Evening My Lovelies

I am seriously in love with this chapter and I really really hope you all like it too. We have lots of whumpage, protective brothers and evil Vincent. I have my fingers crossed that you like it :D

Notes On Reviews:

Deana: Thanks for the review - Fear not I haven't keep you waiting long. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Tidia: Thanks for the review - I think the part of his brain that stopped him acting so very evil while he was a musketeer was one of the things that snapped when his family died... either that or he's a very good actor. He gets worse today as well. Enjoy the new chapter! x

romirola: Thanks for the review - This chapter is longer than the last two and has some good whumpage so it should be good :D And it's certainly not greedy to want more whumpage, ask and ye shall receive... More whumpage today! :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - There's a bit more pain before the cavalry arrives but they are there to save the day, though Vincent's convinced they're still captured and that his own men were delayed. After today I don't know what condition D'Art will be in to do so but I very much like the idea so I'll see what I can do. Enjoy the new chapter! x

CaroH: Thanks for the review - Lots of whumpage... That's what Vincent has planned. The boy's will be needing some serious revenge therapy after all this. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Gwen (Guest): Thanks for the review - It's only going to get worse today. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - Treville's on his way I promise. Despite Athos's attempt to save him Aramis is definitely not free from Vincent's deranged mind. Enjoy the new chapter! x

A reader (Guest): Thanks for the review - I'm glad you thought so :) The others are on their way but there's still some pain to be had before the rescue can be complete. Enjoy the new chapter! x

pain in the mikta: Thanks for the review - I know :D isn't he just :D I just have to come up with a proper satisfying end for him now to make up for all the hate. Enjoy the new chapter! x

nurse13: Thanks for the review - Yep Vincent's definitely crazy. Athos is probably bleeding more than Aramis realizes but they're not life threatening injuries. You are quite on point with your guesses tonight so well done *claps* I wanted to try something new but my brain struggled to come up with anything new ... I blame it on my lack of experience watching gore/torture films. We have some musketeer moments (ish) again today so i hope you like them too. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I was quite mean to Athos yesterday... and today... and probably tomorrow... but at least the others are getting some today, he wont be alone in his pain. Treville's plan may seem a bit odd but I have it all thought out so just work with me for a bit :) Aramis and Athos are going to be in for a shock when they see that their brothers arent in the garrison like they thought... I mean honestly did they really, truly expect them to not follow them? Enjoy the new chapter! x

As always many thanks to everyone who follows/favourites/reviews/reads this story. Love you all!

Enjoy

xxx

Chapter Thirty-Six: The Rescue I

"You can't be serious!" exclaimed Porthos as he alternated between glaring daggers at Treville and looking worriedly at D'Artagnan

"We have no choice Porthos," growled the musketeer Captain, before forcing himself to take several deep breaths to try and calm himself down. "We need to get to Athos and Aramis and D'Artagnan is the only one we can guarantee would be taken to them"

"But –"

"Porthos, it's fine," stressed D'Artagnan, finally having enough of watching the two men arguing.

Ignoring his brother Porthos continued his tirade against the Captain's plan, "You saw what happened to him the last time he was in Vincent's clutches! How can you send him in there again?"

"ENOUGH!" Treville snapped, "If any of us do it Vincent will simply use us as leverage. Chances are we wouldn't even get to see our missing men"

"Then let me do it!" pleaded the musketeer, desperate to keep D'Artagnan away from their deranged ex-brother-in-arms

"I'm right here guys" D'Artagnan sulked, throwing his hands up in the air in frustration when neither man responded or reacted.

"Even with you, we can't guarantee he'll put you with them" Treville stated, trying to keep his voice calm as he explained the situation to the worried musketeer, "D'Artagnan's past experience with Vincent, plus Athos being his mentor will guarantee him the chance to prepare and assist them."

"I want to do it" D'Artagnan said, growling as both men continued to ignore him. Standing from where he had been sitting to rest his feet, he limped over to stand closer to the still arguing pair. "I WANT TO DO IT!" he yelled, the volume of his voice causing both unaware men to flinch and instinctively cover their ears. Inwardly smirking at finally being able to get their attention D'Artagnan reiterated his desire to do what Treville was suggesting.

"There is one other problem" Treville admitted, looking over his shoulder at the house that was now holding his missing men and those responsible for their capture.

"Great" Porthos muttered under his breath

Silencing the larger musketeer with a glare, Treville turned his now softened gaze onto the Gascon. If he had any other option he would not be suggesting this, in fact it sickened him to have to put the idea forward but every second they wasted trying to come up with another plan that would work was another second that Athos and Aramis were left at Vincent's mercy. "If we try to approach during the daytime we'll be spotted straight away and it'll all be for nothing… We'll have to wait until we have cover from darkness before we can begin infiltration"

"Absolutely not!" refused Porthos, anger pouring out of him. "It's bad enough that 'Mis and 'Thos are in there" he exclaimed waving a hand in the general direction of the house, "but now you want to leave D'Art in there for hours as well?!"

