Thank you everyone for being so amazing, congrads to those who got the Ice Princess reference. Please keep reviewing and reading! I love you all!

I decided to make some changes to chapter 35. It's the same chapter only I added some stuff and tweaked it a bit. I'm sorry i just really wanted this chapter to be ABSOLUTELY perfect!

Enjoy!

Gavroche: I was told to tell you that due to some recent thoughts Eponine T decided to postpone the dance chapter

All the amis: WHAT!? *jump up and prepare for battle*

Gavroche: I was just pulling your leg she said no such thing

Grantaire: Not funny Gavroche, that could have caused some serious problems for Eponine T...come to think of it, where exactly is she?

Me: *Curled up in a corner rubbing my temples and moaning*

Enjolras: What's with you?

Me: *Glaring at Enjolras* Oh nothing, I just had an AP English 3 test today! It consisted of 50+ questions and three essays! Forgive me for being a little tired!

Enjolras: And moody...

Me: I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that

Coufeyrac: *Running to us in a hurry* Enjolras, someone's infiltrating the barricade!

Me: Oh no...

Enjolras: Well don't just stand there let's go! *grabs gun*

Me: No wait! *Jolt up and hop onto Enjolras to grab hold of the gun*

Enjolras: What the hell are you doing?

Me: Don't shoot

Enjolras: It could be an angry reviewer! Do you want to be killed?! Couferyrac take her somewhere safe!

Me: No listen!

Chattie98: *climbs over barricade* I'm back~!

Enjolras: Oh god, not you. Why are you here this time?

Chattie98: I was invited for an "Annoy Enjy Party"

Enjolras: Annoy Enjy Party?... EPONINE T DAAE!

Me: I'm going to go to the café...*run to the cafe to hide*

Enjolras: Oh no you don't! I want an explanation *follows me to café*

Chattie98: Are they always like that?

Gavroche: Yea pretty much.

Chattie98: *sees Grantaire* Oh my God, Grantaire! I am so so so so sorry for scaring you last time! I brought wine as a peace offering.

Grantaire: Really?

Chattie98: Actually, it's grape juice, I can't buy wine... But if you let it sit long enough you can make your own wine!

Enjolras: *Pokes head from out of café* No making wine on the barricade.

Chattie98 and Grantaire: Stupid rules...

Enjolras: If you don't like it then you can go make your own barricade

Me: I think we all prefer staying here at this one so we can annoy you.

Enjolras: Dont even get me started with you!

"Well don't you look sexy?"

Enjolras resisted the urge to roll his eyes from his spot against the door frame as he glanced over at Grantaire lazily sitting on a chair with a drink in his hand. Enjolras wore a crisp black tuxedo with a white dress shirt, his hair was slightly gelled back and in place of a tie he had a red pocket square, Grantaire on the other hand sported black dress pants, a pale green dress shirt and a brown tie – neither really took the masquerade theme to heart- on the other side of the room Joly and Combeferre sat at a table playing chess looking equally as nice as the other two boys while they all waited for Marius to come down. The dance was that night and being who they were the guys thought it would be a good to meet up before the dance so they could all carpool together but they soon realized it wasn't a very thought out plan.

Enjolras groaned and checked his watch, "Maybe meeting up before hand wasn't such a good idea…"

"You think?" Squeaked Joly, "We are also the girls ride and if Marius doesn't get down here soon they will think we stood them up!"

"I'm starting to think Courfeyrac had the right idea when he went off to pick up Rachel on his own." Commented Courfeyrac as he surveyed the room, "I'll give Marius five minutes before I head out and leave him behind."

Grantaire shot straight up, "But man we need your car! We only came in three cars!"

"Well I'm sorry but in all honestly your girls have seen the worst of you to overlook being a little late but I am still trying to impress Alyssa and picking her up late is not a good way to start."

Enjolras finally had enough of it all and proceeded to stride over to the bottom of the staircase, "Pontmercy!" he shouted out, "You have all of thirty seconds to get your ass down here before we go up and physically force you down!"

"Calm down!" answered back the boy as he popped out of his room and made his way down. As he walked down all the other boys took the chance to stare at him and the blue velvet suit he decided to wear that night.

"Wow," whistled Grantaire, "don't you look spiffy?"

