Evening My Lovelies
Okay so now we only need 21 reviews to claim the top spot (I may be determined to do so now lol)
Right! I have absolutely no idea if the treatment bit in the 2nd half would actually work or not but if we could all just pretend it would it would be much appreciated :D
Notes On Reviews:
Deana: Thanks for the review - Wow you were quick, the chapter hadn't even been up 10 mins before your review came in! (not that I'm complaining) Yeah Aramis really shouldn't be playing doctor but no one's going to be able to talk him out of it. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tidia: Thanks for the review - Worry not I should be answering all the questions eventually, just go with it for now and it should (hopefully) all come together soon. Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Well all the inseparables are in the same room so who knows :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
watlocked: Thanks for the review - Thought that might be the case :) Glad your liking how its going so far. Porthos has a smart brain behind all those (very lovely) muscles :D I've missed medic mode Aramis, Moreau's kinda taken over lately (with reason) so it's nice to have 'Mis back :) Oh Treville has well and truly had enough with Marcel at this point. I was tempted to have him kill him but figured our lovely Captain would want him to face trial. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yep poor D'Art, Athos definitely doesn't look like the lightest person. I'll be clearing up whose already dead today so that's one question answered. Think Aramis could be surrounded by armed men and Treville would still worry, or at least the papa-bear part of him would. Enjoy the new chapter! x
June (Guest): Thanks for the review - I get what you're saying and understand it completely. My brains not really helping me at the moment as it seems to be producing images of a proper chibi/child D'Art whenever I write anything remotely whumpy or emotional which is probably why he's coming across childish. I have no idea why it's doing it and I apologize if it's annoying you (I really am trying not to have him soo childish but its hard to do when that image wont leave my mind) He'll be more badass and mature in my next story (I have him all planned out). Again apologies if the D'Art portrayal in this story is annoying you. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - I'm REALLY sorry! I really didn't mean to skip past Athos yesterday, his bit was supposed to come before Treville but I had the idea for Treville and wanted to write it before I forgot, fully intending to go back and add Athos's bit in afterwards (which I clearly forgot to do) Hopefully today's chapter will make up for it slightly as the entire second half is on our lovely swordsman. As I said I'm really sorry! Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Treville has had enough of Marcel lol. Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Oh I am loving teasing you all with this gunshot :D I felt for D'Art as well, Athos ain't exactly the lightest musketeer. Oh the temptation to have the two medics have a 'medic off' where Moreau insists Aramis sit back down and Aramis insisting he needs to help Athos, but then I figured Moreau would have the sense not to get in Aramis's way when he's in the mood he was in. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - No we don't and I am loving keeping you all in suspense :D Very true. Marcel is taken care of for the moment but the people he has with him don't know that so as far as they're concerned the plan is still underway as normal. Glad you're liking it so far. Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Mwhahaha I know I'm so mean! Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I like to think that he considers it a secret but that the other inseparables know and just go with it pretending not to notice lol. Poor D'Art's ribs definitely didn't appreciate the boy's plan to catch his mentor. Loved having Aramis back in no nonsense medic mode, it's been a while, I missed it :) Letting Porthos take on a leadership role was also nice to write as Athos usually has dibs on that. I couldn't have a scene with our infirmary guys and not have Favier all worried. Oh I did enjoy writing the Treville bit :D Our lovely Captain has well and truly had enough of Marcel and his plotting. I was going to have him kill him but figured Treville's honor would probably demand that the man be taken in for a trial instead of killed in cold blood. Mwhaha I'm LOVING teasing you all with whose been shot, the evil part of my mind is practically purring in satisfaction right now lol. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Chapter Sixty-Two: Gunshot II
SOMETIME EARLIER
"You doing alright kid?" asked Serge quietly as he looked worriedly over to the young stable hand beside him. Despite the boy's attempts to appear otherwise it was clear to anyone who knew him that he was terrified.
Serge had noticed, over the years that Jacques had been serving at the garrison, that the teen had several quirks he only did whenever he was scared or worried about something, like fiddling with the bottom button of his shirt, which was something that always made the boy seem younger then he was and to the cook's concern the teen was now showing each of these quirks.
