This is rated M to be on the safe side, as there is descriptions of crime scenes though nothing too graphic. I am unsure how explicit Arthur and Merlin's relationship will be yet, I will see how it writes and fits in. I don't know if i will take the risk and post it or edit it out if it gets too explicit

I am hoping to update at least once a week.

No beta so all mistakes are my own.

I don't own Merlin and no profit is being made from this.

CHAPTER 1

A NEW PARTNER

Arthur arrived at his father's apartment, bright and early as requested with a small sense of foreboding in the pit of his stomach. His father had requested! This was his first sign that something was wrong. His father didn't ask, he always demanded, sometimes he would demand politely but never asked.

The second sign that something wasn't right was the fact that Uther asked to meet him at his apartment, this was something the Chief Superintendent only did when he had something to say he knew Arthur wouldn't like. His father wouldn't risk Arthur making a scene in public, not that he ever would.

He knew his father would want to talk about the Edwin Muirden case, it was going so badly how could he not?

Edwin Muirden! A thorn in Arthur's backside for the last eighteen months. Edwin was a known drug dealer, who had no issues with dealing to kids, even when those kids dropped dead because they didn't know what they were doing or because Edwin's stuff was bad. They suspected that Edwin was working for a large gang, which was why Edwin wasn't fussy who he sold too. He would rather risk the kid's necks than his own. They had everything on him, everything short of a confession. Including the gun Edwin shot Arthur in the back with, complete with fingerprints!

Arthur had spent almost a month in hospital and a further six months recuperating at home. At least that was when he wasn't trying to sneak into the station to do some work, only to be kicked out minutes later. He could just picture the amount of paperwork stacking up on his desk and was itching to start it to prevent it building further. Arthur hated sitting at home doing nothing, when there was work to be done, so these last six months have been torture to Arthur.

He still managed to keep track of Edwin's trial, the trial was not going well at all. It looked like a confession was required because everything else was being overlooked or dismissed. Including the gun, there was a claim that the evidence was tampered with and therefore unusable. With no eye-witnesses to the shooting there was no proof that it was Edwin that shot Arthur. Arthur doubted even with a confession it wouldn't be enough at the rate it was going.

Today was Arthur's first day back on full duty, a day he had been looking forward to, he even counted off the days on his calendar. So it was with a small amount of trepidation he entered his father's apartment.

Uther's apartment was as it always was, everything was so clean and tidy to the point of being clinically sterile. With white wash walls and hard wood floors, black leather sofas and chairs. There was never a single item was out of place and everything had its place, even the books on the bookshelf were in alphabetical order and in size and subject. It always felt like a showroom to Arthur rather than a home.

The only source of colour or personal effects were the tapestries his mother had made before she died. His father had taken them from her gallery before he sold off the business, and hung her tapestries on his walls. The largest one, a giant spectacular medieval castle surrounded by green fields and forests, stood proud in place over the fireplace that Arthur had never once seen lit.

Arthur's mother died when he was five years old. Ygraine died in an accident on the way to her art gallery. The scaffolding on the building next to the gallery collapsed while she was passing under it, killing her and two workers who were on the scaffolding at the time.

His father had managed to convict the owner of the scaffolding company for negligence and bankrupted the firm in one move taking no prisoners. Uther had taken Ygraine's death extremely hard, he became a very hard stern man. He never moved on and closed himself off and hardened his heart to anyone and everyone, including Arthur.

Arthur's childhood had been very difficult as a result, Uther was a strict parent with impossibly high expectations. He was overbearing, never showed any affection and always moved the goal post whenever Arthur was close to achieving something making Arthur feel like he was never good enough.

Arthur had moved out joined the Camelot Police Force as soon as he was able too, to put some distance between them and try and get his own life in order. Although that soon backfired as Uther was soon promoted and became his boss and was just as demanding a boss as he was a father.

There was never any question that Arthur would join the police force, his father had groomed him for from day one. Arthur hadn't minded though, it turned out that Arthur was very good at his job and he loved the idea that everyone was a little bit safer because of him.

