A Ghost From the Past

Believe

"No!"

Nathan sighed and lowered the glass from his dry lips. Charlotte stood in the door into the kitchen. She had her hand raised up towards him. Her cheeks were red from heat and she had tears in her eyes. Nathan couldn't stop smiling when he saw her.

"Good to see you." he said.

A smile formed on Charlottes lips.

"Good to see you too." she whispered.

She walked down the few steps to the kitchen. Nathan had almost walked over to her to hug her, kiss her, to just be with her in any way, but he didn't. Right behind her stood a man. A man with golden hair and a strong jaw line. Arthur slowly shook his head. Nathan looked at Charlotte. She stood still, only a few steps from him. Her eyes were widened from fear.

"I'm sorry. I have to do this." he mumbled and lifted the glass again.

"I believe you!" Charlotte cried.

Nathan brought the glass down again. "What?"

He looked up at Arthur who shook his head again.

"I believe you, Merlin." Charlotte said.

When Nathan just looked confused at her she took another step towards him.

"I love you, Merlin, and I believe you and I want to be with you." she said.

"You believe me?" Nathan whispered.

"Yes I do. I'm so sorry that I didn't before, but I do now." Charlotte said with tears in her eyes. "Thank you." Nathan's voice trembled.

Charlotte smiled.

"But..." Nathan said.

Charlotte looked down. "But." she said.

"I have seen him. He's out there" Nathan said.

"Please, Nathan, I can't live without you." Charlotte pleaded.

"You don't want me. You have the good Mr. Payne." Nathan said with regret in his voice. Charlotte took a step back. "What?" she asked shocked.

"I know about you two." Nathan said and looked up at Arthur for support.

"What about us?" she asked confused.

"You two are together." Nathan said and looked down on the glass.

Charlotte sighed and took another step towards her husband.

"Is it Arthur who told you that?" she asked as calm as she could manage.

Nathan nodded.

"I promise you that there is nothing between William Payne and me. I love you, Nathan Appleby or Merlin or Emrys, I don't care. I just love you." she said and carefully took another step towards him.

She was almost there.

"Why would Arthur lie?" Nathan asked confused and a little angry.

He looked up at Arthur who again shook his head.

"Maybe you just wanted a reason to hate me, so you could leave me for Arthur." Charlotte said.

It hurt to say it, but it was possibly true.

"But Arthur said..." Nathan mumbled.

"I know, and I am sorry to say it, but Arthur is dead. You need to move on and live with me and our little girl." Charlotte said.

Nathan looked up. "A girl?" he asked surprised.

Charlotte nodded. "A dragon lord girl."

Something which looked like the beginning of a smile crossed Nathans face.

"You really believe me!" he said and the smile grew bigger.

Charlotte nodded.

"You really believe me and you love me." he said it almost like a question. Charlotte nodded again.

"With all my heart." she whispered.

"I am so sorry!" he said in between sobs.

Charlotte stroked his back.

"I love you!" he cried.

Charlotte smiled and buried her head in his shoulder. She was so relived. To see him so close to suicide hurt her more than anything.

"He is gone." she whispered.

Nathan hugged her even tighter and she closed her eyes. He was safe.