A/N: Howdy folks! Update time! Its Aggy Time! (sorry, had MC Hammer as my ear worm this morning my bad) Thank you for all the reviews and comments - I read and take note of all the stuff you guys say. I laughed when I read the Guest review about Gaius sort of being like POTUS asking 'for the room'..bahaha! Onwards!

Chapter 41: The One With Agravaine Part 1

"I'm sorry that I came here unannounced, but thanks for the cup of tea. You will please let him know I came by? I'm glad to hear he's doing okay," Arthur hovers in the front room, fiddling with his coat.

Dr. Alice Harris smiles warmly at him.

"Of course I will. You know, it's quite strange...When he came home last week with his bag and told me he'd been let go, I was very worried. Well, you know, Gaius has worked with your father for so long. He's watched PI grow over the years…and you as well. I thought…maybe he would be down in the dumps and all that but, he was up this morning, even before me, and said he was off somewhere with Merlin and Elyan…", her voice trails off when she sees Arthur's face change.

"Arthur…You mustn't think for one minute that he – or I blame you for what happened and I know that you're doing your best to get him and Merlin back there but your uncle is…Well, I shouldn't say anything about him, I have a surgery later today and I need to have all the positive energy I can get for that!"

Arthur smiles faintly and nods, turning to go but Alice touches his arm once more.

"How are you doing though Arthur? With the investigation? And..well with you and Gwen?"

He shrugs, trying to adopt a casual stance about it.

"Well, it's an official investigation so regardless of how I feel about it, it's happening now, and we have no choice but to comply fully. As for..the other matter, well…We all make choices don't we? So there's not much else to say.."

Alice studies the young man, who she has known all his life and smiles fondly up at him.

"Yes, that's true; we make choices everyday of our lives but, remember we also have to live with those choices too Arthur".

Arthur's POV

I wonder where…? It's a bit odd how Gaius is out with Merlin – again. And yesterday, when I called Merlin to ask if he wanted to meet up, he said he was busy with Elyan and Gaius. Maybe 'cos they don't want to talk to you. Why not? Um…let's see, how about because you don't listen to or trust them? Or because you continue to listen to that Uncle of yours even though you know things aren't right at PI…Or because-Okay okay, I get it. Or maybe..they are still snooping around, getting that 'evidence' you asked for. I don't want them to get into trouble! Guinevere would know what to do…Ah, but you can't ask her 'cos you told her you don't have room in your life for her. Stop it. I had to do that-for both our sakes. Yeees…and as Alice said, you need to live with it. So? So do it. Live with it! Get over it! Build a bridge! Make like a lettuce…Okay, that last one didn't make sense. No, but it got your attention. Flirt with a model. No thanks. Buy a sports car. No! Okay, take Mithian out on a real date. Hmmppff! That would please Father! And not you? Maybe..She's lovely, and all but…Never mind. I get it! Good. Because remember that you have already told Merlin that not only are you still attending their wedding in two weeks time but you're still his best man. Even though Morgana can barely stand to be in the same room as you. And refers to you as "whatever is worse than pond scum". Gee thanks. No worries. Besides, I am not repeating anything you haven't already heard so…Yeah, I reckon that was just Gwaine's passive aggressive thoughts on this whole break up coming through there! So what? I can do this. I am a Pendragon and we know how one must–Blah blah blah…Rude! Sorry, I can't help it. As soon as you go into that whole spiel about your poshness and what passes for aristocratic behavior, I zone out. Well, I would expect nothing less of Guinevere. She is such a…caring and loyal friend, of course she is still going to the wedding, even if it means she has to be around me all weekend. Yeah true, but we're not talking about her, she's all class. I meant you…How will you handle seeing her again?

"..Look, all I'm saying is, I would totally understand if you wanted to step down. To not come even…Okay, so I'd pout and beg for a couple of days but…the last thing anyone wants is for you to be upset the whole time. Seriously Gwen. No pressure –"

"Morgs! This is the final time I will say this; nothing's changed! I am still your maid of honor. Come on! We've been talking about our weddings since age ten and how we'd both be each others' maid of honor. The fact that you are also marrying a guy I consider my other brother cements that. No more talk of me not going okay?! Now, get in there and try on your dress. I can't wait to see it and we've got two other places to get to before I have to get back to school!"

