An Ordinary Man, pt 2

Athos thought, later, that he should have recognised it before it happened. Sunk in thoughts of Anne, though, he was paying little attention to the others, and it wasn't until Porthos' alarmed "d'Artagnan, you – d'Artagnan!" that he looked up. Porthos had one hand locked around d'Artagnan's arm, dragging him out of the path of a carriage; Aramis was already moving in to look at him. Treville, beside Athos, watched, concerned.

"What is it?" he asked after a moment.

Aramis shook his head absently, gently touching d'Artagnan's chin to lift his face. "Not sure yet."

"Perhaps the street is not the best place…?" Athos suggested, trying to hide his concern. d'Artagnan was completely pliant in Aramis' hands.

Aramis ignored him, murmuring something Athos didn't catch to Porthos. Porthos nodded, turning to Treville. "With your leave, sir, I'll fetch Flora to the garrison."

"Flora," Treville repeated, frowning. "The lady from the Court of Miracles?"

"d'Artagnan's gone," Aramis said softly. "Completely withdrawn. Overwhelmed, I'm guessing. This isn't something I can help with, sir."

"Should we not bring him to her, then?" Athos suggested. "It would save time."

Aramis hesitated, looking at Porthos. "It might…"

"He's safe enough there," Porthos assured him. "Flea and Flora'll make sure."

Aramis nodded, carefully taking a step back. "I should – distance myself, for now."

"Is he hurting?" Athos asked quietly. d'Artagnan was entirely still, eyes unfocused.

"He's nothing. There's nothing. It's…disconcerting. And there's nothing I can do for him."

"I'll take him," Athos decided, glancing at Treville for permission.

"You know where you're going?" Porthos asked.

"If not, I'll ask. He has free passage, yes?"

"Yeah. And you turn up with him looking like that, Flora won't be hard to find."

Athos nodded, turning to d'Artagnan. The boy had managed to turn to look at them, but he was clearly not following anything they were saying or doing, blinking dazedly at them. "d'Artagnan," Athos murmured. "Come with me."

d'Artagnan twitched, but nothing else happened. Athos touched his arm, tugging gently until d'Artagnan stumbled towards him. Step by slow step, they headed for the Court.

Athos stopped at the edge of the Court, unwilling to risk going any further. d'Artagnan was still following, but he was clearly distressed and getting worse. He could focus on Athos, when he tried, but he couldn't seem to muster any words, and he was having increasing trouble staying on his feet.

Athos glanced around for the nearest guard, picking him out easily from the usual beggars and street people. "I need to see Flora."

"Don't know no Floras," the man said.

Athos sighed. "We are Porthos' brothers. d'Artagnan has Flea's protection and the freedom of the Court. Fetch me Flora, now."

The man didn't move. Athos grimaced; his purse was empty, gone to Pepin's widow. "I have no money now, but I will see you recompensed later."

"That's what they all say," the man agreed.

Another guard drifted towards them, eyeing the pair. "That's Flora's boy, isn't it?" he asked as he came within range.

"Please fetch Flora," Athos said quickly. "He's in trouble, in pain. Please."

"Flora don't leave the Court. Bring him in; I'll show you."

"He can't go much further."

"Don't have to. Come on."

He led Athos and d'Artagnan to a room a couple of streets inside the boundaries of the Court, leaving them there while he went to look for Flora. There was a chair, a table with a lamp on it, and not much else; Athos settled d'Artagnan in the chair and lit the lamp before crouching in front of him.

"d'Artagnan," he murmured.

d'Artagnan flinched, head rolling on his neck until he was more or less looking in Athos' direction. His lips shaped a word that might have been Athos, but there was no sound behind it.

Athos sighed, reaching up to brush d'Artagnan's hair out of his eyes. "I'm sorry this is happening," he murmured. "I'm sorry I didn't think to make sure you were all right. I was – Anne, but there's no excuse. Forgive me."

He'd say it all over again when d'Artagnan was well enough to hear him, because he knew the boy wasn't taking any of it in right now, but he needed to say it, to hear it out loud.

He made to stand; d'Artagnan's hand shot out, encircling his wrist tightly. "All right," he agreed, moving back to sit beside the chair, leaning against d'Artagnan's leg. "I'm not going anywhere. Right here with you." d'Artagnan's grip shifted only enough to slide under his shirt sleeve, making skin contact. Athos leaned against the chair, letting him do what he wanted, and a moment later d'Artagnan came off the chair completely to huddle on the floor, leaning into Athos as though he was cold. Athos wrapped an arm around his shoulders, supporting him as best he could.

Flora appeared a few minutes later, going straight to her knees beside d'Artagnan. "What happened?" she demanded, touching his cheek and grimacing in dismay.

