Note:italics are memories

"'Ponine I'm sorry. I won't do it again." Gavroche shouted after his sister, who was striding ahead of him, throwing glances over her shoulder every so often, checking he was still following and when seeing he was still there, scowling angrily at him. He was now running to catch up, slightly breathless "I promise I won't." Éponine stopped abruptly, breathing a heavy sigh.

"The problem is Gavroche, I don't know if I can trust you will keep that promise. You've already broken it once, which means you'll more than likely do it again." She sounded tired and upset, it was the voice of someone who had seen too much, someone who had little happiness in their life. Turning to look at him and crouch down to his level, grasping his shoulders firmly she whispered, "You scared me today. Don't you ever do that to me again." That's when Gavroche understood, she wasn't really angry at him, she was frightened. He doesn't remember his sister ever being truly happy and he knows everything she ever does is for him, to make him happy. Éponine would go without food if there wasn't enough for both of them, making sure his stomach was full, she thought she didn't matter.

"I'm sorry." He repeated, tears springing to his eyes, but he held them back, he had to be strong for her.

"I know you are, but you need to realise how hard I had to work to get us away. If you keep going to the Musain, he could find you and take you away." She paused, choking a little on the last word. "I didn't know where you were today, you need to tell me where you're going. You can't just come and go as you please anymore. He's looking for us and he isn't going to give up. I thought he'd taken you." At this she pulled him close to her, resting her cheek on top of his messy blonde hair, sniffling slightly. Gavroche in return wrapped his scrawny arms around her tightly, knowing what she needed right now was something to hold on to.

*line break*

"Who was the kid?"

"You know, considering you said she didn't have an effect on you, you're very interested in her personal life."

"I wasn't asking about her, I was asking about the boy."

"Yes, the boy who went with her."

"I'm just curious. Are you going to answer my question?" Enjolras asked, beginning to get impatient. "Just tell me Courf."

Courfeyrac sighed, "Gavroche is her little brother, they're very close."

"How did you meet him then?"

Courfeyrac chuckled, "I actually met both of them at the market a few years ago. Gavroche was about six at the time, so 'Ponine was either fifteen or sixteen, I can't remember. Anyway, Gavroche tried to steal my wallet, he probably would have gotten it too if I hadn't turned around at the last minute."

"What did you do?"

"It's quite funny when I think about it actually."

Gavroche was standing in the huge crowd that was bustling in the market. he was looking for someone he could pick pocket, he knows it's wrong but he wanted to do something for his sister, it's her birthday tomorrow. His eyes finally landed on a well dressed young man, who he thought to be not much older than Éponine. He had to be careful, he didn't know what would be worse getting caught by the man or by his sister. Gavroche quickly swept his gaze over the crowd, locating his sister, watching the bakery doors intently then lowering hr eyes to count the coins in her hand.

Silently, Gavroche sidled up to the man with the messy brown hair and the designer clothes. He carefully slipped his small hand into his pocket and gently lifted out his wallet. Gavroche began to run away, clutching the wallet to his chest.

Suddenly, there was a strong hand grasping the back of his jacket and a firm voice said to him: "I believe that belongs to me." Gavroche struggled in his grasp and quickly got released from his grip.

Turning around quickly, looking up at the man with wide eyes, words tumbled out of his mouth. "I'm sorry Monsieur, I did a bad thing. I'm sorry. I wanted to get my sister a present, it's her birthday tomorrow. Please don't tell her what I did, or the police, but don't tell 'Ponine she's scarier. She's going to be so angry. Don't tell her. Please."

"Woah slow down there. Where are your parents?"

"'Ponine looks after me." The man frowned at this, looking at him quizzically.

"I'm Courfeyrac, what's your name?"

The small boy puffed out his chest. "I'm Gavroche."

"Well you nearly had me, but you just weren't quite quick enough." Courfeyrac chuckled and Gavroche scuffed his shoes sullenly.

"I just wanted to do something nice for my sister." He choked out, beginning to cry.

"Hey I'm not angry at you."

Gavroche gave him a watery smile. "You're not?"

"No, you just wanted to do something nice. Now maybe we should go tell your sister what happened." Gavroche looked up then, but suddenly froze in panic, dropping the wallet on the floor.

"There's no need to tell his sister what happened, because his sister saw everything." Came a girl's voice from behind Courfeyrac, laced with anger. Gavroche suddenly burst into tears, running around Courfeyrac and flinging himself at the dark haired girl behind him. He was clinging onto her leg and crying miserably. She watched the six year old for a moment, then spoke, her tone softer "What have I told you about stealing?" She knelt down, coming to his level and held Gavroche's, now red face, between both hands, gently wiping away his tears with her thumbs.

"That I shouldn't do it." Gavroche whimpered. "You're not angry?"

"Oh I'm angry." This brought about fresh tears and loud sobbing. The boy now wrapped his arms desperately around her neck, burying his face in her neck. She sighed and gathered him in her arms, standing up and faced Courfeyrac. "I'm sorry Monsieur for the trouble he caused."

"He didn't cause trouble in the end, I think he had good intentions. I'm Courfeyrac by the way."

"Éponine. I would shake your hand but..." She trailed off, motioning with her head to the boy in her arms. Courfeyrac chuckled, smiling at the pair. "You best pick your wallet up before someone else takes it." She said smirking.

"I suppose I had." He said as he bent down to pick it up. "Perhaps you would like to meet for coffee sometime?"

"Perhaps." She replied. "I have to go Monsieur."

"Bye Éponine."

He watched her walk away until she shouted over her shoulder "I'm free on Wednesday Monsieur!"

"She's your girlfriend then?" Enjolras asked almost angrily.

Courfeyrac raised an eyebrow in amusement. "God no! 'Ponine is like a sister to me."

"It's true Apollo!" Grantaire called from the other side of the room. Enjolras scowled at his name choice. "She got drunk once and kissed him. 'Ponine cried for a full hour, saying she felt it was wrong because Courf was like a big brother to her."

"She really did drink a lot that night. She rivalled even you Graintaire." Courfeyrac replied.

"Do you think she'll come back here?" Enjolras questioned.

"Probably. She'll most likely want to check, as she would put it, the 'bullshit' you've been preaching to her brother." Courfeyrac answered laughing at Enjolras' expression, as the golden leader rolled his eyes in annoyance. "You just want to prove to her you aren't an idiot that can't string a sentence together don't you?"

"No!"

Thanks for the reviews, glad to see you're liking it :)