Disclaimer: I don't own the Les Misérables characters, I only own Kaylee so far and my friends are giving me permission to use their ideas and posts but all in all it is being published under my name XD

oo0oo

Everyone seemed to have forgotten Eponine… She was still sitting at her table, but the flirty smile had been wiped off of her face. It was replaced by a look of pain. All these men were talking about was fighting, even her own little brother included.

"They're all going to be killed"

She murmured, unaware that someone heard her…

Kaylee leaned back looking at Eponine through her that got in her eyes as she worked and moved about.

"You know they might not be. Just so you are clear here, I put the tools in front of them, now the numb skulls need to learn how to use them. Need a drink?"

She asked as she stood up brushing her slightly tattered dress.

"God yes." she said. "Absinthe please, Kaylee" Kaylee walked off to get the drink. Then Eponine caught sight of Marius. She felt her heart snap in two all over again. "No!" she said to herself, "I need to get over this! Grantaire was right, it's not healthy!" She banged her head on the table again, albeit more quiet this time.

Joly looked around in shock, shaking his head.

"Well, when do you propose we begin Enjolras?"

Gavroche noticed Marius, and couldn't help but walk over to him and sit on the edge of his table. "Scared Pontmercy?"

He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Marius blinked to himself and fell back slightly, shaking his head a little. "What would give you that idea?"

He asked in return.

Kaylee had returned with the drink and looked at her rubbing her back sighing.

"Don't worry about it, God... How do I even end up the bartender here in the first place?" She laughed softly as she placed the drink by Eponine. She sat on the table near by again. She looked at the group with slightly glazed eyes.

"Well, to begin...You look extremely pale, and secondly-" Gav began to answer Maruis' question, but was quickly shushed by Grantaire. Across the tavern, Joly began to cough violently. He doubled over and leaned against the wall and buried his face in his sleeve.

Enjolras face palmed, staring hardly at Joly; whether he really had an illness was a mystery to him…

Marius looked over to Joly and frowned slightly. "Maybe someone should get him a drink..." Marius suggested, glancing to Kaylee and hoping to get the attention off of him a little more. He felt his face and wondered if he really was pale…

Gavroche smirked and walked away from Marius, hands inside his pockets.

Joly shook his head, still coughing. "Won't help...Gonna die…" He wheezed, taking in huge gulps of air.

Kaylee resisted the urge to face palm as he spoke she could deal with a lot of things but between Joly always being sick, and Grantaire's constant drinking, she'd rather deal with the drunk, at least he'd be quiet…

Marius blinked over to Joly with slightly concerned eyes, but wasn't sure what to suggest.

Combeferre cleared his throat.

"Joly, I highly doubt that you are going to die. You are simply being a hypochondriac. Knock it off; we have more important matters to attend to."

He said as Kaylee smirked.

"Thank you Combe…" She muttered softly.

Gavroche walked over to Joly and smacked his back, causing the student to pitch forward. Joly lay still for a moment then rolled onto his back, looking up at everyone. He coughed once more and sat up, rubbing his throat. "Ow..." He muttered.

Eponine sniggered. These students were funny and foolish. She hated to think that they may all be killed. A strange mental image of them all lying in the mud filled her mind. She shivered. She looked over at them and saw how alive they were. She also saw that Combeferre was looking at her.

"Can I help you, Monsieur?" she asked,

"How come you were looking at us?" said Combeferre.

"I was just thinking; about this rebellion thing. Surely you know the risks? You could get killed, you know! Uprisings never go well."

"What about the revolution?"

"Apart from that!"

"Eponine why do you worry? Is it Marius again?"

"No, I am concerned for all of you. You are my friends, are you not?"

Combeferre got up from his table and walked up to her. He sat down beside her and turned to face her.

"But you do still care about Marius, don't you." He stated bluntly not even asking.

"So what if I do? I know it will never happen, but that doesn't mean I can't hope, can I?" She replied

"You talk like a revolutionary"

"Do I?"

"Yes, and, as a matter of fact, I think you could be a valuable member of the Les Amies."

"Rubbish, Combeferre. I am as stupid as an ass"

"But you are sharp minded and sly. Those are good qualities?"

