The alarm rang, and Arthur stirred in his bed two hours earlier than usual. "Uhh..." His fingers had almost found the snooze button to shut up the enormously annoying racket, before two words started popping up into his head. 'London.' 'Gwen.' Arthur got up, tired, but ready to start his day. Two hours later, he appeared at Gwen's.

Gwen opened the door, her curly hair tied back, wearing jeans, a t-shirt and an over-sized but extremely comfortable sweater. She had a suitcase by her side, and a huge smile on her face, "I am so ready for this."

"Good morning, darling." Arthur gave her a warm kiss, then took her suitcase as they headed into the elevator. "You look really excited. I'm glad I invited you."

"It's nice to be going home." Gwen said with a smile, "Even if I don't actually remember anything." She grinned, "I'm English as well, you know. Father moved us here when I was young." As though her accent hadn't given it away.

"I had guessed as much." Arthur chuckled. "Just...never mentioned it." It was no surprised they hadn't mentioned their birthplaces, being so caught up in the events of the last few days, weeks, and months.

Gwen smiled, practically bouncing, "Let's go!" She said, grinning, "Ahh!"

"I'm coming. I'm coming." He couldn't help but grin; her energy was infectious. Lance stowed the luggage in the back of the car, and they reached the airport quickly enough.

Gwen was smiling like crazy. "Oh goodness I haven't been back in forever." She said. The car stopped and she grabbed Arthur's hand, "Come on!"

"Woah." Arthur was abrubtly tugged from his seat, and into the slew of people. "Slow...down."

Gwen laughed, looking over her shoulder as she kept a tight grip on his hand. "Never!" She said, smiling.

"I can't say I will have an easy time keeping up with you on this trip." Arthur said as he was lugged from place to place. "Please, Guinevere. The flight doesn't leave for an hour."

"I know!" Gwen exclaimed, stopping to look at him, "Why is it so long?"

"Because I am not an early bird..." He looked at her like he doubted her sanity for a moment. "I already had to get up at 6:00 for this one."

Gwen grinned, "I actually don't think I slept." She said seriously, "Maybe an hour or so. Probably because I want to sleep on the plane."

"Wow. Well, alright. You can...sleep on the plane." Arthur nodded slowly, now certain his girlfriend was just a little crazy. "I won't disturb you."

Gwen smiled, "I'm calm now, I promise." She said.

"Alright. Alright." Arthur squeezed her hand as they boarded their flight. "But, you might want to get some sleep anyway."

"Maybe." Gwen said, drawing out the word, "Depends on whether you keep me awake or not."

"I was actually, planning on reading, and...reading...yes, reading." Arthur shrugged, stashing their suitcases above in the compartments.

"I suppose reading is fun." Gwen said, "Actually, it is definitely fun." She smiled, "Sleep it is."

"You're telling me you don't like reading?" Arthur placed his hands on his hips, and shook his head playfully making a 'Tsk' sound between his teeth.

"No, I do like reading." Gwen said, covering a yawn, "I just prefer not passing out."

"That would be good to." Arthur nodded, and settled into the chair beside her. "Get your beauty sleep, my love."

Gwen smiled, putting her seatbelt on. She knew she didn't need it yet, but she didn't want to be woken up in order to put it on. She leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes. Kicking off her shoes she pulled her feet up under her and leaned against Arthur gently. Not exactly the most comfortable but it was better than nothing.

He wrapped he right arm around her shoulders, and opened his book. He'd already read it around seven times throughout, but it was a favourite. As he turned through the pages, Arthur realised his arm was getting distinctly sore. He would have moved, but didn't want to wake up Gwen.

"Can I...have a pillow?" The young man asked the nearest attendent.

"Of course." She smiled on the sweet scene, and handed it to him.

Carefully, Arthur removed his arm, and slid the pillow under Guinevere's head. "All...clear." He whispered, and started massaging his pained arm, realising it had been several hours.

Gwen remained asleep until they were about an hour from landing. She woke up slowly, groaning as she lifted her head. Sore neck, of course. Planes were uncomfortable. "Where are we?" She asked Arthur.

"About an hour away." Arthur answered , quite involved in the story his book was telling, and barely looking up at her.