"You think I like this?" spat Treville, "I would give anything not to ask this of him but we have no choice!"

The pain in Treville's voice hit home with Porthos and the larger man could feel his anger begin to dissipate, though he still did not like the plan.

"It's fine" D'Artagnan spoke up, breaking the silence that had fallen over them with a small voice that did little to disguise the fear he was feeling.

"Whelp…" Porthos said softly, reaching out with his good arm to squeeze his little brother's shoulder gently, hating the fear he saw in his eyes.

D'Artagnan opened his mouth to try to convince his brother that he was fine when the whole small group of musketeers froze as the sound of screaming pierced the air.

Fear was quickly replaced by fiery determination and vengeful anger in D'Artagnan's eyes as he turned back away from the house to face his brother and his Captain.

"I'm doing this" he growled, looking very much like he wanted to punch someone and if Porthos was being honest it was quite an intimidating look for the young man to be wearing.

"Right" Treville nodded, knowing the young Gascon would be doing it with or without their help. "Here's what we do…"

While his screams may have died out the stench of burning flesh remained sickeningly strong in the cell that the two injured musketeers shared.

Vincent had left moments ago when the one of his men had rushed into the room to inform him of a commotion outside.

Neither musketeer knew what the commotion was, but then neither did they care. All that mattered was they were free from the pain caused by Vincent and his heated blades.

"A…Athos" called Aramis weakly as he tried to breath through the pain in his chest. With him Vincent had pressed the heated blade against his skin in multiple locations. Occasionally he had dragged the blade across the skin, causing his now bare chest to be covered in angry looking burns that were already beginning to blister.

Athos had suffered a similar fate to the Spaniard; only the blade was held on for a much longer time and was at one point stabbed through the flesh of his calf. They had both been unable to reframe from screaming during their torture, but the stab wound elicited the loudest scream of pain Aramis had ever heard come from his friend and tears streamed down his face as he watched his beloved brother endure such pain.

"A…Athos" he tried again. Though before Athos could respond they heard the all too familiar footsteps of their captor coming towards their door… Only this time he wasn't alone.

"Well would you look at who I found trying to stage a rescue all on his lonesome" sneered Vincent as he threw the young man to the floor, causing him to land in between both musketeer's

"D'ARTAGNAN" they chorused, worry and fear lacing their words as they looked upon their daredevil little brother who was now sporting a new black eye.

"Hey guys" he groaned as he pushed himself up into a seated position, trying his best not to smirk as Vincent had acted the very way Treville said he would.

"Though I suppose with Treville gone you're only hope was this little brat" shrugged Vincent

"What are you talking about?" growled D'Artagnan, hoping that his acting skills were good enough to convince Vincent that Treville was still missing. Honestly he held little faith in the skills, but they had enabled him to convince Athos's murderous wife that the pair had fallen out to the point where not only did Athos want to kill him but that he wanted to kill Athos. Milady De Winter was at least as vengeful as Vincent so D'Artagnan hoped his skills wouldn't fail him now.

"Oh I'm sure they'll fill you all in" smirked Vincent, completely believing D'Artagnan's act. "Have fun boys, I'll be back soon" he said in a singsong voice with a jaunty wave as he once again left the room.

"…Well, good to know he's gotten crazier," muttered D'Artagnan as he twisted his chained hands so that he could shove one of them down his left boot.

"What… What are you doing here"? Athos asked, disbelief crystal clear in his voice as he looked at the young man he considered brother.

"Rescuing you of course" D'Artagnan said, looking at his mentor like he was stupid for not realizing it before. It was then that he noticed the paleness of his mentor along with the bruising, burns and blood that littered his skin. Anger burned ferociously in the young Gascon's eyes, all traces of his mission temporarily forgotten as he then turned to look at Aramis who, while looking marginally better, was clearly in a lot of pain.

"How bad?" he asked, anger still heavily prevalent in his voice.

Athos noticed that Aramis was about three seconds away from launching into a full on rant at the boy so he quickly spoke up. He was angry the boy had come just as much, if not more, than the medic but there was little they could do about it now… and there was a gleam in his protégé's eyes that spoke of a secret. "Aramis's ankle's broken pretty bad so I doubt he'll be able to walk… I … may need some assistance with that as well" he grimaced looking at the fresh stab wound on his leg, "other then that, nothing that will hinder us too much in whatever it is you have planned" he explained with a knowing look, which D'Artagnan answered with a devious smirk.

Not wasting any time… and not wanting to give Aramis time to lecture him, D'Artagnan resumed his task of fishing in his boot.

"Ah ha!" the young Gascon exclaimed happily as he pulled out a small pouch from his boot.

