Chapter 1

Hello. Another idea that wouldn't leave my head while I was trying to do school assignments!

READ AND ENJOY

Arthur was sitting in his penthouse watching some boring telly while drinking beer when there was a knock on his door. Arthur lowered the volume sitting up. He was not expecting anyone. He looked at the clock. It read quarter to 10.

He walked to the door knowing at this time of the night, only his best friends Merlin and Guinevere were allowed in by the security. He tried to think of any reason one of them would come this late then shrugging, he went to open the door.

As soon as he opened the door, he was assaulted by a small petite frame belonging to Guinevere, hugging him around the waist. It took him some time before he realized said figure was shaking in sobs. Stunned, Arthur closed and locked the door, placed his arms around her and led her to the couch. Arthur sat the small girl on his lap and held her caressing her back as she sobbed soaking his shirt.

His heart broke at the way Gwen was crying, like someone had literally broke her. Anger filled him at whoever had caused this and he swore he would kill said person. In all his life, he had never seen Gwen cry the way she was right now and he felt helpless. He didn't know what had happened nor could he get anything out of her while she cried like this so all he could do was comfort her as best as he could and wait till her sobs subsided.

Arthur had met Gwen when they were in high school. She had thought he was an arrogant ass and for the better part of the year, all they did was fight and tease each other. That changed when they were paired up for a literature assignment. They had been best friend ever since and inseparable. They knew almost everything about each other and Arthur was very protective of her.

It was in their second year in college when he realized he was in love with her. I mean who wouldn't? She was funny, smart, beautiful, sexy… that was a tense time for both of them. He was confussed at how he was feeling and she didn't know. Things righted themselves once again when he finally admitted to himself he loved her. Not to her! No. she was his best friend. Beside, there never seemed to be an opportunity. When she was free, he would be with someone and when he was free, she would be dating someone. What was he to do?

Some time later, Gwen's sobs had lessened to just sniffs. Arthur gently moved her so he could look at her. Her eyes were red and puffy, her cheeks pink and tear stained yet she was still the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.

He shifted a bit and took a hanky then he gently wiped her tears before she took it and blew her nose then she snuggled back into his arms on the dry side of his shirt and they sat there quiet.

"Guinevere, what happened?" he asked gently. That was another thing. He was the only one who called her Guinevere. He loved her name and hated to shorten it. Gwen had since resigned telling him to call her Gwen.

xxx

Gwen sighed breathing in Arthur's scent and listening to the gentle lull of his heart beat as he held her. she felt comfort and love from him and knew it would all be ok. she had loved Arthur since they were in high school. her best friend, her handsome best friend.

It had been a wonder they were best friends. Arthur was the jork. Good looking, sporty and popular while she was the geek, shy and quiet. When she got to know him as a person (not Arthur the rich jork) she realized they had a lot in common. They were both driven, strived to please their parents and she was surprised to realize he already had goals.

She had never told her how she felt. How could she? For one, she knew Arthur preferred tall blonde bombshells and she was no blonde with her curly sometimes unmanageable dark hair, boring brown eyes and tan skin and short 5'3. Then their friendship. It was the most important relationship she had ever had and she was not about to ruin it with feelings. She had seen that happen one too many times so she dated other people. How good that turned out to be.

"Lance and I broke up."

"What? Why? What happened? Did he do something? I swear I will kill him!"

"Arthur…"

"I am sorry. I just… I have never seen you cry like that. what did he do?"

Gwen sighed and thought back to what had happened.

Gwen was smiling as she waited for her boyfriend to come home. She and Lance had been dating for almost 2 years and in just 4 months, they will be celebrating their 2nd anniversary. Maybe Lance will surprise her with a ring? She could see a future with him. He was so caring, loving, sensitive to her feelings and she felt special when she was with him.

she had made him some dinner, his favorite food and hoped they could have some cuddle time and maybe some loving. When the door clicked she smiled. Lance was back.

