A/N: Hi Merlinites! I am extremely sorry this update has taken the last few months to appear. Let's just say sometimes sh** happens and we deal with it. However, I would like to say a huge thank you to those of you who are still following this story, and welcome to the new ones that have found it recently. Special shout out to Sharmini for her ongoing virtual hugs. Hope you all enjoy the update xx IslandGem

P.S. This one is a bit flashbacky..Hopefully its not too hard to follow and differentiate between the flashbacks and the POVs :)

P.P.S Please forgive any little mistakes, I tried my best to get all of them, but this is not beta'd.

Chapter 39: The One With Choices

Three weeks later…

Gwen rubs her eyes and tiredly brushes back her curls. Staring out the staffroom window at the steady rain, she feels that telltale lump forming in her throat and she quickly takes a big gulp of her way too hot green tea.

The burning sensation staves off the tears and it's enough to jolt her back to reality. She walks back towards the coffee table where all the sofas and chairs are.

She smiles faintly at two other female colleagues sitting together, looking at something in that ruddy News of the World paper. They fall silent when they spot her and then offer her diffident and sympathetic smiles in return. After an awkward moment, both of them make some sort of excuse about having to see to their paperwork, and abruptly get up and leave the room a moment after she sits down, leaving only Mrs. Riggs who sits on an old wooden chair sipping her tea, writing in a notebook, and finishing off her biscuit, not seeming to have noticed a thing.

Gwen sighs and sits down on the newly vacated sofa, nursing her still hot tea, grateful she doesn't have to make small talk with anyone anyway.

Gwen's POV

Don't let it get to you. You know what's real and what's not. Just because people read the tabloids. And gossip, it doesn't mean you have to be sucked into all that. The school is behind you. You have your friends…your family…But you're human. It does hurt that people look at you funny. It shouldn't…But it does. Wait…what…?

She looks down at the hastily cast off paper lying on the coffee table. She glances at the front page picture, and then moving closer, she picks it up. Arthur Pendragon's face stares up at her, his handsome features highlighted by the camera flashes. His arm is firmly encircled around a very attractive and well dressed woman's waist…The large print is enough to churn her stomach.

Arthur & Mithian: "We're taking things slow"

Gwen's brain goes into 'fuck-it-all-mode' as she takes a deep breath before hurriedly turning to page two for the full article.

She curses her fast watery eyes as she struggles to read through it.

"Match made in heaven?" the title asks the reader. It's actually not a very long piece – but unfortunately, it's filled with pictures of them. Gwen recognizes the woman. It's the same beautiful brunette in the green dress from the PI function almost a month ago.

.."The future heiress of another Fortune 500 Company Ross & Co, attended Cambridge, and the London School of Economics, in between modeling for a few seasons with Burberry and on the runways of Milan and Paris and is no stranger to the glamorous high society lifestyle that the future heir of Pendragon Industries leads. Mithian Ross speaks three languages, and their company is rumoured to be in talks with Pendragon Industries on the possibility of merging for several future projects.

"They have so much in common, the family couldn't be happier. At this stage they have indicated that they're 'taking things slow'", said a reliable Pendragon source.

When she's not running the London office, and enjoying hobbies such as horse riding, and competitive skiing, she is also the co-founder of an animal welfare program for mistreated pets in the city".

"…the similarities in this couple's background echoes of a match made in heaven, not unlike the love story of Arthur's father Mr. Uther Pendragon and the lovely Ygraine Du Bois over thirty years ago. Only time will tell if business can truly become pleasure, although, it is clear from these early pictures that perhaps it may only be a matter of time before we can expect to hear that these two families become merged on another level."

Gwen lets out a gasp, and then, as if remembering where she is, she brushes away her tears. As she moves to toss the paper aside and get up, she feels a hand on her arm. Through her tears, she looks at Mrs. Riggs who she had forgotten was sitting in the room too this whole time.

The older lady is now sitting next to her and smiling not unkindly.

She hands her a tissue and Gwen dabs at her tears.

