Evening My Lovelies

Apologies for being a bit late again today, I found a new fic to read this morning and it's pretty much all I've done today lol

Also I dont know what's gotten into me lately but nearly every time I've tried to write eyes these last few chapters I end up writing ears and then have to go back and change it otherwise I end up with sentences that make absolutely no sense but are highly amusing to read lol :D

NOW i have an important question for you all. Our boys will be heading back to Paris very soon and so I wanted to know if you wanted them to have a safe trip back or if you wanted them to run into trouble... After all Ortiz does have a lot of people that wouldn't want to see him in jail or at the very least in the hands of musketeers. Let me know and which ever has the most is what we'll do :)

Notes On Reviews:

Deana: Thanks for the review - Yeah not the nicest experience for our favourite medic, though it needed to be done. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I'm loving Treville's softer side too :) I feel it might be coming off slightly paternal but that's how I see him as... He's like the dad of the musketeer family, strong and protective but soft and caring when they need him to be :) Oh D'Art's guilt is quite massive, probably rivaling Athos's about Milady and his brother. Our boys will be trying to address this but as this story has proven... our boy is quite stubborn. Enjoy the new chapter! x

romirola: Thanks for the review - That's very true. Hopefully I can do it justice. Enjoy the new chapter! x

watlocked: Thanks for the review - Glad you loved it :) I am hoping everyone will like what I have planned for Ortiz as the image I have for the scenario is a favourite of mine :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

pain in the mikta: Thanks for the review - Haha I'm loving the idea that i'm your fanfic dealer XD We may have to get a guilt-o-meter as well, just for D'Artagnan lol. Luckily Ortiz doesnt have a part to play at present so it gives us time to get a new hate-o-meter. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Tidia: Thanks for the review - Oooh I had forgotten about the shoulder wound, thanks :) We'll have a look at it tomorrow. D'Artagnan is carry a LOT of guilt. Our boys have their work cut out for them. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Bookdancer: Thanks for the review - First off love the screen name :D second Glad your loving the story so far, always makes my day to hear how people are enjoying it :D Bryce was originally just supposed to be someone who helped out a little bit but now... now he's annoyingly growing on me as I keep thinking of situations where he can pop up in, so that being said he'll probably be sticking around a bit so I'm glad you like him. As for the punctuation issue you noted thanks for mentioning it I'll try to keep an eye out and make sure I add it where necessary, thanks for letting me know. Enjoy the new chapter! x

fariedragon: Thanks for the review - Glad you liked it. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Helensg: Thanks for the review - He should have but doesnt mean he wouldnt still feel guilty over it... in his mind this happened because of him so any pain they suffered was all his fault. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I'm thoroughly enjoying writing a softer side of Treville, though I do almost feel like he might me stricter with his men when he gets back to the garrison as a way of brushing past the fact that he allowed them to see his softer side lol. D'Art and Athos are definitely cute 3 They get another moment today before the rest are woken up and I have some cute ones planned for when they're back in Paris. Oh and heads up we're getting a snuggly musketeer moment tomorrow :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

As always thank you to everyone who follows/favourites/reviews/reads this... Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Twenty-Four: Path To Healing II

Athos's heart broke as he watched the injured young man he loved as a brother plead for something that he didn't even need. The fact that D'Artagnan wouldn't even look at him hurt the most. The boy was direct in nearly everything he did, the only times he ever refused to look at them was when he was either deeply ashamed of something or was trying to hide something from them and judging by how Athos knew everything that was going on he seriously doubted it was the latter.

"D'Artagnan" Athos said softly, biting back a wince as he tried to move. When the Gascon refused to raise his head Athos pushed down the urge to growl in frustration, knowing his luck the boy would take that entirely the wrong way.

"D'Artagnan" he tried again, though his voice was noticeably sterner, "Look at me"

It took several moments, all of which D'Artagnan was still mumbling apologies, but eventually he lifted his head to look at his mentor and brother.

Knowing his next words needed to chosen carefully Athos took a moment to collect himself, he had never been good with words, that was typically Aramis's forte but now, now his little brother was blaming himself for something that was completely out of his control and he could see it in his eyes, the guilt was already tearing the boy apart.

"Do you remember" Athos asked, keeping his voice soft as he knew the boy's head must be pounding, "what we said to you the last time you apologized for all this?"

It was a few moments before D'Artagnan gave any form of response and as Athos waited he could see the boy's face scrunch up in confusion as he tried to remember. Athos couldn't help but grow worried that the blow to the head he had suffered had damaged his memory, though eventually, much to his relief, D'Artagnan grumbled out that he did.

