Sometimes Constance wondered if she would ever understand men. Charles had stalked out of the garrison alone while she had trailed along behind him like a trained puppy. Her face flushed with embarrassment as she remembered their exit. Evidently he did not want her support!

Charles was still wounded and very fragile emotionally after all that had happened at the farm. Although heaven help her if she said that to him! So she worried silently for Charles afraid his anger would take him away from her. How could she loose the man she was growing to love?

The day was turning into a long wearisome day. He had been out searching for a job and had left Constance in the market place. She informed him the market was where you find information. She would know, as she was more familiar with larger cities. D'Artagnan hoped Constance had found out something. His search had yielded nothing and he was rather discouraged. At the farm there was always something to show for a hard days work. Today, he had nothing.

His father's death and the loss of the farm weighed heavily on his heart. Every time he thought of it a wave of regret washed over him. The pain was almost too much so D'Artagnan focused on letting the new sights and sounds of Paris try to drown out his loss. He took a shuttery breath, that plan was not working well. The pain of loosing the last of his family was constant and sharp. Constance's words about leaving her alone came back to haunt him. He knew exactly how that felt! D'Artagnan promised himself he would give her his best. No more duels out of vengeance for his father death. He had to live for the living not for the dead. If she wanted him around he would be there for her.

A group of soldiers up a head blocked his path. Remembering the warning from the market place that soldiers meant trouble D'Artagnan turned to cut through a side ally. Out of the corner of his eye he happened to notice what the soldiers were doing. One man was in the center of a human ring and the soldiers dressed in red had him surrounded. The zing of metal on metal was loud as the man trapped in the center fought for his life.

Now that he had seen the trouble there was no way D'Artagnan could leave the man there to face death alone. With a whispered prayer of apology to Constance he drew his sword and with a battle yell confronted the soldiers. Everyone turned in surprise. The man trapped took the opportunity to take down a few of his opponents. D'Artagnan didn't pause to watch. Instead he lifted his sword and brought it down on the nearest soldier. The man parried back with a sneer.

"Who are you little boy," taunted the soldier?

D'Artagnan swung his sword faster catching the man off guard. Dancing around the soldier he looked for a weak spot to attack.

Not breathing hard yet he came up with a taunt of his own, "Who are you attacking one lone man?"

The solder laughed at him but didn't comment instead he focused on taking D'Artagnan down. Dodging a sword thrust that happened to come to close to his face he closed in for victory against the soldier. Thankfully the man was nowhere near as good as Athos and it didn't take much to take the soldier down. Quickly he moved onto the next one the thrill of the fight pulsing through his body. Only now he was facing two men. Worried slightly he used his short sword to try and hold off one of the soldiers as he faced the other. His sword sung as it connected with one of the soldier's swords. Backing up a bit he made sure both were facing him and not being sneaky. All his attention was focused on the fight. He had no idea if the man who had been trapped was well or not.

"Well boy, you going to take me down? Are you sure a little pup like you can handle it?"

He glared at the man and spat, "I'll show you!"

D'Artagnan was more determined now to win. Through luck the man stumbled and D'Artagnan took advantage of it. "Guess a pup showed you," he snarled. The flash of a blade cut his taunt short as he ducked the second soldier's sword. Quickly rolling to his feet he advanced on the man who threatened him.

"That was just plain luck country boy!"

With a yell, D'Artagnan charged his opponent feeling a sliver of fire slice his arm. Ignoring it he knocked the man back with a punch and swung with his sword. The man came back at him rapidly. This one was better than the others, a hint of worry found its way into his heart.

"What is the matter pup, bit off more than you can chew?"

"Not a pup," muttered D'Artagnan, dodging the man's sword yet again.

"I say you are, and you fight like a pup…"

D'Artagnan's yell drowned out the rest of the soldier's words. He knew he should not let his anger take over but he was no PUP! No, he was a married MAN!

But now he was a man in trouble! The pain in his arm grew as the soldier sliced him again. He saw red and viciously went after his opponent. Only to stand stunned as the soldier dropped with a surprised gasp. D'Artagnan froze, his sword held high, confused and taken aback.

"Head before heart pup," slurred a familiar voice.

Whirling around he came face to face with Athos, the man he had tried to kill. They were now alone on a dark and deserted Paris street. Evidently the rest of the soldiers had fled. How noble of them.

"Are you well," he gasped trying to get over his surprise?

