A/N: Still reeling from the death of Valjean, the group have to come to terms with yet another issue.
Constructive criticism and reviews welcome
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! No harm is intended in this chapter towards Anderson Cooper. This is a fictionalised version his public persona.
Songs listened to:
"Hear You Me" by Jimmy Eat World
There's no one in town I know
You gave us some place to go.
I never said thank you for that.
I thought I might get one more chance.
What would you think of me now,
so lucky, so strong, so proud?
I never said thank you for that,
now I'll never have a chance.
May angels lead you in.
Hear you me my friends.
On sleepless roads the sleepless go.
May angels lead you in.
So what would you think of me now,
so lucky, so strong, so proud?
I never said thank you for that,
now I'll never have a chance.
May angels lead you in.
And if you were with us tonight,
I'd sing to you just one more time.
A song for a heart so big,
God wouldn't let it live.
May angels lead you in.
- "Hear You Me", Jimmy Eat World
Enjolras and Eponine were still wrapped around each other in bed when eight a.m. came around, along with the buzzing of both their phones which had been switched to silent.
Blurry eyed, Eponine reached over to the bedside table, fumbling for her cell as it continued to buzz. Twenty messages and counting. She rubbed her face, trying to make out the first of them.
Jehan: Ponine call me. Enj isn't answering his phone.
Combeferre: Ep, we've got trouble. Wake up Enjolras.
CNN: Ms Jondrette, please have Enjolras call Anderson when he gets the chance. ASAP.
It can't just be about Valjean, she though, though she understood if Anderson wanted to speak with Enjolras regarding the elder man's passing. This is something more.
She rolled over to where a sleeping Enjolras still lay peacefully in slumber. She didn't want to wake him; he rarely slept in and she knew he must be exhausted. And he looked so at rest. Reluctantly she leaned over, placing her hand on his chest and whispering softly in his ear.
"Enj? Enjolras? You need to wake up babe." she said.
He grumbled incoherently under his breath, and rolled over, grabbing her hand and trying to pull her in for a cuddle. Tempting but no, she thought.
"Enj, come on. People are trying to get in touch with you". She tried to pull the blankets off him a little before realising he was naked beneath them. This will never do. The outline of his muscled back and bottom was distracting her. She moved to get out of bed herself when she felt his hand snake around her waist, pulling her on top of him.
"Good Morning 'Ponine", he said sleepily, before tilting her chin so he could kiss her. She let him have her way with her lips before jolting back into reality.
She pulled herself over him, but not before feeling the morning hardness of his body against hers. "Morning. Enj you'd better check your phone. I don't know what's happening but everyone is trying to contact you".
He squinted at her through tired eyes then grabbed his cell phone from the pocket of his jeans which he'd thrown on the floor. After scrolling through his messages, he laid back on the bed before calling Combeferre, who answered the call within the first three rings.
"Where have you been Enjolras?"
"Sleeping, 'Ferre. What's going on? I've got messages from all of you, some Occupy Leaders. And CNN. Is this about Jean?"
"No. Well not really. Listen Enjolras, the leader of Occupy in Austin, Texas…remember him? Aiden?"
"Yes, of course I remember him".
"Enj, they've arrested him. They say he shot and killed a police officer last night at one of the Occupy camps".
Enjolras sat bolt upright in bed, giving Eponine a start. "What? Does he need a lawyer? I can't believe it. It seems so out of character".
"That's not all. Those photos of you and Aiden that were taken at the rally are circulating with the story, as well as with stories about Valjean – it's in all the morning papers".
Enjolras frowned, rubbing his temples. "Wait, why are they linking it with Jean's death?"
Silence.
"Ferre? Are you there?"
"They're calling it The End of Occupy, Enjolras".
"It's just sensationalist media". His phone lit up. CNN calling.
"I have to call you back in a minute. I've got CNN on the other line". He pressed the incoming phone call.
"Hello?"
"Enjolras? It's Anderson Cooper. I just wanted to pass on my condolences to you regarding Jean. He was a loyal friend. To both of us. I'm very sorry".
"Thank you. I appreciate that".
"And, uh I know it's bad timing, but the network would like to get you and Les Amis in today to discuss the events in Austin. I'm sure you've heard already?"
"Just now. Can't this wait? We're still in mourning".
"I understand that. Perhaps if you and Combeferre could represent the others?"
"Am I not to grieve?" Enjolras replied, and the pain he was trying to hide made Eponine wince. He recovered himself quickly, before Anderson had a chance to respond. "Of course. I can be there this afternoon, say around 2pm?"
"That works for me. We'll see you then Enjolras".
Enjolras put down the phone to find Eponine in her underwear, pulling on her jeans and a t-shirt.
