"He had realised within minutes of meeting her that she was rare. He had known within hours that she was everything he wanted" – Judith McNaught

Standing at the entryway of the garrison, he was weary. He knew that most people didn't take too kindly to the colour of his skin, but he was hoping that things here would be different. He was hoping that he had finally found somewhere he could belong, could find the family he had been missing. Given that Captain Treville himself had found him and recommended him, he hoped that people wouldn't say the things they usually did. Even though he had grown thick skin over the years, some words still cut through him like a knife. He was human after all.

Taking a deep breath, he entered the garrison. No sooner had he set foot in the courtyard, the clanging of swords and friendly jests he heard only moments ago, had come to an abrupt stop. He knew why. It was the colour of his skin, the one thing he couldn't change about himself. The one thing he sometimes wished he could. Closing his eyes, he sighed. He could feel all their eyes on him, watching, starting. No doubt wondering what their captain had been thinking.

He sighed and turned around, once again facing the entryway to the garrison. Only this time he was intent on walking out, back onto the streets of Paris. He didn't want the Captain to have any repercussions of his choice to recruit him, heart heavy but knowing it was the right thing to do.

Before he could even take one step back towards the way he came, he felt a hand on his arm. He hadn't heard anyone move, and he certainly hadn't thought anyone would come near him. He was a Moor after all. Wearily, he moved his gaze to look at the person gripping his arm. He was surprised to find that arm attached to a woman. He hadn't noticed a woman in the garrison. 'You weren't paying attention to your surroundings were you though? You were too busy focusing on the silence' He scolded himself.

Without uttering a single word, the young woman gripped his arm a little tighter and practically dragged him to a nearby table. She gestured for him to sit next to her, as she sat down and placed a bowl of stew down in front of the empty space.

"You're not going to make me eat alone are you?" She uttered as she picked up her own bowl of stew. "I promise it's not poisoned, I'm not in the habit of poisoning the new recruits. Not until they have it coming anyway," she said between mouthfuls. She had a grin on her face as she said it.

Opposite them were two men, with amused grins on their kind but tired faces. Taking this as a good sign, he sat down and began eating the stew, grateful for the warm food. She eyed him for a second to make sure he was eating, before pouring him a goblet of water and returning to her own bowl. They ate in comfortable silence for a few moments. He wasn't sure what to say. This simple gesture meant so much and he wasn't sure there were any words that would truly do justice to how he felt. She was something else. He had never met a woman like her before. Just being near her was calming for him. All his life he had done things with one eye open, always looking over his shoulder. But not here, not now in this moment.

"Umm thanks mademoiselle …" he trailed off. She calmed him and he didn't even know her name.

"Juliette," came her warm response "And these two are Athos and Aramis," She added, gesturing to the two men standing opposite them.

"And you would be the Captain's new recruit?" Aramis asked, picking up an apple and taking a bite of it.

"Yeah, Porthos is my name," He replied, his expression sinking as he could once again feel all eyes on him.

"Don't worry about them," Juliette said softly referring to the other musketeers in the garrison, placing her hand on Porthos' knee knowing he needed the comfort. She could see how quickly he tensed when he realised that no one in the garrison had resumed their activities. But before she could speak again, Athos beat her to it.

"Everyone back to your duties. I don't think Captain would take too kindly to his Musketeers getting sloppy just because a new recruit has arrived," His voice not overly loud, but commanding nonetheless. Sure enough, no sooner had he spoken those words, the sounds Porthos had first heard as he entered the garrison resumed.

"Thanks for that," He offered as he looked up at Athos, while covering Juliette's hand with one of his own and giving it a gentle squeeze as thanks.

"Ah its's not a problem," came Aramis' voice, replying on Athos' behalf. Juliette could see the relief that spread across Athos' face. He wasn't someone who took gratitude well, but he smiled at Porthos nonetheless. "Juliette has claimed you as one of us now, and we always look out for one another," Ararmis said as he walked around to place a quick kiss to the top of Juliette's head.

" 'Mis was that necessary?" Juliette groaned, but the smile in her eyes gave her away.

