Evening My Lovelies

Sorry this is a little later than usual I started work on it a lot later than I usually do and then hit a bout of writers block (which went away fairly quickly thank god)

Notes On Reviews:

criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - We've got a bit more in the cell today but they'll be back in the garrison in the next chapter. Haha No I don't think I could hurt D'Art worse in the next story, not without killing him at least (which I'm not going to do) He will be the worse off in terms of our four boys though (though again that's not exactly new when it comes to me lol) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yay I'm really glad you enjoyed the chapter :D Bwahaha! Now I'm really tempted to have them get like half way back to the garrison and be like "Aren't we forgetting something?" and then realizing they'd left poor Corbett behind lol... I wont but the idea's nice XD He'll probably wake up a bit tomorrow just to ensure they don't forget him :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Deana: Thanks for the review - Die a very painful death would be my guess... Good thing they have our lovely medic :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - You're right to be worried though I will promise that D'Art wont die. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Bwhaha That's true! Our boys are going to sleep for like a week when this is all over I think. Enjoy the new chapter! x

watlocked: Thanks for the review - Thankfully the worst is out of the way now so now its just a long road to recovery for our boys. I hadn't originally planned on Constance showing up again but now I think it'd be cute if she did so she'll probably show up again at some point. Jacques... we'll check up on him in the next chapter or two. Enjoy the new chapter! x

f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Everyone's gonna feel some guilt and poor Athos really should be staying off of that leg, Moreau's not going to be impressed with him. Worry not, I don't have anyone else lurking around. Treville and Athos will be clearing the air in either tomorrow's or the day after chapter. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - Worry not our boys will be getting some rest and recovery soon. Glad you liked the flashback/fight scene. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Our boys will be returning to the garrison in tomorrows chapter for some much needed R&R Glad you liked the chapter and are looking forward to their road to recovery. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I know, I teased you a bit with the almost comforting Athos moment. To make up for it we've got a little one today which I hope you like. They've got plenty more moments coming, especially in tomorrows chapter when D'Art's going to wake up again. Poor Porthos is all anxious to be by D'Art's side but is unable to do so right now... I think he'll need to be in the bed next to him just to remind him that they're both okay. Pretty much all of our guys are feeling some sort of guilt - which means I have some cute/emotional chats to write in coming chapters which should be fun. Glad you liked our flashback moment and worry not Treville and Athos will be clearing the air soon. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Cookies, Cream Cakes & Wine (unless your underage then fizzy drink) to you awesome people who follow/favourite/review/read this story.

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Eighty-Six: Treating Wounds

As Athos worked he had to consciously force himself not to look over his shoulder to where his brother was working as fast and hard as he could to save the life of his protégé. Athos knew his focus right now needed to be on helping Porthos, the larger man having passed out shortly before he and the Captain began working on him.

"How it looking Athos?" enquired Treville as he returned to the musketeer's side after getting a report from Reynard's group and ensuring his men were as okay as they could be given the situation.

"Several of his wounds still need cleaning and stitching but thankfully aren't showing any signs of infection yet," explained Athos, his eyes never leaving his brother's chest where his hands were tying off his latest stitched wound.

Treville nodded, his eyes roving over the unconscious musketeer's body. "Where do you need me?"

Without even looking up Athos passed over a jar, "It's Aramis's bruise balm," he said by way of explanation before picking up a set of tweezers and moving onto the next open wound that needed cleaning.

Unperturbed by the swordsman's attitude Treville took the jar and began applying a healthy amount of it on the numerous bruises littering the musketeer's skin. He started on the face, wincing at the amount of swelling that prevented the man from opening his eyes properly.

After carefully applying the poultice to Porthos's face, Treville began making his way down his body, the Captain's anger growing at every new bruise he found marring the musketeer's skin.

While Treville worked on the bruises Athos continued his work cleaning and stitching the open wounds in his brother's skin. Thankfully only one was deep enough to be concerning and was probably the reason his friend had been so quick to pass out. That particular wound had been the first thing he had focused on but Athos couldn't help but frown every time he looked at the recently stitched wound, just knowing it was going to leave his brother with another scar.

Porthos, Athos knew, held no objections to scars and would most likely wear this particular one with pride as, if Corbett's account of what they had suffered was correct, Porthos had earned himself the wound when he had drawn attention away from both of his captured companions during shortly before the torture got worse.

