Only a fashion magazine would have a fancy dress party for Christmas. But then Morgana had an ulterior motive Arthur could go and Merlin wouldn't know who he was, that way he might just be able to talk to the other man. After that it was up to Arthur not to mess up. Arthur would of course know what Merlin was coming as his boss had hired all the costumers for the staff and given them out. No one was to get a choice in the matter. Their plus ones, if they had them were allowed to choose, but not the staff. Merlin was disgusted to find out he had a Spiderman costume How naff was that. He tried to argue with Morgana but it got him nowhere.

When Merlin tried it on at least it fitted, a bit snug and showed off more than he would have liked, but a good fit. No one was allowed to know what everyone else was wearing. It was what you got for having a control freak for a boss, or that's what Will had said. Merlin knew what Will's costume was it was difficult not to when they shared a flat. Will laughed when he saw Merlin, but he was please when he saw his own he was a zombie with the most realist mask. He had a special seal to put round his mouth and eyes to stop it slipping.

The evening soon came round and Merlin and Will splashed out for a taxi not wanting to travel by tube in their costumes. When they got there they realised that with the costumes no one's faces were visible, so unless you told anyone your identity or they recognised your voice it would remain secret. There was a very nice prize of a holiday at the end of the evening, for the person whose identity stayed the best kept secret. Everyone guessed Morgana even though she had the most amazing silicone face mask that allowed he to eat and drink. She was the Wicked Witch from Snow white.

As the evening progressed Merlin spotted someone he hadn't seen before. It seemed there was another superhero there, Batman. He had been talking to Morgana but then spotting Merlin he walked across the room. Merlin had to admit the costume did the man justice and he had a very quick fantasy there and then. Batman walked straight up to Merlin.

"Should I be worried, two super heroes at the same place." Merlin thought the man was trying to alter his voice. Two could play at that game so Merlin tried to lower his voice before replying.

"Well you can never have too much protection." Merlin grinned and was glad the other person couldn't see him blush. In this suit even his eyes were hidden.

"You speak from experience do you?" the other man had a hint of both laughter and flirting in his voice. Merlin noticed the other mans eyes look him up and down.

They then started a light hearted conversation which went on for some time until Morgana approached.

"Glad to see you two getting on so well. But make sure you mingle."

Merlin couldn't resist "OK Morgana."

"So you know who I am then."

"I think everyone does boss, which is only fair as you know who we are." Merlin quipped back.

"How true, well have fun." With that's she walked off.

"Do you fancy some fresh air?" Batman asked and Merlin nodded his head. They moved out on to the veranda. Before they had even stopped walking Batman took Merlin in his arms and placed a gentle kiss on Merlin's lips.

"Sorry I've wanted to do that for some time."

Merlin stepped back surprised at the others mans action. "Isn't it customary to ask first?" he was annoyed he wasn't one for casual kissing, not with people he didn't know.

Batman looked up at the roof of the veranda above their heads "I thought it was customary under mistletoe." He was clearly grinning. Merlin could tell that much, as the lower part of the man's face wasn't covered by his mask. "May I"

Without waiting for a reply he kissed Merlin again, but this time with more passion and at the same time he put his arms round Merlin and held him close.

Merlin pulled himself out of Batman's arms "No you may not, now if you don't mind I think I'm going back inside." Merlin as angry, how dare he, after all Merlin didn't even know who he was.

Batman followed him in and put his hand on Merlin's shoulder stopping him "I'm sorry, I meant no harm, I really do like you Merlin, and would love to get to know you better."

Merlin spun round "So you know who I am! How?" he demanded.

"Yes I knew as soon as I saw you, only you could look that good in a Spiderman costume."

Merlin still had no idea who he was talking to. "So you know who I am, does that mean you're going to tell me who you are?" he demanded.

Batman moved closer "Spend some more time with me, please. You might find you like me to, if you can get over your misconceptions."

