Aramis lay silently, listening to the doctor's words.

He heard Lemay tell these men who called him brother that his eyesight might come back, and his heart leaped. If he could see what was around him, all kinds of things might help him recover his sight!

But then, Lemay's next words threw a bucket of cold water over his hopeful thoughts. 'We have no way of knowing for sure, though, other than waiting and praying.' In other words, the physician didn't really know enough to say one way or another, he thought, as his hopes were dashed yet again.

His hopes further deteriorated as he continued to listen to the doctor's advice about his memory. Maybe's were all he was left with at remembering who he once was.

The more he was around these kind men who were taking care of him, the more he ardently wished to remember them, and the bond of friendship he had once shared with them. But if he relied on the doctor's pronouncements, his chances seemed to be just as good to end up with no sight or memory as they were that he would recover them.

'I can't live like this', he told himself. 'This isn't life. It's just existing with no future.' He stopped as two hands gently took one each of his, squeezing them, while a third hand was laid on his shoulder, to show that these men who called him brother could tell the path his mind was taking.

He wasn't alone as he faced his uncertain future, he realized. These men would walk with him no matter where that road led.

He took a deep shaky breath as he slightly squeezed back. 'I'm going to fight this', he vowed to himself. I can't let them down.'

Athos, Porthos and d'Artagnan let out the breath they had almost unknowingly been holding, slight smiles replacing the worry lines on their brows. Aramis' spirit is still present. The strength. The hope. The fearless bravery. He would fight this battle and win, and they would be close beside him every step of the way.

Lemay left some medicines for pain and instructions for times and dosage before leaving. He told Aramis to "fight, like I know you can. If anyone can beat this, it will be you", patting the marksman lightly on the shoulder.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

For the next few days, Aramis concentrated on getting stronger, so that he might try to rediscover his lost past. He ate, drank and slept when his brothers advised it, taking whatever medicines they gave him without question.

Every time he did these things, though, unbeknownst to him, he showed his brothers how unlike their normal Aramis he was.

Their brother would have continually been fighting against such long bed rest, and would definitely have tried to sneak out of the room by now. He would have told them, repeatedly, that he didn't need the medicines, even though, if the situation was reversed and he was the one taking care of them, he would strictly enforce the bed rest and medicine over their protests.

But they hid their sadness and put on determined smiles whenever they were beside him. Even though he couldn't see the smiles, they helped each other stay hopeful and confident.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

One morning, Aramis awoke, and Athos told him his breakfast would be there in a few minutes, adding, afterwards, would you like to try getting up?"

Aramis couldn't help it, he nodded eagerly, a smile lighting up his face. "Can I?"

Porthos replied, "Of course you can!"

Athos added, "And maybe tomorrow, if you're careful, we can go outside for a short time."

Aramis was excited at this news. He looked forward to the day with an almost childlike joy.

His brothers shared in his happiness, hoping against hope that a breakthrough might be closer.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

After eating all of his breakfast, he said eagerly, "Now?"

A chuckle came from Porthos, as Athos answered, "Yes, Aramis. Now."

He felt strong arms assist him as he swing his legs over the side of the bed. When he was sitting up, his head spun a little, the result of being prone for so long. He started to push his way up further, but Athos laid a hand on softly on his shoulder, saying, "Take this slowly, Aramis. Besides, you would rather have some clothes on before rising, would you not," Aramis eliciting another chuckle from Porthos when he he slowly turned red in embarrassment of being clad only in his braies.

It was a slow process for them to get him dressed, even in just breeches and shirt. Aramis wanted to do it himself, but after a couple of tries, resigned himself to their assistance, not only not being familiar with the shirt and breeches, but his fingers fumbling with the buttons. They decided to leave his boots off until the next day. He wouldn't need them in his first simple attempts to walk about the room.

When he was attired, he once more tried to stand, pushing himself up off the bed with both hands. Athos and Porthos kept hold of his arms, d'Artagnan behind him in case he faltered.

Once he was on his feet, his world spun violently around, and he was appreciative of his brothers' firm support. After a few moments, it lessened and he tentatively took his first step. He felt the wooden floor under his bare feet, as he set his foot down.

It took a while for his wobbly legs to firm up and support him, but they took it slow. Aramis wanted to keep going, so they slowly made several circuits of the large infirmary slowly.

Athos, seeing Aramis tiring, though he vehemently denied it, finally called a halt over his brother's protests.

Walking with him back to his bed, d'Artagnan plumped extra pillows behind him so he could sit up comfortably. The smile they saw on his face made their day.

"Tomorrow, we will try taking you outdoors, Aramis. Would you like that?" Athos asked, knowing the answer before he even asked.

Seeing the eagerness on his brother's face, he said, "I'm sure the other Musketeers would love to see you again, too."

Aramis' face suddenly fell. Porthos, seeing this said, "We've told them you don't remember anything yet, Aramis. They are still eager to see you."

"You are well-liked, you know," d'Artagnan reassured him, punching him lightly in the arm. "Not as well as with the ladies, but …."

Aramis blushed at the words and the way they were said, something he never would have done at a comment like that. They hadn't mentioned any relationships he might have had yet. Hearing that 'the ladies' liked him, made him curious, too. A question for later.

"The men are going to be very pleased to see you, Aramis," Athos told him. "You will see."

Aramis was nervous about the prospect of being with yet more people he didn't know, but with these men at his side, he could face the prospect.

He was really looking forward to going outside. The sunshine on his face. Freedom from an enclosed area for so long.

Maybe clues to his identity loss awaited him outside this room. He wouldn't get his hopes up too high, but anything new could have possibilities that could break the invisible barrier to the memories he longed to have back.

Later, when Aramis had fallen asleep, his brothers discussed their outing for the next day.

"Dr. Lemay said introduce Aramis to any people or things he knew well. We know how much he loves his horse. He's forever buying apples and carrots, and gets nuzzled as soon he comes near because she's looking for them," d'Artagnan suggested.

"And maybe he'll remember the men," Porthos added. "I can't go out the door without one of them asking how he is, and when they can see him."

Athos was still cautioning them. "We cannot get too excited that something will happen right away. If it does not, it could throw Aramis back into depression. We just need to be patient, and it will return," he told them, hoping with all his heart that it would happen that way.