Valjean couldn't believe that this day had finally come. In a few minutes, Cosette would need him one last time to escort her down the aisle, and then she would need him no more. He couldn't believe that this was the starving little girl he had rescued from the Thenardiers. She had transformed from a meek and scared child into a kind and clever young woman. Now her happiness would depend on Marius. Valjean knew Marius's heart was in the right place, but he couldn't convince himself the young man would be up to the task of handling a marriage. Now it was up to this schoolboy, whom Valjean had to snatch from the brink of death, to provide everything for Cosette that her mother would have wanted for her. Everything that Fantine would have wanted.

Fantine…a name he had never uttered aloud. Yet it was her face that haunted his dreams every night. They had troubled him repeatedly as of late. Perhaps his mind was finally starting to go…

"Monsieur. It's almost time," said a familiar voice.

The old man turned around to see a beautiful young woman, dressed in off white. The last time he had seen her, her brown hair was a tattered mess, but now it was pinned back into neat curls.

"Do my eyes deceive me? Madmoiselle Eponine?" he asked astounded.

"The one and only," she responded awkwardly with a small curtsy. She had been at Cosette's side all day in preparation for the ceremony, and was ready to be rid of her responsibilities as the maid of honor, which she did not expect to be chosen for. It sort of came out of the blue to the brunette when the other girl had asked her, leading to her to realize that Cosette didn't know enough people in this town. Why else would she be asking the girl known to have a past infatuation with her soon to be husband? And what did Eponine know about weddings? She had never been to one in all her life! The whole idea of standing in front of people was enough to make her stomach turn over, but of course with the help of Cosette's magical persuasion, Eponine was coaxed into taking on the task. You're really not as stubborn as I thought you were, she told herself. Where the heck is your backbone? Eponine's knew one of her tragic flaws was being a spineless jellyfish to those who needed her help.

Cosette presently asked Eponine to please fetch Valjean before the ceremony began. Eponine could tell his mind was in a faraway place as she tapped his shoulder.

He seemed to have more pre-wedding jitters than the bride, who seemed to be happy as can be at the moment. "You're a vision!" he said happily.

She fidgeted with the lace of her hem. "Thank you. You should actually thank your daughter for convincing me to wear this…gown. If it weren't for her wedding, you wouldn't catch me dead without my trusty boots," she said with a pout. Toussaint had hidden her beloved footwear somewhere as ordered by Cosette, so Eponine would have no way of finding them. The preparations over the last few weeks led Eponine to somehow find common ground with the blonde, despite their stark differences in taste. One could even go as far as to call them friends. Eponine didn't know what to call it exactly.

"My daughter does have a way with persuading people," he said with a small grin.

"Indeed," agreed the brunette. "Well we can't stand here all day. You've got an important job to do," she said, softly pushing the older man's back toward Cosette's dressing room.

"I do, don't I? Eponine…I know your Marius's friend, but your also Cosette's friend right?" Valjean halted, looking back at the girl with sad eyes.

She hesitated, not knowing how to answer at first. "Yes, of course I am monsieur."

"Then as her friend, you can answer this honestly. This marriage is a good idea, isn't it? They're not too young? He's going to take care of her isn't he?" he said with uncertainty.

She looked back at the old man guiltily. She was the last person on earth to know the secret behind a secure marriage, but her conscience nagged to console his doubts. "If there's one thing I'm sure about in this world, I know that Marius loves Cosette with all of his heart, and would never let any burden fall upon her. You have nothing to worry about."

He sighed heavily. "That means a lot coming from you. I don't why exactly, but she has come to trust you very quickly, and that's not common behavior for people in our family."

He looked past Eponine, toward an outside window of the church, where he could have sworn to see a recognizable female face. He blinked. The face had vanished as soon as it appeared.

Eponine followed his gaze, seeing nothing. "What is it?" she asked.

"Oh nothing, nothing. Just getting lost in my thoughts. When you get to my age, times like these always make you feel nostalgic," Valjean said shaking his head, wanting to be rid of the ghosts of his past, especially her.

