D'Artagnan had not long been inside the house when he suddenly felt a person pressed up against him. He instinctively tensed at first when he felt arms snaking around his waist. He quickly relaxed however, when he realised the arms belonged to a woman.
He patted the arm in reciprocation, and chuckled slightly at the words being mumbled against his back, "I'm glad you're not dead,"
"You certainly have a distinctive way with words," he quipped as the arms let him go.
Turning around to face her, he became serious for a moment, "Thank you,"
Juliette just shrugged, "You're not the worst person a woman could kiss,"
Even though he smiled slightly, Juliette could tell the gravity of the situation was setting in.
She reached her hand out and gripped his arm, allowing him to use her as an anchor to reality, just as he had once done for her, "How close?"
"Too close," he sighed.
Movement heard coming from the kitchen broke the sombre silence, causing D'Artagnan's frown to deepen, "Constance needs to know,"
Before he could move, Juliette stopped him, "Let me,"
He was about to protest when Juliette cut him off with a wave of her hand, "You've had a rough night. Besides, they'll be here any moment now. You deal with them, and I'll deal with Constance,"
She had left the room before he could even say thank you.
She had barely set foot in the kitchen when Constance spoke without looking up from the sink, "Am I harbouring a fugitive?"
"Yes and no," Juliette answered, moving until she was standing next to her friend.
Turning to face her, Juliette thought she saw a hint of fear in her eyes as the next question was asked, "What's going on Juliette?"
Sighing, Juliette placed a comforting hand on Constance's arm, "It's all a ruse. We needed a fresh face to help catch a criminal, and he offered before anyone could ask,"
"Am I right in assuming that no one knows then? That his arrest was real, and he really picked a fight with a Red Guard?" Constance was sounding surer now, the fear gone.
"Only Treville, Athos, Aramis, Porthos and myself are aware," Juliette set about organising some drinks for the men, "No one else must know,"
This time it was Constance's turn to place a comforting hand on Juliette's arm, "You know I would never tell,"
"I know," Juliette smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
"You care for him, don't you?" Constance asked, finishing the washing up as she spoke.
"He makes it easy. He feels like family Constance, like Mathieu," Juliette's voice softened as soon as her brother's name was mentioned.
The two of them remained in silence for a moment.
Juliette broke the silence in a way Constance never expected, "He's not such a bad kisser. Although it felt a bit as though I was kissing my brother," she shuddered a little at the notion.
The look of shock and confusion on Constance's face made Juliette laugh.
"He was being watched and had to convince someone that he was visiting his lady," Juliette answering the unasked question with a suggestive tone, "I suspect I was not the person he was expecting,"
Constance said nothing, but the blush that suddenly appeared on her face told Juliette more than her friend would ever admit.
"Leave that," Constance said taking the glasses out of Juliette's hands, and obviously changing the subject, "I know you're desperate to hear what's going on,"
Nodding her gratitude and smirking at the obvious change, Juliette headed towards the living room, but stopped in the doorway, "Do go easy on him, he really wanted to tell you but with the circumstances…."
Constance interrupted her before she could finish, "I know. Just give me a moment,"
Juliette nodded once more and continued out of the kitchen.
She smiled when she heard the voices of her boys from the hallway.
"Vadim plans to murder the King and Queen. Some fantasy of a peasant rebellion," D'Artagnan's voice was the first she heard clearly as she entered the room. She stood next to D'Artagnan, almost mimicking his stance unintentionally as she leant against the wall.
"Have you seen the gunpowder? Any weapons?" Athos asked.
Juliette couldn't help but notice that he was standing as far from D'Artagnan as the room would allow.
"What about his men?" Aramis joined in the questioning.
"In hiding," D'Artagnan answered, but his eyes were questioning Juliette about Constance.
She simply placed a hand on his arm and gave him a small smile as an answer. He sighed a little as he placed his hand over hers. Both youngsters missing the jealous glint in Porthos' eye.
"When is this plan supposed to take place?" Athos' tone was the same as this morning, and this angered her a little. The words from earlier in the day still stung.
"Vadim's careful. He doesn't say much," D'Artagnan hand still keeping Juliette's in place.
"Does he trust you?" Porthos asked, finally joining the conversation.
Aramis heard the jealously in his voice, and grinned. He caught Athos' eye as he did, causing the other man to roll his eyes.
