A/N: Hey Ho! Back with an update! Its Independence weekend here so I am in a bit of a 'la fete' mode :) Thank you so much for the lovely reviews and comments folks! Yes, I agree, Arthur is an a** and things seem a bit angsty but please be assured that this is still an Arwen fic so it won't always be like this :) Hope you guys enjoy the update :)

Chapter 40: The One With Messages

Merlin stares down at the well polished table; only half listening to Arthur as he rages at the whole senior executive team.

Agravaine is noticeably absent. A convenient trip to the New York office when trouble reared its ugly head yesterday.

"How could this have happened?! The due diligence for the merger was supposed to have been done properly! Merlin…Gaius…? Someone had better come up with some explanation as to why-"

"We could…but you probably don't want to hear it", Merlin's voice is quiet as he cuts into Arthur's tirade.

Gaius looks at him sharply from across the table, and the other staff exchange uneasy looks. Arthur blinks and then frowns at Merlin.

"What on earth does that mean?!"

Merlin finally looks up at Arthur, not offering anything more.

After an awkward pause, Gaius stands up and asks if they can have the room.

The other team members look visibly relieved not to be directly in the firing squad and exit the room quick smart, leaving only Gaius and Merlin.

"Well?!" Arthur wastes no time.

Merlin takes a deep breath, and gestures to the chair near him.

"I think you'd better take a seat Arthur. This is going to take a while".

Two weeks ago, at Merlin & Morgana's house…

"Where's Morgana tonight?" Percival asks Merlin as they all take a seat.

"She's spending the evening at Gwen's…Keeping her company I guess. At any rate, we've got the whole evening to talk", Merlin replies.

"Okay, so we've had some time to find things out on our own. Who's going first?" Elyan places his laptop on the table and looks around at his friends, and Gaius.

"Harders is hard for revenge!" Gwaine proclaims proudly, dumping a folder on the table in front of him. He ignores the good natured groans at his corny joke, and Gaius nods his head encouragingly.

"It seems she got a bit of stick for her lack of Pendragon scoop last time when Peroxide Barbie AKA Vivian went a tad craycray. She started receiving tip offs from none other than Evil Uncle – apparently it's been going on for months-"

"Why would Agravaine leak stuff to her?! He could feed info to a more reputable paper if he wanted to…what's the pull with her?"

"Yeah thanks Leon, if you'd let me finish, I might just get to tell you!"

"Sorry.."

"Don't really know how that woman's brain work, nor could I get that out of her PA, she just hears her boss having quiet chats on her cell with him daily, 'til one day Jena comes to her all smug and says she's onto a really big story that will "blow the lid on that stuck up Playboy Pendragon and that too good for her boots country Candice" – end of quote. Judging from the info I got off the PA, and from snooping around her office, and checking out social media, Jena Harders is, sorry Gaius, basically a back biting bitch who would not hesitate to sell her little 'ol granny's soul for a story.

She almost lost her job over the Vivian thing, and I'm willing to bet that Agravaine found out and courted her specifically for this scoop – she already got burned once, she doesn't care about the consequences, whereas if he went to The Times per say, they'd do a thorough background check before running anything about a multinational company like PI with an army of lawyers and pull in the highest echelons of mediadom, and I wonder what sort of dirt they'd dig up on him while they were at it.

Anyway, you know the famous phrase as well as I do; "A picture is worth a thousand words". As far as the 'Dragon', the public, the shareholders, and Gwen are concerned, it's enough to make the PI world come under fire".

Percival clears his throat.

"They've been following them too..I went one further and found out that Jena hired a professional photographer specifically for this. How else would they have gotten pictures like that? But the information…that had to come from someone who knows Arthur's movements".

"Well, Gaius and I did more digging into his businesses, and like we told you last time, he's been in this game a long time, and he basically turns crumbling walls into empires again. Of course, with that amount of oversight and money flying around, he is definitely keeping it secure but..", Lancelot pauses, and looks around the table.

"But not necessarily following legal channels you mean?" Merlin finishes for him.

Shrugging, Lancelot continues, "You guys aren't going to like what else Gaius and I found out…I think I'll let him tell you all".

Gaius leans closer towards them, "You remember five years ago when PI Brighton City set up their first company? Well…the bank refused to fund it. They said it was too risky…and they weren't prepared to give out the capital. Uther knew that he wouldn't be able to convince the Board and shareholders to go along with this plan, but because he was so sure the company would thrive and provide substantial returns for PI, he planned to invest from his own shares to finance it. He went to another bank, and somehow…Agravaine convinced him to let him finance Brighton. In exchange…he transferred some more of his shares over to Agravaine and-"

"WHAAAT?!" Merlin is now standing up.

