Reprieve

by bhindthemask

Sometimes life gives us a second chance, but are we too weak to take advantage of this gift? Javert had thought he would die; he had hoped he would die. However, it seemed that life had not finished with him just yet. How can he hope to make a new start with all that had transpired? Life has an answer to that, as well.

5. Come Face-to-Face

Disclaimer: I do not own any aspect or variation of Les Miserables. That genius belongs to Victor Hugo and all of those who followed.

Title: Reprieve

Summary: Sometimes life gives us a second chance, but are we too weak to take advantage of this gift? Javert had thought he would die; he had hoped he would die. However, it seemed that life had not finished with him just yet. How can he hope to make a new start with all that had transpired? Life has an answer to that, as well.

Author's Note: I want to thank the reviews so far. They are actually already more than I anticipated. I just want to say to hang in there. I am not too sure where this is headed, but I know it will be interesting. If anyone has any ideas for the story, please feel free to voice them. I tend to let the story lead me instead of the other way around. On another note, I just want to apologize in advance if anyone has an issue with how I wrote Cosette and Marius. Honestly, I am not trying to make Marius a controlling a-hole, but it just seems that way. And I am not trying to make Cosette floozy without a brain. I see Cosette as being rather innocent, but mostly just learning from Valjean and being this sincerely kind person. Marius is very, very, very in love with Cosette, so it is only natural that after all they had been through that he is a bit skeptical and a bit overprotective. I just hope this makes some sense and these characters aren't too unappealing to you. :/

Chapter 5

- Come Face-to-Face

"Shh, keep your voice down. We don't want to disturb him."

Sounds came muffled to Javert at first, as if he were hearing for the very first time. Slowly, however, they grew clearer and he understood what was being said around him.

"Let him rest a while longer."

"Yes, I understand, my dearest, but what are we going to do with him?"

"Whatever do you mean? It is not like he is some stray dog."

A stray dog. He had never imagined himself to be just another stray, but perhaps that was precisely what he had turned into. In all honesty, he had no home to go back to. His old life was dead. He was still in the process of defining his new destiny and himself. So, until he actually figured that out, perhaps all he was was another stray dog. Yet, this angelic voice seemed to dismiss this notion.

"That was not my intention, Cosette. All I mean to say is that he was found unconscious in our garden. After all, is it not concerning how he got there in the first place?"

There was hesitation from her. He could sense it without even bothering to open his eyes. "Well, yes, I suppose. But we can't just rouse him and toss him out on the street. What if he has nowhere to go? I remember a time when you could have been in this man's very place."

"Yes, and nothing has changed since then."

"Except for our income."

There was clopping across the floorboards as the couple drew closer to one another, Javert was sure. His head still spun a little, which deterred him from opening his eyes. He also did not wish to reveal that he was actually awake to the conversers just yet.

"Like I said," the deep male voice continued, but softer, "nothing has changed."

There was a muffled giggle, which made Javert's stomach knot in a nauseous sort of way. He wished he could have been anywhere but there at that moment. It eluded him how he had even gotten into that position and why. Yet, for the time being, that did not really matter. He was just focused on the present and how to proceed.

"So," the man orated again, "we shall wait until he awakens and then go from there. Does that sound better, my pet?"

There was not a single sound of approval, but the woman went on. "I shall have Nanette fetch a basin of water so that he may clean up. He still has dirt everywhere."

Again there was a crossing of footsteps, a door opening and closing, and then he assumed that it was just him and perhaps the young man in the room. He figured it was as good a time as any to reveal his consciousness. He started to slowly flicker open his eyes, but it took a few times to actually succeed in the task, as the sun was now shining through the windows. It made him ponder exactly how long he had been out for.

As he adjusted his position, his muscled strained and ached. He groaned roughly, which had surely drawn attention itself. But it was all of these stressful activities in the actual process of waking that led him to mutter aloud mainly to himself.

"Not again," he grumbled, barely audible for anybody else to hear.

"You're awake!"

The young man, slightly taken aback by how swiftly the stranger had awoken after his partner had exited the room, rushed to his side in hopes of aiding. He took a hold of one of Javert's arms to hoist him into a slouched position with pillows supporting his back. This was the first time Javert clearly got a look at the room, as well as the young man.