Gwen gives Morgana a final push into the fitting rooms and then comes back out to wait in the main area. They are at the bridal shop for a final gown fitting before attending to a list of other errands.

Gwen's POV

Just over two weeks to go and M&M are getting married. I wish they'd all stop asking if I'm okay..I mean what I say; nothing will stop me from attending their wedding, and from doing my duties. I can sit there and smile and carry on. Its one weekend of my life – not a lifetime. Besides, I know Arthur will be there, carrying on as usual with that 'stiff upper lip' thing they-Oh please! What? No wonder everyone thinks the aristocracy are a bunch of inbred eejits! Uh why do they think that? 'Cos trust them to think it's normal to behave like nothing's wrong because it is not 'proper' to show emotions. Ugh! Okay, where did that come from? Sorry…think of it as a mini 'Morgana Moment'. Anyway, no need to be so dramatic; life isn't over. No its not. Good girl. You know…you can even say yes to other people if they ask you out. I can? Yep. And even if it doesn't work out, it doesn't matter, 'cos you're not broken. Life goes on. Yes…Yes it does…

Her phone ringing breaks her reverie and she answers it quickly.

It's Jake the school counselor ringing to tell her that one of her students has been accepted into the prestigious Camelot University summer music program.

"Wow really?! That's so great! Thanks for calling Jake, I'll have to congratulate Jess tomorrow", she exclaims happily.

"Well, you know she would never have applied if you hadn't encouraged her so way to go Miss Gwen", Jake replies with a laugh.

Gwen shakes her head, "Your letter of recommendation certainly helped – that and her awesome musical talents so thank you".

"You could show your appreciation by finally accepting that long standing invite to have some dinner with me?" he asks, only half joking.

Gwen pauses, and then looking at herself in the full length mirror, she watches herself nod.

"Dinner..? Um yeah…that would be great. Yeah, I am...I'm free tonight..."

Arthur can't seem to concentrate on the file in front of him. He keeps replaying the conversation he had with Merlin and Gaius right before they were fired. He starts thinking back about all the things that have happened since his uncle came to PI.

Hesitating for a second, he picks up his phone and calls the HR department asking to speak to the Director.

"Hi Morris. Yeah good thanks. I would like to see Marilyn's file please? Now if that's possible. Thanks."

Arthur spends half an hour going through the file and after making a few phone calls, he buzzes his new PA.

"Kerry? Could you please cancel all my appointments for today? I have some business to see to offsite today. I will be back in the late afternoon. Also please ensure the IFCB agents have everything they need and let the Mr. Du Bois know I will be out. Yes, I will have my cell for any urgent matters. No, I don't need any bookings thank you. Bye".

Arthur grabs his bag, coat and keys and leaves his office.

Arthur's POV

Father's golden rule number one: "If you want something done thoroughly, then be prepared to get your own hands dirty."

Gwen pushes open the Art Centre doors, grateful to be out of the wind. It's after school and she's hoping to get a chance to do some more work on her wedding present for M&M. Well, it was supposed to be a joint wedding present with…but never mind.

She smiles when she notices Mrs. Riggs packing away her supplies for the day and goes over to the front table to greet her. Since the day the older woman had comforted her in the Staff Room, she had become a kindred spirit of sorts and they always found a few minutes each day to chat.

"Alright Gwen? Just give me a few minutes then I'll be out of your hair", she answers cheerfully.

Gwen tells her to take her time, as she goes to the back cupboard to retrieve her gift. A month ago, while eating crumble in bed, Arthur and Gwen had decided to make a gift for their friends. A collage of picture frames with a collections of pictures from their childhoods, up to now, and a large empty frame in the middle of the A3 sized canvas for a wedding photo. They had shopped around for the supplies and Arthur was sorting through his share of the pictures…

Gwen shakes her head and brings it back to the table where she sees Mrs. Riggs looking around the room with a loud sigh.

"Look at this place now will ya? Hard to believe it was barely the size of your classroom thirty years ago…Ygraine was so dedicated…We all pretty close back then..", she muses fondly.

Gwen looks up at her in surprise.

