A/N: Awwww no one liked the last chapter? :( Ah well, beggars can't be choosers. I'd like to thank PhoenixGirl97 (Hahaha, sorry, I can't help it! The sooner I write, the sooner I can hear what you have to say :D ), mrs. peetamellark 11755 (Aww that made me blush ^_^ I hope you're enjoying this story!) and bballlover101 (Je fais aussi!)

That's it. I can't really give any explanation why I was late to update, personal reasons and all... Back to business, I had a bit of a hard time writing this so forgive me if it's subpar. Please leave any comments, questions and suggestions via reviews and they will be noted. Constructive criticisms are welcome but please, no flames. Tune in every two to three days after I have acquired five reviews for an update.

Disclaimer: Any familiar characters and settings belonged to Monsieur Victor Hugo and the film directed by Monsieur Tom Hooper.

From Me, To You

Eponine could not help but stare at Marius who was walking quite calmly through the crowded streets. His face was clear of any emotions and she couldn't even figure out what were the things playing in his mind that time. Javert had begrudgingly released her but gave a warning that if he should ever catch her again; it's off to the gallows with other prisoners. She bares her teeth at the smirking Émile before the Pontmercy out of the building. Half of her wanted to throw her arms around him and thank God that he was able to bail her out but the other half wanted to tilt her head down in shame that he had saw her in such a state. Thank heavens he didn't see her at the hospital then...

"How long?"

The Thenardier girl cocked her head to the side as he suddenly spoke, "How long have I what?"

"How long have you been in Les Amis de l'ABC?"

His tone was soft and though it had always gave her comforting warmth, it came off in a tone of disappointment or maybe even disapproval. Was he not pleased that she was willing to die for freedom as well? Was he not proud that she chose to fight with them instead of hiding in the shadows like her cowardly father? The man had been confusing her and she was supposed to be the closest he had as a best friend! He might be friends with everyone in the café and treated them as his brothers in arms but she's the only one he would ever trust his vulnerable side with. Had it been wrong of her to assume that maybe there would be something much deeper as a result of their closeness?

She did swore that she will never be hurt again but alas, this man had the power to break the wall of apathy she built since her adolescent years and he could single-handedly rebuild it at the same time. The thought made her want to weep and laugh at the same time.

Marius watched different emotions dance on her face. She always wore her heart on her sleeve but her sleeves were made with iron clad clothes filled with barbs and poisonous glares. He been the receiving end of her temper that one such event. It was the first time they met...

It was easily one of the coldest nights in Paris and young Marius was walking home from the university. It was exams week and he felt assured he would pass everything with flying colours. A loud shouting match was heard from a bar where he just walked past when suddenly- a large man was thrown out of the bar with his face wet with what seemed to be gin. The man yelled cruel and rude words towards the bar. Within a few moments, a couple of burly men from the bar walked out with several blunt objects used to bludgeon something... or someone.

The large man tried to duck from a chair that was thrown at him only to have it clip his shoulder. He howled in pain and proceeded to tackle the assailant. It took a minute before another man; it might have been the large man's companion, joined into the fight that escalated into a full blown brawl. Just then, a lanky man dressed in tattered rags with grease decorated his skin whistled and yelled "C'est les cannettes de fil! Course!" Everyone scrambled to hide, even Marius. He didn't know why he tried to hide; he wasn't even part of it in the first place! Maybe his feet moved in its own accordance and now, he didn't know where he was.

He was born and raised in Paris but he never wandered away from the main streets and avoided the alleys and shadowed paths altogether. Gangs and thieves roamed the city in the night and he was naught but a harmless college boy who had a few sous to spare. With that thought floating in his mind, he hid the golden ring he wore on his ring finger in the innermost pocket of his vest and cautiously weaved through the maze-like pathways. The smell was unpleasant and he could feel eyes boring on him with every step he took. With a turn to the left, he found himself facing a wall.

Marius shook his head and turned to see a man with a towering figure leering at him. Slowly, he approached him with a wheezed breathing, "Would you spare some francs for a poor soul?"

