Voila! Un nouveau chapitre!

Disclaimer: I don't own Les Miserables or the characters... though I might get the chance to audition to be one :3

Eponine ran down the Rue de Saint Marc. Stupid, stupid, stupid! Eponine thought furiously as she ran. He could hear it in my voice! Damn me! She glanced behind her as she ran and noticed that Marius was still chasing her, thought there was obviously no way he could catch up to her. She turned a corner and then went down an alleyway, then climbed a fence, and then turned another corner. There's no way he'll be able to find me. I own these streets. I know my way around... can't say the same for Marius, though... She nearly smiled as she pictured him looking for her and then getting lost.

She sat down, leaning against a building.

"Eponine!? Where are you?" she heard Marius shout. He continued to shout, but his voice was getting farther away. She laughed. She knew he'd probably keep looking for another hour or so. She was kind of touched that Marius was trying so hard to find her.

"Oh Marius, if only you knew..." she murmured softly, her voice full of longing. But I can't just tell him. There's no way he'd feel the same way... no way at all... I'm just a streetrat. I always have been and always will be. She sighed. Oh Marius, if you only knew how much I loved you... if there was only a chance that you could feel the same way. Just being with you makes me happy... nothing else does. Most of the time, I hate my life... but not when you're around. The only thing that could make me completely and truly happy is your love. But I will never have your love...

"If I only knew what?"

Eponine jumped. Marius was walking towards her.

"How did you–?"

"I know the way your mind works." he replied. "And I heard you laugh." he added. He sat down next to her. "So... if I only knew what?"

"Nothing, Monsieur."

"Liar."

"It's nothing..."

"Come on 'Ponine, tell me."

"No..."

"Please?" he gave her his puppy dog look.

"That's not going to work this time."

"Why won't you tell me?"

"Because I... I just can't, okay!?" she snapped. She looked at him. Her eyes were full of sadness. "I can't because... because it would hurt too much..." because I know you doin't love me back... she added mentally.

"Okay." he said, not arguing this time. They were both silent.

"The world is a cold and unforgiving place..." she muttered very quietly so Marius wouldn't hear. No such luck.

"What are you talking about?"

"Life is hard and it sucks and... sometimes I really hate it." she said. She hugged her knees to her chest. "Every freaking day I live with the fear that my father might force me into prostitution, or that maybe he'll hit me too hard and cause permanent damage, or maybe he'll just get fed up and end my sorry life." she didn't mention that the worst part of her miserable life was knowing that Marius would never love her.

"Then come live with me."

"I can't."

"Why?"

"He'd come after me."

"I could protect you."

"We've had this conversation."

"I can defend myself."

"You have no idea what he's capable of."

"I've seen what he's done to you. I would really like to beat the crap out of him."

"Have you seen his gang, Marius? They'd kill you. I couldn't bear it if they hurt you because of me..."

"Many of Les Amis de l'ABC live over the Musain." he said pointedly.

"I wouldn't want any of them to get hurt either."

"Eponine, it isn't safe for you to live with you father." he said, worry colouring his voice.

"I know..." her voice shook slightly, but she maintained a straight face. "I'm not going home tonight." she decided. "That would just be asking for death after the argument I had with my father."

"What happened?"

"He threatened to force me into prostitution and... I lost it, so, naturally, he got mad and... well, you know what happens when he gets mad..." she said, gesturing towards her black eye. She sighed. Marius wrapped an arm around her.

"I'm fairly certain I already know that answer to this, but would you like to stay in my apartment tonight?"

"I... I really shouldn't..."

"Please?"

"If my father ever found out that you helped me..."

"Who says he'd have to find out? Come on, 'Ponine..."

"I don't know..."

"Well if you change your mind, you know where I live."

...

Eponine was walking alone through the streets of Paris that night. She had decided not to go to Marius' apartment. I don't want to be a burden... he was just being nice when he offered... I really shouldn't It started to rain–no, it started to pour. Well maybe he really meant it... Eponine guessed that it was probably around midnight. He's probably already sleeping... oh well. Eponine started walking towards the Cafe Musain.

She walked inside. Some of Les Amis de l'ABC were still awake.

"'Ey Ep'nine." Grantaire drunkenly greeted her. "Need a bed? Y'can share mine." he added with a laugh.

"In your dreams, Grantaire." Eponine replied with a slight grin.

"Hello Eponine." Enjolras greeted her.

"Hello Monsieur Enjolras."

"Marius is asleep."

"I assumed as much."

"You know where he keeps his spare key." he said. Eponine nodded. She retrieved the spare key and went upstairs to Marius' apartment. She unlocked the door and went inside. She walked into Marius' bedroom. Sure enough, he was sleeping. She walked over to him and poked his forehead. He mumbled something in his sleep and rolled over. She bent down.

"Marius," she whispered. "Marius..."

"G'way E'jolras." he mumbled in his sleep. Eponine laughed quietly.

"I'm going to tell him you said that." she said. She went over and lay down in the bed next to him. Well this should be a surprise for Marius when he wakes up tomorrow morning, Eponine thought with a laugh. In his sleep, Marius draped an arm over Eponine's stomach. She blinked. He pulled her close to him. Yes, this will definitely be a surprise for him. She didn't try to pull away from Marius. She let herself relax there in his arms. She could have sworn she saw a flicker of a smile on Marius' face. She rested her head against his chest and drifted off into the realm of dreams.

Well I hope you enjoyed. A certain blonde demon might make an appearance in the next chapter. Please review!