Arthur found the Chief Superintendent in his office already sat at his desk waiting for Arthur. After knocking on the door and been given permission to enter Arthur took the seat on the other side of the desk. He knew his father would get straight to the point with no greetings or pleasantries. That was another thing Uther didn't do, he didn't do feelings, feelings made you weak. The fact that Arthur was sat in front of him alive and whole was enough for Uther to know he was fine.

"I'm assigning you a partner." Uther stated, once Arthur was settled in his chair.

"You're what?"

"You heard me" Uther replied sternly.

"No, I don't want a partner, I don't need a partner."

"I wasn't asking, and I say you do."

"I have never needed a partner before I certainly don't need one now." Arthur snapped. He didn't, he had always done things himself, he doesn't trust anyone else to do the job right or the way he wanted them.

"You almost got yourself killed taking down Edwin, you need back up."

"I have Gwaine and Percy for back up."

"Not good enough," Uther snapped. "You need someone with you watching your back. Gwaine and Percival can't always be there, they have their own case load to work. And perhaps if you had an extra pair of eyes and hands it wouldn't have taken you so long to bust Edwin in the first place."

Arthur's eyes widened at the accusation. "You think that was my fault?! I did everything right, I don't have a high success rate for nothing, I am far from incompetent!"

"No of course you're not, you're a Pendragon and Pendragon's do not fail." Uther snapped. "But it can't be denied that two heads are better than one. Everyone else has a partner except for you, as my son you are supposed to set an example not set yourself apart."

"I have never once asked nor expected special treatment just because I'm your son!" Arthur exclaimed.

"And rightly so, so don't start now."

"But I –"

"Damn it Arthur! I want you safe." Uther shouted, stunning Arthur into silence. Uther rarely showed feelings of any sort, to the point where Arthur genuinely thought his father didn't care. Arthur could count on one hand the times that Uther showed any emotion towards him, other than anger of course, but Arthur held on to each moment like a life line.

"I'm a detective, danger comes with the job title, and my safety has never been an issue before." Arthur said calmly, now that the fight had been knocked out of him.

"Every detective is supposed to have a partner in order to minimise the danger" Uther cleared his throat and looked Arthur directly in the eye, silently begging for Arthur to understand. "And you have never been shot before."

Now that Arthur looked closer he could see extra lines on his father's face, Arthur always put them down to the stresses of the job, never did he think they were over his safety.

"Arthur, I know I haven't been…..the best father…..and that I have been…..difficult over the years, but you are my son and I do care about you, it is unnecessary to put yourself at risk any more than you need to."

"Fine" Arthur conceded. He still didn't like it but he found couldn't argue with his father when he was looking at him like that and being so open, making Arthur feel blindsided.

"Good, now that's settled, oh he arrives today." Uther added.

"Today!" Arthur shouted.

"Yes today." Uther said sternly, back to his normal self now that the emotional moment was over. "And I expect you to make him feel welcome and part of the team."

"Fine." Arthur huffed. Some more notice would have been nice, but then Arthur didn't think he would like it any more even if he had a month's notice.

"Now have you been keeping track of Edwin's trial?" Uther asked.

"Of course" Arthur replied. "The verdict is supposed to come in today, but I'm not holding my breath for a conviction. The whole trial has been a complete joke."

"Yes, well we knew it wouldn't go smoothly when we found out that Agravaine was acting for the prosecution" Uther agreed.

"Smoothly? It's like the man isn't even trying. Was the gun tampered with?"

"No, but it wasn't stored correctly which gave them cause to strongly imply that it had, apparently the rest of the evidence is circumstantial."

"And Agravaine is more or less just going along with it, making easy for the defence." Arthur growled.

"Indeed" Uther nodded. "If Edwin is released today I want you to continue the investigation on him do whatever it takes to get concrete evidence."

"Yes father" Arthur said. Like he was going to stop. He will never stop with Edwin until he was safely behind bars.

"It might be worth looking into Agravaine too, he is making it too easy, something doesn't feel right."

