A/N: You know how some stories are best left as oneshots because it makes them more powerful? Well, that is why I am posting a new story instead of updating The Phantom Waltz, though I did try. But I had to go with my gut.

"Enjolras, there's someone I'd like you to meet!"

Enjolras glanced up from his book with a sigh. The boys always had to interrupt him during the climax of the book, didn't they?

"I'll be there!" he called, determined to at least finish the page. Or the chapter. Maybe they would forget about him and let him be.

The door to his small reading room burst open, letting in far more light than he needed, or preferred, for that matter. Marius peeked in.

"Hurry up, Enjolras, show some manners, will you?"

"You're lucky you're you or you would have no room to speak," Enjolras muttered as he heaved himself up and carefully marked his place in his book. Marius led him out into the Café, where all of the men were gathered around Marius' friend. Enjolras figured the friend must be female for them to be making such a fuss.

"Who do you need me to meet so badly, Marius?" he asked.

"My friend, 'Ponine."

"I have never heard of a 'Ponine."

"Her parents named her after a book character, she says." Marius stopped. "Would it be, God forbid, a book the glorious and brilliant Enjolras has not read?" He gained a chuckle from the quip, and Enjolras stopped.

"In all my time I never read of a 'Ponine. So it must not be a good book then." He smiled. "And it is a girl, then?" Of course it was. He was never wrong.

"You could hardly call her a girl, Enjolras," Marius said, "She knows too much for her age. But don't let that scare you off. She's my best friend. She's funny, and is always there when I need her. She brought me to Cosette." He smiled. "You'd like her. And she isn't ugly. A little rough, not like my Cosette, but she's be easy for your eyes," he added with a teasing grin. Enjolras scoffed at the very idea. His mistress was freedom, France . . .

"If I didn't know any better I would have thought you were in love with her."

"Don't be silly, she's just a friend, nothing more."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. The thought is just preposterous. We're friends, and always will be." He raised an eyebrow. "Would you want to date your sister?"

They reached the crowd, gathered tightly around the guest.

"Make way, make way!" Marius called, and they split to reveal the last thing Enjolras expected.

Most would have seen first a ragged street urchin, covered in dirt and muck, dressed in old rags that weren't meant for a girl in the first place. Most would have seen a girl that looked like a messy prostitute, and would have guessed she was one. Maybe some would have seen a thief, a sly, clever street rat with intentions of only making it through her next meal. And a few would see an unfortunate soul that gave them an excuse to flaunt over and give her a few francs just to look saintly. But not him.

He only saw her eyes. Dark and deep, full of sadness and strength, cold and passionate. They were an enchanting brown, and twinkled in the light of the Cafe. He once read that eyes were the window to the soul, but had never truly believed until that moment. She stared at him defiantly, as if daring him to ogle over her in her sad state of unintentional undress like the other boys. He simply stared back, lost in her gaze. Marius had been right. About a lot.

"Enjolras, this is my friend Éponine, but you can call her 'Ponine, as I said," Marius stated, and they continued their stare-down. After several long (Were they long, short, he didn't know) moments, he held out his hand. She stared at it for a moment before shaking her head with an embarrassed smile.

"I mean no disrespect Monsieur, I would shake but I might get your hands dirty."

Her eyes said all her limited vocabulary couldn't, he realized as she spoke.

"I'll have none of that," he said with a smile, "My hands are no cleaner than yours."

"I doubt that, Monsieur," she replied, but finally extended her hand, which he took firmly.

"Enjolras," he said.

"Éponine," she replied with a small smile, repeating Marius' introduction.

"Enchanté," he said, kissing her hand, much to her surprise. She glanced from him to Marius to her hand, pulling it away. He straightened up.

They looked at each other for another moment.

"Well, if Enjolras is done attempting to court 'Ponine, than let's get back to work, shall we?" Grantaire called. He blushed. Marius winked at him.

Her eyes could dance, he noticed, as she simply laughed and turned to exit, after a glance at Marius.