Author's Note: First of all, I'd like to dedicate THIS ENTIRE CHAPTER (and most likely all of the chapters to come) to DonJuana19. Hon, you are an awesome person, and thanks for everything! And second of all, I'd like to explain my horrible inability to update. For everyone who has been reading my other story, Different, the next chapter is being worked on, and I'll update it soon. And third of all, I just wanted to say that this is the "cast" for this chapter: Enjolras-Ramin Karimloo, Éponine-Samantha Barks, Marius-Gareth Gates, The Amis-25th Anniversary Cast. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: If I was Victor Hugo, Alain Boubil, Claude-Michel Schönberg, or Cameron Mackintosh, I wouldn't be on Fanfiction. I would be hanging out in France with money to spend! :P

Chapter 1: In Which Oom Pah Pah Grows To Be Too Much For Enjolras

I have never been the type of person who enjoys chaos. Sure, the chaotic glory of revolution I could handle. But the chaos of forming one with a dozen other students with the strongest camaraderie ever, all talking at once? Forget about it.

I was going over a few maps and strategies as the Amis grew rowdier and rowdier. In one corner: "Oom pah pah! Oom pah pah! That's 'ow it goes!" from Grantaire, Bahorel, and Bossuet, who were obviously drunk. And in another: "Marius, I could give you a few tips on wooing your Mystery Dame!" from Courfeyrac and Combferre

My God, these men have no clue how annoying that pub song gets… I thought as I massaged my temples. I brushed my black hair out of my eyes and leaned over the table again. Nothing can be overlooked or forgotten if we wanted people to live.

"Enjolras? Enjolras! I think I might have the pox." Joly interrupted the concentration I held and was attempting to keep for longer than ten seconds . At that moment, the singing grew as more of the Amis joined in.

"…and dreamed 'e wuz an earl with a girl on each knee!"

And louder this time, how nice. I ignored Joly and loosened my cravat in a feudal attempt to gain my bearings on where my train of thought was going before it was interrupted with the beginning of a very strong headache.

"Enjolras! I need a professional opinion on this!" Joly shook my shoulder, his voice growing in urgency. The poor hypochondriac. The singing has now grown to downright yelling as Grantaire stood up and started waltzing around the Café Musain in fits of laughter, a bottle of rum held firmly in his hands. All of the other gentlemen joined in on the tomfoolery.

"ENJOLRAS!" Joly yelled again, but this time, straight into my eardrum.

"EVERYONE BE QUIET RIGHT THIS INSTANT BEFORE I HAVE TO RESCHEDULE THE REVOLUTION BECAUSE I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF A MIGRAINE!" I shouted, finally fed up. The Café fell silent out of shock from my outburst.

"Enjolras, please?"

I took a deep breath in an attempt to calm myself, then replied: "Fine, Joly. What is your problem?"

At my question, Grantaire stumbled over to us and put an arm around Joly. "He just needs to drink! To loosen up from all of the schoolwork! Alcohol should be man's best friend instead of dogs. Women can have dogs. They'd probably enjoy playing with a fluffy puppy over gazing at diamonds!" Joly shrugged his arm off, but the drunk kept talking.

"Grantaire. If you do not stop talking in the next sixty seconds, I swear to God, I will KILL YOU. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?" I snapped. Migranes won't be taken care of through drunken banter.

"Leave the poor idiot alone. Now, I think it might be the pox cuz-" He was cut off by Combferre:

"Aren't you the medical student? Why can't you diagnose yourself?"

I glared at him and turned back to Joly again. These men will be the literal death of me-

My thought was cut off by little Gavroche dashing into the Café and running into me. I turned behind me to look at him, and he smiled, waved, and took off toward Grantaire. Mon Deiu, was there no peace?

Marius was the other man to break the silence with worries about his beloved. "How on Earth will I find her? Maybe 'Ponine can help me…Enjolras, may I be excused from the meeting?" At the moment, all of the others started protesting and talking at once- and rather loud for that matter.

