A/N: Thanks JudyBear! To the reads and reviews too. I'm grateful.

Hope this is to your liking... ;)

DISCLAIMER: The usual.

Chapter 8

Inspector Eugene Javert had never lost control. He believed in the law, control and rules. Losing the control he held so dearly was not an option. It was not something he could afford.
However, as he crashed his lips against Éponine's, all logic seemed to disappear.
She overwhelmed his senses – he could see, taste, hear, feel nothing else. It was just her.

Éponine knew exactly what she was. She was constantly on the wrong side of the law. When she didn't steal she sold her body.
Never before had she thought her life to be pleasant. Yet, as she ran her hands over Javert's broad shoulders, her lips against his, she was unaware of anything other than the pleasure engulfing her.

He lifted her up as they stumbled through his door, carrying her to his room at once.
His lips caressed every inch of skin he could find. His hands tangled in her hair, his breath racing. Strands of his hair hung around his face, having escaped from the elastic band that usually held it in place. Éponine tugged at his jacket, removing it shyly.
She seemed to struggle with his buttons and he put his hands over hers in an effort to help her get rid of his shirt.
In that instant, the realisation of what was about to happen hit him.

Éponine Thenardier was seventeen years old. It was impossible that she could love someone like him.
Even if she could, it was not possible that he could love anyone – least of all her. Eugene Javert did not love anyone or anything other than the law.
The law did not include pathetic emotions and overpowering desires. He pulled away from her swiftly.
Javert's face was ghostly pale as he turned away from her. He did not notice the confusion in Éponine's eyes. After a few deep breaths he turned to face her, desire still evident in his eyes.
"This can't happen."
She pushed herself up from the mattress, her face flushed.
Javert sat down next to her, cupping her face with his hands.
"I do find you different. You saved me tonight and for that I am grateful. However, that does not change the fact that nothing can happen between us. I will be forever in your debt for saving my life – it was not your obligation and no one in your position would have done the same. We should not confuse gratitude with love."
Éponine paled as she stood.
"I guess I should be going then."
Javert nodded coldly.
"It would be best."
He ignored the twitch he felt in his heart as he watched her walking away from him.
Nowhere in the law did it mention love or care. It was better to let her leave now – before he was in too deep.

Éponine's feet carried her to the ABC Café without her mind being aware of it. She folded her arms around herself protectively. She vividly remembered a time – not too long ago – when she walked through these streets alone, imagining M'sieur Marius' arms around her.
Pretending he was beside her.

She was still pretending that she was not alone. This time, however, it was not M'sieur Marius' arms she was imaging around her.
In this dream, it was Inspector Javert who held her as she walked through the street.
For a second she wondered why she was still going to the Café. She no longer had the intense desire to see Marius.
She was in love with M'sieur Marius, wasn't she?
It was pathetic that one kiss from a man she thought she hated could change that. Instead of her heart fluttering at the thought of Marius' teasing eyes and soft curls, she felt as though her entire body was set ablaze at the thought of his serious, inquisitive eyes and the curve of his lips.
She blinked stubbornly as tears formed in her eyes at the thought of his rejection.
Of course, her sound judgement told her that in reality he was the last man on earth she would ever be interested in.
Reality though, took flight around the time when she woke up in his arms.
He was everywhere – she saw him in every stranger on the street, she heard his voice in every word around her.
Éponine Thenardier had never needed anybody in her life. Until now.

Javert's entire body was still trembling for minutes after she had left. He had no respect for men who were willing to lay their self-control at the feet of a woman. Yet, here he was doing the same!
Of course, he was honest when he told her that he would be forever in her debt. When someone saves your life, it is something that you cannot forget. Not that he would turn a blind eye should she break the law. He would, however, help her when she needed it. Even if he couldn't love her… he could still protect her. He could provide for her.
He sat down, burying his face in his hands in a silent prayer.
Why could he not get her out of his mind? The idea of her going back to her family chilled him to the bone. The thought of her being with the young baron he had seen her with, angered him beyond belief.

His shirt and coat lay in a bundle on the floor and he picked it up, folding it neatly before getting back in his bed.
It felt alarmingly empty, though he would never admit it – not even to himself.
Despite his determination to rest until morning came, sleep evaded him.
Her dark eyes haunted his mind. He could still smell her, if he tried hard enough he could still feel her skin against his.
He sighed irritably. He had never cared for anyone in his life. He had no one to care for.
His heart was not susceptible to emotions. It was impossible.
Impossible as it was, however, the truth taunted him mercilessly.

He was in love with Éponine Thenardier.

A/N: So... at least he admitted