A Les Miserables fan fiction

~Inspired by the 2012 musical movie starring Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert, and Anne Hathaway as Fantine.

A/N: So here is part three to this story. And this one has no missing scenes, yay! Also, I would like to point out this is a work of fiction and more of an exorcism of personal demons and stretching my writing legs than anything else. So don't take it seriously, readers! I know Javert would never consider Madeleine a father figure and so on. Its just a story. :) Thanks.

Disclaimer: not mine, just playing.

Part 3

A large hand seized him by the collar, yanking him away from the unconscious criminal. He twisted, fighting the man only to freeze as he came face to face with Mayor Madeleine.

Other men would have spoken a threat, promised that the deviant behavior would be addressed severely in the near future. Not Mayor Madeleine. He simply said, "Javert."

Javert had gotten to know his superior quite well in the past year since the Champmathieu affair, and he could read the older man's expressions and moods fairly well. His stomach dropped out and the breath froze in his lungs. Madeleine was livid. It had taken all his self-control to order his men to take the criminal to jail without showing how scared he was.

Madeleine did not say a word. He followed the proceedings with an eagle eye, tending to the near victims gently. There was a great deal of paperwork for them both after that. It was late afternoon by the time he finished. Madeleine had gone to the city hall to deal with matters there. But he still had not spoken a word since pulling Javert away from the criminal. Somehow that made it worse.

The captain had ordered him to take the rest of the day off and that tomorrow he would be on desk duty. When he made to protest, the captain had shut him down sternly. It was with great unease he left the station. After what happened before, Javert knew better than to delay going to see his superior. The problem was he didn't know if he should wait for him at city hall or the man's home. He decided to wait at city hall.

When the mayor came out, his expression could only be described as stony. It was a severe look few in town had ever seen. The man's aides were giving him a wide berth, clearly afraid of their superior's ire. Not that Javert blamed them. When Madeleine saw him, Javert could have sworn his gaze hardened even more.

"Monsieur le Mayor."

Madeleine stared at him. Javert kept his head bowed, waiting. A pool of dread was growing in his stomach. Was Madeleine going to acknowledge him? Had he pushed the older man too far?

"Javert."

He flinched. The mayor had not spoken it loudly or even with anger. No, Madeleine said his name softly and coldly. What was he supposed to do? Thankfully, Madeleine indicated he was to follow him as he left city hall. He walked with the mayor all the way home; dread increasing with every step. This anger was different than before. This was cold and distant and unfamiliar. Frankly, it terrified Javert.

Despite his clear anger, Madeleine remained as polite as ever when the housekeeper greeted them. Cosette was happy to see them, though her smile quickly faded as she realized her papa was not happy and Javert was the object of his ire. Javert followed Madeleine's lead as they all took supper together. Madeleine remained distant throughout the meal. When it was over, and the dishes cleared and put away, he finally directly addressed Javert.

"Go to bed," he commanded. "We shall talk in the morning."

Then the older man turned away, saying a quick goodnight to Cosette and Mere Adele, before disappearing into his study. Stunned, Javert could only stare at the closed door of the study, feeling cold. He obeyed mechanically. At least at first. He got as far as taking off his boots before he felt his control crack.

It was the book on astrology that did it; a birthday gift from Madeleine just six weeks before. The book was open to a page regarding the constellations. Just yesterday Madeleine, Cosette and him had been discussing the constellations and the stories behind them. A wave of emotion rose in him and he grabbed the book and flung it onto the ground. As he stared at the fallen book, his knees gave out and he sank down beside it.

He was a fool! Why had he ever let Madeleine close? Why did he ever think that he could actually have a friend, have a family who would accept him?

Two small hands wrapped around his neck.

"You should be in bed," he said, voice hoarse.

Cosette shook her head. "Papa loves you. He does, Javert," she said. "I don't know why he's angry, but he loves you. And papa doesn't stop loving because he is upset. I was scared he would too, but he promised he will always love me. He'll always love you too. That's what family is."

This child had a way seeing to the heart of the matter that astounded Javert. Her words struck home and he laughed, though it sounded closer to a sob. "You think so?"

"I know so."

It was hard not to give in and weep. As it was, a couple tears still managed to fall. He hid them from Cosette by hiding his face in her hair.

"Cosette."

They both froze and then slowly looked toward the door where Madeleine stood. The anger from before was gone, and he was regarding them sadly. He stepped into the room and knelt down beside them.

