Evening My Lovelies

This chapter was supposed to have some drama happening in it but for once I decided to nice to our boys and give them another rest chapter. But we will be picking up again very soon :)

Notes On Reviews:

Deana: Thanks for the review - Glad you liked it, we needed a cute chapter after everything I've put them through. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Tidia: Thanks for the review - I did debate having Athos trying to talk to a barely lucid D'Art, more for comedic effect than anything else but I think this worked better then what I had attempted to write. Porthos will be on his side on that point but they're all still quite angry that he put his health at risk to follow them regardless. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Lilac's also reminded me of several other 'medic-Aramis' moments in the show so now I don't feel so bad referring to him as a medic :D... though I'm also more convinced to have a binge watching session now lol. I'm not entirely sure how the triple-threat lecture is going to go down as of yet, though we have a little while till we get there. Enjoy the new chapter! x

watlocked: Thanks for the review - :D We needed some adorableness after everything I've put them through (and have planned for them) so I'm glad you liked it. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Helensg: Thanks for the review - Yeah with everything I have planned I felt they deserved a peaceful chapter :) We're definitely heading back into whumpage territory very soon. I know I promised we werent far off from some Athos whumpage, which we aren't, I promise. I just keep finding other stuff to write before we get there but we are soo very very close. I'm really happy with how this story's going down as well :) It's getting longer than I had originally planned (not that I mind) and the continued support from you lovely people make it totally worth it! Enjoy the new chapter! x

criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - I agree, Athos knew the pup valued his opinion of him but didn't really realize just how much he valued it until he heard D'Art and Viv's chat... Though I'm not sure if he knows quite what to make of it at the moment lol. Enjoy the new chapter! x

f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Haha Yep definitely can't blame her, not at all :D Oh Aramis is going to be soooo pissed (I'm really excited to write it!) Aramis will be in for a lecture of two himself which should be interesting to write, Athos aint going to be impressed he left while injured as well. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yay I'm super glad you enjoyed it :D As for D'Art whumpage I can almost guarantee he's going to have something else happen to him fairly soon... I have nothing definitively planned out but I know what I'm like when it comes to the pup and whumpage lol :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I thought you might get that feeling from the title lol :) Poor D'Art is desperate for Athos to both like and respect him and he's now feeling like he's failed in that regard, despite Athos's assurances that he doesn't hate him. The two will need another heart to heart at some point, possibly a snuggly moment all their own as well :D I LOVE making D'Art all childlike when he's hurt/unsure/sick it's just too cute an image to resist :D Haha yeah D'Art would definitely be pouting there XD I agree, we can't really blame Viv for sneaking a peak can we lol :) Glad you liked the snuggly moment, I liked the idea of Porthos passing out and Athos being to worried to leave him, eventually falling asleep beside him. Those two havent really had a snuggly moment, just the two of them, in my stories before so that was a nice thing to write, plus I figured at this point the pair of them are completely at ease with each other so they wouldn't even bat an eye waking up in that position... unlike D'Art who would turn bright pink I think :) Their argument is far from settled though both are willing to put it to one side for now as Porthos was right, they have more important things to worry about. A good thing really as poor D'Art was running on fumes, a nice long sleep in needed for him I think, though that doesnt mean he wont be appearing in the coming chapters... I have evil stuff planned and I'm really excited to write D'Art's reaction to it all... gonna be emotional :D Oh and thanks for your info about Aramis's medic skills in the show. It's been a while since I've watched it that I completely forgot and it was really bugging me :D Definitely think I'm going to spend some of my time off next week binge watching the show again... seems like a good way to spend some time :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Hugs, high-fives & fist-bumps to you awesome people who follow/favourite/review/read

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Thirty-One: A New Day

"Aramis," called a gentle voice, pulling the exhausted medic out of the deep sleep he had been in. The marksman kept his eyes closed as he fought against waking but the voice was relentless.

"You need to open your eyes my friend," said the voice sounding as tired as Aramis's body felt, though there was a small hint of amusement within it that caught the musketeer's attention. "If you don't," teased the voice, "Henri's going to come over. He and Blaise have been debating how to wake you for the last ten minutes."

