Right hello again guys! Thanks so much for the support that this story has recieved its lovely to see :) Right next chapter as promised and once again another chapter will be appearing later tonight! Should be more coming up next week as its now the holidays! Anyways enjoy and i promise that although this story is quite slow on the whole e/e front there will be lots of scenes to come! :)

Disclaimer- The only thing i own is Aaron Tveit, in my dreams anyways :) The rest sadly belongs to Hugo!

Eponine awoke to a new day, there was a new flutter in her heart, perhaps things could now change, Enjolras finally knew who she was but he was far too focused on other things to truly see her. Gavroche and Alzelma were curled around her, in their small makeshift bed, sometimes she thought the only reason she stayed here was to protect her younger siblings, she could cope with the beatings but she would not stand by and watch her sister become as ruined as she was. Quietly slipping out from under the blanket she pulled her shawl around her shoulders shivering against the cold, passing the fractured mirror on her way out she didn't even bother to glimpse her face, she knew what she would see and it would just make her heart ache more.

Her father's voice drifted up the stairs towards her, she grimaced he would not be happy with her and she wasn't sure if she had the strength in her to act indifferent today.

"Eponine! What time did you return home last night you brat! Long past the time I could find you useful, what is the point of you if you don't do your job you little hussy!" his face appeared in the doorway, red from anger and drunkenness.

"I was with my friends father..." she was met with a mocking laugh.

"You have no friends, who would want you, you're a bitch and that's all there is to you!"

"I am no bitch father; you are the only bastard in this family!" His face contorted and she cried out as his blows rained down on her, she always managed to make him snap. She cowered on the floor, curled up in a ball as he kicked her, knocking the wind from her frail body, when her arm snapped she bit her lip, not allowing him the satisfaction of her seeing her scream.

"Stop Father stop!" cried Gavroche running in, hearing his sisters helpless cries and wishing to stop the monster he had once called father. He leered at him before shoving him away and spitting on Eponine.

"You have learnt your lesson bitch. I want you back here at 6 tonight, you will do as I tell you, I have a few friends who would very much like your company." With that he stormed from the room slamming the front door behind him, Gavroche ran to his sister's side and tried to help her to her feet, wincing when he felt the bone on her arm, she would need someone to look at that.

"Gavroche you shouldn't interfere like that, I don't know what I would do if he turned on you."

"I cannot sit by and watch him beat the shit out of you sister! Why do you do what he says, you sell your body for his lazy ass, don't you want a better life!?"

Eponine looked away ashamed, she didn't want to admit how sick her life made her feel.

"Of course I do 'Roche, but what can I do? We have no money and I cannot even read or write! How can I ever have a better life? No I will earn the money I can so you and Alzelma can go to school, so you two won't end up like me. Now off you go and play."

Gavroche glanced at her arm but she shoved him away shooing him out onto the street, several of the boys were waiting for him and Eponine ruffled his hair before waving goodbye as he raced off with his friends, for now he would do what was best and leave her be, but sometimes he really did worry for his sister.

Eponine tried to ignore the pain and swelling in her arm (she had experienced worse) and headed out onto the street, she had till 6 to find something to do with herself, and she didn't wish to bump into her father again. With her head down she headed into the market place, admiring the trinkets and clothes on sale, if she was rich she could be beautiful and own pretty things; she fingered a lace and gasped as it was pulled harshly from her hands. She looked up to see an imposing women glaring down at her "Don't you even think about miss, I know what you whores are like, now get gone!" Eponine hurried away not wishing to draw attention to her; she thought she was rumbled when she heard someone calling after her. She quickened her pace and made to turn down a side street when a firm male grip caught her arm, she turned to see Marius smiling down at her. She pulled away in pain and he glanced at her worriedly before smiling once again,

"Eponine I must speak with you!" She nodded allowing him to continue as she leant back against the wall, he pointed into the street and she followed his eyes "Do you know who that girl is? Can you find out for me? Please Eponine I must now who she is! Have you ever seen such a beauty?" She knew instantly who the girl was, eyes as blue as the ocean and golden locks she had always lusted after, Cosette, her childhood friend. All raised up in richness and glamour by her father and look what had become of Eponine. She felt a surge of jealously run through her, not because of Marius's attentions, after all he was always after some bit of skirt, but because she wished she was like her. Cosette was the type of girl Enjolras would fall for, beautiful, pure, innocent and clever, Eponine could have been like her once, before her parents (or more like her father) fell into debt.

She nodded "Cosette, her names Cosette." Marius gasped like it was the most beautiful name he had ever heard and Eponine supposed it was really, she was never ever going to become what she so longed to be, a lady worthy of Enjolras. Marius hugged her and thanked her enthusiastically, not even noticing the pain that flashed across her face when he did, he lamented and cursed when they realised the maiden had disappeared.

"Eponine, please locate her for me? You know everyone; you know these streets like the back of your hand, if anyone can find her it's you! Please do this for me?"

She nodded blushing after his shower of praise "Of course monsieur I will find her for you, she cannot live far away, but you will have to wait till tomorrow."

"I can survive one more day without her, but love will consume my heart till I lay eyes upon her again!" Eponine rolled her eyes, love at first sight what a load of bullshit!

Marius hurried off no doubt to find Courfeyrac, to tell him all about his doe eyed love.

Eponine decided that the best place to hide out till this evening was the cafe, she doubted anyone would be there, it was quiet during the day and the students preferred the evenings to conduct their meetings. Madame Rouge (as they called her because she always wore red) smiled to her as she entered the cafe, she headed to the back room, she wanted solitude and a chance to examine her injuries, her arm was very painful despite her attempt to seem brave and brush it off in front of her brother. Flopping down onto the bench, dignity did not matter to her at the moment, she peeled back the sleeve of the dress gasping at the damage her father had inflicted, so oblivious to her surroundings she did not notice she was not alone until she heard a voice call in concern "Eponine?"

Authors note: will update as soon as i can! As usual please REVEIW! :)