"So why do you think those words would no longer be true just because we're a little more banged up?" Athos asked, the pair of them completely ignoring the thoroughly confused looks they were getting from the rest of the onlookers in camp.

"…But –" D'Artagnan mumbled weakly, though it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to think around the pain in his body. His head sounded like there was an army of drummers inside it and his stomach was churning so much he was questioning if he would be able to keep the small amount of broth he had drunk inside it.

"If the next words out of your mouth are any form of apology then you best stop them now" smirked Athos as he interrupted the boy, "These two idiots will tell you the same thing when they woken up"

Treville took that as his cue and nodded over his shoulder to Etienne. Whilst they needed all the men awake they hadn't wanted to wake them at the same time and have them overwhelmed D'Artagnan who was having trouble staying awake.

Seeing the signal from the Captain Etienne began trying to wake up Aramis. Thankfully it didn't take more than one call of his name and a gentle tap on his face. Etienne reasoned that given the deep pain lines on the man's face that the pain in his leg and back would have woken him up shortly regardless of their intervention.

"Aramis?" Athos asked, having noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. It was when he tried to turn towards the man though that problems arose in the form of a massive dizzy spell that had him collapsing on the blanket, alarming both Treville and D'Artagnan.

"Easy Athos" said Treville, though his voice betrayed his concern. "Yours might not be as high as D'Artagnan's but you still have quite the fever, let alone the rest of your injuries." He added before handing his lieutenant a cup of broth with the order of 'Drink' clear in his eyes.

Aramis watched the exchange through foggy eyes as his groggy pain and sleep filled brain struggled to wake up

"You with us Aramis?" Etienne asked gently as he lifted a water skin to the marksman's mouth, raising his head gently

"Athos?" the Spaniard asked weakly, needing to know it was actually his friend he heard and not just a dream.

"Currently being made to drink some broth by the Captain like I'll be doing to you before too long" smiled Etienne, smirking when he saw the injured man's face scrunch up in defiance. "Think you're ready to sit up?… There's someone you should see."

Confused and still slightly out of it Aramis allowed himself to be manhandled into a somewhat upright position that ended up with him sagged against Etienne's form. The experience had not been pleasant for the medic, despite the extensive padding Etienne had placed on his back and how gentle the man tried to be, simply having the skin around the lashes on his back caused an inferno of pain to engulf him.

"…m's'rry 'Mis"

Those two small, slurred words were enough to push aside any pain the medic was feeling as his head shot up, instantly searching for the source of the sound.

"D'ARTAGNAN!" he exclaimed happily, the relief at seeing the boy awake removing all traces of exhaustion and pain from the man.

Whilst D'Artagnan was equally glad and relieved to see his friend awake, the last memory he had of him being hearing his screams as he laid on the floor of his cell, the volume of Aramis's yell sent the drummers in his head into overdrive and caused him to let out a loud whimper of pain as he tried vainly to cushion his head in his hand.

At the first signs of D'Artagnan being in pain Aramis had tried to move, his brotherly and medic instincts kicking in, urging him to get to his brother's side. Only then for him to be reminded of his own injuries by accidentally jarring his leg which caused him to scream in pain and clutch his thigh as he tried to breath through the pain.

"Here" Etienne said softly, handing the now heavily breathing medic a small vial containing what he knew to be pain reliever.

Downing the vials contents in one gulp Aramis turned back to D'Artagnan who was now being spoken to quietly by Treville

"Porthos!" Aramis exclaimed suddenly, noticing his dearest friend and brother still lying asleep. Worry instantly overtook Aramis as he had been pulled from their shared cell before Porthos had been returned to them so every injury the man was now sporting was new and highly alarming for him.

"Thierry, try to wake Porthos" Treville ordered, having noticed both the distress Aramis was in and the effort it was taking D'Artagnan to stay awake. "Etienne explain the situation to Aramis," he added before returning to Athos's side.

Nodding both musketeers set to work following the Captain's orders. Etienne began explaining to Aramis the details of each of his brothers' injuries. He knew it was killing the man not to be able to see them for himself so he hoped that he would be able to alleviate some of the man's worries if he went into depth about what had already been done to treat them.

Whilst this was happening Thierry had knelt by Porthos's side as was calling his name gently as he tapped his face, occasionally sprinkling a bit of water onto the man's face until he began to show signs of waking.

