A/N: Regrouping. Figuring out relationships. Evolving, finding space for another. These are themes for both the band and Enjolras/Eponine in this chapter.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the characters from Les Miserables, but I do like to take them out for a spin once in a while to play. I've played with timelines from both the story by the marvellous Victor Hugo, and the actual accounts of the Occupy movement. Be kind, it's about reader enjoyment after all. Thanks for reading!

Songs listened to:
'Different Worlds' by Jes Hudak

Copyright for the songs in this chapter belongs to their respective owners as noted.


Chapter 28

Do not seek the because - in love there is no because, no reason, no explanation, no solutions."
― Anaïs Nin, Henry And June

I've been out on the ocean
Sailing alone, travelling nowhere
You've been running on hard ground
With just you around, your heartbeat's the only sound.

But I know, once in a while we would find
The sound of your heart beats with mine
And when it's time
I'll leave the ocean behind

So I'll look out for a lighthouse
See through the fog, Search the horizon
You'll be like in a movie
Where everything stops; You can see clearly now

- Jes Hudak, 'Different Worlds'

A week and a half went by and Enjolras and Eponine began to fall into a familiar pattern. He stayed with her every second night, dropping into The Musain at the end of her shift to walk her home or meeting her at the apartment after spending time with Les Ami. They'd discuss their future in regards to work, before he would spend the night at Combeferre's. The next day they'd go for coffee to discuss their plans. He had said no more to her about her offer to move in.

Eponine had taken the advice of Sam and had begun working again at The Musain, albeit in a smaller capacity, at least for the first week to ease her way back in. She found herself frequently looking over to the place where Grantaire usually stood, expecting to find him there. Sometimes tears would try to surface but she would swallow them, blinking hard to usher them away.

She still had her studies, and any other spare time was spent drafting her business proposal to Valjean. She hadn't yet shown it to Enjolras. She wanted it to be complete, and if truth be told she was a little in awe of his intellect, so she wanted to make certain she'd done enough work herself before presenting it to him to assess.

Her relationship with Enjolras was still forming – it was both a source of comfort and a puzzle to her. They hadn't been intimate again since the first time, but he cuddled her in bed, and was not sparing in his kisses. There was no doubt of the attraction between them. She could feel it in the slightest touch.

When they were out in public he was more discreet, still holding her hand but went no further in his displays of affection, which if Eponine was honest with herself she was relieved of. She'd often made fun of couples that were fond of over the top displays, and yet at the start of another week without further intimacy, she found her mind turning to other things, slightly dismayed.


Enjolras was sitting on Eponine's couch, reading the paper and watching the television whilst scrawling notes on a large pad. He wrote with the same flourish with which he spoke, the words flying out onto the paper as quickly as the thoughts entered his head.

Looking at him by the table, his lips caught in the familiar but enticing pout as he concentrated on the evening news, she couldn't help but wonder what else his time with Marie had taught him.

Sensing her watching him he looked up. Cocking his head to the side, he caught her eyes. "What is it?

"I was just wondering about Marie".

"Marie? Ohhhh...that Marie. What of her?"

"Nothing, really" she said biting her lip. "I was just curious about the makeup of her tuition".

"I beg your pardon?"

"Were the lessons structured? What else did you learn – were there tests?"

He chuckled darkly. "No, there were no tests. Is there something specific you wanted to ask?" he asked regarding her with his dark blue eyes.

"No…I-I was just thinking about it". He watched her bemusedly as she absentmindedly knocked over the water bottle on the table, spilling half of it on the floor.

"Bugger!" she said, soaking up the spill with a nearby tea towel, then wiping her hands on her jeans. The frustration and the confusion boiled up inside her.

"I need a hot shower", she declared.

"I'll be here", he called after her as she walked down the hallway, continuing his train of thoughts on the notepad, oblivious.


After a restless sleep again that night, Eponine got up in a decidedly bad mood. She left Enjolras sleeping in her bed, looking as perfectly dishevelled as always which only annoyed and added to her growing sexual frustration even more.

