Eponine could not believe it. Marius had written to her and Enjolras. Dear Marius had written a letter to her. He hadn't forgotten them. He hadn't forgotten her. He cared for them. He cared for her. The thought made Eponine's eyes shine with pure happiness. Quickly, Eponine tore the letter open and read it:

"Mes Chers Amis,

It has been so long since we last spoke and my darling Cosette and I have wonderful news we would like to share with you in person. No letter could ever be a sufficient way of expressing such heavy news we bare. We are positively sure the both of you will be pleased and happy for us, and Cosette and I would like to see your faces with our own eyes. Your approval in person will mean the world to us both. So we shall be heading to Rennes on the last day of September and expect to arrive on the second of October. Do not concern yourselves with time away from work. Cosette and I will only be visiting for a few days and there is just as much night to talk as there is day. Dearest Cosette is very excited to visit Rennes so I plan to show her around the city while you both work. She truly is a wondrous woman, Cosette. She—"

The letter went on to talk more about his darling Cosette, and Eponine frowned as she skimmed through it. When she had finished, Eponine read it again in search of the dates Marius had mentioned, September 30th and October 2nd. Eponine's eyes widened in excitement. That's a week's time! Marius will be here in one week! She clutched the letter to her chest, embraced it has if it were her beloved Marius and smiled. Marius will be coming. Marius will be coming to see her. And this letter was from him. This letter was from him to her, the only thing he has ever given her. And it was hers and hers alone to keep. Enjolras mustn't know. He'll taint the letter's significance. The letter was for Eponine and Enjolras can't have it.

As for Enjolras, the week seemed to go by and mesh together into one big blur. He could not remember when the week began and when it had ended. All he wanted was to be left alone with a book and enjoy the silence of the world. And that was precisely what he was going to do. He lay on the couch with a candle on the end table with a book of law in his hands. Night had fallen and the world was cool and still and quite, and Eponine had enclosed herself in her room. The candle flickered and tossed about little shadows, and Enjolras could feel himself becoming lost within the pages of his book. And then a knock came at the door. And Enjolras sighed in annoyance. But before he could even move, Eponine darted out of her room and was in front of the door clasping the doorknob. Enjolras stood just as Eponine opened the door and much to Enjolras' surprise, Marius and a beautiful blonde woman he did not know stood on the opposite side.

"Marius!" Eponine beamed and immediately leaned in to faire la bise*. Enjolras watched as Eponine ogled Marius who seemed to be entirely oblivious to it. Eponine invited the two in without properly greeting the blonde woman and flashed a smile at Enjolras.

"Enjolras! My friend," Marius smiled and the two exchanged a handshake, "this is my darling Cosette."

Cosette extended her hand for Enjolras to take, and she smiled, "Bonsoir."

Enjolras however was still confused as to what the pair was doing here at all. They came by here unannounced without any letter or manner of informing him or Eponine.

"Forgive my bluntness, but what are you two doing here?" Enjolras asked.

"Enjolras, don't be silly." Eponine chirped, "Surely you haven't forgotten the letter dear Marius sent us last week. But no one can blame you. You've been working so hard, it must have slipped your mind the precise day Marius would be visiting us."

Enjolras glared at Eponine knowing full well he was never informed of any letter. Why was she keeping this from him? What would she have to gain?

"Excusez-moi," Eponine quickly headed into her room.

"How have you been fairing?" Marius asked.

"Well enough," Enjolras remarked plainly.

Enjolras watched as Marius looked about the room. No doubt he'd notice paintings and other items of value were missing.

"You sold the household paintings I assume." Marius stated.

"Income has been scarce of late," replied Enjolras truthfully. "But nothing we can't handle."

"Are you sure?" Cosette spoke gently as she took a seat on the couch, "If you do need any monetary aid, we will be more than willing to help you."

"No, thank you Mademoiselle." Enjolras said kindly.

Eponine emerged from her room and stood next to Marius. Enjolras could see her cheeks were rosy. His eyes narrowed, and he stared at her, unsure if what he was feeling was disgust or bitterness or hatred. Maybe a little bit of all three. But he was no fool. That was Pontmercy. No, Enjolras knew Eponine had been pinching her cheeks to look good for Marius Enjolras assumed by the way Eponine was gazing at him. But Marius was too focused on Cosette to notice.

"Oh Marius, the gifts!" Cosette smiled, "Where did you leave them darling?"

"Ah, yes!" Marius walked over to the door and retrieved a little bag. "For you Enjolras," Marius took out of the bag a pistol and a little box of bullets. "If there are any intruders—and we pray there aren't—this is for you."

"It's a little late for that," Enjolras thought to himself and took the gift. He nodded his head in gratitude and muttered a thank you.

"You're welcome my friend," Marius said with a smile on his face.

"And your gift, Eponine," said Cosette, "seeing that you'd have no use of guns or things of such nature, I was thinking that you and I spend the day together tomorrow. We can go and buy some new dresses."

Enjolras could see it in Eponine's eyes, the underlying bitterness she truly felt. Although she held a smile, Enjolras wasn't fooled. He had been living with her too long and could see right through her. Eponine was not happy to see this woman. And it seemed poor Cosette was oblivious to it. But why would Eponine hate her so much, Enjolras wondered. Because she's rich?

