A Star within the Barricade

A dull ache in the back of her head began to wake her from the darkness. Expecting the sky as she opened her eyes, it came as a surprise for her to be staring up at a silk canopy and being surrounded by ornate oak posts. She was in the center of a large bed. Marianne tried to move herself, to sit up a little. But the aching in her head and a sudden twinge in her back restricted her from doing so. "Ah...Oh..ow." Marianne tried to move once again, but it was all in vain and she ended up falling back against the pillows. Beside the bed was a flickering fire, it kept the room incredibly warm and cast a beautiful glow. On closer inspection she saw how grand the room was. Everything beautiful in its detail and perfectly fitting each thing around her. It would've made her calm, if she had any idea where she was. In such a place, Marianne was pretty certain she had never seen such a beautiful room, although in Paris, where she lived at least, it was very unlikely she would. This room showed finesse and a certain grandeur that she was simply unaccustomed to.

She was incredibly warm, perhaps she had never felt so secure and warm in her life; it cost money to have a fire and it was money she could barely afford on the best of days. The crackle of the wood was comforting, bringing memories of better times, before her mother died and they lived a comfortable life. But that was long ago, in the back of her mind. The blurred memories brought a smile to her face, making her remember the better days. She settled back against the bed, resting as she felt the pain throbbing in the back of her head.

It was as she moved and she felt the silk of the sheets rub against her bare leg she realized, she was close to naked under the blanket. As she pulled the heavy duvet away, her fear was confirmed. She snatched the blanket down and clutched it to her chest. She fell back, looking back up at the canopy with a worried sigh. She was in a unknown room, alone, naked. Various situations ran through her head. She couldn't help but wonder what would happen now. Her eyes became locked upon the far wall of the room, the door. She wondered what lay beyond it. Which was about to be revealed as she noticed the door began to open. She froze, unable to think of what to do. In a quick act, she closed her eyes and tried to pretend to be asleep.

The footsteps were a familiar heavy thud against the wooden floors. Marianne wasn't sure if she looked convincing in her sleep, She prayed it to be so as a dip in the mattress alerted her the stranger sat upon the edge of the bed. He placed something on the floor, he leaned down as the bed moved with him and picked up an unknown object. She heard the dripping of water and quickly after felt a cold rag upon her face. She flinched a little and the movement of the rag slowed to a halt. Going completely still as she flinched and became accustomed to the temperature of the water. Once she stilled the rag began to move again, clearing away the dried blood from her hair and neck - but also clearing away all the dirty and neglect from her face also. The stranger mumbled softly once they were done, she felt their eyes upon her face. She didn't know what to do, knowing someone was staring openly at her, a blank face. Openly glaring. Her eyes flickered open, straight into the eyes of Inspector Javert. His eyes were strange, no longer the familiar cold glare which she was accustomed. She jolted a little, but as she moved the blanket fell away slightly to show an inch more of her chest.

"Oh...I.." She clutched the blanket close to her bare chest, looking upwards to him - he had turned the other way. He cleared his throat a little before speaking, his hands meanwhile toying with the rag. "I apologize, I know it's not exactly proper for me to be here in your current state.." When he was sure she was covered he looked back towards her. "You hit your head on the cobbles, you started bleeding severely..I knew you'd need someone to look after you and as I wasn't aware of any family members you may have, I brought you here." He seemed uncomfortable, then again Marianne herself was extremely uncomfortable. "You didn't have to Monsieur, It was very kind of you." She began to sit up, despite her efforts it was more of a struggle than she originally intended. Just as she tried to move she would fall back into place on the pillow. Javert seemed to notice her struggle and assisted her into a sitting position, of course he adjusted the blanket as she moved too, even averting his eyes when it slipped slightly before he could reach. Once she was comfortable he leaned back. "Thank-you." She looked to the floor, where a bowl of misty water remained.

"You've gone to so much trouble for me, I don't know how to repay you." She watched as he refrained from looking her way. It was on this closer inspection she noticed how casually dressed he was. He wore simple black trousers and a white shirt - His sleeves rolled up and his shirt unbuttoned a little. His hair was also messier than usual, even slightly damp. "I did what I had to, Mademoiselle." He paced a little, back and forth in front of the fire. It was subtle but Marianne noticed nonetheless. "Marianne, I thought we were on first name basis, but I'm sure you didn't have to." He turned towards her, his face cast in slight shadow by the flickering of the fire. His eyes remained different, but they were hardening with a cold resolve.

