So sorry it's been a while! A lot has been happening, and additionally I keep finding myself coming back and re-editing all the chapters I haven't posted yet. Especially with what's happening now around this story - it was going one so many different ways and I'm still unsure if I chose the right path! Anyways, thanks for reading, hope you enjoy!

Hardcore Days and Softcore Nights

She put on her workout clothes and made sure to check every corner of the hall so she made it without running into anybody.

She walked out the main doors, closing her eyes and tilting her head up at the hot Los Angeles sun, which was a gift almost every month of the year. Seasons were basically non-existent in Southern California.

"Heads up," she heard and turned to see Dylan fly by at a sprint, kicking up dirt in the driveway.

She rolled her eyes but smiled as she sprinted after him, it taking her a while before catching up as they started another lap around the grounds. They slowed down to a jog and took another few laps before she gave up at the top of one of the few hills on the grounds.

She fell down and lay back on the grass, fighting to catch her breath as she stared up at the clouds.

She heard Dylan fall down next to her, barely needing to catch his breath which had her rolling her eyes.

"I saw that."

"Yeah, right."

"I've got superpowers."

She groaned and sat up, moving into butterfly position and groaning again at the ache in her legs.

"So…" he continued, "I've got two things to tell you. One or two?"

She looked up at the sky, a striking blue and completely bare of any clouds as she said "Two."

"Well… something happened last night."

"At the 'dinner'?" she asked.

She was so torn about whether to go or not, but decided against it. With her emotions so high about finding out who Eggsy was, she wasn't sure she could've put on a mask and acted normally. And Eggsy was so unpredictable now, would he have tried to confront her about it, or pretend that everything was hunky dory? And honestly, she wasn't sure which one she would've hated more.

"It was so amazing that I wish I had my phone out to take a video."

Her head snapped to look at Dylan.

"What?"

"Kennedy cut Hoover."

"What?!" she repeated, her voice raised.

Dylan nodded.

"Hoover was spouting bullshit about you and was about to say what happened to you on V-Day, and Kennedy threw a knife."

She frowned. She took in a deep breath, and then frowned even more.

"Okay, the way you're telling me this story is as if I was there, Dylan. Details, now."

"Kennedy was cutting chicken – you know he's a broody cook. Hoover was at the counter spouting bullshit about you not being there, blaming that he had to be there because of you. He started to talk about V-Day and why you only use tranq's but then suddenly he has a large cut from a knife. Jefferson took him away, Kennedy tossed the knife into the sink, and it went back to normal."

"Back to normal," she said in a monotone voice, and Dylan nodded.

"After Kennedy attacks one of his fellow agents and causes bloodily harm, things went back to normal?"

Dylan shrugged.

"Hoover let everyone know the kind of guy he is the second the other agents got here - and we all knew the kind of guy he was before that. There was nothing to really talk about."

She only stared, dumbfounded. She had so many more questions, but Dylan continued.

"Which leads us to number one… I had an interesting conversation with Kennedy last night."

"Do you mean before or after he threw a knife at Hoover?"

"After, of course."

She caught her breath and watched an ant crawl from a blade of grass onto her shoe and it immediately started to crawl around frantically at the new environment.

She knew the feeling.

"All the same, it was interesting."

She shrugged, staring at the ant for a few more seconds before turning to look at him. He looked back.

"What?"

"So, did it somehow slip your mind that you requested a session with Mrs. Beltran or are we keeping things from each other now?"

Ana stared, tilting her head.

"Why… and how did Kennedy know…?"

"Okay then, my question has been answered, and we'll definitely talk about that later. But… we both know Kennedy has been known to have a session or few."

Ana nodded. It was no secret Kennedy was a Navy SEAL before he joined Kingsman, a year before Dylan. Even then, everyone knew Kennedy's name – they all knew each other's names. But due to his demeanor, nobody used his real one, only his codename.

Mrs. Beltran was the Kingsman therapist. The same therapist that she was required to hold sessions with after the death of her twin sister. The one who suggested that she use tranquilizer darts instead of bullets; which in a sense saved Ana's life because it meant she could go back on the field and forget about everything else.

