When Eponine awoke the next day, It took her a moment to understand where she was.

Then she remembered: she slowly dressed up with clothes Cosette had given her and went searching for 'Paransse's room.

She was walking slowly, near the wall, feared to fall on the ground: when she arrived in the living room, she felt like she couldn't walk anymore: she still was very weak.

The girl took all her strength and reached the bedroom upstairs: she entered in the room slowly.

Joly was there, caring Parnasse's wounds and changing his bedages: "He woke up an hour ago, I helped him eating a little, I explained him where he was and that you were ok.

Then he felt asleep again, he still has fever and he needs rest but he was a little better, I guess he will survive.

The doctor will arrive later in the morning"-Joly explained.

"Thank you, Monsieur Joly.

I guess you're tired too, go to rest, I'll stay with 'Parnasse".

She sat on a chair near him and spoke him softly:"You know, when you'll feel better, we'll leave Paris.

Or If you prefer, we'll stay here and we'll search a way to live like honest people, I can work as a dress maker for example.

We'll save money and we'll have a true home, we'll not live in the streets anymore and our child we'll be happy.

I swear you.

It will be amazing.

We'll forget our miserables lives".

When she finished speaking, Montparnasse groaned, waking up.

"Hey… 'Ponine… you're here.

God, I feel like shit.

I've listened your words…ahah you're an amazing girl… I've always be wrong with you…

I guess.

So, you're convinced, do you really want to be with me?

Well, I don't know how you can forgive me after what I've done to you"-he said, trying to sit down but falling on the bed again, since he was even too weak to move..

Eponine stopped him:"Yes,I've taken that decision and I'd like you to follow me, you're and my brother are the only people I have.

Hush, 'Parnasse, you must stay in bed, you're still weak.

There is something do you need?"-she asked, worried.

"I need to piss badly, 'Ponine.

The chamberpot please before I piss myself"-he moaned in pain.

Eponine took the chamberpot and helped the young man to stand up: Montparnasse let out a scream as he relieved himself.

He pissed blood.

"Oh my fucking God"-he mumbled trying to breath, with tears in his eyes:"my bladder hurts like it was it was stabbed by hundred of knives, my cock is burning like hell, my stomach hurts, I feel sick and I feel like my legs can't support me.

I've never felt so helpless, fuck!"-he said before faint again in the bed, trembling.

"The doctor said this could happened.

Don't worry, he is coming here to see how you're doing.

You must go trough this, 'Parnasse.

You can't leave me".

Monsieur Fauchelevent entered in the room: "How is him?"-the man asked.

"He's not good, Monsieur.

The doctor is almost here?".

"Now, Eponine, follow Cosette, you'll need to buy some clothes and things you may can need, she will help you.

Don't worry"-he smiled.

"So, let's have breakfast and then we'll have some shopping"-she explained.

They went upstairs: Gavroche was speaking with a boy a little younger than him.

"This can't be possible.

Your father can't be that man.

No, you're wrong.

This can't be possible".

"I tell you, it's true.

I've followed him one night.

But now shut up, your sister is watching us!".

"Hey 'Ponine, how are you?

This stupid boy was telling me that he knew Patron-Minette.

I don't believe it.

By the way, how is 'Parnasse?

It would be sad if he dies".

The girl was confused:"Patron-Minette?
Please, Gavroche, stop it.

I do not want to speak about them anymore.

Now I have to go, please do not argue with him anymore and behave well.

I can't be worried for you, for 'Parnasse and for my child all at the same time".

Eponine and Cosette were sitting at breakfast table when they were reached by Marius.

"Good morning my love"-he said, kissing Cosette's lips.

Eponine felt something in her heart.

It was not hate she would have felt until some weeks before but it was a little unpleaseant feeling she couldn't explain herself.

She was pretty sure Marius was not her true love.

" 'Ponine, Cosette told me you were here.

I'm glad to see you're ok"-he said, smiling.

"Thank you.

Ok, now I can speak.

