A/N: LONG chapter. Warning for a rather traumatic scene at the end of it.

Chapter 28: The Extension of Family

The first light of dawn found Eponine already awake and preparing for the encounter at the Luxembourg. 'Thank heavens Combeferre said he'd watch Neville till I could get this over and done with,' she thought as she searched for the small pouch of money that had been a payment for her brothers. She bit her lip as she looked at the empty space in the bed that Neville normally shared with Jacques; she'd moved her ill brother upstairs to Combeferre's room so he could recuperate without being disturbed by the antics of the rest of the household. 'Maybe by Christmas he'll be back here,' she thought wistfully as she opened a drawer.

Suddenly the drawer slammed shut, nearly trapping Eponine's fingers. "What are you doing?" Azelma asked in a low voice.

"Giving back the money to Citizenness Allen," Eponine replied crossly. "I told her I would."

"You think she's going to just take it and leave us alone," Azelma mocked. "You know how stupid that sounds, Ponine?"

"I don't care if it sounds stupid to you, but it's what I have to do," Eponine retorted as she tried to yank the drawer open again, but was stopped by Azelma's hand. "Will you stop being such a pest?"

"Pest? You're calling me that after my trying to help?" Azelma spat. She was now red in the face as she looked at her sister. "I keep telling you why I had to get that money, to help us through the winter."

"And look what it did!"

"Maman did the same thing, you know. It got us ten francs a month this is so much more-"

"You've seen Neville's foot," Eponine snapped. "He might lose it, he might never be able to run-"

"It's only because he fell down and hurt himself!"

"Well we don't know when that happened! If we hadn't been at the Rue de Bac last night, we might not have found them and they might be dead by winter. Dead! Don't you remember what that means?"

Azelma raised an eyebrow. "That wouldn't be our fault."

"It would be since they're still our brothers!" Eponine shot back as she tried again to pry Azelma's hand away from the drawer. "Maman is gone and Papa is somewhere, so who else can take care of them?"

"I solved that problem," Azelma huffed. "What, the money isn't enough for you then-"

"Azelma, it's not about the money!"

"Not about that? Come on, Eponine, isn't that what we always need, what we always never have enough of? Isn't that why you were sighing after that Baron Pontmercy, and then that lancer Gillenormand?" Azelma taunted. "Isn't that what you want with Enjolras?"

Eponine felt her face grow hot at these accusations. "I never asked money from them. That's never what I wanted with Marius or Theodule."

Azelma stamped her foot. "You can't keep on pretending to be a lady if you have nothing to show for it!"

"What more do you want me to do?" Eponine seethed, finally yanking the drawer open. "Did you think respectable meant just sitting around all day-"

"Maybe it's fine by you to work at that bookshop all day, but that's not fine by me! If you could get more money-"

"I'm not making any more deals like what Papa used to do."

Azelma looked at her for a moment and laughed. "Parnasse was right, you were always such a silly."

"I don't care what Parnasse said," Eponine said through gritted teeth as she finally pocketed the small pouch containing the money from Citizenness Allen. "I'll be back for breakfast-"

By this time even Gavroche and Jacques were up. "Ponine, where are you going?" Jacques asked.

"Making sure that the lady won't ever have you or Neville again," Eponine answered.

Jacques shook her head and tugged at her skirt. "Ponine, she's scary! Don't go!"

"She'll be fine; if anyone can do it, it's Ponine, she's not scared," Gavroche said cockily.

"He's right," Eponine replied, wishing she could believe Gavroche's reassurances. The truth was that she wished that she could either stay at home or hide behind the bookshop counter. She was safe in those places; out in the Luxembourg with Citizenness Allen was another story.

Nevertheless she took a deep breath as she pushed her hair back behind her ears. "You go on down, I think Citizenness Leclair will have breakfast ready. Enjolras might be there too. Gavroche will walk with you to school today," she added, carefully straightening out Jacques' shirt before hugging him briefly. Gavroche gave her a confident grin before springing up to open the door for her. She noticed a disgusted look forming on Azelma's face, but she willed herself to simply close the apartment door behind her and hurry downstairs.

