A/N: FINALLY! I have posted these chapters. I'm combining ideas of my editors so here.

Rachael and Caitlin – Thank you so much for helping me with the story.

Fatima – your reviews inspire me. Thank you so much. 

To the reader, just tell me what you think. In the next chapter, there's a scene where they'll drink cappuccino in front of the fireplace. I don't know whom to believe. Was there cappuccino back then? If none, so sue me! Anyway, here it goes

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Chapter 2: All You Wanted By Michelle Branch

"One must not be afraid to face things."

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AT THE CABARET

"Azelma, where are we?" Eponine clung to her sister as they made their way through a sea of faces.

"At the cabaret, where do you think?" Azelma replied, searching the crowd for her friends. At the far end of the room, a tall and thin girl with beautiful blonde hair waved them over.

"Eponine, this is Rebecca and Nicolette," Azelma introduced.

"Salut," Eponine smiled.

"So, have you come to join us?" Rebecca asked.

"No, I'm just here to replace Gavroche," Eponine clarified.

"Why? What happened to him?"

"He eloped...I have no idea," Azelma interjected.

Rebecca eyed Eponine critically. "Why don't you want to be a dancer?" And I don't think Marius would like it. She thought.

Eponine shrugged. "I don't know how to dance."

"That's all right, your sister's here to teach you. Right, 'Zelma?" Rebecca smiled, draping an arm over Eponine's shoulders.

"Well..." Eponine tugged at a strand of hair.

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For the next few hours, Azelma and her friends danced, while Eponine watched, rather awed at their seemingly unquenchable energy. When they stopped for a break every now and then, Azelma was treated to drinks by various patrons. Eponine couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy at the attention her sister was getting.

"Excusez-moi, mademoiselle!" A nearby voice caught Eponine's attention. She turned around and saw a handsome and not seemingly drunk man standing over her.

"Might I interest you in a drink? Chardonnay? Bordeaux, perhaps?" He smiled leeringly.

"No thank you," Eponine said quietly.

The man leaned closer to her, and Eponine could smell alcohol on his breath.

"Come, chèrie!" He coaxed. "Surely one drink can't hurt"

"I have to go." Eponine rose hurriedly and began to walk away, but she felt a large hand close over her arm. The man pulled her to him, kissing her fiercely on the mouth. Eponine struggled against him, beating his chest with her fists, and finally managed to wrestle herself from his grip. Enraged, she struck a blow that sent the drunk reeling. Then she ran out the door.

Azelma and her friends had witnessed the scene.

"Eponine, wait!" Azelma called. "Where are you going?"

Eponine ran outside. With her head down and her eyes blurry with tears, she could barely see where she was going. In her flight, she narrowly missed running into Courfeyrac. He caught her by the arm.

"Eponine!" He exclaimed. "Are you alright?"

Eponine shook her head silently.

"What happened, ma petite? Why are you crying?"

"Ma chèrie!" A raucous voice cut through the air. Courfeyrac looked around and spotted Jodelet outside the cabaret, swaying drunkenly. "Why must you leave so soon? We were having such fun!"

Courfeyrac's expression turned serious at the sight of François Jodelet. He and Jodelet used to be the best friends, until Courfeyrac Courfeyrac became one of Enjolras' friends. Long ago, he had a bad experience with him. Courfeyrac was rarely around so he made new friends who are fun to be with. Since then, they despised each other.

"Stay here," Courfeyrac growled. He rose and headed toward the cabaret.

"Where are you going?" Eponine queried.

"To take care of some business." Eponine watched from a distance.

"Jodelet!" Courfeyrac bellowed.

"Courfeyrac-?"

Without another word, Courfeyrac delivered a blow that laid Jodelet out flat on his back. He crouched next to the prostrate drunk and seized him by the collar.

"Hear this," Courfeyrac growled, "I advise you to stay as far away from Eponine as you possibly can. If I hear you've even looked at her the wrong way, they will have to call in the National Guard to pull me off you."

Then, turning to the crowd that had formed outside the cabaret, Courfeyrac gave a polite bow. He walked away, wrapped an arm around Eponine's waist and led her away from the cabaret.