Gwen put the last of her boxes down in her new flat. Pushing her unruly hair out of her face she wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans, smiling. It had been a long time coming, but moving in had finally happened, and she was glad for it. Sure it wasn't the best neighborhood, or the nicest building, but it was hers. Unpacking would take a lot longer, but at least everything was here now. Grabbing clothes from a box she ran and changed into a fresh pair of light blue jeans and a pale pink top, tying two strands of hair together to pull the rest back off her face. She pushed her keys into her pocket after locking the flat door behind her and set off, the sound of her flip flops echoing down the hallway. Once outside she smiled. It was a beautiful day, the sun shining down on her, and she felt free. Utterly and completely free.

Meanwhile, young Arthur Pendragon opened his door at the top of the same building, and locked it behind his back. In his arms, he he juggled a briefcase, a cup of coffe, and a ball cap. Even though it was a complete fashion faux pas to the suit he wore, Arthur plopped the cap over his blonde head, and pushed the button for the elevator, impatiently tapping his foot.

It came quickly, but stopped near the bottom. Floor Three. He held in a groan as a young woman entered and smiled at him.

Gwen did, in fact, smile at the young man, despite his odd appearance. He looked like a business man, but wore a baseball cap. And he didn't look much older than her, far too young, certainly in her mind, to be any type of business man. She hooked her thumbs in her pockets as the lift doors closed, glancing at him, "I'm Guinevere," She said with a warm smile, "Although most people call me Gwen."

He nodded, and seeing his reflection in the sleek platinum door, pulled the red ballcap off of his head. "Ah.." It seemed only polite to reply, hence he set his briefcase on the carpeted floor, and held out his hand. "Arthur...Pendragon. " He winced, tired of getting teased that his name was so uncannily similar to the medival hero.

Gwen smiled, shaking his hand, "Impressive name." She said, not quite making the connection, "Sound very...powerful."

"I get that a lot." He remarked, smoothing his hair, and gathering his things as the elevator hit ground level. "Lovely to meet you." And then he was gone.

"Um...you too. I suppose." Gwen said, but he was gone before he had heard her. She shrugged and started walking towards the bus stop. She'd gotten a new job at a big business company. An internship. She figured she'd just be making coffee.

Arthur never took the bus. There were too many people on New York busses to suit his taste; he had a personal chauffeur instead. The car arrived at the door at ten minutes past 9 o'clock, and he hurried up another elevator, and a flight of stairs. Before entering the business room, he dumped the cup in a trash can, and threw the baseball cap behind his desk - hiding it.

Gwen glanced at her watch and had a minor panic attack. She was going to be late. On her first day. Wonderful. She ended up getting off the slow moving bus two stops early and running. People gave her funny looks but she didn't care, she had to get there.

It was 9:30am by the time she finally made it there, and she ran to the elevator, pushing the button frantically. When it arrived she stepped in, trying to catch her breath before pushing the button for the top floor.

"You're late." Arthur said, as Guinevere stepped through the door, a bit of a disheveled mess. He didn't even stop to notice that it was the young woman from the elevator of his building. "To continue." He turned his face towards the other people in the room, and the meeting went on.

Gwen looked startled. Oh good, she lived in the same building as her young, and frankly quite attractive, boss. Wonderful news. "Sorry." She murmured, trying to fix her hair.

"Sit." He said through his teeth, with a shake of his head."You're no use standing there, observing."

'This is going to be a long day.' Arthur thought. He wanted to appear that he could control his employees, not matter the compassion he felt for the new young girl that stood before him.

Gwen sat quietly, her face red with embarrassment. Why did this have to happen today?

Arthur continued leading the meeting, in the manner of a very successful businessman and leader; embarrassed baseball cap boy had been completely forgotten. In a few hours, Arthur gave them a break for lunch, and began to leave the table, but not before he noticed Gwen was still sitting there - stark still.

Gwen was completely wrapped up in her thoughts, on the presentation but on everything else too. It seemed like everything was happening really fast lately.

He cleared his throat, trying to get her attention. "Ehm. Guinevere. At lunch, everyone is supposed to leave the building. We aren't school children." A sheepish smile actually broke over his face as he decided to tease her a bit - pull her leg. "Unless you particularly enjoy the maid's company as she cleans the building."

