I only own Amorette.

Amorette let out a low groan as she woke to a stabbing sensation in her side. Sitting up on the bed to relieve the strain of the corset on her sides, she glanced down at the horrid pink monstrosity of a dress that she still wore. In the twilight, it had lost some of its lustre, or perhaps it was that she was not of a notion to spare any the dress ill thoughts. She did feel a little better than she had done earlier but a headache was beginning to settle behind her eyes. There was just enough light left in the room for her to pad in her bare stockinged feet across the room and out into the parlour where she poured herself a glass of wine.

The fires and candles were all out, so evidently Tilda had not been in whilst Amorette was asleep. Checking the door, Amorette realised that was because she had pulled the latch behind her earlier, thus locking the door. Tilda probably thought that she was still out. Despite her sullen mood from earlier still being firmly in place, Amorette wouldn't have minded the company of her maid so much. She poured herself a glass of wine and threw herself down onto one of the couches without lighting any candles. There was something about the still almost darkness that comforted her a little.

Amorette began to mull over her thoughts one at a time to try and ease her headache a little. Her first thought was for Denis and Jacquelyn who would now more than likely feel lost and alone. It did bother Amorette that she had separated them but it had been the best thing to do, and they could always be reunited in a few months' time once the dust had settled. She hoped Buckingham would have left Paris by now with Denis for the young boy was the most at risk of the two. If Amorette was honest with herself, it was not her trust or distrust of Buckingham that wavered though. Her mind was almost all for Ninon de Larroque.

Amorette was completely aware that she had behaved like a petulant child that afternoon both in regards to Athos and Ninon, but there was still a large part of her that did not feel sorry for it. She had meant everything that she said to Ninon in regards to what she was doing for woman-kind. She really did think it a worthwhile enterprise and thoroughly admired the woman for it. The young women that Ninon took under her tutorage would surely attest to Ninon's good care of them and Amorette did believe that under different circumstances that she and Ninon may have gotten on rather well. The gruff musketeer that came between them was reason enough for Amorette to be overly cautious of the woman though. Ninon was fair, blonde and uncommonly pretty. She was accomplished, intelligent and independent. Amorette could certainly see why Athos had been attracted to her all those years ago and may perhaps still be.

Ninon had an air about her that Amorette considered familiar. It was a confidence that most noble women of the court had but Amorette knew that it was not a confidence that she possessed herself. Compared to Ninon, Amorette was a lot more baggage and trouble for someone like Athos. She didn't like to think that a man as steadfast and loyal as he would let his heart stray but Amorette couldn't help those thoughts from influencing her. Somewhere within her mind she knew those thoughts were foolish, but she supposed the fact that it had taken so long for Athos to see her differently made her doubt his feelings.

After her outburst, Amorette wouldn't have been surprised if Ninon had refused to help Jacquelyn and she still worried for the girl. Ninon could so easily change her mind and throw her out onto the streets. Amorette didn't think she would though. Still in complete certainty of Ninon and herself being very similar, Amorette knew somehow that Ninon was completely incapable of backing down in regards to something that she wanted to fight for. Both women were stubborn and bold and therefore fully prepared to fight a losing battle no matter the cost to themselves.

It was wrong of Amorette to doubt the woman in that regard, but she couldn't shake off the inclination that Ninon would have tried for Athos again by the time she left Paris. Amorette supposed that she would do the same where she in that position. When she was younger, she would have shirked away from the idea of propositioning the man but perhaps it was because Amorette had more confidence in her own self or rather that now she felt that she had little else left to loose.

If she saw Ninon again, Amorette resolved to try for politeness. Depending on the other woman's behaviour she might also consider apologising for her harshness earlier that day, but only if Ninon too was courteous. She certainly didn't want to apologise to Athos though. In hindsight Amorette could readily see that his remark about children being somehow responsible for their parents actions and words had only been in relation to the case of Denis and Gaspard, but he hadn't given a thought to how to phrase it better. Instead it had almost been a barbed insult to her. She wouldn't shout at him again in anger, but rather explain how what he had said had caused offence.

