The plan wasn't perfect and they knew it. Milady didn't know if Dufour knew about her connection to Athos, but she knew he would be suspicious of her returning only a few hours later, especially if she had an unexpected companion. She also knew there was no guarantee he would see her, let alone let her into the cellar again – unless it was as a subject rather than a customer; but she also knew she had to take that chance.
She told Dufour she'd had a last minute business 'opportunity' and needed a few specialist items, items she knew he would need time to prepare. If he or his assistant were surprised or dubious they gave nothing away. Echoing her actions from the day before she sat on the offered chair and, trying to not hold her breath, waited quietly for the signal trying not to think about Athos hanging limp and lifeless beside her.
Waiting was never her strong point, and she found herself feeling caged as she fought the impulse to pace. She knew when the signal came Dufour would have to pass them to get to the source of the commotion; so she forced herself to stay where she was, but her eyes stayed with him, desperately looking for movement and hoping that his stillness was from exhausted unconsciousness…
When the signal finally did come, a small explosion at the front of the premises, Dufour came charging through from the back room. "Stay here" he told her, ignoring her feigned question about what was happening. She counted to ten then rushed to Athos's side.
He still had a faint pulse, but clearly the torture had taken its toll, and although she couldn't to rouse him, she found herself desperately needing to reassure the comatose Athos with words of reassurance. Biting her lip in worry, she removed the lock picks hidden in her hair and started to work on the first manacle, ignoring the sounds of fighting from outside. Working as quickly as she could, she swore slightly as her nervous figures made hard work of the simple lock. She softly called his name, trying to get him to wake but instinctively knowing he was too far gone, instead she tried to balance him against her body as one arm dropped from the shackle above his head.
Adjusting her position, trying to keep Athos's weight off the one still bound wrist, she began work on the second lock, hoping that it would not be Dufour first through the door. When she finally released his other arm, unable bear his weight, she lowered him to the ground as gently as she could, then sat cradling his head on her knees, stroking his hair, speaking softly, telling him it would be okay, that they would save him; that help was on its way.
After several further minutes had passed, Milady started to consider everything that could have gone wrong with the plan. As the fighting got closer she knew she had two options: but deep down she also knew she had no choice. She should walk away from Athos, go sit on the chair and try and convince whoever came through the door first that she was on their side. She knew if Dufour came through and found her with him, she was dead. No chance to explain, no chance to bargain and no mercy – he would kill her and then Athos in an instant; but somehow she couldn't bring herself to do it. Instead, taking off her velvet jacket, she rolled it up and put it on the floor that was still wet with Athos's blood, and placed it under his head, before positioning herself between the prone musketeer and the doorway. Milady pulled her stiletto blade and once again, found herself waiting.
It took a moment for her to realise the rhythmic sound she could hear was from running, and not from her own heartbeat; this was it. Here she would take her stand and defend the man she loved, who maybe loved her, despite… She held her breath and stepped forward to meet the enemy as he came through the door.
He strode in, and in one glance read everything: her fighting stance, the blade in her right hand ready to strike, and her left arm out wide trying to protect the man lying still behind her; the look of determination and focus, and the tenderly placed pillow under the unconscious Athos. Raising an eyebrow Aramis paused in the doorway and asked, "Are we all good here?" She nodded once, but her voice betrayed her relief at their rescue when she explained he would need carrying as she couldn't waken him. Aramis nodded and went to check Athos's injuries, "Don't worry. He'll be okay", but she could hear the uncertainty in his voice…