"Meant to Be"
Disclaimer: This is my third "Les Miserables" FanFiction, and I still do not take credit for any of Victor Hugo's ideas, characters, or situations. I only claim to take credit for my insanity and the insanity of my author notes. If you read, you must review, no matter how bad this story will be (and I can honestly say that I don't know how bad it will be). I will only accept 'constructive criticism' because flames will be used to roast marshmallows and make popcorn. Thank you and enjoy! :D
Chapter 1
Eponine walked alone through the deserted streets of Paris. The morning was cold, and the wind was in its favor, giving people the feeling as if icy daggers were piercing their skin. Eponine shivered and wrapped her thin coat around her body. The dress beneath, which was short and threadbare, had been the only one she had worn for the past few years. But no matter how cold the days became, she dared not ask her parents for a new one. They were far too self-absorbed in their own lives to care if their daughters and son needed a new pair of shoes or a new coat to keep them from freezing in the winter.
Last winter, Azelma, Eponine's younger sister, had convinced Eponine to ask their father for new woolen dresses. However, it did not go as planned. Eponine felt a chill run down her spine as she recalled the conversation.
"Papa? Can we ask you something?"
"What did you make today?" Eponine handed her father nearly a franc in change, while her sister handed her father an entire pouch of coins. "That's me baby! Now, what did you want?" He said 'you' in the most hateful and cold way that he could have.
"Well, it'll be December soon, and the winter will be getting really nasty. So 'Zelma and I was wondering if maybe you could buy us some new dresses. Gavroche needs some new shoes, too. We'd be able to make so much more if we were warmer..."
Her mother laughed a whole-hearted laugh. "Why don't we just move down on Rue Plumet while we is on the subject? We is getting all high and mighty now!"
"Little princesses living right under me roof!" Thenardier did a mock bow in front of his daughters.
"Papa, Mama, please! 'Ponine and I..."
"Not another word on the subject!"
"You listen to your mother, you two! If you ever ask me for money again, it won't be pretty."
And with that threat, Eponine put it out of her mind. Her parents had never truly cared about their children. Eponine remembered that as a child in the inn, her parents would let her baby brother scream for hours until he fell asleep from exhaustion. As soon as Cosette had been 'bought' and taken away, her parents didn't have the scapegoat to blame everything on, so it was Eponine's turn. The worst nights were when her father had been drinking and then completely lost every mortal fiber he had. Azelma had spent many nights tending to the wounds that Eponine received as a result.
The only person Eponine knew she could count on for comfort was her sister. Azelma and Eponine always watched out for each other. Since the moment that Madame had let Azelma outside without supervision, Eponine knew that it was her right and duty to step in. Azelma in turn knew that she always had to have her sister's back. Their brother Gavroche seemed to be in his own universe most of the time. He rarely made an appearance at 'home', and when he did, he was told that if he was to be a Thenardier, he had to bring something to the table. Gavroche hadn't been home in months.
Eponine rounded a corner and saw a young girl sitting with her legs drawn up to her face on the curb. She was trying to hold in all the heat that she could. Eponine sat down next to her and did much of the same, but the girl did not look up.
"Have you been home?"
"No, and I don't plan to."
"But it's freezing out here, 'Ponine."
"Would you rather get a little frostbite or suffer whatever they deal out?"
Azelma knew very well what 'they' were capable of. "I'd choose neither, but the frostbite is mighty tempting right now."
"Have you seen Gavroche?"
"He's where he always is."
"The cafe?"
"I actually saw him this morning. Do y'know what he said to me?"
"I can begin to guess..."
"He said, 'Morning 'Zelma. I'd stay and talk, but Enjolras and the rest of the students need their leader.' Then he runs off!"
Eponine tried to suppress the laughter that came when she thought of he youngest sibling leading a group of full-grown men. Azelma saw the tension leave her sister, and she began to laugh as well.
"Well, maybe we should see how the little 'leader' is doing."
Her sister smiled at Eponine. "Is that all we want to see?"
"'Zelma..."
"Alright, my tongue is held. But I've been noticing."
"And you best keep those thoughts to yourself, or I might slip about my sister and her certain young man, and we know how embarrassing that would be."
"That's blackmail!"
"That's how it is. My way or not at all."
Azelma stood and started walking, Eponine trailing behind her. "You are most definitely your father's daughter," Azelma commented in a small voice.
Eponine felt sick with the thought. They walked silently until they reached the ABC Cafe. It was early in the morning, yet a fair amount of men were already gathered. Eponine smiled as she saw Grantaire making the rounds, begging people to have a drink with him. He suddenly looked towards the door, and smiled.
"Look here, gentlemen, be on your best now! Some of my lady friends have come for a visit, so don't go getting drunk and acting up like I know you will!"
The cafe erupted with snorts and muffled laughter.
