Evening My Lovelies

Sooooo... Do we want Jacques to live or to die? How evil are we feeling people as I'm still a bit undecided on our young stable hand's fate.

Notes On Reviews:

Deana: Thanks for the review - Yeah poor Aramis is in a bit of pain at the moment, his own injuries aren't thanking him for him pushing himself but with Moreau out for the count currently it was up to our lovely medic to step up :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

romirola: Thanks for the review - Yay glad you're still enjoying it all :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Well I thought there hadn't been enough drama so far lolz :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - He's got his first battle wound and if the way that he handled himself doesn't get Treville to sign him up for recruitment when he's a bit older then nothing will lol. Poor Jacques is in for quite the fight but he's got plenty of people ready to help him. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Bwhaha Oh I was hoping for a review like this one :D I know I'm evil and I'm even eviler by not having decided as to whether he'll live or die yet :D (though I am leaning more towards live) Enjoy the new chapter! x

f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Aramis in medic mode is loads of fun to write :D All his politeness and common courtesy goes flying out the window and everyone just goes with it as he's saving lives :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - Jacques's condition is definitely dire, I haven't quite decided whether he'll survive or not, it's soo tempting to kill him off (Imagine the angsty/heartbroken D'Art) but I also love him and don't want to kill him off as he's grown on me. We'll just have to see how evil my mind decides to be. Viv's briefly appearing at the end of today's chapter (kinda) but she'll be featured more in tomorrows. I wasn't going to have more bandits trying to kill Aramis but seeing as how you asked I'll see what I can do :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - See it's because it'll unhinge D'Art and leave him all angsty and heartbroken that I WANT to kill him off... I haven't quite decided yet though as he's grown on be quite a bit... We'll see... Enjoy the new chapter! x

MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Haha I know, I think that estimation flew out of the building about 30 chapters ago lol. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Same! I think Of Little Brothers was one of the first ones I read too :) It's a good one to reread as well, though i tend to skip to my favourite chapters. The fact that Jacques is younger and not trained just makes me feel all the more evil (and I love it :D) I practically melted at the scene you described and am now trying to think of a way to include it in the story some how, its just plain cute :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

As always many thanks and much love for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading. You guys are awesome!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Sixty-Five: No Rest For The Weary

With Aramis and D'Artagnan focused on Jacques it allowed the remaining men a chance to check in with each other and learn what had been going on.

Treville had been less than pleased to find out that Athos had managed to injure himself further, though his annoyance softened into amusement at the sight of his lieutenant scowling, or at least attempting to, at him from the bed.

"Well at least Aramis wont have such a fight on his hands to keep you on bed rest now," teased the Captain as he helped the swordsman drink a few mouthfuls of water.

Athos's only response to this was to simply scowl harder, knowing that the Captain was right and that he did have a tendency to ignore Aramis's medical advice when it came to his own health.

"'S'alright Captain," smirked Porthos as he came to join the two, "me and 'Mis are prepared to tie him down if needed, we've done it before after all."

"One time," grumbled Athos weakly as he tried to will his cheeks not to flush. The incident had occurred after the swordsman had suffered a nasty stab wound to his leg during the group's attempts to placate a tavern brawl.

Originally Aramis had only ordered the man to be on bed rest for a day or two, so that his leg could begin to heal without him putting added pressure on it by walking about or training. This went of the window pretty quickly however when Athos refused to stay in bed and had instead spent the entire day training hard whilst his brothers were out on a simple delivery mission.

Aramis had been furious when he had spotted the swordsman training upon their return and had all but dragged the man back to his rooms as soon as he was close enough to do so. The medic's temper only worsened when he realized that Athos had managed to rip all of his stitches out while training but had apparently been too focused to notice either the pain or the blood soaking through his clothing.

The pair had been wary to leave Athos again the next day, the man once again being given orders to stay off of his leg, but the King was hosting a small garden party and so all possible musketeers were required to be there on guard duty.

To the medic's great annoyance, and to the amusement of Porthos, Athos had shown up for the event shortly after it started, stating that he was well enough to stand guard.

It became clear quite quickly that he was not as well as he wanted them to believe, though they were unable to leave until the event was finished. By the time the party was over and they had managed to drag Athos back to his rooms the man was barely conscious, his leg throbbing too much for him to think clearly as he absently listened to Aramis threaten him in both French and Spanish.

The following morning however had seen the swordsman waking up, tied to the bed. At first he thought it was a joke, it having been something the medic always threatened them with but never actually acted upon. But after a cold explanation from his worried and irritated friend he knew they were serious. The pair made quick work of the explanation of their absence before leaving their friend restrained in his bed.

Treville chuckled at the memory, "good to know you're in capable hands."

"Hey Porthos?" called Alain as he came out of the back room, passing a roll of bandages to Aramis as he passed.

"What are we doing with our would be assassin in the back?"

All mirth instantly vanished from Treville's eyes as he turned to glare at his soldier, "Assassin?"

"Hardly," scoffed Porthos as he went on to explain the brief 'attack' they had suffered, not noticing how the Captain's anger seemed to grow the more he spoke.

"How the hell did he get in here to begin with?" snapped Treville as he glared questioningly at both Porthos and Alain, both men now shifting uncomfortably.

"Through the office window sir," explained Alain nervously as he explained how the window in the office was the only one unbarred and open.

"Porthos?" questioned Treville tersely having noticed an increase in the musketeer's shifting at that piece of information.

"We…We were about to go check it, the whelp and me," explained Porthos, feeling guilt building within him that his lax actions had let an armed man into the building where his injured brothers rested.

