Sorry I haven't answered your comments I will, gradually. Thank you for sticking with me and Happy New Year.

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Arthur was the first to arrive, keeping his promise to Merlin to help out. Although, to be fair, there wasn't much to do. Merlin was very organised and was sat drinking a cup of tea when Arthur knocked on the door. Merlin took the things Arthur had brought with him, including a pudding sent by Morgana. Once more, Arthur was surprised at how much younger Merlin looked when in casual clothes. His skinny jeans and blue shirt were smart and clearly top brands but even so Merlin looked like a teenager.

Merlin looked at his guest and approved of the red shirt and casual trousers the other had on. Taking Arthur's leather jacket, he hung it up commenting, "My father clearly pays you too much if you can afford Armani for casual wear," he joked.

"A reminder of my previous life," Arthur grinned back taking no offence, he knew a few months ago he would have had a very different reaction, clearly his new life was good for him. "Even if I had the money now I'm not sure I would buy one. I was a bit of a pretentious prat."

"Hey, that's my word! Anyway, I bet you would, it looked good on you and I bet the ladies loved it, they seem to like the rugged look, well if Gwaine's anything to go by," Merlin grinned.

Arthur quickly changed the conversation, "Anything you need doing?"

"No, let me get you a drink, I'm sure the others will be here soon. Gwaine rang about half an hour ago to say he wouldn't be long." With that the doorbell rang. It wasn't long before everyone had arrived.

Once everyone had arrived, the door opened once more and a small, slim lady entered looking surprised at seeing so many people in the room. Gwaine was the first to spot her and said in a loud whisper, "Oh Oh, now we're in trouble." With that he rushed towards the newcomer who still looked shocked.

"Freya! I didn't know you were back, how was America?" he asked hugging her.

Pulling away, the girl looked for Merlin and shrugging Gwaine off smiled, "Hi Brother, I came home early and thought I would come round before going home." Then looking around added, "I would never have expected you to be entertaining." She kissed her brother on the cheek still smiling. "I hope that reprobate Gwaine has not been leading you astray."

Merlin laughed, "Not this time Frey. Let me introduce you."

As Merlin introduced his sister to everyone, Gwaine whispered to Arthur, "Watch her, she looks harmless but she hides a real devil under those innocent looks."

Arthur smiled, "I can't say that I see it. I didn't realise Merlin had a sister. He hasn't mentioned her."

"I don't suppose he says a lot about his family. He's pretty private like that, although, I'm surprised Hunith didn't mention her when you went for Sunday lunch last month," Gwaine replied.

"Oh, I didn't end up going, Morgana wasn't well so I called off. I'm going this Sunday as it happens with Morgana. Mum met her when she visited to make sure she was ok and being looked after," Arthur finished. Merlin arrived soon after with his sister in tow, "And this is Arthur Pendragon, my P.A."

Freya looked at Arthur and he felt like she was piercing his very soul. "Hello, Mum and Dad have told me about you. So you have the job of controlling my baby brother do you?"

"I'm the eldest! Merlin protested.

His sister turned on him, "Maybe in years, but you need someone to look after you, so you are my baby brother. You may be the brains of the family but they left out your survival gene when they produced you!" Then, looking at Arthur, she added, "You had better look after him or you will have me to contend with."

Gwaine laughed, "She means it too… Our Freya is a tiger when aroused which is most of the time. Did you leave any Americans alive?"

"I did, but then most of them aren't as irresponsible as you," she responded giving Gwaine a peck on the cheek. "Dad told me what a good job you boys did at the factory." Glaring at Merlin once more she added, "He also told me you collapsed again. I nearly flew straight home."

Merlin looked at his sister then Arthur, "Freya was in America finishing her studies. Ignore her when she says I am the clever one, she is a computer analyst. Now she is back at home for good, I hope. Dad has her office ready."

"I asked for one next to yours but I am having one with the other computer techs," Freya smiled at her brother. "But it's near the lift so you won't be safe!"

"Just remember as V.P. I am technically your boss," Merlin grinned. "Now, let's go and eat. Come on Freya, I will make a place for you."

During the evening, Arthur got to speak to Merlin's sister and found her very protective of her brother, to the extent that while she had been in America she had still skyped him nearly every day. As she told Arthur, "My brother can be very forgetful when it comes to ordinary things like eating and sleeping."

Arthur admitted he had already found that out. He couldn't help but think both their sisters were equally protective and they seemed to be getting on well. He worried that this might not be a good thing, for both him and Merlin.

