I glanced back at the stack of papers in front of me. Still loads of work to do. I sighed and rubbed my temple tiredly. It is such a nice day outside and here I am, stuck in this room, drowning inside sea of endless works. To hell with all this, I need some fresh air. I grabbed my coat and stepped out of my office.

The weather is warm, not as hot as yesterday, for the occasional wind blowing every now and then is a bit strong than it used to blow. The people are chatting animatedly amongst themselves and some even greet me as I passed. "Marius!" I heard someone calls my name and I turned around. "Madame Beauchamp?" The woman rushed to me, "My God, You're growing quite fast! When did you came back in town?" Wait, how come she didn't knew I was moving back? It'd been four years! "A long time, actually, four years ago?" Her eyes went wide, "Four years?!"

"I'd been busy, Madame" I chuckled slightly. "Oh, you have to come to my house, I'm making scones! I know how much you loves them when you're a boy!" Before another words can slipped out of my mouth, she was pulling me in the direction of her house. The Beauchamp's house is humble, small, yet it's warm and comfortable.

"Who will look out for the store, Madame?" I asked as she bustled around the kitchen. "Oh, just a new young lady moving here few months back, quite a nice dearie actually, she looked out for the store and helped me doing houseworks, too" She said as she layed the tray of scones and two cups of teas on the table. "Marie, I'm home!" yelled a familiar voice from the doorway. "I see we have a company!" Monsieur Beauchamp grinned happily from the doorway. "How are you, son?"

Soon, stories were passed. It's quite absurd how I'd been staying in town for four years and they didn't even know I was moving back. "Madame, Monsieur, I am sorry I'm late! There's a new book arriving and oh...the store is so so crowded! and..." her voice trailed off as she saw me in the sitting room. "I'm sorry I didn't know you have company, should I set the dinner table for one more..?" And she began to talk in fast pace. Madame Beauchamp just chuckled, "Dear, dear, It's fine, besides, Monsieur Pontmercy here is just catching up"

She blushed a light pink, before curtsied and heads for the kitchen. "Oh dear, dear, you needn't do those things! Come, sit, have tea with us!" Madame Beauchamp dragged Eponine back to the sitting room. "But Madame..." "Besides, you'd worked very hard today at the store, and you must need some rest.."

And so that brought us to now, me, sitting with Madame and Monsieur Beauchamp, along with Eponine. "How was your family back in Saint Guilhem, dear?" asked Madame Beauchamp. "Oh, they're fine, Madame. Father said the town is going great, and less people were sick" she said with a smile as she took a sip from her cup. "And, Marius, dear, how have you been? The last I've heard you were involved in a student revolt, are you fine, dear?" Oh, God, not this again, "I'm fine, Madame, luckily" the barricades is still like an open wound to me, I never talked about it to anyone, not even Madame Magloire. She must've known I'm still recovering, but sooner or later, I know I have to move on completely.

We chatted for a little while. "Oh, my, it's already two o'clock, I have to get back to the store" Eponine announced. "I'm sure it'll be fine, darling" Madame Beauchamp said but Eponine was already making a beeline for the door. "I'll come back tonight to prepare dinner!" she called as she moved outside.

Madame sighed, "that girl..." Madame Beauchamp move to the kitchen. When Madame Beauchamp was out of sight, Monsieur Beauchamp stared at me expectantly. "What?" I asked, "You may fool the rest of the world, but definitely not me, Marius" I raised an eyebrow, "I've not a clue what are you implying, Monsieur" He smirked, "There is definitely something between you and Mademoiselle Dufarge"

"What..?That is impossible!" Monsieur Dufarge only leaned back on his chair. "Don't even try lying to me. You clearly known her before" I was tongue-tied, for he was utterly true. "And I think there is certain issues that you need to work out with her" He said, and my head instantly snapped. "I'm not blind, Marius. You're clearly smitten with her"

Then remembering my wrongs to her, I spoke in a low voice, "I'd done many wrongs to her, Monsieur, can she ever forgive me?" he placed a hand on my shoulder. "Mademoiselle Dufarge is a kind-hearted girl, she will forgive you" "What shall I do, Monsieur?"

