A/N: Hiya, I have a good 5 days till Valentine's Day and I will try to give you guys a least another chapter or two before that but no promises... Oh sorry for any typos i may have, I'm not perfect

Oh and I'll give a cookie to whoever can tell me who Eponine's 'admirer' is! (It will make sense when you read)

As always please review!

"Are you sure about this?"He asked. When she said nothing and simply nodded he decided to continue, "Don't you know what will happen if you do that?"

She shrugged, "They will meet, fall further 'in love' and become a couple." She replied sarcastically

"And you are ok with that?"

"I already know the outcome of the story. Me postponing it wouldn't change anything, I have no fear…..it's the inevitable."

Enjolras stared at her in disbelief for a moment before speaking, "That's very admirable of you."

"Thank you." She whispered softly.

Eponine pressed her lips together and walked on, her eyes looking at nothing else but her dilapidated black converse, as her mind kept repeating Enjolras conversation with her over and over again. It had been three days since she made her rash decision to bring Marius and Cosette together, and as much as the thought hurt her she knew it was for the better. For weeks she had been acting as their messenger, smiling each time she gave them a letter, neither ever noticing the ache she hid behind it, and frankly she just couldn't handle it anymore. Each letter felt like a 100 pounds and burnt a hole in her pocket, she would love seeing Marius happy but it was her expense. By moving them along she could move on in her own way, the pain would come no doubt but unlike most people Eponine didn't want to keep putting it off, it just made the ache in her heart greater.

That's how she found herself at the mall on Saturday afternoon with Cosette trailing behind her. Why she chose the mall she had no idea but that what ended up being the meeting place. She knew she could have made them meet at the café but the selfish side of Eponine couldn't allow that. The café was her place; she never had to worry about anything or anyone there. It was her place with her friends, the one thing she was proud to have, making it Cosette's and Marius' 'special spot' would take that away from her, and it was something she couldn't bear: she was losing enough as it was.

As the time neared 4pm she took out her phone to check for messages only to find it empty. Grantaire and Courfeyrac had both agreed to help Eponine out in what they called Operation Matchmaker. Their job was to make sure Marius was at the mall and would be at the spot they had chosen but keep him the dark as to why. Neither of them knew about her feelings toward him but that was for the better; if they had they would have been like Enjolras and try to talk her out of it.

The quicker this is all over the better. She thought, As soon as they see each other this will be one step closer to being over.

At least that is what she told herself but in reality the whole situation gnawed her from the inside out. Once she made them meet she knew it was going past the point of no return; they would meet each other at last and there would be no going back. She took a deep breath and shoved her hands into the pockets of her jacket, never meeting the eyes of Cosette. As they walked Cosette kept pointing out different things that she liked or that she thought would fit Eponine's complexion perfectly. Eponine would nod but she didn't give much more of a response, her mind was more preoccupied with other things. A ding in her pocket brought her back to her senses.

Grantaire- smoothie stand Ready for Operation Matchmaker.

Eponine looked over at Cosette from the corner of her eye and bit her lip before responding- Ok

She slipped her phone back into her pocket and took another deep breath and she slowly turned to face Cosette, a forced smile plaguing her face.

"Are you thirsty?"

Cosette jolted a bit and a surprised expression found a place on her face, "Umm…I guess."

"Great," she said with fake enthusiasm, "here come with me, I know a great place!"

She took Cosette's arm and semi-forcefully dragged her to the center of the open area of the mall, she told Cosette to wait their while she went off to buy the drinks. As soon as she was out of ear and eye shot she set her focus on finding the guys. It took her all of 10 seconds to spot them, or more specifically Enjolras' bright red sweatshirt. She was reasonably surprised to see him there but she didn't let that bother her mind too much, she had other things to worry about. She neared them cautiously her hands deep in her pockets as she neared them.

Grantaire spotted her first, "Hey Eppy, fancy finding you here."

Eponine rolled her eyes at his 'discreetness' before looking up and giving them a small wave.

Marius met her eyes and smiled warmly,"Hello 'Ponine."

Eponine bit her lip lightly in an attempt to keep her from smiling. No matter what the circumstances may be Marius could still make Eponine smile and her heart flutter. "Hi Marius"

"What brings you here?"

She shrugged nonchalantly, "Oh you know I just had to get out of the house. What about you?"

"Grantaire decided to force me to come."

"Force?" Grantaire cut in, looking offended "I would not say I forced you."

"You trolled my phone all day."

"And?"

"And then you popped up at my door and practically drag me here!"

"Is that not an ok thing to do?"

"Not in society's standards."

