Evening My Lovelies

Holy crap! OMG OMG OMG! Over 1000 reviews! *dances like a loon* THANK YOU ALL SOOOO MUCH! Your support means so much and I hope you'll continue to stick with me for the remaining chapters! x

Quick shout out to watlocked who gave me the inspiration for the main part of this chapter, I hope I did your idea justice!

Notes On Reviews:

Deana: Thanks for the review - Treville's finally getting the chance to get some much needed revenge :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

FierGascon: Thanks for the review - Hopefully this makes up for where I ended it yesterday :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

romirola: Thanks for the review - I'm really glad you're enjoy the story so far :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Glad you liked the chapter, I think most of our boys are with you with that idea though you'll have to read on to find out what happens :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

watlocked: Thanks for the review - I'm a bit nervous to hear what you end up thinking about this chapter as this is in response to the awesome idea you gave me, hopefully i've done the one I picked justice and you enjoy it :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Thankfully for our pup we'll be getting a start on the long healing process tomorrow, we've just got to take care of Marcel before that can happen. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Aramis's mother-hen mode is going to come out more tomorrow, though it'll be warring with his medic mode which should be fun. Marcel will be meeting his end today so yeah our boys will definitely be breathing easier once its all done and taken care of. Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Haha don't worry they'll hold until they have to step in :) Treville's getting out some serious frustrations on the man at the moment :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Guest: Thanks for the review - Yeah sorry about that, I hadn't originally planned to stop there but length and timing forced me to split the chapter, hopefully this chapter makes up for it. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - Think D'Art may end up with some nightmares once this is all over (because I like to kick him when he's down lol :D) Worry not Aramis wont end up shooting Athos... the medic is a little distracted right now which helps in the aspect, i doubt Athos would appreciate being shot by his brother. Treville needed some revenge hence the brawl but that's not how its going to end :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Marcel's definitely getting what's coming to him today :) though it wont end before he's said some more hurtful things because he's that much of a douche. I agree D'Art needs some hugs and comfort from his brothers, thankfully he'll be getting them tomorrow... or maybe the chapter after he needs treatment before he needs hugs... Enjoy the new chapter! x

f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Glad you liked Aramis in that chapter, he gets sassy/snarky when pissed off (at least in my head he does) I really liked the kneecap idea, I hadn't planned on something like that but as soon as I read your review the idea wouldnt leave my head so hopefully you like how I've brought it in. Treville's energy is definitely beginning to wane, not good for our lovely Captain that's for sure. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I know! I seriously cant get over the fact we've reached 1000 reviews! I was ecstatic when it reached 100 so I'm beyond happy and stunned at reaching 1000, thank you so much for the continued support, your reviews never fail to make me smile and give added motivation to finish the chapter I'm usually writing when the email alerting me to your review comes in :D We're getting more of the showdown today and all I can promise is that Marcel will not be walking away from it :D I hadn't even planned for that image but I'm glad you liked it regardless :D Oh our muskys are beyond furious at Marcel right now so there is absolutely no way Marcel will be leaving alive :D He's made a BIG mistake in thinking he could handle the situation. I love writing Aramis when he gets all sassy/snarky so I'm really happy you also liked reading it. He's going to be very serious tomorrow as he'll be moving into medic mode so it was nice to get a bit of levity to him before that happened. Poor D'Arts going to have some nightmares after all this and that probably wont be the only panic attack he'll have either, because lets face it, I'm nothing if not a sadist when it comes to D'Art lol :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Tidia: Thanks for the review - You have good timing my friend I was literally just about to post this when your review came in :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Tonnes of cake, cookies and other lovely yummy treats to you awesome people who follow/favourite/review/read. love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Eighty-Four: Showdown

Treville used Marcel's momentary distraction after the attack on his ribs to try and move out of his way. During the fight the two men had paid little attention to their surroundings but Treville had noticed they were getting close to where Corbett was resting. The Captain knew that Marcel wouldn't be against using Corbett against him if it gave him the advantage, something Treville refused to let happen if he could help it.

"Running are we Captain?" spat Marcel as he forced himself to straighten despite the burning pain in his ribs.

Treville said nothing, wanting to save his remaining energy for the fight. Instead the Captain glared daggers at the man while shifting back into a fighting stance, readying himself for Marcel's next move.

