Evening My Lovelies

I can't believe how close we are to the end now, every time I think of it, it makes me sad to think its almost over :(

Hopefully you'll enjoy the last few chapters.

Notes On Reviews:

criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Athos is suspicious that's for sure. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Tidia: Thanks for the review - I think he has to given how much of a trouble magnet our pup is lol :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha "Open mouth insert foot" love it :D Very true for our medic during the last chapter. Couldn't resist the gibbs head slap so I'm glad you liked it. D'Art's protective nature regarding Corinne was SOOOOO much fun to explore. Aramis's reaction, especially to Porthos was fun as well but I think D'Art was my favourite thing to write. Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - He's not planning to sneak away... well not properly but Athos's definitely not going to handle it well when he learns the truth. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Got a little more tension today which you'll hopefully enjoy as well as another hug... though this one's coming from someone who doesn't usually hug :D Glad you're liking the story. Enjoy the new chapter! x

f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - I think the tension he was feeling regarding his impending departure didn't help his mood when he learned about Aramis's flirting... plus I couldn't resist scaring Aramis a little :D Athos is watching but there's little he can do against our pup's stubbornness. Enjoy the new chapter! x

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

WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - It was tempting to have them still on tense terms when D'Art left but I couldn't do that to our pup, they needed to make peace so he could focus on his arm. Couldn't resist a good old bit of teasing :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Glad you liked the hug, I figured that with what is about to happen that our pup needed a hug... he's getting another today from someone who doesn't often give hugs :D I had the same thoughts regards to Aramis when I was writing it but unfortunately our lovely medic doesn't know when to quit sometimes. Porthos teasing Aramis was a lot of fun to write, as was Aramis's reaction to it but I think the whole protective display from D'Artagnan was possibly the most fun thing to write in that 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-Five: Day Of Departure

This is it, mused D'Artagnan sadly as he stood by the window of the infirmary room, his burned arm clutched close to chest as he watched the rain lightly hit against the glass.

Fitting, he sighed, almost letting out a bitter laugh at how the weather seemed to be mimicking his current emotional state.

"You don't have to do this Charles," said Maria softly as she finished packing up the last of the supplies Treville had sent to her room.

The older woman was torn between supporting the boy she considered a grandson with his plan and disregarding it and going straight to his brothers so they could talk some sense into him. She had seen the pain in D'Artagnan's eyes and knew just how much pain it was causing him to even think about leaving them, especially when it could be the last time he would ever see them.

"I second that notion D'Artagnan," said a voice, startling the Gascon slightly. Turning to face the new voice D'Artagnan couldn't help but smile sadly at his Captain, knowing full well, even without what the man had just said, that Treville had come specifically to try and talk him out of leaving once more.

"I need to do this," said D'Artagnan, the pain he was feeling causing his voice to crack slightly.

"No you don't!" exclaimed Maria as she slammed her bag down on the bed, her outburst surprising Treville, who was used to the woman being calm and in control of her emotions. D'Artagnan on the other hand, who had years of knowing the woman, had been expecting this outburst for the last few days and simply turned his attention to her, knowing better than to interrupt before she was done.

"You have a good thing here Charles," ranted Maria as she walked around the bed to stand in front of her grandson. "You have people who would give anything, including their lives for you if you would only ask. I can't even imagine what your physical injury and potential loss is doing to your head but you can't ignore the fact that even thinking of leaving is causing you pain! You need them Charlie, just like they need you. You must reconsider!"

Treville watched in slight awe as the woman ranted, the effects of her words clearly obvious when one looked at D'Artagnan, despite the boy's effort to keep his face neutral.

"No," stated D'Artagnan, the lack of expression in his voice surprising both Maria and Treville. "What I need is to do this my way. This decision is the only thing I have control over. Whether my arm truly heals or not is out of anyone's control or mine… but I can decide how I handle it and this is what I need. Does it hurt to think about leaving? Of course it does but I have to do this. Those men are my brothers and if my time with the regiment has taught me anything its that brothers will support you through anything. They might hate and curse me for a while but they would still support me, even if they're not right next to me as I work to get better."

This time it was Maria who watched with slight awe, though disappointment flowed through her too when she realized D'Artagnan had no intention of reconsidering.

Treville was torn. Like Maria he was disappointed that it didn't look like D'Artagnan had any plans to reconsider his plan but unlike Maria, Treville felt a flash of pride within him at the way the younger musketeer spoke of the brotherhood all musketeers were part of. It warmed his heart and reassured him that the young man knew that even if he was alone physically he would not be alone in spirit. Treville knew his men well enough to know how they would react to the news of D'Artagnan's departure, even more so should they learn the truth behind it and the Captain was relieved to hear that D'Artagnan knew that too and he hoped that knowledge could give the boy strength during the difficult times ahead.

"My words from before still stand," stated Treville as he moved to bring the now startled Gascon into a very uncharacteristic hug. "You've more than earned your place in our regiment and that place will remain yours… no matter how long it takes."

Tears pricked the corners of D'Artagnan's eyes as he nodded into Treville's shoulder, though the moment ended just as quickly as it started as Treville pulled away, looking slightly surprised by his own actions, much to D'Artagnan's amusement.