"Since when have I ever cared about those?"

"Fair enough," nodded Eponine. She looked over Marius and glanced at Cosette from the corner of her eye; it's now or never.

"Eponine are you alright?" a voice asked her

"What -huh?" she looked over her shoulder to see Grantaire and Enjolras looking at her questionably. "Yeah I'm fine…..just lost my train of thought for a moment."

"Alright then," Grantaire shrugged buying her excuse before turning back to Marius, "So what do you want to do next buddy?"

Enjolras shook his head at him, "Oh no, we are not spending another hour with you as you flirt with everything wearing a skirt!"

"Is it my fault I find the opposite sex attracting? If anything I am just expressing my manhood."

"Oh honestly Grantaire…."

As Grantaire and Enjolras kept bickering Eponine leaned over and whispered in Marius ear, "Wanna ditch them and get out of here?"

"I would like nothing better." He responded

"Then let's hurry before they notice." She giggled as she took his arm and half dragged him away from the other two.

As they walked away Eponine held on to Marius and laughed very light-heartedly and she almost forgot about everything, until she neared the table and remembered why she was there in the first place. Her face fell the second she spotted Cosette's blonde head but she knew it was too late to turn back now.

"Marius?" she asked softly, almost wishing he hadn't heard her

He had heard, "Yes?"

She bit down hard on the side of her lip, "You know how you and Cosette have been sending letters back and forth but never actually talked to each other?"

"Yeah….."

"I don't think that will be happening anymore."

Marius's eyes filled with anxiety and he began asking her questions all at once, "Why? Did I do something wrong? Did she not like my letters? Did she find someone else?"

Eponine took a step back from him out of instinct, "Cool your jets Pontmercy!"

He looked taken back, "S-sorry." He muttered

Eponine rolled her eyes before taking out her phone, "Oh don't worry about it: just stand here for a second ok?"

"Why?"

"Just do it!"

Marius said nothing as Eponine's outburst scared him a bit and he stood there while she dialed number on her phone and called the person. As soon as the person answered Eponine began talking away, Marius didn't hear the entire thing but he caught little snippets of the conversation here and there.

"…..just turn around!" she yelped over the phone.

The next thing Marius knew Eponine grabbed his shoulders from behind and turned him a bit before shoving him in another direction.

"'Ponine what the hell are you-"

He didn't have time to respond as the next thing his eyes landed on was Cosette. She looked just as surprised as he did; her phone was glued to her ear but her eyes were wide and her mouth was opened, if Marius had to guess he would say he looked just like she did.

"C-c-co-Cosette?" He stuttered

"Marius?"

They took another step toward each other timidly and another and another until they were standing right in front of each other. Both stood there speechless, sure they had been writing back and forth but this was the first time since the game that they had actually talked to each other.

"Cosette….I don't know what to say."

She smiled timidly, "Then make no sound."

He rubbed the back of his neck, "I don't really know what happened here….I guess I can start by saying 'hello'"

"Yes that would be a nice start."

"I feel as if I've been doing everything all wrong."

"Have no fears or regret; I've been just as bad."

"So it's not a dream after all."

They both smiled at that and before long they actually started talking and enjoying each other's company.

Eponine looked on from a distance. She found a nice place to hang out under the stairs, she stood by the bars as the two love-birds finally talked and acknowledged one another. She was far enough away so they didn't notice her but close enough that she could decently hear what they were saying. Her fingers gripped the metal bars as she looked on, each second her grip tightened and tighten. They didn't give her a second thought after they saw each other and she knew she should act the same and walk away but for some reason she couldn't, she wanted to see if things were turning out like she expected. Unfortunately for her everything was turning out better than she planned, they had really fallen for each other and every word and glance they shared was another dagger in her.

Just get over it! She told herself. He was never mine to lose. All those words he is saying to Cosette are words he will never say….not to me, not for me. His heart is full of love, you should just be happy for him. Don't regret what cannot be.

She stood there for awhile longer, not moving an inch as she feared she would rip apart at the seams if she did. All of a sudden she felt a hand on her shoulder give her a reassuring squeeze and she turned abruptly so see Enjolras looking at her with sympathy. She gave him a small half smile but he could see that it did not meet her eyes. Enjolras noticed her disappear with Marius a few minutes earlier and judging from her current state he could tell that she was upset, though she was trying her hardest to seem strong. He wanted to comfort her but emotions were not something he was comfortable dealing with, instead he nudged his head to the direction of a nearby table, silently asking her to join him and Grantaire. She nodded and without a word she followed him.

They tried to stay silent, an unspoken understanding between them, but Grantaire didn't catch on, or he simply didn't seem to care.

