Hunith, Will and Gwaine continued to stay with Merlin, leaving only when made to. Hunith was in shock it reminded her of when Balinor had died after being hit by a drunk driver. He had spent three weeks on a ventilator until they had switched it off.

Will was angry, it just wasn't fair. Merlin and Freya had been the nicest couple he had ever known. He wanted to go out into the town and search for the killer but knew Hunith needed him more.

Gwaine was devastated by what had happened. Before Gwaine had left for America the two men had spent many hours discussing his attachment to the NYPD and Merlin had worried about Gwaine's safety. They had argued about the placement on several occasions until finally Merlin had given in and wished him luck, and now it was Merlin who was in hospital with gunshot wounds. What was worse Freya his sister, who he already lost once, was dead! Merlin had been worried about Gwaine having to deal with gun crime, yet two people who meant the world to him had been shot. in a quiet English town, where the worse that normally happened was a bit of speeding and shoplifting, and now he was back, so he could attend his sister's funeral, and to watch Merlin fighting for his life.

Gwaine thought about the time he had met Freya again after he had traced her. He remembered being angry with her for insisting on calling their Uncle and Aunt her parents, after all they were dead. But Freya had insisted they were her parents, they had adopted her and cared for as their own. She had then pointed out that Gwaine called Hunith Mum and Merlin brother and it was no different. She said they had room in their hearts for everyone. Gwaine soon learnt his sister might be quiet, but she was more than capable of speaking her mind. Little was he to know that just one month later when he took her to meet Hunith and Merlin that it would be love at first sight for Freya and Merlin. Somewhat difficult when Freya was his sister and thought of Merlin as his brother!

The three worried people sat each lost in their own thoughts, all wanting the young man in the bed to wake up and get better.

Arthur was arriving home every day tired and irritable. Merlin would soon be woken up and taken of the ventilator and he would be the one to tell him Freya was dead. He couldn't expect Hunith to do it. He wondered if Merlin had realised before he was shot himself. The witnesses said Merlin has seen Freya shot, but that didn't mean he knew the love of his life was gone.

He walked up the drive to his home on the fourth day to be greeted by Gwen.

"I've let Ygraine stay at your parents, I thought it best, and your Mum said she was still enjoying herself."

Arthur nodded, their four year old daughter was at his parents on the day Merlin was shot, and they had left her there. He was glad his daughter hadn't been there to see her parents in such a mess. Arthur went and held his wife putting his head on her shoulder.

"He's going to be woken up tomorrow; will he thank me or curse me for saving him? How will he cope? he loved Freya so much. I keep wondering how I would feel if anything happened to you or Ygraine."

"Stop it Arthur, you did your best for him and one day he will realise that. We just have to be there for him."

Arthur looked at her "I hope that's true because I don't want him to hate me for saving him."

In town the search was still going on for the missing gunman. He was believed to still be armed, no trace of the gun had been found. A house search was going on checking all garden sheds. The press were now on the scene and cameras and reporters were everywhere. Leon and Percy like most of the local police had been putting in a lot of overtime. There were police from all over the country in the area. Leon's wife Morgana had been visiting Gwen every day so they could support each other. Morgana was worried about Arthur she knew her brother would be putting himself under all sorts of pressure. They all loved Merlin, but Arthur had been his best friend since primary school. She couldn't think what it must have been like to have to operate on someone that close to you.

The next morning Arthur got to the hospital and parked in his reserved spot before entering the building. It had never seemed such a depressing place before. He was greeted by several people before he managed to get to ITU. Letting himself in using his security tag he went straight to Merlin's bedside. The anaesthetist was already there.

"Hello Arthur thought you might turn up early" Dr Godwyn had been the ITU head for as long as Arthur had worked at Camelot General. He was a good man and knew his job. Arthur was pleased to see him there.

"How's Merlin doing?" Arthur waited

"Good, as planned we will reduce his sedation this morning, I know it's early but all his signs are good and I suspect you'll want him moving as soon as you can. Hopefully we can get him of the ventilator." Dr Godwyn looked confident.

"We might have some problems, He's going to be very upset once he's awake, and you know he saw his fiancé killed?" Arthur wasn't looking forward to Merlin's reaction.

"I heard he's a good friend of yours as well. But you can't protect him from reality Arthur." This was said kindly but firmly.

"I know but I don't want him putting any strain on his side, he has more holes than a colander. I've already had to take him back once to theatre once for a bleed I'd rather not have to do it again."Arthur was nervous.

"Arthur why don't you let Annis take over this case? You're too close." The older man hoped Arthur would see sense; he was looking more stressed every day.

"No, I'll carry on, but thank you for your concern." Arthur had thought about it but decided he needed to be there for his friend.

The surgeon went to the head of the bed and wiped Merlin's forehead. "Come on Merlin, get better, Freya wouldn't want you like this." His voice hitched as he said the dead girl's name.

Turned to the anaesthetist he asked: "Where can I find Merlin's family?"

"They've just gone for something to eat. They will be back soon. Do you want me to talk to them?"

"No I will. See you later; can you give me a call before you wake him up?"

"No problem. See you later." Arthur left to go to find Hunith, Gwaine and Will.