One thing I must say sorry for! I apologize for I have not been using correct grammar through the first and second chapter, so please ignore that. I'll fix it as soon as possible, autocorrect on my computer doesn't like me.

Warning: Suggested pedophiles,

Summary for chapter:

"Wait! I don't want to jump!" Cried Marie. Gavroche held open his arms.

"Don't fear! I'll catch you, just trust me!"

"B...but...!" She suddenly turned around, terrified. The two older men slowly closed in on her. As one grabbed for her, she backed away, falling over the edge. Marie screeched at the top of her lungs, until she felt arms underneath her.

"See? Told ya! Hurry, come on!" Gavroche smiled. The children ran trying to outrun the two drunk men going after Marie. They had already torn off the top part of her dress, and she was holding it up with her arms to keep anything from showing. They both gasped as they reached a dead end.

"Come on, girly! We're just 'aving a little fun!" Sneered one of the men, as they walked closer. Gavroche ran in front of Marie and threw his arms out.

"I won't let you hurt 'er! Go pick on a woman your own size! In fact, don't pick on a woman at all! Do you really think all women are for is for your simple pleasures?!" He snarled. Both men laughed.

"Don't try to be a little hero, kid. Sorry, but your girlfriend belongs to us for now." Teased the taller one, licking his lips disgustingly. As they came closer, the two children stepped back. Gavroche had no other option. He ran at top speed and threw himself at the shorter man, who was unprepared. He began throwing his fists at the man's face as hard as he could, somehow drawing blood. He turned to attack the other one until he felt glass break over his head. His hat manage to protect him from any cuts or gashes, but the force sent him flying. He hit the wall behind him, and had no strength left as he watched the man grab Marie by the wrist, and the last thing Gavroche saw what the flash of a hidden knife being brought to her throat.

"Nooo!"

Gavroche was in the cafe. He flung himself up, and looked around. His hair clung to his head from sweat. Once he realized it was a dream, he relaxed.

"My, that was some nightmare! What happened?" It was Courfeyrac. He, Combeferre, and Marius all sat around Gavroche. The boy sighed.

"N...nothing. I just...nothing. I'm gonna go home."

"Oi, G'vroche is back!"

"Hullo, gang. Alrigh', it's time to show everyone what you could find today. I was able to find a few slices of banana bread." Said Gavroche with authority. The youngest, little six-year-old Garcaunt proudly stepped up with his hands behind his back, and revealed six shiny francs. Gasps filled the area.

"Garcaunt, where'd ya' find that?!" Cried Gavroche.

"Some dumb rich guy didn't pay attention, and this fell out of 'is pocket. This'll buy bread for all of us!" Exclaimed the younger boy.

"I found a few apples near the river! Washed 'em myself."

"That one nice blonde girl and her father offered me a brand new jacket for anyone who needs it!"

"I found some scraps of fabric, I can sew a blanket!"

Today had a surprisingly good stock. Especially those six francs. After the other children presented what they found, the last one was Marie.

"Did'ya find anything?" Asked Gavroche. She sadly revealed empty hands.

"I...I didn't..." She whispered, "...I'm sorry, I searched and searched but..."

"Look, it's alright, don't worry! Look at how good a stock we have! One person missing something won't matter." He assured her. A nine-year-old named Connor stepped up.

"It most certainly isn't! Winter is coming closer each day, not even this could get us through! Just cause she's a prissy rich girl don't mean she can't 'elp! She's just another useless mouth to feed, we can't trust 'er!" He cried, stomping his foot. Marie looked down at her feet. Gavroche turned to the boy and closed in on him.

"We protect each other and gather food for everyone so that we can survive. We are able to do this because we encourage each other. Do you really think insulting 'er...in front of me...will make it any better?" He calmly said, darkening his eyes. Connor stared back at him. Shaking, but keeping a strong face.

"Sh...she..."

"Marie isn't used to the street life. If you can't learn to appreciate all she does to try an' 'elp us, you're the one we can't trust."

"I..." Connor paused, and sighed, "...yes, Gavroche."

