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. Am soooo sorry, technical issue here so accidentally uploaded Ch 1 instead - thanks Halo for the heads up :) Thank you wonderful alerters and reviewers for sticking it out, your comments and feedback is much appreciated. Here's the third part of the intro section. Hope you enjoy it! :)

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

Chapter Fifteen: The One With Introductions Part III

Arthur's POV

Great! Bloody brilliant! Remember when you said you didn't what to screw up your friendship with Guinevere? Yeah well you're doing a wonderful job of it mate! Rack off! Go see her. What if she doesn't want to see me? Chicken. Am not. Okay…maybe a little. I just don't want to intrude. Intrude? You idiot! Your father was just a complete snob and said nasty things about her in front of a whole bunch of people – most of whom you work with! You need to go talk to her! Now? No tomorrow, of course now! Crap what do I say? Do you have tissues? Why do I need tissues? D'uh she was crying. No she wasn't, Guinevere's too strong to cry. Coward. Stop it. Go already. What do I say? Hi Guinevere, my dad's a terrible prejudiced snob and I'm sorry about that, can we get some breakfast and talk it over? No, you can't say that! See what I mean? Why can't you talk to her? Because. Yes? She might be mad at me. That's it? Well that and the fact that I'm ashamed. I'm afraid she might want to end things…Then there's my father's behavior and my own perhaps…Because…Ah crap!

"I should go see her…check if she's ok…Damn it!" Arthur sounds desperate and Merlin truly feels for his friend at this moment in time so he puts a hand on Arthur's shoulder.

"Yeah great idea…go talk to her with that temper – really good move Arthur. Give yourself a minute. I'll go check on her if you like?"

Arthur nods gratefully and as Merlin leaves, Gaius guides him back towards the bar towards where the others are, hoping Arthur will leave, but instead he reaches for another beer. Sighing, Gaius looks back as Merlin makes his way to look for Gwen, hoping he can convince Arthur to go home soon and not drink away his sorrows.

Merlin finds Gwen stacking the unused glasses into the boxes in a corner. She looks up at him briefly and continues filling up the boxes. Merlin leans against the wall next to her and waits. Gwen rolls her eyes, not taking them off her task. She suddenly feels like bursting into tears, but biting her lip, she shakes away the feeling and goes with frustration instead.

"I know what you're going to say Merlin. You don't have to say anything! In fact, I wish you would all go away and stop checking on me every five minutes. I've been in this sort of situation before and life goes on. Big girl and all that jazz" He watches her work, her movements brisk and professional, but because he knows Gwen quite well, he knows she's plenty upset.

Reaching forward, he grabs her shoulders and forces her to stop and look at him. Gwen finally stops and looks at Merlin, attempting to smile. He just shakes his head and pulls her towards him into a big hug which she succumbs to. After a few seconds she pulls away and smiles gratefully. Merlin uses this invitation to get a word in.

"Look… What just happened in there was appalling and very unexpected. Ok, so it really started when Cruella de Ville's niece let loose earlier. I mean, Vivian is…Vivian – not that anyone expects you to understand or accept that – you never had the "pleasure" of knowing her when she was with Arthur ages ago, but that's pretty much her M.O. with everyone. Gwen, you cannot tell me that you didn't feel anything when the Dragon went off like that? It was awful-nothing unexpected from him what with his bullocks about traditions and marrying up, etc but no one should have to be subjected to that. The fact that he was saying stuff about you makes it worse because we know you personally, and we love you. So here I am doing the check up on Gwen thing. Nothing more, nothing less – don't kill me because I love you. And I don't want Morgana to stop loving me when she hears how you got treated by the CEO of the company we all work for and I didn't do my bit for my 'BFF'". Merlin cracks a grin and is relieved when Gwen smiles at his last sentence. She seems calmer then she was two minutes ago and sighing she leans against the wall next to Merlin staring into space.

"Merlin…The fact that he thinks that low of a cleaner doesn't surprise me one bit. Everyone who has ears and eyes knows that Uther Pendragon is all about traditions and his way or the highway. It's the fact that he could just jump down Arthur's throat like that without so much as giving him the benefit of the doubt, and then to just assume I was…a nobody who was only after Arthur for fame and fortune…That did hurt Merlin…It just makes me more conscious of our differences and why we can't…really be friends I guess."

Merlin looks sharply at Gwen who is now standing up again; ready to pick up the nearest box. He puts his hand on her arm and forces her to turn to face him.

"What the hell are you talking about Gwen? Ok, so Arthur has always been a stickler for rules but although I don't freely admit it for fear of sounding like I actually do like him, he actually is a good person. He doesn't have many friends, mostly because he's a royal dollop head and 2 in 5 people on this planet find his arrogance too much to bear", Gwen swats Merlin's arm at this comment, but she is smiling so he knows she is not really upset that he made a joke about Arthur.

