Evening My Lovelies

OMG we're over 900 reviews! I can't thank you all your continual support of this story. I'm excited to see what this can reach before we get to the end :)

Notes On Reviews:

criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Haha love the song choice :) I figured Reynard noticed how uncomfortable about the news D'Artagnan felt and so is doing it more based on that then actually doctor-patient confidentially. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Poor Corbett is quite exhausted, though the end of this chapter might wake him up a bit ;) D'Art's going to learn the truth today. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Oh don't be sorry I welcome any and all ideas for how Antoine should meet his end. Haha Yeah Porthos isn't too fond of Reynard at the moment but at the same time part of him does understand and respect the doc for keeping D'Art's secret. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - He definitely doesn't want the pity that's for sure and I'm quite looking forward to when I can focus on D'Art a bit more. We'll be checking in on Maria today. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Don't worry Antoine will be dying soon and quite painfully. Corbett was a bit of badass in that chapter :) and don't worry we'll be getting another kinda flirty moment today. Enjoy the new chapter! x

f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Yeah but Antoine's brains aren't all there as proven when he tried to choke out D'Art in front of our other boys. Corbett's a bit of a badass and Serge was really nice to write :) D'Art's arm will get addressed in a coming chapter but you are right, his brothers will be learning about it before too long. Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Haha don't worry too much we'll be checking in on her today. Athos isn't going to take the news well when he learns the truth about D'Art's arm. Enjoy the new chapter! x

WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - We'll be checking on Maria today and I'm glad you liked Corbett, I loved writing his badass moment. Antoine's a right piece of work but he'll be getting his comeuppance very soon so we have that to look forward to :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Yay 900+ reviews :D We'll be checking on her today so you wont have to wait long to find out :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I know! I kinda feel the need to continue this story until we reach 1000, something I think we might reach anyways as we've got a decent amount of the story left. Corbett was such a badass in that chapter I loved writing him. Corinne's, understandably, not handling things well but she'll have something else to think about at the end of this chapter ;) Glad you liked the moment with Porthos and Treville. Enjoy the new chapter! x

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

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Sixty-Seven: Call To Aid

As soon as the words left Serge's mouth both Treville and Reynard moved quickly, the doctor pausing only to grab a small bag of essential supplies before following the regiment Captain out of the room, both of them knowing where to go due to the fact there were only two women currently in the garrison.

This fact was also picked up on by Porthos who cursed loudly as he looked over to D'Artagnan. Part of him wanted to wait to wake the boy, at least until they had a better idea of what they were looking at and dealing with, but the rest of him knew how he'd feel if it was him in the boy's shoes and someone he cared about was in danger and that won over the rest of him as he maneuvered around his brothers' beds to reach D'Artagnan.

He felt his heart swell with sympathy for the boy, who was sleeping peacefully for once, for what he was about to do.

"D'Artagnan," he called softly, his hand moving to lightly tap the younger man's cheek, a chuckle leaving his lips when D'Artagnan mumbled something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like one of the Spanish curses Aramis liked to use when something was really annoying him.

"None of that whelp," scolded the larger musketeer softly, "You need to wake up, it's important."

It took a few moments but eventually Porthos noticed the younger man's eyelids flicker open.

"…P'thos?" mumbled the Gascon sleepily as he lifted his good arm up to rub away the sleep from his eyes. The scene made Porthos smile as he helped the still groggy Gascon up into a seating position.

"Kid we gotta go," he said softly, as he helped his little brother into his boots, knowing full well it was only the man's confusion and exhaustion that was stopping him from protesting.

"…Why?"

"Something's happened," he answered solemnly, keeping his eyes focused on the lad's boots so he wouldn't have to see the pain about to ignite in his eyes. "One of the girls," he felt D'Artagnan tense, "One of them's been hurt."

"I need to go," stated D'Artagnan instantly, pushing himself to his feet only to waver and stagger slightly, only staying upright thanks to the supporting hand Porthos put on his elbow.

"I know," nodded the larger man as he helped steady his friend. "Can you walk or do I need to carry you?"

This was said without any of his usual teasing so D'Artagnan knew the offer was, for once, a serious one.

"I can walk," he said determinedly before the two stormed out of the room.

"What the hell happened?" exclaimed Treville as he all but flew into the room, his eyes immediately locking onto the unconscious and restrained form of Antoine.

"He's alive if that's what you're wondering," stated a weary sounding Corbett and the sound of his voice prompted Treville to turn his gaze away from the unconscious man.

His eyes then went wide at the sight that greeted him as a shirtless Corbett offered him a grim smile before adding a bit more pressure on Maria's still bleeding wound.

"How bad?" Treville asked, though before he could get a response Doctor Reynard flew into the room, not stopping until he was on Maria's other side, his critical eyes scanning and assessing the situation.

"What are we dealing with?" he asked as he began delving through his bags for the supplies he needed.

"She was stabbed," answered Corbett, sounding more tired than Treville had heard him in a while, but the Captain also noticed the darkening bruises littered across the man's skin and surmised that the struggle with Antoine had depleted the musketeers already fading energy levels.

"I don't think it pierced anything," continued Corbett, as he remained oblivious to Treville's silent assessment of him. "But its relentless in its bleeding."

Reynard nodded and immediately began instructing Corbett on what to do so the pair could work in tandem to save Maria's life.

Whilst this was going on Treville noticed how pale and shaky Corinne had become and his heart instantly went out to her.

"My lady," he called, waiting until she tore her gaze away from the injured woman to continue. "Why don't we step out and get some air for a few minutes and let them work in peace?"

