Cosette found Marius, sitting on the door step of the café with his knees pulled close to his chest and his head buried in his arms.
"Marius, tell me what is really bothering you." Cosette encouraged, kneeling down beside him.
"Go away, Cosette. I can sort this out on my own." Marius shot back, daring not to look at her.
(Cosette: ) "No, I won't. You can't just deal with everything on your own. Sometimes you need the help. You have me here, a woman who loves you dearly and wants nothing but to see you smile."
Marius gave a sigh, finally looking up at her for a second or so then his gaze went to the opposite side.
"I can't say Cosette. If I did, well I fear it would turn you away." He replied, as the wind gently blew through his hair, offering a bit of comfort.
"Marius please."
"No and that is the end of that. But I will say this, I refuse to go back there. To live with them. I refuse to take part in playing son to either." He stated.
"Then what are we to do? Surely you wouldn't sacrifice what we have just because of your grudge towards Javert.. Would you?" Cosette asked, eyes narrowing in sadness.
"No." Marius answered, before suddenly turning his attention to her. "I got it. Let's run away together. Just the two of us!" He exclaimed, finally giving a smile.
With these circumstances Cosette didn't appreciate it though. She gave a shake of her head. "I couldn't.. I want them both to be a part of my life.."
"Please Cosette, my love. It is time for us to start a new life. Jean will be fine if that's who you are concerned about." Marius spoke, frowning slightly.
Cosette gave a sigh. "What, do you want me to just leave him right now? No explanation or anything? You don't understand, he'll worry himself sick. He'll think something's happened to me!"
Marius took it into consideration. She was right on that. "Alright, meet me here tonight. You can tell him, or leave him a letter."
"Are you sure on this? I don't feel its right of us to do. I think we should go back and try to work things out between the four of us." Cosette continued to fight back.
"I' am sorry but it's either me or it's them. I won't go back to that. You seen Javert, he nearly killed me. I don't think he would've let go if not for Jean being there, watching.. I don't trust him." Marius stated as simple as that. He didn't trust Javert, the man struck fear into him.
"I'll break my father's heart if I leave." Cosette replied unsure of what to do.
"You'll break mine if you don't." Marius shot back. "I know you love him, and he's been there for the longest of years but now it is time to let go and start new."
"What time?" Cosette asked. "To meet you back here, I mean."
"As soon as the sun sets." Marius answered, standing.
"Alright." Cosette stood as well. "I'll see you at sun set." She said, leaning in to place a gentle kiss to the man's cheek.
"Cosette, remember; you have made me the happiest man this world could know." Marius replied with a smile as the young woman turned to walk away.
Cosette returned his smile, before disappearing into the street of people.
Night had fallen, Cosette had finished packing some of her things and had just put on the final touches to her letter that she would leave behind for Jean.
A touching letter, that she hoped let him know how much she cared and loved him regardless. But Marius was right, she had to start her own life and there was no one better to start it with than him.
She placed the letter on her dresser, before walking over to gather her suitcase.
She hadn't spoken a word of this to either Jean or Javert, although she knew they had their suspicions. Jean more so than Javert. A fatherly instinct of knowing when something's up perhaps?
Regardless, she denied and had no doubt they believed nothing was wrong. She didn't even speak of her and Marius's conversations. She lied and said she hadn't seen him; she couldn't find him.
They seemed to believe her.
So now here she was, quietly making her way out the door. All seemed to be going well. Jean couldn't possibly hear her now, he was surely getting ready for bed.
But, she let her guard down on the one who was even more aware of things than Jean and picked up on what others could not all too easily.
"Where do you think you're going?" Javert suddenly spoke as she had just closed the door.
Cosette jumped, startled by the fact she was caught. "Uh, nowhere. I just thought I would take a walk around the place." She answered, moving her suitcase to the back of her.
Javert locked his hands in one another, behind him as he started her up and down. "You remind me so much of your father."
"Oh really? How wonderful.. I was raised by him, that is to be expected of course." She nervously replied.
"Of course." Javert took a step to her right, only to have her turn so he still couldn't see. "You sure, you're not hiding anything? Any secrets that should be told, not to me but Jean?"
"No, I assure you there is nothing to further tell. I'm just out to get some fresh air." She answered, keeping her gaze cautiously on him.
Javert stopped his attempts at circling around her. "Jean use to think he could keep secrets from me.. That I would never find out. However, whatever there is to be told of him, I know. I wasn't called inspector for nothing."
"You're quiet the wondrous man.. I'm sure you were above all others in the force. My father is lucky to have someone who has been as successful as you." She spoke, taking a step back.
(Javert: ) "Yes but I'm not here to discuss a love story, not mine at least. I know what you're up to. Where you're going. You found the boy, and now you're off to run away with him. Are you not?"
"H-how could you know?" Cosette asked.
