Evening My Lovelies

Well we've got quite a bit going on today and those of you who are fans of Athos should be (hopefully) pleased with this chapter as he's the focus for a good portion of it.

We've also got the chat between Athos and Treville that I've been teasing you all with for several chapters and as with everything I write that I've teased you with I'm now worrying it's not good. It's fairly difficult writing an emotional/emotionally heavy conversation for two character who usually keep themselves in check and aren't big on emotional conversations. Hopefully it's good enough that you all enjoy it though.

Notes On Reviews:

Deana: Thanks for the review - I bet they're all glad they're home too :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Treville's running himself a bit ragged at the moment that's for sure, luckily Moreau not to push it with the whole staying in Athos's rooms bit. Definitely wouldn't want to risk Aramis's anger right now :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Hope you didn't stay up specifically for this otherwise I feel bad for taking so long writing it, Sorry! Enjoy the new chapter! x

watlocked: Thanks for the review - Evil tablet, bad tablet not letting the keyboard up so reviews could be written! lol :D I think I probably should keep some sort of log of everyone's injuries, especially with a story like this where the whumpage has been intense but no it's all from memory... Which possibly goes some way to explaining why I occasionally forget that a specific character, seems to be Athos in this story, has certain injuries. I will admit, I'm quite proud with how many of their injuries I do remember and don't have to scroll back and check considering I typically have the memory of a goldfish with everything else in life lol :D ... D'Art will be awake... briefly today but unfortunately our pup is in no condition to be scolding. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Guest: Thanks for the review - Recuperation?... Yes... Calm?... Possibly not :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Oooh now I really want the King to request the men just to be a jackass lol :D Worry not all four boys are now together and looking after each other, there's a particular Athos comfort scene we're getting today that I'm hoping will make up for making you wait so long... though I'm sure Aramis wouldn't say no to the extra help :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Not too scared I hope as we're getting a nightmare today :) Though it does lead into a particularly cute brotherly moment so maybe that'll make up for it. Enjoy the new chapter! x

f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Aramis is going to look after Athos's leg as well (much to his annoyance of course) as for the medic, yeah he's probably going to pass out at some point, he's too stubborn to rest or hand their care over to someone else right now. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - I hadn't noticed I had them all working in pairs usually until you mentioned it, not sure why I seem to favor pairs but it was an interesting thing to note :) Glad you liked Favier's reaction, that was pretty much the only reason I had Issac shot in the first place :D As for D'Art your 'poor D'Art' comment is really going to be applicable today for our lovely pup unfortunately. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Yeah it really through me, it was a bit of a scramble to check the time when I read it lol was panicking it was a lot later then it was :D Hope you had a nice visit with your family though :D I wasn't sure how to show Porthos's anger over D'Art's condition, i was tempted to have him punch something but figured Treville, who was holding him up, wouldnt let him do it. I'm pleased you liked what I ended up deciding on though :D Corbett definitely has expert timing it seems that's for sure :D Glad you liked Favier's reaction to Issac, it was the whole reason for the man being shot if i'm honest. Kinda wanted a mirroring of their relationship as it was similar to Issac's reaction when Favier was injured what seems like eon's ago lol. We've got an Athos comfort moment I'm excited to hear your comments on today, I think you'll like it :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Yep Jacques is going to be fine :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

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

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Eighty-Eight: Athos's Rooms

Athos could tell there was something Aramis was wanting to say but it seemed his brother was going to keep him guessing a little while longer, or at least until the musketeers who were helping bringing their friends and supplies up were finished.

It seemed the latter was correct as not even a minute after the last of the men had finished depositing a bucket of warm water into the room Aramis was on him.

"Right you need to sit down," ordered the medic as he pointed to a chair by the foot of the bed Athos had seen him setting up only moments before.

"I'm fine Aramis,' insisted the swordsman, brushing off his brother's obvious concern in favor of sorting out their supplies.