All of a sudden something clicked in Merlin's brain: "Arthur Pendragon! I should have known, only you would think its ok to kiss who you please. Well for your information I'm not one of your usual pickups. Oh yes I've heard about you, mister love and leave um. Go find someone else to bother."

As soon as Merlin had heard Arthur say misconceptions it all became clear. The man was incorrigible; he didn't even work for the firm. Merlin walked of and found Morgana.

"I know this is your company and I'm only a lowly employee but I don't appreciate being set up. Tell your brother to keep away from me!"

Merlin went and found Will and told him he didn't feel well and was going home. Will offered to go with him but Merlin refused and promised to get a taxi. When he got home he took of the stupid costume and sat and simmered with anger.

Arthur wondered just where it had gone wrong. He was puzzled he had never met anyone like Merlin before, and whatever he did seemed not to go to plan. Alright he knew of his reputation but he'd never given Merlin cause to believe that was all he wanted this time.

Then his sister found him and tore him of a strip and asked what he had done. Arthur told her all that had happened and she hit him. "You are a fool, go and find him and apologize, I do my best to help, and you grab the boy and kiss him instead of talking to him, and getting to know each other. I give up."

Arthur looked everywhere for Merlin and in the end he gave up and went and changed. He had travelled in and changed in the toilets, before joining the party. Then he decided to go and see if Merlin had gone home. At least he knew where he lived. How could it be so difficult to get to know someone? He'd never had this much trouble before. Arthur went to the nearest off licence and bought a good bottle of wine and then called a taxi to Merlin's address and walked up to the door and rang the bell.

Inside Merlin wondered who was calling round this time of night but got up and answered it. He was surprised to say the least to see Arthur stood there. He immediately tried to close the door, but Arthur had put his foot in the way.

"Piss off Pendragon" he snarled when he saw who it was.

"Look Merlin I've come round to apologize. I really didn't mean to upset you. Can't we start again?"

"No, look get into your head I'm not interested. I don't go flings, and I'm not starting now. Please remove your foot and go away. You've already ruined my evening so sod off and leave me alone."

Arthur realised that this was going nowhere, so decided to do as he was asked eave the other man alone. He bent down and put the bottle of wine inside the door before removing his foot.

"I'm really sorry Merlin." With that he walked away. But he was determined not to give up.

After Christmas and things got back to normal Arthur continued to pop into Morgana's office at least once a week and each time would pop in to see Merlin. He even started to leave chocolates or small gifts. Merlin gave them away, but Arthur persisted. By September Arthur had finished his two year course and was now about to start his years pupillage with an experienced Barrister, he was lucky enough to get in with one of the top London Barristers, but then he had always been top of any class. He worked long hours and his frequency of visits to see Merlin dropped. But whenever he could he called in. When he couldn't he would ask Morgana about him.

Merlin meanwhile got on with his life he worked hard and was enjoying living in London. He often saw Gwaine and Freya and made several new friends. He had been working as Jonathans PA for eleven months when he was asked if he wanted to transfer to be Morgana's PA. Jonathan was moving on to be an editor in his own right and Morgana's PA had left again. He eventually agreed to a three month trial. So far it was going very well. The two of them seemed to get along very well. It did mean that Merlin had to have more to do with Arthur. Morgana gradually talked him into going out with them on Friday nights again.

One Friday night Merlin had already had a couple of pints and Merlin went up and got the next round. While he was up at the bar he was chatted up, but as usual declined politely. What he didn't see was the man's friend putting something in his drink. He was the only one drinking pints the rest has spirits or wine. Back at the table Arthur spotted what had happened and quickly alerted the security men. Who quickly moved in and apprehended the men and called the police. Arthur gave a statement to the police and Merlin's drink was taken away and tested.

Merlin was grateful for Arthur's intervention when he was told that rohypnol, the date rape drug, had been put in his drink. Over the few days the two men finally came to an understanding that was to turn into something far more.