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 lovely alerters and reviewers - your comments and suggestions are noted with thanks. Chapter twelve is split into two parts so hope you enjoy it! :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin or the characters but if I did...
Chapter Thirteen: The One With Introductions Part I
Arthur's POV
Vivian? What the? That's it; it's official. My father has lost it. Of all the-I can't even say anything! First off, how could he hire her without notifying me or the Board? Then…Vivian? I thought I got away from her. How the hel-. Oh blast it. With any luck, she will leave soon – get bored and want to find a rich sugar daddy somewhere to latch on to. Maybe I can fire her on some technicality…Merlin would know…Crap! Think Arthur! She's here now. So what? History. Water under the bridge. Tell her now so she doesn't get the wrong idea.
Vivian Olaf moves towards Arthur and taking advantage of the fact he hasn't said anything or moved, plants a smothering kiss on his cheek, and grabs his arm. Uther, mistaking the look on his son's face for pleasant surprise, winks at Arthur, and waves goodbye, moving back towards the party.
"Arthur! You look great. Seriously…What has it been like –"
"Three years Vivian. It's been three years since we broke up." Arthur finishes for her. He wishes she'd leave again. Looking at her carefully made up hair, nails and face now; he wonders what he ever saw in her and once again silently curses his father and his schemes.
"Yeah well…Different paths and all that. I mean come on Arthur; you didn't want to settle down. You wanted to build up the company, introduce some new stuff that no one really wanted or cared much for, make your name, blah blah blah…I couldn't wait you know? But hey! Isn't life funny? Here I am three years later coming back to work here with you. Every day in the same building…Only two floors away…Wow. Have you been working out? Your arms are more muscular then I remember..." Vivian is trying to latch on to Arthur's arm and he suddenly has an image of an octopus clinging to a rock. Her dress kind of resembles that black ink. The imagery freaks him out a little so he shakes her hand off him, and straightens up so that she is looking right at him.
"Vivian, let's get something straight. First of all, I am not happy my Father hired you without my consent or the Board's. Apparently this is all about old family ties or some crap like that – I don't really care. I do care about this company and the work we do so if you're here, you are here to work and put 110% into doing the best job you can or you're out – I don't care if your daddy is the CEO's golf buddy. Secondly, what you and I had was great – at that time, but like you said, you moved on, I had other priorities, and it's been three years. I am not interested in rekindling anything or picking up where we left off. Whatever relationship I have with you now is strictly work related. I need to know that you're clear with that." Vivian's expression turns from coy to sour as she quickly rearranges her features so her usual beauty queen smile is back in place and nods demurely.
"Of course, starting afresh. Colleagues only. I hear you loud and clear Arthur. Now…What does one have to do to get a drink around here?" She turns on her heel and walks back into the party area. Spotting Merlin and the others she makes her way over to them, not oblivious to the fact that all three men are exchanging uneasy looks at the sight of her and a pissed off looking Arthur walking slowly behind her. Percival quickly motions to Arthur that they're going to the bar and they leave. It is one of those rare (which is not really rare) occasions when Arthur feels like physically kicking Merlin for leaving him with Vivian. Tonight just seems to be going from bad to worse.
Gwen is tired, but not complaining because she is enjoying the work and is happy to be able to talk to her friends ever so often when she passes them with the food platters. She is about to take the dirty trays to the kitchen when Karl asks her to bring out some freshly chilled wine.
As Gwen moves through the crowds with the wine tray she notices Arthur looking at her, and when she catches his eye, he shakes his head irritably. Instinctively, Gwen makes her way towards him and before he can speak, a beautiful blonde lady next to him moves to stand between the two of them, giving Gwen an indignant look.
"Finally! Remind me Arthur to tell Uther never to use this caterer again. Do you know how long I've been standing here waiting for someone to bring me a drink?" All of this is directed at Gwen who, after recovering from the shock of her rude tone, nods and replies, "My apologies Madam", holding the tray closer to her. Vivian sniffs and swipes a glass off the tray without even uttering a thank you. Gwen can see that Arthur is definitely annoyed about something. By this time, Merlin, Gwaine, Percival, and Lancelot have returned and they're now trying not to listen to the conversation (or stand too close to Vivian).
