A/N: I couldn't resist doing a double update today, I cannot wait to hear your reactions! The next chapter took me several attempts, but I'm so happy with how it turned out. It's probably my favourite chapter so far.

x

Porthos moved the blade through the flame, warming the metal up.

'Don't worry. I'm an old hand at this.' He told Charon as he dug the ball out of his arm. Flea held onto his hand, the only comfort she could give. Ellie was next to Flea, rubbing Charon's arm. Both woman had opted for a vest instead of their longer outfits.

'Suppose you're right and the shot was intended for me. Who'd go to all the trouble?' Porthos asked, watching Charon as he dug the ball out.

'The Cardinal.' Charon groaned. 'His guards can't reach you so he sends a trained killer.'

'A shooting in some low dive in the worst part of Paris? It doesn't add up.' Porthos replied. Charon groaned as Porthos finally found the ball. He held it up to the candlelight, smiling at his old friend.

Ellie leant against the wall outside the chamber, breathing in the fresh air. Flea stood further down the wall, talking to Porthos. Ellie was too far away to here, but she understood what they were talking about. Ellie, however, did not expect Flea to launch herself at Porthos kissing him with a passion that had been ignored for years. Ellie turned her face to hide the small smile that had appeared, before ducking underneath the drapes and disappearing back inside. She made her way to the guestroom, which was also her old room, and threw herself onto the bed. Within minutes she was fast asleep.

Court of Miracles – 1624

Kingsley marched 10-year-old Elizabeth Beckett through the maze that was the Court of Miracles. She squirmed slightly under her touch but didn't try to break away. Every time somebody brushed against her she glared at them. Despite being only ten years old, Elizabeth had developed a name for herself. One that most people in the Court of Miracles knew to fear. Kingsley pulled her to the side, looking down on her.

'I'm leaving you here for a couple of weeks. I have some business to attend to and I don't need you following me around.' He growled. Elie just blinked up at him.

'Ok.' She replied, and he shoved her into the street. Ellie hissed as his hand made contact with her back, sending a wave of pain through her. She took a deep breath before walking in the opposite direction to her intimidating brother. Her back was still bloody, red and cover in scars from the last whipping she'd received.

It wasn't uncommon for her to be whipped, he'd increased the amount of money she had to get so that it was impossible to reach the target. Ellie had now become use to the never ending pain, and rarely shed a tear or cried out. In a way, it was sad that she'd become use to it. The pain was part of her life, as were the scars that covered her back and wrists. By some magic she'd managed to cover up most of the scars, either by clothing or jewellery. But Ellie could do nothing to hide the ones that littered her back. Not that she minded.

Every scar she bared was a sign that she'd survived another day. Was a sign that she was still alive. That she still had hope.

And as Ellie descended into the darkness of the actual court, she held her head high.

She was a survivor.

Ellie's eyes blinked open. The sunlight had filtered in through the windows, waking her up. She groaned as she stretched her muscles, her eyes falling on a clean dress that Flea had obviously brought her. She smiled, ruffling her hair with her hand, resting her arm above her head. She could hear laughter and the clinking of bottles from within the court. She unpeeled the sheet and stood up, stretching her arms above her head. She grabbed the dress off of the chair and pulled it on. It fitted her like a charm and was very flattering. The top was a royal blue shirt that finished above her ribs, showing off her stomach. There was a pink and gold corset over the top with light blue ribbon. The edge of the shirt disappeared underneath the corset. The skirt was made up of blue, pink and brown rags that hovered above the floor. It moved with Ellie and matched her top. Ellie turned around to look at the back of it and froze when she saw her scars in the mirror. She gently brushed a hand over them, flinching slightly. She sighed turning back round to look herself in the mirror. She plaited her fringe into a fishtail, pinning to the side out the way, leaving the rest of it down and wavy. She smiled at herself, loving the outfit. She'd put on dark brown ankle boots that matched the dress exactly before walking out of the guest room and into…well…the Court of Miracles.

