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Chapter 9: Guardian Angel
"What did I miss today?" Eponine had been in the hospital for four days now. Enjolras visited everyday, rain or shine, right after school and stayed until he was kicked out, which usually took doctors telling him at least four times. Sometimes the other Amis tagged along, just to say hi or bring her homework, but Enjolras had her covered.
"Mr. Lamarque assigned us a project. You are my partner, and our topic is female rights. I think we have that covered. " Espiegle smiles were exchanged. Everyone else was going to be put to shame. Oh well, what can be expected when you put a feminist and a civil rights activist on a topic as loaded as women's rights.
"I think we should focus on how women are used for pleasure and money like forced prostitution and rape. We are viewed as a sex tool. It isn't fun. It is scary." Enjolras put his pen down and looked up, disquieted by his friend's remark. The girl had abandon her homework in favor of shaking slightly. The golden boy got up mutely and wrapped his arms around the pixie, being sure to avoid her injured ribs and arm. He loved how she fit into his chest and just molded to his body. She loved how safe she felt and how she felt like she belonged in his arms. It was a strange slice of heaven for both of them. Strange, new, and sweet all at the same time.
"Did you ever...?" Enjolras couldn't bring himself to finish the question. He felt a shake from the head against his chest.Relief flooded every inch of the blond protector. So his lily was still white; that alone kept him from rushing out of the room to go scream at the world for hurting his little flower.

"Enjolras?" The boy pulled away slightly to lock eyes with the angel in his arms. The crystalline blue eyes and warm sepia toned eyes didn't break contact. The sunlight filtered in, turning the pair into angels from heaven. Light exploded across their faces, illuminating a dark corner of their heart, bringing a flower to life in both hearts. A new feeling fluttered in each stomach, kind of like butterflies were beating their wings all around, brushing gently against the pair. A force seemed to drive the two separate humans closer until their lips were almost touching.

"Eponine?" Marius' tentative voice, slightly muffled through the door, broke the pair out of their rapture causing them to spring apart. Enjolras slid off the bed and opened the door at Eponine's nod. Marius froze as soon as he saw to telltale red coat in the door. The slightly menacing figure strode back to Eponine's side, ever-present like a loyal guard dog. The now nervous freckle faced boy awkwardly let the door shut, leaving the room in silence. Tension ran high, choking the trio. Eponine decided to speak.

"Marius! It is good to see you." Relief encompassed Marius, while Enjolras felt a weird sensation in his heart at Eponine's pleased tone.

"Hey,'Ponine! I was just wondering how you were doing. Courfeyrac told me everything that happened. How terrible it must have been, being run over and all. Did you sue?" Eponine looked at Enjolras. What? The red lover quickly spoke up.

"It was a hit and run. We have no idea who almost killed Eponine." Clarity struck the bedridden girl like lightning. It was a cover story. No one had any idea what actually happened. She had awesome friends.

Marius seemed scared and uncomfortable after Enjolras addressed him. Discreetly as possible, Eponine elbowed the marble statue in the ribs. Their eyes locked in a silent conversation.

Apologize!

Why?

Because I said so, and I am hurt so ha! Marius, being the blind doofus he is, missed the entire exchange. Enjolras audibly sighed.

"Look, Marius, I'm sorry I punched you last week. It was uncalled for. Sorry." Marius put his hands up and responded,

"Don't worry about it, mon amis. Friends?" The blue eyed boy smiled. He might get irritated with Marius more the Grantaire, but he still hated to fight with him.