"That's Porthos's" Aramis said, eyes wide as he recognized the object in his brother's hands.

"Well he wasn't going to let me come in here with nothing," he whispered, eyeing the door warily as he set to work picking the locks on his chains.

"He's here?" Aramis whispered, though whether through disbelief or out of recognizing the need to keep this conversation quiet they didn't know.

"Of course" scoffed D'Artagnan quietly, a bright smile lighting up his face as the chains on his wrists unlocked. Standing shakily the young Gascon limped across to the small window.

"Even you wont fit through that" Athos remarked, eyeing his protégé curiously.

"Don't need to" came the response as D'Artagnan removed the bright sash he had been wearing around his waist and tied it to one of the bars blocking exit out of the window. "Just need a signal"

"Of what?" Aramis asked tiredly, the pain of all his injures was beginning to drain him. How Athos was still coherent enough to hold a lucid conversation the Spaniard decided he would never know.

"That I found you"

"…Treville" breathed Athos, the hope that was almost extinguished the day before reignited with avengence.

D'Artagnan merely nodded, not wanting to verbally confirm it should unwelcome ears be listening. He then proceeded to move back to his brother's sides, sending a small glare at the shackles he placed the lock picks safely back in his boot before re-locking the chains to his wrists.

Not a moment too soon as it turned out as mere minutes later familiar footsteps could be heard, once again approaching the door. Both Aramis and Athos looked worriedly at D'Artagnan who was trying valiantly to hide all traces of fear. All three of them knew that all of Vincent's attention would now be focused on D'Artagnan and nothing they said or did would be able to change that.

Try as he might, all the fear he tried to hide rushed back to the surface at the sight of the whip in Vincent's hand as he entered the room looking decidedly smug.

"We didn't really get to fully enjoy this last time brat" mocked Vincent, a evil grin spreading across his face at the sight of a terrified D'Artagnan.

"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HIM!" roared Athos with such venom in his voice that even his brother's were surprised.

Vincent paid the threat no mind, in fact it only served to make his smile grow more dangerous and D'Artagnan could feel his hands begin to tremble. Taking a deep breath he forced himself to remember that he only needed to take a couple of hours and then he and his brothers would be free and Vincent would be dead or captured. Personally at this point D'Artagnan was leaning towards the former.

Aramis watched on horrified as Vincent approached his scared little brother. The Gascon's back had only just healed up before this mission and he couldn't imagine what was going through the young man's mind, as Vincent got closer.

Both musketeers launched threat after threat and curse after curse at the traitor, though much like Athos's initial threat, Vincent paid them no mind.

Crouching down so his mouth was near D'Artagnan's ear Vincent whispered, "I held back last time… Let's see what this thing can really do"

Vincent's words were too quiet for either musketeer to hear but neither liked the way D'Artagnan paled instantly after hearing it.

Before either of them could launch another threat or curse, Vincent slammed the whip down on D'Artagnan's back. The force of the hit drawing an instant heart-wrenching scream from the unprepared man, tears building in his eyes as the pain only intensified.

This continued for hours and although D'Artagnan tried not to scream, the pain was too much and he his voice had long since gone hoarse from screaming and tears now streamed down his face.

Both Athos and Aramis could only watch with sickening horror as their beloved baby brother was brutalized in front of their eyes. Both men fought their bonds with everything they had, to the point that Athos was surprised neither had broken any bones for doing so. Even with all their will, neither man had the strength to break free of their chains and settle on alternating between trying to comfort the boy and throwing death threats to the man maiming their brother.

After several hours Vincent finally stopped and D'Artagnan collapsed face first on to the ground, the lashes on his back covered by the blood they had caused to flow. With another mocking comment Vincent spat at D'Artagnan before leaving the room to retire for the night.

"D'Artagnan!" both musketeers cried, scrambling as best as they were able to reach their brother. The sight of so much blood on the boys back made both of them want to throw up, but they pushed that aside, their brother needed their help not their vomit.

With a groan and a whimper D'Artagnan pushed himself up just enough to pass the lock-picking pouch from his boot towards Athos. "It's almost time" he wheezed, his voice painfully hoarse from screaming.

Athos wanted very much to ignore whatever was about to happen and focus entirely on his injured brother but then he berated himself – D'Artagnan had come in willing, despite knowing he would be hurt, to ensure that this plan went off properly. He would not ignore what his brother had endured for.

Working as quickly as his own injured body would allow Athos set to unlocking the three of them from their chains before helping Aramis get closer to the dozing D'Artagnan.

"Now what?" Athos asked, though he wasn't really expecting an answer given the boy's condition.

"mmmm…We….Wait" slurred D'Artagnan tiredly, though the small grin on his face worried the two men.

Not even thirty minutes later a loud explosion rocked the house.

"That… Would be… Our cue" smirked D'Artagnan tiredly with a wince.