Eponine stared. Was he asking her to join the Les Amies? Her grubby face broke into a wide smile.

"Okay, I'll join you!"

"Excellent!" said Combeferre.

"Enjolras!" he called.

"Yes, Combeferre, what is it?"

"Mamselle Thenardier has decided to join us!"

There was silence in the wine-shop…

Marius looked over to Eponine with a bitten down lip. He looked worried, and incredibly concerned.

"'Ponine? But it could be dangerous... You could get seriously wounded, or... worse."

Marius frowned at the thought of his childhood friend encountering death.

"No!" Gavroche shouted, shaking his head. "Ponine! What are you thinking? You're going to get yourself killed!"

He said, frowning deeply. Grantaire stood up and walked over to him.

"Gavroche, if your sister wants to fight, let her!"

He then leaned down to whisper into Gav's ear.

"If it helps her get her mind of off Marius, let her do it."

Gavroche sighed and nodded, not at all at ease with the idea.

"I say we let her decide for herself. We need all of the people we can get"

Enjolras said, attempting to settle the dispute peacefully…

Eponine cleared her throat and stood up.

"Thank you, Enjolras, it's my decision, and my decision is to fight for our rights! Why should my family and I live in poverty? Why should we starve? Gavroche, I'm doing this so you can have a brighter future! And if I die, I die for my homeland! And if I die I won't die in vain!"

Combeferre looked up at the Gamin-turned-revolutionary.

'By God!' He thought, 'She sounds like Enjolras now!'

The revolutionaries burst into applause and Eponine cheered.

Marius sunk down amongst the cheering with a desperate frown, staring at Eponine with a shaken look. "N-no..." He murmured, looking to her happy expression and then to a random point in the room. The image of her sprawled out across the barricade in a bloodied heap entered his mind, and it shook him violently. Marius stood and walked past the cheering crowd of revolutionaries and towards the door…

Gavroche sighed, shaking his head slightly. Grantaire and Joly smiled and nodded, both turning to face Enjolras.

"Well, what are we waiting for? The sooner we start the better!"

Eponine saw Maruis walk out of the café and went after him…

This left a slightly intoxicated Kaylee, Joly, Grantaire, Enjolras, and Gavroche all in the café Musian to plan.

Enjolras nodded at the young boy and his spirit

"Alright everyone, we're firstly going to need a bigger army"

He said, looking around the room at the maybe 13 men total plus Kaylee and wherever Eponine and Maruis went…

oo0oo

Outside the café and a few alleyways down…

"Ponine..." Marius bit his lip and wiped at his eyes.

"Y-you can't go to the barricade. You could die! For God's sakes if that happened I couldn't live with myself!"

Marius looked into her eyes.

"Ponine, please don't do it. Please..."

Eponine didn't hear Marius' reply over her frantic worrying. She fussed and fussed, trying to solve the problem, unaware that he had already solved it for her…

"Eponine..."

Marius let out a long shaky sigh.

"I...I'm fine."

He looked at her through her array of questions which had now all collided into one mess and grabbed her shoulders, shaking her slightly.

"Ponine!" He said sharply, trying to stop her rambling.

He sighed and looked into her eyes.

"I don't want you to go. You... you can't go! You could die!" Marius told her with a frown.

Eponine was stunned. He... he actually cared about her?

"Marius, I...I'm doing this so I can be with you." She stuttered.

She knew then that it was best to tell him there and then.

"Goddammit, Marius, I'm in love with you!" She yelled.

She turned on her heel and ran up the street, tears blinding her vision again. She sunk down against a wall to catch her breath. Her mind filled with questions. He actually did care about her? But he wasn't in love with her; that was for sure… Or was it? She didn't know and couldn't tell. Lost in the cavern of her thoughts, she jumped out of her skin when she felt a hand on her shoulder…

Marius squeezed her shoulder slightly and rubbed his thumb on her back gently. He looked down at the ground with a small smile.

"In love with me?" He asked, blinking a couple of times before sitting down next to her.

She looked at him, her eyes overflowing.

"Yes," she whispered. "For a long time now. But I saw you with the Lark earlier, and I knew it was never going to happen then, if it was ever going to happen anyway, which I doubt. You're a wealthy student and I'm a street-rat. We live in different worlds. But I still do love you. And I really hate myself for it."