Marius chuckled, "Why thank you."

Grantaire laughed, "Really mom ami? You're wearing blue velvet suit?"

Marius shrugged, "Why not?"

Enjolras let them all discuss Marius choice in suits for another moment before he grabbed his keys and headed out the door, "Come on guys let's go, if we are any later the girls will have our heads for breakfast!"

Eponine stood the bright florescent light of Cosette's bathroom trying once again to make sure the girl she saw in the mirror was really her. She brushed a finger over her newly shaped brows and the soft fabric of her dress; she smelled Jasmine Cherry Blossom perfume coming of her neck and heard the laughter from the girls down the hall. Each of her senses were in action yet Eponine still couldn't grasp the concept that what she saw was real. She wasn't used to the feeling she was getting and a part of her had the fear that soon is would all disappear in an instant. The sound of the doorbell brought her from her inter musings, taking a deep breath she smoothed out the skirt of her dress and took a step out the bathroom. Before she had time for another step she saw the blur of Azelma, Cosette, and Musichetta run past her and down the stairs to the door. Eponine chuckled softly to herself and shook her head slightly at the excitement coming from the other girls before taking another deep breath and following the path they took down stairs.

Meanwhile downstairs the other three girls had rushed to the door and Azelma had beaten the other two to it. She anxiously turned the knob and flung the door open to see a small group of 5 boys and one girl standing in Cosette's front porch. Azelma smiled broadly at them and stepped aside to allow them into the house. In an instant Grantaire was at her side and had an arm wrapped around her waist.

He smiled down at her, "Hey there beautiful."

"Why thank you, you don't look so bad yourself." She giggled and leaned in closer to him. In contrast to Grantaire's toned down attire Azelma was wearing a bright yellow dress that was ruffled at the bottom with a slit coming up her leg till mid-thigh, her hair was pulled back and curled and she had a matching Venetian mask upon her crown like a headband. Cosette was wearing a flowing white halter-style dress that hit just above her ankles with long black gloved that came up to her elbows, her hair was swept to one side and some black feathers made up her hair piece. Across the room Musichetta stood nearby Joly wearing a strapless deep blue dress with a large choker necklace and a giant matching ring on her left hand, her lashes were full and bold and when Joly first saw her he was speechless. They had all worked hard on finding the perfect dress for the occasion while fitting in the masquerade themed.

"I find it silly that we aren't allowed to wear masks on our faces if this dance is a masquerade!" Expressed Musichetta grumpily

Cosette giggled at her spirited friend, "It's for safety reasons Chetta."

She huffed "Like a Venetian mask can really hide your identity that much."

"It doesn't hurt to be cautious…"chirped Joly, causing everyone else to laugh

Nearby Enjolras leaned against the door with his arms crossed over his chest as he watched the interactions between all his friends, noting in the back of his head the absence of one of them. Before coming to Cosette's they had all followed Combeferre and waited in the driveway for twenty minutes while he picked up his date. It would have taken shorter had it not been the fact that she had no idea how to pin the flower onto his suit and the fact that her parents just couldn't seem to take enough pictures. His date seemed nice enough, she had short dark blond hair and the dress she wore resembled that of a flapper but Combeferre loved it and in the end that was all that really mattered. From the looks of it Alyssa was getting along well with the group and she didn't seem all that out of place. From the corner of his eye Enjolras spotted Grantaire smirking at him and whispering something into Azelma's ear, making her giggle. Enjolras sighed as he could already he could tell hit was going to be a long night but he kept telling himself to breath and make it through the night.

Just one dance and then it will be over. Who know it might actually be fun….

He was brought back to reality when he heard the sound of footsteps and noticed shadows coming how the staircase in the form of a person. He raised his eyes up and was taken aback by what he saw. Eponine slowly made her way down the stairs to join the rest of them, she was wearing a one shoulder black dress with multi colored patterns that cut off a few inched above her knees paired with black booties and designed black tights. She had a thick black bracelet around her right wrist, her hair was let loose around her shoulder in soft waves and her lips were a bright red color that complemented her complexion perfectly and highlighted the small glittery designs by her eyes that made the gold flecks in her eyes stand out. Enjolras automatically detangled his arm from his chest and found his eyes widening with his mouth as they set their sights on her. He didn't know what but something about her –maybe her smile or her eyes or the way she looked in her dress- but at that moment his stomach feel a bit uneasy and his thoughts were no longer coherent.

