Disclaimer: I do not own any aspect or variation of Les Miserables. That genius belongs to Victor Hugo and all of those who followed.

Title: Reprieve

Summary: Sometimes life gives us a second chance, but are we too weak to take advantage of this gift? Javert had thought he would die; he had hoped he would die. However, it seemed that life had not finished with him just yet. How can he hope to make a new start with all that had transpired? Life has an answer to that, as well.

Author's Note: I just wanted to say that Cosette's final words last chapter were intended to be indiscriminate between Javert and Valjean. I know that seems strange, but her confused feelings in the moment and seemingly shattered self image may cause her to react that way, in either circumstance. On another note, this is going to be the final chapter in this story. I was so unsure how to end this story, so I hope it isn't unsatisfying. I wanted Javert's existence to remain a mystery. As to what happens to him after this, nobody knows. I also wanted to show almost an understanding from Marius, though that may seem kind of unlikely. But, anyway, I hope that you all enjoyed this. Thank you for following this little idea.

Chapter 11

- Stars

Cosette remained despondent for days. Marius, though try as he might, was incapable of comprehending what could have kept her in that state; and even Cosette couldn't be absolutely positive about what plagued her so. Javert had hardly made an indent in their lives with his reemergence, and his influence in the past was not what they would call positive. However, that didn't stop Marius from believing his sudden absence to be the exact cause of Cosette's tears, no matter how much he just did not understand it.

Javert's final words to her stuck with Cosette. It burned into her heart, causing her to rethink all that she had thought she had known. She had always had a certain perspective of herself and her life—modeled after what she believed Valjean would approve of. He led her in everything. But, she suddenly felt like she had failed in this pursuit of perfection. After all, Valjean had been able to forgive the man who had plagued his life for so many years when she seemed incapable of doing so.

Despite her dejection, Cosette managed to robotically maneuver throughout her everyday life. Yet, it appeared empty efforts to her husband. Marius couldn't help but worry over his precious bride. It was dawning on a week with her continuous brooding when Marius decided that he had had enough. He confronted her after supper one evening when the pair was occupying the quiet sitting room.

"Cosette, my love, will you not tell me what plagues you?" Marius pleaded, kneeling at her feet and staring up into her face.

Cosette, who had been solely distracted sitting and staring out of the window, had turned her head in his direction upon his first maneuver to his knees. Now, it was evident that tears were beginning to sting her eyes.

She shook her head. "How could you understand?" She sniffled.

Marius took her hands, resting their entwined fingers in her lap. "Please, if only just to unburden yourself. Darling, I am worried about you."

Cosette took a deep breath to steady herself and come to a decision. She adored Marius more than anything else in the world. She couldn't stand to see him pained and upset.

"You were not aware of this," she began carefully, "but I knew all along that our guest was Javert—the same man from our past, and I had met with him the night he left."

"That would explain where I found you," Marius thought aloud.

"Yes," she confirmed. "There was something I needed to ask him about then he turned the entire conversation around. You see," she paused momentarily, "he had mentioned how alike we are. That was why he was drawn here."

"You two are nothing alike, Cosette!" Marius shot in, defiant.

"But we are!" Cosette insisted, standing and moving away. She turned toward the window and the starry sky beyond. "That was what I have come to understand, Marius. It seems absolutely absurd, but we actually are quite similar. I thought that if I were like anybody it would be Valjean, the man who raised me, and perhaps I do still reflect some of his teachings; but it is really Javert that my life is most similar to."

Marius stood, as well. He was ready to ask all of the questions that were swirling in his mind. At the same time, he wanted to understand, and for that he needed her to continue. She spun slowly toward him again, the hem of her gown circling about her thin ankles.

"Our stories correspond all too well, Marius," she explained carefully. "Even to the point where we both just happened to be changed forever by a mere convict." She scoffed, shaking her head. "Of course he is more than that. But that is precisely where he started, isn't it?"

She raised her eyes, questioning and unsure. Marius wished he could provide answers, but it seemed as if he were not sure of anything anymore. He had heard it himself from the man's own lips. He had been told Valjean's life story and how he had come to possess Cosette. It actually had made him respect and love the man even more—to think that one's fate could alter so drastically.

"Jean Valjean had the choice of life or death for Javert once," she whispered. "In his eyes, Javert believed I held the same power. And perhaps I did. Perhaps by not seeing through the past I condemned him." She stifled a cry of anguish so that it released as a squeak. "Jean Valjean had given Javert his life back, but what have I done? I killed him instead."

Cosette began to break down, but Marius was there to catch her as she sank to the ground and comfort her in his arms. He petted the back of her head lovingly, cooing to her. "You are the most loving and kind person I have met. I owe that all to Valjean, so it astounds me when you say that you cannot see his influence in your character." He held her back gently and looked at her. "You cannot hold yourself responsible for Javert, my love. If he learned from Valjean like he said he did then he will have no problem surviving out there. Just look." He turned his head toward the window and the black night outside of it. Cosette did the same, following his gaze to the heavens. "Those stars are ever altering in the sky. That doesn't mean they change their composition or their makeup, does it? Javert is like those stars. He may attempt to alter his person, but there will always be a core that is unchanging."

Marius looked back onto Cosette and smiled. He couldn't believe he was smiling. After all, he was speaking about the man who had murdered his friends. It was the same man who had haunted Cosette for years. The one who had stalked Valjean, Marius' own savior. Yet, Marius smiled, reassuringly, straight from his heart.

"And, like the stars, there will always be a Javert."