The soldiers decided that Athos and Porthos would concentrate on liberating d'Artagnan. The rest of the Musketeers would take out the gang members. Although, Athos and Porthos still had their fair share of gang members to deal with as they made their way through the house. The first floor had a seemingly endless corridor of doors. The last door was open, the flicker of torches or a fire spilling out. They were drawn to the open door as the sounds of fighting continued on the floor below and behind them.

The sight that greeted them as they reached the open door would remain with Athos for a long time. He felt a mixture of pride and shock at what was happening in front of him.

D'Artagnan was standing over the sprawled forms of Aramis and Madame Dupre. A poker was protruding from the dead woman's back. She was lying over Aramis who was trying to untangle himself from the grasp of her arm around his neck. It was clear the badly injured d'Artagnan had killed the woman as she was trying to strangle Aramis.

D'Artagnan wavered dangerously. As his knees buckled, Porthos reached his side and guided him to the floor. He was unconscious by the time Porthos had straightened him out.

The injuries that covered d'Artagnan's abused body were worse than Athos had expected. As they had been unable to get proper updates from Aramis since the fake kidnapping, they could only guess what might have happened to their young friend. The Musketeer had been whipped and beaten. He had strange puncture wounds under his chin and on his chest along with a couple of blistering burns. His wrists were bloody where he had been restrained.

Porthos was busy checking the unconscious man for any injuries that were not visible.

'What have you two been up to?' muttered Porthos as he worked.

Athos turned his attention to Aramis who had managed to twist around to sit up. His friend looked a little disorientated. His neck was showing signs of the attempted throttling he had suffered at the hands of Madame Dupre. Athos looked forward to hearing how his more than capable friend had ended up strangled by the lithe woman.

'He saved... my life...' panted Aramis. 'Twice.'

'Save your voice,' scolded Athos.

D'Artagnan started to come around and muttered something. Porthos leaned closer to hear what his injured friend was saying. He furrowed his brow and glanced at Aramis.

'He said something about a little girl. We saw the lad you told us about. You never said there was a girl as well.'

Aramis shook his head, 'there's not,' he said. 'He was a bit confused earlier. They used a Heretics Fork on him. He was left for a few hours before I could get to him. He said there had been a girl in the room trying to help him.'

'The mind plays tricks,' said Porthos as he brushed the lank hair from d'Artagnan's face.

The Musketeer continued to mumble for a few seconds before going quiet again.

The sound of the fight between the Musketeers and the gang members petered out. Athos looked up as Barbotin appeared in the doorway. He took one look at d'Artagnan before looking back over his shoulder.

'They're in here. We'll need a cart or a carriage to get d'Artagnan back to the garrison. Can someone get some water and blankets?'

A couple of men answered the field medic from somewhere along the corridor. Barbotin stepped into the room and knelt by d'Artagnan. Aramis tried to push himself to his feet but stopped when the medic glared at him.

'You are not the only medic, Aramis,' said Barbotin. 'You taught me. I know what to do... and you don't exactly look fit yourself.'

Barbotin indicated the blood on Aramis' shirt. Aramis sat back down with a suitably contrite expression.

'That told you,' said Athos with a smile.

'It's my fault he's in that state,' said Aramis. 'I should be the one to see to him.'

'Well, that ain't happening, is it?' said Porthos as he moved out of the way of Barbotin.

Athos watched Aramis admit defeat, although the guilty look did not leave his face.

Treville appeared in the doorway. The Musketeer Captain shook his head as he took in the scene.

'The Baron is currently languishing in the Chatelet under guard. He tried to convince the King that he was innocent, but with the letter that you got, Aramis, his guilt was clear. The King had him arrested straight away. I hoped we might have been able to bring the leaders of the gang to justice, but you appear to have taken care of that yourselves.'

'D'Artagnan dealt with her,' said Aramis with a nod towards the body of Madame Dupre.

'I look forward to hearing about it,' said Treville. 'But first, you two need to be tended to-'

Aramis shook his head, 'I'm fine,' he started to say.

'You are not fine, Aramis. You have been shot and nearly strangled,' said Athos. 'You are not in as bad shape as d'Artagnan, but you are not fine.'

