Ocotber 31, 1997

Éponine felt as if her heart had been torn out and ripped into a million pieces. Jehan was dead and today they had just been put in the ground. This had to be the lowest point in Éponine's life that she could ever recall. Her best friend was dead, she felt so hopeless and alone, lost and confused. After leaving a single rose on the casket she backed away silently. She noticed Enjolras standing by himself looking out at the cemetery. Before the service started Courfeyrac had mention that Enjolras had packed his bags, that he was moving out, to where he could not say but Éponine wanted to find out if it was ever true. Sure he most likely would not speak to her, but she had try her luck, didn't she? Slowly she walked over to him and reached up and gently tapped him on the shoulder, "So I heard you are packing up and moving out of town?" Éponine spoke as he turned to face her, "Would have been nice for you to tell me," she added bitterly.

"Like you care," Enjolras scoffed.

"So it is true," Éponine now sounded hurt.

"Well you have Montparnasse, so you don't exactly need me do you?" Enjolras glared at her fiercely with his cold blue eyes.

The dancer took a step back and bumped into Montparnasse, "I thought you said you were never going to speak to him again-"

"Not now," Éponine walked away as Cosette cut in.

"You have no right to say who she can or can't speak to," Cosette glared at Montparnasse, "you ass!"

Musichetta put her hand on Cosette's shoulder, "Stay out of this, it doesn't concern-"

"Who said I was talking to you?!" Cosette snapped at Musichetta.

"Oh my god here she goes again," Musichetta rolled her eyes, "every fucking day it's something else with you!"

"He's not much better," Éponine turned to Enjolras a certain fire in her eyes, "I try to get clean, I have tried so many times but it's never enough for you is it?" She started directing her words towards Enjolras, "it's hard doing it on my own and you... You just gave up on me, Alex. Why couldn't you help-"

"I cannot help you if you don't help yourself!" Enjolras shot back.

Marius, Courfeyrac and Combeferre stood off to the side watching as innocent bystanders as everything that they had known came crashing in around them.

"I would be happy to die right her and now if you show me a scrap of love like Combeferre and Jehan!" Éponine dealt out one last blow with tears streaming down her face, she squeaked as Alex made a move appearing that he was going to strike her. It was at that moment Combeferre stepped in between them in order to intervene.

"You all promised you wouldn't do this today," Combeferre grabbed onto Enjolras hand and looked between him and Éponine, "so please, for my sake? 'Ponine I know this is hard, and I wish I hadn't sent you home that night, I wish that Jehan was still alive as much as you do."

Éponine's knees buckled as she dropped to the ground and started crying harder than before, her whole body had begun to shake.

Combeferre turned to Enjolras whose eyes lay on the broken and sobbing Éponine, his jaw hanging slightly. "I can't believe you," Combeferre shook his head, "were you actually going to hit her?"

Enjolras had no words, he didn't know what had come over him, he would never hit someone in a fit of rage, out self-defense yes, but had not been the case. He felt embarrassed for having even contemplated such a thought, sure he was angry at her... But not that angry. He looked over at where Éponine knelt on the ground sobbing.

"Maybe if you just apologized, just this once," Combeferre began in a somewhat angry tone, "instead of forcing her to grovel at your feet you might be able to fix this."

Enjolras quickly regained his resolve, "No," his voice was cold, "I can't fix this," he then stormed out of the cemetery.

It appeared that while Enjolras and Éponine had been fighting Cosette and Musichetta now embraced each other.

"Pookie I'm so sorry..." Cosette cried into Musichetta's shoulder, she then pecked her girlfriend on the lips.

"Me too honey, me too," Musichetta replied, they broke up their embrace and held hands for a moment simply looking at each other.

"Will you come home tonight?" Cosette asked innocently.

Musichetta's lower lip began to quiver, "Yes. I will."

