Quick A/N: I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Miss EponineJondretteGirl— m'dear, c'est à cause de genscomme vous—des gensqui font confiance, le soutien, l'accepter, et ont toujoursune sortede mot—que j'écris. Merci de parleravec moi, jevous souhaite à tousla joiedans le monde avec votre dilemme et avec rien d'autre, etAllezLes Amis!

Epilogue

Two Months Later…

"Are you sure you want to try this again? There's no rush, Enjolras; healing takes time." Lynette said anxiously, biting her lip.

"I'm sure. I can't stay in this bed a minute longer; I'll go mad!" Enjolras replied, laughing. Lynette smiled, but he could see the concern still present in her eyes. He smiled assuredly at her, and began to sit up. He was pleased to feel that what had been a sharp, stabbing pain but weeks before was now only the dull hum of a throb, and, with Lynette's help, he was sitting upright on the edge of the bed in no time. For a moment he just sat there, looking down at his feet and at Lynette's small hands hovering nervously in front of him. "If anything hurts, just sit back down, alright?" she instructed, and he nodded. He took a deep breath, then placed his feet on the floor and stood upright. They both held their breath, waiting for the pain to overtake him, but nothing came. Lynette cracked her eyes open, and saw him looking at her, an expression consisting of triumph, amazement, and joy on his face. She gasped and beamed at him, then suddenly he grabbed her around the waist and lifted her in the air, causing her to shriek and giggle like a child. He spun her around once and she wrapped her arms around his neck, then he put her down and embraced her tightly. "Feeling alright?" she asked, still laughing, as soon as her feet were touching the floor again.

"If I hadn't been, would I've been able to do that?" he chuckled, looking down at her euphorically.

"I suppose not." She laughed in reply. He was quiet for a moment, but as he looked around, was hit with the reality of the situation, the dreamlike state he'd been in for so long finally lifting. "I'm walking." He whispered.

"Not yet you're not." She winked, stepping away from him. He took a single, cautionary step forward, the quickly continued toward her until he could wrap his arms around her waist again, pulling her to him. "There." He teased simply.

"Don't sass me, Blondinette." She warned him with an amused glance. He chuckled, then leaned down and kissed her, waiting until she was smiling to pull away. There was another silence between them, but then Lynette's face sombered, and she said, "Well now that we know you can walk, do you still want to go?" He frowned seriously, nodding gravely. "Of course. Now that I'm strong enough, it's about time we went to reminisce and honor." She nodded in solemn agreement. "Indeed. Alright, well if you're sure…"

"I'm sure." He affirmed. She nodded once more, then silently slid her arm through his and together they walked out the door of the bedroom. Enjolras had barely been out of the guest bedroom during his entire stay, and couldn't help looking about at the neat, quaint little house before him. He imagined the last time he'd been this far down the hall, he'd been unconscious and nearly dead from blood loss and infection…

No. If he was to get through this, he would have to block out the ghastly memories he'd acquired but two months before. He continued walking, trying to think of nothing but the sun's warm rays flooding in through the big window above the doorway, the complimentary, intricate pattern of the Desmarais's fine carpet, and Lynette's arm entwined with his own; her long, slender fingers delicately clutching his arm. The simple, mediocre focuses diverted his attentions well, calming him and helping him to evade thoughts of the barricade's final stand.

But they were leaving the comfort and blameless reach of the home in a matter of minutes, so he knew that the memories would come prowling like tigers as soon as familiarity and recognition set in. All he could hope for now is that paying his final respects would put these ghosts to rest once and for all, so that a new life could begin.

"Florence! We're going to step out for a while!" Lynette called. The mistress of the house appeared at the top of the stairs, eyes wide. "Both of you?" she inquired, bewildered and surprised.

"Yes. He's up and walking, and has a long overdue visit that needs to be paid." She responded casually, patting his arm and smiling once at him.

"Oh! Alright then! Congratulations on being up and about, Enjolras!" Florence replied, beaming at them.