"You knew Ygraine Du Bois?! What…what was she like?"

Mrs. Riggs sits next to her on a stool.

"We all grew up two streets away from here. It was a little room back then…But we all came to hang out and there were always activities going on to keep kids like us off the streets. Ygraine was a talented artist, even as a young child, she was drawing, designing, sewing even. I lived down the road from her and-"

Gwen frowns and puts her hand on Mrs. Rigg's arm.

"Sorry…Did you just say…? I thought Mrs. Pendragon was a Du Bois?"

Mrs. Riggs smiles and shakes her head faintly.

"Her parents died tragically in a car crash when she was eleven and she went into care. A year later, we heard that she'd been adopted by some rich country people. Didn't see her again until almost fifteen years later when she called Carol out of the blue and asked if we could meet up again. Many people had died or moved away from here by then, so no one really recognized this lovely, wealthy woman walking around in the community centre. She was newly engaged, and eager to come back to the area and see the centre. It became a labor of love for us really…Getting this old place up and running again, and setting up the school. She was a tiny thing, but boy, she knew how to intimidate some of those bossy, sexist inspectors in those days!"

"The day the Centre opened thirty years ago, she was heavily pregnant, and even though her husband was so busy and always away, it was clear to see how happy she was. She used to say that this Centre and school are her first baby, and her second the one in her tummy. Do you know…she actually sat right there, in that corner and made her last sculpture a few months before he was born? It was quite lovely…and intricate. I can't quite remember what it was of…A woman and…child I think."

Gwen swallows away the sudden lump in her throat as she recalls Arthur's face whenever he spoke of his mother.

"Sorry my dear, I didn't mean to go on and on, I know you've got some stuff to do here", Mrs. Riggs hastily wipes away a tear and makes to stand up.

"Please, don't be sorry. Thank you for sharing that with me…She sounds like a lovely person…I would have loved to have met her too", Gwen replies quietly.

Mrs. Riggs studies the young woman who for all intense purposes, looks and sounds normal – on the outside.

"Do you know? I reckon we all inherit a bit of our parents in each of us, and I like to think, based on how they were, that's what we end up with. You're right, Ygraine was a wonderful person who was kind, and had a good heart. She cared about people and the things that matter and…perhaps…some of that still lives on. In Arthur.."

Patting Gwen's shoulder, she picks up her bag and walks out.

Gwen watches her leave and then looks back down at her gift, and biting her lip, as if to shake away any further thoughts, she gets to work.

Marilyn walks into her mother's council house and freezes. Sitting on the sofa nursing a cup of tea is Arthur Pendragon, and he's chatting away about the state of the country with her mother.

Arthur stands up and greets her friendly enough.

After a further twenty minutes talking about those idiot boy bands who feel the need to sleep with one hundred women, her mother announces she's off for a nap and leaves them alone.

Marilyn puts down her cup and offers to take Arthur's empty one.

"Marilyn, we need to talk", he begins.

"What about?" she asks fearfully.

Arthur smiles at her kindly. The last thing he wants to do is look and sound confrontational.

"I think you know why I'm here".

She shakes her head vehemently, "I told you! I needed to leave. I wanted a new challenge. My mother was sick…I needed-"

"Marilyn please…You've worked at PI for a long time. I've known you since I was a boy. I'm not here to do or say anything hurtful. I just want the truth. Please?"

She looks out the window, then takes a deep breath, smoothing down her skirt.

"You know that we've just been slammed with an official inquiry, and just the other day I received information from trusted, senior staff who tell me that you may have been implicated in some activities at PI which are not –"

"Its true!" she blurts out loudly.

Arthur stops talking and looks at her in surprise.

"What..? What part is true?"

"All of it. I did…things. I took things. He made me do it! He threatened me! I had to think of my job, the security…the money I was saving for Mum's care…I couldn't.."

Arthur frowns and leans forward.

"Who made you do things Marilyn?"

She looks up at Arthur, tears in her eyes.

"Agravaine Du Bois".

Arthur pushes back his chair and rubs his eyes. Since rushing back from Marilyn's place, he had rung the Finance department asking for financial records and then rang Corporate for management files. He looks at the picture on his desk showing Uther and Agravaine shaking hands and smiling at the opening of the Latin American office and he has this sudden urge to throw something.