"Thing is, he values the few friends he has and tries his best (which 80% of the time is pretty rubbish), to be a good mate. So he acted rash, and perhaps his dad may still try to fire you – although I don't think Gaius, your manager, or all of us would let him do that. What I'm saying is, at least he tried…He does care about you Gwen – probably more than you give him credit for." Merlin had not meant to say that last bit out loud but it's too late. Gwen frowns at him and pokes him in the arm.

"What do you mean more than I know? I know we're friends Merlin. I love being friends with him but…I can't be the reason for him and his father having a (very public) fall out. I didn't want Arthur to have to defend me and now maybe he'll have to keep doing that, either that or I leave my job – which I need to pay my tuition – I could still get fired you know. I don't want to be the red scarlet type woman of PI that everyone whispers is getting special favors from the Boss after hours. I like my job. I've made friends and enjoy it. That's why I think, maybe I should stop seeing him…Or maybe just not at work. Which would mean never because I am at school and teaching during the day and he's busy and….You know what? Forget it. I think I just need to tell him that."

Merlin shakes his head in disbelief at her "reasoning". Hello World, he thinks, my name is Merlin. I live in a permanent episode of 'The Hills: Camelot City Edition'.

"Gwen! Stop thinking out loud…I think…you two should talk. I know he wants to but-"

"But he's busy with guests and doing damage control, and I have to get back to my job of waitressing now. I get it Merlin. See what I mean? It's ok…I'll figure it out. Thanks for the chat. I am really fine. Really. Now go. Make sure Arthur gets home safe ok?" Gwen is suddenly all business once more. Merlin can't help but marvel at her strength despite what happened that evening. He hugs her again saying he will call her later and leaves.

An hour later, all of the guests have left and the DJ has already packed up. Arthur spins an empty bottle on the bar counter while the lone barman politely waits and listens to the Deputy Company Director argue with the Deputy Chief Advisor about how many bags one person can possibly carry on their person and negotiate the metro system.

Merlin looks at his watch again and sees it's gone past one AM. When he hears "Only Girl in the World" blaring on his phone, he gulps, knowing Morgana's probably worried since she hasn't heard back from him since he texted two hours ago to tell her that she should check on Gwen.

"M?"

"Merlin! What's going on? Gwen's still at Karl's deli, putting away all the stuff with him and Cathy. She said she was fine and wanted to know why I was checking up on her like an overprotective dad on prom night. Since you failed to mention why I was supposed to call her, I just told her that you said to ring-"

"Morgs! Oh…You weren't supposed to- Never mind! Look, long story. I'm sorry I didn't call back to explain. Did she sound pissed off? Upset?"

"Yes. She was pissed off with me – and now I'm peeved at you for making me ring in the first place but not explaining. Are you all still at the work function? Is the party still going?"

"Uh…yes and no…It's long finished but I'm attending a party for one with Arthur while being served by a lone barman where the only music is Arthur's drunken conversation about how many bags a person can walk around with at any one time…He's pretty wasted Morgs."

"Bags? I thought you said Arthur and his dad had some sort of row? Was it about bags? You should get him to go home.."

"Hmm…thanks Morgs, I did not think of that at all. Since when can one reason with drunkards? The row wasn't about ba- Oh never mind!"

"Ok, ok. No need to bite my head off, just trying to help. Will leave you to it. Text me when you get him out of there and be safe ok? Love you."

"Got it. Sorry I was snappish. Love you too. Bye".

Merlin musters up his last ounce of strength and hauls Arthur off the barstool and surprisingly, is able to keep him upright, while the bartender gratefully assists him all the way to the lifts. By the time they get down to the entrance of the PI building, Arthur is very quiet and able to stand up unaided. Merlin suggests they get a cab together but Arthur shakes his head.

"No thanks. I'm fine Merlin...I am. Look, you go on ahead to Morgs'. I will get a taxi home – it's in the other direction anyway." He looks almost sober and Merlin observes that he's still able to walk and talk (at the same time). Merlin waits until he is safely in a taxi before getting into the other one he rang for. He watches Arthur's cab drive away hoping he is going straight home.

Gwen jumps out wearily of Cathy's van, waving at her and Karl before pulling her keys out of her bag to open the front door to her building. She is so preoccupied she almost trips over the hulking body leaning against the steps, apparently asleep. Stifling a scream, Gwen jumps back, fumbling for her pocket torch, heart in mouth. The body moves and tries to stand, faintly reeking of alcohol. Gwen moves back down onto the street, wishing she hadn't refused Karl's offer to wait until she was safely inside.

As the person attempts to stand, Gwen moves further back, ready to run, or kick the person if she needs to. Suddenly she stops, recognizing the messy blonde hair, rumpled suit and red tie.

