As always I want to thank you for your kind words, your inspiring reviews and to those who are still reading and following. I also want to thank Tharasia for adding this to her favourite stories. Again this was written in one go. Paragraphs 1-5 was typed on the computer and the others were written in my 'everything to do with fan fiction book' :)

Lance watched as Arthur collected his order and walked outside.

An idea came to him, and he decided to act on it.

He saw Arthur took off in his car and keeping his eyes on him; he got into his car and followed him.

He saw the car turned and headed in the direction of Gwen's store.

'Just as I thought,' he said to himself.

He watched as Arthur came to a stop in front of the store, got out of the car and took out a small basket.

He brought his vehicle to a stop about two car lengths away, and his stomach plummeted to his feet, when he saw Gwen opened the door with a smile on her face.

Anger and jealousy burned within him when he saw her turned the sign on the door to say 'AT LUNCH' and she and the mystery guy disappeared inside.

He sat there staring at the store as if it would open and reveal what was taking place inside.

All that he could think about, was that this guy had to have made a significant impact on Gwen's life, to be this casual with her.

He placed his head on the steering wheel and thought back to how things were between him and Gwen. He tried to remember all the good things that had happened between them, but all that came to mind was, what she did for him and how she made him feel.

He realised that she was the one doing everything and contributing everything to their relationship.

He thought back to all the times she needed him and he wasn't there.

At some of the lowest points of her life, like grieving her parents on the anniversary of their deaths, and he wasn't there for her.

She was his rock, a solid foundation and he took her for granted and then discarded her. He knew he didn't and still doesn't deserve her.

He sat back in the car seat and looked at the store. He could see her and the guy walking around.

Jealousy raged within him again.

'I'll be damned if she thinks she can forget about me for this guy,' he thought to himself.

He got out of the car with the intention of confronting Gwen and demanding who this guy is, and what he means to her.

He didn't see the two figures approaching him from the other side of the street.

Just as he was about to knock on the door of the store, he heard a distinct voice say to him,

"Don't you dare."

He spun around and came face to face with an angry Morganna Pendragon and an equally angry Merlin Emerys.

"What is your business here, Lance?" Morganna asked harshly.

Lance was stumped for a few seconds.

He had forgotten how protective of Gwen Morganna could be, not forgetting, Merlin too.

"I was in the neighbourhood and I decided to call on Gwen and see how she was doing," he said.

Morganna knew he was lying.

"I know you are not blind, Lance, as you can clearly see, she's at lunch.

"I can see the sign," he stuttered,

"But she can't be eating now, can she, because she's standing right there with some guy," he said, pointing to the store.

Morganna narrowed her eyes at him and said,

"That some guy, as you so kindly put it, has a name. His name is Arthur Pendragon. You might not see the resemblance, but he is my brother."

"And my best friend, just like Gwen is," Merlin spat.

He knew Morganna and Merlin were friends with Gwen, but he can't ever remember hearing Gwen mentioning a brother for Morganna.

He was shocked beyond words.

Now that he knew who the guy was, he felt slightly intimidated, but he couldn't show it.

He looked at the couple in the store chatting and laughing with each other.

He could clearly see that they were happy around each other.

In fact, to him, it looked as if they were happily in love.

The two M's watched as Lance pondered what they had told him.

Morganna folded her arms across her chest in a defiant stance, and rounded him, looking directly at him.

"I repeat, what is your business here?"

Lance was taken aback by her aggressive stance.

He spoke in a soft voice saying, as he pointed to the store,

"She seems happy, I guess that he is the reason why."

Morganna looked over at the couple and said,

"She deserves to be happy after what you put her through. You used her to your advantage, and even that wasn't enough, you had to go and have…."

At this both Merlin and Lance spoke up at the same time.

"I know what I did; you don't have to remind me.

I wish I could take it back, but I can't.

I have to live with it," Lance spat.

Merlin touched Morganna's hand and told her,

"Now is not the time, Morganna." She huffed as she looked at Lance and said,

"I suggest you get back to what's really important in your life and leave Gwen alone."

Lance looked at the store again and watched as Arthur took Gwen's hand in his and kissed it lovingly.

He saw Gwen looked at Arthur dreamily and locked eyes with him.

Rage and jealousy sparked anew within him.

He looked at Merlin and asked him,

"Is she with him?" Merlin shrugged and said to him,

"She is happy Lance, for the first time since you left, she is in a good place, and I want her to remain there. I suggest you back off, because, I'm telling you now, I would do anything for her, Arthur or Morganna.

Back off!"

Morganna felt a sense of pride watching Merlin telling Lance off, and she knew he meant every word he spoke.

