Updated: Monday 25th/9/2023

Chapter 5: Reunion With Worry

Aramis and Porthos were actually at the same tavern on surprisingly their first bottle of wine each. They had been trying to get some sort of friendship back between themselves. As they had both agreed that Athos and D'Artagnan would be furious with them if they were alive to see what a mess they had made of their personal and musketeer lives.

That had actually bought a smile to the pairs faces reminiscing around the scolding Athos would have given them for their behaviour. Even if he knew that the pair would lose the other two of their quartet.

And they had also agreed they would have hated to disappointed the young Gascon. Which they could just imagine his eyes showing how much their actions the past 8 months affected him.

"They would be ashamed of us", Porthos grunts.
"I agree. But it is not like they are here to see it", Aramis replies taking a swig of the wine bottle.

"What are we doing 'Mis?" Porthos asks him.

Aramis sighs and closes his eyes and runs his fingers through his here.

"I don't honestly know", Aramis replies honestly.

"What has happened to us?" Porthos asks him.
"We lost them", Aramis retorts.

"But there is still us and they would kill us if they saw us like this", Porthos replies, just knowing that he was right.

"Too true my friend", Aramis agrees with another swig of the bottle.

"Can you imagine Athos face if he was here watching us right now?" Porthos chuckles weakly.

Aramis lets out a weak chuckle too, "Oh he would kick our asses if he was here right now"

"And the lad would have shown those sad disappointed eyes at us making us feel so VERY guilty", Porthos adds with a sad smile.

"True my friend. Too true. Those eyes…", he sighs, "…even Athos wasn't immune to them"

"That was the only thing he wasn't immune too", Porthos jokes, "Actually that look and that wife of his!"

"You know he would run us through if we had spoken that too his face", Aramis chuckles slightly.

"Good thing he isn't here", Porthos replies even through he would wish very much that statement was different.

"And more wine for us", Aramis jokes weakly, but he knew he would rather share all the win in this tavern just to have Athos and D'Artagnan back again.

"Then a toast. To Athos and D'Artagnan!" Porthos exclaims holding up his bottle.

"To Athos and D'Artagnan!" Aramis echoes as they click their bottles together and then take a huge gulp from the bottle.

They were too deep in there 'conversation' they didn't hear the commotion at the door and the new people the hurriedly enter and scan the tables rapidly.

The first thing they knew about those that entered was the fact those 'bastards' snatched the bottles of wine right from their hands!

"WHAT THE…!" Aramis and Porthos shout jumping up hands on their weapons.

To find four of their Comrades-in-Arms looking at them and the looks on their faces Aramis and Porthos couldn't decipher.

"You're ordered by the Captain to come back to the Garrison your work and experiences are needed in a matter so VERY urgent", Sebastian tells them.

"At this time?" Aramis asks him annoyed.

"It is only late afternoon and you're already drinking. I would shape up if I was you between now and when you get to the Garrison as you're not going to want to act and appear like this in front of the people that are in need of BOTH of your aid", Sebastian snaps at them.

He knew and hoped that Athos now having returned would sort his two wayward Brothers out. Yes, they had gotten better in the last two weeks. But that was not saying much. At least Prosper whispers in his ear they had only one bottle of wine each this late. And they hadn't even finished it yet.

"Get up we have to get going. This is urgent and you're going to WANT to do the task the Captain has for you", Sebastian tells them hurling a sighing Aramis up as the others take Porthos.

At least they weren't really resisting this.

"You owe us a bottle of wine each. That was nice vintage too! This better be important!" Aramis complains, "And I had a lovely date planned!"

"And I had a card game to get too!"

"Take it up with the people who are in need of your skills. I am sure they are going to love this", Sebastian says sarcastically as the other Three he bought with him snicker at how true that statement is going to be.

Oh yes Athos and probably D'Artagnan were going to love this. He hadn't been lying despite his sarcasm. He hoped he got to see the ass whooping these two would be getting from Athos when the Older and newly returned Musketeer finds out able their actions the past eight months.

He might even sell tickets for the show!...

