chapter 10

Marie sat helplessly watching the man in front of her, whimpering feverishly in his sleep, sweat glistening on his forehead and chest.

It had been a good few hours since Porthos had woken her to say that Aramis had come round. She remembered feeling relief wash through her, knowing he was going to be okay. She hadn't wanted to contemplate the alternative.

That feeling had all but gone now, replaced by a feeling of helplessness that she couldn't protect him from whatever was plaguing his dreams. Aramis was no longer protected by the deep sleep he had been in the last four days. Now that his fever had at last broken he was forced to suffer his nightmares, the lingering sickness only making them worse.

Aramis's cry startled her from her thoughts and she looked over at him, seeing the confusion in his eyes. She picked up a wet cloth and gently patted it against his forehead and chest to remove the sweat from him and calm him.

"It's okay. You're okay, you're fine. It was just a nightmare," she murmured soothingly, watching as he finally seemed to get his bearings and relax. She poured a glass of water and handed it to him. Aramis took it gratefully, letting the cool water soothe him.

"Feel better?" Marie asked him after a while.

"Better than I did before. And so much happier that I am waking to a prettier face then last time," the Musketeer replied, flashing her a charming smile and winking. Marie laughed.

"I think I will take that as a complement," she said when she finished laughing, helping him sit up against the pillows.

"Just don't let Porthos hear you say that," she added mischievously. Aramis laughed, wincing slightly. Marie's humor evaporated as she looked down at his side, guilt flooding through her. She felt she was to blame for his injury. Perhaps she should have listened to her brother and kept her distance. She felt a hand move to her face and gentle fingers wipe the tears that had started falling away.

"It's not your fault," Aramis assured her in a gentle voice, reading her expression. She looked up into his brown eyes.

"I thought I was going to lose you," she whispered past the lump in her throat.

"You aren't getting rid of me that easily," Aramis smirked. Marie didn't return his smile. He sighed deeply; he knew she was blaming herself for her brother's actions.

"Come here," he ordered, opening his arms and letting her curl up next to him, shutting his eyes in response to her touch.

"Athos has his reasons for what he did, and for why he doesn't want us to be together. We need to respect them. Therefore, I don't blame him for this," he told her, running his hand up and down her arm. "And I most certainly don't blame you."

He paused before continuing. "And you shouldn't blame him either. I think you need to go and talk to him," Aramis finished, looking down into her eyes. Marie sighed and nodded. She knew he was right.

"I will go in the morning and find him," she agreed.

"Good," Aramis said. She frowned slightly, watching a small smile creep across his face. She shook her head in disbelief as she noted the corresponding glint in his eye.

"Don't even think about it," she warned, fighting an answering smile. "You aren't well enough. And besides, what about respecting Athos's reasons?" Marie asked him. Aramis shrugged.

"I said we should respect them. Doesn't mean we have to obey them," he replied cheekily, leaning in and kissing her hard.

"And are you really going to deny a sick man's wishes?" he asked, injecting a piteous note into his voice.

"This sick man's? Yes! But I promise I will make it up to you when you are stronger," Marie assured him, seeing the disappointment on his face.

"I will hold you to that promise," Aramis chuckled, leaning to kiss her again, this time more tenderly. He pulled her closer against his chest, both just content being in each other's arms once again.