Combeferre grinned at the marble boy, "Close your mouth or you will catch flies."

Enjolras automatically shut his mouth and glared at his friend who in turn put his hands up in surrender and shrugged. Enjolras looked at him for another second before rolling his eyes and looking back at Eponine. She smiled at everyone and greeted them happily before spotting Enjolras and making her way toward him. She approached him with a nervous smile on her face.

"Hey" she said as she bit down on the corner of her vivid red lip and brushed a piece of hair behind her ear. "You look handsome tonight, I love the hair."

It was Enjolras turn to be speechless, "Hey, thanks…..you look….tall!" He finally able to blurt

Eponine's teeth let go of her lip as her face dropped slightly. "Oh thank you, it's the heels." She added as she looked at her feet and brought them together, "They're three inches."

He nodded, "You are going to regret that by the end of the night."

She chuckled, "Yeah but they are worth it."

"Let's see if you still think that by the end of the dance." He said with a smirk

"You're on!"

The two smiled at each other and participated in some other small talk, unknowingly to them Grantaire glanced over at Azelma and gave her a knowing look about the two teens in front of them.

"Bet you a kiss Enjolras will make his move on Eponine tonight."

She smiled at him "You're on!"

Light emitted from the school and even from 500 feet away the noise blasting from it was prominent in the ears of the entire group. Everyone had paired up with their date leaving Eponine and Enjolras as the odd ones out in the front of the pack. Excitement filled each one of them and it only increased as they got closer and closer to the school. The second they walked through the door they were hit with everything they had all worked so hard to achieve. The beauty of the sight before her made Eponine grip onto Enjolras' arm in excitement; people were walking around with both traditional dresses and clothes that fit the theme and the walls were all lined with masks, feathers and streamers; the tables were set with masquerade styled centerpieces and everything looked perfect.

"Oh Enjy doesn't this all look so amazing?!"

He smiled at her, "Yes it really does, and it's all thanks to you."

"And you guys too!" She added, "This never would have been possible without your help."

"Not going to lie, it was hard work."

She looked at him with a glint in her and jabbed a finger to his chest, "You see I told you so!"

"Yes Eponine I know…."

She smirked at him, "Say it then."

He looked at her quizzically, "What?"

"You were…."

He grimaced, "Oh come one please don't make me say it!"

She turned around and put her hands on her hips, "I won't let you live it down until you do! I'm stubborn and you know how annoying I can get."

"Oh fine!" He shouted, glancing at her long enough to notice the expecting and proud look on her face, "Eponine Thenardier you were….r…right and I was….wr….I was…"

She giggled at his struggle for words, "Come on say it!"

"I was wrong!" he finally yelped.

"Now was that so hard?" She teased

"You just love torturing me don't you?"

"I'm not going to deny the joy I get from it….."

"You are a cruel cruel women."

She shrugged, "I know…" she said nonchalantly before a sign caught her eye. "Enjy look!"

Right behind them stood a giant sign with several mask of different styles covering it and the slogan written across the bottom above a table that held various little trinkets that went with the theme. Eponine picked up a small black and orange fan and became to dramatically shield her face so that only her eyes were visible.

Enjolras let out a hearty chuckle, "It really is a masquerade huh?"

The fan hid most of Eponine's smile but it extended to her eyes, "Let the spectacle astound you!"

They both bursted out in laughter and Eponine gripped Enjolras' arm to keep her steady. Their excitement was short lived however as they soon say Musichetta running toward them with a worried expression on her face.

She waved at them frantically, "Eponine!"

"What is it Chetta?"

"Eponine the DJ is stuck in a traffic jam and won't be here for at least another half hour!"

Eponine's eyes widened, "WHAT!? Oh crap!" She started pacing frantically and muttering to herself, "Oh crap oh crap! This is not good! What are we gonna do? We can't have a dance without a DJ! Oh this is bad this is really really bad!"

Enjolras took it upon himself to try to calm Eponine down. She grabbed her by the shoulders and made her stand still to face him, "'Ponine calm down, everything will be just fine."

