(A/N – I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I know I said 24 Hours. I'd written this chapter out and just need to edit it but then I had a complete crisis of confidence and had to re-write it again twice as I didn't feel it was living up to its potential, hope you all think it was worth the wait)

(The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray – Robert Burns)

Chapter 22 – The Best Laid Plans

Eponine glanced nervously at her reflection in the mirror, Musichetta finished pinning red roses into her hair. Her brown locks, which had always been a vanity to her, were looking spectacular the way they had been piled atop her head. Her dress was made of blue silk with white underskirts that peeked out the bottom the bodice was trimmed with red roses. Musichetta had gasped the previous day when Eponine had pulled the dress from the parcel that Montparnasse had left for her. Her trained seamstress eye had seen not only the beauty but the quality. Eponine had chosen not to enlighten her when she had asked where Montparnasse had purchased such a garment, the less Musichetta knew the better.

She had not spoken to Enjolras since they had received Montparnasse' note three days previously. Not being able to speak to him caused a pain in her soul, there were times she wanted to give in and tell him why she had really said those things but she reminded herself that she was doing this for Enjolras' own good. With a sigh she resigned herself to the fact that it was better this way, after tonight she would never see him again, but at least he would not hand himself in to be slaughtered, at least he would be alive. She hoped the thought would be enough to sustain her in the years to come.

She was jolted from her thoughts to find Enjolras entering the room. He stopped abruptly when he saw Eponine standing in her splendour. For a fleeting moment she thought she saw his expression change, but his face was stony and set again so quickly she thought she must be imagining it.

"Are you almost ready, Montparnasse will be here shortly?"

"Eponine just needs a few finishing touches, then I must get dressed and we will be out." Musichetta replied for her.

Enjolras nodded and turned to leave, but something stopped him he turned slightly and said in an undertone "Eponine, you look nice."

"Thank you Enjolras"

"Beautiful" He said quietly.

"Pardon?"

"I said you look beautiful." He said before quickly exiting.

Eponine lost track of how long she spent staring at the door after he left.

~X~

Montparnasse arrived on schedule, he seemed as keen as Enjolras to get their plan over with. As promised he had brought along two courtesans hired for the occasion. One was a buxom blonde who kept trying to pull down the front of her dress, obviously unused to such modesty. The other was a brazen red head; she ran her eyes all over Enjolras within seconds of entering the room and lowered her lashes seductively. He was not unused to the look, particularly on the rare occasions he had visited his father at the family home on vacations from university and pushy mothers would suddenly decide to pay his father visits with the young debutante daughters in need of a good catch. It made him uncomfortable then and it made him uncomfortable now.

"This is Belle and Désirée" He said indicating the blonde and then the red head respectively, "they have agreed to help Eponine with the distraction."

Each girl sent him a well practiced curtsy. Enjolras wondered if either of them had ever sat in parlours with pushy mothers trying to get rich husbands. Everyone knew that Courtesans were high born ladies who had 'fallen from grace'. They had all the charm and manors of a governess education with none of the morals, perfect for entertaining high dignitaries, politicians and royalty.

He was interrupted from his musings by Musichetta and Eponine entering the room. Musichetta was now dressed in Eponine's disguise from their previous trip to La Concerge, making almost as poor an excuse for a young man as Eponine had. Montparnasse made his way across the room all but pushing Musichetta out the way to reach Eponine. Enjolras couldn't help but observe that her expression was not that of a reunited lover, it looked more like someone who was going to their execution- perhaps it was the nerves getting to her. Either way he couldn't ignore how uncomfortable she seemed. He cleared his throat getting Montparnasse's attention.

"Perhaps we should run through the plan once with everyone here."

"Fine." Montparnasse reluctantly agreed.

Conjuring up his most charming smile he indicated that the ladies should take a seat on the sofa behind him. The giggling courtesans lead the way, arranging themselves gracefully at either end of the sofa. Eponine sat between them and Musichetta perched herself on the arm, enjoying the freedom breaches afforded her. Eponine was a stark contrast sat between the two powdered courtesans. Unlike them she needed no enhancements to her features, there was no rouge on her cheeks, no powder round her eyes, her beauty was natural and shone brightly against the fakery with which it was compared. Was it just a week ago they had sat in that very place together and she had told him all the beautiful lies? He couldn't stop himself from recollecting the way he had kissed her hand, how soft it had felt under his lips. He knew, in his logical mind, that the longing he suddenly felt for her presence was only caused by the fact that it would soon be gone.

