Disclaimer: IDOM

Hello, all! Sorry, again, for the skipped update last week. I could give you a bunch of excuses, but they'll all seem petty so I won't list them. But I apologize in advance if I do have to delay/skip any more updates due to personal circumstances of either myself or my beta. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter. It's got a bit of everything. ;)

Enjoy:

Chapter 14: Turning Pages

Guinevere rested her head on Merlin's shoulder as the lift pulled them up to the third floor. He had his long arm around her, reminding them both of all the time they spent in Camelot together after everyone else had passed. Gwen had been his first friend, and she had been his last friend. Sister, really, considering how close they were.

The lift doors opened, and they both stepped out of the lift, Gwen's neck craning as she looked around for her boyfriend, brother, and friends.

"Guinevere!"

Her head whipped to the left, her hair bouncing, and they saw Arthur jogging towards them, the others following close behind. She closed the gap, and the former king's arms wrapped around Gwen in a tight embrace. He breathed in her scent, and she his, until they broke apart, and Arthur set his hand on the side of her face.

"Are you alright?"

She smiled as tears stung the back of her eyes. "Yes, yes, I'm fine. Merlin took care of me." Elyan stepped forward as Gwen stepped towards him and pulled his sister into a hug, planting light kisses in her hair and on her forehead.

"Merlin, eh?" Gwaine smiled, eyebrow quirked.

The warlock's eyes widened as Gwen turned towards him, both realizing her slip, but then, as he replayed Gwaine's voice in his head, warmth washed over him. She had used his real name.

"Well, um..." Gwen fumbled. "We... all have Arthurian legend nicknames, and Mer—Colin is one of us now... So I thought..."

"I like it," Gwaine decided, clapping Merlin's arm as he heaved an inward sigh of relief. "It fits. Except for the fact that you're not an old man. At least, I hope not." The warlock laughed, and Gwen bit her lip as Elyan put his arm around her shoulders. "Merlin it is then. Merlin. Merlin. Merlin. Merlin. Yep. I love it."

"Me too," Arthur agreed, and suddenly Merlin's heart soared.

The bright smile on the warlock's lips grew even bigger, and he shoved his hands anxiously into his sweater pocket. "So, um, you said something about the case?"

The Inspector nodded. "Both of them actually."

"Both?"

"The man who attacked you, we found out, was hired—"

"What?"

"Yeah, and—"

"Who would want to attack Gwen?"

"Colin, shut up!"

Gwaine nudged the warlock, quirking his brow at Arthur. "His name is Merlin."

The warlock smirked, biting the corner of his lip.

"Anyway, Merlin," Arthur continued, looking pointedly at his friend, "on our case, we got an anonymous tip that someone saw someone leaving the museum where Rose Lyngrid was murdered. By their description, we recognized it as a local gang that originated in Chinatown. Now, the guy that attacked Gwen confessed to being hired by someone in Chinatown that fits the description of the guy they saw leaving the museum."

"So they're connected?" Gwen asked.

Arthur shrugged. "Apparently. I don't understand why or how, but it sure seems like it."

But Merlin knew. It was Morgana. Who else? She'd tried to kill Gwen before. The only problem is was that Guinevere hadn't remembered the past anyway. So why attack her?

The warlock thought back to the curator's death. The cause of her death was strangulation, but there weren't any markings. It was magic, of course. He'd seen it before. And she had seemed to know so much about their case at dinner... Was it only last night? She'd said they were looking in the wrong direction; she'd seemed so involved. And now this. Everything pointed to Morgana.

But why make it so easily to connect Guinevere's attack with Lyngrid's murder? The connection was obvious to Merlin, at least.

But what was her aim? What did she have to gain from breaking into museums and, more pointedly, it seemed, the weapons wing. What was she looking for that was so important? Merlin briefly thought about Excalibur, but that was at the bottom of Avalon. Only he would be able to release it from the Lake's depths. No, it wasn't Arthur sword...