"No it won't be Enjy! The DJ-"

"Isn't here but that doesn't have to ruin the dance."

"Well what are we going to do? He had all the equipment and we need music! All we have is a microphone! A microphone Enjolras! And it's not even set up!"

Enjolras thought for a moment before a smirk found a place on his lips, "I have an idea."

Before she knew it Eponine found herself on the DJ booth stage with the microphone right in front of her with a scared expression on her face.

"Of all ideas you could have had you choose to pick this one!"

"Well it was my best one." He answered as she set up the last part of the microphone

"Why can't you have Cosette do it?" She moaned, "I can't sing Enjy!"

"Yes you can 'Ponine!"

"What about Christine Daae? Her voice is amazing! I'm sure she would love to do this instead."

Enjolras rolled his eyes, "She is off making out with her boyfriend Raoul. Come on Eponine what have you got to lose?"

"My dignity!" She yelped, "I don't want all these people to hear me sing! They will probably boo me off the stage!"

"Most people are too scared of you to try anything like that," he reassured, "Besides you have a great voice and it's only until the DJ gets here anyway."

"But but-" she begins to protest but a stern glare from Enjolras stops hers. She looked at him warily once more before sighing and gripping the microphone, "Ok fine!"

With that the microphone was set up and before long she forced herself to sing in front of the room full of people. She kept her eyes closed at first, thinking that if she didn't look at everyone's face then her nerves wouldn't bother her so much. The second her voice came out of her throat the room was silent but soon it was filled with cheering for her and the sound of people dancing. The songs she sang at first were very upbeat and easy to dance to, but after four songs a style change was necessary. Eponine rummaged through her brain for a moment before a song entered her head and she knew she had to sing it.

She cleared her throat before she began the melody, "Here I am, surrounded in the aftermath that nothing good ever last. All this time I knew one day that you'd be gone, convinced myself I was wrong."

At that moment Enjolras looked over at Eponine on stage and something in him fluttered. She looked so at ease at that point and he loved it.

"I hear it now, silence is loud and I'm mourning more than you, now my entire life has changed I'll let you go, but still I hope That as soon as you left you wonder what could have been…"

From a dark corner Erik watched it all. He was completely mesmerized by Eponine's voice, she did not have the same talent as Christine but she had an emotional connection within her that he had hardly ever seen before. He was starting to see Eponine through a new lens.

"If you stayed around Cause only a selfish man would leave without One small attempt to work things out So go, be free of me Oh, I'll just replay how you left me rejected To wonder if I'm maybe somehow defective!"

As she sang Eponine couldn't help but connect to the song lyrics, every word seeming to connect to everything that has happened to her in the past 6 months of her life. She also felt liberated as she sang, as if singing it finally allowed her to express what she had been concealing for all that time. She sang the last word and opened her eyes to see couples on the dance floor in each other's arms swaying to the music, it was a pretty sight to her but what was even better was the sight of the DJ coming in through the doors. As soon as she was done she let out a big sigh of relief and hopped off the stage to meet him, Enjolras noticed his entrance too and followed Eponine toward him. The DJ apologized, saying how there was an accident on one of the main roads and it delayed him, and offered a discount for everything. Eponine assured him that she understood and that he would still be receiving full pay as long as he kept the dance energized. Within no time the DJ equipment was set up and the energy was kicking.

"You know you did amazing Ep." Enjolras commented as they walked off to the side of the room.

"Thank you, it was a bit nerve-wracking…" She answered meekly, her body shaking from nerves. She found that often her body would react to nerves after she had done some big deed but never during it or right before it.

Enjolras chuckled at her, "For the girl who isn't afraid of anything? I find that hard to believe."

"Well it's true!" She answered back, her voice much stronger this time, "I still can't believe you convinced me to do that!"

He grinned, "I can be a very persuasive person."

"Oh I know." She responded as she gave him a shy smile.

At that moment the DJ had decided to play another slow song that Enjolras recognized as Run Away with Me- the only reason he knew it was because Eponine had put it on in his car once and he complained, which in turn made her repeat it and turn it up even louder, he later found out it was one of her favorite songs. With that in mind he turned slightly to glance at Eponine only to see that she was gently swaying to the music and watching as other couples entered the dance floor. Enjolras cleared his throat loudly causing Eponine to turn her attention towards him.

