Disclaimer: I do NOT own Les Miz, sadly.

Chapter

Four: Carrying Out the Plan

(street)

Combeferre walked down the sidewalk, and when he saw a guard standing at the end of the other side, he took a deep breath as he crossed to that side. Walking up to the guard, he cleared his throat, and said, "Um, sir, I think I may have some information on the other Amis members. Would you mind stepping into the alley, for a brief moment?"

The guard nodded, and followed the student into the alley, and said, "And, what would that be?"

"I live in the apartment next to Christian de Courfeyrac, and I saw the door ajar, so I went in, and saw the paper."

"What information?"

"Oh, well…you'll have a headache when you wake up."

"Excuse me?"

Combeferre hit the guard over the head with his fist, and the man crumpled down to the ground. The nervous student knelt down, and quickly pulled off the man's coat, shirt, and pants. He put them on over his own, put the hat on, and grabbed the man's gun. Running out of the alley, he thought, I hope that no one saw that. He ran down the street, and towards the prison, hoping that his plan would work.

(prison)

He walked through the door, and started to go down the hall, when he was stopped by a guard saying, "Who are you?"

He turned, thinking, Shoot! He took a second to think, and then said, "I'm Inspector R'Madge, from the rue de Bac prison, here to speak with Nicolas Grantaire. He's committed various crimes in my city, as well as here, apparently."

The guard nodded, and said as he pointed, "You're going to go straight, and then take a left. Take a right, and then two more rights. Then, you're going to take three lefts, and you'll be at your destination."

Combeferre nodded, and the guard walked off. He carefully took out the map, and a pencil, and drew the path that the guard had told him. He put it back into his pocket, and slowly walked down the hall, back straight, head up, like he really was an inspector. He did what the guard had said, and eventually found the cell door. He took a deep breath, and opened the door. As he walked in, he put his head down, and heard, "Back for more? You can't break me, you know."

He looked up slightly, and gasped when he saw how Grantaire looked: his face was bloody, his shirt was gone, and he was covering in whip marks, blood and bruises. He quickly shut the door, and locked it. Walking over to him, he saw his friend shrink back slightly, enough for only someone who was his friend to notice. He tried to speak in a rough voice, "What have you gotten yourself into?"

"Excuse me?"

"This is a serious predicament. I can't believe you don't recognize me. They must've hurt you real bad, if you can't even recognize one of your own friends."

"You are no friend of mine."

Combeferre looked up as he took off the hat, saying in his own voice, "Now do you recognize me?"

Grantaire's eyes widened, and he whispered, "Ferre?"

Combeferre smiled, and said, "Hi, Nic."

"What're you doing here? You're gonna get yourself caught."

"We're gonna get you out of here, 'Taire. And about getting caught, they think that I'm Inspector R'Madge, from the rue de Bac prison."

Grantaire shook his head, and said, "Lucian, you can't get me out of here. It's better this way…for someone who actually deserves to die to save those he cares about. All of you, my family, are more important to me than anything, and I can't, I won't, let any of you get hurt because of me."

Combeferre knelt by him, and said, "Don't you think that you dying is gonna hurt us? It'll kill us, especially Enj and Jehan."

Grantaire was silent, and looked down. Combeferre touched his shoulder, causing him to wince, and said as he stood back up, "We're going to get you out of here, 'Taire."

Grantaire slowly nodded, and looked up as his friend as he started to walk back to the door, "I don't wanna die, Ferre."

Combeferre stopped, turned, and said, "You're not going to die, Nic."

Grantaire nodded, and Combeferre gave a one-sided smile, and opened the door. Before he walked out, though, Grantaire said, "Tell Ricard that I'm sorry."

Combeferre stopped again, looked at him, and gave a slight nod. Grantaire whispered as his friend shut the door, "Thank you."

(Musain)

Combeferre walked into the room, and everyone looked at him. Enjolras stood up, and said as he walked over to him, "Did you find him? How is he?"

He didn't answer, and Courfeyrac said, "Lucian, how is he?"

Combeferre looked at him, and then said as he looked at Jehan and Enjolras, "They've beaten him. It's seems like they've managed to break him a little, because he shrunk back when I went toward him. He didn't even recognize me, until I took the hat off, and looked up. He said that we couldn't get him out of there, and that it's better for someone who actually deserves to die to save the ones he cares about, meaning us. He said that we mean more to him than anything, and he called us his family. He said that he can't, and won't let us get hurt because of him."

Enjolras' eyes widened, and Jehan said, "We've gotta get him out of there! Guys, we can't live without our brother!"

Joly held onto him, and said as he started to cry, "It's ok, Jehan. We'll get him back, I promise."

"It won't be ok, until we do get him back."

The others looked at Enjolras, and Feuilly said, "You know, Enj, you guys never told us how Jehan met you and Nic."

