I only own Marceline

Marceline was able to wipe the smile off her face as she returned with the girls to the inn. She let Eponine lead them back to the front room after lowering Cosette to the floor. The little group entered to find most tennents had gone to bed or checked out, leaving them nearly alone with the Thenandiers.

The couple was sitting at one small table, smiling greasily at Marceline. The woman noted Francis sitting not far away from them. His eyes flickered to the Scotswoman, a smile gracing his lips. Eponine climbed into her father's lap, ignoring the grimace that appeared on his face as she did so. Marceline pulled out a chair and sat, Cosette settling in her lap. She then pulled out several notes, adding up to little over three thousand francs.

"This is everything miss Fantine fell behind on while you've had Cosette. I'll be taking her now." She informed them, handing over the money. Monseur Thenadier frowned.

"It would be, had the child not so often fallen ill." Eponine frowned, looking at her daddy.

"But papa, Cosette never got sick-" the man put a hand over his child's mouth, smiling falsely again.

"She's an impulsive liar." He said. Marceline arched a brow at the obvious lie. She reached over and moved his hand.

"What was that dearie?"

"I said Cosette never got sick. Only once when we were six, and she got better all on her own." She smiled kindly at the child, then looked to her father.

"They say the only honest people in this world are children and drunkards. Those words ring true today." She slapped the money on the table, picking up Cosette and standing. "Miss Fantine has been struggling to pay for the preset amount alone. That topped with the insistent false sicknesses have driven her to near death.

"Cosette wears a ratty dress and has no shoes, so obviously she isn't being well taken care of. She was in your care and is treated like a slave. I'll have you know that that's child abuse and if I decide to report it, you can and will go to jail." The Thenadier's eyes went wide and they looked at each other. The man stood, dumping his daughter from his lap and looking at the woman, pulling his coat aside to reveal a gun in a holster.

"That wouldn't be very wise, Mada-" there was a click and a second gun was in the air, the barrel aimed at Thenandiers' head. Francis wiggled the trigger.

"Unwise indeed Monseur." He agreed

Marceline smirked, bent over and set Cosette down, kissing Eponine on the cheek and allowing the children to hug and say their goodbyes. Smiling, she brought their attention to herself.

"Remember, lass. You're like a sister to lil' Cosette. That makes you kin. You've always got a place in my home. Got it?" Eponine smiled and nodded at that. Her mother scowled.

"You can't do that." Francis smirked, flashing a badge.

"Child abuse and neglect, plus all the counts of theft I myself have witnessed this evening? She could do that and much more." He informed them. Marceline leaned in, kissing Eponine's cheek again and tapping the sleeve where she had slipped the address. With that, she scooped up Cosette and strolled out, Francis trailing behind.

Hello lovelies! Sorry it's so short. I'll make up for it next week. Swearsies. Reviews are love.