A/N: So here is the next installment. But first I just want to rant a little bit about Enjolras in my story. Before you complain, and get mad at him, I feel that he is completely justified in not jumping the gun and going head over heals looking for Eponine. He is a very stoic character who has just start to open his heart to someone, now that she's gone, he doesn't want to get hurt again. So it's not because he doesn't like her or doesn't care about her that he won't help his friends, it's because he wants to stay guarded; he wants to protect himself. He is also a man of logic, one that wouldn't put efforts into false hope.

Anyway, thanks for letting me rant. I just don't want anyone getting the wrong idea about him.

Worlds Away

Chapter 21 - Is Hard to Find

It's something we can spend, but never earn. It's something that is free, but worth it's weight in gold. It's something we can use, but never keep. And most importantly, it is the hardest thing in the world to find.

Another day came, and another day went. Enjolras stepped out of the elevator, not forsaking a thought about her while he was in there and dragged himself back to his flat. It had been another long and stressful day. He was caught up with assignments now but it seemed that once he finished one, he was assigned another. So tonight would just be another night of writing and researching.

He pushed his key into the lock and turned it, jiggling it as it got stuck. It was strange, the lock only has begun to get stuck after Eponine left. But Enjolras didn't think anything of it. He merely assumed it was fate's cruel trick on him adding one more thing to make him miserable. He used both hands, one to shake the door knob and the other to wriggle the key. With a firm bump of his shoulder into the door, it barged open.

Enjolras let out a breath as he, at last, entered the apartment. He turned to pull the key out of the lock, yanking it as it would not give. He groaned loudly playing tug-of-war with the door. After a few more yanks, he stumbled backwards freeing his key. "I just don't get it..." he whispered to himself, finally at wits end with the door. He peered into the lock to see if anything was stuck in there. The only thing he noticed were the millions of scratches all over the door knob. But that was nothing new, right? He sighed and slammed the door behind him, deciding not to give it another thought. He'd just call the landlord if it persisted.

Peering around his now untidy flat, Enjolras strode to the kitchen to fix himself something to eat. He wasn't usually one for uncleanliness but ever since she had gone from his life, he just hadn't been in the mood to do anything. The only thing he could force himself to do was pack up her belongings and stuff them in a drawer, never to be opened again. It was weird how she left without taking anything, but he just assumed she had been in a hurry to get out of here and that thought only brought a lump to his throat. And so, he didn't clean for fear he might run into something else of hers.

Once his frozen lasagna was in the microwave heating, he wandered to the living room to unpack his schoolbag. He pulled out each book, plopping them on top of the coffee table with every other book he left there and never put away. Placing his school bag on the arm of the couch, it slipped off, landing to the floor.

Enjolras simply groaned and picked it up again. But as he did, he noticed his law textbook lying out on the bookshelf. It was the very law textbook he found on the ground the day Eponine went missing. He had forgot to put away and had just left it lying there on the shelf. He hadn't touched it since. It still just seemed so odd to him. Why would she have taken that book out of the shelf? As far as he knew, she had no interest in law, and the words were far too advanced for her to try and read. Why? Why was that book on the ground when he came home?

Unless, someone else took the book out.

Enjolras froze staring at the book. No, there could have been no one else in here. He knew the boys kept trying to tell him that maybe she was taken but there had been no proof. There was no proof that anyone had been in the flat to take her. No proof now...except for this book.

Immediately, his head whipped to the door. The lock. It had been getting stuck. The only reason it would be getting stuck all of a sudden is if the internal mechanisms were broken and the only way to break the internal mechanisms would have been if you inserted something into the lock. And the only reason you would insert something into a lock is if you are trying to pick it. That only meant one thing...

The lock was picked.

The microwave sounded alerting Enjolras to his feet. He spun on his heel gaping about the room for the first time. So, the lock was picked and someone had removed the book for the shelf. And her items left everywhere just as they were? She wouldn't have packed if she didn't plan on leaving. That was it. That was all the proof he finally needed.

Enjolras had never pulled out his phone so fast. In a matter of moments he was breathless on the phone. "Joly! Joly!" he panicked, "tell everyone to meet at the Musain immediately. Hurry!"

"Enjolras, calm down," Joly's voice came out soft, "what's going on?"

He took a deep breath, "I have proof Eponine was taken."

...

"You brainless bitch!" he yelled as the back of his hand connected with her face sending her flying.

"Brujon!" Thenardier hollered. "That's 'nuff, I need 'er alive for tonight."

Eponine sat back on her heels in front of the couch clutching her now throbbing cheek. She could feel every eye watching her as Brujon merely turned away from her as if she was just another piece of trash floating in the street. But that was all she was to them. A piece of trash. Something that can be used and thrown away when you're done with it. And trash has no feelings if you step on it or accidentally hit it with the back of your hand; no one cares about a piece of trash.