"Right." Gwen said, clearing her throat, "Oh goodness, my neck."

He gently set the book down, aware the the hero was about to kill his enemy, and began massaging her neck. "Any better?"

Gwen sighed, "Yes." She said quietly. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Arthur stopped, and picked up the book again, wanting to finish...although, he knew the ending.

Gwen pulled her hands into her sleeves, then tucked her hands into her pockets. Blinking the blurred sleep out of her eyes.

"Go back to sleep." Arthur said softly. "I'll wake you up when we land."

"I'm not tired anymore." Gwen said, "Keep reading. You look into it."

"I was." He chuckled, then stashing the book in his backpack, picked up her hand and smiled. "But I already know the ending, and if I'm with you, I get to hang on for dear life."

"Not scared of flying are you?" Gwen asked teasingly, "Big bad Arthur?"

"No, of course I'm not scared of flying. I've been flying ever since I was kid." Arthur chuckled."Wait...how am I big and bad?" His brow wrinkled in confusion.

"I'm joking, darling." Gwen said, smiling as she kissed him on the cheek.

"Oh." Arthur nodded, and was tempted to pull out his book again.

Gwen closed her eyes again, rubbing her stomach lightly. It got itchy sometimes...the newer ones did anyway.

"Are you alright?"

Gwen nodded, looking up, "Fine," She said, "Completely."

"No. No, you aren't." Arthur shook his head, his own eyes closed this time, and his voice only a whisper - partially for privacy sake. "This is what you were talking about, the other day."

"Doesn't matter." Gwen said, looking away, out the window, "It doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does." Arthur said calmly. "Guinevere. You know its dangerous."

"Not if you're careful." Gwen said, her voice barely audible.

He knew he had to tread his waters carefully. "Please. You don't see the big picture, Gwen. I've seen it before."

"The big picture?" Gwen repeated, "Making the pain..." Her voice died off and she swallowed, "Making the pain stop is part of the big picture isn't it?"

"Sweetheart, you don't see what can happen." Arthur ran his fingers along the left side of her face. "Please, I couldn't loose you, Gwen."

Gwen turned to look at him, "You don't know how much I wish I didn't have to," She whispered, "I've tried. I promised myself I wouldn't anymore..." Tears welled up in her eyes and she blinked them back, "But there are bad nights. Everyone gets bad nights."

"You know, I had a friend, who used to do that." Arthur remarked.

"And what happened to that friend?" Gwen asked, although she feared the answer.

"He...didn't make it through, Gwen. Aaron died. " Arthur answered.

"I'm sorry," Gwen said, "I really am..." She stopped, biting her lip, "I'm trying, I really am. But it's so hard."

"Please fasten your seatbelts, the plane is now descending."

Arthur didn't reply.

Gwen, who hadn't taken her seatbelt off, simply pulled up her legs and buried her face in her hands.

Arthur didn't speak to her as they gathered their things, and left the plane, nor as they got into the taxi. All he could think about was that she doing something that would lead her to her death, someday. If she died, he didn't know what he'd do. Probably breakdown.

Gwen stayed quiet too, staring at her hands as the taxi took them towards their hotel. She didn't know what she could say. There was nothing, really. This was her problem. She had to deal with it alone. That's what she thought, anyway.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything." Arthur said as he handed her a room key. "You're right beside me. I'll be there, if you need anything. My first week is busy, until the evenings, but I left our evenings free."

Gwen nodded, taking the key silently, and carrying her suitcase into her room. "Thank you." She said, before walking inside.

"Wait, Gwen!" Arthur hurried in after her. "I thought you'd forgive me. I am sorry. "

Gwen turned to look at him, "There's nothing to forgive you for." She said, not meeting his eyes, "You haven't done anything wrong."

"Obviously, I hurt you, or you'd be looking at me right now." Arthur continued, not realising quite how well his voice carried in the empty room. "And...let's go somewhere more private..."

Gwen put her arms over her stomach, a protective gesture that she almost didn't notice herself doing. "Alright." She said, nodding. But it really wasn't him. She was disappointed with herself. She felt this was her fault. Why else would he be looking at her as though she was broken?

He placed his hand softly on her back, and seeing as he'd already checked them in beforehand, it was easy to find the privacy of their adjoining rooms.