"You know my love for you is always necessary my dear," He tipped his hat to her as he bowed mockingly, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some recruits to school in the art of shooting," And with that, he walked over to a small group of men standing near the practice targets.

Comfortable silence washed over them again. Porthos was struggling to understand why there was a woman who seemed so at home in the garrison, why had she decided that he was worth her kindness, and why her two friends seemed to just accept him.

Sensing him tense once again, Juliette squeezed his hand that still had a hold of hers. She looked at Porthos and upon seeing his eyes were closed in contemplation, she turned her gaze to Athos hoping he could shed some light on the change in behaviour. Athos was a man of few words but that was what made him observant. He could read people like a book and always seemed to know what people were thinking. Before she could ask anything, Athos spoke. Almost as if he was out to prove her right.

"You're wondering why Juliette seems so at home at the garrison?" He asked, as he sat down picking up a goblet of water.

"Doesn't seem as though it's the kind of place for a woman," Porthos responded, feeling a sense of loss as she removed her hand from his. He hoped he hadn't offended her, but he didn't want to look up and see hurt in her eyes. He hadn't known her long, but he never wanted to be the reason for hurt in her eyes.

Athos put his hand up to stop her reply as he spoke again. He knew Porthos hadn't meant any disrespect. It was a fair enough question. "Normally I would say you're correct, but in this case, Juliette lives here. She's Captain Treville's ward," He gave her a smile, brief but warm. Athos might be a man of few words, but his words spoke volumes.

Porthos turned to look at Juliette, noting the sad look in her eye. Before he could ask, Juliette answered.

"My brother was a Musketeer. The only family I had left. My brother made it clear to the Captain that we were a package deal. The captain didn't have to let me stay, he could have refused. But knowing that we had no one but each other, he made an exception. Aramis thinks the Captain had a soft spot for me even then. I pull my weight though. I take care of the washing, help Serge with all the cooking. Didn't want anyone to think the Captain was playing favourites. Aramis even started teaching me basic medicine. I usually help with the wounded now," She had a sense gratitude and pride as she spoke. She was proud of herself and all she had accomplished so far.

"How did you end up the Captain's ward?" Porthos asked. Athos giving Juliette a sad smile as she looked down at her hands, suddenly nervous. Noticing her change in behaviour, Porthos placed a hand on her shoulder. It was his turn to offer some comfort now. "Sorry, I didn't mean to bring up bad memories," he regretted asking the question. The event was obviously a sad memory.

"No, it's okay. It's just no one has asked in a while," She looked up at him and gave a small smile as he dropped his hand from her shoulder.

"Like I said, my brother was a musketeer. Up until the day he wasn't. He died. In service of the King. It's the only way he would have wanted to go out," She took a deep breath in before she continued.

"When he died, Treville took me in. He could have just thrown me out, but instead he became my legal guardian. He was like a father to me anyway, so nothing really changed," She had a warm smile on her face as she spoke about the Captain. He clearly meant a lot to her.

"We would have missed having you around," Athos said softly. Porthos had forgotten he was sitting there. Wasn't hard to do, he barely made any sound. "Who else will keep Aramis from self-destructing?" He offered.

Juliette's eyes lit up at this remark, "And who would make sure you don't follow the same path?" She added, reaching across the table to quickly squeeze Athos' hand.

"Indeed," was all Athos said, as he stood up and walked over to join Aramis in training.

Once more, Porthos and Juliette sat in silence. Both taking solace in each other's company. Porthos was still puzzled though. Juliette could sense it, she had picked up some of Athos' traits after all.

"Something still troubles you. What s is it?" She asked.

"Why me?" He asked in response.

"I'm sorry?" She sounded surprised. She had not been expecting that.

"Why me? Why are you being so kind to me? Why did the others just accept me?" He refused to look at her, even when she moved closer so that their shoulders were touching.

"Because you're a good man," was she said. As if those few words were just somehow all the answer needed. But it wasn't, he needed more. He needed to understand.

"You don't even know me. We met only moments ago," He said quietly, still not daring to look.

