AN: Sorry it's taken me so long! New jobs are so stressful but I think I'm getting into it. Things really start to change after this chapter and I'm really looking forward to seeing where it all goes! Thank you all for reading, the appreciation is amazing!

Arthur drummed his fingers nervously on the table as he waited. He wasn't even sure if she would come back, she might not have even worked today. He hadn't seen her at all—not that he had been actively searching, of course. Twice now, he had made a fool of himself in front of her and he just wanted a proper chance to explain himself.

Guinevere. Her name had been running through his mind all day; he couldn't seem to get her out of his head. Even Merlin had noticed something different. After he had dragged Arthur from the ballroom last night, Merlin had asked about her.

"Who was that?"

"Who was who?"

"Come on, Arthur. (Sigh.) The girl, who was she?"

"Guinevere. (Pause.) I was an ass to her."

"I'm not surprised; you'll want to drink a lot of water before going to sleep."

"Shut up, Merlin."

"So, you going to see her again?"

"I don't know, can we not talk about this?"

When Arthur had told Merlin to go on without him at the end of the last meeting today, he had seen a twinkle in his best friend's eyes that said Merlin knew exactly what he was doing. Scowling, he muttered to himself about lousy friends and how difficult it was to find good assistants. He was so focused that he didn't even realize that the door to the ballroom had opened until he heard a clatter coming from that direction.

Guinevere. Arthur jumped up as she turned and saw him. She held the door open with her shoulder and was trying to haul the vacuum through with one hand while the other held what looked like a small portable speaker. Arthur hurried over to help.

"Thank you," Gwen said once they were both in the room. Arthur shook his head.

"It's no problem," he said, smiling.

"Clearly you're in better spirits than when I last saw you."

Arthur cringed remembering the previous evening. This time he was determined to make a better impression.

"Yes, thanks to you. Look," he ran a hand though his hair. "I'm sorry about the way I've treated you these past two days. I was stressed and tired but there's really no excuse for my behaviour."

Gwen seemed to deliberate for a moment, drawing out Arthur's agony. Then, she smiled. It appeared to him the most brilliant, joyful gesture he had ever seen.

"I accept your apology, of course," said Gwen. "Now, if you don't mind, I'll have to ask you to leave." She nodded her head at the vacuum. "I do still have work to do."

"Let me help," Arthur said.

"Oh no, I couldn't—"

"It's the least I can do."

Gwen laughed at that and Arthur instantly started thinking of other ways he could make her laugh.

"Alright, you can flip the chairs and put them on the tables so I can get under them with the vacuum."

They worked together in silence until Arthur ended up near the door. He placed the chair he was holding on the table and then walked over to where Gwen had dropped her portable speaker. It was attached to an iPod so Arthur turned it on. Suddenly, the room was filled with soft guitar chords and a keening male voice.

What will become of the truth, when we keep it in?

Gwen jumped at the sound and turned to Arthur who held out his hand to her. Everything seemed to shift then. Time moved slower as Gwen's hand met Arthur's and he pulled her closer.

Maybe this is my heart and, maybe it is yours.

Together they danced as the song carried them through a world all their own. Nothing existed outside that moment. Gwen relaxed against Arthur's chest as he let his cheek rest on the top of her head.

Oh we go where, we don't know the way. Fire meets fire, it's all the same.

Arthur wished the moment could last forever but inevitably, the song was coming to an end. Gwen shook her head slightly as if waking from a daydream. She looked up at Arthur, her eyelids heavy and her lips parted. A strange emotion swept through him; he felt like telling all the world about this beautiful girl and yet wanted to keep her all to himself.

"Guinevere, I—"

He didn't get any further as Gwen yanked herself from his arms. She looked shocked and confused. Arthur took a step towards her, wanting to comfort her from whatever had upset her but she took a step back; and then another until she was backing away from him and fleeing the ballroom, leaving Arthur standing alone in the dark.

If I want to leave, I will, stand on my feet, I do. Only takes these words you, never believe are true.

AN2: The song used at the end here is Wild Country by Wake Owl. (It's a lovely song and I recommend you all listen to this band.)