Notes: I didn't plan on updating this fanfiction again, because I didn't plan on writing for this fandom again. I've received a lot of feedback for this story though, and I didn't want to leave everyone at a cliffhanger.

Chapter 2

It had been a month since his meeting with Eponine. Since then Marius took notice that when he went out to do his errands, she was always walking side by side with that odd man right on schedule. Eventually Marius was able to convince himself that he was simple delusional, and that the woman on the street was just some bourgeoisie woman who closely resembled Eponine. Once clearing that up with himself, Marius resolved to put Eponine out of his mind from then on out.

Without Cosette for company, Marius spent most of his time skimming through his grandfather's old book collection. After Marius and Cosette's wedding, his grandfather decided to move to Marseilles. Since it would have been a lot of effort to take every last thing he owned with him, Marius' grandfather decided it best to leave a few things with his son. Some of his books were decent, Marius admitted that much, but Marius found that most of the books spewed royalist tripe.

Currently Marius was sifting through one of his grandfather's novels. It was an odd novel actually, nothing at all his grandfather would be interested in. In fact he could not fathom how it had landed in his grandfather's book collection. After all, his grandfather rarely felt an ounce of pity for the poor.

It was originally an Italian novel, but had been conveniently translated into French. The plot was very odd though, something he had not seen before. The novel followed a repulsive, impoverish woman that turned to prostitution to keep food in her mouth. As fate would have it, the young woman took interest in a handsome young man who was having an affair with a passionate, gorgeous woman.

The novel sent a shiver down his spine, and quickly he snapped the book shut. Marius knew exactly why the novel disturbed him. Then his thoughts ventured back to the day he had run into the Eponine. Hadn't she covered her mouth in shock? Does that mean that his theory was wrong? Could Eponine still be alive?

"Stop it," he shouted to himself, "Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! For crying out loud, she's dead!"

That's right, she's been dead for ten years, and he hadn't even given her a passing thought since he snatched Cosette's letter from her cold, dead hands. Slowly Marius retraced his memory in desperate search to explain all this nonsense.

"Eponine had a sister, didn't she? That could explain why the woman resembled Eponine, and why she reacted to my presence," he said.

There was still something that bothered him though. Her sister had lighter hair, and wasn't quite as tall as Eponine was. If Eponine's sister was married then where was her father? Who was the man that she was walking with? And why was this entire situation giving him one excruciating headache?

"Should it matter?" Marius asked himself, "Even if she's still alive, it has nothing to do with me."

Suppose that she was still alive, perhaps he could visit with her every once in awhile. Though her obsession back then had frightened him a bit, surely those childish feelings of hers had died down by now. It would be difficult for her obsess after being apart for ten years.

Briefly Marius glanced at the clock. He wasn't planning on running his errands today, but he was curious to see what she was up to now. Silently he tried to make an excuse to stay at home, but none came to mind. Therefore he tossed on his tail coat and hat, and decided to see if Eponine and that strange man were on their typical schedule.

Once outside, he tucked his hands in his pockets and lowered his head. Marius wanted to lay low until he felt an appropriate time to speak with her. Besides that, he didn't particular trust that man she was with. Whenever he opened his mouth, it was always to belittle Eponine or anyone else he decided to talk to.

"Don't these look pretty?" Marius heard a woman ask; instantly he knew it was her.

"I don't care for roses," the man replied.

"Oh," she replied in disappointment, "I think they're beautiful though. If it wouldn't be too much to ask—"

"No," he replied.

"You didn't even hear what I was going to ask?"

"I don't like roses," he growled, "I don't want them in my house."

"It would be nice if you'd do something nice for me once in awhile," she retorted boldly.

Slap!

Marius flinched. When he lifted his eyes, he saw her caressing her now red cheek. Her other hand was balled into a fist. She wanted to hit him back; he could see it in her eyes. However, she took a deep breath and relaxed both hands at her sides.

"I've fed you, clothed you, and given you a roof to sleep under," he snarled, "So don't you ever act as if I'm being ungrateful. Do you understand me Eponine?"

"Yes, I understand," Eponine said bitterly through her teeth.

Marius' eyes widened. It was her then, and there was no way he could deny it any longer. Whatever was going on, it was going way too far. Now he knew that there was a reason for him to be poking around in her business. As much as he wanted to, he couldn't approach her just yet.

They began walking again. Marius decided to pick up on one of his old habits. He was going to follow them home, and there he would find some way to talk with Eponine alone. Marius followed at a safe distance. The last thing he wanted was to cause Eponine anymore trouble.

It wasn't at all a surprise that her home was close and that it was actually an apartment. As the two of them turned inside, Marius noticed that Eponine had glanced at him briefly. She didn't seem to recognize him though, and slipped inside the apartment complex with the man.

"Alright," Marius began to calm himself, "I'm just going to find out which room she lives in for now."

Once he felt safe, Marius dashed inside just in time to catch them going up the stair case. He bit his lip nervously, and quietly tiptoed up the stairs. He followed them up to the third floor, and then watched them from the stairwell. The two of them walked up to the second door on the left.

"You embarrassed me today," the man reminded her.

"I'm sorry," Eponine said in response; Marius noticed that one of her fists was balled up.

The man opened the door angrily before Eponine said, "Oh, I must have dropped one of my gloves down stairs."

"For god's sake, Eponine," he replied angrily.

"It will only take a second," she said and darted away before he could argue.

She was making it up, wasn't she? The excuse was even that creative, and that's why she had one of fists balled up. She was hiding her glove from him.

Before he could ponder this any longer, he heard her say, "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I—" Marius paused.

"Go home, you're going to get me into a lot of trouble," she replied.

"Do you even know who I am?" Marius asked.

She paused briefly and replied, "Yes, you're Marius Pontmercy."

"And you are Eponine Thénardier," Marius replied.

"How do you know my last name?" Eponine replied, "I don't ever remember giving you my last name."

"That doesn't matter right now," Marius replied.

"Eponine, what the hell is taking you so long?"

"Look, I can't stay here and talk to you," she replied, "He's going to kill me if he finds out I'm talking to another man."

"Who is that man?" Marius asked, "Eponine, he treats you like your father did."

"He's my husband." Eponine replied shamefully, "I really have to go now."

"Eponine, promise me that you'll meet with me later?" Marius said quickly.

"Why do you care?" Eponine asked bitterly.

"Just promise me," Marius replied.

"Alright, ten o'clock, I'll meet you right here," Eponine finally replied, "I really have to go now."

Marius watched her return home, and then quickly made his way down stairs. Aside from fighting at the barricades, this was probably the stupidest thing he had the nerve to get himself into.

To Be Continued

Notes: The novel Marius is reading is loosely based off the novel Fosca which later was made into a musical as well. I intended to use the name of the novel in the plot, but it was published after this story takes place. Also, I want to make it clear that Eponine's husband is not Montparnasse. Also, please, please, please review. It really encourages me to write more.