"I know enough. Treville choose you, and I trust him with all my heart. And as for the other two, they trust the captain as well. But most importantly, we trust each other's judgement," She elaborated.

"But what if I'm not worth it? What if your judgement is misplaced?" her breath hitched as he spoke. Now she understood. She didn't blame him, he had obviously been subject to much hatred in his short life. Being a Moor, from the Court of Miracles no less, didn't really give him the best start in life. People could be so judgemental. He didn't need to know that she knew about his upbringing though. She had promised Treville and she would never betray his confidence.

"The very fact you are here, makes me believe that deep down you know you belong here. The Captain doesn't make recommendations lightly. You should take comfort in the knowledge that if he thinks you should be here, then you are worth it. And don't worry about what other people say. You now have Athos and Aramis watching your back. You won't find anyone better than those two. Don't let them hear you say you're not worth it. Aramis will chuck a fit. He likes you already. Don't be surprised if he shows up at your door bright and early tomorrow morning to make you join him for an early morning stroll," she said, hoping he would heed her words. She knew it would take more than just this little talk before he would truly believe his worth, but she hoped at the very least it was a start.

"He better hope it's not too early. I'm not really an early morning person." He said grinning as he looked up at Juliette. She instantly felt a wave of relief wash over her as she saw the smile reach his eyes. The sadness was still there, but had dimmed, showing Juliette that over time those doubts would disappear.

"Oh, don't worry, neither is Athos. His first day here, Aramis made the mistake of trying to wake Athos up. Got himself a nice black eye for his troubles," Juliette chuckled at the memory of Aramis walking into the kitchen sporting Athos' handiwork.

And on that note, Porthos stood and bowed at Juliette.

Before she could enquire as to why, she heard Aramis call Porthos over to where he was standing with Athos. Without saying a word, he walked over to them. He knew now that she was everything he could ever want in a woman.

God help him, he just knew he was going to end up falling for the Captain's ward.

Juliette grinned to herself at the sight of her boys standing as one. She picked up an apple and made her way up the stairs, intent on making sure her favourite musketeer had eaten. As she got to the top, she found Treville leaning over the railing out the front of his office, watching the scene unfolding on the ground below.

"Were you spying on us?" Juliette asked, sounding amused.

Without moving from where he stood, Treville responded, equally as amused "I prefer to think of it as knowing what my people are up to, as is my duty,"

Moving towards him, she wasn't surprised when he put his arm out to her, offering her a place by his side. Standing next to him, his arm circled round to bring her into a much needed embrace.

"You heard me talk about Mathieu," She sighed.

"Didn't have to hear it to know. Athos' bout of affection gave that away," He said, placing a soft kiss to the top of her head before letting her go and making his way back into his office.

"He's going to fit in just fine," Juliette offered about Porthos as she followed Treville inside.

"I hope so," Treville sounded a little sad as he said it, "I hope he realises his worth before he decides to throw it all away,"

"Oh, I don't think you will have to worry about that. Aramis is already quite taken with him. I haven't seen him this carefree since before Savoy. It's like he knows that Porthos is going to end up being important to him. Athos likes him too. I could see it in his eyes when he was talking to him." Juliette offered as she sat down opposite the desk.

"And you?" Treville posed, his eyebrow raised as he awaited the response he knew was to follow.

"I like him just fine. I think he'll be good for all of us. He has this nature about him. He's going to be the glue that holds them together I think," Juliette ignored the amused look on Treville's face.

"You like him just fine?" Treville still looked amused, "I saw you with him. It's not how you were with the others in the beginning. I think you like him a little more than just fine,"

"I have no idea what you are talking about," Juliette replied as she stood up.

"Off to check on your boys?" He asked, knowing full well that she was going to protest.

"No as a matter of fact, I'm going to see if Serge wants some help with supper," She said walking out of the office. She didn't see the grin on Treville's face change to one of slight concern. He knew she would eventually fall for him. He could see the body language shared with them as they talked, as they sat in silence. He groaned at the thought, knowing that he would now have to keep an extra eye on Porthos and Juliette.