Gwen jumped, "Oh, sorry." She said, standing, "And I'm sorry I was late, I didn't realize what time it was and the bus was slow..." Her voice died off. Her explanation sounded weak, even to her.

Arthur was beginning to like her more and more, and he slowly surveyed her from head to toe. Blue jeans and a pink top that would barely qualify for more than a t-shirt clothed her thin body. That wasn't exactly what he was used to seeing on businesswomen, but he nodded with a smile anyways. "It's fine. I'll pretend I didn't see it. It is your first time, after all."

Gwen smiled, "Oh. Thank you." She said gratefully, "I didn't realize I would actually be doing work." She backtracked quickly, "Not that I don't want to be doing work, that's what I'm here for. But everyone sort of convinced me I'd just be...getting coffee."

Arthur threw back his head in a real laugh. "Actually, my assistant will have some real work to do. And I believe that includes accompanying me to lunch today?" He then winked, not mentioning that wasn't her real job.

"Assis...tant?" Gwen asked, and then understood, "Oh! Well, in that case, I suppose yes, I should." She smiled, rubbing her arm absentmindedly, her hand running over the ropy scar.

With a charming smile, he held open the door for her, and then pushed the elevator button. "There we go."

Gwen smiled. It was strange, this type of thing had never happened to her before. No one seemed to take interest in her. But she figured she should just play it cool.

Arthur was actually finding her quite adorable. It was both odd and quite daring to show up to work (an established business firm at that!) in jeans and a pink t-shirt. He liked it.

Gwen stepped into the elevator and raised her eyebrows, "Coming?" She asked with a smile.

He hadn't even realised he'd been distracted, and stopped at the door, with his hand placed softly on his chin as he thought. Jerked quickly away, he stepped in. "Oh...of course!"

Gwen smiled to herself, lowering her head. This man was completely adorable, and not at all creepy. This was definitely not what she had been expecting. A creepy older man with leering looks.

"So." Arthur stuffed his hands into the pockets of his suit coat, casually. "Where for lunch?"

"It's your choice." Gwen said, although she wasn't sure she would be able to afford anywhere where he would be likely to eat, by the looks of him.

"No, yours. Completely and positively" He returned a bit cheekily.

Gwen laughed, "Somewhere that has French fries." She responded.

"Oh yes." Arthur nodded, as the elevator hit ground level. " We couldn't do without."

Gwen laughed at his reaction, "Were you expecting somewhere fancier?" She questioned, "I'm rather just a simple girl."

"I am catering to the simple girl's wishes today." Arthur smiled. "Besides, being rich can actually be quite a bore." He didn't say what he was thinking. 'Everyone seems to want everything of you, and there are days you'd like to stay at home, eat French fries, and watch television.'

"Oh yes, being able to pay for all those things that you want must be terrible." Gwen teased.

"No." He laughed. "But it is terrible that people always assume things of you, and never look past appearances. Or names. Or...names."

"Names?" Gwen asked, "Why? Because your last name is Pendragon? Which is lovely by the way."

Arthur held open the door, to the building and waited for his car. "I actually...ehm, get teased that about that. All the fairytales...history tales, about King Arthur, you know? The comparisons get to my head sometimes."

"And you think having a name like Guinevere is any better?" Gwen said with a laugh, "Oh the cheap connections to the ancient goddess."

"True." He nodded, holding open the car door of his sleek black Cadillac. "Unless you'd...be more comfortable taking a taxi."

Gwen laughed, "I don't think I've ever been in a chauffeured vehicle before." She smiled, climbing in, "So fancy."

"Well then." Arthur grinned, shutting the door behind them. "You can consider this your introduction to chauffeured vehicles." He tapped the driver on the shoulder, and told him their desired location. "Lance has been driving me around for a few years. And I have to say, he puts up with my shenanigans rather well."

Gwen smiled, "I must say it's much nicer than a city bus." She patted her pocket absentmindedly, checking that her keys were still there, before her fingers returned to her arm. She ran her fingers up and down the thick scar that lay there. It had become almost a habit since she'd gotten it. She didn't even realize she was doing it anymore.