Enjolras looked at Jehan, while the poet looked at his other big brother, and he said as he gave his little brother a slight smile, "Well…"

(flashback)

Enjolras and Grantaire, now 13, were walking down the street, when they heard crying coming from the alley. They looked at each other, and then ran into the alley. At first, they didn't see anything, but then, as they got further and further, they finally saw a young boy sitting against the wall crying, legs pulled to him, arms resting on his knees, and his head resting on his arms. They knelt down next to him, and Enjolras touched his shoulder, causing him to flinch and look up, startled. Enjolras said, "Why are you crying?"

They saw his split lip, blood coming from his nose, and he had a black eye. He said, "Some b-boys beat m-me up."

Grantaire said, "Who?"

"I don't know who they were, but one of boys called the leader Luc."

Grantaire's eyes narrowed, and said, "What's your name, kid?"

"Jehan Prouvaire."

Enjolras said, "Don't worry, Jehan, we won't let them hurt you again."

The boy nodded, and Grantaire said, "Why did they beat you up?"

"I don't know, but none of my brothers will help me."

Grantaire said, "How come?"

The boy shrugged, and Enjolras said, "Well, we'll be your brothers, and we'll help you."

"Really?"

Both of the older boys nodded, and Jehan smiled. They smiled back, and helped him up.

(end flashback)

Jehan was crying again, and Enjolras said, "Jehan, come here."

Jehan stepped out of Joly's arms, and walked over to his big brother, who pulled him into an embrace, whispering, "He'll be ok, little brother."

The younger man nodded into Enjolras' chest, and Combeferre looked around the room, saying, "Tonight, we act."

Everyone nodded, and Enjolras said, "Jehan, Courf, Gav and I will stay in our apartment. As soon as you get him out, let us know. Come on, you guys."

The other three boys nodded, and followed their leader out the door, praying that their friend, and brother, would be ok. Combeferre looked at one of the other students, and said, "Lesgles, make sure they don't leave that apartment."

The boy nodded, and walked out after them. Combeferre looked at the remaining students, and said, "Ok, boys, here's what we're gonna need. We'll need some rope, some dirt, and two pairs of shackles."

Marius nodded, and said, "I'll go and get the rope, and shackles."

Joly said as he picked up a bucket, "I'll get the dirt."

The two boys walked out, and Feuilly said, "Lucian, are you going to take off that uniform?"

"No, I'm gonna need it."

Combeferre sighed, and sat at the table, putting his head in his hands. He groaned, "Why do I feel like this is gonna be harder than I thought?"

The four boys walked into the apartment, and Courfeyrac said, "Enj, you do know that Lesgles followed us here, right?"

Enjolras nodded, and said, "Yeah, I know. It won't do any good, though, I won't go back on my word. I'll stay here, and so will all of you, even if I have to bolt the door closed."

He went to the window, and opened it as Jehan asked, "What're you doing, big brother?"

"Telling Lesgles to come on up."

He stuck his head out, and yelled, "Lesgles, come on up! Get out of the cold!"

The boy, who had looked up when he heard his name, nodded, and ran inside. A few minutes later, he walked into the apartment, shutting the door behind him. The other four boys looked at him, and he could tell what they were thinking, so he said, "It wasn't my idea to follow you guys."

Courfeyrac sat down on the couch, and said, "So, now what are we supposed to do?"

They all looked at Enjolras, but the student was just staring off into space. Jehan lightly shook his shoulder, and he jumped. He looked at his younger brother, who said, "What do we do, Enjy?"

Enjolras looked at each of them, and said, "We wait."

Combeferre, Marius, Feuilly, Joly and Bahorel walked down the darkened street, almost to the prison. Combeferre was still dressed in his guard's uniform, Marius and Joly were covered in dirt and wearing the loose shackles around their wrists, and Feuilly and Bahorel were carrying the ropes. As they approached the prison, Bahorel and Feuilly separated from them, creeping towards the back of the building, where the ladder was. Combeferre roughly grabbed Marius and Joly by their arms, and they winced slightly, causing him to say, "Sorry."

They walked through the doors, and were stopped by the same guard who had stopped him earlier. He said, "Inspector R'Madge, what are you doing here?"

Combeferre said, "These men are involved with the Amis. I was told to take them down to the leader's cell, to begin their torture."

The guard looked at the other two students, and smiled, saying, "Well, don't let me interfere, sir."

He passed them, and Combeferre let out a quiet breath as they began to walk the path to the cell. They looked through the door window, and the other two boys gasped when they saw Grantaire. He quickly opened the door, putting his head down as he pushed the other two in, followed them, and shut the door behind them. Once he had shut the window, and locked the door, he turned as he heard, "Marius, Joly? What happened?"

As he turned, he heard, "You have a lot of nerve, kidnapping innocent men! Look up, you coward!"

He smiled, thinking, Same old 'Taire. Grantaire squinted, and then said, "Lucian?"

"It's me, Taire. We're here to bust you out of here."

Grantaire slowly stood up, and said as Marius and Joly took off the shackles, "How? There's guards everywhere."

Before anyone could answer, they heard a noise from the ceiling. They looked up, and saw a latch open. Grantaire gave a small smile when he saw Feuilly and Bahorel lowering ropes, saying, "The rope trick…I've taught you all well."

