A/N: When Porthos and d'Artagnan arrive at the ER they find Athos upset. Porthos realizes that while they need to check in on Aramis, they also have to help Athos.

Thanks to Issai for beta reading. Any remaining mistakes are my own doing.

Coffee and Conversation

When Porthos and d'Artagnan arrive in the ER finding Athos in the waiting room both surprises and startles them.

"What happened," Porthos asks Athos, who doesn't notice their arrival.

Athos looks up at them confused. "What?"

"Aramis. What happened? Why are you out here?"

"Oh… He's… um. He's fine, I think."

"What's wrong, Athos?" Porthos stops to take in Athos' sunken appearance. He sits in the chair next to Athos.

"I yelled at him and he panicked. I… I think he's afraid of me."

"I doubt that. He's just out of it. You probably surprised him. You know how he is after severe asthma attacks." Porthos tries not to be dismissive, but he's sure that Athos isn't completely at fault here.

"How long have you been out here," d'Artagnan asks.

"When did I call you?" Athos isn't sure if that's an answer or not. He's lost track of time as he's sat out here ruminating, playing the scene, his words, and Aramis' face over and over again.

"The whole time no one came out to tell you anything?"

"I think they were more concerned with Aramis. He's not going to forgive me for leaving him alone here." Athos stands and moves to push past d'Artagnan to see Aramis.

"Calm down, Athos," Porthos says, standing and reaching out to stop Athos. "Let's go see how he's doing. He's probably sleeping. He tends to be exhausted after these attacks anyway."

"Okay." Athos sighs and nods his head, allowing them to walk back with him. After checking with the nurse, they go to see Aramis. They find him sleeping.

"See, Athos. He's just resting," Porthos says.

Athos nods, a guilty look still on his face.

"He's fine, Athos," d'Artagnan says.

"Yes," another voice says, deeper, "despite that earlier outburst, he will be fine." They turn to find the newcomer to be the doctor.

"I'm sorry," Athos says quietly.

"It wasn't intentional," Porthos says, louder and looking at the doctor.

"I'm sure it wasn't, but the fact is it upset Aramis and then when Athos left, we had even more difficulties in getting him to settle."

"You didn't sedate him, did you," Athos asks, a new panic building.

"No. I read his record. He's exhausted and not just from this asthma attack. His body just couldn't take the strain and gave in to sleep. He fought it to the very end though. One of the nurses, Megan, I think, stayed with him until he finally gave in."

"He'll be alright though," d'Artagnan asks.

"Let's take this conversation outside here so we don't disturb him." They move outside the curtain, down the hall a little before the doctor continues. "Yes, he'll be fine, but he should take at least tomorrow off and he needs to work on getting better rest. His body can't be pushed like this for much longer."

"Exhaustion?" Porthos looks to d'Artagnan and Athos and then back at the doctor. "I think we knew that he was having some sleepless nights but nothing enough to lead to exhaustion."

"It's not a serious case, yet. But he is heading there and with tonight's asthma attack and the start of the panic attack, it was really too much for him. He wore out quite quickly."

"What should we do," d'Artagnan asks.

"He needs a steady schedule, both work and sleep. It's not a quick fix, but it will start to combat the tiredness."

"We're Musketeers, the steady work schedule may be a bit difficult, but we'll see what we can do," Porthos says. "How long will you be keeping him?"

"Well, since his breathing was sorted out relatively quickly, I'm not concerned with admitting him. Unless of course, it gets worse. I'd like to wait a couple more hours before I release him to make sure he's not going to have any more problems."

"So, he'll be fine," d'Artagnan asks.

"Yeah. He might be a bit tired, lethargic given this attack, but he'll be fine."

"What about work," Athos asks.

"He should be fine. I recommend him going lightly for now. Perhaps desk duty for a day or two. I'll have a more definite plan based on how he is when he's released."

With that, the doctor leaves them to tend to other patients. Back out in front of Aramis' bed, Porthos stops the three of them before they go through the curtain.

"d'Artagnan, do you mind staying with 'Mis. Athos and me will go for some coffee and snacks."

"We did get coffee," d'Artagnan comments, holding up the coffee tray he's had a hold on since they picked it up.

"That stuff's terrible."

"Then why'd you get it?"

"Because it was the closest place and we needed to get here. But if we're going to get through the night we need better coffee and some food."

"I know what you're doing, Porthos, and it's not necessary. I'm fine sitting here with Aramis," Athos says.

"It's not a choice, Athos. You need a break from here. You've been with him since he had the attack. And if we're going to sit with him for the rest of the night, we're going to need coffee and I'd prefer something better than what the hospital serves. So, let's go out, get a break from the ER, and pick up something to refresh us." Porthos works to keep his tone light, knowing that Athos is on edge right now from guilt and lingering anger. He's relieved when Athos doesn't put up any more of a fight and they leave d'Artagnan to sit with Aramis.

"You're not going to make me talk, are you," Athos asks once they are outside. They've been here late night enough times to know that just down the road a block is a café that has just opened for the early morning commuters.

"Not if you don't want to. I just didn't want the terrible coffee the hospital sells and something more than cheese crackers from the vending machine. It's been a long night. It was before this."

Athos doesn't argue anymore, quietly walking alongside Porthos. They order their coffee and enough snacks to keep the three of them satisfied as well as something for Aramis once he's ready.

