A/N: Hello all! I hope you guys liked the first chapter! This one, sadly, does not have Enjolras in it. But before you click "back" he will be in the next chapter for sure! This chapter is more of a filler, and would not make the story flow well if I didn't tell it. The story will not be completely from Éponine's side but quite a bit of it is because she has the whole Marius side story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Les Miserables because if I did I would be somewhere in the Bahamas drinking wine coolers and making sand-barricades (sandcastles are so outdated :P ).

CHAPTER TWO: Little You Know

May 28th, 1832

It took no time at all to reach Marius's apartment: Éponine had been there so often that she could find her way there wearing a blindfold. As she walked up the stairs she heard movement coming from inside his room. His front door was wide open; Éponine could see him rummaging through a chest full of his personal belongings. With a smile, Éponine leaned up against the doorframe and said teasingly, "Hey there, monsieur. What's new with you?"

Marius turned around, grinning when he saw who it was. "Hello, 'Ponine."

Éponine beamed at hearing his nickname for her. She let out a soft laugh and asked, "So I hear you are planning on overthrowing the government?"

"We are not necessarily overthrowing the government as much as we are trying to – hold on, how did you find out about it?"

With a sly expression, Éponine sauntered into the room as Marius rose to his feet. "You know what they say: Éponine knows her away around." She laughed softly. "Or maybe I just happened to stumble upon your little rally in the square earlier."

"You were there?" Marius asked disbelievingly. "I did not know you were interested in political affairs, 'Ponine."

Éponine laughed. "Perhaps I just like the way you talk, monsieur."

"And I like the way you always tease," Marius said with a chuckle. As he passed her and began his descent down the stairs, Éponine trailed after him. Little he knows, thought Éponine sadly. Little he sees.

Éponine and Marius strolled through the market side by side, taking time to stop at each of the vendors. In her mind, Éponine pretended that they had just gotten married and were buying things for their new home. She became so lost in the fantasy that she – unknowingly – slipped her hand into the crook of Marius's arm. Her heart nearly stopped beating as she realized how forward she had been. She glanced up at Marius, dreading his reaction.

Marius smiled and patted her hand. "Afraid you will lose me, 'Ponine?"

With a grin, Éponine replied in a teasing manner, "Perhaps, monsieur."

"Have no fear, 'Ponine. You are one of my closest friends; I will never go away."

A blush spread across Éponine's cheeks.

They continued down the road at a leisurely pace, allowing Éponine to savor the few moments she had left with the man she loved before she had to return to her father.

"Éponine!" cried a sharp voice from an alleyway next to them.

Speaking of the devil, Éponine thought bitterly.

Grimacing, she came to a halt and let go of Marius. Her father wore a scraggly wig and ripped clothing, holding a cane in one hand and a dirty handkerchief in the other. Behind him stood the Patron-Minette, eyes ablaze with greed. Éponine repressed a groan; she knew what was coming next.

"Marius, you should get out of here," whispered Éponine, her expression stony.

Marius looked confused. "But Éponine…"

She placed her hands on his shoulders and pushed him away gently. "You'll be in trouble here. Go!"

"Who is that man?" asked Marius with a frown.

"Leave me alone!" Éponine barked. She turned away from him abruptly; he started after her but instead ran into a young blonde woman walking alongside an older gentleman.

Marius's eyes widened. "I did not see you there, forgive me."

The woman nodded, unable to take her eyes off the handsome young man that stood before her. The older gentleman stared at the two of them for a moment and then he gently pulled her down the street. As Éponine watched the two exchange glances, she felt her heart breaking, for Marius wore the same expression that Éponine had whenever she looked at him.

"No…" Éponine whispered under her breath.

A hand gripped her elbow tightly and spun her around; she came face-to-face with the handsome Montparnasse, a sadistic smile spreading on his face. "You and I are watching out for the law. The two of us will be alone… perhaps we can think of a way to pass the time." Montparnasse caressed her cheek.

Éponine yanked her arm out of his grasp and said coldly, "How many times do I have to say 'no' until you get it ingrained in your perverted little mind?"

Montparnasse let out a harsh laugh. "Well, someone is a bit feisty today! Do not forget, dear Éponine, your father has already promised you to me. If I were you I would start treating me with more respect. After all, you of all people should know how difficult I can make your life."

Inwardly Éponine cringed but she was not afraid. Her life had always been cold and dark; it would take a lot more than idle threats to scare her. Choosing to ignore Montparnasse, she leaned up against the wall and searched the crowd for signs of the police.

That was when she spotted him: an imposing man in a blue uniform heading straight for them. Without hesitation, Éponine yelled, "It's the police, disappear! Run for it! It's Javert!"

She bolted behind a vegetable stand, obscuring most of herself from view. She spotted her parents stumbling out of the little tent they had set up for whatever con they were pulling, followed by the older gentleman that was with the young blonde girl. Something about the man stirred a memory within her: the night that the blonde girl was taken away from her family…

Cosette. Éponine watched as the blonde girl was led away by the gentleman, leaving her parents to deal with Javert.

"Cosette," Éponine murmured. "Now I remember…we were children together." With a bitter laugh, Éponine leaned against the stand and said quietly, "Look what has become of me."

"Éponine!" Marius ran up to her with a bright smile. "Please, 'Ponine, do you know who that girl was? The one that I bumped into?"

Éponine did her best to hide her disappointment. Crossing her arms, she asked with a laugh, "That bourgeois two-a-penny thing?"

Grabbing her arms, Marius said passionately, "Can you find her for me?"

Do not ask that of me, thought Éponine, heartbroken. I do not think I could bear it.

"'Ponine, I am lost until she is found." There was such a sad, pleading look in his eyes that made her heart ache. Éponine sighed and replied, "God knows what you see in someone like her… but if I find her for you, monsieur, what will you give me in exchange?" She flashed him a sweet smile but it was instantly wiped off her face the minute Marius began fishing in his pocket.

Éponine held up her hand, offended. "No, I do not want your money, monsieur."

And with that she walked away, leaving the love-struck Marius to watch his friend disappear into the dark alleyways of Paris.

A/N: If it seems like I am going a different direction with he Marius/Éponine friendship it's because I am. Can't tell you what happens yet, but it will be different (I hope)! Thanks to all who read, follow, favorite, and/or review!

Also, I am thinking about doing an Enjonine one-shot. Here's the summary (work-in-progress): "A slightly humorous short story in which the roles of Marius, Cosette are altered: Enjolras is lovesick over Éponine, much to the confusion of Les Amis. What will happen when Apollo suddenly turns into Cupid?" Tell me what you think!