Thanks to Arya Tindomiel (who actually inspired many of the ideas for this fic in our conversations), Anonymus and Sarah Merlin Geek Freak. Thank you for all your wonderful reviews and encouragement. This fic could not have continued on this far without the few of you. Enjoy. :)

Things at work were a little awkward, with some tension between Gwen, Arthur and Morgana. Between Gwen and Morgana mostly; as much as the latter wanted to just brush the incident aside, she didn't think she could forgive her friend that easily. And Gwen didn't know what to say to her, or to even start apologizing to her. And so, the others were stuck in between. They all agreed that Gwen had gone too far, and yet it didn't feel right punishing her by not speaking to her; the poor girl looked miserable enough as it was. So despite the awkwardness, Merlin, Freya and Lance still tried to go on about as normally as possible.

Right now, Arthur had asked Morgana and the two men to see him in his office and they sat solemnly before him. He recounted Lance and Merlin's reports regarding inconsistencies in their reports and also, the stranger who was suspected to be involved. And yet, while Merlin and Lance had indeed found records of Fermin Hales in the company database, the man himself was nowhere to be seen, and strangely, all team supervisors in the R&D department where Fermin claimed to work in had no memory of ever seeing the man. Curioser and curioser.

"You're sure that there's no address or contact number listed under his name Merlin?" Arthur steepled his fingers as he frowned. Looks like the matter had been more serious than he originally thought.

Morgana's second in command shook his head exasperatedly, "There was an address, but Lance and I traced it to an abandoned building. It used to be an apartment but was abandoned a few years ago and is soon to be demolished."

Lance added another bit of information that made both Arthur and Morgana tense. "That's not all; the apartments apparently belonged to one Cenred Lot, and so does the demolishing company in charge of its destruction."

The blonde leaned back in his seat, blue eyes narrowed into thin streaks of ice. "I refuse to believe in such a coincidence. Cenred must know something about this apparent fraud attempt on Camelot." Morgana tapped her fingers, "You don't think it's connected to what he wanted to tell us Arthur?" He shrugged. "Maybe, but if he wanted to sabotage us from within, why give us information that will probably help us stop it?" He scoffed, twirling his pen furiously. "It doesn't make sense."

Merlin stared at them, puzzled. "Hang on; what's this about Cenred wanting to tell you something?"

Morgana looked towards Arthur, and they conferred silently before he told the other two about Morgause's phone call last night. Merlin frowned, "I don't like this. D'you think it's a trap?"

Morgana sighed, "That's the thing Merlin. A trap for what? We don't have anything that Cenred could possibly want, let alone steal. I don't know what they want, or how the information might be connected to this…this thing!"

Arthur patted her hand gently, "We'll find out Morgana, don't worry." He smirked and the other two men grinned like Cheshire Cats as they watched the two oblivious people interact like an old married couple. "Besides, I'd hate to see your pretty face lined with worry frowns." She frowned, and swatted his hand. "Haha, very funny Arthur." She stretched, and Arthur couldn't help but let his eyes be drawn to the slim form of her waist as her dress gently hugged against her curves.

"So what do we do now?" She stared at the others; she really wanted this entire thing to be just over with.

Arthur shrugged, "Guess we can only wait till we meet with Cenred won't we?" They murmured they discomfort at not being able to do anything about it. Morgana, especially, hated being so powerless and all she could do was just stand by and watch the company she loved so much be plagued by danger. The ED of Camelot knew that, and flashed a comforting smile at her, letting her know silently that he knew just how frustrated she was. He stretched, "Well then, we'll be going shopping in 2 days aren't we? So we'll just meet at the Whitgift then, at what, 10 am?"

Lance groaned quietly but they all heard it and Merlin chuckled as he thumped the man's back gently. "Hey cheer up Lance. You'll learn to get used to it." He rolled his eyes jokingly, "The women here are simply mad about shopping, and we poor men always get conned into going with them." He swooned dramatically and laughed as he dodged Morgana's half-hearted swat. "Seriously, we just love them too much to leave them alone I guess."