The young woman looked hesitant to leave for a few moments but a reassuring smile and nod from both Treville and Corbett had her shakily nodding and taking the Captain's offered hand, holding onto it tightly as he led her from the room.

"I am deeply sorry this happened Corinne," apologized Treville, as he worked to control the anger he felt at the current situation. "This should never have been able to happen and while I don't yet have answers as to why it did happen, I want you to know that I will do everything in my power to make things right."

Unable to speak through the lump in her throat and the sobs that so desperately wanted to escape Corinne could only nod, tightening the grip she still had on the Captain's hand as she did so.

"RIN!" exclaimed a voice that instantly got Corinne's attention.

Spotting her pale, exhausted and clearly worried out of his mind cousin, Corinne let go of the Captain's hand and rushed into D'Artagnan's embrace, the Gascon bringing her as close to him as he could as she finally lost her fight to contain her sobs.

"Rin," whispered D'Artagnan softly, his good hand tightening his grip on her as he spoke. "Rinny what happened?"

"Antoine got out of his cell," growled Treville when it became apparent that Corinne was sobbing too much to get any words out.

"WHAT?" hissed D'Artagnan, all traces of exhaustion gone as anger and fury replaced it. "How did that happen?"

Bristling slightly at the anger and accusation in D'Artagnan's words Treville forced himself to remember what the boy had just learned and to remind himself that such a reaction was to be expected given what had happened.

"That's what I intend to find out," answered Treville before he turned to Porthos. "Antoine is restrained in there. I don't want him anywhere near my garrison any longer, escort him to Bastille and then look into how he was able to get out of his cell in the first place. You have my permission to wake whoever you need to, to do this."

Porthos nodding, a hard look in his eyes as he strode into the room to get Antoine, emerging with the unconscious man thrown over his shoulder. He offered both D'Artagnan and Corrine a sympathetic look before leaving to complete his orders.

"Captain?" called a voice from the doorway and the group turned to see a shirtless and bloodied Corbett leaning heavily against the frame. The blood on his skin made D'Artagnan both sick and furious at the same time.

"How is she?" demanded Corinne, tears building up in her eyes again despite how hard she fought to ensure they did not fall. Noticing this D'Artagnan tightened his hold on her, offering what support he could despite the great amount of pain it caused his injuries to do so.

Smiling softly at the woman Corbett moved away from the door. "She's resting now but Doctor Reynard managed to get the bleeding to stop, barring complication it seems like she should make a full recovery."

Bright smiles erupted on both younger members of the group and without another word both rushed into the room to be by Maria's side.

Smiling at the relief on both of their faces Corbett turned back to Treville who was allowing the pair to have a moment alone with their maternal figure.

"Reynard wanted me to look into getting on the stretchers up from the infirmary so we can move her, is there anything you need me to do while I'm heading that way sir?"

"Check in on Athos and Aramis. No doubt Porthos and D'Artagnan left the room in a rush and I doubt they were subtle about it. Neither man is in any condition to follow either of them so they might be panicking about what's going on."

Corbett nodded, a small smirk curling his lips and without another word he was off, determined to see this through before he gave into the near crippling exhaustion he was fighting.

True to Treville's expectations both Aramis and Athos were awake when he moved to check on them and neither gave him a chance to say anything before they started hounding him for answers.

"What's going on?" demanded Athos, his voice slightly raspy, though it did little to diminish the command he infused his words with.

"Why aren't you wearing a shirt?" demanded Aramis at the same time, though his voice held a touch of amusement that vanished entirely at his next question. "Is that blood?"

Knowing he would not be allowed to leave the room without giving a detailed explanation he quickly settled himself down on a chair in between the two beds and began explaining the entire situation from start to finish, at which point both musketeers looked ready to leave their beds even against doctors orders.

"Everything's under control now," pressed Corbett, as he had to actually force Athos to lie back down. "Porthos's dealing with Antoine and Maria's doing well all things considered, there's no need to be injuring yourselves further, We'll bring you news when we know it."

Aramis smirked at the look on Athos's face at Corbett taking charge but reluctantly accepted the man's words and settled back into his bed, glaring at Athos to do the same.

When both men had given up fighting him Corbett picked up the stretcher and returned back to Maria's room.

"Are you sure its safe to move her?" asked Corinne for the third time since Corbett had returned with the stretcher and it was a testament to the doctor's patience that he didn't snap at her and instead replied with calm, soothing words.

"Quite sure my dear," he said with a smile. "We'll be careful but she's already proven she's a strong woman by hanging on like she did. I have no doubt the journey from here to the infirmary will not be her undoing."

Corinne nodded shakily, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thank you for all you did for her. I don't… I just don't know what I would do without her."

Smiling brighter at her Reynard nodded. "Honestly there was little for me to do once we got the bleeding under control. Your thanks should go to Corbett, his actions kept her alive until I could get here after all," and with that he and Treville left the room, carrying the stretcher between them.

"Coming Rin?" asked D'Artagnan as he began to leave.

She nodded, "I just need a moment, I'll follow shortly."

D'Artagnan looked slightly concerned but trusted his cousin and nodded once before following his Captain out of the room.

"Monsieur Corbett," she called, stopping the musketeer from leaving like the others before him.

"Yes my lady?"

"I just wanted to say thank you. You save both of us and I… I don't have the words to express how grateful I am to you."

Corbett smiled softly at the young woman and turned his head to better look at her, only for both of their eyes to widen as the action caused the kiss she had been planning to place on his cheek to land on his lips.