I felt Athos shift beneath me. I slowly open my eyes, letting them adjust to the bright light of morning that shone into the room. He meets my eyes with a contented smile. One I return.

Then...

"Morning, our little Love Doves." We jump apart at the voice behind us.

"What the hell, Aramis?" Athos clutches his chest.

"You too looked too cute, didn't want to wake you." Porthos says, popping a biscuit into his mouth.

Aramis surveys the state of the room.

"I think we have catching up to do." Then he looks between Athos and I "quite a lot."

Athos nods and tries to get up. His leg almost gives out on him, so I stand up and help him to the sofa.

"What happened to your leg?" Porthos asks. The two other men eyes widen.

"He was shot." I sit beside him on the sofa.

"By you?" Aramis raises an eyebrow.

"Unfortunately not."

"My wife shot me." Athos adds.

"What!?" Aramis and Porthos say in shocked unison.

"I'll tell you." He reaches for my hand "I tell you all, everything."

And he does. Doesn't skip a beat. I watch Aramis and Porthos goes through the same chain of emotion I had not 24 hours before. I squeeze his hand as he finishes up, encouraging him to say everything he can.

When he's finished, Porthos and Aramis have more questions. He answers them as best he can manage, and when they are done, they nod their heads.

"Okay." Aramis says.

"I second that" Porthos says.

"Okay?" Athos seems shocked.

"As we've said before, we all lived drastically different lives before we met. I don't agree with how you ended back up here, but I respect that you did it for what seemed like right reasons. You're the most honorable man I know Athos. And you all have kept secrects for me" he shares us all a knowing look "I know there is always a chance you'll have to keep secrects from."

"And I trust each of you with my life. Every one of you. You're all that I have in this life, I don't take that lightly." Porthos smiles as he talks to the room.

"Nor do we." I reassure him.

"That being said, while I understand your wanting to keep it all in the past, this just reminds me how little we truly know of eachother. Maybe we could mend that problem in the future?"

"I'd like nothing more" Athos smiles back at his friend.

"And you. Are you really to leave us?" Aramis turns everyone's attention to me.

Athos thumb caresses my palm.

I try to ignore the warmth it spreads in me.

"Yes."

They both look saddened but don't let their faces fall for more than a moment.

"Everyone has their time, I suppose." He responds.

"Well, we will just have to cherish the time we have left with you. Save the goodbye till they are needed." Porthos suggests.

"I agree."

"Let's go home." Athos intertwines his fingers with mine.