"Hey baby." said Gwen hugging him and kissing him softly. He was in his suit looking so handsome. He could have been a successful model had he wanted. "How was your day?"

"um, it was good." said Lance. Gwen looked at him wondering what had caused a brief response. for a whole month Lance had seemed off. she had asked him but he would say he was fine that it was work.

Gwen couldn't help noting over dinner Lance was distracted, more so than usual. "Lance are you ok? You know you can tell me anything." she asked gently. Lance looked at her and sighed.

"We need to talk Gwen." said Lance. Gwen's heart skipped a beat. that was never a good thing to be told.

"Um, ok. After dinner." said Gwen. Dinner was tense and she couldn't wait until it was over and Lance told her what he wanted. Scenarios ran in her head each worse than the last and she couldn't take it.

After dinner Lance took her to the living room and sat her on the couch. "Lance, tell me what is wrong. please."

Lance sighed and ran his hand in his brown wavy hair then said, "i am leaving."

there was silence. deafening silence as Gwen tried to comprehend what she had heard. "What do you mean you are leaving?"

"I got a promotion to France."

"France!" said Gwen in surprise. she couldn't believe Lance was going that far away.

"Yes. It was a once in an opportunity. I couldn't pass it up."

"When are you leaving?" she asked calmly.

"In a week."

"What! And you are just telling me? What the hell Lance!" said Gwen standing up. A week? so soon? How could that be?

"I am sorry Gwen but like i said, i couldn't pass it up."

"How long did you know about this?" she asked in a calm voice that even surprised her.

Lance hesitated... "Gwen..."

"How long Lance?"she repeated.

"3 months." he muttered.

"3 months? And you never thought to tell me? Only telling me now with a week left?"

"I am sorry Gwen."

"I cant believe this. so for 3 months you have been stringing me along knowing you are leaving? I am guessing next you will be breaking up with me." there was silence which was an answer in itself. "You are breaking up with me!"

"You have to understand Gwen. i will be in France so far away for about 3 years. i cant string you along. it wont be fair for me or or you."

"So what? when were you planning on breaking up with me? the day you took your flight? I have been asking you for a whole month and you didn't tell me!" she said looking at Lance. She couldn't understand nor could she reconcile with the loving man he was and this…lying bastard in front of her.

"I am sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Well you did." she said taking one look at him and she left.

"Gwen! Gwen! Stop! Where are you going?" called Lancelot but she ignored him. she had only one destination in mind, her safe haven...her best friend Arthur.

"I am going to kill him! He better run!" said Arthur angry. How dare he do that to this sweet amazing woman.

He had never liked Lancelot (and all her other boyfriends) and he knew Lancelot was unsettled by his friendship with Gwen (just like his previous girlfriends and her ex boyfriends). It was the reason all his relationships had fallen through Vivian, Sophia, Mithian…they were all jealous of Gwen. Now he was glad he had a reason to punch Lancelot's face.

"No Arthur. Let him be." said Gwen holding on to Arthur's hand.

"He hurt you!" said Arthur passionately.

"I know." said Gwen her tears filling her eyes. 'Damnit! Why wouldn't these tears seize...

"Oh Guinevere…" said Arthur taking her into his arms gently and rocking her. "It will be alright. I will always be there for you."

"You make me feel safe."

"That is what I am hoping for." said Arthur.

It was an hour later when they went to led her to the guest room but Gwen stopped him looking nervous biting her lower lip. 'No Guinevere...not that!' he thought instantly reacting to how sexy that looked. 'stop it Arthur. she had just broken up with her boyfriend and she is your best friend!'

"What is it?"

"Arthur I don't want to be alone. Can I sleep with you?"

Arthur gulped thinking of Gwen in his bed, in his arms, only in one his shirts… "Of course. Come on." said Arthur hoping he will survive the night. He held her close and she fell asleep both thinking how good it felt to be in each other's arms.

Thank you for reading! How was it?