"Friends." Marius' face split into a pearly grin. Eponine waited for her heart to start beating quicker, but it only picked up a bit, not like the usual race car speed it changes to with a single smile. She watched as the stone face of the blond next to her cracked into a small smile. Unable to resist, the petite brunette awwed at the cuteness of the scene. Both boys looked at her
"You guys are so cute!" All burst into consummate laughter. As breath stealing pain shot through Eponine's side, she winced. The pair of males were at her side in an instant, deeply concerned. Breathlessly, the girl waved her hand as if to say 'I'm fine'. She tried to inhale but found no air. Struggling to take a breath, Eponine started to panic. She was suffocating.
"Marius! Get the doctor!" Enjolras' voice sloshed with fear. The pale boy followed his commander's orders, practically flying as he tried to find someone to help his friend. Eponine looked into the fright filled crystalline blue eyes of her best friend. The curly haired boy tried to think what to do, trying not to panic as he watched his best friend suffocate. A distant memory of years ago surfaced. He had been frightened breathless by a nightmare and his mother's calming touch restored the air in his lungs. Worth a try.
"Eponine, it's okay. Breath. Just breath. In and out. In, out, you're okay. You're okay." Inside the calm demeanor, Enjolras was silently praying. Slowly and soothing, he drew circles on her back. It started as a small cough and exploded into a desperate gasp and heave for air. Despite this, Enjolras kept up his mantra of encouraging words. Shuddering and panting, the girl slowly regained her breath. Enjolras led Eponine in deep breathing exercises as she calmed down. Just as she seemed to be doing better, the doctor burst into the room with Marius hot on his heels. Both visibly calmed when they saw Eponine was breathing, living, and a okay ( Marius' words).
"Well, Ms. Eponine you gave us a scare. Do you mind? We will have to run some tests to see what happened." The tests took two hours to complete. Marius left in the beginning at Eponine's request, but Enjolras refused to leave her side; no one would care if he never got home. It was concluded that her brain had been almost paralyzed during the wave of pain she felt. She would be fine but would be on an oxygen tank and breathing monitor for the next forty-eight hours. It was dark when she finally settled back down in her hospital bed.

"Enjolras, you have school tomorrow. Go home." Even though her voice was thin, it held command. The blond nervously ruffled his hair and laughed a bit.

"Yeah, speaking of home and a place to live, I was wondering if you wanted to come and...you know...I was wondering if you wanted to come live with me when you get out of the hospital. Azelma made me promise to never let you go back to your father. And if you don't want to keep your friends from worrying, at least come for Azelma's sake. Please, Eponine, you heard the doctor. Next time you might..." Eponine looked into the pleading eyes of the marble statue and felt any objections slip away like oil.

She didn't want to worry her friends, but she didn't want to impose. Although, it was Enjolras, and he already asked if she wanted to live with him when she told him about her fucked up life. Besides, she had no other option.

"I don't really have any other option, now do I?" Enjolras was so jubilant after winning that he didn't even think, just acted, which led to his lips pressed on her cheek briefly then him jumping up and down like a toddler on a juice-box induced sugar high. Eponine felt her face flush a deep red. The kiss had been delicate and warm; his lips were so soft and gentle. It felt like a butterfly had landed on her cheek.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This is great! Now I know you are safe! You have no idea how much this means to me." Twin smiles were exchanged.

"I think I have some idea. Hey, what did the police say? Did they catch him?" Enjolras deflated like a balloon.

"No. When they got there, it was empty. There wasn't a soul in sight. The only thing there was was bloodstains, yours not Azelma's. Your father got away." A frustrated sigh came from Eponine's plump lips, followed then by a yawn. A sudden urge to kiss the beautiful angel in the bed overwhelmed Enjolras. He started to move forward as if in a dream, then came to senses and pressed a kiss to the top of the brunette head instead.

"Get some sleep, 'Ponine. I'll come back tomorrow. Promise." The golden boy's voice was serene and tranquil, free of worry or fear. Eponine grabbed his hand tiredly and murmured,

"Can you stay until I fall asleep? I..." Enjolras just smiled, cutting her off by sitting in the chair. The sepia toned eyes drooped shut as the lips beneath them turned upward. True to his word, Enjolras stayed until Eponine's breath evened out and also long after. He sat watching over her like a guardian angel. No one would touch her on his watch. She would be safe and worry free. She would rest undisturbed. And she did.

Tell me what you think! Now I have to go cry in the corner because I am listening to Death of Gavroche as I write this.