"Don't tell him that!" whined the joyful voice of Blaise, "We've got the bucket ready and everything!"

The not so subtle threat was enough to force Aramis's to open his eyes, blinking sluggishly as they adjusted to the early morning light.

"Apologies Issac," yawned Aramis, his voice slightly frantic as he began to check over a still unconscious Favier, "I did not mean to leave you to watch over him alone."

"You needed the rest," shrugged Issac, neither man commenting on the fact that Issac clearly need it more as he now looked like death warmed over. Frowned slightly Issac took in the musketeer beside him, "Actually you look like you still need it."

There was a silent question as to his welfare lying underneath Issac's words that Aramis chose to ignore, deciding instead to focus on the wellbeing of the unconscious man between them.

"No change," sighed Issac as he noticed Aramis was waiting for information, "for good or ill. He continues to breathe and his heart continues to beat, that's enough for me for now."

Aramis smiled sadly at the exhausted musketeer, knowing all too well what the man was going through. Place his hand on the man's wrist Aramis gave a gentle squeeze, "Give it time," he said reassuringly. "The wound was deep, large and he lost a lot of blood but I have faith he will pull through." As Issac nodded solemnly at his words Aramis decided to try to bring something other than grief to his friend's face so with a teasing smile he added, "He'll fight if for no other reason than to win that ridiculous competition the two of you have going on."

As he hoped, his words brought a chuckle from the man. Issac and Favier, despite being hardworking and serious when out on missions also acted a lot like himself and Porthos in their teasing of each other. Only for these two, their competitive nature had turned it into a series of outlandish and silly bets they would challenge each other with at random times. The pair was currently tied and each member of the regiment was secretly wondering and eagerly waiting for their next competition.

Aramis couldn't contain his smile as he thought back to the last one the two took part in which was to see who could bother Serge for the longest time before the temperamental cook chucked them out of his kitchen. If he remembered correctly Issac had won that one after the ladle-wielding cook had chased out Favier after only a few minutes.

"He really doesn't like to lose," chuckled Issac, clearly remembering the same incident as Aramis was. Treville had scolded them for annoying the cook but their antics had broken the stressed tension that had been surrounding the garrison for several days so they had been let off with little more than a warning.

Thinking of the Captain sent a wave of guilt rushing though him, he had been so completely consumed with worry over Favier he hadn't spared the critically injured Captain a second thought.

"He was doing okay last time I checked," offered Aramis softly having instantly noticed and recognized the look on Issac's face. "I need to check on him again but I'm sure Henri or one of the others would have woken me if anything had changed."

"You aint doing anything until you eat," ordered Henri, his appearance startling both musketeers who had been so wrapped up in their conversation that they hadn't even noticed his approach. Smirking at the startled men Henri continued, passing a bowl of porridge to both men as he spoke. "Blaise is getting ready to follow that trail as we speak, should be departing in the next ten minutes of so."

Aramis nodded, grateful for the information as he swallowed a mouthful of food, "Is he going alone?" he asked hesitantly, not liking the idea of sending one of their own out alone with Daviau and who knows else lurking in the woods.

Henri sighed, "Unfortunately. With the Captain and Favier down we need all the help we can get here protecting them, especially as I can't imagine its easy to focus right now Issac." He added as he sent the musketeer a sympathetic look. Technically the chain of command now fell to Aramis, him being the highest ranked among them but Henri knew the medic was already stretched thin as it was and none of the men wanted either of the injured to die because they were bothering their best medic with questions about plans and orders… Besides Aramis could still veto any decision they made and they would follow his direction without question and both he and Aramis knew it.

Issac frowned, hating that his worry was impacting his ability to do his job. He hated feeling useless and yet that was exactly what he was right now. The men, despite it coming from a place of love, were concerned about his ability work; he couldn't do anything to help Favier or Treville fight for their lives… All he could do was sit there and wallow in his worry and fear.

"Issac's fine," said Aramis, his voice firm and confident; completely different to the exhausted man he had just been speaking to. "Send Alain with Blaise, they're both fast riders and can get word to us should they need to."