Eponine smiled, saying nothing. This old man was interesting, a bit funny in the head, but interesting nonetheless. His eyes spoke of countless struggles. She longed to ask him so many questions, but decided this was not the time or place for them.

"Promise me one thing," he murmured.

"What's that?" she asked.

"Always remain a friend to her even after I'm gone," he said decidedly, starting to move again to Cosette's doorway.

"Not a problem monsieur, but I doubt you'll be going anywhere soon. Now get going!" said Eponine happily, shooing the older man away to greet his daughter with her good hand. The other hand, according to doctor Dupont, was showing "miraculous progress." She was beginning to feel again in her fingertips, which was way beyond what she could do merely a few weeks ago. Still, no movement occurred, and despite the physician's optimistic outlook on her exercises, her own doubts could not be lifted. She turned around and waited for the music to cue her into entering the main hall. Can't wait for this part to be over.

Valjean smiled to himself, turning around to knock on a door. "Cosette, are you ready?"

"Coming papa!" said a cheery voice on the other side.


A few moments earlier…

Enjolras stood beside Marius, who was looking terrified and excited all at once, common emotions that befitted a typical groom.

Being Marius's best friend at university, naturally Enjolras was to be the best man at his wedding. He put a reassuring arm (now almost fully healed) on Marius, who was quickly turning into a bundle of nerves. "You alright there?"

"Of course! Why wouldn't I be?" said Marius, sounding like the complete opposite.

"Are you sure? Anything you want to get off your chest in your last moments as a bachelor?" joked Enjolras, unconsciously fixing his cuffs.

"Oh I've really got nothing to say. The only thing I've got on my mind is that I'll just have to watch over, care, provide for, and carry the hopes of the woman I love until death do us part. Why wouldn't I be alright?" Marius said rather quickly. "Is it just me, or did it just get really hot in here?" he said, fidgeting with the collar of his suit.

"Yes. You're definitely not about to lose it," laughed his friend.

"I don't think I can do this Enjolras. You were always better with crowds than I ever was," said Marius dejectedly.

"Don't be silly man. You're not here for all these people," said Enjolras, nodding his head toward the mass horde of nameless faces filing into the church. "Just pay attention to only her, and everything else will fall into place."

"Yes I know," said the groom, now looking calmer. "I can't wait for the day I can console you on your wedding day, whenever that may be."

"I don't see that happening anytime soon," Enjolras said bluntly.

"Nonsense you fool. Even I would consider you quite a catch. Don't tell Cosette or she'll get jealous," said the other man, arching one eyebrow with a mischievous smile.

Enjolras ruffled Marius's hair violently in response. "Oh shut it."

"Not the hair! Are you telling me there's no one that's caught your eye?" Marius asked incredulously, trying to fix the damage.

"If there was someone, you'd be the first to know idiot," Enjolras half-lied. He usually never told anyone of his short-term meaningless affairs. If there was someone important in his life, he knew Marius would be the only mature one out of his friends that he could trust with the news. "Now enough about me. Remember, it's your day? Shut up and get married."

"Aw, how touching that you would tell me first. I knew I chose the right best man," Marius said with a silly smile.

Enjolras eyed him with mock irritability before turning to face onlookers staring in interest at his minor assault on the groom. Can't wait for this part to be over, thinking to himself, noticing a group of young women trying to catch his eye on the bride's side of the hall, all smiling and winking in his direction. He guessed that these were Cosette's old time friends. It took all of his might to not roll his eyes. He never took too kindly to women who threw themselves easily at him. Although some of his friends thrived on these types, they usually never suited his taste. Of course he couldn't deny his needs as a male, and had had his fill of these women from time to time, when the comfort of his books wouldn't always do the trick.