"Thank you, Madame. I don't think I need to say that I wouldn't be at this point by now were it not for you." Enjolras replied, nodding graciously with a smile.

"You're right; you don't. Off with you now, you could use the fresh air!" Florence shooed them good-naturedly. They were just about to head out when a little blur flew by her mother, rushing down the stairs. "Wait!" she cried, skidding to a stop in front of the former revolutionaries.

"Good morning, Angelika." Lynette greeted the little girl. Angelika smiled shyly, then produced a bundle from behind her back. "It is very cold today. I was out playing in the garden, and had to return inside for my coat!" she explained as Lynette reached down and took the coats from her.

"Thank you, little one. We'll be sure to wear them." Enjolras smiled at her.

"Another chilly day, Angie? My, I've never known such a cool mid-August!" Florence exclaimed, shaking her head. But then she snapped back into focus, beckoning to her daughter. "Now come along, dearest. We must complete our lessons."

"But mama!" Angelika whined, though she was already obediently trudging back up the steps.

"No but's! Go get your books." Florence requisitioned, following her child into one of the upstairs rooms. Lynette and Enjolras chuckled simultaneously, and Lynette handed him one of the borrowed coats. Once they were both fully swathed, she turned to face him, adjusting his collar. "Ready?" she asked in hushed tones, giving him a half smile.

"Yes. Are you?" he replied. She nodded, and they turned to the door. It swung open, and Enjolras's eyes were flooded with light, the cool air hitting him like a gentle breath. He inhaled deeply, relishing the fresh bite of the air, so different and foreign when paired with the warm, borderline stuffiness of the cozy house. As he adjusted to the sudden change in atmosphere, he looked around him, drinking in the sights whose intimate informality had been dulled by the long respite in Madame Desmarais's home. The cobblestone streets, the blue sky above, the middle-class citizens scurrying about. As they got further from the house, his assumptions proved correct; the more familiar recollection, the more uneasy he grew. There were the beggars, the lowly people of Paris; the men without jobs or hope, the women looking for a few easy francs to feed themselves, the children, sullen and weak with hunger. There they knelt, there they wallowed, just as he had left them. 'Nothing changes,' He thought in sorrowful disgust, 'nothing ever will'. His face must've advertised a silent, brooding message, because Lynette stopped for a moment, gazing up at him. "Are you doing alright?" she queried. He nodded, managing to tear his eyes away from the people once so close to being emancipated to look at her. "Just fine. Let's keep going." He saw her scanning his face, obviously looking for truth in his words, but if she found the dejection looking there, she said nothing. They continued on in silence, no conversation passed between them. It was some sort of unspoken agreement; today was a day of commemoration, not idle chatter.

Enjolras could feel his heart quickening as they got closer to their destination. There was the park, then the petite bakery, then the leather shop…

And then, as they turned onto the street he'd strode down so many times before in every mood imaginable; rage, irritation, exhilaration, and even just serene happiness, he saw l'Café ABC.

As they drew closer to the old student rendezvous, Enjolras took a few deep breaths. The barricade was gone, wiped away by the hands of their enemies just like his comrades' blood had been. It looked so peaceful… so as it normally would have… he was half expecting Grantaire to come staggering down the street, drunk as always, Combeferre to be sitting in the window, or Courfeyrac to be sauntering right out front, trying to woo a passing lady. A lump formed in his throat as he pictured them, their faces just as he remembered them, saying, "Enjolras! Come join us!"

Why haven't I? Why do I deserve any better fate than they?

But he'd gone over this. Lynette. Lynette was what he was here for. He looked over to her then, and saw that she had the same far out look in her eyes. "I can see them too." He whispered, voice breaking slightly. She nodded, biting her lip, glittering eyes fighting back tears. For a moment they just stood there, staring at the place that the children of the barricade had been born, but then Lynette said, "Do you… do you still want to go inside?" He stopped for a moment and thought about it, hesitating ever so slightly. Could he really bear to look at the place he'd once spent every free hour in with his late friends? See it in all of its emptiness?

"Yes." He responded quietly. "Yes, I do."

