Disclaimer: Victor Hugo owns Les Misérables.

Notes: The idea spawned from a livejournal community when someone suggested a Marius and Eponine romance from Marius' point of view rather than Eponine's. The story takes place ten years after the events at the barricade. I believe this would make Marius thirty-one and Eponine twenty-six. You are welcome to correct me if I'm wrong though. Reviews are major love, and because I play fair, constructive criticism and flames are also accepted.

Chapter 1

"Papa!"

A young boy a little over the age of five darted into Marius' study. The boy's hair was dark like that of his father's, but his eyes were crystal blue like that of his mother's. In the boy's hands was a parchment of paper. In hopes to grab his father's attention, the boy tugged on the end of his father's sleeve.

"Yes, Etienne," Marius turned away from his book and focused his attention on his son.

"I made you a picture," Etienne said with a bright smile upon his lips.

With a gentle smile, Marius took the parchment out of his Etienne's hands. A sense of warmth fell over him. Scribbled on the parchment was a picture of him and his son hand in hand, and up in sky was an image of an angel. Marius instantly knew that this angel was Cosette.

"See, that's mama in heaven watching over us," Etienne explained.

"It's a really nice drawing," Marius commented.

"I'm so glad you like it, because I worked really hard on it," Etienne said, his bright smile only grew.

Marius set the picture on top of his desk, and then placed both his hands on his son's shoulders. "I'll be out for awhile. Is there anything that you would like me to get you while I'm out?"

Etienne thought for a moment and then replied, "No."

"Alright then, I'll be out for about an hour, but I promise I'll be back as soon as I can," Marius assured with a smile.

"Bye, papa," Etienne said, and gave Marius a tight hug before he left.

"Bye, Etienne," Marius replied, "I promise that I won't be out long."

Before leaving, Marius snatched his black tail coat that happened to be hanging off the back of his chair. Then he ruffled Etienne's hair, and said one last quick goodbye before leaving his home. His smile faded the moment he left Etienne's sight, the picture brought back so many painful memories that he would prefer not to think about at the moment. Briefly he remembered the agonizing screech she had given minutes before her death. The very memory haunted him even now after so long.

"No, I can't think about that now. I've got to think straight," he whispered to himself. Then he forced his thoughts towards his grocery list to distract his thoughts. He recited it quietly to himself over and over until his thoughts once again became clear.

Marius continued to distract his thoughts by studying the people on the street. There was an old man with his grandchild walking along the sidewalk. Next there was a young couple, perhaps recently married, giggling with one another as they strolled hand in hand. Then he saw a brunette woman with a simple dress walking in a few feet in front of him. To her right was a middle-aged man, his dark hair was already fading.

"You look terrible today," he said to the brunette, "Have you any idea how you look with all that make-up on?"

"I don't know," it was a simple response given by the brunette.

"You look like a harlot," he hissed quietly, "I can't believe I let you out of the house looking like this."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know that it looked so bad," she whispered.

Their conversation was rather odd, at least for someone like Marius. He quieted his steps as he listened into the couple's conversation with sheer curiosity. The woman seemed to tense as the man moved closer to her.

"You aren't up to your old habits are you?" he asked her in a harsh tone.

"No, I haven't done such a thing in years," she insisted.

"It's a good thing you aren't," he replied, and the woman seemed to relax at his comment, "I've done more for you than anyone in your life, so I would even think about those old habits of yours if I were you."

She tensed again and her breath quickened. "I'm not like that anymore, I promise."

"How do I know that?" he asked.

"Don't you trust me?" the brunette replied.

"No, as a matter of fact I don't trust you," he replied.

"I've never been dishonest since I've met you," she assured him.

"You're lying," he insisted.

"Please, not now, someone might be listening."

As Marius listened into the conversation he could feel his muscles tense nervously. This was just something out of the ordinary, something he wasn't exactly accustomed to seeing. He was curious of what the two were talking about, but more than anything he wanted to leave the scene immediately. The way the man talked down to the woman was chilling, and Marius didn't know how much more he could bear of this conversation.

After a moment of thinking, Marius decided that he would pass the couple and that would be the end of it all. Besides, it wasn't really his business to get mixed up in the affairs of other people no matter how much sympathy he felt for the woman in front of him. Marius tried to pass the woman, but ended up accidentally brushing her shoulder with his own.

The woman looked over her shoulder, and instantly he felt his stomach turn at the very sight. The very look on her face, she had been completely taken aback by his appearance. So much that she couldn't stop her hand from covering her mouth while tears threatened to fall from her eyes. The pit in his stomach only grew when he saw the man briefly snarl at him before forcing a smile.

"I didn't mean to—" Marius stammered, he was at a complete loss for words.

"It's quite alright, good day to you monsieur," she replied.

The couple continued on their way leaving a very shocked Marius behind them. His heart beat against his chest as he tried to collect his thoughts. That woman, he knew her before, but she wasn't supposed to be here. She had died from a bullet wound ten years ago, and died in his arms. How could she still be alive?

Though she might have changed over the years, he knew exactly who that woman was. It was Eponine Thénardier, the girl who had lived next door to him ten years ago.

To Be Continued

Notes: Again, reviews are much love. I'm open to all sorts of reviews regardless if its mindless praise, pleas to continue, constructive criticism, or flames.