Evening My Lovelies :)

I'm afraid today's chapter isn't as awesome as yesterdays :( But we are seriously close to what I'm hoping will be a kick-ass, epicially awesome chapter so I'm hoping both that you guys like it and that I'll be able to do justice to the idea I have in my mind.

Over 30k hits on this story! *happy dances* :D

Notes On Reviews:

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

watlocked: Thanks for the review - Yay, yeah it seems like the whole notification bit is sorted now :) I think we all hate Louis after that chapter, I keep wanting to write him as a decent guy and then I remember the show and I'm like, nope he's a jerk lol :) I'm hoping this chapter is good enough to follow yesterday's ending, I hit a bit of a writers block with it as I didn't want loads of questioning as I want some things to be a surprise for you guys when they happen, but as I said hopefully you'll like it regardless. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Tidia: Thanks for the review - Yeah Louis's a bit of a dumb jerk, I think he thinks they automatically like him because he's King and that nothing he could do would change that. The Q&A is finished today but the ramifications of it will go on for a bit, especially with D'Art. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I absolutely LOVED writing a pissed of Athos :D He might show up again in tomorrows chapter as well, haven't decided yet. I think Aramis would be very happy to shoot the King for what he's making D'Art do. Yeah there's more talking to come but I'm going to skip some of it as I dont want you guys to know everything just yet... My evil mind needs to keep some secrets :D But by the end of today's chapter Treville has enough information from D'Art to take to the King. Apologies again for missing that update, I caught up on a bunch of sleep so hopefully that wont happen again and this whole issue with me not sleeping properly will be sorted now *crosses fingers* Enjoy the new chapter! x

pain in the mikta: Thanks for the review - I think the Ortiz hate-o-meter is pretty much permanently set on high lol, though in a couple of chapters time it may go off the charts. I'm loving Ortiz's mind games too, my evil mind is having a lot of fun with that :) Our boys will have a LOT of work to do to put our Gascon humpty-dumpty back together again. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - Hahaha Ooooh I love your idea :D Ortiz is pretty confident that his plan will go off perfectly even with the musketeer's knowing everything, though he will be vague about some things. He's kinda like one of those movie badies who tell the whole world their plan, only time will tell whether his will work though. D'Art's gonna be pretty bad by the end of this that's for sure. Our boys will have their work cut out for them in terms of fixing him. I'll put you all out of your misery regarding Thierry and write his fate in tomorrows chapter :) I adore writing furious musketeers so I couldnt resist them being there when the King made his demands :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Helensg: Thanks for the review - Angry Athos is awesome I quite agree :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the reviews - I figured it was you when I read it but didn't want to put your name to it until I was sure so thanks for the second clarification review :) I loved writing Athos so angry and protective so I'm happy you liked it too :) Writing Athos's pained whispers damn near broke my heart as I could picture the scene in my head. Athos doesn't take any crap from anyone, royals included, when it comes to his brother's safety. I really wanted to write Louis as being compassionate to D'Arts plight with the request but I figured he wouldnt be so we were left with jerky King... Though it then did leave room for some lovely outbursts of protective anger from our boys so I'll take it :D Ortiz is on a mission to break D'Artagnan, he couldn't do it in Lupiac so now he's trying his luck here... Only thing is that he might actually be able to do it this time. I'm thoroughly enjoying the mind games D'Art is being subjected too its so deliciously evil that my evil mind is practically purring with delight (I've had a lot of sugar today so apologies for the random thought) I must say that I think Ortiz is my favourite villain that I've created, probably tying with crazy ass Lucian in my regrets of the past story but still, I like how Ortiz is smart enough to have all this planned out. He's so confident in his plan that he doesnt even mind if the musketeers know some stuff about it as he doubts they'll be able to stop it anyways. I always up for a recap if its because you liked it :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

As always many thanks and much love to everyone who follows/favourites/reviews/reads this, love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Request II

"Now then," grinned Ortiz as he watched the fear D'Artagnan desperately tried to hide fill his eyes. "I do believe it's your turn…"

"Right," coughed D'Artagnan, focusing his attention on the book in his hands as he tried to calm his panicking heart. He hated himself for the fear he felt, he was a musketeer for god's sake he shouldn't be so scared of one man's words. Shaking himself mentally he looked up and said, "Where do they plan on detonating this explosion?"

"Explosions,"

"What?" D'Artagnan asked, tilting his head to one side in confusion.

"Multiple," Confirmed Ortiz, "and to answer your question, at several points across the city," grinning as he saw D'Artagnan frown at the vague answer he added, "should keep you boys busy don't you think?"

D'Artagnan opened his mouth to question further before he remembered that Ortiz wouldn't answer his question until he had asked his own and so reluctantly closed his mouth and glared at the grinning Spaniard.