She inhaled deeply, squeezing his arm tighter. "Alright. Let's go."

They continued forward, walking back into the Café's open, welcoming arms. Yes, even with the dark cloud of sorrow hanging overhead, it was still welcoming them back. They were within five feet of the door when, suddenly, something put itself between them and the entrance. They looked down confusedly to see a tiny, blonde haired woman standing before them. Her eyes were a lovely shade of blue, and were big and wide like a fawn's, and her lips parted into a small, polite smile as she stared back at them. "Excuse me," she began, bowing her head slightly in greeting, "my fiancé is paying tribute to some dearly departed companions. Would you mind waiting a few minutes?"

No sooner had the words reached his ears did Enjolras feel his mind go blank, jaw dropping open. If this girl's fiancé was mourning here… that meant…

One of his friends was inside. One of them was alive. He whipped his head sideways, and saw that Lynette had done the very same, complete shock written all over her face. Someone had survived? Someone had escaped the doom that had so appallingly descended upon the others?

"Are you… are you well, sir?" the woman asked, brows knitting together in confused concern. Enjolras couldn't respond. All he could think about, all he could process, was that one of his closest friends in the world was living and breathing, standing right inside of their old tryst. He gently passed the woman, faintly hearing her surprised protests and Lynette's assurances. He pushed open the doors and saw a man standing in the center of the café, back to him. And from all the time they'd spent together, planning or even just talking, he knew exactly who it was just as easily as if he'd been facing him.

"Marius?" he whispered.

And with that, his old friend turned to look at him, and his eyes widened in shock. "E—Enjolras?" he murmured, staring back at him. But abruptly the boy's hands flew to his face, and he groaned. "Oh, will the phantoms ever leave me? How lifelike they are!" Enjolras nearly laughed. He thought him to be a spirit? A dream figure? Then again, how could he blame him?

"Marius, it's me. Enjolras. I'm here!" he exclaimed, gesturing to himself and the surrounding tavern. For a moment, Marius just stared at him as if in a trance, cocking his head to the side, face blank apart from a slight hint of bewilderment. Enjolras snorted, then began to walk toward the boy, placing his hand on his shoulder. And with that, it as like someone had flipped a switch, causing a light to flicker to life. It struck a chord, and something near awed wonder shone in Marius's eyes. Enjolras?" he whispered once more. Enjolras smiled and nodded, then embraced his friend, clapping his back. "I can't believe… how did you…" Marius stammered, pulling back and smiling ecstatically.

"Lynette… she dragged me away after I'd been shot. She and…" he started to explain, but abruptly he saw Lynette slowly shaking her head out of the corner of his eye. He as confused for a moment, but quickly recovered, realizing he as not to say whom her mysterious assistant was. He didn't understand why, but obviously Lynette had seen or known something more than he, so he quickly recovered himself. "Lynette found us a safe place to stay among medically trained people." He told Marius, glancing away only once as Lynette and the other woman began walking toward them from their post in the door. "Amazing, my friend. It seems luck was on both of our sides' that day." Marius breathed. Enjolras was about to respond accordingly when a high, childish voice said, "Marius, dear? Do you know these people?"

"Yes! My dear, exquisite Cosette; these are some of my fellow revolutionaries! Friends who stood beside me at the barricade!" Marius exclaimed jovially, taking the woman's hands and smiling wildly. 'Ah…' both Lynette and Enjolras thought, 'so this is the famed Cosette.' The tiny woman's eyes widened even more than their natural state, and she emitted a small gasp. "Really? But I thought you said you were the only one to survive!" she stated in disbelief.

"And I though they had! But no, my love, they're here!" Marius cried excitedly, pulling her closer. Cosette squeezed his hands and beamed at him, then turned to the café's two other occupants. "It's so wonderful that I actually get to meet you. My name is Cosette. Marius speaks of you and your bravery so often!" the small blonde enthused, a bright smile bursting forth like a joyous ray of sunshine. Lynette realized how easily Marius could have forgotten about Éponine, poor soul, in comparison; the girl was stunning, spotless, and glowing with health.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mademoiselle. My name is Enjolras, and this is Lynette. Marius spoke of you often as well." Enjolras grinned, taking the easy opportunity to tease his lovesick friend, just like the old times. Marius's smile wavered slightly, pleading them warningly with his eyes.