The early morning air was crisp and chilly, enough to make Eponine choose to run to the Luxembourg instead of heading there at a slow plod. She was nearly winded by the time she got there, in time to see the sun now rising over the treetops. 'Will she be early or late?' she wondered as she looked about. She finally caught sight of Citizenness Allen, clad in a thick blue merino dress, with her face covered by a large hat with purple plumes.

The Englishwoman sneered at Eponine. "You're late."

"What do you mean? I haven't heard the bells toll yet for matins," Eponine said. She held out the small moneybag. "It's the exact amount. Five thousand francs." Inasmuch as she was sorry to have to return this sum of money, she had to steel herself to make the exchange anyway.

Citizenness Allen's lips pursed with disapproval. "I will need more. I fed those whining brats for a week, and I need to settle my accounts."

"I told you I'd give nothing more," Eponine replied, tossing the bag at the older woman's feet. "You can count it out right now, in front of me."

"Who gave you that idea, your handsome lawyer friend?"

'No, that was what Papa would have told me to do in this case,' Eponine thought, balling up her hand into a fist in the event Citizenness Allen attacked her. The woman gave her a venomous look as she bent to pick up the money bag before quickly stashing it in her skirt. "You'd better not cross my path again, girl, or I will not be as kind," she growled.

"I will be watching," Eponine said, smiling coolly. She stood still, waiting till Citizenness Allen was out of the park before she made her way to a bench near a statue of a gladiator. She sighed with relief as she heard the bells began to ring in the distance, signalling the first prayers of the day.

Suddenly a surprised cry and a series of curses came from the end of the park, prompting Eponine to look up in time to see a policeman accosting Citizenness Allen. Eponine lost no time in hiding behind some tall shrubbery before the Englishwoman could point her out. 'It's not over yet!' she thought as she quickly ran through the promenade, clambering over a fence to make her escape unnoticed. She wouldn't be surprised if Montparnasse, Babet, Gueuleumer or some of their associates soon showed up at her door, demanding an explanation.

It occurred to her, just as she reached the corner of the Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, that there was only one person who could have tipped off the police about Citizenness Allen's whereabouts. She gritted her teeth, determined now to get across to a certain young man that he may as well have earned another round of retribution because of this bit of intelligence. However when she arrived back at the house, Enjolras was nowhere to be found, again.

"Actually he went out before breakfast, before anyone could get downstairs," Citizenness Leclair informed her. "Thought you'd gone out to see him, Eponine."

Eponine shook her head. 'He probably went straight to work after going to the police,' she realized. "Is there still bread left? I'll eat it while watching my brother-"

"No, you will eat properly downstairs. I'll go up and take care of Neville so that the doctor can get some rest," Citizenness Leclair said, practically pushing Eponine to the kitchen. "I'll even get Azelma to come with me since your brothers are already at school," the concierge called over her shoulder as she sauntered up the stairs.

'Now I'll have to find a way to thank her too,' Eponine thought as she reluctantly sat down for her solitary repast. She couldn't help but think of how nearly all her friends had pitched in during the previous week to help search for her brothers. The young men, as well as Claudine, Musichetta, and Paulette had made inquiries in their respective circles and neighborhoods. In fact the Pontmercys had even gone as far as searching some orphanages surrounding Paris. 'They didn't have to do it, none of them had to,' she thought. Somehow, she couldn't help but wonder if she would have had the courage to do the same if their positions had ever been reversed.

Fortunately the bookshop was busy again that day, giving Eponine less time to mull over these matters. As she was in the middle of cutting up some books that had begun to grow moldy, she noticed a lancer walking up to the shop. She bit her lip as she watched him push the door open. "Good morning Citizen Gillenormand."

He bowed stiffly. "Mademoiselle Thenardier. You look very well."

Eponine managed a smile. "Thank you. It's been some time since you've come here."

"I've been busy," Theodule replied. "How are your siblings?"

"Mostly well, but Neville has been a little ill." She gritted her teeth at the lie though she would never be able to explain her present troubles to Theodule. "Are you looking for a present for someone?" she asked innocently.