"I want you to promise me something," stated Treville, the tone of the Captain's voice telling that it wasn't so much of a request and more of a demand.

Tilting his head to one side as a flicker of confusion and curiosity flashed across his face, D'Artagnan nodded once, his action prompting Treville to continue.

"I want you to send word," he said, raising a hand to silence the Gascon who looked ready to protest. "You can omit where you are if you wish but I would like to know that you still breath. I'm going against every instinct in my body by letting you do this D'Artagnan, the least you could do is honor this simple request of mine."

D'Artagnan was silent as he considered his Captain's words. He nodded in agreement fairly quickly once he realized the position he had place the Captain in by telling him is plan. Treville had the power to force D'Artagnan to remain in the garrison if he truly wanted to but the man was ignore every part of him that was screaming for that to happen, choosing instead to trust him and if the occasional letter was all he wanted as payment then that's what D'Artagnan would do.

"I'm not sure how often I will be able to but I will send word when I can."

Treville nodded, looking significantly more relieved. "That is all I ask."

"We'll need to be leaving soon," said Maria softly a few moments later, her heart aching at the pain she saw in her grandson's eyes.

Nodding solemnly D'Artagnan moved away from the window. "I'm going to say goodbye to Athos and the others. If I pass her I'll pull Corinne away from Corbett and let her know we're leaving."

D'Artagnan words surprised Treville so much he actually spun on his heels so he could look at the departing boy.

"You're actually going to say goodbye? I thought you would leave without a word to them."

D'Artagnan chuckled bitterly as he found himself unable to look Treville in the eye. "Athos suspects something, if I left without a word then he would follow me without hesitation and he is in no condition to do so right now… Besides… If this is my last time around them then I want to end with a proper goodbye, I can't have any regrets."

As he left the infirmary D'Artagnan decided to seek out Corinne first, knowing she would want time to say her own goodbye to Corbett. He hated feeling like he was pulling the younger woman away from a chance at happiness but Corinne had assured him many times, even going as far as to hit him once when he continued to pester her about it, that despite her growing feelings for Corbett she wasn't quite ready to stay in the city where her father had been executed. She had felt guilty at missing him but D'Artagnan had never held it against her and simply made her promise that she would return to the city when she was ready, whether he was there to greet her or not.

Spotting the young couple in a tender embrace D'Artagnan felt a smirk grown on his face and couldn't resist getting close to the pair that were oblivious to everyone but themselves.

"…Morning," he drawled innocently, his smirk growing when both visibly startled at his sudden appearance, though it was the crimson blush on both of their cheeks that made him want to burst out laughing.

"D-D'Artagnan," stammered Corbett, cursing the fact the Gascon had caught them, especially as he had yet to approach the man about his growing feeling for his cousin.

Sensing this D'Artagnan smiled softly. "I've known for a while Corbett," he said, making the other musketeer's blush deepen much to his amusement. "I have no control over what Corinne feels nor for who… You are a good man and a good brother. All I ask is that you respect and protect her should the pair of you decide to give whatever this is a chance."

Corbett looked stunned by the Gascon's words but before he could respond D'Artagnan was leaving, shouting a reminder that she needed to be ready to leave soon.

"Knock, knock," smiled D'Artagnan as he leaned against the door frame of the inseparables infirmary room.

"Hey D'Art," grinned Aramis brightly, the grin fading somewhat as Doctor Pascal touched a particularly painful bruise on his chest.

"What brings you by kid?" asked Porthos, though there was a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach he was desperately trying to ignore. "I thought you were spending the morning with Maria and Corinne as they're leaving soon."

"I was," nodded D'Artagnan, pausing to take a deep breath knowing that it was time to say goodbye. He knew it was going to be hard but he hadn't anticipated how hard it would be to simply get the words out.

"D'Artagnan?" asked Athos, fear gripping him for what he suspected was about to happen.

"I…I came to say goodbye," he said, his words getting the instant attention of each of his brothers.

"WHAT?" exclaimed the three as one and, had it been any other situation D'Artagnan might have laughed at them for it.

"I'm going to travel with them, I need to make sure they're safe and settled before I can focus on healing," explained the Gascon, keeping to the truth as much as possible so his brothers wouldn't suspect him further.

"When do you leave? We'll come too."

Shaking his head D'Artagnan smiled softly at Aramis. "You need to focus on healing yourselves and too many people will only attract unwanted attention."

"How long will you be staying with them?" asked Athos and D'Artagnan could practically feel the suspicion in his words and it was killing him not to open up to his mentor, knowing full well that it was him who would take his leaving the worst, even if he didn't overtly show as much.

"A few days, week at most. Just long enough to ensure they'll be okay."

Athos raised an eyebrow, "and you'll come back?"

Both Porthos and Aramis sat up straighter at this.

"Course he's gonna come back 'Thos," remarked Porthos, though his voice held an air of uncertainty to it that tore at D'Artagnan's heart.

Ignoring his brother Athos kept his attention focused solely on D'Artagnan.

"You'll come back?"

For a moment D'Artagnan said nothing, not wanting to lie to his mentor but also not wanting to open up about his plan. Then he remembered why he was doing this and focused on the small flicker of hope he held for a recovery and nodded.

"Yeah," he said, keeping his answer as vague as he could. "I'll be back."