"You need to rest that leg," stated Aramis as he crossed his arms over his chest and glared at the swordsman. "It was only because of the heavy wrapping and splinting we placed on that ankle that stopped it from needing resetting. Keep straining it by walking and standing on it and you're only going to significantly lengthen your recovery time."

Athos glared at his friend, knowing that his well-meaning order was issued only out of concern for him, and the musketeer could feel the pain in his leg reaching almost overwhelming levels.

Aramis seemed to noticed the pain that flashed across his face as not even a moment later the marksman was pushing him gently by the shoulders until he was sitting on the chair. Then, without even asking for permission, Aramis grabbed his injured leg and lifted it so it was resting on top of a chest that seemed to be working as a makeshift footstool.

"Aramis," sighed Athos, the musketeer focusing on keeping the relief from showing on his face. It would only make the man insufferably smug if he knew how much the simple act of getting off of his feet had done for the swordsman's pain levels.

"No Athos," scolded Aramis as he moved away from his brother to the table where all his supplies and medicines were located. "I can't be worrying about when that leg's going to give out on you while Porthos and D'Artagnan need my help so you're going to sit there, drink this pain draught and pass me the supplies when I call for them."

The no nonsense tone of Aramis's voice was not something new to Athos, though he rarely saw it unless one of theirs was serious injured. When the sharpshooter got like this Athos knew it was better for everyone involved to simply do what he said with as few complaints as possible.

"Fine," grumbled Athos with a curt nod, "but you need help, don't hesitate to ask."

Aramis smiled, his expression tired but fond as he held out a small vial for his brother. "Always do mon ami. Now drink and leave me to work."

Athos wasn't sure how long they had been cooped up in his rooms, several times Treville had popped his head around the door asking for a report on their progress as well as checking they didn't need anything. Aramis's report was always the same; that D'Artagnan was in critical condition but was stubbornly fighting like only their Gascon could.

Each time Treville appeared the need to talk to him and clear the air grew in Athos. He knew the garrison couldn't function as well as it did if the Captain and lieutenant were at each others throats, or if everyone was tiptoeing around them for fear of setting them off.

"You know you're going to have to apologize to him at some point right?" asked Aramis softly as his eyes remained focused on the wound his was stitching. Thankfully he hadn't found any more infected cuts apart from the couple he had first noted, though he did have to push down the pessimistic part of him that reminded him they hadn't flipped the boy over yet to look at his back.

"Don't know what you're talking about," grumbled Athos off handedly as he ground up several herbs, following the instructions Aramis had given him to make a poultice to help fight infections.

Aramis sighed, though the fond smile tugging at his lips was enough to negate any negative emotions expressed by it. "You know he didn't intend for this to be the outcome when he withheld the information from us."

Athos was silent for a moment as he tried to get his anger under control. He knew his friend was right and that he shouldn't blame Treville for what happened but seeing his friends in such terrible conditions and having to sit by while they cry out in pain did little to help him act on that knowledge.

"It still happened though," stated the swordsman several minutes later.

"And he blames himself for it, you only need to look at him when he's around them… Just… consider it okay?"

Athos grunted noncommittally and returned to his work, deciding to take out his frustrations on the herbs he was grinding.

Aramis shook his head at his friend before returning to the gash his was stitching, doing his best to ignore the painful throbbing in his own leg as he worked.

The pair continued working in comfortable silence for several long minutes before a groan from D'Artagnan caught Aramis's attention.

"D'Art?" he called, putting down the needle he had thankfully just finished working with so he could cup the boy's face with one hand. Athos noticed his friend's actions and quickly put down what he was working on and eased himself up and over to his brother's side, settling himself on the bed next to his young protégé.

"D'Art?" Aramis called again, slightly more worried this time, as the unconscious Gascon tossed lightly in his sleep, whimpering in both fear and pain.

As D'Artagnan's sleep became increasingly agitated both Athos and Aramis found they could do little more then gently try to wake him up before whatever terror he was reliving ruined the hours of hard work Aramis had put in trying to save his life.