(Line Break)

Captain Treville watches Athos as he helps D'Artagnan to sit on one of the beds. Both had refused to have any other Doctor then Aramis.

He could already see they had been through some horrors. Just by their body language. Even through he admits they were doing well to hide it. But Treville saw the tremors going down Athos arm and a few shivers through his body and it looked stiff. Athos was also seeming unconsciously to be rubbing that same arm and hand.

Treville saw in D'Artagnan that the Lads right leg was jerking a bit and there were tremors in his body as well. D'Artagnan's hand seemed to rub his leg. And Treville was SURE he heard painful whimpers coming from the Lad.

But as soon as he heard that he saw Athos begin to lean in and whisper in the Gascon's ear and his whimpers seemed to ease at whatever Athos was telling him.

The way Athos had positioned himself showed that he was more then willing to do ANYTHING to protect the Gascon. Athos was so tense you could see it would only take a small accident to have the Older Man ready for action to protect D'Artagnan.

Treville saw D'Artagnan grab Athos hand that wasn't shaking and squeezing it every now and then. And Treville saw Athos relax.

That was very interesting. They seemed to be able to calm the other with just a few quiet words or light touches.

Treville could see this was a powder keg waiting to explode when Aramis and Porthos found out about their Brothers being alive.

He just hoped he could stop any bloodshed that might happen depending on what Aramis and Porthos had already been doing this late in the afternoon.

Treville hears a slight knock that makes Athos jump. But he didn't do anything else. As Sebastian motions for Treville to come out.

'Here we go', Treville thinks with a tired sigh, 'This is going to be a LONG night'

(Line Break)

Aramis and Porthos were annoyed to having been interrupted in their re-bonding session. That was perfectly good wine! But now they had been dragged back to the Garrison for some mysterious reason. And they couldn't think of why. Because Treville had given they the afternoon off. For 'good' behaviour.

But they noticed when they entered the Garrison that Musketeers were giving them funny looks and looks that looked happy and gleeful. The whispering that followed them as they followed Sebastian to outside the infirmary was annoying. But they had no reason to tune into it.

They wait impatiently for Sebastian to bring Treville out of the Infirmary which they had been barred from entering for the moment.

Aramis thought, 'If someone wanted ME to fix them why are they keeping me waiting?'

Treville comes out and looks at the other two of the hopefully soon-to-be reunited Inseparables. They didn't look at worse for wear. That seemed like a plus. As Treville didn't know how Athos and D'Artagnan would react to that. But he could see the subtle signs of their early activities for the evening and night.

"How much have they had to drink Sebastian do you know?" Treville asks Sebastian.

"A bottle of vintage wine each. But they didn't finish their bottles", Sebastian reports.

"At least that is something", Treville grumbles.

"We can speak for ourselves!" Porthos complains.
"And can we hurry this task up? I have a lovely date tonight and I would hate to miss it", Aramis tells him.

"Well, I believe that whoever the girl is tonight is going to be sorely disappointed as I believe this is going to be worth missing your 'date' over and before you say anything Porthos I don't believe that gambling will compare with what I have tonight for you", Treville tells them knowing exactly what Porthos was going to say after Aramis.

Both of them look at him confused.

"We have two Musketeers that have been away for a VERY long time. Missing if you will. They came in an hour ago. I would like you two to help them. They have been asking for both of your specifically", Treville tells them, "And after what I have seen I would hate to disappoint them"

Aramis and Porthos look at him in even more confusion.

"How long have they been missing for? I don't remember anyone being declared missing", Aramis asks him.

"They have been 'missing' for 8 months roughly", Treville states trying to get these two to put the pieces together, "Both of them seem rather attached to the other"

Aramis and Porthos frown.

"Sir you never let someone be missing for that long. You normally declare them dead", Aramis states.

"Seems we ALL were mistaken up until an hour ago", Treville tells them waiting for something to click.

"Why is this our problem?" Porthos asks him still confused.

Treville sighs it looks like this was going to be the hard way.

