It was a brisk morning and fog covered Rennes like a blanket as the sun fought to shine through. Trees were slowly beginning to shed their dying leaves in preparation for winter. The world was quiet as it gave off a melancholy sense that made Enjolras uneasy. The four of them stood outside as the carriage waited to take Marius and Cosette back to Paris.

"We are very happy to have seen you both," Marius said, "it is unfortunate that we cannot stay longer."

"A short visit is better than none at all. It was nice to see you." Eponine replied with a solemn tone and a sad smile.

Enjolras clenched and unclenched his jaw, annoyed by Eponine's words. He did not like knowing that those words were directed solely to Marius and in front of Cosette. Marius sent a smile her way before looking at Enjolras and extending a hand to him which he took.

"Farewell my friend. We'll be seeing each other again I'm sure." Marius said with a kind hearted smile as he shook his hand.

Enjolras nodded his goodbye to Marius and looked over at Cosette. She smiled at him and kissed both his cheeks, "it was such a pleasure to meet you."

Enjolras did not mind her goodbye kisses but his eyes remained unemotional. "All the same to you Mademoiselle."

Marius allowed Eponine to kiss his cheeks as well which left a smile on her face. They bid each other farewell and Eponine and Cosette exchanged a glance and a look of knowing came across both their faces that Enjolras did not understand. Cosette smiled and nodded to Eponine and turned away with Marius at her side .They entered the carriage with the rest of their luggage and the driver flicked the reins to usher the horses forward. Once the carriage began to move, Enjolras walked back into the house, leaving Eponine to watch Marius and Cosette disappear into the fog.

A couple minutes passed before Eponine entered the house again. Enjolras was in the living room slipping on his coat. She looked tired and depressed, and Enjolras could see her heart on her sleeve. He hated it. Why should she allow her feelings to overcome her?

"You should be happy." He said.

"Pour-quoi?"

"You were able to see him. And now that you know of his betrothal to Cosette you have to let him go." Enjolras said plainly.

He watched her brows furrow and her cheeks flush, "You can never understand. And you have no say in how I feel or what I should do!"

"It is useless to pine over someone that obviously doesn't see you." Enjolras was unimpressed by her retort, "especially a fool like Marius."

Eponine approached him, her eyes fierce and piercing, "You have no right to speak ill of Marius."

"He is in love with Cosette. He isn't going to change his feelings for you."

She was hurt, Enjolras could see, and she stared at him with hatred in her eyes, "A heartless man like you could never know human emotions."

Enjolras scowled and walked passed her to the front door.

"I don't understand human emotions?" He turned back to her, "You're not the only one that lost something in Paris."

Enjolras stepped outside and slammed the door behind him. He gave out a cough that was more violent than the ones that tugged at his lungs last night. And as he coughed his head began to ache. Rubbing his temples in an attempt to relieve some of the pain, he walked down the dirt path to the city to work. His body felt weak and cold while his head was uncomfortably warm. He breathed deeply knowing that these were the telltale signs of sickness, but he continued on his walk. He needed the money to support himself and Eponine. He wasn't about to abandoned that responsibility for a little illness.

And he did work and work just as hard as he always had. Anything for the money. He sold newspapers to as many people as possible and fought hard to avoid coughing. It was a difficult and long day for him, and he was more than happy when his shift was over. By the time he arrived home the sun had set and his dinner was left for him on the end table just like before. Enjolras was relieved when he did not see Eponine and walked into his room with his dinner in hand.

That night Enjolras found himself unable to sleep. It wasn't the illness that kept him from sleep but what Eponine had said to him. A heartless man like you could never know human emotions. This wasn't true and he knew it. He mourned for the death of his friends and the loss of his faith in his country. The grief and self loathing and bitterness he felt were all very real, and Enjolras knew this. He could not understand why her words affected him. It wasn't as if he felt guilty or ashamed, just an uncomfortable nagging feeling that raided his mind. And why would Eponine, this intelligent girl—she was smart, he admitted—become so irrational? Why did love transform her mind so quickly? He rolled to his side, not wanting to think about it, about her.

A light shown through the crack under the door, and Enjolras turned and sat up in his bed. The light shown and flashed and then vanished like someone was walking through the house. Eponine. What was she doing awake? Then the front door open and shut closed. Grabbing his coat and slipping on his shoes, Enjolras left his room and the house, dimming his own lantern as he did. The light and Eponine's silhouette were heading for the city. Eyes adjusting to the night and his low lit lantern, Enjolras followed her. What was she doing? Where was she to be?