"Merlin?"

The mist that covered his eyes dispersed, and he focused on Arthur. "Hm?"

"Are you alright? You went quiet there-which is new, by the way."

A grin spread on his face. "Fine. I was just... thinking."

"Now I'm scared," Arthur jested, raising his eyebrow. He turned and started to walk, Gwen falling in step with Merlin as they followed behind.

"Merlin? What's wrong?"

The warlock glanced down at her, affection spreading through him at the genuine concern in her eyes. God, it was good to have her back. "Nothing," he smiled. "I'll explain later. Erm... where're we going?"

"Interrogation room," Gwen explained. "You really did zone out, didn't you?

"It's been known to happen," he laughed.

She bumped him, whispering so the other wouldn't hear her. "Especially to you, warlock." He only grinned brighter. "Arthur explained that to get a full confession, Luke, the guy from last night, has to see me and confirm that it was me he was meant to attack."

The man's expression quickly morphed into a protective frown. "And you're okay with that? Gwen, I've no intention of letting you get within ten feet of the guy."

"Merlin," she chided, smiling. "It's okay. The man's not going to attack me in the middle of Scotland Yard. And Arthur'll be there. I've faced worse."

"Not because I wanted you to."

"I know, Merlin, but I'll be fine," Gwen reassured.

Arthur turned right once more before gesturing towards a wooden door and turning towards them. "Merlin, you're coming with us. Elyan, Leon, you better follow up on your own case before my father comes down on you. Gwaine, Perce, you guys wait in the observatory. We'll go to Chinatown after this, and I want you two as backup."

"Wonderful," Gwaine murmured.

Elyan put his hands on his sister's shoulder. "You're sure you're alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine," Guinevere reassured. He nodded at her, smirking before saying a quick goodbye and following Leon. "He's such a big brother," she grinned, watching him walk away.

"Come on, let's get this over with," Merlin said, bumping her arm. Together, the three walked into the room, and he saw Gwen shiver as the bulky man sitting at the table locked his eyes on her. The warlock's hand brushed against hers, reassuring her, and she looked up at him, smiling gratefully.

Arthur stepped in front of the table, spreading his hands as he leaned against the fixture. "So before we close this, I need you to confirm that this was the woman you were hired and paid to attack."

The man's brown eyes flickered towards Arthur before focusing on Gwen again. "Yes, that's her."

"And who hired you?"

"I told you," he sniffed haughtily, "I was approached by a guy in Chinatown."

"Where?"

"A bar called the Purple Flower."

"By whom?"

"Lin Hui."

"Wonderful," Arthur smirked. "Thank you. We're done here. Someone will be by soon with the paperwork." He turned towards the others, nodding towards the door, and Merlin gently guided Gwen out, following behind her as Arthur came out behind him.

"Okay, Gwen?"

"Yes," she laughed. "I'm alright."

Arthur quirked his brow. "Well, it's not everyday you're attacked by a stranger."

She bumped his arm just as Gwaine and Percival came out of the observation room. Gwaine smirked. "Well, that was straightforward."

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Ready to go?"

"I suppose. Can we stop off for lunch on the way?"

"No, Gwaine. Afterwards. My goodness." He turned towards Gwen, setting his hands on her arms and looking into her eyes. "Guinevere, I want you to go home and rest, alright? I already told my father what happened and got you the day off."

Merlin could see the indecision in her face, but she finally sighed and consented. "Okay."

"Will you be alright alone, or do you want a ride?"

She smiled. "It's the middle of the day; I'll be fine. Besides," she added, throwing a teasing look at Gwaine, "I can stop off at Subway and get something to eat."

"Darn it!" Gwaine whined, turning away and gesturing wildly. "That sounds so good. Gwen, I hate you."

"Ha! That'll be the day," she laughed.

Arthur plated a small kiss on her forehead before stepping back and turning towards Merlin. "I'll be right back. I need to get my gun out of my desk."