"No. It's you I want to speak with," Theodule replied. "I have leave to visit my mother's family, in Dijon. I will be gone beginning tomorrow until after the New Year. Would you want to accompany me?"

Eponine's jaw dropped. For a moment the idea of travelling, of the diligence and the promise of different climes filled her mind, making her smile widely. 'It would be wonderful to see those!' she thought. "I s'pose I'd like it very much, and so will Azelma..."

"Azelma, your sister?" Theodule clarified.

"Yes, who else? She and the boys-"

"I don't know if they can come along, my relatives cannot put even them up. I'm sure your friends or even my cousin will be happy to let them stay over for a few days."

The idea of getting away from Azelma for a little while was enough to make Eponine smile at least for a moment, at least until she remembered Jacques' pleading earlier that morning. She sighed as she looked at Theodule. "I shouldn't. My friends have families to visit too, most of them at least," she said, remembering Feuilly at the last minute. "I can't ask them to do what I should be doing."

Theodule's mustache twitched. "You won't even consider it? We would enjoy the trip. It would be a chance to get away from this city for a while."

"I wish I could think of it that way," Eponine replied. She thought of saying that she did miss Theodule's company but she bit her lip. 'You hardly thought of him during all this time,' she realized. Even being this close to him did not bring about any pull or ache, as she used to feel in days gone by when Marius or Montparnasse was around.

The lancer smiled wryly. "You're becoming a bit too serious -like my cousin or some of your other friends. You're far too young for that, Mademoiselle."

"I s'pose, but they've had plenty of troubles and so have I," Eponine pointed out. She knew that a lancer's life wasn't easy but it was a better guarantee of employment, lodging, and food than most other situations she could think of.

"Can't I ask you to reconsider?"

"I'm sorry, no."

Theodule paused before nodding slowly. "Well then, I hope you and your siblings will enjoy the holidays. Goodbye, Mademoiselle Thenardier," he said before tipping his hat to her and then quitting the shop.

'I really wanted to go, but he couldn't see it,' Eponine thought. She gritted her teeth, wishing for a little bit that she could simply forget all the worries of the past days and weeks. 'I can't even wish to be like Cosette since she's got her father to worry about too,' she told herself as she got back to her work. At least she could actually earn five francs instead of resorting to begging that sum from the neighbours.

When she returned to the Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau later that day, she saw that the door of the house was open. Before she could step in and ask, Musichetta pulled her into the front hall. "We've invaded the house," she laughed.

"Who do you mean by 'we'?" Eponine asked as she followed her friend upstairs. She rolled her eyes when she saw Gavroche sitting with Bahorel, Bossuet, and Grantaire in the hallway, listening to their stories. 'That can only mean trouble,' she thought. "What are you doing here?"

"Visiting your brothers and making sure that you and Combeferre do not weary yourselves out," Bossuet replied. "Joly and Claudine are upstairs with Combeferre. Where's Enjolras?"

"Haven't seen him all day," Eponine replied distractedly. She peered in her room and saw Paulette and Cosette fussing over little Jacques. Courfeyrac and Feuilly were also there, ribbing Marius about something. Prouvaire was chatting with Azelma, but in hushed tones. At the sight of Eponine, Azelma rolled her eyes and picked up a book. Prouvaire shook his head before glancing at Azelma, and then hurrying over to where Eponine stood.

Eponine looked at him quizzically. "My sister has been telling you things, hasn't she?"

Prouvaire glanced at Azelma before a guilty blush covered his face. "She told me you got into a fight this morning," he blurted out.

Eponine rolled her eyes. "She started it."

"I don't know what happened. I don't know if I want to. But she told me she wants to stay with me," the poet said. "I want to ask if it is fine with you."

'Is it because of this week?' Eponine wondered, casting a critical look at her sister. Although Azelma wasn't talking of running back to the streets, the fact that she wanted to leave and move under someone else's roof still stung somewhat. "She doesn't have to stay with you; I'll care for her better, try not to fight-" she began.

