Chapter 4

Javert showed up to the rally just as Eponine had expected. She tried to avoid him as much as possible so none of the students would suspect anything. While she was rounding a corner, Javert ran into her. "Did you find out anything miss?"

She kicked at the ground then looked up at him. "No Monsieur. All they have talked about this morning is what the plan was at the rally and how they didn't want the police involved." She saw his face go from smile to frown.

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. This afternoon there is bound to be more information. I will meet you in the market tomorrow and give you the details I have received."

"Good. Here is some payment for today." He handed her seven francs. "Now go. Get as close to your asset as you possibly can. This will work out best for everyone if this runs smoothly."

"Yes sir." Eponine turned on her heels and walked over to Marius who was standing next to the makeshift stage.

He was looking into the distance and froze. "Eponine..."

"What is it?" She tried to look around the people but they were too tall.

"There she is! The Lark! You must find put where she lives."

She pushed through the crowd and saw one of the most gorgeous ladies she had ever seen. Baby soft skin, and silky blonde hair appeared on her tiny body. Her dress was pink with lilacs embroidered around the bottom. She froze in place too. For her Marius was gone.

She turned back around to Marius and saw his face. It was the face of someone who had been longing for something as perfect as her for his entire life. She couldn't help but imagine that face but only instead of the Lark, he was seeing her for the first time.

She walks over to Marius. "You should be focusing Monsieur. Not looking for her."

"'Ponine. You have to find her." With that last statement he turned and went back to rally the people.

"Lucky for you, 'Ponine knows her way around." She turned and went to search for the Lark.

Why must I do this for him? She knew the answer though. She would rather see him happy the. Not at all. If that took finding the love of his life for him, she would do it. She was at his beck and call. Not that she wanted to be but she was forced to, for her heart loved him so much.

-—

Back at the Café.

Eponine had not yet shown back up at the café. Marius had begun to worry. "Where is Eponine? She should be back by now!"

"Well, maybe if you hadn't sent her off to find you beloved Lark, she would be." Courfeyrac shook his head.

"How else was I supposed to find her?"

"Maybe you never needed to." Combeferre added.

"You guys are just jealous." He poked Courfeyrac.

Enjolras heard the whole conversation and continued on with his thought out loud. "Guys, I have to tell you something..."

"Well Get on with it man!" Joly thought that he had something important to say.

"I saw Eponine talking to Javert twice today. Once before the café opened and the other during the rally. Frankly, I'm concerned."

"Oh! Enjolras is finally concerned about a girl!" The students giggled.

"Stop acting like a bunch of school girls." He gave each of them a death glare. "I think she may be working with Javert."

"Eponine? Really? There is no way! She avoids the police as much as she can." Marius chimed in.

"Isn't her family one of the biggest crime gangs?" Bohrel questioned.

"Javert was probably asking about where they were or whatnot." Marius stated.

Enjolras never considered that. "I am just concerned for the Amis."

"We will be fine. Barely anyone knows about this. Besides the rallies, no one knows we even meet here almost everyday." Combeferre added.

"Alright then let's get to business." Enjolras turned back to his papers to look at the list of topics they needed to cover. Hunger? No. We already covered that. Hmm...

It interrupted his thoughts when Eponine entered the room. "Marius! I found her!"

"Oh Eponine! This is one of the best things you have ever done for me! Thank you." The largest smile spread across his face.

She couldn't help but smile back even though it was one of the most painful things she had ever done. "I'll show you the house after the meeting."

"Okay." Was all he said before Enjolras interrupted with his new subject.

"Now that Eponine is here we can start the meeting and hope that everyone pays attention." He paused for a moment. "The next time we rally we are doing the topic of the republic. He holds up 'the Republic' by Plato and gestures to the U.S. Documents lying on the table.

The Amis sigh deeply and have annoyed faces on. "What else do you want to discuss other thing you want to establish?" Enjolras looked very proud. "If this rebellion is successful, Since it was our idea we have to be the ones to help set it up."

The student's faces all showed signs of wonder. They were almost confused about what he ate for breakfast today. They never had discussed the Republic right on. I guess now was a good of a time as any.