"Did he now?" Cosette smiled amusedly, catching on.

"Oh yes, every day! It seemed every other breath was something about you!" Enjolras continued, and Lynette stepped forward. "I second that claim. Come now late in arrival, don't I get a hello?" she asked innocently. Marius had suddenly found the floor quite fascinating, but he looked up at her words. "Good to see you again, Lynette."

"Same to you Marius." She chuckled, stepping forward and embracing him. two people in the room tensed; for though they knew the action was completely innocent, they could not restrain the instinctive jealousy. As soon as she'd stepped away, Enjolras asked what had been presently hovering in the back of his mind since he heard that his friend lived. "Marius, how did you survive?" he asked curiously. He was surprised to see the younger man shrug. "I'm not entirely sure. One second I'm falling off the side of the barricade, the next I'm staring up at the face of my love." Marius explained, eyes softening as he looked to Cosette. She linked her arm with his, then continued, "There was a knock in the middle of the night, but when I went to open the door, my Marius, bleeding and unconscious, was the only one there." Neither Lynette nor Enjolras said a word after the young couple had finished their tale, because both knew exactly who had brought Marius home. The question they both pondered was, Why does he hide from his own family?

Lynette was even more confused than her partner, considering she knew even more about l'Monsieur's mysterious ways. He had known the Desmarais's in another time, but refused to let them discuss it. He had used a false name. And now he had saved Marius, but would not let his good deed be brought into the light. "He's a funny man, that Monsieur Madeline." Florence had said. 'More than funny,' she thought silently, 'What is he running from?'

"But I suppose my savior's identity matters little now that we are all here together." Marius smiled, opening up his arms in an amiable gesture to the group. "Well, not all of us." Lynette whispered, releasing the eminent thought that had consumed all those who'd fought on that fatal night and lived. A heavy silence settled on their shoulders and lowered their heads, and barely a breath was heard. All felt the surreal presence of the spirits of the fallen; knew that they were not alone in the familiar, regular meeting place. The silence remained with them for several minutes that felt like an eternity, but then Marius whispered, "There's a grief that… cannot even be spoken." The others, even Cosette, nodded subconsciously in agreement.

"It's been paining me for weeks now." Enjolras continued in hushed tones.

"I'm finding it hard to look at these very chairs they sat in… empty." Lynette added quietly. Another chorus of nods.

"It's like… it's like I can still see them… still hear them." Marius murmured, eyes grazing over the room around him.

"I completely agree." Enjolras agreed solemnly. After one last moment of silence, Lynette suddenly rang out, "You did not die in vain, my friends! You let your courage shine forth, and they saw! They trembled!" Though her cries were uttered for no one visible, none of the others questioned her stability. She was simply delivering her final discourse to her deceased amis, letting them know they would not be forgotten. It was something they'd all needed to do, but Lynette had taken the deepest thoughts right from their heads, wording them perfectly and leaving nothing more to be said. The weaver of words at her post once more.

When she had finished, there was another quiet moment, but Enjolras had one last thing to add before his mind could be at rest. "You will be immensely missed." He whispered, and the others nodded, then bowed their heads in reverence.

"Why does my conscience still burden me with guilt?" Marius quavered after a minute.

"We cannot ask ourselves why we live when they are gone, we must just know that there is indeed a reason." Lynette assured, putting her hand on the boy's shoulder. Her gaze flickered over to Enjolras for but a moment when she spoke of reasons, and he had to bite back a content smile, as it was not appropriate for the place or time.

Marius nodded, face relaxing slightly. "Alright, I know. I'm here for Cosette, and that's all that matters." A tiny smile broke free of the young man's sorrowful guise, and Cosette mimicked it, stepping forward and pecking his cheek.