"We'll make sure we don't," said Combeferre, pulling the mug from his hand.
"Come to see the leader?" asked Joly.
"The real leader, or the figurehead?" joked Eponine.
"You know Enjolras isn't here yet. Takes those classes until the afternoon. But your brother is in the back with Marius." Feuilly stood from his card game and pointed to a back room.
"What's he doing with Marius?" Azelma asked curiously.
Courfeyrac chuckled to himself. "Top secret, or so Gavroche says. We're not one to argue with 'the leader'."
"I'll go," said Eponine.
"Of course you will," her sister said so only she could hear. Eponine glared at Azelma as she made her way to the back.
Before she approached, she heard cries of laughter. She pressed her ear up to the door and listened with a smile.
"The enemy is here, and they'll attack from here, so we have to be..."
"Here?"
"Monsieur, who is the leader of this rebellion?"
"I beg your pardon, Monsieur le Leader!"
"You should!"
"Oh really? What if I choose to overthrow the leader?"
"Then Inspector Javert comes," said Eponine behind the door. "And gives you both life sentences."
"Quick, Leader!" said Marius with mock eagerness. "What do we do?"
"Hide!"
"Too late!" yelled Eponine running through the door and heading for Gavroche. Marius stepped in her path.
"Inspector, I cannot allow you to take our leader away!"
"Arguing with an officer of the law? Jail!"
"But I am a student! We are very important citizens!"
"Resisting arrest? Jail!"
"Eponine! Come on! We was having a strategy session!" Gavroche bore an annoyed look.
"Mistaking an officer of the law for the riff-raff of the street? Jail!"
Marius laughed and grabbed Eponine. He pulled her into his arms, and held her. She looked into his eyes for what seemed like minutes on end. Marius did much the same, but did not release her. They heard a throat clear behind them and Marius instantly dropped his hands. They both turned around and saw Gavroche with his hands on his hips.
"Since when is Inspector Javert so keen on being held by Monsieur Marius?"
Eponine smiled at Marius, and he returned it. She could see Marius searching for an answer.
"There is no answer to that Gavroche. There just isn't." He looked back at Eponine.
"Well, now that I know what your "top-secret" plans are, I'll just be going to deliver them to the police station. Marius, are you sure you're up to babysitting him?"
"He's not babysitting me! I'm the leader! 'Ponine, didn't I tell you? Enjolras said that when he's at the university that I get to be the leader! I'm as good as babysitting Monsieur Marius!"
Marius turned to Gavroche. "You're the leader, young man. You don't have to call me "Monsieur". I, on the other hand, should call you Monsieur Gavroche."
"It quite suits you," giggled Eponine. "Monsieur Gavroche."
"That's right, Inspector. Now kindly move along." Gavroche dismissed her with a wave of his hand and walked back to the table. Eponine snickered as Marius walked over to her.
"Are you sure, Marius?"
"It gives me something to do besides sit out there."
"They're a great group of men."
"But they do the same thing everyday. Feuilly and Joly with their never-ending card games, Enjolras always in class except to make an occasional speech, and Combeferre and Courfeyrac are always chasing Grantaire around. The rest, I don't know what they're up to."
"But, my brother..."
"Leave him to me. Believe me, if I can keep him in here, he won't have to do what you and 'Zelma do." Eponine's glance shot to the floor. "I know you aren't proud of your family and of what you do, but I don't care. I know you and Azelma and Gavroche, and I'm willing to help you anyway I can. Even if it's playing pretend with a nine-year-old boy."
"Thank you. I'll be back later for the real meeting."
"I'll get back to 'the leader'," Marius joked and went back.
Eponine closed the door and went back to the cafe. She saw her sister looking over Joly's shoulder and pointing to a card.
"Got any threes?"
"Go fish!"
"Having fun?"
"I'm losing! And your sister's no help!" complained Joly.
"What are the plans?"
"There are no plans, 'Zelma. Marius and Gavroche are just playing."
"Figures."
Eponine glanced at the clock that had just chimed. "We should go, 'Zelma."
"Nah! Stay! Have a drink, or two!"
"No thank you, Grantaire," smiled Azelma politely.
"We'll be back later."
They said their goodbyes, and were out the door heading back to their corner of the street.
"I'm going to get every last detail from Gavroche."
"'Zelma, it's only a game."
"Not about the game. About you and Marius."
Eponine sighed and looked at her only companion. "Nothing is ever going to happen and nothing had ever happened. He's a student, and I'm...well, look at me!"
"I am."
"Forget it, 'Zelma."
"I'll try, but I won't be easily swayed."
Eponine smiled and draped her arm around her sister, who did the same thing. They kept walking in circles just to stay warm, and finally settled back on their piece of street, hoping that someone would throw them a coin without them having to say a word.
