Chapter 4: Papa

Note: Just before this chapter begins, I wanted to make a note about what the time line is in this story. For the most part, I'm making it AU. Right now, the June Rebellion is a ways away. In fact, right now, it is currently early March. I did this, because I wanted to give some time for Enjolras and Eponine to develop their already blossoming relationship. And just a hint for later, when the rebellion does come along, what do you think would actually happen with these changing relationships? You'll find out later, but it is something to think about. Ever the lover's question: What if we had more time?

There was a time when men were kind, when their voices were soft and their words inviting. There was a time when love was blind, and the world was a song, and the song was exciting. There was a time... then it all when wrong. A distant voice seemed to half sing in a somber tone off in the distance. It was like a flashback. Where am I? What is the date?

"Papa! Papa! Can I with you go? I do not like when you leave" A little, unrestful girl with beautiful brown locks said, running up to grab her father's coat, "S'il vous plaît? S'il vous plaît?" She was a little daddy's girl. So nonchalant, happy. Was that me?

"My little Eppie, non, I have to do business outside of town. Your Mama wouldn't like if you came to that side" Her father seemed so much younger and on top of that, more caring.

"We don't have to tell her. Like last time, 'member? s'il vous plaît, papa?" the girl was stubborn and insistent. It would seem that nothing has changed.

"All right," her father paused, "But 'member. We don't tell Mama" he said and then scooped the girl up in his arms. They laughed happily as the little girl rested on his shoulder.

The scene changed suddenly

"Mais, Papa... I don't want to," the preteen girl was in tears, "What if I get caught? What if they kill me?" she was stifling a sob, "Please don't make me,"

"Damn it, Eponine," the older man slapped the girl, "Get a hold of yourself. We need the money!" the girl screeched, scared.

Another scene change

"What are you doing, girl?" it was a guardsman that they were going to be stealing from. She wasn't supposed to get caught. It wasn't in the plan. She was never supposed to get caught.

But things change.

"What do you mean you failed the robbery?" her con-artist of a father had yelled. She could already feel the pain her father would inflict. But this time, it wasn't just her father. This time it would be the entire gang. This was, after all, the whole gang's heist. And she ruined it. All by getting caught.

I remember waking up that next morning. I was nearly dead from the bleeding. I miss my papa... but I hate my father.

Eponine woke in a gasp, her eyes slightly wet with tears. Had she been crying? She blinked then, trying to remember what she dreamed about that made her so upset. She couldn't remember. Instead of worrying about it, she took a deep breath and tried to go back to sleep, it was then she realized that there was an extra warmth she hadn't felt before in the other two nights she'd stayed here. Turning her attention to find the source of the warmth, she was startled to see another face sleeping soundly next to her. Though, 'next to her' is an understatement. She was sure that before she'd moved from waking that they had been entwined into each other the entire night. The thought made her cheeks flush.

But how did he get here? It took her a minute to recall the night before's events. Her eyes became a little sad. Suddenly she felt an arm gently pull her closer. It would seem that even in his sleep, Enjolras was still trying to comfort her, whether he realized it or not. Her head was rested by his neck and she could feel one arm draped about her waist and the other by her hair. For the sake of making herself comfortable and not waking him up all at once, she wrapped her arms around his neck. It was the closest she'd ever gotten to a full embrace from anyone. She might as well enjoy it, right?

–

Joly had finished making his rounds to his important patients, but his mind was stuck on Eponine. The poor girl, he thought to himself, a beautiful woman, no doubt, under all those rags and bruises. He was surprised that Marius hadn't ever noticed her that way. But, then again, Marius was vain. It was no surprise that he'd fall in love with an 'angel' looking bourgeoisie. Eponine just never gets a break, does she?

It was then that Joly laughed at himself. Did he have a pitiful crush on the little gamin? He shook his head as he headed toward the Cafe. He'd check up on Eponine and then head back home to study for his classes. After all, even with the revolution, one couldn't just skip out on their educational duties.

As he entered the Cafe, he was greeted by Grantaire who, for the first time in a long while, was quite sober. Though, his goofy grin made him look like he was, "Grantaire, you are here awfully early this morning. It isn't even 11 o'clock"

"Yes, well, you know me. I like to get a little swig on early," he had a drink, but it wasn't his usual alcoholic one, "Today, however, I've decided to do a little investigating. It requires my being in a more... non revealing state of mind."

