Disclaimer: IDOM

So it's six minutes into Wednesday... and I need sleep. Really, I should have stayed home today. I was so sick last night: exhaustion, detachment, disorientation, emotionless, hot sweats, and a temp of 100.9. It was pretty bad. :P I think it was a cold, and though I'm over most of it, my throat's still bugging me and making my voice crack, and I'm coughing now. So... I might stay home tomorrow. I can't think of anything overly exciting that's happening. ...Other than I'll miss work. I (finally) got a job-just at the school. A few other people and I stay after school to clean classrooms. It can be tedious, but it pays pretty well. :) Hopefully, then, I'll have some money to do some things I want to. :D

Okay, enough of my life; enjoy the chapter. :)

Chapter 7: Pretenses

He wasn't sure why he'd said it would take him so long to get to London. He could just use a transportation spell and be there in five seconds.

...And now he had about half an hour to kill.

He flipped over on his bed, hand venturing under his pillow to pull it closer to his head. After his nightmare, he'd straightened up his house for a while before trying to get back to sleep. He thought he must have caught a few hours of quiet slumber, even though each snatch of sleep was broken by restless stirs.

The warlock groaned lightly into his pillow, but a small grin pulled on his lips as he realized something: he hadn't complained about getting up to work for Arthur in over a thousand years. His smile widened as warmth spread through his chest, and he tried to bury any lingering horrors from the night before.

And even though, technically, he worked with Arthur now rather than for, it felt good just to know that he would be there; it always had.

He turned over once more, hopping out of bed, and he quickly showered, dressed, and settled on phoning the cab company for a ride into London. If he was going to say it was a forty minute drive from his house to London -depending on traffic- then he may as well keep in character.

Merlin only waited twenty minutes for the cab, and as he left his house, he flicked his wrist behind him to lock the door. He felt excitement stir within him: he was going to see Arthur again -all of his friends again. And that was all he ever had really wanted.

Guinevere pulled the door open with her free hand, grasping her styrofoam coffee cup carefully in her other hand. A rush of cold air hit her as she entered The New Scotland Yard, and the hair that had escaped from her loose braid fluttered around the edges of her jaw for a moment before falling back around her neck. She wondered why the building always had the air conditioning blasting. It wasn't too hot out-a little humid, but pretty nice really.

She nodded to the receptionists as her heels clicked along the tile floors, and just as she heard the short ding of the lift's doors closing, she yelled, "Hold the lift, please!" Her hand tightened around her cup, and the hem of her skirts bounced against her knees. The doors were still closing. "Hold the lift!"

Suddenly, a slim hand shot out of the lift, grabbing the door and preventing it from meeting its other half. Gwen slowed as the lift doors were gently pushed open and took a small breath, a smile coming onto her lips as she saw her friend.

Full lips smiled back at her, bright eyes crinkling with a smile. "Morning, Gwen."

Chuckling, Gwen hopped into the lift, feeling the designed carpet smoosh underneath her heels. "Morning, Katie," she offered. "Thanks."

"No problem," she replied, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Going up?"

The secretary nodded, taking a sip of her coffee. Another button lit up on the controller as the girl pressed it. The lift shifted, and they both leaned against the back wall. Gwen closed her eyes, relaxing and waiting until the lift doors opened again.

"Ya' know, actually, Angel, I wanted to ask you something."

Her eyebrows lifted, but her eyes remained shut. "Hm?"

"Who's Arthur's new partner?"

Now, Guinevere's doe brown eyes opened with a smile. "I thought you would know-being John's secretary and all."

She shook her head. "I'd heard something, but I haven't met him. Don't even know what he looks like."

"You didn't see his file?"

"No," she whined. "I wasn't there when John wanted to give it to his father, so he just ran it down himself. Have you met him yet?"

Gwen pushed a length of hair behind her ear, wishing again that she'd had the foresight to bring a hair tie. "Yeah, last night. He just started, so I'm not really surprised you haven't seen him around."

The lift dinged again, and the doors opened to Gwen's floor. Her friend stepped off with her, taking a left towards Gwen's desk.

"But what does he look like?" she pressed, arms gesturing enthusiastically.

Glancing back at her friend with a wide smile, Gwen answered, "Well, he's tall, for one. Dark hair. Great hair, actually. Um... blue eyes, full lips, high cheekbones. Why all the questions anyway?" The dark haired woman didn't answer, and when Gwen turned around again, something was settling in her pale green eyes. "Morgana?"

Her eyes refocused and settled on Gwen. "Nothing. Just... ya' know. He's Arthur's new partner, and Arthur's my brother. I just want to make sure he's safe."

She set her cup on her desk, peeling off her light lavender cashmere jacket and hanging it on the back of her chair, revealing her modest black skirt and deep green shirt. Her eyes softened, and her movements slowed. "I understand," she nodded kindly.

There was a short moment of silence before, with a renewed eagerness, Morgana asked another question. "So what's his name then?"

