There was no immediate call to action. Once the deal had been struck with Merlin, Aubrey found herself in a strange limbo as she waited for him to be ready. Days passed as the man did nothing but sleep and eat his weight in food. Apparently being in a self-induced magical sleep for several decades had a major effect on a man's appetite.

Turning her head away, Aubrey covered her mouth with her hand. Watching the blonde haired man stuff that much food in his face was enough to make her feel queasy. It appeared taking a long nap also diminished one's desire to adhere to table manners. He didn't even bother with a knife and fork; instead he used his hands to scoop as much mashed potato and gravy into his mouth as humanly possible. Even after several days, he made no attempt to eat in a less repulsive manner.

As he pushed his plate away from him with a loud screech, Aubrey glanced back around to see the man wiping his face on his sleeves. The food, which had been smeared across his face only seconds before, was now smeared across the once pristine white shirt Evelyn had given him.

"You missed a bit." The redhead said as she tapped her chin. With her nose wrinkled and a frown between her brows, Aubrey knew that she was not doing a very good job at hiding her disgust.

With a grunt, Merlin swiped his fingered over his chin, effectively removing the remnants of food before swiping his fingers over his trousers.

"Aubrey? Can you help me in the kitchen?" Evelyn asked, rising g from her seat with grace. Her face was impassive as her eyes rested upon the legendary man eating at her table for several long seconds before she met Aubrey's gaze.

Eager to be away from Merlin for a few minutes, Aubrey nodded her head. Gathering up the dirty plates from the table, the redhead offered a consoling smile to Andrew before retreating from the room. He was more than capable of handling the less than tolerable aspects of the grouchy ex-Atlantian.

The kitchen was modern and open, filled with every convenience that money could buy. Aubrey's favourite feature was however the skylight, one of the most understated features and yet it allowed all of the natural sunlight to flood the space. Closing her eyes, Aubrey relished the warmth as it danced across her skin.

"He's not what you expected is he?" Evelyn asked, entering the kitchen behind her.

Blinking a few times, Aubrey looked back towards the dining room before she finally shook her head. "No. I read so much about him and yet the reality is so disappointing. How can that man in there be the same man who inspired so many legends?" She whispered, waving a hand towards the door in exasperation.

"Sometimes reality cannot live up to reality child."

Aubrey rolled her eyes. "I know that. Yet I am depending on his legendary power to help me. I am only one woman, I cannot do this alone." Rubbing at her tired eyes, Aubrey let loose a sigh. "I appreciate you letting us stay here. He keeps dragging his feet and I have people depending on me to help them."

"Maybe you shouldn't depend on his help so much." The older woman stated as she carefully scraped the remnants of dinner into the bin.

Aubrey would have ignored the warning if it wasn't for her tone of voice. She had attempted nonchalance but there was something about her tone which put the Atlantian on alert. With her heart pounding within her chest, she asked, "What did you see?"

For a moment, silence hung between them. "It's more what I haven't seen."

Frowning, Aubrey took the plate from the other woman's hands and walking over to the sink. Switching on the taps, she filled the basin with hot sudsy water as her mind played the words over in her mind. What did that mean?

In answer to her unspoken question, Evelyn filled the silence. "Every one, whether intentional or not, gives off little things about themselves. Little thoughts and memories that a psychic or clairvoyant, with even a modicum of skill, will be able to sense and interpret."

Aubrey stilled and glanced over her shoulder with a wide eyed expression planted firmly on her features. Throwing her head back, Evelyn laughed loudly before pressing her lips together to stifle her mirth.

"You have nothing to fear from me. I don't look too closely into the thoughts and histories of others. I get bombarded with enough information with every person I meet – I don't need anything else. It's just small things; the scent of your favourite perfume, or your favourite place to go, or sometimes just the echoes of emotions. They're little facts which allow me to get a general sense of a person." When Aubrey continued to frown, the woman placed another plate into the redheads waiting hands and sighed. "Let's just say I have learnt my lesson and I have now made it a rule to never delve further into the private lives of others unless I feel threatened."

"What does this have to do with anything?"

"I get nothing off of Merlin - at all. He's a psychic dead zone."

"And that's a bad thing?" Aubrey asked, focusing on scrubbing the plate clean as she listened to the other woman. "He is meant to be one of the most powerful people to have ever existed. Surely it should make sense that he can shield himself from your gift."