"It was easy to figure out. I was well aware the moment he left, he would not return. I'm aware it's my fault. Jean wanted me to offer him an environment of where he felt comfortable and safe in. I gave him the exact opposite."
Cosette shook her head. "No, no. It's not your fault.." She lied, not wanting him to feel any remorse for what happened. "Marius shouldn't have threatened you.."
"It's what any confused boy would do.." Javert trailed. "That aside, it's clear he is who you will follow. That is what one does when in love. Even if they don't wish to in their head, their heart will lead them to that person. It's destiny."
Cosette smiled lightly. "You understand.."
(Javert: ) "Of course I do. I always found my way to Jean and I ran. I'm not here to lecture you and talk you into something that will break two hearts and create a wound that might not be able to mend. It's an agony that cannot be forgotten or healed when you long to be with someone but you deny yourself that pleasure. You're merely torturing yourself. I understand you more than you think Cosette."
"Th-thank you." Cosette was just about to turn to make her way out of the gate.
"However, this is going to destroy Jean; I'm sure you know." The words stopped her in her tracks.
"You are all he's ever known. You are his life, his soul. To leave will be disastrous for him. He'll be lost without the person who's always been there for him." Javert added.
"My papa, he has you now. He doesn't need me. Even I could never make him smile as much as you have done. He'll manage, you're here now to help him through his troubles; to teach him how to live again." She kept her gaze locked on the ground.
Javert sighed, walking up to her and placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'm not enough."
"I'm sorry Javert, I can't stay. I love my father, dearly and I have grown fond of you in this short time of us knowing one another.. I don't think you're this bad traitor of a person; you truly are someone grand. But, I need to part from this life and start another of my own. It's every girls dream to fall in love, to marry and have a family.. Not to stay home and let life pass by." She explained.
"I know dear Cosette. I once had a young woman just as angelic as you that I spent my time with." Javert replied, letting his hand fall back to his side. So much for not discussing his love life.
Cosette started up at him, eyes widened. "You mean to say that my father isn't the first person you've felt this way about? How can that be.. You act as if he's the only one who's broken through to you.."
"He has. Do not take my words wrongly. He is the only person I feel so deeply about. However when I was younger - no older than Marius – I was with a fine woman. She was beautiful, kind and a gift from the heavens. Any man's dream. Any man but me." Javert stated.
"Why not?" Cosette asked curiously.
"She wanted to marry me. My heart wasn't in it. I never asked, and I eventually let her go. It shattered her and turned her love for me into hate. She tried to kill me.." He paused, swallowing deeply. "I had to shoot her.. My life certainly wasn't the same after.. It only added to my own disgust with this world."
"Well, there was no reason for you to feel wrongly.. She couldn't handle her reality, it was either her or you. There is no wrong in that." Cosette offered a hand out to him.
Javert took a step back, shaking his head. "You are right but that was the first time I took someone's life. Everything changed. But yet, here I' am, changing yet again."
"Well you ever tell-" Cosette was cut off before she could finish.
"No. It's the past and I don't wish to terminate my future with such tragedies. That's a secret that will be kept from Jean."
"I can respect that." It really was none of Cosette's business, she had no say in his choices.
Javert waited a moment, before speaking again. "I suppose it is time for you to go. I won't trouble you anymore. And, please don't let my words guilt you. I just wanted to know you were sure of your choice."
Cosette gave a nod. "I' am. I know you'll take great care of my father and protect him. You will do a better job at it than me.. I'm just a girl, there is not much I could do.. Yet you, you're giving him more than I ever could've dreamed of."
"Don't put yourself down. You're a girl, yes but you're a girl that kept him alive all these years. You were his hope when hope was small and his light in the dark. Never doubt you had an impact on him. Never doubt you had an impact on me. If not for you, I wouldn't be here tonight.. Marius has been blessed to have you walk into his life."
Cosette smiled lightly. "Thank you. Your words are sweet and comforting."
"You're welcome. Now, you should be on your way before Marius becomes worried... Unless, you long to say goodbye to Jean first."
Cosette shook her head. "No, I left him a letter to explain. I feel it would be easier that way."
(Javert: ) "Right. Then I better get back inside."
"I wish you and my papa the best." Cosette gave her final words before making her way out of the gate.
Javert said not another word, only watched as she faded into the darkness of the night.
He then turned around, heading back into the house.
Awe, would you look at that... Javert has a soft spot for the girl. Sweet!
Sorry readers, for the little modifications of Javert's past I'm putting in. I hope it's not to anyone's disliking but, I think it helps to build reasons around why he comes off as cold.
That aside.. Hmm... How is Jean gonna react to this? A small cliff hanger with that.. Trying to keep whatever suspense this has up.
I don't know when I'll get another chapter out. Could be a day, two or so on. Inspiration comes and goes.. Anyway, hope you've enjoyed yourselves so far.