"Guinevere Leodegrance…You may think that the world is ending right now. And reading drivel like that will not help any, but…as a woman of considerable age, and of some experience, I can tell you that you will be alright. You will dear..and you know how I know?", her voice trails off when she sees Gwen shaking her head and furiously wipes away her tears.

"How could he..? I didn't do…I just…I can't…", she lets out a half sob and Mrs. Riggs moves closer towards her, enveloping her in a warm hug.

She nods and pats the younger woman's back.

"Because you're you", she ends her little speech.

Gwen nods slowly and pulls away, wiping her tears, she smiles slightly.

"And if that man cannot see or value that, then he's an idiot – handsome prince or not", she adds, giving Gwen a smile, before picking her notebook back up again.

Gwen lets out a laugh, and Mrs. Riggs joins in.

Mrs. Riggs doesn't say more than that.

Nor does she pull an 'everybody else' and continuously ask "What Happened?"

Although three weeks have gone by, it's still so fresh. She can still see..hear the two of them standing there in her small kitchen. The look on his face…the things they had said to each other. His final words…Her world, as close to wonderful as life can get, less than an hour ago, had suddenly fallen off a cliff.

Present day, in Merlin's office…

Arthur is burning holes into Merlin's plush office carpet. He's supposed to be thinking about their latest reports, but all he can think of is the latest Harders article about him and Mithian Ross. Some BS about being a future prince and princess. He should be thinking of the latest figures, and stocks.

Of something. Anything. That wouldn't. That didn't remind him of what had happened. Or them.

But mostly Her.

Arthur's POV

How do I move on? When I keep replaying that last night together. Her soft skin…her scent…her laugh..I know I've made the right decision. I know I have…So why…What is happening to me? I can't sleep..I can't eat…Focus Arthur. This is what you wanted. The company. Your work. Your family…All of this comes first right? Yes…Yes it does..

As he paces, he finds himself going back to that day again…

Flashback back to three weeks ago, the day Uther turned up at Arthur's flat…

Arthur frowns and looks down at the newspaper..it's the tabloid one that Jena Harders lady writes for. The headline screams "PRINCE CHARMING & THE MAID BUT..WHO'S SERVING WHO?"

The colour slowly comes back into Arthur's face as he reads on in aghast. The article has pictures of him and Gwen kissing in the early morning outside her building. The article goes on to insinuate he has been having an illicit affair with a cleaning lady.."a maid at PI who seems to have 'gotten in' (literally) with the top brass, and Prince Pendragon has even bent strict PI policies to be with her, even hiring her own brother, okaying large sums of money for fundraising efforts at a school she now works at, raising questions of conduct, morals, and standards…"

Arthur shakes his head in wonder and looks up to see his father helping himself to some bottled water from the fridge before returning to the table. He gestures angrily to the newspaper.

"Go on! It gets better on page two. My, how generous of them to devote three whole pages to you and that little..tra-"

Arthur steps towards his father, his face darkening.

"Don't you dare say anything about the woman I love Father!" he cuts him off warningly.

Uther smirks and waves his hand in the air dismissively. Then points again at the paper.

"Read the whole article".

When Arthur turns the page, his heart sinks as he sees three large black and white pictures of Gwen and Lancelot. In one shot, they are standing very close and Lance is holding Gwen's arms, in the second picture they are hugging tightly, and the final picture shows Lance holding Gwen's hand, leading her out from a garden of some sort…Arthur feels his face burning as he remembers. The night of the PI Corporate function. He had seen her leave with him but…

Arthur's POV

But they are friends! There's an explanation for all of this. There has to be…You know that Lance has always had a thing for Gwen but…we're friends. He wouldn't. She loves me…She wouldn't. Well…you have been pushing her away. You know you cannot be the type of boyfriend and partner she needs..How could she…? No…No…

Arthur doesn't want to read anymore. He pushes the paper away and whirls around to face his father, hoping he can't see how angry he is.

Fortunately, Uther doesn't care how his son feels right now, he himself looks like he's ready to explode.

