Chapter Seven-

"I'm going to be gone for the next five weeks on a mission, Harry." Percival paced the length of the room. "So I'm leaving you with Arthur, yes? But exciting news."

"Sir?"

"Your first mission," Percival declared, handing Harry the shiny dossier. "Contents include mission brief, airplane tickets, fake passport and various ID. Since it's your first mission, we're giving you a longer heads-up. Typically, you'll have a few days to prepare, unless it's a large mission- in which you'll have about two weeks."

"Where am I headed to?"

"Paris." Harry nodded, leafing through the folder.

"Any questions? Otherwise, you're dismissed. Good luck, and have fun." Percival clapped him on the shoulder, a mysterious twinkle in his eyes, before exiting the room. Harry took a seat in one of the armchairs, and settled himself in comfortably. He began leafing through the dossier, reviewing details. He was leaving in four weeks and two days, at 2000 hours. Paris. It was a straight-forward mission- he and a second agent were to infiltrate a military establishment, collect two hardcopy files, scan them, and get back on the plane. To his surprise, he noticed he would be gone an entire week, even though the mission should only take a couple of hours. There was a knock at the door, and Percival popped his head back in. "Just wanted to add- Arthur just reminded me. I'll be in Scotland for a mission. I'm sorry that I won't be cheering for you from the sidelines on your first mission, since I'll be on one myself with Agent Galahad."

"Yes sir," Harry replied. "What's it about this time?"

"You know that's classified, Harry," Percival scolded, raising an eyebrow. Harry stuck out his lower lip. "I'll tell you this much," Percival said finally, leaning in to whisper in Harry's ear. "Prodigy. Ten year old boy. Hacked pass government encrypted top-secret data, god knows how, sold some to the black market for money. Technical genius. He's been stirring up minor trouble for a few years, but nothing like this. Nobody can catch the boy. He's fast and clever. He has a small gang that backs him up so long as he pays them cold cash. We're going undercover in attempts to recruit him." Percival blinked, realizing he'd told Harry the entire mission accidentally. "I'll have your arse if anyone finds out." Harry nodded firmly.

"You know I don't grass, Percival."

"So be it, then." Percival clapped Harry on the back. "Behave yourself, yeah? Train hard with Winter. Fly a jet or two. I'll be back before you know it." Percival exited the room.

"Yes sir. Good luck," Harry called after him.

"Good luck to you too," Percival replied. Harry continued looking through the dossier.

"Oh," he suddenly exclaimed softly, noticing the name of the agent who would be accompanying him. Winter. He remembered the amused look in Percival's eyes, telling him to have fun. He had an entire week, alone in Paris, with Winter. He smiled. There was a knock at the door, and Harry looked up, tucking the file away. "Come in," he called. A face peeked out from the crack in the doorway. It was Winter.

"If you think for a second that you can boss me around in Paris, you are completely mistaken," Winter growled.

"Why in the world would I think that?" Harry questioned, surprised.

"Because." Winter snorted, walking into the room after closing the door and plopping herself on the armchair beside Harry's.

"That's hardly a valid reason," Harry remarked. Winter glared at him.

"Say it again," she challenged playfully, raising a fist. Harry winced, feeling all the bruises he had acquired in the last little while fighting Winter throb, as if on cue. He was covered in blue and black marks- she had beaten the shit out of him, pure and simple. But he was getting better, and she knew it.

"I doubt you're here just to harass me, Winter," he said, changing the subject. "So what do I owe this pleasure to?" At this she hesitated. Shrugging, she refused to meet his gaze. Harry noticed that her cheeks had taken a light, rosy shade. Harry struggled to contain the small smile forming on his lips.

"I dunno," she finally sighed, looking up at the ceiling. She crossed her hands underneath her head and teasingly propped her legs on the arm of Harry's chair. Harry glanced at the polished combat boots that were currently a few feet from his face. "Maybe I was lonely."

"Lonely?" Harry scoffed. "You?"

"Maybe."

"Just a little."

"Just barely," Winter confirmed.

"Ah," came Harry's response. "Well, I'm honoured that I've been chosen to keep you company."