Aramis looked away. Athos could tell they were going to have their work cut out convincing their friend that he was not at fault for the things that had happened. He hoped once d'Artagnan was on the mend Aramis would accept that the plan, despite its problems, had worked.

MMMM

Treville walked from room to room with Luc, collecting anything that might help provide further proof that Baron Cote was involved. He had already ordered a couple of men to collect all the maps and plans from the main room. And a cart was being sought to remove all the weapons.

Luc led the way into the kitchens. He paused in the doorway before venturing further, heading towards the large hearth. Treville saw what had caught his Musketeers eye. The little boy.

Treville guessed the lad was no more than ten but was small for his age. He had pushed himself into the corner of the room, his eyes darting around looking for an escape route. As Luc circled the large table in the centre of the room Treville quietly went around the other side. He was sure the boy had not noticed him. The imposing figure of Luc heading towards him was drawing his full attention. Luc was trying to appear non-threatening, but to a small, scared child, he would appear anything but. He was the only Musketeer that could give Porthos a run for his money in hand-to-hand combat. Treville knew Luc was one of the kindest, gentlest, men in the regiment. But the little boy did not know that all he could see was a tall, broad, armed man, walking towards him. The boy took flight, straight into Treville, who was quick to grab a tight hold on him.

The boy screamed, he struggled, and he pulled away. He even tried to bite Treville. Luc grabbed a blanket from the corner where the boy had been hiding and used it to wrap up the wriggling child. Between them, they virtually swaddled him until he could not hit out at them anymore.

'Calm down, son,' said Treville, trying to keep his voice calm. 'We're not going to hurt you. We're going to take you away from here-'

A howl of anguish from the little boy cut Treville off mid-sentence.

'He'll hurt himself,' said Luc, who was trying to keep the boy as still as possible in his arms.

'Is he injured?' asked Barbotin as he rushed into the room.

Treville shook his head, 'just hysterical. I'm not sure if he understands that we're saving him. Getting him away from here.'

The boy yelled again, they could not make out what he was yelling through the sobs and tears that had started to fall.

Barbotin opened the medical bag that had been slung over his shoulder. He pulled out a small vial and a cloth. He poured some of the contents onto the cloth.

'Aramis says this can be used to calm people down. I think it makes them sleep. I've never had to use it.'

He looked at Treville for a second, seeking permission. Treville nodded. Luc held the struggling boy still as Barbotin placed the cloth over the boy's mouth and nose. The boy's eyes went wide, he struggled harder for a few seconds before his eyes started to close and his whimpers subsided. After another few seconds, Barbotin took the cloth away.

'I don't want to use too much on him,' said the medic.

Treville nodded, 'Luc, take him back to the garrison. Stay with him, keep him in the infirmary... If we have to restrain him for his own good, we will. But I would rather not.'

Luc carried the boy out of the kitchen. As he went Treville thought he heard a noise behind him. He looked around wondering if they had missed a gang member in their search of the house. He could not see anything that looked out of place in the untidy kitchen.

Barbotin was also looking around the kitchen, 'it looks like they'd adapted the kitchen for him,' he said. 'See the crates and boxes, so that he could reach things.'

Treville sighed, 'poor lad. I still don't understand why he didn't run away. Aramis said he was not confined to one room or chained up.'

'Perhaps he didn't know a different life?' suggested Barbotin. 'We're ready to go back to the garrison. Porthos and Marc are getting d'Artagnan to the cart and Athos is making sure Aramis doesn't go astray.'

Treville nodded his thanks and waved Barbotin away. He looked around the kitchen one last time, unable to shake the thought that he was being watched, even though he knew that was not possible.

MMMM

Porthos watched Aramis as he cleaned the wound to his side. He had offered to do it, but Aramis had shaken his head. The distraction, looking after his injuries, was what Aramis needed. When they returned to the garrison it was obvious Aramis would want to assist Barbotin as he dealt with the assortment of injuries d'Artagnan had picked up. But Porthos had steered Aramis to the bed next to the one d'Artagnan was lying on. He had helped his friend to pull his shirt off and collected what he would need to deal with the wound.

Aramis hissed as he cleaned away the dried blood. Porthos readied a bandage and helped his friend to wrap it around his waist.

'I've got you a fresh shirt,' said Pierre who was hovering around ready to help if needed, he handed the shirt to Porthos who helped Aramis to redress.