Arthur huffed and rolled his eyes. "All right, all right. Enough with the buddy chit chat; I believe that all of you have work to do now. So if you'd kindly get out of my office, right now?" Merlin and Lance grinned at each other and grabbed Arthur in a headlock, ruffling his hair as he yelled out in protest. "Oi! Let go of me you dolts! Merlin, Lance I swear I'm going to fire the both of you if you don't stop now!" They let go of him, laughing as they exited the office. Merlin grinned at Morgana and whispered loudly to her, making sure that Arthur could hear. "Party pooper."

The blonde yelled at the closed door. "I heard that Merlin!" Morgana smiled and crossed her legs, leaning slightly forward onto Arthur's desk. "I think you were supposed to hear that Arthur dear." Said man started to resume his paperwork. "Subordinates. And I get to have Merlin who's intent on driving me insane with his endless babble as one of them. Ah the joys of being ED for Camelot." He started the tedious task of signing nearly every possible document in existence, "By the way, how did Gwen greet you today? I must think not very nicely though, she nearly snapped my head off yesterday."

Morgana frowned in puzzlement. "She didn't snap your head off Arthur, she snapped mine, remember? And she greeted me politely enough this morning." Arthur paused and cocked his head, before understanding dawned in his eyes.

"Oh that's right! I forgot to tell you; I broke up with Gwen yesterday." He went back to his work, not noticing how stunned Morgana was. Well, not until she nearly shouted at him. "What? And you didn't even tell us? Or me?" The blonde rolled his eyes, "I forgot Morgana. If you recall, I was dead drunk when I got home last night. I don't see what's the fuss, honestly."

She stared at him as if he was out of his mind, which he quite was, actually. "You just broke up with your girlfriend and you forgot?" She felt his forehead; quite sure he was having a fever. "You don't feel any grief, pain, or… or unimaginable agony at not being with her anymore?"

Arthur sighed and put his pen down as he looked towards Morgana, boredom clear in his frost like eyes. "Gee, Morgana, I never knew you were such a romantic at heart. And why, pray tell, should I be feeling one of… those that you've mentioned?" He gestured wildly, brow cocked as he tried, and failed, once more to understand the logic of women. "It was good for her; and me, mind you," he added pointedly at her, "that we spent some time apart. She needed the lesson, and I, needed some time away from a needy girlfriend."

She swatted his arm absent-mindedly, muttering, "That's mean Arthur." She frowned, "But what lesson? Why did you say she 'needed the lesson'?" Arthur didn't bother stopping his work now as he tried to explain to Morgana, "Full of questions, aren't we Morgana? She needed the lesson in knowing that 1) I'll always choose you over other women; 2) You're not her enemy and 3) She's acting like a bloody spoilt child and I am frankly tired of always rushing to appease her tantrums." He signed his name with a flourish. "There. Are you happy now?"

Morgana was strangely touched at his defense of her. "You really told her that? That you'd always choose me over anyone else?" He gazed at her, smiling genially, "It's the truth Morgana, you know it." He was surprised when a flurry of hair and silk dress envelop him in a tight hug, but was gratified when the soft figure pressed against him as she sighed in his ear. "Thank you Arthur." He caressed her back, running his fingers down the line of her back, wishing the damned dress wasn't in the way. Oh dear. He cleared his throat and pulled back to look at her. "You're welcome Morgana. You know that I'll always be by you, no matter who decides they're better than you." He pushed her thick black hair back, "And that'll always be, forevermore."

She stayed curled up with him, on his chair, playing with the buttons on his lapel as he continued to sign document after document after document. She spoke up suddenly, "It'll be awkward, though, won't it? I mean, you did break up with her over me." He grunted and patted her head like a child, "Don't worry about it Morgana. Gwen's your friend; she'll come to her senses one day." She laughed and kissed his cheek before unfolding herself from his hold. She stretched lazily like a cat and arched her back before leaving his office. "Well, see you later then Arthur." Another grunt greeted her and she giggled silently before closing the door behind her.

