Author's Note: Please please please forgive my long absence! My family kind of lost our wifi, so I haven't been able to update. I wrote this chapter on actual paper and had it sitting around for a while before I was able to post it, but it's here now! I hope that it won't take you too long to forgive me. Also, I have finals next week. Should be fun. Last thing I have to say is, I'M GOING TO FRANCE IN 9 DAYS!

Disclaimer: My school may put on a production of Les Mis next year and if we do, I will be auditioning for the role of Éponine, but other than that, I own it not.

~Éponine~

"I should warn you that you might want to keep a bit of distance between yourself and Enjolras," I advised Grantaire. "Even though I have forgiven you and tried to argue your case to him, he is not easily pacified."

"Why am I not surprised?" Grantaire mumbled sarcastically.

I spent another hour at the apartment, enjoying the company. Even though I had only known Philippe for a very brief period of time, he was already becoming an invaluable friend. I quickly discovered that he was clever, kind, humorous, opinionated, and extremely stubborn. In fact, he almost rivaled me in stubbornness. He also enjoyed playing Devil's advocate during debates. It will be very interesting when he and Enjolras meet. I mused to myself. They are so similar, yet so different. They would either be the best of friends, or hate each other.

Even though I was enjoying the visit exceedingly, all good things must come to an end eventually. It was getting late and soon Enjolras would return home from the university. I was anxious to tell him about my new friend. I also wanted to try to make him forgive Grantaire. I hoped that, since I had spoken with Grantaire and he seemed sincerely sorry, Enjolras may actually forgive him.

I bid farewell to Grantaire, Sylvie, and Philippe and exited the flat. Sylvie lived very close to Enjolras so that her daily commute would be less of a hassle. When I got back home, the front door was unlocked. Enjolras must be home early. I thought as I opened the door.

"Enjolras?" I called. I looked at the clock. Enjolras should not be home for another hour. I heard a noise coming from the kitchen, so I began walking towards it. "Enj-" I began to call again as I entered the kitchen, but the word died on my lips. My throat felt dry and I was close to hyperventilating.

"What? Noe greeting for your own father?"

I was about to scream when someone grabbed me from behind and shoved a cloth under my nose. I felt dizzy, then everything went black.

~Enjolras~

I returned home excited to see Éponine. It had been a rather stressful day at school and I could not wait to be wrapped in her embrace once more.

I wanted to surprise her by getting home half an hour early. I chose not to call her name in favor of the element of surprise. When I could not find her, I was not at all worried as she often went out during the day. Despite assuring myself that she would be back any moment, a nagging voice reminded me that she was always back by the time I got home. I pushed my doubts aside and decided to wait and see if she got back.

An hour passed and there was still no sign of her. I began to panic. Something was horribly wrong, I could feel it. I decided to find my friends and ask if they had any idea of where she could be.

I ran out the door and practically flew to Sylvie's house home, since it was much closer than Joly's. Sylvie had not been at my house that day because it was her day off. I prayed that she was home.

When I reached her door, I pounded on it frantically. The door opened revealing an unfamiliar young man who looked vaguely like Sylvie. "Is Sylvie at home?" I questioned him frantically.

"My mother is not at home at the moment," the young man said, confused. I realized that he must be her son, Philippe. "If you leave your name, I can give her a message when she returns."

"My name is Enjolras," I told him. His eyes lit up with understanding. "Has a young woman with dark brown hair and a smile that can melt your heart visited here today?"

Philippe looked like he was about to answer, but he was interrupted by another voice. "Philippe, where does Sylvie keep the tea cups?" The voice was familiar, very familiar. The owner of the voice joined us. "I cannot find them anywh... Oh." Grantaire looked at me with wide eyes. He then looked down, ashamed.

"Grantaire, what are you doing here?" I inquired, the surprise of seeing him causing me to forget my anger.

"It is a rather long sto-" Grantaire began, but I did not allow him to finish.

"Never mind. Have you seen Éponine? She is not at home and she never disappears like this without at least an explanation."

Grantaire's eyebrows furrowed and he looked confused. "She was here earlier today, but she left over an hour ago," he informed me.

"You have not seen her since?" My panic increased and became dangerously close to hyperventilation.

"No we have not," Philippe said. He grabbed a forest green jacket and put it on. "We will help you search."

"Thank you so very much!" I exclaimed sincerely. The three of us hurried from the building. My companions followed me to Joly's home to see if he had seen Éponine.

The conversation with Joly was much the same as the conversation with Philippe and Grantaire had been, sans the surprise at seeing Grantaire. As an afterthought, Joly suggested we try looking for Éponine at Marius's flat. The idea that she might be with Marius, the very man with whom she had been in love since before we had even met, made me want to injure the man.

The trek to Marius's flat was filled with a tense silence. We arrived at our destination and I was about to pound on the door, but Philippe held me back. I looked at him angrily and opened my mouth to ask why in hell he had stopped me, but he spoke first.

"Maybe you should let one of us speak to this Marius," he suggested. "It is obvious to any fool, even to an outsider like myself, that you would gladly take all of your anger and anxiety out on him." I nodded, reluctantly relenting.

Joly knocked on the door. Seconds later, Marius was standing in the doorway. Before anyone could speak and waste precious time with small talk, I stood in front of Marius. "Have you seen Éponine?" I asked. Marius looked thoughtful.

"Not since yesterday," he informed me. "Why?"

"She has vanished without a trace," Joly explained. "She did not even leave Enjolras a note." Marius visibly paled. His concern, while would probably be very helpful in finding her, sent a pang of jealousy through my heart. It was obvious that he cared for her very much, whether or not even he realized how much, I was unsure. I then recalled their kiss, making me even more jealous. I pushed those feelings away. Éponine needed us both.

"Will you help us search for her?" I practically pleaded.

Marius nodded. "Of course. She is my best friend."

Our completed party set off to look for Éponine. Even though I have never been a very religious person, I sent up a silent prayer to whatever Powers-May-Be that Éponine was alright and I would find her soon.