Stomping out to the kitchen in her t-shirt and leggings, she made herself a cup of coffee, opening the windows to view the world outside, as she sat on the sofa. Are all relationships so complicated? But this isn't complicated, is it? Enjolras and I are sexually compatible – aren't we? Yes, she was sure of it. But this was the 'honeymoon' phase. Isn't that what it's called? Shouldn't we be going at it, day and night? The passion had been unmistakeable and was the very reason she craved more of it. Still, what was the reason for his pulling away from her in this facet of the relationship?

She turned off her stream of thoughts as she heard him grumble, and the floorboards squeaked as he got out of the bed. Wearing a white Hanes tee shirt and his boxers he strolled casually up the hall, ruffling his messy hair.

"I smell coffee?" he said, making his way over to where she sat and leaning over to kiss her on the head.

Eponine remained silent, pointing her hand at the kettle and the counter where she had put a cup for him and some coffee granules in the bottom.

Used to her being more talkative, he looked over to her. "Did you sleep alright?"

"No, I did not", she said tersely.

"Hmmm…maybe cut down on the coffee?" he said.

"Maybe. Hey, I have to work late tonight, do you think we can give it a miss? I'm sure Combeferre misses your company". She knew she was being petulant, and that she should just talk to him which would normally be her style, but the thought of him being in her bed again tonight was too much.

"Sure", he said, suddenly stopping to fully appreciate her words. What's going on here? I thought everything was going well. "Are you ok?" he asked her.

"I'm fine", she shot back.

"Wasn't it you yourself who told me that if a woman says everything is fine you should start worrying?"

"That's an urban myth".

"Is it? Because you seem to have a bee in your bonnet, quite frankly", he said, walking around the bench to stand in front of her.

"Oh really? Because I want us to have one night apart?"

He took a step closer. "'Ponine this is me, you can talk to me".

She exhaled. "I'm fine Enj, ok? Really. We can meet up for lunch again like normal tomorrow".

"Alright". He remained unconvinced but let it be.

About an hour later, they got dressed and left the house to their destinations; Eponine to the library to study before her shift at the club and Enjolras uptown, to meet with the rest of the band.


Later that afternoon at Combeferre's apartment, Enjolras, Feuilly, Marius, Jehan and of course, Combeferre were gathered around the table discussing Valjean. He was away on the West Coast, stirring up support for the cause there but on his return he had indicated to Enjolras in a text that he wanted to meet with the band and make some firm plans for spreading the cause, even internationally. Realising what that meant, the band had begun discussing how to audition a new keyboard player for the group.

"Do we think it's a necessity that they share our political beliefs?" asked Feuilly.

"Of course" shot back Combeferre. "This is not just a band. We all know that".

"Well, that narrows down the field somewhat", said Jehan. "How many liberal, pro-Occupy, political keyboard players are there in New York City that will fit with the band ethos, our personalities and have the technical proficiency that 'Courf had?"

"No-one will take the place of Courfeyrac", offered Marius.

"And we don't want them too. Everything's changed, the band has changed. We're not looking for a new Courfeyrac – please try and remember that", said Enjolras, lightly scolding him. "We're looking for a new keyboard player but they have to at least have similar beliefs and an understanding of the movement. Agreed?"

They all nodded their head in agreement.

'Well it's going to be about where we advertise as to who we get. We need to be smart about this", said Combeferre.

Enjolras rubbed a hand on his chin. "We can ask Eponine to put up some signs in The Musain, and does anyone know if the Village Voice still has a free advertorial section?" he asked, looking around.

"Yeah, I think so", said Marius. 'I can check".

"Good. We need to get onto these auditions in the coming week, and starting putting the new keyboard player through their paces. Valjean wants to keep up momentum for the movement which means as soon as he's back in New York we're going to have to get straight into it again."

"Let's take a break," Feuilly said." I need something to eat. Have you got any food in the house 'Ferre?"

"Yeah man, I just went shopping, help yourself". While they busied themselves with eating, Enjolras caught Jehan's attention and motioned to him that he needed to talk to him, nodding his head in the direction of the balcony.

When they were both there, Enjolras pulled the sliding door closed. Jehan crossed his arms over his chest, looking at him quizzically.

"What is it, Enjolras?"

"I need some advice".

"From me?" He knew he was valued in the group, but was also realistically aware he was not normally the first port of call for Enjolras.

"It's of a personal nature", replied Enjolras, leaning on the balcony, looking down onto the street. I wonder what Eponine is doing?

