The build up to the opening was going well, all the old staff had been employed, except for Daegal the apprentice who they hoped to trace and offer a transfer to should the restaurant be a success. Even Gilli agreed come back. Arthur made an appointment to speak to Mr Kilgarrah as he wanted to see if it would be possible to Merlin to come to the opening. Arthur had got the kitchen and bathroom sorted in the flat after talking to Merlin and the Occupational therapists at the hospital. He had decided to stay at Morgana's and move in later. It didn't seem right moving in without Merlin.
Arthur went early for visiting to see Mr Kilgarrah; he caught a train then taxi. Gwaine had promised to pick him up later. He found his way to the Consultants office and knocked on the door. He was let in and sat down opposite the doctor.
"Hello Arthur, you're looking better, now what can I help you with?" he smiled
"The restaurant is going to open in a week and I was wondering if there was any chance of Merlin being able to attend? I haven't said anything to him; I wanted to ask you first. It would only be for a few hours." Arthur looked at the other man in hope.
"The problem will be in getting him there Arthur, it's quite a journey for him and he's still weak. What sort of timing are we talking about?"
"Well the opening is seven o'clock and he would want to eat, so if we could pick him up about six and bring him back at ten? I would hire whatever transport you felt best. I just think it would help him and give him some involvement." Arthur said hopefully.
"That's too long for Merlin to be sat on his bottom. We are building up his tolerance I will have a word with the physio's and also have a look at his grafts tomorrow. I agree it might well be good for Merlin, don't mention it yet to him and I'll let you know tomorrow. I suppose you will be visiting as usual?" Kilgarrah asked.
"Yes I will." Arthur said he was disappointed not to know now but understood the need to be careful.
"I will let you know then. I also need to check a few other things as well ok."
Arthur left Kilgarrah's office feeling slightly optimistic, he knew that the doctor would let Merlin out if safe and that was all he could ask. He didn't mention anything to Merlin and hoped that tomorrow he would have some good news. Gwaine turned up after the evening meal and Merlin was glad to see him. Gwaine was able to cheer him up and keep the atmosphere light. Gwaine being Gwaine made sure that Merlin had two kisses that night when the pair left.
Arthur had a call from Tristan the next morning to say that the opening night was fully booked. As well as the guests that had been invited all the other tables were full. The guests included the two fire crews on duty the night of the fire and well as the ambulance crews. There was also a table of nurses not all could come due to working but Freya, James and Kirsty were among the group none of the doctors could go. All they needed was the guest of honour… Merlin. Arthur went in with Morgana the next afternoon and both had their fingers crossed. Mr Kilgarrah had arranged to see Arthur before he went to see Merlin. Morgana went with him.
Kilgarrah opened his door and invited them both in "Hello again" he said giving nothing away.
"As I said I would I checked Merlin's progress this morning. His grafts are doing well and except for a couple of unhealed areas I'm pleased. He will need more surgery on the back of his knees for contractures. They need releasing to help give him move movement and at a later stage his ankles may need some work. I have discussed your request with the physiotherapists and with the nurses. Merlin is still weak and tires very easily. But I have made some arrangements. As it seems you have several of our staff going, and they are happy to help if needed. I think we can ask Merlin if he wants to go. But, and there is a but, he can't sit out for all that time. He will need to travel by ambulance both ways so he is led of his grafts and to allow him to rest. I asked St John's ambulance as there is no way NHS can do it for you. They told me due to the circumstances they would do it for free, as a one off special case. Merlin will have a special pad for a wheelchair from here and he will need to stay in the wheelchair. So all we need to do is ask the man himself."
Arthur sat there speechless for a moment before he managed to answer "That's great, thank you for St John's, I'm sure we can do some fund raising for them or something."
They all went together to see Merlin. As they entered Merlin looked up and smiled, his smile faltered as he saw Mr Kilgarrah walk in after Arthur.
"Don't worry Merlin nothing wrong Arthur just has to ask you something and I'm here in case you have questions."