The man wavered, righting him self he muttered something unintelligible. Athos smelled of cheap wine making D'Artagnan wonder how the man had fought so well. Picking up a bottle that had fallen in the fight Athos chugged it down before slurring the words, "I'm fine!"

Fine his foot! The man was well into his cups, had a black eye, bloody nose, and more blood on his sleeves!

D'Artaganan chuckled and commented, "You are far from fine mister. Best take you back to your friends."

"Thought ya wanted ta kill me. Just finish me off here that way I don't have ta be hung over."

D'Artagnan huffed in annoyance and put his hands on his hips, "Mister, what ever I may think of you, I am not without honor. My father taught me to be a gentleman, I will not stab you in the back."

With that he braced himself and pulled the drunken musketeer towards the garrison.

"What do ya think yer doin'," mumbled Athos swinging a fist at his face.

D'Artagnan jumped out of the way causing the man to waver again and almost fall over. More blood was oozing onto the man's sleeve.

"I'm getting you home you fool. You are bleeding badly and are about to pass out. Though I don't know if that is from wine or injury!"

"Get yer hands off me."

D'Artaganan did so for a second. Athos would have fallen had he not ducked back under the musketeer's arm. Gathering all of his rather insignificant patience, D'Artagnan held onto the grumbling cursing man and guided him down the dark streets of Paris. He hoped they could get to the Garrison all right. The streets were not exactly easy to follow. With so many corners and alleys it was a trick not to get lost. During the day he found his way around using church steeples and well-known places. Now darkness covered all his landmarks. After twenty minutes of winding their way through the narrow streets they came to the Garrison entrance. D'Artaganan was relieved, several times he had worried that he had lost his way.

"Here we are," he muttered to the almost insensible man.

"Mmmmh," was his only response.

"Who's there the guard challenged?"

D'Artagnan stepped closer to the light hoping Athos familiar face would do the trick. It did. The guard rolled his eyes and waved them through without another word. Once in the courtyard though D'Artaganan didn't know what to do. He paused awkwardly for a moment before he saw movement by the stairs.

"Hello, I need help over here!"

Hurried footsteps sounded and he soon saw the face of the man with the smart mouth.

"Athos," gasped the man. He then turned D'Artaganan's way, face full of fury.

"What did you do to him?"

Frustration made D'Artagnan yell, "I found him this way!"

Quick as lightning the man's face changed, the fury disappearing. Leaning forward the musketeer smelled his friend's breath, wincing he then helped drag Athos into the infirmary.

"Help me lay him down. Do you know what's the matter?

D'Artaganan talked over Athos protests and explained what he had walked into. Nodding the man told him to run down to the kitchen and get hot water. Doing as he was told he ran down the stairs, into the courtyard, and paused. He had no idea where he was going. Tables were set up outside one of the buildings giving him a clue. Rushing inside he found himself face to face with the cook, who was currently giving him the death glare.

"Athos is hurt, Doc needs some hot water and linens."

D'Artagnan didn't know if the musketeer was a doctor but it sure made the cook move fast so he was glad he added it. Once the articles were handed over he dashed back outside, through the courtyard, up the stairs, and back into the infirmary.

"Here," he declared breathlessly.

The man nodded and continued working, occasionally asking for his help. D'Artaganan waited out of the medic's way and watched. Sitting down in an empty chair he let his body come down from the high of the fight. D'Artagnan found he was exhausted. This was no surprise; he had been tired before he had even walked into the fight. To stay awake he focused on the medic, whose name he had yet to hear. When the man finished and turned around he seemed surprised to still see D'Artagnan there.

"Most men would had left by now you know."

D'Artaganan shrugged.

"In both situations most people would have walked away. Why didn't you?"

"Wasn't right. I was raised as a gentleman, I just can't walk away when someone needs my help."

"You came to Paris to KILL Athos."

"Yes, but the fight today was unfair, I couldn't leave him to fight off six soldiers all by himself. And besides a group attacking a lone man defies every principal of chivalry!"

"But bringing him back in order to fight him again does not?"

"Close enough," grinned D'Artaganan.

The man rolled his eyes. "You are a hard one to figure. Thank you for bringing him back. I'm Aramis."

D'Artaganan stood and shook the man's hand, glad to finally have a name to put to the face, although it wasn't as if he would be getting to know these men or anything.

"I'm Charles…"

"D'Artaganan of Lupiac in Gascony," finished Aramis. "We have already been introduced, remember?"

TBC