While Combeferre watched the door, Marius and Joly fastened the ropes around Grantaire. The two students on the ceiling slowly began to pull him up, and once they had him up, they lowered the ropes again. One by one, the three remaining students in the cell slowly climbed the rope, being held by both boys. However, as Combeferre started his climb, the door burst open, and Inspector Javert burst into the room, followed by his son. Rushing forward, Javert latched onto Combeferre's ankle, and pulled him back down, causing the student, and the ones on the roof, to cry out. Bahorel pulled out a gun as Javert put his own gun to Combeferre's head, and said, "Let him go, Javert."

Javert replied, "All of you get down here, now, or this one dies."

Bahorel's eyes narrowed, and he said as he aimed his gun at Luc, "You love your son, Inspector? If you do, I suggest you let our friend go, and drop any charges on Nicolas Grantaire. If you don't agree to do those things, then I'll shoot your son."

Luc sneered, "You wouldn't dare…"

Bahorel raised an eyebrow, raised the aim of the gun a little, and pulled the trigger. Javert and his son looked at the wall, where there was a huge hole, and then looked back at Bahorel, who said, "That was a warning shot…next time, I won't miss."

Luc looked at his father, and almost seemed to beg him with his eyes. Javert, who didn't want his son to die, said as he released Combeferre, "It will be done."

Bahorel smiled, and said as Combeferre started to climb the rope, which was being held by Marius, Joly and Feuilly, "Get it done, and come to the apartment building within the hour. There will be a boy waiting for you, and he will bring you up to where we are. If we ever find out that you are lying, your son will die."

Javert nodded, and Joly helped Combeferre up. They shut the latch, and breathed sighs of relief.

(Musain)

Joly ran into the room, saying, "I need all of you to come with me and guard the apartment building against any soldiers."

One of the boys asked as they all stood up, "Did you guys get Grantaire out?"

Joly nodded, and said, "They're at the apartment, waiting."

(apartment)

Enjolras was pacing, and Jehan was sleeping on the couch, his head in Courfeyrac's lap, who was stroking the young poet's hair. Lesgles looked out the window, and Gavroche sighed. They heard a knock at the door, and Enjolras stopped pacing, going to the door. He opened it slightly, looked out, and gasped. He opened the door wide, and Combeferre and Bahorel dragged Grantaire, who was unconscious, in. As they laid him on the bed, everyone ran over to them, including Jehan, who had woken up at the frantic knock. He said, "'Taire!"

Bahorel looked at Lesgles, and said as he handed him his gun, "Lesgles, go outside, and wait for Javert. When he gets here, bring him up at gunpoint. When Joly gets here, send him on up. The other Amis should be coming to help guard."

Courfeyrac looked at him, and said, "Why does he need to bring Javert up here?"

"We made a deal…he drops the charges on 'Taire, and I don't kill his son."

Lesgles nodded, and shut the door behind him. A few minutes later, Joly came in. Shutting the door, he walked over to them, in full doctor mode, and said, "How is he?"

Combeferre, also in doctor mode, shook his head, and said, "He's been unconscious since we separated from you."

Joly said, "Someone go get some warm water, and a cloth. We need to clean those wounds."

Gavroche asked as Enjolras ran out of the room, "Are they infected?"

Combeferre answered, "A little, but if we can clean the wounds, we can break the infection."

(thirty minutes later)

They were all sitting on the couches, waiting for Javert, except for Enjolras and Jehan, both of which were laying beside their brother. They all heard a knock on the door, and looked up. Bahorel stood up, and said, "Feuilly, can I see your gun?"

The student nodded, and handed him his gun. Bahorel walked over to the door, and opened it, stepping back, and Javert and Lesgles walked in, Lesgles holding the gun to Javert's back. Bahorel asked, "Is it done, Inspector?"

Javert nodded, and said, "All charges against Nicolas Grantaire have been dropped."

"Good, but if you go back on it, remember what I said. I will kill your son. And, it won't just be one bullet, either."

Javert nodded, and walked out, followed by Lesgles. Bahorel shut the door, and Enjolras whispered as he looked at his brother, "Come on, 'Taire. Please wake up."

(few hours later)

Everyone was asleep, when Grantaire moaned, causing his brothers to wake up. He groaned as he opened his eyes, "Where am I?"

Jehan hugged him gently, careful of the wounds, and said, "You're safe, big brother, you're home."

Tears came to Grantaire's eyes, and Enjolras hugged him, saying, "It's ok, 'Taire. They can't hurt you anymore. The so-called charges have been dropped."

Courfeyrac, who had been woken up by the talking, stood up, and walked over to the bed. He said as he sat down behind Jehan, "We're all very glad that you're back, but that was a stupid thing to do, 'Taire."

"I know, but I meant what I said. All of you guys are my family, and I can't, I won't lose you."

Enjolras said as the three hugged the bandaged student, "It goes both ways, Nic. We all love you, and we won't lose you, either."

As tears started to fall from the injured boy, Grantaire whispered, "I love you guys, too.

We're best friends, Enj, forever and always, through thick and thin."

THE END

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