Gavroche slowly recovered, but Javert didn't stop showing concern over him. Every moment he wasn't working he was at the hospital. He often found excuses to stop there during his regular patrols. So a week passed with him rarely away from the boy. At first Gavroche wasn't awake enough to know he was there most of the time, but as he regained his strength he spent more time with his eyes open. At first all he would say were cheeky remarks or insults.
"Of all people I end up being saved by, a cop. And of all cops, too."
Javert couldn't see what he had to complain about when he owed his life to a convict. He still couldn't make himself do one thing or another about ValJean. He couldn't arrest him, and he couldn't let him go free. He soothed his conscience by telling himself it wasn't as if the convict was likely to do anyone harm. In fact he hadn't done anything except save and better lives since being released. He didn't have to be afraid something terrible would happen if he wasn't rearrested immediately. For now, making sure the boy recovered was his primary concern. He must make up for his wrongdoings, and if this was his punishment so be it.
After the first few days, it no longer felt like a punishment. He wouldn't have said he actually cared about Gavroche, but there were brief times when he enjoyed his company. Sometimes the boy's attempts to get on his nerves actually amused him. Gavroche would speak in Argot, the secret language of thieves and street people. Having spent his childhood in a jail, Javert understood it without trouble. It had come in extremely useful on several occasions. Once, two thieves had discussed their plan mere feet from him and accidentally let him know every detail of the robbery they were about to commit. For the time being, he decided to let Gavroche think he was bothered by not knowing what he was talking about.
One day he was passing the baker's on his way to see the boy. Breads and sweets were displayed in the window. He surprised himself by doing it. but he went inside and came out with a sack under his arm. He opened it in the hospital, and Gavroche looked at his surprise with delight, followed by suspicion.
"Apple puffs!" Then he glared at the policeman. "How did you know they're my favorites?"
"They're what the baker complains is stolen most often. Lucky guess."
He had to admit if he'd have had proof Gavroche had stolen them he'd have arrested him not long ago. Now he didn't think he could do it. Again he silently cursed ValJean for turning the world upside down. He watched Gavorche, half expecting him to refuse the treat. The child had known true hunger though, and wasn't going to pass up a chance for food.
"Inspector Javert?" the doctor inquired as he stuck his head in. 'May I speak with you a moment?"
Javert stepped out with him, half afraid someone had found out the truth about how Gavoche was nearly killed.
"The boy has no family to speak of?"
So this wasn't likely about that night.
"No one has been asking for him."
"That's a real problem. He's recovered enough that he doesn't need to be here anymore, but he wouldn't live long on the streets. It will be some time before he's fit for that again. Can you think of anyone who would give him a home, at least for now?"
"I-" he hesitated a moment. "I'd be willing to have him stay with me, but I don't know if he will. He isn't exactly fond of policemen, and I can't be with him constantly. He might try to run as soon as he had the chance."
"Well, perhaps he will listen if you speak to him. He hasn't said so, but he seems to look forward to your visits."
Javert doubted that, but there was no choice but to ask.
"Are they letting me out of here?" Gavroche asked when Javert went back in. "Or am I being sent to jail?"
"You can't stay here any longer," he answered. "But no, I'm not going to be arrresting you."
"Because I'm a kid?"
Javert chose not to respond to that.
"You don't need a doctor, but you aren't well enough to go back to the streets. if you are willing, I would allow you to stay with me."
The boy's eyes were challenging.
"I'd rather be free on the streets."
"You're lucky you haven't lost more freedom than that. It's hardly as if you'll be behind bars, and it's only until you're completely healed."
He wasn't sure what he would do if Gavroche refused, but luckily he didn't have to find out.
"I'll stay with you until I'm healed if you'll do one thing for me."
"What?"
"Find my kids. Two really little ones I found. They went to try to find what happened to their family, and I couldn't find them again. If they're safe, let me know. Otherwise bring them to me."
"Agreed." he had no idea where he'd start. Paris was full of homeless children. At least he would do his best. He listened carefully as Gavroche described them and said 'We'll get you settled in at my home, and I'll start looking for them."
Gavroche nodded and laughed.
"What's funny?"
"A cop doing some good for a change."
Javert silently prayed for strength to put up with the smart mouthed boy over the comming days.
(for those of you who only know the play, Gavroche took in two little boys in the book. They were his brothers, but he didn't know it.)
