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 was very pleased with the reaction toward the last chapter. I thought people would be too shocked and appalled, but it looks like there is love for Javert yet. However, I do want to make it clear that I do not ship Cosette and Javert. It is a little tough to explain, but it is more of an understanding that they share, I guess. It is like they came from nothing and both created lives for themselves, though they are very different. Kind of like a mutual understanding or something. Yeah…Like I said, a little difficult to explain.
Chapter 10
- The Face of the Past
It was shock. No, it was utter astonishment. Javert had no idea how to react to the sudden and unexpected display of affection. In all honesty, his experiences with the opposite sex under such circumstances had been fairly limited in his lifetime. After all, it was quite difficult to get close to the ones you despise. Therefore, it was appropriate to say that Javert was out of his depths in that moment.
Though startled, he was still not without his wits. Javert knew that this kiss did not derive from a place of passion and love. Despite not having much experience in the area, he was still capable of recognizing the comprehension and sympathy behind the action. It had been merely conducted out of kindness for a shared plight. That, perhaps, was why it was so easy for him to grasp her shoulders and detach himself from her warm lips.
He held her at arm's length, bowing his head to suck in some air and to come to a decision. Needless to say, the embrace had confused him more than anything. He had assumed Cosette had no other opinion of him than his former self. Yet, she had shown him even the slightest kindness and understanding by kissing him. It wasn't in him to allow her to continue and not do anything about it.
Cosette grew uncomfortable in the silence that had ensued. She sucked in a sob, the first of what would become full on crying if she didn't act presently. "Monsieur," she proclaimed, attempting to study his features, but afraid to move at all, "please reconsider these ideas of yours. Perhaps I was too hasty in my present opinions. You words have touched me. Really, they have."
Javert scoffed, which startled Cosette. Even with this utterance of indifference, sadness was still present in his eyes and disappointment still weighed on his shoulders. "Your attempt comes too late, I am afraid." He raised his head so that he could gaze upon her lovely, but devastated features. "I just thought that perhaps you would have been different from everybody else—maybe you would have been the one person to give me a second chance. It's just not possible, though."
"Of course it is possible. Please, you cannot say that," Cosette urged.
He shook his head. "Do you know why I believed in you Cosette?" She could not utter a response or motion an answer. "It is not only our parallels, but it is also because of him."
"Him," Cosette whispered breathlessly, as soft as a whisper. Her tone was not necessarily questionable, but it certainly lacked knowledge.
"Jean Valjean." Javert paced away, still attempting to compose himself and to find his words. He had to admit that he had never been more uncomfortable in his entire life. This was certainly a situation he had never found himself in before. "Did you know that my life had fallen right into Valjean's hands once? Can you imagine? After all that I had put him through, he set me free. He gave me my life back without hesitation. I suppose I figured he would have passed along the same compassion."
Cosette had not moved from her spot. In fact, she could not move. "He taught me well, monsieur, I assure you."
"Then why do you stand judge over me even now?" he screamed, turning on her. He breathed for a few seconds, taking in her expression of fear and shock. She bit her lip to stifle a peep of frightened surprise. Javert shook his head, calming a bit. "I see clearly now that I was mistaken. There is no longer any place for Javert."
Being near the meager table where he kept his few belongings, he was able to gather what little he had in one handful. This consisted of simply the change purse and the extra clothing that he had arrived with. With these articles in hand, he spun back toward Cosette. "Forgive me," he muttered.
Javert swept out of the room without another word. It was obvious that he meant to leave and never return. It was also apparent that his last words had meant more than just what they seemed. Not only did he ask forgiveness for startling her with his tone during the conversation or his sudden departure, but he was also apologizing for ever having entered her life again. He had never meant to disrupt her life, which is precisely what it seemed at the end. And, for that, he needed forgiveness.
Marius discovered Cosette's whereabouts a couple hours later. She had collapsed onto the cot, weeping silently into one of the pillows. He rushed to her side, despite the darkness the room was now washed in and the strange state he discovered her in.
"Cosette, what is wrong?" he questioned frantically, rubbing her back. "What has happened?"
Immediately his mind swirled with ideas on the matter. Being in the room that Javert had previously occupied did not help these suspicions. But his concern was solely on his beloved wife and comforting her in her apparent sorrow.
Cosette sucked in a breath and raised herself off of the mattress and the pillow to focus on her husband. Yet, she found she could not formulate detailed enough sentences just yet. She was still attempting to suck in enough breath in which to operate by.
"He," she stammered between sobs, "He's gone."