The dock

A couple of hours later

"Hah, I dare say." Merlin's anger raised his head, but the cop just looked him at stern, not backing off.

"What are you trying to say, boy?" The cop asked.

"That you are a terrible liar. This has been free area for years, and my friend lives there." Merlin waved around them. Around the harbor were lots of different kinds of officers. Ambulance, fire trucks, police cars and of course, lots of curious people.

"Let him through Sam. He really knows my brother. Maybe he can actually help us." The female voice reached them. Merlin grinned and infiltrated under the yellow tape.

"Hello Morgana." Merlin greeted the woman.

"Do you know anything Merlin?" Morgana waved him to follow her.

"Maybe." Merlin was unsure how much he should tell her.

"I know that you have access to the cameras." Morgana was calm, but Merlin could tell that behind of those green eyes there was a storm running. She was afraid for her brother's sake. Arthur was a trouble magnet.

"I was looking for him when I found out, this." Merlin said when they stopped before the warehouse. Or what was left of it. Only couple of supporting framework was left.

"It exploded from inside out. Some men in the courtyard. They left right before the explosion." Merlin told what he was saw at the picture. He sniffed. "No smoke?"

"We don't know what exploded." One of the CSI men spoke. "Hello Merlin."

"Travis." Merlin nodded his greetings. "So?"

"Everything is in dust. But there is no sign of fire anywhere. And nothing is burning or being hot. But no bodies, that is sure." Travis glanced to Morgana who sighed in relief. Merlin closed his eyes and reached his mind out.

"Does our father know yet?" Morgana asked quietly.

"No." Merlin smile was tight.

"What Arthur was doing?"

"He was supposed to get a package at the airport. But weren't working on any case. But you might have to check that on our boss. I'm just a computer nerd." Merlin reminded her.

"The hell you are. You are the brain behind my father's company. And your paycheck is far higher then that of us mortal ones." Morgana grinned. She looked how Merlin opened his eyes. His eyes flashed for a moment at golden.

"Anything?"

"Something. I will let you know Morgana. And thanks."

"About what?"

"That brain thing. Nice one." Merlin laughed. Oh, she really didn't know the truth.

"You're welcome. Be careful. Whatever you are going to do, just, be careful." Morgana's request was full of concern.

"Yeah."

Merlin turned to leave, but he was stopped by three men and one woman. All of them were in black suit. Merlin winced. They looked the same group what was fled in the scene before.

"We have business whit Arthur Pendragon." The woman said.

"And you are?" Morgana stirred her eyes. "But first, how did you get here?" She tried to be calm. The blond tall woman's smile was sly.

"I'm Morgause Le Fey. Have you ever heard of 'The Hold'?"

"Not interested. Our section and the Dragon Inc. are working on this case." Morgana's voice got more authority.

"Of course you are." Morgause's smile was wider when she looked at Merlin.

"And he is?"

"He's…" Morgana started but Merlin interrupted her.

"Just a friend. I was worried and came to see what happened. Morgana, I have to go back to work. Call me?" Merlin turned to look Morgana.

"Of course." Morgana nodded and looked how Merlin winked and left.

...

New Camelot East side

Dragon Inc. Tower

Private apartment

So that was The Hold.

"Really creepy group." Merlin answered to Kilgharrah and shivered.

You got some really interesting information.

"Did I? So, what is The Hold?"

Merlin sat down in his hand made leather armchair, his gaze shifting over the city. He had returned to his own apartment to discuss the case in peace with the dragon. Kilgharrah's hologram was standing beside him, his gaze high to the clouds. His body was resting deep under the building's foundation, but his mind was linked with Merlin and to the building's computer system. Kilgharrah projected the information to the window glass.

I have only heard rumors. The Hold is bad thing, they try to mingle magic with science and they use humans for test.

"Great." Merlin muttered. The small dragon hologram moved near the glass.

These are the agents, and this is Morgause Le Fay. Maybe. She is good hider. She doesn't exist at all.

Merlin looked the woman and noticed the arm. There was burning marks.

"So why does she want Arthur Pendragon?"

Not him. There is someone with him. Here, these are from airport cameras.

They looked at the events. "She came from London's airplane?" Merlin asked to be sure.

Yes.

"And that is Arthur. A lady in trouble. Right. Morgana is going to be glad. What the hell is he doing?"

Getting into more trouble.

Merlin looked the dragon annoyed.

"So, we have to find him before The Hold does. But before that, I might have to call the boss. Oh boy, he's going to yell at me for this. "

Lucky that you are not one of the Dragon's agents anymore.

"No, better yet, I am Uther Pendragons son's best friend and I'm supposed to watch over him. Maybe I should go back in agent work. It was easier than babysitting Arthur. " Merlin grimaced.

Yearning for the old times?

Merlin pondered a moment.

"No. Not really."

...

Near the dock

"Arthur?"

Arthur heard the woman's voice and opened his eyes.

"Gwen? Is everything alright?"

He realized that he was laying Gwen's lap and looked up her golden eyes. Her dark skin and even darker hair. Beautiful. So beautiful. He wanted to touch those wreaths, but instead he tried to get up.

"This doesn't look like my home actually." He looked around.

"Yeah, it is quite spacious, but under the bridge." Gwen was amused.

"I dreamed that everything blow up." Arthur rubbed his head.

"So you didn't hit your head too hard." Gwen was relieved.

"I have hit it many times."

"That explains something about you." Gwen smiled but then she froze. "Do you want to know?"

"Nah. I work in Dragon Inc. I have seen a lot of weird things." Arthur crouched over the river bank.

"You are first one who isn't interesting in me."

"But I am." Arthur said. Gwen went to sit beside him.

"You are?"

"Yes." Arthur smiled to her.

Breathe

"Are you hungry?" Arthur asked, their eyes locked.

Breathe

"Yes." Gwen tried to calm down.

Breathe

Joy

"Then I know the place to go." Arthur grinned.

Breathe