Hello. It seems from the comments that I received that I was wrong in thinking that Anne's actions would be seen as far-fetched. I'm glad that they were well received. :) Thanks Margaret (Guest) for your review. :)

This chapter was one I was looking forward to writing and I hope I've done it justice!

I hope you enjoy it. :)

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Anne wondered if her courage would fail her as she stood with her hand on the door. Finally, she opened the door to reveal the infirmary. Her eyes were drawn to the third bed on the left from the far wall although she couldn't see the occupant clearly as she saw Constance slumped in her chair with her head on her hands on the bed.

Anne closed the door quietly and hesitantly approached the bed. She could see Constance breathing but she couldn't really see Aramis as Constance was blocking him. Now that she was here a part of her wasn't sure she wanted to be. She knew he had been tortured but as she made herself move forwards she was shocked at what she saw.

Aramis was lying still on the bed and his skin was rather grey and sullen. His fingernails were still dark from where they had been abused and his chest was covered in cuts. For a moment she thought she was too late and that he was gone but then she noticed the rise and fall of his chest, indicating that he still lived. She sighed in relief as she realised he was still alive.

She walked closer and one of the floorboards creaked and Constance's head flew up in the air as she failed to notice the other woman in the room.

'No,' she muttered to herself. 'I can't have fallen asleep,' she was talking quickly and to herself. She quickly checked Aramis' temperature before checking that his chest was still moving with his breathing. 'Come on Aramis. Do you know how much you're stressing me out?!' she chastised the still man. Anne couldn't help but smile slightly as Constance continued to be oblivious of her presence.

Anne watched as Constance replaced the cloth on Aramis' forehead as she quietly told him to wake up. Suddenly, she turned and her eyes widened in disbelief as she saw the Queen standing in front of her. Constance blinked a couple of times as if her eyes were deceiving her before she finally realised that she wasn't hallucinating.

'What are you doing here?' Constance asked pointedly and with slight concern in her voice.

'I had to see him,' Anne replied quietly. 'I heard how bad he was and I had to come,' she moved closer to Aramis with her eyes slightly teary.

'Do you realise how dangerous Paris is a night?!' Constance asked earnestly and then bowed her head as she realised who she was talking to. 'Forgive me,' she mumbled.

'No Constance, there is nothing to forgive,' Anne moved towards her friend and clasped their hands together. 'I had to see him, no matter the risk.'

Constance swallowed, 'I couldn't write and tell you,' she said quietly.

'I know.' Anne smiled weakly back.

'It's not good,' Constance shook her head. 'His temperature won't come down. I've managed to get him to drink some water with honey in it but the last time he woke he didn't recognise me.' Anne felt her heart break slightly but she knew she had to be strong now. Aramis and Constance needed her.

'You need rest Constance,' she said quietly. 'Tell me what to do,' Constance started to object but Anne squeezed her friend's hands, 'please.'

Constance sighed and turned to look at Aramis. She knew she was exhausted but she wanted to tell the Queen to go back to the palace for her own safety. She smiled slightly as she realised that no matter how much she pleaded the Queen was going to stay. Her Majesty was a stubborn woman at the best of times and Constance knew her feelings for Aramis.

'If I tell you to go back to the palace, will you ignore me?' Constance asked with a small smile.

'I'm staying here until I have to leave and you will not convince me otherwise,' Anne stated although he expression showed warmth towards her friend.

Constance sighed as she took the second pan of water that she had asked for earlier and put it over the fire. Anne had removed her cloak and was now sat on Aramis' bed as she touched his forehead with worry shining in her eyes.

'He looks so drawn and gaunt,' she said quietly as Constance stood next to her.

'I know,' Constance sighed. 'I just want him to wake up and tease me about D'Artagnan or anything really.'

'He really didn't know who you were?'

'No. I think he believes he's...-'

'Back in Savoy,' Anne finished as Constance creased her brow in confusion.

'Captain Tréville told me,' she said simply. 'When we were captured,' she clarified.

'Just tell him he's safe and at the garrison,' Constance watched as Anne ran her fingers lovingly through his hair. His hair hadn't been washed or combed for a long time and she could feel dirt, sweat and blood in it but she didn't care. Seeing him like this only made her feelings stronger. 'You need to try and keep him cool with this,' Constance held up the bucket and cloth she had been using to cool him. 'Wipe the wet cloth over his skin to try and bring his temperature down. If he wakes try and get him to drink some of this water,' she indicated a pan similar to the one she had put over the fire. 'I've already put some honey in it so don't worry about that. The small vial contains a pain draught if he needs it.'

Constance finished by yawning widely as she realised how exhausted she was. Maybe it was a good thing Her Majesty had come as she knew she would fall asleep again very soon.

'The water on the fire?' Anne asked looking slightly concerned.

'Once it boils,' Constance realised the Queen was giving her a funny look. 'The water will have bubbles in it,' Constance explained as Anne nodded. 'Take it off the fire but make sure you use a cloth to hold it otherwise it will burn your hands. Let it cool and then add two spoons of honey to it.' Constance indicated the tablespoon and honey jar. 'It's for Aramis to drink when he wakes and there's no harm in you drinking it either.'

