Evening My Lovelies

Wow I just wanted to say thank you for the lovely reviews for yesterdays chapter. I was really worried and nervous about it but the reviews really made me feel 1000x better about it so thank you so much for that!

Notes On Reviews:

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

criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - It was so nice having protective Athos and cutesy brotherly moments :D Glad you liked reading them. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yay I'm so so glad I got the cuteness right and that you enjoyed it. Things are still going to be a bit tense, as you'll see in coming chapters but things are definitely going in the right direction. Enjoy the new chapter! x

FierGascon: Thanks for the review - They're not on completely okay terms but things are definitely on the right track now... Don't worry though I have a dramatic plan to get our boys all back together and happy again :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Ebm36: Thanks for the review - You have no idea how much of a relief that is to hear :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - OMG I think your review completely made my day :D I was so worried about that chapter but your review got rid of all of that so thanks :D Glad you liked all the cuteness in that one, I'll admit I was really happy to be able to write such brotherly moments :D I'm afraid they can't stay like that the rest of story as we have some more drama coming their way soon :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yay I'm really glad you liked it. It was really hard to write Athos as I wanted him to be open but he's typically not one to talk about his emotions or what's bothering him so I really struggled getting the balance right... though judging by the comments I've received I think I managed to do it :D I'm absolutely ecstatic that you think that was the best chapter and I hope I can continue to live up to that standard :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - They've still got ways to go before they'll all fine again but that conversation was definitely a good start :) Hmm I'm quite glad you mentioned Quentin as he'll be showing up again very very soon :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - Yay I'm glad you liked it. D'Art is likely to suffer more nightmares before the end (mainly as I LOVE writing them :) ) I actually have one planned for a few chapters time so we've got that to look forward to :) Things are still going to be a bit tense for our boys as you'll see in coming chapters but don't worry... I have a dramatic plan to get them back together again :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

IsubiCraven: Thanks for the review - Yay I'm really glad you liked it :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Things are improving for the boys but we've got a bit more before they're all as comfortable around each other like they were before. Hmm I quite like you comments about Remy... I do have to admit that part of the reason he reappeared was because I missed him lol :) As for whether he'll help them with his brother... you'll have to wait and see :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

MicheeO: Thanks for the review - BWHAHAHA OMG I loved that! Part of me wishes I could actually write that it's brilliant XD Enjoy the new chapter! x

WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - The conversation between them was hard to write as I wanted it perfect so I'm really really happy you seemed to like it :D The "don't belong here" thought is definitely one to be worried about as it's going to be bothering our pup for a while :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Yes! *fist pump* I'm so happy/relieved that you liked it :D It was such a troubling chapter to write as I had to rewrite it several times but after receiving all the reviews I'm really glad I stuck with the version I did :D Glad you liked the whumping bit at the beginning, I wanted something to guilt Athos but also surprise D'Art and ... well.. I'm evil so whumpage had to happen :D Our boys still have some ways to go to be back to what they were but don't worry I have a dramatic plan to get them back there... the start of which we'll be seeing start within the next few chapters. I couldn't resist the cupping cheeks so I'm glad you liked it (was too cute an image to ignore) I'm really really happy you liked their snuggly moment at the end it was added just for you :D Enjoy the new chapter!

Tidia: Thanks for the review - The conversation definitely helped but they've still got a bit before they're back to what they were before all this happened. Enjoy the new chapter! x

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

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Forty-Five: Concerns and Curiosities

SEVERAL DAYS EARLIER

"You've got a lot of nerve showing up here empty handed," snarled a voice thick with contempt. The owner of said voice was leaning against the doorframe, his face set with a glare directed at the person in front of him.

To the speaker's surprise and curiosity the man at his door merely smirked.

"You should know be better than that by now," smirked the second man, "I never show up empty handed."

With a sigh that was full of the frustration he felt for giving into his curiosity the man took a step back, allowing the second man entry. "We can talk in my office, but do not think for one second I will not have my men escort you out, violently, should whatever you have brought me not deliver.

"Oh trust me," grinned the second man as he walked behind the first, "You'll be thanking me before this meetings out."

