Evening My Lovelies!

I'll admit I'm not entirely sold on this chapter. It gave me no end of problems to write it (think I ended up spending over a week or two on it thanks to writers block) So I'm apologizing in advance in case you all think it's terrible.

Notes On Reviews:

Deana: Thanks for the review - It's only going to get worse for our boys in the coming chapters but Aramis's head will definitely be pounding a bit after that hit. Enjoy the new chapter! x

FierGascon: Thanks for the review - Haha yep another cliffy :) Me and cliffhangers have an odd relationship, I hate reading them in other stories but LOVE writing them in my own (guess thats the evil part of me playing up again lol.) No cliffhanger today though :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Tidia: Thanks for the review - I do so like keeping you all guessing :) Unfortunately no questions will be answered today, today's is a bit of a filler. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Jasperslittlesister: Thanks for the review - Today's is a bit of a filler but I promise things will start picking up again tomorrow :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Oooh I'm glad you like the protective outbursts as much as I do :D We'll be getting plenty more of them as the story progresses :) I'm really hoping my baddy in this story is liked?...hated? (you know what i mean) as much as my others have been. I dont think I have it in me to write a story now where there isnt a puppy pile and snuggly moments lol They're just too cute to ignore. I have referred to D'Art as a little brother in the later chapters and then gone back and changed it as I dont think they're quite there yet... maybe at the end though? With what I have planned that could be a nice cutesy moment to have that dropped into conversation (and have D'Art grinning like a loon) We'll see :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Guest: Thanks for the review - D'Art had claimed that word for a little while thats true lol Oh egg on all you want I'm all for as much whumpage as possible :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Helensg: Thanks for the review - Glad you enjoyed it, today's is a bit of a filler but I felt it was a necessary one as well. Oh Athos (and Porthos) are going to be pissed, but with what I have planned they'll be a bit distracted to really act on that for a bit. In terms of Athos whumpage, unfortunately there wont be any before the weekend, BUT I do promise that what I have planned for him will be worth the wait *grins evilly* As for who the girl is we have a few chapters before we find that out (gotta keep you all on your toes somehow :D) Enjoy the new chapter! x

GingietheSnap: Thanks for the review - Hopefully the wait wasnt too long for you :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Zoe (Guest): Thanks for the review - Oh yes, there is a LOT of hurt planned for our boys :D We wont really start seeing it happen for a couple of chapters but it's coming... and it's going to be gloriously evil :D (hopefully I havent gone and bigged it up too much) Enjoy the new chapter! x

As always much love and many thanks to you awesome people who follow/favourite/review/read

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Four: Playing Catch Up

"Recon the whelp managed to get 'Mis out of his room yet?" Porthos asked, barely concealing the hope in his voice as he and Athos made their way back from yet another long day of palace duty. Treville knew neither man wanted to be far from Aramis while the man was grieving, yet he could not justify having them off rotation for that so had come with the compromise of sticking them with palace duty so they were close should the medic need them.

"Probably not," Athos sighed, one hand coming up to rub the back of his neck. "Aramis can be a stubborn mule when he wants to be. Remember how long it took us to get him out of his room after Savoy?"

Porthos visibly winced at the mention of the massacre that nearly ended their brotherhood with the Spaniard before it had ever truly begun. Eager to push those memories aside he said, "True, but the kid's pretty stubborn too," with a wink and sly grin at his friend he added, "would have to be to put up that torture you call a training plan."

Athos sent his brother an offended look, though the glint in his eyes told a different story. "He has potential and wants to learn," he offered by way of explanation for the relentless training he had been forcing upon the boy, "why would I not push him?"

Porthos grinned and knocked the swordsman shoulder, knowing that despite the man's standoffish behavior he was just as fond of the young Gascon as he and Aramis were.

"Maybe we can get 'Mis to show the boy some things with firearms." Porthos suggested after a few moments of silence. "The whelp could do with speeding up his reload rate and lord knows 'Mis needs a healthier distraction then drinking himself into a stupor."

"Perhaps," mused Athos and for the remainder of their journey the pair debated various approaches they could take to get their grieving friend to train their newest pup.

"Evening men," called Treville as he watched the two tired musketeers enter the garrison.

"Captain," nodded the pair as they moved over to give the man their report of the day's activities.

During the report Treville didn't fail to notice how both men's eyes would drift towards the closed doors of Aramis's rooms.

Unable to help the small fond smile that graced his lips Treville waited until Athos had finished giving the report before he gave them the news that would no doubt perk them up after the dull day they seemed to have.

"He came out today," Treville stated, watching with barely veiled amusement as both men perked up instantly, as predicted.

"He did?" exclaimed Porthos joyfully, knowing that getting the medic out of the gloomy room he had shut himself away in for the last week was the first step towards healing his beloved friend.

Treville nodded, "Not for long but I saw him and D'Artagnan having lunch when I was on my back to my office."

Both Athos and Porthos felt a weight lift off of their shoulders at the Captain's words and now both men were even eager to check up on their friends.

