Alrighty, here's another chapter. Last night, I had a dream. In that dream, I realized exactly how Eponine would feel whilst waiting for Marius to return. It was actually quite terrifying. Anyways, here ya go. Please review!

Disclaimer: I don't own Les Mis or and of the characters (unfortunately)

2

When Marius was brought home, Eponine had been asleep. She was having a nightmare. The worst nightmare she'd ever had. She tossed and turned in her sleep.

Eponine was sitting on the porch, waiting. Always waiting. Marius would arrive soon. She was sure of it. But she was wrong. The days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months. Then, one day, it hit her; Marius wasn't coming home. Marius was dead. Pain ripped through her like a thousand stabbing knives. She sobbed and sobbed. He was gone. Her precious Marius was gone. He was gone where she could not reach him. She sank to the ground in despair. What was she to do now? She was all alone again. Her only friend was dead, the man she loved was dead.

Her heart was broken. It could never be healed, not as long as Marius was dead and that, she knew, would not–could not change. There was only one thing that Eponine could do, only one thing she could do to escape the blinding pain she felt in her heart, only one thing she could do to be with Marius again; Eponine had to kill herself. Then she'd be with him. Forever.

It would be really easy too. All she would have to do is throw herself off the Seine. Then all of the pain from losing Marius would be gone. Her miserable llife would be over and she would be at peace. She would, she believed, be with Marius in heaven. All would be right. Besides, who would miss her? Her parents? Surely not. Her siblings? Her siblings. Her siblings might miss her. She knew, without a doubt, that Gavroche would miss her. Eponine had been the only one to care for Gavroche. Even when her parents kicked him out, Eponine still kept an eye on him. He... he'd get over her though. Eponine knew he would, Gavroche was tough, a fighter. She knew he'd be able to get by. He'd been almost completely on his own for a while now. He'd get by.

Eponine looked over the edge of the bridge she was standing on. All she needed to do was jump. Then all of her grief... at last, at last behind her. All she needed to do was jump...

Eponine was woken by a light shake of her shoulders. She opened her eyes and, much to her delight, she saw that it was Marius who had woken her. She hugged him, nearly making him fall back. Marius hugged her back, happy that she was okay. Despite Mme. Pourlesgens telling him to stay off his leg, Marius had felt that he needed to see Eponine. Eponine didn't want to let go of Marius. He was safe, thank God! He was alive and he was going to be okay. Eponine wasn't sure that she had ever been so happy.

Marius kissed her forehead lightly. He was equally happy. Happy that Eponine was safe and that she hadn't died. If she had died... it would have been his fault. She had come back for him, she had even told him that.

Eponine pulled back to look at him, her face full of worry.

"Marius...?"

"Yes?"

"Is... is... is Gavroche okay? I know he was at the barricade and... is he okay?" Eponine asked him. She desperately hope that 'Vroche would be okay. He was her little brother.

Marius looked at her. Gavroche was not okay. Gavroche was dead, Marius had seen him get shot. But how could he tell Eponine? She would be heartbroken. But he couldn't just lie to her.

"No... I'm sorry 'Ponine, Gavroche is dead." he told her gently. Eponine froze. Her wide, chocolate brown eyes filled with tears. She looked at him, hoping that she'd heard him wrong.

"What!?" she choked out.

"I'm sorry 'Ponine." he whispered. Eponine, who was usually so strong, was broken. She couldn't, nor did she attempt to, stop the tears that were slowly–but gaining speed–falling from her eyes. She was soon completely sobbing. Marius had never seen her like this, with all of her barriers down. He wrapped his arms around her. Eponine buried her face in his chest, still sobbing. Marius held her there. He stroked her hair lightly, in an attempt to calm her. Eponine was grateful that Marius was there, right when she needed him.

Eponine looked up at him, her eyes red and puffy from crying. She thought, for a second, how nice it would be to kiss him... but she didn't. No, Marius didn't love her. Marius loved Cosette. Always Cosette. She pulled herself away from those thoughts. It was her, not Cosette, who was in Marius' arms right now. Cosette was probably in Calais by now. Or so Eponine thought.

Valjean had not taken Cosette to Calais. He no longer needed to. Javert had never come for him. They still lived on Rue Plumet. Eponine did not know though, but she would find out soon enough.

Marius looked down and found Eponine looking at him.

"Are you going to be okay?" he asked her. Eponine nodded, even though she wasn't completely sure. Gavroche was dead! Her own brother was dead! But she did have Marius. And that she was happy about. Marius kissed her forehead. Yes. Eponine would be okay for now. As long as Marius was with her, as long as he was alive and okay.

Soon, they had both healed well enough to move about.

Marius looked at Eponine who was trying (unsuccessfully) to read one of Marius' law books. He smiled a bit as he watched her try to figure out the meaning. Eponine didn't know how to ready very well and law books weren't exactly easy to read.

"'Ponine?" Eponine looked up at him.

"Hmm?"

"Why don't we go to the market? And get some fresh air?" he suggested. Eponine smiled and nodded.

They left for the market.

I hope ya liked it. Please review!