"Eponine, I was the one who made the offer of my place," Prouvaire confessed.

"What!"

Prouvaire reddened even further. "I'm sorry if I offended you; that wasn't what I intended. It's just that she told me she's not happy, and I know it's because you've been fighting so much. I don't want to see her back on the streets. I only want to help her."

"You know how my sister is! What if she leads her old friends to your rooms?" Eponine hissed. She did not want to imagine what Azelma was capable of nowadays, especially after the debacle with their brothers. There was no telling what she would do to a man as gentle as Prouvaire.

"I don't think she will," Prouvaire said with a new firmness in his voice. "I trust her."

Eponine sighed, glancing from Prouvaire to Azelma. 'One more fight and Zelma will probably run,' she realized. Had things gotten so bad to the point that Prouvaire was the only person that Azelma could stand? Eponine knew that she could trust Prouvaire as far as Azelma's welfare was concerned, but would it be enough to make this proposed situation a success? Yet it seemed that the only alternative was Azelma packing up but heading out to the alleys again.

"One month then. But if she does anything to you, I'm going to the police myself," Eponine said after a few moments. "I hope you will not regret it."

"Thank you. I hope the same as well," Prouvaire said with relief before hurrying back to where Azelma was still seated.

'I almost feel sorry for Prouvaire now,' Eponine couldn't help thinking. She glanced over to where Azelma and Prouvaire were now talking and for a moment her gaze met Azelma's. A smirk of triumph spread over the younger girl's face, just long enough to make Eponine's gut lurch. She bit her lip as she went to where Jacques was squirming away from Paulette, who was trying to pinch his cheeks.

"Ponine, why are there so many people here?" the child whined as his sister scooped him up.

"I s'pose since it's because they want to make sure you and Neville will be fine," Eponine said, brushing some pastry crumbs off her brother's shirt. "Who told you all?" she asked her friends.

"Courfeyrac. You know that nothing misses him," Cosette replied. She gestured to a large wicker basket. "We also brought some treats for your brothers, and I found a lovely scarf for Azelma and a book for you."

"Thank you," Eponine said. It felt a little awkward to accept a gift from Cosette, especially considering the fact that she'd once given the other woman rags. "How is your father?"

"Better each day. Did the police ever catch the lady who took your brothers?"

"I think so," Eponine said, remembering briefly the aftermath of the encounter at the park. "I s'pose she won't bother us ever, I've seen her face and she knows I can remember it and tell anyone."

"I heard that you and Enjolras actually had to fight her in an alley?" Paulette asked.

"We didn't, but she got scared like a baby, I think she knew I could scream and if the cognes, I mean the police, came they would believe us and not her," Eponine explained.

"Did you have to speak to her in English?" Paulette asked moments before Musichetta entered the room, looking quite cross. "What happened?" she asked the other grisette.

"The boys are being silly," Musichetta said, casting a look at where Bahorel and Grantaire had now sauntered up to Courfeyrac and Feuilly. Bossuet was trying to explain something to Prouvaire, who looked vaguely amused at the situation. "They are trying to start a petition to get Enjolras to run for the Parisian legislature," Musichetta replied.

Eponine's eyes widened. "Why do you need a petition? He can decide for himself, can't he?"

"Because he can also very well run for the legislature but representing Aix," Courfeyrac explained. "It's our friends from the Courgourde who are clamouring for him to do so."

"How long till he has to decide?" Eponine asked.

"He has till the 28th of this month," Feuilly said.

"That's two days after the hearing for Father's case. There is still time to decide," Cosette observed.

"I pity him; there will be agitation for sure from his colleagues, both past and present. Which is why we must make some very convincing arguments-" Bahorel began.

"Has he even said if he wants to run at all?" Marius chimed in.

"Why, will he decide otherwise?" Grantaire remarked.

"Decide on what?" another voice chimed in. Silence quickly descended upon the entire room as everyone turned to see Enjolras with a wry smile on his face as he stood in the doorway.

"About you running for the legislature?" Courfeyrac said innocently.

