Evening My Lovelies :)
We're in for an emotional driven chapter tonight so I hope you're ready!
Notes On Reviews:
pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Sorry but its going to be a couple more chapters before we learn who and what D'Arts gotten involved with/in and don't worry about the Athos/Milady situation he's not going to not react if that makes sense :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
FierGascon: Thanks for the review - It'll all become clear relatively soon I promise :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - Considering the situation I don't think she really has much of a choice. I couldn't resist the whole tavern banter bit so I'm glad you seemed to like it :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Hmm I know what you mean, unfortunately she's not in such a mood here, I'm kinda focusing more on the vindictive, wants to hurt Athos part of her... though she might inadvertently end up helping at some point. Enjoy the new chapter! x
The dreamer (Guest): Thanks for the review - Liking hurt D'Art? Then you should enjoy this story :D I have lots of whumpage ideas for our lovely Gascon in later chapters :) Kinda nice to write Milady, she'll probably be popping up again in a later chapter as well. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Beeblegirl (Guest): Thanks for the review - It's a little creepy how close you managed to get with your review, we'll be seeing Athos's reaction right away so you wont be waiting long. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha yay I'm glad you're enjoying it so far, it'll be a little bit before the story behind what's going on comes to light but I have lots of whumpage and drama planned once it does so we have that to look forward to :) We'll be looking into why they're feeling so guilty a bit more today, hopefully it should clear up a few questions. Enjoy the new chapter! x
The OC guest (Guest): Thanks for the review - Ha I figured it was you as soon as I read your new name :D Milady's arrival is definitely good for my need to have cliffhangers. Our boys have got a good first lead but they're going to need a bit more before they can go all protective old brother mode on the one responsible for hurting D'Art. I wanted to thank you again for reminding me of Issac and the others as I have now thought of the perfect way to bring them into the story as well as a right old bit of drama I can get them involved it (really excited to get to the point where I can write it!) Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - Milady is definitely the bringer of trouble for our boys but unfortunately for her our boys aren't in any sort of mindset to be somewhat civil with her right now, hence what we get today :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I couldn't resist a bit of teasing/banter given the seriousness of the situation they've found themselves in but I figure Athos is kinda wallowing in guilt and everything right now so he'd be less likely than usual to join in the banter. I can't imagine he was pleased to see her no... This isn't the first time I've written Milady, she had a fairly important part in my Separating The Inseparables story and I think she may have popped up once or twice in another story but its definitely been a while since I've written her, which is a bit of a shame as she's quite fun to write, especially if she's conversing with Athos :) With the whole last line thing, part of me wants to say it was totally intentional but no purely coincidental (quite a nice coincidence though). Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always many thanks to you awesome people for following/favouriting/reading/reviewing *high fives*
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Four: Retracing Steps II
There were several reactions both Aramis and Porthos could have anticipated happening following Milady's words but Athos's reaction was extreme even for him as within seconds of the words leaving his wife's mouth the swordsman had her pushed up against the wall, his arm pinning her there by her throat as his other hand brought a small dagger up to press against the vulnerable side of her neck.
"You will tell me what you know now," snarled Athos, any attempt at containing his emotions well and truly failed as he glared at the smaller woman before him, hating himself for the part of him that relished in the small sliver of fear he saw flash in her eyes before she could hide it.
"Athos," murmured Porthos quietly as he placed a gentle hand on his brother's shoulder. He had absolutely no problem with the vile woman's coming to an end at his brother's hand but he knew his brother would never forgive himself if his rashness caused them to lose a lead on what happened to their youngest brother.
"I'm fine," snapped Athos, though he did force himself to relax a fraction, recognizing the reason behind his brother's warning.
Noticing this relaxation Milady pushed the swordsman off of her, glaring daggers at the man as she straightened her dress, attempting to re-center herself after her husband's out of character outburst.
"I believe my brother asked you a question," stated a calm voice, interrupting the pairs staring match. Both glares faded into looks of surprise and, on Athos's face, amusement when they turned to find Aramis leaning casually against a wall, his ever faithful pistol pointed directly at Milady De Winter, stopping any escape plan she might have in the works.
Huffing indignantly she turned her famous glare on the marksman, "it was hardly a question."
"True though my brother can be forgiven given the circumstances," shrugged Aramis, his eyes flickering to the side for a brief moment to check that Porthos was continuing his efforts to calm their now murderous brother down. "Regardless," he continued, both his voice and expression hardening, "You will talk."
"I think not," smirked the woman as she threw a small pouch at the medic, making him lower his weapon just enough for her to move as he instinctively moved to catch it.
"Show that to your Captain," called Milady as she slunk back in to the shadows.
