Evening My Lovelies

I'm a bit worried about how I've presented our boys today as I'm thinking they might be a bit out of character... Though I would like you to remember that Aramis is in a lot of pain and that's making him all crabby and snappish.

Notes On Reviews:

Deana: Thanks for the review - Glad you liked it :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

FierGascon: Thanks for the review - Yay I'm happy you liked it :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - I was going to have him beat him up but I figured that wouldn't help them make their case to Corinne and she desperately needs to accept the truth. Remy wont admit it but yeah he thinks of Aramis as a friend :) As for your request... I have no idea what you mean by donnybrooke so... maybe? Enjoy the new chapter! x

Tidia: Thanks for the review - Yay glad you liked the twist but yes you're right, none of our boys are exactly out the woods yet :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Bwhahaha oh your reaction to Remy being Quentin's brother absolutely made my day :D I loved writing the Porthos/D'Art moment so I'm really happy you liked reading it :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

pheonixriv: Thanks for the review - Couldn't not have our boys to the rescue, our lovely D'Art needed something good to happen to him. Glad you're doing better :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - I'm not looking forward to writing the Corinne scene, she's going to be so utterly heartbroken :( Enjoy the new chapter! x

Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yay I'm loving your comments on Remy, he's great to write and it makes my day to hear how people are loving him. I was tempted to have it be someone else instead of our boys but figured our pup needed something good to happen to him :) Corinne's going to be so completely heartbroken when she accepts the truth... I'm almost feeling guilty about it :) Haha good to know you have no plans to die of a sugar overdose while I'm writing this :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Remy's a lot of fun to write so I'm happy you seem to be enjoying reading him. I have a plan in mind for later on where Athos's distrust of Remy might ease a bit. We'll be dealing with the Corinne very soon but we're focusing on our boys today. Enjoy the new chapter! x

f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - I think neither man is overly comfortable in admitting they count the other as a friend but both Aramis and Remy do think of the other as such... something we'll be seeing more of in a later chapter. Antoine might be wishing they had just dealt with him then and there giving what my evil mind is working on :) Poor Corinne's going to be so heartbroken I almost feel guilty :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - Yay, glad you liked the bit with D'Art and Porthos, I loved writing it and am really looking forward to seeing more moments like it in coming chapters. Athos wanted to beat him up but that wouldnt help when they deal with Corinne. Hmmm yeah Antoine definitely didnt have his head on when he said that. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of Remy, especially when Quentin returns, should be good :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Gotta love Remy :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - I'll be honest, I hadn't planned on them being brothers but the idea came to me when I was writing and it seemed like such a good idea :D I'm loving people's reaction to the news though :D Poor D'Art's going to be needing the comfort that's for sure. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Glad you liked the flashback. I wasn't originally going to make the pair of them brothers but it seemed like such a good idea when it came to me...and it works perfectly with what I've got planned for later chapters. Bwhaha I was going to say "You like him don't you" but i figured that'd allude to something I wasn't sure I wanted to happen lol though I will admit I'm quite liking the idea of maybe our lovely Remy having a bit of crush on our medic :D I'm really really looking forward for when Quentin returns now as he and Remy should have some dramatic/emotional moments. The brotherly moments in that chapter were so much fun to write and the mental image was too cute to be refused. We've got some more comfort ones coming in the next few chapters which I'm really really looking forward writing... we may even get another snuggly moment, haven't had one of those in a while :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

KarenF (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yay glad you liked it and dont worry we'll be seeing that in a later chapter :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

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

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Home Again

Treville was standing at the garrison gates when they arrived, his eyes wide with worry as they took in the shaking form of D'Artagnan nestled protectively in Porthos's arms, though his expression quickly turned to one of confusion when he saw the man restrained and being forced along by his lieutenant.

"Athos…"

With a grunt the swordsman pushed his prisoner forward, sending the man toppling into Treville's arms. "I'll explain when D'Artagnan's been seen to," stated the musketeer as he glared daggers at the restrained man.

Knowing full well his lieutenant wouldn't have done such a thing without a good reason Treville nodded, stating he would have him put in one of the holding cells before coming to check on the four of them in the infirmary.

The return of the remaining inseparables caused a bit of a stir around the garrison and the noise levels caused a very much in pain Aramis to wake, only to find he was being watched over by a surprising figure.

"W-Wouldn't have… guessed you… would visit," he rasped, wincing at the pain shooting through him, though he offered his companion a small thankful smile as they helped him drink a pain draught.

