AN: here's the next instalment comments and criticism welcome please review and enjoy!

Chapter 2: The party

It was around 4pm the bar part of the restaurant had just opened and Eponine was clearing the tables, when the bar door swung open and there in the door way stood Enjolras. He made a beeline for Eponine and he stood before her simply staring.

"What can I do for you Enjolras," Eponine asked as she continued to clear the tables.

"I have come to officially invite you to my party", he said dramatically as he handed her an invitation card.

"I doubt it will make any difference if I'm there or not", Eponine said staring at the card intently her heart faltering at the idea of seeing Marius again.

"How long do you plan on being coward Eponine", Enjolras asked a sudden change in tone.

"It's none of your business how I live my life, a life you nothing about", she replied frustrated by his tone. Enjolras stepped forward grabbing her arm.

"I might not know anything of your life but I know the type of person you are, a self-loathing, self-pitying, self-destructive, cliché of a human being", he said watching closely observing her reaction to his words. Eponine pulled away the poignancy of his words weighing heavily and uncomfortably on her chest. There was a flash of frustration reflected in the intensity of her eyes and her clinched fists which had started to visibly tremor. Finally he thought, a human reaction.

"You have no right to say that to me" said Eponine as she started to walk away.

"it is time for us all to decide who we are, Marius, Cosette and you dear Eponine all live in some strange emotional dreamland ,you need come back to the real world, snap out of it", Enjolras exclaimed stopping her in her tracks. Eponine stopped but she did not turn around the invitation started to crease in her hand as her grip tightened. Then she herd the bar door swing shut, she turned around, Enjolras was gone.

That night in the cold dark one bedroom flat with her single bed, her single chair, her single table, Eponine sat and stared at the invitation. Enjolras' words going round and round in her head closing her eyes, Eponine breathed heavily lying down on her single bed , she thought of the small town where her Marius and Cosette grew up, the memories, the joys and pains and all those emotions she thought she'd forgotten.

Draped in flowing black dress with a low back and simple pair of low heels, red lips, against a pale complexion, loose charcoal curls framing her face Eponine was vision of simple beauty. She shifted nervously from one foot to the other as she stood at the entrance to the penthouse , the place was brimming with stylish people drinking, talking, laughing and enjoying being alive. Looking up her eyes clasped on Enjolras sporting a pair of black jeans worn with white shirt his strawberry blonde locks bounced as he came towards her, his brown eyes seemingly darker against the white shirt, which illuminated his olive complexion.

"I am happy to see you Eponine", Enjolras said smiling softly as he grabbed her hand and pulled her to the drinks table, handing her a glass of champagne.

"You didn't leave much choice" she said flatly. He simply smiled, genuinely happy to have her there. Eponine nervously started looking around.

"He's not here yet", Enjolras said fully aware of who she was searching.

"I wasn't … I was just surveying the room", she said trying to ignore the blush forming in her cheeks. Enjolras leaned in close and whispered in her ear pushing aside a dark lock of hair.

"You're a terrible liar, when it involves Marius, my dear Eponine", Eponine jumped disturbed by his sudden closeness. He chuckled, Eponine stared at him the same way someone might stare at the mentally unbalanced, a mixture of worry and pity.

"You are very strange Enjolras", she said after he'd finally finished laughing.

"I have to leave for second you won't go anywhere will you", he said darting off into the crowd not even waiting for a reply.

Eponine stood alone softly and slowly sipping at her champagne, feeling utterly out of place. The crippling discomfort of standing alone made her actually wish for the company of Enjolras, she shuddered at the thought. She was so submerged in her thoughts that she didn't even notice Marius approach from behind her

"Eponine", Marius said delicately. Éponine's hands started to slightly tremble, her lashes quivered, her heart missed every other beat, taking a deep breath she slowly turned to meet Marius' eyes.

"Marius", she herd herself whisper and then he smiled and her heart could no longer hold his gaze, her eyes retreated glancing just beyond him and then finally resting on his nose.

"You look beautiful", he said his voice resonating in the very depths of her heart she could barely find a voice to reply.

"Where's Cosette", Eponine asked unable to respond to his compliment. Marius smiled at her response remembering what a sweet girl Eponine had always been.

"She'll be here soon I missed you … we both did", Marius said Éponine's breath caught in her throat as she wondered how many times Marius planned on stopping her heart.

"I really didn't mean to leave like that Marius things just got out of hand , everything became a mess all at once I am sorry please forgive me " Eponine said looking into those soft hazel eyes pleadingly, Marius reached out placing a hand on her exposed shoulder. Eponine felt a shiver go through her body reverberating down to her very bones.

"Sweet Eponine there is nothing to forgive between friends, just promise you will not leave me again", he said.

"I promise", Eponine herd herself saying unsurely. She looked at him he smiled letting go of her shoulder they stood in a peaceful silence.

"I wonder where Cosette is" Marius asked curiously as he started to survey the room, suddenly there was a sharp intake of breath from Marius, Eponine followed his gaze to a vision in white Cosette. She shone with radiance, her blonde curls glittered under the lights, her blue eyes made bluer by the silky white satin dress that entwined around her creamy complexion. Eponine watched Marius', his eyes struck with awe as he stared at Cosette, suddenly Enjolras' words came to mind he can't see you Eponine not the way you want him to Eponine felt herself stagger back, when she felt herself being supported by a hand on the small of her back.

"Keep it together Eponine" whispered Enjolras from behind, he moved and stood by her side, and Eponine took a deep breath as Cosette joined their circle Marius unable to keep his eyes away from her for a second.

"Eponine I'm so glad you came it seems you and Marius have resolved things", Cosette said smiling happily at Eponine.

"We have", Marius replied before Eponine could even speak he was still looking at Cosette.

"You look beautiful Eponine", Cosette said her voice kind and honest.

"Thank you so do you Cosette", Eponine said calmly and truthfully. She could feel her hands slightly shake , it was all getting too much she felt a squeeze on her arm she turned and found herself staring at Enjolras he smiled softly keep it together his gaze seemed to say.

"How do you do it Cosette", Marius said looking deeply into her eyes.

"Do what" Cosette asked curiously.

"Manage to captivate a whole room without even trying", Marius said, Eponine could almost hear the love in his voice and it broke her heart.

"You are all charm Marius Pontmercy isn't that right Eponine", Cosette asked jokingly.

"Yes" Eponine said as she looked at Marius just in time to see the disappointment in his eyes in the wake of Cosette's mockery at his compliment, Eponine felt herself falter again.

"I'll be borrowing Eponine for a second, there's something I must show her" Enjolras suddenly said grabbing her arm, not even waiting for a reply he dragged her away. Pulling her through crowds until they were outside on the roof. The cold air chilled Éponine's emotional turmoil temporily.

"Why did you do that" Eponine said as she let go of his arm.

"I was saving you".

"I'm fine", she said in almost a whisper.

"You're not"

"I am" she insisted her voice breaking slightly.

"Then why are you crying" he said steadily never once breaking his gaze.

"I'm no..." Eponine couldn't finish feeling warm tears trickle down her cheeks and they wouldn't stop, it had been so long since her heart hurt like this. Clutching her chest as the tears started to fall Eponine stared at Enjolras feeling utterly lost.

"Eponine", he enquired worriedly.

"I guess I couldn't keep it together", said Eponine half laughing as tears continued to roll down her cheeks. Enjolras strolled forward purposefully and stood before her for a moment, staring into those sad brown eyes and without warning he wrapped his arms around Éponine in a heartfelt embrace, her warm tears staining his white shirt.