December Desolation Chapter 42

Athos and Porthos had been getting slightly antsy, making do as best as they could with the stale water from their canteens in tending to Aramis' wounds, waiting impatiently for the kid to return with the doctor.

Not that they could be certain he would even find a physician in the nearest town, as soon as they were settled they had sent the gascon on his way back to "", the residents weren't normally charitable towards the King's men.

"Shit, Porthos he's on fire" Pressing the back of his hand carefully to their brother's forehead, Athos was appalled by the heat rising off his skin, you could cook an egg on there. Aramis gave a low keening whine and pressed up into the comforting touch, chasing the chill of his brother's skin relieving the burning.

"Heads up" the other man growled and proceeded to fling a damp cloth at his head, chuckling deeply at the outraged expression on the other's face as water dripped slowly down his temple.

"Was that really necessary?" the eyebrow arched in indignation.

"Absolutely, your idiotic head needs coolin' too"

Athos rolled his eyes in disgust and folded the cloth neatly over Aramis' forehead, face transforming briefly into a fond smile as the man shuddered slightly and a smile turned up the corner of his lips.

"You're doin' the face, I can't stay mad at you when you do the face!" Porthos exclaimed in mock disappointment, beaming even as the other's face fell back into its neutral mien.

The next second D'artagnan came bounding through the door with an outrageous crashing sound, almost taking it off its hinges with the force with which he swung it open. A diminutive man in a black cloak hurried in behind him with a harried expression on his pinched face, lugging an enormous carry case behind him and moaning continuously.

"I told you I do not do house calls, furthermore I was in bed and I resent the audacity of you dragging me from rest and out to this godforsaken cottage in the middle of nowhere! It is beyond freezing, I can no longer feel my toes and I absolutely refuse"

"Was there no one else D'artagnan?" Drawing himself to his full height which admittedly was not as impressive as Porthos but still allowed him to tower over this aggravating miser. The doctor emitted a pathetic squeak as he stared helplessly up into the thunderous face of this incredibly well spoken, well-bred man that was glaring down at him.

The young gascon fixed his mentor with a wounded look, still a little nervous to contemplate the puppy dog eyes considering the bloodshed that followed the last attempt. "I did my best, it's hardly my fault the only medical professional doesn't like helping people!"

At that moment, Aramis began to thrash and cry out from the bed where he had been securely tucked in amongst blankets. "Marsac you don't need to do this… MARSAC" a hand plunged from within the covers, reaching desperately towards a person only he could see. "Isabelle I'm sorry, I love you… Isabelle please!"

In a flash, Porthos was at the smaller man's side, grasping his questing hand in his larger one, folding it within both of his in a comforting manner. Pressing their joined hands to his chest he murmured softly to his fevered brother, "It's okay Mis, I'm here, I'm here. Shh, it's alright" Gradually the Spaniard quieted, cries becoming mumbles and thrashing reducing to tremors until he was resting calmly once again. Porthos did not move a muscle.

With a soft, sad sigh, Athos bent and retrieved the blankets from where they had been flung to the floor, folding them neatly over his arm and turning his head marginally to meet the doctor's eyes.

"Are you willing to help, or will I have to hold you at gunpoint? It would be my pleasure, do not make the mistake of thinking I will not"

However, it seemed that no such excessive action would be required, the small doctor had caught a glimpse of the myriad of wounds covering Aramis' body as Porthos began to divest him of his ripped up shirt.

"My goodness!" He cried in shock, rushing across the room and taking a closer look. "How on earth did this happen! The poor soul"

"There are men in this world who have not an ounce of honour within their bones, they feel no remorse or hesitation when causing great pain to fellow man. You are witnessing the results of such cruelty, and I would much appreciate it if you would refrain from pitying him, he deserves your respect not pity for enduring this ordeal"

The doctor nodded his head, face set in grim determination. The impassioned speech from a clearly reserved man lit a fire within him, a long dormant conscience was awoken, shaking off the cobwebs and dust to burn brightly. This was why he had fought to become a doctor in the first place, he knew the torment human hands dealt and even in the face of resistance he had travelled to Paris and studied medicine.

To help people, to ease pain.

"Right" he pushed his sleeves up in preparation, deftly lacing his operating tunic up behind his back "I'm going to need boiling water, clean linen and some strong alcohol if you have it?"

"We 'ave Athos, of course we have strong alcohol" Porthos teased with relief, feeling the tension of the room lighten immediately.

The older man did his best to look unimpressed, but he couldn't prevent the little quirk of his lips as he rummaged in his saddlebag. He held out a bottle of his best brandy, it was worth the sacrifice for his brother.

D'artagnan hauled a bucket of water that had been heating over the fire and dropped it with a dull thud next to the doctor where he was kneeling next to the bed, careful not to dislodge Porthos. "Careful" he admonished, dipping a cloth into the water and beginning to unlace Aramis' shirt, addressing Porthos he continued "if your presence will keep him calm then by all means please stay, it will make my job easier, and his life less traumatic. You can do me a favour by keeping him as still as you can"

Porthos gave a gruff acknowledgment but kept his eyes fixed on his brother's face, alert for any change in expression, any sign of discomfort.

A/N: Okay, wanted to give you guys another chapter before Christmas because you are all so fantastic! Thank you for your kind reviews, next chapter will be treatment so much much hurt comfort to come. Hopefully that will be up sometime next week :D