"Yes, I was thinking that. I'm wondering if he has been paid off, by Edwin's gang maybe."

"Sounds about right, I have never liked that man." His father agreed.

"Is my new partner up to speed on this case?" Arthur asked unable to keep the hint of anger out of his voice.

"Of course" Uther narrowed his eyes. "He graduated to the top of his class and has an exemplary record so far, I only have the best at my station."

Arthur couldn't deny that, everyone at the station was the best in their field. "You're not landing me with some green gilled cadet are you?"

"He doesn't have a great deal of field experience but he is very good. He is not that much younger that you. I have every confidence that you will make a good team, I except you to make sure of it." Uther warned.

"Yes father" Arthur sighed. "Will that be all?"

"For now" Uther nodded. "You can go"

Arthur got up and left for the police station no longer looking forward to his first day back and wishing he had stayed in bed that morning.

Merlin's day was also off to a bad start. His alarm didn't go off and he had to skip breakfast to make up the time. And now he was stuck in traffic.

He had just moved into the city from the country and was currently staying with his uncle Gaius until he had his own place, though Merlin suspected that Gaius wanted him to stay. Uncle Gaius was getting on years now so extra company and hands was a big help to Gaius. Plus it stopped his mother from worrying about them both now that they were looking out for each other.

Merlin graduated the top of his class during police school and people often told him that he was going places. He was going nowhere in Ealdor, there was nowhere to go. Merlin loved the country, he grew up there and would always have a soft spot for the country.

However nothing ever happened there. The most exciting thing to happen was when old man's Simmons herd of cows escaped from their field and decided to take a stroll down the main high street. Merlin couldn't prove it but he strongly suspected that his cousin Will had something to do with it. Will had been too happy about it and was just in the right place at the right time with his camera taking pictures of Merlin trying to wrestle a cow out of the main café, which then ended up all over Facebook.

Merlin needed more, he needed something that would force him to use his brain before he died of boredom. He felt like he was being wasted when he knew he was capable of so much more. So Merlin moved to the city where they were always short of people, and where he could be of some use and make a difference.

It was his mother's idea to stay with Gaius, she worried about him being on his own so much in the city and she worried about Merlin not taking care of himself properly, this way they could take care of each other.

And on his first day on a new job, in a new city, with a new team, Merlin was stuck in traffic. Merlin was nervous enough as it was about meeting his new partner and colleagues, he didn't want to create a bad impression by being late on his first day. He let his mind drift towards the new case he been sent a few days ago.

Well it wasn't a new case really, it was an old case about an Edwin Muirden, and he had already been caught and was currently on trial. Although despite the evidence against him it's not looking good. If he gets released today it will probably be Merlin's first case.

Merlin was already anticipating it to be a rough one due to the fact that Edwin had shot his partner to be. He hoped his partner was not the type to go charging in after him guns blazing, otherwise they will be pulled of the case and Edwin will walk.

Pulling into station, ten minutes late Merlin took a deep breath to steady himself before making his way inside the station to report to his superior.

The station was the complete opposite to the station in Ealdor it was buzzing with activity. There were people chatting or barking orders, phones were ringing, machinery humming, the sound of a hundred keyboards tapping away, it was like the place was alive.

Merlin approached the reception desk that was being manned by a young dark skinned Constable, with warm brown eyes and long soft brown which was currently in a long plait to meet regulations.

"Hello I'm DS Merlin Emrys, can you tell me where I might find DI Arthur Pendragon?"

The young woman looked up and gave him a wide warm smile.

"Are you his new partner?"

"I am" Merlin answered.

"You will probably being seeing a lot of me then, I'm Detective Constable Guinevere Wayland, but most people call me Gwen." Gwen introduced herself, offering her hand.

"Merlin" he grinned while taking her hand. "So tell me, what am I letting myself in for? What's he like?" Merlin asked, taking an instant liking to Gwen.

"Who Arthur?" Merlin nodded. "Honestly, he's a bit of a bully." Some of the surprise must have shown on Merlin's face as Gwen quickly added. "But once you get to know him you will find he is a good man with a good heart, and is actually quite sweet, he just doesn't like to show it."

