Hey guys! SO sorry for randomly updating way too late all the time. PLEASE PLEASE comment. If you refer people to the story and tell me, I'll PM you a sneak peak of the next chapter! Thanks to my Beta reader! 3

Marius woke with the sun. He stretched quietly and dressed quickly, itching to see Eponine. He was so glad that he had not been too late. His married life with Cosette could not have been worse. Being with Eponine was exactly what he wanted. He couldn't believe how stupid he had been to rush to the altar with Cosette. How would he break it to her? He would think of that later. For now, he would concentrate on Eponine and making himself happy. He broke into a trot as he neared the slums of San Michele. He wasn't sure exactly where Eponine was staying at the moment, but he would find out. Yesterday, she had been near Enjolras' flat, so she would probably still be in that vicinity. He almost passed her when he ran through a dark alley, but that special quality which she possessed made him do a double take. "Eponine!" He whirled around on his heel and kneeled down to shake her awake.

Eponine awoke shivering in the dark alley where her knees had given way the night before. She shivered as she emerged from sleep, becoming acutely aware of the icy cobbles beneath her. She heard her name being called and felt someone shake her. She groaned and squinted her eyes against the rising sun. As the sleep cleared from her eyes, she smiled, realizing who stood before her. "Marius!" she exclaimed. Marius pulled her to her feet and wrapped her in a warm embrace. "I missed you," she whispered. "And I you." Eponine grinned to herself at Marius' reply. Her lips soon found his, and she sighed happily as he kissed her.

Marius moved his lips against Eponine's in the early morning light. He had never felt this way before. Cosette had never kissed him as long or as passionately as Eponine had in the two times she had kissed him. He felt electricity flowing between Eponine and himself and was disappointed when she broke their kiss. He quickly noted that she was shivering and soon noticed the icy edge in the morning breeze himself. "Let us go to the cafe and have a bit of breakfast," he said, linking his hand to Eponine's. His eyes scanned her up and down as they walked. For the first time, he realized how thin and frail Eponine truly was. He noticed how loosely her rags hung on her bony frame. His heart broke, and he cursed himself for being blind for so long. All of that was about to change, though. He would take care of her from now on.

Eponine smiled as she walked hand in hand with Marius. She felt as if she were floating down the street instead of walking. She sighed happily and nuzzled his arm with her face. "We fit together perfectly," Eponine thought to herself. She was just the right height to snuggle her head against Marius' shoulder as they ambled lazily down the lane. And Marius was just tall enough to gaze down into her eyes just after they kissed. She looked down and noticed how perfectly enveloped her hand was in Marius'. They really were the perfect pair.

Marius couldn't bare it any longer. He couldn't believe how long he had lived without Eponine's kisses. Each one made him long for another and another and another. Cosette hardly ever kissed him, and when she did, they were chaste kisses which ignited no feelings in him whatsoever. Eponine was so different from Cosette. She was spirited and free, and she had a certain passion for living which his wife lacked. Eponine was his saviour, his momentary release from a vow which entrapped him in a relationship that was fruitless. Yes, he would always have to return home to Cosette to prevent talk, but he could spend his days happily with Eponine until the sun set. Marius found that he could no longer restrain his feelings, and tossing her a mischievous smile, he yanked Eponine's arm and pulled her into the nearest alley.

Eponine found herself pinned against a grimy wall in a dark alley. "Well, aren't I in a familiar position?" she thought to herself. In her life, she had been pinned to walls by many strange men for the few sous that kept her alive, but this was different. Marius was not going to leave her after a meaningless frolic in the alleyway. He loved her, and she wanted him as much as he obviously wanted her. She smiled coyly and soon found Marius' lips locked tightly with hers. She snaked her arms around his neck, and he put his hands on her hips. Eponine felt a shiver run down her spine. She ran her hands through Marius' chocolate locks and moved her lips from his mouth. She planted a trail of kisses down his jaw and kissed his Adam's apple. She moved her lips around his neck slowly then found his lips once more. Marius tasted like honey. She kissed him and kissed him until she was forced to break for air. Before she had time to regain her breath, Marius was moving his lips against her neck, igniting a passion which she had never felt before. She felt like she was soaring far above Paris as Marius kissed her. She shivered when he slid his hands up and down her back. Eponine sighed contentedly after Marius stopped kissing her and held her close. She rested her head against his chest and rested her hands on his biceps.

Marius felt like a new man. He never wanted to go home to Cosette. Eponine was so passionate. He wanted to kiss her again but noticed that she was shivering in her rags. "Eponine," he said. She wouldn't look at him. "Eponine look at me. Are you hungry?" She didn't look up. "Have you any other clothing?" She did not answer. "How long has it been since you went home?" At this, she burst into tears, burying her head against Marius' chest. Bewildered, Marius rubbed her back. What had triggered such an outburst? "Hush hush, 'Ponine. Tell me what is the matter." "No," she said. "I can't." Marius was disappointed. "Eponine," he said. "You know you can tell me anything. Don't you? You can confide in me." "I know," she said, taking a deep breath. "The last time I went home, my father...he...he was very drunk, and..." Eponine stopped short as a new river of tears spilled from her eyes. Marius was pretty sure that he could infer what came next in her story, but he wanted to hear it from her own lips. "Eponine, did your father..." Marius didn't know what to say. "Did he...violate you?" He hoped that his choice of words hadn't offended Eponine, but he had not wanted to say the word. Eponine nodded and sobbed into Marius' chest. He was shocked. He knew that Eponine's father was a filthy criminal, but to do that to his own daughter? It was unthinkable. "Hush hush, love," Marius tried to comfort her. "Eponine, look at me," She stared into his eyes. "You know I will never do such things to you. I will never hurt you." "I know, Marius," she said. "I know."

"Is there anything I can do, 'Ponine?" Marius asked. Eponine thought for a moment. "Make me forget," she said wearily. Marius kissed her tenderly and embraced her. After a while, he whispered, "I love you." Eponine's heart skipped a beat. She smiled to herself and quickly replied, "I love you, too." She had indeed forgotten, and she allowed Marius to take her hand and lead her to the ABC Cafe. When they neared the door, she stopped short. This was practically Enjolras' second home, and he was the last person she wanted to see. As if he read her mind, Marius said, "Would you like to dine elsewhere?" She nodded, and the pair headed back down the street.

Enjolras sat at his usual table in the corner of the ABC Cafe, sipping a mug of black coffee and poring over a law textbook. He found his mind beginning to wander and glanced out the second story window. A slight movement at the entrance of the Cafe caught his eye. He squinted and saw two people standing on the street. His heart sunk as he realized that it was Eponine and Marius. He quickly downed the rest of his coffee and slammed his book shut, preparing to make a quick dash out the back door. He sighed as Marius took the girl's hand and led her down the street. As he sank back into his chair, he locked eyes with Eponine. She shook her head and turned to Marius. Enjolras ordered another cup of coffee and tried in vain to refocus himself on his studies.

As Eponine walked behind Marius, she glanced back at the Cafe. There were so many memories there. As she surveyed the building's battered exterior, she noticed a movement in the window. It was Enjolras. He locked eyes with her and sat back down at his usual table. Eponine shook the fog from her head and turned her attention back to Marius. He loved her, and she loved him. Enjolras was out of the picture.

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