And Enjolras remembered something he nearly had forgotten. Rumor has it Eponine is a prostitute. Was she really a whore? Enjolras glared at her as he followed her. She's selling herself. That is why she is up so late. That must be it. Isn't it?

In the city Eponine walked in the middle of the street seeming to have nowhere to go. Her movements were slow and lagging as if she were carrying something heavy on her back. She walked towards a building and placed the lantern on the ground. The shadows tossed about her made her look eerie. She wrapped her shawl around her and even at his distance and hidden behind a wall, Enjolras could see her lips press into a tight line. Then they parted to show her teeth and her entire expression transform. She crouched down and wept.

"Marius…" She wept his name and Enjolras felt a wave of anger wash over him.

But this time that rage was directed at Marius. He could have been kinder to Eponine. He could have acknowledged her existence. But he was too fixated on Cosette. That fool. And Eponine! She didn't have to let Marius consume her. She could have ignored her feelings and not let herself get hurt. She could realize that there are others out there other than Marius.

Enjolras turned away from her. He shouldn't care. But as much as he didn't want to admit it, he did care. And he couldn't explain why. He was loathing her only hours before. Why suddenly care now? Maybe because she was crying. He did not know, and he didn't want to think about it. He'd think about it tomorrow. Yes, that's what he will do.

He ignited the flame in his lantern to its full glory and head back for home leaving Eponine to herself.

As for Eponine, she hadn't noticed Enjolras' presence that evening. All she could think about was Marius. Marius. Why did he have to choose Cosette? He knew Eponine's feelings for him. Why would he tell her of his betrothal? Why did he choose to break her heart all over again? Oh, he didn't mean to. No, Marius would never be that cruel. He wouldn't have done so intentionally. Regardless, he still did it. And the pain Eponine felt was real. Cosette would never feel such pain. Cosette. Eponine frowned. Cosette. Always Cosette! She has everything. And Marius cares about nothing except her. He doesn't see me, Eponine thought in despair. Enjolras was right.

Eponine bit her lip. Enjolras. He could never understand. He could never know what it feels like to love someone and the pain of loving someone. He's too cold. He's incapable of love. But still, she could not deny that he was right.

"Bonsoir, Mademoiselle." It almost sounded like a hiss.

Eponine turned and rose to her feet. She lifted her lantern so the light could reveal the face that belonged to the voice. Her stomach churned, and her eyes widened. The pimp!

"Rester à l'écart!" Eponine shouted and stepped back into the street.

"Whoa, whoa, calm down, Mademoiselle." He took off his hat, "I mean no harm."

"What do you want?" Eponine snapped, glaring at him.

He smiled, "Rumor through the streets says you have lost your job and you and—who is he? Your husband I assume? You are living with him after all. Well, you both have become destitute, isn't it true?"

"He is working as hard as he can." Eponine defended.

"I'm sure." He nodded and smiled at her again, "By the way, I did not formally introduce myself the first time we met. I'm Severin."

"I don't care who you are."

"Ah, but you will in a moment." He said, "You see, I can make all your problems disappear. You will no longer have to worry about money and bills and losing that lovely little home you live in."

"I won't be a whore." She retorted.

"So you would prefer to lose it all? You would prefer to be on the streets?" Severin asked.

Eponine hesitated, "We won't go out on the streets." Even to Eponine her voice sounded weak. She feared more than anything the cold life on the streets.

"Maybe not yet. But you will." Severin's voice was dark yet soft, "You will be tossed out into the life of the poor. But I can save you from all of that."

He approached Eponine, and she did not move. She knew it. Sooner or later the money will run out. And Marius and Cosette will never send the money. They will forget, and Eponine and Enjolras will be forced out into the streets. They needed the money and needed the money now. Anything for the money. Anything but life on the streets. Let her keep her warm bed and belly full. Just a few nights in the dark so that she may keep her home and her life in Rennes.

"All it would take is something so small. Come on now. Come with me." Severin's voice was soothing.

It was to save her life in Rennes, Eponine convinced herself. For my wellbeing she chanted in her mind as she followed Severin to the brothel.

For her wellbeing.