"You should be," Winter agreed. They sat in a somewhat comfortable silence after that, Harry flipping through the mission brief while Winter leafed through a novel that had been resting on fireplace mantel.

Harry took a moment to marvel at how Winter had changed in the last few weeks alone. The more time he spent with her, the more time he realized he liked her. Yes, she was just as arrogant as she had been when Harry had met her. But at the same time, the more comfortable the two became around one another, particularly Winter, the more their true personalities shone. Winter was surprisingly kind at times, especially to animals. He remembered the first time they'd taken a walk outside together.

"Weather's quite nice," Harry remarked, trying to make conversation.

"Bull. Cloudy days are definitely better," Winter replied, sighing.

"I suppose it fits your personality," Harry said dryly. She rolled her eyes. They continued on with their light banter, taking a path leading off of Kingsman Mansion and into a small gathering of tall trees- not quite a forest, but more than just a few trees growing in the middle of nowhere. Suddenly, Winter froze. She grabbed Harry's arm, pulling it to her chest. She put a finger to her lips, listening intently. Before Harry could comprehend what was happening, she darted to the left, parting a large clump of bushes in order to get past. Harry scrambled to follow. Once he stepped out of the bushes, he opened his mouth to speak but quickly closed it upon seeing Winter kneeling on the ground, her back to him. He crept to her side, staring at the whimpering creature cradled in her arms. She crooned to it gently, pressing it close to her chest. Harry realized it was a small dog. It was caked in dirt, mangy, and obviously malnourished. Harry could also see that its paw was severely swollen. The dog was clearly dying. It was a pitiful sight.

"Come on, Winter," Harry murmured, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Shut up," Winter had hissed with a ferocity that Harry had never seen before. She stood up slowly, still murmuring to the dog in her arms. She turned to face Harry. "Well? Get moving."

"Winter," Harry began, knowing exactly what she was planning to do. "Although I regret saying this, we can't bring that thing back with us. Percival is going to kill us."

"The only thing you're going to regret," Winter growled, "is not. Fucking. Moving."

Harry decided not to argue.

When they had arrived back at the mansion, Percival, to Harry's surprise, did not kill them. In fact, upon seeing the trembling animal in Winter's arms, he had rushed them to the infirmary and called the nearest vet. Winter didn't step out of the infirmary for days. Harry constantly visited- to bring food or just keep company, but to be honest, he was for more concerned with Winter's well-being than the dog's. Finally, finally, some days later, the vet had announced the dog was well on its way to recovery. When Harry saw its glossy golden coat and bright eyes, he had to look twice. The transformation was incredible. Harry couldn't believe it, not until Winter had picked up the pup-it turned out that it was a puppy, and brought it to his face. It licked his face and yipped happily. Amazed, Harry brought a hand to its head and caressed its silky ears.

"I'm glad I moved," Harry admitted.

"Her name is Clover."

"Clover?" Harry asked. She nodded.

"It's from a TV show I used to watch when I was a kid- Totally Spies?" Harry gave her an apologetic look, shaking his head. She shrugged. "Best show ever. Anyways, with the red collar and golden fur, she kind of reminded me of one of the characters." Harry nodded.

"I'll be sure to watch it sometime." There was an awkward silence.

"Harry," she finally said. He looked up from the puppy and up at Winter. "Harry," she said again. "Never give up on someone, okay?"

"What?"

"Never, ever give up on someone. Anyone and everyone has the right to a second chance. Even if they're dying, or just need someone to rely on. Okay? Promise me you won't." Harry blinked, mulling over her words. He patted Clover's head, never taking his eyes off of hers. There was something in them- a deep, painful sorrow that conveyed something Harry had never seen before. He wanted to ask her about it, but had a feeling she'd tell him in time. So he simply nodded.

"Promise."

Now, as Harry looked up at Winter, curled up in the armchair, dark hair floating and swirling down her back, he was glad that he hadn't given up on becoming her friend.

Thanks for reading. And another huge thank you, as usual to everyone who reviewed, f, and f'ed.

Going to try and do my homework now (instead of procrastinating, but fat chance). XD

-happynomnom