AN: Many thanks to my beta Raven. I will post on Sunday evennings per our schedule. Once a week guys. Unless something happens. Enjoy this one, and review. Meg

The silence was broken by the distinctive sound of munching. Three pairs of eyes turned to Ramon, who was busy devouring a meat pie. Jacqueline bit her lip in a nervous gesture, as she waited for a response from Ramon or Siroc. A sudden hissing noise from behind them caused her to jump slightly and Siroc ran to investigate. D'Artagnan was the only one who looked at her, his eyes reassuring with the warmth she had come to trust.

Still no one spoke. The silence was almost deafening, and her stomach knotted again. Her eyes roved about looking, hoping for something.

"Well? Will One of you say something, please?" She pleaded with her friends.

Siroc stopped a bottle in one hand ready to be poured. He looked up at her his concentration broken momentarily.

"What would you like me to say?" He questioned her, frowning in concentration.

"Si, mi amiga, what is it we are supposed to say?" Ramon had temporarily forgotten his dinner.

"You're not upset?" She looked at them genuinely perplexed by their lack of reaction.

Siroc sighed loudly, "You trusted D'Artagnan and logically it would be risky to involve more people as the more that knew, the greater the chance of someone telling the wrong person." He paused slightly, "I am not angry; you acted with your best judgment." He continued with his task, as if nothing had happened. D'Artagnan cleared his throat drawing Jacqueline's attention.

"Jacques, care for some practice, you could use some you know." She

glared at him, wishing he would just be himself and not the 'cad' he always reverted to at important moments when she really needed his softer side.

"Si, he might even beat you, amiga. You have not practiced in a long while." Ramon added with earnestly waving his bread at her to emphasize his point.

Jacqueline narrowed her eyes at D'Artagnan's raised eyebrows. "Have no fear, I can still beat you."

He smiled wickedly at her, "Oh really? I think this call for a wager. The loser does the winner's bidding for an entire afternoon?" He held his breath praying she would agree to the terms, a plan already forming in his mind.

Jacqueline picked up her rapier from its place on the bench. "Deal, But I warn you, I will think of something humiliating for you to do when you lose." They exited the lab, still trading insults, as if the past weeks had not happened.

Ramon shook his head, confused. "Here we go again." He was smiling,as if he was happy to have his friends back. Siroc merely muttered under his breath, as he continued with his latest invention.

Mazarin looked up from his documents as his new captain entered the room.

"I assume you have something to report." He said irritated at the interruption. The young man remained calm, as if he had nothing to fear.

"All is quiet sir." Too, quiet, he thought to himself.

"Captain, this is merely the calm before the storm, as they say. Keep your eyes open,." He paused and looked at him hard, "especially those musketeers. That will be all." Captain Edward Devonshire inwardly snickered.

"As you wish," he stated coldly. Edward was young., He had sailed from England and had been instantly welcomed into the guards and given the title of 'Captain' at the young age of twenty-five. He had an impressive list of accomplishments that the Cardinal liked. He also looked out only for himself, though the cardinal was not aware of this, he was very careful in that regard. Edward allowed him to see, only what he wanted him to. He brushed his sandy blonde hair away from his sea green eyes and rounded the corner of the market, just in time to see two musketeers heading in his direction. His eyes narrowed. One was that insulting, cocky D'Artagnan, the other unknown to him. Best make an introduction he thought grimly.

Jacqueline glared at D'Artagnan as they walked along.

"Tomorrow, meet me at the stable at noon." He continued, either not caring or ignoring her sour mood. He looked entirely too happy with himself for her peace of mind. He is up to something she thought, wondering if she should be curious or cautious. He had won earlier. And the only thing he had said was to meet him on the morrow, without any other word as to what she could expect for losing their wager.

"D'Artagnan, this is…" A deep voice cleared, interrupting her as she started to scold her companion.

"Musketeers, a good day to you," a polite voice said.

She turned towards the newcomer and nodded. "Sir, good morrow, I am musketeer Private Leponte." She offered her hand to shake, as she assessed him. He was commanding, tall, and handsome. Handsome? Where did that come from? She mentally shook herself.

"Captain, Edward Devonshire of the Cardinal's Royal Guards." He caught the startled look in the musketeer's eyes before he shook his hand. He nodded briefly at D'Artagnan before turning and walking off. I had better keep my eyes on those two.

"Captain, as in Bernard's replacement?" She croaked out at D'Artagnan.

He shrugged at her sympathetically. "Yeah, although, this one has a few more morals that the last two." He noticed her raised eyebrows at that. "In fact, he's not only been polite in acknowledging our presence, he has 'discouraged' his men from provoking us into what he deems 'unnecessary waste of skills' or fighting with us, basically."

Jacqueline's eyes followed the captain as he continued walking away. "That's a little strange, what does Duval think of this?"

D'Artagnan rolled his eyes. "He said to be nice, give him a chance, and keep our eyes open. Listen, I need to see to a few things, I'll see you back at the garrison." He started to leave and then stopped. "Remember, noon on the morrow, at the stables, and don't be late." He laughed, as she threw her hands up and stalked off to get ready for her patrol with Siroc.