Arthur's POV

How could you have been so stupid?! So…Blind? Naïve? Daft? Bullhead? Okay stop. No, really, I can go on. I actually have a whole repertoire here that I've been saving for months so I could-Months…My Uncle..My blood…How could he? Fuck it. He won't get away with this!

While rifling through a file, he calls Merlin and puts him on loud speaker.

"Merlin..? I get it..You're all peeved. Angry. Upset. Whatever. And you all have a right to be. I was an idiot. I still am. But I spoke to Marilyn and-"

"Wait…did you actually call to apologise? Because it sounds like you haven't done that yet."

"Merlin…Yes! Okay! I apologise to you. To Gaius. To everyone! You guys were on to something and yes! I didn't listen! Now can I tell you what Marilyn said?"

"How did you find Marilyn? We tried for weeks and-"

"Because you're you and I'm..well me so-"

"Well I'm thrilled your ego hasn't taken a battering in all of this.."

"Okay, I deserved that. Listen, she confirmed that he was using her to get info, and to spy and such. She actually kept the…Merlin? Hang on a sec.."

He puts down his phone and stands up frowning as two heavy set men wearing sleek PI security suits walk into his office, his PA shaking her head helplessly as she hovers in the doorway.

"What's going on?" Arthur asks sharply.

"Sir, we have a formal instruction to remove you from these premises immediately. As of 2 PM today, you are effectively terminated and-"

"Terminated?! What the hel-"

The larger of the two men produces a letter which Arthur grabs and scans quickly.

It's an official PI letter signed and dated today with Agravaine's scrawl and stamp.

"There is no way he can-"

He stops talking as Agravaine sails in closely followed by Mathieu.

"Oh yes I can. I own pretty much the whole company..give or take a few other shareholders who are now most definitely on board with me. You see, while you were slumming it and your father was lying on his deathbed, I pretty much had to do everything myself and I recently uncovered a lot of illegal, unethical business practices that you've been party too. Your father practically GAVE me the run of this place. He even -"

Arthur scrunches up the letter and throws it at Agravaine's feet in disgust.

"You can't do this. You need the approval in writing of the CEO. The real one. And whatever our differences, he would never sign this company over to you. Never", Arthur is so angry he is practically spitting the words out.

Agravaine takes a seat and retrieves the balled up paper.

"Artie…As I was saying before you cut me off. People can do many things…when they're sick..with all that medication in their body..They say and sign things…If you don't believe me, read it for yourself".

Agravaine hands Arthur a folder opened to a page, showing him an official consent form signed and dated by Uther. Arthur's heart sinks as he sees the date is from three months ago.

From when Uther was very sick.

Arthur's insides are boiling and his hands twitch.

Arthur's POV

I could jump across this table and strangle the smarmy bastard right now! He got in with my dad…he convinced him to sign this when he was sick…He…Arthur cool it. He has his goon squad here. Don't let him see you're not able to handle it.

Arthur glares at him with his fists clenched.

Agravaine rolls his eyes skyward and stands up again.

"Oh don't give me that look you pampered little ingrate! You did this to yourself – both of you. You know, all that unnecessary angst and immaturity? Hooray for dysfunctional father/son dynamics! Now you can both reunite and watch as I take this company, your life, and your legacy away from you. Oh and one more thing; please tell Uther that I said "I always get what I want". Don't worry; he'll know exactly what I mean".

With that, Agravaine glides back out of the room, as the security guards gesture towards the doors.

Arthur takes a deep breath and then picks up his bags, phone and jacket, and moves around the table. The guards move as if to touch him and he stops and looks at the two of them.

"Get. Out. Of. My. Way", his tone is cold and deadly.

They move out of his way.

Across town at Merlin's house, he and Elyan have been listening in on the whole conversation because Arthur had forgotten to turn it off loud speaker.

When they hear Arthur leaving his office, they both look at each other in dismay.

"El..? We'd better call the guys. Arthur needs us more than ever now".

Arthur grabs his keys and looks around for his bag, ready to leave for Merlin's when he hears a sharp rapping on his door.

Uther Pendragon enters the flat slowly.