"Oh, this is going to be good", said Jehan. "How's Eponine?"

"How did you know it was about her?"

Jehan laughed. "Fearless leader, it's written all over your face. So, what happened?"

"Nothing".

"Nothing?" replied Jehan. "Enjolras, it's hardly nothing if you're out here looking for advice".

"Well I honestly don't know. Things have been good, great even. I really enjoy spending time with her, I find her refreshing, and um…the affectionate side of the relationship has been a learning curve".

"How's that going. Have you made love?" he asked directly. There was a long pause as Enjolras stood silent with his hands in his pockets. He was unsurprised when Enjolras only grunted in response. Then said more clearly, 'Yes".

"And did you fight over anything recently?"

"That's just it, no. And then she said everything was fine".

"Uh-oh. We know what that means. Ok, well, what was the last conversation you had with her before whatever it is happened?"

'Enjolras ran a hand through this hair. "Mmm.. last night. She asked me about Marie".

"You told her about that?" He was truly surprised how much Enjolras had appeared to share with Eponine. This was encouraging news.

"It came up".

"And what did she say?" Jehan suddenly began feeling like a love guru version of Sherlock Holmes.

"She wanted to know what we did, what the lessons were comprised of". Enjolras was now feeling well past his level of tolerable embarrassment.

"Oh my. And has this affected how you are…when intimate?"

"There's only been that one time". Jehan looked at him gobsmacked. How could Enjolras not see? The dichotomy of the intelligent, fearless leader and the naïve relationship partner was never more evident.

"Enjolras, did it ever occur to you that Eponine might want to learn more from you? As much as how the education with Marie came about, you are the more experienced in this relationship because of it. And you are both young, this is normal. It's natural to be curious, at least it is for her".

"Well, I have felt it", Enjolras replied, clearing has throat. "When we lie in bed – and you cannot breathe a word of this to the others Jehan, swear it to me – I'm not sure how to initiate it again".

Jehan laughed, and patted him on the shoulder. "I swear. You love her that much is clear. Don't stress about it so much. But don't ignore it either".

"Revolutions are easier than relationships. Why can't it be like that?" said Enjolras.

"Because that would not be at all romantic. Is Eponine a confusing issue for you?"

"Sometimes. But apart from Les Amis, she's the only thing I have faith in".

Jehan considered the depth of Enjolras' words for a moment. "Then let it be, you'll work it out – together".

Enjolras opened the door, where he saw the others had returned to the table with sandwiches and were waiting on them. "Hmmm", he said, "We'd best go in. We have a lot to get through. Thanks for the advice".


Eponine spent the rest of her day, both enjoying the solitude and occasionally wondering what Enjolras was up to. She sat at the library, writing down notes for an essay on rates of mental illness in the homeless. Despite the depressing subject, she found comfort in being surrounded by books and knowledge. Her home had been completely bereft of all reading material except the lowest form of gossip magazines and the remnants of her father's dirty magazines. Not exactly a breeding ground for literary knowledge.

Now, as she sat in the Brooklyn Public Library, she could smell the books - that familiar scent that only a library can provide. It was amazing to her that this one place could hold so much information. Anything I want to learn, I can. She mused what she would write a book about, if the opportunity presented itself. 'The Dummies Guide to Pickpocketing?' Or 'Starving in New York: Everything You Never Wanted to Know?'

After writing for almost two hours, she looked at her watch. It was already four o'clock. Just enough time to get home and clean up before heading off to The Musain for her shift. She returned her books, and walked outside to the chill of the afternoon air.

As she walked home she thought about Enjolras. While she was concerned about the morning's events, she hoped that it was just a bump in the road. She didn't know how to broach the subject with him, or even if he would want to discuss it with her. She was sure he could feel the tension this morning.

A block from her apartment, Eponine felt a sense of déjà vu, specifically of being watched. Normally, she would have brushed it off but given the events of the past few weeks it made her nervous. When she finally got to her block, she paused. Taking a minute she turned and surveyed the street scene in front of her; a couple with a pram, and elderly man walking his dog. Across the road a group of schoolchildren were getting off a bus. Nothing looked out of place.

Taking one last look she shrugged her shoulders and made her way inside, still unable to fully shake the vague sense of unease.