaned back in his seat, "And Grantaire is right, green really suits you."

She smile and shook her head, "Such a charmer you are."

He gave her a big smile, but her gaze fell on the blonde next to him. His hair was loosely slicked back and she could see the bright blue of his eyes even under the dark light of the club. He was handsome, very handsome. What really caught her attention was that he was the only one who didn't seem excited to be there and that he was the only one who hadn't looked over her body. His eyes were narrowed as he looked over her face before the dropped down to the table, not even lingering at all on any curve on her body.

She turned to Marius who was standing beside her, "Might I ask for a quick introduction to everybody?"

"Oh, right, of course," he cleared his throat and looked around the table. The first one he pointed out was Jehan, who was sitting on the end next to Grantaire. He wore a white button up shirt with a light green vest with ivory and pink floral designs embroidered in it. Next, on the other side of Grantaire, was Bathorel. He had a dark brown leather jacket on over a white tee shirt, he had a badass quality to him. On the other side of Marius's empty seat was Bossuet, probably the only man she'd seen that was attractive with a bald head, who Marius warned her was very unlucky. Finally he came to the blonde who's eyes were back on her face.

"This is Enjolras," Marius said and Éponine looked him over against. He had a black jacket on over a red button up. His expression remained stoic and unenthused.

"You don't seem very excited to be here," she stated and he shrugged before looking around the club.

"Don't mind the marble statue," Grantaire said bring a flash to his lips, "he's allergic to fun."

"I think he came to the wrong place then," she said her eyes never leaving Enjolras, his eyes finally flicking back to meet her gaze.

"I couldn't agree more," he said simply. She tilted her head with a confused expression but the indifference never left his face. She only looked away when Grantaire cleared his throat.

"I love chatting with you dear Éponine," he smiled, "but may I order my drink now?"

"You literally have a flask in your hand," Bathorel said looking down at the silver object.

"Yes, but it's almost empty," Grantaire replied looking at his friend.

Éponine chuckled causing both of them to look back at her, "It is my job. What can I get you tonight, Grantaire?"

Once she got all their orders she made her way to the bar to tell Monteparnasse their order. The way he smirked when she walked up to him told her that he had been watching the entire exchange.

"They must like you," he said, "They even brought more friends."

She just rolled her eyes and leaned against the bar, "Two scotches on the rocks, one whiskey, one bourbon, one water, and... one screwdriver."

"Wait," he said as he pulled up the bottles, "Did you say water?"

She snorted, "Yes, apparently one them doesn't like drinking."

"Just here for the show then?" He started to make the drinks.

"I don't think so," he looked up at her with a confused expression and she shrugged, "He just doesn't seem really fond of the idea of even being here. I think they all dragged him here."

He let out a humph noise before continuing to mix the drinks, "I heard about your promotion."

Éponine sighed and looked down. She was just starting to get in a good mood, "Did my father ask just how much you got from me when we were together?"

"I thought you didn't like referring to him as your father?" He mused and she glared at him.

"Just hurry up with the drinks," she ordered.

"Maybe if you just get something from them, your father won't want to sell you," he offered as he set the drinks on her tray.

"There's nothing to get," she said shortly, "as I've already said."

"Right," he said shaking his head. She let out a frustrated sigh and picked the tray up, turning on her heel and making her way to the table. She never had a problem playing the pickpocket because most of the costumers were pigs, but these men were nice and they didn't treat her like dirt. Yet. She let out another sigh right before colliding with someone. Her tray came up and the hit her chest, some of the drink spilling on her and one glass tipped off and fell over the shoulder of the man next to her. She heard the glasses collide with the floor along with her tray when it slipped from her hands.

"Shit!" she yelled and looked up to see Bossuet standing there, mouth dropped in shock.

"I'm so sorry," he tried but she turned to see Enjolras standing up with the glass in his hand.

"I'm sorry," she said to him as he went to shake the liquid off his hand. She didn't realize how she flinched away when he raised his hand, but he definitely did. He furrowed his brow at the movement, but she just shook her head and squatted down to pick up the mess. Both the other two men joined her. She looked up almost breathless at the blonde man in squatting in front of her. He tilted his head as he looked at her.

"What happened to your eye?" he questioned, his hand looking like it was about to reach out to her.

Her hand instantly went up to pull her hair over where the bruise was and she shook her head, "It's nothing."

"What happened here," Éponine froze at her father's voice and sucked in a deep breath as his shoes came into her view. Enjolras and Bossuet both stood, but she just looked up as she continued putting the glass on the tray. By now the rest of the table was watching.

"It was my fault," Bossuet started, "I wasn't looking where I was going."

"Nonsense," Thérnadier dismissed him, "I'm sure Éponine saw you and had time to get out of the way."

He looked down at her and she glanced up at the unlucky man, "I'm sorry."

"It wasn't your fault," he said with a furrowed brow and then he looked back to her boss, "It really wasn't her fault."

"Don't you worry about it, Monsieur," Thernadier said dismissing him yet again and looking down at his daughter, "The cost of the drinks and glasses will come out of your paycheck for the week."