D'Artagnan could hear someone calling his name, yelling at him to stop… to shut up but despite the terror running through his veins he knew he couldn't. All it took was one single glance at the chained man calling… begging him and he knew he had to continue what he was doing. The other men in the room were brutal, their hatred of musketeers and those in positions of power was strong enough that the Gascon had no doubt that they would gladly kill his chained companion… After all, their leader had all but hinted the man was not important in the grand scheme of things.

It was not in the Gascon's nature to just ignore that knowledge, to sit back and do nothing. So, with a deep breath to steady himself he had begun yelling a barrage of insults and slurs at the two men, having notice during their earlier appearances that it would get both men's attention and focus to shift from his chained companion.

True to expectations it didn't take too long for his plan to work, despite the begging and counter attempt from his companion, which only earned the man a sharp kick to the ribs that brought the man's pain to a new level that had him passing out.

"You're gonna pay for that mouth of yours brat," spat one of the men and D'Artagnan couldn't help the shudder of fear that ran through him as he approach. He had been the man who had grabbed his wrist when they had first woken up, the man had no qualms with causing pain and he knew that's what was coming for him.

He had expected pain, he had watched his friends being stabbed and beaten for the last god knows how many hours while waiting for the men to tire of the barely conscious musketeers and turn on him. He thought he had prepared himself for the pain… he had never been so wrong.

The first cut had been excruciating. One of the men had grabbed him tight enough by the shoulder to no doubt leave finger bruises in his skin, while his companion grabbed his uninjured wrist, pulling the arm out towards him.

"If you beg us boy, we might just make this quick for you… end the pain faster."

The way the man had sneered at him set his teeth on edge and he was spitting in the man's face before he knew it. Even though he knew in his heart that his pride and Gascon stubbornness wouldn't let him beg… not at the threat of pain to him at any rate.

The man holding his arm snarled at him but instead of back handing him like D'Artagnan had been anticipating he had pressed his dagger hard and deep into the flesh just below his shoulder, causing him to gasp in pain and struggle to get his arm from the man's iron grip.

"Just remember boy," snarled the man, smirking as he slowly dragged the blade through the Gascon's skin, relishing in the gasps of pain that escaped his prisoner as he worked. "All you have to do is beg for our forgiveness and we'll consider ending this."

D'Artagnan was determined not to scream if he could help it but he was still reeling from the first cut that he was unprepared when the blade was thrusted into his skin for a second time almost immediately and as such was unable stifle the scream that tore its way from his throat.

D'Artagnan eventually lost track of the amount of times the dagger had pierced his skin, everything was muddled into a fog of pain and screams. He could feel unconsciousness pulling at him but every time he thought he was about to pass out another sharp stab or drag of the blade to bring him back, forever denying him the escape he so desired.

After what seemed like an eternity the constant feel of a blade on his skin disappeared and D'Artagnan only coherent thought was that if he hadn't already been crying then he would have cried in relief. Although it quickly became clear that it would have been premature as mere moments later the agonizing pain returned, only this time it was his back and he fell back into the haze of never ending pain and screams.

Aramis and Athos had panicked when D'Artagnan began screaming, nothing they were doing was waking him up and the boy had already torn several of his stitches and pulled a few of the others.

"D'ARTAGNAN!" bellowed the pair as they shook him, deciding to ignore the boy's many injuries if it got him to wake up.

Sometime after he started screaming D'Artagnan had ended up waking up Porthos, who had taken to bracing the boy's broken wrist so he didn't damage it further in his panic.

When nothing seemed to be working Athos decided to do something that he knew would get him yelled at by both of his friends. After another terrified scream the swordsman slapped the Gascon's cheek, hard enough to leave an instant red mark.

"ATHOS!" chided Aramis, shocked at his brother's actions. Though he had little time to comment further on it as it seemed to do the trick as D'Artagnan shot up, eyes wide in terrified panic, chest heaving and tears streaming down his face.