"How in the hell did you think you could..?! No…well of course you didn't! You never think! You have always been this way and now…Our company! Your birthright! Your name…reputation! What were you thinking of?! Explain yourself! Or better yet, let's hear the excuses! How she's 'the love of your life'…how status, and values don't matter to you! Oh yes, let's hear it! Seeing as you never had the balls to tell me, I have to read about it from junk papers! I had to have about fifty reporters show up on my doorstep early this morning bombarding me with questions about the heir to our company's sex life! Everything I've ever done…Everything has been for you…and you..." Uther seems to run out of steam.

He looks and feels exhausted, and keeping this in mind, Arthur takes a moment to cool down.

Shaking his head, he sits at the counter. His mind racing at the speed of lightening.

"I can't believe it. How dare they..?! How did they find out all of this..? Father, most of the stuff said here is gossip, and it's not true! Yes, we did meet while she was working at PI but I would never, ever put the company in jeopardy or cut corners for myself. As for the claims I hired Elyan because of her – come on! This shite about her and Lancelot..I don't…I can't believe it..I won't..", his voice trails off as he notices livid Uther is back.

"Son…whatever you think you may feel about this girl, you have to admit that all of your 'issues' were never really issues until she came into the picture. Your future is straightforward Arthur. This is your future. Your legacy. Is this truly what you want? Because, it is clear now that you are not fit or ready to take things seriously, I now see that Agravaine was correct in his observations but I said-"

Arthur cuts him off, "What do you mean 'Agravaine was correct'? What has he been saying about me? Since when..? Less than a week ago, you tell me that I am ready and now you're dangling it in front of me like a bone again?! Tell me who is playing games now Father".

Uther strides up to his son, pointing a finger at him.

"Don't you take that tone with me! After this fiasco..God Arthur do you have any idea what this will do to our stocks? Our image?! Your reputation as a leader? As someone the investors can trust in?! Let me tell you in layman terms what all of this means. Firstly, you have to decide what you want your future to be; because you cannot have both, and you know as well as I do – even if you wish to live in Fantasyland, this girl is not, nor will she ever be like you, or want to be like you. She deserves a good life too and let's not beat around the bush; it's never going to be what you are willing to give her.

Clearly, she prefers a less complicated companion like Lancelot – let's face it my boy, she was playing you. She wanted a taste of the high life, and she has had that. You have had your fun. Cut your losses. Because this is the final point I will make Arthur. If you pursue this, you will never, ever run this company".

Uther's voice is quiet and deadly now.

Father and son stare fiercely at each other.

Arthur suddenly feels like the room is spinning, and he steadies his hands on the table.

Arthur's POV

Open your mouth. Say something! Tell him to stop threatening you. Say something man! Don't just..Shut up. What? Shut up. Please..Just…Just let it be…I need to…I need to think…Arthur..Don't say it. Arthur..Think for a moment..Think!

Arthur swallows hard, and shakes his head.

"You don't mean that Father. You can't.."

Uther nods his head firmly.

"I do. So you need to decide", he turns around abruptly and heads for the door.

As he opens it, he turns around, his expression fleetingly softening.

"I know you'll make the right decision Son. This is your moment. You know I am right".

With that, he nods, and shuts the door quietly behind him.

Arthur lets out a loud sigh then slams his hand down furiously on the newspaper before shoving it off the table.

He suddenly notices his phone blinking. Reaching for it, he sees four missed calls and a few messages. Ignoring all of them, he quickly puts on his old football hoodie, grabs his keys, and wallet before going back to retrieve the scrunched up paper, and then leaves his apartment.

There are a few dozen reporters and paparazzi gathered at the main entrance of his building and poor Colin is having a time of it keeping them at bay.

Pulling his hood up over his still sweaty head, he pushes his way through them, ignoring all the flashes, mikes, and questions fired at him as he walks down towards the car park.

He arrives at Gwen's building and annoyingly enough there are also a dozen or so reporters and cameras outside, hoping for a peep of her. Cursing, he drives slowly around the block where he parks and then jogs around to the back entrance, taking the stairs two at a time.

He bangs on her door, and she opens it almost immediately. Her face lights up when she sees him there and his heart sinks again. She doesn't know anything.

He can feel the pounding in his chest return as he goes inside.

"Hey you", Gwen pecks Arthur's cheek before moving back towards the kitchen.

