Phew! Next chapter! Thanks again to JB for her editing and advice, and to all of you lovely people out there, thank you so much for the reviews! Anyway, here you go! :D

Chapter Fourteen

Eponine looked around nervously. Enjolras still hadn't arrived and the sun was sinking below the horizon, the last of its shining rays disappearing in a haze of warm orange.

The knowledge of her father's location cast an uneasy shadow over her mind, and Eponine yearned for the presence of the calm and level-headed Enjolras to keep her from abandoning the plan altogether. With painful anxiety, she waited, and it seemed to her that more than one person shot a suspicious glance her way.

As she waited, agitation was replaced with doubtful suggestions. Perhaps he had found other revolutionaries and, in his enthusiasm, failed to keep the time in mind. But enthusiasm was not a convincing distraction—even in a passion, Enjolras would never forget her… or would he?

Finally she could take it no more. Enjolras, if he ever remembered at all, would have to look for her himself. She would search for Cosette.

…

Enjolras had not forgotten about Eponine at all. He was simply occupied with a more important matter.

As Eponine had been searching for the inn, Enjolras had been carefully watching one of the rows of buildings. He could see a young lady sitting inside one of the houses, staring out the window—she was very pretty, with soft, golden curls and large blue eyes; but what caught Enjolras' attention was a dark figure behind her. The shape seemed to bend with long age and a fluff of white hair grew on the head of a turned-away face.

Uncertain, Enjolras crossed the street to the buildings. Quietly, he moved towards that house and stood motionless, seemingly occupied with the carriages rolling by on the street. He heard them talking:

"It is time, child. We've lingered here far too long. Let us away!"

There was something like a sob and then a high, pretty voice said mournfully, "Yes, papa. But what if—"

"Cosette,"—here Enjolras stiffened and began listening more intently—"the young man is gone. There is no use putting off our departure."

"Why are you in such a hurry?"

The old man's voice became low and cautious, "There are certain people who do not wish us well here, child."

It seemed as if Cosette was about to ask more about the matter, but the old man turned to the window and Enjolras felt as if the elderly gentleman's eyes were upon him. He heard a low, "Hush!" and when Enjolras dared to look up again, a curtain had been drawn over the window.

It was getting dark.

Enjolras hurried on his way back to Eponine. It would be better for her to tell Cosette—would not the mademoiselle find it curious that a man came to her house to tell her of her love's existence? A woman would be more fit for the job, decided Enjolras.

As he made his way back, he caught sight of someone familiar hurrying past him. It was Marius.

"Marius!"

The young man turned, his eyes staring back at Enjolras with an absent-minded expression. "Oh, Monsieur Enjolras, you are here. I wondered where you had gone. Where is Eponine?"

"I am looking for her," replied the other, somewhat astonished, "But what are you doing here!"

"What!" cried the young man indignantly, "I'm here to find Cosette! Why else would I be here?"

Enjolras sighed. "And what if she is no longer here?"

"It's worth a try," muttered Marius. "What are you doing here?"

Before the other could reply, off went Marius, muttering to himself hopeful assurances. Enjolras turned with a thoughtful look in his eyes, but before he moved a step, another man addressed him:

"Is your name Monsieur Enjolras?"

"Why do you ask?" retorted the other suspiciously. He knew he had never seen this man's face before and yet there was something so familiar in his features.

"I thought so," muttered the man to himself. And before Enjolras could say another word, the man pushed him into one of the dark alleys.

"Let go!" cried Enjolras angrily, trying fiercely to free himself from the tightening arms of the stranger.

"Quiet!" snarled the man's voice in the dark, and something cold and hard pressed against the struggling man's neck. He continued to resist, only stopping when a pain shot through his stomach and he found himself thrown back against the wall of a building.

Leaning against his arm, Enjolras lifted his head and saw a little grinning man looking down at him. "Got ya!" Enjolras heard the man say, and the last thing he saw was a hideous smile hovering above him.

…

Eponine looked around. She would have to go around the entire port to find Cosette. Perhaps waiting for Enjolras was the better thing to do… she would need his encouragement and unwavering will.

"Eponine!"

The moment the familiar voice reached her ears, she felt a sort of dread creeping upon her. What was he doing here?

"'Ponine, what are you doing here?"

"I might ask you the same question, Monsieur."

Marius laughed.

"You look happy," said the girl bitterly. "What! Have you found your Cosette?"

"No."

"Then why are you so..."

"Exultant? Blissful?" suggested the young man. "I'm the happiest man alive, 'Ponine! I saw him… Cosette's father. They're still here! I was about to follow him but he disappeared in the crowd and then I found you! But, oh! She's still here, 'Ponine! Waiting for me!"

Eponine sighed. "Yes," she murmured to herself, "It was going to happen anyway. You know it!"

"What was going to happen? 'Ponine, is it possible to burst from happiness?" His joyful voice rang in the air, grating her ear. "I should tell Enjolras. Then I could laugh and—"

"You saw him?"

"Why, yes. That is—"

"Where?"

"Well, somewhere near this place. He was looking at something and then I heard him call my name as I walked by. He told me he was looking for you."

"When was it that you saw him last?" she demanded, grasping his arm anxiously.

"Hours ago, it seems. But why are you so—"

"Oh!" Marius, a confused expression replacing the joy, watched as she pondered over his words. "He was looking for me!"

"Yes."

"That is all? And then he left you?"

"Yes. But I also saw him talking with someone."

"Who!" cried Eponine. "Who was it? Describe him to me!" She fixed her eyes upon him eagerly.

"He was a little man with… rather harsh features… " Marius started with surprise and then exclaimed, "Why, he looked a lot like your father, Eponine!"

As he said these words, he watched the effect they had in Eponine. She had been clasping his arm in her eagerness but as the words sunk in, her hand fell lifeless at her side. Her face looked pale, if that was possible; and the large brown eyes that had been looking up at him with voiceless entreaty, as if saying, "Please, tell me it isn't so!" now met his eyes blankly. She did not see him.

After a few silent minutes, she had regained control of her emotions and spoke with forced steadiness, "I thought so. He wouldn't come this far except if money was in the bargain. I must find him."

"I don't understand. Eponine?"

She did not look at him. Muttering to herself, she began to walk away.

"Eponine!" called Marius.

But she did not hear him. For once, Monsieur Marius did not occupy any place in her thoughts.

I like thinking of oxymorons. And I can't wait for the LesMis movie! :D