"That won't be necessary," she heard the strong voice of Enjolras speak up. He pulled out his wallet and held out some money, "This should cover it."

Thérnadier perked and eyebrow and smiled, "If you insist Monsieur."

"I do," Enjolras handed him the money.

"Éponine," she looked up at her father, "Once you're done cleaning this up, go and get yourself cleaned up too."

She only nodded and looked down to continue picking all the glass up as carefully and fast as she could. She saw his shoes leave her sight and let out a breath of relief.

"Careful 'Ponine," Marius said as he crouched down beside her to help her, "You'll cut yourself."

She was too flustered and knew what could happen tonight. Either her dad would punish her or he'd try and force her to get everything she could from Enjolras after displaying he did in fact have plenty to take. Other hands were now joining her eye sight and helping her pick up the glass.

"Damn Ep," she heard Courfeyrac in front of her, "Your boss is a piece of work."

She stayed silent and saw the hesitation in the hands but they all continued helping her until all the shards were on her tray. She stood up and saw that only Courfeyrac, Bossuet, Marius, and Enjolras were helping because there wasn't enough room for the other three who were all standing as though they'd be willing to help.

"Look at all you lovely gentlemen," she mused, "just ready to swoop in to help a lady in need."

"You boss is a dick," Bathorel said sitting back down.

"Tell me something I don't know," Éponine smirked and then turned to look over Enjolras, "I'm sorry about your shirt."

He had taken off his jacket to reveal the darkened wet fabric of the shoulder area of his red button up shirt. He glanced up at her and just gave her a slightly nod before folding his jacket and placing it over the back of his chair.

"... Okay," she said shaking her head, "Well, I'm sure another waitress will be around with your drinks. I have to throw this out and then get changed."

She glanced over at Marius and Courfeyrac for a second before giving Bossuet a warm smile so he knew she wasn't mad at him. A few minutes later she was in the dancers' dressing room trying to find something else to wear. Her eyes fell on a black, leather strapless dress and she hastily pulled it from the rack. She removed her corset and shorts, letting them slip down her legs and kicking them to the side. That was one of her favorite corsets, if the liquor ruined the satin she might have to make Bossuet pay. Finally she slipped the dress on and zipped it up. It was tight, very tight. She looked at her reflection in the full length mirror and nodded with a shrug at how it pushed her boobs up and accentuated her curves.

She pulled her hair to drape over one shoulder as she left the dressing room.

"Éponine!," she turned around and saw Enjolras coming from the direction of the restrooms. She perked an eyebrow at the lack of his red button up shirt which he was now clutching in his hand. Instead he was wearing a black, v-neck tee shirt that was able to show the muscles in his arms as well as he's lean torso.

"'This didn't get as wet," he offered detecting her curiosity.

She nodded, "Sorry, again."

"It wasn't your fault," he dismissed her apology with that same indifferent expression, "I was stopping you because your dress isn't zipped up all the way."

She moved her shoulders, feeling the looseness of the zipper, "As if this dress wasn't tight enough."

"Isn't a corset tighter?" he raised an eyebrow when she only shrugged he stepped forward, "Do you need me to...?"

"Please," she turned her back on him, "I guess I couldn't reach all the way."

"No problem." he mutter as he stepped forward. She could feel his warm breath near her skin, but he obviously kept his distance as he finished doing up her dress for her. She looked over her shoulder, "Thank you."

He gave her another nod and she looked him up and down, "You didn't have to pay for that. It wasn't your fault."

"It wasn't yours either," he replied with a shrug.

"I work here," she argued, "It's never the customers fault."

"I always hate that midset," he rolled his eyes, "I was just trying to do you a favor and save you some money."

"Well I didn't ask you to," she snapped. She wasn't angry with him really, she was mad at the situation. That and she hated when people offered her charity, even if she needed the money to take care of Gavroche. She could've taken care of it somehow.

He narrowed his eyes at her and studied her again. She just sighed and turned to walk away, she only got to the end of the hallway when his next words caused her to freeze.

"You might want to put more make up on that black eye," he suggested before walking up to her. She winced a little bit when he reached out to touch the bruised area. It wasn't a tender touch like she imagined Marius would've been, but it was considerately gentle.

"I don't know as much as Bathorel might," his eyes looked at the bruise in the dark light, "but that should clear up in a few days."

"I know," she said, her eyes snapping up to look at him a few moments later. His indifferent expression was replaced by a perked eyebrow and wide eyes. Her words and tone indicated that this wasn't her first time with a black eye, not even close.

"Crowds these days can be crazy," she chuckled trying to recover from the subtle confession. He didn't say as his expression returned to an indifferent one, but she saw a flicker of sympathy in his eyes. Without another word she walked past him and back to the dressing room to try and cover up the bruise better.

A/N Wow, so I'm incredibly overwhelmed by all the favorites and follows and very appreciative of the reviews. Cosette will be introduced soon and so will Javert. I have a lot of work this week so I can't make any promises for the next chapter but it will be up as soon as I can get it up. One more thing, I do post snippets of chapters I'm working on on my tumblr. It's all tagged with NWISFIC, so if I'm taking too long to update you can check that tag on my blog.