She turned away from him, hugging her knees to her chest.

Marius stared at her for a moment, sighing gently, looking out towards the street before putting an arm over her shoulder and pulling her into a hug. Marius looked down a little and sighed. "Ponine..." He blinked a couple of times. "I met her once." He said, looking down to her and smiling a little. "You I've known for a while now and..." He shrugged. "I guess you're alright." He said slightly playfully.

Eponine stared at him coldly.

"Don't tease me, Marius. I didn't like it when we were children and I certainly don't appreciate it now. I saw the look on your face when you met The Lark. The words 'Love-at-First-Sight' come to mind. Don't deny it." She spat.

Marius bit his lip and his face dropped at her sour tone.

"I'm... sorry."

He said, a tad bit speechless. He looked down at his feet and sighed inwardly.

"You realize I do care about you, don't you?" Marius asked her, biting his lip.

"You're acting as if I don't seem to care about you at all... but I do care. A lot." He looked to her.

"I don't want you to go to the barricade because I care about you Eponine. I don't want you hurt."

Eponine's tears finally bust the banks of her eyelids. She sobbed into Marius' jacket.

"Marius," she whimpered, her body heaving with sobs, "I don't want you to get hurt either! Why do you even have to be in the godforsaken rebellion in the first place? We're all going to die, all of us! I know Enjolras speaks of hope, but let's face it, we're doomed!" She turned away again. "But maybe death would be kinder to me than life. It certainly seems that way."

"Eponine don't talk like that!" Marius snapped at her, turning her face back towards him.

"Death is never a kinder fate. Listen to me and listen well. If Enjloras says there's hope, then god dammit there's hope. They need every person they can get to go up to that barricade and fight. Even if it means we die trying."

Marius frowned down to Eponine, holding the sides of her face.

"Freedom is a powerful thing... And I wanted to help you get that without death."

He paused a moment before putting their foreheads together, using his thumbs to push the tears away from under her eyes.

"How are you meant to enjoy freedom if you're dead?"

Eponine sighed, enjoying the feeling of warmth that had washed over her when he touched her.

"That's just it, Marius! Death is freedom! Freedom from hunger, poverty and theft. Free from what makes me hurt every day. Not having to endure any of it anymore. It's full of opportunity. And if my death is coming, then I welcome it with open, happy arms."

Marius frowned to her when she spoke of looking forward to death, and wanting to endure it. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. "Well, then... Sorry Ponine..." He opened his eyes to her and looked into her eyes.

"I'd have to pull you away from death. Because you would live a thousand years if I could show you how."

Marius frowned, closing his eyes again.

"I won't desert you now..."

oo0oo

Back at Café Musian…

Grantaire frowned and leaned against a wall.

"How are we going to do that? Parade around and hope they'll join up?"

He said darkly. Joly sighed, shaking his head.

"Enjolras...I find it hard to believe anyone would believe us just yet."

Just outside the Café Eponine and Marius had finally wandered back… Maruis was left with the daunting thought of bringing her back in there…

"Fine, you know me, I just get worried sometimes. Come-on. Let's go back to the ABC and get some food. I'm starving!"

Giggled Eponine,

"Although, you're paying. You actually have money, which is more than I can say for myself!" She dried the tears that were still rolling down her cheeks. She readjusted her cap to its usual jaunty angle.

"What do you say, hmmm?" She said, doing a funny face on the 'hmmmm'

Which turned out to be much easier than Maruis had ever thought…

Marius smiled to Eponine and nodded, messing up her cap even after she had only just readjusted it.

"I say that if it wasn't for that desperate face you just pulled, I would make you buy your own food. But you know what -I'm feeling kind."

He grinned to her cheekily and then began walking back into the ABC…

Gavroche poked his head out of the door and saw Marius and Eponine about to walk back inside. He looked over his shoulder and shouted into the room. "Found them!"

He then disappeared back into the room. Joly had left, complaining off a sore stomach and a headache, and Grantaire had passed out in the corner...again. Kaylee made the motion of taking the bottle and beating him with it earning laughs from everyone including Ponine and Maruis..

"Should we warn him that you have homicidal tendencies towards him?" Eponine teased as Kaylee shrugged.