Aramis nodded his thanks before looking across to d'Artagnan. Barbotin and Marc were busy cleaning the injuries caused by the whip. Porthos felt sorry for his friend. D'Artagnan would be in pain for a long time. The scars would be a permanent reminder to both him and Aramis, of what they had been through.

D'Artagnan stirred and moved a little, causing himself pain.

'Did you find her?' he mumbled.

'Who?' asked Marc.

But d'Artagnan had passed out again.

Porthos furrowed his brow.

'What?' asked Aramis.

'It's just, the lad when the Captain and Luc found him... he was very worked up-'

'He would have hurt himself, or one of us if we hadn't used those herbs on him,' said Barbotin.

'He really did not want to leave,' said Pierre, who seemed to be thinking along the same lines as Porthos. 'We should go back and do another search.'

Porthos nodded, 'best to be sure,' he said.

'Who are you searching for?' asked Aramis.

'The little girl.'

'I told you there wasn't a girl. Only the boy. D'Artagnan imagined the girl. He was confused and in pain.'

Porthos shook his head, 'I think there is a girl, and she is good at hiding. Street children are good at becoming invisible... I know, I did it often enough.'

Porthos watched as Aramis thought through what he had said.

'I suppose that makes sense,' he said with uncertainty.

Porthos looked at d'Artagnan and the sleeping boy lying on the bed beyond him for a few seconds.

'Pierre,' he said. 'If you want to make yourself useful you can help me search for her.'

Pierre nodded. Porthos turned to Aramis who spoke before he could.

'Yes, I'll behave. No, I won't interfere with Barbotin, who knows what he's doing.'

Barbotin could not hide a smile as he continued to work.

'Good,' said Porthos as he rose from his chair and indicated for Pierre to follow him.

MMMM

As the activity died down the rest of the Musketeers drifted away. The excitement and revelations were still causing a stir around the garrison, but the infirmary had become quiet. Athos took over from Barbotin who slipped off to persuade Serge to cook up some broth for when d'Artagnan and the sleeping boy awoke.

Athos sat between d'Artagnan and the boy. He glanced at Aramis who was looking at d'Artagnan with a critical eye. Aramis noticed he was being watched.

'Sorry,' he said. 'You know I can't help feeling guilty. If I'd handled the situation differently, they might not have come up with the idea of kidnapping a noble.'

Athos shook his head, 'you know that's not true, Aramis. Baron Cote was the one that decided you would be useful to be kept around at the Palace, and he was the one that came up with the idea of kidnapping a noble. You did not influence him.'

'I suppose...'

'And despite none of us wanting him to, d'Artagnan did volunteer for this. And he went in knowing what was likely to happen.'

Aramis nodded, then smiled, 'you know, he had to put me straight a couple of times.'

Athos waited for his friend to continue; Aramis stared into the distance.

'When I took that horrible fork off him, I started to clean the wounds and he reminded me I was not supposed to care. And near the end... he told me I was doing well. He encouraged me to keep going...'

'The best of us all,' mused Athos. 'Even in pain and delirious, he has a way of keeping us together.'

They watched the sleeping Musketeer for a few seconds, both lost in thought. Athos decided to lighten the mood.

'When are you going to explain how a woman half your size nearly managed to strangle you?'

Aramis chuckled, 'she took me by surprise. I was so focused on getting d'Artagnan released and safe I forgot she'd run off. And when she managed to trip me to the floor, I was helpless. If he hadn't managed to use the last of his strength to kill her...'

'I suspect that is not a tale you will be regaling cadets with?'

Aramis shook his head.

'If I hadn't found that letter, all this might have been for nothing.'

'Why did it take you so long to find it?' asked Athos. 'Surely you searched everywhere on your first day with the gang.'

Aramis shrugged, 'I did. At least I thought I did. She left me alone after we... She thought I was sleeping. I looked through the papers she kept in her room and that letter was on the top. I swear it hadn't been there the first time I searched her room. And it was dated before I infiltrated the group so it should have been there.'

They both looked across as the door was pushed open. Aramis looked genuinely surprised to see Porthos step into the room with a scrap of a girl clinging to him. The tiny girl was wearing a tatty green dress. She had no shoes on, the soles of her feet were black. Her dark blonde hair consisted of scraggly matted knots, her face was dirty and tear-streaked, very much like the little boy. Athos could immediately see a similarity in looks between the two children.