"Right…Well it's a good thing I know how to deal with bullies then." Merlin grinned.

"I'm sure you'll be fine Merlin, honestly his bark is far worse than his bite. Although the fact that you are now fifteen minutes late is not going to go down well."

"I know, I'm sorry, I'm new to the city so I am still getting my bearings and I completely underestimated the traffic." Merlin explained.

"I will tell you what, since it's your first day I will help you out just this once, if Arthur….when Arthur asks why you are late tell him you have been filling some paperwork with me."

Merlin beamed "Awww Gwen you are a star, I could very quickly grow to like you very much." Merlin sighed in relief. He realised the implications of what he said when Gwen's cheeks turned red with a small blush and she started to shift uncomfortably "In a very platonic way of course." He added, trying to put her at ease.

"My husband will be so pleased to hear that" Gwen laughed.

"You're married?" he asked with a smile.

"Yep just last month, I'm still getting used to saying 'my husband'"

"Congratulations!" Merlin beamed, "Tell your husband that you are completely safe with me"

Gwen narrowed her eyes at him and tilted her head a little as if she was weighing him up "Gay?" she asked.

Merlin nodded "Am I that obvious?"

"Yes!" Gwen's eyes widened "I mean no, I mean…..I am very good at reading people" Gwen settled with, blushing with self-mortification.

Merlin laughed. "Its fine Gwen honest, I don't generally go around advertising it, but I'm out and proud."

"Oh thank God" Gwen laughed, as she relaxed again.

Merlin glanced at his watch he was now twenty minutes late. "Shit! I'm sorry Gwen but I can't stay and chat, I really need to find DI Pendragon."

"Oh, of course, sorry, I tend to babble sometimes, the Detective Inspector's office is on the left hand side third door down."

"Thank you" Merlin said, as he turned towards the bull pen that was centred in the middle of several offices and interview rooms. Merlin imagined there would be several floors that looked like this for a city the size of Camelot.

"Oh Merlin?" Gwen called, before he could take two steps. "If you come back later I will give you a tour the place and good luck"

"Sure thing" Merlin beamed, certain that he had already made a good friend "And thanks, I think I'm going to need it."

Merlin quickly made his way the left hand side of the buzzing bull pen, eyes darting in every direction trying to take everything in. So much so he almost went past the DI's office. The shine of the brass name plate on the door caught his eye as he was passing. Looking closer, the plaque read 'Detective Inspector A. Pendragon.'

Merlin knocked on the door and waited. When no reply came Merlin knocked again. He was about to knock a third time when a response finally came. "Enter" a loud stiff voice rang out clearly. Merlin frowned he had a sneaky suspicion that he had been heard the first time and was made to wait.

He pasted a smile on his face before opening the door to reveal a decent sized office that had filing cabinets lined up on one side with stacks of files on top as well as some computer equipment. There was a fairly large desk, on the other side, that seemed to take up half the room and behind said desk was Arthur Pendragon.

Merlin closed the door and approached the desk. So far all he could see was a pair of well-built shoulders and arms and a mop of blonde hair, as the DI had yet to look up and acknowledge him.

"Detective Sergeant Merlin Emrys reporting Sir."

"You're late." Arthur's clipped voice stated, still with his eyes on the paperwork in front of him.

"Sorry Sir, I was filling in some paperwork with Detective Constable Wayland."

Arthur huffed and shook his head "Make sure it doesn't happen again."

"Yes Sir" Merlin replied, thanking his lucky stars for Gwen.

Arthur finally looked up at Merlin and leant back in his chair. Arthur slowly moved his eyes up and down over Merlin, his facial expression betraying nothing. Merlin felt like he had been judged and had been found wanting. He fought the urge to fidget under the calculating gaze.