"Seriously though," Brujon said in his harsh voice, "she should know you don't microwave beer! It's common sense! Whoever said they wanted to drink a hot beer? Huh?! No one!"

"Ah shut up!" Montparnasse groaned, aiding to her defense. "You did ask her to make it special."

In truth, Eponine had no idea how to make a beer special for him. Montparnasse had showed her about the microwave once before and she stood in awe of it. So she figured anything could go in there, right? Food that could warmed in such a short amount of time was certainly special, wasn't it?

"That's not wha' I meant!" he growled at the younger.

"Whatever, just drink yer warm piss water an' be quiet," Babet sneered.

Eponine looked over at Montparnasse with wide and wondering eyes; silently thanking him for sticking up for her. For a brief moment, he stared back at her with eyes filled with sympathy, accepting her gratitude. But out of the corner of his eye, he saw Thenardier glaring at him and so he raised his nose in disgust to her. Eponine cowered slightly not really knowing what Montparnasse meant by that look.

Thenardier chuckled at her reaction. "Get up, 'Ponine." She clambered to her feet at the sound of her name, letting go of her cheek. Her eye was still a nasty shade of purple and her arms were visibly covered in angry bruises. Her t-shirt only did such a good job at hiding the rest of the bruises. "Time to go," he announced causing everyone else to rise to their feet as well. "Not you 'Parnasse."

Eponine's eyes darted to his quickly in fear. Montparnasse cleared his throat, "What do you mean?" he asked surprisingly calm.

"Yer not comin' on this one," he said nonchalantly.

"But that's not what we had arranged," he snapped a little too quick. The rage was slowly beginning to rise inside of him. Montparnasse knew he needed to go on this job if Eponine was going. He didn't feel right when she was left alone with her father, knowing that she was at his mercy. And now, she would not only be at Thenardier's mercy but also that of the rest of the gang. They could do anything to her and he wouldn't be there to calm them down. In truth, he knew he wouldn't be able to protect her.

"Well, it's wha' I just decided. The less people the better. This ain't some regular job. Too many guys'll cause a scene. So jus' stay 'ere." Thenardier walked past Montparnasse without a second look. "Everyone else, follow me." The rest of the gang followed suit, even Eponine.

With a hearty look to Montparnasse, she walked past him but he grabbed her arm not gently nor roughly. "Just..." he whispered taking a breath, "...listen to what they say. Don't do anything stupid and don't talk. Just listen, okay?"

Eponine nodded slightly.

"Good," he said releasing her but Eponine found his hand and held it. He was the closest thing she had to security - even though it wasn't much - and all she wanted to do was hold onto it.

"Eponine!" Thenardier bellowed causing her to flinch.

"Go on," Montparnasse urged quietly, seamlessly untying her fingers from his. "You'll be okay, and I'll be here when you get back." Eponine only stared before she trudged quietly out the doors of the flat for the first time since she got there.

...

Enjolras paced in front of his friends at the Musain back and forth mumbling into his hands covering his face, "I should've listened...I should've listened..."

"Enj," Joly's voice began trying to stop him from pacing. "Enj!" he said a little louder.

"I'm so stupid...I'm a blind idiot...A blind, stupid, fu-"

"Enjolras!" Joly yelled finally. "Stop! The only thing that matters is that we are going to get her back."

Enjolras faced him suddenly, eyes glazed over. "You don't get it. She could be dead right now, she could be anywhere! All this time...and I did nothing to find her! I'm such a bloody idiot."

"Yes, you are." Combeferre said bluntly. "But this isn't helping."

"But where else are we even going to look?! You all have been searching this whole time and nothing has come up. God! You all have been searching this whole time and I've done nothing to help you..." His hands found his face again as he fell into a chair.

"Please, Enj. We can call the police if we have to. We'll go out again tonight and look for her," Joly continued, "we'll make sure we find her. We're just relieved you've finally realized she could be out there in danger."

"Don't remind me..." he mumbled, suddenly alerted by the presence coming up the stairs.

"Hey, Enj. Sorry I'm late," Courfeyrac apologized, "Hope you don't mind if I brought Gavroche. We were having dinner at my flat and then Joly called and then we drove right here but there was traffic-"

"No worries," Enjolras said, silencing him before resuming his pacing. "Just take a seat."

Courfeyrac crossed the room with Gavroche in tow taking a seat at the table with Bahorel and Feuilly. "Where's Marius?" he asked the table of men before him as he noted who was currently there.

"Didn't pick up the phone when we called," Feuilly explained. Courfeyrac just nodded as he understood this was becoming a norm for the poor lovesick boy.

