Book IV- Scattered Pieces

A/n: Before I start, I would like to clear up a few things.

1) In my AU version, I want Marius and Enjolras not to be so upper class, if that's ok with some of my picky reviewers.

2) Cosette will not stay so bratty, I promise. The doctor in the story says it was a nervous breakdown. They don't last forever.

3) I'm not sure how many books I will have before this series is complete, but I think book five will be the last one. If anyone has any suggestions for something I can write after the series is over, please e-mail me.

Now, here's the story-

::Interchapter::

Two weeks had passed since their dinner with Pierre, but the group had not forgotten the evening's events. Kate walked around silently as usual, but she carried around an extra burden of a secret. How could she ever forget how he had kissed her like that? She tried to take her mind off it by helping everyone around their small house, but she knew that she wouldn't be aloud to stay much longer, and the only person she could think to turn to was Pierre.

Cosette no longer gave her sour looks, which was a plus, and Mark hadn't turned up again. Another thing was coming up soon too. Cosette was to hear back from her father. This letter could be the one thing that put Kate out on the streets again. She knew she had to go talk to Pierre, and soon. So every day she told herself she would, and every day she never did. And finally that day came. Cosette received an answer to her letter.

Cosette came rushing into the hut excitedly. Eponine looked up from her seat by the door and watched her run in.

"I got it, the reply from my father. It arrived just this morning! I haven't looked at it yet; I wanted to read it with everybody. Gather around." Everyone formed a circle around Cosette and watched eagerly as she pulled it out from a fold in her dress. The envelope was a yellowed color, with calligraphy inscribing all the addresses. But there on the very front was a word that disturbed the even flow of the letter. The word "deceased" was printed in huge red letters on the fold of the envelope.

Cosette gasped. "Deceased." She whispered. The finality of the word hung in the air. "No, it can't be. It. . . I" She opened the letter with shaky fingers and unfolded its contents. Inside was a letter written not in her father's handwriting, but in the handwriting of some officer or official.

"Dear Ms. Cosette," She read, her voice wavering. "We are grieved to inform you that your father has passed on as of a week ago. It is with our most sympathy that we send you his will, and a letter that he requested we give you. You have our deepest sympathies, and may all go well for you in your future. Also, we will expect you to come up and make arrangements for the burial and any other arrangements of your fathers.
Sincere thoughts,
Le Morte Funeral Home"

Cosette let the letter flutter to the floor as she sunk down in a chair.

Marius picked it up and read it again. "Well, I suppose we'll have to go back and take care of. . .everything." He said solemnly. Cosette just sat there numbly. "I can go with her, and you can stay here, if you want. It just seems easier that way." He told Enjolras and Eponine. Kate stayed out of the picture, not wanting to say anything.

"What will happen to Kate?" Eponine asked softly.

"She can stay, if she likes, or she can go. But she will need to decide on something soon enough." Marius replied kindly, flashing Kate a quick smile. "I guess we should read the Will before we go." He added, unfolding another paper from the envelope.

He scanned over it quickly. "He's left you quite a sum of money Cosette, and a letter on your past. Would you like to read it?" She nodded. As she read about her past, her eyes widened, brimming with tears.

"My mother died to save me from these horrible people, the-" She saw the name, and looked up at Eponine, who was sitting quite still, a look on her face as if she already knew what was going to be said. "The Thenardiers." Cosette finished softly. Everyone but Kate turned to look at Eponine. "Eponine, did you know about this already?" Cosette asked, wanting to know if her suspicions were true.

Eponine didn't answer, but dropped her gaze to the floor. "Did you?" Cosette demanded again. Eponine slowly raised her head and nodded solemnly. "How come you never told me?"

"I thought. . .I thought that I shouldn't-"

"You knew about this the whole time we were friends and you never even once stopped and told me about my past? Eponine, friends are supposed to be honest with one another! What kind of friends are we if can't even be honest?" Her voice dropped very low and she said, "We aren't friends. Not anymore." Then she looked at Marius. "Come Marius, let's go back to Paris and take care of the burial arrangements." With one sad and final look at Enjolras, Marius followed her out the door.

After it was closed, Eponine let out a sob and hung her head, letting a river of tears cloud her vision.

A/n: Hahahaha! MORE EVILNESS!!!! The next chapter will be updated shortly. More twists and turns shortly.