Once Leon came back with the tea Merlin and Balinor had joined Uther and Percy in the lounge, the room seemed crowded all of a sudden. The two men had pulled themselves together in the meantime. They sat opposite each other and drank their tea in silence before Balinor spoke once more.

"I would like to get to know you better Merlin, you to Leon. But I understand it's all been a bit much today." He handed Merlin a piece of paper "Here's my personal number, when you feel ready, just give me a call. Perhaps we could go out together, a meal perhaps? It would give us chance to get to know one another."

"Thanks" Merlin took the paper and put it in his pocket. "Not out though, not till I have my new leg, I hate being stared at." Merlin looked at his father. "I've had enough of that"

Uther spoke "You could always come to my place, my wife is an excellent cook and I know she would love to meet you, and you already know Arthur and Morgana."

Leon seeing Merlin's hesitation spoke up. "Can we let you know? I think Merlin needs some time to think. Give him some time and one of us will ring you."

Merlin gave Leon a grateful smile, he was overwhelmed with what had occurred and didn't want to agree to anything at the moment. Balinor saw the exchange between the two and felt somewhat jealous of their bond. But at the same time glad that Merlin had someone he could rely on. He knew he would have to get used to not being the most important person in his son's life. But now he had discovered him, he didn't want to let him go.

Leon meanwhile was determined to protect Merlin from undue pressure.

While he could understand Balinor's wish to get close to Merlin, he also knew

that Merlin was fragile at the moment. Better than anyone he knew the

turmoil that Merlin was going through. Percy also knew that Merlin would

need a lot of support, like Leon he understood Merlin, they had known each

other a long time.

"I think it might be a good idea to break this up now" Percy said "Let the

emotions settle down." He looked at the two men "At least you both

know each other's side of it now."

Balinor looked at the big man and took the hint. "Ok you are probably right.

I'm sure Merlin is still sore from the assault as well. Look Merlin just contact

me if there is anything I can do to help you. No strings ok?" he put his hand on

Merlin's shoulder and squeezed it gently.

Merlin looked up into his father's face. "Thank you, I think Leon's right I need

some time to think this all through. Look can we keep this just to us for now."

he asked desperate for some privacy.

"Of course, no one else needs to know a thing. We'll say goodbye then. Thank

you for seeing me and giving me this chance Merlin, and you to Leon." With

that Balinor and Uther left the house.

Uther supported his friend as they went back to the car. They drove in silence

back to Uther's house. Balinor hadn't even realised he wasn't going to his own

home until they pulled up at the door.

"I think you need to be with someone for awhile" Utter told him.

"You're probably right, you know I can't believe that Hunith's parents did that

to their own daughter. You know they took her to France and wouldn't let her

leave! Then tried to make her have an abortion. I should never have listened

to her. I should have made her come to London with me." Balinor was angry at

what Hunith had had to endure.

Uther looked at his friend "Listen you did what you thought right at the time. It

was what she wanted to do. If she couldn't see what was going to happen,

why should you have?" he paused. "The important thing is you have found

your son. Now you need to concentrate on getting to know him." Uther smiled

at his friend and partner. "Come on lets go in Ygraine will have hundreds of

questions."

Back at Leon's house Merlin was finally beginning to realise that he had a

Father, and someone that if he wanted to, he could get to know. The trouble is

he wasn't sure if he wanted to. He didn't want things to change. For years as a

child he used to dream of finding his father, now it had happened he wasn't

sure anymore. Leon sat by his side.

"Look Merlin don't worry, it will sort itself out and whatever you decide is fine by me. You have a home here as long as you want it." Leon looked at Percy before continuing. "It's up to you, you're old enough that Balinor can't insist on seeing you if you don't want. The ball is literally is in your court."

"The trouble is I don't know what I do want." Merlin said looking lost and vulnerable.

Percy stood up "Look I'm leaving you two to it. If you need me phone, and Merlin nothing has to be sorted today and you can change your mind whenever you like. Try not to worry too much, just see how you feel in the next week or so."

