Arthur did as promised and went out and got in a couple of bags of groceries. He also bought enough to make Merlin a vegetable casserole and put it in the oven for later. He was a bit lost, having never cooked for a vegetarian before, so he basically made a casserole and just left out the meat. It would at least give Merlin a hot meal when he woke. Continuing to look through the paperwork for a while, he then got some of his other work done. It was six when Merlin came stumbling out once more, he looked surprised to see Arthur still there. Arthur in turn was pleased to see his boss looking marginally better.

"Why haven't you gone home?" he asked.

"Because I was working and I was going to wake you before I left. There is a vegetable casserole in the oven, probably not up to your usual standards but the best I could manage," Arthur smirked. "Oh, and your father wants us in his office first thing in the morning."

"Oh shit! I'm in trouble aren't I? I'm sorry for dragging you into this," he paused and then grinned. "That's for cooking, it smells good. That's what woke me up."

"Like a bear from hibernation," Arthur said as he went to the kitchen. "It's just as well I learnt the basics."

He took the casserole out of the oven and dished some up, "Come on eat, then I'll leave you to it."

Merlin sat down then, looking at his P.A., he said, "Join me, there's loads here."

Arthur grinned, "No thanks, I'm off home. I'm afraid I like my meat too much."

Merlin had already started to eat by this point. "This is good, you should try it," he said between mouthfuls.

"You eat it, I'm off home," Arthur answered with amusement as his boss continued to demolish his plate of food.

Merlin stopped and looked up at Arthur, "Thank you, for sorting me out and dealing with my dad. He can be a right grump when he wants to."

"All part of the job. Just don't you dare do that again, no matter what the reason, I don't want to go back to serving in coffee shops!" Arthur pointed out as he collected his jacket.

"I mean it, Arthur, I know I wasn't the most welcoming when you started but I do appreciate all you do for me," Merlin said sincerely.

"Yeah, well… You're a good boss… when you behave," Arthur grinned. "Eat up then go back to bed. I want you fresh as a daisy in the morning."

"Oi! I am the boss, as you pointed out, you don't get to boss me around!" Merlin pointed out with a grin.

"Just make sure you're on time in the morning and have had a good night's sleep," Arthur retorted as he ducked out the door.

Merlin couldn't believe he had been caught out again, he was lucky it was Arthur who had found him. He had had no intention of staying in the office so long but got engrossed after finding the first hint of what was happening. He certainly owed his P.A. and probably Gwen as well. The meal had been a surprise too; he would never have put Arthur down as a cook. If anything he was going to order a take out when he woke. After Arthur had left, he found that his fridge and cupboard had been restocked as well. It had left him feeling humble. He hoped Arthur didn't think he was the sort of boss who expected such things from a P.A. After washing his dishes and putting the remainder of the casserole in the fridge for tomorrow, Merlin had another shower then went back to bed after resisting the temptation to do some paperwork. He didn't expect to fall asleep quickly after being in bed most of the day but his eyes closed the moment his head hit the pillow.

Merlin woke to the sound of his alarm and got up, showered and shaved before going to make himself some tea breakfast. Once again,feeling glad Arthur had shopped for him. He left the flat and headed for work. He paused by a flower stall and bought some flowers for Gwen. He ought to get something for Arthur but didn't think flowers suitable. Then he grinned, he would take Arthur out for lunch, which would be an appropriate thank you for a man.

Going into the building and up to the top floor he went past Gwen's desk to give her the flowers. He smiled sheepishly at his father's P.A. "Hi Gwen, thank you for yesterday."

Gwen scowled at him. "Merlin, you really ought to stop. It will make you ill!" she scolded. "You promised us, what's more you got Arthur in trouble with your father!"

Merlin looked at Gwen with puppy dog eyes. They had been friends for several years and he hated upsetting her. "I didn't intend to…"

"Go on, go and get ready. Your father is expecting both you and Arthur at nine." She shooed him out of her office. "Thank you for the flowers," she shouted as he left.

