A/N: sorry about this taking so long, combo of mega-stressful rl and serious case of writer's block. So here's the final installment- with some Vivian thrown in for the lovely PB Headless x

There was a knock at the door.

'Come in' Arthur said without looking up from the documents in his hand.

'Arthur?'

'I'm really busy right now, so can you make it quick?'

'I wanted to congratulate you on securing the deal'

'I think you should be congratulating Gwen, we couldn't have done it without her'

'Why do you have to make it about her?'

Arthur's eyes snapped upwards and stared at his father.

'Because I was trying to give credit where credit is due, I know that might be a foreign concept to you, but that's the way I like to work'

'Stop acting like a child'

'I'm sorry?'

'You're sulking because I don't like your latest conquest, come on Arthur, grow up'

'I'm really busy' he said neutrally looking back down at his papers, 'so you should probably go'

Uther strode out of the door, slamming it shut behind him, and almost knocking over the young woman who was making her way down the corridor, a brown paper bag in her hand.

'Sorry' he said quickly before he recognised the mass of dark curls and chocolate brown eyes. It was Guinevere.

'No problem sir' she said with a smile.

'Congratulations Guinevere' he said in bitter tones.

He stared at her for a moment then walked away without another word.

She watched his retreating back a frown on her face.

She opened Arthur's office door.

He looked up and a wide, though distinctly tired smile graced his lips.

'I come bearing lunch' she said with a grin.

---

'So are you going to the mixer tomorrow night?' Arthur said through a mouthful of sandwich.

'I guess so' Gwen shrugged, 'normally I go along as Morgana's wing-woman, but now she's with Leon I guess she doesn't really need me. Not that I mind not trailing after her for most of the evening while she

mingles with everyone.'

He took a swig of water and grinned, 'so you are free?'

'Yes, but you have to go Arthur'

'I know, but I was hoping that you might keep me company' he said rather hopefully.

'Er, Arthur, I don't know if that's a good idea'

'We only said we'd keep it quiet until Dad found out, he knows now, so what's the problem?'

'I think he might see it as a bit of a slap in the face'

'Who cares?'

'I do' she laughed, 'I know you want to piss off your Dad but I don't really want him to hate me'

'Fine' he sighed, 'but I don't have to ignore you right?'

'You'd better not' she said leaning across to press a swift kiss on his lips.

---

Arthur looked around the crowded bar. He saw many familiar faces, not that he could put a name to most of them. He spotted Merlin at the bar, already looking slightly the worse for wear.

'Are you alright mate?' Arthur said, sitting down on the barstool beside his friend, 'you don't look so good'

'I'm fine' Merlin slurred, 'don't worry about me Atur it's her loss right?'

'What?' Arthur said shaking his head in confusion, 'what are you talking about?'

'I loved her you know' he said running his finger around his shot glass.

'What happen?' Arthur asked his eyes full of concern.

'We had a fight and she said she needs some space' he chuckled morosely, 'you'd think the whole bloody Atlantic Ocean would be enough space'

'Shit' breathed Arthur running a hand through his hair. He did not know what to say, 'I'm sorry' he murmured, knowing how pathetic it sounded.

'It's okay' Merlin mumbled, 'tisn't your fault. It's just women isn't it. You give 'em your heart and they stomp all over it.'

'It's not all women'

'Not Gwen eh?'

Arthur shrugged. 'Merlin-' he began.

'Arthur!' came a shrill voice.

He turned to face the source, dread stirring in his gut.

Vivian.

'Oh God Martin' she said looking at Merlin with something akin to disgust on her face 'you look awful. Doesn't he look dreadful Arthur? Martin you really shouldn't come to parties with a face like that, you totally

dampen the mood-' she was about to continue when Arthur cut her off, noticing the expression on Merlin's face.

'Mate, do you mind if I have a word with Vivian for a minute?'

'Be my guest' Merlin replied grumpily.