No one had ever peaked his interest in all his years away from home, until recently. Yet he dared not to mention her name, even to himself, for fear of letting his thoughts linger too long on something that he could never hope to last. Their last 'meeting' left him to assume that she could not stand the sight of him. This left him a bit annoyed, not fully understanding Eponine's coldness (although he did know that she was just grieving over her brother's death), but he decided to not press the matter in order to avoid any further telling-off.

The melodious notes of the wedding march began to resound around the room from the organ. Everyone turned their attention towards the back of the hall as women began to file out one by one. Two little girls dressed in white followed behind them, slowly throwing flower petals along the aisle. The smaller of the two seemed very concentrated on her task, dropping as many of the petals as she could behind her, leaving no sign of the marble floor on her side.

Enjolras chuckled at the sight. He looked back at Marius, who still looked like a nervous wreck. Suddenly, his expression melted into a warm smile within the blink of an eye. Enjolras turned his head back to the aisle, guessing that the groom had finally seen the bride. What he saw instead caught him completely by surprise.

He hadn't seen her since that embarrassing moment on the bridge, a moment he wished he could erase from the fabric of time. Eponine still wore a sling over her shoulder, yet it was mostly hidden away by a large bouquet of flowers held by her good hand. Her hair was pinned half up, with the rest coming down in long dark curls. She wore a long and elegant off-white dress that vaguely gave away her slender figure. Any man with eyes could tell that she was a lovely sight. She was looking down at the floor repeatedly, most likely afraid of facing an entire audience. He found it surprising that Cosette had chosen Eponine of all people to be her maid of honor. Wasn't this girl the one who had pined after the groom standing next to him?

She made her way closer to where the groom was standing. Just breathe; you're almost there Eponine, she thought to herself. She slowly brought up her gaze to Marius, who was beaming back at her.

"Bestill my heart! This lovely thing cannot be my 'Ponine," whispered Marius.

She shook her head and beamed at him, saying nothing. She turned her head to glance at the handsome man standing next to her friend. Goodness, Enjolras cleans up quite nicely, she noted. He was wearing a black waistcoat with dark breeches that did not greatly differ from his regular day-to-day clothing. His hair was cropped shorter than it usually was, and she thought it suited him quite well. His brown eyes looked alert and unsmiling (unlike the first time she had met him), gazing back at her momentarily, before shooting back down to floor. Man, he must hate me, she thought guiltily.

Everyone's attention turned back to the aisle, as the veiled bride made her way closer to front of the church, accompanied by her father.


A few hours later…

All the guests had gathered at the reception in the evening. Lamps were alit and the wedding festivities had begun. The bride and groom shared the first dance, and soon other couples began to join them. Other guests dined and drank happily in their seats.

Eponine sat alone at a table, watching her friends dance on the floor. All of Marius's friends from the café were up and about the room, either dancing or socializing. Grantaire was moving rather rambunctiously with a maiden who had many feathers in her hair, both seeming as if they were already way beyond drunk for the night. Eponine herself had lost track of how many glasses she had drank so far. She watched the Duponts' who had also been invited, gliding effortlessly across the floor, as if they were born to be dance partners. Azelma, who had also come at Cosette's insistence, was dancing awkwardly with a young boy around her age and repeatedly looked back at her sister nervously. She was dressed in a simple lavender gown that the Duponts' had bought for her. Eponine encouraged the younger girl to continue on with a happy nod as she took a few more sips from her glass. Her head swayed back and forth to the lovely waltz played by the orchestra. She declined a few requests to dance from some men, who all left with disappointed frowns. Her dancing skills were nothing to brag about, and far be it from her to victimize any poor soul's feet if she were to be his partner. She noticed an uncomfortable Enjolras dancing with an excited young woman who was wearing far too much makeup for her complexion. Wish I could move as well as he does, she thought to herself.

She stood up to grab another glass of wine. I've got to make use of this fine life while I can don't I?

A well-groomed man who was all too familiar interrupted her path.

"Well look who we have here…" said Montparnasse.

"You…what are you doing here?" she asked in surprise.

