(Long A/N Sorry – Firstly just want to apologise, I had been using stars to mark a space in the story when I jumped around in the chapter but for some reason it has only just come to my attention that these were not coming out when I posted. So, sorry that must have made things seem very confusing. I have tried XXX's now so hopefully that will work better.

Secondly I want to thank you all for your continued support and reviews! You really are lovely lovely people!

I hope you enjoy this chapter, I enjoyed writing it far too much. I was up till 2am last night and up at 7 this morning re-writing it a hundred times over because I want it to be perfect and I'm babysitting a 7 and 5 year old today so will have no time to edit during the day. I hope you all enjoy! Much Love's!

Also Shout out to my lovely assistant Robingfightsgood, thanks for all your continued help you're a star!)

Chapter Ten – 'You Fall'

'I am going for a walk!' Grantaire announced. Eponine noticed that his eyes were blood shot and had deep dark bags underneath them. When she had handed him a coffee earlier in the day she had seen the way his hands were shaking, he had been sober for over twenty four hours and so far was not bearing up well.

'I need some fresh air.'

'Wonderful idea Grantaire' Said Courfeyrac rising. 'I feel inclined to join you, Joly?'

'Yes' said Joly 'I think a walk would be a lovely idea.'

'I think I am perfectly capable of going for walk on my own' Grantaire said bitterly. 'We are all aware that the streets are a lot less dangerous for us now the soldiers have pulled back'

'My dear fellow' said Courfeyrac with a smile 'It is not the soldiers that we are afraid of' He smiled and winked at Eponine who laughed in return. She had grown so fond of them all.

'Do I have a choice?' Grantaire asked petulantly.

'No' Joly's voice was firm. Eponine couldn't help but laugh at the way Grantaire sulked out of the door, Courfeyrac and Joly smiling to each other as they walked out behind him.

The flat was quiet. Gavroche was out and Enjolras sat in the corner pouring over a book that Marius had dropped off the previous day. Eponine went to stand out on the Balcony. It had become her favourite place in the flat although it had no great view, simply the backs of the buildings opposite. However, something about the way the wind blew through her hair as she stood there calmed her. It reminded her of the nights she had spent wandering the streets usually thinking of Marius.

Marius! His name struck her. She had barely thought of him since the day he had left. How strange, that he used to so occupy her thoughts. That she was willing to die for him and yet now he had vanished from her mind so easily. She thought of what Gavroche had said to her the day before.

She had been infatuated with Marius green eyes, kind smile and the fact that he was the first person in a very long time that had shown her any kindness. Now she had Courfeyrac, Grantaire, Joly and Enjolras all of whom were willing to look out for her. Eponine smiled to herself, would she ever really have been happy to be with a man who did silly things like fall in love with a girl he had only glanced momentarily. No, she thought. She would rather have the friendship she felt for Grantaire, Courfeyrac or Joly any day of the week.

And then there was Enjolras. Her respect and admiration for him set him above the others yes, but that was all it was. Yet when she thought back to the way he had been before the revolution. Always planning, always working, always alone. In some ways they were similar, kindred spirits.

That was all it was, he was kind and wonderful and handsome and brave but she was not going to make the same mistake twice. She was well aware that a man like Enjolras would never look at her like that, even if she had wanted him too.

XXXXXX

For the second time in as many days Enjolras cursed his once focused mind for refusing to stay on the task in hand. He stared at the words on the page of his book but his mind couldn't help but wonder back to the conversation he had with Courfeyrac the previous night. Courfeyrac had been telling him how, if he can simply return to his studies he hoped to one day be able open a school for impoverished children. Enjolras had praised him for his noble idea. It was then that Courfeyrac had stopped him in his tracks with the simplest question.

'What are you going to do now Enjolras?'

He hadn't been able to answer. He hadn't truly begun to plan life beyond a revolution.

'Have you thought anymore about what Combeferre had said when he was dying, to fight like he would have?'

