Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed last chapter! They are huge motivators when fics don't want to write themselves….

Sorry that this is so late! Plot bunnies have not been my friend and I have been dabbling in some other projects lately. I hope the events in the chapter make up for the absence. Big thank you to Inge for betaing and to her and Lily for keeping me on track to get this written!

Enjolras' mood hadn't changed over the course of the afternoon. He remained surly, rude, and untalkative. Normally Éponine would have attributed his behavior to the inevitable future of having to spend time with his father, but that didn't make sense this time. No, he was fine earlier that day so it must have been something that happened at the Musain, she thought. She figured it must have happened when she was talking to Marius. She would have brought the subject up again, but given his response at the cafe she figured it would be best left alone.

He never did bring it up and remained short in his responses to her, even as they pulled up in front of his parents' house. Éponine was nervous about tonight, and she could tell from Enjolras' clenched fists that he wasn't sure how to approach the evening as well. Éponine had assumed they would talk and figure out some sort of plan for the evening, and the lack of one just added to her nerves.

They knocked on the door and waited; a servant opened the door and led them inside.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Enjolras, right this way. You are the last to arrive for the evening and everyone is already heading towards the dining room."

Enjolras looked back to the servant, surprise clearly expressed on his features. Huh, that is the most expression I have seen all day, Éponine thought sarcastically.

"What do you mean, last to arrive? Of course we are the last ones to arrive; we are the only ones to arrive."

Enjolras had at least remembered she existed long enough to offer his arm to her as they began walking down the long corridor waiting for the servant to answer Enjolras' question.

"No, Monsieur has invited another guest to dine for the evening. They only just arrived moments before you."

By now they had arrived at the dining room, making further questions unnecessary. Éponine was jolted back by Enjolras' sudden stop. She looked back at him to see that hardened gaze from earlier prominent on his face.

"Good evening, son! I trust you remember who our guest is for the evening, however, maybe you should introduce your lovely wife." His father said by way of introduction, his tone a little too joyful.

If it were possible Enjolras stood up straighter and walked them over for introductions. She took this time to take stock of this evening's intrusion.

He was tall, taller than Enjolras and practically his opposite in every way. Where Enjolras had golden curls, bright blue eyes, and fair skin this man had midnight black, wavy curls and brown, flat eyes and rough skin that indicated he worked outside. And the differences didn't stop at the surface. Enjolras always had an earnest look about him, one that showed his drive, passion, and deep caring for those around him. This man looked earnest too, but in a way that reminded Éponine of the look a fox gave before devouring its prey. He looked charming and handsome, but Éponine didn't trust him one bit. She immediately went on her guard and unconsciously leaned in closer to Enjolras' side.

Enjolras stepped forward slightly, never letting go of her arm, and offered his hand. "Good evening, Pierre. I didn't know you would be in attendance tonight."

The man laughed jovially, "Of course you didn't! That was obvious from the look on your face when you first spotted me, mon vieil ami." He said, shaking Enjolras' hand vigorously.

"But never mind the pleasantries! Who is this lovely flower that you have been hiding away?"

Enjolras pulled Éponine in closer to his side, "This is my wife, Éponine Enjolras nee Javert. We were married just last week."

"You, married? I had heard the rumors but thought that they were only that? I thought, surly they jest! You always seemed disinterested in the workings of love when we were young." Pierre said in mock surprise.

"Yes, well, some things just happen." Enjolras offered with a tight smile.

Pierre waved his hand dismissively before turning his attention to Éponine, "Now you, you are simply enchanting! I can see how you could bring a man to his knees but how on Earth did you manage to get this slab of marble to fall in love? It used to be the talk of most social gatherings how the prettiest of girls couldn't get his attention. You must tell me your secret."

He winked at Enjolras before taking Éponine's hand to kiss. It was a kiss that lasted far too long than necessary in Éponine's opinion, and in Enjolras' as well if his tightened grip was any indication.

Éponine turned a simpering gaze onto the stranger, "Well, monsieur, maybe those women were too... Simple for him."

Pierre chuckled, "Oh yes, I am going to like you. My name is Pierre Segier, National Commander of the King's army."

Éponine's grip tightened on Enjolras, wondering his father's motive for this evening. She let none of the tension she felt show on her face as she smiled brightly at the man. "Then you must know my father, Inspector Javert. He has talked about how marvelous some of the regiments have become under new leadership."

Pierre grinned boastfully, "It is always nice to hear how well of a job I am doing, not that I don't already know that," he said with a wink.

"And yes! I thought I recognized your name. Inspector Javert is very well known among our ranks for his efficient and unmerciful ways. I had heard rumors that no he had a daughter, but he never confirmed it or was even said he was married."