"We should do something," grunted Porthos as the musketeer tried to force his aching body to move. The larger musketeer hated being unable to do anything to help his Captain. Marcel had been responsible for so much of the pain he and his brothers had been forced to endure of late and as such he desperately wanted to stop him before he could hurt anyone else.

"Not yet," murmured Athos as he gently pushed his brother back to lie down. He hadn't had a great deal of time to take care of many of Porthos's wounds before Marcel had reappeared and as such the swordsman was incredibly worried about the man worsening his condition by pushing himself too much.

"But 'Thos –"

"Treville needs this," responded Athos quietly, his eyes never leaving the brawl going on in front of them. Much like Porthos, he too ached to join and help. It went against all of his instincts to let someone he considered a friend fight alone when he could lend his aid, but like he said, he knew the Captain needed to handle this alone.

That wasn't to say he didn't plan on jumping in should things start to go south, as he was fully prepared to do just that, but right now they had to let Treville handle it.

Thankfully Athos didn't have to explain any of this to Porthos, the statement he made before being enough to placate the man for now, so with his brother now still Athos was free to return his entire attention to his Captain's fight.

Aramis was torn. He desperately wanted to keep his eyes on the fight, to be ready to jump in should things not go in Treville's favor but he was also acutely aware of the appalling condition of the barely conscious Gascon behind him.

Normally it wouldn't even be a choice, his complete attention would be on the injured comrade in need of his aid but with Marcel he couldn't and wouldn't put it passed the man to try some underhanded tactics that could bring the need for his fighting skills to the forefront.

D'Artagnan either saw the painful indecision the medic was suffering from or was being his usual stubborn self as he was doing his best to keep any whimpers and cries of pain silent and unheard. This had the unfortunate side effect of heightening the pain he was feeling and as such his breathing had become shallow and fast as pain spiked through his body. The Gascon's eyes were screwed shut in pain and his hands were clenched tightly into fists.

He did his best to appear as fine as he could given his condition whenever Aramis looked over his shoulder worriedly at him but it was becoming harder and harder to do every time. His body was practically drowning in pain and the blood loss driven exhaustion was continually threatening to pull him under again. It was becoming increasingly hard to ignore and fight against the pull, as the promise of a break from the pain was almost too much to ignore.

Aramis was not as oblivious to D'Artagnan's pain as the boy thought and was about to turn and try and help when a pained cry from Treville caught his attention and had his pistol arm raising automatically in response.

"CAPTAIN!" exclaimed the musketeers as they watched Treville stumble backward, his hand coming to grasp his shirt where his healing injury laid underneath.

His eyes were screwed shut as a reflex to the pain of having the butt of a musket rammed into his healing wound as such he didn't see Marcel move until he felt the man's arm wrap tightly around his neck, instantly making it difficult to breathe.

"Let him go Marcel!" growled Athos as he limped closer, blade drawn and a promise of immense pain burning bright in his eyes.

"Now why would I do that musketeer?" snapped Marcel as he angled his body to be mostly hidden by Treville's frame. He could feel the Captain fighting against his hold but the man's energy was largely depleted thanks to their fight earlier and his own injuries.

"If you want to leave here alive you will release our Captain," snarled Athos as he limped a few steps closer, keeping one hand behind his back to subtly signal Aramis, who he knew had his pistol trained on Marcel.

Marcel barked out a laugh that was empty of mirth and full of bitterness. "That's assuming I've not made my piece with dying if it means Treville pays for what he did."

"And how exactly is he going to do that? You would have killed him already if that's truly what you wanted."

Marcel scoffed, tightening his grip on Treville just enough to make it a struggle for the man to breathe as he glared daggers at the musketeer. He opened his mouth to retort but was cut off when a shot pierced the air.

Marcel's eyes widened almost comically as a shout of pain tore its way from his lips. Within moments his grip on Treville had vanished and he had crumpled to the ground, screams of pain tearing their way through gritted teeth as he clutched his now bleeding kneecap.

Without wasting a second, largely from having anticipated the shot, Athos reached out and grabbed a gasping Treville by the sleeve of his jacket before pulling him behind him and closer to Porthos, a look in his eyes daring the Captain to resist and try to continue to fight.

Exhausted and in pain Treville conceded to Athos's judgment and practically sank to the ground by Porthos, his breathing coming in labored breaths and his eyes screwing themselves shut as he tried to keep himself composed while waiting for the pain to dull to a manageable level.