Once Percy left the two men were on their own once more. But so much had changed neither of them knew where they stood, the lives they had were going to change and neither knew how much, or if they it to. Both of them in their own way felt lost and somewhat helpless, and after a tense day neither slept much that night. The next morning they both tried to ignore what had happened the day before, all they wanted was to go back to how they were before this had all happened. But both knew that wasn't going to happen.

On the Monday morning it was all go at Pendragon's and Llewellyn's, the final report was in. It was a surprise to them all that the fraud had been going on for four years, and a total of just less than twelve thousand pounds had been taken. It had began just before Valliant had started at the company, but once he was in post the fraud had increased. Having two managers involved had made it easy. It had been their success in avoiding detection, that had made them get greedy. Without Merlin's sharp eye it may well have continued for a lot longer. As it was it hadn't done the company's reputation too much harm, as the money had all come from their own account and not from their clients, although they had lost one big account once the news broke. Others clients were happy once they had been reassured.

It seemed they owed a lot to Merlin. At the moment they weren't sure how to handle that, due to the exceptional circumstances. As yet it was only the Pendragon's and Balinor that knew the truth at the company, and at Merlin's request that was how it would stay. Gwaine, who had no idea, demanded that Merlin be given some recognition for what he had done. Uther had told him they would wait until after the court case, but he would be rewarded. That seemed to settle the matter, although Gwaine was far from happy with the response. He felt Merlin should receive immediate recognition. Uther explained that they had thanked him.

After some thought Uther asked Arthur to go and see Merlin, as long as Merlin and his guardian were happy. So Arthur popped over to the house, that night after work. He used the excuse of letting Merlin know what the outcome of the investigations had been. Leon was reluctant at first to let Arthur in but was persuaded by Merlin, who heard the blonde at the door.

"I haven't come on behalf of anyone else." he told Leon "I just wanted to let Merlin know what a good job he did, and that he stopped a long team fraud that had already cost the company twelve grand." He said.

Merlin was pleased and somewhat proud of what he had done. Leon was also proud, it had not only been a good spot, but he had also been brave enough to report it.

"Once this had all settled, and the court case has been heard, you will receive a bonus for your part in reporting the fraud." He told Merlin. "But in the meantime if you need anything.."

"I know… let you know" Merlin said.

"How are your injuries?" Arthur asked.

"Well my wrist will be another four weeks in plaster. My stump needs to be fully healed before they will start to fit my new leg. But the bruises are settling and the ribs aren't as painful. I don't know when I can get back to work. I am able to write and use a computer, even if I am slower than before." He told Arthur. "But it will be ages before I can get out of this chair." Merlin explained.

"Well that won't be a problem, when you feel ready, and not before, let us know and we can sort something out. But you aren't to worry, you will be on full pay until you want to come back, and that's nothing to do with the other matter, the firm owes you big time." Arthur told him. "I would like to pop in from time to time, but understand if you would rather I didn't. I know Gwaine and Lance would like to visit. They of course know nothing of your story. Morgana is also quite keen to keep in touch."

Merlin looked at Leon "What do you think?" he asked.

"Whatever you want Merlin, I don't mind you know that." Leon smiled at his ward. "You don't need to ask permission this is your home as well."

"I don't want to make either of you feel uncomfortable" Arthur told them. "I realise this is all difficult at the moment. But regardless of any decisions you make I would like to remain friends with you both."

"That's fine Arthur, you're welcome in that case, isn't he Merlin?" Leon said thawing once he realised Arthur was here on his own behalf.

"Sure, no problem, I'd like to see the others as well. Gwaine had rung me up a couple of times already. I'm getting bored and I think Leon's getting fed up with me." Merlin moaned.

"No I'm not" Leon replied.

"In that case we'll see about getting you back to work if you like, part time hours of course." Arthur grinned. "We'll even pick you up if needed."

Merlin looked horrified "I can't, not in the chair! People will look at me." He exclaimed.

Arthur was really surprised at Merlin's reaction. "Merlin, people know about your leg, unfortunately it was in the papers, nothing to do with the company I might add. No one thinks any less of you, if anything you are admired all the more for it. Remember people are more used to seeing amputees now, particularly with the Paralympics being held in London. But once you're in the building and sitting at a desk it won't be noticeable anyway. Gwaine has requested your help when you come back, to set up a new internal accounts office and we can give you your own office if you like." Arthur explained. "Please don't let this ruin your life."