"It looks like the pair of you are going to be doing this the hard way. When we go in tread VERY carefully. They are tightly round. And seem to have experienced things that they look like they will only share with you two I'm guessing", Treville tells them, "And me if they have too"

Aramis and Porthos were so confused. Whom was Treville hinting at?

Treville rolls his eyes he could feel a headache coming on.

"This way and remember tread carefully! And if I have to, I'll make it an order!"

(Line Break)

Athos and D'Artagnan had only been at the Garrison for a short while and they hadn't settled yet. After their warm welcome they had unknowingly to everyone been overwhelmed. They didn't do well in crowds at the moment.

Athos was trying to help his Brother calm down and not go too deeply into his 'safe' mind scape. As hopefully it wouldn't be long before their Brothers arrived and then hopefully Athos hoped they would feel a bit more secure.

D'Artagnan wasn't too far gone both in panic and pain to not see Athos own retreating and had reached out a squeezed Athos's good hand to help ground him and also for them to reassure each other through the aches in their bodies at the moment.

Athos stayed close to D'Artagnan and he hadn't sat down yet. As he wanted to make sure his Younger Brother was safe. Safety would hopefully come in the presence of their other two Brothers. And the knowledge that THEY, Aramis and Porthos, were ok would do wonders for their frazzled nerves.

As they had both been worried about their Brothers. And even in their fevered delirium they had called out to them and had begged those that cared for them to find them and tell them they were alive. Even though they themselves hadn't told the Doctor and Healer who they truly were.

Suddenly he hears arguing and as his nerves were fried, he spins around, growling, while stepping in front of his vulnerable Baby Brother and starts to draw his sword.

Only to come face to face with the stunned and haggard faces of Aramis and Porthos. Whose jaws everyone could tell were on the ground…

(Line Break)

Despite Treville's warnings Aramis and Porthos had accidently argued right into the infirmary. Where their argument with him was stopped short by a growl and Aramis and Porthos see a roughly dressed man spin around from the bed he was facing and blocked their sight to that bed. The man's sword was coming out of its sheath.

But then both sides realised who the other was.

Aramis and Porthos were shocked speechless and their jaws were on the ground. There standing in front of them was the VERY much alive Athos. Their Brother. Even looking as bad as he did, they would recognised him anywhere.

Suddenly some of Treville's clues were making sense.

"Aramis? Porthos?" they hear the rough voice of Athos ask.

They stayed silent.

Athos sheaths his sword but doesn't move from his place just yet. As he took in their appearance. It would seem they had started to partake in his favourite pastime…drinking.

"I see you two have been partaken in my long and favourite pastime of drinking. But there is something else there…", Athos mutters trying to see past his pain and the adrenaline leaving his body to see what else was off about his brothers.

Aramis now knew but those simple words that this was indeed Athos. Porthos could tell it too and his hand clenched tightly. What the hell had Athos been playing at?!

"WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING AT!?" Porthos yells.

"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN!?" Aramis yells.

They hadn't put together Athos appearance and the fact he should be with one other person and it cost them.

The heard a cry of fear come from behind Athos followed by a cry and whimper of pain. Athos had jumped too but he spun around in seconds and knelt before the bed that Aramis and Porthos realised he had been protecting.

There shaking and whimpering was a rough, pain and panic looking D'Artagnan. Who was shaking and his eyes were glassy. It was obvious he wasn't seeing them. But seeing something horrible worse. He was somewhere else.

That bought much horror to Aramis and Porthos faces and they had paled ten shades of white.

Athos was now talking to D'Artagnan.

"Shhh Little Brother you're safe. It was just Aramis and Porthos being a bit…pigheaded and a few other words I could use that would be a little more creative. You're safe remember my sword and body will always protect you", Athos murmurs to the shaking Gascon, "The pain your feeling is from an old injury that is not healed yet. It is NOT happening too you now…"

He goes on and is only vaguely aware of him stopping Aramis and Porthos from speaking.

"We made it home Little Brother. We ARE safe. Aramis and Porthos will help with that when they stop to think. You're safe come on now…", Athos continues softly.