"They don't want you to go in today?" she said, knowing the answer already.
"They do. One of the Occupy leaders in Texas is accused of killing a police officer. I had my photo taken with him there. I'll be clearer once we chat with them".
"We?"
"I'm going to get 'Ferre to come in with me".
"Do you need me to come too?"
"I appreciate that, really I do. But you have work," he said firmly.
"One day off won't hurt. I was planning on taking three days off to come and see you, with Jean's blessing when…it happened".
"I didn't realise".
She shrugged. "How could you? I'll go to work today but tonight we should try and relax". She put on her sneakers then made her way to the hallway.
"I'm making coffee. Do you want one?"
He nodded. "That'd be great". She stood at the door and he noticed she looked different.
"Did you change your hair?" he asked.
" I had some deep red highlights put in it and a trim".
"It's very becoming".
"I thought I'd better do something to compete with your love of that awful red jacket", she said, trying to find humour in what she was certain would be a humourless day.
Later that afternoon...
Combeferre and Enjolras were seated in the plush offices of CNN's downtown complex. Anderson Cooper and several CNN executives sat opposite them. Anderson had the floor.
"We have to cancel the tour. Quite frankly, we have no choice. Venues are just not willing to accept the risk of violence associated with Occupy now. We've had calls from almost every state you're due to tour".
"I was under the impression a man was innocent until proven guilty in this country", said Enjolras tersely.
"You and I both know its trial by media. And this is the perception of Occupy at the moment. And perception in this day and age is everything."
"You were Valjean's friend. You supported Les Amis and the concert. How can you do this?" asked Combeferre.
"This is a separate issue. Once we find out exactly what happened in Austin then things might be different. If he's innocent. And they have photos of you with him Enjolras, taken at the rally".
"So what?"
"Several outlets are judging you as well as him. Your association with him isn't putting you in the best light".
"This is ridiculous. They can't paint us all with the same brush".
"But they can. They will. They are".
Enjolras thumped both hands on the table, standing up. "So, you and the network are dumping us? Knowing full well our "involvement" in this is circumstantial at most? Do you really believe any of Les Amis would be involved or tolerate the shooting of a police officer? They saved mine and Eponine's lives for Christ's sake!"
"Enjolras, calm down, I –"
"No, you do not get to tell me to calm down. Someone is trying to discredit Occupy and you're playing right into their hands. So, the tour is off?"
"For now".
"And when will it resume?" Enjolras shot back.
"That's undetermined at this stage. Perhaps if we could interview Les Amis and Valjean's daughter that might go a long way to helping your image".
"No. Absolutely not" said Combeferre. "Cosette has barely begun the grieving process, none of us have. We haven't even buried him yet!"
"I thought Occupy was everything to you?", said one of the executives.
"That's out of line", replied Combeferre.
"You. Who are you?" said Enjolras, storming over to where the man sat. "I will not be manipulated by a bunch of faceless suits who have no understanding of what I stand for. This meeting is over".
Anderson sensed the situation was quickly getting out of hand and moved to control the rising fury he saw in Enjolras. "Okay, okay. Let's take a minute. This is emotional. Enjolras, Combeferre…for now, just for now we all need to take a step back. We need to figure out what's going on. And that means the tour has to take a pause. That's all we've got for now".
"Valjean held you in such reverence. He trusted you", Enjolras snarled at Anderson. He looked at Combeferre who nodded his agreement and the two made their way out into the hallway to the exit.
Just as they were about to get into the elevator, they heard Anderson call out to them. "Enjolras! Combeferre! Wait, please!" He was running at full speed and by the time he reached them he was out of breath.
"Please, let's not leave it like this", he puffed.
"Do you believe it our wish to do so?", replied Enjolras cuttingly. "You and your cronies have made your stance quite clear."
"Look, those guys are just looking after CNN's interests. I'm going to be blunt with you. The rest of the media are going to crucify you over this. I believe you. Let's see what we can do, and let's bury our friend in the manner he deserves, alright?"
"That sounds fair. Enj?" asked Combeferre.
"I'll be in touch in a few days", said Enjolras, stepping into the elevator, as Combeferre followed.
They picked up several newspapers at a news-stand outside the CNN building. As much as Enjolras was furious with him, Anderson had been right about the media. They were already moving to tie Les Amis and in particular Enjolras to the story in Austin. The most salacious one featured on the cover of The New York Post.
A picture taken by a fan in Austin showed a smiling Aidan and Enjolras grinning in front of the Occupy Austin rally, their hands raised in a revolutionary fist pump. Next to that were two photos: one of Aidan being taken into custody looking dishevelled and angry, the other showed the body of the Austin police officer being loaded into and ambulance. The headline read; The Dirty Side of Occupy: Murder Amidst the Revolution?
