A/N: Spilling the truth is always the hardest thing to do, if you tried to hide and avoid it.


XOXOXOXOX

The Inseparables among their Captain and Constance were in Athos' rooms. Anne was sitting on the bed wrapped in the blanket and leaning against the wall. And most definitely she was nervous. They noticed that the moment they walked in the quarters. Her eyes kept twitching, her features were tensed, her fingers fiddling with the hem of the blanket.

Anne couldn't gain her composure back and start to talk. Athos brought the drinks: wine for the Musketeers and Constance and hot tea for Anne, even though she wanted a wine as well, but Aramis' deadly glare immediately discouraged her to ask for it. Eventually she sighed and began.

"Well, I was born in Gascon as le Comtesse Anne de Breuil. My family were the landlords for centuries. In the XIII century His Majesty Philippe III gave the title of Comte to two soldiers after winnig the batle. For deciding who will take that title these two warriors had setted a duel. My ancestor François de Breuil won the duel with the ancestor of Baron Jacque de Jussac. I'm telling about him because he had a huge role in my past.

I had the best childhood, I dare say. A caring and loving mother Amelie and the best, awesome, thoughtful, clever and kind father Magnus. Yeah, hardly a French name, but he was a French, a Gascon, if precisely. My mom was born in Paris as Baroness du Évreux." Anne's face was adorned with dreamy smile.

"After their marriage my parents were living in Paris, my granddad Henri Benoît de Breuil was still a Comte. As soon as my parents knew that mom was expecting, they moved back to Gascon, deciding that countryside was a better place to rise a child.

By the way, nothing was so serene. My mom was poisoned, but it turned out she was pregnant. She barely survived as a child took the heat of the toxin. As a result of it, I was born two months earlier and very weak. Physicians were saying that I won't live through, but it was the first time I proved that I'm a survivor. For my love for surviving and my love for the flowers, I had gotten the nickname, Forget Me Not. No one knows, why I love these flowers so much, but they were my favorite since my first days as I saw them while I was crying and immediately I got silent and hypnotized by them." The woman chuckled, her eyes were closed, trying not to look at the people in the room.

"I had awesome family. My dad was teaching me shooting, fencing, horse riding and all the manly things, as I was very boyish, while my mother thought that I should also know singing and dancing. Of course, I was taught all the sciences. I had two sisters. Actually, I was the only child of my parents. One of my sisters was my cousin Constance Anne de Bua, her mother was my aunt Gérvaise, papa's younger sister, and her father was Baron Rouen de Bua. He had died when Cons was several months. Little Co, as I called her, was two months younger than me. Also, our family maid Augustine's daughter, Fléur La Crua, was the second sister of mine. But we called her Flea as she was a little, quenchless and annoying bug. She was three months younger than me. I loved them so much then. I love them now. I don't care that we weren't sisters by blood. We were raised together. Of course, papa's sister had been living with us, because she had lost her husband. As concerning Fléur, she was our maid's daughter and dad had decided that she also deserved to be well educated and have an amazing childhood." Anne was almost choking, trying to hold her tears. Athos rushed to her, hugging his wife immediately, trying to soothe her pain.

Constance was the one who broke silence after several minutes. She had unshed tears in her eyes.

"What had happened to them?"

"I don't know. We were really best sisters, best friends ever. When I was two years old, I joined the dance class. It is where I met my best friend Baron Jean LaBow, but of course, I had a nickname for him, too. We called him Ginger, since the soundings were similar and he was redhead. He is younger by month and nine days. And he definitely hates it. Because my favorite thing to say was "I'm older than you, so I'm in charge!" We became four Inseparables. Always together. Getting in all kinds of adventures and then getting punished together. But I was always trying to stay for them and turn everything the way the only I was in blame. Even though I was little I hated when my sisters and brother were getting in troubles, especially if it was because of me. Once on the ball, all children were sitting in separate room, when my godfather's son, Charles got on my nerves, even though I was two. He insulted my Little Co by taking her favorite toy away. My godfather is your namesake, d'Artagnan, Alexander d'Artagnan." Said Anne looking at the Gascon pup, not knowing that her godfather is more than just a namesake of the Musketeer in front of her and that the boy was this particular Musketeer himself. D'Artagnan, on the contrary, had remembered his little sister. Anne sighed and tried to compose herself.