Without warning Athos quickly grabbed the shaking boy into his arms, cradling his tightly to his chest as one hand found its way to the boy's hair, his other drawing the Gascon as close to him as possible while soothing words and promises of safety flew hushed from his lips.

It took a moment for D'Artagnan's petrified mind to catch up to the fact that it wasn't one of the men holding him, that it was Athos, someone who would never hurt him… someone who would give everything to protect him. Once his mind finally came to that connection it allowed the body to relax into the warmth and safety being offered by the older man while heartbreaking sobs escaped the young man.

For several minutes the pair remained like that, Athos simply letting the young man cry himself out before addressing anything beyond whispering words of comfort in his ears.

Both Porthos and Aramis felt their hearts breaking at the pure pain and fear their youngest member had experienced and was now crying out. Both men desperately wanted to do something for the boy but noticed, with no small smiles of fondness, that there was little of the boy they could actually reach as he was so tightly wrapped up in Athos's protective arms. After a few moments they settled themselves as well, Porthos's hands loosened their grip on the boy's arm, one hand resting lightly on the back of D'Artagnan's neck whilst the other wrapped itself gently around the Gascon's ankle.

Part of Aramis wanted to pull the Gascon away from the swordsman, only so he could check the damage done to the young man and ensure he wasn't in more pain and danger then he needed to be, but he found himself powerless to do so as he listened to D'Artagnan cry his heart out in Athos's arms. Instead he carefully shifted himself onto the bed, slipping in just behind the Gascon and wrapping the trembling boy in a backwards hug that meant the Gascon was completely covered in the warmth and safety of his friends while the words of a Spanish lullaby flew from his lips in soft whispers.

Whether it was the after-effects of his injuries or from the warmth and safety he was encompassed by they didn't know but after a few more minutes of slightly muffled sobs D'Artagnan ended up passing out in Athos's arms.

The three inseparables let the unconscious Gascon rest in their arms for a few minutes before Aramis, after discreetly wiping his eyes, gently asked them to lay him down so he could check him over.

The first thing the group noticed when D'Artagnan was once again lying on the bed was the fresh blood escaping from previously stitched wounds. Aramis sighed at these and with a few muttered Spanish words under his breath he gathered the supplies he needed to redo the stitches.

While he did this Athos moved to Porthos's side, having noticed that the cold compress they had had applied to the musketeer's dislocated and heavily swollen shoulder had done its job and the swelling was now down enough for him to reset the joint.

"You ready?" asked Athos, his voice quiet and hollow after what they had just witnessed from D'Artagnan. When all he got was a grunt and a nod in response he readied himself. "On three."

"One… Tw –"

Porthos scream tore through the air, cutting off the remainder of Athos count as the larger musketeer curled himself around his newly reset joint.

"…Thought only 'Mis did that," grumbled the musketeer as he lifted his head from his chest to half-heartedly glare at his brother. Only to pause when he saw the expression on the swordsman's face.

"'Thos?" he asked quietly, his hand reaching out to take Athos's into his own.

"I need some air," stated Athos stoically as he pulled his hand free of Porthos's grasp and left the room. Leaving a resigned looking pair behind.

"Athos?" called Treville as he approached the door to the musketeer's rooms. He was honestly surprised to see the lieutenant out of his rooms while D'Artagnan was still being worked on, though he had just been told of the hellish screams coming from the musketeer's rooms so he surmised that they had a lot to do with the man's current position.

Athos blinked, clearly having been lost in thought before turning his head to greet the new arrival. "Captain," he nodded curtly before turning his gaze back to staring over into the courtyard, not missing the worried and curious looks being sent his way by the musketeers within it.

"I had reports of screaming," stated Treville, moving slowly towards the swordsman. Upon closer inspection he could see the tenseness in the man's frame and he felt panic growing within him for what it could mean.

