Evening My Lovelies!

WE DID IT! Over 700 reviews! *happy dances*

You guys are awesome I hope you know that, thank you so much for supporting me so much through this story and I'll hope you'll continue to do so for the rest of it.

Notes On Reviews:

criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Haha Yeah I can see how you would think that if you hadn't read any of my other works, but you were lovely enough to read my other works so you know better :) Enjoy the knew chapter! x

Deana: Thanks for the review - Aramis is easy to please in situations like this :) Athos is surprisingly logical when he's injured (not that he isnt anyway but considering his condition it's impressive). Enjoy the new chapter! x

Tidia: Thanks for the review - Athos is going to regret not mentioning his suspicions sooner once this is all over and done with. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I'm hoping you like what I have in store with regards to Marcel's plan. Moreau's too fed up with our boys to stand for their antics right now, though thankfully D'Art realized pretty quickly not to push his luck any further. They might not be in fighting shape... but they're not the only ones in the garrison now :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

romirola: Thanks for the review - You were my 700th review! Thanks for the continued support it means a lot :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

watlocked: Thanks for the review - Haha very true, maybe he should add that to his titles ... Athos: Musketeer, Comte De Fere and Trouble Detector XD Thanks for the kind words and your continued support it means a lot :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - A big supply pain draughts is going to come in very handy :D Worry not Athos has a plan... And it's not even a full on reckless one :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Helensg: Thanks for the review - Our Athos is a smart one that's for sure... Though he'll be regretting not voicing his suspicions sooner once this is all over. Enjoy the new chapter! x

f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Well you're right on the money there :D and yes, I definitely had to leave it there.. I'm an evil sod remember :D Worry not our fearless leader has a plan! It's even a smart one that's not completely reckless and everything :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

beeblegirl: Thanks for the review - You're very welcome my friend I'm really glad you're enjoying it all so far :D Worry not Athos has a plan... can't promise it'll work perfectly but he does have a plan :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Yay thank you :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I still can't get over the fact that I'm at 700+ reviews now... Though part of me is eager to see if I can steal the top spot on reviews by the time this story is over... Personally I think i might be doable. I need 46 reviews to claim first spot. I wanted to say thank you again for your continued support of my writing. Getting your reviews always make me smile as you have such lovely things to say so thank you so very very much! OMG your description of how you pictured the scene was beyond adorable and now that's all I keep picturing in my head and am now wishing I wrote D'Art sticking his tongue out just to finish it all off. Athos was in his serious mode (with good reason) Hopefully you'll enjoy what I have planned *chuckles darkly* :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

As always many thanks and much love for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Sixty: The Swordsman's Plan

"So, what do we do?" D'Artagnan asked worriedly, his gaze quickly and subtly flickering to the occupied infirmary beds. None of them were in any condition to handle an attack on the garrison but they had to do something.

"Favier," Athos said quietly waiting until he was sure he had the man's attention before adding, "Can you get Issac over here quietly?"

Nodding Favier subtly gestured to a slightly confused Issac to join them.

"We having secret meetings now? Must say I'm honored to be included," teased Issac, though he quickly lost his mirth at the serious expressions on the men's faces. "Okay," he said seriously, "what's going on?"

Favier quickly explained the conclusion they had come to and he could tell, just glancing at his friend, that Issac shared their concerns.

"What do you need me to do?"

Athos nodded his thanks, "I want to keep it as quiet as possible. Moreau and Aramis need to focus on the injured and with Moreau as stressed as he his we'll never be able to leave without him noticing."

Issac nodded, a slight upward tug of his lips as he remembered the scolding the young Gascon had received barely an hour earlier.

"But me leaving he wont question," stated Issac, a knowing smirk gracing his face as he realized why Athos had involved him.

The swordsman's smirk echoed his own, "Find Corbett… and Blaise and Alain if you can. You need to be subtle, if we're right then whoever's behind all this could be watching the garrison, we can't let them know we know."

"Got it," nodded Issac as he rose to his feet, "I'll head to the Captain's office as soon as I have them, if I'm not back within a few hours…"

The rest of his statement went unsaid though heard, each man nodded and wished him good luck as Issac picked up his jacket from Favier's bed and left the infirmary with a forced smile at the doctor.

"I don't like this," grimaced Favier as he watched his closest and dearest friend leave the relative safety of the infirmary.

"We have no choice," stated Athos firmly, though his voice held a kindness that negated the brashness of his words.

"He'll be fine Favier," smiled D'Artagnan reassuringly at the worrying musketeer.

"What's got the three of you whispering about?" Porthos asked curiously as he approached with a tray.

"Nothing of import," shrugged Athos nonchalantly, hating to have to lie to one of his closest friends but knowing that the man would be out the door in an instant if he knew they suspected trouble and the musketeer had endured a lot recently and was in dire need of rest, no matter how much he might deny it.

Porthos's eyes narrowed in suspicion at Athos's words though he trusted his friend to talk to him when he needed to know. Instead the musketeer passed out the mugs of broth that he had brought over, his eyes daring Athos to deny it.

"Under orders to ensure the three of you, particularly you 'Thos, eat," explained Porthos as they stared at him.

True to his expectations both D'Artagnan and Favier began to eat the broth with little complaint, although D'Artagnan looked a little green after a few mouthfuls, Porthos assumed the bumpy ride home had aggravated the boy's injured ribs enough to make him nauseous.

"Take your time whelp," smiled Porthos as he lightly ruffled the boy's hair. "Moreau wants as much as you can eaten but no sense making yourself sick."