"Thought you were coming by later? What happened to brekkie with your dad?" she is trying to prepare some porridge but she stops talking when she notices he hasn't moved.

Then she spots the newspaper in his hand. And the look on his face.

"Hey…What's wrong? Why are you-"

The buzzing from her intercom interrupts her, and she walks over to it.

"Yes?"

"Is this Gwen Leodegrance?"

She frowns slightly, clearly not expecting anyone at 8.30am on a Saturday morning.

"I'm sorry, who is this?"

"My name is Ben Tensley, I'm with TMC Camelot. I was wondering if I could get a comment on the story that broke last night concerning your alleged affair with the future heir of Pendragon Industries? Maybe you want to give us your side?"

Arthur watches as Gwen's eyes widen and she shakes her head.

"No comment thank you".

She walks back towards Arthur and opens her mouth to speak again when her buzzer sounds again.

This time it's someone from Camelot Buzz.

"Arthur? What's happened? Did..Why are you still standing there like that? Tell me what's going on please".

He mutely lays the paper on her kitchen counter and Gwen gasps in shock when she reads the caption. She grabs it and goes to sit on the couch to read the whole article.

Afterwards, she gets up and goes over to where Arthur is now pacing around the kitchen, running his hands through his already messy blonde hair.

"Arthur…I'm…I..Why would someone do this to you?! To us?! Say things like this? Who would've said all these-"

He stops and stares at her.

"Tell me it's not true", he says shortly.

"What's not true?" she moves closer towards him.

"You and Lance…They had pictures…They said you'd met him from time to time. Alone. For lunch…That night…at the work function..I mean.."

Gwen moves closer towards him.

"Arthur..You can't honestly believe that..? Yes, I do meet up with Lance when he's in town. We're friends – and I've never lied about it. Just like you and he – and the others are all friends. That's it. You know I would never…Why..? How can you even ask me something like that?! Or say that?! It's not true..I get you're upset. I imagine your dad is probably going to have a fit when he sees this. I mean, seeing as how we hadn't told him yet and-"

It's his turn to frown as he continues to look at her.

"Oh so basically, if I had told him earlier about us, we could've prevented this. Right…well I'm sorry Guinevere, I was a bit busy running a Fortune 500 company so that was sort of on my 'to do list' so it would be grand if you could cut me some slack here okay?"

As soon as the words are out of his mouth Arthur regrets them as he sees the brief pang of hurt on Gwen's face.

She bites her lip and reaches for his arm.

"Arthur, I didn't mean it like that..Look…I am trying to be calm about all of this but, I don't know what to do or say! I have never been the subject of gossip in the media, I will need to deal with this too, I mean, we're both affected by this and if we could just talk about it calmly, I think-"

"What were you thinking, going off along with him like that?! Did you not think people wouldn't see?!"

Gwen sucks in her breath and tries to keep cool.

Gwen's POV

Okay, so he's upset. Well so am I! There's no need to act like an ass about it! Why is he acting like this? What is this all really about?!

"Arthur that's not fair! I haven't done anything wrong. As I recall it, you were extremely busy that night with work people and it's not like we had told anyone officially about us – even though it was something we should have done! At least told your father. But…what's with the attitude? Don't you trust me?! Why aren't you asking yourself, how this has suddenly become such a sensational story? Do you not think it odd that this paper – this particular journalist (well if we can really call her that), who's already once tried to pull a fast one with you, is back with more gossip. Where is she getting her 'news' from?! When do you think you will talk to your Dad ab-"

"He already knows", Arthur's tone is flat and Gwen stares at him in stunned silence.

"The reporters were already camped at his house this morning. He was the one who brought it to my attention. Guinevere…He is…well..you can imagine how he is. I should've..I should have expected this. I should have considered all of this! To talk you into this…I should've known you wouldn't have been able to handle it..", Arthur mutters to himeself.

Gwen frowns at him as she crosses her arms.

"What? What did you mean by that Arthur?" she asks sharply.

Arthur suddenly realizes that he sounds like a complete unfeeling git right now, and shrugs, moving away from her.

Gwen is not letting it go now.

