A/N: Alright, this next story written by me is a bit of a drabble and short, so I apologize if you don't like that sort of stuff… anyway, thank you to all who reviewed! I can't even convey how happy Laree and I are for how well this is doing so far!

8 days left!

Love

Athos sat alone beside the warmth of the fire. Aramis, Porthos, and D'Artagnan had long since bid him goodnight and left with yawns to their own rooms. Now, as the clock on the wall indicated that the hour was well past midnight, Athos found himself staring deeply into the dancing flames in the hearth. It was at times like this, when the dim glow of the fire formed long shadows across the room, that Athos'deeper and more painful memories resurfaced and churned about in his head like an agonizing typhoon of thoughts and people that should have long been forgotten.

There was one memory in particular, however, that he only allowed himself to reminisce on occasion. It was a remembrance so painful, so horribly raw, that merely rippling the surface of the recollection caused his heart to clench and the gap it left in his soul to intensify.

He would think back to how life used to be. When he was a whole and happier man. The gentle touches, the bashful smiles that would light up his whole existence. The feeling of complete and unwavering bliss that came with just being near her. Back in the days of serene walks while holding hands and the amazing and indescribable sense of having found the missing piece to your very being. She was unlike any other women he had ever known. She was brave and smart and almost more stubborn than he was. He would think back upon those voices from the past and the icy fingers around his heart would squeeze a bit tighter and the hollow space in his chest would grow a bit deeper.

Sitting in that chair by the flickering radiance of the fire, Athos remembered how he had been cast aside by the one who he had given his all. The one who he had loved. The one who had left and never looked back into his eyes that had been so filled with misery and disbelief. The one who had twisted and burrowed her way into his core. The one who he would have sacrificed anything for.

Only when in the company of his own loneliness would Athos admit the most troubling, yet most truthful, realization of all.

She was still the one he loved.

A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope it wasn't too cheesy… I wrote this while listening to the song I Gave You All by Mumford and Sons and if you haven't heard them before, I highly recommend that you do because they are really good! As usual, reviews are greatly appreciated!