Hello again! (: I apologize in advance for not updating sooner but the SATs are this week and I have been studying like mad as well as typing up a huge research paper! This is kind of a shorter chapter, but I wanted to update one last time before all the stress of this next week gets to me! As always reviews are loved and appreciated. Thanks to all those who have been following and favoriting this story! Its pathetic but I do a little victory dance each time someone does either of those things :P Well I'll leave you to it and I hope you enjoy!

It had been nearly a week since he last saw her. Things for Enjolras had returned relatively back to normal; planning for the revolution had resumed and long nights were spent at the café in preparation. Marius had even forgiven him for their little spat and even though tensions had cooled, they still remained nonetheless. At time he kept his distance from Enjolras and he no longer mentioned Cosette in his presence. The others no longer thought that something was troubling him, or so he assumed, and he was thankful for that.

But still at times, mostly when he had a minute to himself or sat alone trying to write a speech, his mind wandered. He began to wonder if he would ever find peace again. He still could not fathom what was wrong with him.

Today however, when he awoke around dawn, he felt tranquil and somewhat content, in fact more than he had in days. As he gave his speech, he felt more enthused than he had for a while. A vast crowd was drawn in around him and he could tell from their attentive expressions that they were listening. They did care. He felt as if he was au sommet de réussite.

When he had scanned the crowd, his eyes had landed on a familiar face. It was Mariélle. He noticed briefly that she was standing close to Éponine, who no doubt was waiting for Marius. After a moment, her eyes met his and she stared back at him with an odd look that he could not name. It made him curious as to what she was thinking. But, he broke her gaze as the chanting of the crowd grew

Once the crowd began to disperse he stepped down from the crates that had been his makeshift stage. The others were still wrapped up in the excitement. For once Grantaire appeared partially sober and was looking around with a smile. The little urchin, Gavroche, was perched on Courfeyrac's shoulders, as he laughed. The atmosphere was lively. He looked over once more towards Mariélle and saw that she was conversing with Éponine. He knew it would be for the best if he kept his distance, but at the same time he wanted to speak with her again.

He found himself walking in her direction. As his feet hit the pavement beneath him, a nagging voice inside of his head was once more telling him that he was making a mistake. He chose to ignore it and decided to rationalize the situation instead. There was nothing wrong with what he was doing. He held conversations every day.

As he approached, Éponine darted off towards the alleyway and he saw that Mariélle was left standing alone with a strange look upon her face. It looked as if something was troubling her. Her eyes were downcast and a small frown turned down the corners of her mouth.

He decided he liked it better when she smiled. He admitted it was a strange thought to have, but it was vrai. And true it was when a second later she became aware of his presence and smile she did. All traces of what had been troubling her had vanished almost instantly.

"Good day." She was the first one to speak and it caught him off guard, but he nodded in return.

"It is," he responded glancing around the busy street, "May I inquire about your sister?"

"Amélie is much better. Her fever has not returned and she is doing as well as can be expected." She paused for a moment looking down, and the small frown that had vanished, returned quite quickly, but disappeared again a few seconds later, "Thank you for asking."

There was an awkward pause of silence between them. He noticed that there were dark circles underneath her eyes that he hadn't noticed the last time. He wondered how she could sleep on the cold floor night after night, but at the same time he also could understand why she would do it. She truly cared for her sister and he knew she would be willing to do anything for her. If he had had any siblings he was certain that he would have done the same.

"Enjolras!"

Courfeyrac's voice interrupted the stillness as he wandered towards where he and Mariélle stood.

"We were wondering where you had wandered off to again. It's a good thing you did not go very far, Joly was wondering…" Courfeyrac stopped midsentence as he noticed who Enjolras was standing near, "Oh pardon me, I did not mean to interrupt."

"It is alright." Enjolras forced a small smile and took a step backwards. He felt ill at ease and began to hope that the others would not turn this into another joke at his expense. He could not endure another of Jehan's sonnets. Taking a deep breath he decided to make the proper introductions. "Courfeyrac this is Mariélle."

"An honor to meet you mademoiselle." Courfeyrac took the opportunity to bow and when she timidly extended her hand, he kissed it before taking a step back, as she tried to suppress a smile.

"What was it that Joly wanted to know?" Enjolras turned to his friend, who noted that he seemed somewhat impatient.

"Oh, it was nothing." Courfeyrac smiled almost devilishly.

"Are you certain?" Enjolras studied his friend carefully.

"He can ask you himself later on. I don't remember half of what he was saying anyway. You know how he is worrying about the silliest of things never taking time to just live life." Courfeyrac explained, " Now this one on the other hand, is nearly as bad, he never takes a moments rest I can assure you." He changed the subject and spoke to Mariélle as he clapped Enjolras good-humoredly on the shoulder. "Him and his revolution."

"It is our revolution." Enjolras spoke and for a moment his face was very serious, quite contrasting with the comicalness of his friend.

"You see? He is too serious." Courfeyrac laughed ignoring him, "If you ever are looking for an entertaining time you can search for me. At least I am not as they say un bâton dans la boue. It was a pleasure to meet you mademoiselle!" With that he wandered back to the café.

"He is somewhat of a Casanova I take it?" Mariélle turned to Enjolras, with a small laugh.

"One could say that." He replied running a hand through his hair, "But he has a strong heart. They all do." He looked at the others who stood a few yards away, and for a moment felt proud.

At that moment a cart began to move through the street with a grim looking man pulling the horse harnessed to it behind him. Whoever stood in its way stepped aside quickly. He recognized what cart it was almost instantly and what it carried. Next to him, he saw that Mariélle's face had gone ashen and her hands that were held firmly at her sides moments earlier, were trembling slightly. He understood why.

"Would you like to accompany me for a small walk?" He inquired quickly, almost without a second thought, "It would be best to spend a day as pleasant as this elsewhere."

She did not speak but with a slight inclination of her head he understood. He slipped his arm though hers and together they swiftly left the emptying street.

Translation Time! (:

au sommet de réussite. on top of the world

vrai- truth

un bâton dans la boue- a stick in the mud