"Javert." A hand rested on his shoulder. "It's time for bed, little ones."

"You love Javert, don't you Papa?" Cosette demanded, not relinquishing her hold on Javert in the slightest. "Cosette," Javert muttered in protest, wishing she had said nothing. Madeleine was no doubt furious with him still.

"Yes, Cosette. I love both of my children."

Javert's head snapped up. Both of his children? He still considered Javert…

Madeleine smiled sadly, squeezing his shoulder before taking Cosette in his arms. "And its time both of my children went to bed," Madeleine said. Cosette yawned and nodded.

"Okay Papa." She happily reached for her papa, completely trusting him to care for her.

Madeleine stood, Cosette safely cradled in his arms. "I'll be back in a few minutes. Bed, Javert."

Javert couldn't move at first. He felt absurd and inexplicitly terrified. The astrology book was still on the ground. Biting his lip, he picked it up and brushed it off before putting it back on the shelf. Slowly, he started to undress, but found he couldn't finish. Was Madeleine still angry with him? Had he really called Javert one of his children when speaking to Cosette no less? Did he mean it? It was absurd of course. Javert was too old to be Madeleine's…

"Javert," a mildly reproving voice pulled him from his thoughts. Madeleine had returned just as he promised. And Javert was still half in his uniform. Madeleine stepped forward, started to pull off Javert's shirt.

"Papa?"

Madeleine paused, surprised gaze coming to rest on Javert. "What?"

Javert swallowed hard and repeated; "Papa?"

"Oh son," Madeleine said, opening his arms. Javert practically dove into them. Quiet sobs started to wrack his frame as Madeleine rocked. "Shhh, son. I'm right here. I've got you."

"I'm sorry, Papa," Javert whispered.

"I know young one."

"Are you still mad at me?"

"Yes, I am still upset with your conduct earlier. But that will wait until morning," Madeleine said, rubbing Javert's back. "Come on. Pajamas now."

Javert sluggishly obeyed. Tears still occasionally leaked out and he really was tired. Madeleine patiently helped him dress and then, once he was in bed, covered him with a blanket.

"Javert, do you remember what I told you that day I returned from Paris?"

Javert shook his head, not knowing what Madeleine was referring to. The mayor had said a lot of things that day before disciplining Javert.

"I told you that no matter how angry I was, I would forgive you. Why would you think it would be any different now?"

Javert bit his lip, finding it hard to look at Madeleine's face. "You were…you weren't angry like before. You…" Javert tried to find the words, but none came.

Madeleine sighed. "No, I suppose not. I was very cross with you, young one. I still am."

He cringed, but Madeleine tipped his chin up. "But no matter how angry I am, you are family Javert. I do not want you to doubt your place here or my affection, son. That was never my intent. Do you understand?"

"Yes Papa," he whispered.

Madeleine smiled at him and let his hand rest on Javert's head. "Sleep."

The next day found Javert in a whirlwind of confusion and anger. Madeleine had just informed him he would be receiving a bedtime spanking for the next three days for endangering his life again. To say he was furious was an understatement. "I'm not a child!" He shouted at the mayor.

Mayor Madeleine crossed his arms, the cold fury from before descending once more. "Indeed."

Javert stared at him, horrified and ashamed. Without another word he stormed out, muttering about needing to go to work. He knew he was still in trouble; probably even more than before. Nonetheless, he held onto his anger throughout the day. His officers scattered when he came through and didn't dare approach him unless they had to. People on the streets scattered as well. The criminals especially. He was quite satisfied to capture several criminals and put them in lock up. By the time he finished the paperwork, it was quite late.

He'd missed supper. It didn't matter, he told himself. He was doing his job. The mayor missed meals sometimes too. Still, by nine o'clock, Javert nerves were shot. He was disobeying Madeleine by doing this. No, it was an unjust order and punishment! He did not have to submit to it! He was the law, not Madeleine. He pointedly ignored the little voice that whispered Madeleine had been treating him more like a son than a subordinate. And Javert called him papa…

No! No, he wasn't going to think about this. It was those damned emotions. How he wished he had never let them in!