"d'Artagnan, and a noble he was bound to protect, were taken by slavers," Athos told her. He hadn't moved; as long as d'Artagnan wanted him here, he wasn't moving. "They were there for a little under two days before we were able to free them."

"Oh, d'Artagnan," Flora murmured.

"Can you help him?"

"It'll take time," she warned him.

"Time is not something we are short of."

"You're sure?"

"Captain Treville is aware of this. We have what time we need." He glanced down at d'Artagnan. "Is he in pain?"

"He's not in anything, not where he is." She glanced at the grip d'Artagnan still had on his arm. "I can get him to let go of you, if you want."

Athos shook his head. "It's not bothering me, and if it's helping him, it's fine."

Flora nodded, looking back at d'Artagnan. "Why is he so hurt? So betrayed? What happened?"

Athos considered for a moment. "The noble promised clemency to a man if he helped them, and then rescinded and tried to have d'Artagnan execute him. When d'Artagnan refused, the noble blamed him for their ever being in danger in the first place. When d'Artagnan left him he went straight to the family of a man who'd died helping him protect the noble to tell them."

"And it didn't occur to anyone that this might be a problem?" Flora demanded.

"I have no excuse," Athos said softly. "I'm sorry. It will not happen again."

"It shouldn't have happened at all," Flora said sharply, and then relented. "All right; you won't let it happen again."

She turned her attention to d'Artagnan then, murmuring softly to him, keeping one hand on him all the time. Athos watched, though he had no idea what was happening; only that d'Artagnan's hand flexed, loosening and tightening, and never let go.

Eventually Flora sat back, shaking her head.

"What's wrong?" Athos asked urgently.

She glanced distractedly at him. "I need Jean."

"Jean?"

"My friend, the one who blocked d'Artagnan's Ability before."

Athos shifted, sitting straighter. "d'Artagnan despises that."

"I know he does." Flora studied him for a moment and then moved to sit cross legged, facing him. "Right now, all of Paris is screaming in his head. That's what he's hiding from. I can't build his shields for him, and he can't do it from where he is right now. If I bring him back, he will have to face it all until he can build a shield again. It will hurt him, Athos, badly."

"The block hurts him."

"It will hurt him less than the alternative." She looked back at d'Artagnan, brushing hair away from his eyes. d'Artagnan followed the movement, but there was no indication he'd recognised Flora. "I won't do it without your agreement, Athos."

"Pardon me?"

"You're his brother. I leave his fate to you."

"Flora…"

She looked up at him and Athos bit off the protest.

"He trusts you more than anyone," she said quietly.

"I am not someone to be trusted."

"It's too late for that now. d'Artagnan would do anything for you. You need to honour that."

Athos looked down at d'Artagnan, still curled into him. "How long will the block be up?"

"Until he's steady enough to shield; less than a day, I think. Maybe only a few hours. It will depend how quickly he comes back to himself."

"d'Artagnan," Athos said carefully. d'Artagnan tilted his head to look at him, but there was no comprehension in his eyes. He was obviously too far gone; Athos felt a twist of fear that he firmly suppressed.

"Forgive me," he whispered to d'Artagnan, and "Do it," to Flora.

Someone must have been outside, because Flora was gone for only moments before she came back. "He won't be long," she murmured. "Do you need anything? A drink, something to eat?"

Athos wanted to be drunk so badly he could taste it. "No, thank you." Flora raised an eyebrow, and he remembered that she knew exactly how he was feeling, but she didn't push it.

Jean arrived only a short time later; Flora glanced at Athos, obviously aware of his surprise. "d'Artagnan's strong," she said quietly. "We are too familiar with the pain of empathy to let him suffer any longer than we have to."

"I am grateful," Athos murmured. "What do you need me to do?"

"Nothing. Just stay where you are; he'll wake soon, and your presence calms him."

Jean flinched when he touched d'Artagnan, sighing. "No luck at all, have you?" he murmured, pressing a hand to d'Artagnan's cheek. d'Artagnan shifted, but he didn't speak, didn't move. Athos tightened his grip anyway.

Athos had seen Jean do this before, but it took longer this time, and Jean looked drained when he sat back. "He shouldn't have come back to the city, not until he was steadier."

"I take responsibility," Athos said. "I should have thought to speak with him, to see how he was."

Flora snorted. "Speaking with him wouldn't have done much good, he's too stubborn. You'll remember this, though, Comte. He never stops himself in time; he thinks his pain is worth it. Especially for you. For what you need."

"I'll remember," Athos promised, not bothering to wonder how she knew who he was.

Jean excused himself, promising to return when he was needed. Flora curled herself into a corner and, to all appearances, dozed off. Athos stayed where he was, holding d'Artagnan, waiting patiently for him to wake.

When he woke it happened all at once, tensing against Athos' hold, looking around desperately. "Where…"

"d'Artagnan," Athos said firmly. "Calm."