"My mother died giving birth to me and he didn't like talking about family. He said that it would be dangerous for me if certain people found out exactly who I was," she said, sighing softly.

"Ah, yes, that is a wise decision. There are many people that he has put away that have threatened to harm him, Thenardier's gang especially. Hopefully you are still unknown to them." Pierre said softly.

"Now then, enough with the chatter! Dinner is served and we can continue our delightful conversations over our meal. Your mother had a previous dinner engagement for some organization she is a part of and sends her regards for missing your first meal as a proper married couple." Enjolras' father interrupted, ushering them to their seats. He was still far too cheerful in Éponine's opinion, but she hadn't been able to figure out why.

Éponine decided to get the conversation started and directed a doe-eyed gaze at Pierre, "So, how long have you and Enjolras known each other?"

Pierre preened under her gaze, "We have known each other all our lives, right from the moment our mothers put us in the cradle. I have grown up with him, lived most of life's experiences with him even. We were tutored together, then sent off to school together… why we were practically sown at the hip during our younger years." His gaze was slightly dazed, his smile turned slightly downward, as if he were remembering a happier time and missing those memories.

However, he quickly perked back up, "Now lovely Éponine, my flower, you must be interested in all the marvelous stories I could share with you of your Enjy." Pierre winked as he sat down across from her.

Éponine could see Enjolras grit his teeth at Pierre's use of a nickname. She turned to him and flashed her brightest smile. She leaned close to the table as if sharing a secret, "Why yes, you must tell me! I imagine you have some stories that will tickle my fancy."

She leaned back and patted Enjolras' arm, "After all, my Enjy refuses to tell me anything about his childhood and I do just love having things that could come in handy later," she leaned over her plate, cupped her face and mock whispered, "you know, for when I need to encourage," she finished with a sly wink.

Enjolras' grip tightened on her arm, pulling her far back into her seat. Out of the corner of her eye, she could also see Enjolras' father practically clapping his hands in glee and she decided to take this as far as she could to suss out what was really going on.

She giggled and simpered, leaning into Enjolras and patting his chest before pouting at Pierre, "Oh dear me, it looks like my husband doesn't like my plan."

She was rewarded with Pierre's rich laughter, "No. It appears he does not, but then again he always was a spoil-sport."

Enjolras face grew red, his eyes fixated on his dinner plate in front of him as he aggressively cut his meat. Éponine began to pray that he had figured out she was merely putting on a show, but when he got in these moods he was hardly what one would call rational.

Éponine placed her hand over her heart in mock surprise, "My Enjolras! A spoil-sport! O, do tell Pierre."

Pierre's eyes lit up at her familiarity, "Let me think," he began, tapping the tip of his fork to his chin in mock thought, "I believe one of my favorite memories has to be when we were ten and our mothers decided we needed to learn to dance. Both of us did well, although I was the better of the two, and shortly thereafter his mother hosted his birthday party. She decided that since we had done so well in dance classes that it should be a proper ball. I had never see Enjy throw such a tantrum! He refused to attend, and was adamant in that decision until his mother came into his room the day of the party and said that if he didn't get down there she was going to ban him from the library for a month. I don't think I have ever seen formal wear put on so quickly! But Enjolras had her fooled; she only said he had to get down to the party, not how long he had to stay. So the minute the dancing started he snuck out and practically barricaded himself by books."

Pierre looked over at Enjy and winked, "But, that's not the funny part is it, mon ami?"

Enjolras hand tightened around his wine glass as he gave a small, terse grin.

"One of the lovely young ladies at the party fancied Enjolras and decided to search for him. She demanded he dance with her, and asked him why he cared about a bunch of stuffy books about dead guys when he refused. O, he was spitting mad. Stalked into the ballroom to his mother and said he was going to bed, punishment be damned! He couldn't even form the words when his mother asked what happened! Just kept stuttering!" Pierre finished, howling in delight.

Éponine let out a tinkering laugh, "That sounds like my darling husband," she said with a sly wink at Enjolras.

"That doesn't even cover some of the stuff that happened at school." Pierre teased.

Éponine could see Enjolras' face turn a deeper shade of red, "You must tell me."

"Well there was the time he wrote a petition to the headmaster to have the history professor fired for refusing to teach the theories and practices of the great Revolutionists. I'll never forget the day he received a letter with his father's response to that antic!" Pierre said, looking over at Enjolras' father who had started laughing.

"Yes, I had hoped he would grow out of such childish fancies," he rose up a glass in a mock toast, "and here is to the continued hope."

