AN- Hey, everyone! I'm actually posting like I promised! And early, too! Yay! :D I hope you like this chapter cuz it's awesome. I won't give anything away, but you're gonna love it! ;) Well, I won't keep you any longer. Enjoy the chapter! :)

As soon as Eponine arrived home, she noticed Enjolras sitting on the couch, waiting for her.

"I'm assuming that you took Pontmercy to see his lady love." Enjolras's words were cold. He didn't approve of distractions when the funeral of Lamarque was the next day.

Eponine's heart ached when Enjolras called Cosette Marius's "lady love". She felt like crying again, but she did her best to hold back the tears.

"Yes." She couldn't bear to speak anymore for the fear of crying in front of Enjolras. She had to be strong. She didn't want Enjolras to think badly of her for showing weakness. Especially when he was so strong. He wasn't called the marble man for nothing.

Enjolras could see the pain in Eponine's eyes, and he could tell that she was holding back tears. For some odd reason, he felt his heart "crack" like marble.

"Eponine…" he started carefully. "It's okay. You don't have to be strong. I won't think of you any lesser."

The flood gates opened. Eponine rushed over to Enjolras and embraced him. She was sobbing into his shoulder. Enjolras, completely new to this, had no idea as to how to respond to this outburst. He opted for putting his arms around her and just letting her cry. She would be done eventually, and then she could explain what had happened.

After about a quarter of an hour, Eponine calmed down enough to talk.

"Tell me what happened," Enjolras urged.

"He loves her. There is no hope for me now. Marius would never save me from this horrible life." That's when Eponine realized how wrong she was. Enjolras had saved her from her life months ago. He had been so kind. He had cared for her like no one else ever had.

"Enjolras…" He looked up at her. "Marius didn't have to save me. You already have!" Eponine hugged Enjolras. She had finally found someone who might actually be able to care for her. She might have even been starting to like him all this time.

Wait, his friends call him the "marble man". Would he ever be able to care for someone, let alone me? Eponine asked herself. Even if he ever does, she'll be someone of his rank and class. Not a gamine, like me. Little did she know how he was feeling at the moment.

"Eponine?" Enjolras asked cautiously, stirring Eponine from her thoughts. She looked at him, strait in the eye, and he swallowed what he was about to say. Since Eponine started to cry, Enjolras had this feeling growing inside him. It felt a little like anger. Why would Marius do this to Eponine? Why would he hurt such a deserving girl that had been hurt so much already? Enjolras had half a mind to go find Pontmercy and beat him up, and he was about to when Eponine spoke.

"Enjolras, I'm really greatful for all the things you've done for me." Eponine was healthy and happy. That's two things that she hadn't been in a long time. "I don't know how I'll ever repay you."

Right then, without thinking, Eponine placed a quick kiss on Enjolras's lips. She regretted doing so right away after seeing his surprised face. Enjolras was in complete shock.

"Uh…" He didn't know what to say.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that." Eponine said, apologetically.

Enjolras had to say something, anything. "Don't worry about it. It is forgotten." He then stood up and retreated to his room, Eponine in tow.

Eponine climbed into bed. She was still hurting but shocked at what she had just done.

Enjolras was fighting an internal battle with himself about what to do. One part of him just wanted to forget what just had happened. The other wanted to grab Eponine and kiss her for real. He could still feel the softness of her lips on his. It might have only lasted for a fraction of a second, but that fraction was life changing…

Enjolras pushed the thought away and crawled into bed. For some reason, Enjolras lied down on his side, facing Eponine. Eponine, noticing this and needing comfort, scooted over, and curled up next to Enjolras's chest. She fell right to sleep.

Enjolras, finding this strangely comfortable, put his arms around her. Together, they slept peacefully through the night.

AN- Yay! Finally, some progress between the E&E! I hope everyone liked the chapter. The barricade should be in the next chapter, but if it isn't, it'll be in the one after. I've made my decision with the general direction of how the chapter's going to go. Please don't hate me… Anyways, I'll do my best to post next week! Please review/follow/favorite my story. Thanks for reading! :)