"You were out awfully late," Uther said, joining his son at the breakfast table.

Arthur had hardly been able to get any sleep. He kept thinking about everything Merlin had said to him...about Gaius. Also he couldn't get the image of the dark haired youth out of his head. That smirk made Arthur feel dizzy, and that voice made him weak kneed.

"Did you hear me?" Uther said a bit gruffly.

"Yes father," Arthur said, ducking his head in shame. If his father knew about his thoughts he would be beaten for sure. "I guess we just lost track of the time."

Uther seemed unconvinced. He humphed and continued eating the food placed before him. Awkwardly Arthur returned his eyes to the meal before him, trying to get his emotions in check. He had just met Emrys, and he wasn't sure about any of this.

Uther opened his newspaper, pretending to read, before folding it up again. "Will you be going back?"

"What?" Arthur asked.

"I said will you be returning to that place?" he asked in disgust.

"I imagine so," Arthur replied.

Uther sighed. "Just try to get some useful information, this time. We need to find out a way to break this Emrys."

Arthur bit the inside of his cheek, so that he wouldn't spill anything about Gauis. He nodded.

Uther huffed, he was beginning to lose patience with the boy.

OoO

In a small townhouse, far from the penthouse belonging to the Pendragon's, Merlin stretched in his room. Currently he was living with Gwen and her brother, as he thought living with Gauis was too risky. Elyan's day job made it so he always had to rise early, leaving just the singer and Merlin in the house. Merlin yawned once more, before throwing on a shirt and descending the stairs for breakfast.

"Morning Merlin," Gwen said smiling at her friend.

"Morning Gwen," Merlin yawned again.

"Late night?" Gwen asked conversationally.

"Isn't it always? Your brother had me checking over the books last night," another yawn, "it took hours."

"Well you did insist on spending a lot of time chatting up that new fellow," Gwen smirked.

"What about you and Lancelot? You two seemed pretty cozy last night," Merlin said attempting to change the subject.

"Uh-uh, this about you and Arthur," Gwen said with a wicked grin.

Merlin shook his head. "He's not my type."

"Oh?"

"Too much of a prat," Merlin shrugged. "One of those rich boy types. The kind that doesn't have to work a day in their lives, you know the type. They're different then us, Gwen. We have had to work hard to get to where we are now."

"Yes," Gwen said thoughtfully. "But that shouldn't prejudice him against you already. You two seemed to have a lot in common."

"Prat," Merlin said definitively.

Gwen just smiled one of her smiles, knowing her friend would change his mind eventually.

Later in the morning, when Merlin figured most other people would be awake he decided it was time to make some visits. First he went to the bank, depositing the money the club had made, then he stopped by some dealers, ensuring to get the best shipments of champagne and gin available. When that was done, he decided to go for some social visits.

"Good morning Mordred, Morgana," he said cheerily, entering the cluttered apartment.

"Wasn't expecting you til much later," muttered Mordred groggily.

Morgana simply laughed from the chaise lounge where she was reclining. "My cousin does not seem to flourish in the mornings."

"It's an ungodly hour, Morgana, and you know it," grumbled Mordred.

"It is well past ten," laughed Morgana.

"I hope you two have been enjoying your time at the club," Merlin said, taking his usual chair.

"Of course, it's the bees knees, and you know it." Morgana smiled. "Besides you have the place running smooth as clockwork."

"I agree, although some of the other waiters seem to be slacking in their duties. And I know Gwaine sneaks some drinks, which really isn't smart since he is the valet."

Merlin took in Mordred's report with a nod. "He's Gwaine, I'm not sure any force of nature could stop him from consuming alcohol."

Mordred frowned. "Still I think it rather foolish –"

Merlin sighed, "yes I will speak to him."

Mordred smiled. "Good."

The conversation strayed from business, as Merlin asked after Morgana's many boyfriends, and how their cat Aithusa was faring. Through all this Mordred stayed silent and pensive. He knew that speakeasies all throughout Camelot were being bought out by the Pendragon Syndicate. And that if Merlin weren't careful, the Druids would soon be on their radar, it they weren't already. And clubs weren't being taken by the Pendragon's, then they were being trashed by the most vengeful pair of cops this city had. Mordred wasn't the type to stay around and watch a business fail, and he sure as hell didn't want to deal with the Pendragon's, or the cops. If it were anyone else he would have turned tail a long time ago, but since it was Emrys he felt that he had to stay by his boss's side. They had been through a lot, and Mordred was in Emrys's debt. After Merlin saved Mordred from being run over by a street car as a child, the boy had felt a deep loyalty towards the other.

