Evening My Lovelies

Well, this chapter just didn't want to be written. I had such plans for this chapter but writing them down decently proved to be an issue so I'm sorry about the delay. I've finally gotten it to a point I'm happy with so I'm hoping it is worth the wait :D

Notes On Reviews:

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha yeah I figured our boys would be nosy sods lol :D I'm really happy to hear what you said about Vernier, I really wanted the possibility of him being the traitor to be believable, I wanted the fact that he wasn't to come as much of a surprise to you lovely lot as it was to our boys and it seems like I managed that so I'm really happy :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

beeblegirl: Thanks for the review - Yep :D I'm evil like that :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysAramisRios: Thanks for the review - Haha yeah they've definitely been thrown off-kilter, we'll be seeing who's with the pup tonight. Enjoy the new chapter! x

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

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Sixty-Five: To Catch A Rat V

Earlier That Day…

It was almost comical how the inseparables were acting he mused as he watched the three senior members of the quarter stand huddled not too far from their youngest, speaking in fast, hushed voices. They were hardly being subtle regarding the seriousness or importance of their discussion and it was only due to the number of men in the camp that their actions were currently going unnoticed… well, largely unnoticed.

As for the subject of their discussion, that didn't take a genius to figure out, not when they all, at separate points, made an effort to glance over towards Vernier, the very man he had just offered them information on. This made his largely convinced that the identity of the 'concerned friend' was the subject of their discussion, along with the fact that said 'friend' was actually a member of their very own regiment.

Still… There was a very small chance that he was wrong, that his own paranoia over being caught was causing him to read too much into things so he remained causal, not willing to break his cover until he had a reason to, even if he was honestly surprised it had taken them this long to possibly come to that realization.

Thankfully he didn't have to wait too long for a reason to act as mere minutes later saw the departure of both Aramis and Porthos from the camp, something that, on its own, would have been largely innocuous but when coupled with the additional departure of both Athos and Vernier mere minutes after that became a clear sign that, at the very least, the inseparables were now aware of the traitor in their midst.

With the departure of the inseparables, he turned his focus to the Captain, watching with covert interest as Treville, becoming aware of the fact that the men had left, shifted into a protective position by D'Artagnan's side, the youngest inseparable still unconscious due to his illness.

He knew it was only a matter of time before the inseparables realized he had served them up a patsy, not the true 'concerned friend,' so he would need to act fast with the next part of his plan before they returned with their gaze narrowed.

His rapid planning was interrupted a few moments later when he heard a curse fly from the lips of Gaspard, who quickly called over his assistant, the pair rapidly talking in hushed voices as they leaned over the unconscious Etienne.

Inwardly smirking at his luck he decided to make his move, forcing an overly worried and concerned look on his face he approached the Captain and Gascon, the look on his face immediately grabbing Treville's attention.

"I think something has happened with Etienne," he stated in a concerned voice that wasn't entirely forced. Knowing he now had the Captain's full attention he made quick work of explaining what he had heard and seen, not missing the rapidly growing desire in Treville's eyes to seek out his own answers, though it appeared his self-imposed duty to remaining by D'Artagnan's side was preventing him from acting on it.

"I can stay with him if you'd like?" he offered innocently gesturing towards the unconscious Gascon. "Athos looked like he had some business with Vernier so he might be a while, I can stay until either of you get back if you'd rather not leave him alone." He was careful to stress Vernier's name, reminding the Captain that as far as his precious inseparables were concerned the threat was now away from camp.

The reminder worked and with some reluctance Treville agreed, stressing that he was to remain by D'Artagnan's side until either he or one of the inseparables returned, something he was quick to agree to, hiding the darker parts of his smile from showing until the Captain's back was fully towards him as he walked away.

"Now then," he muttered quietly as he glanced down to the younger man, his hand slowly moving to retrieve something from his jacket…

Now…

Athos, upon realizing just who was sat beside his protege stormed through the camp, not bothering to pay any attention to the curious look his actions drew from the rest of the men, Aramis and Porthos following half a step behind, matching looks of horror and anger on their faces, though the anger was significantly more prominent on Aramis's.

"Welcome back," grinned the musketeer sat by D'Artagnan's side, looking far too casual for one facing down three of the regiment's best fighters.

"Corneau," growled Athos as he fought the urge to draw his sword. He knew doing so would prompt alarm and outrage from the rest of the regiment and that was something he couldn't risk, not with the potential traitor sat within touching distance of his baby brother. There was also the fact he had been wrong once already today, he would hate to act out of misguided anger if he was proven to be wrong again.

"Treville had some business with Gaspard," shrugged Corneau with obvious nonchalance as he reached over to lightly pat D'Artagnan's leg, not missing the way the three men before him tensed at the action, "Something with Etienne. I offered to sit with your puppy until one of you returned."

"Well we're here now," snapped Porthos, noting how Corneau didn't react at all to his venomous tone, "You can go."

With a shrug, Corneau rose to his feet a smirk slowly growing on his face as he took a few steps away from the Gascon, not missing the way the three men moved to immediately block his access back to the younger man, not that he needed it… not now anyway.

"No problem," he said with another shrug, a mixture of excitement and anticipation growing in his stomach as he watched the object he had left by the younger man's side catch the marksman's attention when the man had knelt down to check over the ill youngster. Looking back at Athos he added, "Just trying to be a concerned friend."

That final phrase was all the confirmation the inseparables needed but the boldness of the man before them caused them to pause for a moment at the revelation, giving the man enough time to turn around, his darkening smirk hidden from their view as Aramis let out a horrified gasp, his eyes narrowing on the man he had, only hours earlier, considered a friend, a small, empty vial now gripped tightly in his hand.

"What. Did. You. Do?"