"Same!" Gwaine added, jogging off after Arthur as Percival followed at his heels

The warlock set a hand on his friend's shoulder. "I'll check on you later, Gwen, alright?"

She glanced down the hall to see the others out of earshot. "Then we'll talk?"

"Yeah," he smirked. "Then we'll talk."

Cars honked and squeezed past each other, and Percival turned on his blinker seconds before turning right down Wardour Street. The traffic was lighter, and Merlin looked out the window, excitement and anxiety both coursing through him. Signs hung from buildings, some in English, some in Chinese, and some with both languages running side by side.

"Are we there yet?" Gwaine mumbled.

Arthur glanced over his shoulder from the front passenger side seat. "No. Roll your window up: the air conditioner's on."

Groaning, the sergeant pressed the button beside him and watched as his window slowly climbed. "Well, are we almost there?"

Merlin snickered and leaned against his own window. "Nearly."

"How would you know?" Arthur questioned, amusement flickering in his eyes.

"Well, the gentle giant pulled off the main road, so I assume we're almost there."

Percival laughed out loud. "The gentle giant, hm? Well, I might have to teach you a lesson or two then, Merlin." The warlock's grin broadened as he chortled, and Perce parallel parked next to a shady tree. "We're here."

"Finally!" Gwaine sighed. "Maybe I can get some food here."

"Really?" The Inspector eyed him with disbelief. "That's why you wanted to get here?"

"Yes," he answered with a cheeky smile.

"No one can accuse him of acting like an adult," Merlin quipped.

Percival pointed towards the warlock, smirking. "I like him."

Rolling his eyes before schooling his features, Arthur shook his head. "Come on, let's get this over with." He reached into his jacket and pulled his sidearm from his shoulder holster, flipping it over in his hand and checking that it was loaded.

Merlin leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he furrowed his brow. "Is that really necessary?"

Arthur glanced at him, putting the gun back in its holster. "Better safe than sorry."

"Besides," Gwaine smirked. "You're a physician. You're probably used to blood and stuff and things."

A frown pulled on Merlin's lips. "Used to it, yes. Is it a good thing to see? No. I know what guns do to people, and it isn't pretty or fun."

Arthur looked at him, something like sympathy making his eyes soften. "Alright, I promise I won't fire it, okay? Just intimidate them a bit."

The warlock sighed audibly, humorously, and felt warmth spread through him. "Fine."

The Inspector opened his door, swinging his legs around. "Besides, I wouldn't want to waste a perfectly good bullet."

Merlin huffed a laugh as he hopped out of the SUV and onto the sidewalk. Gwaine climbed out beside him, and both their doors slammed shut at the same time. Arthur and Perce came round from the other side of the vehicle.

"Sure this is the place?" Gwaine voiced.

Arthur narrowed his eyes against the sunlight. "Well, Gwaine, you tell me: there's a neon purple flower sign in the window, and a sign that has, not only purple flowers on it, but a name."

"Snarky, aren't we?"

The Inspector groaned, but they could all see the humor pulling at his lips as he led the way into the tavern. As soon as Merlin stepped through the threshold of the door, the atmosphere changed abruptly: the sunlight was gone, replaced by shining black lights and neon colored spotlights that flickered around at random, never settling, and the fresh air was replaced by stale cigarette smoke, age old booze and liquor and a cheap air freshener that only made the scents increase tenfold. To Merlin's left was a well-stocked bar, complete with a tattooed bartender waiting on people already drunk. To his right were countless round tables and booths where couples and groups sat, drinking and eating, and further back was a dancefloor. Dozens of people crowded together in that area, grinding and brushing against each other as they danced in tune with the loud, techno beat.

"I thought this was a bar," he said, loudly.

Arthur glanced at him. "Bar, nightclub, same difference." His eyes roved around, and the warlock watched them widen, then narrow, at someone in one of the booths at the other end of the club. "There he is."