Gwen's POV

He wants attitude. He'll get it.

"What did you mean Arthur Pendragon?"

He runs a hand through his hair and shrugs again.

"I just meant..all of this. I mean, you just said so yourself that you don't know how to deal with it – the media attention.. But seriously, I mean, you knew what it would be like being with me. I told you. I asked you if you could handle it. The way things are and you-"

"I what? I should automatically know? I should just naturally accept things…you and your work, and your standards…and the snobbery, and lifestyle that come with? Or are you now saying that I will never be able to be that way? Or is it just that I'm not good enough?!"

Arthur is angry now.

"Don't do that Gwen! That's not what this is about and you know it! I didn't ask for this article! Or that you and I would…You think this is easy for me?! It's not! This is my life! I am expected to be this type of person! To command this status! I will never be just any old John with a 9-5 job and a steady income, with 2.3 kids, a tidy house with a wife in the suburbs, with an average family van and a two week holiday to the seaside once a year. I mean come on, what did you bloody think it would be like?!"

Glowering, Gwen walks over to him.

"Don't you dare talk to me like I am some idiot girl who doesn't know how the great big world works! We're both adults, we made a choice together to go into this! Now all of a sudden you're acting as if I don't want to be with you anymore, as if I have been cheating on you, as if I don't understand your job and who you are. As if you..", she pauses as she tries to lower her volume.

"As if you are the only one here who matters. In case you haven't noticed, it takes TWO people to make a relationship", she finishes.

Arthur nods curtly.

"My father gave me an ultimatum Guinevere and he-"

Gwen snorts, and folds her arms.

"I would expect nothing less of him. He always wants what's best for you after all", she murmurs rather sarcastically.

Arthur frowns at her.

"How do you mean?"

"Arthur…you know what I mean. Parents aren't supposed to order us to bend to their will..They are supposed to nurture us, support us with good advice and wisdom and-"

"Right..you've been a teacher five minutes and now you know all about parent child relationships", he snipes.

Gwen's eyes fill with tears and she groans loudly in frustration.

"Oh Arthur! I am not trying to be disrespectful towards your father! You have a parent still living, and that's a blessing in itself! I just want you to…to make a decision for yourself. To know that you have choices. God! Why is it that you can never see that?! Why is that people are always having to bloody tell you?! You're a grown man for goodness sake and-"

"-And what?! You think I am a child?! Too screwed up to make my own decisions?! Is that it?"

"No…that's not what I meant, I just think that-"

"My whole life, I have always wanted to make him proud. To be a good leader. To show him that I can run this company. He has spent his whole life grooming me..Readying me for this moment and..now its here and…Gwen I can't have both when I know that I cannot commit equally to both things…When things don't add up completely", Arthur is quieter now.

Gwen's eyes fill with tears as she shakes her head.

"What are you saying..? Arthur…?"

He moves towards her and grabs her hands.

"I have to think of the long-term plans here…I have to…I can't give you what you want Guinevere. And I can't expect you to live this life…Not when I see now that you could..you could be happy with someone else…someone more suited to-"

Gwen pulls away in anger and faces him, her dark eyes fierce and flashing.

Arthur is taken aback. He can she that she is shaking and it scares him a little.

"I get it. Plain and simple. You are saying I am..not right. Not appropriate for your world. For you".

Arthur shakes his head, trying to move back towards her, but Gwen waves her arms in front of her as if to ward him off.

"No…It's not that…It's just that…seeing those pictures of you with him…they made me realize that…that..", he doesn't finish his sentence because Gwen is crying now. The tears run down her face and she doesn't even bother to brush them away.

He wants to run up to her and hold her in his arms. He wants to not…Not want her.

"Arthur", Gwen pauses, as if she is forcing her voice to steady, "…Don't you love me enough to try?"

Arthur feels the lump in his throat and he swallows hard, ignoring the dryness in his mouth.

"Guinevere…I know you and he didn't..I need you to know that I will…you know I love you but...I have to do my duty..I'm…I'm so sorry Guinevere…I..I'm just so…sorry.."