Anne noticed Constance's use of the word 'when' instead of 'if' and nodded that she had understood.

'Rest Constance,' Anne smiled at her friend as Constance reluctantly took the bed nearest the door. She stripped off her boots and lay on the sheets.

'If you need me, wake me,' she said as she brought the blankets over herself and within a minute she was fast asleep.

Anne watched as Constance fell asleep and suddenly she felt all alone and afraid. She had to care for Aramis now but what if he didn't wake? What if he died? What if it was her fault because she couldn't care for him properly? What would the other musketeers say? Surely they would hate her!

She shook herself from her thoughts as she re-wet the cloth that Constance had put on Aramis' brow earlier and replaced it on his forehead. She touched his arm and could feel the heat radiating from it and she started to cool the exposed skin on his body. She trembled as she reached his fingertips and again as she carefully cooled his chest and then his legs. The marks of his torture were horrific to her and she couldn't imagine living through so much pain and anguish. She had to keep checking that he was breathing to confirm that he was alive as she worried that at any moment he would stop breathing and die on her. She wasn't sure she could cope with that.

She settled into a rhythm of which she was glad as it meant her actions didn't require much thought. Periodically she checked the water on the fire and finally determined that it had boiled when she saw a lot of bubbles rising in the water. The pan was heavier than she thought and she needed two hands to carry it, but she just about managed to move it from the fire to the table nearby where she left it to cool.

At some point a cadet came in and left some food and wine for her. Anne thanked him while continuing her work on Aramis making sure her face was turned away from the cadet so that she wouldn't be recognised. She couldn't think of eating as the time crept by and Aramis' condition didn't improve.

She was cooling his chest when he started mumbling but his eyes were closed. He mumbled some more and his face crinkled into clear distress. 'No, no,' he called as he became agitated.

'Aramis,' she called and his eyes were suddenly wide open but Anne realised he couldn't actually see her as there was no recognition in his brown orbs. His eyes were fearful and she'd never seen him look this way. She couldn't imagine what he was seeing.

'Aramis,' she called again as a flicker of recognition crossed his eyes. 'You're safe and at the garrison.' It took a moment but he relaxed at her words although he looked and her with clear confusion. 'You need to drink this,' she held the cup that contained the honeyed water that she'd thought to pour earlier.

She waited for any sign that he understood but she didn't receive it. She carefully moved her left hand underneath his head and lifted him off the pillow as she pressed the cup to his lips. She was surprised to see him drink without question even though he clearly had no idea who she was. He pulled away to show that he had had enough and she settled the cup back on the table beside the bed.

Aramis continued to stare at her as his eyes started to droop. She took it as a good sign that he had woken but she was still afraid for him. Soon he was asleep again and Anne was surprised that Constance hadn't woken with his mumbling. Anne thought for moment about waking her friend but then dismissed the idea as Constance had looked after Aramis' throughout the day and now needed rest if she was going to care for him after Anne had left.

Anne set back to work but after a while she started to wonder at whether his skin had cooled slightly or whether she was just imagining it. After about half an hour, she was sure she wasn't imagining it. His legs certainly felt cooler and she quickly moved a blanket over him up to his waist.

She removed the cloth from his brow and smiled with relief when she realised that his fever had indeed broken. She moved to check the water that was cooling and determined it was cool enough to add the honey. She laughed at herself as she found herself rather sticky after she spilt some. She had never poured honey before but she did rather enjoy licking it off her fingers. Such scandalous behaviour!

She felt a prickle on the back of her neck and slowly turned to see Aramis' eyes open and looking directly at her. She suddenly felt nervous and worried yet she was also happy to see him awake. She moved towards him and sat on the bed at his right side instead of the chair.

Aramis' eyes held confusion but also recognition unlike the previous time he woke. He knew who she was and that was a great relief to Anne.

'Would you like some water?' she asked quietly and he closed his eyes and opened them again. She took that as a yes. She poured the water and could see him trying to lift his head but he was too weak. 'It's alright. I'll help you,' she said as she slipped her left hand underneath his neck and gently lifted his head. She moved the cup to his lips and he drank a few mouthfuls before the slightest shake of the head told her he'd had enough. She lowered him back down onto the pillow gently and smiled warmly.

Aramis turned his head to see Constance asleep and he gave a small smile as he watched the sleeping woman..

'She looked after you for most of the day,' Anne said quietly. 'She's been worried sick.'

'You're really here?' he croaked as his voice was raspy from disuse.

'Yes,' Anne smiled back.

Aramis took account of his position and saw that his chest was exposed as well as his arms. He realised how pitiful he must look as he couldn't even raise his head on his own. Shame at his situation overwhelmed him as he had never wanted her to see him like this. He turned away from Anne as his eyes filled with tears at the shame of the situation he found himself in.

Anne was taken aback by Aramis' change in demeanour. She watched as he fully came to terms of his situation and then watched as he turned away from her. Her eyes filled with tears at his rejection as she couldn't understand why he would be so cold. Did he not want her here?

