She waited anxiously at the corner of Rue Devereau and Gillenormande. Finally the Inspector appeared. His tall figure came over the top of the hill at Gillenormande and slowly approached her. Strange, his gait was usually so quicky…and there was a tiredness to his step that worried Lily. She met him halfway. Lily's gaze flickered upward to the scratch on his forehead, and the one at his jawline. Javert noticed.
"Your head." Lily said softly. "Are you alright?"
"Quite." There was a hint of something different in his voice that Lily wasn't sure she liked. It didn't have its usual sharp-edged curtness to it. Lily touched the scratch and Javert flinched, making the girl's eyes widen slightly. Javert didn't flinch as a rule. Lily looked him in the eyes searchingly.
"Monseiur-"
Javert cut her off. "I must speak to you. But not here. Follow me."
He led her down Rue Devereau and to the park. Here and there, couples walking hand in hand strolled, chatting easily. Lily reflected wistfully as she followed the Inspector that she'd never yet been one of the couples. The pair reached a fontain at the west end of the park, far from all else. Javert turned to her and for once in his life, seemed unsure of himself.
"Mademoiselle…I have not been well lately…"
"I read so in your note—"
"Please..this is not easy for me. I…I must tell you that…your presence hs had a profound effect on me, and I…I find myself…" Javert turned his head toward the fountain, searching for the right words. Lily stepped toward him.
"Monsieur…"
How can I tell you of my feelings for you when I am nothing to you?
"That day you saved my life… no one has ever shown me such mercy. Or such forgiveness.." Javert looked back at Lily, his black eyes conveying his his inner turmoil. "Your very presence torments me…I cannot convey my feelings for you. I cannot sleep at night, for you are there. I will not eat during the day.."
Lily's face conveyed her astonishment. The hard, unfeeling Inspector had a heart. And it was in pain.
Your very presence torments me…
Lily approached Javert, her eyes searching his. Javert looked at her and the two locked gazes. Neither could tear their eyes away. Lily stepped forward until she stood more inches away.
"I didn't know.." she whispered. "Why didn't you write me sooner??"
"I…I was too proud." A muscle flexed in Javert's jaw and th girl sensed he was holding back even still. He stood stiffly in front of her, only his black eyes moving between hers. Had she looked down, Lily would've seen his hands shaking. She brushed his hair out of his eyes so she could see them better.
"How you bottle your emotions so…" Lily said softly. "Why is it you always wear a mask?"
*~*~*
An associate of Javert's happened to be strolling through the West end of the park with his wife one afternoon when he happened to glance over at the fountain. Javert stood there with a woman, and they were standing quite close together.
"Well, I'll be—Mary, look!"
His wife gave a startled gasp and her jaw fell.
"Will you look at that! It's M. L'Inspecteur!"
"Am I mad??"
"Rhett, manners!" his wife scolded. The man grinned.
"Who is the girl? She's quite a little thing, isn't she? "
"Indeed…why, it's Lily Duvall!" Mary giggled almost girlishly and pulled her husband forward. "Let's give them their privacy…"
Javert had turned his back, overcome by emotion he had worked so hard for so long to conceal from the world. Lily waited for him to turn back to her. When he did, his eyes flashed and it scaredher. The close proximity made it all the more intimidating.
"My heart…that was once incapable of feeling, of love…All I've seen…I've been taught to hate. It seems…" Javert broke off. Dare he say it? Did he dare expose his feelings?
"I've also been taught to love…"
Lily gave a cry and for a moment Javert thought he'd angered her. Only when the slight female threw her arms around him, laughing and crying at once did he realize her true emotion.
"Monsieur, I thought you'd never say it!" she cried, her face buried in his black greatcoat. Javert relaxed, emotionally exhausted and returned the embrace. The pair sank down to sit on the stone ledge of the fountain and for several minutes, neither released the other. At length, Lily lifted her head from Javert's shoulder and looked at him, tears in her green eyes.
"You should have told me sooner…" she said quietly. "You were not the only one in torment.."
Javert allowed his jaw to drop slightly. He brushed a tear from the girl's eye.
"Darling girl….how could I cause you pain?"
Lily wiped the tears from her eyes. She looked up at the Inspector and was amazed at how he'd changed in her eyes in just a few minutes. His features were less hard-edged and shrewd as they once had been. Now they had a strong, yet boyish quality. Lily slipped her small hand into Javert's larger one and stood up.
"I should return. Frances will likely be worrying herself sick."
Javert nodded and stood up. Lily was struck with how much taller he was.
"Are you going to tell Frances..?"
Lily smiled. "Not just yet."