"Arthur? What are you doing here? I thought you were…What happened?"

Arthur's POV

Crap! This felt like a great idea when I was coming down in the elevator with Merlin…Mental note to self: Never make this kind of spur of the moment decision whilst drinking again! Uh…I think that's really the point Arthur. Would you have come over here if you weren't drunk? Yes. Really? Yes I would've. Okay, maybe not. But I might've. Well? Out with it. She's waiting. You're disturbing her sleep. Tell her why you're here.

Arthur looks confused, then embarrassed because he did fall asleep waiting for her to return. He had tried calling her phone but she hadn't been able to hear over the dish washer at Karl's place. After leaving in the cab from PI, he asked to get off at the 24 hour super three blocks down for water and walked all the way over. Ringing the bell and realizing she might not be back yet, he had settled down on the steps to wait and promptly fallen asleep.

"Sorry…I um…I wanted to see you to talk…To see if you were ok after…I tried calling a bunch of times but you didn't pick up so I thought maybe you didn't want to talk…or you were still at the function. Is this weird? Maybe I should just go?..." the uncertainty evident in his voice.

"Arthur…It's late…How will you get back to the other side of town now? You'd better come in for tea – no more alcohol for you though - you smell like a brewery." Gwen moves past him and opening the door, ushers him inside towards the elevator.

Arthur has never been inside Gwen's flat, although he's dropped her off at her place twice. The flat is small, neat, homey and nicely decorated with a lot of handmade artwork – probably from hers and Morgana's collection. Gwen had told him one time that back when Morgana was still in design school, they had spent most of their summers making arts and crafts and selling them at the local county fair near where they grew up.

Gwen gestures to a shabby but comfortable looking red couch and Arthur gratefully dumps himself on it, stretching out while she busies herself filling the kettle with water. While Arthur momentarily closes his eyes, Gwen sneaks a look at him and finds herself studying his features.

Gwen's POV

What is he doing here? Am I angry with him? I don't know. A little. Why? Why not? Come on Gwen, grow up. He stuck up for you tonight - twice, and had a row with his father-the CEO of the company you all happen to work for! Everyone saw. Heard. There's some dodgy rumour going around about you and him. How is it his fault? Because no one will blame him. He can do no wrong. It's you that could lose your job; that might have to leave. So you told Merlin that you were better off not having any kind of relationship…Riiight. Cos that's for the best isn't it? Is my sub conscious being sarcastic with me? But he's here Gwen! Right on your couch. He came to see you. That counts for something…Talk it out.

As Gwen hands Arthur a steaming mug of tea and sits across from him on another chair, an uncomfortable silence appears on the scene and somewhere, an angel dies.

"Guinevere I wanted to –"

"Arthur about tonight –"

They both speak at exactly the same time, each one ready to broach the subject. Stopping they look at each and smile, exhaling. Okay, so it's apparent they both want to talk. Gwen nods at Arthur and sips her tea.

"Guinevere, what happened tonight was avoidable. I want to apologise because of how Vivian treated you. She's always been a harpy and her behaviour was terrible. In case you didn't pick up on it, we uh…we dated three years ago –even lived together. My father thought it was a match made in heaven; first families of Camelot, marrying according to traditions and all that…shit. In the end, we both wanted different things, and we weren't really ready to settle down. Although it hurt when she left me for someone else, I was actually more relieved than anything else. My father was really upset with me – blamed me for not being a more attentive boyfriend and all the rest, but the truth is, it made me realise that I needed to do things for myself, at least make decisions about who I wanted to be with for myself. Whether he agreed or not", Arthur pauses, watching Gwen's face for a reaction and when she smiles encouragingly at him, continues.

"The fight with my father was…He was upset – about a silly rumour which I have an awful feeling Vivian may have been involved in spreading. I know that I can't say anything to take back the words he said about you and your character, but I want you to know I am deeply sorry you had to succumb to that back there, and that his words hurt you. This won't make you feel any better but he said them mainly to hurt me. Because he wants me to do everything he says; run the company this way Arthur; marry this women Arthur; think with your head Arthur…Sometimes it's too much. You know…sometimes, I dream about running away to the country and becoming a farmer…" He stops talking when he notices Gwen laughing at his day dream and he looks at her indignantly.

"A farmer? You? Ha ha…What do you know about farming Arthur Pendragon?" her tone is teasing as her dark eyes light up. Arthur feels heartened to see her smiling again.

"What? I could be a farmer if I wanted to. Of course I'd bring Merlin with me to do all the work but..." they both burst into laughter and Arthur shakes his head, sighing. Gwen looks thoughtfully at him, and moving closer to him, puts her hand on top of his. Enjoying the warmness of it on his arm, Arthur secretly hopes she won't remove it. Or move away.

