Evening (or in my case very very early morning) My Lovelies

Sorry this is later than usual I got a bit distracted from writing. But having said that I quite like how this turned out :D

OVER 800 REVIEWS!

Notes On Reviews:

Deana: Thanks for the review - Gotta love it when Aramis faints :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Athos is going to try and make amends today but as to whether or not Aramis will completely forgive him I'm not too sure. I was going to have Marshall awake today but unfortunately he wont be back in properly until tomorrow. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Glad you liked the fight. Nah Favier's going to worry for some time. Glad you liked the chapter! Enjoy the new chapter! x

criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Don't worry Treville will be mentioning that to him today. D'Art's beginning to wake up :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Don't worry Treville will be stepping in to put an end to the fight. Athos is going to be quite protective of our pup. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Smooth Doggie: Thanks for the review - Oh my god, wow. Your review totally just blew me away, thank you so much for your lovely words. I hope your bed rest isn't for something too serious, though I am flattered to hear my stories are helping pass the time during it :D I completely share your sadness over the show being over, it was SUCH a good show :D Your compliments of my work had me smiling pretty much all day so thank you again for that! Enjoy the new chapter! x

Helensg: Thanks for the review - The dispute definitely wont help but don't worry Treville's not going to let it get too bad. Hmm probably not but I couldn't deny a snuggly moment. Enjoy the new chapter! x

f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Don't worry Treville will be stepping in before things get bad but Aramis being hurt will definitely help Athos make amends. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Athos and Aramis will make amends soon though (hopefully) Haha yep our pup is definitely back where he belongs. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - Hmm i want to say he was still unconscious but I very much like your idea of "helping" him through the night lol :) Aramis is going to be stubborn with his wounds again but Porthos wont let him live down forgetting his own wounds. I can see them fighting to ride but yeah none of them are really in any position to. Enjoy the new chapter! x

MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Nah Alain's already met Remy and you know your a strange one ;) Enjoy the new chapter! x

WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - I had forgotten about Corbett until I began that chapter hence why he's only just returned to the story. Couldn't resist the snuggly moment so I'm glad you liked it. Treville's patience is wearing thin at the moment so he wont be standing for Aramis and Athos fighting. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Gotta love medic mode Aramis. I figured his fussing wouldnt be something Athos would be comfortable with, especially with Porthos laughing at him, hence the pushing the attention onto Porhtos. I both loved and hated that argument scene as I wanted them to be all happy as they're all back together but I knew Athos wouldn't react well to D'Art being shot... its hard having them fight though :( The snuggly moment was something I couldn't resist adding so I'm glad you liked it :D We're going to be learning more of Issac and Favier tonight as well. Enjoy the new chapter! x

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

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Fifty-Nine: Preparing To Go Home

Porthos snorted at the way Alain asked his question before filling the younger man in on what he had missed since he had left with Issac, though it was clear, going by the stares Favier was sending the younger musketeer, that that particular line of conversation wouldn't last long.

"I think if you don't speak to Favier soon our dear friend is going to explode from anxiety," chuckled Aramis as he moved to sit by Porthos, wincing and letting out a small whimper of pain as his body protested every movement he made.

The sound did not go unnoticed by the group, specifically Athos, who's expression was a mix of guilt and concern, but thankfully for the medic each member of the small camp knew better than to comment on it.

"Ask away," smiled Alain, knowing he would be acting in just the same way as Favier had it been Blaise who had been so seriously injured. His brother had only come close to matching the severity of Issac's wounds once and it had almost broken the younger man, so he knew there was nothing that would stop him from trying to bring comfort to the injured man in front of him.

Favier looked like he wasn't quite sure what he wanted to ask first and as endearing and slightly amusing as it was to watch Alain knew he needed answer so just decided to start speaking.

"He has several cracked ribs, three I believe, and a couple more that are deeply bruised." Alain noticed the men around him tense as he began listing off the injured man's wounds but he paid it no mind, knowing Favier needed to know so he wouldn't be in too much of a shock when they returned to Paris.

"His face suffered quite the beating and along with being swollen and covered in bruises the skull was also fractured slightly… though Doctor Pascal is confident that with careful watch and the right amount of time recovering, it should heal with no lasting damage… The gash on his leg admittedly does had Pascal concerned as it was quite infected by the time I was able to get Issac to him. The doctor's working hard to get it under control but if it gets worse then… well… Issac might lose it."

Favier paled at this, remembering the wound vividly as it was one he had been forced to watch his brother obtain, a punishment for his refusal to kill the man he had bested in Marshall's 'arena'. This is all my fault, he thought, feeling slightly sick, If he loses the leg he'll have to leave the musketeers… he'll never forgive me!

"Should it come to that we will not abandon him," stated Treville, almost as if he had read the panicking musketeer's mind. "Serving or not he is a musketeer, we do not abandon our own and I'm sure I can find something for him at the garrison. He will not lose his family as well as his leg."

Favier wasn't sure if his relief was clear on his face but the Captain's words had soothed a panic he knew would have overwhelmed him otherwise. He knew it would be a hard adjustment for Issac if he did indeed lose the leg but so long as he lived the injured musketeer Favier was sure he could help his brother through it all.

"Is that all?" Henri asked, his face pale, though from shock or his own blood loss he wasn't sure. The entire group grimaced when Alain shook his head, though before he could explain further Favier spoke up, his voice hollow and broken.