Nearly everybody was drunk, even though it was still early in the day. They swayed about all over the place, and Ellie dodged them; avoiding nearly everyone.

'What's this?' She asked Charon a she walked up to him.

'What's a celebration without something to drink?' He asked, holding up a bottle of wine. She took it from him, and looked at the label.

'This is good stuff. Where did it come from?' She asked knowing the Court could never afford that.

'Friends.' Charon replied, a smirk working its way onto his face.

'Must have cost a fortune.' She said simply, sounding a lot like Athos.

'Where's Porthos?' He asked.

'No idea.' She told him as one of the people in the crowd snatched the bottle from her hands.

'Thought you might have seen him.' Charon replied. Ellie didn't say anything. 'Help yourselves! Drinks are on your King!' Charon yelled as he walked away from the throne. Flea walked into the room sending a smile Ellie's way. Charon grabbed Ellie and Flea, pushing them out of the throne room.

'Pack a bag. Now. We're leaving this dump heap forever.' He turned to Ellie. 'You need to go.'

'Are you drunk? It's Porthos that's leaving.' Flea went to walk out of the room, but Charon grabbed her.

'Are you going with him?' Charon asked. Flea didn't reply. 'Is that what you planned in bed together last night? Or were you too busy getting to know each other again?'

'Charon it's not what you think.'

'I saved Porthos for this? To watch him steal you from me?'

'I don't belong to your or him!' Flea yelled pushing Charon away from her.

'Look, the Court is finished!' Charon yelled, shaking Flea. 'By tomorrow morning, it'll be nothing but a heap of ashes.'

'What are you talking about?' Flea whispered.

'Just trust me. We have to go.' Charon looked over his shoulder at Ellie. 'So do you.' Charon froze as footsteps approached the room. Porthos appeared in the doorway.

'You two need to see this.' He told them before leading the way, Ellie, Flea and Charon following. He led them down a corridor, where a dozen barrels of gunpowder were being stored.

'Gunpowder?' Ellie asked staring at it in disbelief.

'Yeah. The fuses have all ben primed. Someone's going to blow this place to hell.' Porthos crouched down in front of the gunpowder.

'The Cardinal?' Flea asked.

'Perhaps.'

'But there are hundreds of people living here, women, children.' Flea exclaimed.

'There's something else, Charon.' Porthos stood up. 'I didn't kill that boy. When I left the Wren he was already dead. The killer was standing over him.' Suddenly, gunshots echoed around the Court. Ellie's head swirled round.

'It's started.' She whispered. 'Carry on.' She told Porthos.

'When I find out who the old man was, I can prove my innocence. I can't leave Paris now.' Ellie looked at Charon, who hadn't said a word. 'Let's get these fuses cut, make the gunpowder safe.' Porthos and Flea crouched down, as Charon pulled out a gun. Pointing it at Ellie.

'Step away.' They stood up slowly, Porthos watching Ellie's hand tremble slightly.

'Charon?' Flea asked.

'You were in the wrong place at the wrong time Porthos. Why did you have to go back to the Wren? The old man, he argued with his son. He shot him. And there you were, the perfect scapegoat.'

'So, why save me from the noose?' Porthos asked, his eyes watching Charon.

'We ran these streets together. So much changes. Everything becomes…complicated and compromised but not that. Not brotherhood. Loyalty. Well, I couldn't leave you to hang.'

'But what does the gunpowder have to do with any of this?' Flea asked him, her eyes not meeting his.

'The old man bought up all the land here. He paid me to smuggle it in.' Flea gasped. 'There's more after this jobs done. A lot more.' Flea began to sob as Porthos took a step towards Charon.

'You were going to blow this place up?' He asked.

'I deserve better than this, Flea. I just need a bit of money, a fair chance like everyone else.'

'But this is our home!' Flea exclaimed.

'I'm sick of it!' Charon lowered his gun and walked away. Ellie ran over to Porthos, who squeezed her hand. 'The dirt! The disease! The poverty! Human beings rooting in filth like animals!' He yelled.

