Evening My Lovelies

I'm quite curious to see what you all think about the ending of this chapter, I'm not sure if its something you all saw coming but I couldn't ignore the idea when it came to me, hope you all like it :D

Notes On Reviews:

pallysd'Artagnan: Thanks for the review - Yep, glad it seemed to clear up your confusion :) Oh and don't worry Rochy's in quite a large amount of pain, just what he deserves right now :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

beeblegirl: Thanks for the review - Oh don't worry my friend they're about to get exactly what they deserve :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - It was more out of a fear of being cursed/smote/etc for the act than any serious remorse/guilt. Oh if it makes you a bad person to be glad that Rochey's suffering then I'm the devil for what I've got planned :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Thirty-Nine: A Kink In The Plan II

"We've got a problem," stated Athos as he and Marin reentered the room the musketeers had commandeered.

To his surprise Porthos snorted, his voice sounding bitter as he spoke, "Another one?"

"Our wagon is missing," answered Athos as his eyes narrowed, hearing what wasn't being said by his brother as he continued to speak, "We've prepared the church's but I doubt we'll fit everyone."

Porthos let out a sigh before glancing over to Talbot, "We know where it's gone," he stated tiredly before launching into an explanation of what he had Talbot had found when they went hunting for Rochefort.

The news was unwelcomed and drew curses from both Tristan and Aramis, though Athos remained quiet for a moment before turning to Marin, who did not look surprised at his former comrade's actions, although the remorse for the life taken was clear to see on his face.

"Do you know where they would go?" asked Athos with a conscious effort to keep suspicion from entering his voice. The young red guard had been an invaluable help to the inseparables and Athos had seen sincere distaste towards the others of his regiment when Marin was around them so he had no desire to falsely accuse the boy who had helped to save his friends at the expense of losing his former comrades.

With a resigned sigh, Marin shook his head, "Not back to Paris I can guarantee that. They might not be the smartest but even they wouldn't risk taking Rochefort back to the city… Other than that I'm afraid I can't help you, we weren't exactly close before this and then when I essentially sided with yourselves…"

Athos let out his own sigh at this but nodded in acceptance before turning back to the men now looking to him for direction. He felt a wave of guilt rush through him as an idea settled in his mind but he pushed it down as he turned to address Tristan.

"D'Artagnan and Aramis…" the marksman's head perked up at this, curiosity burning on his face. "If we take it slow… Can they ride?"

Aramis looked ready to burst out with a yes, the man already having had enough of being treated like an invalid due to his still-healing wounds, although a look from Porthos silenced him as they waited for Tristan to respond.

"Not on their own," answered the physician's assistant, albeit reluctantly. "D'Artagnan's fever is going to make it impossible for him to stay seated on his own, even if he was awake."

"- He'll ride with me," assured Athos almost dismissively as if an alternative simply didn't exist, his words drawing warm smiles from both his brothers who were more than a little relieved to see their brother's protective side overpower the guilt and shame they had seen threatening to drown him.

"I thought as much," smiled Tristan with a light chuckled before looking over at Aramis. "Aramis's injuries are healing and whilst he could probably manage riding alone, for a short while anyway, I wouldn't recommend it."

"Hey!" protested Aramis, though it was ignored as Tristan continued to speak. "Riding taxes even the healthiest bodies," reminded the physician's assistant, "His horse moves slightly wrong and Aramis could find all his injuries jarred enough to either knock him out or knock him off his horse."

Silence reigned for a few moments before Porthos clamped a surprisingly gentle hand around his brother's shoulders, "Looks like you're with me 'Mis."

"Joy," grumbled the marksman, sarcasm thick in his voice as he mockingly glared at the smile his brother was now sporting. In truth, for all his protests, the marksman was nervous about riding and the pain it would cause him to do so.

Chuckling at his brother's pout Porthos moved his hand to ruffle the medic's hair before looking back at Athos, "We good to go then?"

"Who's there!" demanded Marcus as he drew his pistol whilst also kicking his companion Ethan awake, his eyes scanning the darkness for any explanation as to the sound he had heard during his watch.

He was grateful that his companion was not a heavy sleeper and woke after only one kick, the man jumping into action almost immediately after seeing the look on his friend's face.

Silence answered the red guard's call and for a moment he almost let himself believe that he had been mistaken, too paranoid after fleeing the musketeers that he was jumping at even made up sounds, but then he heard it again, a soft rustling followed by a twig snapping, the sound appearing to echo around the still clearing.

"We know you're there!" he snapped as he primed his pistol, "Come out!"

There were a number of people they might have expected to emerge from the tree and into the light of the clearing but none where who they were actually greeted by and both men felt the tension in the air ignite as the men stepped closer, his features slowly becoming illuminated by the light of the campfire.

"You weren't who I was looking for," spoke the voice with what they could only assume to be a forced calm as he continued to approach, his gaze locked on the wagon the two red guards were standing protectively in front of. "But I'll take it."

Forcing an air of confidence onto his face Marcus took a single step forward, his hand tightening its hold on his pistol. "It's certainly a surprise to see you as well… What can we do for you, Captain Treville?"