Lancelot nods grimly before continuing.

"Si…In all the official documents, Mr. Agravaine Du Bois owns 20%, but unofficially, and drawn up in an additional (and air tight) agreement that I got – I won't say how, it clearly states that he owns closer to 40%. The name of the bank is First National Trust and its –"

"It's owned by Mr. Agravaine Bloody Du Bois isn't it?!" Merlin cuts in.

The look on Gaius and Lancelot's faces answers his question.

Gwaine gets up to pour himself a glass of whiskey from the side table. Then shrugging, he brings the whole bottle over, with several more glasses and begins to pour for all of them.

"How much to you think Uther and more importantly Arthur know about all this?" Leon asks the question no one else wants to.

It's Elyan who answers this time.

"Next to nothing I'd say. I think you guys should hear this".

He pushes the laptop forward and clicks on a sound file.

"So it's all out then..? Well that sets the wheels in motion…good good..", Agravaine's smug voice fills the room as they all listen.

"…No that won't be necessary. All in good time and I will thank you not to bother me with impertinent questions about what I plan to 'do' with them! You are merely fodder, nothing more. No, of course, they don't know. Masters of their own fates never know what's in store for them. Ha ha ha! Of course…I will be in contact again in a few days…Excellent. Good night".

No one speaks when the conversation ends.

"That was taken yesterday…He rarely uses his office for non official stuff…He must be getting cocky..But…at least it tells us that he's definitely out for blood..and okay, he doesn't say any names, but I know he's talking about PI, and Arthur and his dad. Gaius…Merlin..? Shouldn't we be talking to Arthur? Before something else happens..The thing that I keep wondering is…what is the end game for him?"

Merlin curses and turns to look at his friends.

"Gaius, we have to tell Arthur."

Gaius nods slowly, and then looks around the table at all of them.

"I agree. The question is, what will Arthur do next?"

They all fall silent as they ponder this question.

Later when all of them are getting ready to leave, Lancelot helps Merlin bring the plates and glasses into the kitchen.

"Oh thanks mate", Merlin grabs the dirty dishes and begins stacking them in the dishwasher. When he's done he notices Lancelot is still standing there, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Look…I know we haven't really had a chance to talk about what happened with that stupid article and…the pictures.."

Lancelot smiles lightly and sits on the bar stool.

"Merlin…You know I would never do anything to jeopardize my job, or my friendship with either Arthur or Gwen right?"

Merlin nods his head vehemently.

"Lance…You don't need to explain yourself. We know who's behind it and the warped 'logic' of it..no one blames you for what happened. You were just-"

"I was there. I was an easy target…You gotta hand it to that Snake, he does his homework well…He knew how I felt about Gwen and he used that…Used me", he laughs, rather bitterly.

Merlin dries his hands on a tea towel and moves to sit next to him.

"I went around to see her…last week..Thought I'd give it a couple of days for the media sharks to go away. And for her to..you know, have some time to herself. She wasn't okay..Well, its Gwen, she said she was fine, and she was pottering around the house, as per usual but…I know she's not okay. And…I know it's not my fault Merlin but..I hate that I'm a part of it. And that I had some role in their-"

"Mate, you did not cause them to break up! And as I said, we know what's happened and who is to blame right?!"

Lancelot smiles sadly, and reaching into his jacket pocket pulls out an envelope and hands it to Merlin.

Merlin opens it and scans the contents quickly.

He looks up in surprise.

"Yes, it's my resignation letter. I would be grateful if you could pass it on to Arthur tomorrow at work before I formally lodge my paperwork with HR".

"You're resigning?! Lance.."

"I joined this company because I thought I could do good things, and help make a difference. I hold a very senior position and…this media attention…the fall out…not just for Arthur, and the company, but myself..How can I continue to do a good job, and encourage people to trust in me if I am portrayed as a sleazy player? What does that say about my character? How can Arthur trust me again..? And it will be awkward…for all of us. I am also thinking of Gwen…and how it will look, my being around all the time. I can only imagine what she's been through…If I could ease that in some way…"

Merlin sighs, and slides the letter back towards his friend.

