A/N the first half of this chapter is owed to a request from ThorneofAcre, wanting to see a bit of brotherly defending from Athos. Enjoy and keep reviewing love hearing what you think!

Chapter 6

Aramis headed towards the garrison, deep in thought. He may have given Marie his support, but the thought of his wife being placed into a potential death trap did not sit well on his mind.

"There he is! The man who claimed no woman could tame his womanizing ways! How is that working for you?" A voice made him stop. Aramis sighed; this he was not in the mood for. He knew who that voice belonged to.

"Don't go there, Francis, I am not in the mood," Aramis told the young Musketeer as he turned to look at him. He was leaning against the wall, oozing arrogance. Aramis never liked the boy.

"Don't be like that, Aramis. I was just wondering how you were coping having to stay faithful to one woman? That is, of course, if you are," Francis continued mockingly. Aramis took a deep breath, turning to walk away before he broke the boy's nose.

"She must be pretty stupid and desperate to think that marrying you would make you change your ways. But then I heard that when she was younger she was extremely well known amongst the men of high society. In all senses. So maybe you are suited," Francis grinned, though the smile vanished when he found himself slammed hard against the wall, Aramis's arm held against his throat, a dangerous look in his eyes.

"You will not speak of my wife like that! Say what you wish about me. Hell, I have heard it all before! But you will not say anything against Marie!" Aramis snarled. Francis held his glare steadily.

"The truth hurts," he smirked. Aramis growled, lifting his hand, about to land a blow on the Musketeer's face when a voice stopped him.

"Aramis, let him go," Athos ordered him.

"Not after what he said about Marie!" Aramis snapped, feeling a hand on his shoulder.

"I heard what he said about you and Marie. Rise above it, Aramis. He is just a kid. Get your revenge at target practice with a drill," Athos suggested. Aramis sighed in frustration but let Francis go without looking at Athos. He turned to walk away, but stopped when he heard a thud against the wall. Looking around, he saw Francis pinned once more against the wall, this time in Athos's grip.

"His stupid and desperate wife happens to be my sister! She also happens to be the person about to put her life in severe danger to prevent an attempt on the king's life, so I suggest you show some respect!" Athos warned. To Aramis's surprised, the idiot boy actually made to speak again. Athos slammed him hard against the wall.

"I haven't finished! Show respect to your seniors! Aramis is a good man, our best marksman, and my brother! I hear any more slander from you against either of them, I won't be so easy on you! Do I make myself clear?!" Athos hissed. The youngster just nodded, looking rather frightened. Athos smiled grimly, letting him go.

"Good. Now nobody needs to know about our little discussion. Back to your work," Athos told him, watching Francis scarper.

"What happened to rising above it?" Aramis asked his friend. Athos shrugged.

"I said you should, didn't say anything about myself. And anyway, we are the only ones allowed to tease you about such things," Athos replied, smiling slightly. Aramis just laughed, shaking his head at his friend.

"What are you doing back here?" Athos asked.

"I came to find D'Artagnan. Constance turned up at ours really upset," Aramis replied.

"And you and Marie?" Athos inquired gently.

"She has my support. And I have promised to protect her as best I can," Aramis said simply. Athos just nodded. He knew Aramis was far from happy with all that was going on. But his loyalty to the king and above all else his love to his wife and the need to protect her from any form of danger meant he would support them no matter how he felt.

"Come on, let's go and find the others," Athos said, leading the way to where he had left their friends.

"So,are you going to tell me what happened?" Marie asked her friend. It had been a while since Aramis had left, and now Constance had calmed down she wanted to know what had upset her so much.

"I may have over reacted a little bit," Constance replied, sending her an apologetic smile. Marie just raised an eyebrow, sending her a look.

"He said if I left him, he would kill D'Artagnan. He went mad. He scared me so much so I just left," Constance told her. Marie smiled, nodding.

"He won't kill D'Artagnan. And I guess we best send Porthos and one of the other two around to get your things. Doubt he will argue with them," Marie assured her.

"Thank you. For all of this. Especially since I get the feeling I may have interrupted something earlier?" Constance said, watching Marie shift uncomfortably under her gaze.

"What's going on with you, Marie?" Constance asked. There was a slight edge to her voice which told Marie that she was now expecting the truth.

"You have to promise me that what I am about to tell you will never again pass your lips," Marie warned.

"I swear. Now what's going on?" Constance pushed. Marie sighed deeply before filling her in on everything that had happened over the last few days.

"Wow. And you are sure you really want to do this?" Constance asked after a few moments of silence. Marie sighed, getting up and turning her back to her friends. She ran a hand through her hair as she took a deep breath.

"I am scared, Constance," Marie admitted, turning back to face her.

"I am not surprised! You're placing yourself straight into the path of pure danger," Constance said. Marie shook her head.

"That's not what scares me."

"Then what?" Constance asked, confused.

"I am scared I am going to lose Aramis over this," she whispered, feeling tears fall. Constance got up and pulled her friend into a tight hug.

"Marie, you aren't going to lose him! Aramis loves you too much. He won't ever turn his back on you, no matter how much he is against all this," she assured her as they pulled away.

"I'm being stupid, I'm sorry," Marie apologized, wiping her tears away.

"Musketeers! I am starting to believe it when people say they are nothing but trouble," Constance said. Marie giggled.

"But then you wouldn't have us any other way. And your life would be very boring. Which I believe you told me when I first met you," D'Artagnan's voice made them both turn to find him standing in the doorway, a smile creeping across his face.

"I will leave you two to talk," Marie said, leaving the pair alone. She found Aramis in their room quietly looking out the window. She went up to him and wrapped her arms around him.

"Know this isn't easy for me, Marie. But I can't turn my back on you, ever," Aramis told her.

"I know," she said, leaning her head against his back.

"So are you going to tell me what you did have planned for the rest of the day, before I got stolen again?" she asked him as he turned in her arms.

"Well the day has gone now, so I guess we skip to the evening plans," he grinned, leaning in and kissing her tenderly on the lips.

"And what would they be?" Marie murmured playfully. Aramis just smiled, leading her to their bed.