"This doesn't mean I forgive or believe you," stated a feminine voice as she brushed a stray lock of hair from the musketeer's face. "But you saved Charlie, the least I can do is watch over you."

"If… it makes you uncomfortable…"

"I can handle it Aramis," smiled Corinne softly before appearing to hesitate as she struggled with her next words, "I'm sorry!" she stammered, guilt and a small amount of shame flickering across her face before she looked down, hiding her face from Aramis's limited view.

Confusion caused Aramis's brows to furrow, "for what?" he asked quietly, his foggy mind struggling to keep up with the conversation as the pain from his wound threatened to overpower him.

"I shouldn't have slapped you… let alone twice," she mumbled, "You helped Charlie and only told us what you suspected because you felt we deserved to know. I… shouldn't have hit you for that."

Aramis's expression softened as he weakly took the young woman's hand in his own. "We should not have dumped it on you like we did, your reaction was both warranted and expected. I have suffered far worse wounds than that my lady, don't worry about me."

Corinne frowned and opened her mouth to speak when the slamming of the main infirmary door caught their attention.

"Okay, what's going on out there?" growled Aramis weakly, his head was already pounding and that plus the throbbing of his wounds that the pain draught couldn't eliminate was making him very crabby and the ruckus going on outside his room was not helping his mood.

Just then the door to their room opened and Treville entered, looking nervous and worried, instantly setting Aramis on edge.

"Captain?" asked Corinne quietly, her hand subconsciously tightening it's grip on Aramis's.

"Athos and Porthos have returned."

Aramis's eyes widened as he tried to force himself to sit up, only to let out a small scream of pain as the movement pulled his stitches.

"Aramis!" exclaimed Treville as he rushed to the man's side, quickly moving the bandages covering the wound to check on the stitches, sighing in relief once he was sure none of them had torn.

"C-Captain!" pleaded Aramis through haggard breaths as he struggled with the pain now surging through him. It was a stupid move on his part to have attempted to move, he knew that, but he had reacted without thinking and now his body was punishing him for it.

Treville's worried expression softened, as he instantly understood what was being asked of him. "They found him," he nodded, smiling fondly at the look of complete relief on the musketeer's face at his words whilst also hating himself for what he was about to say. "Aramis…"

The medic's smile faltered at this, the seriousness of his Captain's voice penetrating through the haze of pain and bubbles of relief, effectively quashing both.

Aramis's eyes widened as his mind instantly went to the worst possibly scenario, "H-He's n-not…"

Shaking his head rapidly Treville placed a comforting hand on Aramis's uninjured shoulder. "He lives. His health has deteriorated from what I saw of him but he's fighting hard."

Aramis let out a breath he hadn't been aware he was holding as relief once again washed over him at the knowledge his little brother lived. Tears were building up in the man's eyes as he once again turned his focus to his Captain. "W-Where? … I need to see…"

"What you need to do is rest Aramis," implored Treville, though his expression remained soft, as he understood the medic's desire to see the man he considered a brother. "Athos, Porthos and Doctor Pascal are with him now. When there's news you'll know, but being there right now won't help anyone."

Aramis looked ready to protest but another wave of pain sent his vision spinning and it was only moments later that he was unconscious once again.

In the other room Athos and Porthos were fighting to hold down a struggling D'Artagnan. The boy remained unconscious but was thrashing as Doctor Pascal attempted to clean his burnt arm as when he had collapsed earlier that day he had caused part of the burn to tear.

The screams tearing their way through their brother's throat were enough that both musketeers were sure they'd be having nightmares for days. Worry filled both men though when D'Artagnan suddenly when limp and slack in their hold, both sets of panicked eyes shot to the physician for answers, relaxing only as the man sighed in relief.

"He's okay, the pain just got too much for him to handle, even unconscious."

Athos sighed, slumping back into a nearby chair and running a hand through his hair. He shared a look with Porthos, both men torn between staying with their brother and checking in on Aramis who had no doubt heard the agonized screams.

Deciding he couldn't leave the younger man alone Porthos turned to Pascal, the doctor continuing to work despite feeling the musketeer's eyes on him.

"How's 'e looking doc?"

"His trip from the infirmary has done the boy no favours," grunted the doctor as he began covering the burned arm with a salve to help it heal. "If his breathing's anything to go by then his pneumonia's gotten worse, his stitches are torn and you've seen the additional damage done to his arm."

"What about his throat?" asked Athos his eyes never leaving D'Artagnan's pale face.