He forces his legs to move him out the door, and as he closes her front door, he hears her sob as she stands leaning against her kitchen counter. His breath catches and he hastily wipes his own eyes before he sprints down the four flights back out into the bright but cold sunshine.

Arthur's POV

What. Have. I. Done?

Present day, in Merlin's office…

Merlin watches as Arthur paces silently around Merlin's office. He is scrunching the faded hacky sack up in one hand. Arthur doesn't look himself. He hasn't been sleeping well, or eating much. He's been at work every day, and kept up appearances, but to those closest to him, and in the words of Gwaine, "He looks like the thrice re-hab'd country cousin version of Ryan Gosling these days".

While the others may not use such an extreme description, Merlin does agree that his friend is not coping well. He actually looks worse than he did three weeks ago, Merlin muses, with, he guiltily reflects, a smidgen of satisfaction.

Merlin's flashback to three weeks ago…

Merlin reaches for a slice of Danish, then drops it again as he stares down at the newspaper. While he can't imagine how Arthur, or worse, Gwen is feeling right now, the immediate thought on his mind is of Agravaine and how he is willing to bet his annual pay that the old snake is behind this tabloid story. He quickly calls Arthur. No answer. He calls a total of four times and no luck. Gwen also doesn't seem to be picking up her phone.

He is sending a text to the boys when Morgana emerges from their bedroom and kisses him, before stumbling into the kitchen. Merlin walks over to her, waiting patiently until she's taken two sips of her freshly brewed coffee before pushing the paper in front of her. Morgana glances down at the headline and then practically chokes on her coffee while letting out a number of choice phrases about the journalistic abilities of Ms. Jena Harders.

She reads it while calling Gwen's number. Nothing. She calls Elyan who was having breakfast with Sophie at their local café when he was accosted by two nosy reporters. Morgana, who Gwaine always says could have been an Emergency Services worker in a past life, orders Merlin to put some clothes on and grabbing two bottles of red wine, her good chamomile tea set, and her overnight bag, tells him they are leaving.

After he uses his 'lawyerish' mannerisms to get rid of most of the hoi polloi outside, they go up to Gwen's.

She is still wearing her PJs and her eyes are extremely red and puffy. Morgana immediately makes her sit down and finishes off cooking (re: managing not to burn) the porridge and Merlin is quite happy, since he never got around to eating his own breakfast. Elyan and Sophie arrive and they all sit down to discuss the article..and for once, Merlin doesn't say much, he just listens to Gwen talk about what happened. When she gets to the part where Arthur came and they had a heated exchange, oh and then he broke up with her, he sits up straighter.

"What?! Gwen…I don't believe it…Arthur is-"

"Pond scum!", Morgana declares, as Gwen's eyes fill with fresh tears, and she hastily dabs them away with a napkin.

Merlin opens his mouth again to protest. That somehow, someway, Gwen must've misunderstood him. Arthur and Gwen love each other. His mate is smitten. Well..okay, lately things haven't been one hundred percent but…With this, and the frightening look on Morgs' face, its enough to make him shut it again.

He glances over at Elyan..who is sitting quietly with his arm around his baby sister, his face a stony mask. Gwen doesn't say much after she tells them what happened. No one does really…Even Morgs who cries with Gwen. Sophie makes them more tea, and after a while Gwen tells them they should all go home – and she reminds Merlin that he'll probably be needed at the office to do damage control later, that she's fine and if she needs anything she will call them.

Typical Gwen. Always thinking of everyone else. Even when she is going through hell herself.

Merlin goes straight over to Arthur's. The PI Communications team has already been over, and Merlin sits quietly as Agravaine practically swans around Arthur's house, all but smirking outwardly. Merlin has never considered himself a violent person but he feels like in that moment, he could easily wipe that oily grin of his sinister face.

He doesn't say much, not until he and Arthur are alone later, watching someone from PI release a brief official statement. A simple message denying any involvement of the illicit nature – including allegations of nepotism, misappropriation of funds for his personal use or donations for personal reasons, and that although Mr. Pendragon acknowledges the lady in question as a close and personal friend, his sole focus right now is ensuring that PI is fully functioning and assisting his father. PI management wishes to reassure their investors and shareholders that all is well with the company and Arthur's character is as sound as ever, etc etc…

Arthur drains his second tumbler of whiskey and then switches off the TV.

