A Star within the Barricade
Marianne awoke with a horrible headache engulfing her brain and causing her to simply want to go back to bed. Which seemed nice enough as it was and became ever the more tempting when she remembered what she did last night. All the memories flooding back in a horrific play by play of everything which happened. Revealing the fact in her drunken state she had made her feelings known in perhaps the most embarrassing and brazen, unladylike. Shameful.
She gathered her hair, brushing it gently with her fingers. She changed so quickly and tied up the dress. Staring at the door, Marianne felt a leap in her chest. Could she even face him? Probably not. The light in the window, so dull like a lackluster shade of blue telling her it was early. Marianne gathered up her nerves and guilt, burying her shame for her actions to progress forward out the room into the kitchen. Expecting to see Javert; but he was nowhere to be seen. He was already gone, earlier than his usual leaving time. She felt sick, he had left early to avoid her...She really had messed up.
Javert sat in the narrow seat of the confession box. The curtain was drawn and the slide opened. Javert knew that it was the best thing, penance. To confess his wrongs and find a way past them and repent for it. A small voice from the other side mumbled towards him, telling him to confess his sins to god. He kneeled, staring down at his hands with a growth of disgust in his throat, rising. Knowing that those very hands had violated a woman, taken advantage of an honest woman out of wedlock. His disgust simply grew as the image played over in his head.
"Forgive me father for I have sinned; I took a woman into my home after she received a severe injury, she was assaulted by a man and left for dead in the streets. It was my christian duty, I knew her to be an honest and kind woman, charitable to the children. I couldn't allow her to simply die, so I took her in. She's been with me for a while now, I nursed her back to health, gave her everything in my power for her to heal. It worked, she's healthy now.." The priest listened intently as he spoke, even though he had only started the weight of his guilt felt lifted already.
"Over those days of course, we spoke. She calls us "Friends". As a Man of the law I am not accustomed to making "friends", I do not have time for such frivolous things. But, she meant well and who was I to hurt a woman in her weak state? So she was supposed to leave...But I couldn't let her go. She lived in slum, poverty. She would surely end up hurt again in that environment and I couldn't see that happen. I allow her to stay in my spare room, she pays for it with the money she earns working in a small Café. Last night, after returning from that exact place she was intoxicated. A boy brought her back. I tried to bring her back to the right state of mind of course, placing her in a bath usually would do the trick - I've had experience with such things before, but it didn't work as much as I had hoped, perhaps the heat of the water was too warm for the actual effect to take place. She was being inappropriate, singing a song which she had picked up, I doubt she knew what she was saying and yet. She kissed me in her state of delirium and I responded in the most vile way. I allowed myself to be weak, to be pathetic. I took advantage of an honest woman in her state of intoxication for my own selfish gain. I don't know how to repent, All my years my duty has been my only focus, to be true to God and Law. To enter paradise has been by driving force and now it's as if the devil himself is playing games with my head. Using her image against me, tricking me into thinking.."
"Yes?" The priest urged him on wards. But Javert simply cleared his throat. "My mind is drifting from my duty, wavered from the thing I've only ever been focused upon and now I can't help but wonder if it is a test, is this a test of my willpower? I am a man who has never lost control, never allowed himself to be blind of the truth and reason. Yet as It is I can't stop thinking of her in indecent ways, of things I want to say to her father yet I know them to be improper. "
"Improper? If your heart's intention was good then it is not improper, God made man to be in want of a woman to share his life with, Monsieur if you cared for her. Spent time with her and nursed her back to health perhaps it is a sign from God rather than a temptation from Lucifer?" The priest spoke kindly, but Javert once again couldn't think of it that way, couldn't agree.
"But is it not written that Matthew said; 'Everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.' So is it not true that I have commited sin against her and God? I was weak and allowed myself to take advantage of her, Father."
The Priest sighed a little, Javert's jaw tensed. He was a man of god, his compassion was rather infuriating He needed some kind of punishment for his actions. Yet the man offered understanding further; "Ah, it does. But you bonded with the woman did you not? it is not like a passing woman - You have met her, known her in more ways than just lust. Are you sure this woman doesn't perhaps have deeper rooted feelings, alcohol has been known for giving courage and honesty with it. As Peter said; 'Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.' It is in God's plan, brother, you show guilt, meaning you value her more than a subject of lust, you also pulled yourself away and avoided temptation. It is common for men to fall for it, but you value her more than that do you not?" Javert remained silent.