In response Jacques scoffed, though it was clear his sarcasm and aloofness was forced. "I'm fine Serge. We're only being held at gunpoint, what would make you think I wouldn't be fine?"
The other residents in the room sent the boy sad smiles that he assumed were supposed to be reassuring but after seeing Laurent, who had been one of the only actual commission men left at the garrison at that point, shot dead in front of him there would be little that could reassure him apart from the sight of musketeer reinforcements coming to their aid.
"Why are we here anyway?" snapped one of the bolder recruits as he glared at their captor, who glared back just as hard.
When their captor refused to respond the recruit looked ready to spit out another question before being silenced by a sharp elbow to the gut from the man tied up next to him.
Deciding that, if their captor was talking to them then he wasn't shooting them, Jacques decided to try his luck. "Why were you watching the garrison?"
The rest of the group could only watch with growing surprise, apprehension and confusion as the question came out of the teen's mouth, eyes quickly flickering to their captor to see if that would break the silence they had been forced to endure for many long hours now.
"Shut it brat," sneered Pascal as he fought the urge to smack the boy. Marcel hadn't forbidden him from doing so; even going as far as stating he could do what he liked with them provided he killed them when the plan dictated.
The only thing stopping him was the death glares being sent his way by the rest of his captives. While they were all tied up and even a little bloody and bruised, he had no doubt they would risk everything if they thought he was about to do serious damage to the teenager and that, that could put the entire plan at risk and earn him Marcel's anger, which was something he avoided as much as he could.
"But why Aramis?" Jacques continued, ignoring the looks being sent his way by the other captured men telling him to stay silent. "You seemed intent on finding out when he had returned?"
Having had enough with the constant questions Pascal primed his pistol and aimed it at the boy's head, ignoring the roars of protests from the other men. "Listen brat," he sneered, "If you don't want the next shot from this gun to be into your skin then I suggest you. Shut. Up."
Sufficiently terrified Jacques mouth clamped shut, his skin paling even as he tried valiantly to hide his fear from the rest of the room's occupants.
For the next hour or so the group sat in nervous silence, though Jacques did notice the recruits and Reynard, the only commissioned musketeer, share significant looks.
Eventually the silence became too much for the captured men as one of the recruits looked ready to try and talk, only for the door to their impromptu cell open, causing each man to tense.
Despite the fact the man who entered was clearly trying to whisper to their captor the group were able to make out one word, but it was a word that ignited both hope and defiance within each and every one of them… "Returned"
Serge had, from the looks of things; caught on to whatever the rest of the men were silently communicating about, as he seemed to be slowly moving towards him while sending Reynard significant looks every now and then. Not the first time Jacques wished he understood the silent communication that seemed to be known by every musketeer, both training and serving.
Before too long their captor stepped out of the room and it was at that moment that Jacques learnt what had been planned as each of the men moved with purpose the second the door was closed behind their captor.
Serge, moving with surprising speed for someone his age, was by his side in an instant, making quick work of the tight knots that kept his wrists tied together while the recruits and Reynard were waiting by a window.
"W-What?" Jacques hissed, thoroughly confused by what was going on.
"No time," hissed Serge as he pulled the confused boy to his feet, "You're the only one who'll fit through the window." Understanding began to flood Jacques's features at this though he continued to listen to the explanation, which had now been taken over by Reynard.
"Get to the infirmary or the Captain's office," he instructed as his eyes watched the door warily, "Both have locks so you can bar out intruders but they're also the first place the Captain and the men who left with him will be."
"B… B-But"
"No time for doubt I'm afraid," said the musketeer kindly as he looked down at the boy, "You must go now."
Understanding that time was of the essence and that this was something that could only be done by him Jacques nodded, taking a deep breath to steady himself against his growing fear before accepting the leg up from the recruits.
All eyes were on him as he reached for the high window that none of them noticed the door to their prison silently open.
The whole world seemed to freeze however as a shot pierced the air.