"When I was three, my mom had been poisoned. As I learnt later, both poisonings were organized by my aunt. The only way not to think about my loss was to throw myself in my hobbies. I was riding, fencing, singing and dancing. My friends tried to cheer me up. My dad was taking me to different places including the forest for the hunting. During the one of such outings, I got lost in the forest, but then I heard the falcon's loud shriek. A little falcon, who only barely could fly, helped me out of the trees. Uncle Alexander was already aiming at the bird, but I started to cry, saving the innocent creature's life. It's a miracle, but since that day, Falcon was following me like a shadow. He had become my friend. He even had his places in our estate and my room. Even though when I got older I hadn't named him properly, I didn't want to take his freedom away. When I was three and a half father had bought me a young black Friesian steed. I called him Hurricane. He was a complete disaster and rebel.

I was the only one who wasn't afraid of him. Even the best stable boys couldn't approach Hurricane, while I was able to brush him, kiss him on the skull and do whatever I wanted to. When he was two years old, it was the time to break and saddle him. My father was going to sell my horse, because no one could even pass by, let alone ride him. One day when I was in stables and no soul was in foresight, I led the horse by its reigns to the forest and tried to climb on him. Of course, it wasn't possible without couple of falling and bruises. But I did it eventually. When the following evening my dad saw a big blue bruise in my shoulder, I got in real trouble. "Four years old Comtesse was risking herself and breaking her steed, even though she knew how to ride and even could do horse jumping!" Scandaled my father, but I had somehow managed to calm him down.

The next summer I went to Spanish Equestrian Club in Madrid. It's where I met our queen Ane of Austria. She was just a princess back then. We became friends. I had a new little sister, since she was a month younger than me. We were living in one dorm, which was decorated in all the possible ways. I even got a chance to meet Ane's family. We were the best ones in the whole club. And very proud of it. And now she even doesn't remember me." Anne sighed and wiped the tears with the back of her hand. "I visited the equestrian center two more times after that summer. During the last one we even had persuaded our parents to agree about inviting Ane to Gascon for Christmas. It would have been the 1616, our tenth celebration of this holiday, as we were only ten. I wanted to acquaint her to my sisters. But it was impossible because on the November, moths before Christmas my dad had died. They say it was an accident. Doubt it!" Wiping the tears was useless, the new ones were immediately starting to stream down her pale cheeks.

"On my eighth birthday le Comte de Rochefort among with his song were invited. My sisters and me were too little for all this fancy parties and got tired at the end of the day. We were playing hide and seek, when I had hidden in my father's cabinet. Suddenly, I heard noises coming closer to the room I was hiding in. It was my father with de Rochefort Senior. I overheard that Rochefort offered my dad to marry his son and me. But my dad was always saying that I will marry the man I will love! That it would never be a marriage for the money! Besides, Charles-César was eleven years older. I got angry and felt betrayed and I didn't even hear my father's strict refusal given to Rochefort's arrogance. I ran out of room and hid in the darkness of the estate's hallways. Rochefort Junior had found me. He tried to force himself on me when my sisters appeared from nowhere and saved me. I had locked up myself in the rooms for two months, letting only my sisters in. I had cried all days long. i was terribly scared and untrusting to people." Anne blurted this out, trying to pass by this theme as soon as possible.

Athos found himself hating this bastard even more. So, it was the meaning of the Rochefort's words yesterday. "You finally be mine!" He tried to rape her when Anne was still a child. What a monster can do so? Athos was drawn out of his thoughts by Anne's soft unsteady voice.