"…His back."

Alain's eyes widened and filled with sympathy as he squeezed his brother-in-arms hand reassuringly. "You saw?"

Turning his head to one side Favier answered through gritted teeth, tears prickling the corners of his eyes. "…I was made to watch."

The growl that came from Alain was a shock to everyone and spoke volumes as to how injured Issac had been that it garnered that sort of reaction.

"Alain?" Athos asked, his grip on his anger faltering as he fought with everything he had not to go and murder Marshall.

"They… They whipped him," explained the younger musketeer, fury burning bright in his eyes. "Doc said some were bad enough to reach bone and a lot are too bad that he can't stitch them so he's keeping him dosed up on pain draughts to allow him to rest and not move while they heal."

"Has…" started Favier though he seemed to falter for just a moment before continuing. "Has he woken at all?"

All eyes turned to Alain as he smiled softly at Favier, nodding. "He woke briefly on the ride back to the city. He wasn't conscious long… just long enough to ask for you as a matter of fact."

A pained look crossed Favier's face then and Alain hated himself for putting it there.

"He woke up again when Doctor Pascal was tending to his leg… he was awake for a few minutes then and… the doc decided to warn him about what could happen."

"How'd he take it?" asked Aramis, cursing himself immediately as he heard the words leave his mouth.

"With a surprising amount of strength," reassured Alain, though he was stopped from commenting further as the wagons and other men he had mentioned rode into the clearing.

"Captain," nodded Blaise as he dismounted and walked over to Treville, sparing his younger brother and protégé a look, "I see Alain found you without trouble."

"It is good to see you," nodded Treville. "Any trouble on the roads?"

Blaise shook his head, "Quiet and peaceful so I'd recommend we make the most of it while it lasts."

"We'll do one last check over their wounds and then we'll head off."

Hearing this Aramis went to stand, only to find himself back on the ground when Porthos placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

"That includes you 'Mis," teased the larger man, outright laughing at the pout the medic sent his way.

"I can do this," protested Aramis, though his words fell on deaf ears as Porthos refused to let him stand, distracting him enough by insisting he checked the bullet wound on his arm, knowing that it would keep the man from continuing his protests for a few minutes at least.

"You need to make things right with Aramis," stated Treville quietly as he applied a salve to the worst of Athos's bruises, having confirmed that the bones in his broken fingers hadn't moved during the night.

"We're fine," grunted the swordsman, unable to look his Captain in the eye, knowing he was right.

While Athos knew he had been justified with the words he had said to his brother he did deeply regret the way he had said them and the hurt they had caused, especially when he noticed just how badly hurt the marksman actually was.

"Don't lie Athos it doesn't suit you," chastised Treville. "He made a mistake just like D'Artagnan did when he shot him all those days ago. You forgave him did you not? Why should Aramis be any different?"

With that Treville moved to check on D'Artagnan, the boy beginning to wake, leaving Athos alone with his thoughts.

"The stitches are fine Porthos," huffed Aramis as he swatted his brother's hands away from the bandage covering his recently re-stitched wound.

"'Mis you forgot about a dislocated shoulder," reminded the larger man with a teasing smirk, "Don't think I can trust your word on this."

With a sigh Aramis nodded, knowing Porthos wouldn't let them leave until he had checked him over. Only to be surprised when Athos placed his hand on Porthos's shoulder, sending the man a significant look that had him smiling and walking away to check on Remy and Marshall.

"If you've come to lecture me again do you think we could postpone until later on, its much too early to endure that right now," said the marksman in a forced light tone.

Athos flinched at his brothers words and knew Treville had been right. He had forgiven D'Artagnan for an act he had unknowing committed while injured and sick and despite, thankfully, not being fevered, Aramis too was injured and he knew he could not hold it against him.

Working in silence for several minutes Athos carefully checked over the fresh stitches in his brother's skin before covering them in a salve and then a fresh bandage.

He had just moved to put salve on his brother's bruises when he decided he needed to speak, the uncomfortable tension in the air hurting more than a string of the worst insults ever could.

"I wish to apologize," he said quietly, the words for Aramis and Aramis alone, though judging by the shocked look on his face the medic had not expected that to be what came out of his mouth.

"I let my anger at the situation control me and as such I lashed out at you. It was unfair and unjust of me and I would have you know that if I could I would take them back in a heartbeat."

Aramis wasn't quite sure how to respond to that. Athos wasn't a person to apologize or admit he was wrong often so the fact he was doing so now spoke to how much he deeply regretted his actions.

"I… They were not wrong though," sighed Aramis, his voice just as quiet. "I should have paid attention."

Athos finished wiping his hands free from the remnants of the salve before using one of them to brush back a lock of his brother's hair.

"You were bleeding, in pain, had multiple threats and injured men to protect. It is understandable that the only quiet one would miss your attention. If the words D'Artagnan spoke to you after he was hit are anything to go by, he does not hate nor blame you, so I do not have the right to either… not that I had the right to begin with," he added with an apologetic smile that Aramis couldn't help but return.

"I know my words caused you pain," he added, surprising Aramis who wasn't used to him saying so much at once, especially if he was apologizing. "I understand if you can't forgive me, I just wanted you to know," and before Aramis could even think to say anything in response Athos had somehow gotten to his feet and was walking back to Treville and the others by the wagons.