In her teenage years, Amorette had indeed for a long time considered her words and actions in relation to her father's treatment of her. She had often wondered if it were her own inconsistencies and failings that brought about his bullying and violent nature so much so that part of her had been convinced she was to blame for all of it. Since she had left his care though at fifteen, Amorette had become well aware that she was absolved of all guilt. Her father was greedy, manipulative and destructive. Amorette knew her fair share of delinquent upper class youngsters who had over time deserved a good thrashing for their behaviour, but as a reasonably well behaved daughter, she had not been the one to turn her father into a monster. That wasn't the sort of thing that one learnt over time; no he had been born that way. Lord Barclay had come into the world an evil and calculating monster who had been handed exactly what he wanted on a plate his whole life.

That was why Athos' words had hurt her so. She knew ultimately that because she rarely spoke of her relationship with her father to Athos or anyone else for that matter, he was not to know how painful such things were to hear. That was indeed something that Amorette needed to explain to him. Athos did need to learn a little tact though. Surely he knew enough though to ascertain what was politically correct and what wasn't.

Amorette scratched her head in confusion as she remembered that Athos didn't know the events that had taken place the day that he had told her that he was marrying Ann. He had no knowledge whatsoever of her father's irrational beating of her and Amorette wanted it to stay that way. She had in fact every intention of attending the wedding but her appearance had warranted that impossible. Henry had been right at the time; in that if she had gone, Athos would have been furious to see her so bruised and injured. He might even have called off the wedding. That was not something Amorette had wanted even then. He had chosen her sister, and she couldn't have borne the pity that would have been directed her way. In fact, Amorette didn't think she could even bear it now. It was not pity that she wanted for the events of that day for it had been the turning point for her. She had no longer inwardly chastised herself for her father's actions. Amorette actually saw that day and those that followed as a remarkable beginning of a new lease of strength within her.

It was something that was all quite clear in her head, but how on earth did she try and put it all into words in a way that showed her strength? Amorette always thought that telling others about her life made them think of her as weak and vulnerable. She didn't want to be seen as that. Perhaps she had better not make a habit of letting her anger out upon old love interests of Athos if she wanted to keep her respectable image intact. Athos hadn't pressed any matters with her at all if he thought she really didn't want to talk about something, so surely that meant that he was willing to wait for Amorette to explain things at her own pace? He had better be, because Amorette didn't think it was something she could just blurt out all at once.

Vaguely Amorette thought she caught the sound of the patrol marching rather too quickly along the corridor outside and she was reminded of just how late it must be. She considered getting undressed and the notion did appeal to her as her corset was now pinching her sides rather painfully but she wanted to be ready should Buckingham come by in need of her help in some way. She knew if there were any problems regarding Denis, he would come straight to her. Her hair had come loose whilst she slept so Amorette tugged at the few remaining hair pins until they fell onto the couch beside her.

She had begun to doze lightly again when Amorette was awoken by a slight knocking sound. Thinking it had come from the door that led out into the corridor she turned to look at it groggily; not at all expecting the musketeer to have shown up at all that evening. Another slight knock reached her ears and Amorette realised it was coming from her bed chamber. She sat up warily and wondered if Athos had snuck in whilst she was asleep. If there was anyone who could lift the latch from the other side of the door it was a musketeer. Would he do that though; break into a Madam's room whilst she slept and not announce himself?

"Athos? Is that you?" Amorette called as she stood and took hesitant steps towards the bed chamber.

Athos had finished scratching out his report with a quill not half an hour before, and his mind was already three streets away in the tavern that he normally frequented with his friends. He wanted nothing more than to bury his head in a bottle or two of wine and forget that the day had even happened but his plan had been slightly hampered by Treville's impromptu late night meeting. He had offered to stay within the walls of the garrison until his captain returned whilst he finished his report but had realised soon after Treville left that there was no alcohol within the office. He should have asked Aramis and Porthos to bring him some wine from the tavern before they sat down to their own drinks; or in Porthos' case the card table. As far as he was aware, D'artagnan had gone home to Constance and there wasn't to be another changing of the guard until first light. There was the occasional shout or bark of laughter as off duty musketeers crossed the yard below, but other than that Athos had been able to work in relative silence.

