Breathing

Missed Meeting

"We didn't go through Hell to bring you back from the brink only to lose you now. I'll be damned if I'm going to let you go without a fight."

*****

Aramis's hands were cramping from holding the cloths in place for so long. "Captain, could you hold these for just a moment?" He flexed his fingers over and over to get feeling and circulation back.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I'm going to start by washing the wounds with some water, and then I'll follow with some wine to disinfect."

Aramis tucked a linen strip under each side then poured water over the seeping wounds, washing away blood and sweat until cleansed. He followed by pouring a douse of wine over each wound to carefully sanitize each area.

Gnawing memories of how close an infection came to robbing him of his brother still fester and ache in his heart. "We can't be too careful with these wounds." Aramis said to Tréville without lifting his head.

The medic will take the extra precautions to see that Athos's wounds do not become infected again. He knows Athos would not survive another sepsis infection.

Aramis carefully sanitizes the needle with some wine and takes a deep breath. Nodding at the captain, "okay, let's get to work."

Aramis began sewing while the captain held the edges of the torn skin together. "Hold on for us, Athos. We're not going to lose you to a damn wagon ride!"

The captain shook his head, remaining quiet as the medic began his delicate work.

*****

Gathering the edges of the torn skin, Aramis began pushing and pulling the needle through the skin with an even distance between sutures. "The good thing about basting sutures is that I don't have to be as specifically intricate."

"For temporary stitching, Aramis, this isn't too bad." Captain Tréville observed, raising his eyebrows with pleasant surprise.

"It's a good thing Athos will not be stuck with these stitches permanently."

"How well will these sutures hold?" The captain asked.

"They should hold effectively until tomorrow—barring any straining or pulling on the stitches—and if Athos remains still and calm for the remainder of the ride home." Aramis answered with a sigh.

"I don't like this, Aramis." The captain shook his head. "There are too many chances for something to go wrong; he could end up bleeding again."

"Yes, Captain, I am fully aware of that fact." Aramis answered tersely. Considering I have to do surgery in the back of a wagon without proper instruments and supplies, this is the best Athos will get for now."

"What happens if Athos gets sick and vomits again?"

"I'd rather not think about that right now, Captain. I have only enough thread for the basting sutures; and only enough to do this once. If he tears these stitches out—we're in trouble."

"This brings a thought to mind, Captain." Aramis paused his stitching for a moment to look into the face of his captain.

"We shouldn't have left the château, or at least Athos shouldn't have left, until he was completely healed. Even if it meant that he was down there for another month or more." Aramis spoke candidly as he continued with his stitching.

"Aramis, I understand that Athos should have stayed at the château longer but the king wants his Musketeers home. I already made excuses for all of you the last time he requested to bring you home. I cannot—and will not—make any further excuses to the king."