Monsieur Beauchamp was silent, then speak with confidence, "I think you should speak to her"

I quickly get up and thanked him quickly before dashing towards the bookshop. "Baron Pontmercy!" I stopped myself, my insides churning in mild terror. "Mademoiselle Mondoin, what a coincidence..." Quincy Mondoin had been hot on my trails for years. She often thinks that we're meant to be together or something. Her father owned the biggest textiles factory in Languedoc-Roussilon. "What a nice surprise, Monsieur!How come I meet you here in such nice day?" She blinked her eyes flirtatious. "And alone..."she pout her lips. "I'm sorry, Mademoiselle, but I have a rather important appointment I need to attend" I made a move to leave, but she caught my arm. "So soon? Why don't we enjoy the day and.."I quickly detached myself, "perhaps next time" And I dashed, ignoring her calls and frustated grunts to her friends.

I entered the bookshop gratefully and rather out of breath. "Oh, Monsieur Pontmercy, what brought you here?"she asks as she placed a book on the shelf. "I was just looking for some peace.." She chuckled, "hiding from the group of young ladies chasing you?" she joked as she put the new books into the shelves. "Funny, but no" She turned, facing me. "You're out of breath and flushed and I basically heard Mademoiselle Mondoin's screams from here," she raised her eyebrow. "Well, perhaps Mademoiselle Mondoin and her peers did.."

I took in her appearance, she's a lot different than Quincy. Eponine only wear a plain white cotton shirt and blue skirt. While Quincy wore the grandest dress I've seen with puffing skirts and sleeves made of finest materials coated with thick layers of make-up. We were silent as Eponine does her works.

"Tell me, Mademoiselle Dufarge..." I started, and she turns to look at me, her eyes reminds me of chocolate. "Your name sounds quite familiar, Dufarge...Isn't that the famous physician in Saint-Guilhem-le-désert?" She blushed. "I am his daughter, Monsieur" she chuckled. Her chuckles are light and easy. "Then how come you're not wearing fancy clothes like Mademoiselle Mondoin or the other girls?" I asked stupidly. "Mother and Father would be a little disturbed if they found out I wear rather humble clothings and having normal treatments, but I'm sure they'll understand my wishes to be normal" She explained.

"Now, my turn" she smiled devilishly as we sat perched on the cashier table. "You often looked quite solemn, Monsieur, no means to be nosy" I sighed. "Four years ago, I was involved in a community, Friends of the ABC, we were filled with this ideas of a better France. So we plan a revolution" Her eyes went wide, "But it's dangerous, Monsieur!" She exclaimed, reminding me of a schoolgirl. "It is, but we were young and unwise. Months later, I met a girl, she is such a lovely young lady and I was captivated by her beauty. I asked a dear friend of mine to take me to that young lady. We met, and my friend become our messenger..." I said, taking a deep breath to continue.

"On the night of the barricades, it was a brutal fight. I asked my friend to deliver the letter to that lady, for she leave that day for England with her father" My voice cracked. "What happens to your friend?" She gaze at me sympathetically, "She died, she died taking a bullet that was meant for me. She died in my arms. She said that she loves me.." Tears were rolling down both of our cheeks. We were silent and I could hear her sniffs beside me, "What happens afterwards?" She asked through her tears, "I never found her body, though I long to tell her that she's the one" 'You're the one for me, 'Ponine' I thought, 'You're the one for me' But it all was in vain for she only said, "I hope you find her, Monsieur" before smiling comfortingly and giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze.

A/N: That's it folks, finally, i made them meet, again, and talk! Slightly longer than usual, but please tell me what you think, review! Goodnight and stay tune!