Chapter Seven

The step down to a private room occurred a few days later, still on the ICU wing but less high-tech. Thankfully, his two nurses went with him to continue his care.

Aramis had followed as they moved the bed down the corridor, though Athos had slept through the whole process with the help of light sedation. The change of scenery lifted Aramis's spirits though, even though the décor was the same. At least there was a window in this room, though Kate dropped the blinds, leaving the room in restful shade.

Later, she crouched down to check the bag beneath the bed and looked up at Aramis.

"His kidneys continue to improve," she said. "We were a little worried about that."

Aramis nodded. The bruising that had spread across his friend's torso had caused some alarm in the early days of his hospitalisation.

"That's great news," he said softly, though he was obviously distracted.

"Where's your friend?" she whispered, mindful of Athos, though he was still out of it.

Aramis rubbed his face, not taking his eyes from his sleeping friend.

"To tell you the truth, I don't know," he replied, reluctantly.

That morning, they had both gone to the office to check on progress with Treville.

"Nothing," Treville had said. "That man is a shadow," he grunted, banging his cup down with a force that made them both flinch.

There were no leads. Mendez had vanished.

"Are you coming to the hospital?" Aramis asked, as Porthos dropped his jacket on the back of the chair and sat down, before booting up his computer.

"Just got something to finish," Porthos said. "I'll meet you there."

"Alright," Aramis agreed, flatly, as he shrugged his coat on. "Don't be too long."

Neither of them had liked to be alone in that room, both relieved that he was being moved that morning.

"Promise," Porthos grunted, without looking up.

"Treville won't care if you're late with your reports," Aramis tried once more.

"I know," Porthos replied. "But I care."

"Ok," Aramis said, softly, turning to the door.

When Aramis had finally gone, his steps echoing down the corridor, Porthos pulled up the CCTV and sat back.

Something had not sat well with him since he first saw it.

He had kept his thoughts to himself though, as he didn't want to send his colleagues on a wild goose chase. If Mendez was to be found, they would have to be meticulous, not firing off in all directions.

The CCTV was concentrated on the stretch of road where the accident happened, which was probably what Mendez had wanted. But Porthos was interested in the truck that had made Athos slow down. It had been at the wrong angle to be able to see the registration number and he knew someone was checking out similar trucks, but it was a generic vehicle and, consequently, a huge task. So, he felt justified in carrying out his own covert operation.

Porthos had been missing all day.

He had texted a message to Aramis later that just said, "Something to do."

Aramis was a little aggrieved that Porthos had made that decision. They could have at least discussed it. Could have done it together. But to take off without him? Yes, to say he was aggrieved was an understatement.

For Porthos, he knew, had gone after Eduard Mendez.

And Athos knew. Despite his condition, he knew.

Every time he woke, his eyes held Aramis and then flicked around the room.

Aramis had played dumb.

"He's just gone for coffee" he had said; "He's got a meeting with Treville." "Just gone outside for some fresh air."

The excuses would not last as Athos was going to stay awake for longer periods. He would need a better explanation as to where Porthos had gone. But what?

There was no telling yet if Athos would remember all that had happened that night. How Mendez had left him in the wreckage of his car and had waved to the CCTV camera. That is what had torn Porthos apart. Injuries aside, the callous arrogance of that wave had festered in him.

Treville had told him that Athos would confirm that that is what Mendez did. He enjoyed his notoriety. He did not kill quickly. Treville had the gruesome photos of Athos's "safe house" on file as testament to that.

That is why Mendez could not be allowed to run free, waving at cameras.

Aramis knew that if Porthos had his way, the man would not have arms left to wave at any more cameras.

But Mendez was no amateur.

So now, Aramis had both his friends to worry about.

"Coffee?" Kate asked, cautiously, as she watched the warring emotions on Aramis's face.

"Please," he said, gratefully. "Are you on all night?"

"Just until eight," she said. "Then Julia comes on."

"That's good," Aramis murmured. That reply covered all bases. Good that Kate would be there for a few hours more. Good, because Julia was as efficient. Good because he had something to ask of her.

A little while later Julia arrived and Kate said her goodbyes and went off duty. He muttered something about seeing her on her next shift, his thoughts still on Porthos.

Porthos had seemed to become distracted as soon soon as he knew Athos would soon be moved.