And who should she bump into just as she exited his office but Gwen, who looked as startled as she was and dropped a pile of papers –no doubt more documents for Arthur to sign, poor boy- as she jumped to avoid slamming into Morgana. Morgana immediately apologized and bent to help her gather the flying pieces of paper, as did Freya. "Gwen, I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there. Did I hurt you?"

Gwen bit her lip, even after all that she said to Morgana, she still treated her in such a kind, gentle manner. How could she have ever thought to hurt Morgana as she did? She shook her head and smiled weakly, black curls flying messily about her. "No Morgana, I'm fine. And I'm sorry too, I should've looked where I was going, instead of charging ahead blindly." Freya looked on as the two friends apologized –yet, as with the logic of women, apologized not only for bumping into each other, but for hurting each other as well, though Gwen was probably the only one who really should be apologizing to the latter- and smiled before returning to her desk. Looks like another rift was yet again mended by the divine-like forgiving ability of Morgana Le Fay.

Morgana stopped Gwen just before she entered Arthur's office, taking pity on the miserable expression and dark circles around the girl's eyes. "Gwen, I was wondering, would you like to go shopping with us at the Whitgift on Friday?" She grinned unsurely at her tanned skinned friend, "We could use more girl power to even out the three men going."

And Gwen nearly burst into tears at the kindness Morgana gave her, kindness she was not expecting to receive and kindness she wasn't sure she deserved. Instead she gave her a teary smile and surprised Morgana with a quick hug before she knocked on Arthur's office. As he called out to ask her in, she turned back to her fair friend once more and smiled, "I'd love to Morgana."

Freya shook her head in wonderment, it never ceased to amaze her how Morgana could just sweep away insults directed towards herself and forgive the person so easily. Morgana turned to see her amazed expression before asking her amusedly, "What?" The petite girl only smiled, "Why'd you ask her to go with us Morgana? Aren't you angry at her?"

Morgana chewed her lip, "I am angry at her Freya. Part of me doesn't want to let it go and use this issue to torment her even more but," she shrugged, "I think she's gotten a bad enough punishment that'll probably shake her to her senses anyway, so I think maybe I can find it in myself to forgive her. Did you know Arthur broke up with her?"

Freya gasped and leaned closer to her. "No! When? When did you find out?" Morgana rolled her eyes, "Arthur only just told me just now, that he broke up with her yesterday and that she chewed his head off." She shook her head, "But she looks subdued enough, so maybe she's had some time to think things through, and I don't want to be too hard on her." Her friend nodded slowly, "Yeah. Maybe it is for the best. Although," she eyed her friend, "When are you going to seize the chance and grab him?"

Morgana laughed and swatted at her friend's hair. "Oh come on, Freya. Stop shoving your head in the clouds, we've got to get back to work." She waved her hand and disappeared off to the labs once more. Freya scowled and grinned as she mimicked her friend's tone. "Oh come on, Morgana. Get you head out of your bloody arse and just admit you love him already!" She blew a strand of flyaway hair from her face, "Stubborn mule."

Morgause scowled at her boss, crossing her hands in front of her chest and pouting like a petulant child. Cenred found that he quite liked this particular look on the normally cold and standoffish woman. He leaned his head on his hand and stared at her charmingly, "Come now Morgause, you promised me that you'd go out with me if your sister agreed to give you a second chance." He winked at her, "Don't tell me you're going to break your promise."

She huffed and pointed her finger at him. "Don't start now Cenred. I know what I promised you and I will go out with you. But it doesn't mean I have to be happy about it." He smirked and grabbed her hand, kissing it quickly before she had a chance to pull away. "Very well then, I'll pick you up tonight from your place at say, 7?" At her exasperated nod, he sighed. "You don't have to be that reluctant Morgause. I'm not that bad of a man aren't I?"

And as hard as Morgause tried to convince herself that she wouldn't be happy at the fact that she had to go out with Cenred, she felt a little guilty at his downcast expression. After all, Cenred had only offered to help her and he did come through for her, though whether Morgana would really give her a second chance remained a debatable topic.