"So how did Operation Matchmaker go?" he asked

Eponine shrugged, "Swimmingly, the two love-doves are now talking and proclaiming their love to each other." She responded with a sarcastic tone.

"And it's all thanks to you!" He cheered

She rolled her eyes sadly, "Yea I know…." Grantaire didn't know what the whole thing was doing to her on the inside and she didn't really want to explain so instead she just sat there and stared off into space trying to drown out his nonstop chatter. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Courfeyrac running toward them with a worried look on his face, but when he saw Eponine he automatically slowed down. She raised her eyebrow at him as he slowly approached, "Hey Couf"

"Oh hey Eppy," he looked at her nervously, "You are looking nice today. Did you do something new with your hair because it looks good….not that you don't always look good?"

She scrunched her nose at him, "Um thank you…may I ask where Gavroche is?"

Courfeyrac looked at her a bit shocked, "Do you not trust us to watch after him Eppy? Do you really have so little faith in us? I mean come on Eppy I-"

"Whoa cool it! I was just wondering where he was, I wasn't accusing you of anything."

He looked a bit embarrassed, "Oh well I-"

"Wait a second, now I'm concerned." She narrowed her eyes at him, "Courfeyrac where is Gavroche?!"

"Well um….."

"YOU LOST MY BROTHER!"

"I wouldn't say lost…..more like we got separated and never found each other again. But don't panic, it's only been half an hour."

Her expression turned deadly, "If you don't find him I am going to murder you!"

"I understand that but…."

"No buts! You find him or I will kill you!"

Just then a small figure came running toward them and with him a sigh of relief could be heard coming from both Eponine and Courfeyrac.

"There you are!" exclaimed the little boy

"Gavroche where have you been? I've been worried sick!"

"Sorry Couf, I got distracted by some stuff at the store and then you were gone so I started looking around for ya, only I couldn't find ya."

"Gavroche you know it's better to just stay put when you are lost. Do you know what would have happened if I didn't find you?"

"Eponine would have ripped your head off and made it look like an accident?"

"No of course not- wait…yes that's exactly what would have happened!"

"Well it's good to know you cared so much about me."

"No Gavroche that's not what I meant, I-"

Gavroche laughed, "Calm down Courfeyrac, I'm only teasing."

Courfeyrac let out a sigh of relief and opened his mouth to say something but before he could Marius and Cosette neared their table.

"Hey guys." Greeted Marius

"Hiya," Grantaire said in return as he glanced over at Cosette, "are you going to introduce us to your pretty friend here?"

"Oh right! Everyone this is Cosette. Cosette this is everyone."

"Hello." She said timidly

"Is this the girl you've been talking about for the past 3 weeks?" asked Courfeyrac

"The very same." He grinned as she wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her in.

"Well I must say Marius," cut in Grantaire, "you do have good taste."

The couple looked at him oddly, "Um thank you….I think."

They each took a seat and tried to merge in with the ongoing conversations. Eponine sat there across from them and she couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable, all talk seemed to go back to Marius and Cosette and she noticed the way Grantaire was looking at her with interest. She bit her lip again as she took note of how lousy she looked in her old converse and ripped skinny jeans compared to Cosette in her ballet flats and skirt.

No wonder he never saw me there.

After a few minutes she just couldn't take it anymore.

"Hey sorry everyone but I have to go….." she said as she stood up and turned to go.

"Yeah me too." Said another voice, "Do you want a ride?"

Eponine looked up to see Enjolras getting out of his seat as well, "Yeah that would be cool." She said quickly, normally she wouldn't accept a ride that quickly but she just wanted to get out of the area as quick as possible and arguing with Enjolras would not help.

They walked in silence for a bit but as soon as she was sure no one could hear them Eponine spoke up.

"Did you really have to go or did you just feel bad for me?"

Enjolras didn't even bat an eye before giving her his response, "I honestly don't know how much more of their constant blabbing I could take."

"You and me both."

"Do you regret it?"

Eponine raised her head to look at his face, "Huh?"

"Do you regret making them meet?"

She shrugged, "Not necessarily, I mean it hurts a bit that they are so open and like to share their feelings to me while I have to keep mum but it's a step that had to be taken."

"Why do you think that?"

"The lovey-dovey stage will soon die down and things will be easier to bare. Before I still had that hope that Marius wouldn't like her as much the more he got to know her but now that I see how everything is, plus how much longer can they act like that?"

"I am hoping not much longer. Don't get me wrong Marius is cool and all but I honestly couldn't care less about his lonely soul."