Gwen gives Arthur a brief smile of encouragement and as she turns to leave, she's a bit surprised when he moves to stand further away from Vivian and speaking quickly with forced cheer says, "Vivian, this is Gwen, Guinevere. She works for PI too – part of the cleaning crew, but I guess tonight she's moonlighting as one of our wonderful waitresses. Vivian and her family are old family friends of ours and she's just joined the PI family. Literally just joined." Everyone catches the sarcastic way Arthur emphasized the last sentence. Sensing the tension, Gwen swallows away her curiosity and mustering up all the politeness she has learned from years of training, smiles at Vivian and says "It's a pleasure to meet you Vivian. How are you enjoying working with PI so far?"
Vivian pauses mid sip and gives Gwen the once over, raising one perfectly manicured eyebrow.
"I would enjoy it better if someone would have brought me a drink twenty minutes ago when this wine was actually chilled. I sure hope your cleaning skills are better than your serving ones. Although, judging by the state of the ladies' room, I would say it's probably quite the opposite."
With this snide comment, Vivian turns her back to Gwen and finding Percival trying to edge away, traps him in an awkward conversation by asking him loud enough for Gwen to hear if the service is better at soirees in Paris. Arthur's face turns red and looks to see how Gwen is faring. Anticipating what Arthur is about to do Gwen shakes her head furiously at him, but it's too late; he's had it with Vivian.
"Vivian, you never cease to amaze me. You've been here for two minutes and people are probably already wondering when you'll leave. That must be an all time record for you. Let me remind you that all of us are colleagues at PI and that type of behavior towards other associates is not usually tolerated. I happen to know personally that Guinevere is a very hard worker and does a great job here at our company. PI prides itself on having associates who actually enjoy the work and do it justice too." He knows he is being rude to Vivian and possibly uncharacteristically defensive (that inner Merlin voice of his would say emotional too) but he ignores it.
Vivian freezes and turns back to Arthur who she notices has clenched his fists and is breathing quite hard. She looks back at the petite curly haired lady in the white and black uniform in front of her watching Arthur's face closely and the penny drops.
"Forgive me Gwen. Arthur is quite right. I seem to have forgotten my manners. So sorry." She smiles brightly at Gwen, eyelashes fluttering. Gwen smiles back, nodding slightly. She feels (and looks) extremely uncomfortable with the whole thing.
Gwen's POV
I can't believe he did that! He shouldn't have! Who cares if Vivian is something that rhymes with witch? I can handle it, even if it was quite…nice of him to stick up for me…It was nice wasn't it?...Now what? Uh..leave Gwen!
Gwaine clears his throat and everyone turns to look at him. Vivian rolls her eyes; she has never cared much for any of Arthur's friends. They always took up more of his time then she ever did, and he probably spent more money on them then he ever did on her when they were together.
"Nice to see old habits die hard. I was wondering when the goon squad would be getting together for a reunion", Vivian sneers at the men, thrilled to see that she can still rile them up.
"Well, if it isn't the wicked witch of the East", Gwaine jibes, downing the remaining contents from his water bottle, "Glad I didn't bring my hip flask – it's worth a pretty penny Viv, you could've pawned it off to pay for your new nose. Or better yet, any chance you're planning on working free for a year to pay Arthur back for the first nose he paid for three years ago?"
Vivian doesn't look put out in the least and smiles sweetly at Merlin and the others.
"Merlin! So nice to see you're still around. Guess that's what happens when no other company will hire a hack lawyer except the one that's owned by their best friend. Gwaine…that 4 week rehab stint did wonders for you I see. Percival, why do you insist on staying friends with these people? At least I can say that three years have done wonders for my outlook on life! I must introduce you to Gene Chenoux – he's here tonight, come with me. Ooh, he-llo handsome (this she directs to an uncomfortable Lancelot).Good night all, see you on Monday."
She turns to talk to another man behind Arthur dragging a protesting Percival with her, leaving the rest of them in tense silence, before Gwen recovers and excusing herself, leaves. Lancelot follows her towards the kitchen area and all Arthur can do is watch her walk off. Merlin and Gwaine move to stand with him as Gwaine hands him a bottle of beer.
"Hey…You ok?"