"Oh, for the love of- EVERYONE! FERMEZ LA GUEULE!" I shouted again, my anger boiling over. Everyone was silent again as I continued with my aggravated banter: "MERDE, you people are obnoxious! Do you guys even KNOW what you could be risking in this revolution? I have spent the last THREE HOURS attempting to figure and lay out plans that will keep us from losing our lives, but every ten seconds, I am interrupted with PUB SONGS, HYPOCHONDRIA, and LOVE!" At each accusation, I glared at its cause. "Marius, LEAVE. FEEL FREE. I hope you all enjoy DYING at the barricades. We're already going NOWHERE!" I growled at the last sentence.

I calmed myself and turned to Combferre, who was staring at me with a pale face. "Excuse the other men." He did as I asked, and soon, the Café Musain was empty except for Marius, who sat where he was, stunned.

"What is it, Marius?" I asked as I turned back to the table I was working at. I looked up again, waiting for an answer. "I apologize for yelling."

Marius replied with a red face. "N-No, it's ok. I understand; I couldn't hear myself think!"

"That's probably because your head was- and still is- filled with your beloved mystery girl."

"She won't be a mystery for long, 'Ponine will help me find her." My jaw tightened in anger at his statement.

Marius is as dense as a rock when it comes to reading feelings. All of the Amis can see the blatant infatuation Éponine Thérnardier has been representing. She has been his close friend forever, and through him, she has grown a strong bond with the Amis and I. And what made it all worse was the fact that she made us swear not to tell Marius, so we have to sit back and watch our friend's feelings get shattered.

"Speak of the devil, and the devil doth appear," I muttered. "Hello Éponine, we were just talking about you," I said to our friend as she walked through the large creaking doors.

She tipped her hat and replied: "Well I 'ope that's a good thing!" She turned to Marius to hear his request, and I found myself staring at her.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and turned back to my work, but I couldn't stop my worry and wandering eyes. I took in the sight of her, and I really understood why I was forming this uprising. So people like her won't be forced into prostitution or stealing or God knows what other crimes. But the minute Marius started talking to me, I snapped back into my headache.

"Did you hear me? Enjolras?" Marius called to me from the tables, and I turned toward them, rubbing my eyes.

"'Ponine is taking me to my beloved's home!" I nodded at them, and watched as Marius twirled a star struck Éponine around the Café.

In that moment, I saw something in her eyes that betrayed her true feelings behind her forced smile- misery. That stupid boy. He had no clue that he was driving daggers into our dear friend's heart. But what made it worse was the fact that she had full knowledge that doing this favor for Marius would kill any and all chances of him ever loving her back. She would sacrifice her happiness for Marius? That must be love then.

They left, and I looked around the empty restaurant. The events ahead were clear, and I knew that it would only end in tears. Forgetting my jacket and supplies, I walked outside and started to follow the pair.

They walked for a few minutes in silence, and I tried to keep them from knowing about my presence. Marius was the first to break the quiet cloud that hung around them: "W-What if she d-doesn't love me back?"

"Then she doesn't deserve the love you 'old for 'er." Éponine said this with a distant and slightly hopeful smile. Marius gave his reply by quickly kissing her forehead as they reached what I assumed was the mystery girl's home. I hid behind a small stone wall that was no taller than Gavroche, and as I peered over it, I could swear that 'Ponine was ready to pass out from that little peck.

"Je vais tuer cet imbécile aveugle," I growled to myself. He will ruin Éponine.

She pushed Marius toward the gate of the stately house, and we could hear the sigh of a love-sick female on the inside of the garden. Éponine turned away from her star struck friend and let a tear escape from her deep brown eyes.

She started walking towards my hiding place as Marius started climbing the gate, eager to see the girl again. "Technically, wouldn't that be unlawful trespassing?" I wondered this aloud.

"Ol' Javert wouldn't arrest 'im anyways!" Éponine sobbed as she discovered me. She sat next to me and leaned on my shoulder, soaking my shirt from her tears. I wrapped my arms around her small, shaking figure and lifted her onto my leg so she could relax a bit. Not knowing what to do, I started to hum a lullaby that my mother sang to me when I was a child. She continued to cry into my shirt, but she stopped shaking. That damn fool.

After a little while, her sobs turned to sniffles. She moved from her position on my leg and sat beside me, wiping her face. "You'll have to forgive me; I didn't bring a handkerchief," I chuckled. She shook her head and smiled.