Marius felt a lump form in his throat when saw something silver glisten in the hand of the advancing man. It was a small knife and if he wasn't careful, his blood would be staining the blade. He felt his hands shake with fear; he couldn't overpower the man while he has a weapon and because he was a foot taller. He can't outrun him as well; not when he was lost in the alleys in the first place.

"I-I only have a couple of sous. You can have them all" he bargained.

The man shook his head and steeled his eyes, "A couple of sous won' keep me stomach full. Give me somethin' I could sell for money" Violent fits of cough exited his mouth but Marius chose to stay where he was, who knows if he was faking it or not.

The man neared the end of his patience as he lifted his hand and revealed the knife. "Now, either you give me wha' I wan' or I'll have to shove this to yer pre'ey face-"

"Gueulemer, father calls for you!"

A feminine voice with a rough edge entered the tense scene. The man cursed up a storm and hissed at the shadows, "Be off with you hussy! Can't you see that I'm in the middle of me job?"

"Either you let him go and be on your way or I shall tell my father that you simply dismissed his call" The threat seeped in her tone and miraculously, he heeded. He threw a dirty look at Marius and sneered, "Better pray for gratitude boy. You got lucky this time."

He dissolved into the shadows like a phantom and before he could even let out a sigh of relief, a woman close to his age walked out with a rather cross look on her face.

"Next time you won't be so lucky. Get out of here and return to where you belong" she growled. Marius studied her, long brown hair that was tangled, her clothes composed of a white shirt with the sleeves cut off and her skirt was a long brown fabric that may had been a table cloth. What caught his eye was the thin trail of blood that ran from her forearm.

"Your arm-"

"Just get out of here and never come back" she warned and made to leave him when he grabbed her by the shoulder. She retaliated by swinging a fist at him. He caught her wrist and found that it was frightfully thin; he could snap her like a twig if he applied pressure on it but she took his surprise to her advantage and stomped at his foot. It took every ounce of strength in him to keep himself from yelling bloody murder through the whole city. He held her tightly but his face was scrunched with pain and he could feel the stinging of tears he dare not shed.

"Let me go" she hissed like an angry cat. Pulling her wrist from him proved to be a challenge, especially when he stood a head taller than her. He gave her a soft look, something that caught her off guard and maneuvered her towards the corner where the moonlight was strong. She stared at him with piqued curiosity as he took out his clean handkerchief and carefully wrapped it around a shallow flesh wound she acquired a while ago.

"There, that should stop the bleeding" he quietly said as he knotted the ends of the cloth firmly but not enough to apply more pressure than needed.

"Why would you help a gamin?" she asked, flexing her arm to see if she could feel any pain. Her eyes looked up to his own; trying to decipher his strange actions towards her. Something dawned in her mind and it made her bare her teeth at him, "I have nothing that you would want in return monsieur" She spat the word as if it was venom and backed away from Marius.

To say that he was appalled was certainly an understatement. Never in his life had someone lashed out at him for doing a good deed and this woman practically accused him of doing it for something in return. His lip twitched; instead of being offended, he actually found her amusing. Her eyes still flashed with a warning and her crouched form aligned to attack if he would try and do something she didn't like.

"What is your name mademoiselle? Mine is Marius"

The girl blinked owlishly at the man- a gentleman to be exact. From the look of his clothes, he came from a well to do family that's why Gueulemer targeted him. And as she read the books that were partially sticking out of his bag, he might be a student of a university. It made her question as to why he was so pleasant to her when he was in a whole different social class than she. Surely his 'kind' would steer clear of this type of place or he might have just stumbled his way unintentionally judging by his reluctance of her leaving him alone.

"Do you know the way to Rue Plummet? I seem to have lost my way."

Ah, so she was right about him accidentally stumbling in this part of the city. "Do you need my help to find your way back monsieur?" His reply was a bright smile that she had immediately deemed angelic. He dipped his head to a nod and tailed her when the gamin sprinted through the crisscrossing pathways.

Soon, he was standing near the rows of chateaus a block away from his own home. He turned around and found the girl staring at the mansion with a longing in her eyes. "I suppose this is goodbye then" she said stiffly. He shook his head and slowly took her hand and pressed his lips on her knuckles, causing her to stare and her face brightened with a reddish hue. "I have you to thank mademoiselle..."

