Soon, the revolutionary group fell into a routine that seemed to work well for them. Eponine would man the front most morning, going to her classes in the afternoons and on weekends. Bossuet did most of the actual baking. Enjolras spent every spare moment trying to keep things on track. Grantaire drank. Marius obsessed over Cosette. The rest of the Amis just worked when they could. Eponine put Azelma back in high school for one last year. Montparnasse had come around, trying to sweet talk both sisters into coming back to him, but they would have none of it.
Eponine herself was doing better than she thought she would. She had always known somewhat that Marius would never see her that way, and that was fine. Grantaire, Gavroche, and Azelma loved her, so she didn't need him. And she didn't have to act as his personal 'Ponine Express as much anymore. It has taken some time, but she has mostly adjusted. Cosette and Marius were disgustingly cute. She wouldn't have wanted a sappy crappy romance like that. She was content with her life.
Enjolras couldn't say the same. It was time to get started. They had established themselves in the community enough to reasonably catch the eye of some official. He called his inside man, an old friend who worked in a low-level position in the mayor's office. The mayor herself, a Ms. Sharon Wellington, was fast approaching a birthday, which would, as always, be celebrated with a large campaign style party at her mansion. If Enjolras's contact could convince her to use the bakery as the caterer, they could begin the greater work behind the cakes and cookies.
But that was a lot of "ifs", he could admit. That's why he was stressing attempting to make an emergency Plan B. He couldn't ask his friends to just wait for him to get his head straight. Nothing he was coming up with made very much practical sense. He knew he could ask his friend in the mayor's office to spy, but he couldn't make himself ask his friend to risk his job.
And so they would wait, see how things came to pass, and work from there as best they could. He sighed. Why did he ever agree to this plan? Sure, it was better than nothing, but not by much. He hated that he was just a kid, unable to affect real change in the world. He wished there was something more he could do, but there just wasn't. Not at his age and social standing.
He took a deep breath. This was no way to think. If he kept this up, he would probably fall into despair and give up on politics like so many before him had. He could do good. He was giving jobs to people who had been previously considered unemployable. He would certainly do his best with what he had to increase governmental accountability. And he was also just a little proud of himself for bringing together this strange, uncoordinated group of friends and turning them into an efficient business that was fast gaining a shining reputation in the community. They could do this. He could do this.
He heard a soft knocking on his door. "Come in."
Combeferre cracked the door open. "Hey, Enjolras, Valjean is here again and he wants to talk to you. He sounded pretty serious. "
"Send him in, " he said, dreading the night's meeting, for Marius would certainly be praising his Cosette with renewed vigor. He was sick of the girl, even though they had never met. Enjolras had no patience for ditzy blonde types.
At that point, the ditzy blonde in question walked in with her father. "Enjolras," her father said sternly, " I hear your intentions with this business are not entirely legal? What is this talk of 'revolution ' I hear? "
Enjolras cleared his throat. "The business is completely harmless, I assure you, sir. While it is true that most of the staff are part of a political group, your money has not been misused at all."
Valjean stared Enjolras down a moment more. Enjolras, expecting this, stated back with his trademark cold fire of a glare.
Valjean broke first, scowl morphing into a broad, infectious smile. "You've got gall, my boy. I really don't mind your little revolution. In fact, I rather agree with it. We need some more clarity in the government. I've been on the wrong side of it before, and I think no one else should experience what I have. But I'll warn you, separating the bakery and... Other things, is for the best. Always have deniability. Other people asking about this might not be so agreeable. Your answer was good, " he said paternally. "Good day, sir."
As Valjean started to leave, Cosette stayed behind. "Hey Enjolras," she said, almost as a question.
He glanced up. This couldn't be good.
Seeing his attention, she took a deep breath and said, "I want in."
He blinked. "Pardon?"
"I want in. Your revolution. I want to help. Marius keeps talking about it and I want in. No, seriously. Think about it. People here know me. They've known me and my parents for ages. They trust me. They'd tell me anything. I can get information for you. Please, Enjolras. Let me help. "
"Of course, madam. We meet Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so your first meeting shall be tonight. We can discuss more then," he said, externally maintaining his composure. Internally, however, he was reeling. He guessed she wasn't such a ditzy blonde after all.
He sighed and reached for the phone. He was done biding his time. He needed to get started. It was his duty.
OOO
"My friends, today we welcome yet another member to our group. Cosette Valjean, yes that Cosette, will join in our fight." Enjolras paused, allowing time for Cosette to be recognized before starting again with a grim tone. "However, she will not have much time to adjust. It is time for us to begin that which we set out to do, and I have a way to begin. But I must warn you, I myself am not sure if it will work. We need to discuss this before we do anything else. We have obtained an invitation to cater for the mayor's upcoming event, which will be held at her house. We could easily obtain information there, but this is risky. If we get caught, it might well be the end for some of us. I assume most of you could please ignorance, but whoever actually goes to Wellington's office may well be arrested. At any rate, the bake shoppe itself would be shut down. And so I ask you, so we use this opportunity to continue building trust, or do we go for it now? "
Most of the Amis looked down, mulling it over. It was quite a query. Risk everything, or risk not having another chance like this again.
Eponine spoke up first. "We go for the jugular. One person sneaks down to her office, gets what they can, and leaves. They drop what they have by here, and go home. We strike the iron while it's hot. We can claim it was only one person involved, spare the store and the others. We won't get another free pass like this."
"I say we wait. I know that we might not get another shot, but we certainly won't if we get caught, " Feuilly countered. "Yes, Eponine, we could send only one person, but then people would be suspicious of us. We've spent so long building trust, and it would take at least twice as long to get it back. We can put out some feelers, begin looking for info, but nothing as... Forward as what you're suggesting, "
"Then how long do we wait? When is the right time? It will be hard, it will be risky, but we have to try," Bahorel interjected.
"Says who?" Combeferre asked. "It will be a much greater disservice to those we are trying to help to get locked up than to wait a bit." I
Eponine, who was beginning to feel overwhelmed by the rising tension, noticed Cosette roll her eyes and sit up straighter in her seat.
"Guys! I'll go!" She shouted.
All eyes turned.
"What? I know Ms. Sharon's house. She was my Sunday school teacher in fourth grade. I hated her. Still do, actually. I don't work here. They couldn't shut down a business in not affiliated with! My dad gets an invitation every year, so I go with him, get the papers or whatever, get them to you guys, go back to mingling," she said in the tone of one who knows she will get what she wants, no matter what.
" Oh, " seemed to be the general consensus.
"That's settled. Good day, gentlemen." And she left with a flick of her hair and a blown kiss at Marius.
Enjolras say in silent amazement. Damn.
OOO
A/N: I have some bad news, guys. You probably noticed I posted a week late. That will have to be the new normal. I'm back in school (bleh), so I'm gonna be more busy, which means updating once every two weeks. Sometimes I might be able to post sooner, but sad as it is, school comes first. I really am sorry.
Anyways, would you much mind leaving a review? One word, even an empty review to prove you guys are still here reading would be greatly appreciated. I hate to be needy, but I did only get one review for the past three (3) chapters. I understand, but please pity a poor writer's ego and review
Okay, bye