A/N: So, turns out I have my most inspiration when I have a four page and a seven page paper to write. So instead of doing was I should have been doing, I wrote before I lost my idea. And thus, a 4,500 word chapter. Oops...And I even cut it short... This chapter was just so much fun to write, really hope you like it too!

Just a side note, if you want to go reread the very end of Chapter 2, to refresh your memory, I play a little with the details from that chapter. Just so you won't be confused.

Warning: Gets a little T Rated come the end of the chapter. Nothing really bad though. Just alcohol and slight sexual content.

Worlds Away

Chapter 14 - I Guess it Wasn't My Time

Sometimes we're afraid to let others in. For the times we finally do, something always happens that makes us wish we didn't. But other times, when we find the courage to let people in, they never give us the time to do so.

...

8:38 am

Enjolras paced around the kitchen floor, wearing a hole in it. He wasn't able to sleep a wink since his nightmare. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the images flash through his mind again. The images scared him, although he knew they weren't real. But something about them seemed so...familiar. They didn't just feel like images this time, they felt almost tangible. Like at any moment he'd open his eyes and be living that dream.

A loud obnoxious ring disturbed his thoughts and he scrambled to his phone before it awoke Eponine. She wasn't a morning person and he learned that the hard way.

"Hello?" Enjolras asked as he answered a call from Jehan.

"Enjolras? Hi. Sorry to bother you this morning. But I uh...just really needed to talk to you," Jehan said breathlessly. Enjolras could hear his heavy breaths over the phone.

"What about?" Enjolras asked as he began pacing the floor.

"Well...last night...I could barely sleep after I had a nightmare - I know, it sounds stupid - I'm not twelve - "

"No, don't worry. It's funny cause I had one too."

"Huh...Maybe it was a full moon...but anyway, in my dream...you died."

Enjolras stayed silent.

"Hello?" Jehan asked thinking the line fell dead.

"How?" Enjolras finally asked.

"You were fighting, we all were. There were piles of furniture...everywhere. Then...I saw you surrounded by gunmen. They raised their guns and you raised a flag. Then they shot you dead. I'm sorry to be telling you all this - but - "

"No, don't worry."

"I don't want to scare you, I know its just a dream. But I just needed to call you. It felt so real..."

"Jehan, please...I'm alright. It was just a dream." Enjolras phone buzzed in his ear. He looked down at the notification. "Jehan, I'll call you back. I just got an email from my professor. Alright? Don't worry..."

Enjolras hung up the phone and opened up the email. It read:

Hello Class,

Because I needed to cancel class last week, due to my health, I have decided to hold a make-up class tonight at 6:30. The class will still be our allotted time, so we will finish by 9:30. I understand not all will be able to attend on such short notice, but for those who are able to come, I will have a visiting Congressman who is a good friend of mine. He will give a short lecture and answer any of your questions. This will also provide a wonderful network opportunity.

Extra credit will also be given. Hope you can come tonight.

Professor Williams
Political Science
Head of Department of Government

Enjolras was visibly excited. Being able to speak with a Member of Congress might mean he could get his ideas heard. This would mean he might be able to take the next step in his plans for Les Amis. He needed to go to class tonight.

Enjolras looked up and remembered Eponine. What was he going to do? She couldn't stay here for that long without him. Especially not at night. She doesn't understand half of the items in his flat, she might try to work the stove and burn the place down trying to make dinner. She might leave the water running, slip and fall. She might answer the door and it would be her father. She might leave the flat and run into her father. It was just a bad idea to leave her alone at night. He rattled his brain for a solution.

Quickly he pulled out his phone and texted everyone he thought could watch Eponine for the night. He texted only the responsible of his friends. He asked if anyone was available to come to his flat or have her go with them. Within minutes he received replies.

Joly: Sorry Enj, I've got a date with Musichetta.
Combeferre: Wish I could but I've got to study for my exams tomorrow.
Courfeyrac: No can do. Parents are visiting.
Jehan: Sorry, I've got class tonight.
Feuilly: Not tonight. Maybe another time though.
Bahorel: Got plans already. Sry I can't.

Enjolras groaned. He had no idea what he was going to do.

...

5:36 pm

Knock...knock...knock...

Enjolras opened the door to his flat to see a bubbly Grantaire in front of him. Enjolras just sighed and turned around. Grantaire followed him into his flat and shut the door behind him.

"Hey Enj!" he greeted. "Remember that time I lent you twenty Euros."

"No," he snapped as he fell into the kitchen chair at the table. He rested his head in his hands.

