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Missing Scene for S3E1
By Deana

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Aramis felt as if all the air had been sucked out of the room. He listened to Porthos walk away, but he couldn't even move; he was too stunned.

"Four years is a long time. We learned to live without you."

Did Porthos really just say that to me?

A hand suddenly touched his arm and Aramis was startled, having not heard Athos approach. He turned his head to look at him, and could see from his expression that Athos had heard their conversation.

Part of Athos was shocked that Porthos had said something so cruel to his onetime closest friend, but the other part of him wasn't very surprised. "He didn't mean that."

Aramis opened his mouth to reply but closed it again, speechless.

Athos studied Aramis' pale face and could see that he was crestfallen. Without hesitation, he pulled Aramis closer and hugged him.

Aramis returned the embrace, laying the side of his face on Athos' shoulder. "I never thought..." He stopped to swallow the lump in his throat. "Never thought that I'd lose Porthos."

Athos tightened the grip on his friend. "You haven't lost him; he's angry and will come to his senses soon, I'm sure of it."

Aramis said nothing at first, not moving from the comforting position. "I missed him so much...all of you." He inhaled a shuddering breath. "If he chooses not to forgive me, I won't be able to bear it."

Athos sighed. "Of us all, he had the hardest time dealing with your absence; he didn't understand as I do."

"But he moved on," Aramis whispered, his voice cracking as he tried to hold back his emotions. "He forgot me."

Athos pulled out of the embrace to look at him, holding Aramis by his upper arms. "No, Aramis! He was miserable without you, and the hurt from you leaving eventually turned into anger and he's simply trying to punish you now."

Aramis sighed and looked away. "He's succeeding."

Athos squeezed his arms. "And we never learned to live without you; especially Porthos. Yes, we were forced to carry on because we had no choice, but you were always there in spirit."

Aramis sighed again and lowered his head. "I can't believe it's been four years," he said. "We've all changed."

"We have," Athos agreed. "But by the time this is over, I'm sure Porthos will change again. His anger will fade and he'll come to his senses."

Aramis looked towards the direction where Porthos had gone. "I hope so."

Athos put an arm around his friend and turned him around. "Come."

Aramis submitted to being led away, neither of them knowing that Porthos was listening from the other side of the wall. A stab of guilt filled his chest for hurting Aramis so badly, and he sighed as he walked off in the opposite direction.

THE END