"So, where do we begin looking for Ep this time?" Combeferre asked approaching Enjolras to calm his movements.

Gavroche's ears perked up. "Ep? As in Eponine?"

All of Les Amis turned their heads to face the gamin. "The very one," Joly answered a little wary.

"Oui, she's been back home with Thenardier," Gavroche announced as if it were a known fact.

Enjolras jaw dropped and every eye bore a hole straight through the kid. Joly took a step toward him, "You know she's been missing, right?"

Gavroche grimaced, looking away from any eyes peering at him. "Weeeelll..." he started, dragging out the word. Now he'd done it. He had to open his mouth for the truth to be revealed. Gavroche never had called it 'missing' in his mind, only simply 'bringing her back home so she could have her punishment.' He hadn't fully intended for her to be held hostage by her father either. Even still, he knew full well how she was taken into the hands of Thenardier. But what would his friends think if they found out he had been part of the reason she was there now? Surely they would hate him, but again he couldn't lie to his friends, could he?

Before he had a chance to say anything else Combeferre cut him off, "We've already been to her father's flat. Are you sure? She wasn't there when we went."

Now was as best a time as ever to begin telling the truth. Maybe the could salvage this situation and help Eponine while keeping his friendship with Les Amis. "Saw 'er with my own eyes," Gavroche said, eyes wide.

Enjolras could feel the anger slowing building but he kept his calm, stone demeanor. "This is no time for jokes. You're not kidding, right?"

"Cross my heart, M'sieur Enjolras." He swept his hand across his chest sloppily making a cross. "They don't let 'er leave."

Enjolras didn't know how to react to this. Now it was clear that she had been in danger this whole time. And he had done nothing to help. Enjolras clenched his fingers in a fist so tight he could feel his nails begin to break skin. He felt like the world had suddenly stopped as every single thought raced through his mind. But one thought in particular stood out to him and whether now was an appropriate time or not to ask it, Enjolras did. "Gavroche. Why were you at the Thenardier residence in the first place?"

Gavroche plopped up from his seat, "Thenardier's my father too. Don't live wit' 'im but I go there every once'a while."

"So, Eponine is your sister then," Enjolras said slowly.

"Yup, sure is." He took a bouncing step toward the stairs, "So, ya wanna go see 'er or not?"

...

It was Enjolras, Joly, Combeferre, Courfeyrac and Grantaire who decided to go with Gavroche to the Thenardier residence. Gavroche waltzed through the decrepit hallways with his chest out leading France's Finest to the front door of a criminal.

Enjolras could only gulp at the state the building was in. The hallway reeked of the unmistakeable cigarette smoke and other foul unidentifiable odors that infatuated their senses and surely added to the peeling wallpaper. Gavroche walked along hands grazing the walls until he stopped at one particular door. He put his hand on the door knob.

"Isn't it locked?" Courfeyrac wondered as if the answer was obvious.

"Only from the inside," Gavroche replied evenly, "criminal's secret."

The second he opened the door, he found Montparnasse jumping to his feet startled by the unexpected noise. "Gavroche," he stated gruffly. His eyes wandered to the other students who drifted in as his voice softened, "you brought guests."

"Where is she?" Enjolras demanded, not in the mood for any games.

Montparnasse furrowed his brow momentarily before widening his eyes in realization. He knew he would enjoy playing with the boy's feelings too much. "Oh, you must mean Eponine."

"Of course," he gritted through his teeth; patience wearing thin. "Now, don't make me ask again."

"Well, she's not here," Montparnasse replied with an air of indifference.

Enjolras' head whipped to face Gavroche. "You said she was here."

Gavroche took a step away from Enjolras and crossed the space to stand next to Montparnasse. He held in hands in front of him, "I swear she was 'ere." He lifted his head to look at Montparnasse, "Tell 'im she was 'ere."

Montparnasse side stepped. "I don't have any idea what you're talking about."

"'Parnasse!" Gavroche snapped.

"Look, then just tell us where she is," Joly said almost too pleading.

For a brief moment, Montparnasse's eyes lost their lack of concern; his face hardened and he looked - almost - worried, thinking about where she is now. But a moment later, he snubbed his nose in the air again.

Enjolras didn't miss this. "What are you not telling us?" he demanded more than asked.

"I said I don't know what you're talking about." Montparnasse avoided eye contact with any of them. "Now, would you do me a favor and leave?"

Enjolras had had it. His mind blazed over in fury and he didn't care if Montparnasse was telling the truth or not at this point. Crossing the room, Enjolras grabbed Montparnasse by the lapels of his jacket and slammed him into the farthest wall. "Tell me!" he screamed at him.

"Get off of me!" Montparnasse screamed back earning him a slam into the wall by Enjolras.

