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 T just in case.

AN: Italics denote POV and Real Time is in normal font so I hope it doesn't get too confusing. Thank you wonderful alerters and reviewers; special shout out to Whonewbie - please keep writing! I love your fics :) Hope you all enjoy it! :)

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

Chapter Twelve: The One With (No) Water

A week later…

"…And here we are back at your office where I leave you in Janine's capable hands. I will be going over the reports with you tomorrow and Arthur is joining us at te- Ah, speak of the devil (for want of a better word)", Merlin ends his lecture to Lancelot with a stage whisper as Arthur approaches the two men rolling his eyes and grinning at Merlin's comment.

It is Lancelot's first week in the job and although someone else could have done it, Arthur asked re: ordered Merlin to do it personally to ensure Lancelot still wanted in at PI. Merlin couldn't really whine because Arthur had already given him two front row seats to the sold out Beyonce and Missy Elliot concert. "It's for Morgs! Honest!" Merlin had protested when Arthur teased him about it. Secretly, he was an even bigger Beyonce fan then Morgana would ever be and Arthur knew it.

Arthur didn't need to worry if the new guy would have second thoughts because as far as Merlin could make out, he seemed very keen, was shaping up to be a very good choice, and was a nice guy all round. The other regional heads were also in town for the six monthly meeting at headquarters and tonight the PI Board and Directors were throwing a welcome reception for Lancelot and holding a press conference to announce the establishment of PI's Latin American office.

As he watched Arthur and Lancelot discuss the speech Lancelot would give that evening at the press conference, Merlin wondered if Arthur had prepared his yet, and if the CEO would let him give it. Probably not as he was still smarting over Lancelot's appointment and would probably not be in the best of moods that night, although, true to conventions and with keeping up appearances, the elder Pendragon would never berate his son in public.

All three men stop talking when they notice Uther Pendragon striding towards them at his typical brisk pace heading for the rooftop terraced area of the PI building where the function would be held. He nods briefly to all of them before moving into the elevator closely followed by his assistant Mathieu and Gaius who turns and gives them all a sincere smile before joining the CEO.

Turning to the other two, Arthur grins and gestures towards the lifts.

"What say we go up there and try and prevent Gwaine from finishing all the alcohol in sight before the speeches begin?" Laughing, he leads the way.

Meanwhile on the rooftop…

Gwen finishes tying her apron on and picks up a platter, ready to move out towards the guests who are just beginning to arrive. She gratefully remembers how hard it was balancing plates all those years of waitressing and is somewhat relieved she has not lost the feeling of carrying heavy trays around at a fast pace.

Gwen's POV

I'm so glad Cathy's husband needed some extra hands for the catering tonight at the PI function. I do need the extra cash so I can do the summer internship program in India. I wouldn't have been able to afford it otherwise, what with my tuition, bills, etc. Plus, I will get to see my friends – okay, so I will be working and they're guests, but hey, this is a job and I really want to go to India so…Oh, there's Arthur and Merlin…Okaaay...why is Merlin silently miming to Percival to remove all the bottles lined up on the bar while Gwaine's back is turned? Hey! That looks like…Lancelot? He works here now?

Arthur scans the crowd and notices a familiar curly haired lady moving amongst the guests serving some sort of quiche. He suddenly remembers that Guinevere had mentioned she was trying to earn some extra money to go to an internship program that summer. Smiling to himself, he can't help – and not for the first time since he'd met her, admire her for her tenacity and dedication towards her goals.

Merlin and Gwaine, who had figured out that alcohol would be hidden from him was now drinking "water" (well, some sort of liquid in a water bottle) sneaks a look at Arthur and catch him watching Gwen moving through the crowd with a plate of food. Gwaine nudges Merlin and nods towards Gwen.

"What's happening with that story eh? Last time all you did was mumble something about slamming dining room doors and drinking voddy on a Sunday afternoon…"

Merlin grins and shakes his head, "They say they're doing the friends thing. I say…it probably is just that…"

"But?"

"Well…Let's just say that's what it looks like, but yeah…"

"Oi Princess! Didn't anyone ever tell you it's rude to stare?" Gwaine expects to hear Arthur retort back with a gem but notices that he is now frowning as he watches Gwen greeting Lancelot in a somewhat familiar way. Merlin turns in time to see Gwen hug Lancelot. Then both men turn and look at Arthur whose face has turned sort of mini me version of how Uther looks 90% of the time; indifferent and somewhat cold.