"Exactly. We have a new purpose now." Enjolras said softly, catching Lynette's eye and holding it there. Cosette saw it first, glancing back and forth between the two. "Oh. Oh… How lovely!" she squealed, beaming at them. Both Lynette and Enjolras blushed, breaking their deep gaze.

"What?" Marius said quizzically, looking confusedly at his fiancé. She giggled merrily, hitting her intended lightly on the arm. "Are you completely blind?" she asked jokingly. Marius blushed, looking down for a moment. "I just don't understand; what's lovely?" he questioned, naivety sending his love into a fit of child-like giggles.

'It isn't the first time he's been so clueless…' Lynette couldn't help thinking, Éponine's pained smile materializing in her mind. But Enjolras was too busy praying Cosette would leave the subject on that note, knowing that if Marius was told, he was about to get his for all the teasing.

"Your dear friends here are in love!" Cosette exclaimed, as if ignoring Enjolras's unspoken pleas. But no cockiness or mischief crept onto Marius's features; the poor boy just looked shocked. "What? No, but they… they clashed like a firing squad! They bickered and taunted each other ceaselessly! My dear, you must be mistaken. Forgive her, Enj—"

"Oh Marius, when will you learn that things aren't always what they seem? That love grows in the most peculiar of places?" Cosette sighed languorously. Marius turned to Enjolras, eyes wide. "Is it… is it true?" he asked in disbelief.

"Well—"

"Of course it is! Just look at him, see the tenderness in his eyes, the blissful similarity to the way you look at me!" she said softly, wrapping her arms around his neck. Marius gently kissed her forehead, then turned back to his fellow comrades. "So it is true then? The fearless, fervent, unyielding Enjolras has fallen in love with a real woman?" he smiled impishly, the tomfoolery slinking forth. Enjolras huffed, cheeks burning.

"Indeed. Unlikely as it sounds, I have." He replied gruffly. Lynette and Marius both bit back laughs at his sulking tone, and Lynette stepped forward, taking his hand securely. Marius winked at him, saying, "You understand what I was trying to tell you now? How you just know? I daresay you knew Lynette for a shorter period than I did Cosette…" he trailed off, eyes shining with laughter. Enjolras glared at him, pride swelling at his caustically playful comments. Lynette saw his tense demeanor and squeezed his hand, smiling softly when he turned to look at her. It was a small action, but it helped him. He calmed down… a bit.

"Oh, come now Enjolras, I'm only teasing! It's hardly fair; you humiliate me in front of my fiancé, yet when my turn comes to make you flush you glare at me as if I'd slapped you!" Marius chortled, mock-irritation coating his tone.

"That's because things have been federally officiated between you two. Lynette could still leave me should she feel the urge to." Enjolras retorted, laughing, though it was true the thought had crossed his mind. He was almost entirely certain that what he feared was outrageous, yet he couldn't help fearing. He was only human.

"And when did you begin caring about anything federal?" Marius boomed with laughter, then turned to Lynette. "Run, Lynette. Run while you still can, lest you life be condemned to one trapped beneath his mountains of books!" The group laughed genially, Lynette leaning against Enjolras's shoulder. "And I couldn't think of anything better. Much obliged, Marius; but I have a real catch here. He won't get away from me so easily." She laughed.

"Well alright then, suit yourself. But do I have some interesting stories to tell you…" Marius replied, entertained eyes flickering to Enjolras in a silent challenge.

"And what do you mean by that, Monsieur?" Lynette giggled, though she made sure her arm remained firmly entwined with Enjolras's as an assurance that this was all in good fun.

"Well for starters, your révolutionnaire has done some peculiar things while drunk…" Marius began, and the lethal look he received in return only added to his amusement. Lynette laughed, clear and bird-like. "I'd love to hear some of them later on." She told him, winking.

"Why later on? We have time…" Marius continued humorously, but Enjolras cut him off before these humiliating stories could surface. "Careful, my friend; one word more and you may find yourself facedown on the floorboards."