"Well. I do. And I was wondering if maybe...you could pay me back."

"Nice try dumb ass, not gonna work."

"Geez, what's gotten into you?" Grantaire retorted as he plopped down across from him at the table.

Enjolras groaned and wiped his face with his hands. "I've got to go to class tonight but I don't have anyone to watch Eponine. And I've got to leave in fifteen minutes." His head fell to the table with a thud.

"That's all? I'll babysit her!" Grantaire cheered.

Enjolras' head snapped up. "Oh no, not you. I need someone who is more mature than Eponine is."

"You've got no faith in me!" Grantaire stood to his feet and pulled Enjolras up by the arm. "Come on, go get your things and go, I'll watch her. I promise, we'll have a fun night - "

Enjolras looked at him skeptically, contemplating the offer. "No alcohol. No drugs. No cigarettes. No cooking. No stove. No leaving the flat. No answering the door or the phone. No - "

"Jesus, is there anything we can do?"

"She loves movies. Just watch a movie. You can eat the loaf of bread here. I have some cheese and butter you can put on it." He said as he moved around the kitchen pulling out the various items. "Maybe melt the cheese on the bread in the toaster. And water! Water is here."

"Enjolras, you doubt my abilities. She's not six."

"I know, I know." He paced around the kitchen picking up his keys and his jacket. "She's in the shower now. She might need help blowdrying her hair. Last time she did it by herself, I had to untangle her out of the cord."

"Alright got it. We'll just have a nice, quiet, peaceful night...Go!"

"Okay. Great! Thank you Grantaire. Thank you so much. I'll be home at 10, 10:30 the latest." Enjolras began backing toward the door as he spoke. "There is some non-fat ice cream in the freezer, she can have that after dinner. Emergency numbers are on the fridge. Oh and her eczema cream goes on - "

"Enjolras, relax. We'll be fine."

He took a deep breath in the doorway. "Okay, thank you."

"Wait, one thing." Grantaire smirked. "What's her bedtime?" Enjolras scowled and slammed the door as Grantaire laughed.

Grantaire looked around the now empty flat, he heard the water in the bathroom shut off. He walked into the kitchen and helped himself to a beer in the fridge. Like he was going to follow Enjolras' rules. That would mean a night of no fun and by God, he was going to make sure he had some fun tonight. He leaned against the counter, listening to the loud ticking of the clock in the silence.

Finally the bathroom door opened. "Enjolras?"

"Nope, just me tonight. Enj left for class." Grantaire said as he sipped his beer.

Eponine emerged from around the wall, hair still soaking wet. She had on large baggy jeans and a box t-shirt. "Yes, he mentioned that to me earlier."

"God, 'Ponine. Do you always dress like a boy? Like I get it, you don't have many clothes. But please, at least make them feminine looking. Like even at the barricades, you dressed like a man. Those trousers looked awful on you. Like, get a belt. I just don't understand what's so wrong with dressing like a girl."

Eponine froze in her place. "What did you just say?"

"What's so wrong with dressing like a girl?" Grantaire moved to walk past her to the living room.

"No, before that."

"Oh, at the barricades, you dressed like a man then too."

Eponine's eyes grew wide as she heard what she thought she heard. "You remember the barricades?"

Grantaire plopped himself on the couch and belched. "Course I do. I've remembered everything since Enjolras told me your name the day we found you."

"And you're only just now telling me this?" Eponine sat on the couch next to him, eyes wide.

"Guess so. I know you're really from 1832."

Eponine's mouth fell open. "What is wrong with you! I have been trying to make people believe me while all this time you could have helped me convince them!"

"Ep, no one would believe me either. I'm just a drunk."

Eponine looked to the floor. "No, you're not. I know you are not."

"Please, don't give me that speech again. Look, let's just have some fun tonight."

Eponine sighed. "Alright...want to watch a movie? The television is amazing! The pictures actually move!"

Grantaire laughed. "I know, I have one. But I was thinking...something more fun than a movie..."

"Hmm? Like what?"

"Well, first thing." His hand moved over to her and stroked her wet locks, "Let's dry your hair, and then we gotta figure something out about those clothes. Got a dress?"

Eponine stood from the couch and headed to the bathroom. "No." Grantaire followed her.

She stood in front of the sink while Grantaire pulled out the hairdryer. He plugged it in and dried her hair. He wrapped the ends of her hair around the brush and blow dried them. When he let the pieces go, they fell in loose waves.

"Perfect," he announced when he was finished.

She marveled at the soft ringlets of her hair. "How did you do that?"