'Oh and no more drinks for him' Arthur hissed to the barman before he left.

'Er, what are you doing here?' he asked as politely as possible as he dragged Vivian away from the bar.

She giggled, 'don't pretend you don't know'

He looked bemusedly at the striking young woman who stood before him. She wore a strapless black dress which was so short and tight fitting that it left nothing to the imagination.

She leant in to him, 'I've missed you too' she whispered seductively in his ear as she gave his arm a gentle squeeze. He recoiled, 'Vivian? What are you talking about?'

'Don't play dumb with me Arthur. Your father called me to tell me'

'Tell you what?' he said suspiciously as comprehension dawned.

'That you're still in love with me silly' she tittered running a hand across his chest.

He took her hand deliberately off his chest and placed it pointedly by her side.

'I'm actually with someone else'

She giggled her tinkling little laugh again, 'don't worry I didn't think that you'd become a monk or something. Just ditch her'

'No'

'But Daddy says it okay for us to date now, once you've proved to him that you are suitable of course.'

'I'm sorry but I'm not interested'

'Arthur we are in love'

'No we're not'

'Did our relationship mean nothing to you?' she snapped dramatically.

'It was two weeks in Bermuda and it was two and a half years ago' he said exasperatedly.

'But we connected on a deep and meaningful level'

He had to bite back a laugh. 'Look I'm with someone else okay. Let's just leave it at that.'

'There is no way she is better than me'

Before Arthur could respond, 'I mean how can she be? I am a successful model/actress. I came fourteenth on the 2009 FHM hundred sexiest women list. To be honest I could have settled with fourteenth until I

saw the people above me. Did you see number eight? I'm sorry but that is what nose jobs were invented for. But back to the point. I have more money than I know what to do with. And I am a successful

businesswoman, did you know that I brought out my own line of perfume last month?' she paused for breath, 'and we just look so great together. Our kids would be gorgeous-'

He had to stop her there, 'actually I think I'm just going to stick with my current girlfriend. Oh no' he said as he spotted Gwen making her way through the crowd towards them.

'Oh no?' Vivian said lifting herself up on her toes to stare in the direction Arthur had been looking.

'Hi' Gwen said with a wide smile as she reached them, 'er, Arthur are you alright?'

'Hhhmm?' he said distractedly, gazing at her, a dopey expression on his face. She was wearing a floor length, silk, red dress. She coloured as he surveyed her with great approval, tugging self-consciously at

the material.

'Morgana bought it for me for helping her out with Leon. I told her she was being ridiculous but-'

'I will have to thank her later' Arthur grinned.

'You don't think it's too much?'

'It's perfect, you look beautiful'

She flushed deeply.

'Do you like my dress Arthur?' Vivian said reminding them that she was still there.

'Oh sorry Vivian and yeah it's very…' he searched for the right word, not able to find one he settled for: 'nice?'

'You look lovely' Gwen offered politely.

'Who are you anyway?'

'This is Guinevere, my girlfriend' he said with a smile, pressing his hand gently against the small of Gwen's back.

Vivian snorted. Then when the others remained silent she said, 'you're not serious?'

He nodded.

'Oh my God, I heard from Daddy that you were doing charity work or something, but I didn't realise that extended to dating'

Arthur and Gwen exchanged a half-amused look.

---

'So what's Arthur Pendragon like as a boss?' the young man sitting next to him asked, observing the focus of Merlin's gaze.

'He's nice. He was a bit of a twat when I first started working for him. But he's actually a really good guy' Merlin mumbled.

'Bit of a playboy I heard' the man said.

Merlin chuckled, 'not really and not at all anymore because he's in L-O-V-E, luuuurve' he giggled.

'Oh really?'

'Yep'

'Is she here?'

'Uhuh' Merlin nodded, 'she's over there with him right now' he said pointing.

'The little blonde one?'

'Don't be stupid' Merlin slurred 'Gwen's the one in the red dress'

'Really?'