Silence.

He doesn't know why he is drinking. Its only 11.30 am. But what else can he do? He suddenly wishes Merlin weren't here, but in a way he's glad he is.

He throws him a sideways glance.

"Look I know what you're going to-"

"Arthur…what did you do?"

Arthur sighs, and rubs his eyes. It feels like everyone is asking him the same question all day.

Arthur's POV

And you have to wear big boy pants and accept it. Because you chose this. You did this to Gu-for the good of your future. So suck it up.

He takes his time answering as he drinks from his water bottle.

"I…I did what I had to do..", his response is flat.

Merlin shakes his head and leans forward in his chair.

"Did you? Really? 'Cos it sounds to me like you took the easy way out", he retorts.

Arthur glances up at him sharply.

"Careful Merlin…", he warns half halfheartedly.

Merlin snorts.

"Arthur…you are my friend. So is Gwen. I love you both so I won't be doing the sides thing but…I have to talk to both of you. At least hear me out. I think…no, I know you're making a mistake".

Arthur shakes his head sadly, and then looks out the window, staring at the tree tops, as he feels the pull in his throat again.

"Did you..? Um..how…how is she?" he finally asks.

Merlin gives him an incredulous look as if to say 'What do you think?!"

Arthur nods then looks squarely at his friend.

"I have to put the company first. It's the right thing to do. You know…you can't always have what you want in life Merlin. Not all of us can be as lucky. So while I respect your opinions, know that this is a conversation that I do not wish to have with you or anyone else again. Got it?"

Merlin sighs, but then nods slightly.

Present day, in Merlin's office…

Finally Merlin's had enough of the pacing. And that hacky sack crunching is pretty annoying too.

"Not that I don't enjoy spending so much time together-including during working hours, but we do have a company gym on the fifth level where you are welcome to continue your pacing in a more suitable environment. Also…and this may come as a surprise to you but, I actually do work..sometimes. Like, right now…see how I'm sitting down..trying to read up on some conveyancing statues...In my office…?" Merlin pauses, as he watches Arthur's expression change from restlessness to annoyance.

"Why did they run that article?! Does that blasted woman not have anything better to write about?! How did I suddenly become the flavor of the day again?! Why can't they all go back to making bets on the Royal baby's gender?!"

Merlin nods slightly. He is referring to the latest Jena Harders scoop re: 'Prince Charming and Princess Mithian' or "something as tasteless as that", as Morgs had sniffed bitingly. She was and still is, Team Leodegrance. Obviously.

Arthur sits back down at the conference table.

"You read it didn't you?! I mean come on…It was a gallery opening. Not my engagement party! I am not seeing her. Not really…We're just old family friends so it's nothing! And what is this odd 'Pendragon source' they quoted yet again?! I know none of you lot would say anything about it", Arthur seems to be talking more to himself than Merlin.

Merlin nods again. He considers the consequences for a millisecond before deciding to go for it.

Its time Arthur knows that all is not right here at PI.

"Um Arthur…? There's quite a lot of odd things happening around here actually.."

Arthur opens his mouth again to speak when the door bursts open and in rushes a very agitated looking Gaius.

"Sorry Arthur, I had to see you right away", Gaius speaks, slightly out of breath.

"We've just received an official letter informing us that the IFCB are investigating allegations against us. Also…someone may be leaking information…the press have already gotten wind of it and-"

Arthur and Merlin both speak at the same time.

"WHAT?!"

"On what grounds?" Arthur asks. His voice is steady, but he can't ignore the sinking feeling in his stomach.

"We're being investigated on grounds of fraudulent business practices. It's the merger…"

A/N: Soooorry folks! I know, I know, that was tres long...But there were so many ways I wanted to go with this chapter..and this is the end result. This was a hard chapter to write..mostly because I love Arwen so much but yeah...had to be done. Hopefully it isn't too tacky or harshly done, apologies if it was. Thank you for reading and please do drop me a line and let me know what you thought :)