"I have some other matters to settle before I can think about it properly," Enjolras replied, glancing momentarily at the Pontmercys.

Bossuet grinned at him. "So you have been thinking about it?"

"Because it has been brought up time and again." Enjolras paused as he regarded his friends. "The legislature isn't the only means to continue the work started this June."

"But it is very direct," Courfeyrac replied. "Lasting, even."

'He'd do a fantastic job, no matter where he chooses to go,' Eponine thought, even as she watched Enjolras' expression grow pensive as he took a seat. 'But if he runs at Aix, he will have to go. First Theodule, then him,' she couldn't help thinking, even when she saw Claudine in the hallway.

"How is-" Eponine asked as she hurried out into the hall. She felt the words die in her throat at the sight of her friend's face; the older girl's countenance was drawn and grim. "Claudine? What's happened to my brother?"

"The infection is beginning to spread," Claudine whispered. She took Eponine's hands. "I'm sorry, Eponine, but you know we have to-"

"Combeferre said he found medicine. Enjolras and I saw him put it on Neville's foot. Maybe it just needs a little time-" Eponine pleaded. "Please, please..."

"I wish we could do something more but it's now a choice of letting your brother survive with one foot or burying him with two," Claudine said more firmly. "He's already ill and getting wound-fever would only worsen it."

Eponine bit her lip, remembering how this sort of illness sometimes claimed people who lived under the bridge long before drowning or the cold weather could. "When will he do it?" she asked more steadily.

"Tonight. He has the evening free since he and another doctor have swapped duties for the upcoming holiday. As soon as Joly returns with some supplies, we can begin," Claudine explained.

Eponine took a deep breath, willing herself to stay calm. There was no way she could allow her siblings, especially Neville, to see her so rattled. She caught sight of Gavroche watching her from the doorway and she pointed upwards. The boy nodded with understanding before ducking back into the room.

When Eponine and Claudine went up to Combeferre's room, they found the young physician clearing up some of the clutter in his apartment and setting up some lamps. He had taken off his coat and had pushed his shirtsleeves up past his elbows. "We'll need all the light we can get," he said by way of greeting. "Eponine, I'm sorry about this," he added more remorsefully.

"You're doing your best. You'll save his life," Eponine reassured him. She tiptoed over to where Neville was lying in bed, with his foot swathed in bandages. "How are you feeling, petit?" she asked.

Neville managed a pained smile. "Sleepy. My foot still hurts."

Eponine looked down, unsure whether to tell her brother about what was going to happen. 'Why did he have to be awake?' she cursed silently. She settled for wiping his forehead with a clean cloth she found at his bedside, hoping to soothe him somewhat.

Neville whimpered and pushed her hand away. "My foot still hurts," he said more plaintively to Combeferre.

"Don't tell him!" Eponine mouthed but she saw him shake his head. "What are you going to say?" she asked him furtively.

Combeferre sighed, looking momentarily to Claudine, who was preparing some bandages. She nodded and squeezed his shoulder. Only then Combeferre looked at the boy. "Neville, your foot is part of why you feel so sick."

"Will you fix it?"

"I cannot, petit. We have to cut it off, or you will get sicker."

Neville stared at Combeferre for a moment, clearly in disbelief. "Cut it off, forever?"

"Yes." Combeferre winced and rubbed his temples as the boy began to scream. "Eponine-"

Eponine quickly grabbed Neville, who was trying to kick off the blankets with his good foot. "Neville, if he doesn't do it, you're not going to get better!" she nearly yelled in his face. 'Please stop crying, please!' she wanted to beg, but she knew he was past the point of reason now.

"It's going to hurt! I don't want it to hurt! I want my foot!" Neville yelled hysterically, gripping his sister's arms as if for dear life. "I don't want to die..." he sniffled, curling up in a ball as best as he could.

She nodded as she pulled him close, trying to calm down his shuddering form. She heard the door open and she saw Enjolras there. "Sorry about the noise," she said to him.

Enjolras merely pulled up a chair next to the bed. "Everyone went home, except for Courfeyrac and Paulette. They are with Gavroche and Jacques down at Citizen Leclair's room. Azelma said she had to pack her belongings?"

