Very Very Early Morning My Lovelies
First off sorry this is so late! I fell asleep after work and didnt wake up will like 1am. I didn't want you all to have nothing to read so I've spent the last couple of hours on this, hopefully it makes up for the lateness.
Also we're sooooooo close to 400 reviews! How awesome is that!
I'm beginning to think I should beg for reviews more often, you guys are awesome. I was hoping for about 10ish and I got like 16! *happy dances*
Notes On Reviews:
Deana: Thanks for the review - I don't think anyone was expecting the end of that chapter, which made it all the better for me as I got a lot of fun out of reading the reviews :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - She's furious at him but I think the whole ordeal she suffered up to this point didn't really do her mindset any help. Glad you liked the rant, I had SO much fun writing that bit :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Guest: Thanks for the review - It did kinda give off the image of them being scolded children (at least in my mind) I'm hoping there'll be more funny moments like that too. Things are going to be serious for a bit given what's happened but I'll try to throw some humor in there as we go so it's not too serious. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Aingealsuh: Thanks for the review - I know right! I do so enjoy throwing in things no one was expecting :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
FierGascon: Thanks for the review - I think Viv might just have effectively ended her friendship with Aramis right there. Glad you liked Aramis's rant, theres probably going to be another coming once this latest bit of drama is over with. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I did feel a little bad at making D'Art endure Aramis's lecture on top of feeling quite ill but my evil mind took over and I had no choice lol :) Haha you make a very good point and one our boys probably would have made had Aramis given them a chance. It'll probably come up again soon so they'll mention it them. I think Aramis is going to be quite torn about how to feel about Viv after that as his grief and guilt will understand why she did what she did and probably wont blame her but the rest of him will be furious for what she did so that's going to be something quite interesting for me to write. Enjoy the new chapter! x
watlocked: Thanks for the review - Bwahaha I know :D Its like a lulled you all into a false sense of security with the first part of the chapter XD Ooh I love the idea of Porthos going postal on the musketeer who told her... I think he and D'Art might tag team it, especially with how I'm picturing the pup handling all of this, should be fun :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - We'll be addressing the drink a little bit today but i think everyone else was so busy or wrapped up in other things they didnt really notice. I was tempted by your idea of it being someone sent by Daviau but seeing as how they had come from the garrison it would mean that Daviau had been planning this for a lot longer than any of them realized, which would be interesting to explore, but no it's just a normal musketeer, who's probably going to be losing his commission very very soon. We'll be seeing who got shot today, not going to keep you all hanging with that :) Glad you liked the chapter. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Jmp (Guest): Thanks for the review - Hope you had a good binge :) Finishing off Daviau is going to be a fair bit away as I have some drama planned for between now and then but he'll be showing up at some point, especially when he learns he didnt actually kill Treville. Glad you like Issac and Favier :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - Angry Aramis makes me laugh too, I think it's the image it creates. I don't think anyone saw that coming, which made it all the more enjoyable for me :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Yeah I think he needs to die as well, stupid drunken fool. Hahaha Yeah by my logic D'Art should probably have been hit but worry not he was safely out of the way with Porthos. Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - What can ya do? Aramis just likes being dramatic lol. He'll probably apologize for being so harsh to D'Art after all this but like you said he was only angry because he cares. Henri's great :D He's getting quite angry in this chapter though which was fun to write. You're right about Viv and she'll be learning all that at some point but the boys are a bit too preoccupied today to really focus on her. Enjoy the new chapter! x
MoonlightTaylor (Guest): Thanks for the review - I did promise that the reunion would be full of drama :D I think Athos had been watching over her since they left the compound as her mental stability seemed to fluctuate at several points in their journey. Enjoy the new chapter! x
beeblegirl: Thanks for the review - Haha Yeah I'm too mean to give our boys a break :) Nah we're in the same time zone, I'm in the UK too, I write the chapters the same day I publish them and they always seem to take a lot longer then I anticipate them taking hence my very early morning updates. My mind always thinks that If I've not gone to bed yet then its still 'evening' rather than early morning, even if its like 2am. Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - I did warn you :) Yeah both Favier and Treville are kinda getting pushed to the wayside a bit so I'll include them, or at least Favier in tomorrow's chapter. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Bwahaha! That first sentence of the review was great :D I do really love getting reviews that start all in caps lock, makes me know i'm doing the evil things right. Our boy's are really going to need to talk once this bit of drama is over with...I feel the potential for another rant coming on :D I was torn as to how to have Viv in the aftermath so I'm hoping the bit I've shown of her today makes sense though we'll address and explain it more in tomorrow's chapter. Poor Aramis is about one tiny step away from having a mental breakdown at this point I think. I've taken a ... slightly different approach with D'Art in terms of the shooting, hopefully it'll make sense. Childlike D'Art is just too cute though when I wrote that "I'm tired" line I imaged him as a small child with sleeves too long for him, wiping his eyes sleepily as he wined... It was a very adorable image. Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always many thanks and much love to you epically awesome people who follow/favourite/review/read
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Thirty-Four: Aftermath
For a few moments after the shot pierced the air everything was frozen for Aramis as he lay on his back, staring up at the sky, his breaths coming out shallow and harsh as his body tried desperately to regain the air that had been knocked out of him only moments earlier. There was a weight on his chest that was making it harder to breathe and he had no idea if the wetness he felt on his shirt was the result of his stitches ripping or something more sinister.