The corners of Enjolras eye's tightened and Éponine could see he was close to exploding at his father's callous comment. She had to do something and she knew that it would still upset him, but it would be better than the alternative. "There must be some more stories, Pierre! What about games, tests, or scholarly competitions? I know Enjolras is fiercely competitive, surely there must be some stories there."

"There are plenty of those! He was always so serious when it came to competitions! Sad that he only won a few… with me winning the rest." Pierre finished with a cheeky grin.

"Wow, you must be brilliant then because my husband is the smartest man I know!" She tried to keep a smile on her face while internally she wanted to cringe at her honeyed words. She was becoming tired of this charade and wanted to go home, her cheek muscles were starting to ache from all this fake smiling.

"I am quite brilliant. That's why I rose so high so quickly within the ranks of the army. Youngest man to be made National Commander, I am." He sat up proudly.

A muffled, sardonic laugh came from her side. "Brilliant, sure, brilliant at throwing your father's name around." Enjolras muttered darkly as another vegetable became prey to his ferocious stabbing.

Pierre's cocky smile fell for a second before coming back. He pretended he didn't hear Enjolras as his refocused his attention to Éponine. "Now enough about our childhood, I want to know how Enjolras found a delicate angel like you to marry, and why didn't I meet you first? It's a travesty that I shall have to live with the rest of my days."

Éponine's face only reflected a sweet smile, instead of the sudden urge she had to purge her stomach contents. "I believe you can place blame right on Monsieur Enjolras and my father. The entire thing was arranged by them and we met for the first time a month or so before the wedding."

"Well that is just unfortunate! I will have to go home and berate my father for missing out on one of life's gems!"

"Chances are my father never talked to yours… He had no desire for me to become the wife of a law enforcer or military man. He didn't want me marrying a husband whose profession could put me in harm's way." She said with a fake sad smile.

"My loss then," He chuckled, "but I can bet you I would have made a more agreeable husband, my lady"

Éponine was about to open her mouth in outrage, deciding she was done with whatever game was being played, when the loud screeching of a chair being forced away from the table broke her concentration. She looked over to Enjolras red faced and heaving in anger, still gripping his dinner fork like a spear.

He attempted to form words multiple times before stalking out of the room. Éponine quickly stood up and looked at the rest of the table. "If you will excuse us a moment, I believe we need a few moments." Her words were rushed as she quickly stepped away to follow her husband.

Enjolras did not acknowledge her presence when she stepped into the parlor. Instead, he remained shoulders bowed, pressing down on one of the chairs in the room. His eyes were clenched shut as his hands gripped the back of the chair so hard she could see the fabric giving way to his fingers from the door. She walked over, gently resting her hand on his lower back. "I'm sorry your father said that to you, Enjolras. He had no right."

Enjolras head snapped up, his eyes like tempered steel. "You were flirting." He forced through clenched teeth.

Éponine stepped back in surprise, "You are angry over that? Not over your father?"

Enjolras let out a cynical bark, "Why would I be? That is normal behavior. I expect his comments. But you. You were flirting. With him."

Éponine stared at him in confusion; did he really think she meant all of that? She figured he would have figured it out when she started to act like a fool!

Her delay and confusion caused his anger to increase. He ripped his hands from the chair and stalked towards her, closing the short distance between them as he towered over her, eyes blazing. "First it was Marius this afternoon. That insipid, hopeless romantic fool. You practically locked yourself in a secluded room with him and didn't even have the gall to look contrite when I caught you two together! No apology, nothing! You just acted like nothing happened… but I could have over looked that. Because Marius is a fool and falls in love every other week but tonight? That was… betrayal."

Enjolras took a deep breath and turned away from her sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. She took a deep breath, preparing herself to refute his words when he faced her again. His face etched in anger, but his eyes… they showed how deeply hurt he was. How much this had truly affected him. If the situation weren't so serious, Éponine might have laughed at the irony. He was getting angry over falsehoods.

"Damn it, Éponine. Anyone but him, did you have to fall for his charms?! He has always won. Always. All my life, I have been compared to him, put in competition with him, lost to him. Why him?! I know our situation is not ideal, but you have to fall prey to him?"

His eyes turned hard as they drank in her face. Éponine stayed still, not wanting to interrupt him. He seemed to need this release, not that she really understood why. She saw his eyes search her expression, taking in her soft eyes before settling on her lips. He seemed fixated on them, "He won't win this time. Not before I get my chance." He said so softly she could hardly hear him before he grabbed her in a bruising kiss. His hands pulled her close, wrapping one around her waist and the other gripping the back of her neck. His mouth was unyielding to hers and aggressive in his technique. It was possessive, passionate, and desperate; only stopping when they both needed air.

