Heat from Tristan's hands radiated through the thin cotton of Gwen's top. His warm breath caressed her ears as he whispered softly; his lips touching her curly hair.

"Is this what you want or are you trying to rebel against Farthur."

Skeptically, Gwen's eyes roamed over the chair. It seemed like a good idea. She always wanted a tattoo. Arthur claimed he never wanted anything to damage her beautiful skin. She respected his wishes. Something about the chair and the buzzing from the needle thing- unsettled her stomach. She hated needles. Why couldn't they just paint a rose on her body part?

"What do you want, Gwen?"

Tristan's words opened an age old question for Gwen. She didn't know what she wanted. She had figured that she would marry Arthur and have his children. It seemed so simple until… she wasn't what he wanted. His words cut her to the bone… I don't know what I want Guinevere. He didn't want her, and it hurt so badly. She didn't fit his new plan. Her own damn brother remained loyal to Arthur when her life fell apart. Merlin and Gawain got her though this mess.

I want to be strong, independent… fun… free. I want to be just Gwen."

"So, will a tattoo make you those things?"

Gwen shook her head. "No, it will be me trying to rebel against Arthur. I want to move on."

"Let's go."

"Where are we going?"

"Dinner with Gawain and Merlin. Morgana had a thing with her brother."

"You knew that I wasn't going to do it?"

"Yes."

"You don't know me."

"I will."

Gawain watched Merlin eating a roll encased in butter. He wondered where Gwen and Tristan were. Did she really get a tattoo?

"Gawain, you shocked everyone today during the match."

Gawain sipped his water. "What… Gwen can't move on with her life? How long did Arthur wait before he started shagging that Lamia girl?'

"A week."

"So, Gwen can't move one."

"No, she can. I guess they didn't expect her to bounce back with someone. Or they didn't expect her to find someone with your help."

Gawain shrugged. He knew Satan decorated his room in hell with every lie. "It just happened. "

Merlin didn't want to like Tristan except he was a great guy. His stories about his life in Hong Kong were fascinating. His jokes were funny, and he had impeccable manners. He appeared to be fascinated by Gwen. He didn't appear to have one bad quality.

Merlin waited until Gwen excused herself to the lavatory.

"She's raw."

Tristan finished chewing his food as he stared in Merlin's haunting blue eyes.

"She is raw. She's young. She's hurting, and I'm not a bastard."

Merlin waved his hands. "I'm not saying-"

Tristan waved him off. "Listen, I completely understand. I divorced my wife last year. It wasn't an easy time. But, I'm mature, and I knew how to regroup. Gwen doesn't… something about her appeals to me. Maybe, it's nice to see sweetness and dignity. I've seen so much suffering, Merlin."

Merlin did' t know what to say. He realized that Gwen smiled and laughed. She looked good, but skinny. She appeared to enjoy Tristan's company. She lived with Gawain- nothing horrible could happen.

"I'm the easy one. Just wait until you meet Vivian, Lance, and Elaine."

Gawain rolled his eyes. "Vivian plans to return to London?"

"Every year, we meet and go to Freya's grave… next month."

Gawain reddened. "I forgot Merlin."

"It's okay."

"Where were you last night?"

Merlin pondered lying to Arthur. Truly, it wasn't any of his affair. But, he didn't want to lie in front of Morgana.

"I went to dinner with Gwen, Gawain, and Tris."

Merlin waited for the fallout from his answer. Curiosity sparkled in Morgana's green eyes; her lips twisting into a red pucker.

'So, will Gwen put in appearance for our engagement party?"

Merlin was thankful that Morgana broke the ice. Perhaps, they could move on without any questions. "She said that she's coming. I invited Tris. He's really fascinating. He volunteered with Doctors without Borders in Somalia and Asia. His tales were amazing. I just sat there and listened to him. He's funny, and charming."

"Perhaps, Morgana should be worried that you'll run off with him. You sound like a teenage girl," Arthur drawled tightly.

Merlin didn't feel like dealing with Arthur's surly mood.

"No, Gwen was the school girl. She hung to his every word. I think they are dating. Isn't that wonderful?"

Arthur scowled. "Cheeky, she rebounds quickly."

"Brother dear, didn't you start shagging the idiot stick person before dust formed in Gwen's dresser drawers. I think moving on would be wonderful for all. No eggshells or hurt feelings. You have moved on, haven't you?"

Arthur shot his sister a dark look. He never thought Guinevere would rebound with the first guy that walked across her path. He expected better of her.

"She can do whatever she likes with this Tristan."

"Lovely, you'll behave at my engagement party. I was almost af-," Morgana began.

"Afraid of what? That I'm going to make a fuss because Gwen has moved on? I' m dating Lamia. I' m delightfully happy with her."

"Yes, of course, Arthur. She's everything that Gwen isn't tall, skinny, stupid, and shallow."

"Actually," Merlin offered. "Gwen is thinner. She had on a pair of skinny jeans. Looked good."

Arthur casted annoyed blue eyes at Merlin. "Once again, what do you know about skinny jeans?"

"I have varied interest, Arthur."

"Well Gwen can do whatever."

Arthur was glad that Gwen was moving on. He couldn't live with his conscience any longer. He regretted hurting Gwen. His behavior towards her was deplorable. He needed a change . He didn't have time for a serious relationship. Lamia was simple and straight forward… sex and fun. He didn't want to have to manage the bank and Gwen.. he couldn't do both.

"You need to replace Number one on your list."

Gwen 's body ached from going out two straight nights. She didn't want to use her mind to think of anything. She spent the last day and half having a good time.

"Wow."

Tristan smiled at her and Gawain looked up at her form the floor.

"Is everything okay, princess."

Gwen shoved a hand into her hair. "I didn't think about Arthur today except for once in the tattoo shop… I didn't feel blue."

"That's good, Lemon Drop."

"It's amazing. However, I'm exhausted. Off to bed."

Gwen slipped past Gawain planting a kiss on his brow. Tristan raised a blonde eyebrow when she zipped past him. Gwen waited until she stood in the doorway.

"Tristan," she called happily.

"Yes, Lemon drop."

Gwen kissed her fingers and blew him a kiss. "Good Night."

"Have sweet dreams."

Gawain thought maybe I'm not lying. "What's going on?"

"Nothing."

"That nothing was flirting."

"Flirting is harmless, Gawain."

"Flirting means attraction."

"I'm attracted to her. I'm too old for her."

"That's your appeal."

"Trust me."

"Don't ruin our friendship."

"Never."

"I'm going to visit Viv in New York in a few days. Can you drop me at Heathrow?"

Gawain dropped his toast. She was going to new York?

"When did this happen?"

"We chatted last night on Skype before I went to bed. I have money. Arthur paid for everything. So, I wasted a bunch of money and bought a ticket to New York. She'll fly back with me."

'Don't say scary things like that."

"Why don't you like her?'

"She has the depth of a kiddie pool."

"You don't know her.

"Thankfully."

A/N: I'm going to update until Friday… Then, I need to work on Shadows..