Unfortunately for Thierry, Porthos's last memory was of seeing a terrified D'Artagnan in Ortiz's grip so he reacted quite violently when he awoke. Luckily though he was significantly weakened due to his injuries so the punch he threw at Thierry's jaw did little but knock the man back on his ass.

"Shit Porthos" grunted Thierry as he rubbed the now bruising jaw

The familiar voice pushed through the fog in his mind and as soon as he realized who it was he had punched he sent the man a sheepish look and offered up apologies.

"It's fine my friend" Thierry reassured, a small flicker of relief in his eyes at seeing his friend awake and still with some strength to fight. "Though maybe I'll let someone else wake you next time" he joked, winking at the man so he knew it was said as a jest.

"If you want to say something I would suggest doing it now" called Galen, a small amount of worry in his voice as he flickered his gaze from D'Artagnan to Porthos and back again, "He's not gonna be conscious for much longer"

"Quietly though" added Athos quickly, not wanting to see his protégé in more pain.

"Whelp" breathed Porthos in relief

"…P'thos" responded D'Artagnan weakly attempting to smile at his brother and though the attempt was a disastrous fail the remaining inseparables took it as it was intended and smiled back, hoping their faces didn't show the fear they felt for their brother's terrible condition.

It also seemed that D'Artagnan was forcing himself to stay awake just long enough to confirm that each of his brothers were in fact alive, even if they had seen better days, because as soon as he had finished his poor attempt of a grin the battered Gascon collapsed against Leroy's hold… unconscious once again.

"D'ARTAGNAN!" screamed the inseparables in panic

"He's just unconscious" Galen reassured, though even he couldn't keep the worry completely out of his voice, "Probably a good thing too, we still have a lot of injuries that need tending to, it'll save him some pain if he's out for it"

Athos and Porthos seemed to relax at this, though they still watched their little brother like a hawk.

Aramis however took this as a call for his help and once again attempted to stand.

"What do you think you're doing?" chided Etienne, though there was a small sparkle of amusement in his eyes as he watched the man's stubbornness.

"Helping my brother" grunted Aramis

"And how do you plan to do that when you can't stand?"

"You could always help me," snapped Aramis

"Aramis, you're shaking," reminded Treville who had come over after helping moving Athos back into a lying position. "You'd be no help to them"

"He's my brother!" spat Aramis as he glared at his Captain, "I can help!"

Sighing Treville silently cursed the stubbornness of his men.

"Here" Treville stated, handing Aramis a needle and small bit of thread. At the medic's confused look he added, "thread that in the next thirty seconds and I'll personally help you over there."

Scoffing at the challenge Aramis attempted to do just that, all whilst ignoring the sad, yet knowing smirk on Treville's face.

Much to his annoyance however his hands were indeed shaking too much to complete his task in the set time. Scowling at the limbs like they'd betrayed him he opened his mouth, about to beg the Captain if he had to.

"Aramis." Treville said softly, "You almost died, the four of you… You need to heal and pushing yourself for D'Artagnan is only going to cause a lot more pain for you both. You trained Galen yourself so you know how good he is and I'll watch them and alert you should we need you but now you need to rest."

After several moments of silent debate between the two Aramis sighed, bitterly accepting defeat as he nodded his acceptance.

"What do you need?" Treville asked the two men working on D'Artagnan. He could see their concern as they worked and it did little to settle the growing fear he felt for the young man's safety.

"Space" grunted Galen

"Quiet" snipped Leroy at the same time, neither man taking their eyes off of what they were doing.

Nodding at his men Treville moved to leave, fully intending to give them just that – Athos and the rest of the inseparables had fallen asleep once again and the rest of his men had retreated to the campfire to eat and rest after the hectic day.

"We need to get back to Paris." Galen added after a moment, "He needs the skills of a physician… and a good one, if he's to recover. We don't have those skills and I doubt Aramis does either."

"Do what you can" Treville nodded before leaving to join his men at the campfire, relaying the message to them as well. Each man felt slightly helpless, as they knew they did not have the ability to move the injured men at present and they were too far away from any place that might have a highly trained physician.

"I have a couple of wagons you could use," piped up a nervous voice.

"… Bryce correct?" Treville asked, hope growing within him that he might be able to get his men home.

The young man nodded, "We … don't exactly get along" he explained nodding to where D'Artagnan was being tended to, "But I don't want him dead. I doubt you'll be receiving much in the way of help from our village but my two wagons are yours if you want them."

"Farrin and Etienne" Treville ordered, a plan now forming in his mind, "Go with Bryce and collect these wagons, the rest of you get some sleep and with luck we might be able to make for home in the morning."