"Until my father's death, I was the happiest child ever. With my sisters surrounding me. With my close ones safe and sound. Well, almost all. Only my aunt hated me. Dad had died when I was ten, almost immediately I was sent as a dowerless to a monastery. Auntie did everything to destroy my life. She had burned all certifications of my parents' marriage and my birth and had declared me as an illegitimate child. I escaped that awful thing when I was fourteen. In Paris I met Sarazin and became a pickpocket. He was trying to persuade me to sleep with him. But I had my temper and could fight pretty well to defend myself. I was working as a thief for two years. When I got tired of it, I escaped. I started to move from place to place before I turned up in Piñon at the age of eighteen. it was the place, where i met you, Athos. I didnt know back then, that you were the Comte. It was never my intention to marry you because of you wealth, money and title. Especially, when I hated being le Comtesse from my early childhood. I just fell in love with you. You were able to make me happy once again in long time. I have always loved you!" Anne sighed, she was now speaking with her eyes locked with Athos'.

"But then Thomas and Catherine found out that I once was a pickpocket and a thief and gathered all the information and faked some facts. After Thomas had shown me the letter, he started to blackmail me that he tells you everything if I don't lie with him. I refused. I couldn't have betrayed you like that." Tears started falling down Anne's pale cheeks, Athos gritted his teeth with powerless anger. "He had tried to force me but I managed to reach to his knife behind the belt." Her voice was wavering. "Well, I'm sure, you know the rest of the story." Anne was now restless and sobbing hard. Athos was clutching his fists, his heart was aching for his wife, for her losses and broken fate.

"I could never betray you, Athos." Strated Anne so quetly that it was even Athos could barely hear her. "Even knowing that you hung me without a trial. I couldn't. Every time I was forced to endure someone's company, I've used a mixture of herbs, that easily lull a person and also have an effect of clearing the memory. It leaves only vague pieces of the recollection of the events before a person passed out. So, it's easy to wool over smug and arrogant men's ears, to lie to them and tell different stories. I used it on you, d'Artagnan, and on the King, as well. Although it's completely harmless, I am so sorry!" Whispered Anne. "And I wanted to apologize for everything I have ever done to you, for lying, betraying, getting you all into troubles. I know that you'll never forgive me and that you hate me. You all mean everything to Athos. And Athos means everything to me. So, I will do my best and will defend you, even though you can do it by yourself, it's never bad to have someone watching you back." Everyone fell silent.

"Anne, shut up!" Harsh reply had sliced the room's calmness. "We will never let anyone, including ourselves, harm you again. Look, what one incident made to you. You're opening yourself to ones who wanted to kill you, you're crying like a five years old child. It should never happen to such strong people like you. It's wrong! You have always amazed me with your will to survive and your abilities!" The first time during the evening Porthos spoke.

"And, actually, I have already asked Athos, but, I think, I should repeat myself..." Started Tréville. "If you want, Anne, you are welcome to join the Musketeers and help us with spying, consulting and all the stuff, because the regiment is more brawn than brain."

Anne's face lit up. She was looking in Athos' eyes, searching for an answer. Her husband nodded, encouraging her to accept an offer.

"Thank you so much! I'll never let you down!" She was grateful. Everyone fell silent after that for couple of minutes.

Suddenly, Anne let a chuckle.

"You know, I wasn't the only one, who had a flower nickname. We called Ane Morning Glory, Flea was Sunflower and Little Co was…"

"Daisy." Constance hadn't let her finish.

Anne's head jerked up.

"How...?" Anne's voice was trembling.

"Do you remember the origins of the scar on your right knee?" The former Comtesse's hand moved to her knee, as Constance reminded her. "I do. You was so furious, that your father locked you up in you room for the quarrel with Charles. I can still hear in my ears the ring of the window glass you had broken by throwing that heavy hairbrush." Constance smiled at these memories. "And I do remember how you ran out of the house and fell on the said broken glass. It was scary!" D'Artagnan chuckled remembering this episode of his life. It wasn't just a quarrel, it was an actual fight. His younger sister had kicked and knocked him down. And he remembered the consequences of that fight as well.

