Chapter 12:

When Lucie woke up, Combeferre still wasn't back. She reread the letter, and confirmed her decision with herself. She flipped it over and found Babet's phone number.

She dialed the number. When Babet answered all Lucie said was, "You win."

"I thought so," he replied smugly.

"Under a few conditions," Lucie said.

"Are you in any position to be making demands?" he asked.

"They aren't much," she replied, "All I ask is that I get to continue seeing my friends, and that they remain unharmed. Oh, and you have to apologize to Grantaire for nearly killing him."

"Fine," he sighed, "that sounds doable."

"Alright then, I'm going to hang up now."

"OK, see you later."

After they hung up, Lucie ripped up the letter into as many pieces as she could and threw it in the garbage. She sat on the floor and tried not to cry. Thankfully, Grantaire called her a few minutes later, "Hey, Lu!"

"Grantaire," she smiled at hearing his voice, "what's up?"

"Can you pick me up?" he asked, "They're discharging me as we speak."

"Of course, I'll be right there," she said.

Lucie ran to Marius and Courf's room and knocked on the door, "Ferre!"

Combeferre opened the door, "What is it, Lu?"

"I need your car keys," she said.

"Why? Is everything OK?"

"Yeah, Grantaire wants me to pick him up from the hospital."

"Alright," Ferre said handing Lucie his keys, "be careful with my car."

"Maybe," she smirked as she took off down the hallway.

"Lucie!" he shouted after her, "I'm serious! Don't crash my car! Lucie!" It was useless she couldn't hear him anymore.

She ran out to the parking lot and got into Ferre's car, starting the engine. As she drove to the hospital, she tried to come up with the perfect excuse as to why she was back with Babet. As she pulled up to the door and saw Grantaire, the final detail fell into place.

Grantaire opened the car door and got in the passenger's seat.

"Hey!" Lucie said, "How's my favorite stabbing victim?"

"I'm surprisingly good considering the stitches in my side," he laughed, "but I could seriously use a drink."

"He called me last night," Lucie said.

"Did you tell him exactly where he could go?" Grantaire scoffed.

"I was going to…"

"But?"

"He was crying his eyes out," Lucie lied, "He told me how sorry he was for everything he's ever done to me, and that he knew it was all wrong, but he was so afraid of losing me that he didn't know what to do. He told me how horrible he felt for what he did to you, and begged me to take him back."

"And did you?" Grantaire asked, slightly horrified.

Lucie simply nodded, keeping her eyes on the road in front of her.

"What the hell, Lucie? Why would you even think about taking him back after all he's done to you?" he shouted.

"I wasn't going to Taire, but he seemed so sincere on the phone. I'm just giving him one more chance, that's all, and the second he hits me or threatens me, it's over I swear," she said, "I just need to be sure that he hasn't changed before I completely write him off."

Grantaire was trying his best not to be angry at Lucie, "Does your brother know about this?"

"Not yet, but I plan on telling him and the others at some point today."

"Are you sure about this, Lucie?" he asked.

"Yes, and I know you and the others will all worry about me regardless of what I say, but I promise I won't stay with him if he hurts me again."

It was a lie, Lucie knew that, but Grantaire didn't and that was what mattered. Lucie was going to endure anything to protect her friends and her brother.

When Lucie told the others, later that day, Enjolras walked out of the room. Lucie followed him.

"Enjolras, please just heat me out," she begged.

"Why should I?" he asked, "This guy made your life hell, Lucie. He put Grantaire in the hospital, for god's sake!"

"I know, but Enjolras…I've always thought that even the worst people were capable of changing for the better," Lucie said, "And if he hasn't I'll break up with him quicker than you can imagine, I promise."

Enjolras didn't reply.

"Enj, please…just trust me. I'm not asking you to trust him…just trust me."

Enjolras took a deep breath, "Alright, Lucie…I'll trust you on this, but if he so much as thinks of laying a hand on you, I'll kill him."

"I don't doubt that in the slightest, Enjolras," Lucie smiled.

Enjolras stepped forward and hugged Lucie, "I'm sorry I yelled at you, Lu," He said, "I just want you to be safe."

"I know," Lucie said, "It's alright, Enj."

A couple of weeks passed, and Lucie was nothing other than miserable having to be affectionate towards Babet, but at least her friends were safe. Babet had agreed to take it slow, as if it were a new relationship, after some clever campaigning on Lucie's part. They kissed quite often, but it was a price Lucie was willing to pay for the safety of her brother and their friends. He hadn't actually hit her yet, but Lucie had been very careful so far.

One day, after class, Grantaire spotted Lucie in front of one of the buildings.

"Lu!" He called, "wait up!"

"Hey, R," Lucie greeted him as he approached, "What's up?"

"Come with me, I want to show you something," he said.

"I shouldn't…" she said nervously, "Babet…he's expecting me to be back in my room in a few minutes."

"Come on, I promise you'll absolutely love it," Grantaire said trying to convince her.

"I don't know…" Lucie thought for a moment.

"It won't take long, you'll be back soon enough," Grantaire told her.

"Oh…what the hell," Lucie smiled, "Let's go!"

"Excellent! Come on!" Grantaire said grabbing her hand and pulling her away.

"Where are we going, anyway?" she laughed.

"Oh, that's a surprise, but trust me, you're going to love it," R smiled.