In the long run his actions might not seem like much but it gave both men a chance and kept them safe, even for just a short while, which was what Porthos would focus on.

While the larger musketeer would care very little about a new addition to his collection of scars Athos couldn't help but hate it. The scar would forever be a reminder of the pain he and the other men had endured and every time Porthos saw it, or it was brought up by someone, his brother would have to relive the entire experience once again, something Athos would have given anything to have not happen.

Several of Porthos's other wounds had the possibility of scarring, though they would be very faint if they did. Athos was consciously trying to minimize the risk when he stitched but he couldn't be sure until they started to heal.

It also didn't help that every few minutes he could hear the odd pained whimper from D'Artagnan. Athos desperately wanted to be by his protégé's side and help him through the immense pain he must have been in to still whimper even when unconscious but he knew he couldn't leave Porthos's side until he had done everything he could for the man.

If he was honest with himself Athos was a little surprised at how quickly he had become attached to the young Gascon, especially as their meeting was unconventional to say the least. The man had only been with them for a few months but for Athos, and he suspected his brothers as well, it felt like they had known him for years.

It was killing him to listen to the young man in pain and not being able to do anything about it but he also knew that he would be more of a hindrance then a help to Aramis if he went over there now with his mind torn between the Gascon and Porthos.

"…How are the others?" Athos asked quietly, keeping his eyes on his unconscious brother as he worked.

Treville blinked, surprised Athos was talking, though it didn't take long for the Captain to realize why his lieutenant was trying to distract himself.

"Issac was serious hurt by the first shot we heard a while back," informed Treville, his grip tightening dangerously on the jar in his hand as he thought of his injured man. "Etienne got him out to Beaumont and he was breathing and alive last any of Reynard's group heard."

Athos cursed under his breath, lifting his gaze from Porthos for just a minute to glare at the blood stain on the floor that was the only evidence of Marcel's demise left in the room after Reynard and the two musketeer's who had originally been in there group left to quickly dispose of the body.

"Blaise?" Athos asked quietly, his eyes returning to his work, "He looked bad when they came in."

Treville nodded even though he knew the swordsman wouldn't be able to see it. "Took a hit from a couple of throwing knives while pushing Alain out of the way. He's in pain and lost a decent amount of blood but he'll be fine with some rest." With a quiet huff of mirthless laughter Treville added, "I think Alain's more shook up by the whole thing then Blaise is to be honest."

Athos remained silent but he understood how Alain was feeling, to be the reason someone you deeply cared about was hurt or worse was an awful feeling and one that likely wouldn't leave the young man until Blaise was well enough to knock some sense into the younger musketeer.

Sparing a glance at Porthos's face Athos couldn't help but fear that his brother would soon experience similar feelings regarding the extreme torture D'Artagnan had undergone that Porthos had been unable to prevent.

"Athos," called Aramis, his voice tense, as his eyes remained focused on the young patient in front of him. Without waiting for a response the medic continued, "Are you almost done I could really use a hand here."

Treville instantly saw the conflicting emotions flickering across his lieutenant's face. "Go," he said softly with a nod as he held out his hand. "There's not much more you can do for Porthos, I can finish up here. Go help Aramis."

For a few moments Athos seemed hesitant to leave but with a visible shake he nodded and passed his tweezers over to the Captain before staggering to his feet and limping over to Aramis's side.

The pain in his leg was immense but he knew it likely paled in comparison to the pain his brother and protégé had endured so he pushed through it, even when it made him nauseous enough to feel only moments away from either emptying his stomach or passing out.

Barely able to hide his pain from showing on his face Athos settled himself on the ground opposite Aramis, his hand instantly finding it's way into D'Artagnan's hair as he ran his fingers through it in an unconscious attempt to help soothe his young friend.

"What's wrong?" Athos asked quietly, not liking the strained look on Aramis's face. His expression spoke of someone who was seriously overworked and Athos didn't like what that meant for his friend.

"There's too many," sighed Aramis, barely containing the growl that was bubbling up in his throat. "I clean and close one wound and it's like two more appear and the longer I take the more stress his already weakened body's under."

Athos felt his body tense at the not so subtle warning Aramis was giving him though he was quick to shake of his growing concern for the Gascon and pick up another pair of tweezers from the medic's supplies.

"My stitches wont be as neat as yours but I can clean just as well. Focus on suturing and I'll ensure the wounds are clean."