Porthos and D'Artagnan, who had been curled up together on one of the makeshift beds, Porthos not liking how the younger Gascon had been shivering despite the blankets wrapped around him, had been one of the first in the camp to react to the shot. Instinct had them, once they had disentangled themselves from the other, seeking out their friends before their minds had even really registered what had happened.
"'MIS! 'THOS!" roared Porthos, pain and fear thick in his voice as he and D'Artagnan stumbled across the clearing to the two downed men. In the back of their minds they could hear the other musketeers rushing about and reacting to the shot but they paid them no attention, their complete focus on the two men before him.
The pair skidded to a stop by their friends and instantly sank to their knees, their eyes roving over the two men as they sought out any signs of injury.
"Aramis you're bleeding!" exclaimed D'Artagnan as his eyes noticed the growing red stain on the musketeer's shirt.
"I…" coughed Aramis, his breathing still harsh as his lung protested his decision to talk, "I… don't think … that it's… mine."
That broken sentence was enough to ignite a whole new world of worry for the two men and without another word they worked together to gently roll Athos's unconscious form off of Aramis's chest, something that was greatly appreciated by the medic if the loud intact of breath was anything to go by.
"H-How is… he?" coughed Aramis, his eyes full of worry as he tried to move to check on his friend.
"Easy 'Mis," soothed Porthos as he pushed his friend back to the ground. "We'll check 'im over, you get your breath back," then under his breath he added, "I think you're going to need it."
"Athos," called D'Artagnan softly as he tapped his good hand on the unconscious man's cheek, horror hitting him as he noticed the palm of his hand was stained with blood.
Once Porthos had finished calming Aramis enough that the sharpshooter could be left alone for a minute while he regained his breath, the larger man returned to his other brother and helped D'Artagnan, who was struggling with only one usable hand, to rid the unconscious musketeer of his shirt.
"Shit!" swore Porthos as he had his first look at the wound, without even thinking he took the newly divulged shirt and pressed it, hard, against the bleeding wound, his panic increasing when Athos failed to react.
"'Mis!" he called over his shoulder, the relief he felt with every beat of Athos's heart did little to stem his growing panic, "We really need you here!"
That was all the incentive the medic needed to ignore orders to regain his breath as he rolled onto his side, a groan of pain escaping him as he did so, before crawling the short distance, on his hands and knees, to Athos's side.
As he approached, Aramis took note of his brothers' reactions, Porthos wore his fear and worry clearly on his face, which told him more of Athos's condition then words ever could. The larger musketeer was pressing hard on the bloodstained fabric as he fought to stop Athos losing any more blood.
D'Artagnan on the other hand was a surprise; the typically open Gascon was now completely closed off as he returned from grabbing Aramis's supply bag. His face was giving nothing away as to the state of his mind and the slight trembling of his hands as he worked to get out anything he thought the medic might need was the only sign that this was affecting him, but even that could have been put down to the fever and infection the young man was fighting.
"Let me see," ordered Aramis as he knelt next to Porthos at Athos's side. Without removing the pressure from the wound Porthos shifted slightly so his friend had more room to work and then with a deep breath he removed the bloodstained shirt from the wound.
Upon seeing the bleeding wound Aramis felt himself pale as he let out a string of Spanish curses. "Henri!" he bellowed, his eyes never leaving his injured friend.
Apparently waiting to have been called Henri was by their side within seconds, refusing to even look at Athos so he could focus on whatever Aramis needed him to do without being distracted.
"I need hot water," ordered Aramis as he instructed Porthos to roll the injured swordsman onto his back so they could check for an exit wound.
"Already heating as we speak," informed Henri, adding when Aramis looked at him in surprise, "We've been around you for a while now. Alain is getting some cold water at the moment as well and Blaise in searching the compound for any medical supplies we might have missed."
Aramis nodded gratefully at the musketeer before cursing under his breath.
"'Mis?" Porthos asked warily
"No exit wound," informed Aramis, "Meaning that shot's still in him. D'Art you got my tweezers there?" Without a word D'Artagnan handed over the tweezers to medic who took them before looking at his friends, "He might fight me on this but he needs to stay as still as possible so be prepared to hold him."
"I'll check on the supplies and bring them over when they're ready." Henri stated as he left the men to work, knowing that having too many people hovering would not help Aramis work and they needed him to be as focused as possible right now as their lieutenant's life hung in the balance.
