Chapter Three: Hidden Desires:

When Eponine awoke the night morning, she found a note upon her pillow. She opened it and read what was inside. She was blown away by the beautiful words that Erik had written her. She closed the note back up and went to get dress. Once she was done, she put the note in her pocket, and went to check on her new friend.

The Phantom had a time with the letter he had written Eponine last night. He found he could not write such words to a woman he did not love. So, he imagined he was writing to Christine. He used words that he wished that he had spoken to her before the performance of "Don Juan".

At the moment, he was writing a new letter. Eponine informed him that he must keep the letters coming. He came to a halt when he heard the boards being moved. He relaxed to find it was only Eponine. He went to her.

"Should you be up here now?" he asked her, worried for her safety, as well as his.

"Don't worry. It's still early." Eponine assured him. "My parents arn't up yet."

"That is good then."

"Yes." she replied. "Thank you for the letter. How did you give this too me without being seen?"

"I slipped it through the cracks of the ceiling." Erik answered her.

"Nice trick." said Eponine. "The words are beautiful. Marius has no idea what he's in for today." she couldn't help but laugh at her brilliant plan. She had a feeling all this would work out for her advantage. "Anyway, I'll try to bring you up some food today. I'm just not sure when. My mum and da' always have their eyes on me."

"Take your time my dear, I can wait."

"Well, I better go. My mum will have my hide if I'm not workin'." Eponine said, as she took one last look at Erik before descended back down into the Inn.

The Madame and Master were shocked to find their daughter up before they were. They found her sweeping the floor with a smile on her face. The two didn't like that at all.

"What do you havta be happy 'bout?" Thendier spat at her.

Eponine cursed at herself for not being so cautious. She could not ruin the plan. "Nothin'."

Pleased with that answer, Madame Thendier smiled at her and said: "That's more like it." And with that, the two went on.

As time went on, Eponine kept on glancing at the door. She couldn't wait to show the letter to Marius. Well, she wouldn't show him right away, she would tease him a bit first.

Lunchtime came around, and Eponine managed to sneak some scrapes and a glass of ale to the Phantom. "I know it's not much, but it's food."

"This is plenty. Thank you." replied Erik as he took the plate and the glass.

Before he ate his lunch, Erik told Eponine: "I heard what your parents said to you earlier-"

"Don't worry about it." Eponine said, cutting him off. "That was nothin'. The day is still young. It'll get worse."

Downstairs, Marius and Enjolras arrived. Enjolras looked around and noticed that Eponine was no where to be seen. "Where is Eponine?"

"I do not know." answered Marius.

Marius and Enjolras went up to Master Thendier, who was busy at "work" behind the counter. Marius, as well as Enjolras was starting to worry. Marius prayed that Eponine was all right.

"Ah welcome good Messieurs." greeted the Master. "And how may I 'elp you this fine day?"

"Where is Eponine?" Enjolras was the first to ask him.

"She's over-" Master turned and pointed to where she was and found she was not... "There."

"EPONINE!"

Eponine jumped at the sound of her father's call. "I'm sorry..." she said quickly to Erik.

"Go!" demanded the Phantom. "I'll close the room off, make haste!"

Eponine dashed back downstairs. "Where 'ave you been girl?" her father demanded.

"Sorry, I had-"

"No excuses. Back to work."

"Pardon me, Master Thendier," Enjolras replied. "May we speak with her for but a moment?"

"Not very long. She's got work to do."

Marius pulled her aside and her down at a nearby table. He sat next to her while Enjolras sat across from her. Eponine turned to him and said: "Thank you Enjolras, I owe you one."

"It was nothing. I assure you."

Eponine then turned to Marius. She could see that he was worried about something. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, forgive me." said Marius, realign her arms. "I just worried about you."

Eponine smiled. "Worried, about me?"

"Of course, I was." he replied. "Did you follow my instructions and keep off the streets last night?"

"Yes." she lied, not looking him in the eyes.

Eponine hung her head down, and started to draw her hand into her pocket so she could retrieve the letter and show it to Marius. Marius could see that her mind was else where. "What are you fumbling with now dear friend?" he asked. "Another rose?"

"No." Eponine said looking back up at him, a smile upon on her face. "Something much better."

Enjolras grew worried with her words. Something better than a rose? What else could she have?

"What?" asked Marius.

"I don't know." Eponine teased. She turned to Enjolras and asked: "Should I show him?"

In his mind, he was screaming: "YES!" He wanted to know just as much as Marius. Instead, he leaned back and answered calmly. "Do not bring me into this."

"You're no fun." Eponine pouted. "Oh well, I guess if you havta. Here." And she gladly tossed him the letter. "Just please, keep quiet about this one. You do not want to start a riot again, do you?"

"It was you who started it. Not I!"