"My sister used to do that to her hair. I always use to watch. Now, come on, let's go."

"Where are we going?"

"To have some fun!" He stared at the two of them in the mirror. "But one thing." He moved his hand and wrapped his fingers around the strap of her arm sling. He lifted it over her head and slid her arm out. "We gotta take this off."

"But, my shoulder..."

"It'll be fine for one night." He gave her a warm smile which she returned full of trust.

...

6:21pm

Eponine sat in the passenger seat of Grantaire's car. He drove wildly compared to the way Enjolras did. Eponine thought she might be sick if the car didn't stop soon.

Finally, Grantaire pulled into a place with many other cars. Eponine followed him out of the car and into a giant building. She has no idea buildings could ever be this big. There was a large word written on the front of building that she didn't know.

"Le Bon Marché!" Grantaire announced. "The best department store in Paris!" Eponine took in the wonder of the place. "This store is great, follow me!" Eponine trailed behind him gawking at all of the clothes and shoes, and all the people. He walked over to the rattling stairs and went to step on.

"Oh no, I am not going on those! The stairs are moving!" Eponine exclaimed.

Granatire grabbed her hand and pulled her to them. She stood her ground. "Come on, you're being a scaredy-cat! The escalators won't hurt you!" Granatire pulled her hard enough for her to fall on the escalator. The stairs took form and moved her upward. "See, is this so bad?" She was gripping Grantaire's hand in a death grip. "Jesus woman, my hand's going to fall off."

She let go a little bit. "Sorry...Grantaire?"

"Hmm?"

"How do they make the stairs move?"

The escalator dropped them off on the next floor and Grantaire helped her off of it. "Umm, bunch of cables and electricity I guess." His eyes darted around and he pulled her into racks of clothing. "Ahh here we are! Go and pick out somthing you like."

Eponine was surrounded by many different and colorful dresses. She had never seen so many clothes all at once. Her hands brushed over the fabric, admiring every detail and every stitch.

"Like this one?" Grantaire held up a dress on a hanger for her to see.

"It's splendid!"

Granatire shook his head. "Nah, how about this one?" Eponine gawked at it in wonder. She nodded speechless. "What about this one?"

"Oui, yes!"

"You like everything, don't you?"

"They are all so marvelous, I've never had a dress so magnificent before."

Grantaire thumbed through the rack and picked out another one. "This one's perfect." He threw it into her hands. "Put it on. I think it will fit."

She stared in shock. "Here? Grantaire, I couldn't..."

"No, you silly girl. In the fitting room!" He led her through the rack and dropped her off by an entrance to another room. "Go in there, pick a room, lock the door, put it on and come out here and show me."

She nodded and walked hesitantly into the room. A woman across the way stared in bewilderment of the two. Grantaire chuckled nervously. "She's from South Africa. Never been in a dressing room before." The woman mouthed an "Oh," and carried on her way.

Grantaire left while he waited and picked out a pair of heels for her. He returned right as she came out. His mouth fell open as she stood in the doorway with a shy smile on her face. "'Ponine..." She stood in a sleek black dress that hung thigh length. The dress was fitted to show off her chest and rear. The hem on the top and the hem on the bottom of the dress were wrapped in a silk red material, with red spaghetti straps to accompany them. Her hair fell delicately around her shouders and framed her face. Her shoulder sported the not-too-old black stitches which her hair partly covered. If anything, the stitches added to her overall sexy and tough appearance. "Here." He handed her a pair of black suade ankle boots.

Eponine sat in a chair and Grantaire helped her put them on. She stood to her feet and wobbled. Grantaire caught her before she fell. "Don't worry, you're a girl, you'll figure them out."

Eponine retrieved her clothes from the dressing room and Grantaire led her to the registers. He paid for her dress and shoes, took off the tags, and led her to another area of the store.

Still wearing the dress and shoes, Eponine was able to figure out how to walk in them, albeit slowly, and they made their way to a kiosk.

Grantaire sat her in a chair and called a woman over to them. "She needs her make-up done." He told her. The woman got to work on Eponine as Grantaire watched from the side.

Eponine sat surprisingly patient and let the woman touch her face with all sorts of strange things. The application process felt weird to her, but she trusted Grantaire, and so, went along with it.

In some time, the women stepped back an announced she was done. She put some make-up in a bag and told Grantaire to pay for it in the front of the store. She handed Eponine a mirror and she held it up to her face.