Eponine turned to Marius and smiled, "You have not told us the news. We've been waiting all week to hear what news you have brought."

Marius then glanced over at Cosette and extended his arm. Cosette rose from the sofa and took his hand, and Marius wrapped his arm around her waist. Both he and Cosette were smiling warmly at Enjolras and Eponine and a lovely blush tinted Cosette's cheeks.

"Come February, Cosette and I are to be married," Marius said.

"That's great." Enjolras replied with a genuine smile, and he looked over at Eponine. It only lasted a split second but Enjolras saw it. He saw the hurt that was in her eyes, but that was quickly gone and her eyes flashed and she smiled a full-hearted smile.

"Congratulations."

And Enjolras understood. Eponine was in love with Marius.

"Oh thank you," Cosette said sincerely has she tried to hide her blush.

"When did he propose?" Eponine asked. Her voice was smooth and calm which surprised Enjolras.

"The last week of August." Marius answered, "We would have written and tried to visit sooner, but we have been trying to arrange the wedding."

"But nevertheless, it is still wonderful news." Eponine said.

A few moments of silence passed them before Cosette spoke again.

"Oh Marius, we must be getting to the inn shouldn't we?"

"The inn?" Eponine asked, "You're staying in an inn?"

"We don't want to take up any room here." Marius stated, "This is your house after all."

"Oh don't be absurd!" Eponine smiled, "You'll sleep here until you leave for Paris."

Enjolras looked at her, not very fond of her making decisions by herself on top of keeping secrets.

"But where will we sleep?" Asked Cosette.

"You can have my room."

That's when the gentleman in him came out, "No, you may take mine. The bed is big enough for two anyway. I'll sleep on the sofa."

"No Enjolras—" Marius started.

"It's all right Marius. You're my guest. It doesn't bother me at all." Enjolras reassured him.

The night went on, and Marius and Cosette had settled in and slept in Enjolras' room together while he lay on the sofa. His arm was tucked back underneath his head as he stared up at the dark ceiling, pondering the night's events and unsaid words. Why would Eponine keep such a thing from him? Why didn't she tell him of Marius and Cosette's arrival? He could care less about Eponine's feelings for Marius and the bitterness she seemed to feel towards Cosette but if that was true, why did it bother him? Why did he feel like he should know, that Eponine should have told him? Enjolras frowned and rolled on his side. What's done is done. Marius and Cosette are here, and Enjolras shouldn't be brooding over Eponine's secrets. He didn't care about him, yet he could not shake this indescribable feeling that had begun to stir within him. He couldn't decide who to place these emotions on, Marius or Eponine and why he felt that way at all. Hatred, he concluded. That's all it is. Hatred but not for Marius, Enjolras was sure, but for Eponine. After all, she has been keeping secrets and pining for Marius' attention. She submitted to such lowly emotions fully aware of the pain that lies ahead. She's just as much a fool as Marius is. In one night Enjolras was able observe as she left her heart on her sleeve to cloud her judgment. She's a fool, and he hated her for it.

The next morning, Enjolras left for work, and Eponine went into the city as well. Despite the fact that she wanted to spend time with Marius, Eponine knew if she stayed not only would she feel uncomfortable around the couple but she would not be able to handle the pain she felt in her heart. How could Marius do this to her? After all she had done for him, why did he have to choose Cosette? Cosette. Eponine glared at the thought of her. Beautiful, pale, gentle Cosette. She had everything, wealth, happiness, a family, and she had Marius. Eponine looked like a scarecrow next to her! Her hands curled into fists, hating all that Cosette had become, that she had become, and found herself yearning Marius all over again just like Paris.

Eponine sighed and placed her hand against the wall as she stood in the shadow of the building, eyes each passerby, looking for her next victim. Two women a little bit older than Eponine walked by. They were dressed in elegant dresses tinted light orange and sky blue. Thick sleeves hugged their arms and a shawl was wrapped around them. Large bonnets covered their hair and faces. They looked rather warm which reminded Eponine that she had been shivering. It was too cold this day, and Eponine cursed herself for forgetting her coat and shawl. Even though they were tattered and torn, they were better than nothing. But it wasn't what the women wore that attracted Eponine. It was the handkerchief that the one on the right held, and Eponine wanted it. She didn't know why she wanted it but she did, just as much as she wanted that little doll that Cosette had been bought by that strange back in Montfermeil when she was a child. And so she followed behind the ignorant women and even while it was still in the lady's hand, without thinking, Eponine snatched it and ran.

"Help! Thief!" Screamed the woman but Eponine was already too far gone for anyone to catch her.

She dashed into the alley and leaned against the wall, panting. All that for a handkerchief! Why? And then Eponine remembered she had seen Marius with one, one that he thought belonged to Cosette. She dispensed all that energy to obtain something from a long ago memory, and—feeling imprudent—she glared at the handkerchief. Eponine spat into it and threw it on the ground, stomping on it with her foot; she left the alleyway and stepped into the sunlight to cut across the city in search of more pockets to empty.

*French custom to kiss on both cheeks when greeting friends