"Are you alright?" Arthur noted her nervous habits, even with one glance. "I won't hurt you...you know?"

Gwen nodded, lips pressed together. It had only just dawned on her that she had gotten in a car with an almost complete stranger. It was only a scary feeling.

He helped her out of the car, like gentlemen should, but couldn't understand why she'd gone from bubbly and vivacious to quiet and nervous.

Gwen thanked him for the help, and smiled. It wasn't forced, it was a genuine smile. Her nerves were calming a bit, as she saw his manners and over all politeness. Her moods seemed to fluctuate a lot. At least, that's how it seemed to her. She hoped he couldn't sense anything.

As it got quieter, even when they'd been seated, Arthur found he didn't know how to break the silence. Slowly, he found himself pointing to the menu. "See, French Fries."

Gwen laughed. His awkwardness seemed to have broken the tension. "Good." She said, "I doubted your abilities for a moment."

He blushed. "I do have a few. Though they be...far be between."

"Wonderful." Gwen said in jest, "I wouldn't want to get bored." She realized what she had said and blushed furiously.

Arthur nodded, and cleared his throat softly. "So...what are some of your...abilities or hobbies?."

Gwen smiled, "I like painting." She said, "And cooking." She thought for a moment, "I suppose that's really it. I don't really do much. But I suppose that's not very interesting."

"It's quite interesting to me." Arthur nodded. "I am a terrible cook. You wouldn't want to eat anything I made, if it was to save your life."

Gwen laughed, "Maybe I could cook for you some time." She offered, "We do live in the same building."

"Perhaps." He chuckled. "I like photography, thank you for asking, and soccer."

"Soccer?" Gwen asked, raising an eyebrow, "Now there's something I'm terrible at."

"Maybe I could teach you. There's an empty field out back to the hotel building"

Gwen smiled, resting her chin on her hands, "Perhaps." She said, "If you want to be seriously injured."

His blue eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Oh? Now I am intrigued."

Gwen giggled, "I mean I would probably trip you, or kick you, or injure you in some way."

"Been there done that." Arthur returned.

"I don't think you know the danger I would be." Gwen said, holding back a laugh, "Seriously, I'm terrible."

"Like I said, I'm willing to teach you. If you will do one thing for me, in return." His smile was hiding something, but his eyes still had the twinkle that was becoming familiar.

Gwen looked slightly suspicious, raising an eyebrow, "Oh?" She asked, "I'm intrigued, do ask."

"Let me take pictures of you!" He blurted, looking more excited about that than he had about anything, in their short meeting. "You'd be beautiful on camera." Then Arthur shrugged softly. "But I don't have to."

Gwen giggled, blushing, "I don't think anyone has ever asked me that before." She said, "Really, I'm flattered. Of course, if you let me cook for you."

It hadn't come to either of their attentions that they'd completely forgotten to order, and had been talking for over an hour. He didn't say anything, but gave her a simple nod.

Gwen jumped as her watch beeped. She looked at it, before her eyes widened. "If I told you it was two o'clock, what would you do?" She asked.

"Think about each one of my employees, and their responses to my being late." Arthur said quietly, and then raised a blonde brow. "You're kidding, aren't you?"

Gwen groaned, "Oh, I wish I was."

Arthur swore under his breath, and then covered his mouth, hoping she wasn't a girl sensitive to language. "Sorry. We need to go."

Gwen laughed, "I figured as much," She stood and brushed her shirt off, "I suppose we'll have to eat later."

"Tomorrow? And limit it to an hour?" He hurried out the door, holding it for her, and waved down his car.

Gwen smiled, "I would assume so. I would invite you for dinner but..." Her voice died off but was covered by a flurry of activity as the car arrived.

Arthur quickly opened the door, and gently pushed her in, just before Lance stepped on the gas and it sped off into the traffic.

Gwen wished she could have had dinner with Arthur that night. It would be much better than the alternative was going to be.

Arthur pushed a seatbelt over Gwen's waist as the driver went faster, wondering how he wasn't speeding. "Safety first. Even when I haven't driven in two years, I still remember."

"Well I suppose you wouldn't need to when you have a chauffeur." Gwen said, holding onto him for dear life.

