Dun dun DUN. Man, you're cruel for ending that part on such a cliff-hanger :P Especially since I don't know which would be worse: Aramis facing Richelieu alone, or *d'Artagnan* facing Richelieu alone. I mean, he wouldn't have to deal with the whole potentially-lethal-episode thing, but I really don't think he needs the trauma of having blown someone's head clean off, along with a whole wing of the villa (I feel like that's something that could happen).

I really like how you're writing him though (I mean d'Artagnan), and how he keeps getting riled up by everything Athos does or say (or doesn't). While I would like for them all to get along, the way he behaves feels very in character. And it makes the small clues hinting at the fact that they're already growing closer despite it all even more savory. I can't wait for them to overcome the hardest part, though (and I'm really hoping they will sooner than later).

- Niitza