Gwen turned away from him to look out the window, waiting. She wouldn't be the first to speak.

"I'm sorry. I don't what else I can say. Please forgive me...I was wrong to bring that up." Arthur joined her, trying to find what she was staring at, but found nothing.

"I already told you I'm not angry with you," Gwen said, "I don't need to forgive you, because you haven't done anything wrong. Caring isn't a sin."

"Please, Gwen. Maybe...sometimes I care a little too much. Perhaps a week of some time apart in the city will be good. You'll be able to relax...while I work." Arthur sighed, pulling her to his chest with a hug, and fiddling with her brown curls. "It might be good."

Gwen nodded, pressing her face against his chest gently. Time apart was probably the last thing she needed right now, but she agreed.

"I'll show you where my office is, in case you ever need me. I promise, I will pick up the phone, and we can have all of our evenings together this week." As she clung to him, he could tell she was a little nervous. "I promise. You'll be fine. If I didn't think so, I'd find a job."

Gwen nodded, closing her eyes, "You promise you'll pick up?" She asked, her voice faint. She just needed the confirmation that he would be there for her.

"I promise. Every time." Arthur's voice was sure, but he was a little nervous about that. The job in London was a big one, and he couldn't say it wasn't important. "Every, single, solitary time, my love."

Gwen nodded, opening her eyes, "I'll leave to your work," She said, "I know it's important."

"No, please stay with me." He kissed her forehead. "I have a feeling I'll need you tonight. For support."

Gwen nodded. Suddenly, she wanted to be alone, but if he needed her, she would stay. That's what she did, wasn't it? Put on a brave face for people.

"But after everything." Arthur moved away, and sat down on the couch. "It's fine, if you don't want to be with me. I can just a walk."

"If you need me to stay." Gwen said, forcing a smile that seemed genuine, "I'll stay."

"No, please. I understand." Arthur rubbed his temples, which were pounding. "Get some rest. I want you to-enjoy...yourself."

"If you're sure." Gwen said, standing. She took her room key and started to leave, "I'm there if you need me." She said, before leaving. Once in her room she climbed onto the bed, still fully dressed. Letting the tears she could no longer hold back flow, she curled herself into a ball and cried until she fell asleep.

Arthur didn't know what he'd done, but he was sorry. "I'm sorry." He whispered, and ended up falling asleep in frong of the same window, watching the street, from thirteen flights up.

Gwen woke up in the middle of the night. Jet lag was a killer. She felt better, marginally, and slid off the bed to sit in front of it, leaning against the cushioned mattress before turning on the TV. She switched to some comedy show and watched, not really absorbing anything.

Arthur slept through the night, eventually sleep walking to the bed, counting himself fortunate the next morning for slamming into minimal pieces of furniture.

By six o'clock, his alarm was going off again, and he had to get ready for work. Just before leaving the hotel, he pulled out his cellphone, and left her a message.

"Goodmorning Gwen, and it is your first morning in London. I'm going to work, but I just wanted to let you know I love you, and I'll be back by 9'o clock. "

Gwen let the phone ring until it went to message before checking it. She didn't want to talk to anyone at the moment. And she was staying away from anything sharp. She took a bath. A really, really long bath. She read about half of the huge book she'd brought with her before getting out and putting on red pajama pants and a black, form fitting top that made her look rather curvy. She would ask Arthur if they could just stay in the hotel, watch a movie. Tomorrow she would explore.

Arthur went through his day's work, not completely at an office, but working with various people in counsels and interviews. He slowly began to enjoy himself again, and actually got a few compliments. On the way home, he stopped and bought some flowers for Gwen, knowing she was still a little upset about what he'd said. There had to be something he could do.

Gwen was ready at 8:30. If ready meant not tired, and not angry, then ready she was. Her hair was pinned back, and she was still in her pajamas. She was sticking to her plan.

"Gwen..." Arthur softly knocked on the door, hiding the flowers behind his back. "Hey, I brought you something."

Gwen came to the door and pulled it open, smiling. She hadn't eaten all day but she wasn't hungry. "Arthur." She said.

"Daises." He said simply in reply, holding the bouquet out to her. "Your favourite."

