Chapter 14

Arthur held the exit stairwell door slightly ajar looking out into the hallway on Vivian's floor. He figured that waiting in the lobby wouldn't be the best idea. What if the mystery person saw him first? Arthur began to rock back and forth after a few minutes of standing in place to combat the sleepiness and the ache in his legs. Maybe, I was wrong. I haven't seen anyone get off the elevator on this floor in twenty minutes. I'll go home and figure this out in the morning when I meet with Viv. Arthur started to walk out from the stairwell when he heard the elevator door open. He quickly returned to his hiding spot waiting with anticipation to see who knocks on Vivian's door. Arthur gasped when he saw Lance walk past him. Damn! Why Lance?!

xXx

Lance leaned against Vivian's door knocking with a smile.

Vivian peered through the peephole and swung the door wide open embracing Lance tightly.

"I'm so glad that you are here! He didn't see you did he?"

"Who?" Lance asked wondering who the "he" was Vivian was asking about.

"Arthur!"

"Arthur was here!"

"Yes, he left about twenty minutes ago before you knocked." Vivian said walking further into her penthouse with Lance following and closing the door.

He trailed behind Vivian to her bedroom. He dropped his bag on her bed and reached over to rub her shoulders as she stood looking out her window overlooking the city. "Viv don't worry. He didn't see me and remember this is Arthur we are talking about. He isn't the sharpest tool in the shed unless it's about business."

Vivian turned around and stared into Lance's beautiful brown eyes. She felt safe in his arms. She laid her head against his chest. She knew what she had to do. She had to let him go for Gwen. If their secret ever came out, then they both would lose someone dear to them. "Lance we have to stop this."

Lance hugged Vivian as if his life depended on it. He felt angry that he had to let this incredible, beautiful, strong woman go. He didn't want to agree with her, but he knew what she was saying was correct. "Let's not talk about it now. Let's just enjoy tonight."

Vivian smiled and broke away from Lance's firm grip. She removed her robe and showed him the light blue negligee that was hidden underneath with the black pumps. Lance salivated staring at her. He moved away from her and grabbed his bag from off her bed. He opened it and revealed a can of whip cream, handcuffs, and a blindfold. Vivian smiled delighted at the thought of Lance's tongue licking whip cream from between her thighs while her wrists are bound to the bed and she is blindfolded to enhance her other senses.

"This is going to be a night you will never forget." Lance seductively said as he walked over to Vivian pulling off his shirt.

xXx

Arthur sat on the stairwell pondering. What am I going to do? Should I confront them? Should I just continue with my plan and break up with Vivian? What should I do? What about Gwen? Should I tell her? No! I can't! She would be devastated by the betrayal. What if I talk to them, get Lance to agree to break off the engagement, and have them agree not to tell her? Then she would never know and won't be hurt by their betrayal! Arthur stood up and walked out into the hallway and straight to Vivian's door. He inhaled and exhaled deeply as he rang the bell.

xXx

Lance was just about to blast Vivian with whip cream when the doorbell chimed. Vivian looked up at Lance startled from her confined position on the bed.

"Who can that be?" Vivian questioned.

"I don't know. It might be someone with the wrong penthouse. Don't worry about it. The person will go away. Just relax and let me make you feel all better." Lance said seductively spraying a generous amount of whip cream on Vivian's breast. Vivian gasped at the cool and sticky sensation against her skin. She closed her eyes awaiting Lance's warm tongue to contrast what she was currently feeling.

Lance leaned his head down from the side of the bed and began to lick the cream from around Vivian's nipples. She moaned. Lance moved his mouth to suck on Vivian's hard pink nipple when the doorbell chimed again.

Vivian looked up at Lance irritated that her fun was being interrupted. "Lance!"

"I'm going to get rid of whoever it is." Lance said angrily putting on his pajama pants and going to Vivian's closet grabbing the robe she had bought especially for him when he spent nights. Lance walked quickly and purposefully to the front door. He peered out of the peephole and saw Arthur standing there. Lance hurried back to the bedroom.

