Javert resented everything that the warden had said. Why was he supposed to make this poor inocent girl fall in love with him. And what was the reason, so that she wouldn't file charges! He was appauled at the deed at hand, but felt relieved that he had the chance to get better acquainted with Mlle. Dubois.
Javert went to the market place where he picked out some lovely flowers for Mlle. Dubois. He then headed to Chez Pierre in order to make an ammends with her and make her aware of the chore he had. He wasn't planning on actually making love to her, but he had heard that a kiss will keep a girl blushing for days. He pondered that, but thought of an alternative. There was a nice, but expensive restaurant named La Rose just on the outskirts of town. He had selected roses to give her, so he thought it would make a nice tie in. He wondered what her reaction to his gifts would be like. He had begun thinking right when he realized that he was on the steps of Chez Pierre. Javert swallowed a deep lump in his throat and entered.
Mlle. Dubois helped for most of the morning. Once everyone had left Pierre stepped into the back for a moment of rest leaving explicit instructions for her to call if she needed anything. She began to clean the counter when Javert entered. She was in complete shock, not expecting to see him so soon. She turned her back to him, for she didn't want him to see the scar.
"Bonjour, Mlle. Dubois." He said with a smile upon seeing her. She gave a side glance back with her good cheek and continued to clean the pots.
"Bonjour, monsieur." She answered in a nonchalant voice. Javert was suprised by her attitude towards him. He noticed her curly brown hair was down and hung nicely at her waist.
"Your hair, mademoiselle, is very...beautiful." His face turned red when he received no reaction, even though she was actually smiling contently, he couldn't see it. "It is like a...." He tried to think of what it looked like. "a...mouse's fur." She slammed down the tin pot and turned so that only half her face could be seen.
"Excuse me?" she called to him with the harshest voice she could muster without cracking an amused smile.
"Oh...no, that's not what I wanted to say!" Javert stuttered as the heat rose more into his face. He was not used to being nervous, so this took up a lot of energy for him. He found it very disconcerning. "Not a mouse...more like chestnut...yes, wonderful, beautiful, tasty...chestnuts." She gave a disgusted exhale. His comment just reminded her of her scar even more. Any mention of beauty sent a hand to her cheek.
"Mon Dieu, Javert, is there a reason for your being here?" She asked which really made Javert nervous. She had purposely not used the Monsieur in order to catch him off guard, which it did.
"Well, yes...um...no...well, I must talk with you!" She blinked away some tears that had appeared in her eyes. She loved him dearly, but didn't want to admit it.
Pierre, upon hearing all the comotion went immediately into the room and approached Javert seeing the policeman's uniform. When Javert stood, Pierre was seven inches taller than him, so he was easily intimidated by him.
"Is there a problem, monsieur?" Javert swallowed, but then quickly put on a mask of dignity.
"No, monsieur, we were just talking." Pierre's eyes were on fire. He now hated any policeman after what they had done to her.
"Pierre, it's alright, he means no harm." She said with her back still turned.
"This isn't the bastard that attacked you is it?" He asked accusingly. Javert lit up in protest.
"Monsieur, I would never harm her! I am Javert of the Toulon prison, and would never stoop below my duty." Pierre looked doubtful.
"Is your duty to rape innocent young women?" Javert stood up at this point having enough of it.
"No, monsieur, my duty is mearly to protect them." He turned to Mlle. Dubois, who had her back still turned to him. He wanted to tell her about Jacques, but thought that she would think that was the only reason in which he would give compliments to her. Pierre watched Javert give a loving gaze to Mlle. Dubois and he decided to apprehend the stare.
"So, you claim that you want to protect people? I'm sorry Monsieur Javert, but I will need to see some proof of your name." Javert was stunned by his request, but never-the-less, he took out his Identification card and showed it to Pierre who grabbed in and requested his reading glasses from Mlle. Dubois. She returned promptly from the back and stood with her left cheek facing Javert so that he could not see the scar on her right. Pierre put on his glasses and read the card to everyone. "Jean-Paul Javert, born November the 3rd, 1780. You're kind of young, huh?" Javert just gave an astonished look as Mlle. Dubois peered over Pierre's arm to confirm what she had heard. Sure enough when she looked over his name was Jean-Paul. She pondered over whether she should now call him that. Pierre regarded Javert who sent a glare into Pierre's eyes. "I only ask that because it says you are the Cheif of the Guards, that's a pretty high stature for someone who is only 16." Javert straightned up quickly.
