Don't worry, Guest. Kitty will be okay, poor baby, and so will Felice. Felice just stupidly knocked herself out from wolfing down the whiskey. It went straight to her head.
It was nearing sunset when the musketeers finally braked the ship to slow down its speed, as the prepared to take up Planchet with a carriage. Athos met him in the cargo hold. "Never thought I'd find myself saying this, but well done, Planchet." He admitted.
Planchet beamed. "Thank you, sir. That means a lot, especially coming from-"
"Shut up, Planchet."
"Yes, sir." Planchet hung his head.
Athos cautiously approached the window of the carriage. His stomach knotted up, and his face flushed with anger. There she was, sitting so prim and proper like a flawless goddess, with a sour pout on her face. Their eyes met. Athos had wondered how he would feel if he ever saw her again. Would he feel loss? Sadness? Or hatred, and resentment? As he looked at her inflexible, self-preserving expression, he felt the resentment of her betrayal and lies flood him again. No. He did not feel sad, only disdain.
She held out her pistol, straight at his face, her finger on the trigger, prepared to end him. "Don't." He warned her. She fired. Nothing. "We took the precaution of removing the gun powder. Out! Now."
"Anything else you want me to remove?" Milady purred, her eyes narrowing.
"You hand over the diamonds, or I take them off your corpse." Athos muttered.
Kitty had been feeling dreadfully ill through most of the day until she'd finally fallen asleep. It had done the trick, and now she didn't feel so queasy. She rose from the bed and made her way to the rudder. Felice also, had regained consciousness, and hearing the commotion from below deck, shook herself awake to see what was up.
Porthos, Aramis, and D'Artagnan gaped when Athos strode into the room, bearing the diamonds in his hand! He held them up, as if he were triumphantly waving a flag. His friends were surprised. How had he done it? They hadn't heard any gun shots.
And then, she walked in. "Boys, it's been a while." Milady flounced her skirts. Nobody spoke to her. Her eyes fell on D'Artagnan."This must be the young Gascon." She said admirably.
"We've met before." D'Artagnan said politely, but he gave no courteous grin. He had no intention of granting the deceptive lady the usual pleasantries of a gentleman, not after the way she'd treated his sister, young Kitty, and...and Athos!
"Ah, yes. Small world. I didn't let Rochefort kill you." Milady stated, a tinge of pleading in her voice. "You do remember that, don't you?"
"Oh, I remember quite a bit!" Felice replied coldly before her brother could. She stepped forward, out of the shadows, her head held high, and stood beside D'Artagnan.
"Felice? Lovely to see you again. You're looking...quite well," her eyes fell on the small bandage on the girl's throat, "considering."
"Your consideration is of little value." Felice retorted, her tone bitter.
"Can't say as I blame you." Milady shrugged innocently. "Why, Kitty! There you are!" Kitty was standing next to Felice, who squeezed her arm. The little dark-skinned girl stared up at the countess with dark, fearful eyes. "I'd wondered what had become of you. You had me worried. You didn't truly believe I meant what I said about Rochefort, now did you?" Milady smiled sweetly.
"With your tongue, m-my lady, I am not sure what to believe." Kitty said timidly.
"Hmm." Milady shrugged. Her heart caught in her throat when she head the chink of a pistol, as Porthos handed one to Athos. She gazed at Athos, disbelief on her face. "Did you kill Buckingham?" She asked coolly.
"No." Athos grunted.
"But you will kill me."
"Yes." Athos replied dryly.
"You would spare him, but kill me." Milady's voice cracked. That had not been the way her plot was supposed to turn out.
"Yes. I don't hate Buckingham." Athos told her coldly. Milady reached into her bosom, but Athos, Aramis, and Porthos all drew their firearms and trained them on Milady's face, so she wouldn't stand a chance to pull any more deadly stunts. Her calm features slackened at their swift action. She pulled out a miniature scroll.
"Here. You may find use for this." She said, placing it on the table.
Athos's eyes darkened. "Move." He commanded angrily. Milady gracefully stepped passed him to the edge of the deck. Athos followed, but at a distance. Milady glanced back at him, her face thoughtful.
"Athos." She reached out her hand. "You've always known that-"
"Don't even try." Athos cut her off icily, raising his gun.
"Forgive me." Milady cried, her eyes reddening. Then she began to tilt back, until she fell from sight, over the edge. Athos gasped, and peeked over. The clouds obscured her tiny form dropping down through the sky. She was gone!
Athos had been angry, and had nursed it the entire time he'd had to look on her face. But now a lump rose to his throat. Aramis sidled beside him."At least she died the way she lived. On her own terms." He murmured.
"I wouldn't have been able to live with myself had I pulled the trigger." Athos said.
Aramis patted his shoulder. "Come on. Let's go home." He told his friend.
Athos took one last look down into the sea, then clearing his throat, he stepped away. Enough of the emotions. He would shed no tears over her!
And so, Milady is gone. Or...is she? We shall have to see!