"It all depends on whether or not I act on them Ponine." She grinned cheekily. Eponine rolled her eyes.

"Oh, mon dieu." She said softly as she falsely yelled.

"Grantaire, look out Kaylee wants to murder you!" She said too softly as more laughter was heard.

Eponine and Maruis walked in arm and arm as he proceeded to buy her and himself food… Gavroche shook his head again, running a hand through his hair. He would never... ever, understand his sister. One moment, she's sobbing over life, the next? Walking arm in arm with the man that was breaking her heart…

Marius looked over to Eponine with a small smile and pushed some money her way before taking his food and walking to one of the tables, running a hand through his hair and sighing gently. He wasn't quite sure whether he felt better or worse. The news that Eponine loved him was certainly a day brightener and eye-opener... But, now it had shoved him right on the spot. And he really needed to figure out what was going to happen...

Eponine set a plate of food down in front of her brother.

"I think we could both do with a decent meal. Marius is paying for it."

She saw Gavroche's confused face, his cheeks bulging with food.

"I guess I have explaining to do, don't I 'Vroche?" She added, chuckling slightly at her brother's chipmunk appearance.

Gavroche nodded, frowning slightly. He swallowed his food and leaned back slightly.

Eponine sighed slightly and explained to her brother about Marius' reaction to her joining the revolution, and the heart to heart they had shared.

"What if he loves me..." Eponine mused, her eyes glazing over as she drifted off into yet another daydream.

"Oh dieu...You're starting to sound like the dreamer himself." Gavroche muttered with a heavy sigh.

Grantaire looked over at Joly, frowning slightly before turning back to his bottle.

"Somebody may want to wake him...before he misses Apollo's speech."

He said before taking a swig of his brandy. Having barely woke up but his drunkenness has him brimming the bottle anew.

Enjolras was standing atop a table, looking over the Amies

"The time is near!" He began, "But we must not forget that the army we fight is a dangerous foe. Of course it would be easy to sit here and swat them away like flies; but the National Guard is a bigger issue. We're going to need as many troops as we can; anyone willing to fight!"

Gavroche sat outside the door, a sly grin on his face.

"They're going to need little people is what they'll need."

He whispered to himself, straining his ears to hear more.

Right when Enjolras finished, Joly sat bolt upright, then leaned over and emptied his stomach onto the floor… The room fell silent as the student remained doubled over, coughing and wheezing, retching again and again. He slumped up against the wall and groaned quietly, raising a shaky hand to his face.

'Huh,' Enjolras thought 'I guess he really was sick after all…'

Grantaire stood up and walked over to Joly, feeling his forehead gingerly.

"He's scalding hot...Someone get him some water s'il vous plait."

He said, loosening Joly's cravat. The medical student doubled over again and retched, before completely passing out. Grantaire caught him before he hit the ground and looked around the room pitifully.

"Um...Help."

Another bar maid set water down but no one touched it, almost like an unspoken rule that if Kaylee didn't touch it neither did you…

Enjolras sighed, stopping midway through his speech to offer the drunk some help with the ironically sick medical student. He slunk off the table and grabbed Joly gently by the shoulder and hoisted him up back on to a chair.

Kaylee smiled. "Okay don't worry about anything it'll be fine!"

She says getting Joly a drink of soft liquor.

"Only this once you hung-over drunk." She said getting him a decent non pisswater beer. "Enjoy…" She said as she then made her way around the tables still working even though she wasn't dressed for it…

Combeferre started,

"Hang on, Joly's ACTUALLY sick this time? Dieu."

Eponine nodded,

"For once he's not pretending, being a hyper-carrier-bag or something."

"Hypochondriac" he corrected, chuckling at the slip of the tongue.

"Oh, whatever." she huffed, "What matters if our doctor is sick? How nuts is that?"

Joly groaned quietly, trying to stand. Grantaire gently pushed him back into his seat. "None of that now mon amie." He said, sliding the whiskey over to Joly, who shook his head. "It won't stay down...Oh dieu." He groaned, doubling over again.

Gavroche frowned at the sudden silence, twiddling his thumbs aimlessly as he waiting to hear something other than Joly, Kaylee or Ponine…

Kaylee looked at Joly pitifully.