'They're poor, that's all!' Flea yelled back. Charon aimed his gun at her.

'This Court is finished! The people here are doomed. I don't want to leave you here, Flea. Come with me.' His voice broke slightly.

'If you love me, don't do this.' Flea begged.

'Last chance.' Charon moved his gun to point at Ellie and Porthos. 'Them or me.'

'That's not a choice!' Flea cried.

'You always loved him. I was just all that was left.'

'No.' Flea shakily said. She stepped in front of Porthos and Ellie as Charon fired his gun. Ellie's eyes widened, as she knelt down next to Flea. She looked up at Charon as he ran away from them.

'Go.' She told them. 'I'll be fine.' Porthos and Ellie stood up.

'Find the others.' Porthos told her. Ellie nodded, both running their separate ways.

Ellie pushed through the crowd of people, fleeing in panic at the masked men with guns and the three Musketeers protecting their home. Suddenly a hand grabbed a hold of Ellie's arm and dragged her away from the chaos and into a small alcove. Ellie looked up, gasping in horror as the man lowered his hood…revealing a heavily scarred face, grey, sunk in eyes, and a crooked nose. His eyes had clear, white hot fury within them as he took a heavy, shuddering breath.

'I found you, Elizabeth. I found you…' He growled, his grip on her arm tightening. Ellie's heart was beating so hard she thought it might smash its way through her chest.

'You're dead.' She whispered, her voice breaking. Even though she knew he wasn't dead, there had been some small part of her, hoping it wasn't him.

'I'm alive. And wanting revenge!' He slapped her across the face, sending her crashing into a pile of wooden crates. Ellie's arms sagged as she pushed herself up. The gunshots got nearer, and Kingsley looked up. He kicked Ellie in the ribs, sending her into the crates again. 'Another time.' He snarled before disappearing into the shadows. Down to the sheer adrenaline running through her veins, Ellie pushed herself up and began running back from where she came from; chasing after Porthos and Charon. She ran down the stairs, and nearly threw herself around a corner, Porthos just in front of her. She caught up with him, both running full pelt after Charon. They found him, staring at his throne, no one in sight. Porthos and Ellie walked towards him, as Charon looked at them over his shoulder.

'Welcome to my empire of dust.' He breathed. 'Flea loves this place. I never understood it. Who'd settle for this? You didn't.'

'You should have come with me all those years ago, Charon.' Porthos whispered.

Charon swirled round, a knife his hands. 'I wanted Flea!' He yelled. 'I thought with you being gone that she'd be mine. But she never was.' The three of them started circling each other. 'Not really. And then Ellie came along. All alone, abused. And Flea took you under her wing and ignored me.' Charon laughed humourlessly. 'I should've guessed she'd never be mine.'

'I don't want to fight you, Charon.' Porthos watched Charon carefully as they continued to circle each other. 'Leave now. I won't come looking.' Charon lunged at Porthos with his knife, but Porthos saw the action before it happened and swiped it away. Charon pushed Porthos, attempting to land him on the floor. But Porthos was stronger, faster, and more experienced. He blocked Charon, throwing him into the wall. Charon threw himself at Porthos, knife in hand but Porthos threw the knife to the ground. Charon lunged at Porthos again, but Porthos punched him, sending him crashing to the floor. Charon attempted to get up, but Porthos sent him to the floor once again. He leaned over Charon, knife in hand. Charon growled at Porthos as he held the knife above him. Porthos stood up, throwing the knife to the floor.

'I'm not like you, Charon.' Porthos took a step away. 'That's why I left.' He walked over to Ellie, putting an arm around her shoulder. 'We're Musketeers.' They left Charon, panting, on the ground as they walked out of the throne room. As they ducked underneath the drapes, they heard footsteps.

'Porthos!' Athos called, and Ellie smiled as she saw her friends again. Suddenly, Ellie heard Charon yelling and turned around as he charged out of the throne room; throwing Ellie into a wall.

