Hello! I'm already back with a new fic- I can't keep away! This is set in the first season, and will include heavy whump of most of the characters, but mostly Aramis. I hope you like it- this chapter sets everything out!

Prologue...

The night air was cool and fragrant with a scent of perfume as a small breeze blew around the bedroom. The silken curtains stirred slightly as moonlight shone through it, casting moonbeams and shadows down onto the two figures curled together on the bed. Goosebumps erupted over their skin as a night of gentle passion slowly turned into morning; the man was circling gentle paths into the cheek of his lover, who smiled demurely up with eyes round and dusky.

He smiled down at her as she curled further into his chest and pressed a tender kiss to his collar bone. 'I really should be going,' he whispered, a tone of sadness in his voice as he rubbed her shoulder with his palm. 'He'll be home soon.'

'He'll probably be late, like last time, remember?' she replied, her voice light but wanting.

He did remember, and fondly too. 'Yes, but I'm afraid we shan't be so lucky this time, my love.'

She smiled at his concern, her smile wide but not unkind. 'My poor sweet Aramis,' she whispered, craning her neck and kissing his temple, before reaching her arms around his neck and pulling him down into an embrace. 'You do worry a lot for such a brave, strong Muesketeer.'

Aramis grinned at that as he kissed her deeply, his hands roving despite his brain insisting he left. For a few minutes there was silence as they embraced, the only sounds being their breathing and moans of pleasure, light as the wind outside.

They broke apart instantly as they heard the front door down the corridor crash open with a bang that could have woken the dead.

'Gabriel?!' a voice, heavy with drink, shouted as someone lurched forwards towards them. Aramis was up in seconds, gathering his belongings and making for the open window, which was thankfully ground level.

Gabriel didn't move- she looked across at him, blew him a kiss and smiled across at him with the smile that had won his heart all those months ago. Her eyes, the colour of sunlight through honey, widened with humour as he waggled his fingers at her with a smile, before he bolted for the window just as her husband burst through. Gabriel's face fell as she saw the state he was in; her nose wrinkled in disgust as he leaned in for a kiss, his breath reeking of cheap alcohol. 'You need to bath,' she protested, before withholding a small cry as he placed a hand on the back of her head and pushed their lips together.

'You need…' he whispered between fetid kisses, '…to watch your tongue.'

As he let go she sank back onto the bed, resisting the urge to wipe her mouth with the back of her hand. 'You've had a successful night?' she asked as she slid back into her silken sheets, curling her hands into the warm space where Aramis had just been.

'Oh yes,' he replied with a stark laugh. He fisted his hands, which Gabriel could now see were stained with blood. 'Marc and his men won't be bothering us anymore.' He added with a smile, his teeth gleaming in the candlelight. 'We've got control back.'

'What about the Red Guards?' she enquired, voice light. 'I thought they were after you.'

He sneered at that, face contorted in a mix of humour and disgust. 'They know nothing- a bunch of fools and imbeciles.' He turned and faced the window- he breathed the morning air in deeply, its taste sweet on his tongue. 'I trust you had a content night?' he asked, making to close the curtains.

'Oh yes,' she replied, inwardly smiling as her mind cast back to the night before. 'Very content.'

'Good…' he murmured, before stopping short as something caught his eye on the window ledge outside. He leaned forwards, as if to make he was fiddling with the latch to the window- hooking it around his fingers he brought out what appeared to be a white handkerchief; on it was stitched the Insignia of the Musketeer regiment, alongside the single initial 'A'.

His hand, still stained with blood, closed around it, and he squeezed until his knuckles popped and showed white under the skin.

'Everything alright, my love?' Gabriel asked, her voice taking on a note of worry as he hadn't moved.

'Everything is just fine, darling….' He muttered, voice controlled as he turned away, the handkerchief quickly stuffed into his pocket as he advanced on the bed; his face was set in a smile as he came and sat down beside her. He stroked her cheek gently, yet his calloused fingers were nothing against the soft touch of her Musketeer. 'Just fine….' He whispered softly into the air between them.


The City was barely waking up as Aramis made his way to the Garrison, face set in a smile and his heart feeling as if it would burst. The night's events rattled around pleasantly in his head- even though he had not slept he felt as refreshed as a man who had slept a thousand years. Turning the corner into the garrison he was more than surprised to see Athos, d'Artagnan and Porthos already up, suited and booted, ready to go.

'Problem?' he asked breezily as he walked to the table and pulled a cup of water towards him.

'You could say that.' Porthos replied, voice unusually taut.

'You best get some breakfast,' d'Artagnan muttered darkly.

'Or maybe not, giving the circumstances,' Athos added with a smirk.

'Oh,' Aramis replied, standing up and ensuring his weapons were fixed onto his belt. 'Like that is it? What's happened?'

'Marc Jones is what's happened.' Athos began.

'What's he done now?' Aramis growled- Marc was a local gang leader, infamous across the lower levels of the city for his skill with blades, his insatiable thirst for gambling, and his dealings with the illegal trade of bootlegged alcohol and goods. The Red Guards had been trying for years to arrest him and his gang, but never had any luck.

'He was found dead in an alleyway last night.' Porthos continued. 'Throat cut, fingers cut off.'

'Ooh.' Aramis hissed, shaking his head. 'Any leads?'

'We're about to go and sniff some out.' d'Artagnan replied, 'but none yet.'

'Well what are we waiting for, then?' Aramis said, before reaching into his pocket to fish out his handkerchief to wipe his face. Upon finding it missing he merely shrugged and used his sleeve instead, before following the other three out as they made their way to the city streets- the underworld of Paris lay ahead of them, as well as any amount of trouble…..

Thanks for reading- next chapter up soon!

Please review, I'd love to know what you think! The whump will be coming, I can assure you ^^

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