"Who was it Lance?" Vivian questioned looking at Lance's worried face.

"It's Arthur!" He said loudly.

"What! What is he doing here?" Vivian said trying to get up from the bed. "Unlock me!"

Lance quickly unlocked the handcuffs. He sat on the bed watching Vivian put her robe on. "What are you going to do?" Lance asked staring at the confusion in Vivian's eyes.

"I'm going to get rid of him." Vivian boldly stated.

Lance nodded his head and kissed Vivian on the forehead. "I'm here if you need me."

Vivian rushed to the front door when the doorbell chimed a third time. She opened the door and glared hard at Arthur. "What are you doing here at this late hour Arthur? I was trying to get some sleep!"

Arthur looked at Vivian and laughed. "Can I come in?"

"If I say yes, would you not return back until tomorrow?"

Arthur nodded his head yes.

Vivian walked away from the door and into her living room. Arthur followed closing the door softly. As he crossed the threshold into the living room, Vivian rolled her eyes at him.

"What is it Arthur?" Vivian blurted out quickly.

"Vivian, why don't you take a seat? I have something important to speak to you about, and it will change the course of our lives." Arthur said sitting on Vivian's couch.

"What are you talking about Arthur Pendragon?" Vivian asked frustrated by Arthur's riddle.

Arthur leaned back on the couch examining Vivian. He thought that he knew Vivian, but he would've never imagined that she would do this to Gwen of all people, others probably, but not sweet Gwen.

"Spit it out!" Vivian said impatiently watching Arthur sitting on her couch staring at her.

"Before I start, I think that we all should be present when I say this." Arthur said looking Vivian directly in the eyes.

"Arthur are you going mad? We are the only ones in my home!" Vivian said sternly with her hands slightly shaking.

Arthur stared at Vivian and couldn't help but admire her strength and determination to pretend that they were the only ones there. "Lance you can come out!" Arthur yelled.

Vivian's mouth dropped open. Suddenly, Lance stepped into the room with fire in his brown eyes.

"Now we can begin." Arthur stated with a grin.

xXx

Gwen stared at the elevators in front of her questioning her sanity over her decision to follow Lance. I should just go home and call Merlin. He will advise me on what I should do while sitting in my kitchen eating ice cream with cherries, nuts, and whip cream. Gwen sighed and resigned to go home. When she turned around to leave she ran smack into Merlin and Morgana.

"Merlin!" Gwen squealed embracing her best friend. "What are you doing here?" She questioned him as she released him from the hug.

Merlin and Morgana looked to one another.

"We just happened to be out riding and thought we saw you walk in here. We became curious and decided to see what you were up to this late at night." Merlin said fidgeting under Gwen's gaze.

Gwen stared at Merlin's face long and hard. "What are you hiding Merlin? I have known you all your life. I know when you are lying. Tell me the truth." Gwen commanded while crossing her arms.

Morgana looked at Merlin with a smirk. Merlin blushed. "Gwen, I...I…"

"Lance and Vivian are having an affair!" Morgana blurted out.

Merlin swiveled his head to stare hard at Morgana for thoughtlessly telling Gwen the truth. Morgana returned his hard stare with one of her own. Gwen looked back and forth from Morgana to Merlin.

"I know." Gwen said softly accepting the truth. It's now or never! I have to face them!

Merlin and Morgana turned from their staring faceoff and looked at Gwen's sad face. Gwen turned and walked slowly back over to the elevators and pressed the up button. Merlin walked behind Gwen and placed his arm around her shoulders. Morgana stood on her right holding her hand. They silently stood facing the elevator counting down the moment everything will change in their friendships and lives.

xXx

Arthur and Lance stood facing each other with Vivian standing in the middle screaming for them to calm down. Lance looked into Vivian's pleading eyes and backed away from Arthur.