"Eponine. My name's Eponine"

Normally she would have used a different identity to hide upon and protect herself but something about this man made her pull towards him. It was beyond his handsome face and his rich status. There was kind and protective air around him that made her feel safe. The sudden realization that she skipped the meeting made her stomach clench. No doubt Gueulemer had told Thenardier what she might be up to and it will infuriate him to no end. After all, most of what they took would ultimately be handed over to Thenardier whether it was money or anything of a value.

They parted ways under the light of the moon and even though her tardiness cost a welt on her back, she never regretted the decision of helping him. In pure coincidence, their paths crossed the following day in the square and from then on, they began their bond as close friends.

"Marius?"

His attention directed itself to the small girl next to him. It rattled him when he saw her being taken away by a cop and immediately went back to his loft to get some money. His grandfather would be angry if he were to find out that he got mixed up with the revolutionaries again but he can't just turn a blind eye from his best friend.

"How long have you joined... the group?" he questioned again. It pained him to exclude himself from his friends but Enjolras had closed the conversation and now branded him as a liability to the group. Was it wrong to follow your heart's desire? He knew that it has it repercussions and now he bore the consequences of his decision.

"The night you left for the girl" Eponine answered. Her voice was soft like a coo of a dove and he almost missed it. Though her voice was small, he couldn't deny the fact that it came out like a shout into his brain. Questions filled his entire being;

Why did Eponine join Les Amis?

Did he have something to do with her joining them?

Did he do something wrong?

"Why must you join them, did they ask you or was it you who came forward as a volunteer?"

"I offered them another solution. Enjolras accepted my conditions and allowed me to participate with the... activities under the protection that I'm now part of the group."

Her answer was simple and yet complicated at the same time; she couldn't tell him that the reason she joined was to distract herself from his ongoing relationship with the blond and how he unknowingly broke her heart. "I didn't know you were so swift to throw your life away", came his quiet voice. The answer made her stop. She felt her jaw slacken and an unnatural anger towards her friend sparked in her chest. How dare he say that when he was doing the exact same thing!

"Why do you think of such things?! I made this decision with the intention of coming out of it alive and I can manage myself just fine!"

"That's what you always say after your father beats you!"

"You know nothing about me! You're just a spoiled child who hides behind others!"

"You're the one that is hiding; you're lying to yourself as you have lied to everyone else!"

Now everyone was staring at them with conniving eyes and whispers were exchanged by those gossipy women who know nothing except talk about other people's business. She felt her hand itch to slap him; a natural reflex when someone had offended her. Anger and shame enveloped her entire being that she felt as if she could not breathe. Everything around them looked as if it all fell apart. She had never raised her voice to him no matter what the circumstances were and in return, he completely avoided any talk about her father's brutal actions.

They never once fought about anything, even trivial things that were usually the reason of friendly jabs and spats. It was then that Eponine realized that she might have overestimated the strength of their bond. Fights were used to test the bonds of friendship and since theirs were unchallenged, they didn't know how to react when it was presented to them despite how unconventional it was.

A strong voice in her mind told her to scream at him, shout and belittle that rich boy who had hurt and insulted her in front of other people. But another voice streamed into her sub consciousness, it was a small voice like that of a child's and it kept repeating the same sentence over and over.

"Run, run away. Don't let them hurt you, don't let them see the scars. Run away!"

She took the latter's advise and her feet followed the command. Marius' voice was but a dying echo behind her as she sprinted towards the east side of the city. She didn't know where to go, only letting her feet guide her way since her eyes were too blurry to see through. For a moment, she slowed her pace and looked around to see that she was a block away from Enjolras' home. It was only two in the afternoon and without a doubt, the owner has yet to come home since he will be at the café. She knew she have to make an appearance if they should miss her presence but she didn't want anyone to see her like this.

-E-

Combeffere wiped the sweat that steadily trailed between his eyes. He could sense the tension that was thick in the room and everyone had avoided looking at each other especially at Enjolras. So it was true, the Pontmercy had replaced them in favor of the woman's father's wishes. It didn't make any sense for the insightful man at all. Marius had been a stronghold of the organization; ever committed and passionate to the cause as much as everyone else that it was almost a blasphemy to even suggest such a thing. But Enjolras was not one to make up such stories especially if it would affect the progress of the barricades and their camaraderie. Integrity and loyalty was the foundation of their faction and if one would betray in any way, they will be cut off.

