Hey x Sorry it's been a while. Had lots on with GCSE'S, A-levels and all the fun stuff involving my future! X Enjoy x

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the les mis characters (I wish I did) except Esmee, Lucy

Lucy was well on the way to healing. She had stayed with the students longer than she needed to but they didn't care. They were happy to have her. She brightened up the place and made everyone laugh until their sides were sore. She had been great company for Gavroche (who could now actually hold a conversation with her) and the students were considering asking her to hanging around a bit longer.

However, something was bothering Lucy. She loved being with the students. They were like her family now but she still found herself wondering about her 'other' family. She always found herself thinking about what had happened to Amy, Nadine, Shane and Chace. She needed to know if they hadn't come back because they couldn't or if they just didn't want to. She made the decision to travel back to where she originally came from to try and find them. She hated goodbyes so decided to slip away quietly one evening. Her chance came a few days later when all the students went out for the night. They (stupidly) left Gavroche and Lucy in charge of the flat.

"Ok ground rules," Courfeyrac said.
"No answering the door to anyone. We have the key and there is a spare key but only to be used in absolute emergencies," Enjolras said.
"No drinking or going through any of the cupboards," Grantaire pitched in.
"No smoking," Marius said, "Lucy, I'm looking at you on that one."
"What the hell?" Lucy laughed.
"No people over like other boys. Again Lucy we're looking at you." Enjolras smiled.
"Lucy please, please, please we beg of you don't go getting Gavroche drunk," Combeferre begged.
"And no going upstairs rooting through people's rooms," Joly said knowing full well the two little devils had probably read every student's diary in this house.
"Why? What you hiding up there Joly?" Lucy laughed.
"It's for me to know and you not to find out," Joly laughed.
"And if you insist on doing anything," Grantaire chuckled and raised an eyebrow. "Please keep it down. The neighbours don't want to hear that tonight."
Everyone laughed. "I'll slap you one," Lucy smiled.
"Oooh I'm shaking," Grantaire laughed but as Lucy stepped towards him, his courage wore off and he backed out the door.
"I think that's everything?" Joly paused to think.
Lucy laughed, "Why do you not trust us?"
The students looked at the two teenagers looking at them. "We must be mad," Enjolras chuckled.
"Like protective fathers," Lucy laughed.
"Don't it makes me feel really old," Combeferre chuckled.

The students had been gone for just over an hour and Lucy knew she would have to go soon or she would risk running into them. She couldn't sneak round Gavroche and knew full well she would have to tell him at some point.
"Gavroche," Lucy said.
"Yes, "he said looking up at her.
"I might as well get straight the point," she sighed. "I'm leaving."
Gavroche's face fell, "When?"
"As soon as this conversation is over," She said. "Look I need to know what has happened to Amy, Nadine, Shane and Chace. I ..."
"But they left you. They don't care. They walked away and never came back. I thought we were like your family now?" Gavroche said looking like he was going to cry at any moment.

"I know. Gavroche, I'm sorry. I truly am. But I need to know why they never came back." Lucy said sadly.
"I don't know if I can cope without you," Gavroche said.
"I'll be back. It shouldn't take that long then I'll be back. You guys are my family now. I promise I'll be back as soon as." Lucy hugged Gavroche.
"You promise?" Gavroche said.
"I promise. Can you please tell the students that they've been amazing. Thank them for everything and tell them I'll be back. You can't get rid of me that easily." She tried to laugh but though she might cry if she did. Gavroche looked so hurt and rejected.

Within minutes Lucy had found the spare key, hugged Gavroche goodbye (she wanted to kiss him but thought that might be a bit cheeky) and was walking off in to the night. She sighed knowing that she wouldn't be walking these streets for a while. She ran the rest of the way through the streets. She was incredibly jumpy and all her instincts were screaming at her to go back but she kept on forward. When she got to the outskirts she stopped and looked out over the town and thought about how stupid she was walking away from a place that had become her home. As she walked away it felt so wrong. She knew deep down that she was making the wrong decision. She had a pretty good feeling as to why the others hadn't come back. Simply that she didn't go back with them or go to find them soon and they assumed she would cope on her own. She couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen while she was away.

Gavroche was sat on the floor. He had been crying and even though he knew Lucy would be back, it didn't stop him missing her. If her friends were true friends then they would've come back. Gavroche had a horrible feeling that Lucy would chose to stay with them if she found them. He didn't know if he could cope without her. They had become so close. They spoke about anything and everything. He'd told all about his dad and she had told him all about Luke. The pair had gotten up to all sorts of tricks. If anything went missing or anything suspicious happened Lucy and Gavroche were the prime suspects. It made Gavroche smile thinking about the mischief they had caused.

He heard the key in the lock and the sound of drunken laughter. He knew he had to tell them. He just didn't know how they would take it as Lucy had become like their daughter.
Joly came into the room. "Alright Gav. Where's Lucy?"