IN THE STARS…

A/N:. I am a big Eponine/Enjolras fan but then I read To Keep A Soul by Stechpalme and I was instantly turned into an Eponine/Javert fan. Because the character of Javert is said to be loosely based on Eugene Francois Vidocq,
his first name in this story will be Eugene.

DISCLAIMER: They do not belong to me.

CHAPTER 1:

Her father had spotted her before she could even attempt hiding. Eponine swore under her breath as he approached her.

"Eponine! Go home, you are not needed here."

It felt as though a rock landed in her stomach as she noticed her father sneaking greedy glances toward the house she had witnessed Marius enter. Marius…

"Papa, no… There is nothing of worth in that house, it…"

"Quiet, Eponine. This is none of your business."

Out of nowhere, Eponine summoned the courage to look at her father defiantly.

"I'll scream."

Her father's voice was an ominous whisper as his hand locked around her upper arm.

"Scream and you will pay for it."

From where he stood in the shadows, Inspector Eugene Javert watched the scene with mild interest. When the girl opened her mouth to let out a scream, however, he was on the scene within seconds – just in time to see the man he now recognized as Thenardier, the owner of a rather shabby inn, hit the girl with enough strength to send her crashing into a vendor's stand. There was no time to pay her any attention though, as he rushed after the slippery criminal – determined to not let him get a way.

It was a few minutes later when he came to a crossing, knowing at once that he had no way of knowing which road Thenardier took.

He turned back grimly, frowning when he spotted the still figure of the girl in the exact place she had fallen.

He glanced around and the realisation hit him.

No one cared. Neither would he – he had little doubt that he girl was a common whore, not worth a second glance. His strong morality, however, moved him toward the girl to assess how hurt she was.

Big brown eyes met his as he knelt down next to her and lifted a brow. She was awake, seemingly unhurt. She looked to weak to stand up though and Javert held his hand out with a grimace. She stared at his clean hand for a minute and he sighed.

"You can't lie here all day, girl. Let me help you up."

Her grimy hand took his, and repulsed by her filthy state, Javert pulled her to her feet.

"Now get away from here."

Eponine watched quietly as he pulled a pure white handkerchief from his pocket, thoroughly wiping his hand with it.

"Thank you, M'sieur."

He nodded curtly and Eponine turned, rushing away from his salient presence.

Only when she had completely disappeared did he look up, a small frown between his brows. She had screamed, alerting the inhabitants of the house the gang had meant to ransack of the danger, alerting him of the danger.

He had not asked why.

Javert immediately decided that she had to gain something by warning them. The girl was no doubt up to no good. Perhaps she had meant to gain the trust of all who had observed it, including him. She had to have a plan to come by some fortune.

His jaw set, Javert made the decision without hesitation.

He would follow her. He would not let her get away, he would find out what she was up to, prevent the crime she was surely planning.

Eponine breathed a sigh of relief as she turned a corner, her entire body still trembling. She looked down at her dirty hands, vividly remembering the revulsion on the inspector's face as he touched it. The filth on her hand immediately transferred to his upon their touch. Her heart sank to her shoes as she saw another pair of spotless hands in her minds eye.

Would Marius be as revolted as the Inspector if their hands should touch? Would he wipe them, eager to get rid of her filth too?

She shook her head quickly. Marius was not like the Inspector, he would not mind a little dirt… She bit down on her lower lip when she remembered the look he had in his eyes when he noticed Cosette. If she was perfectly honest with herself, she would admit that Marius would not fall in love with her despite her dirty state.

He wouldn't even love her had she been clean and well looked after. She preferred, however, to allow herself to keep dreaming about him. That was all she had.

Her dreams.

She moved toward the ABC Café in a daze, barely noticing the iciness of the rain hugging her arms.

She immediately spotted Marius where he sat, slinking towards him and falling down in the open spot next to her. He mouthed a quick "Hi" before returning his attention to Enjolras, who spoke fervently of a revolution.

Eponine smirked. What did these boys know about life on the streets? Did they honestly think they could change things? Enjolras' voice was filled with a blazing passion, though that did not comfort her in the slightest. A revolution would never happen. The rich would stay rich, the poor would stay poor and the police would keep patrolling the streets trying to get rid off those who sullied the beautiful country. Like her.