Evening My Lovelies!

Phew *wipes brow* that was some mad typing I've just spent the last several hours doing. But after reaching and exceeding my 400 review wish I felt I couldn't deny you guys the chapter, even if i curse myself for staying up so late tomorrow while I'm at work.

There's a lot going on in today's chapter but I absolutely love it so here's me unashamedly begging for reviews for this, I'm desperate to know what you all think of this so please, even if its just a couple of words I would really appreciate it.

Some of you might remember, if you have good memories, that when I started this story I mentioned that it came about solely because of a cliff-hanger I wanted to write... Well this is it :D You might all hate me for it thou so i'm going to hide now lol :D

Notes On Reviews:

Tidia: Thanks for the review - Yeah we were sooo close, though anything could happen today I havent really focused on our Kingy :) The King's a bit perturbed by what D'Art found out which is why he's having trouble believing it... that and he's a jerk. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Deana: Thanks for the review - We almost lost our favourite Captain and the King (though probably would hurt more to lose Treville) but they're okay... for now. Enjoy the new chapter! x

pain in the mikta: Thanks for the review - *Passes over a massive box filled with the best cookies in the world* Hopefully you wont hate me too much for how this chapter ends though our angst-o-meter and hate-o-meter might break after today. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I'm glad you liked it, I wasnt sure whether to include it as they arent our inseparable muskys but I also didnt want them just to return with him without any proper explanation so I'm pleased you enjoyed it. If you felt like crying for D'Art yesterday you might actually cry today... I'm soo evil :D I hadnt really thought about D'Art's father being buried back in Gascony until you mentioned it so thank you for that. Hopefully my explanation of it works and makes sense. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Helensg: Thanks for the review: Things are only getting worse for D'Art today I'm afraid. Thank you for your continued support. Enjoy the new chapter! x

watlocked: Thanks for the review - You're the 400th reviewer! Thank you for that :D Haha I know, that last paragraph was pure evil of me... though today's is even worse so be warned! I've also attempted to write the puppy-pile idea you had, hopefully you like it :) Oh yeah Athos and the others arent going to be happy when they learn but their anger wont last too long. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - Our boys will certainly panic when Treville returns without our pup but he's not offed himself so dont worry about that... largely because i needed him for todays chapter but also because there's still part of him that hopes he can be forgiven and that things will get better so it's preventing him from doing so. Louis's a bit of a dunce... but an entertaining one to write when he panics (which is a lot I've realized) Glad you liked the flashback/fight scene and how strange you didnt get an update :/ Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I know *grins evilly* and I'm only upping the ante today mwhahaha :D Well anything can happen with regards to Ortiz so you'll just have to read to find out :) Yeah Claude's a jerk but an interesting one to write, though I hate him for hating Porthos, despite the fact that it's me who wrote him that way lol. Hopefully you'll like the D'Art moments we have today, theres a snuggly moment that I adore and some more angsty moments as well...D'Art's not being spied on mainly because they have other things to be doing which will become apparent in today's chapter. 403 reviews go me! :D *returns hi-five* Enjoy the new chapter! x

A reader (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha now I'm creating a country song in my head lol :) I was SOOOOO tempted to have him drink it but who knows there's an opportunity for something to have happened to him today, maybe I can get away with whumping Louis a bit :D If you thought yesterday's was a heart breaker you might want to get some tissues for today :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading this. Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Forty: Execution.

Dusk was falling by the time Treville could see the gates of his garrison, after such a long day he was looking forward to getting some much needed rest before things got hectic again the following morning.

As he approached the courtyard however he couldn't help the frown that settled on his face at the sight of three of his inseparables sitting at their usual table, looking equal parts worried and angry.

Had it just been one of the men Treville wouldn't have been worried, putting it down to they were waiting for him to come back with information whilst the other two were watching over D'Artagnan. But for all three of them to be out, especially Athos who, given his reaction to D'Artagnan's task, would not have left the youngster's side for anything had he returned.

Treville opened his mouth to ask where the Gascon was but Athos bet him too it.

"Where's D'Artagnan?" Athos asked, standing from his seat at the table, not bothering to hide the worry in his voice.

"Surely it doesn't take this long to get that pompous Spaniard to talk," Porthos remarked the second Athos had finished asking his question, his whole body language speaking to his worry.

