A/N: Thank you to everyone who followed or favourited this story! I hope you like this chapter. I probably won't be able to keep up this pace with updating, but I will definitely post a new chapter at least once a week
Éponine wasn't easily swayed to Enjolras' side. They spoke for what must have been hours, walking slowly through the dark, abandoned streets. Initially she interjected quite often, cutting off his train of thought to argue with him about the points he was making, but as time went on her interruptions became less and less frequent. She found herself getting swept up in his impassioned ramblings about the state of the country. His words were so filled with thoughtfulness and determination, Éponine could tell he'd thought out every aspect of his plan very thoroughly and it was now painfully obvious to her why he was the leader.
Everything from his broad, commanding stance to the fire blazing in his icy blue eyes demanded attention. His words, so sure, so honest, sparked a fire in the heart of anyone listening.
Éponine could not pinpoint the exact moment he'd won her over, but by the time he stopped short at the end of the road they'd been walking and turned to face her, she knew he had her. And he knew it too.
"So you'll spread the word of the revolution?" he asked softly, gazing down at her. "You'll try to gain us the support of the people living out here in the streets?"
Éponine sighed heavily. She couldn't believe she set out to make him put an end to this and was now about to promise to help him. But she knew he was right, even if it put Marius' life at risk. After all, Enjolras was proudly risking his life too. "Yes, I'll talk to everyone I can."
"Excellent," his marble face cracked and a broad smile spread like wildfire across it, somehow he was even more glorious. "Really, Éponine, this will be a huge help to our cause."
"I didn't think you knew my name." She blushed and returned his smile.
"Of course I do," he stated, ignoring her flattered expression, "I make it my business to know the names of the people sitting in on my revolutionary meetings. I asked Marius about you when I first saw you hanging around the café, but he assured me you were harmless." He shrugged somewhat indifferently.
Normally her heart would soar hearing that Marius had spoken of her, but it was already beating a little erratically as she admired the contours of the leaders face. His gold curls shone in the moonlight and a stony unattachment had replaced the light in his eyes now that he was done speaking of his cause. She had never thought of a man as beautiful before, handsome sure, but Enjolras was more than that. He was tall and broad shouldered and everything about him exuded confidence and certainty. When he spoke people hung on his every word. When he walked down the street, women couldn't help but watch. He was absolutely striking. Yet, Éponine could tell he didn't care, that his interests were deeper than the surface.
Enjolras spoke again, startling her out of her trance. He figured she was daydreaming at the mention of Marius' name. "Can I walk you home, mademoiselle?"
"That's a very kind offer monsieur, but there is no home for you to walk me to," she said reluctantly. She didn't want him to pity her.
"Surely you must rest your head somewhere."
"I'll spend the night here." She gestured to the alley where she could see a few familiar faces fast asleep huddled on the ground.
Enjolras stared down the alley sadly. He wished desperately he could offer her better accommodations, but he wasn't about to invite her into his home. Not only because it would be highly inappropriate, but also because he somehow knew she would reject his offer anyways. She didn't want to be a charity case. He looked down at her slight figure clothed in a brown ratty dress. Her bare arms were covered in goose bumps, but she didn't seem to notice. He watched as her brown hair ruffled slightly in the February wind. She was a pretty girl despite the dirt imbedded in her skin and the now fully formed bruise across her cheekbone. There was a light in her chocolate brown eyes, a sense of hope on the horizon, despite her unfortunate situation. He admired her will.
Éponine could feel his eyes examining her and couldn't help but wonder what he thought or her filthy appearance. It was always slightly embarrassing to spend time around the clean, well-clothed boys at the café and standing in front of Enjolras in his brilliant red jacket, looking clean shaven and well fed, only exacerbated that feeling. He probably thought she was just a pathetic street rat desperately in love with a boy she could never have.
"Alright," he sighed, "I'm glad you have joined in our revolutionary efforts. Goodnight mademoiselle."
"Goodnight monsieur."
Enjolras retreated backwards slowly, watching Éponine drift over to the alley where she would spend the night shivering, her body curled up into a tight ball. He sighed and spun around, heading straight for home though his thoughts were still with her. She could potentially be a huge help to the revolution if she could convince any of the people living on the streets to stand behind him. He couldn't believe he hadn't thought about asking her earlier.
Éponine found an unoccupied doorway and eased herself to the ground. Since she not only failed miserably at convincing Enjolras to call off the revolution, but actually agreed to help him with it, she now knew she somehow had to inspire the people to rise to the occasion. If enough people stood behind the amis more lives could be spared; Marius' life could be spared. Once the monarchy is abolished, maybe she would be able to get off the streets. Maybe Marius would finally look at her the way she'd always dreamed of. She curled up on her side, using her arm as a pillow and quickly fell asleep, dreaming of what her life could be.
A/N: Please let me know what you think so far!
