The world went momentarily white as the gun clattered to the floor. There was an incredibly strange warmth in the back of his head that extended down his whole right side, leaving an unpleasant, almost electric feeling that started from the base of his neck and extended to his fingertips. It faded quickly, leaving him shaken as he stared uncomprehendingly at the gun on the floor. He straightened, and looked up at Merlin. Merlin was regarding him with a curious look on his face. A face that was miraculously whole.

"Congratulations. You're both to be reinstated tomorrow, alongside the recruits," Delaware gave a rare smile, and held out her hand, first to Merlin, who shook it without a word, and then to Harry, who shook it as well, still wondering what was going on.

"What is going on?" Harry asked, voice much calmer than he felt.

"Your final test was to follow my orders," Delaware started, "Merlin's final test was to create a function of ARC that made it impossible for one agent to turn on another."

"I thought Merlin was already reinstated?" Harry asked.

"Only mostly reinstated. Constantly monitored until I could develop ARC further. Now the restrictions will be lifted, correct?" Merlin looked at Delaware and she nodded.

"Yes, they will be lifted. Now, if you don't mind, I have a meeting with Kay to discuss his lack of progress on his last case. Please excuse me," she gathered her items and then left the office. Harry could hear Eggsy speaking to her in the hallway, but couldn't catch the words.

"Are you alright Harry? Did the effect wear off?" Merlin asked.

"No, I'm not alright Merlin. She tried to...I would have...I was…" Harry stopped talking, at a loss for words.

"Well, you didn't. I asked you if you trusted me a few days ago. You said you did. Thankfully I trust me too, although I would have liked more time to test the damned functionality before having it tested on me. The device only activates for murderous intentions. If you had tried to wing me, it wouldn't have worked, and I would be bleeding...and you wouldn't be here," Merlin explained.

"...and if it hadn't worked?" Harry managed.

"Then you'd be a Kingsman, and I'd be dead," Merlin said so matter of factly that Harry wanted to strangle him.

"Merlin-" Harry started.

"Oh stop it. Don't get sentimental. We both knew it wouldn't be as simple as she made it out to be. This is the job Harry," Merlin reminded him.

"Bugger the job!" Harry growled. A low beat pulsed in his temple, the sign of an impending headache.

"I don't know why you're so held up on what if's. That's not like you Harry. Don't tell me you're going soft?" Merlin frowned at him.

"Prick," Harry grumbled.

"Tosser," Merlin countered, but there was no venom in it.

Harry sighed. All in all, Merlin was right. He had passed his test, Merlin had passed his own, no one had been shot, ARC had worked and Delaware would be off their backs for the foreseeable future. He'd return to work and life would go on.

"I think you better go out and tell Eggsy how you did. Keeping him waiting is a bit cruel, no?" Merlin motioned towards the door with his head.

"Yeah, you're right. Thank you, Merlin. Really. I couldn't have done this without you," Harry thanked him.

"Yes you could have, but you're welcome anyway."

Merlin opened the door and they both exited into the hallway. Eggsy was waiting, lines carved into his forehead from grimacing, worry hunching his frame as he sat awkwardly on the windowsill. He straightened as he caught sight of them.

"Well?" Eggsy asked, anxiety tightening his features.

"I passed," Harry assured him, and then staggered backward as Eggsy threw himself into his arms. Harry chuckled and hugged him back. Eggsy pulled back a moment later. Harry couldn't help but smile at the pure, unadulterated joy on Eggsy's face. It was a good look on him. His grin widened as Eggsy went to give a hug to Merlin too, who looked like the last thing in the world he wanted was to be embraced.

"Oi, if you passed then why the hell do you two look so...off?" Eggsy asked suspiciously as he looked between them both.

"It doesn't matter, the test is over," Merlin sighed.

"The fuck did I miss?" Eggsy asked, frowning.

"Nothing Eggsy. Let's go celebrate. I need a drink," Harry replied.

"That makes two of us," Merlin replied.

"Three," Eggsy agreed, and the three of them left the Kingsman estate behind to go enjoy a pint, and to try to forget the trials and tribulations of the last few months.