'Brother and sister,' said Porthos. 'Little Lilly, told me she knows all the secret ways in the house. And she can fit in some places that even her brother can't get into.'

The little girl was probably a couple of years younger than her brother. She was looking at them with wide eyes. It was obvious she had built up some trust in Porthos as she was clutching onto him limpet-like. He, in turn, was holding her close, offering whatever reassurance he could. Athos wondered if the girl could sense that Porthos understood what it was like to be alone. She spotted her brother and reached out to him. Porthos gently sat her on the bed by her brother. She curled up by him, wrapping her arm over him protectively.

'He should wake up soon,' said Aramis. 'I suspect he'll be calm when he knows he's got his sister back.'

'Where was she?'

'Hiding in the kitchen, there was a small cupboard near the hearth, it linked up to a false wall that led around the house. She's probably been sneaking about the entire time. She speaks well, they obviously had someone looking after them at some point. She said she would go into the bedrooms and look for leftover food.' Porthos looked at Aramis, 'Lilly saw you in Dupre's room.'

Aramis looked shocked. Porthos chuckled.

'Not like that. She saw you searching for things. She said she knew Dupre had some things hidden in a special drawer. She moved them for you to find.'

Aramis looked at the little girl, who was watching them. She managed a small smile at Aramis who smiled back.

'I couldn't get the pokey thing off him,' said Lilly, her voice small.

She pointed at d'Artagnan.

'He said there was a little girl. I didn't believe him,' said Aramis, before looking at Lilly, 'thank you for trying to help him.'

She smiled again.

'What are we going to do with them?' asked Athos.

Aramis was quick to respond, 'I know a place. A convent that takes in orphans. They should stay together.'

Athos nodded his approval. Porthos crouched by the sleeping boy and Lilly.

'Would that be alright? If we took you somewhere to live. It would be safe.'

Lilly looked at Porthos for a few seconds before nodding.

MMMM

D'Artagnan reached out for the cup of water on the side table. As he took a sip he looked across at Aramis who was reading or lost in thought. It was difficult to tell. His friend had been quiet for a while. No doubt going over the mission in his head for the thousandth time, trying to somehow make it his fault.

'I'll recover,' he said, causing Aramis to look across to him.

They were alone in the infirmary. The children had been whisked away by the laundry women to be scrubbed clean and given a good meal. Athos and Porthos were at the Palace with Treville updating the King on the full details of the mission and what they knew about Baron Cote. Barbotin and Marc were visiting them every few hours but otherwise, the pair had been alone for most of the day.

D'Artagnan was glad, the peace was welcome. He had disliked his hours alone when he had been held captive by the gang, but then he had been in fear and pain. Now the quiet felt healing. He knew he was not waiting for the next horrific session with Carlos and his friends. Or a sadistic torture session from Madame Dupre. The worst that was going to happen was having his dressing changed, and he could put up with that, he knew that was for his benefit. Although watching Aramis suffer was not welcome.

'How many times are we going to have to remind you that I volunteered for this and I knew I would get hurt. When it came to it you broke character and fought back. They were going to kill me. You did what you had to do.'

Aramis nodded, 'and then you repaid the favour. You stopped me getting shot and then you killed that mad sadistic woman.'

'You still got shot and she almost killed you,' d'Artagnan reminded him.

'Yes,' mused Aramis with a facetious grin, 'you really must try harder next time.'

D'Artagnan chuckled, before wincing as his injuries were jarred. They lapsed into silence for a few minutes. D'Artagnan moved to a more comfortable position, glaring at Aramis not to help him. Aramis signalled defeat and sat back, moving with care in deference to his injuries.

'I would very much prefer if there wasn't a next time,' said d'Artagnan once he had found a comfortable position to lie in. 'I know there probably will be, but I might not seek it out.'

Aramis nodded, 'you'll learn not to volunteer for everything.'

D'Artagnan knew his friend was right. He was still trying to give a good impression, still trying to show his friends, and the Captain, that he deserved his commission. He decided that after what he had been through, he had fully earned it.

The End.

Authors note: I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you for all the kudos/favourites and comments.