The others including The New York Times and The New York Daily News were nowhere near as sensationalist but they all carried the same photos. Enjolras had his head buried in one of the papers but it hadn't escaped the notice of Combeferre that they were drawing attention from passers-by.
"Enj, we need to go. We're being recognised", he said.
Enjolras paused to look up. "I will not be made to cower in my own city."
"Let's just go see the others. They're at my apartment".
"All of them?"
"No-one wanted to be alone last night".
Enjolras had expected the group to be down in spirit, even mired in grief but nothing could have prepared him for the wreckage he found at Combeferre's apartment.
The apartment was a mess, and the smell of stale alcohol perfumed the air. Feuilly and Joly were still drunk and arguing about life after Les Amis and what studies they might take up. Jehan was sitting in the corner, crying and occasionally calling out Valjean's name while Bahorel tried in vain to console him. Bossuet and Musichetta were out on the balcony looking sad and confused. Marius and Cosette were nowhere to be found.
"What the hell is going on here!?" asked Enjolras loudly, startling them.
Jehan stumbled towards him, falteringly. "It's over. It's all over Enj. You know it and I know it…and now the whole world knows it", he said putting a newspaper to the front man's face.
Enjolras swatted the broadsheet away. "Nothing is over." He turned angrily to Combeferre. "Why didn't you tell me it was this bad?"
"Because, there was nothing to be done about it. And we needed to get through the meeting today without any distraction. But we're here now."
Enjolras clapped his hands together loudly. "Alright. Listen to me. All of you. Nothing will get better by drowning your sorrows. I want every ounce of alcohol in the apartment thrown out. This will not do. Jehan, get yourself into a shower. Bahorel, if he needs help, you'll assist him."
He grabbed a mop and bucket from Combeferre's laundry as he spoke. "Feuilly, Joly, you need showers as well. Go use Combeferre's ensuite". He noticed they were preoccupied in their conversation. "Hey! You two – let's go! Showers. Now", he said pointing down the hallway.
Begrudgingly they all got up from where they were sitting and took his instructions.
"Where are Cosette and Marius?" asked Enjolras as he and Combeferre began the odious task of cleaning the apartment.
"They'll be here soon. They spent last night at Marius' apartment".
"Alright, good. 'Ferre?", he said, reaching into his pocket, "Take this money. Go down and get some good coffee and some bacon and eggs for everyone. I'll cook."
"Okay Chief". Just as Combeferre reached the door his intercom buzzed. "Yes?" he said.
"It's us", replied Marius.
"I'm on my way out but Enjolras is here. I'll let you in".
Cosette was still red-eyed but considering her circumstances she looked better than expected. Better than the rest of them anyway, though that's not much of compliment, thought Enjolras. She held tightly to Marius's hands as the group gathered around Combeferre's dining table.
"And they cancelled the tour? Just like that?" asked Jehan. He was still drunk but gradually regaining his senses as the coffee and heavy breakfast did its work.
"Just like that", replied Combeferre.
"Papa would be horrified they are calling it the end of the movement", said Cosette quietly. All eyes turned to the pale girl whose father they'd all revered.
"How are you doing Cosette?" Joly reached across the table to grasp her hand.
She shrugged, taking his hand. "I don't know. Nothing seems real, yet. The…the autopsy is today. If that is clear, the funeral will be on Friday. The reading of Papa's will is scheduled for the day after."
"Jesus", said Bahorel under his breath.
"Where is Eponine?" asked Cosette.
"She had to work today. I think she's planning on taking a few days off though with all that's going on. Why?" asked Enjolras.
"Oh...nothing. I would have liked to talk with her, that's all. I could use some of her strength today".
"I can give you her number."
"I'd like that. What are you going to do now?" she asked to no-one in particular.
"We have to ride it out", said Enjolras. "We have to hope for the best in Austin. And for the moment, we need to concentrate on each other. We have the funeral to get through as well, but hear me on this – I want all of you to listen to me. Using alcohol or drugs to numb your pain will not do. Life is pain, and anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar".
"You stole that from The Princess Bride", said Jehan.
"Regardless, it's true. And blocking it out will not make you feel better in the long run. So, what happened here today is not to happen again, alright? I need you all lucid, no matter how much it hurts. And it's going to hurt. So get used to it. Talk to each other, lean on each other. Those are the only crutches you need."
He got up from the table and walked towards the balcony, the golden glow of the late afternoon sun catching his mane of hair. This was the Enjolras they all knew. He turned to them, taking in each of them. "These may be our darkest days, and we cannot falter".