Grantaire walked out of the adjacent room holding a pair of blue jeans. No one had noticed he walked out of the living room as all were too preoccupied watching Enjolras. "Enj," Grantaire started approaching the pair brushed against the wall. He held the jeans up, "She has been here. These are hers."

Enjolras turned his head back to Montparnasse. "Tell me right now where she is or I'll..." He lifted his hand in a fist anchoring it above Montparnasse's head, ready to strike.

Montparnasse could only chuckle. "What are you gonna do? Beat me?" Slyly and swiftly, he pulled his knife with his free hand from his pocket and pointed the tip at Enjolras, "Go ahead, pretty boy."

Enjolras faltered but thankfully, Grantaire reached out and pulled Enjolras off of Montparnasse by the shirt before either one got hurt. "Just tell us, and we'll leave." Grantaire breathed still holding onto Enjolras' shirt.

"Why should I tell you? She's doing fine here."

"So she has been here?" Combeferre piped in not missing the subtle information Montparnasse neglected to disclose.

"More or less," he replied with the same indifference.

"Please, 'Parnasse. Eponine needs to go back with Enjolras," Gavroche tried to reason.

"You're one to talk," he snapped back. "You're part of the reason she was here in the first place. Anyway, Eponine is doing fine here, she doesn't need to go back with you." He glared at Enjolras stating the last line.

Gavroche gulped as the students looked at him suspiciously. "What does he mean by 'you're part of the reason,' Gav?" Courfeyrac asked him finally. Gavroche could not find words to speak.

"Didn't he tell you?" Montparnasse stepped in, returning to his slimy voice. "Gavroche helped me bring her back to her father. He wanted to see her suffer."

"That was before I knew!" He shouted as tears brimmed his eyes.

"All the same. You caused it." The boys exchanged glances as they all stood standstill. Neither one completely understood what had happened, but Courfeyrac put a hand on Gavroche's shoulder to reassure him.

"Please," Courfeyrac began, "Just let us know where she is."

"Can't," Montparnasse said simply.

"You sick bastard!" Enjolras shouted again. "Don't you care? She's in danger and you won't even let us help her! What kind of a sick person let's someone else suffer? What is wrong with - "

"I care!" the criminal flared. "You idiots think you're the only ones who care about her? You don't understand! I'm doing this to protect her!"

Enjolras felt part of his anger die down. "Then help us find her." Montparnasse growled and turned away from them. "If you really care about her like you say you do, you'll help us."

"I don't help anyone."

"Not even Ep?" Gavroche asked in his cracked voice. The criminal did not reply. "Please.." he whispered to him.

Montparnasse cracked his knuckles from holding his fist so tight. He slowly turned to face them again. "She on a job right now," he said quietly. "She's look-out while they work."

Enjolras could feel his skin crawl at each word. "Where?"

He stood straighter and walked to the front door showing poise in every step. "I'll take you."

...

Eponine strayed behind the pack making sure to keep quiet just as Montparnasse instructed her. The sun has long been gone and the moon was no where to be found. There was only the faint yellow glow emitting from the old street lights. But the gang much preferred the shadows.

Abruptly, Thenardier stopped in his tracks. "This is the place."

"Just as you said, big house with a large gate," Babet said curling his lip in a cruel smile.

"Alright, 'Ponine," Thenardier turned facing his daughter, "You go on ahead, like we planned and call us when it's clear."

She could only nod before begrudgingly walking through the gang and separating herself from them. Slowly she walked along the wrought iron fence trailing her fingers over each piece of metal. The gate seemed familiar almost like she had been here before. The curve of the bars seemed like something she had felt before. Maybe it was a distant memory of her new life. She couldn't place it but she knew that she knew it.

A voice alerted her from her reverie. No, it was two voices speaking softly and swiftly to each other. What was it? Straining her ears, she heard laughter; a few small giggles by a female. Eponine stopped walking and came to a little opening in the bushes that surrounded the gate. She placed her hands around the metal bars and found one to be loosened. Upon further inspection, the bar could easily be lifted from its hole in the stone.

She lifted her gaze through the fence and through the few bushes and could make out two figures sitting on a bench. One was distinctly a girl and the other was no doubt a man when his voice spoke. It was only hushed whispers but the whispers were deep, much more so than the giggles coming from the girl.

"Marius, please..." Eponine distinctly heard between shallow breaths of laughter.

Marius. He was here, and the other girl must be none other than Cosette. Then it hit her. She had been here before. This was not something from the other Éponine's life, for she was currently living it, this was a scene from her own life back in 1832. Except right now, this was no memory, this was reality and she needed to think quickly.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed that. Major cliff hanger, right? Gosh, I love those! Thanks for reading!