"As much as he does anyone. Felix doesn't but I can handle him," D'Artagnan's words quickly followed by Juliette's mumbled, "Not without help apparently,"
"Vadim once said that the secret to a good trick is to make people look the wrong way," D'Artagnan said, choosing to respond to Juliette's comment with a wink instead of words. It did not go unnoticed by the others.
"What do you think he means?" Aramis asked, trying to hide his amusement of the two youngest.
"Honestly? I have no idea," D'Artagnan sounded a little resigned as he answered.
"You've done enough. We'll take it from here," Athos could sense Juliette's anger from across the room. It made it apparent to him that he had still not been forgiven.
D'Artagnan stopped Juliette from herself with a squeeze of his hand, "Pick him up now and the King and Queen are still in danger,"
"What do you suggest?" Athos noticed what happened, glancing quickly at Aramis with a raised eyebrow. The grin he got back confirming he wasn't just seeing things.
"I go back in," D'Artagnan finally removing Juliette's hand, only to cross his arms in defiance, clearly telling Athos he wasn't going to take no for an answer.
Constance entering the room effectively ended the discussion, making D'Artagnan the final victor.
She placed the tray of drinks on the table before facing D'Artagnan, "They told me about the duel, and your imprisonment. That it was all faked,"
"Rather well, you have to admit," Juliette cringed at Aramis's tone. She knew what was coming next.
Aramis didn't, as shown by the look of surprise as Constance's hand once again got acquainted with his face. Porthos' laughter earning him a glare that shushed him fairly quickly.
"What for this time?" Aramis asked, rubbing the spot that was now sure to be red in the morning.
"Letting me think the worst," came her response, before she turned her attention to D'Artagnan once more, "First, I thought you were a condemned man. Then a fugitive. And now this. How many ways can a man think of to get himself killed?" her frustration was clear as she made her way back into the kitchen, clearly needing to calm down again.
"I think she likes you," Aramis grinned suggestively.
"It's too dangerous," Athos brought the mood back to reality, ending the playful banter before it could begin.
"I can do this. Trust me," D'Artagnan huffed.
Athos shared a look with Aramis and Porthos, ignoring the glare he could once again feel from Juliette.
He said nothing, simply walking towards D'Artagnan and squeezing his shoulder in agreement.
"This evening Vadim visited a woman by the name of Suzette Pinon. You'll find her in the Rue La Grange. She's his mistress," D'Artagnan said as he headed out.
"Tell me we've made the right decision," Athos said as soon as D'Artagnan was out of earshot.
"Absolutely," Aramis said without hesitation.
"Definitely," Porthos in agreement with Aramis.
Finally looking at Juliette, he was met with a look that said 'You know my answer'
"Well, what could possibly go wrong?" Athos voiced to no one and everyone.
"He knows what he's doing," Juliette unable to keep her anger out of her voice, "I don't know why you think he can't do this,"
"Juliette…." Athos' use of her name as a warning only angered her further.
"He can do this," Juliette huffed in frustration.
"What did you mean when you said not without help apparently?" Porthos' question stopping the impending argument.
"He thinks quick on his feet," Juliette tried to keep her answer short. She hadn't thought anyone but D'Artagnan had heard her comment.
She sighed when she realised they weren't going to let her off that easy.
As she explained to them what had occurred in Constance's yard shortly before they had arrived, it didn't escape Aramis' attention that she would look anywhere but at Porthos. Looking over at Athos, he knew that he had noticed too.
Neither man was shocked that at the end of Juliette's explanation, Porthos knuckles were white from gripping the table tightly, and neither were surprised when he left the room abruptly.
Juliette was the only one who was surprised, but that look quickly changed into hurt at his actions.
Not wanting to reignite the argument from earlier, Aramis gestured to Athos that he should be the one to go after Porthos.
Nodding in silent agreement, he squeezed Juliette's hand on the way out, smiling to himself when he felt her squeeze back.
Knowing that she would not believe anything he said about Porthos' feelings for her, Aramis pulled her in for a hug. He smiled when he felt her grip him tight.
After a few minutes, she loosened her grip and stepped back.
"Thanks," was all she said.
"Always," was what she got in return.
A commotion outside got both their attentions.
They both ran out, joining the others in defending D'Artagnan from Bonacieux.
Juliette was silently proud at her friend for standing up to her husband.
She gave her a soft smile that was returned as Constance was ushered inside by her husband, and she was being lead away by Aramis.