By the time they got back to the bungalow Colin was gone. Richard was there instead. It seemed Arthur had told Colin to go home until they could sort things out. Colin wasn't due on duty again for five days. Arthur was relieved to see Merlin back it was cold outside, and Merlin hadn't used his thicker coat.

Merlin was still avoiding Arthur and even at mealtimes didn't speak any more than he had to. Hunith had managed to have a talk with her son in law and was happy that Merlin was worked up about nothing. By the time the evening came around Merlin was feeling lousy so he took himself of too bed. He didn't even say goodnight to Arthur.

An hour later Arthur went to retire for the night hoping that by tomorrow Merlin would have calmed down enough to talk to. He went to the bedroom only to find the bed empty. By now Brad was on duty, and was sat outside one of the spare bedrooms. It seemed Merlin was sleeping there.

That was the final straw for Arthur. He marched into the spare bedroom and took the duvet off of Merlin and bent down over the half asleep man.

"That's it. I've had enough; you are not sleeping in here. We do not sleep separately now or ever." He bent down and picked Merlin up bridal style and carried him into the master bedroom, kicking the door shut behind them.

The duvet was already folded back he placed the surprised Merlin down on the bed and covered him up, Then looking down at Merlin Arthur said:

"I don't care what you think; I have not now or ever cheated on you! I haven't ever looked at anyone else since we met, over thirty years ago. I am not putting up with this anymore, so grow up and start listening to me. I do not fancy Colin and he doesn't fancy me, he's got a girlfriend he doesn't even like men!" Then Arthur got into the other side of the bed and turned his back to Merlin.

Merlin lay there, he couldn't believe what Arthur had just done. He slowly started to go over what his husband had just said to him, and then went over everything again in his mind. It was several hours before either man fell asleep.

When Arthur woke up the next morning it was to find the other side of the bed empty. He looked at the clock it was ten o'clock! He never slept in that late. He got up and had a shower before getting dressed. Then he went to find a cup of coffee, after that he would speak to Merlin. He wondered what the other man had thought of his loss of temper the night before.

Gwen was in the kitchen, she was surprised to see Arthur up so late. but said nothing except to say Merlin was out, with Richard and Percy, taking the dogs for a walk. They had been out for over an hour.

"I think Merlin's got a bit of a cold coming. So I'll make sure he has his hot milk and honey when he gets back."

"Thanks Gwen, what mood was he in?" Arthur asked trying to get some idea of what he was facing.

"He seemed a bit quiet; I hear you two had a disagreement yesterday." Gwen was never one to hide things.

"That's one way of putting it, he thinks I'm having an affair with Colin." Arthur knew it would soon be common knowledge. Gwaine would have told Mithian he was sure.

"I take it you're not?" Gwen said looking at Arthur. "I can see the attraction he's almost identical to Merlin at that age. Merlin must have noticed it, probably not a good choice on your part, no matter how good his is."

"No I'm not! Gwen how could you! Anyway, Colin nowhere near as good looking as Merlin, even now. He might have the same colouring but that's all. I might have noticed the similarities but that's not why I employed him. Anyway Merlin is a stunner, as well as the nicest man I know."

"Thank you" came Merlin's voice from the doorway.

Arthur turned round quickly: "I didn't hear you coming." He looked at the other man trying to gauge his mood.

"Obviously not."

" Anyway you didn't let me finish Merlin, I was going to add… even if he is the most exasperating person at times."

"Oh…well I suppose I deserve that. Sorry." Merlin stood up and took his coat and gloves off before limping off down the corridor.

Arthur quickly followed him down the corridor and into the master bedroom.

"Merlin…" Arthur paused not sure what to say.

"Arthur I'm sorry….I think I might have made a fool of myself. Mum had a go at me this morning so did Gwaine." Merlin was looking down at the ground.

"Merlin I'm sorry to, I didn't realise what was happening. I knew you weren't happy, but put it down to all the changes, I didn't realise how things must have looked to you. It wasn't until all this blew up that I started to think things through. But it hurts that you don't trust me enough." Arthur stopped unsure how to continue.

"It wasn't that I didn't trust you…..but look at me Arthur I'm a mess…your worth far more than I can give you… why wouldn't you want more. I saw you laughing and joking and realised I'm just not good enough. You've done everything for me and what have I done in return….nothing." Tears started to collect in Merlin's eyes.

"Oh Merlin, how can you say that. You've given me years of happiness and love, if ever I've made you feel less than everything to me, I am sorry. You have problems, but so do I and we are together that's all I need." Arthur stepped closer and took Merlin into his arms and pulled him into his chest. "I should never have taken Colin on, I saw the resemblance but he was such a good candidate. I didn't think how you would see it."

Merlin put his arms around Arthur and they stood hugging each other. After a couple of minutes Arthur pulled away. And sat on the bed Merlin sat down by him "Remind me never to play the caveman again, my backs killing me this morning."

"That's a pity. I liked that!" Merlin gave a small smile. The pair sat and talked through the last couple of days and started to mend their strained relationship. Arthur said he was going to replace Colin but Merlin said no. He said he would speak to him and apologise and had no problems. Merlin said he was the idiot and it wasn't the other mans fault. Arthur admitted that he liked having different people about to talk to, and he had probably given Merlin the wrong impression. The two men weren't seen out of the bedroom until lunchtime, which everyone saw as a good thing.

Things took awhile for things to get completely back to normal as the two men got over the hurt they had caused each other. Merlin arranged to speak to Colin and asked the other man to come and see him. They had a long chat and Merlin apologised. They might never become best friends but at least they now had an understanding of sorts.

Merlin did go down with a bad cold but luckily accept for needing oxygen he managed to keep quite well. The stress of their arguments had obviously not helped Merlin's general health. Iseldir had visited Merlin and was happy that he was coping well mentally afterwards, but advised Arthur to keep an eye on Merlin for any signs of a relapse in his mental health and call if needed. The CPN said he would come back in a week to check anyway.

Three days later Brad was just finishing his nights when he had a quiet word with Arthur. Finna had passed away in the night. Arthur told Merlin who was devastated, he knew that the little dog had problems but it still hurt. They buried her in the garden next to Isolde. Her death in a way helped the two men rebuild their relationship as Arthur comforted his husband. Gi really missed his friend and became even clingier over the next few weeks, never leaving Merlin's side accept at night and then only reluctantly.

When Colin came on duty and heard the news he had a word with Arthur. His sisters Jack Russell had just had puppies and wondered if Merlin would like one of the pups. It would be ten weeks until they were ready but he would get her to keep one back. Arthur said he thought it might be a good idea but he couldn't say for sure and wouldn't mention it yet as it was far too soon. Colin said he would talk to his sister and bring photos for Arthur to see.