So, my arm is slowly healing and the staples don't come out till Friday/Saturday, but thanks for all the well wishes. :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing from anything from anytime or anyplace that has anything to do with Les Mis. I only own my imagination. Merci.

Faulty Explanations

Enjolras gritted his teeth. "You can explain?" he growled.

Ruby nodded and looked over her shoulder at Charles for support. Enjolras' face slowly grew more red from embarrassment and anger.

"You think a damn explanation is going to cover this?" he bellowed; Grantaire flinched. Margret's vice grip on Alfred's shoulder tightened.

She leaned down and whispered, "You'd better go upstairs."

Enjolras heard her, though, and held up a hand. "No. He can.. must stay. He's.. old.. enough now."

Alfred shrugged away from Margret and folded his arms across his chest. He was eager to show his father just how much of a young man he was becoming. It was often that Enjolras overlooked Alfred. What with three other children, Enjolras had his hands full and he was convinced that Alfred could- and would- take care of himself. Alfred did as such most of the time. He would pass the day completing his studies, reading, and fishing with Christoph; he rarely got in two-cents with his father. Alfred was beginning to feel the effects of this way of life. He was not yet thirteen, but near enough. His maturity was well beyond his years and knowledge extensive. Alfred wanted to make his father proud. For he knew full well that Enjolras was somewhat of a scholar in his hay-day, and Alfred was intent on taking the same track. Without a mother of his own, Alfred needed for Enjolras to be there for him, but it seemed so often that Enjolras was berating Henry, walking with Jehan, or reading to Athena. The young boy understood the other children's needs, too. They had just lost their own mother and life was just beginning to settle down again. Enjolras needed to be there for them the most. Still, Alfred couldn't help but feel constantly jilted..

Margret glanced at Cosette, whose, being with child and an understander of children to boot, eyes brimmed with tears. The younger girl nearly rolled her eyes, but caught herself. Cosette would even more emotional now than she was before. One day at a time, Margret told herself. Reverting her attention back toward her teacher, Margret waited with bated breath, along with everyone else.

Ruby tentatively walked forward from the corner. Charles finally took a position closer to her, his hand resting protectively on her shoulder. It was the first time any of them had seen Charles and no one could deny that he was a good catch, looks wise. He was tall and extremely lean, with thick brown hair that was parted to the side. His eyes were bright green and his teeth white (after all, he was a dentist); a thin pair of glasses rested on the bridge of his nose. He looked more than uncomfortable. In fact, Marius was just about to go fetch the man a bucket just in case anything were to come up.

"Well, go on then."

Ruby licked her lips. Enjolras took this as a sign she was forming her words. She always used to do it once she'd returned home from a long day in town. How daft he was to not realize the truth..

After a moment, she clasped her hands together and walked toward the nearest kitchen chair. Placing her hands on the back of it, Ruby bit her lip. She sighed loudly then. "Fine! You win." Throwing her hands in the air, she sat down in the chair.

Enjolras raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"I don't have a sufficient enough explanation," she admitted.

Enjolras pointed toward the door. "Then leave and place the money back where you found it."

Ruby stood up at this. "I'm entitled to some of it. After all, it's my money, too."

Enjolras clenched his fists and took a threatening step forward. Marius reached for Cosette and locked eyes with Grantaire. He made a motion for the drawing room. The three filed out, speaking in hushed tones. Margret didn't know whether or not she should follow suit; she chose to stay behind, for Alfred's sake. The boy was beginning to shake with nerves. or excitement, she couldn't tell.

Enjolras shook his head. "I think you are mistaken, Miss Clarke," he used her maiden name on purpose; it felt good to see her face turn red. "For you see, the money is mine and always will be."

Ruby stood up quickly. "I deserve a share! I was the one who picked out this house and I was the one who found the-"

"But, it's all under my name. I suggest you hush." Enjolras' eyes flashed with something Ruby couldn't place. Margret muffled her gasp in her hand. This was not a place for Alfred to be anymore. Enjolras was taking a turn for the worst. Despite his wishes, she took his son's shoulder and steered him into the drawing room where the others waited.

Ruby clenched her jaw. "Hush? You suggest I hush?" her voice was low with venom.

Enjolras nodded. "You are but a woman, Miss Clarke. You own nothing here, so give me back my property and be gone at once!"

Ruby laughed stiffly. "This coming from the revolutionary! The one who wished to change the word with new laws, new freedoms for all! Well, expect women.."

"I never said anything about not wanting equal rights for women as well. Just save you."

Charles stepped forward. "Oy! You listen here, Mr. Enj-"

"You, sir, have no room to say anything in my home and I pray you hold your tongue!"

Charles knew Enjolras was right; there was nothing he could do. Ruby looked at him helplessly. It was obvious Enjolras loathed her and the money wouldn't be her's, so she dropped the thick envelope on the table. She pointed to the one still in his hands.

"Keep that one, then?"

Enjolras looked at it. "What for?"

"It's for the children." His grip became harder once the words fell free.

"Yes," he murmured. "The children."

The air of hate slowly depleted in the room until Ruby whispered, "May I see them?"

Enjolras' head snapped up, his eyes bright with an anger and hatred he had never harbored so completely for another living soul. "Of course not!"

"They're my children, as well, Enjol-" Ruby began. In all honesty, she was eager to see them just once. The months without them had been more difficult than she'd expected.

Enjolras, this time, walked forward so he was looming above his.. wife. The papers for the annulment of their marriage were still not completed. He still needed her signature and, after this, was bent on getting it that night.

"You gave up that right long ago. The moment you wrote the letter," he whispered.

"You forget that I was the one who held them within me for nine months. That I was the one who nursed them and changed them."

How could he forget? When she went into labor with Jehan, oh how nervous he'd been. He was so scared the same fate would befall her as it did Eponine. But when she came out all right, and the baby too..

Enjolras softened. "I have not forgotten, but, Miss Clarke, you seem to forget the fact that you left your children alone, without a mother, some for the second time."

Ruby looked near tears, but he felt nothing. She opened her mouth in retort. "I assume you have the papers drawn up then?"

Enjolras blinked. "Yes."

Ruby held out her hand. "Give them to me and I will be gone."

Enjolras rushed to his study, grabbed the papers, and thrust them into her hand. She signed every line careful and with skill. When the deed was done, she looked up, cold. "Well, I am sorry for the trouble I caused. I realize now, this was a bad idea." she turned around. "Come, Charles. We have a train to catch."

Charles nodded awkwardly. Just before she left the home, though, Ruby turned around and looked at Enjolras one last time. "Promise me you'll give them the letters?"

Enjolras nodded.

"Good."

Thoughts? Questions? Predictions? Cookies?

Jesse