A/N: Thanks for all your amazing support for this story! I'm sorry, but the sadness is going to continue for just a bit longer. Get your tissues ready...

The Loss

Chapter 5

The air was tense in the garrison as the men waited for the news from the infirmary.

Christine sat in the chair next to Adam's bed and gently brushed the hair from his face. His body was covered in a cold sweat despite the number of blankets that had been placed upon him. Bernard sat on the other side grasping his brother's hand. Aramis stood against the doorway, his rosary in hand, silently reciting prayers for the man; Cornet and Francois stood silently next to him.

Adam had come around a few times as his various brothers had come in to pay their respects. His eyes were half-open now and a calmness clung to him. He knew the end was near, but he was prepared now; he was surrounded by loved ones.

"Christine," he muttered as he turned to look at her, his eyes fluttering as they tried to focus. His breathing had become more laboured.

"I'm here," she said as her hands continued to comfort the young man.

"I'm glad," he said. "I'm glad you're with me. I'm grateful to see your face one last time," he said. "I'm lucky…to have had your friendship. I love you Christine. Be happy, my friend."

Christine squeezed his arm and nodded through her tears that had begun to fall. "And I love you, my friend. We'll meet again," she whispered and smiled at him, her eyes burning through the tears.

"Not too soon, I hope,' he said, with a slight chuckle that turned into a cough. Blood speckled his lips as he coughed.

"Aramis," Adam said, "Thank you for all you did."

"Adam, I –"

Adam shook his head slightly. "You did all you could. Thank you. Please, give my love to D'Artagnan, and the Captain. I know you and your brothers will find whoever's responsible," he said, and coughed again. "Promise me you'll take care of her. Promise me you'll keep her safe. Promise me you'll make her happy."

"I swear," Aramis said. Adam nodded.

"Brothers," he said next, looking at Francois and Cornet. "I'm afraid our journey has ended. Watch over each other, and I will watch over you, always. Your love, our brotherhood has meant everything."

Francois choked down a sob and Cornet put his arm around his shoulders. His own tears fell silently. He searched for some word of comfort for his brother, but for once the man was lost for words. He smiled at his brother as broadly as he could muster and gave him a wink. Adam took in all the meaning in that simple gesture and his eyes began to droop as he took a deep and painful breath, but he maintained the smile on his face.

"Bernard," he said, turning finally to the musketeer still desperately gripping his hand.

"Shush," he said. "There's no need. You don't have to –"

Adam gave a soft laugh. "Still trying to take care of me," he said and smiled at the man though his eyes were nearly closed.

"I love you brother," Bernard whispered.

"I know," said Adam, his voice barely discernible now. "I love you too. You need to be strong now, as you always are. You and Fran and Cornet will need to look after each other now. One day, you'll meet a fourth. Be to him as you were to me: a friend, a mentor, and a brother. You were the best of brothers a man could ask for. Keep your hearts open, my friends."

"All for one," Bernard whispered.

"And one for all," Cornet and Francois echoed.

Adam smiled once more at all those gathered around him. He drew a deep breath, his hand giving Bernard's one more slight squeeze. His eyes drew closed and he was gone.

Bernard shuddered and began to sob, unable to hold in his pain any longer.

Francois turned into Cornet, weeping openly on his shoulder while the man wrapped him in a protective embrace and whispered words of comfort.

Christine rose silently. Brushing the hair from Adam's face one last time, she bent over the body of her friend, and as her tears dropped onto his cheeks, she kissed him.

She sobbed as Aramis stepped forward; she curled into his side and wept into his chest. Aramis placed his right hand over Adam's brow, and making the sign of the cross, he blessed him.

"Rest now brother. Your service has ended," he whispered.

oOo

Christine and Aramis withdrew from the room, allowing the three brothers to grieve together. Stepping into the main room of the infirmary, they were greeted by the bright eyes of Porthos, Athos and D'Artagnan.

Christine was still pressed to his side her eyes cast down, but Aramis' eyes burned back at his brothers. Each man could sympathize with the pain the three men in that room must now endure. In their silent language they once again swore to defend, love and protect each other and the ones they loved until the end. Aramis silently thanked God for these three men and the woman at his side.

"You should let Treville know," he said as he made his way to the infirmary door. Porthos nodded.

Aramis exited, leading Christine away from the infirmary. His sad eyes met those of the men waiting in the hallway. A few audible sobs cut through the quiet at the look on the medic's face. Treville's sharp eyes caught his; Aramis just nodded sadly as he led Christine to his chambers and Treville slowly entered the infirmary.

oOo

A still and heavy night had fallen over the garrison. Aramis and Christine lay in his bed in his garrison quarteers just holding and comforting each other. They made love that night, their bodies pledging their lives to each other, expressing their pain and their joy at being alive and secure in their love. They held each other close, their hearts pressed against each other, both savouring the steady thumps that echoed the words, "I swear".

oOo