Evening My Lovelies

Holy crap! Didn't actually think I would reach the 550 mark today! Just goes to show how totally awesome my gorgeous reviewers are! Love you all so much, you have no idea how much reaching such an amount has completely made my day *happy dances*

Notes On Reviews:

Deana: Thanks for the review - Same :) Though i suppose he needed something cute/sweet to happen to counteract all the whumpage I've dealt him lol. Enjoy the new chapter! x

pain in the mikta: Thanks for the review - Yay I'm really glad you liked their discussion, I got really nervous once I published it as I wasnt sure if it would seem a bit rushed but the general consensus was that it was good so I'm all smiley now :D And no howling in that review lol :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I don't know where the whole 'not the first time he's almost died thing' came from but I've kinda got it in my head that maybe things were worse for him in Gascony then what our boys have been told :) I was trying to work out a valid reason for why the regiment would react differently and the age thing seemed the most appropriate, seems to have gone overI well which is a relief :) Haha the swearing bit amused me too much not to write so I'm glad you liked it. Our boys have all made up now *cheers* and we get another cuddle-fest today (because its too cute to ignore) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yay I'm glad you thought so :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Tidia: Thanks for the review - D'Arts doing better now, though our boys still have to deal with Ortiz and now Claude and his cronies. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Bombadilo Baby: Thanks for the review - I felt it necessary after all the whumpage I've done to the boys :D Plus the imagery is just WAY too cute :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

pheonixriv: Thanks for the review - Our boys will be back at the garrison today and all I'll say is that Treville will be pretty pissed. With regards to Claude's treatment of our pup, we'll be getting to that tomorrow. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Teddy2104: Thanks for the review - I'm glad you liked it, I couldnt resist writing all that cuteness (and we get some more today!) Claude will get what's coming to him don't worry. I'm happy they're not fighting now too :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Helensg: Thanks for the review - Don't we all lol *swoons* Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - Yep, Claude's days are definitely numbered... The only thing that might stave off the inevitable is a return of our favourite bad-guy Ortiz. Glad you liked our boy's chat... Athos has a line in today's chapter that I absolutely adore so be prepared for some more musky-fluff :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

fariedragon: Thanks for the review - D'Arts nightmares are still pretty bad but they'll better when he's with his brothers so he'll be getting better slowly :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Hehe Glad you enjoyed it, the cuteness was just too tempting not to write :D Besides our boys needed a reward for all the whumpage I've put them through. I figured the whole age difference thing was a decent enough reason for why there was a difference in the reaction between the regiment to their injuries. The idea seems to have gone down well so I'm counting it as a good idea :) Haha I loved the swearing bit too! I have no idea where the thought for it came from but I'm so glad I had it as it was probably one of my favourite bits of the chapter :D I'm thinking the dirty-minded idea might come back up when our boys confront Claude, we'll have to see. We're getting another snuggly moment between our boys today so hopefully you'll enjoy that too :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Many thanks and much love to everyone who follows/favourites/reviews/reads... You're awesome!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Fifty-Four: Returning Home

Staring at his brother's face as screams tore their way from his throat D'Artagnan could barely feel the pain of his own injuries as they protested his struggle to try to get to the now bleeding man.

"…Athos!" he cried weakly, trying his utmost to get out of the chains that were forcing him to watch every single time the blade punctured his brother's flesh. He could smell the burning skin as a hot poker was placed on his mentor's stab wounds, but none of that compared to the pain he could see in his beloved elder brother's eyes.

"Athos!" he cried in alarm when Athos suddenly went limp in his chains but before D'Artagnan could cry out again another scream pierced the air, freezing any words that had been on the Gascon's tongue as he quickly sought out the source of the scream.

D'Artagnan felt himself pale as he was forced to watch Porthos try to fight off the dog that had just shattered his wrist with his jaw.

"Porthos!" he screamed, his efforts renewing with vigor despite the agonizing pain his own injuries were causing him.

D'Artagnan's eyes widened in horror as he saw Lucifer launch himself at a downed Porthos but before he could see the outcome of the move another cry of pain from the other side of him caught his attention.