Marius stood their helpless, "How the hell did it all come to this?" he muttered to himself, he glanced at his watch and sighed. He had a meeting in about an hour and half in downtown Manhattan with Buzzline. They needed the money, and Buzzline kept insisting that they would take him on. Now all Marius had to do was bring them the contract. But that contract felt like he was making a deal with the devil, he had never felt this bad about any other decision he had made, not even when he first decided to move out of his grandfather's house.

Marius continued to watch as Courfeyrac approached Éponine and then knelt beside her, Éponine threw her thin arms about him as he held her close trying to comfort her. She was so thin and pale now Marius figured that even if she hadn't told Enjolras he already knew- but if he did know? Marius paused and thought about it, if Enjolras did know how sick Éponine was could that be enough to trigger him wanting to skip town? Enjolras had angry with her for quite some time, he could have packed up and left at any time but he chose now. Quickly he followed Enjolras to the gates of the cemetery, "So where are you going?"

"Somewhere, anywhere," Enjolras shrugged, "I've just gotta get out of here."

"And what about Éponine?" Marius asked.

"What about her?" Enjolras turned to Marius.

"She was your first serious relationship, you didn't even bother to tell her yourself that-"

"It's a bad relationship, it always has been," Enjolras sighed, "Jehan is gone now, god he was the only thing that held us together."

"That's a lie an you know it," Marius replied, "I know why you are leaving."

"I have to get out of here," Enjolras shrugged, "it's simple."

"But that's not true," Marius replied, "it's obvious now, this has nothing to do with Monparnasse or the heroin."

"What do you mean?" Enjolras raised an eyebrow.

"Éponine has been looking skinnier than usual," 'Marius shrugged, "sick even... You are leaving her when she needs you most... Enjolras, she's scared!" He thought back to the converstation he had with her that many months ago, "she never told you, she was afraid of hurting you!"

"Stop!" Enjolras clenched his teeth, "that's not true!"

"Hello boys," A soft voice came from behind them, Marius and Enjolras slowly turned to see Éponine standing behind them. She had wiped off her make up and now you could plainly see the signs of illness on her face. "So that's the truth is it?"

"Did you hear-" Enjolras began.

"I heard every goddamn word," Éponine glared, "so that's it... Brave Enjolras is running away from a fight because he knows he cannot win, no matter what you do you can't stop this... No one can." Éponine sniffled, "Or maybe it's that you don't want to watch me die? What kind gesture of you, to leave me because that's what everyone wants isn't it? To die alone?"

Enjolras stared at Éponine for a second, "I've gotta go," he walked out the gates, down the street towards the bus stop.

Éponine bit her lower lip as she watched him walk away, Montparnasse had joined them and put his hand on her shoulder. Éponine shrugged it off, "Please don't touch me... I'm scared," the fear was evident in her brown eyes. She looked at her scar ridden arms, "I need to go away-"

Marius turned to her, "I know of a clinic that is-"

"A rehab?" Montparnasse suggested.

"Maybe," Éponine looked up, "could you?"

"I'll pay..." Montparnasse reaffirmed.

"Thank you," Éponine whispered.

"I have to go to a meeting with the bloodsuckers at Buzzline," Marius replied, "Eponine, why don't you go home with Coufeyrac and Combeferre?"

"Fine," Éponine replied with a heavy sigh as the group split up and went their separate ways.

Late that night Courfeyrac had ordered Chinese food that Combeferre and Marius were currently picking at. With a sigh Marius set his down, "I'm gonna check on 'Ponine, make sure she's okay."

He walked out of the loft and down the stairs to Éponine's door, he knocked and there was no response. "Éponine? 'Ponine are you in there?" Marius knocked again, he was starting to get concerned. He twisted the door knob and it opened, "Éponine? 'Ponine are you okay?" He peered in the door.

Marius entered the apartment looked around, it was a tad bit messy as he looked, "Éponine?" All her doors were open and she was nowhere in sight. Marius heartbeat quickened as he walked over to the space that made up her kitchen. Amidst the junk littering the table like receipts and bills there was a handwritten note, all it said was "I'm sorry". Marius grabbed the note and ran upstairs.

"Guys!" Marius hollered as he opened up the door, "something is wrong, Éponine is gone."

