Enjolras watched Grantaire leave. He didn't think it would hurt as much as it did, watching Grantaire walk away from him again, but it did. It always did. He took a shaky breath and returned to the counter.

"Everything okay?" Felix demanded calmly.

Enjolras scanned the cafe, however Grantaire and Valjean had already vanished. "What?"

"I said is everything okay?" Felix repeated grabbing his arm.

"Um...yeah. Just some wedding stuff, needed to talk to the baker," Enjolras murmured not meeting his eyes. He began to pull away; Felix let him.

The older man nodded as he stood to go, "see you tonight?"

"Actually I have my meeting. It could go really late," Enjolras reminded him softly.

"That will be the third time you've skipped a date for those friends of yours. And you know what they say about three strikes," Felix teased.

"And you're out?" Enjolras asked knowing he couldn't be that lucky.

Felix chuckled. "Not exactly. Let's just say you will be writing a check your ass can't pay. But we'll find a way."

Enjolras swallowed. "I'll cancel."

Felix smirked. "Are you just saying that? Because I'd hate to think what could happen to that poor mother of yours if-"

"I said I'd cancel." gritted Enjolras.

Felix smiled. "Good boy."

Enjolras watched him go feeling sick. He began to text his friends telling them that he would be unable to make it to the meeting.

Grantaire had left the cafe with Valjean.

"I'm sorry about our appointment," Valjean apologized.

"Oh right! I still need to pay you," Grantaire said reaching for his wallet.

Valjean laughed. "No please. We didn't finish. I couldn't take your money without completing the session."

"Oh, of course. Well-"

"I'm afraid I need to make some calls this afternoon. I need to know that Cosette is safe." expressed Valjean with regret.

"Of course. I completely understand," Grantaire assured him.

"Perhaps this evening?" suggested Valjean.

Grantaire nodded. "That would be best. I need to figure this all out before tomorrow."

"Young man, there isn't an easy fix for this. It will take time, and you must give it patience-"

"I don't have time. The bridal party is coming this weekend. I can't afford to humiliate-"

"We'll talk this evening," Valjean promised.

"Oh. Of course." Grantaire nodded. "I hope your daughter is okay."

"Me too." Valjean murmured. "I only pray that boy knows what he's doing."

They continued the rest of the walk in silence.

Grantaire entered his room at the B&B after seeing Valjean to his home. He saw Charla's bag on the chair, but she was no where in sight. "Charla? Charla, we need to talk."

From the bathroom he heard the most wretched sound. It was a pathetic moaning, low like an animal in pain.

Cautiously he approached the door, concern coloring his tone. "Charla?"

Grantaire pushed the door open to find the young woman collapsed in front of the toilet. Her hair was lank; her face pale. Miserably she looked up at him. "I'm pregnant."

Grantaire's world stopped.

"Grantaire, did you hear me? I'm pregnant."

"I heard...are you sure?"

She nodded slowly. "I-I was feeling off all day. I went to the drug store and..."

She held out a small plastic stick before throwing up again in the toilet. Grantaire took it from her and just stared as his whole world rearranged itself to accept this reality. Softly, "when?"

"That morning we made love after we got the Halls for our reception," moaned Charla wiping her mouth. "It must have been."

"But you said you weren't fertile-"

"I wasn't supposed to be," whined Charla. "No. It's fine. I'll just get an abortion and-"

"No." Grantaire said hastily. "No you can't."

"You were thinking of leaving me, I can't be expected to take care of a child without you. That's too much to ask." Charla replied tears in her eyes.

"I'll stay."

"You will?" She looked up at him, hope in her eyes.

"I've done some thinking and I want to commit to this marriage. I wanted to even before I learned about the baby." lied Grantaire.

Charla smiled before throwing up again. After pulling away from the toilet she wrapped her arms around him. "I'm happy that you've solved this."

Grantaire smiled. "I am too."

After Felix had left Enjolras received a text from the man. Look pretty tonight, going out and meeting a friend of mine.

"What is this about the meeting?" Enjolras looked up from his phone to see Courfeyrac storming in, closely followed by Combeferre. "You're canceling on us?"

"Um. Felix wants to take me out-"

"I thought you were going to stay away from that man. Keep your distance," Combeferre added.

"I can't," Enjolras' voice cracked.

"Did he threaten you?" Courfeyrac's anger faded immediately.

Enjolras looked away.

"Enjolras, did he threaten you?" Combeferre asked.

Slowly he nodded.

"Oh, Enj. I'm sorry. We're gonna get you out," Courfeyrac assured.