Guinevere pressed the power button on her computer. "Colin. Colin James. He's quite nice actually. A bit dashing."

A smirk played on Morgana's pink, glossed lips, and her eyes narrowed with laughter. "You think?"

"I guess," she blushed. "I mean, he's... kinda cute, but I'm with Arthur."

"Hm, true," Morgana said. A smug smile grew on her lips and her eyebrow rose teasingly before Gwen smacked her arm, blushing more.

"Oh, stop it!"

Green eyes danced, the teasing glimmer fading into light humor. "You're the one dating my brother."

"Only because you said we should," Gwen added with a small laugh.

"Well, it isn't my fault you two were so squeamish, was it? It was obvious you like each other; a blind man could see it. I just gave you a push in the right direction."

The secretary smiled at her friend and typed in the password on your computer. She took another sip of her coffee, relaxed in the comfortable silence, but soon afterwards, she felt Morgana's eyes boring a hole in her back and turned towards her. "Ya' know, Colin should be in soon, if Arthur called him. If you want to wait to meet him..."

The frown on her face disappeared, a forced smile taking its place. She made a show of checking her watch before brushing a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "Nah, I'd better be going. See you later?"

Guinevere smiled kindly, settling down in her chair. "Of course."

Morgana nodded at her, waving a short farewell before leaving her office. Brushing her hair backwards, Gwen sighed. There was something odd about Morgana. Even more odd than usual. It was strange to see her have to fake so many smiles, because somehow, Gwen knew they were fake. At least most of them.

And now with the sudden holiday she was leaving for in a few days. Definitely odd. They'd grown up together, side by side, like siblings, and Morgana had always told her everything, but within the past few years, she'd been closing herself off.

"Hello?"

Abruptly shaken out of her thoughts, Gwen spun in her chair to see Arthur standing in the doorway. Her thoughtful frown immediately changed into a wide smile as she leapt out of her chair and embraced him, wrapping her arms around him and breathing in his familiar, grounding scent.

He laughed. "Good morning to you too."

Gwen smiled into her boyfriend's neck before pulling back and placing a modest kiss on his cheek. "Good morning, Arthur."

"Was that Katie I saw leaving?" the blonde asked, dropping his hands to fold behind Gwen's back.

"Yes," the secretary answered, smiling.

Brow furrowing with slight confusion, Arthur's eyes dimmed with question. "What'd she want?"

"Well, aren't you curious this morning?" Gwen teased, resting her arms on Arthur's own so that her hands rested on his broad shoulders. "We are friends, you know? She doesn't need a reason to see me."

Arthur snorted and his eyes danced again. "I know that, Guinevere. I was just wondering. Goodness."

Rubbing the material of Arthur's button-up shirt between her fingers, Gwen laughed, her loosely curled brown hair bouncing as her head dropped and lifted. Arthur's grin broadened, and warmth spread through his chest at the airy sound. With one last laugh, the girl settled down a bit, but her eyes sparkled.

"She was asking about your new partner, Colin."

Something darker came forward from the recesses of his mind, and Arthur didn't understand the strange protectiveness that came with Morgana, his sister, asking about Colin, his new partner and perhaps budding friend. "What about him?"

Guinevere seemed to sense the new edge in his voice and carefully righted his collar. Her voice softened, and her hands slowly moved to press down a rising crease, eyes narrowing with confusion. "Just... about him: who he was, what he looked like, what his name is."

"Why?"

"I don't know." Her eyes narrowed further and she settled her hand on the back of his neck. "I'm sure she was just curious. Arthur?"

Arthur's eyes refocused on her and, pushing down his unease, he smiled. "It's nothing. How's she doing? We didn't have much time to talk yesterday."

Seeing Arthur's mood change, Gwen perked up. "Neither did we, Arthur," she laughed. "But she's doing fine; excited for her trip."

"Oh yeah," he smirked. "She's going to... Wales, isn't she?"

Gwen nodded. "Yes. She seems to really like it there; she vacations there every time she goes away."

A frown pulled on Arthur's lips. "Yeah, and it's where she was in that accident, too."

Guinevere frowned. "Arthur, that was years ago."

"It almost killed her."

"But she's here now," the secretary said softly. "Right?"

Arthur sighed, answered reluctantly, "Right."

Gwen smiled again. "Good. Now, when's Colin coming in? I kind of expected him to be with you."

"Said he's on his way," the blonde answered, "though..." He glanced down at his watch over Guinevere's shoulder. "He's about to be late."

"Late?"

Arthur smirked as Guinevere pulled away, settling into her computer chair as the something popped onto the screen. The detective leaned against the counter and took a drink of Gwen's coffee. "He said he would be here now 'cause he lives about half an hour from here."

"Did you just get here, then?"

"Nah, I was in the break room with Leon and Gwaine."

