Evening My Lovelies

Sorry this is a little later than usual. I finished it and then had a much better idea of how the chapter could go and so ended up pretty much rewriting the whole thing *sighs tiredly* ... but on the plus side I really like how its ended up :D

Notes On Reviews:

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Lots and lots of guilt going around. Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Yeah don't worry they'll be fine :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yay I'm glad you liked it, I was a bit worried as it had none of our main boys in it. It was tempting to have a punch up but then I figured they're both injured enough. Don't worry about Corbett, Issac will be putting him right soon enough. Enjoy the new chapter! x

criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Haha well then this should be a nice chapter for you as we're stuck with D'Art pretty much the entire time :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Smooth Doggie: Thanks for the review - I'm glad you liked that we had a whole chapter focused on them. Corinne and Corbett are just adorable and I love writing them so expect them to appear again fairly soon :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha glad you liked it :D You might like this chapter as we have a whole chapter now pretty much focused on our favourite pup :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Worried is a bit of an understatement for what our poor Favier was feeling, though they're both well and truly on the mend now so they should be okay :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - Yay I'm glad you liked it. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Fleuramis: Thanks for the review - Thanks for sticking with me even though the last couple of chapters haven't been completely your cup of tea :) I'll be the first to admit I may have gone overboard with the chat in yesterdays chapter. It wasn't supposed to take the whole chapter... i got a bit too into it i think. Hopefully this chapter will be a more enjoyable read for you as we're back with our boys. Enjoy the new chapter! x

WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - I'm glad you liked it. But yeah I agree, best not tell Corbett how they got captured, don't think it'd do his guilt any good. Enjoy the new chapter! x

MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Haha it could be but Remy's recovering at the moment. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I loved writing for Favier and Issac and I'm glad you don't seem to bothered by the lack of our other boys. I was tempted to have Favier kiss Issac's forehead or something and then have him wake up but I figured that might be taking it too far. I'm really glad you seemd to like the chapter. Enjoy the new chapter! x

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

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Seventy-Two: Internal Turmoil

"D'Art you know everything's going to be okay right?" asked Aramis softly as he took the younger man's uninjured hand into his own, only to have it shrugged away moments later by a clearly upset D'Artagnan.

"You don't know that!" he exclaimed, allowing his brothers to see just how worried and scared he was for the first time. "If it doesn't heal I'm done! I'll never hold a sword again and the dream I've worked so hard for will be over, so don't tell me it's going to be okay when you can't know that!"

"I might if you let me look at your arm," responded Aramis as he tried very hard not to pull the Gascon into a tight embrace, knowing, simply by the expression on the younger man's face, that such an action would not be welcome at that time.

"I DON'T want to know!" he screamed, practically jumping to his feet in his frustration. He then began to pace as he ranted. "Why can't you understand that? I get that you're worried, that you all are and I'm sorry for that but this is my choice, why can't you give me that?"

"You're our brother kid," said Porthos softly as he took a step closer to the tense younger man, stopping only when he saw that moving only made the Gascon tenser. "It's our job to worry. We just want to know so we can help you."

"Then stop treating me like I'm going to break!"

The three senior members of the inseparables could only watch helplessly as a pissed off D'Artagnan stormed out of the room.

"Well, that could have gone better," remarked Aramis with an air of nonchalance that was clearly forced.

Porthos sighed as he slumped down on Aramis's bed next to the medic. "Seems to be a trend for us lately."

"Are… Are we wrong to want to know what's going on?" asked Aramis, his voice uncharacteristically small, prompting Porthos to bring him into a brief one-armed hug.

"D'Art'll calm down," reassured Porthos, not actually answering the medic's question. "Then we apologize and help him through whatever's going on in that head of his."

Aramis sighed sadly, nodding once before turning his attention to Athos.

"Athos?" he called softly, a small hint of concern in his voice when it became apparent the swordsman hadn't listened to a single thing that had been said since D'Artagnan stormed out.

