We're heading back into more familiar territory here, but not for long. The alternate universe will soon re-emerge. Let me know what you think.

"I'll need a shirt and coat before we try anything. Can you get me one?" Javert was obviously worried about his modesty in being seen without a shirt. Eponine nodded to his request, the easiest one he had made that night. It would be easy to get them. She was allowed to leave the hospital if she chose, and Javert's old house was not far away. She remembered the wardrobe from when she had looked around. It contained few items but what was there was neatly folded. She nodded again and got up to leave. Before she could move Javert continued, "I know you are doing this against your better judgment. Thank you." Eponine nodded a third time; her voice seemingly vanished by his words. She walked out of the hospital, her feet taking her automatically to Javert's house while her thoughts were busy. It had obviously cost him to thank her. He was not a man used to having to rely on others, despite his years in the police force.

The streets were safer now, she knew, since the arrest of Patron-Minette, but she still subconsciously hurried, eager to get back, perhaps, to the warmth of the hospital.

As she entered the house, she was shocked to see the debris of what looked like robbery inside. What little furniture Javert owned was overturned, papers and clothes scattered across the floor. Eponine did not stop to look round, but picked up the closest items of clothing and ran back to the hospital.

Javert did not seem unduly surprised that his house had been riffled. "A man like me makes enemies quicker than you can blink. No doubt someone took advantage of my indisposition to get some form of revenge. Not that they would have found much of worth."

He slipped slowly into the clothes, and settled down to wait. They had agreed that they would put their plan into practice near morning, and so Eponine too took herself back to her bed and lay down. There were going to, quite simply, walk out, but if there were any complications Eponine would distract the nuns while Javert made his exit.

Neither one slept well, and both woke earlier than they expected. Looking round, Eponine could see no sign of the nuns, and so she walked softly over to Javert's bed. He was laying quite still, eyes open and gazing at the ceiling. When he noticed her approach he sat up, looked around, and nodded to her. It was a good time to go.

Eponine could not believe it would be so simple, and as they walked through the door she could not quite believe their luck, though it was not like they were escaping from prison, she thought, just a hospital. How hard could it really be? It was supposed to be a good thing to leave hospital: the nuns were not going to make it harder for patients to leave.

As they walked through the quiet streets of Paris, surrounded by a soft patter of rain, Eponine reflected how different these last weeks would have been had her father not sent her to spy on Javert. Her father would still be at large; she would probably still be trailing after Marius, for she had realised that the comparison between Marius and Javert had gone some way in diminishing her obsession: Marius was little more than a boy; an intelligent one, but a boy none the less, and one who, moreover, seemed unable to stay doing one thing for long: he had given up his studies as a lawyer, he did not seem overly dedicated to whatever it was the attractive boy at the Café Musain was planning. Javert on the other hand, was mature, and obviously dedicated: so many years in the police force proved that, if nothing else. Eponine knew she did not feel the same way about Javert as she did about Marius. It was respect, not romantic obsession. It was healthier, for both involved.

They both stopped walking when they heard raised voices from a street to their left. A large crown filled the street, all wearing the same colours of black and red. They were walking in the opposite direction, though where they were going neither knew. Javert, spotting a red scarf on the ground a little way away, stooped and quickly tied it round his waist.

Eponine could see what Javert was planning to do, and put a hand out to stop him. She could not believe that if he went into that crowd he would not be recognised and shot as a spy. He read as much in her eyes, and said quietly: "You knew I would do this once I left the hospital. You helped me then. Why are you not letting me do my job now? But you, you must go. You cannot get caught up in this." Not waiting for a reply he nodded his thanks to her, and made his way over to the back of the crowd. He immediately blended in with the men around him. Eponine stood staring after him and the crowd, determined to find a way to follow him but knew she would stand out in her women's clothes. She followed the crowd at a careful distance, hoping to pick up some men's clothes somehow and join them. She could see Marius among them, and the other students she had seen at the café. Her brother was there also, flitting along with these boys. 'Gavroche,' she thought, 'what are you doing?' The presence of her brother, of course, settled the matter. She would have to become involved. God knew what he would do if she didn't. Go and get himself killed, no doubt.

