Over the coming weeks Merlin and Arthur gradually started to get on better. Although Merlin still felt the need sometimes to call Arthur names or refused to do things if he felt Arthur was stepping over the mark. As promised the new filing cabinets arrived and some of the general office staff helped Merlin move all the files. Merlin was fast becoming very popular with the rest of the people who he came in contact with and was amazed at the help he was offered. Even if he did turn most of it down he was determined not to let his disability stop him doing anything. Gwaine became a regular visitor much to Arthur's disgust and in the end he told Gwaine not to keep bothering Merlin at work.
As Arthur arrived on morning he was surprised to see Merlin coming up the pavement in the pouring rain. He kept the door open for Merlin so he could get in quicker.
"I thought you had a lift to work."
"No that was only for the first week, my friend arranged to go to work a bit later. I don't come too far it's no bother." Merlin had a bright yellow plastic cape over both him and the wheelchair. "I keep quite dry under this anyway."
"That's not the point. How far is not far? and don't lie I can always pull your records." Arthur knew very well that Merlin was a master at not giving away information.
"About a mile, now take that look of your face I'm perfectly able to get in that far."
Arthur shook his head. "You are an idiot you know that. Put out an email I'm sure someone comes in from near you and you could share petrol expenses."
"Yes mother."
Merlin took off the cape and left it in a cleaning cupboard behind reception hung over a sink so the floors didn't get wet. It was obvious he had done this several times before. Arthur asked Morgana if she knew anyone who lived near Merlin and to his surprise found out Leon from the companies legal department lived in the next street. Arthur went down to see Leon and asked him if he would mind picking up Merlin. By the end of the day it was all sorted.
That evening Arthur had a meeting with several other business leaders from the area. He left home at eight o'clock and was soon having drinks with several of the other Chairmen and Presidents of other companies. He had been coming on Uther behalf for some time now as Uther hated the meetings considering them to be a waste of time.
By ten o'clock he was ready to leave but found himself stood next to Cenred, who as usual at these do's was by now worse for wear he couldn't resist the free alcohol, and Arthur couldn't resist the chance to ask him a few questions.
"Hello Cenred, how are you? Business good I hope."
"Pendragon, here for your dad again are you? I hear you've got a new PA what you finding him like? He used to work for me you know." Cenred seemed to have a permanent sneer on his face and Arthur always felt like trying to wipe it off for him.
"Yes so I understand I can't understand why you let him go he's very good." Arthur hoped the other man would let him know more.
"He was until he got himself crippled, bloody idiot, and all because he wanted to run away."
"Run away?" Arthur was now curious "Who from? You?" Arthur gave a small laugh trying to get Cenred to say more.
"Yes it was as I he's an idiot. Mind you if you want a good lay he's not bad." he leered.
"You had slept with your PA ! I thought you were straight." Arthur made himself seem disinterested but he really wanted to know more.
"Well my dad always said sample what you can before you settle down and he was a pretty thing and so innocent. Mind you he's not either thing now but at least he sampled it while he could still feel something so I did him a favour."
Arthur was disgusted by the other mans bragging and was going to leave having heard enough but Cenred held his arm. "Stupid boy thought I loved him, got all upset when I told him he was just a bit on the side, my gay experience. He cried because he'd sold his virginity cheaply, stupid faggot, didn't want everyone to see him crying so ran though the garage, ran off straight under a car." Cenred laughed. Then realising he might have said to much added. "All his own fault, he didn't have a car no business being there, stupid boy ruined his life he did."
"I think you did that for him and then didn't even have the decency to allow him compensation to make his life easier. How do you live with yourself you bastard? You'll pay for that one day." Arthur pulled his arm free and walked out. The truth of what happened to Merlin twisting his gut.