Gwen's mouth felt like a tyre melted on her tongue. She attempted to open her lips, but they felt sticky and clammy like she sucked down a glue stick. Tiny magical shoe elves tapped danced on her head. She couldn't remember anything past clinking her glass with Tristan last night.

What must he think of me?

Gwen slumped on the stairways. Her foot flapped on Gawain's shiny wooden steps like a dog paw. She would have cocooned herself into bed except Gawain wouldn't stop calling her name.

Time seemed to halt as she dropped to her bum and bounced down the steps. Her poor bum ached to match her pounding head.

"Gwen, breakfast!"

She couldn't open her mouth to yell back that she wasn't very hungry, but words didn't know how to form. She just bumped down the stairs to get it over with him. Using the banister, Gwen pulled her body upright. She flung her arms out like a mummy for balance. Shiny bright light burned her eyes. She cupped her brow to protect her retinas from damage.

Drinks were bad, and never to be consumed in distress.

Tristan swallowed a laugh when Gwen limped into Gawain's sunny kitchen wearing prink and green polka dots bottom with a matching black shirt. Her hair haphazardly strew across her head.

"You didn't have to wait for me."

Gawain didn't turn away from his cooking. "You need to eat."

Tristan rose from his seat, and pulled a chair out for Gwen. She smiled weakly as she plopped down carefully.

"Gawain, the smell hurts my stomach."

"You need to eat."

Tristan didn't understand Gwen and Gawain's relationship. He doted on the girl like an older brother except her brother was a bugger. Gawain had explained Elyan refused to take a side in the breakup, his sister or his job or his friendship with Arthur. Elyan reminded him of Shylock from the Merchant of Venice : his daughter or his money. He did admire that Gawain didn't attempted to seduce Gwen during her season of despair. Perhaps, the playboy and party guy of university had grownup.

Gawain placed a complete English breakfast in front of Gwen, causing her to groan in distaste.

"I can't," she murmured.

Gawain sighed, slipping into a chair, he slipped a fork into Gwen's hand.

"Eat."

Tristan watched Guinevere playing with her eggs.

"Don't eat it, just waste away, and have everyone lament at your wake," Tristan offered drily"

Gwen's head rose; an eyebrow arched as she lifted a forkful of eggs to her mouth.

Tristan laughed when he spotted fire behind those brown eyes. Gwen's eyes never left his as she eat her beans ,bread, potatoes, tomatoes, and sausage. She downed her juice as it landed in her stomach roughly.

"That was delicious. So filling," Gwen muttered. "I'm returning to bed. Not a word."

Gwen stumbled out of the kitchen. Dropping to her feet, she crawled up the steps until she reached the landing. Panting, Gwen wobbled back into her bedroom.

Gawain waited until he heard Gwen kick her bedroom door shut.

"Can you hang around for a while?"

"Why," Tristan asked over his coffee rim.

"Match with Arthur and the mates. Just stay in case, she vomits or something."

"She's sweet."

"Very."

"Not afraid to leave her with the big bad wolf?"

"You're not a wolf. That would be Arthur. Maybe, she needs some fairy magic."

Gawain frowned when he spotted that girl waiting on the sidelines next to Morgana. He tossed his sunglasses on top of his jacket as he ran into the huddle. He never thought Gwen would be the reason that he felt disconnected with his mates.

Her frothy laughter crackling in the air caused something in him to snap. His brown eyes looked at Lamia laughing with a frowning Morgana and the other girlfriends. He just couldn't do it.

"Great Gawain," Arthur inquired." Finally, you grace us with your presence. Did we need to send an invitation to join us. Perhaps, an earlier night.

"I spent it with Gwen and Tristan."

"That must have been boring," Elyan quipped. Arthur watched the exchange intently.

His lips twisted at Elyan as guilt rose in his eyes as Percy and Leon flushed with embarrassment.

"Actually, we went out for a bit with Tristan. Had a marvelous time."

"Who is Tristan?," Elyan asked protectively.

Gawain stared at him with a blank expression.

" None of your business. However, he's my mentor from medical school. He joined us for a drink."

Arthur nodded. "Of course, your mentor. He's back in town?"

Gawain smirked at Arthur brightly as his demons took over his mouth. "He's our boss. We decided to show him the town. The works… dinner, dancing, and drinks."

"You don't dance, Gawain," Percy replied confused." Dancing with another bloke is awkward."

Gawain shrugged. "Tristan taught Gwen to Tango last night."

Gawain felt satisfied when something flashed in Arthur's blue eyes.

"What a lovely night," Arthur spat. "Is that why you're late?"

"No, Tristan made us a lovely breakfast."

Arthur waved his hand dismissively. "so, your friend spent the night with you. Spare me the details"

Gawain shook his dark head. "Arthur, I have only two available beds in my house. He wasn't in mine. Ask Gwen for the details."

Gawain didn't wait for Arthur's reply. He jogged away to the center of the field.

"Forgive me, God, I have sinned. Or whatever Catholics say. I'm not sorry," Gawain admitted ruefully.

Arthur's blue eyes widened in shock. It felt like someone kicked him in the stomach. Gwen was moving on? He couldn't believe that Gwen took a stranger to her bed. What was she thinking? How could she be so reckless. What did she know about Tristan? What was wrong with her?

"I don't care" ,Arthur muttered. "Good for her."

"You're still here?'

"What you do want a new babysitter? I'm not up to your standards"

Gwen licked her lips. "I don't need a babysitter especially a blonde one."

"I'm fun."

"I don't need fun.

"I agreed- not after Friday night. You need a life plan and happiness along with my personal brand of fun."

Gwen sighed as she sat down on the couch. "I don't need a life coach."

"Just your life."

Impulsively, Gwen grabbed a pillow, and flung at Tristan's head. Laughing, he caught it midair.

"Trying to kill your new boss."

"Forgot about that."

Tristan shoved he pillow behind his back. "As your boss, I order you to write a list about five things that you wanted to do. But, were discouraged by well-meaning friends, family or lovers."

"A list?"

"A list.'

"Indulge me, Lemon Drop."

"Lemon Drop?"

Tristan leaned forward; clasping his hands in front of him. "You like that damn drink… sweet, refreshing cool with just enough tartness and kick. However, everyone probably likes you sweet and surgery. I senses tartness, kick, cool, and sass in you.. just dying to get out. This is your chance, Gwen. Start over."

Something about his words sparked a light in Gwen. "Fine." Rising, she walked into Gawain's den. She quickly scribbled down five things. Returning to the living area, she offered the page to Tristan.

"Really, I think everyone should do number three. Number four would be amazing. Number 5 is expensive. We're doing Number one tonight. Number two has potential for rejection. But, I know someone that could help you."

"I'm going to change into something for our grand adventure," Gwen replied grinning. "Thank you."

I don't like her. She's my employee. She's too young for me. Those curls look dammed soft. She's adult.

"Damn," Tristan muttered. "She's dangerous."