Aramis nodded gratefully, pain, exhaustion and fierce determination clear in his eyes as the two set to work.

Treville had just finished doing all he could for Porthos when a soft groan from the man caught his attention.

"That's some timing you have Porthos," grinned Treville as he watched the larger musketeer's eyes flicker open. "I've just finished doing what I can for you here though we will need to get Moreau to have a look at that shoulder of yours when we get back to the garrison, it's swollen too much for us to put it back just yet."

Porthos blinked sluggishly as he tried to force his pain and exhaustion driven mind to process the fact that he was now awake.

"…C'ptain?" slurred the man tiredly

"Easy Porthos," soothed Treville when he noticed the musketeer trying to move.

Once he was sure the man wasn't about to try and move too much Treville helped him lift his head so he could drink some water, something judging by the man's eagerness had been denied to them for some time.

"Better?" asked Treville as he pulled the water skin away, smirking slightly at the sigh of relief Porthos released at having a drink.

Porthos nodded tiredly, "W…W-What happened?" he asked, already feeling more alert at having some fluids in him.

Treville frowned, "What is the last thing you remember?"

"…Marcel… Athos killed him?" mumbled Porthos, his words coming out as more of a question then he normally would have liked.

Treville sighed in relief, immensely glad to know Porthos's memory hadn't suffered like his body had. The Captain then went on to explain, as simply as possible, what had occurred since then as well as Porthos's current condition.

"C-Corbett?" Porthos asked, worry clear in both his eyes and his voice, "The whelp?"

"Corbett's still asleep," explained Treville as he nodded over his shoulder to where the musketeer was still unconscious thanks to the pain of his injuries and the powerful pain draught given to him. "Reynard's keeping an eye on him while a couple of the other men are grabbing the stretcher from the wagon outside. We can carry Corbett and no doubt you're stubborn enough to want to try walking." The tired smirk Porthos sent his way was enough to confirm this for Treville, though his grim expression quickly removed the smirk from Porthos's face.

"D'Artagnan however," sighed Treville as he glanced over at the unconscious Gascon who was currently being tended to by two of his men. "D'Artagnan is in no condition to be walking or carried so we need the stretcher for him."

Porthos's eyes filled with concern and guilt as he stared at the only part of his young friend he could properly make out, his face. The obvious pain in the boy's expression, even when unconscious, was like a stab to the heart to the larger musketeer and he couldn't help but feel like he failed him.

"Hey," said Treville with a light tap to the musketeer's cheek, instantly gaining Porthos's attention.

"None of this is your fault," stated the Captain, ignoring the slightly surprised look Porthos was sending his way, honestly Treville didn't know if he should be laughing or worried at how obvious the man was being with his emotions right now and how oblivious he was to the fact he was doing so.

"You did all you could to protect them both," stressed the Captain, taking Porthos's hand in his own and offering him a reassuring squeeze. "The fault lies with Marcel and his men and all three have paid with their lives."

"…Should have tried harder," mumbled Porthos sadly, his gaze returning back to D'Artagnan's face.

"The fact you fractured your wrist in your attempts to get out of your chains contradicts that I'm afraid," stated Treville with a knowing look to Porthos's heavily bandaged wrist. "I'd also say that the fact you were able to not only force yourself to stand given your injuries but to also try and attack us when we entered the room was proof as to just how hard your fought to protect them."

Porthos looked a little sheepish at the reminder of his attack on the Captain, which had fortunately only resulted in the denting of a door. "Yeah… sorry about that."

Aramis laughed, having instantly begun eavesdropping on the pair's conversation when he heard the voice of his dearest friend. "Only damage done is to the door and possibly your pride my friend," teased the medic even as his focus was on the Gascon in front of him. "I thought you had better aim then that, we'll have to work on that when you're back on your feet."

Porthos scowled lightly at the teasing but even Treville could see how the man had begun to relax at the mere sound of his brother's voice.

"H-How's the whelp looking 'Mis?" asked Porthos, his voice pleading for good news as he watched his brother work.

All teasing and mirth had vanished from the marksman's voice as he responded to his brother, knowing it would be a disservice to both injured men if he tried to downplay the Gascon's injuries, especially when Porthos would see them for himself shortly.

"Bad," he admitted with a practically audible grimace. "We're losing the light in here as well so we really need to get him out of here."

The last part of that was directed more at Treville, which the man knew but right now there was little they could do until the stretcher arrived.