Hey you guys! Just another shout out to my Beta reader: Love ya! Thanks for all you do to help with this story! Warning: this is a pretty short chapter, but the next one is going to be epic, so don't get mad at me! PLEASE PLEASE comment! Thanks for reading! AND big shout out to all of you guys following the story: THANK YOU!

Eponine sighed when she and Marius reached a cafe at the other end of town. "What a gentleman," thought Eponine as Marius held open the door for her. She smiled at him and slipped into the restaurant. Marius stepped in behind her and led her by the hand to a table. She smiled when he pulled out a chair for her before sitting down himself. Eponine sat awkwardly watching Marius. She didn't know what to do with herself. She'd never been to an actual restaurant before.. When Marius picked up a menu, she did so as well. "That was stupid," she thought, knowing that she couldn't read. Not wanting Marius to think she was stupid, Eponine stared blankly at the menu. "What would you like, my dear?" she heard Marius ask. Eponine frowned. "It all sounds delicious. What would you recommend? " At this moment, a waitress came up to the table. "What would you like, Monsieur?" she asked Marius. "We'll both have the blueberry crepes and coffee." Eponine sighed with relief. She wasn't sure what a crepe was, but she was sure it would be much better than the half eaten rotten apple which had served as her meal the night before. She shot a shy smile across the table to Marius. He grinned back, scooting around the table and crowding close to her. A shiver slunk down her spine when Marius placed a hand halfway up her thigh. She slipped her fingers through his and rubbed her thumb lightly back and forth over his knuckles. When the waitress returned with the couple's coffee, Marius moved to grab the mugs. After his hand left her thigh, Eponine felt the warmth that his touch had left her with. She smiled and accepted the mug of coffee Marius handed her. She stared at him over the rim of the glass and did her best seductive glance which obviously was not very good since Marius grinned and tried unsuccessfully to smother a laugh. Eponine pretended to be mad and earned herself a peck on the cheek.

Marius smiled at Eponine and kissed her cheek. This was another thing he loved about her. She could joke around with him but also be intimate. He heard Eponine cough and looked at her. Her face was screwed up in a look of displeasure. She placed her coffee gingerly on the table. Marius laughed when he realized what was the matter. "Eponine," he began. "did you put sugar or cream in your coffee?" Eponine's face reddened, and she shook her head. "Was I supposed to?" she asked. "Well, it certainly improves the flavor," he said, plopping three sugar cubes and a splash of cream into her cup. "How is it now?" Marius asked. Eponine took a careful sip. She smiled at him and said, "Yes, thank you." Marius watched as Eponine drained not one but two mugs of coffee. "Have you never had coffee before, 'Ponine?" he inquired. "Well, no. I actually haven't" she replied, embarrassed. "Do you like it?" Marius asked. Eponine nodded vigorously, smiling. Marius saw Eponine's eyes widen as the waitress sauntered up with two plates of crepes. She looked up and blushed when she saw him looking. Marius picked up his knife and fork and dug in, watching discreetly as Eponine mimicked him. After the couple polished off their crepes, Marius decided to treat Eponine. "Have you ever tried hot chocolate, Eponine?" he asked. "No," she replied. Marius flagged down the waitress and ordered a pot of the creamy beverage. Marius poured a mug for the girl and plopped a dollop of whipped cream on top of each. He smiled as Eponine took a cautious sip, remembering the escapade with the coffee. He chuckled when she began gulping the beverage and burned her tongue.

Eponine stuck her tongue out at Marius as he laughed at her hot chocolate injury. She took another sip and fought the urge to laugh as she took a look at him. He had a chocolate mustache. "What's so funny?" he asked. "Nothing. Nothing at all," giggled Eponine. She gasped when Marius scooped a dollop of whipped cream out of the little tureen with his finger and smeared it on her nose. She then burst into laughter and plopped her spoon which was covered in whipped cream on his nose, letting it dangle until it fell of. They both giggled when they noticed all the strange looks people in the cafe were giving them. The two cleaned up, payed the tab, and left, still giggling. They joined hands and ambled down the street. "What would you like to do now?" Marius asked. Eponine flicked him a coy glance saying, "Hmmm...what would you recommend, Monsieur?" Marius smiled and brushed a finger across his upper lip saying, "You've got a little something..." "Oh," Eponine said, suddenly feeling self conscious that Marius had to point out that she hadn't fully recovered from the whipped cream incident. "Let me help you with that."

Marius leaned in and planted a soft kiss on Eponine's lips. She tasted like whipped cream, of course. He shivered as Eponine snaked her arms around his neck and ran her fingers through his hair. When she went to pull away, he put his hands on her hips and pressed his body to hers. He heard her sigh happily and smirked to himself as she moved her hands to rest on his biceps. He began to move his hands lower.

Eponine felt the heat of where Marius' hands had been on her hips as he moved them lower. She felt a surge of guilt and yanked herself away, saying, "Marius, this is wrong." "The why does it feel so right?" he asked, giving her a smile that made her go weak at the knees. The kiss HAD felt nice, but something had been off. She hadn't felt the electricity that usually circulated between them when they touched. "Well..." she was cut of when Marius grabbed her and enveloped her in a passionate embrace. He crashed his lips against hers, and she squirmed, beating her hands on his chest. Normally, she would be begging for more, but suddenly, her conscience had appeared. She felt guilty and wrong. "Marius, stop!" she shrieked when he relocated his lips to her neck. "Stop! Marius, stop! You're not this kind of person; I know it!" she screamed, pushing herself away from him. He let her go, and she began to sob. "You said you'd never hurt me," she whispered. "'Ponine, I'm sorry; I didn't mean it," he said. "I couldn't help myself. I love you." He sank down and tried to put his arm around her. Eponine pulled away. "Leave me alone." "But..." Marius grabbed her hand and kissed it. Eponine slapped him and ran. "Leave me alone! Don't ever touch me again!"

Enjolras was walking back to his flat from the cafe. He pulled out his keys and turned the corner to his flat. OOF! The breath whooshed out of his lungs as he took the blow. He gasped when he saw Eponine in his arms. "I'm sorry, monsieur," she sobbed, not looking up. She tried to walk away, but Enjolras held onto her. "Eponine, what's wrong," he asked tenderly. Despite her decision, he still cared for her. "Nothing," she said. "Let me go." Enjolras did as she commanded and watched her run away. Eponine was the toughest woman he knew. Only one person could have done this. "I'm going to kill Marius," he said to himself.

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