D'Artagnan's face flushed in embarrassment at his nauseous stomach being noticed. He did not want to admit defeat though, especially if there was trouble like they suspected. There would be no guarantee that they would be safe in the infirmary if their assumption were correct so he knew he would need his strength. Pulling from his well of Gascon stubbornness D'Artagnan settled for taking small, slow sips of the warm broth.

Unlike D'Artagnan, Favier had little issue with the food and sat contentedly on his bed as he slowly drank the liquid.

Athos on the other hand, was being as stubborn as Porthos had expected.

Placing one hand on his hip Porthos raised a single eyebrow as he stared down his uncooperative brother. "Eat it 'Thos," he ordered lightly, "I was… informed, about how little you've been eating."

Athos shrugged, placing the mug on table quickly in hopes that Porthos wouldn't notice the slight tremors in his hands. "Not hungry."

Without missing a beat Porthos moved quickly, picking up the mug and thrusting it back into the swordsman's stunned hands. "I don't know what's going on," he whispered knowingly, "But you shaking like a leaf in a storm aint gonna help anyone so drink the damn broth."

Athos scowled at the man's words though a smile tugged at his lips, he knew Porthos would not be so blind as to not realize that something was happening and it warmed him that the man trusted him enough to go along with whatever he was planning with no idea what was happening.

With his scowl growing at the triumphant smirk on Porthos's face Athos slowly lifted the mug to his lips, letting the warm broth trickle down his throat as he fought back a grimace. Since getting shot his body had been in so much pain his stomach rebelled at he mere thought of food. He'd managed as much as he could on the journey but whenever he had more than a couple of mouthfuls he stomach threatened to expel everything.

"Oh don't give me that look," grinned Porthos, "'Mis made it extra weak for you so the flavors wont upset your stomach too much."

"And you'll drink all of it!" chimed in Aramis from his spot by the workbench, the medic was working fast to create the necessary medicines though that didn't mean he didn't have a second to spare to tease his brother.

Athos shook his head at his brother's actions before bringing the mug back to his lips. He could only hope that they're suspicions were wrong; he had no desire to see his family in the crosshairs once again.

"Are you sure about this," Corbett growled, his hand practically turning white as he gripped the pommel of his blade.

When Issac had appeared and dragged him off to the side the musketeer had been worried that something was wrong with Henri, the man had developed an infection in his arm during the last part of the journey and Corbett couldn't help but worry. As it turned out the truth of Issac's desire to see him was much worse.

"Athos is sure," nodded Issac as he subtly scanned the room, "He's never wrong about these sort of things and it does make sense."

"I'd hoped they'd simply been out and decided against leaving someone on watch," sighed Corbett before pushing off of the wall and gesturing for Issac to follow him, "Alain and Blaise were planning on raiding the kitchens last I heard, lets go."

Thankfully the final two men Athos had suggested he find were exactly where Corbett had expected them to be and once they had finished devouring the food they had been in the middle of eating upon their arrival both Issac and Corbett filled the pair in on what they suspected was going on.

"So, to the Captain then?" checked Alain as he did a quick check over his weaponry before they left.

"Athos was concerned," explained Issac as he performed his own check, more out of habit then necessity, "The Captain would usually have checked on the injured by now, we've been back for a good few hours and no one's seen him yet."

Blaise frowned, that was not good. Like Issac had said, Treville would have willingly put whatever work had piled up to one side for a few minutes at least so he could check over the injured men and ensure they had settled in okay. The fact he hadn't was more worrying then he was comfortable with.

"We should go through the armory," stated Corbett, instantly gaining the group's attention, "It's a longer route but it keeps us out of sight and if something is going down, especially if Treville's in trouble, then us having the element of surprise on our side could really tip things in our favour."

The rest of the group agreed to the plan quickly and within minutes the group was on their way towards the Captain's office.

"Why are you doing this Marcel?" growled Treville as he glared daggers at the man in front of him.

"Why?" spat Marcel as he fought the urge to just end the whole plan now and simply kill the Captain where he stood.

"You and your precious musketeers took everything from me!" he roared. "My family lost everything when you sent my little brother into that hell hole!"

Treville went silent at this information, his eyes scanning Marcel's face, taking in the man's features in a new light, his eyes widening as a whispered name escaped unbidden from his lips.

"Rémi…"

"So you do remember," mused Marcel, the deadly look fading from his eyes as he reigned in his anger. "Good to know you actually knew his name."

"He was a good solider," murmured Treville, not noticing the dark look that flashed across Marcel's face. "He had a great deal of promise."

"Well we'll never know now will we?" jeered Marcel, a smug sense of satisfaction settling within him as he watched Treville flinch.

"What is the point of all this Marcel?" spat Treville, "Rémi is half a decade dead and nothing you do now is going to change that!"

Marcel shrugged, clearly unbothered by this, "It matters not, besides I would be worrying about your men if I were you Captain, another's about to lose their life after all."

Treville's blood ran cold, "W-What?"

Before Marcel could explain, or taunt further the door to Treville's office was kicked open

"CAPTAIN!"

After being forced to eat and with nothing else to take their minds off of what was going on both D'Artagnan and Athos found their gazes locked onto the infirmary door, each desperately wanting someone to come through with answers.

Unfortunately neither man was prepared for the explosive sound of a gun firing to pierce the air and shatter the fragile hope they had been holding onto.

"NO!" roared the pair as one, both men, accompanied by Favier, jumped to their feet before the rest of the rooms occupants had truly realized what was going on.

Only the sharp movement ignited an inferno of agony in Athos's chest, his previous word still dying on his lips as darkness overtook him.