While the whole Bonnaire debacle was amusing, it didn't really have much substance. My only question in this episode was, what happened to Pauline? They kind of just left her sitting in a courtyard in tears. I suspect Aramis made a deal with St. Pierre to send her somewhere she could be free to start again since I can't see him wanting to see her locked up. I'll leave the specifics up to your imagination, but I felt Aramis would need some closure, and since Athos and Porthos were a bit miffed at him – again – I suppose it's up to d'Artagnan.

Episode 4 – The Queen's Diamonds

The More Things Change…

D'Artagnan stepped into the bustling tavern his eyes raking the crowd, puffing out a breath of air as he spotted the target of his search. This was the third tavern he'd visited and had started to think he would have to return alone, knowing he risked his wife's wrath if he showed up without Aramis. As he forced his way through the throng of revelers, his eyes trained on his errant brother as if he would disappear if he looked away for a moment.

When Aramis hadn't showed for supper, Constance had inquired as to his whereabouts. Neither Athos nor Porthos had deigned to respond, so she'd looked to her husband for answers. Not wanting to betray any of his friends' confidences by explaining the troubling events of the day out of turn, he placated her by offering to go out and find their missing marksman, amused that she would be so concerned about a grown man – a Musketeer – who could readily take care of himself. Constance had taken her role as their keeper quite seriously, and he loved her all the more for it, knowing better than to allow her to work herself into a state concerning the absence of one of her self-appointed charges. There had been obvious tension in the air that she would've been blind not to pick up on, and searching a few taverns to ease her mind was the least he could do.

He sat down in the chair directly across from Aramis at the small, wobbly table, noting the marksman's attention hadn't shifted from his intense study of the cup in his hands. The cup was almost full – sloshing nearly to the edge as d'Artagnan righted the rickety table – as was the bottle of wine that sat in the center, causing d'Artagnan to frown. Despite outward appearances, he knew the man had taken notice of his arrival, so he motioned to the serving girl to bring another cup, then poured himself a glass and took a sip before breaking the silence.

"I believe drinking your troubles away is Athos' territory."

Aramis glanced at him and smiled, though it did not reach his dark eyes. "Except it would seem our Captain has given up this particular vice. Don't think I haven't noticed. Somebody needs to take up the mantle."

D'Artagnan nodded at Aramis' mostly full cup as he took another sip. "You have to actually drink the wine for it to have any effect."

"Point taken." Aramis lifted his cup in salute before downing the contents in one go.

D'Artagnan reached for the bottle and refilled his friend's mug. "Is this about what happened earlier? With the ring?" He didn't like seeing his friends on opposite sides – especially when one was pointing a gun at the other. It wasn't as if he believed Athos would've fired, but it had been disconcerting to see the two old friends at odds over something so trivial.

Aramis chuckled in response. "No. Athos is well aware of my penchant for speaking my mind and doing what I believe right. And I can hardly fault him for doing the same."

The younger man nodded slowly. "So…" he waved a hand at the bottle. "What is this about?"

"Perhaps I was simply thirsty."

"Again, you'd actually have to drink the wine –"

"For it to have an effect," Aramis cut him off. "Yes, you're completely right." He downed the second mug much like the first, wiping a hand across his face before settling back into his chair. He grinned, tilting his head as he studied the Gascon. "You've become quite astute in the last four years, d'Artagnan."

"And you've become even more evasive."

"It seems we've all changed then."

"Yet we're all still the same." D'Artagnan twirled his cup in his hands. "This is about that woman, right? The one from the first page?"

Aramis reached for the bottle and filled his cup again. He took another sip, his face clouding, his eyes sadder, darker. "Sometimes change is not enough to erase the past."

D'Artagnan frowned, confused. He knew he was missing something – perhaps something important – but since Aramis had not seemed to want to talk about what had happened with his friend when he met them at the gravesite, he hadn't inquired before now. "Did something happen? I mean outside of losing the diamond?"

Aramis didn't answer immediately, instead a myriad of emotions crossed his face, from anger and disappointment, to sorrow to finally something d'Artagna recognized as regret.

"I'm afraid Pauline was too desperate to hold on to her changes. So much so that the past was her undoing."

D'Artagnan had no idea what his friend was talking about, but he could read the pain in his eyes easily enough. Whatever had happened with his friend had hurt Aramis – deeply – and he was at a loss how to help.

"I'm sorry." He knew the words rang hollow, but he hoped the sentiment would be accepted.

"As am I."

They sat in silence for a moment, neither drinking, both lost in their thoughts. Finally, d'Artagnan felt the need to make sure the earlier discord between his friends was no longer an issue.

"So you're all right?" he asked cautiously. "You're not still angry with Athos?"

Aramis chuckled softly. "Athos and I have been at odds many times and, I can say with certainty, will be again." He shook his head. "No, I am not angry with Athos. He was simply doing his duty, as was I."

D'Artagnan sighed, relieved. "And Porthos?" He didn't miss the way the bigger man had removed himself from the situation altogether, unable to chose sides, unwilling to become a part of the confrontation between his two best friends.

"Porthos will forgive me in time."

D'Artagnan wasn't sure if he was speaking of today's altercation or the last four years in general. Either way, Aramis didn't seem overly concerned about his place in their group. Though it was obvious their relationships were still strained since their return to Paris, he seemed to be, if not at ease, at least at peace with the status of their reconciliation.

"So things haven't changed all that much after all," d'Artagnan concluded, hoping the other man would agree.

Aramis smiled and raised his cup, waiting for d'Artagnan to do the same. "Not where it counts."

Fin