Frustrated, Javert grabbed his coat and stormed out of the station. He wound up patrolling the town the whole night. The next day, he was even grumpier than before and twice as agitated. He had not seen the mayor since he stomped out the day before and he had no desire to. Instead, he spent the day much like the day before: arresting criminals, even if they were just misdemeanors, filling out paperwork, and patrolling. That night Javert could barely sit still.

He actually went to his flat. His landlady was surprised to see him. She offered him some food, but Javert coldly turned her down. He also ignored all her other questions.

"Go away, woman!" He finally snapped.

She started, hand over her heart. Then her gaze narrowed in disapproval. "You deserve a good switchin' boy. If you were a few years younger, believe you me, I would give it to you too!"

Then she slammed the door behind her. Javert stared after her, fury bubbling inside at her presumption. I'm not a child! He ignored the fact he had been extremely rude and disrespectful to the woman at such a late hour. Instead, he checked on his room. It was as bare as ever. There was no wood for the fireplace and no food in the cupboards. There was some stale water in a pitcher, but nothing else. He had barely been there in the past few months. Mayor Madeleine had welcomed him into his home in every way. He had a bedroom there, much like Cosette, and there was always food and a warm fire and a decent amount of light for reading or discussions or games. His heart clenched.

Abruptly, Javert left the apartment and hurried back out onto the streets. He was exhausted and he desperately needed sleep, but he wasn't going to find it there in an empty apartment that reminded him of where he could be.

His landlady watched him go with a frown.

Not an hour later, she found the mayor on her doorstep, looking for the inspector. She was only too happy to tell the man what had happened and where the inspector had gone. The mayor graciously thanked her and took his leave. She hoped the mayor found the inspector. The inspector was a good man, but he certainly needed some straightening out!

Meanwhile, Javert found himself in quite the predicament. He had gone to the far side of the town, towards the docks to check for anyone causing trouble. He found someone making trouble all right. He had lingered for about an hour, hiding in the shadows when Bamatabois attacked a prostitute who refused him. It was a shock to see and a glaring reminder of Fantine who had defended herself. But Fantine led his thoughts back to Cosette and to her papa, Mayor Madeleine.

He stepped out of the shadows to confront the bourgeois. That was his first mistake. In his eagerness for justice, he had failed to take into account his own exhaustion and the fact he was alone. Bamatabois simpered at first before rearing back and slugging Javert. Stunned, Javert stumbled back, handcuffs falling from his fingers. Bamatabois ran and Javert stumbled after him, shouting. "Police! Halt!"

He came around a corner and stumbled as Bamatabois whirled, lashing out again. He found himself pinned against the block wall, the man's walking stick at his throat. "I'm not going to jail, Inspector," the man hissed, pressing it against his wind pipe. Javert clawed desperately to escape.

Suddenly, something large and decidedly irate ripped Bamatabois off Javert. The inspector slumped to the ground, gasping for air. Bamatabois raised his stick, but the enraged form ripped it from his hands and snapped it in two pieces like a twig.

"Monsieur Mayor?" The shock in Bamatabois voice, stirred Javert from his position. The mayor? Oh please, no!

"Silence," Mayor Madeleine commanded, for it was indeed the esteemed mayor. He turned to one of the prostitutes lingering nearby, watching everything with terrified and curious eyes. "Retrieve Inspector Javert's handcuffs please."

The girl quickly obeyed. Bamatabois tried to hedge away, but the mayor stopped him with a stone cold look. Javert climbed to his feet. No, the mayor was not going to interfere with his arrest.

"Monsieur le Mayor," he began only to have the rest of the words die as Mayor Madeleine turned a burning look at him. Swallowing, Javert tried again but this time was interrupted by the prostitute returning with the cuffs. Madeleine took them from her and put them on Bamatabois, who had not said a word since the mayor had spoken. The man appeared to be in shock.

Javert was about to step forward to escort the man to the station when Lieutenant Andre arrived with two other officers who were working the night shift.

"Monsieur Mayor! Inspector! What happened?"

Javert quickly relayed what happened. Andre nodded and took the man into custody. While that happened, the mayor approached Javert and examined his injuries. Javert was relatively certain it would have been a lot worse had the mayor not arrived when he had. As it was, the older man's countenance darkened before he stepped back to allow Andre to speak with him. With promises of statements to be exchanged in the morning, Javert found himself alone with the mayor as the other officers left with the prisoner and the gawkers faded away. Madeleine had saved his life. The knowledge burned and warmed him at the same time. He turned away, intending to retreat back to his flat when a hand fell on his shoulder.