Eponine continued to sneak behind the crowd, which was growing ever larger. She should be able to disappear within it with ease. She noticed a washing line left out by some industrious housewife and hurried over to it. The shirt and trousers she found were too large, but at least she would not look out of place in the mob. She kept her face turned away from anyone who might recognise her. While the barricade was being erected she kept out of the way, merely watching those who mattered to her: Javert, who was surreptitiously emptying his musket of its ammunition and powder; Gavroche, who was running around getting under people's feet; Marius, deeply involved in the placing of a cart on the barricade.

She noticed that the other students looked excited, but nervous, all except for their leader. He looked cool and collected, even though he had the lives of all these people in his hands. His detachment was frightening to witness, so Eponine turned away. Gavroche was still making a nuisance out of himself, but the shooting had not yet started. She remembered the events of two years previous, when Charles X was overthrown. She had not felt very interested in politics then, and nor was she now, except that it threatened her life and those she cared for.

She could see Marius talking with her brother, who had an annoyed expression on his face. When he ran off, away from the slowly growing barricade, she almost felt that she too could escape, yet at that moment her eyes met Javert's, and she knew she could not leave. Trying to protect him from her father and getting Patron-Minette arrested had created a bond. And besides, she did not know how long Gavroche was going to stay away. He looked angry that she had not obeyed his orders, but a look of resignation came over his face when he realised he could not tell her to leave without exposing himself. Making a scene could be fatal for both of them. He looked away, and continued talking softly to the men he was with.

When the rain started Eponine took shelter in the café, as did the students and Javert. He was very good at his job, Eponine knew that, but the way he blended in and seemed not to be listening to the plans of the students, despite the fact that Eponine knew he must have been listening intently was disturbing to watch. How many times had he done this: listening in on the plans of petty criminals? But these boys were not criminals: they were just idealistic dreamers for the most part, hoping for a better world. Surely he would not proceed in the same manner he would with a street gang? Though Eponine would not put it passed him. She knew he was ruthless in pursuit of what he believed to be right.

Darkness was beginning to fall when Gavroche entered the café. Eponine's heart fell: she had hoped that whatever errand Marius had sent him on would keep him away from the fighting. Evidently Marius had hoped so too, for his face fell when he caught sight of Gavroche. Eponine wondered why he cared what happened to a gamin.

To her horror, Gavroche caught sight of Javert at that moment, and immediately proceeded to denounce him. If Gavroche had seen Eponine shaking her head frantically at him, he ignored her. Javert was immediately bound to a post in the café, and though he could see Eponine practically begging him with her eyes to lie to the students he knew he could not do so. She wanted him to make up some story that would show his innocence, but it would be a lie. As long as he had not been challenged he was willing to deceive these boys, but once his status as a police officer was known he would not do so, for that would drag the law into disrepute. The knots he was bound with were tight; not cruelly so, but enough that he knew he would not escape on his own. Yet he would not ask Eponine to help, for that would put her in greater danger. He knew the only reason she was here was for her brother, for he had seen them together in a street robbery on the day she had started to tail him, and he would not increase the danger she was in merely to save his own life.

For her part, Eponine could not bare to watch. She heard the student's words; that Javert would be shot when they could spare the ammunition. Once Javert had been tied up and left alone she inched her way over to him, hoping that she would be able to surreptitiously untie him. At that point, however, the shooting started, making her plan a little easier to execute. All the students and their followers rushed out, leaving her alone with Javert. Their leader, Enjorlas, going by the name she heard shouted at him, paused at the door and spoke to Eponine, obviously still under the impression that she was a boy. "Get your courage together and then come out. We will need everyone we've got it we're to last the night." He turned and left.

Eponine's pride spoke out at being thought to be a coward, but she knew she must take advantage of the situation quickly. As she moved over to Javert, however, he spoke before she could: "You must not release me. Especially not since that boy has seen us alone down here. They will know you are responsible. You must go out there and leave as safely and quickly as you can. But do not get caught leaving, or they will probably tie you up next to me, or shoot you on the spot.

Eponine did not know how to reply to such a statement, but Javert's push with his bound hands sent her towards the door. The last she saw of him that night was a pair of glowing eyes in the darkness of the room as the door closed with the wind.