In a tither, she'd requested a last minute session where she rambled about Eggsy and her own vulnerabilities about her name. But mostly it was to help her make the decision that she had to tell Eggsy that she knew who he was - if only partially.

"So… am I too forward to presume your impromptu session was about what you told me on the beach?"

"Nope. And how the hell did Kennedy know?"

"He saw you leaving. He told me, and I quote "Knew she's been hurting so I hid. Only like it when she tries to make me laugh, not the opposite."

She frowned at that. WHat did that even mean?

"He's never said more than three or four words at a time to me, and you get two sentences?"

"I felt honored," he joked.

They fell into a silence... as though neither knew how to proceed.

Dylan stayed silent, but then cleared his throat, speaking softly.

"You owe him – not Eggsy – but him, that honor of closure."

"Yeah, I know," Ana said, but then shook her head and continued, "But I owe Eggsy noth-"

"I'd say in return for a tranq dart and by word of mouth what seems like a ton of bruises, I'd say differently. Not to mention your childish hate crush towards him."

She shook her head, not even dignifying the last comment with an answer.

"This whole thing is messed up," she said softly, falling back onto the grass, staring up at the sky and the few clouds.

"Well, as the wisest of them say: shit happens and then you die."

"Hey," she said tersely. Dylan raised his hands, but then nodded.

"Yeah, that was… too soon, I agree. But come on, I know that you know that you're not that type of person. What did I say about R-E-S-P-E-C-T?" Dylan asked, his voice rising to a terrible octave as he sang the letters.

"If I can get you to never do that again… then fine. Twist my arm – I'll do it. Though Mrs. Beltran got me to it first."

"Thatta girl."

She stood by the doorway, eyes scrunched closed tight, taking deep calming breaths that didn't work.

She opened her eyes.

With her hands clenched into tight fists she walked into the dining room, Washington and Arthur's conversation that she was too nervous to even listen in on coming to a stop as she entered.

They both stood from their chairs as she stopped by the foot of the table, moving her hands behind her back.

"Lincoln. I can only hope this is good news," Washington said warily.

She thought about her reply, and then shook her head, finding a new one.

"This is actually… unexpected news. To be honest, news I've held onto for a day or two. This comes along with a favor to ask," she said, watching as Washington's face drew tight. Arthur, on the other hand, looked intrigued.

"What unexpected news?" he asked.

She looked over at Arthur.

Had he and the man worked together? It was definitely probable. Maybe they'd been colleagues, and Arthur had survived V-Day to move up into the top position.

She cleared her throat, as Arthur spoke, misreading Ana's moment of silence.

"If you would like for me to leave, I can-"

"Actually sir, this news relates to an agent with your branch."

Arthur froze as he furrowed an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry, I don't understand-"

"Lincoln, if this vagueness is some trick to get me into saying yes to your favor-" Washington started.

"It's not a trick, sir," she said, turning to Washington, "permission to speak freely?" she asked, releasing her hands so they fell to her sides.

Washington glared at her in warning, but nodded.

"Permission granted, Lincoln, don't make me regret it."

She gave a short nod and looked to Arthur who was staring at her, his expression unreadable. She took in a steadying breath as she took a step forward.

"Sir, I found out that Galahad's true name is Eggsy."

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

"Well," he said slowly, "it's nice that you are comfortable enough to reveal your true names-"

"I'd heard the name before, Sir. Almost a year ago," she interrupted. She watched Arthur, waiting for him to realize who she was talking about, but it didn't happen. "I heard it from a Kingsman agent, sir, not of our branch, but, from what I could discern from his accent, of yours."

Arthur blinked slowly. And then his body tensed as his eyelids lowered, staring her down.

"Lincoln, are you telling me that-"

"I was one of the first to arrive on scene at the South Glade Mission Church."

Arthur's hand shot out to the back of the chair nearest to him, as though to steady himself.

She turned to Washington.

"And here is where my favor comes in. I would ask to personally escort Galahad – however if Arthur would wish it first I would also ask to accompany him – to said agent at Forest Lawn."