Now though, he simply observed the empty yard and the archway that led out into the Paris streets with a melancholy mood that he knew could only be remedied by alcohol that night. He hadn't been drinking much at all of late except the odd glass of wine he shared here and there with Amorette but tonight her presence would not be a soothing remedy. She always had been a little sensitive and of course he had not meant the words he had spoken as an insult to her, but he did see how she might have taken them out of context. In hindsight he knew that he should have thought before he spoke. He was so well accustomed to saying what he wanted in front of his three friends and on occasion even his captain that the words had slipped out without him realising just what it was he had said. He knew though that Amorette would calm down and come to understand he had not meant to offend her. She knew that he had a gruff and awkward manner at the best of times and would likely have forgiven him completely by the time the morning came around.

His thoughts were disrupted by a sudden movement down below followed by someone calling his name. Porthos barrelled through the archway into the yard, followed closely behind by a troop of Red Guards. Athos flew out of Treville's office and rushed down the corridor to take the steps two at a time until he reached his friend. His only thought was that Porthos had been caught duelling Red Guards again on the street.

"Porthos you are sorely lucky that Treville has not yet returned-" he started but one look at the Red Guards told him that they had in fact all arrived here together with the same intention and he halted mid-sentence.

"Mass breakout of the Bastille!" gasped his friend. "All off duty men required to report there now!"

"W…what?" Athos stammered. "How is that even possible?"

"Someone sprung them out!" exclaimed Porthos. "I only heard so early because I was playing cards with this lot," he said as he gestured behind him to the Red Guards. "I alerted Aramis, and he's gone to fetch Treville and D'artagnan. You and I need to round everyone up and get over there now!"

Athos glanced behind him to the table where he had left his hat earlier that evening and lunged to grab it. "You do that, I'm going to the Palace." As he turned back he caught sight of Treville appearing out of the gloom of the archway.

Oddly, Athos thought he saw a look of understanding cross Treville's features for a split second and knew his captain would not argue with him. "Athos if all is well at the Louvre then come and find us when you can."

Someone had lit a candle and Amorette could discern the soft glow it emitted though the crack in the door. Lightly, Amorette placed her fingertips on the door and pushed ever so gently. The first thing she caught sight of was one of her trunks lying open on the floor, with the contents strewn everywhere. If she'd had the chance she would have backed away but at that moment a figure in the corner of the room glanced up and caught sight of her in the doorway. Gaspard stared back at Amorette with a look of pure hatred upon his face and she froze where she stood.

"How the hell…."

"Did I get out of the Bastille?" he finished for her in a sneer. "I did tell you to wait and see Cometess didn't I?"

"Yo…y…You're working for someone; someone who sprung you from your prison?" stammered Amorette. "Was this the plan from the beginning? Trick your way into the Bastille with a mock riot and then break everyone out?"

Gaspard shook his head levelly as he fingered the catch of his pistol. "So now you are belittling my cause? The riots were real and I still did what I did for my father! It just so happened to co-inside with someone else's rather grand plans!"

"Who? Who else is involved?"

Gaspard drew the pistol up until it pointed a little shakily at Amorette's head. "I don't give a damn about all that! Why do you think I'm here? Tell me where my brother is!"

"You've had a wasted journey Gaspard. I don't know here Denis is," Amorette lied. She sincerely hoped he was no longer ensconced in Buckingham's lodgings. "Please don't tell me that you had the chance to escape the city and that instead you came here to me? That was a foolish decision, for you will surely face punishment for this!" It was then that the slightly ajar door behind Gaspard became visible to Amorette and she gasped. "How did you get into my rooms? The doors were locked from the inside! Who told you that there was another way into these rooms?"

