LAST TIME: D'Artagnan's receipt of Rebecca Daunton's letter led him to break into Claude's home, getting him arrested.

Claude was desperate- if this upstart D'Artagnan was bold enough to break into his office, then he seemed hell-bent on revealing things about his own past that he could ill afford to be brought to light. He could not risk a hearing, where the boy would have an opportunity to plead his case and make his nasty accusations public.

Calling him Yves- what did he know? And how could he know it? And if it was just a suspicion on the boy's part, did he uncover proof of his prior identity when he broke into his office?!

Through his correspondence with Athos, as well as it being more or less common knowledge, he knew enough of the mighty Musketeers' reputation with the Red Guard to know that it was not a good relationship.

Perhaps acting on that knowledge was a way to silence this boy for good.

Just as expected, he came across a Red Guard providing sentry over the boy.

"I understand a Musketeer is in your care, no?" Claude asked the Guard.

"It's a good day to be a Red Guard, to be sure, monsieur," the Red Guard replied. "We have had our eyes on this particular one for some time now, as he killed our champion some time back," referring of course to LeBarge.

"Then it would not be a tragedy if something would befall him while inside, no?"

Claude knew he had to tread lightly here…if he were to try to bribe a Red Guard who was above such treachery, he would rouse suspicion.

Luckily, this Red Guard seemed, so far, to be very interested in the direction the conversation was going.

"This- D'Artagnan, isn't it? He tried to escape. He accidentally pilfered your sword. He then charged at you with it.

"You were in fear of your life, and had no choice but to use your musket, killing him. Really, it was self-defense. Do you understand?"

He then extended his hand with a fist full of livre.

His answer was nonverbal but irrevocably positive- the Red Guard offering a smile, a handshake, and with the other hand, taking the livre from Claude.

Claude was satisfied that he may have just taken care of this young, annoying pebble in his shoe once and for all.

He smiled as he walked away.

When Athos met with Claude, his deferential apologetic tone was met with understanding. "It is alright, Athos; clearly, he is a misguided youth with an agenda that is beyond comprehension. I just hope that you understand why I must respond severely, as my reputation is being attacked."

"No need to explain yourself, Claude; in fact, I am amazed at how calmly you seem to be taking all of this."

"Oh, no worries at all; these things have a way of…resolving themselves," Claude responded, thinking of his deal with the Red Guard.

The paid-off Red Guard made his way down to D'Artagnan's cell in the Bastille. Making sure he was alone, he entered.

As D'Artagnan sat idly in his cell, he saw the Red Guard approach. As he was carrying no food for him, as was customary based on the hour, he was on high alert.

"Come at me," the Red Guard said, menacingly. He drew his musket and pointed it straight at D'Artagnan.

"And why would I do that?" D'Artagnan asked, up on his feet.

"Because I've been paid to kill you. But simply shooting you just doesn't quite measure up to the level of satisfaction it will bring to first beating you senseless. So come at me, and let's pretend it was a fair fight."

"WHO paid ya?" Porthos' voice booming directly behind the Red Guard.

The Red Guard's momentary panic was followed by his swiftly pointing his musket back at D'Artagnan.

Aramis fired, his shot straight and true, through the Red Guard's heart. He fell, dead.

"Ya don't always have to be perfect, ya know," Porthos said to Aramis. "Ya could 'a just grazed him so we could a' least asked who paid 'im to end the pup."

"There is something less than perfection?" Aramis asked.

Aramis' shot was bound to bring more Red Guard quickly. Which meant that any detailed questioning of D'Artagnan wasn't going to happen.

So Aramis asked as swiftly as possible, "Do you know who could have paid to have you killed?"

All three Musketeers could already hear the hoofs of Red Guards rapidly approaching.

"I do, but again, it's just conjecture. DAMN!" D'Artagnan spat out in frustration.

Three Red Guard stormed into the cell. "HALT!" One of them yelled.

"Out, now!" Another commanded Porthos and Aramis, who threw their hands up in surrender.

"Claude! Watch out for him!" D'Artagnan yelled as they were being led out.

