Okay, firstly, this is my first modern fic/AU, so it wil most likely be rubbish.
Secondly, this story is just based on a load of ideas I've had for Merlin and Morgana for the present day and mashed them all up, so I have no idea how this is going to turn out. These ideas don't have much to do at all with the legends, just the characters, so if that isn't what you want, then don't read this.

Anywho, I'd find any feedback or criticism great, because this is only my second story. Um, yeah I think that's about it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.

"Ask her!"

"No."

"Yes!" Gwaine punches him in the arm. "C'mon Merlin, she's been sat there on her own for, like, 3 hours-"

"1 hour." Merlin corrects him, rubbing his arm.

"Fine, whatever. But why would she sit there for an hour by herself?"

"Well, she's obviously just waiting for someone." Merlin says, glancing over at her from their table. She is on one side of the pub, they are on the other. "See? She keeps checking her phone."

Gwaine downs the rest of his pint, before thumping the empty glass down a little too loudly on the table. "Yeah, but for messages or for the time? I reckon she's been stood up."

Merlin raises his eyebrows. "Can you really think of any guy that wouldn't want to be on a date with her?" He looks over at the woman again and smiles. She is very beautiful. He begins to sip some of his own drink.

"Who said anything about a guy?" Gwaine says, a mischievous grin plastered on his face. "She could be gay."

Merlin spits his drink everywhere, including down himself. A couple from another table look over at him and the barmaid sends him a disapproving look. Thankfully, the "mystery girl", as Gwaine had called her earlier, hadn't noticed.

"Thanks a lot!" Merlin hisses to Gwaine, his face going red in the process.

"I didn't do anything!" His friend laughs, never taking anything seriously.

"I'm going to get cleaned up," Merlin sighs, heading over to the mens' toilets.

Morgana unlocks her phone, for what seems like the hundreth time that night. Check the time. Check her messages. Try to call him. No answer. Leave another voice mail. Her shoulders slump. Where the hell is he? Alvarr said he'd be here 45 minutes ago! She felt, and was pretty sure she was beginning to look, like an idiot. She sighs and brings out her purse. She doesn't have much cash on her, she never seems to, but she has enough to buy a drink at least. Enough to make herself look like she isn't a complete loser. She gets up and walks over to the bar.

"Can I have a coke, please?"

£1.80, then."

She looks down at her purse. 20 pence short. Shit.

"You've put your prices up." She states to the woman seving her.

"Business is getting tight, in case you hadn't noticed."

"Well then I can't buy the drink. I don't have enough." She feels completely humiliated. That worthless, drunk of a boyfriend Alvarr is always getting her into situations ike this.

She begins retreating slowly back to her table, but only makes it a few steps before slamming into someone else. Tonight just really isn't her night is it? She looks up to apologise, only to find the dark-haired man who'd kept on looking at her tonight, staring back.

He smiles brightly at her. "Sorry, wasn't looking where I was going. Happens a lot, really."

"No, it's my fault. I wasn't thinking properly."

"What were you thinking about?"

She frowns.

"No, sorry it's none of my business."

"At least you're actually talking to me. Anyway, I was thinking about my boyfriend." His heart sinks. "And what a waste of space he is." He hides a slight smile.

"Oh. How come?"

"Well, he was supposed to be here about an hour ago."

"Have you tried ringing him?"

"About 50 times." She runs a hand through her hair in frustration.

"Do you know where he might be?" He asks, feeling sorry for her.

"Probably drunk outside a strip club somewhere."

"Do you want me to go and help you look for him?" Morgana is surprised by his kindness, it's not really something she gets from Alvarr.

"No, it's fine. I think I'll just go home." She sighs.

"You could come and sit with us if you like? At least then you won't have had a wasted journey." He smiles again and she can't resist.

"Us?"

"Me and Gwaine. He's my friend." He explains.

"Who's me?" She laughs.

"I'm sorry?"

"Well, you haven't introduced yourself yet."

"I'm Merlin." He grins, extending his hand. She shakes it.

"Morgana," she says. "And if the offer's still open, then yes, I would very much like to sit with you. As long as your friend doesn't try to chat me up."

"You know, I really can't keep that promise. Gwaine's a bit-"

"Flirty? Charming? Good looking?"

"Yeah. All of the things I'm not." Of course. She'd be attracted to Gwaine and not him. He feels like banging his head against a brick wall.

"Yes you are! You're a very kind man!" She reassures him.

"Kindness isn't getting me very far at the moment."

She laces their fingers together. "Come on. I want you to introduce me to Gwaine."

Ugh, I hate first chapters. Sorry it's so short.

Please review! It would mean a lot! Thank you for reading!