She gasped. Her hand stroked her cheek. "Is that really me?" Her eyes were darkened in a smokey eye and black mascara. The ends of her eyes has wisps of eyeliner that accentuated their wideness. Her skin was smoothed out in a pale powder. Her olive skintone complimented the cherry-red lips.

She stood to her feet and looked at Grantaire. His mouth fell open again. "Damn...'Ponine, you're hot."

She giggled nervously, "You really think so?"

"Honey, your boyfriend is gonna be the envy of every guy with you draped on his arm." The women said from behind the counter.

"Oh, he's not - "

Grantaire clasped her hand and cut her off. "Thank you very much. We appreciate it."

The women just smiled and Grantaire led Eponine away. "Alright, now ready to go have some real fun?"

...

7:56 pm

Grantaire parked outside a very different looking building than the one they were just at. The sky had darkened fully now and the clouds gave off a glow from the moonlight. The building was brick with classy blue lighted windows and a black awning.

Before they got out of the car, Grantaire slipped out of his leather jacket and into the blazer he always kept in the back seat. Loud pumping music was heard from outside the doors as Grantaire led Eponine in.

Eponine looked a little nervous but her nerves slipped away and back into her wonderment as she entered the place. The room was packed with buzzing people. Many of the girls were dressed in barely any clothing as they danced rambunctiously in the center of the dance floor with other men.

Eponine followed behind Grantaire and he led her to the bar. He pulled a chair out for her and she hopped up. She stared at the beautiful decor and the crystal bottles of alcohol behind. The entire room was darkened but filled with a blue haze that was unlike anything she had ever seen before.

"What do you want to drink?" Grantaire asked as he took the seat next to her.

"No, I'm fine. Enjolras told me not to drink liquor. He said my stomach might not be able to handle it." She practically needed to shout at him over the thumping music.

"Oh, one drink won't make a difference." He signaled the bartender who walked over to the pair. "I'll have a Scotch, and a...um...Grey Goose Martini for her." The bartender left and came back with their drinks in a few minutes time.

Eponine stared at the clear liquid in the V-shaped glass. "How beautiful," she said admiring the twisted long stem of the glass.

Grantaire began to down his drink. "Go on, take a sip."

She hesitantly put the drink to her lips. Upon the mere touch of the liquid, her face contorted in disgust. "Yuck."

He chuckled at her. "No, it's good."

"It tastes putrid."

"Well, now you have to finish it since I ordered it for you."

She gave a small expression of worry but she was too naive and she trusted Grantaire too much. She took another long sip. She swallowed it hard as Granatire laughed loudly. Eponine felt the liquid slide down her throat, it didn't seem all that bad the second time around. She took another sip.

With nothing in her stomach to contain the alcohol, she suddenly felt a lightness in her head. Within minutes, she was laughing at everything Grantaire said. Her worries fell to the back of her mind and her head felt free of all troubles and cares.

...

8:35 pm

"Why do we always have to come to this place? I hate it here," the friend sneered.

"Because this place makes for an easy catch. These girls are always drunk out of their minds and are willing to do anything we say," the tall one answered.

The three friends sat in the corner booth under the blue lights. The haze casted dark shadows upon their faces. The night was still young as the tall dark figure scouted out the room. His eyes fell to someone far off sitting at the bar. He loved the way her head fell back as she laughed, her neck was so inviting. Her hair flowed endlessly down her back and he wanted to wrap his fingers in it. There was something about this girl that reminded him of someone from his past. And he knew, she was the one tonight.

"Excuse me boys, but it's time to reel in my catch." He stood up from the table recieving smirks from the other men. He swiped the single rose out of the tiny vase at the center of the table and tucked it through the button hole on his lapel.

He sauntered across the dance floor, stealthily picking up a fedora from another man's head and placing it on his own. The man didn't seem to notice.

...

9:03 pm

Grantaire was currently flirting with a group of girls sitting next to him. Eponine continued to sip her drink, listening intently to the words Grantaire used to speak to them. She laughed when Grantaire would crack a joke and she suddenly found most things entertaining.

A figure took a seat next to her and she looked over to him but quickly looked away when she realized he was already looking at her. She tried to surpress a chuckle.

"Hello there," he said as smooth as the liquid in her drink.

Eponine looked at him to make sure he was talking to her. "Hi." She took another sip of her drink to realize it was empty.

He didn't miss this. "Can I buy you another drink?"

Eponine shook her head in a noticable gesture. "That's alright. I should not have another."

"Let me get you another. It's no trouble at all." He turned his attention to the bar tender. "Excuse me! Can I get a Eaux de vie and...another of whatever she had?" The bartender nodded and left.