"Oh don't be such a grouch Charles, we're having fun." Smirked Ortiz, "Which of your precious brothers put up the most resistance to our meeting?"

D'Artagnan's brow furrowed in confusion as he wondered at the random question before grumbling, "Athos."

"Ahh" smiled Ortiz, "I expected as much, he did look quite pained when I made my offer to him. Though it's understandable I suppose, probably was upset that they would be forced to trust such a task to someone like you."

Upon seeing the doubt and hurt in D'Artagnan's eyes Ortiz couldn't resist. "I mean you are on a bit of a losing streak lately. First you failed to get the information from my office you returned to find which led to your capture. Second you failed to escape after you attempted to make a break from my compound. Thirdly your failure to do both the previous things led to your brothers capture and subsequent torture as they attempted to rescue you." Looking into D'Artagnan's eyes he added, "Is it any surprise that after all that he wouldn't feel comfortable trusting you to complete this task properly?"

D'Artagnan said nothing, every single word Ortiz spoke was like a knife to his heart and he was struggling to breathe. In his heart he didn't believe it, Athos had always believed in him, always supported him in whatever he tried to do… But in his mind there was a small voice that agreed with Ortiz's assumption, after all, given everything that had happened would it really be that much of a leap to learn that Athos no longer trusted him.

"Your turn," grinned Ortiz.

"Where, specifically, are these explosions going to happen?" D'Artagnan asked, his voice shaky, something Ortiz noticed straight away.

"If you've got a map I'll mark them on it." He offered, watching with a grin as D'Artagnan left the room to get a map.

"D'ARTAGNAN!" cried Treville as he saw the exhausted looking Gascon emerge from the room. "Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes rapidly scanning the boy's face, a frown coming to his own as he saw how emotionally drained the lad looked.

"I need a map," D'Artagnan said, his voice soft and thick with emotions that Treville could see the boy wasn't ready to address.

"City or Country?" Treville asked as he looked over to the maps he had laid out on a table – he had sent a runner back to the garrison as soon as D'Artagnan had begun his interrogation so he could work on organizing which patrol routes needed urgent attention once this was all over and his men could return to normal duties.

"City," D'Artagnan said, nodding his thanks as Treville handed him a rolled up piece of parchment.

"D'Artagnan," Treville said softly, his hand gripping the boy's elbow as he moved to reenter the cell. At D'Artagnan's questioning look he elaborated, "Are you sure your okay to go back in there?"

"…I'm fine Captain," D'Artagnan reassured as he moved to reenter the cell, though it did little to help the worried Captain, as he knew that it was a favourite of the boy to say whenever he was injured or in pain.

"Captain!" called a voice, pulling Treville from his concerned musing.

"Farrin? What are you doing here?"

Farrin sighed and looked slightly uncomfortable which only further intrigued the Captain. "They're worried about our boy," he explained, nodding to the door.

"And you volunteered to come and check on him?" Treville asked, surprised as he thought Farrin would be at the garrison keeping an eye on Thierry and Etienne. The man wasn't as close to the two men as they were with each other but they were very good friends, which was why it was slightly odd for the musketeer to be here.

Farrin scoffed, "Aramis threatened to shoot me if I didn't," Treville laughed only to be stopped as Farrin continued, "Porthos threatened to beat me up."

"And Athos?" Treville asked amusedly

"I… wont repeat what he said to me," Farrin said, genuinely looking slightly scared of whatever threat Athos made.

"You'll be fine," reassured Treville as he clamped a hand on Farrin's shoulder.

"I'll believe that once I've given them a report on D'Artagnan and am still alive to talk about it."

"He came out a little while ago, looked tired but otherwise okay." Treville explained, giving Farrin a complete description of what was going on before allowing him to head back to the very impatient and worried inseparables.

"I gave them my word you would be okay D'Artagnan," whispered Treville worriedly, "Please don't make me a liar."

MUSKETEER GARRISON

"No Aramis," said Athos with a sigh as he kept his gaze on the gates of the garrison.

The trio had reluctantly returned to the garrison after the incident with the King and had not moved from their table since, apart from a brief moment some time ago where they managed to get Farrin to agree to check on D'Artagnan for them, knowing full well that if they went they would be risking their commission.

"Why not?" whined the medic, grimacing slightly as he quickly downed a pain draught for his leg. "You know I wouldn't miss."

"Aramis," warned Athos.

"No you're right," nodded Aramis, a slightly evil smirk coming to his face, "a musket ball to the head is too good for someone like Ortiz."

Porthos chuckled as Aramis started listing other things that they could use or do to end Ortiz. To anyone passing by it would have been quite the worrying conversation, but by now everyone in the regiment knew what Ortiz had done to the quartet and so they weren't surprised by Aramis's one sided conversation.