Pointing at her, Merlin and Lance, she said,

"We all know that you have enough issues to keep you busy and on your toes. I think that you should go and handle your business."

Lance flushed a different colour.

He knew exactly what she was speaking about.

He ducked his head in shame and said softly,

"What if I don't want to?"

Morganna couldn't believe what he had said.

"Well, I'll make damn sure that Gwen knows about those issues and I know she will end up hating you," she raged.

Merlin turned to him and said,

"And whatever Gwen doesn't do to you, I know Arthur will.

You don't want to get him angry nor be an enemy of his, trust me."

Lance looked disdainfully at the two of them.

He was just about to retort, when he heard the lovely voice of Gwen saying,

"What are you doing here Lance?"

He opened and closed his mouth like a fish, as he looked at the object of his desire, and all that his mind could process, was how beautiful she looked.

He smiled and told her,

"I was just telling your friends that I was in the area, so I thought I should say hello to you and see how you are doing."

Gwen stared at him.

"Why would you want to do that, when I distinctly told you to stay away," she said.

Lance was very surprised at the way Gwen had spoken to him. Her face had taken on an icy expression and he had to admit to himself that it scared him. That fear arose from not only the defiant stare, but the strong dislike for him written clearly across her face.

At this point, he knew he was fighting a losing battle.

Gwen continued speaking, as Lance was having a hard time putting together anything to say.

"You've seen me, as you can tell I'm fine. So you can go."

With that Arthur stepped closer to Gwen and placed his hand possessively on her lower back, and fixed Lance in an icy stare of blue and storm cloud grey.

Lance took the hint.

He looked pleadingly at Gwen and told her,

"I just wanted a chance to talk and catch up."

Gwen looked at him as if he had spoken another language. For a second she actually felt sorry for him.

"We have nothing to talk about, Lance," she said kindly.

Lance stepped forward and found himself surrounded by Arthur and the two M's.

Arthur's protective side had just kicked up a notch, and he placed his tall, muscular frame in front of Gwen, with his hands hung at his sides, balled into fists.

Lance stepped back and addressed Gwen angrily.

"I don't get you Gwen.

Is it money? I know I'm not loaded like your rich knight here. Is that it, Gwen," he spat venomously.

Gwen opened her mouth in shock.

Tears stung her eyes, as she stepped from behind Arthur and slapped Lance hard across the cheek.

As the tears dropped from her eyes, she screamed,

"How dare you, you bastard.

I never want to see you again."

Arthur was torn.

He wanted to punch the life out of Lance for disrespecting Gwen like that, but he also wanted to comfort her.

In the end the choice was made for him, because Morganna and Merlin rounded on Lance, and some of the words that came from their mouths would make a sailor blush.

They kept advancing towards him, causing him to turn and walk towards his car.

He took one more look at them and got into his car and left.

The two M's watched him until his car disappeared from sight, and then they both released audible sighs as they looked at each other and laughed.

They began walking back towards Arthur and Gwen as they were concerned for her, but they saw that she was wrapped in his strong arms, with his cheek resting on her head, and doing his best to calm her.

Morganna nodded to Merlin and they left knowing that Gwen was in capable hands.

After Gwen had calmed down, Arthur looked around and found that they were alone.

He wondered when Morganna and Merlin had left. He could easily guess why, and he appreciated what they did.

He spoke calmly to Gwen saying,

"Are you feeling better Guinevere?" Gwen nodded in the affirmative and said,

"Yes, thank you Arthur.

I'm sorry you had to witness that," she said in embarrassment.

Arthur lifted her chin and said,

"Don't be embarrassed. He had no right to speak to you like that. I'm just sorry I didn't get to kick his ass."

Gwen laughed at what Arthur said to her, and he smiled sweetly and said,

"There, that's what I want to see, you laughing or smiling, always."

Gwen lifted up on her toes and kissed him softly and said,

"Thank you for being here and for being so understanding."

Arthur embraced her warmly and said, "You're very welcome, Guinevere."

After all the drama with Lance, Gwen decided to call it a day and go home.

Ever the gentlemen, Arthur helped her put everything back into place, took up their lunch basket and locked the store.

He escorted her to her house and just as he was about to bid her goodbye, she asked,

"Would you like to stay for a while, Arthur, I mean, unless you have to be elsewhere…"

She was cut off by his lips on hers before she could ramble on.

"I would love to, there's no place I'd rather be," he said.

Gwen blushed and smiled at him.

She opened the door and stepped in with Arthur following just behind her.

This chapter hinted at a secret that is just about ready to spill. Kudos to those who got it. Also, this chapter was shorter, but at last minute I decided to add on the last two paragraphs. Hoped it was good enough.