"He was afraid of me, Porthos," Athos finally says as they walk back to the hospital. Porthos lets him go on, sensing the man's need to vent. "I asked him what happened and when he didn't answer I assumed he ran off after his stalker like he did last time. I didn't even see he was panicking, Porthos. The fear in his eyes. I can't stop seeing how afraid of me he was."

"He was probably just confused, Athos. You know what he's like after an attack and if he was panicking, then he could've been seeing anything, anyone."

"No, it was me he was seeing, Porthos. I know it. He called out for me only I didn't hear it because I was too busy yelling at him. Assuming that he almost ruined the mission for his crazy stalker."

"You think he did?"

Athos pauses. "I don't know. I don't want to believe it, but…"

"Him having done it before puts it out there."

"Yeah. I don't like it though."

"Do we need to take Treville up on his offer," Porthos asks.

"Administrative leave? Aramis will hate it."

"That's a guarantee, but he'll have the time he needs to sort this out. To get his depression and PTSD under control again before coming back to work. And it'll keep him out of Richelieu's eyes. Another incident like this and we might not be able to protect him from Richelieu anymore."

"I don't know, Porthos. This could be the last straw."

"He'll see reason once he's better."

"Or not. He could leave."

"I don't think he'd do that," Porthos says.

"You don't? He already doesn't completely trust us. Anything more happens and I'm worried we might permanently sever things between us."

"It's possible but don't you think it's worth the risk? He'd do the same for us."

"I know. I know. Maybe it's my own depression getting in the way, making me doubt things that I needn't." Athos shakes his head lightly in frustration.

"How's that all going? The appointments and stuff?"

"Fine." Athos sighs heavily.

"Okay." Porthos is hesitant to push but he would like to know more.

"Sorry, Porthos. It's just tiring between this and Aramis and work. There are times when I'd rather not leave the sanctity of my bed."

"You need some time off? And not just from work. From Aramis?"

"No. It's just going to take some time I think to get sorted out."

"You want to head home for the night? Get some rest before meeting us at work."

"I'm not sure I could sleep but with Aramis still in the ER or alone in that house."

"You use to."

"I know but I've grown used to your company. All three of you."

"Well, if I have anything to say about it, none of us are going anywhere, not even Aramis."

"I'm not sure that you do. We have to let him go, if he wants."

"Let's not give up the fight right now. He may not even want to leave. Okay?"

"Sure." Athos can see the sense in not giving in right now, but he doesn't have a good feeling about it.

"Good, then let's get back in to see how Aramis is doing and relieve d'Artagnan."

Athos nods and they work their way back into the ER. "He really is doing much better. d'Artagnan that is. He's more comfortable with Aramis."

"I agree. He is much more comfortable."

When they're back in the ER, they find Aramis still asleep and d'Artagnan busy on his phone. He reports no change and they settle in to wait.

They wait nearly an hour before Aramis starts to show signs of waking.

"Hey, 'Mis," Porthos says. "How're you feeling?"

"Fine," Aramis says, voice rough with sleep and from the asthma attack. d'Artagnan gets him some water. "You're all here? What about the stakeout? What time is it?"

"It's five in the morning and the stakeout ended without finding anything, other than what you found," Porthos says.

"Which we'll talk about later," Athos adds when he sees Aramis worrying over how to answer.

"Of course," Porthos agrees. "Your breathing is okay?"

"Yeah. There's the usual soreness and some tightness, but it's better." Aramis rubs his chest. His throat is sore, too, but he knows it will pass in time. "Any word on when I can leave?"

"That's the Aramis we know." Porthos smiles.

"The doctor said it would depend on how you're feeling after a couple hours," d'Artagnan says. "I'll go find a nurse to see about getting the doctor back. I'm sure you're ready to get out of here."

They have a short wait for the doctor, who asks Aramis some questions and checks his vitals before getting the paperwork going to release him. Aramis changes into the clean clothes that Porthos and d'Artagnan brought from the office. While he changes, Athos and d'Artagnan go to fill a couple new prescriptions for him to help with his increased breathing issues. Meanwhile, Porthos deals with finishing up the paperwork and collecting the orders the doctor gave Aramis for the next few days, which include taking it easy and scheduling an appointment with Frice to re-check his breathing.

They get home shortly before seven and head to bed for a few hours sleep. Having done the stakeout the night before, Treville doesn't expect them in until later, which works nicely given how their night turned out. None have the energy for breakfast and simply crash in their beds.

Aramis is reluctant to change out of his clothes, having found it difficult to get into them in the ER. He's sure the others are unaware of the injuries that are hidden underneath his shirt, the bruises and scratches that have made his breathing more difficult and that he asked the doctor not to tell the others about. He doesn't want them to know of the spill he took in running after the stalker. In fact, he hasn't even told them about the stalker because he doesn't want their ire at his continued investigation.

The bruising isn't bad, but it's going to hurt and make him stiff for a while. Fortunately, the doctor in the ER was pretty persistent in reminding the others that he would have continued difficulties with his asthma, especially considering that he's had increasing problems with it over the last few weeks.

In the end, he does change because if one of them comes in to check on him or wake him, he doesn't want questions. He does do another nebulizer treatment before going to bed to ease the strain of breathing and, hopefully, help him to sleep this morning before they have to go in to work for what will be a late shift.