"Ortiz didn't hurt him did he?" Aramis cut in, fearing that maybe Ortiz had been able to escape his restraints and had attacked his baby brother.

"Whoa!" Treville exclaimed, raising his hands up in a surrendering motion as the frown on his face deepened, something none of the musketeer's missed. "Why are you asking where D'Artagnan is? Didn't he come back after he finished with Ortiz?"

"Would we be sittin' 'ere if he 'ad?" growled Porthos, shooting the Captain an apologetic look when he realized who he had just used that tone with.

Treville crossed his arms over his chest, "He was done with Ortiz's hours ago," he informed them, noting how they all sat up straighter at his words. "He practically threw his findings at me before flying out of the room."

"But…" Aramis said softly, his eyes full of worry.

"How was he?" Athos asked stoically, though it was clear in his body language that he was blaming himself for what D'Artagnan was going through and had endured, despite the fact there was absolutely nothing he could have done to prevent it.

"Shaken and drained," Treville admitted sadly, thinking back to the haunted look he had spotted in the young man's eyes when he last saw him. "When he left I assumed he was heading back to you three. I would have followed him but I had to inform the King of what he uncovered and then deal with a murder attempt."

"WHAT!" the three men exclaimed as one, Aramis's eyes instantly roving over Treville's form in search for injuries.

"A failed attempt," he reassured them, "Lets focus on our missing Gascon," he reminded them, almost feeling their worry for the young man rise as they began debating where D'Artagnan would have headed.

"Constance's?" Porthos suggested, the three men huddled in a small circle as they discussed options.

"She's out of town with Bonacieux remember," Aramis reminded him sadly, "She also made her feelings on their situation pretty clear so I doubt he went to her place."

"Tavern?"

Aramis frowned for a moment before grinning cheekily, "If he is at least I get out of carrying the little lightweight back,"

"…I know where he went," Athos said quietly, sending a look to his brothers.

"Of course," Aramis sighed softly, "How'd we forget about that."

"About what?" Treville asked, feeling like he was missing something important, "Where do you think he went?"

"To his father's grave," Athos stated, mentally trying to work out how long it would take them to get there.

"In Gascony?" Treville asked, equally surprised and alarmed. The boy would be no-where near the region by now and he worried about the trouble that could find the emotionally troubled young man if he was out there on his own.

"By a small church just outside the city," Porthos stated, stopping a passing recruit to ask him to tell the stable hands to prepare their horses.

"I thought he took his father body to be buried next to his mother's?" Treville questioned, looking very confused, becoming even more so as he noted the looks growing on the musketeer's faces.

"He did," nodded Aramis, remembering all too well how D'Artagnan had shut them out then, stating it was something he needed to do on his own, despite their newly developing friendship. "He also has a headstone for him at the church."

"How did he afford that?" Treville mumbled to himself, though by the smirks being sent Athos's way his men heard him. Treville then raised his eyebrow in silent question to the swordsman.

"He needed somewhere to talk to him that wasn't several hard days ride away." Athos dismissed, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards as he remembered how profusely D'Artagnan had thanked him for the gesture. Despite the fact that there was no body there, it was still a place of solace for the young man whenever he felt that he couldn't talk to them.

"Right," Treville nodded, smiling fondly at his lieutenant, "You best be off if you want to make it back in time."

"For what?" Porthos asked as he helped Aramis over and onto his horse, knowing better then to ask his friend to stay behind.

Treville's smirk intrigued the men, "The King has decided to bring Ortiz's execution forward after the attempt on his life, he's scheduled to die at noon tomorrow."

"We'll be back," Athos nodded before the three of them raced out of the garrison.

OUTSKIRTS OF PARIS

The three inseparables felt their hearts break at the sight of their little brother asleep by his father's headstone, clear evidence of tears on his face as his body shivered in his sleep. They would have been worried he had done something had it not been for the rise and fall of his chest they could make out as well as the occasional whimper.

"Oh D'Art," Aramis cooed as the three of them knelt down by his sleeping form.

"D'Artagnan," Athos called, gently cupping the youngster's face with one hand whilst his other grasped the boy's uninjured hand in an attempt to warm up the freezing appendage.