"Oh don't act all coy love. Are you not happy to see me?" he gave a sly smile.

"Far from it," she said with slurred speech, narrowing her eyebrows. The liquor was starting to have an effect. "This is not a celebration open to strangers."

"Oh, what makes you think I'm a stranger? I could be the groom's best friend for all you know," he said teasingly.

"Don't start your lies. I know the groom, and he would never make an acquaintance with snakes like you," Eponine said in distaste at the man who was involved in dishonest business with her father.

"Such harsh words from my childhood friend, and we haven't even been conversing for a minute. What's this, have you traded up to something better?" he mocked, moving in closer to her to take in her scent. "You smell divine, and where did you get this heavenly dress…Somehow, I still see the same girl in rags and dirty hair that I grew up with." He quickly twirled a lock of her hair with his hand.

Eponine darted backward in disgust. "You were never my friend. Your only companion is money, and it has turned you into a miserable and pathetic fool. Like my father." She roughly shoved past his shoulder as he followed closely behind.

"Don't talk of your father that way, ma petite, he's only wanted what's best for you. He misses you and your sister. Speaking of the devil, he and your mother should be dropping by quite soon," he said with a smirk.

"Why on earth would they do that?" she asked in astonishment. She was horrified at the thought of Marius and Cosette confronting people they despised on one of the happiest days of their lives.

Montparnasse raised an eyebrow. "This wedding is overrun with the wealth of Paris. What businessman wouldn't try his luck here?"

"How dare you call yourselves businessmen? You're nothing more than petty thieves," she said angrily, dizzily making her way out of the hall. The air was becoming too thick with all those people standing around. In truth, she was more eager to get Montparnasse away from the celebration so he wouldn't cause any trouble.

"I personally don't see much of a difference between the two. Ah, don't be so upset little one. I'm only here for a bit of fun. I'm surprised to find you here. I see you've found a new group of companions since you last disappeared," he said looking over at the happy couple dancing away, while snaking an arm around Eponine's waist from behind.

Although Eponine was tall for her age, Montparnasse had always towered over here. He was handsome in his own way, with curly black hair and piercing blue eyes. They had known each other all their lives, and as he fell into criminal acts with her father, Eponine knew the boy could never be trusted. He was only a year older than she, yet he was already involved in heinous behavior that went as far as murder. She herself was guilty of small crimes such as stealing from here and there, but her wrongdoings never went as far as Montparnasse's already dangerous record. As much as she despised him, she knew he was not one to be messed with.

"Don't touch me," she said quickly, trying to move away from his grip.

"What's this? Trying to play an upper class virginal maiden? You're not fooling anyone. I can see right through those fine clothes…" he whispered into her ear. He spun her around quickly to face him. "Let's have a dance shall we?" He held her firmly as they moved around on the pavement in rhythm with the music playing from the hall, Montparnasse holding Eponine's good hand.

She could feel the anger seething through her mind, while wishing her injured hand could work so she could slap him across the face. "Stop it Montparnasse! I'm not some whore who is always at your beck and call!"

"That hurt 'Ponine. You know I'd never see you like that. You're not woman enough to be a whore yet, but I can help you on your way to becoming one," he said, still spinning her around in circles, trying to move in closer to her mouth.

That was the final straw. Eponine spit in his face. "Don't call me by that name. I bet you couldn't even please a whore. Let go you bastard!"

He paused their 'dance', reaching for a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his face. He gave her a murderous glare.

Before she could react, Montparnasse had shoved her roughly up against the wall. "Couldn't please even a whore, huh? Well, I guess I'll just have to change your mind," he grunted, reaching a hand beneath her skirt, making it's way slowly up her thigh as he kissed her lips roughly.

She felt a dull pain in the back of her head as it made impact with the wall, making her even dizzier. Somehow, her wits temporarily returned, allowing her to bite him in the neck in response to the sickening taste of him on her lips.

Montparnasse backed away in pain, holding his neck with both hands. "You little wench! Got some fight in you after all!"

