LOVELIES! Here you have it! Part 2 of the rescue mission!

And I have to say, THANK YOU for the AHMAZING response for this story! It makes me SO happy that you guys like it so much (even though I've yet to have more than a few snippets of happiness come out it... that said I'm sorry to say the happiness won't come in this chapter either...)

Warning: Darkness up ahead!

Disclaimer: And you can all blame Victor Hugo for that because they're his characters :)

"THÉNARDIER!" He shouted, any fear he would have felt calling the master criminal to fight was replaced with the utter wrath he had against the snake. "STEP AWAY FROM ÉPONINE AND FACE ME LIKE A MAN!"

"So, shall we be attending his funeral, or shall we go down with the ship?" Grantaire mused, inching towards where Combeferre stood. He aimed to catch Enjolras's eye, but the leader was already standing beside his comrade, followed closely by the rest of the group. Bahorel's fist were clenched, Joly clutched his pocketknife for dear life, standing slightly behind Bousset, who was also geared to fight. Courfeyrac stood protectively in front of Jehan, who, for the first (and hopefully last) time in his life wore a look of complete and absolute hatred and fury. Enjolras and Grantaire completed the army, flanking Combeferre on both sides, Grantaire's backhand reaching ever so slightly to catch his Apollo's fingers, who accepts his lover's hand with protective passion. They were all standing in the center of the room when Thénardier appeared, his wretched face broken into a crooked smile.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the pity parade, come back for front row seats 'eh? Didn't want to miss out on the punishments you brought about." He drew out his last phrase, scanning each member of the small troupe.

"What have you done to Éponine you lousy Son of a Bitch." Grantaire spat

"I haven't done anything too her! Just the stuff she's used to. Montparnasse is back there doing the only thing she's worth having around for." Before Thénardier could continue, Combeferre charged and locked his hands around his neck. Throwing punches and attempting to strangle the hideous excuse of a human being that brought harm to the woman he loved, he didn't notice the rest of the gang enter the room once again.

"Combeferre, look out!" Bousset yelled as Claquescous came running towards him, knives blazing. Combeferre backed up and the criminal ran right into Bahorel, who cracked his knuckles in anticipation. Combeferre turned to continue his assault, but Montparnasse entered the fray, supporting an unconscious Éponine as if she were a rag doll.

"You touch him one more time and I'll make sure my knife doesn't miss this time Lover Boy." Montparnasse yelled. The boys froze, taking in Éponine's appearance. One arm hung limply at an odd angle, one of her legs did as well. Her shirt was ripped through the middle and blood was seeping from the tear. Her skin color was now a deep purple and green; every inch of visible skin was bruised. She appeared to be barley breathing. Montparnasse pulled her head up by her hair to press his knife into her throat. Her face was unrecognizable, both eyes a dark purple, her lips swollen, her nose crooked, blood dribbled from her cracked lips. Two distinct tear tracks ran down her face, leaving long rusty lines on her cheeks.

"You God damn pathetic excuse of a man, you put her down RIGHT NOW or I swear to God I will go over there and tear you limb from limb." Combeferre growled, moving towards the young thief.

"You move, so does this knife." He threatened, pressing the blade deeper into her throat.

"Montparnasse," Combeferre warned. "Put down that knife."

"Step away from the boss." Combeferre was already standing, but one foot remained pressed into Thénardier's back.

"Why don't we wake our little heroine up, see what she has to say about it." Gueulemer chuckled darkly, moving towards the pair, something metal flashing in his hand before a loud crackle of energy broke through the room. Éponine's scream came next, as her body twitched violently. She struggled under Montparnasse's grip, trying in vain to escape, but he simply pressed the knife deeper into her exposed throat.

"Don't fight Éppy, it's useless, lover boy and the band of misfits have long since left you. They practically trampled each other to get to the door. Said they were glad to be rid of a burden like you." He chided, smiling as the tears once again trickle from her bruised eyes. The boys stood by, horrified by Montparnasse's lies, but Combeferre had had enough.

"You bloody rotten piece of shit!"

"Ferre?" Éponine cried, wanting to see if he was real, she once again began to struggle under the death grip.

"How dare you! How dare you tell Éponine the ones who love her more than life itself abandoned her to the wolves." He moved closer, Bahorel, Enjolras and Grantaire following in suit. Courfeyrac had his foot on Babet, Bousset on Claquescous and Joly on Gueulemer. Grantaire chuckled deeply as the color drained from Montparnasse's face as the four men approached him.

"I'll kill 'er I swear!" He stammered, but his hand began to quiver.

