A/N: I recently had the opportunity to go to the a spoken word festival and man, I realized - poetry is not my thing. I totally respect poets and their ability to put so much feeling into so little, but I think I'll stick with my fanfiction and short stories for now ;) Oh! And sorry if this chapter is a bit confusing!

Éponine's Errand

Éponine rubbed her hands together anxiously, warming her palms from the biting cold.

She bid her mother goodbye silently, ignoring her sleeping villain of a father, and marched out onto the vacant streets.

The morning air seemed cooler than usual, leaving a peculiar frigidness mingling in the light breezes that moved through each rue. It was closer to noon than dawn, and most of the villagers were gathered that the funeral taking place for their beloved General Lamarque.

Éponine had known of her inability to participate at the protests to take place at his tomb since her incident with Enjolras – but knowing that she couldn't save her Marius clawed at her withiring insides.

Enjolras' sudden interest in her had taken her completely off guard, to a point where she couldn't bear the thought of the society's leader at all. She couldn't tolerate thoughts of his soft golden tufts of hair or his unwavering demeanour, his tenacious efforts to the barricades, his immense patriotism…

She paused suddenly at the curb of the street, picking up the sound of rifles being shot combatively. Screams hung in the previously dead air and soldiers could be heard shouting fiery orders. A flood of frightened pedestrians and villagers flowed fretfully fowards to Éponine.

Their battle had begun, and what was she to do of it? Waver around till news of Marius' death reached her? Surely she wouldn't let Enjolras' meaningless words stop her from being the difference between life and death for Marius… would she?

...

Enjolras moved a piece of hair from his dewy forehead, exchanging a satisfied nod with Combeferre and priming his gun, then tucked it underneath his arm.

"She's not here is she?" Marius asked suddenly, moving into Enjolras' peripheral vision.

The revolutionary cocked an eyebrow and frowned, the mere thought Marius had implanted in his mind beginning to tear him apart, "If you're speaking of your shadow, then no."

"I needed her to deliver something to Cosette…"

"Cosette," he replied hypocritically, "she's of the least importance here Marius. I suggest that you put your thoughts towards something useful."
"No, you don't understand-" he argued.

"I do understand. If you want to leave, Marius, go and be at peace with your dearly beloved."

Marius opened his mouth to argue but frowned instead at the calls of his comrades, asking him to take a bottle of brandy away from a severely intoxicated Grantaire.

Enjolras rolled his eyes and pulled at his hair, making a sad attempt at ridding his mind of thoughts of the Thénardier girl.

The impact she had made on him perplexed and frightened him. What idiotic thoughts and daydreams for the first night at the barricade! Months of preparation, sleepless nights, and intense planning to be distracted completely by some bourgeois' shadow...

"Listen up!" He called out desperately, catching the attention of les amis, "We'll need someone to go to the outside, see if there will be an impending attack any time soon…"

...

Éponine had been wandering aimlessly since hearing the attack resume, yet, she couldn't bring herself to go to Marius or back home. Either way, some sort of horror awaited her.

She sank to her knees at Jardin du Luxembourg, bitterly and unintentionally reminding herself of Marius' constant mentions of a blue eyed, golden haired beauty he saw there daily…

The sound of padded footsteps near her caused her to cock her head up and meet the eyes of none other than Montparnasse.

Letting out a scream, Éponine scrambled to her feet and began to flee, till he caught her wrists and pulled her closer to his body protectively.

"What are you doing here?" She snapped, eyeing him angrily.

"Same as you. Looking to forget, to get away…" His voice carried on eerily and caused Éponine to shudder.

"Leave me alone, 'Parnasse." She warned acidly.

"I will, it's just – your father told me to tell you to finish your job."

"My job?" Éponine asked curiously, "I don't have job."

Montparnasse chortled and stared at her through fox like eyes, his handsomeness becoming devious and threatening, "You've always impressed me with your ability to lie through your teeth."

"What do you mean?"

Montparnasse shook his head and blatantly replied with, "I know you're a prostitute."

Éponine bit her tongue in frustration and freed herself from the young con man's determined grip, "You have no business in my life!"

"I work for you father, 'Ponine." He snickered, "Besides, don't you remember how fondly you thought of me before you met that star eyed idiot?"

"Idiot?" She shook her head and backed away from the dark haired fiend, "Leave me alone! I didn't ever need or want you in my life!" She barked.

"You really are a marvellous liar Éponine. Don't you remember our days together?" He muttered pathetically, "Plus, Thénardier wants the money and you're going to give it to him!" He pushed her slightly then backed away, aghast with shame and hidden determination.

Éponine took in a deep breath a nodded innocently, "You're right."

"I- what?" Montparnasse asked, chuckling and patting Éponine on the back, "Of course I am." He corrected, drawing her closer to him.

Éponine grinned and gripped his hand tightly, placing her head on his chest gingerly, feeling a smile tug at the corners of his mouth, his heart beginning to race…

"Oh 'Parnasse, how I've missed you." She gushed, wrapping her arms tenderly around his waist.

"Mmm," he mused, stroking her hair curiously.

"I shouldn't be spending my time with the rich when there are men like you." She carried on, drawing him closer and placing a kiss on his lips. He pulled her in for a few moments and smiled as they drew apart.

"Isn't this much better than some bourgeois?"

Éponine smiled and nodded, "Much better." She curtseyed sarcastically and turned her back to Montparnasse, hiding his Francs in her rags quickly before running off.

If he had been smart enough to notice her theft, then she would be on the run and Marius might've never been able to see her again.

Then again, he was better off dead the way she left him… Her place was with him!

But Enjolras would murder her if he knew she had appeared for Marius.

Suddenly, an idea flew to Éponine's crowded mind. If she found Cosette, and told her father of her secret relationship with Marius - then he would never let them stay together! After all, Cosette had only met Marius day ago. Marius had known Eponine for months and months! They were meant to be together and she wouldn't let some bourgeois come in the way.