Simon was not deterred by my lack of interest in him. If anything, it made him more determined to show me this "other side" of himself which was suddenly coming into existence. He primarily did this by taking Fantine under his wing, quickly transforming from her tormentor into her protector. Although I knew he had an ulterior motive when it came to his looking out for her, I hadn't the heart to completely discourage him. He was being nice to the kid; I couldn't see any harm in that.

Of course, that was before I found out he was teaching her to pick-pocket. I'd left the two of them alone one morning and gone across the street to try and get some breakfast from the owner of the patisserie who thought herself benevolent for giving those of us who asked the stale rolls from the day before. She'd just gone to the back to get them when I heard a man shouting furiously and Simon yelling for Fantine to run. I ran outside in time to see him rounding the corner and picking her up upon realizing she couldn't keep up with him. The man, a rather portly fellow, soon gave up his chase. He yelled something obscene, shook his fist in their direction, and went on his way.

Worried and, at the same time, furious, I went to find them, forgetting the rolls. It didn't take me long, as Simon had stopped quickly after realizing that they were no longer being pursued. Fantine was crying, and she wept even louder when she saw me. Simon said nothing, but looked at me uncomfortably.

I glared at him. "What was that about?"

"She...I...well..." He scratched his shoulder, not looking at me.

Fantine sniffed and spoke between hiccoughing sobs. "I'm s-sorry, Simon...I tried to do it l-like you said. But he turned...around..."

"It's alright, Mouse," he told her. "Mouse" had been his nickname for her from the first, stemming from her being so little and timid. "You didn't do anything wrong...stuff like that happens every once in a while..."

"Do not tell me you're teaching her what I think you are," I said, my eyes narrowing slightly.

He sighed and shrugged. "She's gotta learn to look out for herself."

"Not by pick pocketing!" I said firmly. "Besides, I made it my business to take care of her for now, and I can get by just fine without stealing."

"Yeah, Ellie," he said, suddenly sarcastic. "You beg. That's worse."

That stung, but I wouldn't let him see that. "Why shouldn't I take advantage of people's charity? If the patisserie lady feels like she can get on God's good side by giving me her rolls, then what's the harm--?"

"Doesn't it hurt your pride, Ellie?" he said softly, all sarcasm gone.

I shrugged and looked away. "I do what I have to."

He was quiet for a moment, then nodded. "So do I."

"Fine," I said, oddly enough no longer angry. I then glanced at Fantine, who had been watching us silently. "Just...just leave her out of it, alright? I'd rather her not be arrested before she turns nine."

He smiled slightly. "Fair enough." He then turned to Fantine. "I'm sorry that happened, Mouse...it won't again. You okay?"

She nodded, and it suddenly struck me that Simon really cared something about her, that it wasn't all show...and that he actually cared enough about me to let me win this one without much of a fight. He finally had me, if not enamored, at least impressed.