"I can't."

"Enjolras we won't let him do this to you," Combeferre promised.

"He threatened my mother."

"That bastard. That BASTARD!" Courfeyrac screeched.

"Sh, Courf, we're in public." Combeferre mothered. "Enjolras, we're going to work this out. I swear."

"He wants me to look good for tonight," Enjolras said passing over his phone.

Courfeyrac took it and passed it to Combeferre. "Who do you think his friend is?"

"I don't know, but it can't be good," commented Combeferre. "Are you sure you can't just leave town for the night?"

"I can't. You know-"

"I know. I just want you out," Combeferre said.

"We can't all run."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Courfeyrac asked.

"Felix. He's here for Cosette. She's his daughter. He wants to use her for his own political gain, so...so Marius got her out. I don't know where they're going but...but she's safe. She'll be safe," Enjolras said blinking rapidly not meeting either of their gazes.

"Let's get you to the back," Combeferre said looking at Courfeyrac with concern. The two men ushered Enjolras to the lockers, where he collapsed against the wall before sinking to the floor.

"She's out. I should be happy that she's safe. Why can't I be happy for her? What's wrong with me?"

"Nothing is wrong with you," promised Courfeyrac.

"Why can't I be safe, Courf? Why can't I get away from him?" Enjolras sobbed.

Courfeyrac turned to Combeferre.

The other man knelt down beside Enjolras. "I think you have to go tonight, Enj. But after this evening we won't let him near you."

"That's right, we'll have Bahorel break his fingers-" Combeferre shot Courfeyrac a look but he continued blithely, "and stuff them down his throat."

"Just tonight, Enj. Then you never have to see him again. Is that manageable?"

Enjolras sniffled but he nodded.

"Just be brave one night more." Courfeyrac said kneeling with his friends. "Do you know where you guys will be going?"

Enjolras shook his head.

"Well when you know text one of us. Someone will be there with you. We won't let this guy touch you."

"He's never – he wouldn't – it was only the one time..." Enjolras said hand going to the bruise. "It was my fault."

"Oh no. No. It was never your fault." Courfeyrac said.

"It was. If I wasn't so weak and desperate I would have never have let him come into our home. I should never-"

"You didn't know." Combeferre frowned. "How could you know what he would do to you?"

"He hit me because I defended Grantaire." Enjolras confessed. "He was yelling at me because of my tattoo, it wasn't what he wanted...it got loud, he carried it outside… He was going to hit me when Grantaire punched him. Felix got me back into the room. He called Grantaire horrible names and I – I defended him. So he hit me. He didn't like what I had to say. Afterward he apologized and promised me it would never happen again. Um...we – we er… uh we fucked afterward. It was intense… he ended up… I – I..."

"Was it rape?" Combeferre asked softly.

"No. I consented." Enjolras replied.

"Did he tell you to say that?" Combeferre inquired seriously.

Enjolras began to cry again. "No. I consented. I did that. I let him do those things to me. I thought… I just thought that if we did…If I let him that then maybe everything could go back to the way it was… So no. He didn't rape me. He didn't tell me to say these things. He didn't do any of it. I did. Me."

"No. No. Not you. Never you," Courfeyrac protested. He pulled Enjolras to him and kept repeating, "he did this. Not you, Enjolras. Not you."

Enjolras continued to sob in his friends' arms.

That evening Enjolras put on his battle armor in the form of a suit and tie, however the Windsor knot felt like it was intended to choke him instead of protect him. Looking at his reflection in the mirror Enjolras barely recognized himself. He was too thin; the circles beneath his eyes were darker, and his cheekbones protruded farther out than usual. He was beginning to look more and more like his mother. The bruise on his cheek was beginning to turn a sickly shade of yellow, but Enjolras refused to cover it. He was ready to face whatever Felix had planned for him. Tonight would be the last night.

That evening, after settling his fiancee in bed and kissing her goodbye, Grantaire set out. He was headed for Valjean's where he would explain everything. He would destroy the last of his uncertainties and find a way to be happy in his life. He was going to be a father which left no room for error, no room for doubt. Tonight would be the last night.

Felix picked Enjolras up at his apartment.

"Don't you look dashing," he complimented.

"Where are we going, Felix?" Enjolras asked softly.

"What, no kiss for daddy?" Felix leaned into Enjolras' space. The blond kissed the older man briefly. "Good boy. We're meeting a friend of mine at Olive Garden. It appears to be the fanciest restaurant in this god forsaken town."

Enjolras nodded. "Let me just tell my roommate that I'm leaving."

