Sorry for the long delay in updating, health issues have prevented me keeping up. Thank you for continuing to read my words and thanks also once more to my beta

The final week as a barista dragged for Arthur and he had never felt so frustrated at his job. He had the weekend off before starting at Dragons and on Friday night blew some of his precious savings and took his sister out on the town. He felt as if a ton of weight had been lifted off his chest. He knew becoming a P.A was a long way off being a V.P, especially one at Pendragons which had been even larger that Dragons. He had, after all, expected to be CEO by now, but it was work and he would graft his way up. Even though he knew in his heart he would never make those dizzying heights again. At least he knew what his old P.A used to do, so he wasn't going in totally blind.

On Sunday night, he made sure that he had everything he needed in his briefcase and that his clothes and shoes were ready. He wasn't going to mess this job up if he could help it.

The next morning, his alarm went off early and he was up, showered and eating his breakfast when his sister walked into the kitchen.

"Hi sis," he gave her a grin and a peck on the cheek.

"I see you're in a good mood," Morgana smiled. "Let's hope you get on with this mysterious new boss of yours."

"I have to admit I googled him," Arthur said sheepishly. "He really is some sort of genius! Hell, he's two years younger than me but he passed his PhD before I did! The only thing I couldn't see was a picture, seems he's shy. He was headhunted by all the top companies before he started working for his father."

"Oh Arthur! Not hero worship, I hope," Morgana grinned teasingly.

"No, but it's nice to know he is capable and I won't be carrying him. He hasn't just got the job because he works for his father." Arthur was well known for his hatred of incompetence.

"Gwen already told you that!" She ruffled her brother's hair, "Now go and get dressed and I'll drop you off at work."

Arthur did just that, feeling just a bit awkward in the Armani suit, but he only had designer suits so had no choice and the good fit did give him confidence.

Morgana dropped him off with a cheery good luck and Arthur headed into the building once again. He knew he would be at his desk a good half an hour before Merlin Emrys was due in. That way he could get a feel for the place before actually meeting his boss. After emptying his briefcase and sorting out his desk, he booted up the computer and checked Merlin's diary for the day. Then he started to sort out the files needed for the first two appointments. Looking at his watch, he left the building to go and fetch Merlin's choice of morning coffee. Gwen had given him that much of a head start, even telling him the best place to get decent coffee. Getting back to the office, he could hear someone in the main office so decanted the drink into a coffee cup and saucer and knocked on the door.

"Come in if you're good looking," came the cheerful call.

Arthur walked in and held out his hand, "Good morning Mr Emrys, I am your new P.A Arthur Pendragon," Arthur introduced himself.

His boss was turned towards the window and he started at Arthur's voice, "Oh sorry, I thought you were Gwen or I wouldn't have been so flippant." The voice was deep and melodious. Then as the man turned he must have revisited what Arthur had said. "A P.A? I haven't got a P.A," this was followed by a "You!"

Arthur realised with a sinking feeling that it was the man from the stairs and cursed his luck, desperately trying to remember exactly what he had said.

Merlin's POV

Merlin had got to work a tad before eight thirty but was waved in by security after they decided a few minutes wasn't worth a fuss over. He agreed with the CEO's order to stop Merlin coming in at all hours, but decided to be flexible if it was only a few minutes.

Getting up to his office, Merlin was waiting for his computer to boot in when there was a knock on the door, expecting Gwen, who often turned up with things from his father he shouted, "Come in if you're good looking."

As he heard the male voice behind him, he started to apologise as he turned round then he saw who it was and remembered what he had said.

"You!" he looked at the blonde and repeated, "I don't have a P.A. You have got the wrong office."

…...

Arthur handed Merlin the coffee, "I believe you are Merlin Emrys, your father employed me last week. We met on my way to the interview. I apologise about, my words, I was a bit anxious and didn't react well." Arthur hated to apologise as it had really been Merlin's fault but didn't want to start out on the wrong foot. The past couple of years had taught him some humility.