"I'm not going to accept this. Give yourself some time. Think about it. You know the Board has already received an official report about this 'incident' and your job is secure. I think we can safely say that your reputation is still intact. Seriously Lance..think about the good things you've started to do for the company..Your staff…The positive outlook for the future…You know, Arthur may be clueless in a lot of other things, but one thing he hasn't been wrong about since he began working in this company is choosing the right people for important roles, and to support him. He handpicked you because he saw an honest, hardworking, sensible, fair person who knows their stuff, and has the integrity and motivation to do it. I know it's not been easy with the media and what not…but believe me, it will die down, and it will be back to business soon again. I know he doesn't blame you, neither does Gwen, and they wouldn't want you to leave either. We're all adults here Lance; things happen, and we just have to let them sort it out as best they can. So just…think about it...Take some time out..But don't leave right now…Okay?"

Lancelot shrugs, and then nods at his friend.

He picks up the letter and puts it back into his pocket.

Present day, in the conference room…

"…So you're telling me that you all believe that Agravaine was behind the media stories, the pictures, that he is most probably the one whose given confidential documents and other info to the press and the IFCB, and that he is somehow trying to bring the company down – for a reason you don't seem to know yet.

Your 'proof' includes background checks on him buying up once successful business, hearing about him eating dinner with board members one time at a restaurant, hearing an audio tape – which I am going to pretend I didn't just hear about, seeing as that would be illegal, allegedly getting Marilyn to spy on me – something she cannot corroborate because she doesn't work here anymore, and she's gone AWOL. Then there's some gossip via a disgruntled assistant from a tabloid paper – which bearing in mind, tabloid papers, whose staff make a living out of lying and printing gossip for a living, and other tales from PI staff.

You know, when I started to get a bit uneasy about the merger documentation, I asked both of you to thoroughly check it personally. You did that. And what did you report back? Oh that's right; it was crystal clear. And legal! You filed all the appropriate paperwork with the IFCB and the Company's office, and we never had any red flags raised. Now you're wondering why Agravaine is not here even though we're having all these problems…He is in New York as per normal CEO visits, so there isn't really anything unusual about it is there?!"

Arthur's POV

You realize you're practically shouting again right? I am trying to control my temper…and volume, but..Come on! Why would..?! We run a multinational company where there are hundreds of people whose jobs it is to make sure we dot our t's and cross our I's. He cannot possibly do anything without getting caught. They have no real proof…this is just clutching at straws..Is it? It is! Right..so your father's comment that day that your uncle had already told him you were not ready…Was that not odd?! Maybe Father was mistaken…You will remember it was rather a stressful moment for all of that that day..Riiight..You have to admit it, something doesn't make sense here…When have Gaius, Merlin and the others steered you wrong? You trust them..I trust Father's judgment too! He appointed Uncle Agravaine in his place. His duties are to meant to ensure this company's success, not its failures..They are mistaken. Surely. Still…

"Arthur, things don't add up! That's a whole lot of 'coincidences' for us not to be wondering why all these problems only began after he showed up…How much do you know about Brighton?! Well let me tell you about how-"

"-What Merlin is trying to say is, we waited…until we had enough to bring it to your attention. We have been suspecting for some time that things are not right, and that perhaps it's time to pay closer mind to decisions he has made and things that have been instigated here since he arrived. Arthur, you need to think seriously about this..", Gaius ignores the incredulous look that Merlin gives him after he cut him off.

When Gaius looks back in his direction he shakes his head slightly. Merlin stares back at him. Why are they not telling Arthur about the money that Agravaine gave Uther to finance the company in Brighton and the fact that Dodgy Uncle now owns almost half of the company?!

Still, experience has shown Merlin that Gaius is a shrewd advisor and he decides to let it go. Obviously Gaius is keeping that information for another time.

Arthur groans and sits back down.

"Well…I certainly see your point…and there are things that don't make sense here but…is there any hard evidence that links him to the issues here at PI? The merger? The way I see it, that is our major problem right at this moment…and unless you can tie anything concrete to it, then you shouldn't be playing Watson and Holmes but trying your best to find out what happened and fixing it!"

There is a moment of silence and then Merlin opens his mouth to speak again but closes it when he sees the doors open and in glides Agravaine, closely followed by a silent Mathieu.

"I couldn't agree more with your statement Arthur", Agravaine's drawls as he helps himself to a cup of tea from the sideboard, ignoring the tense way everyone else stares at him. He takes his time before walking back to the table.

