Fèlix Lafayette was stunned, this young woman, this creature of ethereal beauty was breathtaking. He was convinced she was an angel. He extended his hand to help her up and to his amazement she accepted it.
"Are you all right mademoiselle?" He asked as he helped her to her feet.
"I'm fine thank you." Her eyes locked on his two hypnotic pools of placid blue.
"I am Fèlix Lafayette," Fèlix smiled like a fool
"It is a pleasure to meet you Monsieur Lafayette." The heavenly being said politely
"My name is Angelique." Unbeknown to the enamored couple Emma, the gamine, stood forlornly watching them, Fèlix's book still in her hands. She considered returning to the café where their group met. But decided against it. Anatonie, Fèlix's second in command, wouldn't stand to hear her sob story of unrequited love. Sébastien was third in command, followed by Benjamine last in line was François the group drunk, who had little interest of revolution or democracy (and at times scoffed at the idea.) Emma gazed forlornly down at the book Oeuvres complètes de Maximilien Robespierre. Fèlix had taught her to read and write, he was even teaching her Latin and a few phrases in English. Fèlix had found the book in a second hand shop, the only traces of the previous owner was a well-worn page; some of the corners were bent indicating he'd deemed relevant. And a single name inside the cover, Enjolras. Emma didn't know Enjolras but she knew he had excellent taste. Some students in the group had wondered if he had been in a revolution like them, though it was unlikely. Emma glanced up in time to see Fèlix and the girl walk off arm in arm. Biting her lip to hold back her cries of despair Emma hugged the book to her chest, her love for Fèlix would be the death of her.
Fèlix as it turned out was a very interesting young man. He had walked Angelique home and told her all about the group of students and citizens he headed. Angelique was surprised; did they know of the price of revolution? Were they willing to see their friends and comrades die? The nightmares still haunted her were they ready for that?
"And then there's Henri," Fèlix was saying
"He's a gamin about twelve with the soul of a revolutionary." Angelique bit her lip, a gamin. Just like Gavroche. Tears burned the backs of her eyes as they arrived at her building.
"Thank you Monsieur you've been very kind." Angelique said softly.
"Can I see you again?" Fèlix asked raking his fingers through his blonde curls.
"Yes,"
"When?" Angelique smiled
"Well you know where to find me, where will I find you and this gang you've mentioned?" Fèlix's green eyes sparkled with delight,
"At this little known café called the Musain, have you heard of it?" Angelique paled slightly,
"Yes, I've heard of such a place." Angelique replied
"Excellent! We're having a meeting tonight at six-thirty, but we'll be there late, I hope I'll see you there." Angelique nodded
"I will try." Fèlix said his final goodbye, kissed her hand and then disappeared down the street the way they had come. Angelique sighed and entered her building to make the long climb up. There were six flights of stairs between her and her garret but she didn't mind. She came to the third floor landing, quiet red faced, to see Enjolras waiting for her.
"You're home early," He said
"We got in a fight." Angelique said without preamble,
"What about?" Enjolras asked fallowing her up the stairs,
"The usual." Angelique replied
"Who was that man who walked you home?" Angelique rolled her eyes God was that blunt.
"Were you spying?"
"Maybe…"
"Enjolras!" Angelique cried aspirated
"Ok yes, but you know how protective I am of you!" Enjolras said
"Who is he?"
"Someone I met, he reminds me of you actually, when we were young."
"What do you mean 'when we were young.' Angel you're not even thirty!" Enjolras said
"Tell that to my brother." Angelique muttered as she opened the door to their garret and froze. There lay Eponine, sprawled across the floor just like thousands of times before, the visions of her friends dead had haunted her since the barricade. And still to this day were vivid. Eponine's eyes were lifeless, her clothes were stained with dried blood the matted her dark curls. Some how these visions were always a little gorier then Angelique remembered.
"Angel? Who do you see?" Enjolras asked, he was the only person she had confided these visions to,
"'Ponine…" Angelique's voice trembled
"She's not there Angel I promise" He said leading her deeper into the garret, but the vision was not done with her yet, she saw the bodies of Courfeyrac, Joly and Grantaire lying side by side, but the one that really got her was waiting for her in her bedroom,
"Oh God!" Angelique covered her mouth with her hand.
"Who is it?" Enjolras asked gently,
"Oh God! Gav! It's Gavroche!" Angelique sobbed
"Angel it's ok, he's not there he's happy where he is." Angelique shook her head.
"We would probably be engaged by now. Courfeyrac would've made sure he got through University..."
"Gavroche at University, God help his professors!" Enjolras said ruefully. Angel sank to her knees and sobbed, Gavroche's departure had hurt her deeply, in their time together at the barricade she had started to see not an annoying little gamin with a crush but who he would become. A man she could love.
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