Thanks again to by lovely beta Blissful thinking

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It was with a spring in his step that Arthur headed home. He was keeping his promise and taking his sister and friends out for a meal now he had been paid. The evening had gone very well and although it wasn't quite the high end restaurant he had frequented in the past, it was a good one. Morgana, Gwen and Lance were just pleased to see Arthur in a more positive place in his life. His father's actions had affected him in so many ways.

They had a good meal and then went on to a club for some drinks before heading home. For the first time in months, Arthur had a dreamless sleep and woke up feeling really refreshed.

In fact, Arthur had a good weekend: having a decent wage packet and a job, that was at least in the area he had trained for, had done wonders for his self-esteem. He knew in the past he had been arrogant and opinionated, so from that point of view his changed circumstances had done him good. Although, he knew his old habits crept back in sometimes and he had to work hard to break them, especially with his arrogance. However he found his relationship with his new boss was helping, in that Merlin gently put him down if his old ways started to shine through. It wasn't a place he wanted to go back to, as he had found what had happened soul destroying.

He had a good weekend and the added spring in his step was still there when he went to work on the Monday morning. With luck he might be able to afford a car soon, although he had gotten used to the underground.

Once at Dragon's, he waved at the security as he headed up the stairs and started up his computer. Printing off Merlin's schedule for the day, he went to get Merlin's morning coffee. When he got back, he knocked on Merlin's door and entered. The queue had been longer than normal and he was sure Merlin would be in his office by now. He frowned as he saw Merlin at his desk, resting his head on some papers as if asleep. As he moved forward he looked again. Merlin's shirt sleeves were rolled up and his hair messy. There was a half full cup of drink and an empty biscuit packet on the desk, as well as all the files from Friday. His computer was also on, although it appeared to have put itself to sleep.

"Christ, Merlin! When did you get in this morning?!" Arthur shook Merlin's arm, the man was unresponsive. He shook him again, then, looking at the drink, realised it had been there for some time as it had a skin over the top and was stone cold. "Damn you Merlin! You've been here all weekend haven't you?"

Shaking Merlin harder, he got the younger man to wake up. A pair of blurry eyes looked up at Arthur. "Arth… did it… found it," Merlin mumbled.

"You damn idiot! Have you been looking at those papers all weekend? You said you were going home, you promised me!" Arthur manhandled Merlin up and made him sit on the sofa that lived against the side wall of the office. Then he made Merlin drink the coffee he had bought. Arthur went to the phone and called Gwen, "Gwen do me a favour and go get Merlin something to eat, the bloody idiot has been here all weekend!"

To give her her dues, Gwen didn't ask questions. Arthur went back to Merlin's side.

"You really are an idiot aren't you? As soon as you've eaten, I'm getting you home and you are going to have a shower and a sleep."

Merlin looked at Arthur, " 'm the boss."

"You're an idiot, that's what you are."

On that note Gwen arrived, she had clearly rushed judging by the faint flush to her cheeks and slight increased rate of breathing. She handed Arthur a carton of soya milk and a sandwich. "You promised to go home, Merlin," Gwen said accusingly.

Merlin looked slightly better as the coffee had woken him a bit. With a sleep slurred voice he told the couple, "I was going to but I looked at the papers and I saw it. It was obvious, I don't know why I didn't spot it before. So I spent the rest of the weekend checking the figures. We can save the jobs, Arthur." Merlin was so tired that he couldn't stop a yawn from escaping at the end of his speech.

"Eat!" Arthur insisted. "Then I am getting you home. We can sort this out later."

Gwen looked at her boss's son, "Your father's going to kill you."

Merlin raised his head, looking at his father's P.A with puppy dog eyes, "Don't tell him… please…"

Arthur rolled his eyes then looked at Gwen, "I'll get him home in a taxi and work from there. I will reschedule his appointments for today as well."

"You get him home, I'll sort everything else out. Just keep an eye on him will you?" Gwen said then looking at Merlin, "You need to stop this," she scolded.

As soon as Merlin had eaten, Arthur called a taxi and manhandled Merlin down into it and took the sleepy and exhausted man home. He grabbed the paperwork off the desk as they left. Once at Merlin's flat, Arthur helped Merlin get undressed and in the shower. "You stink," he told Merlin.

It was the first time Arthur had been in the flat, the first thing he noticed was that it was spacious and had high end furnishings, but he also noticed how unlived in it looked. The only signs of life in the room were the papers strewn on the coffee table and over the desk with the computer in the corner. It was clear Merlin was still keeping bad habits and doing work at home. Once in the bedroom, Arthur soon found Merlin some clean sleeping clothes and got the now showered man to bed. Merlin sank into the bed and was asleep before his head even touched the pillow.

Arthur looked down at his boss fondly, "You self-sacrificing fool," he said caringly and shutting the door went into the kitchen and made himself a coffee.

Sitting down, Arthur got out the paperwork and started to look through it. After reading for a while, he could see from Merlin's notes what he had found, and was the first to admit he wouldn't have spotted it. He wasn't sure of all the implications even then. Over the past month, he had gotten to know his boss well, but Merlin used a shorthand of his own making and, as yet, Arthur wasn't familiar enough with it to completely be comfortable in his translation.

By the time he had read about half of the papers, he looked at the clock and saw it was gone midday. He got up and started to go through Merlin's cupboards, looking for something to cook. He would wake Merlin up soon to get him to eat and drink then make him sleep some more. As he was collecting the ingredients for an omelette, about the only thing he could cook with what was available, his mobile rang: it was Gwen.

"Just to give you heads up, Balinor and his wife are on their way. Sorry, but they came in and asked where their son was," she sounded apologetic.

"Thanks." Arthur had a guess that Balinor would be less than pleased with him, after all his main duty was to make sure that Merlin ate and rested, and he had failed.

