"Merlin, please! I'm begging you!" Merlin sighed as he shook his head at Gwen's pleading expression. "Okay, okay I'll do it." Gwen squealed with delight. "Yay thanks Merlin! I really owe you one!". Merlin held up his hand to stop her ear splitting squeals. "But just this once Gwen, this is the last time I take one of your shifts". She nodded earnestly, "of course Merlin! This is totally the last time I'll ask for a favour before paying you back for it! I'll do your next 3 shifts if you like! Oh! Gotta dash or I'll be late for my date!" Gwen wiggled her eyebrows at him and leaned over the bar to plant a kiss of gratitude on Merlin's cheek. "See ya!" and with that she sashayed out of the bar, hips swaying, with a slightly glazed expression in her eyes that told Merlin her mind was already on thoughts of her date ahead. Merlin sighed, pushing himself up from his leaning position on the bar and wondering why, yet again, he had let Gwen persuade him into covering her Friday night shift. Turning around he double checked that everything was in its right place and that they were easily accessible for the rush that would undoubtedly come later and that the black board had been updated for the Friday night specials. Skimming through it he snorted at some of the names that some of his, less than sober, patrons had named his latest cocktail inventions. "Dragon's breath" and "hags curse" were two of his favourites as they seemed so ridiculous - even when written next to the classics like "sex on the beach" and "the Incredible Hulk". Turning back he rolled his shoulders, preparing himself for the night ahead and walked through the double doors that lead to the corridor beyond.