"I think my friend said it was and Goose Martini? Strange, I did not know birds liked liquor."

The man audibly laughed a silky laugh. "You mean a Grey Goose Martini?" She nodded. "You know that is straight alcohol, right?" She shook her head. "How many have you had?"

"Just one."

The bartender placed her drink in front of her and she gulped another sip of it leaving fresh lip stick marks on the glass. "You like it then?" the man asked slyly.

"It tastes disgusting."

He laughed at her. "Well, slow down. It's going to go straight to your head." He guided her hand with the drink down from her mouth.

"And what are you drinking?"

"Want to try it?" He held the glass up to her.

"Are you sure?"

"Quite." She hesitantly took a sip of his drink as he smiled at her. His smile was so warm and inviting, she culdn't help but feel captivated by it.

Her face twisted at the strange new taste. "Oooo..ummm..."

"Good, right?" She nodded anyway.

He stared into her eyes as she now had the courage to look back at him. She didn't feel any threat in his smile, he seemed so pure and genuine. She felt almost safe with him. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew he would look after her.

He looked around the room and watched the people dancing provocativly on the floor. "Wanna dance?" Eponine grimaced thinking it may not be such a good idea. "C'mon, it'll be fun." He stroked her bare arm with his long fingers. He traced her arm until he found her fingers and laced his with hers. She giggled at the touch.

He smiled to her and pulled her up off the chair. She tapped Grantaire on the back. "...'Taire...I'm going dancing," she slurred.

He lifted his head to see her and her hands laced with another man. "Don't have too much fun." She laughed at him and he resumed his converstaion with the other girls.

...

9:22 pm

He led her through the dance floor in sweeping movements. Eponine stumbled on her feet a few times, but he was there to catch her.

The next time she stumbled as they reached the center of the dance floor, he swooped his arm around the small of her back and brought her right up against his chest. She laughed into him. He smiled teasingly down at her.

Eponine tossed her head back as she laughed and he took in her scent. She smelled ravishing and his nose filled with lust.

He swayed her around and spun her under his arm a few times. The world was swirling in her brain but she laughed at the feeling. He slowed her down and rocked her against his chest.

"So, you live around here?" he asked her in a low voice.

Her eyes stayed close as she rested against him. "Mmhmm..."

"Me too. I live in an apartment complex not to far from here."

Her head lifted up off of him suddenly. "Really? I do too! Where is yours? What if we lived in the same one?"

"Where is yours?" he cooly questioned the tipsy girl in his arms.

"On the Rue Coriolis."

"Is that so?" He quickly spun her around, making her forget what she was talking about. She laughed again as she fell back into his arms.

Eponine nuzzled herself onto him again as he gently rocked her. Her eyes watched all the other women on the dance floor. On women clawed at her man's shirt, stroking her fingers along his chest. One couple grinded their hips against each other in beat to the music. One women kissed and sucked on her man's neck. Eponine could all but wonder if this was how she was suppossed to act. Everyone else was doing it.

She moved her hands to the man's chest. His arms still wrapped around the small of her back, securing her to him. Eponine fiddled with the buttons on his shirt, copying another girl; he watched her with amusement. He matched her actions by dipping his hands lower and stroking her rear.

Eponine gasped and he quickly removed one of his hands. "Oh? What's wrong?" She just smiled again with her eyes half closed. He moved his hand and graced her collarbone, gliding it across her chest.

He swopped down and kissed her lips as he dipped his fingers into the top of her dress. Eponine pulled herself away, "Sto...p..." she moaned.

He caught her wrist and she couldn't go anywhere. Her muscles were putty in his hands. "But, you started it," he teased. He pulled her back into him and she giggled as she saw his smirk.

Eponine lifted her eyes to meet his. Her smile was still prevelent on her lips. His eyes were so inviting. They were a steal gray with a ring of gold around them. Through her drunken haze, she took in the cold, wanting, familiar eyes. Her mind sobered as she had a moment of clarity. Her smile fell from her face. She pulled back against him. "Montparnasse..."

He chuckled as his grip tightened around her. "Oh my dear Eponine, I was waiting for you to notice."

A/N: Oh gosh, didn't see that one coming. I swear it wasn't originally Montparnasse, but just the sheer coincidence was too good to pass up! So a lot happened in the chapter...pretty awesome stuff, right? And Grantaire knew? Like what? ...Dude Enjolras is going to be pissed...

Anyway, thank you again for taking the time to read, and before I forget to ask again, do you like my cover art? I tried...lol!