"…'Thos?" came a weak reply and Athos wasted no time in bringing the boy into an embrace as he saw the tears returning in his young protégé's eyes.

"Easy whelp," soothed Porthos, placing a hand gently on the Gascon's trembling shoulder as the boy wept in Athos's arms. "You'll be okay."

"Though we are going to have to have a talk about your worrying habit of disappearing on us," joked Aramis as he softly ran his hand through D'Artagnan's hair.

"…m'sorry," mumbled the boy, his face still nestled in Athos's chest, who chuckled softly at the look on D'Artagnan's face that very much resembled a child who had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar… only with more tear tracks.

Silence reigned for several minutes as D'Artagnan struggled to regain his composure while his brothers sat as close as they could without actually sitting on the boy, offering their silent support.

"What…" D'Artagnan asked hesitantly, his voice slightly raw from his breakdown earlier but his brother's caught his meaning quickly enough.

"You're our brother," the three of them said at one, making the youngster blink in surprise at their completely unison delivery.

"… But…" D'Artagnan mumbled, quickly ducking his head down to hide his shame.

Athos sighed, using one hand he gripped the boy under the chin and forced his face up so he was looking right at him, "D'Artagnan you are constant worry and you have enough hot-headedness and stubbornness to fill several men." D'Artagnan tried to look down again at this, bracing himself for Athos to wipe his hands of him, despite his earlier declaration of their brotherhood.

Athos however was having none of it and raised the boy's face again. "But" he said letting his eyes show the amount of love and fondness he felt for the young man, "that's what makes you our brother, no crazy Spaniard nor his fancy for torture will ever change that." He said passionately, pausing so D'Artagnan could see the truth in his words, "Understood?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in an almost challenge to the young man who gave a hesitant teary nod in response.

"That goes for us as well whelp," grinned Porthos as he pulled the young man in to a tight embrace, forgetting about the boy's back injuries, not that the young man seemed to mind as he practically sagged into the larger man's embrace.

"I do hope I get a hug too," smirked Aramis as he opened his arms out for the young boy, one arm wrapping around the boy's back whilst the other cupped the back of his head. Leaning in so only D'Artagnan could hear him he whispered, "You're family D'Art. If you cant trust anything else trust in that. Don't let Ortiz have the victory of breaking that apart."

D'Artagnan nodded weakly, though it held a tiny bit more conviction then before. He tried; he really tried to let himself believe his brother's words… But there was the part of him that just wouldn't let go to the thoughts Ortiz had helped fester.

"Are you ready to go back?" Athos asked gently, smiling softly as he noticed D'Artagnan subconsciously nestle slightly into Aramis's side. "We have an appointment tomorrow that I don't think you'll want to miss."

When D'Artagnan looked thoroughly confused Porthos filled him in on what had happened since he left and what was coming.

"Is Treville okay?" D'Artagnan asked worriedly, "The King?"

"Both live and are completely fine apart from the headache the Captain got from listening to the King's panic," joked Porthos, smiling as he saw the small-relieved smile appear on D'Artagnan's face.

"Come on whelp," Porthos stated, rising to his feet and holding out his good arm to the young Gascon, "Let's get you home."

MUSKETEER GARRISON

Treville could barely contain the fond grin that threatened to break across his face when he entered the room in the infirmary that his men had been recuperating in the following morning.

At first he was slightly concerned as all of the beds were empty and he feared that maybe D'Artagnan hadn't been at the church like they thought he was and that now his men were off trying to track the boy down.

Then a loud, and very familiar, snore caught his attention. Quietly walking around the beds Treville caught sight of the scene that made his heart warm with fondness for the four men.

There, snuggled in a makeshift nest of blankets and pillows were his men, all tightly cocooned with each other, almost looking like they were lying on top of each other.

Athos was lying on his back with one arm wrapped tightly around D'Artagnan's shoulders. The Gascon was laying on his side with his head, and on closer inspection most of his chest, lying on Athos's chest, his injured hand weakly grasping Athos's shirt.

Aramis was nestled against Athos's other side, his uninjured leg so caught up under the swordsman's that both of their knees were raised off the floor. Aramis's typically well-groomed hair was now unruly and sleep-tousled and was mixing in with Athos's locks so much that had their hair not been different colours Treville would have had trouble noting where one stopped and the other began.