"Arthur…I don't really mind about the fact your father thinks being a cleaner is low or whatever. That is his choice and he will have to live with that shallowness, no reason why I should have to. What really made me upset is how he could've just assumed the worst about you, and um…us, as if it were so wrong to be friends even if we are different you know? I want to be friends but…"

"Gwen…" he tries to interject

"But I can't risk you having a damaged relationship with your father, not when I know you're trying your best to develop this company into the best it can be. You're doing a great job – trying to do the best thing by the company and following your heart, and it sucks he can't or won't see that, but the thing is-"

"Gwen …" Arthur interrupts once more, but to no avail as Gwen is on a roll.

"You need him on your side and – "Arthur cuts her off and shifts his arm so he grips her hand in his, forcing her to look into his eyes.

"Guinevere. Please…stop for a second. You and I met under crazy circumstances. It took us a while to get our…friendship on track but you can't tell me it's not a good one. I know I definitely look forward to our spending time together. Surely I 'm not the only one am I?

Gwen nods grudgingly, and still doesn't move away.

My father and I will always have our differences, but ultimately we both want what's best for the company. Ok, so my relationship with him is something else but that shouldn't be your cross to bear, its mine. I don't want to…lose you"…

Gwen swallows hard, and to her horror, she can feel the tears pricking her eyes, as she tries hard not to gaze into those light blue eyes. Smiling she brushes away her tears with her other hand, attempting not to acknowledge how nice his hand feels holding hers, or their close proximity.

"I don't want to lose you either Arthur…"

Arthur will say that what happened next felt like the most natural thing in the world and Gwen would say the same. They both lean in closer, smiling at each other, glad that they've reached some sort of understanding and cleared the air, and then closer still as if they're about to –

"Bbbbrrrrriiiinnnnng!"

Arthur's POV
Saved by the bloody bell. Was I just about to?...Crap. Crap. Crap. What happened to just friends? You can't even say it was the alcohol…Oh shut up!

Gwen's POV

Oh my God! That would be my phone…Was I just about to?...No! Friends Gwen! Remember that? Yes. It still is just that. Mhmm..Oh give it a rest will you?

The shrill ring tone of Gwen's cell phone is enough to cause the pair to jump apart and Gwen to shift all the way back spilling tea on her jeans while she scrambles to answer it.

While Gwen moves back towards the tiny kitchen to talk to Morgana whose rung to check on her, Arthur uses the time to go to the bathroom and splash water on his now extremely red face. When he returns, Gwen has taken the tea things to the kitchen to wash and as Arthur comes to stand near the counter, she turns around and smiles.

"Guinevere….Are we…um, good?" Arthur leans against the counter now, and Gwen tries not to notice how good looking he is, especially when he's staring right at her. Clearly her throat, she nods, and gestures to the couch.

"I hope so. I think we've exhausted our emotional moments for another month don't you?

Arthur laughs and straightens up, moving towards her DVD player and screen. He hopes like hell Gwen can't sense (or hear) the disappointment in his voice that she doesn't want to address what just (almost) happened.

"Great. So…since I kind of self-invited myself into your flat and am now raiding your DVD collection, maybe…if you're not already too exhausted we could watch something?" Gwen is relieved the moment has passed. At least that's what she tells herself as she sits on the couch and shrugs, smiling, and reaching for a bag of M&M's she had hidden from Merlin the last time he was here under the cushions.

"Pick whatever you want. I am way past tired, but thankfully its Saturday tomorrow. Oh, no Steven Segal though – Elyan's leftover B grade stash in that brown box".

Laughing, Arthur chooses Bad Boys I instead and after setting it up, settles back down on the couch with Gwen, who offers half the packet to Arthur as he sits next to her. Smiling at each other briefly, they turn their attention to the opening scene with Will Smith's black sports car cruising down the street.

The alcohol, waitressing and drama from the events of the past night take its toll and they both fall asleep soundly on the couch, Gwen finding that Arthur is a very comfortable shoulder pillow.

The next morning, Gwen is awakened by the neighbours above her slamming their doors as they leave. She is now aware that she and Arthur fell asleep on the couch together, but before she has time to think more about it, she's distracted by the sound of her front door opening and closing, and footsteps entering the room and stopping at the sight of her leaning into a tall blonde stranger with a rumpled shirt, sans tie and jacket. She is trying to rub the sleep out of her eyes, startling Arthur semi awake in the process also, and as she focuses on her visitor, she realizes who it is.

"Who the hell are you and what are you doing with my baby sister?" Elyan's voice is loud and angry enough to startle Arthur into fully awake mode.

Elyan is back.

AN: Still awake?:)Yep, it was quite long, but there were some outstanding issues that needed the extra length (I think). Thanks for reading and as always, reviews are very welcome. If you're still up for more there's a chapter 16 coming along real soon.