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Athos spent the most of the night and the next morning thumbing through the files. He could kill Aramis and the others for this. These files were the thinnest, least revealing documents he'd ever encountered in his life. He slipped them into the drawer of the bureau in his office. He needed to shower, and take a run of his security before his new guest showed up this afternoon.

He made a grocery and supply list for his housekeeper and left it stuck on the fridge. Which reminded him, he'd have to fill her in on his new guest. He might need extra help from her. As of now, Elle only cleaned and shopped for him two days a week. With an extra person living here that might need to change.

While he was starting the shower he heard the front door open downstairs, accompanied by the jingling of keys and knew immediately it was his housekeeper. After a few moments the door opened and closed again and he knew she'd gone.

He stepped into the shower and quickly washed. No time to relax today. There were things to be done. By the time he finished his shower, had his breakfast and checked all of his security it was past noon. He was feeding his horses when Elle pulled up. He went over to help her unload her car.

"Good afternoon," she smiled as she ducked her head into the trunk of her SUV.

"Elle," he nodded.

Her thick crimson waves were tied back in a French braid, but a few unruly strands had escaped, Athos noticed.

"What's with all the extra stuff you had me pick up?" She asked as they carried the bags inside.

"I'm having a...house guest here for a few days,"

Elle's eyes narrowed and she propped a hand on her denim clad hip. "A house guest?"

"Why is that so shocking?" Athos asked dryly.

"It isn't. I mean, until this very moment I wasn't aware you even knew anyone else besides me," She turned on her heel and headed out to get more bags from the car. Sarcasm hanging in the air in her wake.

Athos glanced at the clock. The guys would be bringing the client any moment.

"Is that everything?" He asked as she came in and sat the remaining bags down.

"Yeah. Once I get this put away I'll probably sort out the laundry. Or would you like me to prepare one of the spare rooms?"

"Neither,"

Elle raised her eyebrows.

"You can have the day off. Just come by tomorrow. I have a lot to go over with-"

"Your guest. I got it."

In the three years she'd known Athos Elle had never seen him leave this ranch. She did his shopping. If he was ill he paid for a private doctor. He was happy to live out his days in complete solace. Save for her. She'd met his former comrades a few times, but all in all...Athos was an island.

She didn't know much about his past, or his life in general. For the first time she was genuinely curious.

"I'll come by tomorrow, then." She rubbed her hands down her olive green vest and turned to go.

"Elle-"

She turned with her hand on the door.

"Thanks,"

Half an hour later a black SUV pulled up to Athos's gate at the edge of his estate. Porthos rolled down the window to show himself and Athos buzzed them through. He was waiting outside when the foursome exited.

A dark haired woman stepped out from the back seat, and fell in line behind Aramis as they walked over to Athos.

"Athos, this is Rebecca. Rebecca, this is Athos. He'll be your host until we can get this sorted out." Aramis declared.

"Pleased to meet you, Athos."

Athos gave a curt nod. This woman looked oddly familiar to him. He couldn't place his finger on it. Given the nature of what she seemed to be tied up in, it was probably best he didn't.

"Your home is lovely," she commented.

"Thank you,"

He lead them inside where he was happy to have the boys fill her in on everything. He stood back, leaning against the logs that made up his interior walls.

"Athos, do you have anything to add?" Aramis asked.

He stood straight. "I live here alone, but my housekeeper comes during the week so you can expect to see her. Other than that the only people who have the code to the gate outside are standing in this room. I run a ranch, and I do so alone. That means I'm busy, and seldom in the house. I have agreed to let you stay here, but I'll be up front with you... I'm not your bodyguard. I'm retired. There's plenty of food in the fridge, and you can use the spare room on the left upstairs."

With that, Athos turned and walked upstairs to his office. Aramis offered a brief apology to Rebecca before following after him.

"Did you have to be so rude?"

"That was not rude,"

Aramis gave him a scolding look.

"Don't look at me like that. By the way," He flung the files at Aramis's chest, "These are the poorest excuse for backgrounds I've ever seen. There's hardly anything there."

"You know what we know," Aramis shrugged.

Athos came very close to his friend and whispered, "I don't like this. I don't like having a stranger in my house. I want this job finished."

"You're not my boss anymore, Athos. Don't forget that." Aramis quipped although his smile soon faded when Athos turned his back without another word.

Later, when Athos emerged from his office they'd all gone. He spotted Rebecca sitting by the fireplace in the den.

"I was going to start a fire, but I'm afraid I don't know how,"

"I can start one, of you'd like," he said flatly.

"That would be lovely, if it's no trouble,"

Athos soon had a fire roaring in the hearth and was making his way into the kitchen to make himself some dinner. There was a washed plate on the drying rack, and he assumed Rebecca had already eaten.

He sat at his kitchen table eating in silence with one eye trained on his guest. Something about her... She seemed content to sit with her book next to the fireplace. Her dark hair was wavy and long. Like Elle's. Athos paused, well he supposed it only made sense to compare the two women. After all, they were the only members of the opposite sex he was around.

Except for Constance, but he hadn't seen her in almost a year. Since she and D'Artangan married here at the ranch. He sighed and glanced at his watch. It was time to check on the horses and do a security sweep before turning in for the night.

Not that it mattered. He was sure he wouldn't sleep a wink until things were back to normal.

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