"And what if I managed to fight you off?" Marius taunted good-naturedly. Enjolras simply snorted and raised an eyebrow in return. "Well… long enough to reveal one of these comical tales, at least?" Marius corrected with a laugh, knowing that his lean, boyish structure never had stood a chance against Enjolras's muscular build.

"Do you really want to take that chance? Because you know I'll do anything to protect my pride." Enjolras cautioned him, raising his eyebrows.

"And Lynette's innocent ears, apparently." Marius teased cheekily.

"Good God Marius, you've gotten as bad as Grantaire!" Enjolras exclaimed, booming with laughter. He was past his edgy worry; he knew that Marius was really only having fun and was too honorable and loyal to his friends to reveal anything which would cause them discomfort.

"So it would seem. Which reminds me of that one bet he made you a while back…"

"Marius!"

"You're no fun at all, you know that? Monsieur Livres et Riguer." Marius pretended to scowl, though he couldn't keep his puckered guise on for long. Their women had watched this little banter go on, and shook their heads, smiling. Then Lynette turned to Cosette, an amused glint in her eye. "Congratulations on the engagement, by the way." She nodded to the petite blonde.

"Why thank you, Miss Lynette! I'm happy as a lark!" Cosette chirped in reply, beaming.

"Tell me, Cosette; are you planning on starting a family with Marius?" Lynette asked, and Cosette could tell by the mischievous expression on her face that she was not just trying to make casual conversation. So, she played along, chuckling, "I was certainly hoping so. Why do you ask?"

"I think you may want to wait a while first." Lynette continued, hinting her with a single, twinkling glance.

"Because I need to be sure to raise my husband first?" Cosette guessed, catching on immediately. The girls burst into a fit of giggles, during which Marius caught Cosette by surprise, snaking his arms around her waist and pulling her close to him. "Raise your husband? Since when does my Cosette make such sharp, witty comments?" he asked her, smiling.

"Since you and your studious friend here began squabbling like children." She fired back, grinning sassily. He spun them both around once, causing her to shriek in delight. "There's another one! My, who are you, and what have you done with my shy, soft-spoken Cosette?" the boy teased her.

"Oh, you don't like this new side of me?" she asked innocently, widening her eyes.

"Quite the contrary, my dear; it's simply different. But I love this new free-lanced spirit…" Marius grinned down at her, but Enjolras intervened. "Well, we actually must be going. But I cannot even express what a joy it was to see you alive and well, Marius." He told them, subconsciously wrapping his arm around Lynette's waist. He had one more thing he needed to do now that he was up and about, and he was sure that if he stayed much longer, he would forget all about it. Or worse; try to talk himself out of it.

"So soon? But we've only just found each other again!" Marius said, looking up at his friend in disappointment.

"Yes Enjolras, I'm sure we can afford to stay a few more minutes." Lynette agreed. She and he had been more than happy together for the past few months as he recovered, but she knew that she could never give him the brotherly bond he'd shared with the other men of the barricades. She would often walk into his room to see him wincing and grimacing in his sleep; the irrational guilt he felt for his friends' deaths obviously haunting him even in the serene state. Seeing him so cheerfully ragging with another who'd survived was like a cool, relieving drink of water; it had helped him let go.

"No, we really must be heading out. But we should certainly meet up in the next few days; we'd love to hear the details of your wedding." Enjolras responded, smiling politely.

"Oh yes, of course! You're welcome anytime; 55 Rue Plumet!" Cosette explained warmly.

"Much obliged, Cosette. We'll be sure to visit soon." Lynette returned her grin, nodding towards the lovebirds.

"Oh, please do! I'm sure my father would love to meet you as well!" Cosette enthused, taking Lynette's hands, glancing back and forth between her and Enjolras.

