A/N: Haha was it cruel how I left the last chapter? I feel a little bit like Moffat right now, it's so empowering! Also, this might be my last update for a little while because I'm going out of town all of next week, and won't be able to write anything ! Before I leave this weekend I will try to write as much as I possibly can!
To Eponine, the river had never seemed very deep before today. The water moved in steady currents creating a smooth illusion that looked pleasing to the eye in silky water.
Now, the river seemed like hell to Eponine. The rushing water kept pushing her further and further down no matter how hard she tried to resurface. She wanted to scream out for help, but she knew that the effort would be in vain. Who had seen her? No one. Anybody would turn a blind eye to a Thenardier if they were in need of help, even if the Thenardier was Eponine. The street had looked pretty deserted anyways.
The currents were too strong, and Eponine decided to stop fighting. The once relaxing water hit her skin like daggers, and her lungs were screaming in protest. Eponine knew she probably only had moments left, and she briefly reflected on her life.
She thought about how her father had turned so evil from when she was a child to now. She thought about her friendship with Marius, and how she was always a little bit in love with him. Would Gavroche cry when he found out that his sister was dead? Would he even notice her absence? Did her father regret pushing Eponine in the river?
When black spots began to appear in her eyes, Eponine began to wonder about Enjolras. Would he even miss her? Would his revolution be successful? Eponine felt a pang in her heart as she thought about him.
Suddenly the weight of the river became too much for Eponine, and she slowly began to close her eyes. The last thing she saw was a hand reaching down towards her.
Eponine had been wrong; someone had seen her fall into the river. The eyes of a man who cared witnessed the girl being thrown in the river, and hadn't spared a second's thought as he jumped in after her. He was hell bent on saving her.
Oh, the marble statue did care, after all.
Of course Enjolras had followed Eponine to find her father; he didn't trust M. Thenardier and he wouldn't be able to live with himself if Eponine was injured. He watched her behind buildings, and had sprung into action as he saw her tiny body plunge to the depths of the river. He would always follow Eponine.
The cold water stung his skin, and he swam swiftly downwards until he saw Eponine's body recede to the bottom. Frantically, he reached out for her hand and tugged her upwards and wrapped his arm around her body as he tried to swim to the surface.
The current was strong, but Enjolras was even stronger. He kicked his legs furiously as he advanced towards the surface, desperate to escape the watery prison. He knew he was running out of air, and he began panicking. He didn't even know if Eponine was alive or dead.
Finally, Enjolras could see the top of the water, and he pushed Eponine's body upwards. He almost lost consciousness, but he pushed through the dizzy spell and broke the surface for air, still holding on to Eponine's foot so she wouldn't drift away.
"That man down there is a hero! Did you see him jump after that girl?" someone shouted.
"Ah, bother, he only saved a Thenardier. We're better off without 'em," someone else muttered.
"Can anybody swim? I think that boy needs help!" someone shouted.
A young man ran down all the way to the riverbank and carefully helped Enjolras and Eponine out of the freezing water.
"Are you alright, monsieur?" the man asked Enjolras, but Enjolras didn't answer. He was too busy trying to revive Eponine by pushing on her stomach and breathing air into her lungs.
"She's not waking up," Enjolras said worriedly.
"Does she have a pulse?" a woman asked him nearing the scene.
Enjolras checked her wrist, and sighed in relief when he felt it. It was weak, but it was there nonetheless.
"Yes, but it's faint," he said as he pumped on her stomach.
He was relieved when Eponine responded, but was not so pleased that she had responded by throwing up water in his face.
"Eponine! Eponine!" he shouted cupping her face gently. Eponine coughed up more water, her throat and chest felt as though they were on fire.
"I was dead; or at least I thought I was," Eponine shivered as she tried to sit up, but a sharp throb shot through her chest causing her to lean on her elbows.
"I thought you were dead, too," Enjolras said sadly stroking Eponine's wet hair. It was cold, and he was shivering as well.
"I'm freezing, Enjo," she whispered, coughing up more water.
"Let's get you home," he said scooping her up and carrying her away from the scene. Eponine stared at him solemnly.
"I don't have a home," Eponine said quietly, curling into Enjolras' chest for warmth.