"I thought so. Perhaps this is a sign that through this moment of weakness there is more to it, You say is an innocent, honest woman. If you continue to feel this way then perhaps there is something else you must do." Javert stared down at his hands with a sigh. This wasn't what he expected.
"Go brother and speak to the woman again; make things right and check your intentions towards her. Know it all in God's plan, this perhaps is a new beginning in your life. If you still feel the need for penance, you may do 10 hail Mary's but I see no true sin here - God's blessing for you, Brother." And with that he was gone.
Javert stood from the confession booth, placing his hat back upon his head and organizing his suit as he left the church. Left to ponder on the Priest's words, which continued to replay in his mind. He decided what he had to do.
Marianne spent her day doing small tasks for Maurice, once the first part of the day's work was over - Which was surprisingly done quickly, she was left to walk around the market in search of something. She saw little Gavroche and save him a few Sou's to get himself lunch. Scrunching his blonde hair up a little before he ran off on his way. It was all fine until two familiar women caught her eye and walked down the same path as her; Jenina and Jacqueline. "My, My look at this little Lady!" Jenina, perhaps the most active of the pair cackle and toyed with her own more ripped dress, twirling with a cackle. "We haven't seen you in a long while!" Jenina walked beside her whilst Jacqueline was on the other side, toying with her matted her, pursing her overly rouged lips and scratching her pasty cheek with the other hand. "Heard you shacked up with a well-off man, doing favors for your little dresses." They exchanged knowing glances and laughter.
"Thinkin' she better than us when she just the same. Well, I said's so didn't I?" Jenina toyed with Marianne's hair, causing a tremble down her spine. "I do no such thing Jenina." They continued down their path, Jacqueline tutting at Jenina when she thought it went too far. By the end of the path, their intentions came through. "We need money Marianne, without your stake of the rent we can't exactly stay there." They remained like leeches at her side. She dug some of her recently earned francs and passed them to Jacqueline. "I can only give you this, and know I'm not coming back - You'll have to find another person." Marianne went to walk away after that, Jacqueline went to stop her but eventually let her past.
Their mumbling and grumbles made her think that perhaps it wasn't over with those two just yet.
She spent the rest of her time buying a few more things from the market when a small trinket caught her eye. it was on a basic chain, on the end a simple cross with a small locket. But still it was beautiful in its own way - The man who ran the stall seemed to notice her focus and held it up further. On closer inspection it had more detail, having its own simplistic beauty. "How much is this Monsieur?" She flashed a gentle smile and he said a modest price; 3 Sou's for it. She paid it without thinking, knowing it would be a well received gift.
After the final purchase she went back to Maurice, knowing by the time she got back he'd be over ran and she'd be needed again.
It was rather later when a loud scream alerted Javert of a problem. He rushed to see a man screaming over at him as a woman was kneeling on the floor, sobbing. He had seen many scenes like this before; Street whores attacking honest men, deals going wrong. It was all the same. As he approached the man was wiping his cheek with a cloth.
"Ah, Inspector thank-god you're here." He continued wiping his cheek liberally as if it were bleeding. Javert could tell even in the darkness that it wasn't the case. "This woman attacked me, spat at me and called me the most dreadful thing, her assault has left a terrible mark." He went on, Javert looked down at the heaped up woman with cold eyes, a scene replayed over again - He waited for a flurry of excuses. As expected she claimed it wasn't the case, that he had attacked her and she had a family to feed. Javert sighed to himself before he gave the usual speech; "You try my patience with your petty excuses." He took the woman's arm, she was naturally skinny he could tell as he grabbed her wrist, he pulled her from the ground as he spoke. "You will be brought to justice by the la-.." And then he saw it. A striking resemblance.
Brown hair, frail build with what he could only say light eyes as the darkness made it hard to distinguish, although it wasn't Marianne, the resemblance was enough to momentarily stop him. To see this woman, so close to Marianne's likeness. In fear, trembling at his touch and looking at him with wide, tear-rimmed eyes. So weak in her rags, frail. It reminded him too much of Marianne. Something inside him snapped. Once again, he felt like an Ass. "Sir you show no signs of physical trauma and this woman claims she did nothing wrong." He took his hand from her arm, she remained at his side. Tearing.
"What, you say I lie? How dare you. I should report this outrage to your superior, do you know who I am Inspector?" The man tugged on his overcoat, glaring at Javert with the same disdain he cast the prostitute "No, Monsieur but I cannot arrest the woman on charges that I have no evidence for. IF you are of any important social standings perhaps you'd think it best to stay away from Women of the night Monsieur, it would not be good for your reputation." He noted a small crucifix upon the mans attire, with the wedding band on his finger with a disgusted sigh. "I dare say your wife would be displeased with your betrayal of her and the lord. Go." Perhaps it was something in his tone, or his harsh truth. For the man turned from outraged to a sickly pale and scurried off with no more argument. Only fear in his eyes.