The car stopped suddenly, and Arthur's seatbelt jerked him backwards, and forwards. "Ouch...Lance, watch yourself."

"Flat tire." His friend remarked, with a shake of the head.

"Damn!" Arthur said without thinking, pushing the seatbelt off, and opening the door, then pulling his cellphone from his pocket.

"We could always run." Gwen offered with a weak smile.

"You want to run three miles? Through three thousand pedestrians?" Arthur groaned. "No thank you." He opened the phone, but the screen didn't blink. "Dead? You're kidding me. This is not my day..."

"Here, I have mine..." Gwen stopped, patting her pockets, "Apparently not."

Arthur knocked on the window to the car. "Lance. Do you have a cell phone?" The Driver shook his head, saying he'd left it in the charger that morning. Arthur's face nearly resembled a pout as he leaned up against the car, thinking.

Gwen leaned next to him, crossing her arms. The scarred arm was closest to his arm, but she didn't seem to notice. "This may be a problem." She said.

"Seeing as I don't know how to change a tire," the young heir admitted. "Yes." Arthur ran his fingers through his hair. "I hate my job. And you are actually the first person I've ever told." He finally laughed.

Gwen smiled, "I know how to change a tire," She said, "But honestly, I'd rather pretend I didn't. Because then we wouldn't have to go back."

"You don't want to go back?" He looked confused for a moment. "You don't like it either?"

"I do." Gwen said, "But I like spending time with you more."

"That is the first time...anyone...has ever said that." Arthur said quietly, then turning to look at the gathering crowed. "I'll try to find a pay phone, get it towed to the nearest shop."

Gwen replied, nodding. "I suppose I'll stay here then."

"You know," He smiled, and slowly held out his hand. "If you wanted to spend time with me, why don't you come?"

Gwen couldn't contain herself. Her hand reached out to his and she gripped him tightly, her hands slightly cold. "That...sounds nice."

Arthur began to pull her through the crowds, the grasp of his hand not tight, and not soft, only comfortable.

Gwen kept her grip firm, lest she be pulled away from him, which was about the last thing she wanted at the moment. Oh, how complicated things were already becoming for her. And she'd only been there for a day.

Arthur stopped suddenly in the crowd, realizing he was lost. Gwen ran full force into him; he uttered an exclamation that was an awkward mix of 'Woah' and 'Ouch'.

"Sorry!" Gwen exclaimed, looking around, not being able to say that the loud noises of the city around her weren't just a little nerve-wracking. "What's going on?"

"I have no idea where we are. Great." Arthur nodded a sarcastic undertone to his voice. "Just great."

"Well," Gwen said, "I can see...buildings." She almost hit herself. "Which is not really helpful..." She looked around her, "Where was the car again?"

"A mile or so back?" He questioned, looking around, for both the rumoured pay phone and the car - neither of which he could see.

Gwen closed her eyes, shaking her head, "Good lord we're hopeless, the two of us."

Arthur didn't really like admitting he was hopeless, so just leaned against the nearest wall, and said, "Mm."

Gwen laughed, still holding onto his hand, rather enjoying the feeling. "So." She said, "How am I doing for my fist day?"

Arthur casually let his fingers slip away, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. He hadn't held a girl's hand in a while. It felt wrong. "I'd give you an eight." He drummed his fingers along the edge bricks, and began watching the people go by.

"Out of ten?" Gwen asked with a smile. She never knew how to feel around men. Not since...well. That didn't really matter.

"Provided we ignore the fact that we are over an hour late for an important business meeting, and have a flat tire, and you showed up late this morning." He quickly continued.

"Well, there is that." She said as he noted the other points."

"But yes, out of ten." He shrugged, almost silent, and most of his rambunctious gone, seeing as they were lost in New York City, and after realising how she squeezed his hand his heart was ranging with hurt for a break it had suffered, over a year ago.

Gwen cleared her throat, "Well, I suppose we should find a way back," She said. She looked aound and caught sight of a convenience store. "Oh look! Pay phone central."

"Yeah." Arthur didn't offer her much of a response, lost in thought. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all." Gwen said, pulling several quarters out of her pocket and heading towards the shop. She returned a few minutes later. "Cab'll be here in a few minutes."