Merlin was surprised, Arthur was younger than he was expecting. Arthur was athletically built with broad shoulders and thick arms. Merlin could just make out a hint of the muscles hidden under Arthur's shirt. He had bright blue eyes and a chiselled jaw line with golden blonde hair. Arthur was actually rather hot, that was until he opened his mouth and ruined it all.

"You look a little young to be a detective." Arthur drawled.

"I have taken all the appropriate exams and passed them all with flying colours Sir, you will also see a recommendation from my superiors-"

"Do you have any field experience?" Arthur interrupted, though with the tone of his voice it was clear he already knew the answer.

"I have some field experience."

Arthur snorted. "Hmmm….I am sure that the country side is just rife with crime"

"Ealdor may not be 'rife with crime'" Merlin mimicked, causing Arthur to raise an eyebrow at him "But I am absolutely certain I can handle-"

"Yes, yes, we shall soon see about that won't we? I have your file here, says here that you're a born natural."

"So I have been told Sir."

"Yes well I will be the judge of that." Arthur leant forward looking directly at Merlin with a hard look. "Let's get one thing straight right now. You do things. By. The. Book." Arthur emphasised the last 3 words "and you will do exactly as I say, when I say. I won't have some newbie who is still green around the gills coming in here trying to make a name for himself and showing up the department in the process, you will follow my orders. To. The. Letter." emphasising his last 3 words again "Is that understood?"

"Yes Sir." Merlin gritted out through his clenched jaw.

"Right well I skipped breakfast this morning and seeing how it's almost lunch time you can start by getting lunch." Arthur ordered.

Merlin opened his mouth about to protest, but Arthur raised his eyebrow, challenging him. "Yes Sir." And marched out of the office before Arthur could say anything else. Merlin glimpsed a smug smirk from Arthur as he closed the door and muttered "Prat" under his breath.

Merlin was fuming, Arthur had no right to treat him like that, just because he was the new guy. Arthur may outrank him but that doesn't mean Merlin's rank didn't deserve any respect. Merlin smirked to himself as he had an idea.

A couple of hours later Merlin had been given a tour by Gwen. So he now knew where all the interview rooms were, the cells in the basement, the high ranking officers on the top floor and the locker and changing rooms that even included showers. But then this job can get messy at times, it wouldn't do to go around the streets covered dirt or blood.

Gwen also took him next door where all the evidence labs and storage rooms where. And introduced him the head Pathologist, Lancelot Du Lac, who also happened to be Gwen's husband. When Merlin frowned at the names Gwen explained that she wanted to be more modern and kept her maiden name.

It was extremely clear that Gwen and Lance were completely besotted with each other, they seemed to find it difficult to take their eyes off each other, and both gravitated towards one another as soon as Gwen and Merlin entered the room.

Lancelot was extremely nice and polite, he didn't have a bad word to say about anyone, even after Merlin had complained about Arthur Pratdragon.

Apparently Arthur's father was the Chief Superintendent of the station which actually went some way to explain Arthur's arrogance. Both Gwen and Lance assured him that Arthur is not usually like this and he was actually a decent guy underneath it all. Arthur was just a bit put out because he didn't want a partner, which meant he had more attitude to put up with until Arthur got over himself.

Gwen and Merlin then picked some lunch from the café across the road before Gwen showed him to an empty desk in the bull pen area near Arthur's office. He was supposed to share Arthur's office, but Merlin couldn't see that happening any time soon. So for now he had to settle for this tiny desk until something else could be sorted for him.

Merlin had just finished lunch and was contemplating what to do next, as of yet he no cases. But before he could decide Arthur's door swung open.

"Emrys!" Arthur bellowed. Merlin looked up to see Arthur gesture into his office, Merlin got up and followed Arthur into his office already knowing what this was about.

"Well?" Arthur asked, once he sat down.

"Well what? Sir." Merlin asked, feigning ignorance, doing his best to look innocent.

"I sent you to go and get lunch over two hours ago."

"Yes Sir."

"Well? Where is my lunch?"

"I don't know Sir, where did you last see it?"

Arthur took a deep breath as if he was trying to remain calm, "I haven't seen it at all, you were supposed to get it" Arthur said slowly.