They stayed in their positions for a minute or two but Anne suddenly realised what had caused Aramis to turn away. She recognised the look in his eyes. He was ashamed for her to see him like this. He had always been her gallant musketeer and now he could protect no-one, including her. She sighed at her realisation and reached out to him. She cupped his chin in her right hand and gently turned his face back towards her. He didn't resist or maybe he couldn't.

'Aramis,' she called as he finally met her eyes with his. 'Do you honestly believe that I would think less of you?' He blinked and a tear ran down his cheek and Anne moved to brush it away with her thumb. 'If anything, it tells me how brave and strong you are,' she smiled and watched as his lips formed a small smile and he nuzzled into her hand slightly.

She bent down and kissed him on the mouth. He wasn't ready for it but he was soon he was kissing back as well as he could.

She pulled back slightly looking embarrassed at her sudden action but she saw him smile properly for the first time. His eyes shining with the love he held for her.

'You know...you're...taking...ad..vantage...of me...in a vul...vulnerable situation,' he stammered as Anne started to recoil while blushing furiously at her own actions.

He caught her chin with more deftness than he thought he possessed and although he was clearly weak she stopped moving with his touch.

'I...didn't say...I didn't...like it,' he grinned as he tugged her chin gently and she moved back towards him and pressed her lips against his again. She could taste the honey from the water she had given him to drink and eventually she pulled back and took his hand in hers.

She could see him fighting the sleep he so desperately needed and she moved a couple of strands of hair out of his eyes.

'Stop fighting,' she quietly ordered. 'You need rest.' He winced slightly and she remembered the pain draught Constance had told her about. 'Are you in pain?'

'A bit,' he said quietly as he was reluctant to say how much his body hurt. His chest was racked in pain and his muscles ached. His fingers, though healing, were throbbing and he had a horrible headache. Dehydration wasn't helping but his stomach would struggle with too much water.

'Drink this,' she lifted his head again and pressed the vial to his lips but he did not drink. 'Constance said it was a pain draught and don't worry, I didn't make it.' He gave a small laugh followed by a cough and then a wince at her words but still did not drink.

'If you're in pain you should take this,' she said pleadingly but she moved the vial away nevertheless.

'Pain...keeping me awake,' he mumbled as Anne realised that he wanted to spend more time with her. She wanted to spend more time with him too but she also wanted him to recover and he needed sleep. Her stubborn musketeer.

'You need rest,' she laid his head back down on the pillow and brushed her thumb across his cheek.

'Want to...stay...awake...with you,' he stammered but Anne could already see that he would be asleep sooner rather than later. He could not fight the rest his body needed, no matter how much he wanted to.

'You need rest and I will be with you until I have to leave,' she smiled warmly at him. 'You're in pain so stop being so stubborn.'

He gave a small laugh at her playful chastising. 'I won't see you again before you leave, will I?' he said regretfully.

'Probably not,' she agreed and continued to rub his cheek. 'But I will be happy knowing that you are recovering.'

Aramis winced again and Anne reached for the draught which this time Aramis took with no arguments and Anne kissed his forehead. Being awake for a short time had tired him out and he promptly fell back asleep as they both knew he would.

Anne got off the bed and moved the blanket up to his chin as his body returned to a normal temperature. Though still rather grey and gaunt he no longer looked distressed and was sleeping peacefully.

Anne moved towards the food the cadet and brought a while ago and saw that she had been given some bread, cheese, salted ham, grapes and an apple. Her stomach rumbled and for a moment she turned to check that the growl hadn't woken Constance or Aramis. She looked back to her musketeer and found her eyes filling with tears. Tears of relief.

It seemed that he would live and she was glad she had been here when he woke. No-one but Constance and Aramis could ever know that she had been here but she was certainly glad she came. The tears didn't want to stop but she welcomed them as they allowed all her worry to seep from her body. She knew he could still take a turn for the worse but her heart told her he would survive. He was strong and courageous. He was her musketeer. Her Aramis.

The tears finally stopped and she set about eating. She tore the bread, cheese and ham in half to leave some for Constance who would surely need it when she woke. The bread was slightly stale but Anne didn't notice as she chewed. It had been a long time since she'd eaten with her fingers and she was finding it rather amusing as she licked the sugar from the grapes off her fingers. She looked at the apple and wondered whether she should leave it for Constance but her stomach made the decision for her as it growled in a very un-Queen-like manner. She bit into the apple as she had no knife to carve it and she felt the juice dribble down her chin making her smile. She drank some wine and was surprised to find that it wasn't bad. She was well aware that there was good wine and bad wine.

Once finished with her food she sat in the chair next to Aramis' bed and watched him sleeping. She knew there was nothing else she could do for him now but she watched as his chest rose and fell in a gentle rhythm. It had been a risk coming here but as far as Anne was concerned, it had been a risk well worth taking.

A/N: As there was a lack of Aramis is the last chapter, (well, physically as he was emotionally all over it), I decided to leave this chapter with just the scene in the infirmary. I hope this will satisfy Annamis shippers (I'm one!) and we'll check in with the others in the next chapter. :)

Thank you all for continuing to read this story. :)