"No," stated Athos as he put a hand on Porthos's shoulder, the larger musketeer having moved to follow her, disliking the idea of her getting away once again, especially considering she clearly knew more than she was letting on. "Let's get this to Treville."
"I trust the reason you're showing back in my office is because you have a lead on what happened to my musketeer," commented Treville as he leant back in his chair, his expression giving nothing away as he took in the multitude of emotions in the eyes of his men.
"How the kid?" asked Porthos, desperation filling his voice as he silently pleaded with the man to take pity on them and give them some sort of hope.
"Resting," answered Treville gently before the hardness returned and he turned his focus back to Athos, "I do hope that was not the only reason for your visit."
Disappointment, that was the one thing Treville either couldn't or wouldn't hide and it was like a stab to his heart every time. Treville was the heart of the regiment, he made it the home that many of men lacked and for Athos personally he was the man who had forced him to live again and not to fall on his blade like he had initially been planning when he had signed up all those years ago.
The swordsman had been a broken shell of himself when he and Treville met and it was only his pride that stopped him from simply ending it all himself. Instead, he had traveled to Paris to seek out a commission. He knew that the musketeers saw a lot of action and he figured dying in battle was a better way to go then by his own hand.
Treville had noticed this right away and after a few months of watching and assessing the man he had decided to take a gamble and pair him up with Aramis for a mission, knowing all too well the man had ways of affecting people even when they fought against it.
It was before Marsac and before Savoy, back in the days when there was no shadows lingering in the back of the marksman's mind, haunting his every moment. Back then Aramis was even larger personality-wise and was both trusting and charismatic enough to try and befriend every member of the regiment.
Athos rebelled against each of the medic's attempts but the man was relentless and after the two week long mission the pair had returned to Paris slightly worse for wear but seemingly lighter on Athos's part, if even by a fraction and that was enough for Treville to continue to put the two together until they reached a point where he didn't even have to assign it.
Athos knew that, had Treville not paired them together, something which eventually led to meeting both Porthos and D'Artagnan, then he likely would not have found a reason to go on. Thomas had been the last of his family and while his new family didn't lessen the hurt, they made it infinitely easier to bear and he owed Treville that, so to see the man so disappointed in him struck Athos in the worst ways.
What made matters worse was that he knew he deserved that disappointment and worse. The three of them had all but pushed D'Artagnan out, ignoring every single clue that there could be something wrong, brushing aside every conscious and unconscious call for help that came from their youngest.
Porthos had been wrapped up in finding the truth behind his parentage and his anger at Treville refusal to speak had left him very unresponsive to other matters, especially when his own attempts to reach out for support from Athos and Aramis were met with swift rebuttal.
D'Artagnan had done his best to help his friend, offering to spar when the man looked like he needed to punch something or inviting him on drinking or riding trips whenever he suspected his brother needed to vent.
Aramis, he had be dealing with the shock announcement of the Queen's pregnancy and knowing there was no way the child she bore was the Kings all while struggling to accept that he would have no part in the child's life and that he would be forced to watch his progeny grow up from afar while calling another man father.
To make matters worse the medic was also dealing with his fracturing relationship with Athos. Ever since learning of the marksman's dalliance with the Queen the swordsman had been off around him. Aramis knew, in his heart, that everything Athos said and the anger lining his words was only out of fear for his safety, but that knowledge rarely registered during their ever growing arguments and as such both men had barely spoken over the last few weeks and if they did it was most likely only to argue.
Athos, he wasn't sure about his brothers but he could remember at least one instance where D'Artagnan had come to him, he barely remembered what the boy wanted to talk about but part of his mind had registered it must be important as there was a serious expression on the younger man's face, something that was rarely there outside a mission. However Athos had just stormed away from another argument with Aramis and was quick to brush the younger man aside, snapping at him when he persisted.
Sighing Athos felt sickening dread fill his whole being. He had allowed fear for one brother to completely blind him to the needs of another, something he had sworn never to do ever since he had lost Thomas.
If his murderous wife was to be trusted then D'Artagnan had found himself entangled with some very dangerous people and he could have put a stop to it weeks ago if he had simply stopped to take a breath, calmed enough to recognize the fear and worry in his baby brother's eyes.
"Athos?" Treville asked, pulling the man from his spiraling thoughts
Taking a steadying breath the swordsman took a step forward, explaining what they had learned before gesturing Aramis forward, his eyes remaining fixed on his Captain's face as the marksman placed the contents of the small pouch onto his desk.
"It can't be," breathed Treville, his eyes widening almost comically as he took in the small token now resting on his desk. His mind was whiling with this new information but before he could act on it there was a loud knock on his door.