"You know I was thinking…." He began

She raised an eyebrow, "Yes?"

"We are at a dance and ….um…..well as long as we are here we may as well…um…" He struggled; leave it to Eponine to turn the speech prodigy into a blabbering mess twice in one day.

She giggled, "Are you trying to ask me to dance?"

He ran a hand through his hair, "In essence yes."

She smiled, "I would love to."

Eponine took Enjolras arm as he led them to the dance floor, her heart fluttering every second. They settled at a decent spot and after a moment Enjolras placed his hands on Eponine's hips as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, even in her three inch heels Eponine only came up to Enjolras eyebrow. They gently swayed to the music and kept a comfortable space between them- neither said it but they were both very happy with their current position.

Neither noticed a dark figure lurking nearby with a scowl on its face.

As the song went on Enjolras found himself really looking at Eponine- he noticed how her lashes were really thick and black, how her eyes resembled warm melted chocolate even with the devilish glint in them and how her full lips were perking up into at smile at the corners. Eponine in turn looked at Enjolras with wide eyes, carefully studying his bright eyes, chiseled jaw, hair line and even the stubble on his chin. With the music in the background, the soft light glowing down and the feeling of his hands at her hips she found herself inching closer to him and he found himself doing the same thing.

"Hey guys!" called Courfeyrac from the distance loudly, effectively ruining the moment the other two were having. He waved at them and walked over to them with his arm wrapped around a girl. "How's it going?"

Eponine resisted the urge to glare at him, "Just fine, you?"

"Same, this dance is amazing! I can't believe actually pulled it off!"

"I know me neither, it's unbelievable." She replied, "So who is this lovely girl and what is she doing with you Courf?"

The girl connected to Courfeyrac took a step toward Eponine and Enjolras and smiled brightly, "Hi I'm Rachel it's nice to meet you."

Eponine returned her smile, "It's nice to meet you two."

"I heard you sing earlier, you were great. You've got some real chords!"

Eponine brushed a piece of hair behind her ear nervously, "Aww thanks." Out of the corner of her eye she could see Enjolras give a look that said 'I told you so' and it took all of her will power not to roll her eyes at him. When Eponine glanced back at Enjolras the event that almost occurred hit her like a rock and she suddenly felt a little claustrophobic. "Um…I'm going to get something to drink, anyone want anything?"

Both boys shook their heads but Rachel offered to accompany Eponine but Eponine declined politely, she just needed some space for a moment to gather her thoughts. As she walked away a million thoughts hit her head.

Oh my God! Did Enjolras and I almost…..No it can't be I'm not good enough for him. But then why was he leaning in….no maybe I was just imagining things, I'm a teenage girl I have an overactive imagination right?

Meanwhile back against the wall the small group was soon joined by Marius and Cosette, and Combeferre and Alyssa. Rachel excused herself to go to the restroom and Cosette and Alyssa offered to go with her, leaving the boys alone.

"You know I will never understand why girls insist of going to the bathroom together." Courfeyrac commented as he watched the girls head off.

"Sometimes it's just best to let some things be and not question them." Replied Combeferre

"Fair enough…." Stated Courfeyrac before turning his attention to Enjolras, "So Eponine was pretty great up there tonight huh?"

Enjolras shrugged, "Yea she sounded great, took a lot of convincing to get her to go up there though."

"But you prevailed in the end didn't you marble man?"

"I guess, she saw my reasoning and in the end she rocked it."

"Yeah no kidding," added Marius, "she nailed every song and that last one had so much feeling in it! I had no idea she had that in her."

You're oblivious to a lot of things Pontmercy…. Enjolras thought bitterly but instead said, "Yeah she's been through a lot of crap lately, guess she used it to her advantage."

Marius nodded, "I know, especially after what happened with my cousin."

"That's not even the half of it Pontmercy."

"Oh I know." He replied

Something about the way he replied irked something within Enjolras and made him grind his teeth together, "No you don't know."

Marius narrowed his eyes at him, "What do you mean?"

"Don't go off pretending that you know about all of Eponine's problems because truth of the matter is you don't know the half of it! You're not the one who has to listen to her and make sure she is ok; you're not the one she's been turning to lately." His voice was coming off with much more venom than he intended but he just couldn't stop, "Hell you're not the one who has had to put up with her."