"He's fine," dismissed Athos, his words hollow and lacking any sort of conviction. "Violent nightmare that took some time to wake him up from."

"I… see."

After a few moments of silence Treville realized he wasn't going to get anything else from his lieutenant and with a resigned sigh he turned and began to walk back to the infirmary.

"He was tortured you know," remarked Athos coldly, not missing the way Treville froze at his words. "What they did to him… It wasn't quick, it was drawn out torture that damn near killed him while we… we were sleeping."

Guilt flashed across Treville's face as he turned and walked back to Athos's side, physically and mentally preparing himself for another punch to the jaw. "It's not like I wanted that to happen Athos," stated the Captain, his voice taking on a slight pleading tone as he talked. "I had to think of all of my men, not just them and neither you nor Aramis should have been out on the streets."

"It still happened," snapped Athos before taking a deep breath to calm himself as his hand came up to softly rub against his healing gunshot wound.

Lately his leg had been causing him enough pain that it almost negated any pain from his chest but when he had pulled D'Artagnan to him earlier, he had pulled with a touch more force then he probably should have as D'Artagnan's head ended up colliding with the healing wound and sending waves of excruciating pain through his body. The pain had dulled slightly now thanks to the pain draught Aramis had given him earlier. He hadn't drunk it when it was given to him, stubbornly refusing anything that might impair his judgment when his brothers needed him.

"It's not your fault Athos," said Treville soothingly as he watched the man with worried eyes. "I… I know I should have informed you at the very least but I couldn't risk it."

Athos turned, now completely facing his Captain and was now able to see the guilt and self-loathing the man was dealing with clear on his face. "You've never kept such information from me before."

Treville sighed, "The pair of you were both physically and emotionally compromised. I couldn't risk it."

"Couldn't or wouldn't?"

Treville straightened, his arms crossing over his chest. "Both."

For the next few minutes both men stood there in silence, each trying to decide what words to use to best express themselves to their companion.

Eventually it was Treville who broke the silence as he stared hard at his lieutenant. "Tell me Athos," he said, his voice firm but kind. "If you had been in my shoes, with the information I had at the time. What would you have done?"

Athos looked away, he knew full well what he would have done. He had come to that conclusion sometime ago… Admitting it out loud though… That was something else.

Not wanting to be dismissed Treville persisted. "Would you have told the two men closest to those missing, one of whom was dealing with near crippling grief and the other seriously injured and being the only one holding the first together. Would you have told them that their friends were missing, possibly captured despite knowing they would charge out guns blazing, swords drawn no matter their condition or would you have waited for the other, already dispatched, search parties to return first with news?"

Every word Treville said was like a punch to the gut for the swordsman. Whilst he had already decided that he wouldn't have done anything differently, this was the first time he had truly seen how much the decision had pained his Captain… How much it was still paining him.

"I… admit I would have done as you did… Though it makes it no easier to take when you are on my end." Then with a slightly cheeky grin somewhat uncharacteristic of the typically stoic swordsman he added. "It also makes it no easier to apologize for that either," he said, nodding to the purplish bruise on the Captain's jaw.

Treville let out a breathless laugh, relief filling him as he reached over to place a gentle hand on the lieutenant's shoulder. "No I don't imagine it does but your men are safe now Athos. Nobody but our enemies died and even D'Artagnan who suffered greatly remains strong in his fight to live. Focus on that instead of what if's. A bruise is the least I deserve for the pain they suffered and it'll fade before long so go back to your brothers. They need you."

Athos reached up to place his hand on Treville's offering it a gentle squeeze as he nodded to the Captain before turning to return to his brothers' sides.

"Athos," called Treville just as the swordsman's hand rested on the door handle. Treville waited until Athos had turned his head to look at him before continuing. "If it helps remember you were the one to make that bastard Marcel pay for what he did to them."

A smug smirk tugged at Athos's lips as he nodded once again before opening the door and disappearing into the room.