"Have you…? What has he done? Arthur…"

Arthur gives him a few moments to .

"Father..", he begins tentatively.

Uther looks up at his son and Arthur is surprised to see this look on his father's face that he's never seen before. He looks lost.

Instead of giving Arthur that sense of satisfaction that he may have wanted to feel in the past. That proof that tells him Uther is merely human and not the 'be and know all of everything business' but, for some reason, he suddenly doesn't feel that way.

He feels angry and hurt and…protective towards his father all of a sudden. And that gives him the courage to speak again.

"Father," he sits next to him at the counter.

"We're Pendragons. This is our company. We will get it back".

Uther nods, with a brief hint of a smile on his usually stern face and looks up at his son.

Arthur looks. And seems different. He fights down that twinge inside him that he's never really noticed it. Or appreciated it until today.

"Son…I need to tell you something first", he replies quietly.

Gwen pushes the doors open and looks around the crowded, noisy bar until she spots Jake waving from a booth near the back. She walks over to join him.

"Heya! Did you find the place alright?" he greets her with a smile.

Gwen nods and smiles a little too brightly.

Gwen's POV

Sooo…I'm guessing you're not going to mention that you've only been here about a dozen times with Arthur before? Or that it's a place he likes to come to since it's not a 'who's who' hotspot in a ritzy part of the city, and people mind their own business here…Or that you're now sitting here thinking about how he always orders the same thing, even though they serve all kinds of pub food and you ask him almost every time if he wants to try something new. "Its all about quality Guinevere. Best squid rings in town here – why change a good thing?" he'll say with one of his teasing grins as you roll your eyes and laugh…Okay stop! You're not meant to be thinking of him! You agreed to this. Its called moving on. Focus on Jake. Jake is nice. No one is disputing that. Just..go with it.

"Hope this place is okay with you? A friend told me about it. I am not really an organized sports fan – and I can't stand all the plugging that goes on during games and such, but I know you like sports, and apparently they have great food.." Jake asks as he browses through the menu.

Gwen nods, "Sure, this is fine. I've..been here before..It's actually quite good".

"Great, you can recommend something then?" he asks her with a smile.

"The burgers are good, or the calamari and chips-"

Jake makes a face, and shakes his head.

"Burgers? Sure…but I'm not a fan of fried stuff actually, it's so unhealthy...Plus, we don't know if this calamari came to us in a sustainable manner…Small things, but it will weigh on my conscious. What else can you..?" his voice trails off as he notices Gwen is frowning up at the TV screen in the corner. He looks up and sees some 'breaking news' segment about Pendragon Industries.

"Sorry Jake, I have to hear this…Be right back", Gwen apologizes hurriedly and goes up to the bar.

"Heya Gwen! Long time no see!" the bartender Jerry calls out.

Gwen smiles at him and gestures up to the TV screen.

"Hey Jerry! Could you turn that up please?"

"….And now we go live to Pendragon Industries headquarters where interim CEO Mr. Agravaine Du Bois is due to hold a brief press conference shortly. Tina Wilson joins us live from outside the building…Hi Tina. Can you tell us what's happening down there? We understand there's been a huge management change today and there are reports of leaked internal documents pertaining to this change?"

"Hi Mike, yes, we are here at Pendragon Industries where moments earlier our news team received word that there are big management changes expected to be announced this evening. We can now confirm that three hours ago, today's edition of News of The World released a leaked internal PI memo stating that as of 3 pm today, Arthur Pendragon, future heir of the Fortune 500 company was terminated from his post as Deputy Company Director on grounds of maladministration, and alleged fraudulent practices. No one at News of the World will talk to us except to acknowledge the existence of this document and to state that it came from a legitimate source. We tried to talk to senior PI management but they appear to be on lockdown and the only thing they would say on record is that Mr. Agravaine Du Bois will be speaking to media tonight at 7pm. We will bring you updates from this new story as they unfold with live coverage of his presentation shortly. Back to you in the studio now Mike".

Gwen gasps in shock as she watches the scenes of the media frenzy outside PI in the car park. She fumbles in her bag looking for her phone and quickly dials Merlin's number.

"Hey Gw-", he begins his greeting.