'Yeah, she's my best friend you know'

'Really?'

'You need to stop saying that'

'Sorry, she just isn't what I expected'

'She wasn't what Arthur was expecting either I don't think'

'So can you tell me more about them?'

'Why are you so interested?' Merlin asked a little suspiciously.

'Just curious'

'Okay' Merlin shrugged, then suddenly looking much happier said 'I was the one who got them together you see…'

---

'I still can't quite believe it; you turned me down, for this?' Vivian said still in shock, looking Gwen up and down. 'I mean I know they say love is blind, but I didn't realise they meant literally'

Arthur felt the beginnings of anger coiling in his stomach, but Gwen just laughed.

'There's no explaining attraction' she grinned, squeezing Arthur's hand tenderly.

'Evidently' said Vivian, flaring her nostrils in distain.

'And it's probably a good thing he turned you down, I mean would you really want to date someone with as poor a taste as his?' she said nudging Arthur in ribs, 'would you really want to date someone whose

list of ex-girlfriends includes someone like me? I mean think how the media would see that'

'I suppose you're right' Vivian forced a tight lipped smile, 'so can you point me in the direction of some men with decent taste?' she asked Gwen snidely. But it was Arthur who answered her.

'You see that guy over there, tall, dark, handsome type?'

'In the corner?'

'Yeah, well I happen to know that he's single and I reckon you two might just be made for each other'

As Vivian left, carving her way through the crowd Gwen turned on him, 'that was mean'

'You could have stopped me'

'I could have done' she giggled as they watched Vivian accost a surprised looking Lancelot.

'I better go and check on Merlin'

'What's wrong?' Gwen said, suddenly concerned.

'He had a fight with Freya' he said with a worried frown.

'Oh' Gwen said with a look of comprehension, 'I wouldn't worry about it' she smiled, squeezing Arthur's arm, 'this happens fairly regularly, they have a fight, Merlin drinks too much, they make up, Merlin drinks

too much, it's very simple'

Arthur still looked rather unconvinced.

'I'll talk to him' she said, 'you should probably go and mingle or something, I don't want your dad blaming me for distracting you'

'Then you probably shouldn't have worn that dress' he said with a grin.

'See you later' she smiled, her cheeks on fire.

---

She made her way through the room and towards the bar, but her path was soon blocked by her employer.

'A word Guinevere?'

'Of course sir' she said inclining her head.

Without another word he was leading her out of the bar and up the stairs to a private room.

'So I see you met Vivian' he said the moment the door was shut.

'Yes'

'I think Arthur and she make a lovely couple'

'I suppose'

'You are agreeing with me?'

'Yes, she and Arthur do make a very pretty couple and she is a better match for him in fame and fortune than I could ever be. But if you think that they are a match in character then you do not know your son

or you have never spent more than two consecutive seconds with Vivian. I am sorry that I am not the kind of woman you wanted for your son, but that does not change the fact that we are together.'

'He slept with her you know?'

'I guessed as much'

'And that doesn't bother you?'

'He's not sleeping with her now, so why should it?'

'He has a past'

'Everyone has a past. He has accepted mine and I have accepted his'

'You are not what he needs'

'Surely that's his decision to make'

'He will get tired of you'

'I doubt that'

'Oh, you are certainly very sure of yourself'

'No I only doubt it because of your behaviour'

'I'm sorry?' he said incredulously

'You are a shrewd businessman Mr Pendragon and I have worked for your company long enough to know that you value your time and effort very highly, which of course is totally understandable. This means

that you only put in your time and effort where it is necessary and worth your while. If you truly believed that Arthur will tire of me in a few weeks you would not be wasting your breath trying to convince me to

end it with him, or calling up his ex-lovers and inviting them to company mixers, which is, I suspect, what Vivian is doing here'

'You're a smart girl'

'Thank you'

'But what you are doing is wrong, you are driving a wedge between father and son'

'No' she said simply, 'I'm not doing that, you are'

'What are you talking about?'