-later-

"I wouldn't pay attention to 'im, Connor's just a little paranoid. Don't listen to a word 'e says."

Marie and Gavroche were currently walking down the city streets, fingers linked, searching for food or money.

"I wont. After you taught me how to believe in myself... I think I'll stand up for myself more often now." Said Marie, smiling. Suddenly her eyes lit up. The reflection of something in the dirt caught her eye. She rushed to the spot, and picked up the object.

"Is that...?"

"A silver cup!" Cried Marie.

"Do you know how much money we could make?"

"Yeah!"

Gavroche threw his arms around Marie's shoulders, his face turning crimson as he did so. She hugged him back, and they began to walk back to the elephant. They chatted excitedly along the way, talking of what they could do with the cup. A sudden scrape against the moldy cobblestone road drew their attention. They turned to see a woman and a child, around three years of age. The woman had way too much makeup on, she was obviously a prostitute. The child was skinny and frail, shivering against the cold wind. The woman clutched her closer, and muttered something into her ear. Marie turned to Gavroche with pleading eyes. He nodded.

"Miss..." Marie began, walking towards the lady. She backed away, desperately.

"Don't tell me you've come to take everything, too! Shoo!" Said the prostitute. Marie shook her head.

"Mademoiselle, I do not need anything of yours, I wish to give you a gift." She grabbed the woman's hand and placed the small silver object in her palm. The woman stared in disbelief.

"Is...is this real silver?" She whispered.

"Yes. I want you to sell that, and use the money to buy yourself and the child food and clothing."

"Young lady...bless your kind heart."

Before Marie could reply, panicked footsteps echoed throughout the street. The two children turned to see a familiar shadow running towards them.

"Wait, that's Garcaunt!" cried Marie. She and Gavroche rushed towards the younger boy, and grabbed hold of him as he fought for breath.

"Gar, whats wrong?! Calm down and tell me what happened!" Cried Gavroche, fanning the boy's red face.

"C...Connor! There's something wrong with him!"

"Everyone, move over! Let me see 'im!" Ordered Gavroche. A sea of other children parted to let him through. Oliver had previously made a table of boxes for Connor to lay down on. Gavroche put a hand on Connor's chest. His heart was beating. But his lips were pale, and the colour was draining from his face. His eyelids drooped, and his eyes were red and swollen.

"Connor, say something to me!" Gavroche yelled, his voice growing louder and more panicked. He softly tapped Connor's face multiple times, but the boy didn't move. He made small, shallow breaths. He tried to move his lips, but so sound came out.

"M...aaa...r..." He groaned. Marie stepped forward.

"Yes, Connor?" She solemnly said, wiping a year from her face.

"S...ssoorr..ryy..." Connor muttered a final word,until he burst into a huge coughing fit, his body convulsing and jerking, until he went still and his head dropped. His eyes were open, and they stared, but he could not see.

Connor was dead.

"Oh...oh no...! Gavroche..." Marie turned and buried her face into his chest. He held her comfortingly, as she began sobbing. He silently stared at his old friend as a tear rolled down his face. He remembered how they first met, three years ago. He remembered all the times when he didn't have a jacket, so Connor lent him his own. When Connor offered him his own water when his was contaminated. He remembered how much Connor had always done for him, and all he ever did was scold him. He and Marie sunk to the floor, onto their knees.

"Carry his body to the tavern." Gavroche whispered, voice breaking as he tried to block any more tears from escaping. He listened but didn't watch as Oliver and an other girl picked up the motionless body of his friend and carried him away. Marie's sobs got louder.

"This is my fault, isn't it..." She whispered, "...he died of shock..." Gavroche put his hand over her mouth.

"Ssh, don't say that. I can't deny the fact that 'e died because of you, but understand that I don't blame you." He turned to Marie and planted his lips on her cheek.

"It'll be alright." He assured her.

Poor Connor :( Anyways, I'm surprised you have read this far, thank you! Sorry that this chapter is kind of late. I'm in a musical right now, (can you guess which one? XD) and I'm extremely busy.

Same as last time, the tenth reviewer gets a one-shot of the pairing of their choice.

-GavrocheTopOfClass