"Very cryptic," Joly laughed, "What are you investigating, my friend?"

"Take a look in our little Gamin Princess' room," Grantaire was grinning, "I do believe we can do something wonderful for our Marble Prince,"

Joly raised an eyebrow and then walked around the corner toward Eponine's room. He wondered what Enjolras had to do with Eponine. As he crossed over to the room, he had a little feeling then that he knew what Grantaire was talking about. How long had they worked on getting a princess for their prince? Truthfully, if Grantaire really did think they had a shot of it working this time, then perhaps it had a shot.

A smile spread across his face as he peered into the room. Though he was slightly concerned with the intimate position they were both in, simply for the sake of her injuries, this showed... progress. Has the marble finally cracked? Is there a real boy underneath?

He cleared his throat a little, figuring they couldn't be too deep in their sleep for this late in the morning, "Enjolras didn't you have class this morning?" apparently the mention of classes made Enjolras stir.

–

Enjolras felt like he heard his name being called in his sleep. That wasn't all he heard. He heard... lass? Class? CLASS?! His eyes opened quickly, feeling a drop in his stomach. He was supposed to have a philosophy class this morning. He would have moved, but for some reason, he felt... heavy? Warm? What happened last night?

He felt his entire body flush as he realized just where he was, who was on top of him, and just what it all looked like. He turned his head toward the door to see who was calling him. When he saw Joly there, he sighed with relief. Had it been Grantaire or Combeferre... Hell, had it been Prouvaire, he's sure there would be poetry and songs written about it by the next morning, "This..." he started, not entirely sure what to say, "Isn't exactly what it looks like."

Joly chuckled, "Believe me, I can tell," he walked over just to take a glance at Eponine's arms, "The bruises are healing fast. I'm surprised. Had either of us sustained wounds like that, we'd have surely been bruised for weeks. It must be a learned, bodily technique that God has blessed her with. She was well prepared for the life she was forced to live." Joly took notice to the fact that Enjolras wasn't trying to move to change the position, "Do you fancy the girl?" he asked curiously.

Enjolras made a face, "Why do people keep asking me that? First Pontmercy, now you? She needed comforting last night, so I comforted her... and we fell asleep. Is that so hard to guess?" he was beet-red when he finished and wouldn't look in Joly's eyes. Joly took that more so as, 'Yes, I fancy her. Don't mock me. I didn't do this on purpose, it just happened.'. Enjolras was very readable when he was taken by surprise.

"Well, I need to change the dressings on her wounds, so," he paused for a moment, "You may have the honor of waking her."

Enjolras was really hoping to avoid all of this. In fact, he hadn't even planned on falling asleep. He sighed, The things I get into when I least expect it. He looked to Eponine, who seemed so peaceful as she slept. It was a bit heart wrenching to have to wake her up, "Eponine," he called sweetly to her. He hadn't expected it to come out like that. It was supposed to just be softer, rather than waking her up with a loud voice, "Joly has to change the dressings on your wounds."

"Shhhh Enji," she spoke into his neck, which caused him to shiver a little, "Cinq minutes, s'il t'plaît" she was very informal. If it had been anyone else, he would have been a little annoyed or offended, but with Eponine... it was fine... he supposed.

"'Ponine, it is nearly the afternoon. It is time to get up," his voice was more stern this time. If it was sweet again, he was sure he wouldn't hear the end of it from even Joly. He was getting a head ache from all of it.

Eponine sat up then and looked up to see Joly. She made a face then, "Oh. Bon matin, monsieur Joly" she said taking a moment to readjust herself. Afterwards, Joly went over to take a look at her healing wounds. They looked good for only having been inflicted a few days prior. This woman could probably survive through a hail of stab wounds and probably still survive. It takes more than a few broken bones to kill this girl.

After he redressed the wounds, Joly smiled at Eponine, "They look good. At this rate, you should be in decent shape in about a week. Though your ribs, you need to be careful of. I thought they'd been broken, but it would seem they are more bruised than anything else. A broken rib would be much more painful," he chuckled. The thing about Joly was that he was just so... happy? He always seemed to make a room feel a little bit less dire.

Eponine bit her lip slightly, "M-merci. I'll try to be careful as not to make it worse, though... with me you never really know" she chuckled a little bit, but doing so hurt. She seemed distant and had been contemplative about her current situation since the moment Joly began fixing her bandages. She began to think of what must have been happening at home in her absence. Surely, father must be searching for her. Montparnasse would be concerned – well, as concerned as a man like him can get about an 'object'. Mother... she wouldn't care. She had stopped caring the minute their inn business went to shambles and they became beggars on the streets.