The first man raised an eyebrow at the impressive declaration before settling himself into his chair behind his desk while nodding at the other spare chair for his companion.

"That's quite a promise from someone who not only showed up almost a week late to our original meeting but also failed to bring the goods I was promised."

"Come now," smirked the second man as he made himself comfy in the plush seat. "I explained the problem to you in the letter I sent. I wasn't exactly in the best condition to be riding across the countryside… beside what I have now will more than make up for our last arrangement."

"Oh?" said the first man, his voice full of curiosity as he leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk and his chin resting on his hands. "And what could you have that makes up for the fortune you lost me not even two weeks ago?"

The second man shrugged, feeling confident in the knowledge he currently held. "Just the names and locations of the musketeers that caused you all that trouble before."

What the second man hadn't been anticipating was how quickly his companion would react to the news, nor how violent he would become as mere moments later he found himself on the ground gasping for air as his companion had forced the chair to the ground, sending him with it and knocking the air out of his lungs.

"You had better not be lying to me Quentin," snarled the man as he pressed a small blade under the scarred man's chin and from where he was now lying Quentin could see the scar that had been left on his companion's skin by the musketeer Aramis.

With a speed that impressed even him given his current gasping status Quentin quickly described Aramis to his companion, relaxing and gaining his confidence back with every millimeter further away from him the blade moved.

"Who is he?" snarled the man, his hand moving subconsciously to rest above the patch of scarred skin.

With a smirk Quentin rose from the ground, grimacing slightly as he felt the pain in his own wounds, though he pushed them down, focusing on the mission at hand.

"His name's Aramis and considering how passionate two other members of his regiment were to rescue him I would easily wager they played a part in the operation that cost you your business. They're names are Athos and Porthos I believe and by now I imagine they are back in Paris, recovering from their wounds."

"They being in Paris does little to help me," spat Quentin's companion. "A city full of soldiers who protect their own to the death leaves me with very few revenge options."

Quentin smirked, "That Marshall," he grinned evilly, "Is why you have me."

PRESENT DAY

For the umpteenth time that hour Porthos found himself staring at the door to Aramis's room.

He was desperate to know how the conversation between their leader and their youngest was going. He had heard, what sounded like, D'Artagnan yelling some time ago but it had all been silent since then and the larger musketeer wasn't entirely sure how to take that.

On the one hand he was tempted to go and knock on the door, to see them both with his own eyes but then his brain reminded him that he could very well do more harm than good if he interrupted at the wrong time. What if Athos was in the middle of something important when he entered? D'Artagnan could end up getting the wrong understanding of things and then they'd be in a worse position then they were already and he wasn't sure if he could handle being responsible for that.

"mmm, W-W'ats wrong?" slurred a groggy voice that had Porthos's worried frown instantly switching into an amused grin.

"Nice to see you awake sleepy head," teased the larger musketeer as he grabbed some water for his friend to drink, making sure it was laced with a pain draught to help deal with his wound. "How you feeling?"

Aramis grimaced at the taste of the medicine but willingly drank it otherwise, the bitter taste helping him wake up enough to actually register he had been asked a question.

"…Sore," he admitted with a pout, hating how every part of his body seemed to ache and radiate with pain. "… And tired."

Porthos chuckled at the pout but Aramis could see the concern in his eyes and it warmed his heart.

It was at this point that the newly awake musketeer noticed they were missing someone.

"…'Thos?"

This made the amusement drain right out of Porthos as he looked to the door once again, worry and concern flashing across his features. "Talkin' to the whelp," he muttered, slightly distracted now his thoughts were back on their absent brothers.

Aramis began to smile until he noticed the worry on Porthos's face. "How long?"

"Couple of hours," shrugged the larger man, "He left not long after you fell asleep."

"D'Art hasn't kicked him out yet, that's a good sign," said Aramis lightly, hoping to help ease some of the nervous tension his brother was feeling.

"Or Athos is too stubborn to leave," chuckled Porthos before he had finally had enough and moved to stand, pausing only to quickly look to Aramis, who was watching him with a knowing glint in his eyes. "I'm gonna check on them, be back in a bit."