"I'll wait for you in the car. Don't dawdle."

Enjolras ran to Courfeyrac's room where the other man was seething. "Did you hear all that?"

"Every word," gritted Courfeyrac. "I don't like this Enj. I don't want you going."

Enjolras looked at the floor. "We already decided that I was. Nothing is going to happen, Courf."

"I know. I'm sorry, for everything."

"Don't be. It's not your fault." Enjolras' words broke Courfeyrac's heart.

"Go," he choked out. "You shouldn't keep him waiting."

"Tonight is the last night." Enjolras wasn't sure who he was trying to convince.

Courfeyrac nodded weakly as Enjolras stumbled out of the apartment. Once he was alone Courfeyrac called up Jehan. "Hey, are you at work tonight? Great. Um can you look out for Enjolras, make sure nothing happens… you know… I hate this. I hate letting him go."

"I'll look after him. If anything starts to happen...well I've got Parnasse on speed dial," Jehan said.

"Thank you."

"Of course. He's my friend too," Jean reminded Courfeyrac softly.

"I know. I just worry about him so much."

"You and Combeferre are like his parents. He's lucky to have you." Jehan smiled.

"Not lucky enough. I wish we could have stopped this from ever starting." Courfeyrac confessed.

"I think we all do. Have you heard from Marius yet?" Jehan asked.

"No, but I'm glad he's got Cosette away. The more I get to know her birth father the more disgusted I am," Courfeyrac answered.

"Hey, I gotta go. I'll look out for Enj, send you updates." Jehan said before hanging up.

Courfeyrac just looked at the phone. All he could do was pray, and he had never been one for putting his faith in the unknown.

Grantaire arrived at Valjean's house and was welcomed inside. The older gentleman ushered him into a large office that was warmly lit. "Please take a seat. So you were telling me this afternoon that you have a lot to work through and your deadline is tomorrow. Can you elaborate on that?"

"Um actually I think I've muddled through it on my own. You see Charla is pregnant. I'm going to be a father," Grantaire said not quite believing it himself.

"Ah. That complicates things."

"No it doesn't. It simplifies them," Grantaire explained. "I didn't think I could be with her; I didn't think I loved her, but this baby needs me. I have to stay for him… or her."

"You love children then," Valjean wasn't really asking.

Grantaire agreed. "Yes. I've always wanted a family."

"You said have to."

"What?"

"You said quote: ' I have to stay' unquote. So are you implying that you have no choice in the matter?" Valjean peered at Grantaire over his glasses.

"Of course I have a choice," Grantaire laughed.

"Then why did you say that? Perhaps you weren't thinking, then it is an honest mistake. Or perhaps it is a Freudian slip. If it is the latter then there are more serious consequences to consider," Valjean leaned back in his chair giving Grantaire space to think.

"I – I I'm afraid you've complicated things again," Grantaire said running his hand through his hair.

"I haven't done anything but give you options. It is your brain that is choosing to complicate things. Tell me Grantaire, if it wasn't for the baby would you marry Charla."

"No." Grantaire answered immediately before pausing and making a face.

"The answer surprises you," Valjean noted.

"No, I mean yes it does. I came to you to figure out who I'm supposed to be with, I didn't know the outcome either way. So this baby just makes the choice for me." Grantaire sounded desperate by the end.

"That's a dangerous mentality. If your life with Charla is unhappy down the road you may resent the child for influencing your decision to stay. You need to primarily want to build a life with Charla, you need to know that you can be content with her. For now consideration of the child must come second," Valjean expressed tenderly.

"That's not fair."

"Why put your happiness second to a person who doesn't exist yet?" reasoned Valjean. "Right now you need to look out for yourself. That's all I'm saying."

"My brain likes to lie to me. It gets to the point where I don't know what's true and what's false." Grantaire revealed. "These days I barely even know when I'm happy or not."

"I see. I'm going to try something that may make this easier. I want you to close your eyes. Now imagine your life thirty years from now, when you are old and my age. Your children have moved away from home, and it is just you and your spouse. You've made a home together, and you are standing next to one another looking at the horizon. Tell me, who is standing beside you?"

"Enjolras." Grantaire breathed. "It's always going to be Enjolras."

"I think your decision has been made then." Valjean said gently.

Grantaire opened his eyes slowly. "I think you're right, but my choice is Charla."

"The baby."

"She wants to abort it if I leave, which is understandable of course. But I can't let that happen. I'd be constantly wondering what that child might have grown up to be. I love Enjolras. I think I always will, but I have to marry Charla." Grantaire persisted.

