"Calm down Gwaine, I only wanted your advice I didn't want you to come here and beat anyone up!" Lance protested

"I don't care what the f… you wanted, I'm not having that bastard causing problems all over again, now where is he?" Gwaine was clearly spoiling for fight Lance had never seen his former boss so worked up.

Gwen walked in at that moment "Keep your voice down Gwaine! This is a working office not some bar" she glared at Lance "Look what you've done now why couldn't you keep out of it like I told you"

Gwaine turned on Gwen "You knew, you knew he was about and you didn't tell me. What the f.. is going on"

"Nothing you need to get involved in Gwaine, Merlin has the whole situation under control. Just calm down and I'll get Merlin here to speak to you" Gwen was clearly annoyed at what was happening.

"Like hell I don't you know as well as me what that bastard did to Merlin and now I find out he's working here, and you tell me to calm down!" Gwaine by now was red in the face with rage.

"Please people keep your voices down, this is an office. Now what's going on?" Came Arthur's voice from the door. He had heard the noise from his office and come to see what was happening.

Gwaine turned round and glared at the newcomer "And who the hell are you?" he shouted.

Arthur stepped in the office and closed the door "I'm the business manager Arthur Pendragon" he had hardly finished speaking when the first fist hit him and was quickly followed by more.

"So you're the bastard are you, well see how you like some of your own medicine" Gwaine said as he hit the unsuspecting man.

At that moment Merlin came along the corridor he had heard the noise as he got out of the lift and ran to find out what was happening, he recognised his cousin's voice and suspected the worst. As he opened the office door he saw what was happening "NO GWAINE" he shouted and tried to get himself between Gwaine and Arthur at the very moment that Gwaine threw his hardest punch. Gwaine realised what was happening to late and his punch hit Merlin full force to the side of his head Merlin's head snapped round and his knees gave way.

Gwaine hadn't been able to pull his punch and as he saw Merlin collapsed he stepped forward and caught the stunned man before he hit the ground. "Oh god no! Merlin!" the Irishman said his voice full of anguish He gentle lowered Merlin to the floor and knelt at his side. Merlin was barely conscious, he tried to focus on the man in front of him "ummmp" was all he managed to say as he fought to stay awake. Meanwhile Gwen rushed to Arthur who was sliding down the wall and onto his heals as the shock of what had happened hit in. Lance was stood his mouth agape unable to believe what had happened.

Arthur put his hand up and felt his face, he had blood splattered on his shirt his nose bleeding. Gwen got his to lean forward and press the top of his nose as she looked round to the other couple on the floor "How is Merlin?" she demanded.

Gwaine was hugging Merlin to him at the same time as trying to see the damage his fist had caused. Merlin had a red mark up the side of his face and his eyebrow was bleeding. Lance handed Gwaine a tissue to hold over the bleeding point. Merlin had managed to focus and was trying to stand, Gwaine was preventing him "Stay there Merlin please" he pleaded.

Gwen by now had collected her thoughts enough to act in a sensible manner. Turning to Arthur she asked the blond "How are you?"

Arthur looked up "Fine see to Merlin" he said he was clearly shaken but appeared to be with it but bruised. Gwen helped his up and into a chair before turning to Gwaine.

"How's Merlin?"

Merlin looked at his friend "m fine" he said shakily "What the hell was going on" he looked up at Gwaine who was looking shocked at what he had done "What are you doing here?"

Gwaine helped Merlin onto his feet and sat him down in another chair. "Oh I'm so sorry Merl" he gasped.

Gwen took control once more "Let's move this to Merlin's office and then we can sort out this mess." They all moved to Merlin's office Merlin and Arthur sitting on the most comfortable chairs. Gwen looked at the both "Do either of you need to go to hospital?"

Arthur looked up "Not me"

Gwaine looked at Merlin "How are you bud? Are you seeing ok? I can't believe I hit you!"

Merlin looked at Gwaine "I'm fine, except my cousin and best friend tried to knock my head off" he said sarcastically rubbing his face. "What are you doing here anyway?"

Lance looking very sheepish spoke "It's my fault Merlin, I was trying to help, I wanted some advice on what could be wrong with you, Gwen wouldn't tell me so I rang Gwaine. I didn't know he'd fly here and start throwing punches"

Merlin rolled his eyes "I told you I was ok!"

"You weren't! you haven't been sleeping and you kept coming into the office shaking" Lance protested "I wanted to help"

Gwen snorted "Some help you get this idiot here, look where that got us"

Gwaine looked at them all "When Lance mentioned you'd hired him" he pointed to Arthur "I saw red, I wanted to sort him years ago and you wouldn't let me" he protested "I thought he was causing you grief again, he's screwed you up enough!" he said to Merlin "What did you hire him for"

"That was my decision and nothing to do with you. Where were you anyway I thought you were filming in Spain"

"I was doing some location work in Ireland, I told the director I had an emergency" Gwaine said "You're more important than any work"

Merlin looked down at Gwaine's hands "I hope you don't need close up of those. Go on get back I'll speak to you later"

"No way! I'm finding out what the hell is going on, I told them I wouldn't be back till after the weekend."Gwaine insisted.

Merlin looked at Lance "Can you get us all a drink, I could do with something hot and sweet." Then he looked across at Arthur "I'm sorry for this Neanderthal, are you really alright?"

"I've been worse, not since getting into a fight when drunk at uni but I'm ok" Arthur told his boss.

"Look Gwaine Arthur is working for me, he apologised for the past and we were working out things, this hasn't helped. Violence doesn't solve anything; you know my feelings on that."

"I just don't want to see you get that low again, I should have known something was wrong before, all those years you suffered and I didn't know. I thought he'd wormed is way in, I won't let anyone hurt you Merlin" Gwaine explained.

"It wasn't your fault Gwaine, you weren't anywhere near and even mum didn't know, I didn't let anyone know. Just let it go, I'm a grown man and can look after myself." Merlin told his cousin.

Lance came in with the drinks and looked at everyone "Will someone tell me what this is all about?" he pleaded.

Arthur looked up "I bullied Merlin for years from when he was eight until he went to Oxford. I can't tell you how ashamed I am, I told Merlin at the interview, I didn't know he was the boss here, I certainly didn't expect to get the job. But Merlin is a far better man than me and he gave me the chance. I made his life hell yet he was willing to give me a chance." Arthur looked up at Gwaine "I don't blame you for hitting me, I deserve more"

"Yes you do you bastard do you have any idea what you did to Merlin? The most kindest, gentlest man you could wish to meet. One of the professors at Oxford called me when Merlin started no one knew until then. I wanted to find you then I would have killed you, but he made me promise to leave you alone. Do you know what he said? He said you were probably unhappy and it wasn't your fault. "

Merlin looked up "Look it's all in the past, let's forget it. Lance can you find Arthur a clean shirt his is covered in blood. Now I suggest we finish this. Lance, please in future just leave things alone, you're not my mother. It's nearly lunch time and its Friday I suggest Arthur and Gwaine we go back to my place and have a meal and try to put the past where it belongs. Mum has gone away for the weekend with her friend. Gwen stop glaring at Lance and you to clear up what needs to be done and then you can call it a day." Merlin turned to Gwaine, "You can drive my car, I've a hell of a headache coming, and if you don't behave I might set mum on you! I won't be able to hide this bruise from her. You are cooking lunch; I don't think either Arthur or I am up to it. Call it an apology."