"Put up with her?" squeaked a small voice behind him.

The four boys turned to see a shaken up Eponine staring at them all with a pained expression on her face. Her lips were parted and her eyes glistened as if she was holding something back, she was positioned to face the whole circle but her gaze was directed solely toward Enjolras.

"Is that how you really feel?" she asked with pain in her voice

Enjolras looked at her in shock and moved toward her, putting his hand in front of him as if in surrender, "No Eponine that's not what I meant!"

She shook her head in disbelief, "I knew it! I knew you only felt sorry for me! All this time I thought…but no you just felt bad for the girl who had no one. You didn't actually care you just wanted to do your good deed for the day."

Enjolras looked at her pleadingly, "Eponine please listen I-"

She lifted her chin up to meet his eyes but this time they were filled with fire and defiance, "No! Screw it! I'm done! I'm done being someone's fucking charity case!" She turned on her heel and started to sprint out of the room. Enjolras tried to grab her wrist but she snatched it back with rapid speed and left the room even faster. Enjolras stood there in place for a moment as if to take in all that just occurred, however without a second thought he sprinted out in the same direction Eponine went, knowing he would regret it if he didn't go after her.

Eponine ran; she ran out of the gym and out of the school, never looking back until she reached the large oak tree in the front of the school. She just had to get away from it all- the music, the people, Enjolras- it had all been too much to handle. When she first fell for Marius she warned herself not to fall again so easily and after Theodule she made a promise to not let love block her mind again.

"How could I be so stupid?" she whispered to herself as she leaned against the tree. She should have listened to her instinct when they told her Enjolras would never go for someone like her, that he was just some poor charity case in his eyes that he could use to make himself feel better about himself. "I should have listened but I didn't….."

A tear escaped her eye and she gripped the bark of the tree to try to will the others not to fall.

"Aww why the long face 'Ponine?" mocked a voice behind her, "Did pretty boy finally dump you?"

Her gaze hardened but she didn't turn around, "Go away 'Parnasse!" She sneered

Montparnasse simple chuckled and moved closer to her, "Tell me did you really thing putting on a pretty dress would change what you really are?"

She gulped, "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Don't act dumb Eponine you know exactly what I mean."

"No, I can't say I do….."

Montparnasse rolled his eyes and moved till he was right next to her ear, "You and me are a lot alike 'Ponine. We both come from the gutter yet we both think we deserve better, here's the thing Eppy, the truth is we don't." He hissed causing Eponine's blood to turn cold, "We are scum; your pretty boy will never see you as anything but pathetic scum. No matter what that is all anyone will ever think of you as, the pathetic, poor, depressing scum. It's cruel but it's the truth and the truth hurts sometimes 'Ponine."

Eponine turned her head and glared at him, "You're wrong…." She sneered

"Oh am I love? Tell me what happened to that brunette guy you had your eye set on, or the other one who kissed you on New Year's." Eponine flinched at his reminders and a smirk of satisfaction appeared on Montparnasse's face, "You see word gets around Eponine and the word is that you may try to run with the elite but you will never be worth anything to them. The only think you will ever attract is other scum like me…."

Without warning Montparnasse leaned in and pressed his chapped lips against her lips. Eponine reacted in an instant and kneed in him the crotch before punching his cheek and spitting at his face. Montparnasse did not react lightly and rage filled his beady eyes.

"You are going to pay for that you little bitch!"

He lunged toward her and Eponine tensed her body to brace for impact, having received beatings from her father she knew what was coming, but instead of feeling a hard blow to her body she heard a loud crack followed but a thud. She opened her eyes to see Montparnasse sprawled on the ground in pain clutching his face and Enjolras standing a few feet away from him with his hands clenched into fist and rage filling his rage.

"If you ever come hear her again I swear I will not let you off that easily." He growled in a low and menacing voice. Montparnasse didn't have to be told twice and in an instant was up and ran out of sight. Enjolras turned his attention to Eponine and his livid composition softened at the sight of her.

"Ep are you ok?" He asked, but she didn't respond and instead just stood there staring at the floor. "Did he hurt you?"