'Of course I have thought about it' Enjolras had lied, the memory had been too painful.

'Maybe our revolution was premature, but the dream is there, maybe we need to find a new way to help the people of France. I still dream that one day France will be free from oppression but maybe now is time to turn our thoughts towards other goals.'

'I have no other goals. The Republic is my mother, Patria is my mistress.' Enjolras had countered.

'A Mother can be proud of her son, but she still wants to see him be happy, have a life, have a family. A Mistress is of no use if she doesn't love you back. Enjolras don't feel guilty if you want to plan a life beyond the revolution.'

A life beyond the revolution. What would that contain, could he really plan for a life beyond revolution? Eponine's face was immediately swimming before his eyes. He was so confused, he had not felt right since he had thought that soldier in the night was Jean-Claude. He had no proof either way, he never did find out what had happened to Jean-Claude after that fateful day ten years ago. Enjolras head was spinning. He needed, water, no. Air, no. He needed Eponine's calming presence.

Enjolras knew she would be on the balcony. He reached her with long easy strides. He stopped just short of the balcony door. Eponine stood with her hands on the railings her face upturned her eyes closed a slight smile on her lips, the dark tendrils of her hair blowing gently around her face.

'Don't feel guilty if you want to plan a life beyond the revolution.'

Eponine must have sensed his presence as she opened her eyes and turned to see him. Enjolras instantly regretted breaking the spell that had held her there. She smiled warmly at him and looked deeply into his eyes.

'Sou for your thoughts?' She asked with a small grin.

'Revolution' he replied, noting the way her smile faltered slightly and her eyes dropped momentarily to the floor.

'Do you plan to continue to fight?' she asked a note of concern in her voice.

'I' he stopped, something told him Eponine would understand.

'I don't know anymore' he ran an exasperated hand through his hair. 'Eponine have you ever been so sure of something, that it was almost as certain as the ground beneath your feet. Only to find that one day the ground is suddenly not there anymore and you are falling. Do you fall and face what could possibly be waiting for you at the bottom of the drop or do you cling desperately to the sides and strive to reach the ground you had previously felt was so certain?'

She did not answer for some time she simply stared into his eyes.

'Yes' she whispered 'I think I do know how that feels'

'And what do you do?' he asked

'You fall.'

What was it about the way that she looked at him in that moment that made his heart melt he would never be fully sure. But the marble man who had been laughed at by his friends for never noticing a woman was suddenly hit by the most overwhelming need of his life. And for once he knew he must do what his heart wanted without stopping to plan or think of the consequences. He laced his fingers through her hair. He noticed the way she inclined her head into his touch. He slid his other hand around her tiny waist. Her eyes looked deeply into his and her lips parted slightly in expectation and then they made contact with his. Her breath was sweet and hot against his mouth, he marvelled at how small she felt in his arms. He had kissed the odd girl before but not like this. Never had it felt so right. His tongue brushed against her lips which parted with a gasp he pulled her towards him and deepened the kiss. Oh God let it never end. She fitted him so perfectly it made him ache body and soul. She put one hand around his neck and with the other she placed on the side of his face, her thumb stroking his cheek bone.

Eponine had not been expecting the kiss. She had been shocked by his revelation of falling. She felt exactly the same, except she found she was hoping that He would be waiting for her at the bottom. And now, she had never felt as glorious as she did in that moment in his arms, for the first time in her life she felt safe and whole. Then as quickly as it had started Enjolras pulled away. His face was stricken.

'Eponine.' He said desperately 'Oh god, I'm so sorry. That was wrong of me, please forgive me. Please.'

She said nothing

'I'm sorry' he said again and with swift strides walked from the balcony. Then she heard the door slam and knew she was on her own.

Tears filled her eyes and streamed down her face.

'You promised' she whispered to the air where he had been. 'You promised we would never have to apologise to each other again.'

One word echoed in her mind.

'Wrong'

She crumpled to the floor.