I ONLY OWN MARCY.

When Marceline returned home later that night, she collapsed onto the couch with a dreamy sigh. The date had gone flawlessly and they were set for noon the following Saturday. It didn't take long for Fantine to find her pseudo-sister lying across the couch.

"I suppose it went well, then?" Marceline sighed and stood, picking up her hands and spinning her around the room.

"Iss as if a rainbow blew up and spewed happiness all over meh life." She said, collapsing into a chair and smiling dreamily. Fantine rolled her eyes and patted her sister's cheek, leaving her to her daydreams.

As the blonde left the room, she abruptly collided with a well-muscled chest. A squeak escaped her lips as strong arms came around to keep her from falling on her butt. She looked up into worried chocolate eyes that expressed concern.

"Are you alright, miss Fantine?"

"Who, me? Oh, I'm alright. My body moved faster than my brain, that's all." She listened to Jean's deep chuckle and smiled. Everything about him was warm- his chest, his laugh, his smile... she found herself looking into his eyes, gazing at him for a moment before clearing her throat. Jean quickly realized he still had her trapped in his arms and released her.

"Um, sorry." He listened to the brief laugh she released and smiled.

"That's alright." She insisted. "Good evening, Monseur ValJean."

"Please, just Jean is fine." She smiled shyly, looking up through long lashes.

"Okay. Goodnight, Jean." He smiled after her as she walked calmly down the hall.

"Goodnight... Fantine."

She disappeared into another room and he continued into the living room where Marceline had picked up a watering can and was sprinkling the clear liquid over an emerald green fern.

"I assume your date went well?" He asked, not watching to see if she flinched in surprise as he collapsed onto the sofa and picked up his book.

"Yeah. An' how's tha' bit with Fantine?" He buried his nose in his book to hide the blush.

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean."

"Ah course no'. Neither ah you two seem teh understand th' other. Yer dancin' 'round each other like love-struck yearlin's. Though ah suppose tha's a pretty good metaphor."

"We are not love-struck, nor are we year old horses. Honestly, I'm not interested in anyone right now."

"Except Fantine." She added. Jean groaned, throwing his book down and rubbing his face with both hands. "I's pretty obvious ye'r inteh her, Jean. Phoebe came up teh me th' other day an' asked when we can expect the happy announcement!" He swung his legs up and lay down lengthwise on the couch, keeping his face covered.

Marceline sighed, sitting on the chair nearest his head. It was obvious Fantine was interested in him as well, but she was still adjusting to the new life. Marcy was pretty sure she was bored out of her mind without a job or a hobby. The only things she really did was look after the girls and help Nelly in the kitchen when she could."Why dohncha juss ask the lass out, Jean. She likes yeh, too, y'know." She informed him, standing and picking up her watering can as she left the room. He sat bolt upright and looked after her, half wanting to ask of she was serious. It seemed she was, but even after all this time, he never knew quite what to expect from Marceline Angevine MacGregor. But he hoped she was being honest; this was the last thing he wanted to be misinformed about.

.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. Timeskip sponsored by Gameslave industries .,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.

Marceline made her way to the girls' room. Now that they were allowed, they spent all their time together, including sharing a bedroom. She knocked softly before pushing the door open gently and peering inside. Fantine had the girls curled up beside her and was reading a leather-bound book out loud.

She expressed pleasure, too, at finding a sister among her new acquaintance; and she prattled to Catherine, and kissed her, and ran about with her, and gave her quantities of presents, at the beginning. Her affection tired very soon, however, and when she grew peevish, Hindley became tyrannical. A few words from her, evincing a dislike to Heathcliff, were enough to rouse in him all his old hatred of the boy. He drove him from their company to the servants, deprived him of the instructions of the curate, and insisted that he should labour out of doors instead; compelling him to do so as hard as any other lad on the farm.

Marceline leaned on the doorjam, listening as Fantine recited the words of Emily Bronte. The two girls cuddled into the older blonde's slim waist, heads resting on her shoulders. They closed their eyes and were soon drifting off into their respective dream worlds. She fully entered the room when Fantine noticed and closed the book and begun wriggling out of the little girl cage.

They smiled at each other and quietly moved Cosette to her own bed, tucking each girl in and kissing them goodnight. When the door closed with a quiet click, Marceline grinned and led Fantine to the kitchen, where they nibbled on some cookies Phoebe had left out.

"So, are you going to tell me more about your date?" The blonde teased. Marcy rolled her eyes, taking a bite of the baked good in her hand.

"I'll say this much, he's a keeper!" She grinned. "A perfect gentleman, through an' through." The auburnette smirked. "An' wha' about you an' Jean? Ah think tha's a far more interestin' story." She teased, winking at the blushing blonde.

"Really, I have no idea what you're talking about." She replied lamely, not meeting her eyes. Marceline rolled her eyes, eating the remainder of her cookie and turning to the door.

"Wha' ever yeh say, Fantine. You can't deny this forever." And with that, she was off, leaving the blonde sitting in the kitchen, looking very distressed.

OH MY GOD! AN UPDATE?! WHAT IS THIS?!

Okay, first off, I am sooooooooooo sorry I haven't posted all summer! I meant to, I really did. I just lost track of time. Where it went, I dunno. But it went.

In other news, I am verily shocked. Only one person managed to get all the references from last chapter's timeskip. A few guessed one or two, but, nonetheless, rewards are in order. Congratulantions to Ghiblilover, who guessed all three corectly. I'll have your sneak preview to you by the end of next week.

And thank you all for your faithful support. I'm happy to say I'll be picking this story back up, and have the majority of it planned. Updates on wednesdays, as they were.

Also, I'll give you all a piece of advice for now; don't get too attached to Francis.

Sorry for the long author's note. So, read, review, and until next week, sayonara!