"Mordred, you alright? You've been staring at the book case for the last five minutes," Morgana said glancing over at her cousin.

Mordred's lips tightened. "Have you thought about the Pendragon Syndicate? Or even the coppers?"

"What?" Merlin was confused.

"You know, surly you have to aware of them by now. The Pendragons are buying out every individually owned speakeasy. They're creating a monopoly in this city, and soon Druids won't be welcome," Mordred said angrily.

Merlin sighed. "Of course I am aware of them."

"Then why haven't you done anything?" Mordred screamed. Morgana looked uneasily from him to Merlin.

"I don't want to start a war when there is no need for one. Let them show their hand, and we shall see what to do," Merlin said thinking back to what Gaius had said. "Besides, we have an inside man."

"You mean Gauis?" Mordred had finally begun to calm down.

"Yes, the old man is a rather trusted business partner of Uther's," Merlin said.

"And how do you know he's loyal to us?" Mordred asked slitting his eyes.

Merlin stood angrily. "He raised me. Gaius would never give us up. Don't you dare question his loyalty. Or I shall have to question yours."

Mordred shrunk back into his chair with a huff.

"I better get going. I need to speak with some friends of mine. Good day Morgana, Mordred," Merlin said icily.

He stepped out into the hot sun and strode back to where his car was waiting.

"You didn't have to be so mean," Morgana said quietly.

"I know. Sometimes I just get so angry at the world. I guess I need to find a way to relax," Mordred said looking at his cousin weakly.

Morgana smiled. "You need to learn to have more fun. I'm taking you to out for some good old fashioned fun."

Mordred huffed. "I'm not a child anymore Morgana, you don't need to take care of me."

"Nonsense, you will always be my little cousin. And I will always look out for you." Morgana said going to her room to change out of her robe.

Mordred sighed. He had to admit his family was a bit insane, but they did care for him.

OoO

In the center of town was a worn old office belonging to the police. The place had a tired vibe, as most of the officers had given up trying to defeat the corruption in the fair city of Camelot. Half the members of the force were on somebody's pay check, and the other half didn't care about which gang ruled the underworld. None of it seemed to matter.

"I hate it here. I hate how lazy they have all become," hissed Morgeuse to her partner.

Senred had long ago learned to just nod and listen to his partner's rants.

"They are pigs. All of them, and deserve to be taken down!" the woman continued.

"Who? The crime lords, or the officers?" Senred asked in confusion.

Morgeuse rolled her eyes, "both. I hate them all. None of these fools take this crime spree seriously. Those stupid Pendragon's think they own this damn city, well they are wrong. I'm going to bring them down, piece by piece if I have to."

"I'd be careful who I say that around if I were you," Senred warned. "Most of these men are on their pay as it is."

Morgeuse glared at her partner. "As if I don't know that. I just want to take them down."

"What about Emrys?" asked Senred.

"He is just as bad. Of course his operation isn't quite as much of a threat, but he is a young fool. He doesn't understand the power of what his operation can do." Morgeuse said bitterly. "Turning good girls into harlots. Did you know he did that to my sister?"

"Yes," Senred sighed. He had heard this story thousands of times.

"Morgana was such a sweet pretty thing," Morgeuse began. "She always was running after me, showing me flowers she picked, or drawings she had made. We were the best of friends. Then one day she began to be curious. She was curious of what our cousin Mordred did, and the man he worked for. Emrys. How I loathe the name now. He has bought her affections with liquor and he has charmed her with the easy life. He turned something so innocent, dirty. I hate him for it. One day my sister will return to me, and she will become clean. Then when the I am mayor, and I rule this city, she can be a part of it with me. Together we will make this city great."

Senred tried to hold back a yawn, but it slipped out before he could do anything.

"You got a problem with that?" Morgeuse growled.

Senred gave her a lazy smile. "Baby steps, doll face. Let's start with the Pendragon's, and then we can see about getting your sister back."

"Don't call me doll face," Morgeuse said with disgust.

Senred sighed. His partner was sure beautiful, but she was scary as hell. If she had been anyone else, he probably would have tried something with her, but knowing just how crazy she was, he kept his distance. He figured she would land him a promotion when she was made mayor of the city. It was the only reason he stuck around.

I guess this is just more of an exposition/setting the background. Since I'm not really sure where the plot is going yet, it may take awhile for me to come up with another chapter...although I do already have some ideas. If you have suggestions or comments please leave them below. Also favorite or follow this story if you like it! Thank you to those who already have. ~T.W.o.W.