It had been weeks since Aramis had told her of her brother's death.

It had been weeks since Athos, in a rare display of affection, held her while she crumbled.

It had been weeks since she made Aramis forgive himself.

It had been weeks since she made both Athos and Aramis promise that they wouldn't leave her.

It had been weeks since everyone had finally stopped treating her like she was made of glass, yet she still hid herself away whenever she felt herself start to break.

It had only been weeks since she lost the only blood relative she had left, but she didn't want to be seen as a weak little girl.

It had been weeks and she was still waiting for the time to come when Treville would tell her she had to leave.

She knew she couldn't stay at the garrison.

She wasn't a Musketeer, that was her brother.

He was the reason she had been allowed to stay.

Now that he was gone, so was her reason.

She didn't want to leave, she had nowhere else to go, so she just kept waiting.

Treville was leaning over the railing of his balcony, watching Juliette in the courtyard below.

That was how Athos found him when he ascended the stairs. He stood at the top step, reluctant to approach the Captain and disturb his thoughts.

"What is it?" Treville asked as he turned his head to look at Athos.

"Juliette," was all Athos said. He knew the captain would need no further explanation.

Taking the silence as his que, Athos stepped forward to join his captain in leaning over the railing.

Juliette was sitting at the table with Aramis, watching the cadets train. Every now and then either Aramis or Juliette would point out what they were doing wrong.

It still amazed and impressed Athos how the cadets would accept direction and criticism from Juliette. Even though she wasn't a musketeer, and even though she was a woman, the cadets still held her and her opinion in high esteem and treated her with the same respect they gave to more senior Musketeers.

The Captain seemed to be the only one who wasn't surprised by his cadets, or by how easily Juliette seemed to fit.

Then again, Treville always saw the things in others that everyone else would either miss or choose to ignore. He was an excellent judge of character.

"You're going to let her stay," Athos stated.

"She's not a Musketeer," came Treville's reply.

"You're going to let her stay," Athos repeated, this time looking at Treville as he spoke.

The silence he got in return, and the look on his face as he watched Juliette, was all the answer Athos needed.

He felt a weight lift from his shoulders.

He had come up here intent on convincing the Captain to let Juliette stay. But once he saw the Captain he realised he wouldn't need to.

Everyone had been so caught up in their own relationships with Juliette, that no one had taken the time to notice how entwined Treville and Juliette's lives had become.

Thinking back on everything, Athos scolded himself. How could he have not seen it?

"Have you told her?" Athos asked, his attention turning back to the courtyard. Aramis had Juliette laughing about something but he could see that the smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Not yet," Treville answered, "I haven't found an appropriate time,"

"Any time would be an appropriate time. She keeps waiting for you to tell her she has to leave," Athos said, "She needs to know that we're not going to abandon her. She needs to know she'll always have a home here, with us,"

That must have been the push Treville needed, because without saying a word, he descended the stairs and walked over to Juliette. Athos soon followed.

"Captain," Aramis said as Treville appeared.

Juliette had had her back to the courtyard and so didn't see him coming. She stiffened slightly as Aramis spoke.

"Can you give us a minute?" Treville said, gesturing to Juliette.

Aramis nodded, and walked over to stand next to Athos.

Treville sat next to her and placed a hand at the small of her back. She tensed under his hand, but otherwise didn't move or say anything.

"Juliette," she closed her eyes at the softness in Treville's voice. 'This was it' she thought to herself.

"Juliette, look at me," his voice still soft. He waited patiently.

Turning to look at him, she opened her eyes. She was determined to keep her composure.

He brought her in close for the hug she desperately needed and whispered in her ear, "You're not going anywhere,"

That was all it took to break her. Treville held her tight as she sobbed and clung to him. He rubbed soothing circles on her back and murmured the words she needed to hear, "Never be afraid I'm going to ask you to leave, because I won't. Never be afraid of not being welcome here, because you are. Never be afraid that anyone here will abandon you, because they won't. At least not on purpose. Never be afraid that you don't belong here, because you do. More than you realise. Never be afraid to show your emotions, no one will think less of you if you do. Everyone here adores you, you must know that. The garrison is your home Juliette, and everyone here is your family. For as long as you want, and even when you think otherwise. For better or for worse Juliette,"

The garrison was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. No one said or did anything, not wanting to stop the moment in front of them. It had been a long time coming, everyone knew it.

After what seemed like forever, Juliette's sobbing subsided. Treville waited for her to collect herself before he let go. He placed a soft kiss to her cheek before standing and addressing his men.

"Juliette is now my ward. You will continue to treat her with the same respect and adoration as you have been doing since she first arrived. Nothing changes," and with that he left them, returning to his office.

Juliette was speechless.

Aramis was by her side in an instant, Athos remaining where he stood.

"Juliette?" Athos' concerned voice breaking through her bubble.

"I'm okay," her voice was hoarse from all the crying she had just done. She reached for the goblet of water Aramis had just placed in front of her, and took a sip.

Both men watched her carefully, waiting for the Captain's words to fully sink in. They weren't sure what her reaction would be when they did.

She could feel their eyes on her. She took a deep breath to steady her thoughts, and that's when Treville's words registered.

Without warning, she stood and ran up the stairs to Treville's office.

She entered without knocking, and stood in the doorway.

"Did you mean it?" her question receiving a raised eyebrow.

"Did you mean it?" she repeated, this time moving to take the seat opposite him as she spoke.

"Yes," was all he said.

"Why?" her voice suddenly becoming timid, which was unlike her.

"You are family," he said, as if that was all the answer she needed.

Seeing the confusion on her face, he spoke again, "You are more important to all of us than you will ever realise Juliette. You calm Aramis, you keep Athos in check, and you are more of a family to me than my own. You belong here,"

Juliette sniffed and wiped at her eyes, trying to stop the tears that were threatening to fall.

"Thank you," she managed to say, breathing in deeply as she did.

Both of them sat in silence, just enjoying each other's company.

After a couple of minutes, Juliette walked around to stand behind where Treville was sitting, and wrapped her arms around him. She kissed him on the cheek, and he patted her arm before she let go.

Leaving Treville's office, she was greeted by Athos and Aramis. Both of them smiled once they realised she was looking happier than she had in weeks.

Slinging his arm around her shoulders as they descended the stairs, Aramis declared it was time to head to a tavern for a few drinks.

No words were said between them as they walked out of the garrison.

Juliette finally felt like things would be okay. She took comfort knowing that no matter what doubts she may have or what may happen next, that she would always have a home and would always have family.

This time, her smile reached her eyes.