Valjean let out a weary sigh. "Even if you are unhappy?"

"Yes."

"And your future wife and child? Will your unhappiness cause them grief?" Valjean asked.

Grantaire looked at his hands. "I won't let it."

"That's an easy promise to make now, but-"

"I. Won't. Let. It." assured Grantaire. He looked at Valjean. "I need to do this. I want to do this. Tell me it's the right choice."

"That I can't do," Valjean smiled sadly. "Not because of whatever opinions I might have, but because it is a choice you must make. It's going to be hard, Grantaire. If you've made your choice you must accept that."

Grantaire nodded. "I know."

"Very well then. If you and Charla ever need counseling in the future...well you have my number." Valjean stood and began leading Grantaire to the entryway.

"Thank you for this. I mean it."

Valjean smiled. "Certainly."

"And a check for you," Grantaire offered pulling it from his wallet.

Valjean accepted it graciously. "It has been a pleasure."

"How is Cosette?"

The old man's smile vanished. "She is safe. Marius has taken her to Maine to see some of his extended family. They will stay there until Tholomyes has left town."

"I'm glad she's alright."

"Thank you. Good luck with planning the rest of your wedding, Grantaire. I hope everything works out for the best."

"Thank you. I mean for once I'm feeling okay with things." Grantaire let out a nervous laugh. "Maybe it isn't ideal, but I'm no longer questioning how I feel. I know, and I've made my choice."

Valjean smiled. "Have a safe journey. Good night, Grantaire."

"Good night." Grantaire got into his car and headed back to the B&B.

Enjolras and Felix arrived at Olive Garden to find an older man waiting for them.

"Enj, this is my friend-"

"Employee," corrected the old man.

"Employee, then, Inspector Javert." Felix said with a forced grin. "Javert this is Enjolras. He's...well he's mine."

"Former inspector actually. I quit the force and became a private investigator," Javert answered stonily.

"Why did you quit?" Enjolras asked tentatively.

"I was responsible for imprisoning the wrong man for thirteen years. I couldn't bear the ignominy, so I decided to change professions." Javert explained.

"Oh."

"Javert has been helping me find Euphraisie for the past six years," Felix said.

"I see."

"The man she is with, Valjean, is very good at evasion," Javert squinted. "It makes me wonder if he has some experience hiding from the law."

Enjolras nodded, secretly wondering why he was meeting the ex-inspector.

"I'm sure you're wondering why you're here. Usually I conduct my meetings with Javert alone, but I thought you should be here for this one." Felix started.

"Oh?"

"You see, I believe that charming friend of yours is my daughter." Felix said darkly. "She's disappeared, and I think you know where she's gone."

"Which friend are you talking about?" Enjolras asked.

"The blonde woman at your apartment last night. She's the spitting image of her mother, Fantine. I saw her today at the cafe, but she vanished before I could talk to her. However Javert here assures me that her father," Felix sneered the word, "is still at home."

"Oh."

"So where has she gone?"

"I don't know." Enjolras answered softly.

"Surely you must have some clue," scoffed Felix.

"None."

"She must have some friend who would be willing to help her?" Felix pressed.

"Cosette-"

"Euphraisie," Felix glared at Enjolras.

"Cosette," reiterated Enjolras before continuing, "has plenty of friends. How am I supposed to know who took her in?"

"Fine. I'm going to go find our useless waiter. While I'm gone think carefully, if you have any profound revelations be sure to share them with the good inspector. I want my daughter found, Enjolras, and I will not have you standing in the way." Felix stood suddenly before storming off to find their waiter.

Just as suddenly, Javert dropped his facade. He leaned in closely to Enjolras and inquired, "is he hurting you?"

"Um."

"That bruise on your cheek, it looks fresh. Whatever he has you believing is false. Senator Tholomyes is not a good man," Javert said gruffly.

"Don't you work for him?"

"Kid, I've worked for him for years now. I think I know a little bit more about his character than you do," Javert sighed.

"Then why are you still working for him?"

"A job is a job." Javert said cryptically. As Felix rounded the corner, Enjolras watched Javert's back straighten; his face once again assumed the bored, serious expression it had previously held. "Any luck?"

Felix nodded. "I finally found someone to come, god I hate small towns."

"Certainly. Though I do suppose they have their amusements." Javert chuckled before eying Enjolras.

Felix smirked, laying a possessive hand over Enjolras. "If they can breed angels like this, then I guess they are good for something."