Merlin looked at Arthur his expression slightly suspicious. Arthur sat down beside Merlin "I have asked Mr Kilgarrah if he would allow you to come out for the opening of the restaurant, and he has said yes. St John's will get you there and back, so you don't need to sit up all the time. It would be a great break for you and let you see the place for yourself. Do you want to go?"
Merlin's face was a picture; it was happiness, horror and indecision all at the same time. "I don't know, how…..how will I manage….I can't …can I" he said clearly surprised.
"If I didn't think you could manage Merlin I wouldn't let you go. It will be tiring and you will need to rest up before hand and do as you're told, but it will do you good to go out for a few hours." The Doctor told him. "You will have oxygen with you and several of the nurses have been invited so they will make sure you do as you're told. I will leave you to think it through with Arthur and then you can let me know tomorrow." He turned to Arthur and Morgana "I'll leave you to it just let the nurse in charge know and we can start to sort out the details."
With that he left the room. Merlin just stared at his fiancé and Morgana. He was in shock not expecting to be able to go, he hadn't even thought of it before. Only this morning the physios had told him he would be in hospital for weeks yet. OK this was for a few hours but…..
"Well Merlin? Do you want to go? If you say no Will and the rest of them will never forgive you." Arthur asked.
Merlin looked at him as if he were mad. "I can't Arthur, I can't leave I'm not strong enough."
"Your Doctor says otherwise. It's only for a few hours." Morgana said to Merlin.
"Arthur …..what if something goes wrong?" Merlin asked his voice quiet.
"You don't need to be scared Merlin we will organise it all, you'll be safe I wouldn't even let you otherwise." Arthur reassured him.
"But I can't look at me, I'm a scarecrow. My face is still red my hand is all dry and horrid. My hair is a mess from where it burnt off…..people will see me." Merlin looked terrified.
"Merlin…Merlin love you'll be fine, people know you have been here they won't care. They will be pleased to see you. You're still wonderful love." Arthur was shocked that Merlin was so worried.
"Merlin I can get someone to come and sort your hair, it just needs a cut that's all. We can bring you in some nice clothes; honestly you're not as bad as you think. Please come it's your restaurants opening you've got to." Morgana told him. "If you're that worried we'll have candlelight everywhere."
"Morgana! Merlin doesn't need candlelight he's fine as he is, although the haircuts a good idea."
"But Arthur I can't even shave yet!" Merlin's face was to tender to cope with shaving at the moment due to the burns to one side of his face They were healed but it would be awhile before he could manage to have a shave.
"So the hairdresser can sort that as well. Please Merlin….please come" Morgana pleaded.
"Look Merlin, think about it ok, we're here for a few hours yet." Arthur told him then changed the subject. It was clear to him Merlin's body image was a problem to him, and Arthur didn't want to push Merlin to do anything he wasn't happy about. Although most of Merlin's burns and scarring were hidden, Arthur knew it was upsetting the raven haired man more than he admitted to. Merlin had always worried about his slender build and lack of muscle, and now he was almost skeletal.
They didn't mention the home visit again and left Merlin to think it over. The next morning Morgana spoke to her hairdresser and he agreed to go and visit Merlin, to cut his hair and see if he could do anything about Merlin's uneven facial hair. She had also picked up a leaflet the day before on the ward about camouflage make up and rang them, but it was far too early to use it. But it was something for the future if needed.
Arthur had a meeting the next morning with his boss Commander Baynard about returning to work. As Arthur suspected they were keen to get Arthur back doing some admin work. As Arthur's consultant had already told him he would be able to go back part time, the following week, Arthur had no choice but to agree. Arthur then spoke to the Occupation Health Department who suggested that Arthur do three mornings the first week and then build up to every morning the second week then they could discuss it after that. It was clear that Commander Baynard had already spoken to then and was trying to help by allowing Arthur the afternoons free to visit Merlin. While he was there Arthur spoke to the rest of his crew to see if they would be willing to do some fund raising for St John's as a thank you for their kind offer, whether it was used or not. Leon said he would give it some thought. It seemed strange being back at the station but at the same time Arthur was keen to get back to some sort of work as long as he was still available to support Merlin. It would be sometime before he would be fit for operational work.