"Thank-you Monsieur, Inspector. Oh thank-you." She kissed his hand repeatedly, causing him to once again look down at her in disgust. It was only once the man left he realized he had betrayed his duty; his own morals. "Leave before I change my mind." He hissed through his clenched teeth, although he was perhaps terrifying in his stance and aggressive attitude, she smiled up at him regardless and scurried back to the darkness of the streets. He had become compromised in his own foolish attachments. Failed his duty again.
Marianne was sat in the kitchen when Javert returned, at first she was pleased he was back. Until she saw the look of complete anger upon his face as he stormed into the kitchen and grabbed her by the shoulders. "I suppose it isn't worth asking you if you had a good day?" Her attempt of being light-hearted was practically useless as his hands clamped down upon her upper arms, just under her shoulders and caused her to squeak a little. "What have you done to me?" He stared down at her, his face still an image of hate. She felt very small. Marianne began realizing why many feared him, he towered over her. Even in thin restraint. "What happened?" She placed her own hand upon his, Javert's gaze breaking from hers and becoming locked upon Marianne's hand. "What is your first name?" Marianne stuttered a little in her attempts of changing the subject, making things less awkward. Javert eventually broke away from whatever angry trance had taken him and mumbled with confusion. "What?"
"What's your first name?" Marianne smiled softly but he turned and sat down. Grumbling. "I'm known as Javert, That is adequate." His tone was practically warning for her not to continue on the path, but it was nothing to deter her. "You do not call me Belgarde, tell me, I am so very curious." Marianne sat opposite Javert, his eyes were cast low to the table. He was in such a bad mood, it almost radiated to Marianne, but she continued to try. Marianne leaned down, placing her chin upon her hand. "Javert.. Come on, tell me!" Her lips parted into a wide smile. His eyes drifted to her for a moment. His lip twitching gently and breaking his usual icy mask.
"You want to, I can tell!" Her lips parted even more, revealing a wide toothy grin. He looked directly at her; his voice still cold. "It is of no importance." He stood, leaving the kitchen and trying to avoid the subject further. But Marianne was still on trail. "It is, I want to call you by your actual name." Marianne followed after him until he turned around and stared coldly at her, maybe trying to intimidate her out of it. She simply smiled. "Well?" He glared at her for a moment long before sighing and speaking in a hurried pace. "My name is Eugéne." And with that he walked right past her into the kitchen and sat once again at the table without another word.
"Eugéne!" Marianne giggled and walked after him, her laughter simply growing. "Eugéne?!" Marianne was shocked, but it was in a good way. She had expected something different. "That is my name." Marianne sat in front of him, the widest of smiles upon her face. "Why are you go miserable?" He looked up at her a moment. "I'm fine." He spoke sharply, once again going back to staring off into the nothingness. "No you're not, Eugéne." She smiled further, causing him so scowl as she began to use his name casually. It was rather difficult for him to become accustomed to. The last person to call him that was probably his mother.
"I allowed a woman to go free after a man claimed he attacked her. She probably did, yet I couldn't send her to jail. This has never happened to me before." His words were cold. "I dared to speak back to a man who perhaps did get attacked, Spoke back to a good man in defense of a prostitute!" His voice had risen slightly as he said the final word, disgust obvious in his voice. Javert buried his face in his hands, his shoulders hunched slightly as he released a long, slow, breath of air. Marianne stood from the seat, slowly walking over to his hunched over form.
"It may have been the right thing." Marianne carefully approached, unsure if his anger would spiral out. She placed her arms around his shoulders in a side-hug. Giving him a reassuring squeeze. He simply froze at the contact, she felt his muscles constrict and turn rigid. She ignored it and went on with what she intended. "If there was no definitive proof of her being in the wrong, is it not right to let her go free? You cannot send an innocent for jail, unless you judge the woman by her life choices. She may not have any other way to feed her family. In time's as this, in fact, in any times. People act in desperation and love for their family or their child. It isn't always their fault, Eugéne." Her hand soothingly rubbed his back, slowly inching away and sitting on the seat right beside him. Her hand remaining firmly on his back - Her eyes locked upon his face.