Washington stared at her, one of his eyebrows twitching in an indescribable look, however for a split second she thought she saw pride. He glanced at Arthur who had both arms on the back of the chair, staring at the opposite wall.

"Granted, Lincoln. If Arthur wishes-"

"Eggsy can see him first," Arthur said, taking a deep breath, still staring at the wall. He looked… pained.

"Thank you, sir, sirs," she said, giving Arthur a final glance before retreating into the hall.

She'd made it halfway down when she heard Arthur call out her Kingsman name. She stopped and waited for him to reach her.

"When… how…?" Arthur stuttered, pushing his glasses up his nose.

"I'm so sorry, sir. To find out like this. I assume you knew his name-"

"Harry. His name was Harry."

Ana gave a short nod.

"Harry. He was…" she closed her eyes for a beat and let out a breath "severely wounded-"

"I was watching… his glasses were live."

Ana blanched at that, and raised a hand to cover her mouth. She shook her head, biting on her lip to keep any tears at bay before she dropped her hand.

"I… I'm so sorry."

Arthur nodded but then took a step back, looking down.

"Galahad and Lancelot are training, I believe," Arthur said, his voice strong.

She nodded, but stood still.

"Anything else, sir?" she asked, waiting to be dismissed.

She watched him nod, still looking down.

"Since Lancelot joined, the need for more applicable tools for a female agent arose. I brought some with me, and I'd like to show you when you have time."

She raised an eyebrow, but could relate to the quick change in subject.

"That sounds… that sounds very nice sir. Perhaps before the next mission?"

Arthur nodded again, but stayed silent.

"Sir," she said again, still waiting to be dismissed. He took a deep breath before he spoke.

"Despite your flawless mission, it is known that you and Galahad have a… rocky repertoire. Before you break the news, I want you to know that Harry was Galahad's recruiter."

Ana blinked away tears at that.

Her own recruiter found her at Hockey practice, a sport she'd started for extra college credits but then turned into a hobby where she could let out her anger at hers and Nat's useless foster parents. And she was good at it - she got herself into the penalty box plenty of times, but walked out of every game with barely a scratch. Her worst injury had been self inflicted, skating a corner too hard and falling on her own face.

"Are you ready to help change the world?" were Mark's first words. Ana remembered thinking Mark was an elaborate joke, but as soon as the man who was pretending to be a College Sports recruiter showed her the arsenal he had in his own home, explaining that he needed to find a replacement after a knee injury – Ana knew her life was about to change.

And change it did. For better and for worse.

She imagined that it was the same for Eggsy and Harry.

"Excuse me?" Ana asked steely.

Arthur cleared his throat.

"Before you break the news, I wanted you to know that Harry was Galahad's recruiter.

Ana nodded trying to reign in her anger. She raised a foot to step away, but then stopped.

"Permission to speak freely, sir?"

Arthur raised an eyebrow above his horn-rimmed glasses, but then nodded.

"The fact that you think my current 'repertoire' with Galahad will in anyway affect how I break such heartbreaking news of the loss of not only a fellow agent but his own recruiter is, sir, downright insulting."

Arthur looked surprised at that, but then gave her a short nod, as though allowing her to continue.

"I know of loss, more than anyone in this building knows of. I know the feeling. And I know that the feeling of loss trumps all others."

Arthur cleared his throat.

"Agent Lincoln, I apologize for jumping to conclusions."

"Apology accepted, Arthur, sir."

"I will refrain from making such assumptions about you in the future."

"I'd advise that. Many a man has fallen at my hand with such… assumptions," she said, the corner of her mouth twitching, "Sir," she said, giving a final nod and turning away.

She brought out her cell phone to make a call as she walked towards her destination.

Merlin had predicted right. She heard the grunts and thumps of two people fighting when she reached the hall where the combat training room was.

She leant against the doorway, watching the both of them in action. Roxy was more mixed martial arts than anything, while Eggy's style was more boxing, similar to her own style.

So that's why she had a harder time fighting him...