"Heads up," Porthos stated, pushing himself up from the table using his good hand, "Our man's back."

The inseparables watched as Farrin handed over the reins of his horse to the young stable hand before heading over to them.

"Well?" Athos growled, his arms crossing over in front of his chest.

"I couldn't speak or see D'Artagnan as he was in the middle of his interrogation when I got there." Farrin explained, somewhat nervously, "But I spoke to Treville who gave me the report."

The next few minutes were filled with Farrin repeating back the information Treville had given him to the three worried musketeers.

The inseparables visibly relaxed as Farrin spoke and it wasn't long before they finished listening to him. Once they finished they thanked Farrin before letting him return to whatever he had been doing before they asked for his help.

"So now what?" grouched Porthos, "We just wait for the whelp to come back?"

"There's not much else we can do mon ami" Aramis sighed sadly.

"Ortiz is going to break him," Athos whispered brokenly as he raised his gaze to meet the equally worried gazes of his brothers.

"Then we'll just have to put him back together again," nodded Aramis, placing a gentle hand on the swordsman's shoulder as he spoke.

"What…What if he's too broken to fix?"

He didn't get to say much more as Aramis smacked the back of his head, "Don't even think that," he growled, narrowing his eyes at his friend. "D'Artagnan's stronger than we give him credit for. He survived all Ortiz could throw at him before, he'll be okay in the end."

Porthos opened his mouth to say something when he spotted a familiar face by the garrison gates. "Marie?"

"Porthos!" she sighed, pushing passed the two guards who had been trying to stop her entering the garrison.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, scanning her over for any injuries and only relaxing when he saw nothing wrong but being slightly out of breath.

"You and Flea made a deal," she reminded him, tilting her head to one side in confusion as she spoke. "Jacques Dupond remember?"

"Right," nodded Porthos, "Sorry it's been a bit manic since I left that meeting."

"Porthos, just who is your lovely friend?" Asked Aramis as he observed the two from his spot at the table.

"Athos, Aramis," Porthos said, pointing to each of them as he said their names, "this is Marie, she's friends with Flea and got me and Thierry that private meeting outside the court."

"Our thanks for that mademoiselle," grinned Aramis flirtatiously as he nodded his head in her direction. "I take it there has been some news on that front?"

"There has," nodded Marie, turning her focus back to Porthos. "Here," she said handing him a small piece of paper, "He was spotted at this location half an hour ago, my people are keeping watch on the place so we'll know if he moves but he's still there for now." She informed him before wishing them luck and leaving.

Porthos stared at the piece of paper, wanting dearly to go and follow the lead but knowing that after what happened last time he left the garrison that no-one was going to let him go.

"Galen!" called Athos, waving the musketeer over as he turned to look at them.

"Gents," he smiled, "How can I help?"

"Got a lead on one of our list of names, Jacques Dupond," Porthos explained, "Think you can scrounge up a team to go and get him?" he asked, passing over the paper to the musketeer.

"Leave it to me," grinned Galen before he went to collect a few more men to go with him.

"Now we're back to waiting…" sulked Aramis as all their focus turned back to the garrison gates.

ORTIZ'S PRISON

Treville sighed as he placed his work back down on the table as he finally accepted he wasn't going to get anything done whilst D'Artagnan was in the cell in front of him talking to the madman that tortured him and his brothers.

Treville was growing more concerned the longer the boy remained in the room and it was getting harder not to go in there and drag the boy out of there.

Thankfully he didn't have to wait much longer as he heard the sound of the door being unlocked and opened.

"Come on Charles!" he heard being shouted, "Answer the question, we had a deal!"

Treville watched worriedly as D'Artagnan paused in the doorway of the cell before turning to look over his shoulder as he said sadly, "No I don't," locking the door behind him as soon as he finished speaking.

"D'Artagnan?" Treville said hesitantly, his heart breaking at the look on D'Artagnan's face.

"Here," D'Artagnan said quickly, practically thrusting the book into Treville's hands, "This is everything he told me," he added before rushing out of the prison as quickly as his injured leg would let him.

"D'ARTAGNAN!" Treville called after him, torn between following after the obviously troubled young man or staying to read over the information he received so he could make a report to the King.

Normally Treville might have been willing to risk the King's ire by following D'Artagnan, but after seeing the King's attitude earlier that day Treville knew not to push his luck so reluctantly sat down to read through D'Artagnan's notes, praying the boy would be okay and had just needed to head back to the garrison, to his brothers.

Some time later when he had finished reading the notes Treville sat back in his chair, stunned by what he had learned. Looking at the book in his hands he couldn't help but curse as he tried to work out the best way to break this information to the King.