D'Artagnan was startled when he felt someone grab him from behind and swing him round.
He tensed a little when Felix's face was what greeted him.
"You've got five seconds to explain what you're doing here before I blow your brains into the next street," the cold metal of the gun pointed under his chin making the seriousness of the situation very real.
"I was visiting my mistress," D'Artagnan may have been taken by surprise with Felix, but he didn't show it.
"Prove it," Felix gave a sly smirk as he spoke, clearly thinking he had busted D'Artagnan in a lie, proving he wasn't who he said he was.
The only thing D'Artagnan could come up with is leading Felix to the Bonacieux residence. He grimaced internally knowing he was doing the one thing he really didn't want to.
"That's her," D'Artagnan said, pointing to the womanly figure standing outside the house.
"How do I know you've even met her?" Felix smugness had now seeped into his voice.
Instead of using words he knew Felix wouldn't believe, and desperately needing to dig himself out of the hole his carelessness had put him in, he simply jogged over to the woman in question.
By the time D'Artagnan had realised that it was Juliette and not Constance, it was too late. With Felix watching his every move, he had to go ahead.
As soon as he reached her, he reached out, putting a hand on her waist and spun her round to face him. Without giving her a chance to react, he kissed her. He didn't miss her attempt at punching him, but the closeness of their bodies made It difficult for her to hit him as hard as he thought she probably could.
Pulling back just a fraction, Juliette was just about to start protesting when D'Artagnan whispering in her ear shushed her, "We're being watched. And for god's sake kiss me back and make it look good,"
Knowing that he would probably pay for this later, he dived back in. This time kissing her as a man would kiss his lady. He relaxed a little when she kissed him back, knowing that Felix should at least believe this part of his lie.
Juliette was the one to break away this time. To D'Artagnan's slight surprise, she kept one arm around his waist as she created a little distance between their bodies.
He watched as her eyes raked him over, clearly checking him for any injuries.
Upon finding none, she breathed a sigh of relief before returning her attention to the situation at hand, "You're a wanted man. Red Guards are everywhere,"
"Whatever you've heard about me, don't believe it," D'Artagnan was touched that she had been concerned about him.
"I'm going to assume that you're talking about Constance," she quipped. Her tone changed once she realised he didn't know that she was clued in to their scheme.
Rising to reach his ear, she whispered "I know,"
She thought she saw relief at the idea he wouldn't have to explain his situation to her. It made feel slightly bad when she opened her mouth next, "Constance has no idea though,"
She flinched internally when D'Artagnan sighed, realising what her words meant.
Movement from a shadowy figure near the building behind D'Artagnan caught her attention. They obviously thought there was too much talking going on.
Trying to bring D'Artagnan's focus back to the mission at hand, and trying to lift his spirits, Juliette ran her free hand through his hair as she spoke, "You're making habit of this,"
A raised eyebrow not the desired reaction but it was something.
"Going 'round kissing women who aren't yours to kiss," her words earning her a slight upturn of his lip, the spark that is the essence of D'Artagnan twinkling in his eyes.
"Believe me, I wouldn't unless I had to," his tone matching the twinkle.
"Well that's flattering," her sarcasm betrayed by her smirk as she curled her hand into his shirt, "No tongues," she murmured as she brought him closer, kissing him once more.
His hand raised up to cup her face, but instead of the feeling of his lips on hers once more, she felt his breath on her ear, his voice quickly following, "Go to Athos. Tell him to get here as soon as possible," a kiss on the cheek accompanying his words.
Juliette released her grip on him and smoothened out his shirt.
"You should come inside. You're not safe on the streets," stepping back and not looking at him as she spoke, slight concern evident in her voice.
"You're one of the kindest and best woman on Earth. You know that?" D'Artagnan's words getting her to look up at him. A sincere grin is what met her gaze.
"Or the most stupid," Juliette huffed, but there was no real malice in her tone, or her eyes.
She gave him one more look over, before turning her back and heading inside, "Be careful,"
Her voice was soft, but D'Artagnan still heard her.
Grinning to himself, he jogged back over to where Felix was still standing, "She's in a good mood. I may be some time,"
"Vadim will hear of this," Felix's tone slightly threatening but not enough to break his resolve.
"Tell him," D'Artagnan shrugged as he made his way back to the Bonacieux house.