A/N: So here's a nice long chapter. Sorry, its a lot of dialogue, and not much action. But it's interesting all the same. Hope you enjoy!

Worlds Away

Chapter 10 - When It Could've Been Me

The question we dare never ask is: What if? It haunts us day in and day out, we're scared of ever knowing what could've happened. But, when we're thrust into knowing the truth, we learn that it could've been us.

The blackness of the mind stirs in unconscious souls. Every so often, reality will seep into the hallowed mind, making it unclear whether one is actually dreaming, or whether it is actually happening.

Eponine was being pulled along listlessly, she felt like a feather floating in the wind, never touching the ground. She realized that this is what it was like to float on a cloud. She squinted her eyes in the blackness, trying to find shapes, and she thought that she could just faintly see a castle floating in the distance.

There is a castle on a cloud...The cloud was replaced by a hard surface, she no longer felt the floating sensation. The surface was cold beneath her back. Above her now, the blackness formed little tiny silver speckles. Scarce to be counted...

"There's blood everywhere!" Filling the darkness... The stars seemed to falter in the sky above her. They shone so bright, she almost felt blinded. One star seemed to be growing far greater than the rest. Keeping watch in the night...

She felt the presence of someone over of her, no, the presence of multiple people. The cold hands touching her, holding her arm. "Courfeyrac! Grab towels and water!" Courfeyrac, you take the watch... Her arm felt heavy, like it was on fire, dancing around in the rays of the sun above her. I feel my soul on fire...

"We have no anesthetic!" "Just use the white liquor then!" The fire on her arm cooled down. But the moments of relief were washed away and replaced by the stinging that followed. Suddenly, her throat burned at the touch of the silky liquid that found its way down. Watering the wine, making up the weight... The blackness produced an image of a face she dare not look at. His grave voice echoed through her...She's mine... She needed to rid herself of him. She needed to run, needed to escape the voice.

"Hold her still!" The strong hands retuned to her, pressing on her stinging shoulder. Keep me safe... The touches were all foreign, none were genuine, none were compassionate. Keep me close... The pain was starting to subside slightly, it was becoming bearable.

I think you've learned your lesson...The all too familiar voice was so close in her hear. He was right next to her. The hands gripped harder as she tried to squirm away. She thrashed her head around trying to rid the voice. You wait my girl, you'll rue this night... She was surrounded; there was no where to go. The stars above her fled, the sun was gone. She was going to die by the hands of Montparnasse and her father.

"Hold her down!" "I think she's going into shock!" "Shhh...Eponine..." Eponine...Eponine, what have you done? His voice came out of nowhere, so gentle, so smooth, so pure. He calmed her down, his loving arms holding her firm. She relaxed into him, she eased herself down.

"You've got her? This is going to hurt." Marius' tender hands held her screaming arm. The pain seemed to dissipate with his touch. All was quiet, all was beautiful, all was good.

CRACK! Every muscle in her body lurched at the excruciating pain. Her voice let out an agonizing and violent scream. She did not even realize she was the one screaming. Her body jerked at the insufferable torture of her shoulder. If there's a God above, he'd let me die...

She held onto that final thought as the darkness engulfed her again easing her of her misery.

...

"I've reset her shoulder, stitched up the wound again, and placed it in a sling...Bloody bastard took her arm out of its socket...Well, I've let her rest on my bed for now. We might need to find her some heavy painkillers, though. Joly's resting comfortably as well. He definitely has a mild concussion, thankfully, nothing too severe. But he'll have some nasty bruising for a while. And you my friend, who knows how, but your nose isn't broken; just bruised badly. And you broke two of your fingers, and sprained your wrist." Combeferre told Enjolras who sat on in the armchair of Combeferre's living room.

Enjolras sighed. He looked down at his wrapped up hand and started to think that if he had never gotten involved with Eponine's life, none of this would've happened. How was he going to take notes at school now? How would he do daily activities? How would he do anything?

He shook his head of these thoughts thinking about how happy he's been for the first time in his life since Eponine came. None of this was her fault. She was even in worse condition than he was right now. Surely, having his hand and wrist wrapped up for a few weeks wouldn't be so bad.

"Thank you for all your work. And thanks for not bringing us to the hospital. I just know she would've freaked out there."