"The first order of business is the reinstatement of Merlin and Galahad. Welcome back to Kingsman, both of you," Delaware gave the formal announcement around the table. There was polite applause from most, and slightly more exuberant applause from Eggsy and Roxy at the news. Harry gave a polite nod of his head in their direction and took his seat in his normal spot, next to the head of the table. Merlin took a seat off to the side, not able to vote on any proceedings, but included in the meeting anyway.

"The second order of business is to welcome our newest agents, and saying goodbye to their fill-ins. Ohio, Kentucky, thank you for your service. You're dismissed from your duties here. Return home, and take Nevada's ashes with you so he can go home as well," Delaware handed an urn to Tia, who took it with sad reverence. They both nodded to the group, and then exited the room. Delaware then motioned for the new recruits to come forward.

"Edana McDermot, we welcome you into our ranks as a fellow Kingsman agent and bestow upon you the codename of Tristan. Congratulations," Delaware motioned for Edana to take a seat in Tristan's old spot at the table. There was light applause.

"Adam Carter, we welcome you into our ranks as a fellow Kingsman agent and bestow upon you the codename of Bors. Congratulations," Delaware clapped as Adam took his seat to more applause.

"Ava Carter, we welcome you into our ranks as a fellow Kingsman agent and bestow upon you the codename of Bedivere. Congratulations." Ava took her seat quickly, next to her brother, grinning from ear to ear.

"The final spot goes to Ezra Morton. Ezra, I do apologize but you will have to wait for your code name until our final business is concluded. Please remain in the room until such time," Delaware motioned for him to have a seat and he sat down next to Merlin, looking anxious.

"Our final bit of business is choosing the new Arthur. Any agent can be nominated, and you can nominate yourself. You may also turn down a nomination if you do not wish to become Arthur. I will not be voting, as this is not my division. Ezra, you will get to vote, despite not being granted a codename. Once the nominations are complete, we will vote on the new Arthur. Majority rules. Any questions?" When she received no answers she nodded. "Good. You may now nominate any potential candidates."

"I nominate Galahad," Eggsy replied immediately.

"I thank you Excalibur, but I turn down the nomination," Harry replied, almost as quickly as Eggsy had spoken up. The room went silent, lots of surprised glances were exchanged. Eggsy's mouth had fallen open, but he shut it quickly and made no other reply.

"I nominate Percival," Roxy added, breaking the silence.

"I accept your nomination," Percival replied.

"I nominate Kay," Edana spoke up, diving right into politics, despite being new.

"I accept your nomination," Kay grinned.

In the end only Percival and Kay were nominated. Voting commenced. It was a brief affair. Percival was voted into office getting all votes but two.

"Ezra Morton, we welcome you into our ranks as a fellow Kingsman agent and bestow upon you the codename of Percival. Congratulations."

"Alexander Harris, we welcome you into our ranks as a fellow Kingsman agent and bestow upon you the codename of Arthur. I step down from my temporary position. The room is yours to command, sir," Delaware stepped back, hands behind her back, awaiting orders.

"Thank you for your efforts. We are in your debt. Should ever the American branch need assistance, do not hesitate to contact us. You are dismissed. Join your agents, and go home. Give my regards and my thanks to DC," Arthur shook her hand, and just like that Delaware was gone, and Kingsman was back on it's feet.

"Why the fuck did you turn down a nomination Harry? Are you mad? You're the most qualified person, and they all know it!" Eggsy exploded the moment they had entered Harry's bedroom. Harry sighed, knowing that this outburst was inevitable. He had known it the moment he had turned the position down and had seen Eggsy's lips draw into that thin line of irritation. He had honestly expected Eggsy's outburst much earlier, but he had waited until they had gotten to a place where they could shout in private.

"I have my reasons Eggsy," Harry started, and held up a hand as Eggsy tried to interrupt him. He'd break him of that habit yet, "I don't know how good of a job I can do with the remaining symptoms from my injury."

"Bollocks. You'd be fine and we both know it. Stop bullshitting me Harry! Why'd you really turn it down?" Eggsy cried.

"Because I'm losing my memories," Harry replied, and just like that his last secret slipped out. He hadn't intended it to come out like that, and by the shocked look on Eggsy's face he wished he had broached the subject more delicately.

"How long have you been losing them?" Eggsy managed, voice soft, making him sound impossibly young.