"Bruised but nothing worse from what I can tell, seems you both got there right on time."

For the next couple of hours the trio worked relentlessly to treat the younger man, despite both Pascal and Porthos having to physically force Athos to sit and rest his knee multiple times.

The group were well aware of the growing tension of those outside the room though they refused to let it distract them from their task and before long they had done everything they could for the younger man, leaving the rest up to him until it was time for his next dose of medicine.

"What do we do about 'Mis?" asked Porthos as both he and Athos began to prepare to go and check on their other brother and give him the news. "You know he'll wanna see the kid."

In that split second the worry that had been lining Athos's face vanished as an expressionless mask took its place. Shaking his head he began to leave the room, leaving a confused Porthos with no other option but to follow him.

"I don't think that's wise. D'Artagnan did almost kill him. I won't risk it by putting them in a similar situation again."

Porthos opened his mouth to retort and protest the decision but then noticed they had reached the door to Aramis's room and instead a smirk found its way to his face. "Well, you can be the one to explain that to him."

The two musketeers had barely stepped three steps into the room when they realized they had three sets of very worried eyes watching them.

"D'Artagnan?" asked Treville hesitantly, the hand on Aramis's shoulder telling the two men how their Captain had to restrain the medic at least once during the last few hours. The medic was sitting up in his bed, supported by an impressive amount of pillows, staring at them with wide, worried eyes.

"Doc gave him everything 'e could to help him along, he's resting comfortably now."

"I need to see him," stated Corinne before heading out of the room, only being stopped briefly by Athos's hand on her arm. "We will need to speak later but stay with him for now, he needs you."

Corinne looked confused at the swordsman's words but nodded regardless before all but running out of the room.

"Where is he?" asked Aramis as he watched his brothers with appraising eyes.

"The room at the end of the hall," stated Athos calmly as he watched his brother, his expressionless mask still on his face.

"Why?"

"It was available."

Aramis huffed, wincing slightly at the pain in his body. "You know what I mean Athos… Why was he not put in here?"

"You need rest."

Scowling Aramis shifted slightly to better address his brother, his snarky nature coming out in response to the pain of his wounds. "Well I've had a nap so I'd like to see him now."

"No," stated Athos, apparently unaffected by the sassiness of his brother.

Treville could practically feel the tension in the room increase and decided to step out, leaving the men to deal with whatever was going on themselves.

"What?" hissed Aramis, his eyes narrowing into a glare as he stared at his brother.

"He almost killed you Aramis," Athos said stoically as he nodded to the bandage on his brother's chest.

Aramis's eyes widened in disbelief before anger filled them and for once he was grateful for the short temper the pain of his wounds had given him as it meant he simply did not have the patience to deal with his brother dragging this out any longer than it needed to.

"You make it sound like he's one of the criminal's we chase down," snarled Aramis as fury filled his voice. "He's our brother! He was sick and reliving one of the worst moments of his life. He wouldn't have been able to do anything if I hadn't been stupid enough to leave my pistol there so don't you dare act like he's some common thug!"

"That's not what he's saying 'Mis," soothed Porthos, though he did understand the fear that was causing Athos to try and keep the two apart. Walking in to see his closest and dearest friend bleeding out had nearly broken the larger man and if it had been anyone other than his other brother the musketeer had serious doubts about whether he would ever be able to forgive them.

"I don't blame him for what happened," snapped Aramis, though he had to pause what he was going to say next when a brief dizzy spell hit him.

"I need to see him Athos," pleaded the medic, sounding more distraught than angry and it worried both the men.

"He's going to blame himself. We can't let him do that, it wasn't his fault!"

"He shot you Aramis!" exclaimed Athos, the carefully controlled expressionless mask falling as he all but yelled at the man, the memory of seeing him bleeding on the ground playing on repeat in his mind.

"AND YOU SHOT HIM!" screamed Aramis moments before he collapsed back against the pillows, his chest heaving as his eyes screwed shut in pain.

"Breathe 'Mis," instructed Porthos as he rubbed his brother's arm comfortingly, both men too preoccupied to notice the stunned expression on Athos's face.

Once he recovered from his outburst Aramis forced his weary eyes open to glare once again at his brother. "I seem to remember you doing serious damage to D'Artagnan when you were drunk… Not sick like he was but drunk." Athos flinched at the reminder of that horrific day but Aramis wasn't done. "D'Artagnan didn't blame you, nor was his wary or hesitant in how he reacted to you after that so what gives you the right to act like that to him? He needs us Athos, we're all he has!"