Grantaire was silent as he swirled the gin in his mug absent-mindedly, the news made him not so keen to drown himself on alcohol. Everyone, including himself had a grim expression on their face and one had yet to utter a single syllable. The atmosphere was akin to someone had died and no one knew how to comfort each other. Finally, it was Enjolras who broke the silence once more, "He had made his choice and we have to move on with our plan. As soon as Eponine returns, we shall enlist every single one of the volunteers and check our inventory. There should be at least a dozen of firearms but we lack cartridges and gunpowder." He switched back to his role of being the responsible and no-nonsense leader. No use walking around with their head down just because one had detached himself from the group. Quick footsteps echoed by the staircase and they saw Eponine gasping for breath and leaning on the rails, clutching her left side.

"'Ponine!" Courfeyrac ran towards her, his hands grasped her elbows and led her towards the chair, careful when pulling her when he saw a red dot on her clothes slowly spreading. "I must have opened some of my wounds" she wheezed and ended it with a cough.

"Where have you been?" Enjolras asked.

"Let her breathe will you?" Grantaire quipped as he handed a cup of, thankfully, water to the gasping girl. Enjolras couldn't believe his eyes, when did Grantaire evolve into a courteous and considerate man? He was never one to lift a finger except when he refills his mug and join in teasing others. Eponine gratefully took the cup and drank every last drop. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and whispered, "Merci"

He cupped his mouth near her ear and whispered, "Act tired so Enjolras won't force us to do any jobs anymore"

'And here I thought he was a real gentleman' Eponine snorted before she gave the cup to Grantaire who just winked at her with subtlety before seating back on his favorite chair. Courfeyrac nudged her and said, "Gavroche had been looking for you. As a matter of fact, where have you been?"

She didn't know what to say; the truth or just fabricate another story? Enjolras might notice though, he was sharp with consistency and no doubt he will ask questions. So she had to tell them, but that didn't mean she will also talk about what happened between her an Marius. "I was taken to the police. I was caught and I had a chat with Inspector Javert." Her answer elicited a surprised squawk from Bahorel and looks of concern among the Les Amis. Enjolras felt the corners of his lips curl down at the girl's expense. His eyes made a quick scan over her frame to check if she had acquired some form of injury but her clothes made it impossible to see anything other than an inch of flesh. Combeffere sighed and dared to ask, "Did they do something to you?" They dreaded to know the answer to the particular question. The police were less honorable behind their uniforms and their oath to protect the people as they themselves break the law they so proudly adhere.

Thankfully, Eponine shook her head before she hesitantly weaves a hand through her long hair, "He lets me off with a warning and nothing more."

Enjolras then released what seemed to be a tired sigh before he cleared his throat and swept a hand through his hair, "We have to make sure that this won't happen again. Javert was in a forgiving mood and we have to be grateful for that fact else Eponine would have suffered a worse plight". Everyone nodded in a somber manner which made her curious, why are they acting like this? Was it because she was caught? She almost jumped when she felt a hand on her forearm and she looked up to see Joly's fair face with a roll of white bandages in his hands. The man coaxed her into sitting on an old sofa on the farthest corner to treat her injury. It was lucky that she was wearing a shirt rather than her green dress lest it would be far more awkward to have him clean her wounds while lifting her skirt.

The leader strode towards the table and double-checked the list. It was double than what he had expected and although there had been obstacles, at least they did what they had to do and they reaped what they sowed. His friend placed a hand on his shoulder and whispered, "Should we tell Eponine of Marius?" he asked, he fears for Eponine's reaction if they told her Marius had abandoned them for a woman. Her infatuation for the man was of common knowledge between the friends and they would even give knowing looks to one another whenever the gamin would follow him inside the cafe.

