A/N: rawr, I'm onna roll!

Also, another line from a song that reminds me of Grantaire: "I am sceptical, I like my glass of wine..."

Hee hee.

Anyway...

Still is not owning them...sigh....

…......................

Chapter 11: Disowned

….........................

"Oh my God...."

"It's really not that bad..."

Courfeyrac had returned home, and Kiera, immediately recognizing the look of despair on his face, asked what had happened. So, of course, he had told her; but he didn't want any sympathy or pity.

"Really, Kiera, it's almost as if I've been waiting for him to disown me."

"But it's not fair!" Kiera objected. "I don't care how much of a complete ass he is, you're only trying to make this world a better place!"

"I thought you didn't believe in revolution..." he muttered, then added with a sigh. "It's just not very proper, or befitting of one of our status. And the fact that I am their second child to do it...." Courfeyrac trailed off, picking up a random book lying on his desk and, flopping onto his bed, began reading it pointedly. He was obviously signalling that he wanted the conversation to be over, but Kiera wasn't finished.

"Those people in the upper classes need to look under their feet and see that there are those who need saving."

"Kiera..." he sighed, but she held up her hand.

"Hear me out. Your father does not live here in Paris normally, am I correct?"

"Oui, they live in Nice, but-"

"So they have not seen the conditions we live in? Courfeyrac, I've lived in the lower areas, and I've seen everything. I've seen girls just like myself, forced to whore themselves out nightly, but do they have any choice?" She scoffed. "No, and therein lies the problem. Those young ladies should be working, or going to school, but this society forces anyone with below a certain amount of income to live in utter poverty. Your father needs to see this, to realize that there is a perfectly just cause that we shall inevitably die for."

"We?" Courfeyrac repeated, dropping his book. "There is no 'we', Kiera; there is a 'you', and there is an 'us'. The 'us' is me, Enjolras, and all of the others. The 'you', my dear, is quite obviously yourself. Us, we shall be fighting when the time comes. You, on the other hand, will be staying home."

"Absolutely not!" She snapped, glaring at him from where she sat upon the windowsill. "I will joining you, and you cannot stop me. You said so yourself!"

"I hadn't thought about it before, I hadn't considered..... You can't come, Kiera!" He begged, walking over and grasping her hands. "I won't risk losing you!"

"What's the point if you yourself will be dead?" She replied snappingly.

"But that doesn't mean that you have to die as well! Kiera-"

He was cut off by a knock on the door. Giving her one last pleading glance, Courfeyrac opened it to reveal a slightly curious looking Enjolras.

"Bon soir Courfeyrac, Mademoiselle Kiera."

"Did you...hear us arguing?" Courfeyrac asked sheepishly. Enjolras nodded curtly.

"I also heard about what happened with your father. I am sorry that happened to you, Courfeyrac; if you ever want to-"

"It's fine. Dear God, everyone is making this out to be some sort of catastrophe!"

"You were just completely disowned, Courfeyrac." Enjolras replied, a bit concerned for his friend's blasé attitude. "I don't think you understand the gravity of this situation."

"I do, though." Courfeyrac said with a faint smile. "I do realize what has happened, and I'm prepared to face the consequences of my actions."

"You didn't have to tell him." Enjolras said. "You could have lied and denied everything."

"Why? Why should I lie and pretend that everything is all right again?" Courfeyrac laughed dryly. "It's better off this way, Enjolras."

"It's no use arguing with him." Kiera interjected. "I've already tried."

"Before you started yelling at each other, I assume?" Enjolras said, frowning, and they both sighed. Kiera was about to speak, but Courfeyrac blurted.

"She still plans to attend the fighting later!"

"It's my choice!" Kiera shot back. "I can and will be there, whether you like it or not!"

"No you can't, dammit!" Courfeyrac cried, stamping his foot in frustration. "No!"

"Calm down, the both of you!" Enjolras mediated. "Now." He said, pushing them both down on their appropriate beds. "You two are going to shut your mouths and listen to me. Now, Courfeyrac, I know this may not be to your liking, but after thinking for a bit," He hesitated. "Kiera is right;there is no real way for us to keep her away. Sure, we may try, and we can use whatever measures you have dreamed up, but we can't force her to do anything, Courfeyrac. She is her own being, and in the end only she can decide what she can do."

"But she can't!" Courfeyrac said quietly. "She said so herself; it's going to be dangerous. She might d-" The last word choked off.

"But you will end up dead too, Courfeyrac." She replied. "So will the others, so it matters little whether I live or die, as you will all no longer be there."

"That's not certain." Enjolras cut in, but Kiera just laughed.

"Then why are you all so concerned, if I have some chance of survival?"

"Kiera-"

"Could we stop talking about this? I have to get to bed so I can be awake at work tomorrow."

Frowning, Enjolras exited, and Kiera blew out the candle, then lay down to think.

…..........................

"Why do I always upset her?"

Bossuet sighed, patting Courfeyrac on the back as they sat in the café the next afternoon.

"She just gets upset very easily. Besides, mon ami, you are the one in the right."

"Doesn't mean she won't stay mad." He sighed in frustration. "All I want to do is save her, Laigle; isn't that a good thing to do?"

"It is, Courfeyrac." The other man said soothingly. "And you will find that most of us will back you up."

"Enjolras won't." Courfeyrac muttered moodily.

"He doesn't know what it feels like to care for someone the way you do, Courfeyrac." Bossuet smiled.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Courfeyrac sighed. "She doesn't care for me."

