Disclaimer: I do not own Les Miserables, the novel or the musical, both of which are amazing.

Title: The Note

Summary: Enjolras has never been fond of the female affection thrown his way. Yet, he finds himself strangely compelled when he discovers an anonymous note in his pocket. Who was the one to put it there? And, when he discovers the truth, will he then be able to convince her that he is indeed the one the note was intended for?

Author's Note: So I want to make it clear before you read this chapter that I am not trying to make Marius into the "bad guy." However, I was considering in my head how one might react to the absence of another solely devoted to them. There is a saying: You don't know what you have until it is gone. Or some such version of that. Just keep that in mind, I suppose.

I also don't know if this chapter will be liked by many, if anyone, but I felt it necessary for some reason. After all, I guess the love triangle is now a major part of Les Miserables. So I am merely putting another player into it and tweaking it slightly. There you go. My "explanation."

Chapter 8 – One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Eponine walked back toward the place she called home with only the stars and the moon to guide her. Though Enjolras had adamantly offered to walk her back, she had insisted that he not. She thought back to the kiss and the awkwardness that had been very present afterward. It had taken everything for her to not run away in that moment, but somehow Enjolras had convinced her to linger just a little while. It was enough to confirm a longing that she possessed for him. Not for Marius, but for Enjolras.

She smiled bashfully to herself, still finding it quite unbelievable that she should possess these feelings. She hardly knew the young man. He hardly knew her. Yet, perhaps it was enough. She was already aware that he could be quite caring and passionate, especially if it was something he truly believed in. He was very genuine. Perhaps it was her own insecurities that had led her to believe that he was trying to prove something in the beginning. Or, perhaps it was his pride. They all knew that Enjolras could be quite prideful.

But, there was something in that kiss that had spoken true to her. It had touched her heart because, she had felt, his was in it, as well.

"Eponine."

She had nearly missed the quiet call of her name. But, recognizing the voice, she whirled around to greet it, finding Marius hidden in one of the shadows. He had never presented himself in such a way before. It had always been her seeking him.

"Marius," she breathed, her hand going to her heart. "You startled me."

"I do apologize about that," he said rather monotone.

He stepped out of the darkness so that she could better see him. The look on his face was stony, and the small smile on his lips seemed forced. She had never seen him with such a strange expression on his face before.

"Is everything all right, Marius?" she asked, taking a step toward him, afraid that he would respond in the negative.

"Yes, I suppose."

She breathed a sigh of relief.

Marius glanced away, obviously discontent about something. "Well, actually, I am rather concerned about you, if you must know," he confessed, disgruntled.

"Concerned about me?" She sought to clarify what he had said, her heart racing. He had never revealed that he thought about her. She had only ever dreamed that he might. "Why would you be concerned about me?"

Where she may have felt overjoyed at the idea of him allowing her into his thoughts, she was met with more of a fleeting glee and then contentedness. Nothing more.

"Eponine," he stated, looking her directly in the eye, "I don't think Enjolras' intentions toward you are pure."

It was so blunt that it took her off guard. Immediately she stepped backward, feeling attacked. The smile ran from her face and a small blush crept to her cheeks. He was approaching very personal territory, which she wasn't entirely convinced that she was prepared for him to enter. She grew self-conscious, having to break his stare to peer safely down at the dirty ground.

"Oh," she said quietly. "Why would you say that? I didn't even think you knew."

"Yes, I was rather surprised at his confession the other day. In fact, this entire relationship between you two is very confusing."

Eponine thought back to Enjolras and her doubts began to grow again. She hated having such a feeling, but she couldn't help it. Especially, assisted by Marius' words. Her feelings for Marius, which she had thought to have been replaced by Enjolras and his pursuits, seemed to come flooding back. She suddenly felt a strange devotion to him, which hadn't been there since Enjolras had approached her at Notre Dame. Perhaps he had a right to be concerned. Perhaps she was being silly. Perhaps, and this frightened her most of all, she had been taken under Enjolras' spell, only to be fooled by him in the end.

She scoffed, attempting to hide her true emotions and how hurt and confused she was suddenly feeling. "You could hardly say that we are in a relationship," she muttered.

Marius rubbed her upper arms consolingly, sensing her withdrawal. "But that is perfect, Eponine. That means you have no loyalty to him."

She shrugged, the spot where he touched her tingling. "I suppose. But, if you don't mind my curiosity, why do you think that he is being dishonest? I thought you were good friends. Did he say something to you?"

Marius frowned. "It is Enjolras we are talking about. He has claimed outright how against romance and anything related to it he is. It is only logical that this is just a game to him—that you are just a game." He tried to study her face, but her head remained bowed, making it impossible. After a pause, though, he continued. "Don't tell me, Eponine, that you have fallen for him. Don't tell me that you have been fooled by him."

Eponine ripped herself out of his grip, spinning away. She was rather angry at this point. She just wasn't positive if she was upset at Marius, at Enjolras, or at herself. "What if I have? What if I've allowed myself to believe everything that he says is true? Would that be such a bad thing? It is not as if you, Marius, were ever concerned about me before. I was always there, always behind you. What makes now any different?"

Marius wrapped his arms around her. She was grateful that her back was turned to him in that moment or else he would have seen the blush completely overcome her face and her resolve shatter to pieces. In that moment of silence where his body warmth engulfed her and his particular scent invaded her nostrils, one tear rolled down her cheek, followed shortly by another then another.

"I am sorry," he whispered in her ear, his lips so close to her. "I am so sorry, Eponine. I should have paid more attention to you. I should have seen what was right in front of me the whole time. I wish I could save you from your loneliness."

Eponine turned slowly in his arms, facing him. She shook her head. "Marius, I am so confused. Why is this happening to me? I was content before—just being by your side. I just wanted to be there to make you happy. I wish I could simply go back to the time before all of this occurred. I wish I had never written that stupid note."

Marius brought one finger beneath her eye, wiping away the tears. "It is not your fault." He pulled her in, embracing her and holding her close to his chest. "Just come back to me," he cooed. He stroked her hair comfortingly, a small, victorious smile pulling up the edges of his lips.