He sees the signs of D'Artagnan starting to tune in on him. So, he slowly gets up and moves to sit down on the left-side of the Gascon and slowly puts his arm around his Little Brother.

Much to the other Three witnesses shock D'Artagnan was responding to what Athos was doing and when Athos moved slowly and sat down next to the frightened Gascon and wrapped an arm around his shoulders and surprisingly pulling him close. And farther surprisingly D'Artagnan doesn't flinch but leans more into Athos side as Athos whispers something in the Gascons ear.

D'Artagnan had recognised his Big Brothers voice after some of the haze had left him and he recognised his Brothers touch and smell. Nobody else would be able to calm him down this way but Athos. Those points of Athos's voice, touch and smell made his mind think of safety and all three worked pretty well to calm him down.

"Are you with me now?" Athos whispers in his ear.

D'Artagnan nods weakly.

"Would you like Aramis to make you a pain draught?" Athos asks him louder so Aramis and the others could hear him.

To Aramis's surprise D'Artagnan nods with a whimper as Aramis finally takes in the Gascons condition.

He was too skinny. He was very pale too. Tremors running through his body likely shock. Scars on his exposed skin. Aramis hated to think what was under those clothes. And the Lad's right leg was shaking badly as D'Artagnan's hand was trying to ease whatever was going on in that leg with his hand. He couldn't see D'Artagnan's eyes yet but he was sure he wasn't going to like what he saw reflected in them.

Athos was much the same. But the shaking was in the older man's left arm and Athos was obviously subconsciously clenching and then shaking his hand out. His fingers twitched up a bit much like D'Artagnan's. It seemed to be a nervous or stressed tick.

But he and Porthos saw the pair seemingly relax when they where in contact with each other and he saw protectiveness in Athos eyes when looking at his protegee. It was ten times more powerful then it had been before.

God help anyone who tried to harm D'Artagnan now. If Athos actions were anything to go on in the last 15 minutes it would mean the Older Man would likely kill anyone, he deemed a threat to his Brother.

"Aramis?" he hears a rough voice call.

Aramis shakes his head to bring him back to focus on what Athos needed. It looked like Athos had tried to get his attention a couple of times. And he was surprised that Athos looked worryingly at him. But he made no move and didn't say anything to confirm that.

"What do you two need?" Aramis asks making sure he changed the tone of his voice from earlier.

"I need a strong pain draught made for D'Artagnan. The herbs and recipes from the Doctor and Healer who helped us are in our saddle bags that the Captain bought up. I understand you might want to make your own and we will accept that. But you might what to read what the Doctor and Healer wrote down for you", Athos explains to him.

Treville brings forward the bags.

Aramis was worried that Athos had asked for a strong pain drought and the fact D'Artagnan didn't protest for it like he would have normally done.

But before he or anyone could say anything a weak, soft voice speaks out from his place half curled into Athos's side.

"Athos needs one too. Maybe not as strong. But his arm and back is bothering more then he is letting on and he is getting one of his bad headaches", they hear D'Artagnan speak for the first time.

To their surprise again Athos actually rolls his eyes at D'Artagnan's words.

"Fine Little Brother you take the draught Aramis makes and I'll let you bully me into taking a milder one", Athos says actually teasing him.

Aramis, Porthos and Treville realised what Athos was doing he was keeping D'Artagnan focused on something else but his panic attack and the intense pain he must be feeling as to need a strong pain draught.

D'Artagnan nods in agreement before looking at the Three others in the room. He nearly blushes realising what had happened in however long it took for Athos to bring him back and he felt bad for going into that state because of Aramis and Porthos. Two people he rationally KNEW wouldn't harm him. But the irrational part of his brain had taken control like it sometimes did.

He sees Aramis pulling out the herbs that he and Athos still had and a roll of parchment with the instructions their Doctor and Healer had left for them and for Aramis.
"Aramis, Porthos…", D'Artagnan calls out nervously.

They both look up at him in surprise at being addressed by the Gascon so quickly and while he was still in pain.
"I am sorry how I acted before…"

"You have NOTHING to apologies for", Aramis and Porthos protest.