Merlin followed at his friend's heels as he maneuvered his way through the crowd. "Who is he, exactly?"

"Lin Hui," Arthur said. "Local menace who likes to make it difficult for people less fortunate than himself. You know, collect on debts with outrageous interest."

"He's a bookie?"

"That's one name for it, yes. We have him on several accounts of assault, but we have no solid proof. He always gets out of it somehow. What confuses me, though, is the museum robberies. That's a new one for him. I mean, we've got a jewelry store robbery that was loosely linked to him, but nothing like this."

"Well, I guess you could ask him," Merlin smirked.

The blond shook his head in disbelief and amusement, and as they neared the half-circled booth, he schooled his expression into one of complete seriousness. Merlin thought it all looked very much like an older mobster movie, and pushing his magic down, he fought a rising unease when the two bodyguards on either side of the booth eyed them all with hard eyes and thin lipped frowns.

"Mr. Hui," Arthur began, "we'd like a word with you."

The man in the center leaned forward, making the two women on either side of him shift, and he cupped his martini glass between his forefinger and his middle finger, rings glinting in the strobe lights. He looked to be about middle-aged, with thinning black hair and a long face. "Ah, and who might you be, exactly?"

"Detective Inspector Bradley James, sir."

Hui didn't look at all concerned with Arthur's rank, and he took a sip of his drink. "Respectful," he quipped, "I like that. So, Mr. Detective Inspector Bradley James, what can I do for you?"

"We'd like to ask you a few questions about some recent happenings-"

"Sorry, I don't do questions. That's not how it works."

"That's how it works if you don't want your arse dragged all the way to Scotland Yard, sir. But," Arthur raised his voice, angling his head towards the dancing crowd, "I guess we could always discuss the murder-"

"Hey!" Hui objected. "What're you trying to do? Put me out of business?"

Arthur looked him straight in the eye, challenging him, and folded his hands in front of him. "No, I would just like to take you down to Scotland Yard for some questions. Willingly."

And the oddest thing happened-Hui smiled, widely and genuinely. "You seem a man of honor, Mr. James. Honor is the very root of my culture, as I'm sure you know. So, to test that honor, I will give you a little challenge."

If Merlin didn't know Arthur better than he knew himself, he would have missed the way his friend's jaw tightened. "What challenge?"

Hui spread his arms. "Defeat my bodyguards, and I will go with you willingly. Failure to do so, and you will have to get a warrant for my arrest."

"And what about your business? Wouldn't that disrupt things a bit?" Arthur asked.

"Eh, if you win, the people will get a bit of entertainment, which means more drinks and more partying. If you lose and come back to arrest me, the people will only come back to find out what happened, and then buy more drinks. Really, it's a win-win for me. And," he added, "since my men are rather, well, large, I will allow you to use the three men that you brought with you. That should make it an even fight."

Arthur's head turned and glanced at Gwaine and Percival, and when both nodded, he turned towards the warlock. Merlin could see the hesitation in his eyes, the subtle tresses of hard protectiveness that colored in his irises and the unwillingness to let Merlin fight beside him, for his own safety. But the warlock responded with a small nod and a thin, reassuring smile. After fifteen hundred years of waiting, it would be good to fight beside Arthur again. Wholly and truly.

The detective turned back to Hui, the old air a Camelotian knight covering him like a thick blanket. "I accept your challenge."

A bit of BAMF-ness there at the end. I like that. ;D

I thought I would let you guys know, too, that I'm going to be participating in NaNoWriMo this year, both on my own and with my Creative Writing class (whose aim is 25,000 words). My goal, however, is still the 50,000. It's an original story that I've got plotted out... which ended up sounding, to me, like a medieval Lion King/Merlin deal. :D I'm excited for it. It shouldn't affect my RM updates, though. :D If you want to look me up I'm carinims01 both on the sites for it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Anyway, I can't think of anything else to say, so, goodnight, all.

Dream of Jack Frost tonight. :)