A wave of energy hit the brunette as she moved closer, finally kneeing him between the legs. "Try that again, and next time I'll make sure you become a eunuch!" she yelled at the top of her lungs, turning around to run away.

A loud groan was heard behind her. Eponine ran as fast as her legs could take her, until she could move no more. She collapsed on her knees onto the pavement in exhaustion, her dress becoming covered in mud. She remained there in silence for what felt like an eternity.

Faint footsteps could be heard behind her after a few minutes.

Dammit, not again! she thought in panic. She got up quickly to make a run for it again, but then turned around to get a good look at who it was.

"What are you doing so far out here?" asked Enjolras incredulously, eyeing the disheveled girl up and down.

She was silent for a moment. "I should be asking you the same thing. Shouldn't you be dancing away with some pretty young thing?" Eponine retorted, glancing at the bottle in his hand.

"I needed a break from that. What happened to you?" he asked in surprise, noticing her dress was slightly torn at the bottom.

"Nothing. I fell," she said.

"That's it? You fell?" he asked in disbelief.

"Yes," she said with slight annoyance. She was not in the mood to talk after that fiasco.

"You're not going to tell me the truth are you?" he asked in concern.

"It's nothing to worry your pretty little head over. Go back to the wedding and dance the night away with your upper-class heiresses. Leave me that bottle while you're at it," Eponine garbled, now walking dizzily away from him.

"You were invited to that wedding too you know," Enjolras said in irritation. He was tired of her pointing her nose down at him for his social class.

"I've had enough for one night," she admitted, stopping to face him.

"Cosette and Marius will wonder where you have gone," he said, coming closer to her.

"Tell them I was tired and went back to the Duponts," she responded.

"Let me at least escort you back to their home," suggested Enjolras.

"Must you be so damn chivalrous all the time? Doesn't it become exhausting after awhile? I'm fine on my own!" she said angrily, more so in reaction to what had just happened with Montparnasse. She reached over and swiped the bottle out of his hand, taking a large swig.

"Eponine. What happened?" asked Enjolras, looking at her distraught face in apprehension.

"I already told you it was nothing Enjolras!" she argued.

"You can tell me. I'm not here to judge you," he said with an intense gaze.

"Stop doing that!" yelled Eponine.

"Doing what?" asked Enjolras.

"That smoldering thing with your eyes!" she hiccupped, taking another gulp of ale from the bottle.

"I have no idea of what you're talking about," he said, confused.

She wobbled closer to where he was standing until their faces were inches apart. "Don't act like you don't know…walking around all high and mighty-like all the time. Always talking about how your country is your first and only love. It's a game you play to get girls to fall in love with you even m-more. Make them think your all sensitive and perfect. Well it won't work on me!" She whispered the last sentence into his ear, before tripping into his arms clumsily. "Woops!"

He caught her with a firm grip, carefully avoiding her injured arm. He was used to the local bar maids falling on him in the café when they decided to have "one too many drinks". He knew they were lying half the time, and found it mostly tiring. Even though he found Eponine to be unbalanced (in more ways than one), he didn't mind being so close to her. She gave off an earthy lavender aroma, underneath the scent of liquor. "You probably need to get to know me better if you think I am anywhere near perfect. I think you've had enough to drink for tonight…" he said, attempting to snatch away the bottle.

"Don't tell me what to do! I'll stop drinking when I feel good and ready! I-I'm celebrating this joyous union of my Marius and Cosette!" she shouted, pathetically trying to bat his hand away with her good arm. She wobbled out of his reach.

"Stop acting like a child," he said exasperatedly, idly standing beside her in case she tripped again. He was starting to get fed up with her antics.

"Don't try to lecture me. You're not my father. Why are you here anyway? I don't need you to watch over me. I don't need anyone," she said lamely.

"Apparently you do. Unless you're all right with some low life coming after you in the middle of the night," he said with an annoyed stare. She was one big nutshell of issues.