"They're inside?"

Treville shrugged, "I would assume so, they were both gone by the time I left again."

Seeing the impatience growing within his men Treville chuckled softly under his breath before dismissing them and retreating back into his office to finish up the last of the day's paperwork so he could head home.

"'Mis? D'Artagnan?" Called Porthos as he knocked on the door, his brows furrowing when no response was heard from the inside. Sending a look to Athos, finding the man's features mimicked his own, Porthos opened the door.

The sight that greeted them was Aramis's typically pristine room in complete disarray. While this wouldn't have been worrying normally given the man's tendency to let everything else fall through the cracks when he was dealing with grief and bad memories. It was the things that were noticeably missing that had the two musketeers worried.

"Saddlebag's gone," remarked Porthos with no small amount of concern in his voice as he noticed the small bag Aramis always kept by the door was missing.

"So are his weapons," sighed Athos as he stared into the now empty box that had once housed the medic's weapons. After Marsac's death Athos had taken to locking them away. A large part of him doubted the devout medic would ever consider using them on himself but the swordsman knew a thing or two about being pushed to the brink and he could see the signs in Aramis's eyes so he refused to take any chance with his brother's life.

"So wherever 'e went 'e went willingly"

"Looks that way," nodded Athos, a small frown appearing on his face, "Though it doesn't explain why neither he nor D'Artagnan sent for us."

"No," agreed Porthos, his eyes narrowing as something caught his attention. "But this might," he said, bending down to pick up the piece of paper that had obviously fallen off of the bed at some point. "Whelp's handwritin'," he stated, handing the note to Athos and moving to stand by his side.

The small frown on Athos's face only grew as he remembered D'Artagnan. Why the boy hadn't stopped their friend from leaving or at least had the sense to get him to wait was beyond him but he pushed his frustration aside as he opened the small folded note and began to read the hurried, broken sentences:

Athos, Porthos

I can't stop him. He refuses to listen. I'll keep him as safe as I can but please bring backup. More than just our lives may depend on it.

D'Artagnan

"Well that's helpful," grumbled Porthos as he frowned intently at the note. Clearly D'Artagnan had been rushed to write it but he found himself wishing the young man had written something a bit more helpful.

"There must be more information somewhere, lets get looking," Athos said, his attention already drifting from the conversation and to looking for something to tell them where their missing brothers were.

"What the hell do the pair of you think you're doing?" exclaimed Treville as he stood in the entrance way of the garrison stables, a lantern in his hand and his eyes narrowing in both question and concern.

"Going after that stupid man before he gets both himself and the whelp killed," grunted Porthos as he struggled to saddle up his horse in the dim lighting the stable's lantern provided.

"What?"

"They're half a day a head of us at least so we'll have to ride through the night to have any hope of catching them." Athos added, either ignorant or ignoring the Captain's confusion at the turn of events.

"Neither of you are going anywhere," commanded Treville, his voice hard and brokering no debate.

"What!" both musketeers roared in anger and confusion as they abandoned the task of preparing their horses to glare at their Captain.

Steeling his gaze as he stared down his men Treville folded his arms in front of his chest. "In case neither of you have noticed its pitch black outside, you wont be able to see a path let alone follow it and if you think I'm about to let either of you ride out in such conditions you're sorely mistaken."

"Aramis –" Athos snapped, only to be interrupted again by Treville's continued rant.

"Would not want either of you risking your necks by leaving in such conditions. Besides neither of you have rested since you returned from the palace, you're more likely to fall off your horses in exhaustion then be of any actual help to them if they need it." Seeing his men's anger shrink slightly at the logic in his words he sighed, softened slightly and allowed his eyes to lose their harshness. "Which brings me to my main question as to what the hell is going on?"

Athos and Porthos spent the next several minutes explaining what they had learnt of the trouble Aramis had somehow managed to get himself and D'Artagnan tied up in.

"My office, now." Commanded Treville, harshness returning to his countenance at the knowledge of one of his men and an extremely promising potential recruit were in trouble.

Knowing better to argue with the man when he was as he now was, both Athos and Porthos followed without a word and the trio spent the next hour or so planning out the route the pair would take come morning as well as potential rescue plans, though they would need altering depending on what situation they found their brothers in.

"Get some rest," Treville said softly as they finished the last of their planning and he noticed both men were practically dead on their feet. "I'll inform Serge to have travel rations ready for you come first light but you're no good to anyone when you're a step away from passing out."

Neither man wanted to put off heading out for another second, worry eating them up inside, but they knew the Captain was right and their exhaustion could potentially leave D'Artagnan as the only one capable of getting the two missing men out of wherever they were, both Athos and Porthos were seriously doubting Aramis's thought process and knew that the man's guilt and grief would spur him to act more recklessly then he would normally, even with the addition of D'Artagnan.

Resigning himself to having to force both himself and Porthos to get a couple of hours rest Athos sighed deeply as he gently grabbed the larger man by the elbow and guided him outside. Neither man commenting on the sickening feeling of dread beginning to settle within them.