"Why should we go along with what you want Arthur?" Lance asked waiting for Arthur to say something foolish so he would get his opportunity to slam him with his fist.

"This isn't about what I want, but what is best for Guinevere!"

"Please! This is about what you want, and that is Gwen! Don't pretend that you don't like her other than as a friend. Ever since the swap, I have recognized the gleam in your eyes when you are around her! I didn't say anything because I didn't want to start anything, and I knew that Gwen wouldn't believe it! She is too naïve and trusting! That is why I cannot agree with your plan. She needs me to help her see what she fails to see!"

Vivian sat down as soon as Lance uttered the words. She felt her blood boil and that old feeling of jealousy return. Gwen, it's always about Gwen! Vivian walked out of the room and returned with a bottle of vodka. She opened it and began to drink it straight from the bottle. The burning sensation helped ease the sting of Lance's words. She doesn't need you! I do! Can't you see Lance?

"Don't you talk about her like that! Guinevere is not some helpless child! She is much more astute than you give her credit for!"

"Spare me Arthur! I know that Gwen is probably the only woman that hasn't run behind you because of your money, looks, or power! That's why you want her! I'm not going to allow you to use her or allow your dad to make her feel less than she is!"

Arthur laughed heartily. "How dare you stand here and pretend that you have Guinevere's best interest at heart?! You are having an affair with Vivian, one of her best friends! How do you think she would take that information? And don't bring my father into this conversation!"

"Gwen, Gwen, Gwen! Is that all you boys are going to discuss?! She is a big girl! Why don't we call her here and have her make up her own mind?!" Vivian screamed from her chair with the bottle of vodka almost empty in her hand. Vivian started to cry.

Arthur and Lance turned to look at Vivian stunned by her outburst!

"Vivian what's wrong?" Lance asked walking past Arthur to be by Vivian's side. He stooped down in front of Vivian pulling the bottle out of her hand and placing it on the carpet beside the chair. He wiped the tears running down her cheeks and brushed her hair out of her face. He stared into her troubled blue eyes and held her close forgetting about Arthur in the room.

Arthur watched the scene in front of him baffled. He looked at the way Lance handled Vivian with such care and concern, and how Vivian responded to him. This is not just an affair. They are in love, but why does Lance want to marry Gwen if he is in love with Vivian? Is he just greedy or does he not want me to have her?

The doorbell chimed. Arthur stood there trying to decide whether he should answer it or not, but he figured one of Vivian's nosy neighbors maybe ringing to check if all is good. He went to the door and opened it. There standing in front of him was Gwen, Merlin, and Morgana.

"What are you doing here?" Arthur asked shocked.

"I should ask you the same question." Morgana said pushing past Arthur and entering inside. Merlin followed behind Morgana leaving Gwen staring at Arthur.

"Guinevere, we need to talk. Why don't I take you home so we can?"

"No, I came to see Vivian!" Gwen firmly stated staring at Arthur.

"I don't think that this is the right time for you two to talk." Arthur said blocking the entrance.

"Why?" Gwen said getting more irritated. "Why does everyone in my life think that I am too fragile to handle anything?! I know what they have been up to behind my back!"

"You know?" Arthur asked shocked.

"Of course! I am coming inside to talk to Vivian and Lance!" Gwen yelled pushing past Arthur to where she could hear a commotion going on in the living room. She stood in doorway watching Vivian and Morgana yell at each other with Lance and Merlin holding them back.

"Enough!" Gwen commanded authoritatively at the feuding women.

Everyone in the room froze and looked at the petite woman standing in the threshold of the door holding her head high.

"Morgana and Merlin would you please wait outside?" Gwen politely asked.

Merlin grabbed Morgan's hand and led her out of the living room with Morgana using her free hand to send Vivian a nasty sign.

Gwen walked further into the room staring at Lance with a robe and pajama bottoms on and Vivian in a silk robe with apparently nothing underneath by the way it was molded to her body. Arthur walked in behind Gwen quietly.