Gaspard grinned devilishly. "The truth Cometess is that I did not personally know the men who came to aid us in our escape. They spoke English I think, but the accent was strange. They also told me where I might find you and how to reach your rooms without being noticed. Whoever they were, they knew I'd kill you. It seems to me I'm not the only one who dislikes you Madam!"

Amorette shook her head in confusion as she tried to put the pieces of the puzzle together. A man who spoke English in an odd accent, who knew his way around the Bastille and apparently, the Louvre Palace. Amorette could count on two hands the people who knew of the secret passage linked to her rooms; the Queen, the musketeers, Buckingham, herself and Henry Fitzgerald. Amorette's blood suddenly ran cold. She supposed that the English language would sound strange to a French boy if spoken in a Scot's accent, but why on earth would Henry send Gaspard to her when the boy clearly had malicious intent.

Gaspard was eagerly watching the cogs turning in Amorette's mind; seeming pleased by the fact that someone she knew had caused all this trouble. Amorette didn't know what else to do apart from continue to deny knowledge of Denis' whereabouts. She did so with her hands held up in surrender but she noticed that Gaspard's grip on the pistol grew steadier with each moment that passed. Amorette doubted whether he would really fire at her though. He wanted to know where his brother was, and killing her would render that impossible.

"I don't think you understand me Cometess!" Gaspard yelled. "If you do not have knowledge of where my brother is, then I no longer have need of you! If you do know, perhaps you might tell me and then you may be spared."

Amorette didn't believe him for a second. There came the sound of more footsteps outside in the corridor and Gaspard turned to shut the linen cupboard door and lock it quickly. Not needing any encouragement whatsoever, Amorette took her chance and raced back out into the parlour towards the door. She pulled on the door handle repeatedly, forgetting that the latch was still in place. She stopped though when she heard the lick of the catch being released on the pistol. Slowly she turned to find Gaspard approaching her from across the room.

"Gaspard, you are just a child, I know you don't want to kill me. I'd speak for you if I could but your actions have rendered that impossible. I did what I could for your brother and wife but after this I certainly think there is absolutely nothing more I can do for you! I am sorry for it, but your actions are your responsibility! You must understand that your fate and that of your brothers is a consequence of your actions!"

"All of this pleading is not going to help you Cometess!" Gaspard roared, his hand shaking a little again. "Every available soldier is trying to contain the breakout of the Bastille. You cannot buy enough time to escape or be rescued! Everyone's concerns are elsewhere! The King and Queen are safely locked away on the other side of the Palace! There's no one here to come to your aid!"

Amorette felt her back slam into the door as Gaspard still advanced towards her, pistol cocked in her direction. The force of her body pressing against the door must have alerted someone on the other side because at that precise second the door handle still held in Amorette's hand began twist and turn as someone tried to push the door open. "Cometess?" Came the muffled cry from the corridor. "Cometess come to the door!" The door handle rattled again and Amorette glanced up towards the latch above her head, wondering if she could manage to throw Gaspard off and unlock the door.

Gaspard caught the movement of her eyes though and in a split second he had gripped her wrist and flung her across the room. With a yelp of surprise Amorette toppled over the coffee table and onto the floor. Immediately someone banged heavily upon the door with their fist. "Amorette?" Athos. He thumped the door again and Amorette knew that he'd try to break the door down if she didn't answer him soon. Somehow, Athos must have figured out what was going on.

As she tried to pull herself to her feet, Amorette caught sight of Gaspard dragging the heavy chest of drawers against the wall until it rested against the door and just in time, because someone aimed a ferocious kick at the door. There was more muffled shouting from the other side as the door remained intact, thanks only to the chest of drawers.

Gaspard finally turned to look at Amorette as he leaned against the manoeuvred chest of drawers. "Believe me when I say this Cometess. No one including you goes to or from this room until you tell me where my brother is!"