'Look out!' Athos yelled as Aramis stabbed Charon with his sword. Ellie, crumpled against the wall, watched as Porthos lowered Charon to the ground.

'I told you Porthos. I told you I was getting…getting out.' Charon's body went limp, and Porthos looked up at Ellie who hadn't moved from the wall. They both then looked over at Aramis who sighed. Ellie pushed herself up, forgetting about the kick to her ribs earlier, and groaned as a sharp pain shot through them. She slumped back against the wall, her hair falling in front of her face. Aramis walked over to her, and offered her a hand. She took it, and he gently pulled her to her feet, running an eye over her. He smirked when he saw the outfit she was in, and Ellie snatched her hand away.

'Not. A. Word.' She growled, glaring at him and D'Artagnan before walking out of the corridor. Aramis chuckled.

'She should dress like that more often.' He stated, and they all chuckled.

'I heard that!' Ellie yelled, making them laugh harder.

Ellie, Flea and Porthos walked through the streets of the Court of Miracles. Porthos was wearing his Musketeer jacket, and Ellie had changed back into her pants and shirt.

'You all right?' Porthos asked Flea as she winced slightly.

'I'll survive.' She replied. Ellie smiled slightly.

'Charon, um…He didn't want to kill you.' Porthos told her as they stopped walking to face each other. 'He loved you.' Flea smiled, looking Porthos up and down.

'What now?'

'You could come with me.'

'You could stay here.' Porthos sighed. 'We live in different worlds, you and me. And Ellie. I belong with my friends, and you two with yours.'

Porthos looked around. 'You know it's doomed, this place?' He asked her. 'It's only a matter of time before the Cardinal gets around to destroying your world.'

'And that's not true of yours?' Porthos smiled. 'Let's just enjoy what we have while we have it.' Flea told him. She leant into him, kissing him once again. Ellie smiled, letting them have their moment. Porthos didn't say anything as Flea broke away. 'Goodbye, Porthos.' She told him, walking over to Ellie. She brought the teen into a big hug. 'Stay safe, Ellie.' She whispered.

'I will.' She smiled as Flea let go of her, ruffling her hair. Ellie watched as Flea walked away from them.

'Maybe We'll come and walk amongst the beggars and whores sometime.' Porthos called after her.

'Then you'd better watch your purse!' Flea called back, waving Porthos' purse at him. Ellie burst out laughing as Flea walked away from them.

'Ah, she's good.' Porthos smirked, throwing an arm around Ellie's shoulders as they walked toward their waiting friends. The three of them sat on top of their horses, as Porthos stopped in front of them.

'You took your damn time getting here.' Porthos told them.

'We would never let you hang.' Athos replied.

'Of course not.' Aramis added. 'And if we had, the funeral would have been beautiful.' His face lit up in a smirk.

'We came looking. Charon said you were having such a good time, you didn't want to see us.' Athos was smirking now.

'Be honest.' Porthos looked up at them. 'Did any of you think I did it?' He asked. All eyes turned to D'Artagnan who leant on his horse, carefree.

'Never even crossed my mind.' D'Artagnan replied.

'Did you ever think we'd abandoned you?' Aramis asked. Porthos shook his head.

'Never.' Ellie smiled. 'Come on, let's get the hell out of here.' Porthos looked back at the Court of Miracles, before turning his back on it one more time. Ellie looked back a little longer, her encounter with Kingsley fresh in her mind. She sighed, turning away and walking back to the Garrison.

Ellie shut her bedroom door, throwing her jacket onto her chair. Her eyes were drawn to a piece of parchment, placed on her bed; neatly folded. She slowly walked over to it, picking it up gently. As she ripped the seal, her hands shook slightly.

Nice seeing you today, Elizabeth. I hope we don't run into each again too soon. I don't want to spoil the fun of slowly killing you.

-Kingsley Beckett.

The letter fell from her hands, onto the floor. He knew she was here. He knew she was alive. And he knew exactly how to break her.