"Monsieur, I have obtained this position through years of unfaltered duty. I have earned my postion." He said his statement so pointedly that Mlle. Dubois rolled her eyes at him and went back to cleaning. 'There he goes with that autority thing again.' she thought. Pierre handed back the card and gave Javert an untrusting glare as he said. "I'm only trusting you because she says I can...just remember that." and with that sentence Pierre retired in the back. He wanted to leave the two 'kids' alone, because he knew that she loved Javert deeply.
Javert watched her as she continued to clean. "What is it that you want, Jean..." she heard him take a gasp of astonishment "Sorry, I meant Monsieur Javert?" Her eyes filled with tears and she started to cry a little. He hadn't made any effort to want to see her face, which both relieved and disappointed her.
"On behalf of the department..." he then added quickly "...and I," he blushed and picked up the roses. "we would like to extend our sincerest appologies for what transpired last night." He said in the typical policeman's fashion. He grew impacient with her back and his mood changed to one of frustration. "Now, will you please turn around?" He asked.
"No." she replied her voice half choked in tears.
"Very well then." Javert ended it with that.
After a minute or two in that dead silence that feels like hours Javert added. "I brought these flowers as an appology." She turned her head partially in order to catch just a glimps of those dark, brown eyes.
"An appology...for what?" He cleared his throat and talked in a soft concerning tone.
"For Jacques Bouesatre. That should not have happend!" She stood still trying to choke back the tears.
"That isn't needed, I forgive you." she said simply. Javert didn't except this.
"But, don't you want them?" he continued hearing her sniffles "...they are roses." He added hoping to get a reaction, but failed. "I especially decided to buy these so that I could give you a hint as to where I would like to take you tonight." She gave a small sarcastic laugh.
"For what? Another beating?" Javert gave a start at her words.
"Never." His deep voice boomed in the deadlest tone. She suddenly trusted him like no one else. "I would like to invite you to dine with me tonight at La Rose." He said with a hopeful smile. He had done more smiling in the past few days than ever. She gave a start at the fancy name. She saw the restaurant as Pierre brought her into town. It was very fancy and she thought she would never see the inside, or at least past the kitchen. She became giddy at the thought of her and Javert at the fancy restaurant.
"No fibbing?" Javert gave a smile.
"I would never lie to you!" He said with a happy smile, because he knew that she was smiling.
"Why, Javert...is this part of your duty....to appologize." He gave a caught look for a second and then thought of a cover.
"No, mademoiselle, I want to do it." He said with a smile as he stood and walked behind the counter. He touched the flowers to her shoulder. She turned with her good cheek and took them. "Is this a yes?" He asked confused. She laughed giddily and answered with her charming smile.
"Yes, I will." She wanted to hug him and smother him with kisses. Something inside her began to turn, for she had never loved anyone as much as she loved Javert. He very conservative and not very friendly, but she still loved him so. She turned to him before she could stop herself, she put her free arm around his neck and nustled her nose in his bushy whiskers while kissing his lower jawbone. She knew he would never allow this unless she caught him off guard. He would never get this close, so she inhaled his sweet masculine scent which played with her senses like a sweet intoxication. She quickly pulled away and regarded his stunned face.