"Actually, it was funny, Little Co! No one chides a hurt child. I was easily forgiven and even get my favorite vanilla zephyr and soufflé after a dinner. It was my little victory." Suddenly Anne fell silent and her expression became hurt. "I'm so sorry for threatening you with the pistol back in the alley, Constance! Even though I wasn't planning to murder you, just to threat Athos, I'm so terribly sorry!" Said Anne, with the new range of tears streaming down from her eyes.

"I know, Forget Me Not, I know! It's alright! Shh, stop you crying! Maybe I'm a younger sister, but I will forget that we are siblings at all and hit you, if I see that you are crying again." Murmured Constance.

Girls hugged, while others were watching them with amused smiles.

"I remember, how you jumped over the Devil's Arch at the age of nine. I was so envy, that you were able to do so! But it was awesome, sis! And, actually, I was the one, who told your father about it! Sorry!" They heard D'Artagnan's voice.

"Call me "sis" again and I'll hit you. Hard." Crooned Anne in her sweetest voice. The trio started laughing. "And, yeah, I have guessed that it was you, but still i should be offended as your and my fathers had read me a long lecture about how I shouldn't do such things because: a) I am a girl, b) I am a Comtesse, c) I could have harmed myself. And, moreover, "Do it again, sweetheart, and I will send you to your grandmother!" Anne was obviously mimicking her father. After few seconds she and Constance bursted out in a laugh and everyone in the room had found it impossible not to join them in their joy.

"Wait! So you are her godfather's son? And what's the "Devil's Arch"?" Asked bewildered Athos.

"Yes, Alexander d'Artagnan is my dad, and the Devil's Arch is the name of the biggest precipice of the Gascon Canyon. It's sixty five feet deep and eleven feet in breadth. I mean, the Arch. The whole canyon is a way narrower. And the whole length is something about two miles. This crazy girl had a horse riding contest with the de Jussac near the canyon, when she led her Hurricane towards the Arch and then jumped over it. Since it's really deep and below the mountain river is running, it could've ended tragically! But nine years old Anne was way too carefree." Explained D'Artagnan.

Anne and Constance chuckled.

"Actually, I am a little bit carefree from time to time." Smiled Anne sheepishly.

"A little bit?" Amused Constance.

"From time to time?" Astonished Tréville.

Anne was smiling. How she hadn't noticed the truth that her close ones have always been right beside her? it was unbelievable.

"I have an idea! How about visiting our estate, Anne! When I was sixteen, I overheard that my lovely mommy..." Constance said it with so much disdain that it was hard to believe she was talking about her very own mother. "...was going to give me to some baron and that your parents' deaths were never coincidences. And even the poisoned milk you mom had drunk, when she almost lost her unborn child, was my mom's murderous plan." Said Constance, and it was obvious, she wasn't fond of her mother. No! Not a mother, maybe that woman was her birthgiver, but never a caring mom. The only woman, Constance had ever considered as a mother figure, had died at the day her aunt Amelie de Breuil had. "You know, I always hated my mother. So, when I learnt everything about what she did to my sister and that she had killed your parents, I escaped and married Bonacieux just for the shelter. As I heard, my mom had died the exact same year I ran away, and our servants among with our favorite maids aunt Augustine and aunt Ofeliya, who were loyal to uncle Magnus, had saved the estate. And I think, that you can even recuperate yourself as a Comtesse. I know, the Queen remembers you, because everytime she goes near the horses she says that she has a friend named Anne in her childhood. And that this friend was deeply in love with all the horses. I bet, she's talking about the same girl I remember every time I pass by stables. So, let's try to do so in summer and then we'll celebrate your twenty fifth birthday in the best way. I remember, how you dreamt about that certain one. It will be the best birthday ever. Maybe, except the fact that de Jussac is living next to you. But firstly, let's find Flea, I think Porthos will help us. Porthos?" Uttered Constance.