"You know," Gwen offered, typing on her keyboard as she talked. "If he's going to be a more-" She glanced at her boyfriend, raising her eyebrow teasingly "-permanent partner than the rest of the knobs you've had, maybe he should look into getting an apartment in the city?"

"Oh, will you come off it?" Arthur smiled. "It was only two bootlickers I didn't like." His smile grew, though, and he ran a hand through his golden hair. "But that is a good idea."

The secretary felt a thought gathering in her mind, and as if formed into a solid notion, she felt something stir in her that just made it feel right. Hair moving along her back as she turned, she offered, "There's still that open apartment on our floor. Maybe I could speak to the manager?"

Arthur moved forward and pecked Gwen on the cheek. "Guinevere, you're brilliant."

"I know," she quipped, smiling. "We still have to talk to Colin, mind you."

But why would she offer it in the first place? There was no guarantee that Arthur would keep this partner for any longer than he kept his others.

But there was. Gwen had seen him last night as they shared the pizza they'd ordered. Arthur wasn't closed off or supercilious like he had been with the others. He had been genuinely laughing at Colin's jokes, and there was a certain light in his eyes...

This one was different. Somehow, Gwen knew that he would stay.

It actually took another fifteen minutes for Merlin Emrys to step out of the silver lift's doors. Dressed in denim jeans and a loose grey hoodie, he ran a hand through his hair subconsciously, nervously. He looked around the well-lit room, illuminated by both the lights above, and the nearly floor to ceiling windows lining one of the walls.

"There you are!" a voice called.

The warlock turned from where he'd been facing Arthur's desk to find a wild-haired man dressed in casual jeans and a button up blue shirt, a white undershirt poking out by the collar, walking towards him.

"We've been waiting forever!"

"Sorry, Gwaine," Merlin offered sheepishly. "There was an accident on Maple."

The former-knights broad grin wavered. "Really? What happened?"

Merlin tilted his head. "It wasn't too bad. Just rear-ended, but they couldn't get the cars out of the road until the police came. Insurance policies and all that."

Rolling his eyes, Gwaine shook his head. "Stupid. Everyone okay?"

"As far as I could see," he answered, one side of his mouth pulling into a grin because, even though he was usually a happy-go-lucky guy, Gwaine still had a fierce protectiveness of others and their well-being.

And suddenly a stab of grief sliced Merlin's gut. Gwaine, his best friend, that happy-go-lucky knight, had died because he hadn't been there. He had died. And his death had been pointless. Heartbroken, vengeful, and hopeless, Gwaine had gone after Morgana with only Percival as backup. Percival had recounted the story that the witch had captured them and tortured Gwaine to death. He had died feeling like he had failed his king and his best friend.

"Colin?"

Merlin blinked, finding Gwaine a step closer to him, brow furrowed. "Hm?"

"You alright? You look a bit pale. You know, you look like you did yesterday actually. Maybe you should see a doctor?"

The warlock grinned lightly at the genuine worry in the sergeant's voice and shoved his hands into his sweater's long pocket in the front. "I am a doctor, remember, Gwaine? Besides, I'm fine. Just... allergies."

The long haired man didn't seem to fully believe him, and how could Merlin blame him? It was a stupid excuse. But he let it go, instead tilting his head behind him.

"Well, come on then. The others are waiting in the break room with the surveillance tape from outside the museum."

"Is there going to be popcorn?"

Gwaine laughed suddenly, laying a hand on his stomach. "Doughnuts and coffee if you're interested."

Merlin smiled broadly, eyes relieved, and giddy happiness stirred in him at the sound he was so familiar with both from Camelot and his dreams, and yet hadn't heard in much too long. "Fine by me."

The warlock felt that happiness in him gather strength as he thought about how it still might take a little time to get used to his friends being back, but that was okay. He wouldn't have it any other way.

Quick announcement, I now have an "Announcements" at the top of my FF profile, so check that for updates and changes. ;)

To answer a few frequent questions:

*No, sorry, Lancelot will not be coming into this story. He wasn't ever really one of my favorite characters, and I feel like he wasn't set enough (because he was only in like six episodes before he was killed off) character to really work with. Also, I feel like if I bring him in, it would inevitably mess with the Arthur/Gwen pairing, and I would have to address that, and it would pull away from the Arthur/Merlin brotherhood and just... no. Way too much effort and way too much drama for me.

*Yes, Gaius will be coming in. Not in this story, no, but I have tentative plans for a sequel in which he'll come in as a fixed character... So that anonymous reviewer named 'Gaius' who says he'll kill me using the Old Religion if I don't bring him in has nothing to worry about-you'll be in here before you know it. ;D I just didn't want to add him into this one because, again, I didn't want to pull away from the Arthur/Merlin brotherhood and how they rekindle their friendship, and I feel like adding Gaius here would, because Gaius was such a father figure for Merlin.

*sickly cough* I need sleep, and I don't even know what to say here anymore. So, I hope you all have a good night. :)

G'night!