"Now…first order of business in 'Operation Clean Up Merger Issues'. You've actually made it quite easy for me, seeing as you are both already here; two birds with one stone and all that. Consider this a courtesy, seeing as you have both worked here for a long time and made some effort in your positions. However, it is clear that you are no longer able to do your jobs satisfactorily and with this in mind, I am informing you that as of today your services will no longer be required here. Please clean out your-"

Arthur stands up, holding his hand up, "What are you doing? You cannot-"

He is cut off by an angry Merlin who also gets up, "You're firing us?!"

He glares at Agravaine and then looks at Gaius, who is just as shocked as he is.

Agravaine gives Merlin a condescending smile and sits down across from them.

"Arthur…I am the CEO of this company. You know company policy as well as I do..So should you two. Merlin, since you are sorely lacking in decorum and you're already standing there, why don't you enlighten us and tell us what Section 20, Subsection B of the PI Management Policy says?"

Merlin clenches his teeth, and then opens his mouth to speak but Gaius beats him to it.

"Sir…With respect, you know as well as I do that the both of us have never acted in anything other than the best interests of this company, and have always strived to perform within the confines of our job descriptions. Whatever maladministration and insubordination practices you are alleging happened are false, and frankly, highly insulting. The thought of-"

Agravaine rolls his eyes as he interrupts Gaius.

"Oh please Gaius, I have observed you...You think that working here for thirty years plus gives you free license to presume to know the will of the CEO, to direct him to do your bidding, and to have a permanent job? Let's be frank, you are getting on a bit in years, and you must admit, it's a tiring, full on job working here, and the stress is clearly not healthy. You are not as sharp as you used to be, and the fact that we are hanging by a final thread with the IFCB ready to cut the rope, and you were the point person on this project, means you have basically sealed your own fate", he pauses to drain the rest of his tea.

Gaius bows his head and takes a deep breath; he doesn't bother to speak again.

"As for you Merlin Emrys", Agravaine nods in his direction, "You are not irreplaceable. No one here is. I mean, honestly, if you're going to spend all your time dreaming up conspiracy theories about white collar crime, then by all means do it, just don't do it on PI's time. You have a brilliant imagination though which is good, that comes in handy for job hunters doesn't it? It means you can apply for a variety of jobs in this terrible job market trend we're currently experiencing. You were both overseeing this merger and now it's gone to shit, what did you think would happen?"

"Agravaine…You cannot just terminate them without Board approval, this requires a majority vote, and it needs to be properly documented. You're also forgetting that this is something that I – as Deputy Company Director have to recommend. As you can see, I have done no such thing. According to Section 20, Subsection B, paragraph 1 of the Management Policy, there is no way that they can be fired like-"

Agravaine waves one hand lazily and Mathieu quietly places a folder in front of Arthur. It's opened to the relevant page and the text is highlighted.

Arthur reads the section then frowns up at his uncle who grins.

"Yes…paragraph 1 has been altered. This is a revised document Arthur…See, if you had been concentrating on office policies and documentation instead of other pursuits, you would remember these changes were passed a few months ago. During one of the board meetings where you weren't present. I got over two thirds majority, so I hope this answers your questions. Now…Where was I? Oh yes, you two are now being asked nicely to pack up your personal items and vacate the premises as soon as possible. I do so hate drama and would loathe to have to see such senior, well respected staff being forcibly removed by security so…", Agravaine's voice trails off as he opens up a binder and begins to read, his body language informing them that they are all dismissed.

Merlin looks at Arthur, who seems to still be reeling from the upset, and he shrugs helplessly.

Gaius stands up slowly and giving Arthur a bleak smile walks out of the room.

"I know what you did! You won't get away with it", Merlin bites out at Agravaine.

Agravaine looks up and gives him a bored look.

"Good bye Merlin. I do wish you all the best", he says unfeelingly, before going back to his work.

Merlin shakes his head in fury, throws Arthur one final look and follows Gaius out, slamming the door behind him.

"Uncle! Surely there has to be a way around this! You cannot think that they had anything to do with it, yes, something went wrong somewhere. But these two people are key to the management of our company and I trust them completely. I will be lodging an official letter today in which I will strongly urge you the board to reconsider this and reinstate them as soon as-"

Agravaine looks up again, sighing loudly.

"Oh Arthur…There you go again. Stop being so sentimental. This is a multibillion dollar company and we are answerable to many people. One word: Scapegoat. Someone's head had to roll over this; well in this case two heads…Incompetence won't be tolerated. It's done and my hands are tied unfortunately…".

Arthur glares at his uncle; he can't really believe he can do this.

"I don't accept that. I won't", he says firmly.

Agravaine puts his pen down and looks so sternly at his nephew. Arthur's never seen this look before, and it's a bit unsettling.