Porthos was snoring contentedly as he laid against D'Artagnan's back, one hand was lightly resting in D'Artagnan's hair as if he had tried to comfort the boy and fell asleep doing so and his other arm was stretched across his sleeping brothers, almost reaching Aramis as that was how tightly entwined they all were.

Treville was loathed to wake them seeing as how this was the most contented he had seen his men look since before the three senior members left to find D'Artagnan, but he knew they wouldn't want to miss what was about to happen.

"Athos," he called softly, gently kicking the musketeers still booted foot as he spoke. Upon seeing the man open his groggy eyes and look at his questioningly Treville added, "the executions in an hour, we'll need to leave soon if we wish to attend."

It took a few seconds for Athos's sleep-filled mind to register what was being said before he nodded and begun the task of waking his brothers – a cute thing to behold as D'Artagnan merely mumbled in response to his attempts and rolled over to nestle into the still sleeping form of Porthos.

"I'll meet you outside in ten," chuckled Treville as Athos huffed in annoyance at the stubbornness of his brothers.

The ride to the palace was silent as each man was lost in their own thoughts, though much to Treville's amusement and relief the three senior inseparables had seen fit to form some sort of protective cocoon around the still slightly sleepy D'Artagnan who either hadn't noticed their actions or was too tired to protest it.

"Are you okay to be here D'Artagnan?" Treville asked quietly as he pulled the Gascon to one side as they arrived to the courtyard where Ortiz would soon be brought out to face his death. The Captain had noticed how D'Artagnan had paled slightly since they arrived and didn't want the boy to push himself further then he needed to.

"No," admitted D'Artagnan quietly, not looking at his Captain until he had taken a deep breath, after which he raised his head and added, "But I need to see this through."

Treville nodded, pride burning in his eyes as he clamped a hand on the boy's shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze before directing him back to his brothers that were waiting at the front of the growing crowd.

Treville shook his head, he still found it fascinating that so many people would turn up to watch a man die. Pulling himself out of his thoughts regarding the morbid fascination with death Treville made his way over to where the King and a very pale Cardinal were standing.

"I didn't expect to see you up and about," regarded Treville as he nodded at the Cardinal.

"My presence was required," was all he got in reply before quiet passed over the grounds as Ortiz was brought out. A worryingly smug smirk on his face as he moved to stand upon the hanging block.

"Ortiz of Spain," declared the King, eyes narrowing at the Spaniard who offered a mocking attempt at a bow to the young King. "Your crimes are many and known to those present. The sentence for them is death, have you any last words?"

The courtyard was completely silent as the crowd waited to here if there would be any words from the soon-to-be-dead man.

"Just one," smirked Ortiz, his eyes scanning the crowd and the smirk growing when it landed on D'Artagnan and his brothers… "Boom!"

Within seconds of Ortiz speaking the ground was rocked as an explosion was heard in the distance. Panic quickly ensued as some of the crowd began to attempt to flee.

"TO THE KING!" bellowed both Treville and Richelieu as they moved to protect the now shaking and panicking monarch.

The fear in the courtyard only grew when several of the people in the crowd drew weapons the soldiers hadn't even spotted on them and started attacking both civilian and military personnel alike.

"I told you!" yelled Ortiz as he pushed his arms out so one of the members could cut through his bindings, "They would be coming soon and there would be more than one!"

With that a succession of explosions could be heard throughout the city.

"'Mis!" Porthos cried as he threw himself in front of the medic's unprotected back, quickly blocking what would have been a fatal blow.

"Protect the civilians as best as you can!" Athos yelled above the screams of pain and panic.

With his words the quartet split up to cover as much area as they could.

D'Artagnan immediately noticed that Ortiz and his associate were making a break for it, using the explosions and the attacks as a distraction.

"Ortiz!" roared the Gascon as he charged after the man

"D'ARTAGNAN!" bellowed Athos as he tried to follow only to then be blocked by a panicking couple that pushed past him to attempt to escape the massacre happening in the courtyard.

All of the men were quickly engaged in their own opponents, distracting them from each other.

Porthos found himself facing three stick-thin but slippery men who were often quick enough to dodge out the way of his attacks just before they landed. Thankfully for the musketeer however they lacked any real training or strength so any attacks they did manage to land did him little damage.