"Here,"

She said getting him water with some sugar to replace lost fluids.

"If you can't even keep this down, we are taking you to a hospital whether i have to pay for you myself!"

She said sternly sighing as she drank down his other drink.

"I am going to get sick from all of you!" She gave a soft laugh her gentler side…

Grantaire rested his hand on Joly's back and helped him to sit up. Joly picked up the water and took a small sip, the glass almost slipping out of his hand. He took another sip, his hand shaking like mad. This time the glass did fall out of his hand, shattering with a loud crash. He winced and whimpered quietly, resting his head on his arm.

Kaylee sighed…

Combeferre walked up and lightly patted Joly on the back. "Joly, mon amie, I think you should go home and rest. For once, you're actually ill."

"Combeferre is right Joly. You'll need all of your strength to fight" Enjolras said, looking at the sick young man, before turning and talking to some of the other Amies

Joly nodded and slowly got to his feet. Gavroche shot forward and stood next to the ill student, holding him steady. "I'll go with him."

He announced. Joly forced a small, thankful smile before coughing violently. Gavroche took one of his arms and lead him out. Grantaire whistled and leaned back.

"Where were we?

Combeferre shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know! I wasn't really listening..."

He glanced over to Eponine again. He would NEVER EVER get the female mind. One minute she hated Marius, the next she's all mate-y with him. He repressed a groan and tried to turn his mid back to the conversation.

Marius was up to his daydreaming larks again, trying to get his mind off of the fact that Joly could be dying and trying to distract himself with endless thoughts about la-de-da nonsense.

Gavroche walked back in, slightly pale. He shook his head and made a face, sitting down near the door again. He poked his head inside.

"Joly might not be coming out for a few days. God only knows how many times we had to stop for him to throw up on the way to his apartment..."

The young boy shuddered.

Enjolras threw up his hands in frustration, before running them through his hair. When he'd planned on having a revolution, he had most certainly not counted on his army dying out from illness.

Kaylee sighed and grumbled about men being too occupied with war. "You two make yourself useful! READ!" She said annoyed as she slapped down to books on war in front of the two. She rubbed her temples as she flipped a page and drank another drink.

Grantaire laughed and downed the rest of his bottle. He leaned back and watched the rest of Les Amies, tapping his fingers on the edge of the wooden table.

She scowled at Grantaire.

"Grantaire! Make your drunken ass useful for once in my bar and give me that!"

She tries to take the bottle but he downed it too fast. She grabbed the empty thing and looked to the bartender.

"Josh! I told you the drunk doesn't need anymore, if you want I'll pay you every time he asks!" She says exasperated.

Enjolras glared at the girl, before picking up a book and flipping through it; at least it would distract him from thinking about Joly

"Enjloras, if you are gonna glare at me before you read every book I hand you, get over it. I have more things to do, money I could be making right now but non, I am in here, helping all your Revolutionary asses out. But does no one ever thank this poor girl? NON! No one does I will die a simple bartender's helper. It is pitiful! But at least you guys make money some other way than flirting with your own body or a freaking tip!"

She was pissed over something and decided to drop the drink in Grantaire's hand. She was also over reacting and having a 'moment'…

"Enjoy mon amie, I am an aggressive drunk I am done with my booze, now I am getting water to kill my hangover for the morrow's morn. If I live to see it at least!"

She joked dryly while getting water and downing it.

Grantaire chuckled at Enjolras.

"Well, well Apollo, getting beaten down by a woman. That's a new one."

He said, taking a small sip of his newly received drink. He propped his feet up on the table and looked around, noticing Gavroche still near the door. The young boy walked in, wringing his hat in his hands.

"Come 'ere 'Vroche. Why don't you give us a hand eh?"

The drunk asked, smiling as the boy's face lit up.

Grantaire waved to get Enjolras' attention.

"Mind if the kid helps Enjolras?" He asked, using the revolutionary's real name, something he never did.

Enjolras stood there, utterly dumbfounded. He grit his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut, trying desperately not to lose his temper, especially around the young boy.

"By all means, Gavroche" He gritted.

Grantaire walked over to Enjolras and placed a hand gently on his shoulder. He shook his head and chuckled.