Evelyn looked down at her feet for a few moments, her lips pursed in thought. "You could be right. It would make sense he could shield his mind but, in my experience, a person doesn't shield themselves unless they have something to hide. A shadowed soul is usually a bad omen."

Aubrey nodded her head stiffly. "I'll heed your warning but I am still going to accept his help. I don't have any other choice. I can't do this on my own. I'm not strong enough."

Evelyn placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently. "You're stronger than you think and you're your strength will only keep growing. Just be careful. I hope that I am wrong about him but I couldn't let you go without warning you first. I don't want you to get hurt."

"Thank you, Evelyn – for everything. I really appreciate your hospitality. I know it hasn't been easy sharing your home with us and we didn't even ask."

"You're welcome."

"Do you ladies need any help in here?" Andrew asked loudly as he stepped into the kitchen. He glanced back over his shoulder quickly before continuing quietly. "Please say yes. I don't think I can take any more of his table manners right now."

Evelyn laughed and walked over to Andrew. The man immediately became flustered under her attention, getting redder when the woman patted his cheek affectionately. "You're a good man. Make sure you look after her."

He nodded his head and was then left blinking rapidly as the older woman waltzed away. Even after several days in her presence, Andrew was still star struck by Evelyn.

After several moments staring at the doorway she had disappeared through, he finally turned his attention to the petite redhead with her arms elbow deep in sudsy water. "What was that about?"

"Don't worry, it's nothing." Aubrey reassured him, smiling thinly.

"Okay," Andrew said slowly before picking up the towel and moving to stand by her side.

For several minutes, the pair worked in companionable silence, one washing and the other drying the dishes. When everything was finally done, neither felt enthused about returning to the other room. Merlin was a man whose presence overwhelmed every situation and it wasn't in a good way.

"Are you ready for what's coming?" Andrew asked quietly.

Aubrey considered lying. It would be so easy to do it. Instead she sighed, "Honestly? I'm never ready for any of this." Lifting her head, she met his stare boldly. "But it doesn't matter if I am ready. Too much time has already been wasted which means the chance I can save Tiberius is growing slimmer as each second passes. We may have been reborn as Atlantians but we can still be killed."

"I'll do what I can to help."

"But you have a job? You've already been here too long. Won't you get fired?"

"I think saving someone's life is more important. Don't you?" Andrew replied. His face was serious as his kind eyes watched emotions played across her face. "Besides, I called in the day I drove you into Canterbury and took my unused annual leave. I have another two weeks before I will have to start worrying about my job security."

Gulping, Aubrey looked away for a second. She missed her long hair to hide behind. His willingness to help without gaining anything in return was so selfless. "Evelyn's right, you're a good man Andrew. Thank you for helping me. "

"It's nothing." Andrew muttered, turning his head away as his cheeks flushed red.

"No, it's more than most people would ever do. I was a complete stranger and yet you have sacrificed so much to help me. You've put your trust in me and, no matter what happens, I won't forget it." Aubrey stated firmly, stepping so that she was in his direct line of vision.

A loud cough caused the pair to swing around. Merlin leant casually against the doorframe; his eyes watched the pair intently. His lip twitched up into a mocking smile. "Am I interrupting?"

"No, not at all." Andrew muttered as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Good," Merlin replied, his hand scratching at the blonde scruff coating his jaw. "Then we should be going. I have much to teach Aubrey if she is to succeed on her mission."

The blonde focused his gaze on the small red head, boring into the side of her face. Even though she wanted to be anywhere but under his stare, she tilted her chin up in defiance. Merlin's smile only grew more pronounced revealing off-white teeth. Strange energy sparked between them.

Raising his brows, Andrew glanced between the pair before he shook his head. "I'll just go and get the car ready then."

Merlin didn't even acknowledge his disappearance. Instead he kept his focus on the Atlantian as she stood there with as much bravado as she could muster. They remained at a stalemate for several long minutes before Aubrey huffed and folded her arms over her chest.

"What is it?" She asked finally, uncomfortable at the intensity of his stare.

Merlin raised his brows and shook his head. Then, without a word, he walked out of the kitchen leaving Aubrey to watch his retreat with a frown upon her face.

Rubbing at her tired eyes, Aubrey muttered, "I can't believe I'm doing this."

Then with one last lingering glance at the kitchen, Aubrey followed the man who held Tiberius' future within his hands.