He waited, deciding not to wake Merlin yet, maybe he could deflect Mr Emrys' anger away from his son. He knew how badly his own father had reacted if he himself had done something he didn't approve off. Whilst he didn't think Balinor would be as harsh, he found himself wanting to protect Merlin, who after all had been trying to save jobs. It was only quarter of an hour later, when the door opened and in came Balinor and a smaller mousey haired but pretty and kindly looking woman. Both looked worried.

"Where is he?" Balinor demanded without further ado.

"Asleep, Sir. I was about to cook him something and make him eat. He has had a good four hours rest now and he can sleep again after." Arthur hoped that Merlin's parents would be reasonable. "Can I make you a tea or coffee? Merlin at least has the necessary for that."

"Good idea, thank you," Mrs Emrys told Arthur kindly. "Thank you for looking after him." She held out her hand, "Hunith Emrys, but please just call me Hunith."

"How's letting him collapse looking after him!?" Balinor said glaring at Arthur. "You were supposed to stop him over working."

In that moment, Arthur found he was facing the wrath of Merlin's father and realised he could probably have taught Uther a thing or to. Only because he was normally so chilled.

"He did, Dad, don't blame him," came a tired voice from the door. "I promised I was leaving, then afterwards realised something. It wasn't his fault, in fact it was Arthur that allowed me to spot what was happening and will save many people's jobs!"

Everyone turned to the door and looked at a very exhausted young man who was holding onto the doorframe to help him stand, his hair stood up all over the place and there were dark circles under his eyes.

Arthur immediately moved to his side and made sure Merlin made it to a seat safely. Hunith stepped forward, her voice full of motherly concern, "Oh,Merlin! What have you done to yourself, will you never learn?"

Balinor also looked at his son and moved to his side, his voice softening although he was clearly still angry, "Nothing is worth doing this to yourself boy! If you can't learn that then you're moving back home."

"No way!" Merlin growled.

Arthur gave Merlin a glass of soya milk. "Drink this and I'll cook your omelette then you are going back to bed. I've looked at your notes and can fill your father in," with that he turned and started to cook. Leaving Merlin and his parents alone for a moment to talk in private. Before he had lost his job as a V.P, Arthur had never learned to cook but his enforced spell of unemployment had made him learn. After all, his sister had got a job quickly and she had helped to keep him, now he rather enjoyed it.

Hunith started to fuss over her son, making sure her husband kept quiet with a fierce look.

It didn't take long for Arthur to cook the omelette and he returned, putting the plate in front of his boss. "Eat up then bed."

Balinor looked on in amazement as Merlin did as he was told with no argument. Arthur then made Merlin go back to bed, ignoring the other two people in the room. Once back in the lounge, Arthur looked at Merlin's parents. "Sorry but he doesn't need an argument, he needs to sleep."

"How did you do that?" Balinor demanded. "Normally, he would have argued."

Arthur looked Balinor directly in the eye. "Mr Emrys I have dealt with a difficult father son relationship all my life. I know you have a good relationship with your son, but when two stubborn men clash, things happen that wouldn't normally. I am an outsider, but I hope I've become a friend of sorts to your son, it's easier for me," he paused. "Look, let Merlin sleep and as soon as he has had a decent rest, I will get him to contact you. In the meantime, I'll stay here. I have my laptop and can work just as well from here as the office for the rest of the day."

"He's right, Balinor. Let Merlin rest," Hunith told her husband then she looked at Arthur. "Thank you for taking care of our son."

Arthur smiled at her, "No problem, like I said, I consider Merlin to be a friend as well as a boss. He has been good to me, you have all given me a chance, now it's my turn to pay back."

Balinor took a deep breath and looked at Arthur long and hard, "I'm not sure yet whether I forgive you for letting Merlin work all weekend, but as you say he is stubborn, and Gwen told me he promised to leave just after you. So, I suppose I must… on this occasion. Make sure he phones once he wakes, now fill me in."

Becoming business like, Arthur handed Balinor the paperwork, "You might understand Merlin's shorthand better than me. On Friday, Mr Green had a meeting with your son about the factory up north. I'm sure you are aware there have been issues with costs. Your son was very keen to sort the problem without rationalising staff. Merlin asked for my input, as the factory was once owned by Pendragons. I wasn't able to help much, but did note that one of the old managers was still in place, one I had never trusted and who only ever dealt with my father. It seemed after I left, Merlin spotted some of the balances weren't quite right. I admit I wouldn't have spotted it. It seems there has been a systematic and very careful milking of company assets which, resulted in the poor results. I haven't finished going through it all, but that is the gist of it. In short, that branch should have been turning a profit instead of a loss."

Balinor listened and read at the same time before looking up at Arthur, "It seems you have been worth the investment. As you say, I don't know if I would have spotted this. It is a very clever embezzlement that it seems even our accountants couldn't find it."

Arthur looked embarrassed as he answered,"the scam may have already been in place under Pendragon ownership. My father was very good at bending the law to his financial advantage."

"Your father, not you. Now I suggest you go home, my wife can look after Merlin and tomorrow we will all meet up and go through this together," Balinor looked at the blonde. "I don't need to tell you to keep this under wraps do I?"

Arthur shook his head, "No, Sir." He looked at Merlin's mother, "before I go home I will pop and get some shopping in, the fridge and cupboards are empty."

"Thank you, Arthur, That is very kind," Hunith smiled at him then turned to her husband. "Give Arthur some money please Bally, I can't expect him to pay."

To Arthur's amazement, Balinor handed him several notes. "Give any change to my son, or ask him for more if that doesn't cover It," he said before heading for the door with his wife.

Just before he left, he spoke once more, "I expect both of you in my office first thing tomorrow morning."

Then he was gone.