"So," Montparnasse began breaking through Enjolras thoughts, "we have a very tight timescale for this job so it is vital that we all know our parts. We have a five minute slot to get your friend out. If we do not accomplish it then all chance will be lost."

"We won't fail." Musichetta said firmly.

"At eight pm the guards will change shift, for five minutes only, the new and old guards gather in an ante-chamber close to the entrance to handover information. Only the bare minimum number of guards will be left in the building. I have sources who have informed me that the basement level in which your friend is stationed will only have one guard who will be placed at the main entrance to the cells at the opposite end of the building to your friend. Now as you can see from the map I enclosed with my note there is a traitors entrance leading off from the sewers, you will use this to gain access to the prison. This was used during the last revolution to smuggle luxuries into the aristocratic prisoners so we know that entry through it is simple enough. The tricky bit will be getting your friend out, but Eponine informed me you are capable of picking locks." He addressed the last part of his sentence to Enjolras.

"I taught him myself." Eponine confirmed.

"Fine, well you will need to pick the lock and get your friend out of the traitor's gate as quickly as possible."

"You said we got to be part of the rescue as well." Belle said, a pout forming on her lips.

"You three have the most important part." Montparnasse continued addressing the three ladies on the couch. "In case getting your friend out takes longer than expected, or you are seen by the one guard on the floor we need to prevent the alarm being raised. It is your job to create a distraction. At precisely one minuet past eight I will drive the three of you in a carriage to the front of La Concierge. You must go into the entrance and create as much commotion as possible, claiming you have been attacked and robbed. You need to get as many of the guards out of the way as possible to give us a clearer escape. On second thoughts," He paused, "it will be best if we claim you have been ravished as well, more likely to get the guards out searching if they believe there to be a dangerous criminal out attacking young ladies on their way to balls. It shouldn't be too difficult to make it look realistic."

Eponine's eyes widened as he said this, "That was never part of the plan Montparnasse."

"I don't think that's necessary." Enjolras said, instantly uncomfortable with what was being insinuated.

"Do you want to get your friend out or not?" Montparnasse snapped viciously, "I'm not suggesting we actually do it, just make it look as if it's happened. More guards will go out to catch a rapist than a robber. Well, if they believe bourgeois are being targeted that is."

"You can ravish me for real if you like, to make it more realistic." Désirée said flicking a glinting red lock of hair over her shoulder her eyes never leaving Enjolras. She earned herself a disparaging look from Eponine and a deep frown from Enjolras. She let out a throaty laugh, "Oh come on your bunch of prudes, lighten up it's just a bit of fun."

Musichetta rolled her eyes. "Well, this is the first time I have ever been called a prude." She muttered with a sideways glance at Eponine.

"Don't look so horrified." Belle said smiling, her blonde ringlets bouncing as she nudged Eponine. "It's just part of an act. Help me please officer I've been attacked, my virtue has been stolen I will never land a rich husband now." She gave the speech whilst holding a hand dramatically to her forehead, she concluded with an impressive fluttering of her eyelids as if she were about to faint. "I always did fancy a career on the stage." She said with a bright smile.

"I suppose it would be a more convincing story." Eponine said hesitantly.

"Don't agree to anything you are not comfortable with." Enjolras said, but she shot him a fierce look.

"No, I will do it. It is necessary to restore Joly to his friends." She said firmly, "I am not completely disloyal as some may believe." She added more quietly.

"Excellent, then we are all set." Montparnasse clapped his hands together.

"One question," Musichetta said drawing all eyes to herself, "how do we get Eponine and the other ladies away. If they are left inside when they discover Joly has escaped it won't take a genius to realise they were involved."

"Simple, Eponine, once we have got as many guards out as possible you must pretend to fate, I, in disguise as your coachman, will escort you and the others back to the carriage for some privacy and then we will speed away."

"Fainting will not be hard in these ridiculously tight stays." Eponine sighed.

