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 chapters and rated M just in case. Chapter Seven is split in two parts so here's the first part where there's learning, a fair bit of laughing and leaning backwards and fowards across a table (for some reason). Again, not necessarily in that order. Hope y'all enjoy it!

AN: Italics denote POV and Real Time is in normal font so I hope it doesn't get too confusing. Merci beaucoup my lovely reviewers; your feedback is duly noted :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin or the characters but if I did...

Chapter Seven: The One When Merlin's (Almost) Right Part I

A few seconds after Gwen starts freaking out about being discovered studying…

Arthur studies the woman in front of him, silently pondering how to answer her without possibly screwing up.

"It's really fine – don't leave, use the room if you'd like to. You are an employee so you're allowed to be here"..., he pauses, "May I ask what you're studying?" Now that he is here actually having a non-confrontational conversation with Bag Lady suddenly, he wants to know more about her.

"I have a seminar coming up next week for my behavioral psychology paper". Gwen doesn't know why she is continuing the conversation but he seems genuinely interested and she doesn't feel so uneasy now that he has reassured her that she can stay.

Arthur nods and with a wry grin asks, "So you're studying psychology? You do know how to read people then?" His smile, which Gwen tries not to notice, is quite nice, and she recognizes this is an attempt on his part to crack a joke.

Gwen smiles and shakes her head, "No Sir, I am doing a degree in special education. I would like to work with children with special learning needs." He seems impressed and instead of leaving the room, hesitates for a split second before sitting down across from her at the small table. His blue eyes focus on her face, which make her a feel a little self-conscious considering she is trying not to notice that he's sort of good looking – in an arrogant way of course, she reasons with herself.

"That sounds interesting. I'm guessing you already know what I do?", he quips again, with a slight smile. Gwen smiles back and relaxes a bit more, moving her books out of the way before answering him.

"Well Sir…Actually I now know that you're either the new Deputy Company Director or…a thief who's not really good at being one that's just been caught in the Deputy's room". (Arthur laughs when she says that); "I am not really sure what it is a Deputy Company Director does though. I mean PI owns companies, factories, properties, and…" Gwen knows she is doing the verbal diarrhea thing again.

Arthur also relaxes in his chair and puts his bag on the floor, suddenly not feeling as weary as he was minutes ago.

"To be honest, I really just give orders. Train people, send them to do stuff for all those companies and they do most of the work. I spend most of my time pushing papers and talking to old men in big rooms where the air con is turned up too high…Not really exciting stuff", he doesn't want to talk too much about his job or himself it seems. If anything, he looks rather stressed out.

Gwen crosses her arms and leans forward before speaking, "I am sure that's not true Sir. I hear you've been quite instrumental in getting things done since you became a Director and then since you've come back to headquarters. Merlin was telling me about the moves towards efficient fuel and carbon offsetting. That has to account for something – a lot actually, no?"

Arthur is surprised she knows about this stuff but then again, maybe he shouldn't be. Merlin is his biggest fan/worst enemy (and often his conscience too) all rolled into one irritating, six foot, Dumbo-eared package.

A small smile plays on Arthur's lips as he tries not to look at her face (too obviously anyway). It is considerably nicer than only ever having a view of her back and crazy curls every other time she stormed off after one of their…episodes-for want of a better word.

After a moment of thinking about her question, he shrugs, somewhat dejectedly before responding.

"Yeah well…Sometimes it takes more than that. One needs to concede to traditions, conventions, and all that jazz. We can't all be about new ideas can we?", he is no longer sure if he's talking to her or just musing out loud while replaying the meeting with his Father and all the other decisions that he's been trying to put forward that Uther refuses to support. He can't help wondering, not for the first time, if he has made the right decision to come back here. Arthur sighs inwardly and leans forward, resting his forearms on the table, and closes his eyes, bowing his head.

Almost as if she can read his mind, Gwen instinctively reaches out and lightly touches his arm. Her hand feels soft and warm and he is a bit disappointed when she removes it. He opens his eyes as she speaks.

"Traditions and keeping to conventions are important but so are reforms, especially if you're trying to work towards something positive and the changes will bring about something even better. Maybe it's about picking your battles or doing something that marries both the old and new? I think you've done some good things for the company," She blushes (when she notices him looking at her in an…astonished way) and starts playing with her hands, a pink tinge appearing on both her cheeks, "I mean, we all do. The employers of PI I mean, um, not just me…Sir".

Gwen's POV

Stop stammering Gwen! I can't believe I've just said that to the Deputy Company Director of Pendragon Industries! Crap! Guinevere don't forget your place! Whatever. I am just being me. Speaking the truth when it could be useful. He looks like he could use a sympathetic ear; Lord knows everyone in the building is too intimidated to do so – except for Merlin. I certainly meant no disrespect. Great. You're arguing with yourself again Gwen. Come on Gwen, you can make the first move. You can do this for M&M's sake – and for your future sanity in case you keep banging into each other.