Athos snorts, "Have fun trying to convince him of that at the moment. I believe lets just forget about it and get that pain draught into him"

D'Artagnan nods tiredly still leaning into Athos as they watch Aramis mix and grind the herbs. He knew Athos would be watching like a hawk. As Athos had a thing for watching people do this if it was meant for him. He didn't trust others beside himself not to poison him. D'Artagnan knew that their friends in the Doctor and Healer managed to earn his trust. It was painstaking. And it only took until they kept him alive after the third time of battling death that Athos started to warm up to them.

"Athos you, ok? You're shaking. Not like the Lad but still…", Porthos asks hesitantly.

"I'll be fine. I just over taxed myself when I am not fully healed yet. Much like D'Artagnan", Athos assures them.

"I need to check you both over. I don't like the thought of not checking your injuries", Aramis tells them as he finishes D'Artagnan's draught.

"Peace Brother the only recent injuries we have are cuts and bruises. I swear to God that is the truth", Athos tells him, "Anything else is old and there is nothing else that can be done beside giving those old injuries time"

Aramis doesn't look convinced. But he actually could see Athos telling the truth and besides with how protective of D'Artagnan he was it was unlikely Athos was going to lie about any bad recent injuries that could have been hiding under those dirty clothes.

"Fine. But I still want to look you BOTH over when you get some sleep. You look horrible", Aramis teases.

"I would expect so", Athos agrees, "We didn't have much and we had to make do with what we were given"

The Three decided not to ask about that at the moment.

"Here D'Artagnan this should help with the pain", Aramis assures him trying to hand over the cup of the brew he had prepared.

To his surprise Athos takes his arm from around D'Artagnan's shoulder and snatches the cup up. Sniffs it, nods and then presents it to the Gascon whose hand at started clutching Athos's shirt in pain.

"D'Artagnan, can you drink this for me? It will help. Or would you like me to help you?" Athos asks him softly knowing that D'Artagnan had a slight fear of being handed things if they didn't come from Athos first.

He opens his eyes and eyes the cup in Athos hands.

"I can do it", D'Artagnan breaths with a flinch at a sharp shooting pain goes through his leg.

He reaches out for the cup and takes it from Athos who before taking his hand away makes sure the Gascon didn't spill it on himself.

D'Artagnan swallows it quickly now used to the foul brew. If it helped with the pain, he was feeling it was worth it and it always got rid of the worse of it.

Aramis and Porthos were surprised by how quickly D'Artagnan drank it and without complaint about its taste. This was VERY unlike him. The pain must have been great for him to do so.

Aramis hands Athos his cup of the draught. Athos sighs but looks at D'Artagnan's look and drinks the brew just as fast as his brother and without complaint.

"Those should put you to sleep", Aramis tells them softly, "You should get comfortable"

"Will you stay?" D'Artagnan asks Aramis and Porthos softly.

The two were surprised by that after their earlier entrance. But it seemed D'Artagnan at least didn't hold it against them.

"We will stay", Aramis confirms.

"Not going anywhere. We won't be letting you two out of our sights in a hurry", Porthos tells them.

"Told you so", Athos says to D'Artagnan in a staged whisper.

D'Artagnan nods tired, "I know you did. And I hoped too. Just with everything that happened it is hard to hope"

That comment made Aramis, Porthos and Treville sad and wondered what these two had been through. They had obviously not been in many positions to hope in the 8 months they had been gone.

All of this was worrying them.

"D'Artagnan, would you mind Aramis and Porthos helping me move you into a comfortable position?" Athos asks his Brother.

The Gascon bites his lip nervously and looks at Athos for reassurance. Athos nods silently telling him that Aramis and Porthos wouldn't hurt him willingly. Logically D'Artagnan knew that but he was irrational sometimes and sometimes his mind played tricks with him.

He nods nervously, he licks his lips, as he was already starting to feel the effects of the pain draught kicking in.