Continuing to his own office, Merlin wasn't surprised to see Arthur waiting for him with his schedule for the day. Balinor or Gwen had already booked the appointment. Arthur looked at his boss, "I have rescheduled your ten o'clock appointment for one. Sorry but it was the only time Mr Hammond could do."

"No problem, thank you. Now, we had better get a move on and get some work done before we go to see my father." He looked at Arthur, "sorry again for getting you in trouble."

"No problem, you have saved people's jobs and that's more important," Arthur grinned. "I'm pretty sure I would never have spotted it. What happens now?"

"I'll find out once we have spoken to Dad, but I expect we will pay a visit to the factory to sort it out once and for all," Merlin said.

After doing what they could beforehand, Merlin and Arthur then went to their appointment with the CEO. Merlin had his notes with him and Gwen looked at them as they arrived. "Merlin could you go in first please, your father wishes to speak to you alone."

Merlin nodded and went into see his father. Balinor was stood up by the window looking across at the city skyline. Without turning he told his son to sit. There were two chairs in front of his large mahogany desk. Sitting down on one of them, Merlin waited until his father was ready.

Balinor turned and rested his hands on the desk. "You my boy are a fool! I will not tolerate this continued behaviour. You put your health at risk and for no reason. You could have come back to your discovery yesterday or even Saturday morning if you felt it couldn't wait! But to work through the weekend with hardly any food or drink, is not the behaviour I expect from you," his voice was cold and hard.

"I was trying to save jobs!" Merlin interrupted.

"By killing yourself!" Balinor's voice raised in pitch as his anger surfaced. "I promised your mother I wouldn't get angry with you," he paused to collect his thoughts. "You made her cry you know."

Merlin himself now looked upset. "I didn't mean to. You know I wouldn't…"

"Then don't be so damn foolish with your wellbeing. When you put yourself in hospital in University, I thought we had stopped your foolishness, then I had to ban you coming to work early. When are you going to learn?!"

Balinor swallowed and lowered his voice, "You will run this company one day but if you continue like you are, you will die young. Nothing is worth your health." Balinor sat down, "Look son, we are both very proud of you. You are a dedicated and caring man, but you have to care for yourself as well. You have nothing to prove, not to me, or to the board."

Balinor stood and moving around the desk put his hand on his son's shoulder. "What do I have to do to stop this happening? I would rather sell the company now than have it kill you."

"I'm sorry, dad, I really am." Merlin said solemnly, looking up at his father.

In a change of tone the older man asked, "How's Pendragon working out?"

"Good, I'm getting used to delegation. But I think he is wasted as a P.A." Merlin said firmly. "We should use his talents more."

Balinor snorted, "Oh no! You get to keep him for a while yet, boy! Your mother seems to think he will be good for you. He certainly seems to be able to handle you. Maybe in time I will make him your assistant but for now he stays where he is. In fact, your mother wants him to come to Sunday lunch next week, she intends to get to know him better."

"Dad!" Merlin wailed. "She will only make him even worse. I already have to give the pot plant my drinks or I would spend all my time in the loo!"

With that the tension was relaxed and Balinor chuckled, he couldn't stay mad with his son for long. "Well you know your mother."

Balinor went to the door and asked Arthur to come into the office, then looking at his P.A. he asked, "can you come in as well? I could do with your input and maybe you could take notes."

Knowing her boss took every opportunity to feed his son, Gwen smiled, "I suppose you would like coffee and biscuits as well?"

Balinor smiled back, "That sounds like a good idea. Do you have any custard creams?"

"You're lucky, I do. Although, Hunith tells me I need to ration your biscuits."

Balinor looked horrified. "Just remember, girl, who your boss is!"

With a cheery grin, Gwen replied, "do you remember who yours is?"

From the office, Merlin's voice sounded out, "that's telling you, dad. Don't worry, Arthur will eat your share, he's not worried about his waistline."

"Are you saying I'm fat?!" Arthur protested.

"If the cap fits," Merlin grinned at his P.A. "But all I can say is, I'm not!"

"You're too thin," Gwen said as she walked in with the tray. "So I think you should eat them all," And with that, she sat down and waited for the meeting to begin.