Merlin quickly gathered his few things and left the building, he was lucky as most of the staff were at a meeting, he had been asked to go but there was no point now. He made his way home and once there sat down. He couldn't believe what had happened. Did Arthur know? was that why he hadn't gone with him? Had it happened again, just as they had started to get intimate he had been dumped again. The more he thought about it the more he convinced himself that it was his fault. He looked at the cheque in his hand. Why hadn't he left it behind? He wasn't going to cash it; otherwise it would mean Arthur had paid for their time together. He dropped the cheque on the floor and put his head in his hands.

Five times that evening Merlin's mobile rang but it wasn't answered, then six times the next morning.

At three o'clock the following afternoon Arthur arrived back at the office. He went straight up to his PA's office; he wanted to know why Merlin hadn't been answering his phone. He was worried, and nearly went round to the flat first but then thought Merlin may have gone out the evening before, and been busy this morning.

Getting to the office he went straight in.

"Merlin why don't yo…..you're not Merlin. Where's my PA?"

There at Merlin's desk was a woman and she looked shocked at his outburst.

"Sorry Sir, I am your new PA, I was asked to report here this morning."

"No you're not, my PA is a man called Merlin now where is he?" Arthur was angry and puzzled. He stormed out of the office and down to see his sister. She would know what this was all about after all she was head of human resources.

Storming past her PA, George, and straight into her office. "Morgana what the hell is going on? And why is a strange woman sitting at Merlin's desk saying she is my PA?"

"Good afternoon Arthur, what are you on about?" Morgana looked at her angry brother and held back any other comment.

"There is a woman I've never seen before, sitting in Merlin's office, saying she is my PA. I've only been gone two and a half days, what the hell is going on. And where is Merlin."

"Calm down Arthur! I have no idea what you are talking about; I haven't changed your PA. Just wait a minute." She picked up her phone and called to another office.

"It seems Uther asked salaries and wages for a P45 for Merlin yesterday morning, he replaced your PA. Sorry Arthur I knew nothing of this."

Arthur turned and left Morgana's office, with his sister in hot pursuit straight down the corridor to the C.E.O.s office. Arthur walked straight in with Morgana at his heals. Uther looked up amazed that anyone would dare burst into his office.

"Arthur, Morgana what do you call this! If you want to see me, make an appointment."

"Where is my PA? And why do I have some strange woman sitting in his office?" Arthur demanded.

Uther looked up at his son with a disdainful expression. "Your old PA was not up to standard, we had a conversation yesterday, and he agreed he wasn't suited to the post and handed in his resignation. Sophia is a very good PA, her father is a good friend of mine. She's highly suitable. Be thankful I could get her for you. Now get out of my office."

"What! Merlin was a highly efficient PA, and there is no way he would have just left!" Arthur was shouting at his father.

"Are you calling me a liar? I don't want to hear anymore of this. No get back to work." Uther said dismissively.

"Uther, why did you deal with this? It's my department" Morgana joined in.

"As for you, be more careful who you hire in future; be glad I got rid of him before he caused any more trouble." He glared at his daughter. "Now, both of you get out of my office. I don't wish to hear anymore.

Arthur stormed back out and Morgana caught up with him as he called the lift.

"Arthur what are you doing?"

"Going to see if I can find Merlin, he hasn't answered his phone since yesterday and now I know why. I'm going to get to the bottom of this. And if I find Uther has done anything stupid he'll have my resignation."

"Call me Arthur. Let me know if he's ok." Morgana was genuinely shocked and worried.

Arthur headed back to his car and drove as fast as he could to Merlin's flat.