The room was of moderate size—probably considered large given the times and the poverty. It was certainly the size of some apartments he had seen before. The bed was quite roomy and comfortable. Between the two windows on one of the walls was a washstand with a mirror and towel. Off in one of the darker corners of the room was an individual table with a single chair pulled up to it and a candlestick holder minus the candle in the middle of it. His satchel sat on the edge. There was a little trunk at the foot of the bed with a quilt thrown over top.

The young man was easily recognizable. Javert knew it was the one he had watched in the gardens. Seeing Marius' face also allowed him to remember the foolishness that had landed him infirmed in the bed. He felt embarrassment boiling over him, but he had to remind himself that these people were unaware of what drove him to scale their fence. That allowed him to calm a little.

The young man was dressed fairly nicely, though comfortably and conservatively. It was obvious that the extra income did not go to his head, as it did to so many. Instead of the patchy clothing that Javert remembered him once upon a time wearing, though, he had nicely tailored and slightly used garments. Not only was he self-conscious about his reasoning for being present, but now became self-conscious about the clothes on his back.

"Careful now," Marius had instructed soothingly whilst helping him. It wasn't until he stepped back, however, that he adopted his true voice in volume and tone. "I must say, you had us all quite worried."

Javert looked upon him without knowing a single thing to say. However, his expression must have read one of confusion because it didn't take long for the young man to continue on.

"Nanette, our housemaid, discovered you early this morning face down in our garden. Needless to say we were quite alarmed. No harm done, though, I hope."

Javert recognized that he was waiting for some sort of answer as to whether or not he had been physically injured in the fall. "No, everything seems to be in order."

There was a pause from Marius. Javert knew he was weighing the man in front of him. Though he appeared to be of humble origins and rough, if any, schooling, he spoke with position and had all the displays of well-mannerisms. This caused him to swallow with doubt, for he did not wish to give anything away, especially while he was in their territory.

"I-I do apologize about trespassing," he added quickly, remembering some lessons taught by Madame Loriel. "I can be away from here in no time at all."

"There's no need for that," Marius replied quickly, remembering himself. "Please, rest for now. My wife went to fetch some water to clean your face with. She will be back momentarily."

For one reason or another, Javert was not surprised at all by this news—Cosette was in fact Marius' wife. Yet, it disturbed him all the same. A frown marred his face against his better judgment. He quickly looked away to avoid Marius seeing it.

"Thank you for your hospitality," he muttered, not sounding too impolite or disrespectful. He was actually rather pleasantly surprised at how they had accepted him into their home. He was sure if they knew precisely who he was, they would not be so welcoming. "I never intended to inconvenience you like this."

Marius smirked slightly, which put off Javert. "Then what did you intend?" he asked in all politeness, though rather unnervingly.

Javert was at a loss for words once again. He hadn't expected such audacity from this young man. It was so straight forward that it actually offended him, even though he was the one technically trespassing on the other's land. Luckily he wasn't put on the spot for long. The door opened some seconds later and produced the young woman from the gardens and an older woman in serving garb.

It took only a moment for him to notice that the young woman was no longer clad in the depressing black he had noticed her in the day before. She had turned to a frock of royal blue with a white lace collar ruffled down the front. Though much less mournful, it was still dark and considerate.

She took notice of him right away, as well, seemingly before anything else. An elated and relieved expression jumped to her face and she made a beeline toward the bed. The aged housemaid gave a quick parting glance toward him then continued on the route to the basin to fill it with the hot water she had carried in. The young man stepped forward to meet his wife in almost a protective manner, as if the stranger in the guest room was wielding a dangerous weapon.

"You've awaken," she breathed just as her husband caught her by the arms to prevent her from venturing further. It was clear he was very protective over her, which he couldn't be blamed for.

The young woman was even prettier up close. Javer was quite struck with her beauty. In fact, that he could not take his eyes off of her and his words left him fairly suddenly. The only thing keeping him from completely succumbing to her was the memory of the sinful and demonic view of women from his previous life. There was better judgment in him reminding him that they could not be trusted. Still, he allowed himself to stare and the warmth of this lady to wash over him.