Disclaimer: This is my third "Les Miserables" FanFiction, and I still do not take credit for any of Victor Hugo's ideas, characters, or situations. I only claim to take credit for my insanity and the insanity of my author notes. If you read, you must review, no matter how bad this story will be (and I can honestly say that I don't know how bad it will be). I will only accept 'constructive criticism' because flames will be used to roast marshmallows and make popcorn. Thank you and enjoy! :D
Chapter 1
Eponine walked alone through the deserted streets of Paris. The morning was cold, and the wind was in its favor, giving people the feeling as if icy daggers were piercing their skin. Eponine shivered and wrapped her thin coat around her body. The dress beneath, which was short and threadbare, had been the only one she had worn for the past few years. But no matter how cold the days became, she dared not ask her parents for a new one. They were far too self-absorbed in their own lives to care if their daughters and son needed a new pair of shoes or a new coat to keep them from freezing in the winter.
Last winter, Azelma, Eponine's younger sister, had convinced Eponine to ask their father for new woolen dresses. However, it did not go as planned. Eponine felt a chill run down her spine as she recalled the conversation.
"Papa? Can we ask you something?"
"What did you make today?" Eponine handed her father nearly a franc in change, while her sister handed her father an entire pouch of coins. "That's me baby! Now, what did you want?" He said 'you' in the most hateful and cold way that he could have.
"Well, it'll be December soon, and the winter will be getting really nasty. So 'Zelma and I was wondering if maybe you could buy us some new dresses. Gavroche needs some new shoes, too. We'd be able to make so much more if we were warmer..."
Her mother laughed a whole-hearted laugh. "Why don't we just move down on Rue Plumet while we is on the subject? We is getting all high and mighty now!"
"Little princesses living right under me roof!" Thenardier did a mock bow in front of his daughters.
"Papa, Mama, please! 'Ponine and I..."
"Not another word on the subject!"
"You listen to your mother, you two! If you ever ask me for money again, it won't be pretty."
And with that threat, Eponine put it out of her mind. Her parents had never truly cared about their children. Eponine remembered that as a child in the inn, her parents would let her baby brother scream for hours until he fell asleep from exhaustion. As soon as Cosette had been 'bought' and taken away, her parents didn't have the scapegoat to blame everything on, so it was Eponine's turn. The worst nights were when her father had been drinking and then completely lost every mortal fiber he had. Azelma had spent many nights tending to the wounds that Eponine received as a result.
The only person Eponine knew she could count on for comfort was her sister. Azelma and Eponine always watched out for each other. Since the moment that Madame had let Azelma outside without supervision, Eponine knew that it was her right and duty to step in. Azelma in turn knew that she always had to have her sister's back. Their brother Gavroche seemed to be in his own universe most of the time. He rarely made an appearance at 'home', and when he did, he was told that if he was to be a Thenardier, he had to bring something to the table. Gavroche hadn't been home in months.
Eponine rounded a corner and saw a young girl sitting with her legs drawn up to her face on the curb. She was trying to hold in all the heat that she could. Eponine sat down next to her and did much of the same, but the girl did not look up.
"Have you been home?"
"No, and I don't plan to."
"But it's freezing out here, 'Ponine."
"Would you rather get a little frostbite or suffer whatever they deal out?"
Azelma knew very well what 'they' were capable of. "I'd choose neither, but the frostbite is mighty tempting right now."
"Have you seen Gavroche?"
"He's where he always is."
"The cafe?"
"I actually saw him this morning. Do y'know what he said to me?"
"I can begin to guess..."
"He said, 'Morning 'Zelma. I'd stay and talk, but Enjolras and the rest of the students need their leader.' Then he runs off!"
Eponine tried to suppress the laughter that came when she thought of he youngest sibling leading a group of full-grown men. Azelma saw the tension leave her sister, and she began to laugh as well.
"Well, maybe we should see how the little 'leader' is doing."
Her sister smiled at Eponine. "Is that all we want to see?"
"'Zelma..."
"Alright, my tongue is held. But I've been noticing."
"And you best keep those thoughts to yourself, or I might slip about my sister and her certain young man, and we know how embarrassing that would be."
"That's blackmail!"
"That's how it is. My way or not at all."
Azelma stood and started walking, Eponine trailing behind her. "You are most definitely your father's daughter," Azelma commented in a small voice.
Eponine felt sick with the thought. They walked silently until they reached the ABC Cafe. It was early in the morning, yet a fair amount of men were already gathered. Eponine smiled as she saw Grantaire making the rounds, begging people to have a drink with him. He suddenly looked towards the door, and smiled.
"Look here, gentlemen, be on your best now! Some of my lady friends have come for a visit, so don't go getting drunk and acting up like I know you will!"
The cafe erupted with snorts and muffled laughter.