"It's not a problem..." He paused. "Enjolras, who were those guys?" Combeferre asked hesitantly.

"One was her father. The rest...I'm not too sure. But they were some kind of gang." Enjolras spoke low and soft as if trying to figure out everything as well. "But the strange part was, they knew her."

"It's not that strange. Joly said she just lost her memory, it's not that they forgot, even if she may have. She probably does know them."

"No 'Ferre. She didn't forget anything. Something's just...off about this whole situation..."

"Enjolras, you've taken too many hits to the head, why don't you rest on the couch, or have Grantaire take you home?

Enjolras scoffed dryly. "Even I'm not dizzy enough to get in a car with Grantaire. Besides, I'd rather stay here until she wakes up."

"Alright, well, you're welcome here as long as you need."

"Thanks 'Ferre...It's good to know we have good a back up doctor."

Combeferre laughed, "I'm not nearly as good as Joly."

"Doesn't matter..." Enjolras said as his eyes drifted shut in the arm chair, "...you saved us."

Combeferre grabbed a blanket and spread it out over his friend.

...

When she awoke, the only thing Eponine knew was the torment of her body. Her shoulder throbbed in unbearable pain as she forced herself to sit up. She looked around the unfamiliar room. It was small, but very neatly kept. The walls were a cream white that complimented the dark furniture and the blue accents of the curtains and sheets. Certificates hung on the walls, and the desk held a stack of books all neatly piled.

It wasn't too long ago that she was in this very position: waking up in a strange room with searing pain. But this time around, she wasn't scared or startled, she was curious. She needed something to distract her from the thought of seeing her father or Montparnasse in her mind. So, her curiosity was the best outlet.

She noted the strange apparatus that clung on her arm. She realized it was just a very well-made sling, much more than a piece of fabric tied together that she was used to seeing. Must be a bourgeois sling for wealthy men, She thought. She knew her arm was restricted to it, so she would not even dare try to move it.

Eponine lifted the blankets of the bed with her good arm. She gently moved her legs to the edge of the bed. She sat for a moment catching her breath. The throbbing of her arm intensified as she pushed herself to stand.

Her head felt like it was spinning and her muscles protested against any movement. But regardless, she made her way to the door slowly. She gripped the handle, using it to steady herself.

She heard faint chatter down the hallway as she made it out the door and followed it. She quietly walked down the carpeted hallway. It opened up into a kitchen where Combeferre, Enjolras, Courfeyrac, and Grantaire stood.

All eyes turned to her as she waited at the end of the hallway. "Eponine!" They all shouted.

"God! Why are you out of bed!?" Combeferre scolded.

Eponine shook her head and shrugged. "I heard you." Her throat burned as she spoke, but she wasn't sure why.

"You need to rest." Combeferre walked over to her and started leading her back to his bedroom.

She took a few careful steps with Combeferre, but then stopped, "Wait."

"What?" Combeferre asked.

"What happened? How did I get here? How did you make Montparnasse leave? Where is Joly? Why is your hand bandaged? Whose home is this?" The questions just poured from her.

"Come, let's get you to bed, and we'll answer all your questions." Enjolras stated walking her back to Combeferre's room.

He guided her to the room and helped her back into the bed. The rest of the boys piled into the room as well. All wanted to hear what Eponine knew.

"Now, first off, who were those men?" Enjolras calmly asked. He sat himself on the end of the bed, facing her.

"My father's gang." She mumbled. "They are called the Patron-Minette."

Courfeyrac nearly choked. "What?! No? They did this to you guys?! You're lucky you all weren't killed!" His eyes turned harsh to Eponine, "And you know them?!"

Eponine just looked back at him in fear. Courfeyrac left the room in a hasty exit. He returned moments later carrying a large bundle of gray paper. The pages were open and he threw it into Eponine's lap. "Go on! Read it!"

She stared blankly at the words on the paper. They all looked like strange markings to her, not to mention, they were all written so small. But she also marveled at it, the handwriting was so perfect, every letter looked alike. She recognized a few words such as "home," "with," "like," "son," etc. But none of these words held any meaning for her.

Apparently, her silence was making Courfeyrac impatient. "Well?"

She just looked back at him, "I don't know...I can't..." She trailed off, she didn't know if she should tell them that she couldn't read much.