"She's going to stay with Prouvaire," Eponine said bitterly. "She hates me that much now, that she'd rather stay with him than with me. At least it's not with Montparnasse again."

"I don't think your sister truly hates you," Enjolras pointed out. He paused at the sound of doors opening and closing downstairs. "Prouvaire will take care of her though."

"Keep her from going back to the streets," Eponine muttered. "Anything is better than that."

"I'm not so sure," Enjolras replied. He reached out and ruffled Neville's hair awkwardly. "You'll get better soon..."

"But my foot..." Neville whimpered.

Enjolras nodded, all the while managing to keep a straight face. "Is there anything he can possibly have for the pain?" he asked Combeferre.

"I was able to get some laudanum. Dr. Maturin had his supply on hand," Combeferre said, holding up a small bottle. "At least it will take an edge off the pain, somehow."

One of Enjolras' eyebrows shot up. "Didn't you mention once that he used that same drug on himself?"

"It has a calming effect," Combeferre replied quickly.

The door of the room swung open and Joly entered, carrying a large bag. "Will we be able to manage a cauterization, even up here?" he asked his friend worriedly.

"I was thinking of just using ligatures. Ambroise Pare's technique," Combeferre replied. "It should be less painful for him."

"Ah yes, Pare's methods. Should have thought of bringing the turpentine," Joly said as he also removed his coat and rolled up his shirt sleeves.

Claudine shook her head. "Rather messy."

Meanwhile Combeferre carefully measured out some drops of laudanum and went to Neville's bedside. "You have to drink this," he said firmly to the child.

Neville sniffed and then frowned. "It smells funny."

"It will hurt less if you drink it," Combeferre insisted. Neville gave him a disbelieving look before he swallowed the medicine, only to end up grimacing with disgust.

Eponine tensed as she saw the large curved knives and other implements that would be used for the amputation. 'Much worse than Montparnasse's lingre,' she couldn't help thinking. She noticed that Enjolras was also in his shirtsleeves now. "You don't have to stay."

"You need the extra hands," Enjolras pointed out.

"Joly, please move that lamp here," Combeferre muttered. He nodded as Claudine moved to restrain Neville's arms while Enjolras went to hold down Neville's other leg. "He can cry all he wants, but just make sure he doesn't move," Combeferre instructed as he handed over a strip of leather for Neville to bite down on.

"He's not very big, it shouldn't be so difficult," Eponine said, placing the leather between her brother's teeth before adjusting her grip on his shoulders. She felt her gut twist on seeing the discoloured skin of Neville's foot. 'Even if he could keep it he'd never walk on it again,' she thought as she looked away, now vaguely aware of Combeferre and Joly talking as they tied off the limb. After a few moments she felt her brother tense under her hands; in fact she could almost feel the screams that he was trying to bite back. She cringed at the sound of a knife finally meeting the bone; that grating was nearly enough to make her hair stand on end. Only Combeferre and Joly seemed impassive while Claudine was already looking down and biting her lip when Neville's whimpers soon turned to shrieksThe very effort of trying to hold him down was enough to make Eponine's arms shake and it was all she could do to keep her voice level as she tried to distract him, but it was evident that he was past the point of even listening. She felt a callused hand close around hers momentarily and her gaze met Enjolras'. She nodded and squeezed his fingers lightly, desperately needing some sort of handhold in this dire situation.

It felt like an eternity till at last Combeferre began to bandage Neville's leg. "It's finished," he said, his voice nearly cracked with disuse. "Hopefully his fever will break soon."

"Thank you," Eponine said. "You'll be better now, Neville. You can see Gavroche and Jacques soon," she said in her brother's ear.

The boy's sobs quieted as he looked at her. "What about Zelma? She's gone now?"

"Well, you can have her bed," Eponine replied wearily, going to help Claudine clean up the place. She was pretty sure she had never seen so much blood, not even during her days of watching Montparnasse at his work, or even when she had gotten shot at the barricade. "I don't know how you and Combeferre can manage in times like this," she said in an undertone to her friend.