He was still angry. Marianne began to notice he was randomly tapping the table in his irritation. "It isn't always their fault? It is a life choice, there is honest work out there and they chose to do something against god, disregarding the morals it goes against." He leaned up, but only to shoot her one of his icy glares. She had became so accustomed to this she felt as if it was partly just how he was. "The fact goes, life choices aside she perhaps was innocent, that man might have singled her out, you did the right thing if there wasn't any solid proof."
Javert continued to tap the table, staring down at his hand as it did; "I failed my duty." His voice the same monotonous tone of self-loathing and annoyance. Marianne found herself getting rather annoyed at Javert's flat out refusal to acknowledge her point. She leaned away, dragging her hand from Javert's shoulder and sitting upright. "Listen to me, You did what was right, the woman had a family to feed - Perhaps had no choice but to do what she could to get by, think of the people you helped by making that choice, her children will have a mother, if she went to jail they would be without a mother, without money or food. That meant the children didn't suffer for their mothers choice." Marianne sighed a little. "I know my mother's choice wasn't the best, but she did it to look after me, I suppose you might not understand, but I needed her, choice or not."
Javert finally looked at her with a frown. "You left home, still a child because of her customers, You were hit as a child - She did nothing to protect you." Marianne knew what he said to be true, yet there was more to it than that. "But she only did what she did to look after me, You don't know what its like to starve, your mother out most days until she returned with whatever scraps she had, no father to protect you. You don't know how hard it is and yet for all of that I still understand that she had to do it to survive."
Marianne watched as Javert stood, pacing a little, toying with something in his hand as he did so. "You think I don't understand?" He turned towards her, his face straight and emotionless, yet his eyes danced with anger. "My mother was a gypsy woman, reduced to being a common street whore and my father a convict, serving in a galley somewhere. I don't even remember him. My upbringing was in the gutter and I know of the troubles, I lived among it until I decided which path to take. I understand but I know that a thief is a thief and a prostitute is a prostitute. Once a criminal, always a criminal. I learned that from my parents, they were irredeemable criminals, no remorse for their choices in life and I had to live with that burden and judgement from a young age. I chose to be better; I chose a different path. I follow society rather than go against it. So I understand, but I chose the way of the lord."
"I'm sorry...I didn't know." Marianne felt a pang of guilt but also a sense of understanding. She placed her arm over Javert once again with a subtle smile. "I understand, as you know. And what you did today just saved another child, just like us." She placed a kiss upon his cheek, causing him to flinch a little at the contact. But she chose to ignore it. Marianne stood from the seat with a smile and went back to the pans she was previously attending to. Javert meanwhile remained rather frozen, his cheek still warm from the small contact. He didn't really know how to respond to her, she was so brazen with her actions. Yet he didn't begrudge her for it, if anything it made him feel better; made him more eased about his choice, about his error. Her words and her attitude. Made it all the more easy to cope with.
"I made some soup, I knew you'd be hungry after a day of being a fascinating inspector, bringing justice and serving the honest people of Paris." Marianne laughed a little, knowing her jest would probably annoy him. She served the soup with generous servings of bread and sat back on the seat opposite him. They ate in a rather awkward silence, which continued until Marianne took out the pendant; "It's only a small thing really, but I thought you'd like it." She placed it upon the wooden table, bringing focus upon it. Javert rose one eyebrow at the sight of the simple pendant and chain. "It's for you. It has a little locket on, you could put something you like in it." Marianne pushed it forward until it was in front of Javert, who simply looked at it for a long time. Silently.
"You don't like it?" Marianne felt rather nervous, he remained quiet. Staring at the pendant. She assumed the worst and felt a slight pang of disappointment. Until he started speaking again. "I'm not accustomed to receiving gifts." He took the pendant between his fingers, also looking to the locket and silently examining them both. "So, you do like it?" It was a short while before Javert lifted his head again with his usual blank expression apparent on his face "Yes." He was very "to the point", not bothering to go further than the basic answer.
"You certainly are the life of the conversation, Eugéne." Marianne couldn't help herself, using his name was so foreign on her lips. But it was nice, knowing his actual name - Their relationship had taken a more informal tone to it with the knowledge. He simply scowled at her again and looked at her with his usual blank expression; "Although you know my name, it isn't required for you to use it on every given occasion - I prefer Javert." He went to continue but Marianne simply cut in; "As I prefer Eugéne, it is your name and I shall call you by it. Eugéne." Marianne's lips began to break out into a wide grin. Slowly forming a contented smirk as he scowled openly at her. "Stop being so grumpy, Eugéne." She could see before her eyes as he simply turned into a mask of complete irritation and discontent. "Smile, Eugéne!"