"She's allowed to go out, she's a big girl," Courfeyrac shrugged.

Marius stood in front of him, "You don't understand," he panted, "she left a note."

Courfeyrac grabbed the note and read it, "Shit, this could be bad... You don't think she might try to-"

"I don't know," Marius sighed, "fuck it!" He shouted, "fuck Enjolras for leaving! He is so goddamn high and mighty-"

Combeferre leaned in, "What's on the note?"

"All is says is 'I'm sorry'," Marius sounded exasperated, "What if she tries to kill herself."

"Éponine?" Combeferre cocked his head, "I don't think she would do something quite so drastic."

"You saw what she was like today," Marius shrugged, "I don't even know what to think anymore."

Courfeyrac picked up the phone and started dialing, "Hello? Musichetta? Is Cosette there? We need you guys right now-"

Marius went and grabbed his coat, "I'm gonna go look for her."

"Marius you'll be out there for hours!" Combeferre stood up, "we don't even know how long she has been missing-"

"I'm not going to let her die out there!" Marius grew frantic, "we have to find her."

Combeferre turned to Courfeyrac"Courfeyrac, call the police-"

"A boy in my neighborhood once went missing," Courfeyrac shook his head, "they won't do anything till 48 hours have passed-"

"I don't care," Combeferre replied, "call them."

xxxxxxxxxx

November 6, 1997

In the days that followed they did there best to try and find Éponine, and now going through the phone book Marius hoped he had found her family.

"We have a Albert Thenardier," Marius read off, "same address as an Therese Thenardier, maybe it's them?"

"Gotta as high a probability as any of the other thousands of entries," Courfeyrac sighed.

"It's not been thousands," Marius replied as he dialed the number, "I guess I never realized that her name was common in a phone book," he sighed. The phone ringed loudly as it was on speaker, when it was answered a much younger voice then Marius anticipate.

"Hello?"

"Hi," Marius began, "is this Therese Thenardier?" He asked warily.

"No, this is her daughter Azelma," The girl at the other end replied.

"Oh," Marius paused as he tried to sort out his words.

"Who's calling?" Azelma asked.

"Sorry," Marius replied, "I'm Marius Pontmercy.

"Why are you calling for my mother?" Azelma pressed.

"I uhhh..." Marius found himself struggling, "a friend in mine has gone missing and we thought perhaps you or someone else had seen her?"

Azelma let a snort of laughter, "Right, what makes you think we've seen her?"

"The girl that went missing is Éponine Thenardier," Marius replied.

It was quite on the other end, "Hello? Miss?"

"You know my sister?"Azelma replied incerdulously.

"I didn't know she had a sister," Courfeyrac answered.

"You know 'Ponine?" Azelma's voice cracked slightly, "what do you mean she's missing?"

"She left her apartment about a week ago, she left a note," Marius explained, "we haven't seen her since."

Azelma sounded as if she was crying, "No we haven't seen her... But I would like to help you look for her."

"You would?" Marius asked, "Thank you."

"Where do you live? I'll come as soon as I can," Azelma replied.

"East village, Corners of Avenue B and C, number 183 fourth floor," Marius directed her.

"Got it, not too far," Azelma sighed, "to think all this time she has been near us..."

"Azelma, who are you talking to?" A voice in the background.

"A friend who wanted to let you know that your daughter has gone missing," Azelma replied harshly, "as if you care."

"Éponine missing?" The voice chuckled, "that's not news."

Azelma replied staunchly, "No, I think I'll be leaving too."

"No you won't!"

"I'm 19, so I think I will! Besides, wherever I do go it'll certainly be better than-"

The argument got more and more heated and Marius finally hung up the phone and sunk into the couch. "No wonder Éponine left them."

About a half hour later there was someone shouting from the street below.

Marius and Courfeyrac looked down to see a red headed girl with a teenaged boy in tow, "Aren't you gonna let us in?"

Marius tossed down the keys, "Thanks!" the girl replied as she and the boy went to unlock the door. Within the next five minutes the two were at their door opening it.