"Naw, you didn't 'ave to. 'jolras, I wanna thank you for bein' 'here for me," she said in a shuddery voice. "Merde," she muttered. I looked up and I saw five gross men sneaking toward the estate. I looked around and realized that night had fallen.

"Who are they?"

"Papa's gang, the Patron-Minette. That's who I'm forced to steal for. I 'ave to get them away from Monsieur Marius and Cosette." So that's the mystery girl. Sounds frilly.

"I can take care of it." She widened her eyes at my statement.

"N-No way, 'jolras. They'll kill ya. I gotta do it." That made me a bit uneasy.

"Scream. That's the signal, and I'll get them out. Got it?" She nodded and waited until they were a bit closer to the gates before starting off towards them.

I ran towards the west end of the house, and I could see Marius and Cosette kissing on a bench. Shaking my head, I waited for Éponine's signal.

XXXXXX

Oh God, what'll I do? I stared into the lecherous eyes of Montparnasse as he told me of their plan. I nodded, then moved closer toward my father, who had no clue of my presence. That didn't surprise me; I'm only noticed in the Café Musain.

"I let 'er go for a song; it's time we settle our li'l debt. This'll cost 'im, no doubt," he growled.

Claquesous replied harshly, yelling that he should get his share. Papa shoved him, saying: "Shut yer trap! You'll get what's yours!" He turned around, and saw me, asking: "Who's thus 'ussy?" Grabbing my wrist, he pulled me against the gates, which rattled loudly.

Montparnasse answered Papa, saying: "Éponine. Don'tcha know yer own kid?"

"Éponine, get on home. We got enough 'ere without ya!" Papa yelled into my ear, and I shrunk back to get away from his horrid breath. At least I figured out how to keep my teeth clean!

"Papa, I know the 'ouse you're tryin' to rob. They're ordinary! Just the old man and the li'l lady, they ain't special." I attempted to convince them that there was nothing of worth.

He slapped my cheek, and replied: "Don't interfere! You got some gall, li'l missy, but you ain't gonna be tryin' to stop us!"

"She's goin' soft."

"'appens to all!" I heard quips from the others.

"Go 'ome, 'Ponine, you're in our way." Damn them.

I wrenched away from Papa's grip, and yelled: "I'm gonna scream! I'll warn 'em!"

"One squeak, and you'll regret the day you were born!" Papa yelled as he threw me into Montparnasse's arms.

"Too late," I muttered. "Already do. Well I toldja I'd scream. AHHHHHHH!" I screeched as loud as I could, and Papa grabbed me by the throat and shoved me into the brick that separated the sides of the gate. Please hear the signal! I thought desperately in Enjolras' direction.

"You'll regret that, sweetheart," Papa sneered in my ear. He knocked the wind out of me by a punch to the stomach, and I fell to the ground, gasping. He ran off with the Patron-Minette.

I did it! I saved 'em. Enjolras and Marius ran toward me, and they helped me to my feet. "'Ponine, what did they do to you?" Marius asked in a breathy voice.

"Nuthin' compared to what's comin' when I get 'ome," I said, my voice barely a whisper.

"Come stay with me then," Enjolras rasped, his face pale in the realization of my dangerous situation. "I still have some work to finish, but I could do it at my apartment. You'll be safe there."

My eyes widened and filled with tears as I ran the last sentence he said over and over in my head. No one. Not even Marius. No one has ever told me that I'll be safe.

"N-No, I-I'll get it worse if I'm l-late. Thanks, 'jolras." He looked at me with worried eyes and insisted, but I refused again. I put on a smile, tipped my cap, and walked away toward the house. Oh God. What horrors await? Damn, I should've accepted Enjolras's offer! It may not be too late-

"Éponine? Getcher ass in 'ere! NOW!" Papa spotted me. Oh God.

Enjolras? Marius? Help would be wonderful right about now. I looked around, praying that one of them would be behind me, but not a soul could be found. Oh well, we all gotta die at one point in our lives.

Well? What do you guys think? Hmmm? Please review! I beg of you! Constructive criticism is a beautiful thing. I'll update this as soon as possible, I promise!