That morning, after he had received the text from Porthos, Aramis had decided he would ask Julia to show him the footage from the room's ceiling camera for the night before. Porthos had held back the night before as they were leaving, catching him up in the hospital car park. Aramis had thought nothing of it at the time, until he received the cryptic text this morning. He would wait until Kate went off duty, because Kate probably would not agree to it, even for Aramis. Patient confidentiality, she would say, imperiously. Porthos and Aramis had been in attendance since the morning after Athos had been brought in and a certain relationship had been forged with the two nurses but Aramis knew his boundaries. He knew which one would grant his request.

It had taken a little persuasion, but finally Julia had buckled to his charm, and, at his request had left the room so he would study the footage. That way, he could take sole responsibility, should it come to light. He didn't want her to get into trouble on what may be a whim on his part. However, his suspicions were confirmed as he watched Porthos making his farewell to Athos. There was no reason to do that on his own, no reason to send Aramis on ahead. Then, he had watched as Porthos kissed his friend on the forehead and had gone.

Aramis had shaken his head. He had just wanted to know what Porthos had done and that kiss had sealed it.

He was going for revenge.

"Did you find what you wanted?" Julia asked a little later, handing him a coffee.

"Yes," Aramis said, taking the coffee from her, distractedly. "Thank you, On both counts."

Sensing Aramis was in no mood to further discuss what he had seen, Julia left him to his thoughts and slipped out.

He pulled out his phone and quickly scanned it, but there was nothing further from Porthos.

Aramis had swallowed a hot mouthful of coffee when Athos turned his head.

Aramis waited, quietly putting the cup on the floor beside his chair.

Athos opened his eyes. And blinked. Once, twice, three times.

And then, his face softened, and he smiled.

"Hi," Aramis said, a sudden warmth spreading through his chest that took his breath away.

He watched as Athos raised a finger on his good hand. The hand that still held a needle in the back of it, admittedly, but was otherwise unscathed. His other arm was now in a cast. His foot was also now plastered and protected by a frame under the sheet and he was in a semi raised position, because of his other injuries. He was broken, but he would mend.

And he would want to know where Porthos was.

His lips were already forming a "P" but no sound came out.

"Gone for coffee," Aramis said, quickly.

An eyebrow was raised, before green eyes dropped to the saucer Aramis was still balancing on his lap.

And Athos became agitated.

Whether he was angry with Aramis, frustrated at his lack of mobility or fretful for Porthos, Aramis did not know. So he took the coward's way out.

He pressed the buzzer.

When Julia came into the room almost instantly, he said, "I think he is in pain." Probably not a lie, he mentally consoled himself.

Julia put her stethoscope to his friend's chest and then took his blood pressure. All the while Athos looked at Aramis who, in the end, looked away.

Finally, Julia pressed the automatic pump and more drugs pumped into his system. His eyes started to close almost instantly, but, by God, they held Aramis in a tight glare for as long as was physically possible, before falling shut.

Now, Aramis felt guilty too. He ran his hand through his hair and pulled in a shuddering breath. Standing, he reached down and took hold of Athos's limp hand, before he too, bent to place a kiss on his forehead.

"I am sorry, my friend," he whispered. "I don't know where he is."

He went outside and stood in the portico, stabbing Treville's number into his phone.

"Where's Porthos?" he asked tersely as his Captain replied.

"Isn't he with you?" Treville replied, equally bluntly.

"I wouldn't be asking if he was," Aramis said through gritted teeth.

Two staff members came through the doors behind him and Aramis turned away, walking a few paces into the car park.

"So, he's AWOL," Aramis sighed.

"Technically, he's on leave," Treville replied, his tone a little warmer now. "Like you."

Neither spoke for a few moments. Treville was drawing a line in the sand.

"Thank you," Aramis replied. "Well, you know where I am," he added.

"How is he?" Treville asked then.

"He knows something is wrong."

Treville huffed. These three had a mental connection that worked in his favour, most of the time. It had been a good outcome when he put the three of them together. At times like this though, it could be irritating. He had learned to leave it alone, and let it run its course.

"Porthos will be alright," the Captain finally said. "You'll be the first to know if he turns anything up."

"I'd better be," Aramis sighed. "Good night, Captain."

Not optimistic, he next stabbed Porthos's number into his phone.

But Porthos did not pick up.

"Damn you, Porthos. Where are you?" he ground out, before dropping his phone into his pocket and turning back.

"And what do I tell Athos?" he murmured as he made his way back to the ICU.

To be continued ...