Oh my god guys, look whose back after over a year of not updated! After nearly six months of not writing, I thought that maybe I would just discontinue this story, so I didn't try to write. But recently I started reading it, and I wanted to finish it soooo badly. So, sadly enough, this is the last chapter of Shell Shock. I hope it's a satisfying ending, and I hope that maybe some of the old readers can come back for it.

Also, I've basically rewritten this whole story. There's nothing major and plot changing, so no one has to go back and reread from the beginning unless you'd like to. I basically just fixed up some of the writing and changed some super minor details. However, I do recommend that you maybe check the new authors note that I've added to the end of chapter one.

one-hundred-and-three

Enjolras and Éponine didn't discuss it. As he said "whatever happens, happens" and that's how they looked at it. They didn't care too much to truly define or scrutinize things. If they held hands, if they kissed, if they appeared to be a couple to others, they didn't think twice about it. There was no need to delineate anything; they would simply do whatever they pleased. And that's how they liked it.

They did, however, discuss how far they had come since their friends' deaths. It was something the two were most definitely curious about.

Enjolras brought it up first. He was visiting Éponine at work and on her dinner break she came to sit with him. At first, it was just simple conversation until the thought came to Enjolras. Then, he simply couldn't shake it.

"How do you think you've been?" he asked. He took a moment, "I mean, since what happened in August, how do you think you are now?"

Éponine was quiet with thought. How, exactly, was she feeling? She didn't feel very depressed or solemn; didn't feel so distracted. She couldn't exactly say she felt entirely back to normal—she never could. There would always be a looming sense of emptiness. But could she say this was the next best thing to being normal?

"I… I feel like me, but with… I dunno, I guess something missing." She bit her lip, "It hasn't at all been too difficult in the last couple weeks, but I think I'll always feel like I'm missing something, no matter how good or bad things get." The two spent a long few moments in silence, "What about you?"

Enjolras gave a shrug, "Pretty similar to how you're feeling. But the thing is… I just don't know what to do." He stared at his hands, trying to properly assemble his thoughts, "I mean, what am I supposed to do? I'll never go back into the service—I refuse to—but I can't picture what the hell I'll do instead."

Éponine considered his response, "Well… we can find a way for you to fill up the time until you do figure it out."

"And what could I be doing?" Enjolras leaned back in his seat, raising an eyebrow.

"Anything that gets you to leave the apartment." She gave him a grin.

Enjolras scoffed jokingly, "Come on, I've been getting out a lot more lately. Give me some credit." Éponine let out a small laugh.

"What do you like to do, Enj? You like reading, learning; I know that you still love just talking, even if you don't do so as much anymore… you like to be busy."

"So… go to the library?" the two shared a smile.

"If that's what you want to do." Éponine stole a glance around the bar, "You could get a job."

"Could I work here?"

Éponine rolled her eyes, "You think that's a good idea?"

"Just considering some options."

"How 'bout you do that." She set her hand on top of his, fingers absentmindedly drawing designs on his knuckles, "Go out tomorrow and job hunt."

Enjolras' nose crinkled a little as he frowned, "I haven't had to job hunt since high school."

Éponine looked at her watch before standing, "I'm working again tomorrow, but you'll be perfectly fine on your own. Now, I gotta get back to work." She gave Enjolras' hand a squeeze and a fleeting kiss on the cheek before walking away.

one-hundred-and-four

On New Year's Eve, Éponine was back at Enjolras' apartment, the two lying together on the couch. Cosette and Muse were going to return home in a couple days, and then things would be as close to normal as they could ever be. It had been too long since the four were together at the same time, and maybe it would be good to have them all back again.

A small part of Éponine almost didn't want her friends to return, and honestly she hated herself for that—she loved them, yet having them back frightened her. She was afraid that somehow, they'd manage to forget the others. But then, she told herself, that was just dumb. How could any of them ever forget?

Maybe she was afraid that with the two back, Enjolras would be different. Maybe he'd retreat into himself, maybe he'd stop holding her hand absentmindedly, maybe he'd stop being the friend she'd grown to love. There were so many "maybes" in her head, and she just wanted to shut them all out, at least for the evening.

Enjolras noticed that Éponine was distressed over something. Though she was generally good at hiding these sort of things, he learned to pick up on them in these months spent together. He wanted to ask her about it, hoping that he could help calm her down. But he instead remained silent as they watched the New Years Ceremony on the television; it was something they could talk about later.

Honestly, he couldn't believe it was already New Years—how he managed to make it through all these months still surprised him sometimes. Enjolras knew he had the girls to thank for that, especially Éponine. As he watched her, he couldn't help but smile slightly when he looked back on their time together—she made these past months bearable, even when they were butting heads. Without Éponine... hell, he didn't know where he'd be right now. This was something he was worried to admit out loud, but he knew he'd be able to in time. He still had a long way to go before he was able to talk and act like he used to. But now, it didn't seem like an intolerable wait. Now, Enjolras knew he could manage it.

Midnight was finally approaching, and the countdown on t.v. started. Enjolras and Éponine remained silent while watching, though the small, child-like parts of them were growing more eager for the fireworks and celebration. And, again, Enjolras found himself staring at Éponine with contentment, watching as she momentarily forgot her troubles and smiled at the television program.

And then it was midnight. It was a finally new year. And before he could stop himself, Enjolras had a hand on the back of Éponine's neck and he was kissing her earnestly. It was unlike any kiss they shared before—it was slow and soft and everything the two needed it to be. The noise from the t.v. grew louder, but the pair never noticed because they were so wrapped up in each other.

Finally, they pulled apart and stared at each other for a few long, tender moments. They were both smiling widely and each thought the same thing in that moment.

'Let's see just what this new year will bring.'

Fin.

So, I'd just like to thank everyone for reading this story! Though it's come to end, there are sooo many things I wish I could've written. I had so many ideas for other moments-I may write them out as one shots and post them later on. If that happens, then I will definitely add an authors note to this letting everyone know. I've also thought to write a sequel, because there are soo many opportunities to have with one, but that's just a big maybe right now.

I would looove to hear from you guys in regards to this final chapter, so leave a review or PM of any questions, comments, or concerns!