"I know," Aramis assures him. He thinks of Isabelle, of Marsac, of the fissures they'd carved in him and the long years it took to again feel whole. "The heart takes time to heal, but it is our most resilient organ."

Aramis squeezes his hand. "You will see. Now." Lifting Athos' hand for a last kiss, Aramis releases him and smiles. "I will leave you to your thoughts, or to Space Hospital. Whichever proves the most intriguing."