"You had hit your head, you were severely injured with no family to care for you. You were losing a lot of blood very quickly and worse of all the weather was freezing. It had began to rain and if you were simply left as those around you and that worthless, sorry excuse of a man had intended you would have died!" He paused, his voice had risen to the point where even Marianne began to see the reason people feared Javert. "What happened to him?" Clutching the blanket closer to her chest, she felt almost chilled. Which was pretty remarkable considering the heat in the room. She began to realize why it was so warm; he had to heat her up from the rain. Which also explained his change in attire. "He was put to justice by the full force of the law." His voice was strangely harsh. His eyes, becoming ever colder and no longer the difference Marianne had seen before. "Thank-you." Marianne clutched the blanket to her chest again, feeling rather scared at his sudden turn. Feeling very vulnerable in her current state. Javert seemed to notice, staring at her eyes for a moment until looking towards the blanket. He blinked twice before awkwardly moving. "I'm, I'm sorry I forgot about." He waved his hand in the absence of the obvious. "I'll go get you something." And with that he left, leaving her on her own once again in the pretty room which surrounded her.

He was gone for some time, allowing her to wake up more and become more accustomed to her surroundings. The room was truly lovely, decorated with things which she was surprised he would consider. It was perhaps even bigger than her own shared apartment. As she looked around she saw many things she wouldn't expect for the Inspector; a bookshelf with leather bound books, filled from shelf to shelf. Perhaps the thing that most surprised her among these findings was a copy of "Pride and prejudice" a famous English novel which had come to France many years ago. It had caught on a little, but then again in the circles which she lived it was a rare thing when books were discussed. Marianne hesitantly stood, taking the small sheet which covered her under the blanket with her to conceal her modesty. It wrapped around her with ease, although she thought it would be too small it managed to cover her from above the chest to just below the knee. She could only manage to sit up a bit more than she had previously, as she tried to stand a spring of pain ran up her spine, causing her to yelp a little as it stung.

Little did she know that small yelp had alerted the Inspector, who opened the door and entered quite suddenly in a panic. His sword drew out, ready to meet whatever threat he believed was in here. The sudden jolt and presence of a weapon caused Marianne to jolt substantially causing yet another rush of pain through her body. "Ah!" Marianne squealed, becoming weak again. Before she fell, a pair of arms were around her and brought her back to the bed, even managing to wrap her in the sheet and then the blanket. "I thought the worst." He looked up from her arm, which remained grasping his own. His expression, although impassive to the previous show of aggression and overall shock - His eyes betrayed him. He had indeed thought the worst..

"I am fine, I tried to move but it hurt. I'm so sorry to have startled you." Javert's eyes directed themselves upon her own again. They were hard, but not cold. They were animated in a strange manner which she had never seen before. In fact, his whole expression was new. It was only when Marianne looked down to see his hands were still on her body, that they were against her skin. As she looked back up, his eyes locked with her and they were silent for a long moment, his face almost blank until he began to look down. He then sharply moved his hands from her, withdrawing all touch and even presence near her. He placed a night gown upon the bed which he had discarded in helping her on the bed. He went to walk away briskly until Marianne nervously spoke up; "J-..Javert." It was the first time she had properly said his name, she even felt strange saying it. He paused one she spoke, turning to face her "Yes, Marianne?" His voice had taken a new raspy, gruff-ish edge to it. "I-.." She looked down towards the night down with an awkward expression. "I may not be able to change myself, It hurts when I try to stand." She looked up from the night gown to his rather peculiar expression. He looked almost worried as he proceeded forward. "Of course, I should have thought." He cleared his throat again; Which Marianne believed to be a nervous habit. His hands took the fine material, touching the lace of the fine nightgown and bringing it over to her. He looked down from the white cloth to her. He sat behind her, turning her around slowly.

She offered no resistance as he moved her, she knew it would be easier this way as the night gown seemed to be buttoned from the back. He paused for a moment, "Perhaps you would rather have a bath, the heat from the water might help your pains. I find after a day of grueling chases or conflict it helps." He placed the gown upon the bed in wait of her answer. She paused for a moment. She knew heat did help the muscles but she was unsure if he had a maid, or even anyone to assist her. It would have to be him..She didn't want to offend him either by rejecting the offer. Being in such surroundings also seemed to highlight her own uncleanliness, it wasn't by choice but she seldom could afford the facilities to bathe on a regular basis. "If it isn't too much trouble?" She turned to notice him rather abruptly striding out the room, mumbling words saying he'd arrange it.

She was left alone for a short while, sitting silently upon the bed and staring into the fire. The footsteps outside the door alerted her of Javert's arrival. He came back in, taking the white gown from the bed and holding his spare arm out towards Marianne. She looked towards it with obvious hesitance She felt rather strange for being so dependent upon a man who hours earlier she believed to be rude, who she had heard such harsh things about a day before. Yet here he was, offering her nothing but kindness and reducing himself as a carer for her. She took his hand, her own looking rather small in his larger ones. He helped her from the bed, allowing her to keep one hand clutching the sheet.