"I can't – why can't I – Athos?"

"It's me," Athos agreed. "We're in the Court of Miracles; Flora had Jean block you, temporarily, until you can get some shields back up again."

"Block," d'Artagnan echoed, finally relaxing against him. "Where are the others?"

"At the garrison. They're fine. Everyone is fine except for you." Athos glanced at Flora, still determinedly feigning sleep in the corner. "d'Artagnan, I'm sorry," he said more quietly.

"Sorry?" d'Artagnan echoed.

"You spent two days in that camp, and I did not even ask how you were before ordering you back to the city."

"You were occupied," d'Artagnan murmured.

"My personal concerns should not have blinded me to your needs. I knew you were not yourself and I overlooked it. It will not happen again; you have my word."

"Although you really should have said something," Flora added, unrolling from her corner. d'Artagnan jumped at her voice, tensing against Athos again before relaxing.

"Flora," he murmured. "It wasn't so bad, I thought. But Bruno, and then the Pepins…it caught up with me." Shifting slightly, he added, "Athos, the others, they're all right?"

"They are," Athos agreed, frowning slightly. He'd already answered that.

"We can send for them," Flora offered. "If it would help."

d'Artagnan tensed again. "I'm fine," he said, in the tone that Athos knew meant he was lying.

Flora glanced at Athos, shaking her head. "I'll send for them."

"What's wrong?" Athos murmured as she headed for the door.

"I can't feel them," d'Artagnan said miserably. "I believe you, but I can't – I don't know it."

"I'm sorry."

"What for this time?"

"I told Flora to place the block."

d'Artagnan was very still for a moment. "All right," he said finally.

"I know it hurts you. She said that waking you without it would be worse."

"All right," d'Artagnan repeated.

"I'm sorry."

"Athos…" d'Artagnan shook his head. "Stop apologising. I trust you."

"Don't," Athos murmured.

d'Artagnan huffed out a laugh. "Too late now; I can't stop. If it happens again, Athos, if I can't speak for myself, do what you think is right. I will never think you had anything but my best interests at heart."

Flora came back, settling cross legged beside them. "Can you work with me, d'Artagnan?"

"Tired," he murmured.

"I know. Sooner we get some shields up, sooner Jean can come unblock you. Can you do it? Don't lie to me."

"I never lie to a lady," d'Artagnan said with the same huff of laughter. "I can do it. I'd rather." He shifted enough to look over his shoulder at Athos. "Stay?"

"As you like." His foot was going numb, but he had no intention of moving.

Flora glanced at him, and for a moment he thought she'd tell d'Artagnan to move; but she just turned back to him, taking one of his hands in hers. "All right. Begin."

Athos could tell d'Artagnan was working hard, but the fragments of sentences Flora was murmuring meant nothing to him. He just sat, supporting d'Artagnan, smiling encouragement when the boy turned to look at him. His sense of time was shot, and he didn't know how long it had been when Aramis and Porthos arrived; d'Artagnan relaxed when he saw them, but neither attempted to speak, just joining them on the floor, both pressing a hand to d'Artagnan's arm or back in silent support.

Eventually Flora sat back, sighing. "I don't like it."

"I'll come back," d'Artagnan said softly. "Tomorrow, day after. Just let me go home and sleep. It'll help."

"It will, I suppose. All right. I'll go and find Jean."

Aramis shifted as she left. "d'Artagnan?"

"Not as strong as she likes," d'Artagnan murmured. "Strong enough for a night, or two. Especially back at the garrison."

"Shielding on the brotherhood," Aramis agreed. "You're sure?"

"Sure enough."

"d'Artagnan," Porthos said carefully.

d'Artagnan squinted at him. "If you're going to apologise, don't."

"We should've seen…"

"You don't see if I don't want you to." It wasn't a boast, only matter of fact.

"I saw," Aramis said. "And I ignored it, because the king – I'm sorry, d'Artagnan. I knew you were more injured than you looked."

"I thought I was all right. I wasn't expecting Bruno, and it upset me enough that Pepin's family destroyed what shields I had left. I was all right until Bruno."

"Until Louis betrayed you," Athos murmured.

d'Artagnan twitched. "Louis is king," he said flatly. "His judgement is infallible."

"Louis is a man," Athos murmured.

"Treason," Aramis said, sing song.

d'Artagnan shook his head, but before he could answer Flora was back, Jean trailing behind her. "You'll come back tomorrow," she said, waving Aramis out of the way. "That's the deal."

"Tomorrow," Athos agreed when d'Artagnan was silent. "I will make sure."

"Good," Flora said briskly. "Look at me, d'Artagnan."

Jean leaned in to touch d'Artagnan's cheek; d'Artagnan hissed in a breath, hand tightening on Athos' wrist until he was almost numb, and then gradually relaxed. "Ow," he mumbled.