One more time Anne chuckled at her sister's hasty speech.

"Stop! Flea? My Flea from the Court of Miracles?" Blurted the big guy.

Now everyone was laughing.

"Yeah, but, actually, she's my Flea, since she's my sister and I was the one who gave her this silly nickname. She probably still hates me for it." Anne's eyes lit up with joy and jealousy. She always was an overprotective sister.

"Who is de Jussac?" Suddenly asked Aramis.

"As Anne has already said, her ancestors won the duel with de Jussac's ones. But all the first children of le Comtes de Breuil's were boys. Anne was the first girl, who was born before any male heirs. De Jussac Senior had started to irritate and machinate and my dear friend Magnus, but when lovely Amelie had passed away, it was clear that le Comte de Breuil wasn't going to marry again to produce a male heir, as he loved his wife and couldn't harm his only child by inviting some stranger woman in the family. So, de Jussac started scheming against Magnus, because it was nonsense that the girl will become a heir, a rightful Comtesse.. And, of course, the only child of his, Jacque, started to get on Anne's nerves, too. As I remember, they always were fighting, quarreling and competing in everything, started from fencing and ended with horse competitions. But Anne has proved more than once, that she is more than worth to be called le Comtesse de Breuil. I'm proud of my goddaughter." Tréville had winked on Anne and then approached her, extending his arms.

Anne had thrown herself in a warm embrace of her godfather. It was imposiible how she had missed him.

"I thought, you were dead, Forget Me Not! I'm happy that you are not. I wouldn't have forgiven myself if it was so. You're the Gascon's Treasure. Remember it, le Comtesse Anne de Breuil." Said the Musketeers' Captain.

XOXOXOXOX

After a chatting for a while, the Musketeers left. Now only Anne and Athos were standing in the center of the swordsman's quearters. No one dared to say a word.

"Anne, I want to apologize, too. I was so wrong condemning you without even hearing out. I'm so sorry! But why didn't you tell me everything ages ago?" Asked Athos, keeping a distance. He heard Anne's deep inhale.

"Athos, it hurts so much even now to reveal this! I don't know. But I swear, maybe I had been a pickpocket and a thief but never a whore or a murderer. I had never betrayed you. I had always loved only you. I still love you. And it was never my intention to kill your brother. I understqnd you. I have my own brothers, Charles, who turned up to be d'Artagnan, and Ginger. One of them is younger than me. And I will hurt anyone who dares to lay his hands on my siblings! Yes, I'm really sorry! But it's no way I can make mends. If only I could return to the past…"

"Anne, please, no! I saw your expression yesterday. The same one you had in La Fère. Exactly the same. I hadn't believed you! I had betrayed you! I had almost killed you, even though you were saying the truth! If it could be possible and I could return to the past I would have killed Thomas by myself! He always was an arrogant, never paying attention to others and never bothering how many people he hurts." Athos slowly approached Anne and put her into an embrace, kissing her on the forehead. "I'm the one who should apologize! Not you! So, please, let's never again bring this theme up. It hurts you deeply! And I detest to see you hurt. I promise, no one ever dares to touch you. I will never let anyone hurt you, including myself! And I doubt, that Tréville lets me live, if I will hurt his goddaughter. Or Constance and d'Artagnan let me hurt you. You have easily gained my friends' love and defense." Smiled Athos. "They won't let anyone harm you. They kill me if I will hurt you." While he was saying that, Anne was looking into his eyes.

Athos leaned down and tenderly kissed Anne on the lips, holding her by the nape of the neck. Suddenly, he felt something cold under his fingers. It was heavy gross chain, too rough for woman's neck. Athos drew away and looked at the locket in his fingers. The same locket he had thrown away in the alley. The momentarily impulse he regretted almost immediately. He loved this locket! He missed it. He loved his wife, who gave him this piece of metal. He didn't want to forget about his past. His eyebrows shot up instantly, Athos looked at his wife questioningly.