"Not long. I seem to...lose moments after I have my migraines. Things I know I recalled recently but are now lost. I can't remember them no matter how hard I try. So far it's been trivial things. Early childhood that was mostly forgotten anyway, names of people from my early twenties, I don't remember anything about my schooling anymore," Harry admitted. He walked over to the far side of his room and opened the door to the balcony, letting the fresh air in. It made the tightness in his chest a little less tight. He leaned against the cool stone and sighed. Eggsy followed him in silence. They stood for a while as Eggsy processed the information.

"I started a journal, to try and write down everything I never want to forget. I wrote in it a good deal when you were away. I went back a few nights ago and read the early entries...and I when I read it...it seems familiar, but I don't remember it in my mind anymore. It's like reading about someone elses' life," Harry marveled with a helpless shrug.

"Is it getting worse?" Eggsy asked at length.

"It seems to be about the same. Every migraine I lose...a few more pieces of myself," Harry wished it didn't sound so dramatic, but it was the way he felt. He had told Eggsy he'd work on being honest, and here was the honesty. He was terrified of what was happening, but he was also trying to hold himself together.

"So I turned down the position because I honestly don't know how much longer I have to still be me. How many headaches does it take to lose yourself completely? I don't have that answer. Neither does Doctor Hannigan, and yes I did go to see him to get some neurological scans to see if he could find a reason for it," Harry added.

"Why...why didn't you tell me?" Eggsy questioned.

"You had enough to worry about...and I hoped it was a one time thing, honestly. I thought it might just go away," Harry shrugged helplessly and then rubbed his face with one hand, "but it doesn't seem to be going away, and I fear it's just going to get worse."

Eggsy reached over and took his hand, squeezing tightly. Harry looked over at him. Eggsy looked tired, and hurt, but he could tell that Eggsy was trying to be understanding and it broke his heart all over again. He didn't deserve to have someone be so good to him. Not after all he had done.

"I'd understand if you don't want anything to do with me Eggsy. You shouldn't be saddled with an old man who's losing his mind. You should be with someone your own age, someone who can keep up. Someone...who isn't just a jumble of broken pieces that can never be put back together the same way," Harry stopped, unable to spit out anymore words along that line of thought. A life without Eggsy in it would be barely a life. Now that he'd had him, the hole he'd leave behind could never be filled.

"Shut up Harry. Just shut up, yeah?" Eggsy choked as he squeezed his hand so hard Harry felt his knuckles grind together painfully. Harry watched as the emotion spasmed across Eggsy's face. His cheeks flushed red, making the scar stand out in vivid relief.

"I'm not going to just walk away from you. Haven't you figured that out yet? I didn't just leave the first time you didn't remember things did I? Why would I leave now? Especially now? After all we've been through? God, you are daft sometimes Harry!" Eggsy cried, fighting the tears in his eyes and winning.

"I just want what's best for you, I don't want you to feel obligat-" Harry started.

Eggsy was on him before he could finish his sentence. Harry grunted as he was pushed into his room, and up against the closest wall. Eggsy pinned him there, hands fisted into his suit jacket, teeth clenched and muscles in his throat working.

"I'm. Not. Fucking. Leaving. You." he growled, annunciating each word carefully and fiercely. Harry had rarely seen such ferocity in Eggsy's eyes, and he realized for the first time just how dangerous Eggsy could potentially be when backed into a corner. And that's what he had just done, although it hadn't been his intention.

"You think you're just expendable Harry? That I can just go out and find someone that's even half the man you are? I'll tell you the same I told Arthur when that bloody prick told me that I could choose to live in Valentine's new world with him. I'd rather be with you, thanks," Eggsy's voice grew softer, but the fire hadn't left his eyes.

"That's a stupid decision Eggsy," Harry sighed.

"Wouldn't be me if I wasn't full of stupid decisions, yeah?" Eggsy let out a humorless laugh, and Harry could see how heavily this weighed on him. He wished he could have done this with more tact, although there was probably no way to make the news any less harsh. Harry reached up and laid a hand gently on Eggsy's scarred cheek, brushing a thumb over the edge of the scar.

"I don't half love you Eggsy," he breathed as he leaned his head forward and pressed his forehead against Eggsy's. He felt the tension go out of his lover as he sighed.

"Yeah, I love you too old man," Eggsy replied.

"Hey now, I'm not that old," Harry protested.