"Shh." Enjolras warned him. He had grown too loud. He checked to make sure Eponine's parents were not paying attention. He sighed with relief. They were not.

Once that was handled, Marius opened the letter. He was not pleased at all at what he read:

My Dearest 'Ponine:

The lonely hours that after the sun set is too much too bare. I will not be able to rest until I can lay my eyes upon your lovely face once more.

Erik

"Erik, who is this Erik?" asked Marius.

"What did it say?" Enjolras asked before Eponine could answer.

"Read it for yourself." said Marius, and he tossed him the letter.

"Hey! Be careful with that!" Eponine demanded.

Enjolras was not happy with the letter either. He noticed that her suitor called her by her nickname. He was hurt, he thought that only he and Marius were aloud to call her this.

"You did not answer me." said Marius. "Who is this Erik fellow?"

Eponine had to think fast. She could not tell them who Erik really was or they would through him to the guards. A smirk came across her face. She knew the perfect way to answer his question.

"He's a young gentleman who came in here not too long ago, and he was taken away with me."

"How come we have not noticed him before?" Enjolras asked.

"He comes when you two arn't around." answered Eponine.

"Then you must introduce us then." Marius told her.

"I agree." replied Enjolras.

"If you don't mind, I wish to keep this for myself." Eponine said. "At least until the right time."

"It is a promise then?" asked Marius, extending his hand out to her.

Eponine was hesitant. She promised Erik that he would not have to show his face. Still, she took Marius' hand into heir's. She oftened dreamed of holding his hand. If her plan worked out, she would be able to hold him forever. Eponine would just have to figure out a way for the Phantom to come out of hiding.

Enjolras watched as Eponine parted from Marius. He oftened wondered what it would be like to hold her in his arms. Society would not allow them to be together, they were from two different worlds. However, that did not meant he could not dream of it. Enjolras knew only one thing, he knew that whom ever Eponine's suitor was, if he hurt her, he would make sure the Stranger would pay for it.

"Eponine!" the Master called out. "Enough talk! Get back to work!"

Eponine sighed. She didn't want to go back to work. She would much rather spend more time with her two friends. "Sorry, the Master calls."

"We'll come again 'Ponine." replied Marius.

He and Enjolras watched as their friend went back to work. They left the Inn to have a private discussion outside. "What do you think of it?" Marius asked his best mate when they were outside.

"I do not know." answered Enjolras with a sigh. "If she is happy, then I wish her the best."

Marius laughed. "Now who is the fool?" he asked.

"I speak the truth."

"Do not lie to my friend." Marius told him. "I can tell that you are troubled."

"If I was, which I am not," stated Enjolras, all though Marius could see that he was still lying. "There is nothing I can do about it now."

"There is still time!" Marius replied, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Tell her, I beseech you! It is never too late."

"For me, it is." said Enjolras, stepping aside, letting his friend's hand fall once more to his side.

"No, listen, and look."

Enjolras watched as Marius pulled out a diamond ring from his pocket. "I could not hide my feelings for Cosette, and look how far we have come." Marius said.

"Are you finally going to ask her hand in marriage?" asked Enjolras.

"Yes." Marius answered. "I have dinner with the mayor tomorrow night, and it is then when I will ask for her hand."

"I am happy for you." said Enjolras, smiling at his friend. All though he was happy for him, he knew one person would not be: Eponine. She would be heartbroken when she learned of this news.

"Perhaps one day, it will be you with the ring..." Marius teased his friend. "And I hope I am there to see it."

"I doubt it."

Marius laughed. He hoped that one day Enjolras would come over his fear and open his heart up to Eponine. "Come, we have a lot more to discuss."

When the day was done, Eponine flew up to the attic, and into the Phantom's room. "Erik!" she cried out happily.

Erik turned around and he could see that she was in high spirits. "I see the plan is working."

"Yes, it is!" Eponine told him.

"I am happy for you." said Erik. "Here, I have another letter for you."

Eponine smiled and took it from him. "Thank you! Oh, thank you!" Eponine could not resist any longer. She through her arms around the Phantom and pulled him into a friendly embrace.

Erik was hesitant, but soon he returned the embrace. It felt so wonderful to have a woman in his arms once again. Unlike Christine, instead of fleeing from his sight, Eponine seemed to welcome him. Erik was thankful for that. All though he did not which to find love, he hoped that as unbelievable her plan was, that Eponine would win her friend. He could not think of anyone who deserved it more then her.

TBC...

Author's Notes: Such an interesting love triangle I have weaved uh? LOL! Now, I didn't read the book of Les Miss. However, it seemed in the dream cast that Enjolras and Marius came from a much higher society then Eponine. In those days, pairing with a lower class member was not aloud. Still, its fan fiction, and I love romance. So, I'm just breaking the rules a little. Then again, rules were meant to be broken! LON! Chapter Four coming soon...