'I'm a symptom, not the cause of the distance between you, sir. Your son is growing up. And you hate that. You hate that you no longer have control over him. And even more than that, you hate the fact that

he is turning away from the life you wanted for him.'

'If you really cared for him you would not be doing this'

'Just because he does not wish to live your life does not mean he is turning away from you. It only means that he is pursuing his own path. This wedge between you and Arthur was created by you refusing to

accept that. And that is why I won't be leaving. If it was just a case of me being the one problem maybe I could. My mother died when I was young too, so I know what it is like for your whole world to be your

father. There is no way I would want to damage the bond between you. But if it isn't me it will be something else, his friends, his attitude towards the business, the way he treats his employees, another girl.

He is becoming his own man and you are struggling to cope with it.'

'You seem to think you have me pegged'

'Well don't I?' she said with a cocked eyebrow.

He almost smiled.

'What you are feeling is totally natural. You want to protect him always and losing control of him makes that so much harder. But he is no longer a child. You have to let him go to a certain extent or you will lose

him totally.'

Uther was silent as he meditated on her words.

'But know this, he loves you and he wants nothing more to make you proud, but proud of the man he is, not by pretending to be something he's not.'

He watched her with a curious expression.

'Sir?' she said looking nervous.

'You remind me a lot of someone I knew once...' he trailed off.

She frowned slightly, waiting for him to continue, when he did not, she said 'I'm sorry, but I ought to be going'

'Of course'

The door opened and then snapped shut behind her.

He slumped down in a leather armchair, a strange array of emotions swelling within him. He sat in silence, trying to make head or tail of them with little success. But one question floated to the surface,

breaking through his confusion, refusing to be submerged, how long would it be before Arthur asked him for Igraine's ring?

---

'Merlin?'

'Hey Guinevere' he slurred, 'have you met my friend Jack?'

'No I haven't had the pleasure' Gwen said extending her hand to the young man on the stool beside her friend, 'so you've been looking after Merlin for me?' she grinned.

'Oh no' Jack said waving away her thanks, 'he's just been keeping me entertained with stories about you'

'Nothing too embarrassing I hope'

'Not all, he's just been tell me about you and that young man over there' he said with a wink, pointing at a golden head in the crowd.

She forced a smile, 'I see, well would you mind not telling anyone, we are trying to keep it pretty quiet'

'I won't tell a soul' he grinned, drawing an imaginary zip across his lips.

'Thank you' she smiled sweetly.

Then Merlin's phone rang.

He snatched it up off the bar, nearly dropping it in his haste to press the receive button.

'Freya!' he shouted down the phone 'I can't quite hear you! I'll- go-find-somewhere-quiet!' he bellowed.

Then covering the receiver he hissed 'it's Freya'

'I figured' said Gwen with a warm smile, 'go upstairs, its quiet there'

Merlin practically ran for the stairs.

She watched him go.

'His girlfriend?'

She nodded with a smile.

'They been together long?'

'Just over a year'

'So longer than you and Arthur?'

She nodded, a small frown lining her forehead.

'But Merlin said you're pretty serious?'

'I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable with discussing this' she said politely, looking down at her shoes, her cheeks rather pink.

'Oh of course' he said quickly, 'sorry, that was very rude of me, I just think that it's so great that someone like Arthur Pendragon is dating someone...'

'Ordinary?' she suggested.

'I suppose, but it wasn't supposed to sound as bad as that'

'I don't really mind being ordinary' she said with a smile, 'there have been worse things said about me since I started dating Arthur and I imagine there will be many more in the future'

'And that doesn't bother you?' he asked, leaning into her.

She shrugged, 'not enough to stop me dating him'

'Hey' said Arthur loudly coming over to them as they drew apart.

'I thought you were supposed to be mingling?'

'Change of plans' he said standing defensively behind Gwen, 'I thought I would come and check on my girlfriend' he said pointedly, looking at the young man with narrowed eyes.

