-12-

"Damn," I muttered and I ended the call and turned back to the man who had been on my mind for quite a while. "Talk about bad timing."

I put my phone back in the small beaded bag and sighed. The one time I get to dance with Prince Charming and it's midnight.

"Is anything wrong?" Arthur asked as a small crease appeared on his forehead.

"No, no," I exhaled heavily. "It's just that I have to be heading home."

"Why?" a smile played on his lips "Is your carriage about to turn into a pumpkin?"

"Nothing like that," I laughed. "Our store assistant is having trouble setting the alarm and she can't leave until the code is put in."

I sighed again. This is just plain rotten luck.

"Does anyone else know the code?"

"Just me and my brother," I replied. "But I'd rather not give it over the phone."

I expelled a frustrated breath and looked to the dance floor. Morgana and Merlin were wrapped in each other's arms and it seemed rude to interrupt them when they were so clearly loving their time together.

I chewed at my lower lip and considered leaving without saying goodbye, but that just seemed improper. But a little luck was thrown my way when the music cut off and the master of ceremonies announced the return of the band.

I saw Merlin kiss Morgana's hand before tucking it into his elbow and clapping with the rest of the people on the dance floor. Soon, they were back to where Arthur and I were standing.

"What did I just see?" I teased Merlin whose face was split by a wide smile.

"I don't know, Gwen," he said. "What did you see?

Morgana raised an eyebrow and dared me to answer.

"Even in the throes of romance, she was still cheeky," I thought.

"Well, I saw the need for you to start thinking about getting a marriage license, Emrys," Arthur practically growled, but there was amusement in his eyes.

"We'll see," Merlin demurred and pulled Morgana closer to him.

"So," Morgana began, looking me straight in the eye. "What happened while we were...away?

I raised an eyebrow at her. I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of teasing me while her brother was still beside me.

"I received a phone call from Ella," I said. "And she's having a little trouble at the store."

"Oh no," Morgana said, concern now in her voice. "Is there anything we can do to help?"

"Oh, I just need to set the alarm for the night," I reassured her. The last thing I wanted to do was spoil their evening. "It's nothing big, it's just...inconvenient."

I couldn't help but glance at Arthur as I said the word. He was still staring quietly at me. What was wrong?

I self-consciously put a hand to my hair and was surprised when I felt fingers brush mine away. Arthur. I looked up and saw that it was him. Arthur slightly twirled a strand of my hair around his long finger before tucking it behind my ear.

"Um," damn voice, work! "I'm afraid I have to go. I'm so sorry I can't stay longer."

"That's too bad," Morgana frowned and went over to hug me. "But thank you for being here."

"Thank you again for inviting me," I whispered back.

Then I was being hugged by Merlin.

"You two look good together," he whispered in my ear.

"You're delusional," I whispered back. "But good luck with Morgana."

He let me go and as he did, he gave me a wink.

"Can I give you a ride?" Arthur took a step closer to me. His eyes were dark and his voice had dropped to a rumble.

"No, I'll be fine," I touched his arm again. "Dammit Gwen, stop doing that. He's already looking at you strangely."

"I suspect that it won't be difficult to get a cab from here," I smiled at my new friends.

"Won't you even tell me what store you're going back to?" Arthur threw the question at me. "Just so, you know, I'll know..."

His voice trailed away and it was evident that he had nothing to say that could save him from his outburst.

"I can't do that," I had to laugh at his confused expression. "That would be telling."

Was it my imagination or did his eyes grow a bit wide when I said that?

I gave Merlin and Morgana each a kiss on the cheek (with Morgana whispering "someone's hooked" as I did) but and hesitated a bit when I got to Arthur. He stepped closer and was obviously anticipating his turn.

"Screw it", I thought and brought my lips to his cheek. I must have miscalculated because my lips landed on the corner of his mouth.

"Um, right," I said as I pulled away. "Good night Morgana, Merlin, Arthur. I suppose I'll see you around."

I turned to walk to the bank of elevators and didn't see Arthur whip around to glare at his sister and best friend who were trying their hardest to suppress the giggles that were shaking their forms.