"No Sir"

"No?"

"Well Sir, you said to go and get lunch, so I went and got my lunch as you didn't specify whose lunch to get." Merlin explained.

"Excuse me" Arthur growled.

"Well Sir, if you want me to follow your orders. To. The. Letter." mimicking Arthur with the last three words "Then perhaps you should make your orders more clear in the future."

"How dare you! You knew damn well what I meant" Arthur shouted. "I am your superior, you will not dis-respect me."

"I am a detective not a servant! You may be my superior, but that does not give you the right to treat me like dirt." Merlin shouted back. "I am supposed to be your partner, we are supposed to be working together."

"You can't talk to me like that, I out rank you."

"If you want me to respect you and your rank, you have to respect mine. It starts with Detective, not servant, or errand boy or skivvy."

Arthur snorted "Clearly the country standards are much lower if an idiot like you managed to make detective."

"And yet it's Camelot that's 'rife with crime' not Ealdor. At least in Ealdor you had to work and study to earn your title. Unlike Camelot where it's simply a case of who you know."

Arthur's face turned red with rage "I will have you know I have worked damned hard to get where I am and it had nothing to do with my father."

"You're not the only one who has had to work hard and if you weren't such a clotpole you'd see that"

The room fell silent for a moment, the tension dropping a few levels. Arthur frowned in confusion "A what?"

"A clotpole."

"That's not a word"

"Yes it is"

"No it isn't"

"Yes it is"

"Really? Then what does it mean?" Arthur challenged.

"It means blockhead, numbskull."

There was a knock on the door and they were interrupted by a tall slim man, who when he caught Merlin's eye, straightened up, grinned and flicked his long dark hair over his shoulder.

"Afternoon Princess" the man nodded at Arthur then waltzed over to Merlin "And who might you be?"

"I'm Merlin"

"Gwaine" Arthur snapped. "This is Detective Sergeant Merlin Emrys, Merlin this is Detective Sergeant Gwaine Green. Don't worry about Gwaine he will flirt with anything with a pulse."

"I'm not worried" Merlin smiled.

Gwaine beamed "Are you the poor unfortunate soul who got lumped with Arthur as a partner?"

"Sadly yes."

"Was there something you wanted Gwaine?" Arthur scowled.

"Ah yes Princess" Gwaine replied. Merlin had to bite his lip to prevent himself from laughing at the nickname, he couldn't help but feel it fit Arthur perfectly.

"The verdict is in" Gwaine said, becoming serious.

"And" Arthur encouraged.

"Innocent"

"What?" Merlin exclaimed, looking to Arthur, who didn't look too surprised. Merlin knew the Edwin case wasn't going smoothly but there was so much evidence was against him.

"They claimed that there was no proof that Edwin shot Arthur since there was no witness." Gwaine explained.

"What about the gun?" Merlin asked.

"They are saying the gun was tampered with and that the rest of the evidence was circumstantial with nothing definitive."

"Right" Arthur said "I want surveillance on him ASAP, cameras, mics the works we are not giving up"

Gwaine hesitated, "There's more"

"What?" Arthur asked, when Gwaine didn't continue.

"It appears Edwin has taken out a harassment restraining order"

"Against who?" Arthur shouted.

"Against the CID" Gwaine said. "If any one goes near him, he will sue. We can probably appeal and get it removed but it's going to take time"

"Edwin will run." Arthur sighed, dropping his head into his hands.

"Can't we pass the case on to another department?" Merlin asked "We can still get the order removed but at least someone will be on him while we do that, then we just take the case back"

"DAMN IT!" Arthur shouted, kicking his desk leg.

"It will still take time to process the case to another department and team and then bring that team up to speed." Gwaine explained, ignoring Arthur's outburst.

"Only a day or two though" Merlin said.

"It's long enough for Edwin to run. But it's our only option at the moment, I will leave you to sort that out Merlin." Arthur said, looking up, giving Merlin an evil smirk.

Promoted from servant to desk jockey, it's not ideal but it's a start Merlin thought. "Consider it done."