With that, Javert stood with a open sigh and placed his hand over her lips. Silencing her. "I give you my name, but it doesn't give you permission to use it on every sentence addressed to me, Marianne." He glared at her for a moment until Marianne began laughing against his palm. She licked it with a cackle, making him remove it with a look of disgust. "You're incorrigible."
"I consider myself mildly mature." Marianne stood, not close to Javert's height but trying to look a little taller than her actual small body. "Besides I just love your name, Be flattered, Eugéne." She put emphasis on it and almost caused Javert to plush with her voice. "Don't speak like that." "Like whaat?" Marianne leaned on the chair a little, her hand holding the top of the back and leaning upon her arm with a grin. "Don't you like my voice?"
Javert stepped back a little, openly looking like she'd just smacked him in the face. "You know exactly what!" Marianne rather enjoyed his reactions. Like a bashful child as he stepped away. Of course, Marianne couldn't believe she was being so brazen. But of course; She was relishing in it. "I don't think I do, Maybe you should tell me Eugéne?" Her voice turned into the husky tone she had so often heard Jaqueline and Jenina use with male company. She brushed her hand against the table as she walked up to him, his hands were now tensed at his side as she looked down for a moment to see them. She put her other on his chest, causing him to flinch at the contact. Her hand pressing against his chest a little. "What's the matter, Eugéne?" He looked down at her in complete shock and horror. "This is unladylike and I will not tolerate this behavior from you Marianne." He took her wrist in his hand and began pulling it away, but as he did she began to speak. His hand remaining upon her wrist for longer than he intended and proceeding to burn his hand. "What am I doing?" Marianne smiled, wanting him to say it. He felt angered by her foolishness. "Being a foolish woman playing with temptation." He glared down at her, wanting to hate her for it, blame her for his reactions. But the priests words came flooding back on love, of something more...Perhaps this was his sign from god she felt the same in some way, that their sins and temptations could be reversed and resolved.
"You don't know what you're doing, you don't know what temptation does to a man, Marianne." He took her wrist from his hand. Placing it to her side. Which was a pointless movement as she placed it on his chest again and caused the patch of skin to be set on fire. "Maybe it has a meaning." Marianne stepped a little closer, their body's so close Javert felt out of his depth. He wasn't used to this with a woman, he wanted to shove her back and leave the room. Not have to face her again and just put all of this madness out of his head. The Temptation out of his reach. But something incited him and drove him to complete madness, And the priest seemed to just push him into a corner on what to do. "A meaning.."
Although Marianne knew she couldn't do what she was doing, that it was against her own morals, his morals and it was a whole big mess, she had to give him a bit of a hint what started as jest turned into a confession of something more. But perhaps his reaction to this was the most shocking thing, something she didn't exactly plan for. "Very well." Javert stepped back, suddenly taking on a serious tone. "I can only see one correct way to take this and I see it as the most honorable." He looked like stone, just speaking with no real signs of the vulnerability or shock he had before. "We shall be joined before god and relieve ourselves of any sin's we may be tempted to commit." He stood straight, adjusting his sleeves as she gasped. "What?!" Her voice hiked up a note or two.
"I suppose I should do this with some form of tradition." He kneeled, but even in this movement seemed to remain rather rigid and still had the air of towering over her, even though she was now taller, his manner shocked her more than she could say, but what came more as a shock was as he produced a golden ring. He had prepared for it; "Marianne Belgarde, Do me the honor of becoming my wife."
Although she should've thought a more sensible reply, the only thing that came out of her lips was rather foolish, "Does this mean I can safely call you 'Genie'?" and after that, she was rendered silent.
YAY! Fluff fluff fluffy fluff fluffy..fluff. Okay I got that out my system.
This is a good part of the story, unfortunately it had to be rushed a little but Javert is nothing if not straight to the point ;) His name "Eugéne" I found when I looked up some-kind of idea for it, Eugène François Vidocq was apparently the man Javert was loosely based upon - So I got the name from there! I hope you don't mind it (Just think, she can call him Genie I seem to imagine it pronounced like Jean-ie) Eu-Jean...AHH I giggled. "Jean-ie" and Valjean. I'm easily amused.
Anyway I'm deciding on how to make this continue, go all Les Miserables with the ending or more lovely fluff? Comment on what you'd prefer before I dedicate myself down one path ;)
Loved all the comments, they're very appreciated I love hearing your thoughts!
Jenny x