However despite the confidence he had portrayed to Aramis before he left Porthos found his concerns building once again as he approached the door. He desperately wanted the two of them to be building bridges and he knew how much Athos had wanted that same thing… but Porthos also knew how stubborn both men could be when they really put their minds to it and he really wouldn't have put it passed either man to just be sitting there in silence, glaring at the other daring him to break first.

Chuckling at that mental picture Porthos decided to just bite the bullet and softly knock on the door. His amusement faded several moments later when he heard no response. Whispering a quiet apology the musketeer gently eased the door open, his eyes going wide at what he saw.

Treville was at a loss on what to do as he stared down at the piece of parchment in his hand. One the one hand he was pleased to have received word from the men he still had out in the field hunting down Quentin but on the other he was both worried at what word they had sent and frustrated at the decision the men had seemed to come to regarding it.

With a sigh the Captain sunk back into his chair, his eyes skimming over the short note once more on the hopeless chance it would reveal something else to him:

Captain Treville.

Our apologies for not sending word sooner but it took some time to get any sort of leads on Quentin and his movements.

Unfortunately the information we did find was not what we had been hoping for. We have two differing locations for where the man is heading and both are in completely opposite directions, though I feel we should warn you that one of those directions would lead him to Paris.

As Paris seems to be the likeliest option, given the man's reputation for revenge, we have decided to split up.

Corbett will be following the second lead and if he finds nothing else corroborating it in the next day or two he is to double back and catch up with myself and Issac who are heading back to Paris in the hopes of catching the man before he reaches the city.

We will be in touch should we learn anything new.

Favier.

With a growl Treville scrunched up the letter and threw it across the room, furious that they had decided to split up whilst terrified about what could very easily happen to Corbett if the second lead was the correct one. Treville had seen the damage done to the men who had spent time in Quentin's company and he dreaded to think what could happen to Corbett if he was found out.

Before he could think on it anymore there was a knock on the door.

"Enter," he ordered off-handedly, his glare still on the balled up piece of paper across the other side of the room.

"Sir," nodded Blaise as he entered the room.

"What can I do for you Blaise?" asked Treville, curious as to why he was in his office when he had been one of the men in charge of watching the man Athos and Porthos had brought in when they found D'Artagnan.

It had sickened Treville to learn that the man was D'Artagnan's uncle and he had been forced to order several members of the regiment, namely Alain who was fiercely protective of his friend, away from the man's cell once the rest of the regiment learned that piece of information as well.

"He keeps demanding to see his daughter sir," explained Blaise, looking all too fed up with the man he had volunteered to guard. The only reason he had offered up his time as a guard was to ensure the man never got close to D'Artagnan again but the man had been really trying his patience over the last few hours.

Treville sighed; guilt welling up within him as he thought of how much pain that meeting would cause the younger woman.

"It's best if she speaks to D'Artagnan about it first. From what Athos told me, her initial reaction to the news was not the most accepting, bringing her to meet him before learning the truth from the only other person she trusts will not help her accept the truth."

Blaise nodded, understanding the Captain's thought process completely. "Can I gag him at least?" asked the man teasingly, though his grin turned to a smirk when he saw Treville shrug.

"I'll check in with Athos and the others in the morning and see if D'Artagnan is up for having that conversation with his cousin, until that happens I don't want her even knowing her father is here."

Blaise nodded before turning to leave, his gaze flickering to the infirmary as he made his way back to the holding cells.

When Athos opened his eyes the following morning he was surprised to see a blanket covering both him and D'Artagnan. He was sure that when they had drifted off that the Gascon was the only one covered.

Reasoning that one of his brothers, likely Porthos as it was highly doubtful the man would let Aramis out of bed any time soon, had come in to check on the at some point in the night and had covered the pair of them with one of the infirmary's spare blankets.

Pushing that thought out of his head Athos turned his attention to the young man nestled against him.

He knew they still had a long way to go both in repairing their relationship and in healing the younger man but the simple fact the Gascon had willingly slept beside him was a good sign in Athos's books. Now he was hoping they could continue this positive streak when the boy woke.