The Prisoner

Chapter 16

Javert sat down next to Rose and laid down, he put his head on her lap and instantly she put one hand on his stubbled cheek.

"I have a question" he started. Rose hummed indicating that he should continue.

"When your brother was leaving, he told me that it was difficult to earn your trust. Why is that?" He asked. Rose's hand dropped from his cheek and he heard a sharp intake of breath.

"Promise me you won't leave me after you hear this" she started.

"I would never leave you" he promised and sat up. He wrapped an arm around her and held her close to his chest.

"About a year ago, Grantaire invited a man to come to the cafe. His name was Montparnasse and he pretended to be a good man" she started to say.

"He's a criminal, one we've had trouble with a lot actually." said Javert. Rose nodded, Javert held her tighter as he guessed how the story was going to end.

"I was attracted to him and we were together for a couple of months. One day, he tried to force me to-" her breath caught in her throat.

"Stop" Javert muttered. He could feel how uncomfortable she was getting.

"I didn't do it, Javert. Joly saved me" she whispered, afraid that Javert was disgusted at her.

"I am so sorry that you had to experience that" Javert whispered. He pulled Rose on his lap and started rocking her back and forth gently.

"Thats why Joly and Grantaire were the closest to me, Grantaire always felt like it was his fault because he invited Montparnasse to the cafe and Joly was the one who heard me scream. No one but Marius knew what happened" she finished the story for Javert.

"Let's go for a walk" he said and put Rose back on the bed.

"W-what?" She stuttered.

"You heard me, we'll use the shady streets so we wouldn't be seen. Its going to be alright" he was already taking off his nightshirt and was getting into some other clothes. Rose got up and changed into a dress and together they walked outside of the appartment.

They walked in a comfortable silence, their hands that were linked together said everything that was needed to be said.

"Stop" said Javert and moved in front of Rose. Rose caught a glimpse of a tuft of blond hair.

"Reveal yourself" growled Javert.

"Hush Javert" she whispered and walked over to him. "He won't hurt you" said Rose gently. She could see Javert clenching his fist from the corner of her eye. A small head popped out from behind a wooden door.

"Don't worry, come out" she said with a smile. A small boy no older than 9 walked slowly towards Javert and Rose.

"I've seen you before" whispered Rose as she tried to remember.

"I don't think I have seen you before Mademoiselle" said the small boy as he brushed some hair out of his eyes.

"You're one of Gaveroche's friends, are you not?" Exclaimed Rose as she recognized the boy, Gavroche had been rather fond of him when he told Rose his stories. She just couldn't find a name for the boy. His eyes lit up at the mention of Gaveroche and a smile lit his eyes.

"You know Gavroche?" He asked excitedly.

"I do know him. Excuse me for asking but what is your name?" She asked.

"Lucien is my name. Have you seen Gaveroche? He usually comes by but I haven't seen him for nearly 3 months" he said. Rose felt her heart drop, he didn't know what had happened to his friend. How can she tell such an innocent child that his friend was dead, that he was brutally murdered because he fought for what he believed in?

"He is much happier now" replied Rose, not knowing what else to say.

"Is he dead?" He whispered, his green eyes were twinkling with unshed tears. Rose nodded her head slowly and Lucien let the tears fall.

"He told me that he was going to fight and that he may never return" said Lucien in between his sobs. Rose kneeled down next to him and hugged him until his shoulders stopped shaking from sobbing.

"Will I ever see you again?" He asked her.

"I hope so" said Rose with a smile.

"He's looking at us strangely" he whispered in Rose's ear. Rose chuckled and looked at Javert, he was looking at them with an amused expression.

"I will see you later, Lucien" she whispered and got up from the floor. Lucien ran off and Javert linked his fingers with Rose's again. Rose smiled, he wasn't one to show affection. She had always made fun of Jehan when he held hands with his partner, but she now understood why he did it, she felt safe knowing that Javert was next to her at this very minute.

"You would make a good mother" he said. Rose smiled at him as they rounded they entered their apartment.

Later that night when they were holding each other tightly in the large bed Javert muttered something,

"You amuse me to no end but today you amazed me even more than usual. I have never known what it was like to be held by a mother, it made me happy when I saw you holding that boy to comfort him. Maybe I just like seeing parents show affection but you are very special. You truly are an amazing woman" when Rose turned to look at him, she found his eyes closed but it looked like he had not drifted off yet. She brought her lips to his and held her hand to his stubbled cheek. She felt him smile against her lips, she pulled away and put her head back on his chest.

'I love him' was the last thought that ran through her head before she drifted off.