"You're awfully trusting," The red head smirked, "don't even ask my name and you let us right in."

"We don't get many callers, assumed you are Azelma," Marius replied, "who did you bring with you?"

"This is Gavroche, my brother," Azelma put her hand on his shoulder which he shook off, she then porceeded to take off the backpack on her back.

"Nice to meet you Gavroche," Marius held out his hand.

Gavroche ignored the gesture, and instead looked at Marius as if he was sizing him up.

"How long has it been since you last saw Éponine?" Marius asked.

"Almost four years," Azelma settled in a chair, "how has she been doing? She been happy?"

Marius turned his gaze to his hands, a knot in his stomach with a feeling that they did not know there sister's current condition.

"Is something wrong?" Azelma cocked her head.

"Did you know that you sister," Marius paused, "She... Éponine has HIV."

Azelma and Gavroche's eyes widened in shock, "No... Not 'Ponine, it can't be." Azelma squeaked, "You're lying!" she started to hyperventilate, "you're lying..."

"I wish I was," Marius replied, "it's reason enough that we are afraid if we don't find her she might die, she did not take her medications with her."

"'Ponine why are you so stupid," Azelma sighed, "I wish I could see her again... You don't happen to have a picture for me and Gavroche to look at?"

"I've got something better than that," Marius smiled slightly, "Come with me," he guided the siblings to the viewer he was using to cut together his film. Selecting one of the reels he threaded it through and let Azelma and Gavroche take turns viewing the footage.

On the film there were various scenes of Éponine at the loft, it also cut to footage from the Life Cafe as well as New Year's Eve. Azelma smiled slightly, "At least she has been happy... Where is the guy she's with in all that film?"

"He left too," Marius replied, "we think that's why she ran."

"Always did think with her heart," Azelma shook her head, she pushed her hair back from her face to reveal a large scratch.

"What happened to you?"

"My father started throwing things as we left," Azelma sighed, "but it's not his worst."

"You said something about leaving, right?" Marius asked.

"Gav and I have been thinking about it for along time," Azlema replied, "Today I had enough, I had to get out... We don't have much now," she glanced at her backpack and the one Gavroche had, "and we don't have a place to go, not our best decision."

Gavroche let out a dramatic sigh.

"Well you could stay here, it's not much but we have space-"

"I don't want to impose on you," Azelma replied hastily.

"You wouldn't be, besides you two want to find your sister right?" Marius added, "it might be easier if you stayed."

"You aren't going to let this go are you?" Azelma smiled slightly, "I suppose we could stay... I mean I'm broke-"

"So are we," Marius shrugged.

"How do you still live here?" Azelma raised her eyebrows.

Marius blushed slightly, "It's complicated, I mean I have a job and well... Uhh..."

"'Ponine lived here too?" Azelma interjected.

"Yeah, just downstairs," Marius replied.

"Did she have a job too? What did she do?" Azelma pressed.

Marius' blush deepened.

"Sorry for prying," Azelma apologized.

"It's fine... She worked as a dancer, at a club called the Backroom," Marius replied.

"Oh..." Azelma blushed now.

"Wait, 'Ponine's a stripper?" Gavroche chimed in, his nose crinkled.

"Gavroche!" Azelma exclaimed.

"Well that's basically what he said," Gavroche replied, "isn't it?"

"Marius," Courfeyrac stepped into the room he had been working on a composition and had not been aware that Azelma and Gavroche had entered, "who are they?"

"Éponine's siblings," Marius replied, "they want to help us search for 'Ponine."

"Good, just got a call from Cosette, she and Musichetta printed up fliers and want us to help distribute them," Courfeyrac replied.

"So are they officially back together again?" Marius asked.

Courfeyrac shrugged, "You never know with those two."

And that was how life at the loft continued over the next month in a half. Azelma and Gavroche had officially moved into the space that Combeferre had once occupied (he had gone back to Jehan's old apartment now), and with each passing day they tried no to lose hope. Éponine was out there and they were going to do everything in their power in order to find her.