Gwaine was working on the plan he and Arthur had cooked up to try to get back at Cenred, for his treatment of Merlin. Stage one was well on the way and with the latest events Gwaine was keen to get moving. Cenred had been paying one of the juniors, in Pendragons Development laboratories to try to find out about the progress being made on one of their top projects. Cenred's company had been trying to achieve the same result and had been stalled.

Arthur and Gwaine had known about the mole for some time, but decided as they knew who he was, and could make sure he had no access to information, they would keep quiet. Now Gwaine would make sure he was passed some of the failed experiments, as if they were successful ones. That way Cenred would spend large sums on something that would never work. Both companies were heavily involved in green nanotechnology. Cenred's company didn't have the resources of Pendragon's and this would have a detrimental effect on his company. This was just phase one. Arthur wasn't worried if Cenred had to shed staff, as Pendragons was in a period of expansion, and could take up the slack leaving no innocent party unemployed.

Arthur meanwhile went back to try to talk to Gwen once more, explaining why the cheque had his name on it. She still didn't completely believe him and refused to tell him anything. But she did say if, Merlin wanted him to be told anything; she would contact him and took his phone number. He then went to work. When he got there his new PA immediately requested the new filing cabinets. and Arthur refused her request. He gave her a list of things to do and ignored her. He then went to see Morgana and Gwaine for an update.

His next visit was to see Uther where he demanded the return of the cheques he had signed for emergency use. They had been meant for payments that required two signatures, and he didn't intend any others with his name on to be used without his expressed permission.

"I want the cheques back. I trusted you father, to use those cheques for specific purposes, and not to be used in any other circumstances." He stood there waiting with his hand out.

"I don't like your tone Arthur, I will return the cheques later but you need to think what you are doing. You can be replaced. I won't have you talking to me like that" Uther was stunned by his son's attitude.

"It's not me who needs to think Sir but you, I want a letter from you by the end of the day, to say that you used a cheque signed by me without my permission, and why the cheques had been left with you in the first place." Arthur was determined "If I don't get it before I leave tonight you will have my resignation and I will go public. I also want those cheques at the same time." He paused.

"Over my dead body, who do you think you are to make demands of me?!" Uther was now livid. Arthur would never have normally gone this far, even in important issues.

Oh I'll make more demands. I have had enough, this time you've gone too far. For years I've put up with your ways, you are my father and I wanted to please you. But this is wrong! Don't forget so you could keep me on your string you have been giving me a five percent share in Pendragons each year for a few years now." Arthur glared at his father.

"You wouldn't dare!" By now Uther was beside himself.

"I would dare! I have a thirty percent share of the company and will take it with me if I leave. You never know Morgana might be persuaded to add her six percent, could Pendragon's take that hit…..I don't think so. Remember five o'clock tonight. Oh one last thing, I will employ my own PA from now and the company can add an allowance to my salary to do so, please arrange the removal of my newest one from my office by the end of tomorrow." With that he left the office.

As he left he was surprised to have several top executives come out of their offices and pat his shoulder. Nothing was said but clearly their argument had been heard and Arthur had support.

He hardly noticed what he was doing for the rest of the day but at five o'clock there was a knock on his office door.

"Come in" he called.

His father's PA Nimueh walked in the door she had worked for his father for years and very loyal to the older Pendragon "The CEO asked me to give you this, he said to tell you never to try anything similar again as he won't tolerate further displays of insolence."

"Thank you Nimueh." Arthur opened the envelope and checked the contents "When you see the CEO, tell him I hope I don't have to, Goodbye."

At six o'clock that evening Gwen was able to see Merlin awake, for the first time since he had been found. He was very weak, so she just hugged him and told him she was always there for him. He gave her a weak smile and was soon asleep once more. He was still ventilated and receiving some sedation.

Gwen believed the whole incident had been unintentional. Gwen Lance and Percy had worked that out. Merlin must have got home from the office, after his dismissal, and had sat down stunned and shocked. He hadn't thought of anything other than what had happened and why. Time had gone past without him being aware; they thought he had gone into shock.

Merlin himself was surprised he remembered getting home, the next thing he knew was waking up in hospital that afternoon. Two days had past.

