WHEN ARTHUR MET GUINEVERE
Summary: This is the story of how Arthur and Guinevere first met told as a modern fiction so there's a fair bit of AU and OOC. Multi- chaptered and rated M just in case. In this chapter there's civilised behaviour, cleaning, and curious notions - not necessarily in that order.
AN: Italics denote POV and Real Time is in normal font so I hope it doesn't get too confusing. Thank you to those of you who have put me on your story alerts and my awesome reviewers - your feedback is duly noted, namely: Lara Smith, (a fan), rockin'overmate, rallista, kohimoana (update your story girl!), and julygurl. Hope you enjoy the next installment! :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin or the characters but if I did...
Chapter 5: The One With The Office
Two weeks later…
"Yes Morgs. I know. You've already called and texted twice remember? I will be there. No, I changed shifts with someone for next week. Yeah, but its ok, I only have two days of class because I'll be doing my practical soon. Sorry? Its fine, I said I would do it. YES Morgs! Well, you're starting to get on my nerves because you think I have early onset Alzheimer's and can't retain information you've told me five minutes ago. Yes, I guess I am being snappy. Only a little bit. Not enough sleep I guess. Elyan called from Afghanistan last night – no, they're only like 3 and a half hours ahead of us. Yeah, he's great thanks, he says hi to you and Merlin. Only three more months of duty, I know cool huh? (Pause) Hi Merlin! Yes, I can hear your sappy boyfriend in the background…No please don't do that! Do not make kissing noises while you're on speaker phone with me! You guys promised. Hanging up now! Ok, love you too. Hey Morgs? Wait, is Merlins' fr-"… Morgana has already hung up.
Gwen sighs and lets her phone fall off her cheek onto the sofa as she was in the process of emptying out a rubbish bin when Morgana called to remind her – again about the dinner and promising to bake her famous apple crumble.
Gwen's POV
Damn it! I didn't get to ask whether Merlin's friend will be at dinner. Probably not. He looks like the type who wouldn't do the whole family Sunday dinners. Ok, that is a tad bitchy of me, but doing two sections of cleaning because you are helping a work mate will do that to you. It's just been one of those days. First off my tutor told me my seminar paper is not quite "up to par", and then I missed my train and forget my security pass, thus pissing off Kelvin the night watchman downstairs. I'm exhausted but know I still need to do some reading for my 8 am class tomorrow.
Sigh...On a more positive note, it's been two weeks and no sign (or possibility) of ever running into Mr. Arrogant again. Not that I am complaining, although I have now resolved to apologise, or at least be polite – properly polite this time, if we ever do meet again. Gwen, don't sweat it. He's probably forgotten about it anyhow, because as Merlin said the other day, his father keeps him on his toes. There you go Gwen, you can hardly imagine he has time to even think of all your awful meetings can you?
Morgs finally met him and was a bit scared to tell me that she thought he was actually quite "lovely". I looked at her like she was on crack, our relaxing yoga session momentarily forgotten. Couldn't possibly have been the same guy, surely. "He's quite a hottie too Gwen, those eyes…" Morgs was probably just laying it on so I could make a sarky comment – which I resisted and focused on my downward dog pose instead. At least he had the sense to return my mug via Merlin. I had been hoping like hell I hadn't lost it, so when Merlin walked into my flat waving it in one hand, I was pretty stoked.
One more room then I am out of here. The left corner office has been allocated to the new Deputy Company Director of PI. No chance he will still be in. Probably off at the Gentleman's Club or whatever it is rich people do after hours. Look at those hardwood doors – most probably from a non-sustainable forest in North America somewhere!
Gwen puts her IPod on pause and raps softly on the door expecting to hear silence.
"Yes? Who is it?" comes the sharp and tired sounding answer. Gwen is a bit surprised that he is still working, even though it's gone past 8 and the rest of the floor is empty.
"Sorry to disturb you Sir, it's the cleaning crew. I will just come back later perhaps?" she calls through the door.
There is a lot of rustling of papers and the sound of a chair being pushed back forcefully until it hits the wall followed by a "Damn it!"
Gwen raises her eyebrows thinking she is probably not the only person having one of those days, and feels somewhat comforted that the big boss of PI could be a kindred spirit in some ways tonight.
"No, no it's fine. Just give me five minutes, I have to go to the library anyway, so you can clean while I am gone", comes back the muffled reply.