"Why didn't you?"

Porthos said nothing, though his eyes flickered to Athos, telling the men everything they needed to know. The pair of them, Porthos and D'Artagnan, had been distracted and sidetracked by Athos's injury and cry of pain.

"I'm sorry Captain," apologized Porthos, lower his head as he spoke.

"This is a serious matter Porthos," scolded the Captain, "D'Artagnan I would understand, he's new to our ways and doesn't know the protocol for situations like this but you, you do. Your distraction… no matter how valid, put every single person in this room at risk. You got lucky this time in that the attacker was one person –"

"And blind drunk," interjected Alain helpfully with a cheeky wink to the larger man, silently letting him know he didn't blame him for what happened.

"…And drunk," nodded Treville, though he shot the younger man a sharp glare, warning him against interrupting again. "Had the assailant been sober he could have easily killed Moreau and possibly Henri before anyone noticed." Porthos flinched at this, shame filling his eyes as he said nothing in his defense.

"It's my fault Captain," said a small voice, startling all of them as none had heard or seen him approach.

"D'Artagnan?"

"What'ya talking bout whelp?" Porthos asked, his voice full of concern as he noticed the unshed tears building in the Gascon's eyes. Sparing a quick look over to the bed where Aramis was diligently working the musketeer felt another wave of shame building up within him, here he was worrying about getting chewed out by the Captain whilst there was an innocent young boy fighting for his life mere feet away from him.

"It was my turn," stated D'Artagnan, his eyes never leaving the Captain's face as he explained. "Porthos had done the last one, the office was mine to handle. He shouldn't get punished for something that was my fault."

Confusion filled Treville's eyes as a fond smile teased at his lips, the Gascon had barely been with them a few months but it was already clear the young man had the loyalty of a musketeer. "Porthos said you were both heading there…"

D'Artagnan nodded, "Athos landed on my ribs when he fell… it's made moving… difficult. Porthos was coming to be there to help me if I needed it."

Treville nodded, having been able to tell the boy's ribs were bothering him just by the way he was holding himself.

"As I said," Treville sighed, feeling the days adventures catching up with him. "You were lucky today. As no one was actually hurt I'll be more lenient with the punishment." Treville waited until he was sure he had both men's complete attention before adding, "I was going to have you cover Jacques's work in the stables but I think your time would be better spent doing inventory and maintenance in the armory."

Both men fought back a groan at this, though given how things could have turned out; long hours of boredom was definitely the preferable outcome.

D'Artagnan was about to respond when his eyes landed back on Jacques's unmoving form. Unable to stay away from his young friend any longer the Gascon merely nodded his acceptance at the punishment before practically flying to the young man's bedside.

"How's he doing 'Mis?" D'Artagnan asked having noticed his friend was now washing his hands, apparently done with his patient.

"I've done all I can for now," explained the medic, a small wince escaping him as his hand flew to his forehead. "We need to check periodically for signs of infection and we need to keep an eye on fever he's developing. I think it's just from the trauma but best to do what we can to stop it getting worse… Other then that… It's all up to him now."

D'Artagnan nodded, instantly grabbing a cold damp cloth and placing it on the back of Jacques's neck, having been unable to place it on his forehead given the position his friend was lying in.

Once he was done he sent the medic a concerned look, "What about you 'Mis?"

Aramis's head tilted to one side, "What about me D'Art?"

"How are you? I noticed that your head seems to be hurting…"

Smiling softly at the young Gascon, Aramis reached out and ruffled his hair. "Just tired my friend, nothing that a nice long nap can't cure."

"Really?" teased Porthos as he crossed his arms on Aramis's unsuspecting head before resting his chin on his arms. "Then what about your chest?"

Looking up at his friend Aramis put on the most innocent expression he could muster given the pain he was currently in. "What are you doing staring at my chest my friend," he teased, "Not that I blame you of course, your not the first to stare at it."

Porthos scoffed at his friend's words, lightly swatting the man's shoulder as he moved to point at said chest. "You're bleeding," he stated nonchalantly.

Aramis shrugged, "Could be Jacques blood."

Porthos nodded, "Could be… It aint, but it could be."

Aramis raised an eyebrow in challenge, "and how do you know for sure that it's mine?"

Rising to the challenge Porthos smirked, "The way you move. You're avoiding twisting and moving in general. If I had to guess you've ripped a stitch or two."

Aramis blinked in surprise, "Maybe you have picked up a thing or two from me over the years after all… And here I thought you planned to remain blissfully ignorant for the rest of our days."

Chuckling at his friend's antics Porthos ordered the marksman to get everything set up to do a couple of stitches whilst he went and grabbed someone to do it, not trusting it to either himself or the Gascon given his skill and D'Artagnan lack of available hands.

Treville, who had come over to help stitch up Aramis as Moreau was still passed out, had just finished tying off the last stitch when a feminine scream pierced the air.

"That was Vivienne!" exclaimed Aramis as he flew from his seat and towards where the scream had come from. Part of him was surprised by his reaction and how fast he was moving to her aid given what she had put both himself and his friend's through, but the other part of him couldn't forget the years they had been friend's, nor the fact he had once counted her as his sister in everything but blood. Her betrayal could not completely override those feelings it seemed, at least not when she was in danger.

"Bugger," swore Porthos as he moved to follow his surprising fast-footed friend.

What now!? Whined D'Artagnan internally as he forced himself to move from Jacques's side and to follow his friends. He was loathed to leave the youngsters side but he would not let his friends face whatever new obstacle was in front of them alone.