He barely had time to react as he found himself thrown over Mayor Madeleine's shoulder.

"Monsieur Mayor!" He hissed. "Put me down!"

The mayor didn't answer. Instead he started walking, at a remarkably brisk pace considering he was carrying Javert, a full grown man. Javert pounded his fist on the man's back and kicked his feet as best he could.

"Put me down!"

A hard swat landed on his bottom and then other. Javert stopped fighting immediately, stunned. Madeleine had not stopped moving and he still had not spoken. The two swats were more than enough to tell Javert the man was beyond furious. He didn't fight anymore after that, focused instead on controlling the panic spreading through him.

They made it to the mayor's home far too soon for Javert's liking. He was only thankful it was late enough that everyone on the street was in bed and did not witness him being carried in this undignified matter. Once they were inside however, the panic escalated. Madeleine didn't put him down once they were inside. No, the man carried Javert into the house and then, to Javert surprise, into the backyard.

He wasn't ready for Madeleine to sit on the little bench that was out there and settle Javert across his knees. He was still reeling when he felt the mayor flipping his coattails up and unbuttoning his pants. Before he could protest, his pants were at his knees and a hard hand struck his bare bottom.

"No Monsieur Mayor!" Javert protested, trying to get away. Madeleine didn't say a word, only adjusted his position, pinning Javert's legs beneath his own to prevent Javert from kicking. All the while his hand continued to land one stinging smack after another. Horrified to realize he was trapped and the mayor was not responding, Javert continued to squirm and protest.

"Ah! No! Monsieur, no! Ow! Stop!"

But Mayor Madeleine did not answer. Instead, he continued to spank Javert severely, the blows rocking Javert forward. In no time, Javert was quietly sobbing. Between his guilt and the lack of sleep, there was no way he could not with the mayor spanking him. Everything he had been trying not to think about came rushing to the forefront. Realizing how utterly wrong, how terribly he had behaved made him cry harder.

"Please stop," he begged. It was not like he deserved a reprieve. Not in the slightest. But he could not help but plead anyway. "I'm sorry!"

Madeleine still did not speak nor did he slow the cadence of the swats. That more than anything told Javert just how upset the older man was. Madeleine was not a man prone to anger. He was perhaps the most patient man Javert had ever known. This meant, however, that when Madeleine did become angry it was a terrible thing to witness. Javert, it seemed, had developed the unfortunate habit of stirring that anger and tonight he clearly had crossed a line. He could only sob his remorse as the man's punishing hand continued to fall.

Abruptly, the man stopped and stood. Javert found himself tucked underneath the man's arm as Madeleine shifted, pinned to his hip. Distantly, he heard the rustle of a branch. Too late did he realize what was coming.

The first strike landed and Javert couldn't suppress a wail. Another blow fell and he wailed again. A third and a fourth and a fifth followed.

"Papa, I'm sorry," Javert howled as the sixth stroke fell. His chest heaved as he struggled to breathe through his tears. A seventh stripe cut across his bottom. "Papa!" He wailed.

There was a brief pause, though Javert barely noticed as he wept. Then the switch came down again and again and again. Javert yelped with each blow, continuous cries wracking his whole frame in the space between the stripes. When it was over, he hung limply in Madeleine's hold, sobbing.

Madeleine placed him on his feet, still not having said a word or even rubbed his back. Something inside Javert quailed at this change, at this coldness. To make it worse, Madeleine stepped away from him, leaving Javert standing there alone.

"Liar," he rasped. "You promised."

Then he ran. He didn't run far; only to his room. It wasn't like he had anywhere else to go. The room was dark, only scantily lit by moonlight, but Javert didn't care. Vaguely, he hoped Cosette and Mere Adele had not woken up. He blindly stumbled towards the bed. He didn't quite make it; his legs gave out before he could. He fell to the floor, quietly sobbing. Madeleine had lied. He lied! He lied…and something in Javert shattered.

Curling up in a ball, he buried his face in his arms as the tears overwhelmed him again.

Javert started when he was picked up and carried to the bed. Instead of being put in the bed, however, he found himself sitting in Madeleine's lap. He tried to tug away, to fight, but he could not. The older man was strong and warm, and he was too tired. Javert let his head fall on Madeleine's shoulder, sobs gradually reducing to hiccups and slow tears.