"Aramis!"

This time the Gascon was forced to watch as Aramis was whipped mercilessly to the point where one could occasionally see the whites of his bones in the deep gashes that now marred the Spaniards back.

"LEAVE THEM ALONE!" screamed D'Artagnan as he glared at the shadowy figure that had been flickering between the three injured men.

"Why?" asked the shadow as he tilted his head in confusion. The voice was familiar in a way the Gascon had not expected and so couldn't help the horrified expression that found its way onto his face.

"After all," mocked the shadow as it moved towards the chained Gascon. "You should see what we did," he smirked and D'Artagnan's horrified expression grew as the shadow was revealed to be a smirking version of himself.

"You'll be the death of them you know," smirked the shadow-D'Artagnan as he moved to circle the chained Gascon. "Might as well get used to seeing it now."

With that the shadow-D'Artagnan clicked his fingers and the young Gascon could only watch as Lucifer latched his jaws around Porthos's throat.

"PORTHOS!" screamed D'Artagnan as he thrashed in his chains, tears now streaming down his face.

Without saying another word the shadow version of himself clicked his fingers two more times and D'Artagnan was forced to watch as both Aramis and Athos met similar fates.

"D'Artagnan!" hissed a concerned voice, which caused D'Artagnan's eyes to shoot open, his chest heaving as he tried to suck air into his deprived lungs.

"Easy D'Artagnan," soothed the voice. Turning to face the source D'Artagnan couldn't stop the tears that welled up in his eyes as he stared into the concerned gaze of his beloved mentor.

During the night Athos and Porthos had swapped positions, the larger man, upon noticing that the swordsman intended to stay up and watch over them all, had forced the switch when he was sure D'Artagnan was asleep, stating that the boy would find more comfort with Athos next to him and so Athos took Porthos's spot by D'Artagnan's side and couldn't help the fond smile that appeared when D'Artagnan immediately snuggled into his side… Well as much as he could given Aramis's octopus grip on him.

Porthos had grinned broadly at the sight before lying down beside the medic, stretching his arm over the man so he was still connected to the Gascon.

"It was just a dream D'Artagnan," soothed Athos as he pulled the trembling Gascon closer to his chest, letting the young man cry into his shirt as he whispered soothing words in his ear.

"…S-Sorry," muttered D'Artagnan once he had calmed down enough to realize what he had been doing.

Athos allowed the hand that wasn't gripping his protégé to ruffle to boy's hair gently. "It's what older brothers are here for," smirked the swordsman, his smirk growing at the growing pink tinge on D'Artagnan's cheeks.

"There's still several hours before we need to be up," said the swordsman as he glanced up at the still dark sky, "you should try to get some more sleep."

At those words Athos felt D'Artagnan tense in his arms but before he could say anything else his smirk returned as he noticed that Aramis, who even in his sleep seemed to have registered the young man's distress, had tightened his own hold on the boy, snuggling deeper into his side.

"I will wake you again should a nightmare occur, you have my word," reassured Athos.

D'Artagnan still seemed hesitant but his exhaustion coupled with the warmth and protection from his brothers quickly won out and within minutes his eyes were closing again.

"Looks like sleeping beauty's finally awake," teased Porthos when he noticed D'Artagnan beginning to stir.

D'Artagnan, still not quite awake, merely groaned in response before practically squeaking in surprise when he realized that his head was now resting on Athos's lap, the musketeer's hand soothingly stroking his hair.

"W…Wha?" mumbled the Gascon when he was finally coherent enough to attempt to form words.

"You looked too cute we didn't have the heart to wake you," teased Aramis as he and Athos helped the boy sit up before the medic passed over another helping of the pain draught he had taken the day before.

It was at this point that D'Artagnan realized the sun was a lot higher in the sky then he had expected given they needed to head back today.

"You needed the rest," whispered Athos so only he could hear and the Gascon was torn between being surprised he had actually gotten to sleep as long as he had and feeling embarrassed by the concern they showed him.