She shook her head, "No…..he just told me what I've been trying to deny."

"What do you mean?"

"He's right…I'm pathetic."

Enjolras shook his head and rushed over to her, "No Eponine-"

"No he is right, it's the truth. I'm not worth anything! Look at me Enjolras I'm just a girl playing dress-up! Putting on this dress doesn't change who I am! I'm Eponine Thenardier, daughter of a wolf and a crook! Like father like daughter the scum of the streets." Enjolras looked at her in disbelief and tried pleading to her that she was wrong but she continued, "I love but I'm never loved, care but never cared for, remember but never remembered! I just can't believe it's taken me so long to realize this! First it was Marius, then Theodule, and even you only pity me! I can't go on lying to myself! Why should I care if no one else does!?"Eponine felt herself on the verge of tears and broke the gaze between her and Enjolras. She turned to run but before she could take a step Enjolras grabbed hold of her arm and spun her around and the next thing she was aware of were Enjolras' soft lips on her red one.

The kiss was strong and forceful yet it had a gentle and caring touch to it to, but just as quickly as it started it was over and Eponine opened her eyes to see Enjolras staring back at them. His hands were on her shoulders as if to keep her from running and his eyes stared at her pleadingly.

"I care Eponine! I've always cared!"

"No…." she whispered as she shook her head in doubt, "it can't be. Why would you care for me when you could do so much better?"

"No one else compares to you! I love how sarcastic you are and your wit. I love your sense of humor and how you never take crap from anyone. I love how annoying you are and the way you always manage to get under my skin." He took one hand and stroked her cheek with his thumb, "I love the way you bit your lip or play with your hair when you are nervous and how your nose scrunches up when you are upset…." He took a deep breath and tightened his grip on her, "I never pitied you Eponine! I said those things because I was mad at Marius but I didn't mean any of those words! I could never pity you because you are so strong and sure of yourself, another thing I love about you! I hate how you push people away but I know you do it out of fear of being hurt. I don't except you to feel the same way I just wanted you to know that I do care and I think you are the most amazing and beautiful person I have ever met."

The words hung in the hair and were followed by an eerie silence. Eponine looked up at Enjolras as she took in all he had just said to her; he let go of her shoulder, expecting her to run off but she just stood there.

"You….you followed me out….." she whispered as if trying to wrap her brain around it, "You…you care!"

The moon glistened off the tears on Eponine's face and Enjolras saw them clearly as she looked back at him, what she did next surprised them both. She took a tentative step toward him and cupped his cheek with her hand, her thumb stroking his jaw line, Enjolras automatically leaned his face into her hand and then Eponine reached up and gently placed her lips onto Enjolras'. Without missing a beat Enjolras wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her in closer, Eponine smiled against his mouth and he did the same. He could feel the wetness on his cheeks from her tears but he didn't care, all he cared around was the girl he was kissing.

They stayed like that for as long as they could but when it was over Eponine buried her head into Enjolras

Enjolras had never been one for girls or relationships, he saw no point in them, but Eponine was different, she snuck up on him. Every moment he was with her he was happy, even when they were fighting. She was so different from everyone else, she was strong, stubborn and defiant but he loved that. He never pursued her because he never wanted to admit his feelings and he never wanted to force anything to happen.
Eponine lifted her head to look at his face again, a smile playing on her lips. All this time that she had been whining over Marius she never realized Enjolras was always there. Part of her always liked him but she never felt good enough for him, if Marius didn't want her then what possible chance could she have stood with Enjolras. But she never felt safer or more secure then she did in that moment in his arms. He made her feel safe and cared for, something she never felt before. He was perfect to her- smart, loyal, passionate, funny, talented, stubborn, kind, understanding- and she never felt happier.

Enjolras met her eyes and he reached a finger under her chin and kissed her once again, this time tender yet firm. His other hand found its way behind her neck and Eponine's arms embraces his neck as well. A cold breeze gave her chills and forced them to separate. Enjolras smiled at her and noticed her shivering. He shrugged off his suit jacket and placed on top of her shoulders before throwing his arm over them as well and bringing her close to him. Eponine responded by placing her head on his shoulder and snaking an arm around his waist.

"Come on; let's get inside before you catch your death."

Worth the wait? ;)