"Hm?" asked the swordsman when he became aware his brothers were talking to him.

"You good there 'Thos?" asked Porthos with a mix of concern and amusement in his voice.

"He shouldn't be left alone."

Aramis sighed, though a small smile fought to curl his lips as it always did when Athos's protective side came out. "I think our company is exactly what D'Art doesn't need right now. As Porthos said, let's let him calm down then talk to him again."

D'Artagnan was fuming as he stomped from the infirmary to the secluded part of the courtyard he had found before. Part of him wanted to try his hand with his sword again but he knew what the result would be and he didn't have it in him to put his heart through that pain twice in one day.

Instead the Gascon sank to the ground, his back resting against the wall to one of the garrison buildings as his eyes glared holes into the support beam not too far in front of him.

As he sat there his thoughts drifted away from his brothers and the frustration he held for them and instead they seemed to settle on his arm and without really registering what he was doing he found himself gently moving the sleeve away from the burned skin with a shaking hand.

Tears prickled the corners of his eyes as he lightly traced the mass of marred flesh, wincing every so often at the pain his actions caused. He hated that one injury could be ending the dream he had been working towards ever since he was a child.

"D'Artagnan?" called a voice, concern heavy in its tone.

The Gascon scrambled to his feet at the new voice, barely biting back the wince of pain the abrupt movement caused, though he had little time to consider it when he saw who was approaching.

"Sir," he nodded as he watched Treville walk over to him, moving quickly the Gascon covered his scarred skin so the Captain wouldn't see once he approached.

Treville nodded back, though D'Artagnan could tell the man was observing him, though for what he wasn't too sure.

"Did you need me for something Sir?" he asked cautiously, hoping against hope that Reynard had kept his silence regarding the state and condition of his arm from Treville like he had his brothers. He knew he would have to come clean eventually but he'd rather it be on his own terms then it coming out during a confrontation with his Captain.

"Yes actually," smiled Treville, the expression slightly concerning the Gascon as the typically stoic Captain wasn't known to smile often. "Alain is escorting a gentleman to the regiment who has expressed a desire to speak to you." D'Artagnan blinked in clear surprise, but said nothing as Treville continued. "They should be arriving within the hour and I'll have Alain find you when they do. I'll have the man brought to my office so the pair of you can talk without interruption or risk of being overheard."

Treville was almost tempted to burst out laughing at the look of pure confusion on D'Artagnan's face but he reined the urge in, choosing instead to focus on the conversation that was soon to happen. It had taken no small amount of effort on his part to locate the man and now he could only hope his plan would work.

"I'll be here sir," acknowledged D'Artagnan after several long moments, his words making Treville raise an eyebrow in question.

"Not with the others?"

D'Artagnan fought a grimace, knowing exactly what 'others' his Captain was referring to. "I… kind of yelled at them. I figure its best to calm down a bit before I try to apologize."

Treville looked very much like he wanted to question the matter further but, to D'Artagnan's great relief, he held his tongue, nodding once in acknowledgement to the musketeer before leaving to attend to another matter in the garrison.

Left alone once again with just his thoughts D'Artagnan contemplated who the man could be and what business he could possibly have with him before eventually resigning himself to waiting to sate his curiosity until later. Instead he decided to be productive and settled himself back down on the ground before pulling his sword out of its sheathe and the whetstone from his pocket.

"Hey D'Art," grinned Alain as he approached the Gascon, pleased to find him where Treville said he would be.

D'Artagnan smiled in greeting before moving to stand on his feet, brushing himself off as he stood. "I'm assuming you're not going to tell me who this man is either?" he mock asked, sighing in resignation when Alain did little but smirk and nod in response.

"Well I best go see what this is about then."

"Enter D'Artagnan," called Treville when he heard a knock at his door. He stayed in the room long enough to see the stunned look of pure surprise on D'Artagnan's face before patting the Gascon's good arm as he left.