Eponine laughed and Enjolras joined in, her laughter was contagious. They finally reached the car and Enjolras asked Eponine were she wanted to go as she strapped on her seatbelt, she told him that she didn't want to return home so they came to the mutual agreement to go to the café. On the way there Eponine fidgeted with the radio until she found a station she actually liked. The car ride was remotely quiet, taking away Eponine's singing as some of her favorites songs played. Enjolras rolled his eyes and chuckled as she sang but nonetheless he didn't say anything about it, a small part of him actually enjoyed hearing her. When they finally reached the café they noticed that the parking lot was relatively empty as was the café.

"For a Saturday afternoon things sure are slow." Commented Enjolras as they entered.

"Yea no kidding." She added.

They picked out a table by the window and Eponine insisted on the drinks being her treat this time as Enjolras paid for hers the past 3 times, only one of which she had actually asked him to. When she came back she set down his coffee in front of him along with a two small chocolate chip muffins.

"Muffins, really?"

"What? Mr. Myriel said I could take them, on the house."

"Very well then," He said as picked one up and absent-mindedly picked at it, "So what are your plans for Thanksgiving?"

"When is that again?" she asked as she took as sip of the hot cocoa.

Enjolras raised an eyebrow at her, "This Thursday."

"Really so soon, wow time flies doesn't it."

"I take this to mean that you don't have any plans."

Eponine pouted a bit as she stirred her drink with the straw, "No not really; Thanksgiving isn't something my family has celebrated in awhile, we don't really celebrate anything."

"That's…..sad I'm not going to lie that is just depressing."

"I know but c'est la vie." She responded apathetically.

Eponine leaned back on her chair and took another sip of her drink just as Mr. Myriel came by with a plate on his hands.

He smiled warmly as he set it down on the table, "For you Eponine."

Eponine and Enjolras looked at each other in question, "We didn't order anything else sir."

"Oh I know this is curiosity of someone else."

"Sir I couldn't possible take something else from you."

"Oh it's not from me; it's from another young gentleman."

"Who?" she asked in suspicion.

"I didn't get a name and he was in a rush so I couldn't ask him, but he did leave me this to give to you along with the slice of cake." He explained as he took a piece of paper out of his pocket.

"Oh well….thank you sir."

"Not a problem Eponine, take care now and enjoy your evening."

As soon as he left Enjolras turned back to Eponine, "Who do you think it's from?"

"I don't know."

"Well open the note and find out."

"Later," she said as she stuck the note in her pocket, "but first you and me have a cake we have to eat."

"But it's yours Eponine."

"But I don't want to eat it all on my own, and you get the first bite: no if ands or buts!"

Enjolras rolled his eyes, "Fine…." He said as he picked up a fork and took a bite.

"Is it good?" she asked

"Yeah…."

"Great, I just wanted to make sure it wasn't spoiled or something."

Enjolras opened his mouth in disbelief, "So you were willing to risk my well-being for yours."

"Hey you're alright aren't you?"

"Eponine you will be the death of me."

"And I am ok with that." She chuckled.

Eponine then took a bite of the cake and before long the thick slice was gone. They had to admit it was a good cake, though the sender of it remained a mystery and Eponine wasn't budging when she said she didn't feel like reading it. Eventually Enjolras gave up and the conversation turned to a different topic. However when Enjolras went to the bathroom Eponine discreetly slid the note out of her pocket and carefully opened it. The writing was simple but precise and the message as also short.

A sweet piece of cake for a sweet girl, I've noticed you around and you've caught my attention and I'm sorry I couldn't stay longer to talk to you in person but I do hope our paths cross again.

Theodule

Eponine stared at the note for in disbelief. Never in her life did she think she would be the one getting notes. She heard Enjolras' steps returning to the table and she quickly stuck the note back in pocket, no use wasting a good moment pondering over what something else, but curiosity still played in her head.

A/N: Dont kill me...sorry for the abrupt ending but its 4am here and I really shouldnt be up this late

Grantaire: You are at the barricades, there are no rules here we can stay up as long as we like.

Me: Until you die

Grantaire: Enjolras is rubbing off on you

Me: NO!

Enjolras: Ha!

Me: You still have to give me piggy back rides whenever someone says "Patria"

Grantaire: Another bet?

Me: Yep.

Enjolras: You rig them I know you do!

Me: You cant prove anything!

Grantaire: Hey Enjy, PATRIA!

Enjolras (eyes narrowing ): You are cruel

Me (jumping on his back): Oh lighten up, TO THE BARRICADES!

Enjolras: We are in the barricades

Me: To the other side of the barricades!