Merlinfic: The Bus Stop 20/23
Author: destiny_chicken
Title All Business
Rating: PG-13
Pairing/s: Arthur/Merlin
Character/s: Arthur, Merlin, Gwen, Morgana
Summary: Both Morgana and Merlin try again to convince Arthur to talk with Merlin about the misunderstanding, to no avail.
Warnings: None
Word Count: 1406 this chapter
Author's Notes Thank you to inspired_being for beta'ing my story.
The quiet murmur of the office was interrupted by the click-clack of high heels smacking the marble floor of the executive suite lobby. Gwen looked up and smiled as she saw Morgana walking towards her. The head of Marketing for Camelot Consulting nodded in return. "Good afternoon, Gwen."
"How goes it on the second floor, Morgana?
"Much better than up here, I'm sure. I actually enjoy my job. I don't think I could say the same for the other execs up here with Uther breathing down their necks. Is Arthur in his office? I need to knock some sense into that thick head of his."
"You'll have to ask Merlin, over there." She gestured towards Merlin's alcove in front of Arthur's closed office. "Good luck. Somebody needs to make him see sense. Merlin's been trying to talk to him, but Arthur just refuses to discuss it."
Morgana strode over to Merlin's cubicle and put out her hand. "Hullo, I'm Arthur's half-sister, Morgana. And you are Merlin, yes?"
Merlin looked up from his computer screen to see a stunning raven-haired woman with alabaster skin standing in front of him. She was impeccably dressed in an edgy designer suit, with her hair styled into an artful chignon. He stood and shook her hand warmly. "Yes, I am. It's a pleasure to meet you. Arthur's spoken of you." As he ended the sentence his smile turned wistful. That was before, of course.
Morgana's laugh rang out brightly. "I'm sure he has, but was it fondly or with irritation?" Merlin's face showed his indecision and then Morgana added, "Oh, you don't have to answer that. I'm sure it was with fond irritation, as I tend to inspire both in him. I'd like to see him. Is he available?"
"Let me check." Merlin buzzed Arthur on the intercom. "Morgana's here. Can you see her now?"
"Morgana? Send her in."
Merlin opened Arthur's office door and ushered Morgana in. "Can I get you anything to drink, Morgana?" Merlin asked courteously.
"Oh no, I'm fine, but thank you for asking," Morgana replied politely.
"A-hem." Arthur cleared his throat and glowered at Merlin. "I could use a refill."
"Very well," Merlin said stiffly. He left the door open as he exited the office.
"What brings you up here, Morgana?" Arthur queried.
"Arthur, are you always so rude to your P.A.? It's a wonder Merlin hasn't quit."
Arthur grumbled quietly, "It's been a bad few days."
"And whose fault is that?"
"If you are here to lecture me, you might as well leave now, because I'm not listening," Arthur declared stubbornly.
"Arthur Pendragon, I've never seen you so close-minded about something before. You know there are always two sides to a story and you're not even giving Merlin a chance to tell his side. I thought you were a fair man."
Arthur almost cringed under the verbal onslaught from Morgana. He wavered for a moment, thinking perhaps she was right and he should hear Merlin out, but then his fear took over. Fear of being forced to confront the truth; that Merlin was just having fun and didn't care about him or a long term relationship. That Merlin could never really be interested in him. Who knew, even if there was a spark of interest there, he'd probably snuffed it out with the way he'd been treating Merlin the past few days. No doubt Merlin hated him now and only continued to work here because he needed the money.
To Morgana, Arthur's face showed his stubborn determination. "You're not changing my mind."
Morgana was nearly shouting now. "Arthur, you are impossible! You're throwing away what could be the best thing in your life! Without even trying to understand what really happened! I'm ashamed of you!" With a huff, Morgana strode out of Arthur's office, nearly colliding with Merlin as he returned with Arthur's beverage.
Arthur just glared at Merlin as he delivered the tea, so Merlin exited from the office quickly, pulling the door shut behind him.
~~~
Merlin read over his words again:
Arthur, please read this.
Will was just a friend from home who needed a place to stay for a few weeks, so I let him crash on my couch. He wasn't and isn't anything more to me than a friend. After Friday night, I told him to move out and he's been gone as of Monday. Please know I would never lie to you about our relationship. I was really pleased with how it was progressing and I am so sorry someone who I thought was my friend turned out to be such a drunken, jealous arse.
I don't know why you believed Will instead of me, but I want to earn your trust back. Can we try again?
Hopefully,
Merlin
He slipped into Arthur's office early Friday morning and set the note in the middle of Arthur's desk where he couldn't miss it when he arrived. Then he settled down at his own desk for an anxious wait.
A grumpy Arthur showed up around 9, muttering something about the idiot drivers in the car park. Evidently, his day had gotten off to a bad start. That didn't bode well for his attitude when reading Merlin's note. Merlin nervously chewed on his bottom lip as Arthur limped into his office.
Arthur yelled out, "Merlin!"
Merlin scrambled to his feet almost tripping as he entered Arthur's office. "Yes, Arthur?"
"I am in desperate need of caffeine. Bring me a coffee, would you?"
Merlin didn't answer as his eyes were riveted on the crumpled paper in Arthur's hand--his note. "Is...is that all?" he hesitantly asked, his heart sinking.
Arthur raised his gaze to stare straight into Merlin's eyes. He stated solemnly, "That's all."
~~~
The rest of the day was a blur for Merlin. Arthur continued to make demands, but Merlin barely noticed, automatically doing as he was told. All he could think was that it was truly over with Arthur. He'd tried everything he could think of to convince Arthur to understand what had really happened and none of it was Merlin's fault, but Arthur was adamant in his refusal to listen.
He'd just have to get used to being all-business with Arthur, as that is all he could have. Well, he'd be the most professional P.A. possible. He'd start with briefing Arthur on their travel arrangements for the trip to Manchester. He printed out the travel itinerary, hotel reservations and a list of contact numbers for the Cranfield executives and knocked on Arthur's closed door.
Unable to look Arthur in the eye, Merlin stared at a most-uninteresting spot about a foot over Arthur's golden blond head. He rattled off in quick succession the itinerary and provided Arthur with the copies of the Cranfield presentation; hard copy as well as on a thumb drive.
"So we need to meet at Euston station at 6:40 a.m. to catch the 6:55, which will get us to Manchester Piccadilly at 9:07. Then you have a reservation for a hire car to drive to the Cranfield factory which will take about 20 minutes."
Arthur took note that Merlin was avoiding looking at him, but only asked, "What hotel?"
"Two rooms at Great John Street Hotel for two nights."
Arthur nodded. "Very well. How are you doing with the financials from Leon? Will you be able to answer questions about them?"
"Leon prepped me as much as he could before he left and I've continued to study the figures. As long as they aren't looking for an in-depth analysis, I think I can handle questions." Merlin chanced a glance at Arthur and saw his brow was furrowed. He took it as a sign of concern, so added, "Look, if you'd rather I not go because you're worried I'll embarrass you and the company--"
Arthur interrupted, "No, that's not it." He wiped his face with his hand before continuing, "It's nothing, never mind. You'll do fine."
Merlin was mystified. Arthur was praising him, but he was definitely worried about something, despite the attempt to brush it off as nothing.
~~~
As soon as Merlin left for the day, Arthur reached down into his rubbish bin and retrieved a crumpled sheet of paper. He carefully spread it flat on his desk, smoothing out the wrinkles as much as he could. He read Merlin's note again and then folded it carefully, putting it in his suit coat pocket.