His grip didn't lessen, his eyes giving away his vulnerability. Éponine lifted her hand to caress his cheek and stared deeply into his gaze. "Enjolras, I wish you had talked to me this afternoon… there is so much to clear up. This afternoon, with Marius, meant nothing. He was asking me to find a girl that he met at our wedding who he had fancied himself in love with. That hug… it was only because I said I would help. And tonight… Pierre is… oily. I felt disgusted the entire night; I only flirted with him because I didn't know why he was there. I was trying to figure out their motives and the best way to do that is to play into their hand. Trust me, he has nothing on you and there is no competition because you have already won. You will always win to me."

Her words had a balming effect on him, he closed his eyes and when he opened them again she could still see the vulnerability in them but the anger that was there previously had evaporated. His head dipped, lips lightly brushing over her eyes and cheeks before landing on her lips… once… twice… before capturing them in the gentlest kiss. He kissed her as if he adored her, like she was the most precious thing in his world and she found herself melting into it and allowing him to pull her under. They were both drowning, content to lose themselves to the waves of emotions channeling across their lips. She felt the faintest amount of pressure against her bottom lip as his tongue lightly probed against it, begging for entrance. With the softest of moans her mouth opened and the kiss deepened in sincerity. He pulled her closer to him; holding on to her so she would disappear and cradled her head to his. They both groaned as the kiss heated in passion, neither wishing for it to stop.

A gentle cough came from the doorway, one that was obviously supposed to alert the couple but they were too wrapped up in each other to notice.

"Come now, son. This is a dinner, not your bedroom." His father's stern voice boomed out, startling the couple.

They were dazed for a few moments before realizing how they stood. They jumped apart suddenly and seemed to compete with one another for how deep a shade of red they could achieve.

"No need to be ashamed, Enjy! Why, if she were my wife I wouldn't be able to contain myself either!"

Enjolras gave Pierre a withering stare, "Now we haven't had much time to catch up, you and I. Let us take a stroll… that is, if you can leave your precious dewdrop."

Éponine shuddered at Pierre's words, momentarily forgetting that she was supposed to be basking under his compliments. She gave a small encouraging smile to Enjolras, "Go right ahead, I will curl up with a book and await your return."

She settled into a chair with a book, but before she could even begin Jacques interrupted her.

"Excellent work tonight, my dear. He played into your hand rather nicely. Exactly as I had hoped!" He exclaimed in what Éponine would call a giddy tone.

"Excuse me?" She didn't try and hide her confusion.

"I knew that you would fall under Pierre's charms but I didn't expect it to play out this well! Perfect! Simply perfect!"

Éponine sat up straighter, "You mean, you intended for your son to get jealous? Why? What purpose does that serve?" She bit out, trying to mask her mounting frustration.

"Of course. It's serves our purposes splendidly." He replied with a wide grin.

She really wanted to smack that smirk off of his face, "And how is that?"

"Well, as we saw by your affectionate display moments ago it incited a passionate response in my son. This places him well in your path for making him truly fall in love with… and with that, fall into your confidences. A man in love will tell his love everything her heart desires."

Éponine clutched her book tighter as he continued spewing filth. "Pierre's presence was two-fold. I knew he wouldn't be able to resist flirting with you, and his natural charm makes it hard for a female to resist so Enjolras would get jealous. And second, he is in the King's Army. There must be rumors of my son's… activities; hopefully he will knock come sense into my boy."

Éponine had to swallow back her pride, "That sounds like a very well thought out plan. An excellent plan even."

Jacques looked smug at her praise, "Yes, it all came together seamlessly. Now I can only hope that the conversation the boys are having is just as productive."

He patted the arm of her chair, "But never you mind about that. That's men's talk out there and your ears are too delicate for that. I will leave you here to your book. Goodnight."

Éponine scoffed loudly once she was sure he left the room, his words filled her with such disgust.

"Enjolras we need to talk." Pierre said gravely.

Enjolras kept walking briskly, wanting to get this over with as quickly as possible and with as little communication as possible.

"Enjolras, I'm serious."

Enjolras stopped in his tracks and turned towards his childhood friend. "If you had something so serious to discuss with me then in why would you think the best way to start that conversation would be to flirt with my wife?"

Pierre chuckled and winked, "Oh come now, mon vieil ami, you know I can't help myself around a pretty girl.

Enjolras was beginning to hate that wink more than anything. "And yet, you continue."

"It's all in jest, and if you were satisfying she wouldn't fall under my charms. Now if you need some suggestions…"

"What did you want to talk to me about, Pierre. Get on with it." Enjolras snapped before Pierre could continue.