"'sides," teased Porthos with a wink, "You wouldn't let go of 'Thos so we got to see what an excellent pillow he makes."

D'Artagnan's blush intensified while Athos threw a stone at the larger man.

"You should eat," Porthos, said in between laughing, "we'll leave as soon as you're ready and we have somewhere to stop off at before we head to the garrison."

D'Artagnan looked confused but said nothing as he nibbled on the bread roll Porthos had passed him.

Aramis looked worriedly at the Gascon before remembering what Athos had said about the boy having a nightmare, no doubt the memory of it plus the pain of his injuries were upsetting his stomach.

"D'Art!" called the Spaniard with a grin as he threw something over to the surprised Gascon.

D'Artagnan caught the projectile and couldn't stop the small smile that blossomed at the sight of the apple in his hands.

"In case you don't trust Porthos's bread!" grinned the medic before he went back to packing up their supplies.

"Hey!" pouted Porthos, cuffing the medic on the back of his head as he took the now packed saddlebags from him to attach to their horses.

"Hey whelp?" called Porthos a few moments later, pulling D'Artagnan's focus from devouring the apple with a contented smile on his face.

"Where's your saddle?" Porthos asked once the boy had turned to look at him.

"In the garrison stables," admitted the Gascon sheepishly

"You're an idiot you know that right?" stated Aramis as he accepted the help up from Porthos.

"We good to go?" asked the larger man, doing his best not to laugh at the pout now on D'Artagnan's face as Athos had refused to have the boy ride bareback and so had forced him to ride with him.

Their first stop on the way home was to take a break at the church the trio had gone to during their search for their youngest.

The three senior musketeers took a great deal of joy in watching D'Artagnan getting scolded by the elderly priest for worrying everyone so. The scene made D'Artagnan look like a little kid who was getting reprimanded for doing something bad and it wasn't long before Porthos and Aramis were in fits of giggles at the sight.

Athos had stepped up at that point, ignoring the still laughing musketeers; he had thanked the priest for his concern and care when they had been there before stating that the needed to leave if they were to make it back to the garrison before it got dark.

The thought of facing a no doubt furious Treville was enough to somber the two laughing men up and with another round of thanks from the men the musketeers' were back on the road again.

As they rode up to the garrison gates Athos noticed the tenseness in D'Artagnan's muscles.

"Relax," he said quietly so that only the Gascon could here him. Athos understood the young man's hesitation; no doubt the boy was wary about having to deal with Claude and his minions' constant comments and snide looks… Something the three older inseparables had already planned on dealing with as soon as the opportunity presented itself. They had no desire to make D'Artagnan feel even more out of place at the garrison by berating the bully in plain view of everyone so each of them had spent the journey home silently planning how to create a non-suspicious scenario where they would be alone with Claude and his men.

Hearing Athos's voice in his ear was enough to remind D'Artagnan that he wasn't alone and that his brothers were looking out for him. Sending a glance his brothers' way he saw both Aramis and Porthos looking at him with concern in their eyes but soft smiles on their faces and he felt himself relax ever so slightly, something that seemed to please Athos as the older man grunted before ruffling the Gascon's hair.

"D'ARTAGNAN!" bellowed a voice, making the four inseparables flinch in anticipation. Looking upwards they could see a very angry looking Treville glaring down at them from the balcony by his office.

"Sir you shouldn't be – " started Aramis, his medic training overriding all other thoughts as the sight of his Captain standing and moving about registered in his mind.

"I'm fine Aramis!" snapped the Captain, his eyes never leaving D'Artagnan, who appeared to be trying to shrink and hide behind Athos at the Captain's growing anger.

"Get up here D'Artagnan!" bellowed Treville, his voice daring the boy to refuse.

"Sir, D'Artagnan should be – " Aramis tried again.

"If he's well enough to disappear without permission he's well enough to walk up the stairs!" snapped the Captain, instantly silencing the medic's protests. "See to your horses I'll deal with you three later!"

D'Artagnan sent a terrified look at his brothers who could only smile reassuringly at the boy before gesturing to the stairs.