'We were just talking about you actually' Jack said quickly, 'I was just about to tell Gwen what Merlin said about you two being so great for each other'

'Oh' Arthur said, 'wow, so me marching over here was totally unjustified and ridiculously overprotective?' he said looking rather embarrassed.

'Yep' Gwen said with a grin.

'Sorry' Arthur said again, looking at the floor.

'No problem'

Arthur turned to Gwen, 'do you want to dance?'

'We can't, not here'

'But the dance floor is really dark'

'It's true' Jack chipped in, 'the far left hand corner is almost pitch black'

'Come on Gwen' Arthur said, looking much like a five year old desperate to unwrap his Christmas presents.

'You don't mind?' she asked Jack.

'Course not' he grinned, 'I'll just wait for Merlin'

Arthur mouthed 'thanks' as pushed a still slightly reluctant Guinevere in the direction of the dance floor.

As they made their way onto the dance floor Jack pulled a camera from his bag. He zoomed in on the young couple. Click. He'd found his story.

---

'Errrrrrrr, Gwen I don't feel so good' Merlin said as he stumbled out of the bar, Arthur and Gwen supporting him.

'I think that might have something to do with the celebratory Sambuca you downed while we weren't looking' Gwen said, half exasperated, half amused.

'She still loves me' he said, punching the air and missing Arthur's nose by centimetres, 'she doesn't want to break up'

'Yes Merlin' Gwen said gently as if speaking to a small child. She had obvious dealt with an intoxicated Merlin before.

'Do you both want to crash round mine?' Arthur asked, 'it's only a five minute walk from here'

'That would be great' she smiled gratefully

'Come on Merlin' Arthur said, shouldering most of his weight, 'just keep walking.'

'I really love you guys' Merlin mumbled as he nearly tripped over his feet, 'I'm so glad you found each other, you make him much less of a prat Gwen'

She laughed, 'glad to have been of service'

Merlin fell silent for a moment, pondering something, 'Gwen would you change your surname if you married Arthur?'

The pair of them nearly dropped Merlin who was hanging limply between them, both pairs of cheeks turning scarlet.

'I haven't really thought about it to be honest' Gwen stammered trying to avoid looking at Arthur.

'I was just wondering, 'cause Arthur's surname's a bit weird and Gwen Pendragon just sounds rubbish' he said shrugging, 'though Guinevere Pendragon does sound rather impressive now I think about it.'

'Errr' Gwen said nervously, not sure of how to respond.

'Sorry' Merlin said, finally realising the awkwardness of the situation he had created, 'tonight I was just thinking about how Uther will react when you guys get married and all'

Gwen choked on a lungful of air, 'Jeez Merlin, it's a bit early to be thinking about that' she said quickly.

She didn't miss the red flush that darkened Arthur's cheeks.

'How much further?' moaned Merlin.

'Not far' Arthur replied.

'I'm tired'

'Snap'

'I'm hungry'

'So?'

'Have you got cheetos at home?'

'No'

'But I want cheetos' moaned Merlin. Arthur breathed an exasperated sigh.

'Arthur does have ice cream at his though'

'Really?' Merlin said, his face brightening instantly.

'Yes' Gwen said calmly, 'and if you are good until we get there you can have some, so no more whining 'kay?'

'Alright' said Merlin before sinking into a sleepy silence. Arthur looked over at Gwen with admiring eyes.

---

'Do you have sprinkles?'

'No I don't'

'Ice cream isn't as good without sprinkles'

'I'll remember that the next time you do my shopping for me'

'I like ice cream' Merlin said as he licked his spoon.

'I figured' Arthur yawned over his cup of tea.

'Now put your bowl and spoon in the dishwasher Merlin' Gwen instructed.

'I don't want to' he said folding his arms and jutting out his bottom lip.

'Merlin' Arthur said warningly.

