Title: Probationary Period

By: Tidia

Beta: All mistakes are my own.

Disclaimer: As this an AU of a book that is over 100 years old, I think I am safe, but what the heck-disclaimed.

A/N: This is a modern AU because although I plan to write in the timeline I think it is best to wait until the 10 episodes are completed. Also, it is easier to write in a modern AU and to move it to the US and I can have fun being creative. There is also the issue that the remaining d'Artagnan books don't have the brotherly relationship that I am looking for. Hello, Supernatural Brotherhood fans- as you know I have to do something with a brother relationship. Will there be more of these (are you still reading the author's notes- you rock!)? Yes, I have a few ideas.

Paris, Texas is the second largest Paris and there is an Eiffel Tower with a red cowboy hat.

Chapter 1: Probationary Period

The probationary period had ended and Aramis had the rapier ready. It had been a tradition he started when the team was formed five years ago. Aramis had found three rapiers at an antique store. Each sword was different and fitted the personality of the men. For Athos, a strong blade in an elegant simple hilt with etched fleur de lis on the forte hung on the wall of the supervisory agent's office. Porthos's blade was about strength, the hilt was fortified and thick and the blade plain. Like Aramis, the Special Agent's blade was behind his desk, sitting in a sword stand. Thankfully, the blades were dull, because Special Agent in Charge Treville did not want them engaging in swordplay in their downtime. Still sometime, during a late night with Treville away from his office one flight up over the bullpen, the swords came out. Aramis's delicate blade had even endured a knick from Athos's blade as Athos knew how to fence and tied to teach them from time to time.

Aramis was surprised he had to find another blade. He thought the three of them were a complete team within the division run by Louis Capetian, one of the youngest Division Chiefs. Division Chief Capetian had been charged with running a special division out of Paris, Texas where the FBI's mission was to work with local law enforcement instead of taking over as was the norm for the Bureau. They were assigned to the southern state region. The Director wanted to work on the FBI's reputation of being Famous But Incompetent, and that could only happen with a grassroots effort.

Treville's team had been nicknamed the Musketeers while Richeleiu's team was known as the Red Guards. Richelieu was known for having a group of well-paid informants that he utilized for results, instead of the good police work that was done by the Musketeer teams. Aramis, as a Musketeer felt strongly that the Musketeers were the better group and was glad that d'Artagnan had joined their ranks.

It had been a rough beginning with Athos being framed for murders he did not commit; thankfully he had a good alibi. d'Artagnan had been instrumental in proving Athos's innocence, and getting justice for his father's death. The young man proved that he could be a good fit for the group. Athos was a strategist, Aramis the sniper and trained EMT and Porthos an undercover specialist, and with d'Artagnan they discovered they saw a little bit of all them in him. He could be trusted to stand with them. d'Artagnan had the right credentials, ROTC in college and a 4 year stint in the Green Berets gave him the skills needed to join the FBI and he had a need to be useful. As d'Artagnan had said many times, he didn't have the patience to be a farmer like his father. The FBI was a better fit.

Aramis didn't know how, but a bond had formed between Athos and d'Artagnan. It was not that they had a similar background. From what Athos shared he was in Harvard Law when after a romance gone wrong he joined the National Guard and served overseas. Aramis had come in through Border Control and Porthos through Houston PD.

Aramis did not knock as he entered Athos's office as was his custom. He sat down, placing the wrapped sword in his lap. He was always amused by the view from Athos's window- he overlooked Collegiate Drive and the only Eiffel Tower with a red cowboy hat on it. "I thought we could present it together?"

Athos glanced up from his paperwork, then focused again on the forms in front of him. "All for one and one for all. Really, Aramis?"

But Aramis would not be put off. Athos had a gruff exterior, yet this group of brothers was his only family. He would do anything for them as Aramis had been on the receiving end and witnessed. "I like it, and we are going to Dumas's afterwards for drinks."

Athos neatened the pile before him and put his pen down. He relaxed into his chair and gave a rub to his beard. "You should have said that from the beginning."

"We are trying to curb your alcoholic tendencies."

"I noticed."

Aramis winced. They were not doing a good job about being discreet in their surveillance. He and Porthos did keep tabs on which bar their supervisor could be found in after work when they were not together. Even d'Artagnan had assisted when he came on board. Thankfully, they could trust Constance at Dumas, and Athos tended to take a corner booth to brood there frequently.

