I was sitting in the Minister's office, one of the palace cats in my lap, when I heard him in the hall.

"Arneau, what on earth happened to you?"

"There's someone waiting to see you, Minister. And they refused to make an appointment or wait out here."

"Fetch the palace guards while I see who this person is. Then report to the infirmary." Aramis told him as he opened the door.

He stepped into his office and ordered me, "Get out of my chair and away from my desk. The guards are on their way. I don't know why you thought it necessary to hurt my man or wait in here, but that behavior is not excusable."

The cat jumped on his desk, arched her back and hissed. I ran a hand over her, "Shhh, Camille, he doesn't know all of it."

"What do you mean don't know all of it? And why did you call her Camille?"

"Your men need lessons in better manners, Aramis. I wouldn't have laid a finger on him if he hadn't called me an ugly old thing. Or sneered as he said it, when he told me you weren't here. And her name is Camille."

Now he took a full look at me, taking in the long white hair, the blue eyes and the jagged scar on my right cheek. He managed an astonished "Kay" before there was a brief knock and Arneau entered with two guards.

"Minister, you called for us? One of the guards asked.

"It was a misunderstanding. My apologies, you can go. Arneau, you stay."

"Sir?"

"What exactly did you tell this lady when she asked to see see me?"

The way Arneau dropped his eyes told Aramis all he needed to know. "Report to the infirmary to have those cuts looks at, and be glad she went gentle on you. After that, you're on stable duty for two weeks, then re-assigned back to the garrison."

"Yes, sir."

Once we were alone again, Aramis pulled me out of his chair and into a tight hug. "it's good to see you, Kay. When I read Treville's letter, I couldn't believe it. Then you vanished. I'm glad you're here. Have you seen the others yet?"

Though he said others, we both knew he was talking about one person - Athos.

"No, and I don't plan to. The only reason I'm seeing you is to talk business. I don't want anyone knowing I'm here. Or even that I'm alive."

He gave me a look of astonishment and dismay as the door opened once more. A boy of about 10 years of age entered, followed by a lovely blonde women. Aramis greeted them familiarly, "Your majesties, is it that late already?"

I had flipped my cowl up as the door opened so my face was hidden. I stood silent watching Aramis with the young King Louis and his mother, Queen Anne. As the couple looked at each other, the love was evident in their eyes.

"Yes, you need to change." the young monarch ordered with a laugh. "The others will be here soon. And there will be no business talk with D'Artagnan or Porthos this time."

"It looks like we caught the Minister in a meeting, darling," the queen commented as she noticed me.

"My pardon, Your Majesties, I apologize for delaying Aramis. I will return at a later time to continue this talk." I made my way to the door, Aramis right behind me.

"Kay," he said softly, "stay, please. You know the others would love to see you."

"No. I told you, no one is to know. I know it will be difficult, but I ask this of you. And I will know if you say anything. I will be back about our business."

I left so he could have the evening with his family.