::Enjolras::

The trio had searched for hours and finally found a deserted hut to spend the night. The trudged in tired, dirty, and aching. Eponine lay herself down on the bed and groaned. All this walking wasn't good for her leg. Enjolras bent down next to her and kissed her forehead. She smiled. Cosette sat down at the small table and buried her head in her hands. Minutes that seemed like hours passed and the trio grew wearier.

Enjolras fell asleep at Eponine's bedside, and Cosette hadn't yet taken her head out from her hands. Eponine had tried falling asleep, but eventually gave up. All of a sudden the door swung open and a silhouetted figure stood in the doorway. Eponine woke up Enjolras, who stood up and pointed a pistol at the figure. Then he heard a familiar voice ask,

"Enjolras?"

Enjolras dropped the gun in surprise.

"Marius?"

He answered the call.

Cosette looked up. Marius just stood in the doorway, clearly stunned. Cosette ran up to him and embraced him.

"Why did you leave?" She choked out. Marius just stared at her in a daze.

"I. . ." was all he could bring himself to say. Enjolras walked to the bed and took Eponine's hand.

"Marius is back." He told her. Enjolras walked slowly back to his friend.

"Is it really you Enjolras?" Marius asked, wanting to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.

"Who else would it be?"

Marius smiled. "What are you guys doing in my house?" Enjolras shook his head at the question and looked up at his friend's pale face.

"Your. . .your house?" Marius nodded.

"It's awful." He commented, as if he read Enjolras's thoughts. Marius shook off Cosette and walked over to Eponine. He whispered his apologies, then got up and faced Enjolras.

"Enjolras, I'm sorry." He said, barely audible, but sincere. At long last, Enjolras smiled.

"Apology accepted. Don't worry about it." Marius looked relieved and less pale.

They were back. Eponine closed her eyes and let out a sigh. All at once, the foursome heard pounding at the door.

"Stay here." Enjolras commanded the women.

"Where else would I go?" Eponine muttered angrily. She hated being cast aside like that, even if it was for her own good. Enjolras walked to the door and threw it open, pistol raised. He heard a sharp intake of breath, and looked at the person before him.

She was a girl, probably no older than sixteen. Tears were cascading down her face, and her eyes were filled with fear. She ducked past Enjolras, and into Marius's arms. Enjolras's eyes followed her suspiciously.

"Marius, do you know this girl?" He asked casually. Marius nodded in the direction of his friend.

"Kate." He said comfortingly. "Kate, what's wrong? How did you find me?" She didn't answer, but buried her face in Marius's shoulder. He looked up apologetically at his friends.

He pushed Kate away and grasped her by the shoulders. "What happened." He said sternly. It was more of a command than a question. Fresh tears flowed down her cheeks. "What?" Marius asked desperately, shaking her to force out an answer. She opened her mouth to speak, and everything fell silent.

"Mark." She forced out through tears.

"Mark?" Marius didn't have time to wonder. More pounding outside the door. Kate's eyes grew wide in fear, and she ducked behind Marius. The door broke off its hinges and came crashing down to the floor.

A huge man came swaggering inside, obviously drunk. "KATE!" He screamed, speech slurred. "YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME! YOU CAN'T HIDE FOREVER!" The massive man grabbed Kate's wrist and pulled her out from behind Marius. "YOU CAN'T LEAVE!" He bellowed, and drove his fist into Kate's cheek. She went sprawling backwards. Marius made a gesture to help, but the man held a gun up to his head.

"Move, and you'll all die." The man uttered. "Kate." He growled, pulling her up from the floor. "You're coming with me."

She leaned her head down and bit his hard on the hand. He yelped, bringing the hand up to his mouth, pointing his pistol at Kate with the other. "YOU'LL PAY FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE!!!" He shrieked, and pulled the trigger. Kate tried to twist out of the way, but the bullet pierced her shoulder. Enjolras couldn't watch this happen to a young girl. He ran up to the man and brought his pistol down on the man's head. He crumpled to the floor.

"Is he dead?" Cosette said after a second of silence.

"I don't think so. But let's not wait to find out." Enjolras commented, dragging the body outside.

"We can't stay here anymore." Eponine commented grimly.

"Where will we go?" Enjolras answered in the same tone.

"I was chased out of the city by soldiers, Marius's source of money is dead, and half of us don't have anywhere to live. Does that answer your question for now?" He was getting agitated. Then the situation at hand hit them all. Eponine moved to help Kate despite her leg. Enjolras started discussing with Marius their plans for the near future.

Cosette had ducked out of sight while everyone cared for Kate. She hadn't wanted to see that, nor did she want to see Kate consume all of Marius's attention. She thought about who that man was, and all four of the friends looked at Kate for an explanation.