Author's Note: A lot of people did not like the 'fast' almost... non ending to the last episode... so... this is an alterate...plus something I think we should've seen... a sorta pre-lude to 'Secrets' as well. Heater was my wonderful...hard-working beta on this one...

another side note: You might wanna read my 'extended' bedroom scene from the episode first...just a suggestion. FEEDBACK PEOPLE...hehehe Meg.

After releasing Captain Duval the four comrades made their way to their favorite place to eat. Jacqueline looked around and studied her friends. D'Artagnan sat across from her, picking at his food, almost sulking. Ramon sat beside him, munching happily on a piece of chicken. Siroc was next to her, ignoring his food altogether, deep in thought. She imagined he was thinking up some new invention. She focused back on d'Artagnan, who now sighed loudly. His expression looked hurt, and sullen. Jacqueline tried to think of why he was would be upset. The last thing she remembered was his teasing question.

"You wouldn't really shoot me, would you?" She shuttered at the thought. She hoped he had missed the shocked look on her face. She was desperately trying to forget the 'sword incident'. Guilt always accompanied the memories. She glanced first at d'Artagnan, then at Ramon remembering the horrible things she had done to both.

"You seem out of sorts today, d'Artagnan. Did some girl rebuke your 'charming' ways?" she asked, making her voice deeper as she remembered his earlier words about the imposter's voice against hers. He looked up, his expression sober now.

"Nothing's wrong," was all he offered. Jacqueline frowned at him, but he offered no other reply.

"I know what is wrong with our great d'Artagnan." Ramon offered. He patted d'Artagnan on the back and winked at him. "It has something to do with that mysterious girl from earlier, no?" Jacqueline felt her face pale and even d'Artagnan jumped slightly.

"What girl?" d'Artagnan tried to ask innocently.

Jacqueline shot him an evil glare before turning back to Ramon. "Go on, tell us, Ramon."

Ramon shrugged slightly before continuing. "I saw him talking to her earlier, after Jacques, the imposter one, left. I did not see her face though." Ramon frowned then went on. "For months, d'Artagnan has been acting different — less flirting, more focused on his work." Ramon now raised his eyebrows at d'Artagnan. "All symptoms of a man desperately in love."

D'Artagnan seemed to shift now, looking at her. Jacqueline felt her face burning and she looked down to avoid his gaze. The memory of his dying words seemed to ring in her ears.

"And he has not said a word about her. He has to be serious about a woman, when he does not even mention he is seeing her," Ramon added, smirking at d'Artagnan who offered a weak smile in return before turning back to Jacqueline who only stared back at him confused.

"You are still new here, mi amigo. In time you will learn to read these men as well as I do," Ramon said, putting an arm around d'Artagnan and Siroc, who was now listening.

Jacqueline stood up. "I think I will retire now." She flashed d'Artagnan a tiny smile and he pushed his plate back.

"Sounds good to me." He stood and followed her. To Jacqueline's surprise and relief, he did not try to converse on the walk to the garrison but remained silent. She needed time to think about all this. When they reached her door he leaned closer to her. "Goodnight," he lowered his voice. "Jacqueline." As he turned and walked away, she caught the faint outlines of a smile on his face. Jacqueline sighed to herself not sure, if she liked this new information. She liked the changes in him, but romance was a little awkward for her right now. She shook her head and entered her room. The next few weeks would be interesting.