Cosette, naïve as she seemed, took the action of her husband as an embrace at her return to the room—something quite natural in the household, perhaps. She quickly glanced his way with a brightness in her eyes then turned her head back to the stranger in the bed. She sort of fell into Marius' hold and gripped his arms naturally and tenderly the way a wife would to a husband.

"I do so hope you did not acquire any injuries from your escapades last night," she said somewhat amused and fairly light-hearted.

Javert could not be offended by the statement no matter how hard he tried. "I find myself quite well, thank you, madame," he replied humbly and politely.

She shot a fleeting look at Marius then broke free of his embrace, though not without a lingering touch. She stepped around to the side of the bed, her hands folded and fingers entangled in front of her.

"I'm relieved to hear so," she replied pleasantly. "We were unsure whether we should summon a doctor or not, but as long as you are quite positive that you are well…" She trailed off, leaving it open for him to respond.

"That won't be necessary," he assured her.

She grinned, her smile quite lovely and inviting. "Then you must at least stay and have something to eat. That is the least you can allow us." She only passed a look requesting approval to Marius after she had already offered.

Javert was rather taken aback by the genuine hospitality and complete unselfishness that this girl possessed. He recalled ever having felt such an impact only one other time, and that had been in the presence of Jean Valjean at the granting of his life.

'You taught her well, Valjean,' he thought to himself, somewhat bitterly.

Cosette did not wait for any sort of answer. In fact, he believed that she hadn't expected one or even had posed the sentence in such a way that offered any. She continued on with hardly a pause, her large eyes suddenly going wide, and she stared at Javert as if she had just remembered something she oughtn't have forgotten. "My word, I do apologize, but I don't believe we learned your name yet, monsieur."

"Jori," Javert replied almost immediately. "Jori Cortelle, madame."

"And mine is Cosette Pontmercy, and this is my husband Marius Pontmercy." She motioned briefly toward the young man, who remained standing ever so stiffly nearby.

By this point, Nanette had filled the basin full and stocked the towels on the attached rack in front. She lingered by the door, staring skeptically at this Jori Cortelle, with the empty pitcher in her hands.

"Please take your time washing up, Monsieur Cortelle, and call if you need anything at all."

Javert simply nodded, rather impatient to finally be left alone with his thoughts and musings on the situation. He severely needed to recollect himself and decide what to do from here. There was much for him to consider. Besides, he figured there would be much gossip upon the residents once they were clear of him, as well.

They exited the next moment, shutting the door softly behind them. He waited a few more minutes to ensure that they had in fact left him before drawing back the covers and getting out of bed. His body ached slightly from the rough fall, but he soon stretched out most of the tight muscles. He padded over to the wash basin and took a peek at his reflection in the mirror.

He cringed at the sight that met him. His face was covered in soil and dirt. His hair was matted with stray leaves and twigs. There were a few cuts across his forehead and scrapes along his cheeks. He looked more a ruffian than ever—a convict, he compared in his mind.

He dipped one of the new cloths into the warm water and rubbed it hard against his face. He could feel the water penetrating the dried mud and breaking it up. It began to fall away, much like a mask. He dipped the cloth again and repeated the action, scrubbing hard. He could even feel his hands being rubbed clean. He released his unruly locks next and splashed some water over them in order to make them more presentable. He did this until he was able to call them clean.

It took him near to an hour, if not more, to become presentable in his opinion. He had changed over to the extra set of clothes Madame Loriel had packed for him. He had shoved the change purse into a pocket of the pair of slacks to keep it safe from prying eyes and hands. He rolled the last bit of food he had brought with him back up into the satchel and put it aside for the time being.

Afterward, he sat on the mattress and gazed out of the far window at the world beyond. Though it was quite similar in setting to his previous temporary abode, he couldn't help feeling that he was worlds apart from where he had first started out from. He was filled with so many emotions that he had never before experienced. He was consumed by something he believed he ought to detest. He was quite curious as to where his life was now going to lead him, but at the same time he doubted that he should even be receiving this second chance. Most of all, he was frightened about what the future held. Or at least that was what he liked to believe was the cause behind it. In actuality, it was the possibility of these fine people discovering his true identity that scared him the most—scared him down to his very core.

Yet, he could not help thinking that perhaps his second life was a new chance at something. And, he wondered if maybe, just maybe, that something was what had brought him right here and now.