"Gwen! I can explain this!" Lance pleaded.

"I would love to hear this explanation." Gwen said sarcastically.

"No! He doesn't owe you an explanation!" Vivian interjected pulling Lance to her side. "This is partially your fault! You agreed with being apart of the swap! Lance said no, but you wanted to prove something! Now, you have to bear the repercussions of your actions like the rest of us! "

Gwen walked close to Vivian clenching her fist. "I agree with you that this is partially my fault, but you sleeping with Lance after the swap ended is not! How dare you stand here and try to shift more blame on me?!"

"It's easy to shift the blame on you. You pushed him to me not just because you agreed to the swap, but the fact that he never had to beg or plead with me to give him what he needed."

"And what was it that he needed that you gave him?" Gwen asked with her jaw clenched.

"My attention, my time, and my body. He didn't have to plead or beg for any of it! I gladly gave the man what he wanted and more than he knew to do with." Vivian said with a smug smile.

Gwen drew back her fist and hit Vivian in the mouth knocking her to the floor beside her chair. Vivian touched her mouth and saw blood on her fingers. She grabbed the chair to steady herself. She saw the vodka bottle on the floor. She reached down and picked the bottle up. She turned and threw the bottle at Gwen.

"Gwen! Look out!" Arthur yelled while pushing Gwen out of the way before the bottle made contact with Gwen's face.

"That's enough Vivian!" Lance yelled grabbing her hand.

Gwen got up off the carpet and turned to look at Lance's guilty face. She pointed to him. "I don't need you to defend me! All I need to know is why did you ask me to marry you if I wasn't woman enough for you? Why? I would have understood if you wanted to move on with someone else!"

Gwen turned to walk out of the room determined not to shed a tear.

"Gwen!" Lance yelled halting her movements. "I love you!"

"Love? You are sleeping with Vivian!" Arthur interjected.

"I wasn't talking to you Arthur!" Lance yelled. "Why don't you tell Gwen the truth that you want her for yourself?"

Arthur looked at Gwen. "She already knows."

Gwen stared at Arthur speechless by his candor. She stretched out her hand towards him gazing intensely into his blue eyes and smiled.

Lance lunged forward enraged by Gwen's actions, running into Arthur. Arthur was knocked to the floor by the impact of Lance body slamming into him. Lance jumped on top of Arthur punching him repeatedly. Arthur blocked the majority of Lance's punches and flipped Lance off of him. Arthur stood up waiting for Lance to get up off the floor. Lance stood up and tried to punch Arthur in the face again. Arthur was too quick and moved before Lance could punch him. Arthur took the opportunity at Lance's miss to punch Lance in the nose. Lance stumbled back feeling the warm blood oozing out of his nostrils. He looked down at his feet and saw the vodka bottle that Vivian threw at Gwen. He bent down and picked it up to use on Arthur. When he glanced up, Merlin was in the room standing in front of Arthur.

"Put it down Lance!" Merlin yelled. "What is wrong with you? Where is my friend? The man I know that fights with honor and integrity!"

Lance wiped the blood from his nose with the back of his hand and dropped the bottle. He swiveled his head to stare into Merlin's bright blue eyes of disappointment and anger to Gwen's beautiful brown eyes full of fear and hurt. He dropped to his knees feeling ashamed and defeated. How could I have let things get this far?

"Out! I want everyone out of my home now before I call the police!" Vivian demanded loudly running to where Lance was kneeling on the floor dripping blood on her carpet.

Morgana grabbed Arthur's bruised hand and lead him out of the room. Merlin looked at Gwen. Gwen pulled her engagement ring out of her pocket and threw it on the floor by Vivian's foot. "It's yours now." Gwen said walking out with Merlin.

A/N: Surprise! I updated this story earlier than expected. I hope that you enjoyed it!

Thank you to everyone who has followed, reviewed, and put this on their favorite list. Also, I have to thank my incredible beta, Embrasia!