Gwen smiled, taking the blooms with a huge smile, "Thank you." She said, smelling them, "You are wonderful."

"I thought you'd still be mad at me." Arthur said quietly. "And I know you liked them."

"I told you, I'm not mad at you." Gwen said, turning to find a glass or something to put the flowers in. She looked over her shoulder, as he stepped in the door. "Do you mind if we stay here tonight?" She asked, "Watch a movie or something?"

"Sure, whatever you'd like." He shrugged, and pulled a vase out of a cupboard she'd abandoaned. "Here."

"Oh, thanks." Gwen said, smiling as she went to fill it with water and then put the flowers in. She put it on the middle of the bedside table, smiling. "Sorry," She said, not looking at him, "About yesterday. I didn't mean to make it seem like I was angry at you."

"No, it's fine." Arthur shot her a smile. "Really. Do you think my opinion of you is that biased?"

"Well," Gwen said, "It's just that...when Alex found out..." She motioned to the scar on her arm, "He said he would help me out. Make it faster." She shrugged, "That's all."

"And Arthur is not Alex." He reasoned.

"I know that." Gwen said, "Trust issues don't seem to see that though."

"It will take time, and I'm willing to wait." He gently took her hand, pressing it to his cheek. "I promise, I'll still be here."

Gwen nodded, "Thank you." She said quietly, before clearing her throat, "Okay, no more chick flick moments. Let's watch a movie."

"Alright. But let's just be clear...your saying you don't like it when I...make romantic gestures?" Arthur looked genuinly confused now, as he softly dropped her fingers. "As in...we're...friends?"

"No, I love the romantic gestures." Gwen said, "I just don't like emotional talks." She rose onto her toes, kissing him, "I love you."

"Right...okay." Arthur settled down onto the couch again. "Well, you know, I let you pick."

"And I always pick action movies." Gwen said with a grin, "Because I like to watch things ex-plode."

"Sometimes, I really don't get you..." Arthur shook his head, still confused, but laughing softly.

"Good." Gwen said, "I like to keep you on the edge. It's more exciting."

"Mhm." He said quietly, hugging a pillow he'd found.

Gwen smiled partially, " I am sorry, Arthur." She said, "For being like this."

"It's fine." His reply was quiet. "You've always put up with me. My antics aren't easy to deal with, either."

Gwen smiled, "I've never had anyone stay around long enough to put up with me." She said, flipping channels.

"You deserve better than people constantly walking out on you, Gwen." Arthur was going to say more. "Oh, but you don't like the long...emotional...talks. I'll quit."

Gwen smiled, "Thank you." She said, before finally turning the TV off. "Never mind a movie." She said, "I just want to be with you."

"If you don't want me to talk..." Arthur chuckled, and crossed his feet. "I'll just sit here, cuddling my pillow, I guess."

"Or you could sit here, cuddling me." Gwen suggested, moving closer.

"I'm up for that too." Arthur nodded.

Gwen smiled, moving herself gently into his arms.

Arthur wrapped himself around her, and pulled her close. "Have I told how lovely you look tonight?"

"No you haven't." Gwen said with a smile, cuddling against him, "But it's definitely nice to hear."

"Well I'm glad, because it is completely true." His blue eyes sparkled like they always did when he got time with her. "You always look beautiful."

"Thank you." Gwen said, "And you, of course, always look like someone that shouldn't look twice at me," She smiled, "Way out of my league." She was clearly teasing him.

"Gwen!" He laughed. "Don't. Just...don't. I love you."

Gwen laughed, her body shaking against his, "I love you too." She said. Happy. That's what she was.

"I love you too." Arthur tugged one of her curls playfully.

"I love you too...too." Gwen said, grinning.

"I'd go on but this is crazy." He chose a flower from the vase, and tucked it into her ponytail.

Gwen smiled, "You're crazy." She retorted.

Arthur blinked, innocently, and pointed to himself. "Moi?"

"Oui." Gwen responded, grinning.

That was the honest, and bare extent of his French. "Fine, I'm crazy." He laughed. "But let's

"Neither do I." Gwen said, her giggles out of control, as she was lost in his eyes, "I took french classes for five years and that's about all I know. We're hopeless."

"Hopeless in love." Arthur kissed her, and didn't let go of the moment.