Suddenly, realization of what she just did set in and she silently turned from him. She saw the fire in his eyes and could no longer stand it. She only had a few seconds to walk away before she was abruptly grabbed by Javert and spun around. She landed against his chest and stood in fear of his wrath as tears ran down her cheeks. She slowly looked up into his flaming eyes and for once felt fear against him. She looked closer into his angered eyes and realized the hate was no directed to her, but rather to the scar. One of his large hands reached up to stroke this new item. She moved her head slightly tilting it in order to encourage him to touch her. She waited in anticipation as he lowered his hand to her face. His fingertips hit first and set her skin on fire which made her groan in pleasure. He ran his fingertips lightly over the scar with a look of intent interest. She watched his hand. His fingers glided lightly. He paused momentarily as his fingers reached her lips. He began going over the luscious mound, but then stopped when she responded with a gentle push onto his hand with her lips. He smiled at this action so she raised her hand to his face and gently brushed it with the back of her hand. She dug through his sideburns with her fingers, pressing her palm against his lips. He looked sleepy as he stared at her in extasy and layed a gentle kiss in her palm. She gave an emotional intake of breath and looked into his deep brown eyes that just seemed to glow. His eyes rose to meet hers and his stern look faded into something which resembled love. He stared at her for a moment in which her bright blue eyes where lost in his. He suddenly blinked as his eyes conveyed the message of fear. He quickly removed his hand the way a snake recoils. She blinked back to reality also. He looked like a schoolboy who had done wrong. He barely glanced at her as he dropped his arms which had instinctively wrapped her body closer to his.
"Jacques did that didn't he?" Javert asked with a worried angered look.
"Well, it was a bottle actually, but he pushed me, yes." Javert gave a look of mounting frusteration. She didn't dare move, for fear he would strike her. Javert suddenly gave a sigh and bent down in order to pick up the roses which had fallen to the floor. None had noticed that she dropped them, because they were caught up in the moment.
"I'm sorry, mademoiselle Dubois." He said with a sad look as he handed her the flowers. "I really must learn to control my temper." He lowered his eyes from her which set a fire burning inside her for him. She knew now that she would not let him go without a fight.
"It's okay. That was partially my fault..." she too lowered her gaze. After a few moments, Javert got the nerve to look at her again. He gave a quick smile and added.
"True, but it is the man's job to protect the woman from her own deeds." He added with authority.
"M. Javert, I suggest you escort me home less I must refuse your offer to dine tonight on the cause of male chauvanism." She said with a witty smile. Javert raised an eyebrow at her intelligence. 'This is the kind of woman that I would chose as a wife. Witty and a little rebellious...it will give us something to work on.' He thought with an affectionate return of smiles. Javert offered his arm to her and she took it with a smile.
Javert stopped on the doorstep of her small room and refused every encouragement that she offered to enter. After a few minutes she gave up.
"You will be here in an hour then?" she asked with a grin.
"Punctually too, so make sure that you are ready!" He added sternly.
"Yes, sir!" she said with a serious salute, which faultered into a playful smile as Javert's mouth droped in shock.
"In an hour." He said seriously. The entire walk to her house he thought of how ridiculous he was acting and decided act more becoming of a officer of the law. He gave a click of his heels, a confirming nod and turned to leave when he heard her call to him.
"Jean-Paul, could you just come here a moment?" She asked in a serious tone. Javert turned angrily.
"You may not use my formal name! Never address me as such! Now, what may I help you with?" He asked as he towered over her.
"Again, I am sorry, Monsieur Javert. This may be too soon for me to ask such an obscure question, but are you no longer attracted to me now that I have a scar." Something in Javert was softened by her helpless look. He smiled with an affectionate touch.
"Mademoiselle, you are still more beautiful than Helen of Troy." He doubted that she knew the analogy, after all she was a woman. She gave a beautiful smile.
"Oh, thank you, Javert. Helen is my formal name you know?" she said with a joking smile.
"No, I did not. Is it really?" He asked with a disbelieving look. She laughed a wonderful laugh that just filled Javert with warmth
"No, not really. I'm Kismet Dubois." She said offering her hand. Javert smiled and took her hand.
"Jean-Paul Javert." His deep voiced boomed which made Mme. Curieux look out the window.
"Then I shall see you tonight!" Kismet said.
"Yes." Javert confirmed. He turned to leave, but then stopped, turned to Kismet and gave her a sweet kiss on the scar. That simple action created a flood of tears in Kismet's eyes. He smiled and stroked her cheek. "In an hour." He repeated and left. Kismet stood in disbelief for sometime then quickly prepared for the best night of her life.
Javert walked to his home in deep thought. He chuckled to himself. 'Kismet...of course that would be her name. This is all fate!'