"Losin' memories...that's old man shit Harry," Eggsy reasoned.

"Ouch," Harry asked, putting a hand over his heart as if he was wounded.

"Too soon?" Eggsy gave a half hearted grin.

"Never," Harry replied and pulled Eggsy in for a kiss.

Eggsy was pliable at first, but the kiss swiftly turned desperate and needy. All teeth and tongue, rough hands and rolling hips. It wasn't just from Eggsy either, Harry felt just as desperate to touch and to feel, to let the emotions, the worry, and the pain slip away into the void for just a while. To lose himself in the way Eggsy pushed him against the wall, keeping him in place. To the way their clothing seemed to melt off of them into puddles on the floor until there was nothing left but skin on skin, flushed and hot to the touch. He relished each whimper and moan, the tensing and relaxing of muscles under his hands, and the way Eggsy looked at him, a combination of lust, desperation, and love mixed just right.

They made it to the bed where Harry tipped Eggsy into the sheets, ravishing him with his mouth, trying to memorize every inch of skin, every taste, every texture. It wasn't long before Eggsy was pleading for what he wanted, and Harry obliged. He doubted there was anything as sweet as Eggsy sinking down on him from the top, the first time in months, and just as perfect as he remembered. Harry watched Eggsy's face as he moved into him, the mingled pleasure spiked with a twinge of pain which soon turned to pure bliss as Eggsy moved against him, taking control and gasping his name over and over again like the prayer of a dying man.

Neither of them lasted long, the fervor of their desperation pushing them towards the edge faster than either anticipated. They lay spent afterwards, curled together in a tangle of limbs, neither saying anything, just listening to each other as their breathing evened out and they came to their senses. Harry traced light patterns into Eggsy's skin as Eggsy sat with his head on Harry's chest, listening to his slowing heartbeat.

When they both grew too uncomfortable they took a long shower together, which was the opposite of their desperate copulation. This was slow, lingering touches, the light brush of lips against bruises, and warm words softly falling between them. Promises and reassurances were exchanged for doubts and fear. By the time their skin was wrinkled from the water there were no more words to be exchanged and the touches had grown heavy with weariness. They eased into bed the second time, fitting together like the world's strangest puzzle, taking and giving comfort in turns until words faded into steady breathing and dreams.

Eggsy woke sometime in the early morning, having reached over in his sleep to find no one sharing the bed with him. He sat up, wiping sleep from his eyes, frowning against the light filtering into the room from the open window.

"Harry?" he called.

"Mm? Oh, I'm sorry if the light woke you," Harry replied from the balcony. Eggsy gave a groan and then pushed himself out of bed and trudged outside, shivering a little against the chill in the air. He leaned on the railing, mirroring Harry, and gazed out at the horizon. The sun was just coming up, painting the clouds with vibrant pink, orange, and yellow hues.

"I don't often catch the sunrise, but it's my favorite time of day," Harry admitted, voice soft as if he was afraid that the sun would go back into hiding if he was too loud.

"Mine too, but I sleep through it usually," Eggsy agreed.

"I like the quiet. It feels like the whole world is asleep and at peace. I think it's the only time the world feels like it's at peace," Harry mused.

"Then let's not disturb it, yeah?" Eggsy asked, slipping his hand into Harry's.

They stood together, hand-in-hand on Harry's balcony, ready for whatever life was going to throw at them, and watched the sun come up over the silent horizon.

Author's Note:

So I wanted to thank everyone for reading and leaving reviews and being wonderful people. I loved writing every inch of this story, and though it was difficult at times, it was great fun. I really appreciate everything everyone has added and helped me with, from plot holes to translations, to just general encouragement and fun comments!

That being said, this story is not over. This is NOT the end. I have more content, quite a bit more, but it's going to be written in a different manner than this story and I felt like it would get way too disjointed if I put them together in the same story. It would be too jarring. So, I'll be having a new story posted at some point later this month (hopefully later this week actually) and it will pick up where this one left off.

FINAL NOTE

If you like happy endings, do yourself a favor and leave the story here. Leave Harry and Eggsy on the balcony where they're happy and content, ready to face what comes next.

If you're a glutton for punishment, like me, then feel free to read the next part when it comes out. It will be titled "Voices Among The Ashes".