Uther Pendragon was annoyed. No, he was downright pissy. He tried to be nice and gooey. He wanted to update his image. He made a tactical error with his choices. He made the world think that he was weak. A mistake that needed to be rectified immediately.

Balinor that sassafras, wild oat eating mongrel dare to approach his family. He went to Cenred and Morgause's home. He dared to upset Hunith, his Hunith. Uther tapped his pen in dismay. Somebody watched his family. How did Balinor know to seek Hunith at his daughter's home? Somebody watched his family. Someone went too far. Who dared disturb the lives of the Pendragons?

Balinor go back to hell. Hunith and Merlin was a part of his family. She was… Uther rarely discussed Hunith's role in his life. If Igraine was his sun; Hunith was his moon. Bringing guidance and peace to his darkness. A darkness that he lingered in when Igraine took her last breath. Balinor couldn't have her. Never would eh cause her to cry again.

Uther pulled his mobile from his pocket. He tipped the numbers quickly. "It's Black Dragon. I need a favor. Meet me at the zoo. Bring a child. Don't act nutty."

Nimueh was a bit dismayed. Merlin's anger surprised her. Her sweet gentle lover was gone. Hate distorted his face. His large hand curled into a ball. Tears in his usually sweet eye. Arthur made tea in the kitchen. Gwen sat holding his hand; trying to calm him down. Nim's lips trembled. She looked away in discomforted.

That's why I don't get close to people. I fix them and move brushed her sable hands away.

Her foot tapped nervously. Arthur noticed Nimueh looking out of place. It was time for Mama Gwen to let her little Robin fly to a new nest. Nim could hold Merlin's hand. That's what being in love means. It's ugly and good; happy and sad; passionate and boring. It's yucky but really great."

"Guinevere," Arthur called. "I need help."

"Coming, Arthur."

He watched Gwen pry her fingers from Merlins. She waddled into the kitchen. Arthur sat her at the table. He gave her a plate of biscuits and a glass of milk. He kissed her softly. "Give Livybelle her snack." Gwen pointed to Merlin. Arthur shook his head firmly. "Nimueh's job. Just like its Gawain's job for Vivian. You need to focus on Livybelle and me. I could use a few kisses."

Gwen sipped her milk. "We're boring."

"The sex is still amazing."

"Even with my belly?"

"Your belly proves my manhood."

Gwen shot Arthur a blank look. "Oh, yeah."

"Yeah, I'll show you alter tonight."

Gwen blushed.

Nimueh knelt in front of Merlin. A trembling hand rested on his knee. Her fingers softy wiped away his tears. His eyes were so lost and afraid.

"He left her… she was unwed mother when it wasn't okay. Her family disowned my mom… Uther and Igraine took us in. He lived in paradise!"

"You need to tell him."

"Do you know my grandfather was a barrister with Uther? He denied my mother. It made Gauis become a doctor to defy his father. Balinor caused so much hurt."

"Confront him."

"What do I say?"

"What you just said?"

Nimueh cupped Merlin's face. She brushed his lips tenderly. "I love you, Merlin."

"I love you too, Big Mama."

Nimueh arched an eyebrow. "Big Mama?'

"Would you prefer Cougar?"

"Would you prefer sleeping with silly Monkey?"

"Nope."

Vivian kicked a red Marchessa blouse under her bed. "Too prissy." She placed a white Temperley dress against her chest. "No, I don't want to look virginal." She stomped towards her closet. She removed a black Prada dress with white trim. "Elegant, shows my toned arms, not Jillian Michaels, but they aren't bad."

Vivian wiped her eyes. She head to the Loo. She turned on her shower, and twisted her hair into a chignon. "Why am I doing this?" The warm water hit the tension areas on her spine. Vivian closed her eyes as she promised to ignore Gwen's pleas for drugs during her delivery. "Oh, yes, Little Buddy, natural labor for you, if this is a nightmare."

Gawain buzzed Vivian's door exactly at 7 PM. He clutched a bouquet of mixed roses. Beside, her door sat one large Hawaiian pizza, chocolates, and ale. He was doing something different with Vivian. He wasn't going to wine and dine. He was going to be real.

Vivian swung open the door. Her face fell when she saw his Abercrombie T-shirt and jeans. Her eyes widen; her lips set in a line. Her hands rose to her waits.

"Gawain, I thought we were going to eat dinner out."

"Do you really need another 200 quid dinner? Oh, we are, but its going t be real. He shoved the rose at her. "Don't touch them yet. He reached down and grabbed their dinner.

Vivian stood in awe.

A/N: eye problems mean short chapters. Gawain explains the meaning of roses to Viv. Merlin and Gwen "accidently meet" Balinor. Uther acts like Uther finally! Talk softly and carry a big bat was teddy Roosevelt's foreign policy. So, Uther will be nice, but he's going to get scary.