"Eponine," the voice woke her from her own thoughts, "I have a class to attend to very soon, but I will be back as soon as it is over. Perhaps we can go get something to eat when I get back. After all, you look so restless sitting in that bed," it was Enjolras. Was the man actually taking time out of his schedule to just spend time with her? Time that he could be spending on the plans for his dear revolution or even just reading a book? It was practically unheard of.

"Sure," she paused for a moment, trying to decide her wording, "That sounds wonderful," she was always trying to build up that vocabulary of hers. If she could use larger words, it meant that eventually she might be able to work up to a higher class or perhaps get a decent education. It meant, to her, that she wasn't hopeless.

–

It was no more than an hour after Enjolras left that Eponine had a nagging feeling in her gut. It was too quiet around the room. Of course, she found that these past few days had been nothing but quiet. It made her overly contemplative, analytical. It was annoying.

It was then she heard a noise from the corner of the room. She could have sworn the window budged a little. Did it? She wasn't sure. She sighed a little as she paced around the room. She felt better to have gotten out of the bed. She wanted to, after all, get out and about and eventually get back to where she was.

Another thought occurred to her: Who was paying for all of this? She flushed then, feeling pitiful. Was Joly paying for the bed for her to sleep on? For the medical supplies? She felt a little ill just thinking about it. She didn't need all of that. She didn't need people spending their money on her and her well being. There was a reason she was a street-rat.

"This is as quiet as I've heard you be in a long while," the voice was grumbly, annoyed, almost fierce. She felt her body seize in a panic. Why is it that when ever she was alone, someone would find her?

Eponine turned, coming face to face with non other than her father, "What would you know?" she was trying to be confident. If she let any of it falter, he'd immediately use it against her.

"You haven't been home in nearly three days. You know, we worry-"

"Worry? You don't worry about me. You want something from me. And if you need to know, I don't have it," she paused, "I know what you've been searching for and I know that you think that I'd know how to get to it," she took a deep breath, "I'm not betraying my friends in order to better you and your alcoholism"

"Look at you flaunting your fancy words. Are you trying that hard to fit in?" Mr. Thenardier took a step closer to her, "Are you sure you want to be disrespecting me right now? Even when I can take your life from you so easily?"

"You won't... You always need me," she retorted, but was suddenly scared. If she endured another beating so soon, she wasn't sure what would happen. Her beatings were usually spaced out by at least a week. She had had no time to heal. What if...? What if...?

She backed up then, "You need to go. I'll be back home soon."

"You'll be back home now, even if I have to drag you by your hair," he reached forward to grab her. The struggle began.

"If you touch me, I'll scream," she dodged his advances and was using the bed as cover, "I'll do it"

"If you scream, you'll regret it for a year,"

"Try me," she rasped out as she backed up. She kept trying to keep her space open, never backing into a wall. She feared what would happen the minute he got a hold of her. But he kept getting closer. She was so close to being caught. She made a slip. A simple slip and she found herself face-first on the floor. She could hardly say a word, she was in agonizing pain. Damn these wounds, she thought to herself.

"I've got you now," her father said as he began to grab her wrist to pull her up. She did the only thing she could do. She screamed as loud as she could, hoping that someone, anyone would try to help her.

To be continued...

Starlight Sanctuary: Ooo That's a little bit of a cliff hanger. So, who should save her? Should she get saved? What do you guys think? I'd love some opinion. ;D

French sentences used:

s'il vous plaît (Please)

Cinq minutes, s'il t'plaît (Five minutes, please): There is a large significance in her phrasing. In France, it is rude to use Tu instead of Vous to address someone you aren't either related to, in the same age group as you, or who hasn't told you specifically to do so. Some people don't actually mind it, but I've noticed during my time there that a lot of adults in our era mind it, so I can only imagine what it would be like back during this era. By Enjolras being perfectly fine with it, it establishes a mood that says 'hey, we are close enough that you can be informal with me.' It is a huge step in the right direction. Just felt the need to point that out.

Bon matin: Good Morning. This is a debatable phrase, but honestly, I use it all the time and so do many of my French friends. Though, it is more common to hear salut, which is the equivalent to "hi", but I wouldn't see Eponine and Joly being that close, so being informal to him would be a little rude.