The blond hung his head whilst carefully piling the notes inside an envelope and sealed it with a melted candle wax by the flap, "I will be the one to tell her later. It would only distract her if she knew about this on later days. The only thing we needed to do right now is to focus on getting the required number of gunpowder, by casks if the heaven shall smile upon us." Combeffere nodded once in understanding before he joined the others who immediately opened a bottle of malt whiskey, despite Grantaire's disapproval of sharing.

"Marius? Is something the matter?"

Cosette bent to level with Marius' gaze as he sat on the park bench. Her clothes were a bit extravagant for a walk in a park but he didn't mind. The blond was in pins and needles when Marius suddenly ran towards the crowd during the demonstration a street away from where they were taking a stroll. He returned with a look of forlorn and even irritation. The man had been cautious about answering her questions and she had plenty of experiences of that kind of behavior with her papa. She smiled when he blinked in an uneven tempo before she giggled and sat back nest to him, "Is there something you want to talk about?"

"Hm?"

The Fauchelevant girl sighed softly before she took his hands with hers, tucking them near her, "Is it because of me that you lost your friends?" she quietly asked. His face was void of any telling emotions and he kept his stare straight towards the point of nothingness that she concluded that there was no point of asking him if he wasn't willing to share. Cosette didn't like it when two people she cared for the most were keeping secrets from her. Her papa would keep her in the shadows and he dodged every question she asked regarding his past. His fade would contort that of pain and guilt that it made her feel the pain as well. And now Marius was reluctant to share his thoughts with her. Was it not a privilege to be with someone you love to share your secrets? Your dreams and fears? When she first saw Marius, she was immediately beguiled by the handsome man. Never had she saw a young man with gentleness and grace that most have not possessed and she felt as if she was lifted into the air with euphoria when he went to Rue de l'Homme Arme the night when they fled their old cottage.

But when he visited her yesterday, his eyes looked dead, glassy like the fishes that were sold in the markets. His lips were now often pursed and he looked tired. HE assured her he can handle the secret situation and told her not to worry which was impossible with the blond. Since he was her first (and only) love, she had no experience as to how to handle this kind of situation. Should she just turn a blind eye and just support him? Or should she hope that he will tell her? But she knew the latter option would never happen so just focus on another topic, yet she knew this trouble would be far from over.

In Rue de l'Homme Arme, Jean Valjean looked beyond the window and to the sky. Cosette was out with the Pontmercy boy and they were by an hour late. He couldn't help but feel alone in their apartment and while the boy had promised that he will severe his ties with the revolutionaries, he still might have danger shadowing his footsteps. 'Just like me' he concluded. He knew he had no right to shield Cosette away from the outside world because of his sins but he wanted to protect her from the cruel world as well. And the promise he made with the unfortunate Fantine in her deathbed was a contract that will always be in effect until his last dying breath.

"There, you're lucky it wasn't infected" Joly said an he tied the ends of the bandages together. Eponine struggled on keeping a chortle in her throat when he accidentally poked a certain ticklish spot on her side. "Thank you" she replied before he stood up and returned the medical supplies. She dropped her gaze to the floorboards and steadily recounted all the events that had unfolded. It was all too fast. One day she was pickpocketing someone and the next, she was fighting for their freedom. A pair of boots appeared before her and she fought the urge to groan in exasperation. She settled with a sigh and looked up to Enjolras with a patronizing smile on her face, "Is there anything that you require from me monsieur?"

Enjolras ignored her jab and aked, "Have you heard from Marius as of late?"

The question had caught her off guard and she soon felt everyone's gazes on hers.

"No... not since Lamarque's funeral" she carefully answered. She didn't know why but she felt reluctant to share it with him. Enjolras narrowed his eyes at her and she stubbornly held it with her own. It was he who first turned away and said, "When you encounter him in the future, you will not speak to him not will you answer any of his questions."

Her eyes widened at this and looked around to see them avoiding her gaze. She felt her breath quicken before she slowly turned to him and dared to ask, "Why?"

"Because he is no longer a member."

The information slowly sank in her mind. Millions of questions began to plague her and she didn't even acquire a single answer.

A/N: That's it. For those who had read the book, you will know who Gueulemer was. For those who didn't he was the 'original' Brujon in Patron-Minette; same features, same role, different name.

Tune in for future chapters. Don't forget to Read and REVIEW! No flames please.