Henri spared Issac a look but smiled brightly at the pair before nodding and leaving to inform Alain of his mission.

"Are you sure about this?" Issac asked, feeling a weight lift of his shoulders that at least one of his friends didn't think him incompetent.

"They mean well," sighed Aramis, abandoning the rest of his breakfast as he felt his stomach beginning to rebel. "They wish to let you focus on Favier…"

"They think me incompetent," growled Issac, his grip tightening on Favier's hand making the unconscious man's brows furrow slightly.

"They think you biased," corrected Aramis with a hard look that softened slightly at the guilty expression that passed across Issac's face. "They're right of course but that's exactly why you should be included in the guard duty."

Issac's head lifted from his chest as he sent the medic a questioning look, which Aramis was quick to explain. "With you guarding and watching over Favier it means I can focus on Treville while Henri and the others remaining can focus on other tasks."

"…Thanks."

Aramis shrugged, knowing all too well how important it was to have something to do when emotions threatened to overwhelm you. He had let his grief over Marsac overwhelm him and had spent at least a week in a drunk stupor, alternating between crying and cursing at the very people he needed to help him and that he would willingly die to protect.

"Eat," Aramis ordered as he moved to stand on his shaking legs, "I'm going to check on Treville. If anything changes, call for me."

"You didn't eat," remarked Henri quietly as he moved to help the medic over to the still unconscious Captain. He didn't know the extent of the man's injuries but he could tell that they were affecting his appetite, something he vowed to keep an eye on, Aramis was already trembling more often than not and he had no desire to see the man further hurt himself if there was something he could do to help.

"I did," replied the medic stubbornly, breathing a sigh of relief as he noted the Captain's skin wasn't warm to the touch or clammy so there was every chance his wound hadn't become infected, though he still moved to unwrap the bandage to check regardless.

"A couple of mouthfuls don't count as eating."

Aramis remained silent, offering the musketeer a simple shrug as he began his inspection of the Captain. Henri waited around for a few minutes to see if the medic would talk to him but left once it became apparent that he had no such desire or inclination, noting this Henri let the man focus on his work, the Captain's health was more important than arguing over porridge anyway.

"Up ahead," warned Alain quietly, both he and Blaise silently dismounting their horses as they stealthy made their way to the clearing the trail had led them to.

Even as they approached they could see signs of battle and neither could fully rid themselves of the growing feeling of dread settling within them. Both men had been present when during the search of the compound. They had seen the chair one of their comrades had been strapped to, blood staining each of the now open cuffs while blood spatter decorated the wall and ground opposite. Clearly both men were injured in some significant way and so were in no condition to be fighting

"I don't see them," remarked Blaise as he sheathed his blade and knelt down by one of the deceased men. "Their clothing matches the men who attacked us, maybe they're part of the same crew?"

"They are," spoke a hesitant voice causing both musketeers to spin rapidly to face its source, weapons primed and ready.

"Daviau sent them out to hunt for your friends when he was conscious and coherent enough to notice they were gone."

"Who are you?" Blaise growled, stepping slightly in front of his younger companion. He was no longer a fan of surprise arrivals and he could tell the man, despite his muscular build and clear military training, was very nervous at being around them.

"You're men survived the battle, along with the woman accompanying them," announced the man as he tried to ignore the question as to his identity.

Alain beamed at the knowledge their brothers yet lived though he quickly schooled his expression at the tension rolling off of his friend in waves.

"Where are they then if they survived the fight?" Alain asked as he eyed up the nervous wreck of a man in front of them.

"They went that way," answered the man as he pointed to a path that showed signs of recent travel. "The older one… Athos? His ankle's broken, they were forced to move quite slowly and on foot."

"How do you know that?" growled Blaise, his distrust of the man growing despite the hope he felt at the man's words. If they were to be believed, which all evidence seemed to collaborate, then Athos's group couldn't be more than about half a day's hard ride ahead of them. "Who are you?" he asked again, his grip on his blade tightening.

The man sighed, apparently realizing he was not going to get out of not answering that question, "I'm… Marcel."