"Aramis you need to lift his left side more onto the bed, while I move his right leg on at the SAME time. As that is the main trouble spot. You will have to be careful. As with moving his left side when he is like this with pull a little on his right and we don't want too much of that", Athos explains to them, "Porthos please help D'Artagnan with his upper body as I can tell the pain draught is already kicking in and after all that travelling, we have done he is exhausted"

Aramis and Porthos nod and decide to slowly approach the duo as Athos gets up. Aramis gets on one side of D'Artagnan and Porthos goes up with Athos on D'Artagnan's bad side.

"Ok Brother we are going to move you now", Athos tells him gently, "We will be as careful as we can and the we BOTH can rest"

As soon as Aramis and Porthos's hands touch him D'Artagnan flinches back in fear. The two Brothers quickly take their hands off him.

"Shhh Brother it is ok. You're safe", Athos tells him.

D'Artagnan nods tiredly, "Sorry 'Mis, Porthos…you can try again. I'll be good"

Aramis and Porthos slowly touch him again and D'Artagnan only moves slightly away from them but a look from Athos to his other two Brothers told them to keep going. They slowly begin to manoeuvre him into the bed.

They heard D'Artagnan whimper as Athos moved that particular leg. As he lifted that D'Artagnan's whimpers grow.

"Easy Baby Brother nearly in position", Athos murmurs comfortingly.

As they finish moving him D'Artagnan was panting a bit and a little bit whiter. They could see that moving him had taken the last bit of strength out of him.

"Are you ok?" Aramis asks softly.

"Athos", D'Artagnan whimpers tiredly.

"I know. I know", Athos tells him, "Just give me a second"

D'Artagnan nods closing his eyes and taking deep breaths.

"Don't bother taking his boots off he wouldn't be able to tolerant it tonight. They will be fine overnight", Athos instructs them as he takes off his weapons but puts them within reaching distance, "Can we have a few extra blankets? We feel the cold a lot more now than we did before"

"I'll go and get some", Treville states straight away leaving to get a few things to make the pair comfortable.

"Do you need anything Athos?" Aramis asks gently.

Athos sighs loudly, "I'll be fine till morning. The pain draught is working so I should be able to get some sleep. It depends how well D'Artagnan and I sleep through the night", he says hinting at something.

That's when Aramis and Porthos realise Athos was hinting about nightmares and wince at the thought at what sort of terrors these two were now dreaming about.

"We will keep watch", Aramis promises him.
"Nothing will get past us", Porthos tells him.

Athos smiles at them tiredly, "I know. Just remember whatever we say we don't mean and that our fears make us act…irrationally. And we won't mean to harm you both or Treville in anyway. But sometimes we can't help it. I just need you both to know that"

Aramis and Porthos share worried looks at what Athos had shared with them.

Treville thankfully re-enters stopping either from commenting.

"You should get into bed Athos. You look just as bad as D'Artagnan", Treville tells him.

Athos's lips twitch, "I know I do"

They thought he was going to move to his own bed. But instead he climbs in behind D'Artagnan. Wrapping his good arm around his Baby Brother and they were surprised as D'Artagnan immediately snugged into his embrace with a content sigh.

"Sleep Little One you're safe now with me, Aramis and Porthos watching over you and the Captain too", Athos whispers in D'Artagnan's ear.

But they all heard it and they were touched at how much faith Athos had in them. Especially after some of the things imagined had happened.

Treville puts the blankets over the two. A few blankets later and with Aramis and Porthos tucking them in they found the pair fast asleep. D'Artagnan cuddled into Athos's chest and Athos's arm protectively around him.

They did notice that Athos arm and D'Artagnan's leg did seem to be still twitching in their sleep. They wondered just how bad those limps were injured.

And they worried just how badly the last 8 months had been for the pair if this was how they were already reacting it couldn't be good. They expected these two would give them many reasons to be concerned and worried in the days, weeks and months to come.

They take up seats guarding their two Brothers. Vowing that nothing would harm those two again as long as they were still breathing!...

~*~*~Author's Note: What Do You Think? Please Review:)!~*~*~