Grinning Arthur sat down at his desk thinking that hopefully they would get on. He then rang the switch board, "Please make sure that all Mr M. Emrys's calls are diverted to this number until further notice. He now has a P.A."

"About time," came the reply. "That man works too hard. Make sure he stops sometimes and look after him."

"And you are?" Arthur asked, not expecting such a remark to be made.

"Switchboard of course," came the cryptic reply and then the phone went dead.

Arthur stared at the phone in his hand not sure whether to ring back but he decided against it. Clearly the place was mad! However sooner or later he would find out who the woman was and remind her of her place.

Merlin looked at the files and found everything he wanted although, he wouldn't admit it to anyone else his new P.A. had saved him time. He then started on a report his father had asked for. Later, Arthur knocked and told him his first appointment was here.

"Do you want me to take notes or will you use the dictaphone?" Arthur asked.

"I can write up my own notes. Clearly you are a prat if you think I can't," Merlin told him.

Arthur arched his eyebrow and handed over a dictaphone. "Just rattle it off and either I will type it or get someone else to do it. If it's confidential I will always do it myself. Just say before you start… P.A remember," Arthur pointed at his own chest.

"But this is silly!" Merlin protested.

"I know that, but you have other things that would use your expertise and position better, that's why you have me. Now dictate and drink your coffee." Arthur looked at Merlin with some sympathy, "Look go with it, your father only wants the best for you. Don't fight all the way."

"I know but…" Merlin looked at Arthur. "You're going to be a real prat about this aren't you?"

"Yes," Arthur agreed, trying to keep the smile from his face. "Now, you have ten minutes until your next appointment so I wouldn't waste time." As Merlin turned to leave the office he was sure that he heard the other man mutter 'idiot'.

After Arthur had left the office, Merlin picked up the dictaphone and started to speak. He felt a right chump, but did it anyway. Then he drank the coffee and ate a biscuit wondering if he had his father to thank for that as well. Arthur came back with another file and took the empty cup.

"I'll pick up the dictation after this meeting as it is your last this morning. Now shall I show Mr Williams in as soon as he arrives?" Arthur asked to the back of Merlin's head as the man continued to work.

"Fine," came the one worded reply. Merlin clearly still wasn't happy about having a P.A

After letting the man in, Arthur continued to go through the files for the rest of the week. Merlin's meeting went well, his father had known Mr Williams for years and Merlin felt comfortable with him. They managed to clear up several points and set a date for the signing of a new contract between their companies.

As soon as the appointment left, Arthur walked in with another cup of coffee and some biscuits. Merlin looked at him in surprise, "Another one?"

"It is ten thirty," Arthur said as if it was obvious. "Now do you need anything sorting from that meeting?" Merlin distractedly took the coffee and shook his head, eyes never leaving the sheaf of file he was intensely studying. Merlin was still concerned that he had missed something at his meeting. He knew in his heart that it was due to his lack of self confidence, but he still went through everything several times before he was happy to sign it off for the new contract to be drawn up.

When lunchtime came, Arthur walked in with a bag and another coffee, placing it front of Merlin with a plate he smiled, "Humus and Avocado sandwich and a soya milk coffee. Now, if you tell me what you'd like tomorrow I won't have to guess."

"Is this my mother's doing?" Merlin demanded. "The coffee and food?"

"I haven't spoken to your mother, but I was asked by your father to make sure you remembered to eat," Arthur gave a lopsided grin. "Now stop working or you'll get crumbs all over the papers."

Over the next week Arthur noticed that several of the other employees seemed unhappy with him and assumed his name had given the game away. But it was some of the visitors to Arthur's office that were harder to deal with. One morning, at the end of his second week Merlin had a Mr Andrews scheduled to visit. Arthur knew the man and had several run in's with him whilst working at Pendragons. True to his expectations, when Mr Andrews arrived he looked at Arthur in surprise.

"What rock have out crawled out from under?" he sneered. "Does your boss know who he has employed?"