Merlin took the coffee and stared at it before setting it down and walking out of the office and down to his father's. He walked passed Gwen without speaking and slammed the door open.

"There is a prat in my office who claims you employed him as my P.A. Why didn't you tell me? I don't want a PA," Merlin demanded, not taking his father by surprise at all.

Balinor looked up at his son, he had expected the visit, "One: Arthur is not a prat, and I won't have you talking about employees in that fashion and two: I didn't tell you because I knew how you would react. He has been hired so get on with it! You are V.P of this company and your job requires a P.A."

Merlin stared at his father, "Do you have a problem with my work?" he asked.

"Your work as you know is exemplary, but you put in far too many hours and are exhausting yourself. You need to learn to delegate my boy," Balinor kept his voice calm and reasonable. "Try and get on with Arthur he is well qualified," he paused. "Read this," he tossed Arthur's file over to his son knowing the boy could speed read.

Merlin picked up the file and read his father's notes in the front then the CV as he did his face changed. "He's over qualified," his voice calmer.

"He has been out of the job for a while, if he wants later on, I may move him to a managerial position but for now he is your P.A. Give him a chance Merlin, that's all I ask," Balinor knew his son and his innate sense of fair play.

"But Dad, I really don't need to P.A, can't you find him something else in the company?" Merlin pleaded.

"You do need a P.A and you are having one. I will not back down on this. Now get back to work," Balinor answered stubbornly and as Merlin walked to the door he added, "and don't moan at Gwen, I ordered her not to tell you."

Merlin closed the door and glared at Gwen who smiled, "Sorry… but he is a good man give him a chance."

"Humph," was the only reply she got as Merlin headed back to his office. Arthur was sat at his desk and as Merlin walked into his own office,Arthur followed.

Your coffee, it's still warm and from the nice shop around the corner, they said flat white was your drink of choice in the morning. And here are your files for this morning's meetings."

Merlin turned and looked at Arthur, he felt sorry for the man when he read his father's notes and impressed when he read the CV. He also knew that, for now he would have to go with the situation. Though what he would do with a PA he wasn't sure.

"How did you know?"He questioned instead.

"Gwen told me about your preferences in coffee and your diary is online on my computer…Sir," Arthur said calmly.

Arthur saw the pity in the other man's eyes briefly and clenched his fists at his side. If there was one thing he hated it was the pity. Then he looked at Merlin. He knew his age and ability but the man looked so young, he also looked so thin and pale. He could see why everyone was so protective of him. He had also already looked at the man's work load and wondered how he did it all without cracking up. He might be smart, but Arthur still thought he was an idiot if he thought he could keep that pace up. He knew what hard work was, his father had always made sure he had plenty of it but he had at least had a P.A and an assistant. This man had been coping on this own.

There was a moment of silence which Merlin eventually broke, "Fine, so you stay, thank you for the coffee. Look you seem to know what to do so I'll leave you to it. If you need anything shout. But I warn you, I'm not used to some sort of glorified lackey or servant or whatever so I'll leave you to it, I have a lot of work to do." Then realising he sounded ungracious, his manners kicked in, "For what it's worth, I am sorry too. Gwen is always telling me off for running. But please don't call me Sir, my name is Merlin!"

"Alright I will, but if anyone else is present it will be Sir," Arthur grinned. "But I am not a lackey or servant I can assure you."

Merlin smiled back and Arthur was struck by how his face lit up, he was sure anyone would have trouble refusing Merlin anything if he gave them that smile. "Fine… not a servant. I'll remember that… but thank you for the coffee," Merlin moved round to the back of the desk and took his jacket off before sitting down, hanging the item of clothing over the back of his chair.

Arthur moved, removing the jacket from its previous position and hung it up, "You will ruin the fit doing that!"

Merlin rolled his eyes, "Now you sound like my mother! The money it cost me, it should take a bit of stick. I told mother that designed brands were wasted on me."

"Clothes maketh the man," Arthur quipped before going back to his desk.

As he shut the office door, he heard Merlin mutter, "Yes, Mr Armani."