'Fine' he said standing up dramatically and flouncing over to the dishwasher and thrusting his dirty dishes inside.

He then made his way over to the sofa, 'can I have a duvet please?'

'What?'

'A duvet for the sofa'

'You can sleep in the spare room'

'But Gwen's sleeping in there'

'She can sleep in with me'

'You can't have sex while I'm next door!' Merlin shouted indignantly.

'Keep your voice down' hissed Gwen.

'That is sooooooooo gross' he said in a vehement whisper.

'Just because we are sleeping in the same bed doesn't mean we are going to have sex' Arthur said reasonably.

Merlin let out a snort of laughter, 'after the way you have been drooling over her all evening?'

Arthur and Gwen's cheeks coloured in unison.

'Sorry' Arthur mumbled.

A smile tugged at Gwen's lips.

'See!' Merlin exclaimed triumphantly.

'I'll take the spare bed, happy?' Gwen said.

Merlin nodded with a yawn as he lay back on the sofa.

'I'll go get you some bed sheets'

'I'll give you a hand' said Arthur, 'the sheets are on the top shelf' he added in explanation.

---

The second they entered the bedroom Arthur snapped the door shut and had her pressed up against it. His lips were fierce and hungry on hers. One hand was at the back of her neck, the other was wrapped

tightly around her waist. He dipped her low and he felt her lips smile against his as she responded with great enthusiasm, her hands woven tightly into his hair.

They straightened up.

He trailed his hand from the nape of her neck to her cheek.

'Sorry about that' he said as he struggled to regain control over his ragged breaths, 'but I've been wanted to do that since I saw you in that dress'

She blushed and smiled widely, 'then I need to thank Morgana too'

'You look beautiful tonight-' then checking his watch amended '-this morning'

'I mean not that you don't normally' he said quickly, 'you know you always look beautiful, I just meant especially tonight, or this morning'

Her lips silenced him. 'I love you' she breathed against his mouth.

'I love you too' he grinned, his breath tickling her lips.

'Damn Merlin eh?' she laughed, raising one eyebrow.

'I better go sort out the sofa' Arthur said clearing his throat, just before a loud drunken snore came from the living room.

---

They bent over the sofa and their intoxicated friend who was face down in a pile of cushions, snoring vociferously, one arm dangling off the sofa, his knuckles brushing the carpet.

'Out for the count' Gwen confirmed.

'You know what this means?' Arthur said running a finger lazily down her spine.

'That we need to get a sick bucket, a towel and to leave out some water for him' she said as placed the duvet over Merlin's sleeping form and moving his limp arm so it lay on the sofa beside him in order to

prevent him from waking up with a severe case of pins and needles.

Arthur was only half disappointed by her reply, marvelling at caring nature of the women before him. And suddenly he could see her stroking their child's forehead, not Merlin's. She would make a great mother.

He shook himself mentally. What was he doing? He had been dating her, what, four and a half weeks? And he was already thinking about how their child would have her dark hair and his blue eyes. What the hell was

wrong with him? He had been with Sophia eighteen months and these kinds of thoughts had never even crossed his mind. What was going on? And what was more, she wasn't thinking about it.

'Could you grab me an old towel?'

'Sure' he smiled half-heartedly.

---

He watched her tucked a snoring Merlin into his makeshift bed before straightening up.

'Now where were we?' she said pushing his jacket off his broad shoulders as she began to place brief teasing kisses up his neck.

He shivered as she slipped her hands up underneath his shirt and his body beginning to hum.

She pulled him into the bedroom by his tie, a dorky smile on his face, all concerns forgotten.

He knocked the door shut behind them.

She kissed him tenderly, tugging gently, invitingly, on his lower lip as she fumbled with his tie.

Then she broke away as his hands moved to the zip of her dress. She looked up at with her warm, almost vulnerable eyes, her fingers blindly unbuttoning his shirt. Not once did their eyes leave the others'. It

was only as her dress slid gracefully to the floor that he broke their gaze, looking down briefly,

'that dress is stunning on, but I think it might just look even better on my floor' he grinned moving even closer to her.