"d'Artagnan?" Athos said mildly.

"I'm fine. That was…not what I expected. I'm fine."

"Take him home," Flora told Athos. "Make sure he only touches his own things, or things he's touched before, things he knows. If you three could stay near him, that would help."

"I didn't have anything to do tonight," Porthos said airily, and Aramis nodded.

"And make sure he comes back tomorrow. I don't care if the city's burning down around us."

"Noted," Athos agreed.

Flora glanced at d'Artagnan. "Keep away from your noble if you can," she said softly. "For a little while, at least."

"I don't think that will be a problem for a while," d'Artagnan said bleakly. "I'm quite sure I'm in disgrace at the moment."

"We'll deal with that," Athos promised. "Let's go. Can you walk?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

Whether he was or not, he kept hold of Athos' arm all the way back to the garrison, and Athos did nothing to draw attention to it. It was little enough to make up for his failures.


"He didn't realise."

Athos glanced up from his book. Still recovering, d'Artagnan had been sleeping for a while, rousing now and then to solemnly tell them things that mostly sounded like nonsense.

"Who didn't?" he asked anyway.

"Louis." d'Artagnan was watching a patch of sunlight on the ceiling of his room. "He never really – not properly."

Athos frowned, standing from his chair and crossing to the bed. d'Artagnan met his gaze for a moment, clear eyed, before looking back at the ceiling.

"Do you need anything?" Athos asked quietly.

"No. Thank you."

"I can call Aramis..."

"I'm not in pain. Thank you."

"And your head?"

"My head's a little full," d'Artagnan admitted. "I'm working through it."

"Full of Louis?"

"And Pepin, and Bruno Lemaitre, and all the others. I'll get there. Saying it out loud helps. You don't need to stay."

"I'm released from my duties for today," Athos told him. "What about Louis?"

"He didn't realise."

"Realise what?"

"How –" d'Artagnan swallowed. "How loyal we are. What we'd do for him. I stepped in front of a pistol for him and it surprised him."

Athos frowned. "We're his regiment."

"Yes. He knew that. He just didn't – know it. Not properly. "

"A pistol?"

"Lemaitre realised he was a noble. Not who he was, thank God. But a noble – he was going to kill him right there." d'Artagnan blinked suddenly, looking away from the patch of light to meet Athos' eyes. "Milady saved us. Where is – I'm sorry, Athos, I wasn't thinking..."

"Hardly your fault. She rode back to Paris with us. Where she is now, I neither know nor care."

That was a blatant lie, but d'Artagnan didn't call him on it, only nodded slowly. "I don't know if I could have gotten us away without her."

"I'm quite sure she had her reasons, and sparing your life was not one of them."

"She's going to be his mistress," d'Artagnan said dreamily, and then blanched as though he hadn't realised what he was saying. "Christ. I'm sorry, Athos."

Athos shook his head. "My wife's schemes and plans are not your fault and never will be, d'Artagnan. She thinks she can get at the King?"

"She has an in now," d'Artagnan muttered. "And he won't know what she is. Not unless you claim her. He'll hardly believe me."

Athos crouched, wrapping one hand around the back of d'Artagnan's shoulder. "You made the right choice," he said quietly. "It's Louis' right to extend and refuse clemency as he sees fit, but we are not murderers and he should not have asked you."

"He was already angry at the regiment."

"He's often angry at the regiment. You weren't here the winter he turned us out of the garrison because – I don't remember, some imagined slight to a noble. We all practised in the fields outside the west gate and lodged anywhere there was room, and woe betide us if our uniforms were dirty or our weapons ill maintained. Louis is capricious and he turns quickly. If you hadn't angered him yesterday, someone else would have tomorrow, and Rochefort isn't helping matters, but in a week he'll have forgotten." Athos studied him for a moment. "Can you keep protecting him, now?"

d'Artagnan nodded slowly. "I'm loyal to the Crown and to the regiment. I'll protect him."

"Good man," Athos said softly.

"Did you think I wouldn't?"

"Others have left for lighter slights."

d'Artagnan shook his head, eyes finding the patch of sunlight again. "Did I make trouble for Treville?"

"It doesn't matter; he supports your decision."

"Athos..."

"No worse trouble than we had already. Louis has convinced himself that it's our fault he was in that tavern in the first place."

"Of course he has," d'Artagnan murmured. "I don't understand; he's not like that. You know that."

"He was afraid," Athos said quietly. "Fear does strange things to a man. Any man."

"Mmmm. I think I'm hungry."

"Good. Stay there. I'll fetch something." d'Artagnan nodded absently, and when Athos glanced back from the door he was staring at the patch of light again. Athos shook off a sense of foreboding, closing the door carefully behind himself and heading for the yard.