The sky had dimmed to a dull grey, night pressing in quickly, the streets clearing at a rapid pace. Eponine sat on the chair that was placed right next to a cluttered table, she had to clear it before sitting down throwing crumpled papers into the bin Enjolras had placed at her feet.

"Hey, the meeting starts soon. I was going to go down there in a bit, you coming?" He asked, leaning on the wall next to her, arms crossed protectively. He was being too kind to her, and that infuriated her as much as it made her worry. She had been doodling on a shard of paper, a face that looked painfully a lot like Marius. She crumpled it up too, throwing it forcefully into the bin.

"Yeah." She whispered. It had gotten awkward again, the tension pulling to its normal velocity. She had been trying her hardest to remember what had happened the night before but her brain wasn't giving her anything to go on. Eponine stood with a stretch; feeling his eyes on her again. She looked at him with raised eyebrows, what was he hiding? What had she done?

She hated not knowing. She always hated not knowing. But with him it was different. She had to keep her guard up, she had let it fall... She knew she had let it fall, and that was all the more reason to bring it back up again. With him she didn't know exactly how she felt unlike so many of the others. her feelings were usually so easy to categorize. She knew some of them... How he had held her the night before in comfort was nice, she knew she was in his debt... She could trust him, but only slightly. He wasn't telling her something which broke the trust a bit, only a bit but that was enough. He had helped her with her brother, though, so that was something. And yet, yet she couldn't help but be confused when he looked at her, when she was around him...

"Eponine?" He asked, snapping her back into reality. She shook her head, trying to clear it.

"Hmm?" She asked back, he looked at her worriedly.

"I said I'm heading out now." He was right, in midst of all her thoughts she hadn't seen him leave the room to get ready, he wore his signature red jacket now.

"Oh, right." She said faintly, nodding and standing up. She was shorter than him by an almost significant margin, she was surprised she hadn't noticed it earlier.

They walked out of the flat quietly, their feet padding down each step onto the main floor. The building was dark, lit only by a few candles here and there along the wall. Enjolras stopped her before letting her to outside, peering out the door to make sure no one suspicious was around. Though she was still in disguise there was no reason not to be cautious. Eponine didn't talk all the way to the cafe, realizing suddenly she should have stated behind, knowing Marius was bound to be there all lovesick and wanting. She didn't know how much of that she could handle.

Enjolras seemed to be thinking along the same lines, for as they reached the cafe he stopped her again, looking at her with glaring eyes.

"Stick with Courfeyrac. If you have any reason to want to leave or anything he'll take you back to my place." Her heart leapt slightly in annoyance.

"I can walk myself." She said, his jaw clenched automatically.

"Just let him take you back, Eponine." He said exasperated. She crossed her arms over her chest, frowning at him. She hated when he got like this.

"Monsieur Enjolras-"

"Just. Enjolras." He muttered curtly, his eyes closed. And then he stormed away, leaving her behind him. She looked after him in shock, wondering what in the world had gotten him so angry all of a sudden. Angry at herself for getting him into a bad mood, angry at him for just- being there.

She followed him after a minute, her arms still crossed.

The cafe was crowded, and she was right, in one corner next to Combeferre and Jehan was Marius; looking dazed as he had the day before, a stupid grin on his face. Her insides coiled at the sight of him, and she quickly found Courfeyrac, hiding behind him.

"Hello." He said, smiling at her when she approached. She smiled back weakly, sitting down next to him and turning so Marius was out of her line of vision. She was already feeling a ache in her heart that seemingly grew with every breath she took.

"Hello," she said back, he took her hand briefly, squeezing it. The meeting started soon after, Enjolras speaking but Eponine not exactly catching a word of it. Marius had moved so he was in her line of vision again, and she was starting to find it a bit hard to breathe...

Out of the corner of her eye she sees a glint of metal and she looks curiously, anything to get her eyes away from the one she loved but would never be able to have and found... Montparnasse. Her heart leapt in her chest out of shock, and then plummeted. He knew it was her, he was staring straight at her. Beckoning her towards him with an outstretched finger. She nodded once, after attempting to see if any of the other men were there. Sometimes, being as Montparnasse was a childhood friend he came alone, rude, sometimes drunk, and always dangerous, but alone. To bring messages to her from her family, it looked like he had another one. She nodded curtly and he disappeared into the shadows.