"The trick is to take quick little breaths. It will seem strange at first but you will get used to it." Désirée confided. Eponine sent her a shy smile.

"It's the perfect plan, nothing can go wrong so long as everyone sticks to their parts. Let's go."

Enjolras couldn't stop himself from recalling a saying about 'famous last words' as they made their way out of the flat.

~X~

They had dropped Musichetta and Enjolras off a short distance from La Concerige where they were to make their way in through the traitor's gate. Enjolras and Eponine had sat in silence the whole way there. Her mind whirled over his last words to her. "I said you look beautiful." She knew in her head that she should be grateful that the last words he would ever say to her were not the harsh ones of the last few days, but her heart was aching that she would never hear his voice again, in a few hours, her serious boy would be gone from her life forever.

"Why so gloomy?" Asked Désirée, casting her a thoughtful gaze.

"Not gloomy, just nervous." Eponine said with a weak smile.

"Don't be, this is easy money." The red head laughed.

"Best nights work I've had in ages," Belle agreed. "No fat old politicians sweating on you."

"No smelly breath in your face," Désirée laughed. "No pretending you're impressed by wrinkly old men's naked bodies."

"Truthfully sir, it's the biggest I've ever seen!" Belle's said with exaggerated wide eyes.

In spite of everything Eponine let out a small giggle, which quickly turned into a laugh as Belle continued her mock look of awe, within a short time all three of them were laughing heartily at her antics. They didn't notice the rocking of the coach coming to a stop.

Montparnasse opened the door and entered the carriage with a mock bow. "Ladies."

"Are we there?" Eponine asked.

"Not far off, we just need to make the final preparations." He said with a wicked glint in his eye.

"Thank goodness, this neckline of this dress of stifling, I've been dying to loosen it," Désirée began ripping the front of her bodice. "I don't know how-"

With a flash of silver light her words were silenced. She slumped forwards, a crimson gash across her neck and her eyes bulging. Belle started to scream as it dawned on Eponine that Montparnasse had slit her throat. She stared with horrified eyes at the girl who had been laughing moments earlier; suddenly the reality hit her like a knife to the gut.

"You killed her!" She screamed.

Montparnasse made no reply but turned viciously towards Belle, taking her delicate neck in his large hands he began to squeeze the life from her.

"Stop in 'Parnasse are you mad!" Eponine launched herself at him, throwing her arms around him and trying to pull him off as Belle's eyes widened and her lips began to turn blue. Eponine kicked him with all her might, she slapped at the back of his head and punched him with full force. She knew she could hit as well as any man but her blows seemed to have no effect on him. There was an evil glint in his eye as he watched the life draining from the blondes face. Eponine screamed in his ear and scratched at his face so hard she drew blood with her finger tips but to her horror he did not stop. Belle let out a sickening chocking cough as the last of her breath was stolen from her body and her beautiful face slumped lifeless against the wall of the carriage.

For a moment the two remaining stood as silent as those who were dead. Montparnasse staring with satisfaction at the two bodies before him and Eponine with horror at the violence. She raised her eyes to Montparnasse, with the horrified realisation that she was supposed to go home with him tonight. Montparnasse snapped back into life first, raising his hands to the gash that Eponine had caused on his face in desperation. He looked at the blood on his fingers and then straight at her.

Eponine sprang instantly into action. She bolted for the door, catching Montparnasse off guard and sending him sprawling sideways. Seizing her chance to get ahead Eponine sprang down from the carriage and out into the cool night air…

(A/N – Sorry, Cliffhanger, I promise to make it worth while…

I just wanted to take a moment to say a quick thank you to all the readers who have stuck with this story and say welcome to all my new ones…its lovely to have you here!

May(Guest) – I'm glad you discovered and are enjoying this story, slow burn was what I was going for, I'm glad its working.

Snowflakeswift – Thanks for reviewing as you went along, they made me smile. Sorry for making you cry. And thanks for adding and reviewing I think almost all my stories lol.

Unicorn24601, RomildaV, WellEveryOtherPenNameIsTaken – Thank you all and thanks for sticking with me

Jonderette Winchester, Pretty Fuschia, KeepcalmandreadHP, - Thank you

And of course all my guests and anons, thank you also!

You all keep me writing. Big Loves!)