Arthur's POV

I look at her for some time, letting her words sink in. With the exception of Merlin and sometimes (mostly when he's on the sauce) Gwaine, to a lesser extent Percival, and of course Gaius – the closest thing I've ever had to a father who is not just present but cares, no one ever really speaks plainly and without BS with me – except for my Father, but he doesn't count by default in this illustration. I like it – no, I really like it that this woman, who I didn't even think was capable of having a normal personality until an hour ago can offer these words of encouragement in a time when I actually do feel like I am drowning a little. All this new responsibility, yet fenced in by my father's resolve and the stress that goes with it. Bloody Merlin with his catchphrases! Mental note: Don't tell him he was sort of right, you'll never live it down. I can already picture that idiotic grin plastered on his face lapping it up…

"I'm really sorry about the-"

"I want to apologise for –"

They both speak at the exact same time and then stop when they realise it. There is half a second of silence before they both burst into simultaneous laughter. If only Leon could see them now.

When their laughter subsides and he receives what he hopes is an encouraging look from Gwen, Arthur clears his throat and starts again.

"Look, I would like a chance to say that I'm really sorry for how things ended the other week. The episode on the street – I should have been more careful, and I was quite rude. Also, at Leon's – that was uncalled for, what I said to you. Also, the next day at the chemist's, I said some things that were hurtful and I am sincerely, very sorry because I was a bit of a…um..."

"...A prat", Gwen finishes for him with a slight smile. She is leaning forward towards him now, shaking her head and he tries not to look at her mouth – well actually her whole face really.

"No, the street thing was me being awkward and not watching what I was doing. I was so sure I had an umbrella and then I totally overreacted, badly. Same thing at Leon and Elena's bistro I was pretty awful. As for the chemist's…I would like to say it was due to the nasty head cold, but that was just me being nasty. I do apologise for…all of it."

Arthur grins and shrugs. Gwen lets out a breath, leaning back in her chair again, glad that that part is finally over.

"I don't know about you, but I think we got off on the wrong foot the other week and I would like to…" (Arthur clears his throat and starts again, knowing it sounded like he was just about to ask her out – which is obviously not what he was intending, clearly), "How about we both agree to forgive each other for whatever crap we've said/done/thought about each other over the past two weeks, and start again? What do you think?" he waits for her response.

Gwen nods happily, "I'm in. Stop the madness. I mean, we have two friends who have a joint FB page so we need to band together and stop their insanity before it goes any further", she adds, playfully rolling her eyes, "We need to be united to do that right?"

Arthur bursts out laughing and nods his head, "Definitely. Although what with the joint self styled moniker which shares its name with a candy, I think we may be too late".

By now they are both howling with laughter and wiping away the tears. Gwen notices how nice he sounds when he laughs and likes that he has a sense of humour. She never would have thought in a million years she would be sitting in the staff kitchen of Pendragon Industries, listed 4th on the Fortune 500 Companies list cracking jokes with the Deputy Company Director. Stranger things have happened though…

"So starting again…Hi. My name is Arthur Pendragon – NOT Sir. I work for Pendragon Industries. I just got back from New York and I have a nutty friend called Merlin who has harebrained ideas like setting me up with his girlfriend's friends and never does a lick of work even though he's supposed to be my Advisor (which actually is a flash word meaning 'one who never does a lick of work'). I like watching Owen Wilson films (including imitating him in public), and polishing my mirror collection in my spare time. Your turn". All this was said with a straight face which makes Gwen laugh even harder.

Gwen's POV

That's his name! Arthur. I can't call him Arthur! It's not…proper like…He's my boss – Merlin's friend, not mine. Merlin's boss too – but since when has Merlin been proper? Yeah, good point. He's so…normal though...Seriously Gwen? Define normal. Ok ok! Just go with it.

"Ok, Sir", (she stops when she sees Arthur giving her a pointed look) and blushes, "Sorry, I mean Ok…um, Arthur. My name is Guinevere Leodegrance, but everyone calls me Gwen. I moonlight as a cleaner for Pendragon Industries so I can pay for my expensive post grad education and work with children in the future. I have a lovely (but sometimes scary when she's had no coffee first thing) friend named Morgana who is the other half of M&M and together they tried – no forced me to go out with Merlin's best friend so they could write and laugh about it on their joint FB account. I have ten cats, collect bags, and enjoy watching re-runs of Criminal Minds' past seasons".

Arthur's POV

Guinevere…Much, much better than Gertrude. Guinevere….I like it. She's…great…Platonically speaking of course – can't be getting any other ideas; too much at stake…What am I even talking about? Just enjoy the moment Arthur. Just…be.

They dramatically shake hands, and then dissolve into loud, hysterical laughter once more.

AN: There we have it folks! Thanks for taking the time to read. Love it or loathe it, I welcome your reviews so please send me your thoughts. Next up: Chapter Seven, Part II, since its a twofer, it'll be up before end of day 'cos its TGIF and I am feeling the love today xox islandgem.