"I can handle any low life. What do you care…you go back to your pretty fan club back in there. I can take care of myself, like I always have!" she shouted at him.

"I highly doubt it with this state you're in. What's made you this way? Did someone say something to you?" he asked.

"Nobody said anything," she said more quietly.

"Something has unsettled you, otherwise why would you be running off half-mad?" he said more irritated.

"Oh so you do see me as mad don't you? It's something that runs in my family!" she spat back angrily, pushing his shoulder. "I was beginning to think that you were too kindly of a gentleman to ever insult anyone! Glad to see your true colors!" Eponine didn't understand or believe half the things she was saying, but Enjolras seemed to be the target of all her frustrations at the moment (once again).

He sighed. "No that's not what I meant…It's just that something is making you act this way, and it's not just the drinking." He caught her arm before she could push him again.

"Let go of me!" she yelled.

"Not until you agree to calm down and tell me what's wrong!" he spoke with severity.

"I am calm! There's nothing wrong!" she yelled even louder.

"Then why are you yelling!" he yelled back.

"I don't know! Just leave me be!" she screamed again, yanking out of his grasp and running in the opposite direction, rather inelegantly.

The long dress made it more difficult for her to move swiftly, and eventually it made the girl trip once again. She fell sideways onto nearby grass that luckily cushioned her impact with the earth. "Damn dress! Why did I ever agree to wear this thing!" she started laughing incessantly.

He ran after her, wondering why on earth did he decide to follow this wild girl. He stared at her in confusion, "Forget what I said before. I think you have gone completely mad."

She laid on her back with a large grin, looking directly at the stars above. "Are you still here? My goodness. What crime have I committed to make you follow me around like a tail?" she said, referring to Enjolras.

He was all too fed up at this point. "You know what? You can stay here and mull over your crazy thoughts. I've had enough," he began to turn on his heel, heading back toward the hall. She can go ahead and drive someone else insane.

"What are your parents like?" she asked suddenly, sitting up on the grass.

He stopped in his tracks momentarily. "What?" Was this girl in her own little world most of the time?

"Your parents. Are they nice, mean, or in between? Eponine asked, lying back down on the grass.

He walked back over to her. "They're alright I guess. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, just wondering what a perfect person's parents would be like," she said blankly, looking at the clear sky above.

"What makes you think I'm so perfect?" he asked, settling down next to her.

"Hmm if you want a whole list, we could be here all night," she laughed.

"Well, you flatter me, but I'm human just like you, with my own flaws and imperfections," he answered.

"Oh yes I know everyone's like that. It's just that, you seem to be more well put together than most people," she said inaudibly.

"This is probably the nicest thing you've said to me in weeks," he responded, finally cracking a smile.

"Really? I've been horrible to you haven't I?" Eponine said sullenly, pulling her knees up to her chin.

"It's all in the past now. Think nothing of it," he said happily.

"You even forgive better than most people!" she said exasperated. "How do you do it?"

"What? That's just how I am!" he said annoyed.

"I need to teach you how to be more flawed, like yours truly," she said boastfully.

"Your not as flawed as you think you are," Enjolras said honestly.

"Nonsense. I am the champion of all flaws. I can't even dance. That's why I was sitting down the whole time during the feast," she laughed.

She should laugh more often, he thought, noticing her eyes light up in a way he had never seen before. "Well we'll just have to fix that, won't we?" he said.

Before she could respond, he picked her up quickly off the ground and set her down on her feet, holding up her good hand in his. "Now just move with me," he said encouragingly.

"How? There's no music!" she chuckled.

"We'll make our own," he said starting to hum and shuffle his feet along with a distinct rhythm.

In her drunken stupor, Eponine wasn't aware of how close they were to one another.

She was spending too much time following his feet while looking down at her own. She struggled at first, too disoriented to properly follow his movement.

"It helps to not look down," he commented.