"I watched you that day. I couldn't left it behind. I know, you loved it. If you want, you can take it. But later. Now we have some other interesting things to do." Her eyes lit up with mischief. She dragged him closer and kissed passionately, devouring him.

The kiss was getting even deeper and more intense. Anne's knees were trembling, she could barely stand on her own. That's why she was forced to clutch on her husband. Athos caught her up and carried her to the bed, kissing her on his way. Athos accurately settled Anne on the doss and started to loosen her nightgown. Anne chuckled under her breath, watching her husband's futile attempts to untie laces of the gown.

"You were never able to handle my dresses correctly, weren't you?" Smiling, she unfastened her dress and let Athos take it off of her.

Musketeer was fixedly glaring at her features. She was completely naked. Anne blushed and tried to hide her body with her arms. Athos took Anne's small hands in his large ones and moved them away.

"Don't! Don't hide yourself from me! You're awesome! My beautiful, little Anne! I love you!" Said the swordsman, looking in his wife's green eyes lovingly.

Holding her by a narrow waist, he leaned down and kissed her on the chest, moving down inch by inch. He planted kisses on her beautiful, accurate breasts, then on her taut stomach, belly. Returning to her bossom he started kissing, devouring, leaving marks of his ownership on the woman's pale skin. Athos had moved to her neck, trying his best not to touch the mark he had praised her with. But, eventually, Anne had pulled him by his hair directly to her scars. His lips on the healed wound. With every kiss he tried to apologize, make amends, knowing well, that it was impossible to erase them. That he was the main reason of their appearance. He licked the scars and continued to kiss Anne. Starting from her neck, up to her jawline, then planting his kiss on her ear, all over the face.

Anne started to moan audibly. She moved her hands and rid her husband of his shirt. The former Comtesse clawed her husband's back, when he kissed the spot below her ear. She was impossibly wet. Sensing that, Athos moved his right hand down her body, to her soaking core.

"How impatient of you, my dear wife!" Athos growled in Anne's ear, making her even wetter. A wide grin appeared on Athos' face.

He leaned down to her thighs, peppering a thin skin with wet kisses. He started to move towards her cunt. Licking the strip of the soft flesh, devouring her, he heard Anne gasped at the sensation, and then desperate whisper escaped her red lips.

"Athos! Please!"

"Horny, aren't you?" Anne heard Athos' breathless chuckle.

Reverting back to her face to kiss his wife's soft lips, he freed himself from the breeches and positioned himself at her entrance. He tried to move slowly, carefully, restraining himself, trying not to harm her. She was so tight. He didn't want to hurt her. Never again!

The silence of the room was broken by Anne's pained whine. Athos paused for a moment, giving her time to adjust.

"Shh, honey. It's alright! I'll move after you say to." The Musketeer tried to calm her down. He started to move as soon as Anne had slightly nodded her head.

They were enjoying each other, renewing their memories, try to learn each other anew, opening again to one another. Anne was clutching and clawing Athos' back, sensing his motions inside of her. Athos, in turn, was tormenting her lips with his teeth, biting and nipping. Her lips were swollen from the intensity of the kisses.

"Athos! I love you!" Anne gasped in ecstasy.

Athos held her tight against him.

"Anne!" Breathed out Athos.

After several moments they were lying next to each other, trying to catch their breaths. Their hands were interwoven. Anne positioned her head on Athos' shoulder, burying her face into the curve of his neck, letting the slumber to consume her.

"I love you, too! My Forget Me Not!" Whispered swordsman to Anne's ear.

Athos kissed her on top of her head, circling his hands around Anne's little frame, letting himself doze off, lulled by his wife's soft, neck-tickling breath.

Finally, they had found each other and were now peacefully resting in each other's arms. Le Comte et Comtesse de La Fère.