"Your father put me in charge. Do you know what being 'in charge' means? It means making the tough calls and sticking to them. It means sometimes being perceived as a bastard, and being a realist. Being people's friend doesn't make you successful. Being a Boss does. You have a job to do; I suggest you get on with it. This is your company; you have to do whatever it takes to save it. Now, if there's nothing else, I really need to finish this".

Arthur's POV

What's going on? How could he..? Yep, he just did…And it's all above board. How..? Is..Maybe..I need to check on Merlin and Gaius. I am not letting this go! Go easy Arthur…Don't do or say anything rash right now. Bide your time. Think!

Letting out a deep breath and wiling himself to calm down, Arthur leans down to pick up his bag, not wanting to remain in the same room as him any longer.

"Arthur? I trust you understand my position now?" Agravaine's voice cuts through his thoughts.

Arthur pauses at the door and turns, forcing himself to nod before he leaves the room.

Agravaine leans back in his chair, staring at the closed door and smiles to himself.

"That slimey bastard!" Gwaine slams his fist down on his desk.

"Geez…sorry mate! How's Gaius taking it?" Leon asks, while mixing dough.

"Hard luck man", Elyan frowns from his screen, where he stops packing his bags.

Lancelot frowns, "He is covering his bases".

Percival doesn't say anything, just shakes his head in disbelief.

Merlin is at home, Skyping with the guys. He's just told them all what's happened.

After the conversation with Agravaine, he and Gaius went back to their offices. It was pointless talking about it to Gaius, Merlin could see he was upset and just wanted to leave. Gaius' assistant Joyce was as shaken as he was, but she had just sniffed while packing up his things as Merlin went to pack his stuff. She and many other staff members came by to hug them and tell them how sorry they were to hear. Joyce had whispered quietly to Merlin that while they were in the conference room with the CEO, an official memo had been circulated from Mr. Du Bois himself stating that both of them had been sacked and if any staff member was caught corresponding with them regarding any company information, said staff member would be also be fired immediately.

Merlin also shares this with the guys and Elyan curses loudly.

"Merlin, you know he did this 'cos we were on to him! He knows we know something…Like Lance said".

"I say to hell with him! We go to the media! Turn the tables on him for a change! We know what he was planning now! He wanted the merger to fall through obviously!" Gwaine bursts out.

Percival shakes his head, "I wish we could do that…But he's smart…Evil, but smart".

"I agree..Sorry Gwaine but this guy's been playing everyone from Day 1. Merlin…what did Arthur say when you guys told him?" Lancelot asks.

"He..well he didn't really buy it. I guess it's all the stress from the IFCB investigation, the break up..the fact he's stubborn and not very bright…And as much as I wanted to strangle him for being so bloody naïve, at the same time, he had a point..Apart from the background info, the tape, and info from the lady who works with Jena, we don't have a whole lot. At least…nothing in black and white that ties him to all of this. Aaaarrggghh! There has to be something we're missing!" Merlin raises his voice in frustration.

"Merlin…mate..It sucks, what's happened to you and Gaius…and if I know Arthur, he's trying to find a way to fight it but…we can't give up now…There has to be more...", Leon muses.

"We'll find it. We'll keep digging from our end and-"

"Be careful though guys. I mean it, Agravaine's on to us, and I don't doubt he's also watching you lot who are still with the company. So be on the lookout", Merlin warns them.

Elyan grins evilly.

"That may be true…but I'm out now. And so are you and Gaius..", he offers.

Gwaine nods enthusiastically.

"Consider this a break for a bit Merlin. And if that sneaky old goat wants you to snoop, then snoop away freely now. And we'll be careful, don't worry".

"It's the merger…it's got to be…Merlin is there anything you and Gaius may have missed in the paperwork for it?" Lancelot asks.

Merlin shakes his head fiercely.

"No! I even had a guy I know look at it for forgery and it was clean".

"Then it has to be something else..the contacts..the contents…maybe the other people who worked on the drafting of it..What is it we're missing..?"

"I dunno Lance, but I have a feeling that Snake Man is not done yet...We just have to figure out how far he's willing to go", Merlin muses worriedly.

"..in other breaking news, the IFCB have already begun formal investigations into Pendragon Industries after company documentation was leaked late last week. The investigation is looking into possible fraudulent and other illegal financial practices. It is not clear at this time what Pendragon Industries response will be as they have yet to make a public statement. Things do not look good for them right now, what with recent negative media attention surrounding Arthur Pendragon, who is poised to inherit leadership from his ailing father Uther, a man who is still away on an extended leave of absence citing medical reasons. Mr. Agravaine Du Bois has been acting as CEO in his absence.."