"Am I ok? Hmm...let me think Merlin, first of all my psycho ex is back, newly hired behind my back by Father and they both have notions that we'll get back together – even though I have told her that will never happen. Then she treats Gui- I mean everyone like dirt, and now Lancelot is sniff-…I mean, Guinevere's probably uncomfortable because I made it worse by jumping in like that – you know how she's very independent and all? I just couldn't...You know what? Forget it- it doesn't matter. I need another drink". Merlin and Gwaine watch Arthur walk towards the bar and Merlin shakes his head.
Behind him, Vivian frowns; she has heard the whole conversation from where she's been standing behind Merlin pretending to talk to some boring guy about stock options. What is going on with Arthur and the cleaning lady? Perhaps she needs to investigate further. Noticing the caterer coming out of the back room with a tray of canapés, Vivian moves towards him, a plan forming in her head.
Karl is busy and flustered; the CEO was quite explicit about the type of food he wanted tonight and everyone knows what the Dragon is like. A very attractive woman appears at his side smiling while he is checking the shrimp rolls. He smiles back and nods at her while arranging the platters.
"Can I help you Madam?"
The lady shrugs and tosses her golden locks over her shoulder, moving closer.
"I won't take up much of your time but I just wanted to know if you knew Gwen? The pretty, petite waitress with curly hair? She's doing a lovely job out there. I got to talking with her and she mentioned she knows the Deputy Company Director well and…" Vivian lets her voice trail off when she sees Karl's face light up when she mentions Gwen's name. He nods and straightens up.
"Oh our Gwennie is a really lovely girl – works real hard too. My missus works with her on the cleaning crew. She's the type of person who would give someone the shirt off her back if it meant she could help them. Doesn't talk much about her personal life though but…I did hear some of the lads down in Security talking at the last rugby practice about how she and the Boss meet up in the staff room most nights, nothing dodgy mind, just friendly like. I don't know about that though, the missus says we shouldn't listen to gossip, but you know if it were true, I can't say I blame him much if he was spending time with her; she's a special type of girl. Sorry, how did you say you know her again Miss?" Karl frowns at the lady, suddenly realizing he might have said too much.
Vivian smiles her butter wouldn't melt in her mouth smile again.
"I didn't. Thank you. You've been very helpful".
Mentally congratulating herself, she moves back towards the party where she spots Arthur standing near the bar drinking his fourth beer alone, his expression stony. Following his gaze she spots the new recruit Lancelot with his hand on Gwen's arm, talking to her about something that looks serious.
Vivian fumes as she takes another sip of her wine. If she can't have Arthur, why should any other woman, let alone a cleaner have him?Spotting Uther momentarily alone, she clears her throat, places her glass on a table top and makes her way towards him.
Uther smiles brightly as he sees Vivian making her way towards him. He has always been very fond of Vivian and was very upset with Arthur when they ended things a few years ago. He is certain that with Vivian around once more, he can help Arthur to get his personal affairs in order and maintain the Pendragon traditions of marrying within their group of elite families. So far all of Uther's suggestions have gone unheeded by Arthur who seems to be hell bent on doing things his own way, and taking his sweet time too.
"Vivian dear…Are you enjoying yourself tonight?" he asks her as she joins him, linking an arm through his. Vivian adopts a thoughtful look and sighs dramatically. Uther is immediately concerned and wants to know what's on her mind. Vivian shakes her head and continues to play the conflicted victim.
"I don't want to bother you. Besides….It's quite a delicate matter and I do not wish to make you feel upset at your own party…"
"What is it Vivian? You know you can come to me if something is bothering you. Our families have always been very close and I've known you since you were a little girl".
"I don't want to make a fuss, but I have just made some slight observations tonight about your staff and might have accidentally overheard some gossip…Anyway, I was wondering if Arthur was perhaps in the habit of changing the office relations policy to suit his own…er…interests that's all. It's silly really and I feel daft for bothering you about it. It's just…I couldn't bear to hear the workers talking about Arthur…and you like that. I shouldn't have said anything, it's probably nothing…" She plays out the words and continues to adopt a reluctant tone, all the while watching the elder Pendragon's face turn from a normal shade to white.
"It most certainly has not changed. Thank you for letting me know Vivian, I will talk to Arthur immediately. Please excuse me my dear". As she watches Uther set off in search of Arthur, she smirks and replies to no one in particular, "Sure. No problem."
AN: So that's the first part done. Second one will be along shortly. I love feedback so please review if you get the chance. Cheers for reading xox Islandgem.