"Courf, lay off her!" Enjolras snapped. His eyes turned soft to Eponine, "Eponine, do you know what this says?" She stayed silent. "You can't read, can you?"

Her voice turned quick, "I learned for a while, but when we fell into poverty, I wasn't permitted back into schools."

Courfeyrac snatched the paper from her lap. "This article was printed two days ago saying that the 'gang known as The Patron-Minette have broken into the home of Monsieur William Bourdreaux, killing him, his wife and their 4 year old son.' So this same group attacked you, and you know them? We need to call the police! We need to report this!"

Eponine sat in shock, eyes glazed over, "Police? No! No! We can't!" She held onto her unhealthy fear of the police since she was little. She knew anything involving them always meant trouble, even if she wasn't involved. It was only by association that she would be dragged to jail as well.

"Everyone, just calm down. No one is calling the police right now." Enjolras interjected.

"Have you lost your mind? What if they come back?" Courfeyrac was too sensible to let this one go.

"Courf! Enough! We'll deal with this later. You're just upsetting Eponine further." Enjolras stood up off the bed, "C'mon, everyone out!"

He began ushering the group out of the room. Against their protests he pushed them out the door and shut it. He turned to Eponine. His expression fell solemn again and he returned to the bed.

It squeaked as he sat down on it again, filling the uncomfortable silence. "Don't worry...We're not calling anyone now."

She nodded. "So...?"

"Oh, right, your questions. Right now, we're in Combeferre and Joly's flat. Joly is still sleeping; he took on quite a beating."

"I'm sorry." She felt the guilt wash over her.

"No apologies. We're all gonna be okay. So after Montpar...?"

"Montparnasse." She confirmed.

"Okay, so after Montparnasse took you off, Joly and I fought off your father and the two others. I managed to get to you, but you we're unconscious. I then, managed to get them to leave by saying I called the police. Then I called Combeferre and they came and brought us here. And they took care of your arm." She motioned to his hand. He chuckled slightly, "I broke my fingers and sprained my wrist punching everyone."

She cracked a smile as he did. "Thank you, Enjolras."

Enjolras felt something stir inside of him as she said his name. He didn't know what this strange feeling was but, he didn't want it to go away either. It made him feel proud of what he did to protect her, even if it wasn't much.

"Enjolras?" She said after a brief moment. The feeling returned to him, stronger this time. "Where is Marius?"

Those three words washed away this bright spot inside of him. His insides felt like they had been hallowed out. His chest felt heavy. Enjolras cleared his throat, wiped the smile from his face, and stiffened his back. "I don't know."

"I would like to see him, if that would be alright."

Enjolras sat firm. He remembered the last time he sat on a bed talking to her like this. She had brought up Marius then too. Did she like him? Was there a history between them he didn't know about? He did say he remembered her. The questions burned in his mind, returning his marble exterior. "It's quite alright. I'll go call him." With that, he stood up off the bed and exited the room quickly.

The others stood outside the room, pretending they hadn't been listening in on the conversation. "What did she say?" Eponine heard one of them ask.

Enjolras answered, "She wants to see Marius."

...

Two long hours later, Marius finally made an appearance at Combeferre's flat. It had been enough of a hassle for Enjolras to reach him, but now he waltzed right through the flat as if he had all the dignity and confidence in the world. This only made Enjolras upset further. Who did he think he was?

Enjolras led Marius to Combeferre's bedroom silently. He scowled at him as he passed through the door into the room.

"Marius!" Eponine exclaimed, sitting up much too quickly.

Enjolras closed the door, leaving them alone, but kept it slightly ajar and stood close-by, listening in.

"Hello 'Ponine!" Marius made his way closer to her. He pulled the desk chair over to the side of the bed and sat down in it.

"I'm so pleased to see you! Did you hear what happened? Aren't you worried about me?" Eponine said enthusiastically. Her boisterous attitude did not fit her current state.

"Combeferre and Enjolras just told me. I'm so sorry. Does you're shoulder hurt much?"

Enjolras scoffed at Marius, What a stupid question to ask, of course it does.

"Why! It's just a scratch. I've had plenty worse. And I'm feeling much better now that you're sitting beside me. How are you doing?" Eponine asked him, still smiling from ear to ear.

"That's good. I'm doing fine. Things are going well."