"That is very kind. We look forward to making his acquaintance as well." Lynette replied smoothly, not even missing a beat at the mention of the strange old man. Enjolras turned to shake hands with Marius. "Goodbye, my friend. I hate to leave so abruptly, but I have a bit more business to attend to." He repeated seriously, shooting the younger man a small smile. Marius nodded in return. "Ah. I think… just maybe… I know what that business may be. No worries; this is your first time standing in a few months, I could hardly expect you to engage in idle chatter when there's so much to be done." He joked, nudging his stubborn friend. Enjolras chuckled. "Glad we've reached an understanding. Come now, Lynette." Lynette said a final farewell to Cosette, then re-linked arms with her resilient companion. They turned and walked to the door, then exited the old, reliable café. "So, did you accomplish what it was you came here for?" Lynette asked him as soon as they were outside.

"Yes. I think I can finally relax… not to mention finding out that not everyone was killed that day." he replied, smiling down at her.

"Yes, that was a lovely surprise. Cosette is such a sweet little thing; I think they'll be very happy together." Lynette commented in return.

"Indeed…" he responded, but his mind was elsewhere. He had one last place to visit before they returned to l'Desmarais's, but he had something specific to accomplish there. And his thoughts had snapped into the mode he'd been in all during the early stages of he revolution; planning it down to the very last detail.

"So where is it you so desperately needed to go, Blondinette?" Lynette teased, looking up at him curiously.

"I just have one last stop to make, is that alright with you?" he asked her.

"Of course it is. But where?" she pressed.

"My old apartment." He answered simply, not wanting to explain it much farther. She nodded. "Alright. It will be nice to see where you lived." She said sweetly, and he grinned at her before looking ahead again. Before long they stood before it; the large building he'd once called home. It was here where his ideas for the revolution had bloomed, here where he first began scribbling out stratagems. Here where he spent many nights tirelessly perfecting their plans, here where he anxiously awaited the day that he could finally put them into action, liberating those left in darkness. And now, it was here where he would finally receive his new beginning.

They entered the building and slowly worked their way up to his flat, where they hesitated for a moment before the plain, wooden door. "Ready?" Lynette asked, smiling encouragingly at him. He looked at her and his heart rate sped up, but he simply nodded and put his key in the lock, knowing that there was no turning back now. He had to go through with this. He took a deep breath, then let the door swing open. They stepped inside, and he immediately saw that everything was just as he'd left it. It was almost… eerie. It looked just as it had when he'd left on that deathly dawn. He'd almost expected it to lie in ruins; after such a horrific massacre, how could it stay the same?

He also thought that the soldiers may have stopped by looking for him and ransacked the place, but no; everything lay in neat order as it always had. He was almost angry for a moment; this proved that his heartless opponents had known absolutely nothing about him; not his name or occupation, or where he dwelled. All they'd cared about was sending bullets tearing through him, all because he'd expressed an opinion which seemed to be nothing but hard-core truth to everyone but them. But he quickly calmed himself, knowing that was not why he had come. Hearts could not just miraculously grow inside a person so long without one, and therefore it was inevitable that those men would never change.

He walked over to his desk, smirking as he looked down at a thesis he'd started writing; buried and forgotten once the planning for his precious rebellion had begun. Then he turned to the neatly made bed, glanced over to the close and the small hearth with the little dining table beside it; ran his fingers over the spines of his vast bookshelf, just reminiscing. Wondering how life could go on so simply as if nothing had ever happened right after an event that should have gone down in history.

"It's a lovely flat. Very welcoming and cozy." Lynette piped up, and he turned to look at her. She was leaning up against the closed bathroom door, the sun flooding in through the window making her radiant face glow. It brought him back to earth, and his heart pumped faster as he remembered why he'd come. "Yes, and it's a great convenience price-wise as well. My father assisted me in purchasing it, so other than a few annual expenses, there's no rent." He blurted the explanation, cursing his petty anxiety. He'd commented to nervously dodge the things he should have said, and he knew it. Good God, why must he lose his way with words now?

"Well, that's always helpful. It really is a nice flat; you're lucky to have it." She smiled at him. There. That was his perfect doorway of opportunity, and he'd be damned if he allowed fear to slam it in his face.

"But it does get rather lonely."

