A/N: This is another long chapter for your reading pleasure and though it's slowly building, there are some interesting new developments in their relationship in this chapter. PLEASE REVIEW!

It was two weeks later when Éponine walked into the café around one in the morning looking specifically for Enjolras and knowing he would be the only one there at that hour. She couldn't face any of the other men in her current state. In the past she would have gone off and dealt with it on her own, but now she didn't feel like she had to. She climbed the steps slowly, wincing at pain caused by the movement. Reaching the top, she paused for a moment admiring the only man in the room. Enjolras sat with his back to her, leaning over a large book. His jacket was thrown over the back of the chair and the sleeves of his shirt were pushed up to his elbows. His usually smooth looking curls were disheveled. Éponine shifted her weight causing the floorboards to creak beneath her bare feet. The noise caused Enjolras to glance back and the second his eyes took her in, he was on his feet and at her side a moment later. She could see the dark circles under his eyes as he wordlessly examined the cut on her forehead and she wondered how many nights he'd gone without sleep.

He lightly took her hand, Éponine livened at his touch, the sensation of his skin on hers overriding the pain she felt and made her instantly feel comforted. Enjolras' pulse quickened as well as he led her to a chair for her to rest. He noticed how she limped and whimpered in pain as she walked. Her normally ratty dress was torn and bloodied.

"How badly are you hurt Éponine? What did he do to you?" he whispered, not trusting his voice.

"Just the cut and some bruises," she muttered, before taking a deep breath that caused her to yelp. "And possibly a broken rib or two."

Enjolras was kneeling in front of the chair she was seated in, his full lips pressed into a tense line. Éponine could tell he was silently fuming, but she didn't come here to anger him. He glanced up at her sad expression and instantly softened. "I'm sorry" she murmured, "I didn't know where else to go."

"No don't apologize, I'm glad you came and found me." He slowly lifted his hand to cradle her cheek, gauging her reaction. She turned her face into his touch and closed her eyes with a sigh. "I'm going to go get Joly, you need someone to take a look at this cut and bandage your ribs," he replied, "Wait here."

"But-" Éponine started.

"I'll be back very quickly, I promise." He stood up and started for the stairs, but paused and turned back to her. He bent down and lightly pressed his lips to her cheek for a very brief moment before spinning on his heal and leaving the café.

The skin where his lips had touched felt as if it were on fire. Éponine had to press her hand there to assure herself it wasn't. A light smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. Her parents used to kiss her face when she was little and they still gave a damn about her. She couldn't remember the last time someone had planted a caring kiss on her cheek and she hadn't realized until then that she had forgotten just how nice it felt. She slowly leaned back in her chair, careful not to offend her aching ribs.

Enjolras kept his promise. He returned with Joly within 20 minutes and he immediately began tending to her injuries?

"I think this cut is going to need a couple stiches," he stated after a brief examination of her forehead wound. "This should numb the area." He rubbed some sort of cream across her skin and began preparing his needle and thread while waiting for the cream to take affect. Enjolras watched his friend very closely, scrutinizing his every move. After a few moments he turned back to her with a reassuring smile on his face. "I promise you won't feel a thing Éponine."

She felt a pang of nervousness as the needle neared her face. Her eyes darted to Enjolras who, she realized, had been staring at her intensely. Noticing the panic in her expression, he reached out and firmly grasped her hand. Joly regarded the exchange with a smirk, but did not say anything. Feeling the pressure of the needle entering her skin, she closed her eyes and squeezed the large, rough hand that she held in her petite one.

Joly finished quickly and as he'd assured her, she had felt no pain. He then requested that she lie flat on the floor. "Is it alright if I examine your ribs?" he asked politely. Éponine gave him a confused look. "It may come across as improper for a man such as myself who is not yet a physician to make that request of you. I want to be sure you're okay with me viewing that part of your anatomy."

"Oh," she breathed, "Yes, of course. I trust you." She gave him a friendly smile. A rip in her dress allowed her to expose her damaged ribs to him without removing her dress or exposing too much of herself. He inspected the bruises forming across her ribcage and very gently prodded them, stopping and apologizing each time Éponine winced. She looked over and saw Enjolras standing with his back to them, she almost laughed. "You may look if you wish monsieur," her tone was teasing, "I assure you I'm not entirely indecent."

He looked over his shoulder, but did not turn around fully. Seeing the purple colour of her flesh, his face tensed angrily. She didn't have to say the words for him to know that it was her father who did this to her. The bastard didn't deserve to live let alone be responsible for anyone's wellbeing.

"Well I believe you have two broken ribs mademoiselle," Joly stated. "I'll wrap them for you but you're going to need to take it easy for the next couple weeks so that they can heal properly, do you understand?" Éponine nodded and let him help her up from the floor. He looked in his bag and pulled out a roll of bandages. "I'm going to need to undress partially for this mademoiselle."

Enjolras quickly turned his head away again. Éponine knew he wanted to be respectful, but she couldn't help but giggle at the way his cheeks were flushed at the thought of her removing her clothes. With both men's eyes safely averted, she slipped her dress off her shoulders and let the fabric collect at her waist. She placed her hands over her small breasts and whispered her readiness to Joly. He came to her side and began tightly wrapping the bandages from just below her breasts to her waist. When he was finished, he turned away again to allow her a chance to redress.

Fully clothed and feeling well taken care of, she extended her sincerest thanks to Joly before viewing Enjolras still facing the other direction. "Enjolras," she said softly.

"Yes?" he asked without turning around.

"You may look now. I'm fully clothed."

He spun around and regarded her. She had dried blood on her face and all over her tattered dress, but she was standing up straighter again and looked decidedly happier. "Indeed you are." He blushed slightly.

"Well," Joly began, "I'll be headed home now; as should the two of you. Éponine, rest for a few days, okay?"

She nodded her response. "Thank you again, Joly. You will be a wonderful doctor."

"Merci," he said with a smile. "Goodnight to you both."

"Bon soir," Éponine and Enjolras replied simultaneously.

Once he was gone, Éponine closed the distance between her and the glorious blond leader she'd come to trust more than anyone. She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his chest. There was no hesitation on his part either and she felt his arms immediately encircle her.

"Stay with me," he whispered.

"We'll have to leave at some point," she laughed, "You look like you've been up for days."

"No. I mean stay in my apartment with me. At least for a few days. You heard Joly, he said you needed to rest and take it easy. You can't do that if you're out on the streets."

"Enjolras," Éponine sighed, pulling away slightly to look him in the eye. "You don't need to do that. Really, I'll be fine."

"I insist."

"I respectfully decline."

"Stay."

"No."

"Stay."

She went silent for several moments, staring into his endless blue eyes. She pulled him back into the embrace. "Alright," She whispered.

A/N: OOOOOhhhh… Please let me know what you think? Any predictions of what might happen? Also, I've realized a couple spelling and grammar mistakes in the previous chapters that I'm going to go back and fix so let me know if you spot any