"There are rumors, Enjolras. Rumors of an uprising and about a student leader who spouts the ideals of equality among the people. I knew from the moment they started talking it was you." He said, cutting to the heart of the matter.

Enjolras clasped his hands behind his back, "I don't know what you are talking about Pierre. Besides, rumors are simply rumors. You shouldn't put stock in falsehoods."

"All rumors are based in truth Enjolras, isn't that what you were so fond of saying when we were young? And I know it's true, please don't insult my intelligence."

"Fine, Pierre. What are you going to do? Report me? You might get a promotion."

Pierre sighed heavily, "That is not my intention, Enjolras. I am concerned for you."

Enjolras scoffed, "You don't want a promotion? That's a first… what will your father think if he ever found out," he tisked.

"My father has nothing to do with this and I don't intend for him to find out."

Pierre paused, "Enjolras, you need to be careful. They are getting closer and closer to finding out who you are."

"So what if they find out who I am. By the time they do it will be too late, the rebellion will have risen."

Pierre placed his hand on Enjolras arm, shaking him for emphasis, "You don't understand! They have put Inspector Javert on the case. He had only lost one case in his entire career and YOU happen to be married to his daughter. Tread carefully."

"I have nothing to fear from Éponine." Enjolras said slowly.

"This is serious; don't let yourself get lured into a false sense of security by the first pretty face to have caught your eye!" Pierre practically shouted.

"Pierre, trust me, I have nothing to fear from Éponine. Why do you care anyway? I thought you washed your hands of me the day you entered into the ranks."

"I will trust your words, but only because you have never lied to me before… and you are terrible liar. But that point is moot." He joked.

"And even though our lives went on different paths you are still my friend and I don't want to see you hauled up in front of a shooting squad for treason."

Enjolras gaze turned solemn, "Pierre, I know what will happen to me if I fail and it is something I accept. I believe in the cause that strongly and I will do everything I can to see it come to fruition."

"You know that means we may meet again under… more unfortunate circumstances."

Enjolras nodded, "That is very likely. What are we to do then?"

Pierre cracked a small smile, "Well… I guess at that point we will be on opposite sides of the fight and we will have to do what we must."

Enjolras returned his small smile with one of his own, "Yes, we will. No hard feelings?"

Pierre laughed and clapped him on the back, "Of course not. But we have been out here long enough. You probably want to go home and spend some time with that wife of yours."

They began walking back before Enjolras spoke again, "Thank you, Pierre."

Pierre nodded in response.

It wasn't until they were halfway home before Éponine decided to ask Enjolras about the evening. "What happened tonight, when you and Pierre left the room?"

"He was telling me that the Army is getting closer to figuring us out. Apparently they have put your father on the case."

Éponine let out a small gasp, "Well… this is an unfortunate turn of events. We will just have to continue to be careful."

Enjolras turned his head to look at her, "You mean, you have no problem blatantly lying to your father?"

She let out a chuckle, "Enjolras, I have been lying to my father in some way or another most of my life. This is nothing new."

Enjolras nodded his head slowly, "I appreciate it. The Amis are lucky to have you on our side."

"Would you mind telling me about Pierre?" She asked gently.

"Pierre and I grew apart. We were best friends when we were children and when we were schoolmates. Sure, I was resentful about always being compared to him but he was still a friend. We also shared some of the same opinions and ideals about the way France was run. But one day that all changed. His father decided that Pierre needed to join the Army, climb the ranks. He told him it would look good on their family to have a decorated officer in the family. Pierre is the third son, and has always been in the shadows of his brothers-almost like I was to him-."

Enjolras shifted in his seat, obviously uncomfortable with revisiting his long buried memories. He ran his hand through his curls, trying to find the right words to say.

"He was always striving to get his father to notice him. His inheritance is solely based on his father's whim so not only does he need a good job; he needs to do a job that will put him in his father's good graces. Somewhere down the line, I suspect with it was due to incurring promotions and rising quickly to the top, his ideas faded away and became the ideas of his father. The night before he left to join I tried to convince him to tell his father no, to join me in law school. He scoffed and told me that I needed to abandon my childish ideas for ideas of substance, ideas that would get me a job and not laughed at. As you can tell that didn't go over well and we haven't spoken since, until tonight that is."

Enjolras eyes grew distant, "I have always wondered what would have happened if he stood up to his father. He might have even stood by my side as we planned the Revolution."

And with that they traveled the rest of the way home, both actively avoiding the topic of the other event that had happened that night.

As always, I love to hear your thoughts!