Amorette shook her head meekly as tears pricked her eyes. She was absolutely sure now that the right thing to do was protect Denis from his older brother. She knew Gaspard more than likely meant this brother no harm but it was the manipulative influence that worried Amorette more. "I know you love and care for your brother Gaspard. That is why you must let him go! What I don't understand though is why you put him through all of this! You made him an unwilling conspirator in your crimes for no reason at all other than to try and save yourself. If you love him then why throw him into the line of fire to protect yourself? Don't you see how wrong that is? That is why your brother must be allowed to move on with a new life! I know you do love him, so give him this chance! Let him leave Paris and go somewhere new where he will receive a good education and will be well looked after! My friends will ensure it!"

Gaspard had seemed to be considering her words, but Amorette's last statement floored him. He launched himself towards her and fired one shot into the celling in anger before he shoved the barrel of the pistol into her temple. "Your friends ensured that my brother would lose the only family he had left! Those musketeers have torn our family apart!"

"That was not my fault!" gasped Amorette. "I told you that your actions have consequences. You know if there had ever been any chance of you being granted a lesser punishment than your execution, then you blew it entirely when you crossed the threshold into the palace tonight! Holding me hostage is not going to get your brother back!"

Suddenly there was the sound of splintering wood from Amorette's bed chamber. Gaspard's face dropped into a frown and Amorette sucked in a deep breath. He had not considered that anyone else would know of the hidden passageway, but it appeared Athos had remembered all about it; at least Amorette hoped that it was Athos and not one of Gaspard's fellow prisoners from the Bastille. Gaspard tore into the bed chamber and Amorette followed, kicking her ransacked belongings out of the way as she went. The door was not yet open, but they could see the force being put upon it from the other side. Another kick and the sound of splintering wood roused Gaspard into action and he dragged Amorette with him with his hand covering her mouth to stand against the wall where they would be behind the door when it eventually gave way and opened.

It didn't take long for the lock to give way, and with it came the sound of the wood tearing itself away from the door frame. The door swung open quickly and Athos tore into the room, his eyes roaming into each corner but the one that Amorette and Gaspard were hidden in. out of nowhere Amorette was thrown to the ground, only turning to look up in time as the butt of Gaspard's pistol crashed into the back of Athos' head. The musketeer made no sound as he slumped to the floor but Amorette let out a growl of anger and launched herself at Gaspard. He held her at bay easily with the simple flick of his pistol.

"I think even you can comprehend this Cometess, but make any sudden or rash movements and I blow his brains out!"

Amorette nodded her agreement to comply mutely as she glanced down at the unconscious Athos on the floor. There didn't seem to be any blood from where Amorette was standing, which reassured her a little but she gasped when Gaspard took Athos by the feet and began to drag him roughly into the parlour. In the little moonlight that illuminated the room Amorette followed them into the parlour in time to witness Gaspard dragging Athos into place before the fire. Someone was still kicking at the door that led out into the lady's corridor and Amorette suddenly understood that Gaspard thought there were musketeers out there. He wanted them to enter the room and find Athos lying motionless before the fire. His motive was very clear in that second, and Amorette realised that Gaspard didn't intend for any of them to get out of the room alive.

Gaspard had moved to the windows and seemed to be observing the lawns below them for any movement. Tears now cascading down her cheeks freely, Amorette gave them no thought and dropped to the floor beside Athos. She gently took his face in her hands to observe his head. She moved her hand hesitantly into his hair and found the small swelling of a lump on his head. Pulling her hand away, in the near gloom Amorette was just able to discern that there was no blood there at all. She tapped his face lightly as she gently whispered to him, willing him to wake up. His breaths were deep and strong but with each second that passed, Amorette grew more worried. She began to shake Athos by the lapels of his doublet and frantically whispered to him but still he did not wake.

"Now I think we may reach a complete understanding," muttered Gaspard from just above them and Amorette turned quickly to find him bearing down upon them, pistol trained on Athos. Without a second thought Amorette jumped up to stand and face Gaspard, her legs spreading wider so that she completely concealed and protected Athos. "You care for the musketeer," Gaspard mused. "I did not see that before, but it only helps me. You will now be aware of the gravity of the situation Madam. Tell me what I want to know about my brother's whereabouts or I will shoot this man!"

