Disclaimer: If I owned anything Musketeer or BBC related the show would still be on.

My first multi-chapter Musketeers fic! No promises on a consistent timeline but should be approximately a chapter a week. Let me know what you think.


It was nothing new. The Musketeers valiantly restraining themselves and demonstrating the true self-discipline and even-temperament that marked their elite unit. While the Red Guards displayed the short fuse and stupidity that made them Red Guards.

Aramis idly wondered if they'd need to hold D'Artagnan back. Not that their youngest couldn't hold his own (they wouldn't have brought him in if he couldn't) but the middle of the Élysée Palace was a little public.

"Is there a problem gentlemen?" The voice was soft and sweet with only the faint hint of the authority it could wield. Every man present immediately straightened all animosity and languish hidden and evaporated, replaced with professionalism and competency. Or the façade of it in the Red Guards case.

"No problem Ma'am. We were just having a spirited debate about proper work practices and mutual respect." Blue eyes flashed with amusement at Porthos' wording. The 'mutual respect' between the two agencies was well known.

"I am sorry to interrupt such a topic. It sounds quite interesting." She opened the doors to the conference room heading for the far side discretely ignoring the fact that her presence was the only thing keeping peace among the men who trailed in behind her.

"Perhaps you can continue it at your posts." The neutral suggestion was a subtle prod rather than a reprimand.

"We have a meeting with Monsieur Bourbon now." What Athos really meant was that it had meant to start twenty minutes ago, but Louis was late. Again, nothing new.

Anne blinked with surprise before a look of apology crossed her features. "When was this arranged?"

"Last night."

"Then I am sorry once more, there has been a mistake. Louis was scheduled to attend a gathering at Franz Mellendorf's this morning. He left half an hour ago. The cancellation must not have been made correctly. I will try to ensure it does not happen again." Which meant Louis had either forgotten or blown off the meeting he had scheduled to enjoy himself. Again. And Anne was trying to smooth things over. Again.

"He went alone!" Anne started slightly at Rochefort's abrupt statement.

"Monsieur Mellendorf came himself. His security detail was with him."

The Inseparables exchanged looks. The security detail was adequate for the mundane duties and events. Mellendorf wasn't exactly a threat to Louis or France.

Anne stopped them on their way out. "Perhaps your trip has not been a complete waste of time." She waved away their reassurance laying some folders on the table. "Ninon De Larroque sent me these this morning." Four photos stared up at them. Before and after. It was easy to surmise their lives had not been prosperous before. Both women were lying on autopsy tables. Their eyes closed forever. Aramis reached for the crucifix under his shirt. A prayer recited in his mind for their souls. "They're still unsolved."

"They were important to you?" Rochefort was perplexed at the possibility. Aramis wouldn't expect anything else.

"They were important – are important - to the friends and families who want justice. I know this is not the usual case for the Musketeers but would you please consider it."

"We will find out what we can," Athos promised. Aramis nodded in agreement with his brothers. Those women and their loved ones deserved closure just as much as those who lived in the building they all stood in.

Rochefort excused himself sweeping away with his guards in tow.

Anne gathered the laptop and remaining folders in her arms and Aramis saw his chance. "Let me help you."

The hallway outside her office was quiet enough to lend a suitable resemblance of privacy. "You haven't answered my question." He tried to keep his tone casual.

"It was unexpected. As unexpected as I'm sure my news was."

"Agreed but…" he cut himself off as a staff member passed by throwing them a mildly curious glance.

"Neither of us planned this Aramis but we cannot change what has happened. I have made my choice and I will see it through. That does not mean you are bound to the same future."

He felt his lips twist and his eyes flash. The sting of the unspoken accusation. "You think I'd rather walk away like a coward? I would never abandon you."

Her eyes widened in horror. "I would never think that of you! I know how brave you are. How honourable you are."

His eyes narrowed. "You think I only said it out of duty." Anne glanced away. Her voice quiet but firm. "You have always acted with integrity. But you love being a Musketeer and this could cost you that. Would you really sacrifice your friends?"