"Really? Why would she be asking for your permission otherwise?"

"But she doesn't." Courfeyrac said mournfully. "She'll go, no matter what I say."

"We'll see. Who knows, she might-"

"Bonjour, Mes Amis!"

Everyone turned to see Kiera walk in, holding her work bag in one hand, still dressed in her worker's dress. She had a frown on her face as she walked over to sit at Courfeyrac's side, as per the usual. As there was no formal meeting going on, most had been loafing about, trickling in as classes let up or as they pleased.

"What are you doing here?" Courfeyrac hissed, and Kiera folded her arms.

"I'm coming to see my friends. Is that not why you are here as well?"

"But I thought you weren't coming any more." Bossuet said, and Kiera just sighed.

"I didn-I was just stressed, okay?"

"I see...well, welcome back, I guess...."

"Good to be back." She smiled wanly. "I did miss you all terribly."

"Well, we missed you too." Feuilly said, flopping into the chair next to her. His hands were still covered in blotches of paint, and he had his wooden painting case with him. When he caught her staring, he explained.

"It was such a nice day today, so I took my work out to the Gardens to finish."

"Alas, I had to work indoors all say. Though I must say, I do wish I'd found a job outside, especially since things such as dust have a way of getting into your lungs." Kiera coughed quietly, and Courfeyrac, forgetting their earlier argument, frowned worriedly.

"Are you getting sick again?"

"No it's not that....." She sighed wearily. "I guess I'm more of just...tired...."

"You need to take a day off and just rest, Kiera." Feuilly said concernedly.

"Mm...." she murmured, resting her head in her arms. "Maybe I will....but what of the money I won't earn?"

"You'll be fine, Kiera." Courfeyrac assured her. "You no longer have to worry about paying for rent. That will help some."

"I s'pose..." She sighed, and Courfeyrac smiled as her breathing evened out and she drifted off to sleep...

…........

Kiera woke up and only to notice that somehow the chair was...bouncing....She then realized that she had somehow ended up in some sort of fiacre, along with Courfeyrac and Combeferre. Yawning, she shrugged off the overcoat that had been placed over her shoulders.

"What time is it?"

"Ah, good morning Kiera." Courfeyrac smiled mischievously. "Actually, it is only about half part eleven, à nuit."

Kiera's eyes widened.

"I have been asleep for over six hours! Why didn't anyone wake me?"

"You were resting quite peacefully, Kiera." Combeferre said. "Besides, you look as if you could still use some rest now."

"I am still a bit sleepy..." She sighed. "But you could have at least woken me up to go home."

"Aw, but you were so adorable, sleeping like that." Courfeyrac said with a grin, to which she hit him playfully.

"Hush, you annoying little nit; I'm trying to go back to sleep!"

…............

Kiera went back to the café the next night, fully rested and in a much better mood. No one had spoken about the conflicts going on between he rand Courfeyrac, nor did he himself say anything, most likely for the sake of keeping the peace.

"Kiera?"

Said girl looked up to see that Courfeyrac had come in, still wearing his hat and coat, leaning onto her table with what appeared to be an ironic smile. The source of it was, so it appeared, a letter, which he dropped upon the table.

"What's this?" She inquired curiously to which he merely replied.

"Just read it."

So she did. It said:

"Dear Nicolas,

As you are aware, your father has decided that he no longer wishes for you to remain a part of this family. Though I in no sense agree with this decision, I am forced to cut off all ties with you, my dear son. I was also instructed to inform you that though we shall continue to pay for your complete education in hopes that you may perhaps become better educated on the ways of the world, your father has decided that we shall no longer be paying for the rent to your apartment.

I am deeply sorry, mon petit, and I do pray that you may one day come back to us;

your mother,

Corrine Antoinette de Courfeyrac."

"Ouch."

"My father has always controlled the relationship." Courfeyrac sighed wryly, slumping into the chair beside her. "Maman has always followed whatever he wishes, even if she does not agree with it."

"I can start helping to pay for the rent, Courfeyrac." Kiera said kindly. "That way you can have a bit of time to find a job."

"You don't have to." He said, shaking his head. "You're barely making enough as it is."

"But rent is due next Friday, Courfeyrac." She argued. "There is no way you will find a job and have enough to pay it by then."

"Merde...." he muttered, slumping forward onto the table. "What am I to do?"

"What's this about?" Combeferre asked, picking up the letter from the floor to which it had fluttered. After reading it quickly, he looked at Courfeyrac sympathetically.

"Do you need some help, mon ami? I am sure my parents would be delighted to help you if you need it."

"I would be very grateful indeed.MerciBeaucoup, Ettiene." Courfeyrac sighed again. "I am in such trouble, mon ami...."

"I told you." Enjolras said from a nearby table, obviously having been eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Thank you, Enjolras, for pointing out the Gad be damned obvious." Courfeyrac snapped moodily, and his blonde friend leaned in, frowning.

"I didn't mean it rudely, Courfeyrac. I am truly sorry that this had to happen to you. My mother would never let my father do such a thing to me."

"My mother would never dare oppose my father's wishes." Courfeyrac muttered grimly. Kiera nodded.

"She is nice, thought; I really did like your mother."

"As do I." Combeferre smiled. "She has always been a decent person. If it weren't for your father..."

"Please, could we just drop it?" Courfeyrac said, standing up swiftly. "I'm going home to do my homework."

"I'll go with you." Kiera said, shooting a 'don't you dare say anything else stupid' look at the others before flouncing after him.

….................