"We'll make sure we don't," said Combeferre, pulling the mug from his hand.
"Come to see the leader?" asked Joly.
"The real leader, or the figurehead?" joked Eponine.
"You know Enjolras isn't here yet. Takes those classes until the afternoon. But your brother is in the back with Marius." Feuilly stood from his card game and pointed to a back room.
"What's he doing with Marius?" Azelma asked curiously.
Courfeyrac chuckled to himself. "Top secret, or so Gavroche says. We're not one to argue with 'the leader'."
"I'll go," said Eponine.
"Of course you will," her sister said so only she could hear. Eponine glared at Azelma as she made her way to the back.
Before she approached, she heard cries of laughter. She pressed her ear up to the door and listened with a smile.
"The enemy is here, and they'll attack from here, so we have to be..."
"Here?"
"Monsieur, who is the leader of this rebellion?"
"I beg your pardon, Monsieur le Leader!"
"You should!"
"Oh really? What if I choose to overthrow the leader?"
"Then Inspector Javert comes," said Eponine behind the door. "And gives you both life sentences."
"Quick, Leader!" said Marius with mock eagerness. "What do we do?"
"Hide!"
"Too late!" yelled Eponine running through the door and heading for Gavroche. Marius stepped in her path.
"Inspector, I cannot allow you to take our leader away!"
"Arguing with an officer of the law? Jail!"
"But I am a student! We are very important citizens!"
"Resisting arrest? Jail!"
"Eponine! Come on! We was having a strategy session!" Gavroche bore an annoyed look.
"Mistaking an officer of the law for the riff-raff of the street? Jail!"
Marius laughed and grabbed Eponine. He pulled her into his arms, and held her. She looked into his eyes for what seemed like minutes on end. Marius did much the same, but did not release her. They heard a throat clear behind them and Marius instantly dropped his hands. They both turned around and saw Gavroche with his hands on his hips.
"Since when is Inspector Javert so keen on being held by Monsieur Marius?"
Eponine smiled at Marius, and he returned it. She could see Marius searching for an answer.
"There is no answer to that Gavroche. There just isn't." He looked back at Eponine.
"Well, now that I know what your "top-secret" plans are, I'll just be going to deliver them to the police station. Marius, are you sure you're up to babysitting him?"
"He's not babysitting me! I'm the leader! 'Ponine, didn't I tell you? Enjolras said that when he's at the university that I get to be the leader! I'm as good as babysitting Monsieur Marius!"
Marius turned to Gavroche. "You're the leader, young man. You don't have to call me "Monsieur". I, on the other hand, should call you Monsieur Gavroche."
"It quite suits you," giggled Eponine. "Monsieur Gavroche."
"That's right, Inspector. Now kindly move along." Gavroche dismissed her with a wave of his hand and walked back to the table. Eponine snickered as Marius walked over to her.
"Are you sure, Marius?"
"It gives me something to do besides sit out there."
"They're a great group of men."
"But they do the same thing everyday. Feuilly and Joly with their never-ending card games, Enjolras always in class except to make an occasional speech, and Combeferre and Courfeyrac are always chasing Grantaire around. The rest, I don't know what they're up to."
"But, my brother..."
"Leave him to me. Believe me, if I can keep him in here, he won't have to do what you and 'Zelma do." Eponine's glance shot to the floor. "I know you aren't proud of your family and of what you do, but I don't care. I know you and Azelma and Gavroche, and I'm willing to help you anyway I can. Even if it's playing pretend with a nine-year-old boy."
"Thank you. I'll be back later for the real meeting."
"I'll get back to 'the leader'," Marius joked and went back.
Eponine closed the door and went back to the cafe. She saw her sister looking over Joly's shoulder and pointing to a card.
"Got any threes?"
"Go fish!"
"Having fun?"
"I'm losing! And your sister's no help!" complained Joly.
"What are the plans?"
"There are no plans, 'Zelma. Marius and Gavroche are just playing."
"Figures."
Eponine glanced at the clock that had just chimed. "We should go, 'Zelma."
"Nah! Stay! Have a drink, or two!"
"No thank you, Grantaire," smiled Azelma politely.
"We'll be back later."
They said their goodbyes, and were out the door heading back to their corner of the street.
"I'm going to get every last detail from Gavroche."
"'Zelma, it's only a game."
"Not about the game. About you and Marius."
Eponine sighed and looked at her only companion. "Nothing is ever going to happen and nothing had ever happened. He's a student, and I'm...well, look at me!"
"I am."
"Forget it, 'Zelma."
"I'll try, but I won't be easily swayed."
Eponine smiled and draped her arm around her sister, who did the same thing. They kept walking in circles just to stay warm, and finally settled back on their piece of street, hoping that someone would throw them a coin without them having to say a word.