She slowly brought her head up. Like Montparnasse, Enjolras towered over her as well, and she came up to his neck in height. She noticed a scar creeping up from his collarbone that most likely originated from his injured shoulder. She didn't know how it happened exactly, but suddenly she began to move more fluidly along with him. "This isn't so bad!" she commented.

He smiled while continuing to hum.

"I know this song, my mother used to sing it to me as a girl!" she said excitedly, softly singing along with his humming.

"My mother did too…" he said inaudibly, listening to her voice. It was shy, but one of the loveliest sounds he had ever heard.

Eponine continued on for a while as he stopped humming entirely. She closed her eyes, letting go of all her frustrations and inhibitions in life, just to savor this moment that felt quite perfect. It took her some time to realize that it was her own voice resounding through the night air.

Color rose to cheeks as stopped singing mid-verse. "Why did you stop!" she said in alarm.

"I didn't want to interrupt the songbird with my inept voice," he smirked.

She shook her head in disagreement. "What songbird?" she asked dubiously.

"You, you daft girl!" he sighed.

"Whom are you calling daft?" she said, playfully hitting his shoulder, meeting his brown eyes.

"I owe you some verbal abuse, after all the jabs you've given me," he laughed, sticking out his tongue. He brought her good arm to her side, still not letting go.

"Can't argue with that," Eponine said in defeat. "Enjolras, I want to apologize for that time in the park. I had no right to say those horrible things to you."

He held her face in his hands. "Remember what I said. Think nothing of it."

He didn't know how to explain what came over him next, whether it was the moonlight making her face seem even more angelic, coupled with the vast amounts of liquid courage he had consumed a few minutes earlier. He crashed his lips unto hers without warning, wanting to drink her in completely, as if he had an insatiable thirst for far too long. He held her head with one arm, while the other moved lower and stopped at her waist.

Her next move surprised him.

His touch felt warm and safe to her at first, but after sometime it felt tainted. All Eponine could think about was Montparnasse's rough handling of her…his tongue trying to force it's way down her throat. She could feel her stomach heaving in disgust. She shoved away from Enjolras's embrace, staring at him horrified.

Her look of fear concerned him as he stared at her apologetically. "Eponine, I'm so sorry."

"No, don't apologize! You didn't do anything wrong! That was my fault…I think," she said in confusion.

"You weren't ready. I shouldn't have taken advantage of you like that…" he explained.

"Oh for goodness sake, stop it! I'm the one who should apologize. I just don't want to do this now. Not like this. Not when I'm a drunken mess with muddy clothes," she responded, patting down her dress. Not when a bastard was just about to ruin my life for good. "I'm tired. I should go back home to the Duponts' Enjolras. It's right around the corner. Thank you for making this night ten times better than it was turning out to be," she said with a grateful smile, limping slowly.

"Always in a rush to get out of my sight aren't you," he chuckled.

"I'll make it up to you somehow," Eponine laughed, waving back at him before disappearing behind the corner.

I'll hold you to that, Enjolras said to himself, staring back at the empty spot she had previously occupied.

a/n: Heyy everybody, hope you liked this one. I had bits and pieces of this chapter worked out, but it took me awhile to figure out how to put everything together. You guys know me by now, I work at a snail's pace :(...Thank you to everyone who has favorited the fic and reviewed recently (bellephaba, stop-i beg you, showtunediva, .95, spovagirl909, and Ace of Gallifrey) your comments make me smile everytime and push me to work faster on updates.

Shout out to:

spovagirl909: thank you :) I'm glad you found it funny...thought i'd put in some comedic relief since this story was getting a bit depressing lol. And yes I agree with you, I also don't particularly like it when some fics portray Cosette in a negative light. She's like one of the sweetest characters.

Ace of Gallifrey: haha thanks soo much and i loved your comments! i'm glad you liked the Valjean/Eponine convo...I thought it would be cool for them to come across each other's paths again. Yes you're absolutely right, of course Valjean makes everything better! Good luck on your crossover piece, I'm sure it will turn out amazing!