Merlin looked at Arthur in amazement and anger. "You have no idea what it's like. I had it at school and college. All the pitying looks and the comments, then the ones that think their funny and make comments about getting legless. I've had it all. Why do you think I hid the truth when I came to work! My life was ruined when the lorry hit me and I've been fighting ever since."

"I'm sorry Merlin, I wasn't being insensitive, it can't have been easy for you, but what I was trying to say is you won't have that problem at work. Everyone thinks what you have done and achieved is fantastic." Arthur looked at Leon, not sure what to do next.

"Merlin calm down, Arthur didn't mean anything hurtful. I've been trying to tell you for a long time you have to let this go. Things are changing, no one can stop the stares, but you can't let it ruin your life. You have proved yourself over and over again; you're as good as anyone else." Leon said. For years he had been trying to help Merlin overcome the results of his accident.

"I haven't seen the papers but I have seen the bit on the local news. They even had some pictures it's not fair." Merlin told Arthur.

"As I said no pressure Merlin, but give it some thought it would be great to see you back again. But no rush, make sure you're better first. I miss your smiling face." Arthur told him. "Would it help if we hired a small motorised wheelchair so you could get yourself about indoors? I know with your wrist you have to get Leon to move you."

Leon once more answered "That might be worth looking into Merlin" looking at Arthur he said "It would have to be a narrow one as there isn't a lot of room. The doors are wide enough for Merlin's wheelchair but only just."

"Yeh, it would save you. But we could sort that ourselves."

"Merlin you were hurt helping the company let us do something to help. I will look into it for you. Can I give your phone number out so they can contact you direct?" Arthur asked "I will make sure they are genuine before I do so."

"Thank you and I will think about work and let you know." Merlin tried to sound enthusiastic. They chatted for a while before Arthur left promising to visit again.

As Arthur left Leon followed him to the door and once outside stopped Arthur "It's difficult for Merlin, he had a lot of problems after his accident, he wasn't treated well by a lot of people. It is a bad thing to happen to a child. At one time his mother was worried he would do something silly, but he has worked round it in his own fashion. Just give him time, thanks about the wheelchair that's a good idea, something I should have thought about." He paused and gave Arthur a smile "It's good to see you again Arthur and I hope regardless of what Merlin decides we can keep in touch."

"Off course we can. I'm sorry Merlin had a tough time, I will help him anyway I can Leon; he's a credit to you and his mother. I like him he's a fighter." Arthur grinned "I'm glad he didn't follow you in the facial hair department! It would hide his face."

Leon looked outraged "cheeky Pendragon, you don't change. Remember when you tried to grow a moustache in college? Total disaster." With that he punched Arthur on the shoulder. "You haven't changed that much, do you still play football?"

"No time I'm afraid. Look shall we go out for a drink one evening?"

"Yes, we can work something out, I doubt Merlin will come but when Will and Freya came round I could come I'll give you a ring." Leon was feeling much better about Arthur turning up. It would be nice to catch up with him once again.

When Leon went back indoors he found Merlin staring at his stump. "What's up little feller" he asked.

"Am I daft Leon? About people staring at me I mean." Merlin sounded confused.

"Over sensitive perhaps, but not daft, I know you had problems at school and college but Arthur's right people are more used to seeing people with missing limbs now. Now a days they will probably think you were in the services." Leon pointed out. "There are several around the estate now, if you remember, theirs that lad with the blade that we see sometimes. He doesn't cover his at all."

"I know, but it's not just my leg is it." Merlin mumbled.

"No but one step at a time Merlin, all anyone will see will be your leg; you can still keep the rest to yourself after all. Think about it, that's all I ask. Once you can accept it perhaps you could think about a blade and come running with me. Prosthetics have come a long way." Leon looked at Merlin, more hopeful than he had ever been that Merlin might finally start moving on.

"Maybe, I don't expect I could use a blade though, my hip muscles aren't that strong and the scaring is to rigid across my abdomen." Despite Merlin's comment Leon was really encouraged that Merlin was at least talking about it.

"Well we can ask when your stump is healed. In the meantime think about it, that's all I ask."