"I'm taking you to my flat, I need you to be safe," Enjolras said shifting Eponine slightly in his arms, but stopped when she whimpered in pain.
The little whimper that came out of Eponine's mouth cracked something in Enjolras' heart; the sound was so foreign coming out of someone as strong as Eponine's mouth, and it broke him. A phantom tear slid down Enjolras' cheek and landed quietly on Eponine's as she began to fade into sleep.
Eponine awoke in a warm nightgown, and a soft bed. Her entire body ached, and she had to stifle a wince as she attempted to get up. She was scared being in this strange place that she didn't recognize, but immediately calmed down as she saw Enjolras hunched over in a chair at the corner of the room. She clumsily walked over to him and prodded him awake.
"Eponine!" Enjolras shouted merrily as he quickly stood up and embraced her. "You gave me quite a scare, there."
Eponine blinked in surprise, but hugged Enjolras back. She couldn't exactly remember what had happened, just her father pushing her into a… river? She surveyed Enjolras, and he no longer looked filthy, but back to his normally clean self.
"What happened?" she asked slowly trying to stretch out her sore limbs.
"Don't you remember? Your father pushed you into a river; I'll kill that bloody man! I will find him and make him wish that he never touched you, I will!" Enjolras shouted swinging his fist.
"I remember that, but what happened after?" Eponine asked delicately.
Enjolras was almost disappointed that she didn't remember him rescuing her… He told her everything that happened, and as he explained the day's events, Eponine's eyes filled with admiration.
"Oh… and also, you've, erm, been asleep for the past two and a half days. I cleaned up a bit. Henri, Charlotte, and their friends and some others stopped by to see how you were doing, and I have even more followers for the revolution," Enjolras added.
"I've been out for that long? No matter, I owe you my life for saving me! Thank you for risking yourself for me! I'm not worth it," Eponine grumbled. Enjolras sighed angrily and shook his head.
"Eponine, you are worth it! I don't know how many times I will have to tell you, but you really are a true wonder, and I think that you are definitely worth saving," Enjolras said honestly giving her a brief hug.
Eponine blushed furiously at his words, but she had never felt happier in her entire life.
"Thank you, Enjolras. For everything. This week may have helped you a lot, but it has also helped me," Eponine admitted sheepishly.
Enjolras was about to reply when Clara and Grantaire barged into the room.
"We heard voices so we thought Eponine had woken, and I can see that we were right," Clara said warmly, and Enjolras groaned.
"What's wrong?" Eponine whispered sensing that Enjolras was upset.
"These two have been bickering on and off these past days, and it is getting on my nerves! Clara was furious with Grantaire for letting her get drunk like that, and it's been fighting nonstop! I have had enough of those two, and I wish they would reasonably sort out their problems for once instead of shouting!" Enjolras shouted hoping the pair would leave so he could talk to Eponine alone.
"Well, that was pleasantly harsh," Grantaire laughed before walking off.
"Can you mind your tongue for one minute?" Clara asked before storming out after Grantaire.
Enjolras smirked, pleased with himself, and turned to Eponine.
"I think that maybe it would be best if you stayed here for the next couple of days," Enjolras admitted worriedly. He didn't know what would become of their week together, but he knew that in the end it hadn't just been about him 'understanding the poor.' He knew that he would never truly understand them, and that he never really belonged on the streets. He could be a friend to the poor at the end of the day, and he liked the sound of that.
"That isn't necessary," Eponine refused trying to walk forward, but was weak and fell into Enjolras' arms.
"Fine," she huffed. "But just a couple days, and then I shall be out of your hair," Eponine said climbing back into bed with Enjolras' help.
"Okay, and then maybe we can continue my week on the streets," Enjolras suggested, but Eponine shook her head.
"I don't think that is necessary. I think that you know now who exactly you are fighting for, but I would be glad to help you with your revolution. You can try talking to more of the poor, and I will gladly accompany you," Eponine said sincerely.
"That sounds grand, but I think it is time for you to rest some more. I know you must be tired. I had Joly come in and look at your injuries, and Clara lent you her nightgown," Enjolras said before leaving, feeling happier and lighter than he had since he saw Eponine fall into the river.
A/N: Sorry for any mistakes, I didn't have time to proofread it. I wanted to update though because I didn't want to be that cruel from the last chapter!