"Talk and a pot of coffee," Claudine replied, managing a smile. "He'll be fine soon; he just needs some rest, poor man."

"Neville can stay here another night, just so we can make sure that the wound will start healing," Combeferre said as he began wiping his instruments clean.

"You need to rest in your bed," Enjolras said. "Neville can use my room."

"And you?" Eponine asked him.

"I have much to finish working on," Enjolras replied. It also went without saying that he would be the one watching over Neville for the rest of the night. "You have two other brothers who also need you."

Eponine nodded. "I'll also sit up, so you can get some sleep too," she said. It was the least she could do thank him. In a few minutes the room was cleaned up and Joly took his leave, saying he had to get home before the late night air did more damage to his throat. Combeferre and Claudine headed down to the kitchen while Enjolras and Eponine moved Neville down to Enjolras' room.

Eponine stopped for a moment at her own apartment and saw that her two other brothers were already there. "Courfeyrac told us it was safe to come up," Jacques reported.

"No, it's because Paulette wanted to go home," Gavroche corrected him. "What about Neville?"

"He's in the next room-he's there so you don't disturb his leg very much," Eponine said.

"Gavroche said it was going to be cut off," Jacques said.

"That is what happened.

"It's never growing back?"

"He's a boy, not a plant," Gavroche retorted. "Silly mome."

"You two go to sleep," Eponine said, tossing a blanket over to them. She wondered for a moment if they would ever wonder where Azelma was, but she decided not to ponder that matter at least for tonight. She slipped out and went to the next room and she saw that Neville had fallen asleep almost immediately on Enjolras' bed. Enjolras appeared to be reading through a thick book but he had strategically positioned his chair so that Neville was still somewhat in his line of sight.

"You didn't have to see that. You didn't have to stay," she said to Enjolras in a whisper as she sat down next to him.

He looked up from his reading. "I'd do that for a friend."

"Yes, for Combeferre I s'pose."

"Joly and Claudine were already there." He paused before glancing at Neville. "He's lucky. Other people in his position are not able to ever see a doctor."

"If you were in the legislature, you could help change that," Eponine said, touching his arm lightly.

He smiled at her. "Among many other things, I hope."

She nodded, all the while wondering if she should ask if he was really planning to move to Aix. Yet now, with Neville sick and Jean Valjean's hearing coming up, it hardly seemed proper. Instead she managed to return his smile. "You'd do a lot of good, no matter where you are."

"Eponine, I haven't exactly decided what to do yet," he pointed out.

"I know. But aside from old friends and the Courgourde and your family, why would you return to Aix?" she asked.

"Because the revolution isn't only in Paris, and there are reforms that need to be done in the Midi. Regional matters," Enjolras said. "But being in Paris has its advantages."

"What happens in Paris tends to be the beginning of what happens elsewhere," Eponine remarked. "You've been here so long too and you're more Parisian now than you know."

"How would you know?"

Eponine paused, realizing that she didn't have a proper answer to this query. "I s'pose it's because you don't speak the same way as some of the other students do. And you are a little like Citizen Pontmercy and Citizen Gillenormand; somewhat dignified."

"Being dignified doesn't mean being Parisian," he scoffed.

"Dignified in the same way," she amended. "Nothing like the men that used to go to the old inn, those ones who'd be coming up from the south." Then again, Enjolras was very different from the two men she had just mentioned. Even when he did not mean to be intimidating, there was always this certain intensity around him that seemed to catch her.

He shrugged at this remark. "You make the oddest observations, Eponine," he said. He looked at her as he folded a corner of the page he was reading. "It was brave of you to stay."

"He's my brother, I had to."

"I do not mean only about the amputation."

"Well someone has to talk to thieves and save you from the dark alleys," she quipped. 'If he goes to Aix, maybe I could ask to come for a while?' the idea occurred to her. She sighed and shook her head; it was impossible, especially with her work and her siblings. 'But what can I do to get him to stay?' she wondered silently before she inched over to ask him more about the book he had yet to put down.