She gave him a small smile and inched her fingers near towards his hand. "All right, I'll see you at 7 tonight then Cenred?" The man shot her a brilliant smile at her change of heart, and impulsively hugged her tight. "Great! I was thinking we could go to the new French restaurant just next to our office. Is that all right with you?"

She shrugged and grinned, "Anything's fine." Maybe he wasn't so bad after all.

Fermin Hales glaring at his phone, impatiently waiting Cenred's call. He had already waited for two days, and still the bastard hadn't called him. He was just about to dial his number when Cenred flashed across his phone and he eagerly answered. "About time Cenred. And there I was thinking that you were going to back out of the deal."

A cultured chuckle came through, inadvertently sending chills down his spine. Cenred was never someone to fool around; he was a dangerous and shrewd man despite the foppish, playboy image he projected to the public. None who underestimated the man and went against him had ever emerged victorious. Bankruptcy seemed to be the most common repercussion among them. "Ah, Fermin, ye of little faith. I am a man of my word. And now, your 'payment', if you can call it that. When will you want to come back?"

Fermin had thought about it, he wanted to make sure that his scheme would successfully come through before leaving. He didn't trust any of his partners in crime to see the job done. "I'll call you when I'm ready to come back, in a week most likely. I should be able to settle everything in a few days."

Cenred sighed. "Very well, I'm sure I look forward to your greasy self haunting the corridors of Essetir once more."

Fermin cackled. "I'm sure you're very enthusiastic about my return Cenred. Ah yes, is the lovely Morgause Le Fay still working for you? I'm certain I'd enjoy her lovely presence once I get back to work."

Over at Essetir, Cenred stiffened and clenched his fist. Morgause, who waited while he called Fermin, looked at him in concern. He waved off her questions and snarled into the phone, "You listen to me Hales. If you ever go near her again, I swear I'll make sure you cease to exist, do you hear me?"

Fermin cocked an eyebrow. Ah, something new there. "Well now, getting a little protective of Ms. Le Fay now are we Cenred? Don't worry. I won't touch her, not if she's yours. But she isn't now, is she? And I say she's fair game." He smiled. "I look forward to seeing you again soon, Cenred. And do convey my regards to Morgause." He ended the call.

"Hales? Hales!" Cenred threw his phone down in a fit and slammed his fists against his desk. Morgause stood in horror and grabbed his arm, stopping him from demolishing his desk. "Cenred! What are you doing? Stop it! Look at you! Your hands are bleeding!" She hurried off to get the first aid kit while Cenred panted heavily, staring at his bleeding knuckles. She returned with the kit, cleaning his wounds gently as she berated him for his violence.

"Honestly, I don't know what is it with you men and hitting things when you're mad. Speaking of mad, what did the man say to make you so angry?" Cenred shrugged as she wound the bandages around his knuckles, "He implied that he was going after you again once he comes back here. I just got so angry; I mean, you were a mess the last time he stalked you, regardless of the thousands of restraining orders you got against him." He rubbed his head embarrassedly, "I just didn't want to see you so scared again, Morgause."

She stared at him; honestly, she didn't know Cenred had it in him to be so sweet. She just sighed and smiled at him, "Don't worry Cenred. I'm not the scared woman I was once, I can take care of myself you know." He muttered something and she rolled her eyes. "Speak up Cenred, I don't have super hearing you know." He cleared his throat and looked downwards, not meeting her gaze. "Maybe you don't have to always be so strong Morgause, even you need to be saved by others sometimes." She laughed and patted his hand, "There, all done. You mean yourself?" She stood to leave, "Well honestly, I wouldn't mind I suppose, if you did come to my rescue once in a while." She smiled coyly at him before turning and leaving, blonde hair bouncing with each step she took. "See you tonight Cenred."

Cenred stared at the door before sighing, a silly smile on his face. Oh, he was so in love with Morgause Le Fay.