On Sunday, Merlin picked up Arthur and Morgana and they headed to his parent's house. Arthur and Morgana had tried to cancel thinking the family might want time to themselves with Freya so recently returned but Hunith wouldn't hear of it.

The meal was an enjoyable one and Arthur couldn't help but feel envious of the family's closeness. Morgana also picked up on that but told her brother that they had each other; something they were both happy about. Morgana might be a Harpy but her heart was in the right place and Arthur wouldn't want to be without her… even if he would never admit it. Hunith seemed to have taken both the Pendragons under her wing much to Balinor's amusement.

Speaking to Arthur during the drinks afterwards, he added "My wife approves of me hiring you, she is a very good judge of character. If your sister ever feels like she would like to change her job let me know, I am sure we could use her."

"I'll tell her, Sir," Arthur replied.

"Not Sir, please call me Balinor, or if you find that difficult then Mr Emrys. I'm not one to be bowed and scraped to," Balinor told him.

"Sorry, old habits die hard. My father insisted we call him Sir at the office or in front of business associates," Arthur admitted.

Balinor did a double take at that, "Well I would never expect either of my children to do that."

"You had better not!" Hunith cut in. "Now come on you two, let's go and sit in the conservatory, pity it's too cold to go outside."

"My wife would like us to live outside, I'm sure," Balinor complained in a friendly way. "Born in the country and loves her fresh air."

Merlin and the Pendragons finally left at about ten and Merlin dropped them off before returning to his own home. Where he went straight to bed after a quick shower. The next morning, he turned up at work as usual and he and Arthur worked on a contract with some new suppliers. Finally the clock ticked to twelve and Arthur stood up. "Right, I'm off to get our lunch, won't be long if I go now I'll miss the lunchtime queue."

Merlin smiled, "You always say that!"

"Because it's true. I can't stand the waiting about," Arthur admitted. "But I do like that they are made fresh."

"Well Dad was considering starting up his own canteen but then I told him that the local cafes rely on the trade."

"That's because you don't have to go and collect it. Maybe someone will do a delivery service," Arthur suggested.

"Then you wouldn't get your exercise," Merlin pointed out.

"Are you saying I'm fat?"

"No, but you could get that way," Merlin smiled pleased at the banter they engaged in; it made the days better when the job got tedious. Not that that happened often, Merlin loved his job.

Arthur made his way to the same place he always went to. knowing they stocked a good range and catered for Merlin's specific needs. Mary, the owner, also seemed to have a soft spot for Merlin. Not that that was unusual, the younger man seemed to have that effect on everyone. Walking in, he found the place almost empty as planned. Mary looked up as he entered. "Goodmorning Arthur, we have Mr Emrys' favourite tomato soup on today and his favourite Granary roll to go with it."

Arthur smiled, "Good idea. In fact, I'll have the same and the usual soya coffee and my cappuccino." Arthur always made sure that their drinks were clearly different to prevent any disastrous mishaps.

Mary turned to the girl who was helping her, "Sefa, you sort soup, I'll sort the drinks,"

This was unusual and Mary saw Arthur's surprise. "She is agency, my usual girl is off sick and I don't want any mishaps with the soya. I made the soup myself," she explained. "Beverly fell and broke her wrist over the weekend."

Arthur offered his sympathies and took his purchases back to the office. Merlin's eyes lit up when he heard it was his favourite. The soup was in heat retaining containers so. when the phone rang to say there was a delivery that needed signing for at the reception desk, Arthur handed Merlin his, as it was their normal habit to eat together. However, the phone ringing interrupted that so he left his and headed down.

"It will be that paperwork I expect," Merlin told him.

"I won't be long so don't wait for me, have yours hot," Arthur called heading for the lift.

When he got to reception, he found that the courier had disappeared but another had arrived with something for Balinor. "I'll take that," Arthur offered. "It will save Gwen coming down and I'm just along the corridor." Annoyed, he added, "If the other guy comes back, make him wait."

In his office, Merlin cleared his desk so he didn't spill soup on anything important, he knew from experience he could be a clutz. Then he took a couple of sips of the soup. It was heavenly. He had tried to get the recipe from Mary but she guarded it too well. He stopped suddenly as he felt itching at his neck and realising what was wrong, quickly put the container down and pulled open the desk draw to get his epipen. He ruffled through the draw… it wasn't there. He started to stand, knowing there was one in his briefcase but he stumbled and fell as his airways tightened and the effects of anaphylactic shock took hold. His vision went dark and he clutched at his neck, clawing at his airway as it shut down. He went blue as he struggled to get enough oxygen. Before thrashing out with his legs in his fight for breath and starting to lose consciousness.