Wow, the response to the last chapter was amazing! Thank you all so much! Your kind words inspired me to get this next chapter done as quickly as I could :) We have the much needed Athos/d'Artagnan conversation. Yay! So, I'll let you get to it then!

Cindy

Chapter 11

It was four days past the day that d'Artagnan's fever broke and the young Gascon's condition was improving, but not nearly as quickly as the Inseparable wished. The young man had been moved from the infirmary to his room, at his request because in his words, "I am fine now. I do not need to be in the sick room," to which his brothers had grinned widely, each one thrilled to finally be seeing their stubborn brother returning to his somewhat normal self. He wasn't fine though, at least not yet. The doctor had come to check on him earlier in the day and announced that though he was on the mend, he was not fully out of the woods. He was worried about his continued fever and the fact that the boy was still barely eating or taking in fluids. He had stated that he would need complete bed rest until his urine was clear of any blood, to which d'Artagnan had objected quite fervently. One look from Athos had stopped the objections and the Gascon had lowered his eyes to his hands as they rested on his lap and had whispered an apology. This quick change in mood had brought a frown to Athos' face and he wondered for the hundredth time if he would ever regain the same relationship he had had with the Gascon before everything went to hell. While d'Artagnan interacted with the three Inseparables, answering questions that were asked of him and following instructions with mostly no grumblings, he was still distant and nervous with them, especially with Athos. He had begun to come around with Porthos and Aramis, gracing them with small, shy smiles when they helped him to eat or drink, which was not often, or to do his business when needed, but things were not so progressed with Athos. He was still quiet and unsure with the elder musketeer, avoiding eye contact as much as possible and it was driving Athos insane. Finally, he could take no more and requested that Porthos and Aramis leave him with their youngest brother. The two had agreed and once they were out of the room and the door shut behind them, Athos turned his full attention onto the now fidgeting Gascon.

"d'Artagnan, we need to talk," Athos said as he sat on the chair next to the bed, his cool eyes studying the young man's face as he looked everywhere but at his mentor.

"We talk," d'Artagnan whispered, his gaze dropping to his lap.

"No, I talk and you answer. You do not trust me, still, and I do not know what it is that you need from me to regain that trust," Athos commented, his chin resting on his clasped hands, elbows on his knees.

d'Artagnan glanced up, but then dropped his eyes once again. "I trust you, Athos," he softly said in response.

"Then what is it? Why will you not look me in the eye? Why do I feel that even though you are right here in front of me, you are still so far away?" Athos asked.

Athos watched as d'Artagnan nervously played with the blanket's edge, the young man biting down on his lower lip, which Athos found so utterly endearing that he found himself yearning to reach out and draw the Gascon to his chest. Instead, he waited patiently for a reply. When it didn't come, he prompted further.

"d'Artagnan?"

A heavy sigh proceeding a soft, unsure voice said, "You have not forgiven me and…and I do not blame you, but…I…I truly wish that someday you can. I am ashamed, Athos…for what I did. I slept with your wife and…for…" d'Artagnan's words broke off into a sob and the young man turned his head away. He flinched when he felt a touch to his arm and slowly looked over to see Athos' hand resting at his wrist.

"d'Artagnan, there is nothing for me to forgive you for. I…"

"I am the reason my father is dead…you were right about that. Not for the reason you believe, but he is dead none the less and I did nothing to stop it. We were at that in because I insisted we stop," d'Artagnan glanced up at his brother, then dropped his eyes again, the young man unable to look into the eyes of the man he had betrayed so fully.

Athos closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm his racing heart. He opened his eyes when he felt d'Artagnan pull his arm away from his touch. He had to end this and it had to be now. He cleared his throat and though d'Artagnan did not look up, he could tell that the Gascon was listening.

"Please, do not take to heart words spoken by a drunk and foolish man. You did nothing wrong. You did not know me when you slept with Milady and I know that you would never conspire with anyone against your brothers. And as for your father…that was a cruel thing for me to say. It was intended to hurt you and it did just that. I do not know if I can ever forgive myself for causing you such pain, yet I crave that forgiveness from you. It is I who needs to beg for forgiveness, d'Artagnan, not you." Athos dropped his gaze when he saw tears fill his brother's eyes. He could not bear to see the pain in their soulful depths. It was only when he felt the heat of d'Artagnan's hand fold over his hand that he looked up. He nearly gasped at the look in his brother's eyes.

d'Artagnan smiled warmly when he met his mentor's gaze and Athos felt his spirit soar with that one look. He nearly wept when that which he sought was freely given without hesitation. "Athos, of course you are forgiven. You are my brother and I would die for you in a second," the Gascon whispered, dark eyes finally holding Athos' gaze without dropping away after only a fleeting second.

Athos let out a half sob, half laugh as he pulled his brother up and into his arms. He rejoiced when he felt d'Artagnan return the embrace. Finally, after several moments, the men pulled away from each other. Athos eased d'Artagnan back against his pillows then leaned back in his chair. He looked at his brother and wondered once again at how easily the boy had found a place in his heart. He was special, there was no denying that and Athos felt privileged to have met him, as he knew his fellow Inseparables felt too. With the thought of his brothers he leaned forward once more.

"d'Artagnan?" he asked.

The Gascon looked up at him and smiled. "Yes, Athos? What is it?"