"Do you have any idea how scared I was today?"

Almost asleep, Javert started. He blinked sluggishly, trying to see Madeleine's face in the moonlight. He couldn't. The mayor's face was completely in shadow.

"What?" Javert croaked. The hand on his shoulder tightened.

"Bamatabois was going to kill you. I could see it in his eyes. And you—" Madeleine broke off. When he began speaking again, his voice was lower and gruffer than Javert had ever heard. "You foolish and irresponsible boy; you were down there after having been up for over forty-eight hours and thought it was a good idea to attempt to arrest him alone!"

Javert shrank back, stung by the harsh reprimand.

Madeleine continued darkly. "This right on the heels of your earlier recklessness that earned you a significant punishment; a punishment you were avoiding I may add. Tell me, do you think I should not be mad?"

Swallowing with difficulty, Javert was suddenly grateful for the darkness. This way he did not actually have to look at the older man.

"No," he answered in a whisper.

"Would I be this angry if I did not care?"

The pointed question struck home. Javert shrunk even further against the mayor, tears filling his eyes anew. "I-I'm sorry, sir," Javert whispered. "I'm sorry."

Madeleine sighed and rubbed Javert's back. "You have trusted me to discipline you for a year Javert. What changed?"

Javert really did not want to answer that question. Not just for the mayor, but for himself. He already knew the answer though. He had known since Madeleine started spanking him out in the backyard. But how to explain it?

"Everyone leaves," he finally said softly. "My father abandoned me by being a criminal and my mother…my mother did not care about me. To her, I was the reason she was banned from the gypsy community. I was born inside a jail, monsieur." Admitting it aloud was almost worse than being switched by the mayor. "I was…afraid."

Terrified actually. Calling Madeleine by the same affectionate name Cosette did was something Javert had never ever imagined. He did not have a father. He did not have a place where he belonged. There was no family waiting for him at home. Not until Madeleine and Cosette. Everything had changed since they became a part of his life. Suddenly, he was accountable to people and not just the law; people who were very protective and affectionate. Love…the word was foreign to him. Yet he was certain Madeleine and his daughter Cosette felt that for him. He thought perhaps he felt the same. But how could he know? Javert had never known love before.

Madeleine pulled Javert closer. "I am sorry you went through that, young one. I am so sorry. But I promise this: I will not leave until the good Lord sees fit to call me home. You do not need to fear."

Javert felt the tears run down his face. "You promise?"

"Yes, my son. I promise."

He didn't feel so broken anymore. Javert relaxed in Madeleine's hold. This was familiar. Safe.

There was still something bothering him though. "Why did you step back?"

Madeleine had never done that; never refused to comfort Javert after he was disciplined. That he had moved away from Javert hurt more deeply than he cared to admit.

"I was angry, little one; far angrier than I have been in a long time. You deliberately disobeyed me and tonight you were almost killed."

Javert cringed and the arms around him tightened again. Not enough to hurt, but enough that he felt protected.

"But then you called me papa earlier," Madeleine went on quietly, "after you spent the better part of two days avoiding me and acting as if I was just your superior. I did not know how to react."

Oh. Javert sniffled.

"Forgive me, little one. I did not mean to distress you by stepping back."

He nodded into Madeleine's shoulder. No, this man would never hurt him on purpose. That he had believed so made him sick with shame. Madeleine was nothing like his mother or the father he had only met once.

Silence fell between them. Javert had no desire to break it. He didn't want to think; he just wanted to be held. Sleep was calling to him.

"I'm not a child," he mumbled suddenly, fighting sleep.

Madelein's chest rumbled with quiet laughter. "No, you are not. We shall discuss that later however."

Javert hummed an agreement. He was pretty sure that discussion would involve him over his papa's knee again, but at the moment he didn't care. He really was tired. Madeleine started to rock back and forth. The movement was soothing. Javert yawned and nuzzled against the older man's shoulder.

"Good night, Papa," he muttered.

"Good night, my son."

Javert was sound asleep when Madeleine finally put him to bed. The older man had been reluctant to relinquish his hold on the young man—his child. Carefully, he stripped Javert down to his underclothes and tucked him under the covers. Then, using the moonlight as a guide, Madeleine placed a cool cloth on Javert's throat and bruised jaw. Javert never stirred, sleeping peacefully.

Madeleine remained beside Javert until sunrise.