"That is wonderful news! I'm so happy that you're happy!"

The silence invaded them as Marius seemed to be at a loss for words. He had many questions for Eponine but didn't feel it was quite the right time to ask them. Marius moved his sleeve back revealing a wristband. "Oh, Eponine, I'm afraid I must get going-"

"What is that?" She cut him off, gesturing at his wrist.

Enjolras fuming at this point. Marius had not even been there for a whole five minutes, and he was going to leave. Couldn't he tell how infatuated she was with him? She was so desperate for him, it was sickening. He couldn't take any more. Enjolras then remembered why he didn't like anyone in the first place, why he developed his hard exterior, to keep from hurting. It was too much. He walked away.

"It's a watch." Marius moved his hand to her so she could closer inspect it. "It tells time." She ran her fingers over it, making sure she felt his skin before letting go.

"Oh! Enjolras has a large watch on his wall! It is the most beautiful. It even plays music at certain hours!"

Marius chuckled, "You mean his wall clock?"

"Yes, that must be it!"

Marius looked at her curiously, "'Ponine, you say you're from 1832, right?"

"That is correct. And you remember, do you not?" Eponine looked at him puzzled, he already said he remembered her. Why was he asking again?

"See, I remember certain things. I remember the cobblestones, the tight cravat, your bare feet on the streets, the candle lights, the letters to Cosette. Just mainly little details, I don't remember what happened exactly."

Eponine nodded, trying to follow along. "I see. Well, surely you remember the barricades? You thought you lost me. But look! I am right here now. You no longer need to feel sad, and we can continue just as we were."

"'Ponine, what are you talking about?"

"Don't be so silly, Marius. I saved you." He didn't respond. Her heart started to beat faster in her chest. "I saved your life." The smile fell from her face. "I took a bullet for you." She said much louder.

"I-I...'Ponine...you?"

"Marius? You don't remember me saving you? I fell asleep in your arms! I told you I..." Her chest heaved as her voice filled with anger and sadness. "I told you I..." She repeated but she couldn't even dare say the words again.

Marius felt very uncomfortable all of a sudden. She poured out her soul, expecting him to remember, but he didn't. If she was implying what he thought she was implying, he started to feel unfaithful to Cosette.

Marius looked at his watch again. "I've got to go. I have to meet Cosette-"

"Cosette? You're-You're leaving me to see her?" Her voice was soft and filled with brokenness as her heart wrenched inside her chest. She gripped the sheets in her fist, tears were threatening to spill over. Marius stood up from his seat awkwardly. He did not know what to say to her. "You're really leaving?" She asked again, hoping for a different answer.

"I'm sorry, 'Ponine... I-"

"Don't call me that!" She snapped. "Don't call me that again!"

Marius held up his hands as if surrendering. "'Po-Eponine..."

"Fine." Her voice returned to a whisper. "Just leave..." The angry tears fell down her face. "But just know, I wish I never saved you."

Marius backed away, the words hit him with the force of a bullet. He closed the door behind him and heard the wailing of her cries. He felt horrible, but he didn't know what to do, there was no trying to console her.

He walked pass Les Amis and straight through to the door without saying a word. All eyes were on him, waiting for him to speak to them. One of her cries ripped through the flat. They all looked towards her door, then back to him. He gave an apologetic look and then left the flat quickly, leaving all of them to question what happened.

Marius made it to the stairs and took deep breaths. He couldn't believe he seriously just walked out on her. I wish I never saved you. The words echoed through him. If what she said was true, that she took her life to save his, and now she wanted to take that back? Granted, she was currently now alive, not having actually died like she was supposed to, but that was only due to a bizarre twist of events. The fact still remained that she risked her life and died trying to save him. Marius then forced himself to picture a world with himself not in it, one where he never was with Cosette, where he was only a memory. He wanted to stop thinking about it. But her words kept repeating themselves in his mind. Eponine now wished death upon him, that's what she meant.

He couldn't handle it. He couldn't bare to think that if she didn't die, then it would've been him.

A/N: So, the beginning was totally my favorite. What did you think about that sequence? And how do you think things are going so far? Now, Enjolras' feelings are changing, now Eponine is mad at Marius...I think I'm just writing myself into a hole! There is so much happening! And I hope you don't think the ending was too rushed...I was really trying to avoid that.