"Will you be forgiving our brothers, just as you have forgiven me? They are riddled with guilt and I know that guilt weighs heavily on their hearts," Athos replied.

"All is forgiven and forgotten," was the answer he received.

"You are an amazement, my young Gascon friend," Athos said. He was startled when another voice called from behind him.

"That he is," Aramis' voice sounded, bringing Athos' and d'Artagnan's attention to where both Aramis and Porthos stood. The two men walked to the bed with a little more pep in their step. They sat on the opposite side of the bed and the three elder men were content to just sit in silence in each other's presence and count their blessings that a near tragedy had been averted. They all smiled fondly when d'Artagnan's eyes began to droop. Though he fought to stay awake, exhaustion took over and soon d'Artagnan was fast asleep, a ghost of a smile on his lips. The three Inseparables were just about to join him in slumber when the young Gascon gasped and jerked awake.

"d'Artagnan! What is wrong?" Aramis cried as he rested his hand on the young man's forehead.

"I…I just remembered!" the Gascon cried softly.

"Remembered what?" Porthos asked warily.

"My father! He was murdered!"

Athos reached out and gently grasped the young man's shoulder, hoping the touch would comfort him. "d'Artagnan, we already know this…"

"No! It was not a random act. He was sought out!"

The three musketeers glanced at each other with dread in their eyes. Milady had told them something about Richelieu being interested in d'Artagnan, but the urgency of finding the boy had ended the conversation before they could be told anything else. Was it possible that the cardinal's interest was connected to d'Artagnan's father's death? Athos turned his attention back to d'Artagnan and squeezed his shoulder gently.

"d'Artagnan, what do you mean he was sought out?" he asked.

d'Artagnan closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His heart pounded in his chest at what he had remembered. He opened his eyes and met his mentor's gaze. "Richelieu…he told me. My father died because Richelieu was afraid of him destroying him. There was bad blood, I do not know why, but the cardinal believed my father was coming to Paris not to demand relief from the taxes, but to give information that would destroy the cardinal. He had my father killed!"

"Oh, d'Artagnan. I am so sorry," Aramis whispered, the tone of his voice not betraying the rage he was feeling.

"There is more," d'Artagnan said as he moved his gaze to the medic.

"What is it?" Aramis asked.

"I…I was meant to die as well," d'Artagnan answered, the young man ignoring his brother's gasps as he continued. "Richelieu said that the d'Artagnan family name was meant to die that day with my father's and my deaths, but that his henchmen failed. When he found out that I had joined up with the musketeers, he hatched a new plan to not only destroy the musketeers, but me as well."

"That man is the devil," Porthos hissed.

"So, why did he want you to join the red guard? What would have happened if you would have said yes?" Athos asked coolly, though his mind was filled with rage.

"I suppose that once my defection to the red guard had done what he intended for it to do…hurt the Inseparables…he would have had me killed and dumped or buried somewhere."

"He needs to die! He will come after d'Artagnan again!" Porthos growled as he stood from his chair and began to pace the floor.

"No, I do not believe that he will. He must know by now that his plan was thwarted and that we know of his treachery. He is not so stupid as to make a move on d'Artagnan now," Athos reasoned, his hand still on d'Artagnan's shoulder.

"So what do we do now? He has to pay for what he has done," Aramis stated.

Athos sighed and looked at each of his brothers. "There is nothing we can do. There is no proof of any of this. Treville was right, the cardinal is untouchable," he said.

"He is not untouchable! I will kill him myself!" d'Artagnan hollered as he shot up and attempted to get out of bed. He gasped as pain shot through him and would have fallen to the floor if Athos had not been there to catch him.

"d'Artagnan! You cannot touch him! You will be hanged with no trial!" Athos cried as he tried to get the young man back into bed.

"So he gets away with it? I am supposed to just let this go? He had my father murdered, Athos!"

"I know, but you will have to be satisfied that someday he will get what he deserves. If you kill him, then you will be executed and then even in death, he will win."

d'Artagnan heard the truth in Athos' words and slumped onto the bed. His brothers helped to situate him so that he was comfortable, but they could see the devastation in his eyes and it killed them that they could not take that pain away. Porthos retook his seat and reached out and took the Gascon's hand. "d'Artagnan," he started, but stopped when his brother pulled his hand away and closed his eyes.

"I am tired. I wish to sleep now," d'Artagnan said, his voice tight as if he were on the edge of crying.

"Of course. You sleep. We'll be here when you wake up," Athos said.

d'Artagnan opened his eyes and looked at his brother. "You do not need to stay with me. I am on the mend and I am sure you all have better things to do than to watch over me," he said.

"Lad, there is no place that we need to be or would rather be than except right where we are," Aramis said, the medic smiling when d'Artagnan turned his sad gaze on him. "Please do not worry. These things tend to have a way of working themselves out. Richelieu will not get away with what he has done."

d'Artagnan gave Aramis a small, sad smile then whispered, "thank you," before closing his eyes once again. Within minutes the Gascon was asleep and his three brothers were left to wonder if their words could possibly be true. Would the cardinal pay for his sins? Or would he get away with the devastation he had caused to the one they held so dear?

And things were going so well! Poor d'Artagnan :'( Please let me know what you think! Reviews are love 3

Cindy