Arthur bit back his reply and dug his nails into his hand to help control himself. "Yes, Mr Andrews he does," he calmly replied although he really wanted to hit the sneering face with his fist. Arthur refused to call the man in front of him Sir. "If you wait a moment, I will find out if Mr Emrys is ready to see you."

Arthur went into Merlin's office, "Mr Andrews to see you. Shall I send him in?"

Merlin looked up, he could almost feel the tension and anger coming off of his P.A. "Are you alright Arthur?" he asked, his voice concerned.

"Fine, Sir," Arthur said, refusing to expose himself further. He would not look weak in front of his boss.

Merlin looked at Arthur and then connected the dots. "I take it you have dealt with Mr Andrews before," he paused as Arthur declined to answer. "Yes, let the gentleman in."

The emphasis he put on the word 'Gentleman' made Arthur give a small grin, it was clear his boss wasn't that friendly with the visitor either.

Arthur did as he was told and once the office door shut he took several deep breaths. He surmised that there would be several such visitors to Merlin, after all Pendragon's had been in a very similar field. He supposed he would just have to get used to it. Knowing the meeting was due to last an hour, Arthur made himself a strong coffee before continuing with his paperwork.

In the office, Merlin offered Valliant Andrews a seat and then started the meeting. Andrews Components were trying to get a contract to supply Dragon's with parts so they had much to discuss. Once the business was finished, Valliant looked at Merlin, "I hope you don't mind me saying, only I have more experience than you, but you have taken a grave risk in employing Pendragon as a P.A. I suppose you know his history. He has been blacklisted in the industry." His voice was condescending and he was clearly hoping to intimidate the younger man.

Merlin looked at his visitor, he didn't like the man and hoped they didn't end up using his company. In fact, he intended to speak to his father about it. "Mr Andrews, my P.A. is a highly competent and skilled man. Of course I knew his history, but here at Dragon Corporation we believe in not blaming a son for his father's actions. Now, I would thank you for not discussing our employees in such a manner." Merlin's voice had a cold edge to it. Not only was he angry at how Arthur was being discussed but also the way, he himself, was being discounted as young and inexperienced.

Valliant smirked once more, "Keep your hair on boy, I was only trying to help save you problems. I know how hard it is when you start in business. After all you are young yet, not easy when you are given a position you aren't ready for. Not that I blame you or your father, we have to look after our own when all is said and done."

Keeping his calm Merlin answered sarcastically, "I am sure your intentions were altruistic." He paused to stare coldly at the man in front of him. "As I said, I am very pleased with my P.A. However should you wish to take umbrage at his employment I suggest you speak to my father, he might be interested to hear you thoughts on the staff that he employs." Merlin raised his eyebrows. "After all his company is significantly more successful than yours. I might be young, Mr Andrews but you can rest assured that I have earnt my place in this company."

As Valliant left the office, Merlin sat and put his head in his hands. It was clear to him that his visitor thought he was incapable of doing his job, this reinforced Merlin's own feelings that he should not be in such a high position in his father's company. He wasn't happy with how he had handled the situation: even before Arthur had come up Valliant Andrews had questioned every one of his points, making him feel inadequate.

As Arthur saw Valliant out of the office he made Merlin a cup of coffee and took it through to his boss's office. Merlin looked up as he entered, fixing Arthur with his blue eyes. "Sorry for how he treated you."

Arthur shrugged, "That's not your fault, I suppose I just have to put up with it. Did your meeting go well?" he asked, changing the subject.

Merlin grimaced and found himself confiding in the blonde. "Mr Andrews is a hard man to do business with, he made it clear he thinks I am not up to the job and only got it because of who I am," Merlin admitted. "He's right of course."

Arthur rolled his eyes, "You're an idiot you know that! You are capable to do this job with your eyes closed. You might be younger than me but you are a better V.P. than I ever was. You inspire your juniors and are very popular and well respected, it is hard to get such devotion from your staff. Your father wouldn't have given you your position if he didn't think you were up to it."

That seemed to mollify Merlin somewhat and Valiant's visit wasn't mentioned again.