A/N: So, I'm on break right now (fun!) and so I'll be updating regularly the next couple of days. If any readers are out there, be prepared for quick updates. And the quote at the end is by Richard Bach. There are a lot of variations of that quote by different people, so I used that one.

Marius had stopped coming to the meetings. He barely did anything, and it was Courfeyrac's job to make sure he ate and slept.

Marius was being led around outside by Courfeyrac ('fresh air is good for you,' Courfeyrac had said), when he saw Éponine. His eyes lit up and he nearly ran over to her.

"'Ponine!" he cried.

Éponine turned and her face lit up. "Yes, Monsieur Marius?"

"Can you help me? I'll pay you," he asked.

"Of course, Monsieur. And I've told you before, I don't want your money," said Éponine.

"Right," said Marius, absentmindedly. "Can you find Cosette for me? You know your way around, and you are really observant."

"Of course," repeated Éponine, with a slight catch in her voice. Courfeyrac gave her a small smile.

"Thank you so much, 'Ponine!" cried Marius. He hugged her and kissed her on the cheek, "You are the best!"

Marius left with Courfeyrac behind him. Éponine was blushing and she touched the spot where Marius had kissed her. It was warm and tingly.

Éponine hurried over to his house. She knocked on the door. Enjolras opened it and seemed surprised to see her here.

"What are you doing here, Éponine?" he asked, letting her in.

"I had to talk to someone," said Éponine. "And you seemed like a good choice." She sat down at a table.

Enjolras nodded and sat down across from her. "So, what's going on?" he asked, leaning forward.

"Marius has asked me to find Cosette. I want to do it, I really do, but I can't help thinking that this could be my chance. I could still get Cosette, but deliver her to her father and tell them to leave. That way, Marius will forget about Cosette. I don't want to leave Cosette out there though. She's been nice to me whenever we meet, and I know she remembers me from when we were kids. I want to help her, and maybe it'll help my conscience." Éponine said.

Enjolras sighed. "This is your choice, Éponine. But think on this. Will Marius ever be fully happy with Cosette? He's obsessed with her. I know it hurts you, but you do have to realize this. You can't be blinded by your love for him. Yes, rescuing Cosette will be a good deed, but giving her back to Marius will be an even better deed. And you'll be guilty. Can you live with yourself if you do this to Marius? I know you want Marius to love you, but if you truly love him, you'll help him get Cosette. You'll want what's truly best for him. Do you honestly love him?"

Éponine sat and thought. Did she love Marius? She definitely liked him, but loved? She frowned. Would she rather see Marius unhappy in her arms, or happy in someone else's. And then she realized something. She wanted Marius to be happy, no matter what. And she'll let him reunite with Cosette, even though it might hurt her inside. She didn't own Marius, and she had to let her friend do what he wanted. He'll still be her friend, just not anything more.

If you love someone, set them free. If they come back they're yours; if they don't they never were.