'Oh shit' she said stepping out of the dress, 'Morgana said I need to hang it up otherwise it'll totally ruin the fabric'

He let out a half exasperated, half amused sigh as he watched her cross the room in only her underwear.

She looked through the closet, searching for spare hangers. Finding one she slipped the dress onto it as cool, firm hands slipped themselves around her bare midriff.

'Sorry' she said sheepishly as she placed the dress on the rail.

'You're very cute, do you know that?' he breathed as he kissed the tender hollow behind her ear.

She closed her eyes and let out a soft 'hhhhhmmmmm' as her chest heaved.

'God bless Merlin eh?' he grinned, tugging gently on her earlobe with his teeth.

He felt her shudder against his bare chest; a low 'uhuh' was all she could manage.

---

She lay with her head on his chest, looking up at the ceiling.

'I lied' she said, knowing he was still awake.

'Huh?

'When Merlin was talking about us and the future and stuff'

She felt him stiffen beneath her.

'I have thought about it' she said quietly, 'not in a creepy obsessive kind of a way, I don't expect anything, but I have thought it in a vague, at some point down the line if things went well, kind of a way.'

She felt him relax and she could tell without looking at his face that he was smiling.

'I didn't want to admit it because I thought you might think I was a crazy nutcase or something' she said into his chest, 'but I thought I should probably be honest about it, that way you would at least know

you were dating a crazy nutcase.'

'And to think I thought I was the only crazy nutcase in this relationship' he laughed in relief, pressing a kiss into her curls.

---

The doorbell rang.

'No' groaned Arthur as he rolled over.

The door bell rang again. And again.

A bleary eyed Gwen nuzzled his shoulder 'Arthur, make the ringing stop'

'Can't you go?' he moaned.

'I'm not wearing anything'

'Neither am I' he protested.

The doorbell rang furiously.

Gwen looked over at the clock, it was seven ten.

She pulled the duvet over her head 'Arthur this is your apartment, it's going to be for you' she reasoned.

'But I-' he began before Gwen pushed him in the back so hard he fell out of bed.

'Oops' she said, trying hard not to giggle at Arthur who was lying sprawled and ungainly on the carpet, 'sorry'

He pulled on his boxers and a white t-shirt, his hair stuck up at bizarre angles, the shadows under his eyes clearly visible, a scowl on his face.

The doorbell rang again.

'Alright, alright I'm coming' Arthur mumbled as he struggled to find the door out of his bedroom.

He stumbled through the living room and over to the front door. But not before his early morning caller had rung the doorbell another eight times.

He pulled open the door.

He stared sleepily for a moment at the person on his doorstep.

'What are you doing here? It's just gone seven on a Sunday morning'

'I see you've changed the locks' said Uther Pendragon.

'Yeah well I thought it might reduce the possibility of you turning up when you're not welcome, though it doesn't seem to be working so far.'

'I own this place' Uther snapped fiercely.

'Actually the Pendragon Group owns it as I'm CEO-'

'In name only'

'That's all that matters with regard to the contract.'

'What's going on?' Gwen said, emerging from the bedroom dressed in t-shirt and trackies belonging to Arthur, having heard raised voices, 'Mr Pendragon?' she said, a little confused, as she saw the man on the

doorstep.

'Guinevere' he said brusquely.

'What's going on?' Gwen asked again.

'That is what I would like to know' Uther said, thrusting the newspaper in his hands at his son, 'page six, read it' he hissed.

Arthur flicked to the said page. His eyes found a large picture of him and Gwen dancing together the night before underneath the legend: 'In Good Company.'

'Oh no' Gwen breathed as she began to read the article over Arthur's shoulder.

'EEEuuuurggggghhhh' came a groan from the sofa, 'what's going on?' Merlin said sitting up too quickly, making his head spin.