Marianne knew her act of trying to be modest would be useless, one she was in the tub all 'mystery' would be out the window. His strength was substantial in her eyes, as she mostly relied on him with every step. Each moment on her feet causing small tremors of pain in her spine. She mumbled an apology as she stumbled along the hall, which she noted was rather spacious and led to quite a few rooms. This house was very expensive; every brick and detail simply showed that. As she leaned upon Javert, Marianne felt oddly safe. He was a strong man - known for his merciless law abiding ways. Often, his approached was slated by those of her standing, often most were doing something that broke the law and so they feared being caught by Javert. He was ruthless.

Once they reached the far door; it was opened to reveal a smaller bedroom, but with a large copper tub in the center, filled with heated water. He closed the door behind them both and allowed her to sit upon the bed. He rolled his sleeves up a little more, going above the elbow before he dragged the tub slightly closer to her. "You needn't fear, I am accustomed to seeing such things and I will take the situation in the most respectful manner I can offer; If I had known something like this would have happened, I would have hired a ladies maid, but as I live alone I see no need to such frivolous things." He looked up to see Marianne, still clutching the sheet.

"You'll have to remove that to get in the tub, Marianne." His voice was flat, in a familiar matter-of-fact tone. He stared towards her with an expression of slight amusement. "You don't have to feel embarrassed I have seen enough of the human body for it to not phase me." His voice continued to be impassive, uncaring. He simply wasn't bothered by this situation as she was. She felt rather embarrassed whilst he simply did not care.

"I suppose you're right; It's just I'm not accustomed to these situations." Marianne looked down at herself, clutching the sheet like a scared child. She swallowed whatever nerves had gripped her and held one hand out to Javert; who took it to help her stand. She smiled and after a few seconds of internal conflict she removed the sheet; baring herself to the first male pair of eyes and allowing herself to be incredibly vulnerable. His hand remained on her arm, assisting her into the tub of hot water. She noticed the floral smell of the water as she became emerged. He had gone to the effort of finding a scented oil for her..

She sat like a babe, simply unable to wash herself as leaning caused pain. Javert washed her with no hesitation, he sat near the tub, just out of the reach of her gaze as he did so. He, as he said, wasn't at all bothered with her nudity. In fact, the way he acted made her feel rather foolish for feeling that way.

He should've known this whole situation was completely stupid. His whole mindset was changed. It was as if his mind was split in two, arguing and reasoning with either side of his thoughts. One part of him knew this had to be done, that if he didn't take her in she would've surely died. But the other wondered why this had bothered him so much, the thought of the woman he barely knew, a woman practically in the gutter of the Parisian streets. Like you were once...

His thoughts troubled him. Although he had known the life which she led. He had changed; he had become a better man. Why should it bother him so much that this one woman, one of many women on the streets of Paris dies? Why should this bother him. He had a higher cause, more important things to focus upon and yet here he was, nursing this woman back to health. She's different than the others; She isn't the same..

And she wasn't. The women which he dealt with from her backgrounds were different. They had a far more darker tone to their lives, gypsy's and prostitutes who simply were a tarnish on society, dedicating their lives to attacking it and defiling it. Like your mother...a subject he often avoided for the fact she was something he now despises, as was his father. Yet here was a woman from perhaps the same background; the same and yet different.

Like himself, Raised in the gutter but defending society in her own manner - Helping the impoverished children, working in a small job yet it was honest work. She seemed virtuous in every way and pure in her manner. Her embarrassment when confronted with being naked in front of him had confirmed his believes she indeed had never resorted to the more dirty of the jobs the poor women often did. She had remained on the path to god. Pure and untouched by the filth that surrounded her. She was so weak as he washed her with his own hands and a rag. He felt himself stir.

Indeed he had been intimate with women before; being assistant to guards meant that the fellow guards had made sure he was a 'proper man' during the many years he worked with them, subject to some teasing at first and perhaps the way in which it was done - although common to most men, with a street walker, looked upon as a passing fancy and nothing more - had thoroughly disgusted him to the core. It hit too close to home with his own past, everything about the established order of it, the women themselves.

He couldn't tolerate it and had formed a repulsion to those even associate with such workings. Dirty and corrupted - poor and doing it often to simply survive and get by as his own mother had. It was a cruel profession which increasingly many women were subjected to, something he tried to stay away from in his many years. Yet, previous intimacy aside. This simple act of being caring to another; one vulnerable as her was strange. He felt a possession which he hadn't felt before. He wasn't sure what it was which changed. He was very unaccustomed to bonding with other people; in fact he only really conversed with others if it was a matter of duty or it was required.