The hospital had concluded that due to the shock, Merlin had just sat there and not taken care of himself. His bladder had filled and without him catheterising himself the urine had back flowed into his kidneys, and he had gone into acute renal failure. Before he had been found the levels of potassium had risen affecting his heart rhythm. They wouldn't know for sure until they spoke to him. But at the moment he was to unwell, and had a tube preventing him talking. Merlin was receiving haemofiltation, a type of dialysis, and cardiac drugs as he had for the past two days, and would be for at least another three days.

Merlin had also developed two pressure sores to his buttocks, as he had been in the same position for a long time before he was found. There was some concern he was going septic so he was being very carefully monitored. Gwen was told Merlin was at risk of something called multi organ failure so wasn't out of the woods yet, but they had reason to be optimistic.

Gwen couldn't believe her friend was once more so ill, just because someone had decided to sack him for no reason. It just wasn't fair, after he had been thought so much and seemed to be getting his life back again. She was determined that he would stop seeing these people who had ruined his life once again. And that whoever was responsible would pay. It had taken them so long to get him back to a good place after his accident she wasn't having new people come in and ruin their hard work. They were his friends and they would care for him.

When she got back home she found Lance had a visitor, and was surprised and angry to find Arthur Pendragon sat on her sofa. Lance had not gone with her to the hospital, as he had been working late. Arthur had arrived at their flat after work. He had spoken to Lance, who had eventually agreed he could wait for Gwen.

"What are you here for." she demanded still upset from her visit to Merlin

"I wanted to show you something in the hope you would come to realise I had nothing to do with what happened, and that I love Merlin and who never harm him….please hear me out." Arthur looked like he hadn't slept for days

"Go on" Gwen said unwilling to be more encouraging.

"Firstly Please hear what I have to say and then ask what you want….I had no idea what happened until I got back from a business trip. I'd tried to phone Merlin several times the night before as well as in the morning, when I got to the office I found he had left. My father said it was by mutual consent…I didn't believe it." Arthur paused before going on "My sister who is in charge of personnel also knew nothing, nor did she know about the replacement…. I then found out my father had given Merlin a cheque signed by me." Arthur took a deep breath. "That cheque was an emergency one left in case a duel signature was required, and was used without my knowledge. I have since forced my father into giving me this letter." He handed Gwen the letter before continuing.

"I love Merlin, I had no part in any of this, as far as I can see my father acted out of bigotry, and because he had heard I was in a relationship with Merlin. My father won't accept my sexuality. I have taken steps this afternoon to deal with that once and for all. Please tell me what has happened to Merlin, did he try….has he tried to k…" Arthur couldn't finish asking the one thing he feared above all else.

Gwen looked at the note in her hand and then gave it to Lance. She stood and thought for a moment. For her none of this really changed much.

"I still can't tell you anything it's not my place. I became Merlin's next of kin after his Mother died because he had no one else and he trusted me. We have looked after him through all his problems and he's our best friend. You however have hardly been in his life long enough to love him like we do." Gwen looked at Lance before continuing.

"We need to talk to Merlin before anything else can be said, Thank you for the letter anyway."

"I would like it back please; I need it to deal with my father." Arthur held out his hand. Lance reluctantly gave it to Arthur.

"As to what happened and whether Merlin tried to kill himself, after what happened at your company that day, we won't know for sure until he can tell us. When he is able to speak with me I will let you know what information he wants passed on. Otherwise I thank you to stay away. I think you've done enough whether on purpose or not still remains to be seen. Now please leave our home."

Arthur stared at her, he had been so hoping to have questions answered. As he turned his shoulders dropped even further and he move slowly to the door.

Gwen looked at him and felt a small amount of remorse for what she had said.

"I will say that although his condition is serious the doctors are hopeful."

"Arthur turned round tears in his eyes "Thank you…. Thank you so much, please when he wakes tell him I love him so much…." He turned and left.

After he had left Gwen told her husband what had happened at the hospital. He looked at her for awhile before saying:

"Don't you think you were a bit harsh love,? I know we don't know the whole story yet but it's clear he loves Merlin."

"No I don't! You know how hard it was for Merlin last time, and how hard it was for us to bring him round. He and his friends hardly know Merlin and their acting like they are the only important ones. Even if he does love Merlin he didn't protect him did he? He admitted he knew his father won't approve. It's as much his fault as his fathers. Let them suffer a bit, all of them. Hopefully then they'll leave Merlin alone and we can get back to before." Gwen threw herself into Lance's arms.

"I don't want him getting like he did last time" she sobbed.

Lance looked thoughtful, and for the first time wasn't sure if they were doing the right thing.