"How is he?" Issac asked quietly, having stepped away from Favier for the first time since his injury when the shot was fired to guard those responsible. It was clear in his body language that the man wanted nothing more than to return to his injured friend's side but he knew duty had to come first in instances like this and that Favier would kill him if he put his brothers at risk by focusing on him.
"…Bad," admitted Henri just as quiet though his eyes went hard at the chocked sob that appeared after his words.
"We need to get her out of here," Henri added as he turned to a trembling and ashen pale Vivienne.
"I…I'm so… so… sorry" cried the woman as she shook violently, "I… I don't even… know what happened."
"What happened," growled Henri as he rounded on the woman, not caring that she was crying. "Is you just fired at one of our own."
"…A-A-Aramis…"
"Aramis," snarled Issac as he moved to stand next to Henri, "is fighting to save the life of our lieutenant so don't even think that anything you could say right now would ever make us understand or care."
"Be aware," growled Henri, his voice holding a coldness none of his companions had ever heard before, "That should Athos die, none of us here will keep any of those three from you."
If at all possible Vivienne paled further at Henri's words and it was only thanks to Blaise, who had returned with a basket of supplies, that she didn't have a panic attack as the musketeer surprised her enough by appearing behind her before dragging her back into the compound.
None of the musketeers felt any remorse for confining the woman in the very place where she had been tortured previously, although there was part of them that knew that Aramis would care but the moment Athos, who was still unconscious, screamed in agony as Aramis worked to removed the bullet from his wound, none of that mattered and they had to forced themselves to remember that Vivienne was a woman and that their honor would not allow them to hurt a female.
"That warning applies to you as well," snarled Henri as he picked up the bucket of warm water as well as the supplies Blaise had managed to find before stalking off to hand them over to Aramis and the others.
"I didn't do anything!" cried Durand, the drunken musketeer who had spilled the truth of Marsac's death to Vivienne. Despite having been out of his face drunk when the shot was fired, the shock of it as well as the events that followed had greatly helped him sober up.
"You didn't do anything?!" spat Issac as he stood nose to nose with the man, fury making it easy to ignore the stench of alcohol emanating from the man. "It is because of you that this happened in the first place!"
"I didn't know she was gonna shoot him!" protested Durand
"Well what the hell did you expect to happen? You told a woman, who was already clearly mentally shaken, that one of her oldest friends killed her brother while she had a weapon in her hands and didn't think she would do anything?"
"I was drunk!" cried Durand though it was a pathetically weak defense and he knew it.
"You shouldn't have been drinking in the first place!" reprimanded Henri harshly as he returned from dropping off the supplies, the raging fury on the musketeer's face told all those there just how bad their lieutenant was.
"Aramis is struggling to get the bleeding under control and there's talk of having to cauterize it before it causes him to bleed out." Explained Henri coldly as he glared at Durand, who shrank into himself at Henri's words. "Porthos said that had Athos not pushed Aramis out of the way then that shot would have killed him instantly." Durand turned a pale shade of green at this information. "We almost lost one of the best men in the regiment because you, who was supposed to be on guard duty, hence no alcohol, couldn't keep his damn mouth shut about matters that don't concern you. Marsac was Aramis's friend and the situation was between the pair of them and Treville. The matter had been handled, Marsac is dead and buried, you had no right to make remarks based on it."
Taking a deep breath Henri pulled his arm back before punching Durand right on the nose, taking a small amount of pleasure in the audible crack of the musketeer's nose. "If Athos dies because of this I will personally hand you over to them and you know as well as I do that they will hold you equally if not more responsible for his death than Vivienne."
"B-But…"
"Get him out of here," snapped Henri as he looked at Alain, who appeared to be trying very hard not to punch the man himself, "I don't want him anywhere near any of this. He doesn't have the right to be near them." Alain nodded as he grabbed the protesting man by the collar and began dragging him off.
"What can we do?" asked Issac quietly, looking sadly over to where the trio was working relentlessly to save Athos's life.
"Nothing," sighed Henri who looked like he had aged ten years in the last ten minutes. "Nothing right now. We've done all we can; it's up to them now. They'll call us when they need us." Running a hand through his hair Henri turned back to a very weary Issac, smiling sadly at the man he added, "Go to Favier, I'll send Alain to sit with Treville when he gets back, me and the others can help with Athos."
Issac looked torn and Henri noticed this.
"Favier needs you," he added softly for the musketeer's ears only. "Aramis and Athos will never forgive themselves if something happened because all the focus was on them. Go. We'll grab you if we need to."
Issac sighed but nodded gratefully as he shuffled back to Favier's side. Releasing a sigh of his own Henri sent the extremely pale Athos one last look before turning back to the remaining men, the next few hours were going to be very long and extremely critical.