"It's good to see you Charles," smiled the older man softly as he gestured to the chair in front of him, which D'Artagnan sank into without really registering his actions as he was far too focused on the man in front of him.

"Fredrick," he breathed, his eyes widening as he took in the man before him, an answering smile slowly growing on his face as he noticed the man seemed to be in good health.

"I hope you don't mind me dropping by," said Fredrick somewhat nervously, though he kept it under control as he spoke. "But I felt I needed to come and see you."

D'Artagnan blinked, "You are always welcome here Fredrick, though I am curious as to why? Something's not happened has it?"

Fredrick smiled, "Oh no my boy, we're safe, good. I merely came to thank you for all you've done for me." D'Artagnan felt his breath falter as Fredrick continued. "Your Captain and friend alluded to some of the damage you received saving my life and whilst words alone will never be enough to express my gratitude nor repay the debt I now owe they are all I have."

D'Artagnan smiled softly, tears prickling at his eyes as he shook his head. "I'm a musketeer… Protecting is what we do."

This time it was Fredrick who smiled and shook his head, leaning forward he took the younger man's hand in his own. "It is what you do," he said with a brighter smile, "It is what you've always done."

D'Artagnan looked slightly embarrassed by the man's words but Fredrick continued before he could say anything about it.

"I don't know if you remember my daughter Alice," D'Artagnan nodded, curious as to where this new line of conversation was going. "After you saved me I managed to hide out for a while before making my way to the village she now lives with her husband."

"I'm glad they're doing well," smiled D'Artagnan, though confusion was still evident on his face.

Fredrick once again shook his head and to D'Artagnan's shock the man appeared to be close to crying.

"She was heavy with child when I arrived… Because of you I lived to see my only child be blessed with a child of her own and I can never thank you enough for that."

D'Artagnan was barely holding back his tears now, relieved beyond belief that his actions had not been in vain, that maybe he had been able to do something of greatness with his last act as a musketeer.

Noticing the look on the younger man's face Fredrick couldn't help but smile brightly at the man, though a small teasing glint flickered briefly in his eyes before he continued speaking.

"When I told my Alice what you had done for me and how badly hurt you likely ended up for doing so, she said she wanted to do something to honor that."

D'Artagnan blinked, "She doesn't need to do anything I…"

Interrupting him before he could continue Fredrick passed a small piece of paper over to the Gascon, who couldn't help but grin at the sleeping child sketched on the page.

"That right there," grinned Fredrick proudly as he placed a hand on the Gascon's uninjured shoulder. "Is my grandson Charles."

This time D'Artagnan lost his fight with his tears as a few escaped and trailed down his cheeks, barely missing the paper he was staring intensely at in his hand.

The two spoke for a few minutes more before Fredrick announced he needed to get going.

D'Artagnan had barely been standing more than a few moments before the older man had pulled him into as tight an embrace as he dared given the Gascon's obvious injuries.

"Thank you," he whispered and D'Artagnan could practically feel the emotion in the words as he hugged the man back just as tight.

"I trust your talk went well?" asked Treville with a knowing look in his eyes as he moved into his office.

"…Better than well," grinned D'Artagnan as he turned to face his Captain. "Thank you for that Captain, I needed that."

"I know," nodded Treville with a soft smile. "Now, have you calmed down enough to speak to Athos and the others or am I going to need to warn Pascal about them escaping to come and find you?"

D'Artagnan chuckled, knowing full well his brothers would do just that if he didn't return fairly soon.

"I'm good Captain, I'll head there now."

"Good."

Just as he reached the door, fully intending to leave and seek out his brothers D'Artagnan paused, a momentary internal battle going on in his head before he sighed and turned back around.

"Actually sir," he said instantly getting Treville's attention.

"Yes D'Artagnan?"

"I was wondering if you have a minute? There's something you should know."