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One, two, three, four.

Annette waited with a thundering heart. She'd been overcome with nerves and excitement for the meeting since she'd left Enjolras on the street. She'd nearly come early several times and had had to ask her friend, Celine, to restrain her.

The rustic wooden door opened and Annette found herself being yanked into a long, dark corridor. A tall figure met her and Annette thought she could just barely make out the whites of a full grin. For the briefest spark of a moment Annette felt a glimmer of fear in her heart. What was she getting herself into?

As she followed the man across a long hall she felt a chill spread through her spine. She shivered and pulled her coat tighter around her for comfort. Finally they stepped into a large, bright and cheerful room crowded with men.

Men of all variations of appearance, class, and profession sat before her. Upper class students with fashionable waistcoats and stiff hats, weary workers who sat slumped or slouching. Tall, short, dark, fair. They played cards, smoked, talked, laughed, sang, argued, and shouted in a united choir of voices. Until Annette entered.

Immediately the room fell silent. Conversations faded away with a hush as men turned their heads to gape and stare at the unfamiliar vision before them. A woman! In the cafe's back room on a meeting day, no less! Enjolras would be furious when he found out! Such were the loud whispers that rapidly spread around the room.

Annette discovered Enjolras sitting at a table beside a fair haired, bespectacled man. She also noticed a familiar, curly brown head bouncing towards her with its usual energy and flair.

"What are you doing here?" Asked an incredulous Etienne de Courfeyrac. Annette beamed and ruffled his curls.

"Is that any way to say hello? I've come for the meeting, just like you." Annoyed, Courfeyrac fixed his hair and replied with rising panic in his voice.

"Annie, I've told you before that women-"

"-it's alright, Courfeyrac." Annette suddenly found Enjolras looming over her, a hand on Courfeyrac's shoulder. "She was invited."

Courfeyrac stared at the two in shock. His mouth dropped open, and then suddenly; "Even if you've finally found love I won't allow it Enjolras. Not with my sister, and especially when you turned Julie away last month."

Enjolras' face flushed scarlet, and Annette grinned as Courfeyrac winked slyly at her. The whole room had heard the comment, though, and snickers and chortles circulated till the man with spectacles rose to greet Annette.

"Bonjour, Mademoiselle. I am Auguste Combeferre. Won't you have a seat?" And together he and Enjolras led her to a secluded table.

Annette sat down unceremoniously and looked about her. The men appeared to have returned to their occupations, save the occasional glance in her direction. She exhaled slowly, determined to radiate with confidence. She turned her attention to Enjolras.

"I did not think you would be coming tonight," remarked Enjolras.

Annette shook her head slightly in bewilderment. "Who did you think was coming? The Queen Of England?" Combeferre chuckled, but for the present Enjolras seemed unamused.

"I thought perhaps your leader would be coming. Are you to be the representative?"

Annette stared at him with rising anger. Who did he think he was? "We are a Republic, Monsieur. I simply get the group organized. We have no one leader," said she icily. Enjolras and Combeferre exchanged a look, which only further infuriated her.

Enjolras awkwardly cleared his throat and said quickly, "I apologize, Mademoiselle. Only...you are quite...well, young. I thought for such a historical organization your leader-representative would have more experience."

"And how old are you, Monsieur?" Annette flared up as she half rose.

Enjolras paused and replied, "Twenty-two." Annette scoffed.

"I shall be twenty-one in March. And we all know women mature much faster than men, so already I am several years your senior. As for experience, I was the only one willing to take charge after our old leader died. If I hadn't the group would have ended forever."

Enjolras fell silent. Then he smiled assuringly and said, "Very well. Would you like to begin discussing our plans?"

So it was for the next hour the three discussed the maps and notes Enjolras had prepared. Annette was surprised to find them very agreeable speakers, and, though she hated to acknowledge it, especially Enjolras. He had a rare way of brightening a room with his presence.

Combeferre appeared to be Enjolras' counselor of sorts. He anticipated any holes Enjolras left in his presentations, and gave him due credit for his labors. However, Annette could see there were several topics he did not agree with. Especially, for example, when the topic of the actual uprising came up.