Gwen comes out of the bathroom, drying her hair and catches the last frame of the news item, watching Arthur and Agravaine walk out of the main entrance, towards a waiting car, wadding through all the media and microphones.

In spite of herself, her breath catches as she notices the dark circle under his eyes; his mussed up blonde hair, and set mouth.

Gwen's POV

Don't watch it. It's his problem. His company. It comes first remember? Yes…I remember…But..Gwen come on! Let him deal with it. He chose that over you. Okay okay…Don't be so harsh. It's just…hard…I know..I am you remember? It's okay to miss him…and to worry. But…You need to live your life. You can't just say the words to your friends, colleagues, neighbours, everyone that you're all good, you're okay, you're fine..You actually have to start believing it again. It's been almost a month! I know…I know…Look at how tired he looks..How stressed out..Gwen..? Yes…I know.

Morgana lets herself in with a spare key and flops down next to her on the couch. She sees the faraway expression in Gwen's eyes, and then looks at the screen.

"Ugh!", she exclaims, rolling her eyes and grabbing the remote from the table, she switches the TV off.

"How's Merlin doing?" Gwen asks, changing the subject. The last thing she wants to hear is Morgs go on and on about how there's something seriously wrong with the Pendragon family.

Morgana's expression changes to wistful.

"Actually, after the first night, he got up the next day and took off, saying he was doing something with Elyan…I am trying to be encouraging, to just be there…not bug him with wedding talk and anything really..But..well he's really focused on something..When I ask him what's going on, all he'll say is he's 'going to try and fix it'. I don't know what he means by that, but he won't say much. I know he's not really talking to Arthur..and no, don't give me that look, but I have to say, I am thrilled about that. Gwen..come on, as far as I am concerned, that man is not worth your time or energy! Seriously, he hurt you! He basically broke up with you for no reason at all, other than the fact he is a spineless, gutless-"

"Morgs! Please! Just…Can we…please…I already know all this but…I am trying to deal with it..To move on and I don't need to…be reminded all the time about what he did okay?" Gwen swallows away the lump and Morgana bites her lip, her expression changes to contrite.

She puts her arm around Gwen, and moves closer.

"I'm sorry Gwennie…You're my best friend. My sister..The only family I've ever really had and..well I feel hurt..and angry…but I guess also..well guilty..I mean, it's kind of on Merlin and I too isn't it? We pushed…we introduced the two of you thinking it would be wonderful…and now.."

Gwen smiles faintly, "Morgs, this is not your fault. It's not Lance's either..It's between the two of us. I hate that all of you feel caught in the middle, and you shouldn't. Its life. And things happen. People…people move on…He has, and I have to as well…And…you remember he's Merlin's best friend too right? It can't be easy for Merlin being in the middle either..Let's just…take it one day at a time..That's all I ask".

"I just need to say one more time that he's an ass. He will never ever find someone as awesome as you. Why would you date someone who is just like a female version of you anyway?! How boring and unimaginative can one person be? I mean come on…But then I guess, its gutter press so its probably not true at all…And I'm not just saying all of this 'cos you're my friend. He really is an ass. A gigantic ass who..", Morgana trails off when she sees the amused expression on Gwen's face.

She sighs exasperatedly. She can't argue anymore, she knows her friend has a point.

"You're right, it doesn't help that I say these things does it? It's bad enough that you and he are both maid of honour and best man! Best man my ars-Okay, I promise! No more bad mouthing, or stressing you out. Promise.."

Gwen sits up straighter and gives her a look.

Morgana huffs and shrugs lightly.

"Okay fine! I will try my best…and sometimes there may be slip ups, but I can be civil…I can!"

Gwen smiles at her and then leans back on the couch, laying her head on Morgana's shoulder.

"Good. Now...let's talk about the wedding. It's time for something fun and happy to happen don't you think?" she asks softly.

Morgana doesn't miss the sad look on her friend's face, and it sounds like she's talking more to herself then anyone.

Smiling, she nods in agreement.

"Absolutely. Fun and happy is good".

A/N: And there we have it! Hope it was okay...Sorry, there's not much Gwen in this one, 'cos there's a lot going on at PI which Artie needs to attend to. No fear, things will progress and Aggy will get his comeuppance Lara Smith! Thank you once again for sticking around and reading. Please drop us a line if you have time. Next one up soon!