I…I want to tell you, tell you both, that I'm sorry.

I tought I was in love with you and yes, maybe I 've been for some time.

I've tried not to let you know that Cosette was going to England.

Now I want to change, I want to prove you that I can be different from the world and from the family I've lived in.

I promise you both, I'll try.

Do you believe me?"-she asked.

Marius smiled:"Hey, I should ask you for forgiveness.

I'm feeling like I've used you and your love for me to reach Cosette and this was not a good behavior so forgive me.

I've been stupid and cruel.

Well, that's all.

We all will start again from today".

Cosette spoke:" You're right.

So, let's go shopping, you need some clothes, 'Ponine".

The two girls walked away together.

Streets crowded: after the Revolution, the town was slowly coming back to normality.

The dressmaker looked surprised as she saw the two girls in the shop: she would never expected to see a thin girls as Eponine was.

"Madame Dupont, how are you?"-Cosette started as Eponine followed her in the shop, watching the floor.

"You see, this is my friend Eponine.

She needs some clothes so I've figured out you would have helped her.

Yes, now she's still thin but as you can notice, she's pregnant so she needs clothes that will fit her".

The dressmaker smiled:"Oh, congratulations Madmoiselle Eponine!

You must be happy! Come with me, I'll show you some pieces of cloth I can make you dresses with".

Eponine murmured:"Cosette, as soon as I'll get a job I'll pay you".

The blond girl said:"For the last time: Do. Not. Worry. If I listen you saying you want to pay again, I kick you out of home.

I'm pleased to help you, you do not have to worry sweetheart".

They bought Eponine new clothes and shoes and ordered other dresses to be delivered at Rue de l'Homme Armé the following week.

The girls went to a hairdresser and then they had meal together and came back home in the afternoon.

While they were walking home, Cosette spoke:"I have to tell you something.

I've asked information to Inspecteur Javert about Monsieur Etienne and he had confirmed it too.

I think you know Monsieur Etienne, you know him well.

He is someone you should not be happy to meet again, someone linked to your past, so I wanted you to be ready.

I can't say more"-she excused herself.

Eponine was confused, really confused.

Who could be this man, who was linked to her past?

She didn't know it.

There was something strange, something disturbing.

As soon as she entered in the living room, she noticed a young man sat in a armchair: she recognized him, he was Enjolras, the leader of the Revolution.

Another man was speaking to him, smiling and kissing his forehead:"Do you feel better today?

You know, you had fought with amazing courage and I'm pround of you, I believe in you.

You are an amazing leader and an amazing man".

Enjolras nodded:"Thank you, R.

I'm happy I could fight for France and I was ready to die for it.

I did my duty, nothing else.

And I can say I've changed my opinion about you: you were brave having decided to die on my side.

We have survived but I must thank you the same since you've been on my side all the time, caring for me and helping me recovering".

Eponine was going upstairs to see how Montparnasse was doing: Cosette had told her the doctor was examinating him and Gavroche was on his side when she heard a male voice laughing loudly.

"Ahahahah Grantaire, Enjolras, you're both so sweet.

Enjolras, you fucking bastard, I should finish what the bullets had started.

You tried to kill me"-he shouted.

"'Ponine… so it was true you were here girl.

Right.

You know, you were lucky not to ended up in prison like your father and your sister.

Well, as other members of Patron-Minette too, except from Montparnasse.

Don't worry: I'll avoid you two to go in jail"-he smiled.

Eponine looked at him carefully.

He was a man in his thirty, maybe he was thirty five.

Tall, with curly black hair and wonderful green eyes.

"I don't know what are you speaking about, Monsieur.

And I don't know you too"-she said, going away.

The man stopped her and took her arm:"Are you sure?

Follow me".

Eponine followed him, trembling with fear.

"Who are you?"-she asked.

"Well, you're right.

You've never seen my face, you can't recognize me.

My name is Etienne Le Cabuc and I'm a police agent.

You probably know me as Claquesous".