For perhaps the first time he had actually learnt a persons name for something other than necessity, but for his own interest. He had seen another side to the people around him in the form of the woman before him. A kind, gentle woman who gave what little she had to those in more need; to the children who otherwise would have to starve. He stared down towards the curve of her back, her skin now revealing a milky, pale tone under the neglected dirt which had formed there. With each wipe of his rag he revealed the person underneath, although perhaps plain in most men's views of beauty, Javert felt himself simply switch off for a moment at the sight of her, free from the dirt and filth which she was surely accustomed to in her life. He had seen it before she awoke in the bedroom, even in the dull light of the fire it was enough to see Marianne for who she was. As the fire glowed upon her face, clean from the signs of her struggling life, one burst of light - his world was changed.

He looked up from the murky water; wringing the rag in his hands and dipping it again - His skin brushed her back a little, he noted her shiver as it touched. She seemed rather rattled by the small contact, he looked down at his own hand which seemed to tremble also from the brief touch. He clenched the rag in his hand, causing the bones to become defined. He stared for a moment until he gained his composure. He began to work upon her hair, gently dipping her under the water with a gentle hand. He couldn't understand why such a simple act of helping another person in this manner; So simple and yet it effected him greatly. He dragged his fingers through her hair, combing it through the various tangles and knots until it felt increasingly smoother.

With that he began to remove her from the tub, as she stood and the water trickled down from her hair, trailing her now clean skin. He had to force himself to avert his eyes and cover her with a blanket. He wrapped her up so only her neck and some of her hands as she gripped it to her body. She seemed to frail in this state, leaning against him for support and clutching to the blanket which he provided. She relied on him, and everything within him wanted to protect her. To look after her. It was wrong; His mind was shouting against it and yet everything seemed right.

Marianne was grateful for the support Javert gave her once she stood from the tub. He wrapped her in a thick blanket and began moving her back to the bedroom which she had previously lay in. Once inside he led her to the bed, allowing her to sit upon the edge. He use the blanket to wipe away all of the excess water. Once he believed she was suitably dry, Javert dragged the towel from her skin, causing a shiver even though the fire was still burning and creating a nice heat in the room. Marianne couldn't help but feel vulnerable. He was so strong, his hands rough against her skin as they lifted her arms to allow the nightgown upon her. The touch so small and yet it caused her to tremble and suck a breath-full of air between her teeth.

The soft material surrounded her, it was light against her skin. She hadn't ever worn something so comfortable and soft in her entire 24 years of life. After he buttoned up the night gown, he assisted her back into the bed and rather thoroughly made sure she was covered and tightly wrapped up in blankets. She felt as if she may suffocate, but she didn't comment on it as he acted out of kindness. "Thank-you" He seemed so strange as he looked down at her, dressed casually, acting in such a friendly manner.

Taking her into his own home and caring for her. It was strange to see the man behind the fierce inspector. Marianne offered a gentle smile, which he remained impassive to. "I think it best if you rest; You're still weak and you had a severe head injury." He cleared his throat again; Marianne guessed he was nervous. She began to notice small things he did, clearing his throat, moving his feet and sometimes balling his hands into tense fists. "I owe you so much, Javert." His name still felt foreign upon her lips and yet she smiled as she spoke. "I wish I knew how I could repay you."

"Don't be foolish - I'm doing my duty, nothing more." He coughed a little, looking down towards her, lingering for a second before he curtly wished her goodnight and left the room without another word, leaving her in the flickering light of the fire. She couldn't help but feel strange, for a man who she had known to be cruel and vicious to those who she knew, those who she lived with - her people, yet he treated her with such kindness and caring that all of her precious views of him seemed wrong. As she lay back upon the bed, her eyes wandered back to the canopy. She couldn't help but wonder if this was his bed, and, if so, how many times had he stared up at this very canopy..

Her thoughts wandered softly on, until she fell back into a familiar darkness; but this time with a gentle mind, and another person as focus to her dreams.

Your reviews are all appreciated, I'm happy to see other people want to see stories of Javert, I find that although I look for them I can only find Javert/Eponine parings, so I wrote this to make up for my inability to find it! I hope you don't mind the change in Javert, I think he's a bit out of character in regards to how he treated Marianne, especially considering how his character is often portrayed. But its my story so I'm highlighting his good nature, christian duty, yada-yada! ;)

Thank-you for reading! :D

Jenny xx