Eponine observed as much as she could while Enjolras used colorful words to describe the type of government that he wanted and what he thought the people deserved. She understood it as best as she could. She needed to have an in-depth report for Javert. She couldn't give him a bad report.

When the meeting ended, the sun was setting and everyone was leaving the café. Once again she hung back to be the last one to talk to Enjolras. He didn't understand why but he started to gather his papers.

Javert's voice echoed in her head " Get close to your asset, by any means necessary."

She sighed then started to speak. "Have you ever considered what might happen if this rebellion doesn't succeed?"

"You mustn't think like that Ep." He didn't look at her but added "It will work. Everyone just has to believe. It worked out with the Americans with the British. Why can't it work here?"

"They had more people standing behind what they believed in. You only have a few students from the university, me, and Grantiare." She sighed. "Not that he does much but..."

"Like I said. Think positive. Now if you'll excuse me, I must be going. Have a good evening." He looked at her nodded then left the Café.

"You don't know what you are getting yourself into!" She yelled. He ignored her and walked out anyways.

She hesitated before walking out herself. She walked to the nearest market and bought an apple and a tartlet. She had not had either in such a long time. She saved the extra two francs for the next time she needed to eat. She enjoyed the sweet cherry filling as it entered her mouth. She ate it slowly for she didn't know when she was going to have another one.

Another stream of Javert's words flowed through her mind. "You be able to get quality clothes and start over a life of a respectable manner."

How am I supposed to do that if I have to be a spying gamine?

She wandered around town until the night covered the sky in a blanket of stars.

"'Ponine!" She turned around with a smile at that particular voice she knew so well.

"What?"

"Are you going to take me to her now?" He was standing in front of her by now.

"Oh... Right... I forgot." Hurt appeared in her eyes but he didn't notice in the dark. "Follow me."

She lead him to a house that had a gate and a huge garden. There were lots of beautiful flowers and plants that grew to hide the house. Through the gate and plants he found the beautiful Lark sitting at her window gazing at the stars. She heard foot steps and found the man. She saw in the market. She had prayed he would find her and she did. The Lord really was good.

He walked up to the gate as she walked out of the door to find him. "Hello Mademoiselle. How are you this evening?" He smiled at her.

"The lady smiled back and said wonderful now that you have found me." Her voice was like a song.

"Oh. I forgot. My name is Marius Pontmercy. I am very very pleased to meet you." He offered his hand through the gate.

"I'm Cosette. I am pleased to meet you as we'll." She put her hand in his and he bowed to her and kissed it.

Eponine disappeared into the shadows as much as she could. That couldn't be the same Cosette that was living with her during her childhood could it? Cosette was not a particularly popular name so it had to be. It was almost as if she was in an ulternate universe looking at what she was like as a child except Eponine had been in Cosette's place and she was in hers.

She couldn't watch anymore. She turned the corner and ran she didn't care where she ended up. She just couldn't be there at that moment.

"We'll who is this brat? Trying to avoid something are we?" She knew that terrible voice anywhere.

"Papa?" She immediately put on a strong face even though she was terrible inside.

"Where have you been Eponine? We have been looking for you. You didn't do as I have said." He punched her throwing her against the side of a building.

She spat the blood into his face and started to sprint away. Trying to do that he fought her arm hard. She knew she definitely would have bruises tomorrow. She bit his arm and his hands released her arm. He managed to slap her and that left her stumbling back into a wall.

"What do you want from me?" She managed to spit out of her mouth.

"You know what we need 'Ponine."

"There is a reason why I left and I'm never going back." She stumbled and fell to the ground. Her father kicked her one last time before they left her there on the side of the road alone.

She didn't know how much she hurt or if anything was broken physically, but she definitely had a broken heart. With all of these bruises and tears to prove it.

—

I'm not sure how much I like the ending to this chapter buuutttt. Trial and error right? I wrote it in free time (sometimes while being bored during lectures) in school. So it's kind of chunky in parts. But next chapter is going to be more drama. :)) BE PREPAAAARRRRREEEDDDD.