Marius lay on his bed – hands clasped behind his head – lost in thought. He was learning alot at the university – so much so that he never wanted to leave. Recently, they'd been taught about the rights of man, woman, and child – God given rights that should never be encroached upon. One that stuck out in his mind was the right to safety from violence, and how it was every person's duty to both report acts of violence and to protect the victim from further harm.

From this day on, Marius vowed, I will – to the best of my ability – protect every down-trodden man, woman, and child that I see, providing what comfort I can and making their lives a bit more bearable.

Pleased with himself, Marius felt the tides of sleep dragging him under, and so he gladly succumbed.

He woke inexplicably some time later. Disoriented at first, Marius quickly realized that the noise he was hearing – that of voices being raised – was coming from the Thénardier apartment.

He hurriedly rose, going to the hole in his wall that provided him with the means to spy on his neighbors. What he saw chilled his blood and caused him to see red.

Thénardier was advancing on Éponine, who had backed herself into a corner and was shouting at him to stay away.

Marius froze in shock when Thénardier reached Éponine and began to beat her, striking wherever he could and using whatever was at his disposal. Marius couldn't believe that a father could purposely harm his daughter – his own flesh and blood.

It was when Thénardier unbuckled his belt – a fearsome thing, thick and strong – and raised it, that Marius sprung into action. Hardly aware of what he was doing, he was out of his room and had burst into the Thénardier's before he knew it. He must have been quicker than he thought, for Thénardier still had his arm in the air. Throwing himself between the two, Marius took the blow in place of Éponine.

Recovering, he grabbed her hand and practically dragged her out of the building and into the street. They didn't stop running until they were well away.

Finally, Marius came to a halt, panting and gasping for breath. He, unlike Éponine, was not used to exerting himself in such a manner.

It was at this time that they realized that their hands were still clasped, fingers intertwined. When Éponine made to release him, Marius refused to let go.

"Why did you do that, Monsieur?" she asked, perplexed as to Marius's actions. He'd only seemed to tolerate her before, but never to the extent that he had just shown.

"I couldn't stand idly by and watch him hurt you, 'Ponine," said Marius, shaking from the enormity of what he'd done.

Disregarding propriety, Éponine embraced him, wrapping her arms around him and holding on tight.

"Merci, Monsieur," she whispered softly, her breath ghosting over his ear and causing him to shudder.

Thinking him to be repulsed by her, Éponine withdrew and made as if to leave, only for Marius to pull her in again, his hands coming to settle about her thin waist.

"Don't go, 'Ponine," he pleaded with her.

"Why not? You shudder at my touch – I must look a sight."

"You are a sight, 'Ponine," said Marius, smiling as he took her in. At the look of pain and sadness in her eyes, though, he was quick to correct himself. "You look like an angel."

"Me? An angel?" Éponine was stunned. No one had ever said such things to her before.

"I know you haven't been shown much kindness, 'Ponine," said Marius gently. "But let me. I can provide for you, give you the life you deserve – one filled with happiness. What do you say?"

Éponine regarded him, wary yet willing to trust – because he was Marius, her Marius now.

"Oui, Monsieur," she replied at last, a brilliant smile lighting up her face and proving that she could be beautiful – if only she would smile more.

Closing the gap between them, Marius rested his forehead against hers. Closing his eyes, he whispered, so only the girl in his arms could hear, "Éponine, je t'aime."

The young waif released a breath she hadn't even known she'd been holding. When this evening first began, she had no idea that she'd end up in her current situation – in the arms of the man who she'd secretly been in love with for too long to keep track of. Furthermore, she'd never imagined that he could ever feel the same way about her. To find that he did was more than she'd ever allowed herself to hope for.

"Moi aussi je t'aime."

So, it was several years ago – I went to see my high school's production of Les Miserables. I'd never seen a musical before, so I had no idea what to expect. I was blown away by the performance, and completely forgot that the people up on that stage were kids – my peers. I knew many of them, including those who played Jean Valjean, Marius, and Éponine. This idea came to me recently, and seemed very in-character – both in terms of Marius, himself, and the actor who portrayed him. Hope you all enjoyed!

French phrases and their meanings:

Merci – Thank you

Je t'aime – I love you

Moi aussi je t'aime – I love you too