It took longer then he would ever be willing to admit but eventually he managed to take down his opponents, quickly moving to help the small group of people who the men had originally been targeting.

Aramis allowed a small smile to grace his face as he fired his pistol again, hitting a charging man straight in the chest, killing him instantly.

"He was mine," grumbled Etienne who was standing guard while the marksman focused on shooting and re-loading.

It had been a surprise that morning to see Etienne out of the infirmary, even more so with a gigantic beaming grin on his face. It had barely taken the man a couple of seconds to register their presence before he ecstatically told them that Thierry was awake and somewhat alert, the physician was checking him over as he spoke to them but had said that at first glance it looked like a very positive step towards complete recovery.

Thierry, upon hearing of the execution, had order Etienne to attend and after several long minutes of silent arguing Etienne had agreed.

"Be quicker then," teased Aramis as he fired his pistol at the man who was attempting to sneak up on Porthos.

Athos had quickly recovered from the push he received and had rushed to follow D'Artagnan, only to find him struggling to defend himself against Ortiz, the man who helped him escape and another man who seemed to appear out of nowhere.

"D'Artagnan!" Athos exclaimed, rushing to the boy's aid.

"Bout time you showed up," grinned D'Artagnan weakly as he parried a blow from the accomplice.

Athos shook his head at the boy before refocusing his attention on the fight before him.

The fight seemed to go on forever and D'Artagnan could feel himself weakening, several times he almost lost his footing and as such had allowed his opponents to get in hits they never would have been able to had he been fighting-fit.

The Gascon had nearly cheered when he had defeated one of the opponents by successfully knocking his feet out from under him during a feint, quickly following it up by pushing his blade deep into the man's chest.

At the sight of his comrade dead and bleeding on the ground the second man quickly fled, using D'Artagnan's distraction by Athos's scream of pain to escape into the shadows.

"Looks like it's big brother to the rescue then," smirked Ortiz and he slashed his blade at the musketeer. "If only big brother knew the pathetic thoughts spinning around in the cachorro's head," mocked the Spaniard, the two of them clashing blades in nearly even match of strength and wills.

Ortiz then, with surprising speed, blocked a blow of Athos's blade only to then use the momentum of it to maneuver around so he was facing Athos's back, following up the maneuver by punching one of the still tender burn wounds on the musketeer's back.

Athos screamed in pain and fell to his knees as pain shot through his back.

Unable to move because of the pain, Athos failed to see Ortiz preparing to bring his blade down on him.

"NO!" Screamed D'Artagnan as he rushed to stand protectively in front of Athos's back, his arms spread wide in an effort to protect his mentor and brother.

He didn't even have time to curse the fact that in his rush to get to Athos's side he had not had the chance to pull his blade out of his dead opponent from earlier as Ortiz's blade slashed downward.

"Looks like it was your lucky day musketeer," sneered Ortiz, quickly flicking the blood off of his sword before escaping into the shadows.

"D'ARTAGNAN!" Athos screamed, his voice full of pain and panic as he quickly pushed past the demands of his body to catch the boy as his knee's buckled and he fell to the floor.

"Stay with me!" Pleaded the swordsman as he cradled the boy close to his chest, his sight blurring as tears filled his eyes.

"…m'sorry 'Thos," D'Artagnan slurred weakly, desperately trying to keep the pain from his voice, not wanting to hurt his mentor more, "…'e… got… a'ay"

"It's fine," reassured the swordsman, his eyes not knowing whether to focus on his little brother's face or his bleeding chest. "Just stay awake and stay with me okay?" he said, unashamedly begging the young boy.

"…Love…y'u…'Thos" mumbled D'Artagnan weakly, "Tell… the… o'he's… too… okay"

"You tell them yourself," Athos said, tears now streaming down his face as he tried to put pressure on the bleeding wound that was slowly killing his brother.

Panic froze his heart as he felt D'Artagnan sag boneless in his hold and noted the boy's eyes flutter close. "Wake up D'Artagnan!" he cried, practically slapping the boy's cheeks as he begged.

Looking towards where the sounds of battle had now ended Athos screamed with all the power and breath in his body, praying he wasn't too late.

"ARAMIS!"