"This may seem pointless now Enjolras, but it will help you...us."

He said softly, giving the other student's shoulder a quick squeeze before returning to his table.

Gavroche smiled and sat himself next to Enjolras, reading over his shoulder.

o0o0

Javert waited in the shelter of a tree, his hand resting on his baton. He was waiting for his informant to show up, and the young man was running late. Suddenly, the mousy haired boy ran up to him, completly out of breath, but with a certain gleam in his eyes.

"Well?" Javert asked, tapping his foot impatiently.

"The-the students. They're planning a revolution!"

The boy gasped, leaning against the tree for support. Javert paused, then frowned.

"Are you lying to me boy?" He growled. The boy shook his head.

"Non Monsieur! Go to the café! They are there now, planning!"

Javert nodded and handed the boy the 5 sous he had promised. He then began to walk down the street towards the café the boy had mentioned. He pushed open the door and wrinkled his nose at the smell. He made his way to the back of the tavern and leaned against the doorframe, listening to Les Amies talk. He smirked and pulled out his notepad, writing down everything that would be of use.

Gavroche looked up and frowned, seeing the shadow in the doorway. He poked Enjolras' shoulder.

"Um...Are we waiting for anyone?" The young boy asked, pointing to the door.

Enjolras lowered the book in his hands, and followed the boy's gaze to the door. He turned to Grantaire and shouted his name before nodding his head towards the doorway with a questioning look.

"Non, hang on I will be back." She drops her voice so only the few near her can hear. "Clear all the books now. If I am not back in three minutes come look for me. I think we are being watched." She dons an apron as she walks outside.

"'Scuse moi Monsieur, but do you need anything? The drinks are inside."

She said to the figure as she walked out to meet him.

Enjolras did as she asked, knowing that something was wrong, and watched her go

Javert shook his head. "Non, madam. I am just looking for a friend of mine. He is new in town and...well, he got lost."

He said with a small laugh, sticking his notepad quickly in his pocket. He turned on his heels and walked towards the door…

Gavroche stood up and walked to the door. "He left?"

He asked, eyeing the doorway. The young boy thought he recognized the man, but couldn't place it at the moment. Grantaire yawned and tipped back in his chair a little too far. He fell back with a small yelp and the contents spilled all over the place…

Kaylee sighed as she visibly relaxed. She waved the other man off trying to act friendly. Turing she helped the Grantaire up.

"You need some watered down booze."

She stated as she took off the apron throwing it on the nearest chair in case.

"Now where were we? Also thank you guys for doing as I asked. It was nice."

She looked at the group of men plus Eponine. She then feeling nice got Grantaire another drink.

"I feel as if I owe you so only one more to pay back debt I know you are in love with booze. For if alcohol was a lady you'd be married with little alcoholic children everywhere!"

Grantaire laughed and sipped the new drink.

"It's true..."

He muttered, pretending to kiss his glass. Gavroche rolled his eyes and shook his head with a small laugh.

In a moment of alcohol induced haze she playfully slapped Grantaire's arm. She then jumped. "Oh, good god I am drunk!"

She laughed.

"I was about to flirt with the Booze lover!"

She giggled some more. "This is bad for my health!"

Gavroche had seen this, and had nearly fallen out of his chair with laughter. Grantaire looked highly offended, taking another sip as he spoke.

"Now I know why I prefer the bottle to women..." He grumbled with a sly grin.

Kaylee looks at him with a gleam in her eye. "No Monsieur please do NOT be offended! But I have one question how do bottles satisfy all needs? I am sure not all the working women out there in Paris have shared a bed with a bottle before!"

She joked hardily.

Grantaire raised an eyebrow, then chuckled quietly.

"There are many things the bottle helps with. Numbing the pain of reality, the hopelessness of life..."

He had suddenly become rather quiet and dark. He sighed heavily and shook his head, leaning against the table and running a hand through his hair.

Enjolras slammed his hands down on the table he was at: a sound which echoed through the entire tavern. He pushed off some glasses and bottles that were atop it and picked the small table. He dragged it across the silent room and out the front door, where he placed it in directly in front of the tavern, and turned to face the all the students that were staring confusedly at him; he pointed at the table

"Build…" Was all he said. It was time to begin building the barricade.