Gwen shrugs and moves her trolley to the far side of the hallway and dusts the framed prints along the wall while waiting for him to leave his room. Suddenly, the door opens and a tall, blonde man walks out, sans jacket, looking exhausted, and stops in his tracks when he spots her.
Gwen's POV
HE'S the Deputy Company Director of Pendragon Industries?
Arthur's POV
SHE'S the cleaner?
This time it's Arthur who reacts first. He runs a hand over his eyes and makes a face, as if he is not sure if he's awake. He gestures towards Bag Lady who seems to be staring at him, also mirroring him with a surprised look on her face.
"Oh hello. You...um...You...uh work here too?" he finally spits out.
"Yes I do…Sir", is the simple, even reply, as Gwen casts her eyes downwards.
Arthur's POV
Smooth Arthur. Real smooth. Sherlock would be proud of you and your powers of deduction. I wonder if she's a Sherlock fan…Arthur! Why are you even thinking about that? Of all things…
Gwen's POV
I know I should be more polite – he is basically the overall boss here and I do need this job. Mind you, I would rather eat glass than grovel to Mr. A- stop it Gwen! Be civil at least.You promised not to have a repeat of the last few meetings.
Arthur's POV
I get my first real look at Bag Lady. She's petite and as I observed the last time I was not spying on her, is not unattractive, in fact, she's rather striking – not in a model, I'm gorgeous way, but in a..look-at-me-again-and-again-and…again way. Even her crazy curls don't seem so crazy today…Anyway! I will be civil this time. I owe that much to Merlin – if for the sake of nothing else to not have him nag me forever about never having been nicer to Morgana's friend. I know Bag Lady's not her real name – I wonder what it could be. Maybe I should ask her? No! Go to the library Arthur before you say something odd. Julianna? No…Yvette? No! Rachel? Sienna? Something exotic definitely... Arthur! GO to the library!
Arthur pauses as if wanting to say more, but settles for a curt nod and a hint of a smile instead before starting off down the hallway towards the library. Gwen takes this as a signal to move into his office and proceeds to vacuum and wipe down surfaces at a speed that even Superman would envy her for. She is not sure why she is moving so fast, but she knows she does not want to still be here when he returns.
Gwen's POV
I don't know why I am reacting like this but I don't feel comfortable being in his space any longer than I need to. This quiet, civil mannered dance we're doing is a bit unnerving. Annoyed, immature, rude I can handle but civilised is…weird? I sound weird. Maybe I am still sick? Or the meds from the chemist were off? He has really bright blue eyes – hate to admit it, but Morgs was right. They do kind of look nice, when he isn't smirking like an arrogant…STOP it Gwen. Get on with it. Clean the room and leave this floor before you have another awkward moment. Don't forget to take care with the beautiful sculpture on his desk. So intricate and lovely really...Right! That's it, I'm good, the rooms' all done.
In the library…
Arthur's POV
Why did I take off? I wanted to say sorry for being a dick the other day and the day before that but I feel...Well I guess its good we were both sort of civil to each other tonight. It just feels a bit funny. At any rate, she is probably done by now so I can get back with this report to review it before I call it a night. Michelle? Sierra? Apple? Apple? Really, Arthur? Apple? Well…Gwyneth Paltrow has a daughter named Apple. How do I even know that? Oh yes, that would be filed under: Stupid, Useless Things I Know Via Merlin And His Obsession With Gossip Mags". Uh report? Hello? Arthur? STOP thinking about her potential name. Please let it not be Gertrude or Ursula…Ok, ok, stopping now!
Arthur's office is spotless and smells like fresh lavender. Everything is back in place and all the crumpled paper in the bin is gone. All the pens and other stationery are positioned exactly the way Arthur arranges them every evening before he leaves. He notices that the miniature sculpture of a mother and child; the last piece his mother made before she died, has been carefully polished and placed back on its stand. It is this final observation which makes Arthur come to the conclusion that Bag Lady must be quite attentive to remember little things like that.
Shaking his head he decides to call it a night now and leave the report until tomorrow – Merlin can read it, it is his job to advise after all. He turns off his lights and shuts the door, moving towards the elevator, already thinking of a cold beer, left over pizza in the fridge and watching Premier highlights. His last thought as the doors close is whether Bag Lady (who is not really Bag Lady, but possibly Germaine - yuck!) has already finished her shift for the evening.
AN: Thanks for taking the time to read. I love hearing what people think so please review away folks. Next up: Chapter Six.