She frowned at that, but then grinned when Lancelot pulled a move that had her taken aback; catching a punch and then stepping behind him with an arm across his chest, using the momentum to hoist herself up Eggsy's back, cross her legs around his neck, and then turn her body, throwing him to the ground with her on top.

Roxy rolled away and jumped to her feet as Eggsy started laughing on the floor and she dropped her stance, bending over and giving him a hand to help him stand up.

He laughed still, but it faltered when he met her gaze and he immediately straightened. Roxy turned and smiled as Ana took a few steps into the training room.

"Hey!"

"Sorry to interrupt the fun, Roxy, and I definitley need you to teach that move just pulled, but I need to steal Eggsy away for a moment."

He frowned, wiping his forehead and giving her a confused look.

"Oh, so you do know I exist," he said, which he had the right to – she'd avoided him these past days ever since finding out his name, "but what exactly, little darlin'-" she rolled her eyes as Roxy slugged his shoulder, "is gonna make me follow?"

She looked at him with new eyes. Harry saw something in him. And – she would only admit it to herself – he turned out to be a great agent.

"Cat got ya tongue, girl?"

She took a very deep breath, clenching her fists behind her back.

"Nothing of the sort, boy. I'm just here to take you somewhere."

"And what makes you think I'd go-"

"If it's a part of our mission, I'd say you have no choice," she said.

He stopped at that, but then shook his head, staking a step towards her.

"Sorry luv, I'm not sure what-"

"I will say this only once: the aspect of why will remain undisclosed until we reach location," she said slowly, acting as though he was hard of hearing.

He took a few quick steps towards her, crowding into her space.

She took in a deep breath and looked up to meet his gaze, fighting to keep steady.

"Meet me in the hall in ten minutes," she said, giving a goodbye nod to Roxy before turning on her heel and walking away.

Sure enough, she heard his resounding footsteps.

He ran in front of her and grabbed her arms. She tried to counter his movement, but he kept his grip.

"I told you I wasn't going to repeat myself again."

"What are ya on about?" he started, but then his eyebrows furrowed as his grip tightened on her arms, "If this is some-"

"You're gonna want to let go of her, right now," a deep voice broke their banter.

They both turned to see Kennedy walking towards them, his gaze downright scary; even Ana felt a little scared – and usually she was the one cracking jokes around the man, trying to get him to smile.

"This doesn't involve ya, mate," Eggsy said, and Ana almost winced.

"I will only say this one more time: let go of her right now, mate," Kennedy seethed.

Ana felt Eggsy's grip loosen and she pulled back, taking a step towards Kennedy.

"Don't snap his neck. I know it's tough," she said, giving Eggsy a side glance, "but he's one of us."

That had the corner of his mouth barely twitching, and she felt comfortable again.

"I know all about control, Ana. Hoover's still alive, ain't he?"

Her first reaction was that she stopped and blinked.

Her second reaction was to tilt her head.

"Alive but not unharmed, as I've heard. But do my ears deceive me or did you just make a joke, Kennedy?"

He looked towards Eggsy, his gaze dark again, and she sighed.

So close.

"Good call on letting her go," Kennedy said, and Ana winced again, knowing how this might go, so she interrupted by resting a hand on Kennedy's arm and saying one word she knew would work.

"Beltran."

Kennedy stilled, his muscles tensing under her hand as he stared her down.

She nodded.

"We're okay. I'm okay."

"Beltran?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

She shrugged.

"We'll talk later, 'kay?" she asked jokingly.

"Looking forward to it."

She did a double take, and then tried to laugh but her laugh sounded more like a wheeze, so she shook her head. Kennedy was a man of very few words, and she wasn't sure if he was joking or not. But the look on his face told her he was maybe serious.

She took a deep breath and looked between the two men, who were still glaring at each-other.

"Both of you stand the fuck down. Eggsy, with me," she said, turning on her heel and walking away.

The two men stood still, sizing each other up.

"You heard the woman. Don't keep her waiting," Kennedy said.

Eggsy didn't give anything away as he turned on his heel and followed her.

Hardcore Days and Softcore Nights by Aqueduct