Arthur finished the page, he looked his father directly in the eye, 'what's the big deal?' he asked with a shrug.

'I'm sorry?' exclaimed Uther.

'Well the fact that Gwen and I are dating was bound to get out to the press eventually and to be honest they were far nicer about us than I was expecting.'

'Yeah I wasn't expecting them to be so positive about it' Gwen agreed finishing the page too.

'But they've made me the villain in all this' Uther almost shouted.

'I guess they decided that was the best angle for sales'

'I want to know who is responsible for leaking this to the press'

Merlin staggered over to them.

He read the opening paragraph: 'Whoever does not believe in fairytales clearly has never met this couple. In this modern re-telling of the classic Cinderella story Guinevere Leodegrance is cast as the beautiful

heroine from humble beginnings while the male lead of Prince Charming goes to the CEO of the Pendragon Group, Arthur Pendragon. But like in all epic romances there are obstacles in the way, in this case the

role is left to the classist prejudices of Uther Pendragon.'

Oh shit!

'Merlin, are you alright?' asked Gwen looking concerned.

'I think I may have been the one to leak it to the press' he stammered, one hand at his pounding temple.

'You!' Uther exclaimed.

'It's alright Merlin' Arthur said quickly, 'you have no right to be angry, he only told this reporter the truth'

'How dare you! My reputation is on the line, the Board is convinced that you might attempt some type of coup and you think I have no right to be angry?'

'You could just organise a press conference to straighten this whole thing out' Gwen said calmly. Uther turned to her, the red in his face fading slightly.

'Assuming of course that you are willing to accept our relationship both publically and privately' Arthur added with a grin.

'Of course' Uther said bitterly.

'And then we'll happily tell the press that you've supported the relationship the whole way through.'

Gwen nodded in agreement.

'So that's my choice?'

'Yep' Arthur said, a half smile on his face, 'it would have been nice for you to just be happy for us in the first place, but I guess that would have been asking too much'

'Just give me some time to adjust' Uther said, looking suddenly very tired, 'and I'm sure I will have plenty of time in which to do so' he said, directing this at Gwen.

She smiled gently back at him.

'I guess I should be going'

'Thanks Dad' Arthur said in a low voice as his father turned to leave.

'I'll organise the press conference for Monday morning, that okay with you two?'

'Great' they said together.

Uther shut the door behind him.

When had his son grown up so fast? He had spent years telling Arthur to stop messing about, stop wasting his life on partying, to settle down, to mature and grow up. And in the month he had been away he had done

just that and he was happier than Uther had ever known him. So why wasn't he pleased? Because he hadn't been around to see it, because Arthur's growing up had had nothing to do with him, it had been because of

the responsibility of the business and more particularly because of that girl.

'Mr Pendragon?' a voice said from the other end of the corridor. He turned around to face the way he had come. Gwen walked towards him.

'We were wondering if you might want to come over for dinner on Friday night. Of course if you're busy or you don't want to that's fine, we wouldn't-'

'Thank you Guinevere, I would very much like to'

'Good' she smiled widely, 'and Morgana and Leon will be there too'

'Leon?'

'From accounting, you know, her boyfriend'

His expression told her quite clearly that he knew nothing about Morgana's new boyfriend.

'Sorry, I didn't realise you didn't know' Gwen said quickly, her cheeks rather flushed.

'When did this happen?'

'While you were-'

'Away' he finished.

He turned to go.

'See you on Friday' she said as he pressed the button for the lift.

'See you on Friday' he said with a nod as the lift doors opened and he walked inside.

The doors slid shut.

That was the last time he ever went on holiday.

---

A/N: Okay, so that's it for this fic, sorry that the ending was so crap, only I just didn't know how to tie it all up without it being cheesy/ rubbish. Hope it wasn't too disappointing anyhow. And I just want to say a massive thanks to all the people who have read and/or reviewed this fic, it has meant a lot 3 xx