"Ah…You know, if Princess doesn't make up his mind soon, some other frog will jump into that pond", Gwaine takes another swig from his water bottle as Merlin throws him a look of disgust in response to his terrible pun attempt.

Arthur's POV

How does Guinevere know him? I thought he lived in Argentina? Don't be ridiculous Arthur! This is the 21st Century; women can have male friends. You're not her boyfriend. Maybe Lancelot is her boyfriend…So what? So nothing! I am not…no, I'm not. Go on say it. No. Why not? Because I'm not. Oh shut it. Gwaine and Merlin can see your reaction! Be cool. Think of what Father would do. No! Don't do that. Maybe you should have some of Gwaine's water that is obviously NOT water?

By now, Guinevere has made her way over to where they all are. Greeting them she offers some food from her tray. Gwaine and Merlin take some and Arthur follows their lead, somewhat stiffly. Gwen, being quite perceptive notices something is a bit off and looks at Merlin who doesn't have any time to warn Gwen before Lancelot joins them, smiling down at Gwen.

"So Lancelot, how are you enjoying the reception so far?" Arthur thanks his lucky stars at least his Father taught him about appearances. Lancelot replies that he is happy to be joining the company and he's certain that he's amongst a good lot.

Arthur knows he shouldn't but he can't resist it for some annoying (and embarrassing) reason. Before he can open his mouth, Merlin, exercising some form of telepathic genius, quickly jumps in.

"So…Lancelot, how do you know Gwen?" Merlin is the king of casual today and asks while helping himself to another very tasty miniature quiche.

"Oh, we met at the coffee shop last Friday actually. Just before my meeting with Arthur. I think it might have been Gwen who gave me the extra good luck because I got the job". Lancelot smiles appreciatively at Gwen, who Arthur notices blushes and looks down at her tray, obviously embarrassed with the attention.

"I don't think that's quite true, but congratulations to you once again Lancelot. Now if you'll excuse me gentlemen, I need to be moving on. I'll see you all later". Gwen moves on to the next group of people, relieved to leave them.

Gwen's POV

What's with Arthur? He seems…strange. I hope he hasn't had another row with his father again. It's nice to see Lancelot and I'm sure he'll make a great addition to the PI team. I wonder if I should tell Percival and Merlin that Gwaine is most certainly not drinking water from that drinking bottle. Maybe I should talk to Arthur later….No Gwen, leave it. He's probably just tired.

At the reception, some time after the press conference…

"Arthur! A quick word." Arthur turns to see his father standing to the side near the exit closest to the catering station. Excusing himself from a conversation with Percival and the financial director, he moves to join his father in the corner, who as usual does not waste a second before he begins speaking.

"Luckily, the speech Lancelot gave was decent – thank God he ran it by you first. Secondly, I am glad you didn't mention any of your other new fangled practices during the press conference – as I've told you previously, that sort of thing belongs in an international NGO not a multinational company like ours. Thirdly, you do realize Gwaine is not drinking water? Good. Sort it out will you? I've enough on my plate without the staff you insist on hand picking making a mockery of this company."

Finally, Uther pauses and then, uncharacteristically smiles at Arthur, who is slightly taken aback at the change of expression seeing as he had just ended a tirade.

"One more thing; I know you were talking with Gaius about the Procurement Specialist position still being vacant since Arnolds left."

"You mean Morgan Armstrong? He didn't leave Father, you had him fired because he did not agree with your policy on the labour practices for the Asian companies remember?" Arthur cannot help replying, somewhat annoyed that Uther has pulled him out of the reception and press conference which he had thought, up until his father had opened his mouth, had gone quite well.

"Well the man was not PI material, obviously. Look, the point is, the position has been filled. Of course, the Board will give their approval after I introduce her. I thought you'd like to get reacquainted first before I introduce her to everyone tonight." Uther is now grinning at his son like a school boy who just got away with stealing lollies from the tuck shop.

Arthur frowns in confusion, obviously not having a clue who he is talking about and wondering how he could have hired someone like that without consulting him. He also can't understand what he means by Arthur needing to get reacquainted with said person.

At that moment, a striking woman walks in through the exit towards them. Black silk cocktail dress, expensive Louboutin heels and blonde hair cascading down her porcelain back. Arthur can't believe his eyes. Yes, it's her; Vivian Olaf is back.

AN: There we have it folks! Thanks for taking the time to read. Please review if you have the chance - they're always much appreciated. Next up: Chapter Thirteen.