CURRENT TIME
The infirmary was a rush of activity as those able to move began work on securing all possible entry points while Aramis and Moreau focused on the patients unable to move, Henri and Athos.
Seeing as how both men were in need of care the two medic split up, Moreau focusing on Henri, whose condition was more serious while Aramis remained at Athos's side.
Unfortunately for the swordsman the loud noises in the room startled him just enough to ruin the rushed work the two medic had done to handle the torn skin, causing it to tear open again and for an agonizing scream to rip its way out of Athos's throat.
"ATHOS!" cried Porthos and D'Artagnan as one though Aramis was quick to shoo them away, knowing that he could focus more on the injured man in front of him if his brothers returned to their tasks.
"You need to stay still Athos," implored the medic quietly, his eyes locking on to the pain-filled orbs of Athos's own. Aramis hated seeing the pain in his friend's eyes but he knew it would only hurt his friend more if he continued to move and shift as each wave of pain hit him.
"Please 'Thos," he pleaded, his hand gripping Athos's own tightly as he continued to repeat the plea until Athos was in control of his pain enough to register the request and still his body.
"I know it hurts my friend but you'll do more damage if you keep moving."
Unable to speak past the pain Athos simply nodded sharply at his friend before forcing his body to stay as still as possible as he worked.
"How's 'e doing 'Mis?" Porthos asked as he and D'Artagnan approached, no longer able to keep themselves away.
"Can you grab one of the draughts from the desk?" asked Aramis as he began sorting out the supplies he had with him, "He's in pain and this is only going to hurt more."
Porthos grimaced at the idea of his friend being in more pain but quickly moved to comply with the order, leaving D'Artagnan with Aramis.
Aramis wasn't paying too much attention to the words D'Artagnan was whispering to the swordsman but he did start to when he noticed Athos was relaxing slightly. Despite missing most of the conversation he was able to piece together that D'Artagnan had been filling in their workaholic friend about their current situation, what they knew so far and what preemptive measures they were taking.
Porthos seemed to have realized the same thing as he made sure to ruffle the boy's hair lightly before kneeling by Athos's side and helping him to drink the pain draught.
"What now?" D'Artagnan asked, his hand subconsciously grabbing Athos's own.
Aramis sighed, running a hand through his hair as he tried desperately to ignore the pain his own injures were causing him.
"We're lucky that the burn was already about half way through healing when it tore otherwise it could have been a lot worse."
"But he'll be okay?"
Smiling fondly at the boy Aramis nodded, "Don't worry D'Art, Athos's too stubborn to let something like this end him. He'll be in pain for a while and unable to move for at least a few days but with us watching over him he'll be fine."
"What bout the tear?" Porthos asked, unable to keep the relief from his voice as he gently stroked the swordsman's hair.
"It runs the risk of infection if I leave it open so I'm going to have to stitch it," Aramis explained sadly, "This is going to hurt him, a lot. I'll need the pair of you to be ready to hold him down if he fights me."
Both men nodded, their expressions grim, before they moved into positions ready to hold the swordsman down. As D'Artagnan had only the use of one arm the group was forced to pull Favier away from the defense prep work to help the Gascon hold down Athos's legs.
Thankfully Athos's wound was small so the stitching procedure didn't take long but the entire time it was going on Athos was unable to stop the screams tearing from his throat as the needle continued to puncture his still tender and burnt skin.
Aramis spent the entire time whispering apologies this friend, both in French and Spanish but he refused to stop until he was sure he had closed the tear and that the stitches would hold.
It appeared Athos had been waiting for Aramis to declare the whole ordeal finished as he passed out the second those exact words had left the medic's mouth, startling the group with his sudden laxness.
Once Aramis ensured them that Athos had merely passed out he quickly began issuing orders for them to bring him supplies, intent on treating his friend as best he could given the dwindling supplies in the infirmary.
He had just finished putting the final touches on a poultice to help fight infections and was about to apply a healthy amount of it to Athos's wound when a pounding on the door caused the entire room to freeze.