Amorette felt her hands begin to shake uncontrollably as she tried to control her whirling mind and think of a way to buy herself and Athos more time. "Gaspard this man is a soldier like your father was! He fights for France and the King and Queen like your father once did. Men like him are the reason you were protesting and rioting in the first place! How will his death accomplish anything?"

Gaspard snorted. "This man may carry the name of musketeer but he has no honour!"

"You don't believe what he told you about your father? You still think he was a hero?" Amorette asked incredulously.

"Why should I believe his word? My father's friends told me that my father died a hero!"

"Gaspard those people lied to you for the right reasons," sighed Amorette. "They did not want you and your brother to think badly of your father! They wanted him to be an example to you. He had passed on and I suppose they thought that dwelling on his past deeds would not help you! They wanted you to move on with your lives and hold your father dear in your hearts! They meant well, but yes, they were wrong to lie to you! Athos did nothing but convey the truth."

Gaspard backed away a little and lowered his pistol. When he spoke, it was in a much quieter voice than before, as if he had almost given up. "Is it not your turn to convey the truth Madam?"

Amorette felt her resolve weaken. Gaspard was right. She could not blame anyone else for lying when she was too. "I gave Denis over into the care of the Duke of Buckingham. That much I did not tell you; but I do not know where they are now. I asked the Duke not to tell me where he would take the boy. They are likely far from Paris now in any direction."

Gaspard was silently still for a few moments and Amorette could discern the shifting of something beyond the door behind them. If it was musketeers out there, she hoped they would not take rash action. She wasn't sure if Gaspard could withstand the shock and not shoot.

"You gave him over to some dandy who will likely train him as a slave?" questioned Gaspard suddenly. "A dandy and an Englishman no less! You're right you know! There's no way out of this for me now. I may as well take with me those who were spiteful to me!"

Amorette spread her arms wide as she realised Gaspard had finally cracked. "I will not let you hurt him! I won't. You'll have to kill me first. Perhaps you do not understand the concept of love as well as you should Gaspard! If you loved your brother you would have wanted him to be safe and free of all of this! That's what love is! You don't get to take the one I love from this world whilst I'm still capable of stopping you!"

The hand holding the pistol was very steady now, and Amorette let out an inaudible gasp as a hand suddenly clamped itself around her ankle. She glanced down, but it was hidden by her vast skirts. She dropped her hand down behind her skirts, hoping against hope that the hand would find its way into hers.

"Stop me?" cried Gaspard. "Cometess there's no stopping me now! I've nothing to lose! You were the cause of that! You think I won't kill you because you showed my brother and I kindness, but that means nothing to me! Kindness in this world eventually gets you killed!"

A steel-like expression washed over Gaspard's features then as he aimed his pistol at her head and she sucked in a breath as something cold and metallic pressed itself into the hand that rested behind her skirts. Gaspard had entirely missed the action of Athos passing Amorette his pistol in his anger. There was no time though for Amorette to question the action or think of what to do next. She reacted on instinct and aimed her pistol and without waiting a beat she fired, ignoring everything that Athos had ever taught her. Gaspard fired too a second later, his shot going wide as he fell backwards to land on the floor with a thud. The pistol fell from Amorette's hand and she recoiled away from it warily. Her hands were still shaking as she tentatively took a step towards the boy and hovered over him. There was no doubt that the shot had killed Gaspard. Amorette let out a stifled sob as she dropped to the floor again as Athos let his head droop. He had regained consciousness for enough time to enable her to save them both, but he was out cold again in seconds.

Amorette shook him again, her sobs now racking her chest. "Athos please wake up! Athos!" There was the sound of splintering wood again as finally someone was managing to break through the door and the blockade of the heavy chest of drawers. Amorette paid it no heed, her mind going blank as real fear gripped her. "You don't get to die on me Athos! You can't! I need you!"

I think she's being a bit dramatic! But what are us women if not dramatic at the best of times eh? You'll have to wait until the next chapter to find out what happens to Athos! Personally, I think the next chapter is possibly my favourite of them all ;)