Porthos popped his dark head in. "He's coming back."

d'Artagnan rejoined them, coming down the stairs from Treville's office with a manila folder in his hand. "It's official. I passed my probationary period."

Aramis smiled. "Almost Special Agent, part of the Musketeers."

D'Artagnan shook his head. He would not feel like one of them until it was official even though they told him it did not matter. "Not yet. Chief Capetian has to sign off, and Treville says under protocol that's another 3 months."

"Even with your work on the Vadim case?" Porthos asked, taking the other chair in the office so that he wasn't taking up the whole doorway. "I thought for sure that you would be a shoe-in for a fast track."

"Maybe if there hadn't been collateral property damage," Athos interjected.

Porthos shrugged his shoulders. "Pff, what's a little damage when you stop a known armed robber."

Athos raised his brows. "And the fact that he got hurt." d'Artagnan, just out of Quantico training, had volunteered since he was the only person in the unit that Vadim was not familiar with and could be easily placed. However, they had forgotten that Vadim was a mastermind, and did not trust so easily.

"The kid just wanted to make sure that his health insurance benefits had kicked in." Porthos replied quickly, still in his usual jovial mood.

Aramis stood up, holding out the package to d'Artagnan who was still in the doorway of the office. "Well, you are one of us."

He accepted the package, tucking the folder under his arm. The younger man studied it for a moment.

"Go ahead, unwrap it," Porthos prompted. "We're taking you out after and I'm hungry."

d'Artagnan carefully unpeeled the paper. "A sword." The hilt was more intricate in the curvature then the other swords Aramis had acquired. d'Artagnan held it out in a stance, then rested the blade in the palm of his hands.

"A symbol of brotherhood," Aramis said, seeing that the young man had appreciated the sentiment. He had admired their swords, commented upon them.

"And that Aramis has too much time on his hands to search every antique shop in a hundred mile radius," Athos added. "When he should be working."

"He used ebay. I know that for a fact, and I think it was his latest girlfriend who found it for him," Porthos defended his friend.

It was well known that Aramis enjoyed the company of the opposite sex. They found him irresistible.

"How old is this one?" Athos asked with a small grin developing.

Aramis turned so that his back was completely facing Porthos and Athos. They snickered in response. "Ignore them." Aramis put a hand on d'Artagnan's shoulder. "You are one us and this makes it official to us."

d'Artagnan seemed to be struggling, and his Adam's apple shifted up and down in caught emotion before he answered. "Thank you. I don't know what to say."

Porthos stood, pushing Aramis towards the door. "We are men of action. Buy us drinks."

They shuffled out of the office, d'Artagnan stopping at his desk and set the rapier upon it.

Athos joined them, shutting the light in his office and closing the door as they made their way to the elevator.

"I'm sure that Constance will be happy to provide congratulatory drinks," Aramis said, grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair.

d'Artagnan rolled his eyes. "She's married." Since he came to Paris he had been living in the apartment above the bar, and helping the beautiful landlady when he had free time.

"A temporary condition," Aramis replied. He knew how things could change in life. He had thought he would become a priest, but instead he was working for the FBI.

"Aramis, do not give Agent d'Artagnan advice when it comes to love." It sounded as if Athos was giving an order.

"He is still impressionable, not like your jaded soul." Aramis threw an arm around Athos's shoulders. "I still pray for you."

"I am sure that prayer somehow involves your expense account. A new suit?" Athos reached across and tugged on Aramis's sports coat.

Aramis carefully extricated Athos's fingers from the cloth. "Someone has to keep up appearances here, and explosives debris wreaks havoc on Armani." He did not add that he knew that Athos's suits were custom tailored and expensive. There was a mystery around their supervisor that he had yet to reveal.

Porthos elbowed d'Artagnan. "Let me pass this along—disposable clothes." Porthos rolled his hand down his body flamboyantly. He wore a neat goatee like Aramis, but the similarity ended there. Porthos was casual wearing jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt. If they were in the field, then he wore his FBI jacket, otherwise it was his well-worn leather jacket.

d'Artagnan wormed his way out of the larger man's grasp, dusting off his button down shirt tucked into his jeans. "Is this how it is going to be? Unsolicited advice at all times?"

Athos nodded. "Yes, I would get used to it. It will last longer than your probationary period." He clapped d'Artagnan on the back and laughed.

Aramis grinned. He hoped it would be a brotherhood of a lifetime.