"Peace need not be achieved solely through violence," argued Combeferre. "What is the use of fighting for freedom when too many lives are lost in the process? Is not human life valuable and to be treasured?" Annette secretly agreed with him to a point. War was an awful business. Yet it was the only way to bring about success. Or was it?

"It is because life is valuable that we fight," countered Enjolras. "We fight now so that others may not suffer and die in the future. The future is golden and bright, and we must fight to achieve it."

Annette weighed these two arguments silently. Finally, she came to a conclusion.

"I believe, messieurs, that there is a way to win in a more peaceful manner. It will be much harder, of course, will require more time and planning, and might not work at all. But perhaps we should try?"

Enjolras frowned and said, "We have already been planning for years. I truly believe the only way to give the people new life is to be willing to sacrifice our own. There must be something at stake or we will not be taken seriously."

"But are you willing to have the deaths of the young and old on your conscience? Are you prepared to be witness to the most terrible thing of all, war?" Annette asked grimly. "Have you seen death, Monsieur?"

Enjolras said, "Yes, I have. I have seen gamins on the street dead from starvation, and I have seen old men and women beaten to death or thrown into prison by gendarmes. If you disbelieve in revolution so much, Mademoiselle, what is your aim in being here at all?"

This question posed no threat. It was calmly and sincerely asked. Annette took a moment to answer.

"I only wish to ensure that this is not some schoolboy fantasy. Before I get involved with you and your group I must know that you value and understand the same things as I. For example, that you would not allow the useless loss of life in order to achieve something that might not benefit all."

Silence replaced the conversation as Enjolras and Combeferre sat in thought for a lengthy time. Finally, Combeferre said, "You have no reason to doubt Enjolras. He holds human life at the highest stake."

Annette turned to Enjolras. "Have you anything to add for yourself?"

Enjolras looked up determinedly. Annette was taken aback by the intensity of his eyes as he said, "I will do what I believe is right, with as little harm as possible to bring about freedom. After all, we are all in this together now. We act as one and fight as one. It will take everyone to unite to accomplish our goals." His eyes shone with pleasure as he added, "Just imagine what the future will be."

Annette couldn't contain a small smile at these words. His idealism was contagious.

She stretched out her hand to Enjolras and said, "Here's to freedom."

Surprised, Enjolras shook it and repeated, "To freedom."

Suddenly a bright and cheerful face appeared next to her. Annette looked over to see a bald man with a cheery countenance take a seat next to her. Enjolras opened his mouth in protestation, but before he could speak the newcomer hurriedly said, "I know, I know, we're not supposed to come here while you're speaking, but aren't we all going to get to meet our new member?" His voice was as cheerful as his face with a bit of sarcasm laced in his words. He gave Annette a full smile in greeting as he heartily shook her hand.

"Armand L'aigle, or Bossuet, if you wish. Enchanté, Mademoiselle," he greeted goofily. As he kissed her hand Annette could see more men coming over. Soon the table was crowded with what seemed to be the whole male population.

"Bonsoir!"

"Does this mean women can come here now?"

"Why does Courfeyrac know her?"

"You didn't say the new member was a girl!"

The voices all clamored to be heard and in seconds the room descended into chaos. Annette's eyes widened as she met Enjolras' eyes. The next thing she knew she was watching him get up on the table and suddenly the room was quiet.

"All of you quiet." Enjolras was calm, but that seemed the worst part. In his voice there was a quiet anger, and Annette became oddly fearful- and curious- of what he'd do in worse circumstances.

"Mademoiselle de Courfeyrac is here to bring together the Daughters of the Republic with the Friends of the ABC. There will be no other changes in the way these meetings have been, and you are not in any way to plague her with your obscene jokes and pranks. Understood?"

The room muttered morose agreement as Enjolras stepped down. Annette stifled her laughter as she hid her face and looked at the dejected faces of the men around her. She made eye contact with Courfeyrac across the room, who appeared to share her pain. Combeferre's voice prompted her to look at him.

"Is everything alright, Mademoiselle?" He asked. Annette bit her lip and saw a sparkle of amusement in his eyes. An exhalation through her nose and she swallowed down the laughter that might not have boded so well with Enjolras. All in all, for a first meeting things seemed to be going well.