Lynette's brows arched slightly. "Really? It's—"

"But it doesn't have to stay that way." He whispered, cutting her off as he forced his eyes to remain locked with hers. Now the shock fully overtook her face. "Wh—What?" she stammered. He walked over to her and took her hands, gazing into those lively, sea-green eyes. "I mean," he began, "that I don't want to live in solitude anymore. I don't want to live alone with only books for company a second longer. I want to live forever by your side." And then he got down on his knees, still holding both her hands in his. "Lynette, would you do me the honor of sharing this flat and granting me your hand?"

She did not speak for a moment, mouth open in a silent 'o' as she looked don at him. Her silence wavered him once more, and the anxious babbling began again. "Of course, it can be renovated to suit the needs of two; the needs of a home, and I'm fully prepared to—"

He was cut off by her throwing herself into his arms, crushing her lips to his. He knew what it symbolized, and could have sighed in relief, had his mouth not been otherwise occupied at the moment. In his happy eagerness he deepened the kiss, lips clinging to hers in a silent, wordless declaration of adulation. After a while, she pulled away slowly, opening her eyes and staring at him, marine orbs probing his expression as if to make sure he got the message. He grinned impishly. "Had I really just rendered the weaver of words speechless?" he inquired playfully. She beamed back, stroking his cheeks and retorting, "Had I really just had the proud, all-powerful Enjolras on his knees before me? You didn't seem like the marrying type." He had gotten a bit lost in her touch, but he managed to reply, "Indeed you had. And I didn't think so either; but you changed me. I am yours."

"But… but what about your devotion to your country? To Patria?" she questioned, dead seriousness washing over her tone.

"You are my Patria now." He said softly in reply, tenderly smoothing a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. And it was true. He still felt a great pride in his country, and would no doubt be trying to find ways of emancipation again soon, but now a new passion was aflame inside of him; one burned for her and only her. He knew that now that she had agreed to be his, she would always be first in his soul.

Tears welled up in her eyes ay his words; they were the most stunning, exquisite, faultless words he could have said to her, and their higher meaning nearly escaped her comprehension. He had just proclaimed her his new Patria, the thing she knew him to love with the most fervent of ardencies. Her heart swelled as she replayed them in her mind, knowing that they would now remain there, and etched in her heart, forever more. Then, she just couldn't rein in the exploding ecstasy anymore; she kissed him once more, tears running down her cheeks.

He couldn't help but smile as she caught his lips again; the woman he loved more than anything else was now his officiated fiancé. Her sweet mouth moved as one with his, and he shivered in bliss as her fingers tightened in his hair. With that kiss, he could nearly feel Fate nodding in satisfaction; for with his new, living, breathing Patria in his arms, he knew he was about to embark on the new start that he'd come for.

La Fin (?)

A/N: And there ya have it… the end of all I'd (originally) written for this story. *tears up at the word 'end'*

And it was a happy ending, too! But will it stay that way? Or does our rebellious couple here have some rough waters ahead of them? You'll need to read the upcoming DELETED SCENES/EXTRAS to find out! :D That's right, you heard me! I'm not done with these two just yet! Here are some of the ideas I've had for the extras so far; mayhap you'll begin guessing what they're about and let me know if there's anything more you want to see from me! (Cuz I am more than open to new ideas! )

Trials and Tribulations

Meet the Beauchene's

Different POV's from during the main plotline

Introducing Madame and Monsieur Enjolras… Sr.

When Our Pasts Hang Over Us…

And several more! So please; let me know what your guesses are for these listed notions, and if there's anything you're hoping to see from me!

And on a similar note; I was wondering if any of you who are planning on reading my upcoming Lyn/Enj pieces would please add me to your favorite authors so that you will receive email notices for when I've released a new one; as they are going to be separate from this story. I'm not doing this because of my own selfish desires for suscribers; but only because I'm hoping y'all will continue following this story and don't want to send out individual PM's for each and every DS/E. Please and thank you; I love love love you all so much and could surely not go on if I didn't have such wonderful, kind, supportive readers! Thank you so much for the incredible gift you've given me! Love and Hugs-from-Enjolras, DonJuana