Chapter 1
She truly thought she had died. For when Éponine opened her eyes, she saw she was lying in a bed, in a room she had never seen before. And oh, the room was glorious. Simple, yet tastefully elegant, with a vanity just across from the bed, and an oak armoire next to the tall window, which had the curtains drawn, to let in the radiant sun.
This must be heaven, she thought. Never in my life have I seen a room as magnificent as this one. Or slept in a bed this soft and warm. She had considered herself lucky if she found herself not sleeping in an alleyway, most nights. She sat up in the bed to look out the window. The sky was now a bright blue, without a cloud in sight. Too quickly, the memories flooded back to her, as well as the pain in her side, fiercer than anything she had known. No she couldn't be dead. Death was supposed to be quick and peaceful, not physically painful. She recalled climbing the barricade, then suddenly falling into the arms of Marius…Marius.
Just then, the door Éponine hadn't noticed before creaked open, revealing a petite blonde, looking at Éponine with relief in her eyes. I am certainly not dead, she thought. Cosette wouldn't be in my heaven. Only Marius.
"Éponine!" Cosette exclaimed, rushing to her side. "Oh, thank heavens you're alright! Marius and I have worried ourselves night and day! How do you feel? Are you in any pain?"
Of course I'm in pain, stupid girl. I've been shot. Éponine dared not speak her mind, just in case Marius was not far behind his beloved. "A little pain, yes. But I'm sure I will be fine."
Cosette moved her hand over Éponine's forehead, checking for any signs of a fever. "Good. Joly did his best for you, but rest assured you have been well looked after by the best physician we could find. Marius would allow nothing less."
"How is he, Marius?" Éponine only just realized – he could have died as well. But he didn't.
Cosette gave the girl la sweet, genuine smile. "Getting stronger by the day. He was shot in the leg, but not gravely. The doctors were able to save his leg, and he walks with a cane. But that shouldn't be much longer now. " Her expression changed to one of mock agitation. "You, however, mademoiselle, gave the boys quite a scare," she said with a laugh. "They all thought to be dead when they brought you to the café. Then you gave practically gave Joly a heart attack. You began breathing again, shallow, but breathing nonetheless. They say your supposed death was what kept them alive through battle. They wanted to avenge your death. Fight in your name."
Éponine mulled over the idea for some moments. Fighting in her name? Most of the boys barely knew her. Why would they want to fight for her? And why would Cosette be taking such good care of her, when she hardly knew her? Éponine recalled Cosette immediately the first time she and her father had stepped into the square as the little servant girl she used to poke fun at as a child. But Cosette had not made the connection herself, as of now. Éponine supposed she should be grateful to her. Cosette could have easily turned her away and left her to die in the streets of Paris. But no, this girl had the same sense of charity as her father.
"Thank you, Cosette," she whispered, slightly grudgingly. She didn't much like the idea of owing Cosette anything. But Éponine prided herself on the manners Marius had taught her. Lord knew her parents hadn't stepped up to that plate. And thanks were due to Cosette. "Thank you for your kindness. I'm certain I would have perished, were it not for you and Marius."
Cosette reached for Éponine's hand and grasped it tightly in both her own. "There's no need, Éponine. You brought the man I love to my doorstep, and asked for nothing in return. We should be thanking you." She wrapped Éponine in a tight embrace, and Éponine reluctantly returned the gesture. "You do not know how happy I am that you are alive," Cosette began to say. "You are the closest thing I've ever had to a companion. I would like it very much if you and I could be friends."
Friends? With Cosette? Éponine stared at her incredulously. She really had no idea the kind of "friend" Éponine had been to her when they were smaller. Éponine thought about it for a moment. Perhaps being friends with Cosette, she could find some flaw about her, and expose her to Marius. Yes, that would be useful.
She nodded gently. "Yes, I would like that very much, Cosette." Thrilled, Cosette again held her in a hug. And behind her back, Éponine smirked at the girl's naivety.
A/N – Chapter 1, success? Eponine won't be totally evil. But let's face it, she hasn't been raised by the best of people. Scheming is in her blood. But I promise, it'll all work out. Oh, and Marius and Enjolras will turn up next chapter. That is guaranteed Review? Please?