Enjolras felt ill. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Jehan serving another table, the ginger caught his eye before winking. He could do this. Tonight was the last night.

"So tell me, babe. Have any ideas where Euphraisie may have gone?" The grip tightened.

"Um, yes actually." Enjolras began stalling. "I just remembered that Eponine Thena-Gavroche, er Eponine Gavroche, a dear friend of hers, has a cabin down in Kentucky. The Gavroche family tends to vacation there a lot, and I know that Cos-um… Euphraisie has gone down there several times."

Felix looked to Javert. "I didn't know of a Gavroche family here in town."

Under the inspector's stare Enjolras shrunk. "That's because Eponine lives in the dorms at the college? I think that's how she and Euphraisie met? Anyway the Gavroches spend most of their time in Atlanta. Or their cottage in the Cumberland Mountain range."

"Javert, go check that out."

"You want me to drive to Kentucky, right now?" Javert's glare would have stopped a lesser man in his tracks, however the Senator only smirked.

"We're done with you for now. Go find my daughter and bring her back. I don't care whatever lies you need to tell the Gavroche Family to get her here. Hell tie her up and put her in the trunk if you have to," laughed Felix, "so long as she isn't hurt."

Enjolras turned white, but Javert never dropped his stony look. "Whatever you say, Senator."

The inspector left them, and Enjolras was once again alone with Felix. "So after dinner, why don't we go back to mine and-"

"No."

"No?"

"I'm done with you, Felix. I don't want to be with you anymore," Enjolras' voice shook but his resolve held.

Felix raised a brow. "And why would you say such a thing?"

"You'll be leaving soon. I know I'm just a fling," Enjolras said, "so why don't we end it now. No harm in dragging it out."

"Funny."

"Huh?"

"I was thinking of bringing you with me to DC. I know you want to get a job there, and I was thinking that being an assistant in my campaign could get you a lot of offers in the future."

"Would I have to sleep with you?" Enjolras asked warily.

Felix laughed. "Of course. Why else would I bring you with me?"

"What about your wife?"

"She'd never need to know." Felix shrugged. "I'm sure she's been using our bed to pleasure herself with plenty of DC's finest while I am away."

"I couldn't play that role." Enjolras protested weakly.

"And what role is that?"

"The mistress."

Felix laughed again, before lowering his voice. "And what if daddy ordered you to come with him? Would you play that role then?"

"No."

"Pity. You might have done Washington a lick of good. Too bad you'll never get your chance," Felix said coldly. "Unless you accept my offer. I could put you up in a lovely penthouse, buy you all the pretty things your heart desires. All you need to do is say yes. Hell I might even share you around, who knows what favors the other congressmen would owe me, and you'll have a chance to make a difference."

"I'm not going to DC to be your whore."

"You're right. I should keep you to myself, never let another man lay his hands on you. Have you at my beck and call."

"The answer is no, Felix."

"It's because of Grantaire, isn't it."

Enjolras shook his head. "You just don't get it, do you? You hit me. You've called me and my friends by terrible names. You use flattery to get what you want, and when that doesn't work you use intimidation. Well guess what? I'm done. I'm leaving you."

"Sit down."

"No." Enjolras began walking away.

Felix dropped money on the table before following Enjolras out. Once they were outside Felix grabbed Enjolras by the arm, yanking the younger man to him. "You're nothing but an easy small town slut, desperate for love. I've slept with a dozen boys just like you. Want to know where they all end up? Married to some unfortunate woman, pretending to be something they're not. They lose their looks, lose their power. They go out to gay bars and hit on younger, hotter men, desperate to be blown by them or to have the chance to fuck them, before they have to return home to their lie of a life. I don't want that for you. Come with me to DC and you will never have to worry about a thing again."

Enjolras tried to pull away, began to struggle in earnest when Felix whispered in his ear. "I'll pay all your mother's medical bills. Just come with me."

He stopped fighting. Felix smiled, loosening his grip. That was his mistake. As soon as Enjolras felt Felix's hand slacken on his forearm he ran. He knew it was stupid, knew he had no chance, but he couldn't let Felix seduce him like that. Not again. So he ran.

Sitting at the end of the parking lot, in the farthest pool of lamp light was Montparnasse on his motorcycle. "Get on, loser."

"What-"

"Jehan called me. Said it was an emergency and that I was to get you back to yours. So get on or walk."

Gratefully Enjolras got onto the motorcycle and Montparnasse drove off. Felix was left alone. He watched Enjolras disappear into the darkness, a smirk scrawled across his face. He couldn't be gotten rid of that easily.