"You push that knife any deeper into our girl's throat and you'll wish you'd never been conceived." Bahorel spat, cracking his knuckles one by one.

The coward scanned their faces, looking for a bluff, but they were closing in. Suddenly the doors to the warehouse burst open and Gavroche ran in, a smile plastered on his face as sirens rang out behind him.

"Help has arrived!" He sang, sending the Patron-Minette scrambling. Montparnasse all but threw Éponine aside to break for it, but Combeferre beat him too it, catching him in a powerful headlock. Then several things happened at once.

As cops began to poor in, all the members of the Patron-Minette were being rounded up and cuffed, except Thénardier, who had disappeared in the commotion. Éponine, struggling to stand, pain shooting through her legs and vibrating through every inch of her body, she scanned the room, finding Combeferre fighting with Montparnasse, then she spotted her father. Thénardier had taken to the second level and was loading his small pistol, his face twisted with malice, his eyes set for kill. Following his gaze, she found his target, Combeferre. Screaming his name, ignoring the pain, she ran towards him.

Combeferre sent Montparnasse flying back with one final blow. He heard someone screaming his name and turned to see Éponine running towards him. Then he heard Thénardier above the mess of it all.

"You're getting what's coming to you lover boy." He didn't see what Thénardier had aimed at him. He heard Éponine scream, "FERRE! WATCH OUT!" He heard the crack of a gunshot erupting through the warehouse and felt Éponine crash into his arms, before going slightly slack. That's when he felt he warm liquid seeping through her tattered shirt and onto his hand.

"NO!" He cried. The boys had the Patron-Minette rounded up, and they searched for the source of the cry and saw Combeferre huddled on the ground, cradling someone. They froze; Jehan gripped Courfeyrac for support, tears slipping from his eyes. No one dared to move, but soon Combeferre cried out again,

"JOLY! GUYS, PLEASE HELP!"

They ran to his side and saw him holding Éponine tightly, crying into her hair. She was breathing, but uneven, shallow breaths.

"Don't you fret Messieurs." She coughed slightly, "I don't feel any pain. Not even a little rain could hurt me now."

"No Ponine, you're going to be ok." Combeferre sobbed, holding her close. "You can't leave us, you can't leave me. You are my world, I can't live without you. I love you Éponine."

"Oh 'Ferre," She laughed feebly, brining her hand up to stroke his cheek. "I love you too." She said quietly, smiling at the look of utter disbelief that melted across his face. She'd told him once she didn't think she could say it. Told him she'd miss used that word before and she'd fear it'd never work the same for her again and he hadn't minded because deep down, he knew she meant it back. But hearing it from her now, all he wanted to do was kiss her. He leaned down, into her touch and gently placed his lips on hers. He felt her hand stroke his cheek gently, then the touch was gone and he snapped open his eyes to find her body limp in his arms. "NO! PONINE, COME BACK!" He screamed, tears streaming from his eyes.

The boys remained frozen, unable to accept what had happened. Bossuet practically shoved Joly to the ground to see if she was ok. With shaking hands, he brought a finger to her exposed neck. Combeferre lifted his head to watch the young medical student work, but was too frightened to see his results.

The boys held baited breath, watching Joly's every move. Finally he let out a relieving sigh and met Combeferre's swollen eyes. Before he could say anything, paramedics arrived and nearly knocked the boy aside to get to her. Setting to work on the girl, they exchanged grim expressions.

"She'll be alright won't she? She promised not to leave! You've got to fix her! Pony please wake up, please!" Gavroche sobbed, big tears rolling down his cheeks. He speech becoming younger, the boy forced to grow up was finally a child once more. Grantaire moved to pick the boy up,

"Gav, bud, it'll be ok." His voice cracked at the last words, tears trickling down his cheeks. Enjolras moved comfort his boyfriend, only to find tears welling in his marble eyes as well. Gavroche buried his head deep in Grantaire's shoulder and sobbed harder.

"HA! Serves her right for standing in the way. Serves her right for disobeying me." Thénardier laughed from where he was being restrained, marveling at the broken scene before him. That's when Combeferre snapped, taking the gun from where it was discarded, he began to beat the crooks with it. Enjolras rushed to break it up, earning a broken nose instead. After that the group watched paralyzed as their calm and collect guide attempted to beat the mobster to death. It felt like an eternity before Bahorel detached the two. Combeferre looked like a man possessed and Thénardier sat in a bloody heap. Then time slowed, the paramedics were grim, fearing the broken girl might not make it, that an ambulance wouldn't make it in time. After that, even marble sobbed.

Hope you enjoyed! Leave a comment and next part will be up ASAP! =D