A couple of days later, Javert and Eponine took their first walk together as lovers. It was obvious to everyone they passed by, as they would occasionally steal a kiss or Eponine would lean against Javert. They both knew that people were whispering behind their hands or dropping their jaws in complete shock. They didn't care.
As they turned a corner, there was two inspectors. They weren't friends of Javert, but simply acquaintances. They were smiling and pointing at Javert and Eponine, but this was also expected. Javert knew that Eponine was right in assuming that even his fellow officers would speak ill of them.
"Dressed too nice. She doesn't look like herself." One of the inspectors murmured.
"Shall we change that?" The other whispered back.
Just as Eponine and Javert walked past of them, one of the inspectors took up a handful of mud and threw it at Eponine. It landed on the back of her dress and in her hair.
"What are you doing?" Javert asked.
The first inspector shrugged. "Nothing, monsieur. Nothing to you, anyway."
The second inspector threw back his head and laughed. "Come now, Henri. You deserve much better than a sewer rat."
"We've caught her stealing a few times as well."
"She may dress the part now, but she was born in the gutter and she should remain there."
Javert walked up to the inspectors. "I was to. My mother a gypsy, my father a common slave. What makes you believe that Eponine might simply be a victim of circumstances? That she wanted to change and live amongst the social classes and not commoners? How would you soon like to be where she was?"
The first inspector frowned. "How do you mean?"
"You've harassed an innocent woman. My word is good, as you both know. If I told any figure of authority what you've done, you would be stripped of your ranks and reputation. Is that what you wish?"
"You wouldn't allow us to be arrested. We are your friends, Henri." The second inspector said.
"No friend of mine would harm a woman, common or otherwise. Now, apologize to Eponine or I'll make good on my warning."
The inspectors looked to each other and then mumbled apologies to Eponine. As they ran off down the street, Javert returned to Eponine.
"Are you all right?" Javert asked.
"I've been through worse."
Javert gave a slight smile and kissed Eponine on the forehead. "Let's return home. Make certain that you get cleaned up."
When Javert and Eponine returned home, Eponine removed her soiled dress and went to bathe herself. When Javert went to check on her, she was rinsing out her hair and he could not help but notice that the suds in the water barely covered her bare breasts. He walked up behind her and laid his hands on her shoulders.
"It will get better. It must get better." Javert said.
Eponine took Javert's hand and kissed it. "I only hope that no one does something worse."
"Let's not talk about it."
Javert reached his hands into the water and Eponine moaned as his hands fondle her breasts.
"Shall I join you?" Javert whispered.
"There is enough room for two."