"It's over Marcel," stated Athos, limping a few steps from his brother and Captain all while trying not to collapse himself at the pain in his leg. He spared a quick look over to Aramis, who sent him a single nod while also glaring daggers at Marcel's crumpled form.

He knew his brother would prefer for Marcel to die for the crimes he had committed but the man was now incapacitated and it went against what he stood for to attack someone who could no longer fight back. Besides when the nature of his crimes came to light the King would most likely order his execution.

With his focus now zeroing in on Marcel, who was struggling to sit himself up without crying out in pain, Athos missed seeing Aramis struggle to his feet and limp closer to him until he was standing next to him.

He sent his brother a questioning look that was tinged with worry at the pain lining his brother's face but was prevented from getting an answer as Marcel decided to pick that exact moment to speak up, venom practically dripping from his voice.

"I can't… quite believe you musketeer," sneered Marcel as he gritted his teeth against the overwhelming pain in his leg as he shakily stood. His eyes were locked onto Aramis's form and his trembling hands unsheathed the blade from his belt, pointing it at the medic as he continued his tirade.

"After everything he's done… you of all people should understand!"

Aramis tensed, his grip tightening on the now spent pistol. He had a feeling he knew where Marcel was going to go with this and he really didn't want to hear it.

"Captain Treville is not to blame for Savoy!" snapped Aramis, disgust colouring his face at the mere mention of the massacre. "He had his orders and he followed them like a soldier should!"

Marcel's face darkened as fury entered his pained eyes, "and that makes it fine?" he snarled, almost shaking with anger as he limped forward, barely stopping himself from crumpling to the ground at the burning pain in his leg, though right now his anger was much stronger then his pain.

"So the deaths of my brother… YOUR friends can go unanswered because your Captain was following orders like a good little soldier?" Marcel scoffed, ignoring the tense form of Athos who was watching the exchange with wary eyes.

"You're a disgrace to their memory," spat Marcel, internally reveling in the flinch his words drew from the medic. "The only reason you didn't die is because of them… Their blood paid for your extra time and how is it you repay them? You willingly continue to serve the man who ordered their deaths! Tell me musketeer, where is the honor in that?"

Aramis froze at the words being flung at him, normally they would be easy to brush off and ignore but right now, after having the last link to that time bleed to death in his arms, it was harder to ignore the guilt and shame he felt for being the only one to have survived the massacre and for not having killed the Duke responsible for it when he showed up in Paris not long ago.

Oblivious in his internal struggle Aramis failed to see the impeding attack from Marcel until a clash of blade caught his attention. Blinking out of the haze of his thoughts Aramis's eyes widened at the sight of a furious Athos standing in front of him, having parried an attack from Marcel with his own blade.

Athos's anger was coming off of him in waves and the lieutenant wasted no time on his shaken friend, choosing instead to, despite the pain, briefly put all of his weight on his healing leg so he could use his good one to launch a strong kick right at Marcel's bleeding kneecap.

The instant Athos's attack made contact with Marcel's wound the man was crying out in pain and crumpling to the ground.

With his eyes burning with unforgiving fury Athos limped forward, once again putting pressure on his healing leg so he could press his good one into Marcel's bleeding wound, not even flinching at the agonized pained scream that tore its way from the man's throat.

"Every life he has saved since that day is honoring their memory," stated the swordsman, his voice frighteningly cold and detached as he continued to put pressure on the bleeding kneecap, completely ignoring the screams it elicited.

"The only one who is dishonoring their memory is you."

Without waiting another second Athos took his blade and slashed it across Marcel's throat, taking a step back and turning towards his now slightly stunned brothers while Marcel chocked to death on his own blood.

"…Athos…" breathed Aramis shakily, his eye wide as he stared at his brother. He knew that Athos normally wouldn't have killed him; even after everything he had done, because at that moment the man was no longer a threat. He could have been taken before a judge and the King for punishment so for Athos to end him himself… that had certainly surprised him.

"You… Why?" stammered the medic as his eyes locked onto Athos's own, his heart clenching at the emotionless mask now settled on his brother's face.

Athos blinked, "For as long as he was alive he would constantly be a threat to my brothers, including yourself. You have enough to deal with without the addition of more blood on your hands… It had to be me."