"Merlin! Are you at home?"

"Yeah.."

"Turn on your TV to Camelot One now! Agravaine is about to hold a press conference and they're saying that Athur was fired?!"

Pause.

"Uh…Gwen? Yeah..he was-"

"What?! When?! Why?!"

"Yes. Today, this arvo. Why? One word: Agravaine Du Bois! Okay that's technically three words but you get the-"

"That evil man! What the hell is he playing at?! Is he..okay? Arthur I mean?"

"Yeeeeah…"

"Please tell me you've got some dirt on that snake. Arthur would never-"

"We're working on that but-"

"I'm coming over to yours-"

"Gwen, you don't have to do that. We can manage-"

"Merlin! I want to help. Just 'cos we're not together anymore, it doesn't mean I don't still care about him, or you guys. I want to help clear your names so I'm coming over. See you in twenty".

Turning she notices Jake hovering near her, waiting politely.

Gwen gives him a sheepish smile.

"Sorry Jake…I uh…It's the news item about Pendragon Industries…I'm worried about my friends…They all work there and…"

Jake nods and shrugs good-naturedly.

"And you want to go help them out, or offer some support. I know…I know who your ex is Gwen. You have a history, you have the same group of mates and its cool, I get it. However, you totally owe me another date. A real one. With dinner and dancing to boot".

He smiles at her and she nods.

"I promise. Thank you so much for being understanding", she says as they hug goodbye, then she turns and leaves the pub.

"Merlin?! Are you going to get those files out or not? I need to get going if I'm going to review them. He's at Gaius' and we're watching that traitor speak to the world there with the others. Merlin?! Who was that on the phone? Do you want me to wait for you?" Arthur looks and feels irritable, but he's so fired up now, he wants to keep going through their research.

Merlin gives silent thanks that Elyan has left for Gaius' house already and Morgana is still at Elena and Leon's place discussing the cake so it's just them. Brilliant; at least that's two less uncomfortable situations to deal with!

He turns slowly and gives Arthur a sheepish look.

"Um…that was Gwen. And she's coming over here. Now".

Arthur's mouth opens then closes. If things weren't so royally screwed up right now, Merlin would be making some smart arse comment about him resembling an underfed goldfish but he actually feels sorry for Arthur as he watches his friend struggle with about fifty different emotions in a time span of five seconds.

"Uh….Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why is she coming here?"

"Weeeell…she is worried. About yo-us. The company. She just saw the news on TV. She was out on a date, uh I mean…Um, she went somewhere, saw the news and-"

"That's really…nice of her. She's a good friend…to all of you and…Wait, did you say she was on a date? Like..with some guy?!"

Arthur's POV

You know almost sound..Don't say it! Je-Don't say it! Why not? 'Cos it's not true. I'm not. Yeah, but now you're annoyed with yourself because you even care. After all, you're only about to lose your company and here you are with time and energy to ask for clarification about what your ex girlfriend does in her personal life. That's weird…

Merlin curses mentally. Why did he say it was Gwen on the phone in the first place?!

Silence.

Arthur shakes his head then clears his throat.

"Well. Thanks for this…I'd better go if I want to get there before he starts talking shit on TV. I'll see you later then? Gotta love Primetime eh? Everyone can now witness the downfall of the Pendragons live to air…"

Merlin follows him to the door.

"Arthur..?" he calls.

"Yeah?"

"He won't get away this. We'll get him. You know we're all behind you in this one", Merlin says quietly.

Arthur smiles dejectedly, and walks out, closing the door behind him.

Agravaine's smirk fills the screen as he speaks slowly and evenly.

"..Believe me, if there was any other way around it, we would have gone that way. However, in light of recent events and the allegations of fraud and maladministration, and ongoing serious illness have taken its toll on my young nephew and my brother in law and sadly, they leave me no choice but to relieve them of their duties. I have the full backing and resources of the stakeholders and Board behind me and I am confident that with these new management changes Pendragon industries can move forward and continue to be a leader in the business world".

A/N: No one kill me; Agravaine is awful and he will get his comeuppance, I'm just letting him enjoy his short lived moment :) Thank you for reading and please drop us a line with your thoughts if you have time. Next one up soon!