"Courf- I'm going to be right back." She whispered to her friend, he looked at her with concern. "No, don't get up, I'll be fine. I'm just going right out there to get some air. It's... Extremely stuffy in here." She fibbed, his eyes narrowed but he let her hand go, she smiled in thanks.

"If you need anything just scream. I'm sure several men in here would come running, including me that is." His comment struck her as odd but she didn't have time to focus on it.

Montparnasse hated waiting, and the more she made him wait the more irritated he became. She made her swift exit, feeling Enjolras' eyes boring into the back of her head.

Montparnasse was waiting around the bend, leaning up against the wall, staring straight at her.

"You're in trouble." He called to her in a sing song voice, she frowned, he was too happy.

"What do you want 'Parnasse?" She demanded, his jaw clenched slightly. He held a knife in his hands that she eyed warily, remembering the last time they had come into contact, he had threatened her with it.

"I come here with a message." He said finally, she rocked back on her heels.

"You see, your father is very angry with you. If you don't come back... Well then we'll have other means to make you." His eyes met hers, cold but fiery. And she knew he wasn't bluffing. Her first thought went to Gavroche, but he was with Courfeyrac. That only meant...

"Azelma." She breathed, her whole body seeming to plummet to the ground. "What have you done to her?" She asked, if they hurt her...

"She's fine, for now." Montparnasse smirked, seeing her this way pleased him. "But if you don't come back soon, 'Ponine, we may just have to use her."

Use her how? But as the question ran through her head she knew the answer, and it pained her deeply.

"Don't touch her." She almost gasped. He pulled away from the wall, walking around her, circling her like a rabbit. Her heart started to pound, she almost wished Enjolras was there to help her, almost.

"Come back to us and maybe won't, but we can't make promises." Her fists clenched.

"I can't go back. I won't." She muttered, hating the words coming out of her, hoping her time with Azelma taught her something. Hoping she would be okay.

"That's too bad, but-" and this time he poked her lightly with the knife, at the crook of her back, her breath sharpened. She learned with him if she just stood still she would be in less danger than if she fought.

"Just in case you change your mind, we're going to give you two days... Quite kind of us really, when we could," he was in front of her, pushing her to the wall forcefully. His hand pulling inside the pants she wore, "just go ahead and do her. We're all very tired of waiting, 'Ponine, you know how much we hate to wait. We get very-" his hand reached a bit too far and she squeaked, squirming underneath him, his other hand pressed to her mouth, "frustrated."

She bit his hand, ignoring her own strategy and let out a blood curdling scream. Montparnasse cursed at her, shoving his hand deeper in anger. A second later several men ran from the cafe towards them.

Courfeyrac was first but was intercepted by Enjolras who threw Montparnasse off of her with a flourish, he fell to the ground with a thump. Already holding his knife ready to fight. Feuilly came behind Grantaire holding a gun pointed at Montparnasse, who started to laugh.

"You got a posse, that's brilliant." He chuckled. Before Enjolras lifted him up to punch him squarely in his jaw. Courfeyrac had taken ahold of Eponine, grabbing at her waist.

"You okay? You okay?" He kept repeating, to which she nodded, tears slowly starting to fall.

"You touch her again and you're dead." Enjolras growled, Montparnasse scrambled away without a second glance. Enjolras whirled to Eponine.

"What the hell was that?!" He yelled at her, causing fresh tears to fall. "I gave you one simple instruction, ONE! And you go behind my back and defy me. What the hell am I helping you for if you keep stepping straight into danger and ignoring me?" He roared, she closed her eyes, still clinging onto Courfeyrac, knowing Marius was watching them all.

"Enjolras, calm down." Courfeyrac said calmly. "She was just outside to take a breather-"

"No! She wasn't. She saw that bastard and came outside. What for, Eponine?! Are you happy now?" He spat, she opened her eyes, he was shocked and angry, but a worry fell in his face she was starting to know well. A flash back of the night before suddenly came to her, just a flash, his face close to hers, smiling.

"They have my sister, they have Azelma." She whispered, before fainting dead away.

A/N: hello hope you liked this chapter:) she's remembering! Slowly but surely:) thanks for all your reviews, love you guys:3

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