The Red Guard accompanied Porthos and Aramis from the cell.

D'Artagnan felt adrift- a Red Guard dead, and now he had dragged his two older brothers into this nightmare!

"A Red Guard murdered?" Rochefort asked.

"He was allegedly about to execute D'Artagnan in his cell," Treville was quick to add.

"And why would he do that, Treville? A Musketeer caught in a robbery?" King Louis asked.

"I have no idea, but the word of Aramis and Porthos is above reproach," the Captain added. "I could easily turn this around and ask why two of my most decorated men would shoot a Red Guard in the Bastille unless they were provoked, or threatened themselves."

"There were no other witnesses other than your men?" Rochefort asked. He was a fairly new arrival to Paris, but had already begun the intricate and canny job of infiltrating himself into the King's trust.

"No," Treville conceded.

"So now I have not one but two Musketeers to be called to account! An intruder and possible thief, and a murderer! Treville, would it be too much of an imposition for me to ask that you get a reign on your men?" The King shouted.

"So what do you intend to do with this Aramis, your Majesty?" Rochefort asked.

"One wayward Musketeer at a time, Rochefort! Until we sort this D'Artagnan mess out, I will hold off on rendering my decision. Until then, Treville, I trust that keeping Aramis and Porthos in line will be one task that you will not manage to fail at. Do not disappoint me again, Treville."

"Yes, your Majesty."

Aramis and Porthos had, of course, filled Treville in prior to his audience with the King. It was only Treville's insistence in front of the other Red Guard present at the Bastille that his men come with him that allowed Porthos and Aramis the freedom to return to the Garrison.

Now that they were all standing in Treville's office, they awaited the verdict on Aramis' fate, based on Treville's meeting with the King and Rochefort. Athos, still reeling at hearing the news, could barely look at his two treasonous brothers.

"The King has entrusted myself that in my care, you will not go around shooting any more Red Guard. He wishes this nonsense with D'Artagnan to be dispensed with first."

Athos turned to his brothers and asked, "And may I ask why you paid D'Artagnan a visit in the first place?"

Porthos growled, "Because one of us owes 'im the benefit of the doubt, an' all he's been gettin' from you is grief."

"He has earned nothing but grief for his behavior," Athos replied. "And as for the two of you, I find your seeking out D'Artagnan without the courtesy of a consult from me unpardonable."

"An' what courtesy 'ave ya extended D'Artagnan lately?"

"Claude could not be guilty of rape, Porthos! I know the man too well. Is my opinion of no value?"

"How certain can you be, Athos? It has admittedly been a long time since you have known him," Aramis said. "Someone who could do that to a woman…outwardly, and to his friends, he might seem a decent fellow."

"Are you speaking from experience, Aramis? So are we to just assume that every one of your conquests were one hundred percent consensual?"

Aramis launched himself at Athos. Porthos barely had time to grab him when Treville bellowed: "GENTLEMEN!"

"Careful, Athos- if I felt that you were currently in your right mind, I might just have to challenge you to a duel for your ugly allegation," Aramis said, with as much calm as he could muster, evening out his breath as best he could.

Treville intervened again. "There will be no need, as Athos will offer up his apology for his insensitive comment right now." Treville's hard gaze at Athos brokered no objection.

"I- apologize. I- don't know why this is affecting me so deeply. I beg your forgiveness, Aramis."

"And you have it," Aramis replied, after he took a deep breath.

Treville asked, "Did D'Artagnan give any indication as to who would have paid the Red Guard to have him killed?"

Aramis shot Athos a perfunctory glance, then replied, "All he had time to say was, 'watch out for Claude'."

Porthos was certain that Athos was going to sock Aramis; instead, he just stormed out of Treville's office.

As his other two soldiers just stood there obediently, as opposed to his livid Lieutenant, Treville merely said, 'Dismissed."

Aramis and Porthos walked out.

They certainly were hoping that the trouble their younger brother found himself in was going to be worth it. But if it was- if there was something to D'Artagnan's suspicions- what then? What of their friendship with Athos?