A/N: Thanks for all the follows! This is a really short chapter, so I'll be double-posting the next one here shortly! Please leave a review if you like this!

COWRITTEN WITH THE AMAZING BOOOYAKASHA! :D

*I wish I owned the Musketeers. I don't.

Enjoy!

Athos was positively furious by the time his brothers returned to the garrison. He had been pacing the courtyard, seconds away from gathering a search party to look for them when they had returned with broad smiles and blooming bruises.

Looking up at the sound of their footsteps, Athos nearly swooned with relief -but a leader must keep his composure. Instead of rushing to them, he simply barked,"Where have you been!?"

Though he would never admit it, Athos was smiling inwardly when he saw D'Artagnan blanch and Porthos flinch away from the intensity in his voice.

Aramis was the only one to keep his usual swagger in the face of such daunting authority and it was he who answered,

"You see, 'Thos, we were heading to the butcher's -like you asked- but we were tailed by some idiotas in the Red Guard who were looking to pick a fight" Aramis explained, sauntered forwards to leaned towards his friend.

"-Needless to say, mon frère, they were all eating horse dung when we were done with them" Aramis informed, flashing his big smile -clearly trying to play to Athos' better half and avoid punishment.

Athos snorted inwardly to himself and fought the urge to cuff his brother upside the head.

Aramis wouldn't escape his wrath that easily; but his punishment would have to be delivered at a later time. Captain Treville's birthday celebrations would be starting soon, and the turkey had a date with the kitchens.

Outwardly ignoring Aramis' attempts, Athos turned to Porthos and D'Artagnan and instructed them to see that the food be brought to the kitchens.

"When you are finished, come help Aramis and I set up in the mess hall" Athos ordered quickly before turning to walk off towards the hall without waiting for Aramis to follow. Aramis sighed and passed his satchel to D'Artagnan and set off after Athos.

As it turned out, the decorations had already been set up. The only things missing were the man of the hour, Treville, and the food.

The food was soon supplied by the kitchens and so the last thing left to find was the birthday boy captain.

Athos sat on a bench next to Aramis and watched as the food was brought to the central table. After Porthos and D'Artagnan had helped to bring out a sufficient amount of platters, the kitchen staff released them.

Athos and Aramis were soon joined by their brothers as they dropped off their last platters -Porthos plopping down his huge frame in a small chair across from his comrades as he flashed one of his signature big grins.

"I wonder if they'll no'ice there was a bite missin' from a nice loaf o' bread?" Porthos chuckled.

Porthos' fun was short lived, however, as Athos shot him down quickly with a cold stare and a simple statement.

"How could they not notice, Porthos? One of your bites would be the disappearance of half a loaf! No ant could carry a chunk of bread that big."

Porthos remained unfazed by Athos' witty retort and continued on as if his brother hadn't uttered a word,"Any of ya seen the Cap'n? This is his birthday, ain't it?"

D'Artagnan laughed and pointed over to the door, "Speak of the devil, there he is! Looks like he's put himself in charge of hiring the servants... had to have control over at least one aspect of his birthday."

The brothers' exchanged a knowing glance. Treville could be such a control freak sometimes.

True enough, a trail of servants were following Treville through the door, heading to the kitchens.

Athos studied them intently -instantly growing suspicious when he saw one of them pull another aside and whisper in his ear; his shifty eyes darting over every able man in the room.

What could a servant have the need to whisper about? Publically no less?

Shuffling over -so as not to alert the conniving servants- Athos deftly pulled Captain Treville aside.

"Sir...these new servants of yours...do they seem a little -skittish, to you?... something tells me that they're up to no good" Athos noted, pale eyes flickering between his captain and the ever growing circle of mumbling servants.

Treville quickly looked to the servants and before turning back to his man with a barely suppressed air of exasperation.

"Athos, to you, it may seem like they're up to no good -but to me, they're simply men hired for the evening. You're just being paranoid -I reviewed their papers and everyone is accountable for. Just let them do their duty and you do yours" Treville ordered, voice soft but eyes commanding.

"Duty, sir?" Athos inquired. He had thought his only service was to deliver the meal.

Treville sighed tiredly.

"A duty to relax once in a while, Athos! To have fun!... Now go and find yourself some ale and drink off these thoughts of yours -before I beat you to it " Treville added, mischievously shining in evilly glinting eyes.

Athos critiqued Treville for a moment; eyes scanning the supposed sobriety of his captain to debate whether or not the man was in his right mind to actually order him to get drunk.

Treville delivered an honest smile before nudging past and setting off for his own table.

Athos eyes the ale waiting for him by his brothers. Golden liquid sparkling deliciously in the candle lit room.

He was thirsty... one drink couldn't hurt, could it?

Athos cast his eyes back to the newly dispersing servants before shuffling over to said beverages. Perhaps it was just all in his head after all…

A/N: Happy Birthday, Captain Treville! XD Next chapter up soon, let's see what happens! Please leave a review if you liked this! (I'd really appreciate it, too!) Thanks for reading!