"Best not keep 'im waitin'" Porthos suggested, giving the young man's shoulder's a reassuring squeeze.

"Right," sighed D'Artagnan before slowly making his way up the stairs. The three inseparables followed his progress with wary eyes, each of them knowing how much pain the younger man was in but trying not to show.

"Bout time," muttered a voice, making the three men freeze.

"Maybe the Captain's finally realized his mistake and is going to revoke his commission." Snickered the voice and the trio had to hold each other back from attacking Claude right then and there… Only the thought of how D'Artagnan would react to such a public display kept them silent.

"Captain I – " began D'Artagnan sheepishly, his body shaking and swaying slightly from the exertion of getting up the stairs.

Treville noticed this and pointed to a chair by his desk, silently ordering the young man to sit. D'Artagnan did so and quickly sunk into the chair, keeping his head down as he waited for whatever was coming for him.

"What the hell do you think you were playing at?" growled the Captain, though D'Artagnan could tell he was trying to keep calm. "You disappear without a word whilst Ortiz is still on the loose and has just publicly attacked this regiment!"

"Sir I – "

"Need I remind you D'Artagnan that your leaving could be counted as abandoning your post, something which the King takes serious offense to?"

D'Artagnan gulped at this, not having thought about it that way.

"Had the King found out about your little escape attempt you would be facing instant dismissal from the regiment and that would be the best case scenario!"

D'Artagnan visibly paled at that, the notion of losing his commission a painful thought now he had cleared the air with his brothers.

Treville sighed, taking a swig of his brandy in hopes of deadening the pain in his back. Looking at D'Artagnan he could tell the boy clearly hadn't been thinking properly when he had run off and as much as he wanted to let the young man off, he needed him to understand what repercussion could have come from his stunt.

"That's not even including what would have happened to the other three."

D'Artagnan's head shot up at this, fear and guilt instantly filling his eyes.

"They were only coming for me! They've done nothing wrong!" pleaded the Gascon, willing the Captain not to punish his brothers.

"Not in the eyes of the King D'Artagnan," sighed Treville, "Again had the King been made aware of the situation the three of them would be facing a similar fate to your own due to the fact that they left their posts without permission and executed an mission without proper approval."

"No! Please I never meant for them to be blamed for what I did!" pleaded the Gascon, his mind seriously considering getting on his knees and begging the Captain if it came to that.

"As I said that would have been the case had the King noticed. As your luck would have it he did not, which means the fate of the four of your rests in my hands."

"If you have to strip my commission I understand but please don't do the same to the others, they were only worried about me." Begged the Gascon, his eyes wide and pleading.

"I have intention of giving the Cardinal the satisfaction of seeing me lose my four best men," scowled Treville, inwardly smiling at the relief he saw flash across D'Artagnan's face, knowing it was for his brothers not for him.

"I'm putting you on suspension, effective as soon as Aramis deems you fit for duty." Treville explained, "You will be remaining at the garrison until I decide you deserve to go back out on missions and while it's in effect you'll be on stable duty is that clear?"

The stubborn, hotheaded part of D'Artagnan wanted nothing more than to protest the decision but the logical part won out, accepting this was a fairly light punishment considering the alternatives.

"And the others?" D'Artagnan asked hesitantly as he nodded his acceptance and understanding of Treville's orders.

At this Treville smirked, slightly worrying D'Artagnan by doing so.

"We have a new batch of recruits coming in a few weeks to be tested and trained for potential entry into the regiment. I'll be placing the three of them in charge of overseeing them."

"Now," Treville said, ignoring the soft snicker that escaped D'Artagnan as he realized how much complaining was going to come from his brothers when they realized their punishment. "Get yourself over to the infirmary and if I hear you've taken a single step outside the gates of this garrison without my say so I'll be stripping your commission."

D'Artagnan was fairly sure the latter part of the order was something Treville wouldn't actually do but the young man was sufficiently scared enough not to push it and so, after quickly nodding his goodbye to the Captain, he carefully made his way down the stairs and back over to where his brothers were anxiously waiting.