"Here" Arthur said, getting up and crossing to one of his filing cabinets. Arthur took out a huge wad of files and handed them to Merlin. "Familiarise yourself with these cases, some are recently solved and some are still open, that should keep you busy for a day or two while this mess gets sorted. I will need you up to speed on everything before we go after Edwin."

Merlin smiled and decided to push his luck "Do I get a proper desk?"

Arthur crossed his arms over his chest "You are not sharing my office Merlin."

"Gwen says I'm supposed to."

"You are not sharing my office Merlin." Arthur repeated. "Maybe when you are older you will have an office of your own, but you are not sharing mine. It's bad enough I have to put up with you as a partner but you are not invading my office. The desk outside will be fine for your needs."

"Prat!" Merlin insulted. "You're not that much older than me you know, you've got what….maybe four, five years on me."

"Five, but I'm still older."

"Are you sure?" Merlin teased. "Because I am seriously doubting that right now. You're behaving like you are five."

"Go Merlin!" Arthur growled.

Merlin turned to Gwaine who it turned out was watching both Merlin and Arthur very carefully, with a slight glint in his eye that spelled trouble. "See you later Gwaine."

"Count on it Wizard Boy." Gwaine frowned and shook his head, moving to the door ahead of Merlin. "No, I don't like that, don't worry I will think of something better." And left leaving a confused Merlin behind. Merlin decided to ask about it later as he didn't want to be left alone with Arthur too long in case he remembered their previous argument and took the case files from him. Merlin quickly left the room to make a start on his paperwork on his tiny little desk.

Arthur was exhausted by the time he got home, the last thing he needed was to find his harpy sister making herself comfortable on his sofa.

"How did you get in?" Arthur demanded.

"Lovely to see you too brother dearest."

Arthur strode over to her and held out his hand, "Give"

Morgana proceeded to hand over a key he had never seen before, "You do realise I have plenty more, I got a discount for a batch order."

"Does privacy mean nothing to you?" Arthur asked, as he made his way over to his cabinet in the corner of his living room to pour himself a shot of whisky. He needed it after the ear full he got from his father over Edwin. Uther blamed Arthur for Edwin's release and restraining order and made sure Arthur knew it.

"I'm a reporter so no" Morgana smirked from the sofa.

"I've had a long day, so what do you want Morgana?"

"I heard about Edwin"

"Terrific!" Arthur sighed, as he slumped into his chair sipping his whiskey and relishing the burn in his throat. "Does this mean it's going to be all over the papers tomorrow?"

"I'm a reporter and it's a big case how could I not report it?"

"Fantastic, so that means I can expect another earful from father in the morning." Arthur groaned.

His father had not been pleased when Morgana announced that she was going into journalism instead of the police force. Arthur remembered hearing the argument from his hiding spot at the top of the stairs.

Morgana had been the result of a one stand from Uther before he married his mother. However Uther failed to acknowledge her existence until Morgana's mother and the man she thought was her father died in a skiing accident in the Alps when Morgana was twelve years old. Uther then had no choice but to acknowledge her and tried to raise her.

Morgana had been livid, she claimed she was Uther's dirty little secret and that he was ashamed of himself and didn't want to deal with the consequences. Uther claimed he didn't want to rip her family apart and take away the man she knew as her father. This lead to an increasingly rocky relationship between Morgana and Uther.

Arthur didn't take sides he saw that both points of view had merit. He did his best not to get involved and just tried to be a good brother, although the harpy didn't make it easy for him either. They fought constantly, especially when they clashed professionally.

"Don't worry, your completely safe this time." Morgana said, shaking Arthur from his thoughts. "I fully intend to point the finger at Agravaine. His performance was a disgrace."

"I agree with you on that one, the man may as well have not been there for all the good he did." Arthur said taking another sip of his whisky.

"Edwin has connections with a large gang, I'm implying that the gang got to Agravaine and paid him off."

"Morgana" Arthur warned.