"I have never lied about my feelings to any woman and I have never been anything but honest with you."

Her eyes locked with his a hundred different words unspoken.

"Aramis! We need to go." He cursed D'Artagnan in his mind. Anne was already stepping back, gathering her files and thanking him.

His irritation turned to gratitude that it had been D'Artagnan who had interrupted them. Athos had already made his disapproval clear and Porthos would suspect. But D'Artagnan completely missed the lingering gazes, hidden meanings and coded communication wrapped in innocuous gestures and carefully chosen words.

He cast one last look back. He knew what his heart wanted but he didn't know what hers did.


Athos placed the file in the open pile on his desk. The reports had yielded little, their interviews little more. There were enough similarities to indicate the same culprit but DNA was too degraded or the sample too small to give a match.

Both women had spoken of a customer who brought expensive dresses and had them role play for him. Both had described him as cold, uninterested and odd (they had used different terms but that was the most diplomatic). One of the interviewees said he insisted on calling one woman by a specific name but couldn't remember what.

Athos glanced at the grainy photo of one possible client. It was a long shot but a lead and the man was vaguely familiar. Athos had flagged it on the system but it would likely take a while to get a match if ever.

God, he wanted a drink. He swept the rest of the bullpen. Constance was visiting, perched on D'Artagnan's desk much to their youngest's delight. Porthos was laughing about a bet he had with another Musketeer.

Aramis was at his desk lost in thought. He was staring at his computer but Athos knew he wasn't looking at it. He swore under his breath. The other man was still competent when necessary but as soon as there was a lull he lapsed back into distraction. It bothered Athos. He had known Aramis was stupid when it came to women but he hadn't thought his friend capable of such idiocy and now Aramis was in danger in far too many ways.

He rose to his feet stating his intention to visit the local bar for once willing to drink socially. Three of them nodded in ready agreement but Aramis declined much to Athos' annoyance.

The four watched as the other man left, half puzzled, half worried. Athos swore again. He was going to get drunk and deal with the Aramis situation in the morning once and for all.


The hot chocolate wasn't working. The case wasn't distracting her. Truthfully the case shouldn't have been a distraction but a priority. It was her responsibility after all.

Anne leaned back in her chair. She felt exhausted. A headache pricked at her temples. The bright lights shone through the undrawn blinds. Paris had been her home since her early teens. She still missed Spain but she had long learned to cherish parts of her new home. There was beauty and charm in so many of its sights and its people.

She closed her eyes and shifted in her chair, her hands unconsciously coming to rest across her flat stomach. A storm was coming. She knew Louis would be upset at the news. They had been friends and colleagues for so long. He was as unhappy about their supposed engagement as she was. His unwillingness only tempered by his reluctance to rebel against his father's idea and the political gain. He would be perplexed at the thought she would consider anyone but him and jealous at the fact that she had.

Louis would be furious but he wouldn't destroy her. Others she was not so certain. Anne was ready for them. At least she hoped she was. Could she really face her enemies herself?

Aramis would stand with her if she asked. She didn't doubt that. But it would cost him just as much, possibly more. He had his brothers to lose, his commission, his purpose. Her fingers twisted together. Anne was used to relying on herself if necessary. She was equally responsible and Aramis should not be bound to a choice she had made, out of duty. Anne didn't want that.

'"I have never been anything but honest with you."' She didn't doubt the sincerity. Nor was the irony lost on her. Anne was very much aware how Aramis looked at her, what he said with his eyes was just as meaningful as what he said with his words. He had saved her life more than once. She knew he would protect her for the rest of his life if necessary. Because of who he was and who she was. It was what she had wanted most in her life. And it terrified her.

She desperately wished Constance was here to talk to but her good friend didn't deserve the burden or to be caught up in the ensuing chaos.

She forced herself back to her work.


Athos jolted awake. Ignoring the pounding headache, he grabbed the screaming phone. "Hello?"

"Anne Habsburg is missing."


Apologies for any mistakes my spellcheck is off.

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