"Oh don't start Arthur. It's only slander if I outright accuse him and even then he has to prove me wrong and we both know that there is actually a good chance it's true."

"It's not just about that Morgana, your messing with the gang now and if Agravaine is one of theirs you are exposing him and they won't like that."

"Not worried about me are you Arthur?" Morgana teased.

"Of course I am, I'm always worried about you Morgana, mainly for your sanity but it still counts." Arthur smiled. His whisky was kicking in now and he could feel his body relax further into his chair. "I would caution you against this, but I know you will ignore me, so just….be careful."

"It's already done Arthur, it's being printed as we speak." Morgana paused to take in Arthur's dishevelled appearance. "How are you?"

"Peachy" Arthur retorted.

"Seriously Arthur, Edwin shot you in the back and left you for dead, how can that not bother you." Morgana said darkly.

"It does, I hate the fact that he is back on the streets and as soon as we are in the clear I intend to hunt him down no matter how far he has ran." Arthur paused for another drink, and saw the slightly concerned look on Morgana "Besides it's mandatory to receive counselling after being injured in the line of duty, I couldn't have returned to work if she didn't think I was fit enough." Arthur said. Knowing the fact that Arthur had spoken to a counsellor would stop Morgana from worrying. Not that she would ever admit to worrying about Arthur, their relationship was a very complicated love hate relationship. They would pick on and tease each other mercilessly but they were there for one another if it was important. They were also very protective of each other nobody was allowed to mess with the other.

"So how is your new partner shaping up?"

"Merlin?" Morgana nodded, "He's an idiot."

"Of course he is." And now we were back to the teasing.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means" Morgana said. "That you could have the best partner in the world and you would still think he was an idiot simply because he was your partner. You never did learn to play well with others."

"I play with others just fine."

"Really? Then why have I heard about a shouting match in your office today?"

Arthur narrowed his eyes at Morgana, "Who told you that?"

"A good reporter never reveals her sources" Morgana said lofty.

"Guinevere" Arthur growled, who was most likely told by Gwaine. "I shall have to have a word with her about police confidentially. Again!"

"I hear Merlin gave as good as he got, I would have liked to have seen that, you are used to people cowering before you not standing up to you."

"That just makes him more of an idiot."

"I already like the sound of him, make sure you bring him to the pub with you tomorrow, I can't wait to meet him."

"So you can take his side, I don't think so." Arthur snorted.

"Really Arthur, it's not his fault he got lumped with you for a partner." Arthur just rolled his eyes, he wasn't that bad, and if Merlin couldn't handle it then he had no right being a detective.

Morgana's phone started to beep with a message, and she dove into her bag to retrieve it. "Well it's been lovely chatting with you brother dearest but I must dash, duty calls."

"Just remember to be careful Morgana" Arthur said, as Morgana started to gather her things.

"You too Arthur" Morgana called, and quickly left his apartment. Arthur sighed and downed the last of his whisky. Food, shower and bed Arthur decided, in that order.

Arthur was abruptly woken by his alarm, he blindly reached over and smacked it a few times before he realised it was his phone ringing. Forcing his eyes open he blinked blearily at the numbers on his alarm as he groped around for his phone. 5:27am.

Arthur groaned he wasn't supposed to be for another hour and a half.

Phone in hand, he rolled onto his back and answered the call. "Pendragon"

"We have a homicide Sir." Came Guinevere's voice.

"Where?" Arthur asked, getting out of bed to find clothes, feeling much more awake all of a sudden.

"Just off The Broadwalk at Regents Park"

"I'm on my way."

"Should I call Merlin Sir?"

Arthur groaned again he had forgotten about Merlin "Yes, I suppose you better had."

"Has the Vic been ID'd yet?"

"Yes Sir."

"Well then who is it?" Arthur asked when Gwen didn't continue.

There was a pause before she answered.

"It's Edwin Muirden Sir."

Jargon buster

DC – Detective Constable

DS – Detective Sergeant

DI – Detective Inspector

DCS – Detective Chief Superintendent

Vic – Victim

CID – Criminal Investigation Department