A/N: Go and check out ivefoundmygoldfish(melonpanparade)'s stories on AO3, she's the one making sure this isn't full of mistakes and keeps me on my toes. Without her, I'm not sure I'd survive amidst all those unfinished fics...

Also, huge thanks to all those of you who keep reading, despite my (very) irregular updates!

Sunrise

Silence filled the plane, as it had two days ago when they'd been flying back to HQ. But instead of the pitch black back then, the sky outside the windows was just starting to regain colour, no doubt promising a beautiful, cloudless day ahead.

Eggsy stared out the window, chin supported by his right hand, and watched as the sky slowly changed from dark blue to purple, then to red orange and finally back to blue, this time a much lighter shade. The sun bathed the inside of the plane in warmth. A beautiful day, indeed.

Eggsy was beyond tired, and the heat from the sun didn't help. Exhaustion - both mental and physical - had his body feeling like lead, and he had trouble keeping his eyes open. His left side hurt from hauling himself and a weak body through the woods, always on guard, never stopping, never looking back. And nothing but pitch black around them. Without Merlin's guidance, they would have undoubtedly become lost in the woods.

The woods. The mysterious building.

Unable to stop himself, his eyes wandered back to the two people huddled close together on the bench on the other side of the plane. They'd both fallen asleep, clinging to each other as if afraid the other might disappear every second. A navy blue jumper that Roxy had worn just two days ago - too large on her smaller frame back then - covered the man's body and obscured what Eggsy knew was a concerning variety of bruises and cuts. And they hadn't even gone past the visible injuries. It was a miracle he hadn't passed out yet.

It seemed absurd. Impossible. A once in a lifetime occurrence. But despite its unlikeliness, a man who'd been sliced in half and died, who'd been announced dead and buried, was sitting mere meters away from Eggsy. An agent who'd been one of the first to fall in this ridiculous war, a loving husband and caring father-figure, who'd kept his promise and returned. Somehow, James Spencer had survived against all odds.

Aside from what Roxy had told him, the young Galahad didn't know much about the former Lancelot. He hadn't even known how he looked—a fact that had almost ended badly for the man, although Eggsy wasn't ashamed to admit the tables would have been turned had James not been weakened due to his imprisonment.

One thing Eggsy had known, however, which had only been confirmed by Merlin's reaction, was that James represented more than just a Kingsman agent. He was a true and dear friend, and a kindhearted and childish soul, if Roxy's stories were anything to go by. Thereby, Eggsy didn't hesitate to trust him too, although only time could tell to which extent that trust would grow.

His eyes lingered for a moment longer, taking in the sight before him. Roxy's face and posture had changed slightly and Eggsy realised he'd never seen her before. Not really. This Roxy was peaceful, relaxed and happy. The kind of happiness, of immense relief that fills one's whole being and makes one glow. It saddened him that he almost hadn't gotten the chance to see her true self, but instead lived on believing there wasn't more.

Tearing his eyes away from his best friend, Eggsy sighed softly. Of course he was happy for her and it felt beyond fantastic to actually see that good things still happened, but the small spark of envy that cursed through him could not be quenched. It seemed unfair and selfish to demand one more miracle, no matter how pure the intentions. He might have lost much, yes, but he had by far not lost the highest.

His thoughts wandered back to Merlin and his voice as Roxy had called James' name. Hope had laced his tone, so evident and open that Eggsy had felt like an intruder, like a stranger listening behind a door. But beside orders and questions about James' well-being, not a word had left the quartermaster's lips. None of the questions racing through Merlin's head had been spoken aloud, but Eggsy had heard them nonetheless.

If James was with them, if James was alive, why should he be the only one? Why should the universe be so lazy? Why should Valentine not keep him alive too. Why should he not be alive. Why should he be dead. Why.

Why, indeed?

There was no point dwelling on dreams, Eggsy scolded himself. He shook his head in an attempt to chase Merlin's voice from his thoughts and studied his watch. Not long and they would land back at HQ. Whatever would happen next, they would deal with it once they exited the plane. For now, sleep was probably the best and wisest choice. Leaning his head against the window, comfortingly warm from the sun, Eggsy closed his eyes.

~oOo~

A cool hand on his shoulder made Merlin jump and turn around. Warm, green eyes met his and scanned his face, no doubt cataloging every change since they'd last been focused on him. He could see the disapproving frown although it was well suppressed and sighed. Yes, he looked awful, and it didn't help that he hadn't slept a wink since that morning after their return. But no matter how tired he was, Merlin knew sleep wouldn't come even if he lay down and rested. Not that he had time for that anyway.

The woman gazing at him softly, however, didn't say a word. Instead, she just smiled kindly and pressed a cup of coffee into his hand. When he didn't protest but lifted it to his lips, she quickly conjured a plate from behind her back and carefully placed it on the desk.

Placing the cup down on the smooth surface with a soft clink, Merlin sighed. "Morgana..."

"Hush," Morgana interrupted him. Leaning against the desk so he'd be forced to face her, she added, "You might be our wizard, Merlin, but even magicians need to eat sometime."

"Very funny," the quartermaster replied dryly, but obliged and took a careful bite of the chicken sandwich. It was good, and he had to admit his body had been more than displeased with his eating habits lately. Not that he'd planned on starving himself, no. It was just that the simple act of eating seemed wrong right now, and had kept him from the kitchen. As if enjoying the flavour on his tongue was a sin when so much more important things needed his attention.

Morgana stayed and watched as he ate, her hand never leaving her shoulder. Only when Merlin had finished and raised his cup of coffee again did she let go and let her hand fall to her side. She didn't leave, however, but stayed leaning against his desk and smiled. Her gaze seemed to look right through him and despite feeling like a patient avoiding to face his verdict, Merlin started to relax. He'd missed her. The reassuring presence of her always cheerful but calm mood and sharp wit never failed to ground him when everyone and everything else was falling apart.

"It's good to have you back."

Morgana's smile widened and her eyes filled with warmth. "It's good to be back."

There was no need to inform her about recent discoveries since he'd already talked to her while she was still on the plane, so he steered the conversation towards safer waters. The last thing he wanted right now was for her to read his every thought while they discussed James' arrival in an hour.

"How's Guinevere?" he asked instead. "She said she didn't feel well and went home yesterday evening."

"Oh yes," Morgana answered, quickly lowering her gaze to the smooth surface of his desk. It would have made Merlin suspicious had he not suspected she was simply worried. The two of them had grown quite close over the last year. "Probably just exhausted from working 36 hours in a row. I told her to stay home for the day."

"Good." Merlin nodded in approval and continued to sip his coffee.

A comfortable silence fell between them again as Morgana watched him pull up Bedivere's and Kay's last reports from Germany. He could feel her watchful gaze over his shoulder as she read, every now and then returning her attention back to him and studying his face as if searching for some kind of slip. He was about to comment on her obvious staring when she straightened and pulled over another chair.

She let herself fall onto the soft cushion and sighed lightly. "Any news from Lamorak?"

"He arrived in Moscow a few hours ago and has established contact with the foreign office. They've already been calling in contacts and favours to try locate Percy's whereabouts."

"Any process so far?"

"Nothing worth mentioning, but his last report has been four hours ago."

"I'm sure the search will be progressing much faster if Eggsy and Roxy join in," she reassured him. Merlin didn't respond and she studied him for a second, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You will send them to Russia, won't you?"

Again, Merlin stayed silent.

Morgana just sighed, this time more audibly, and rubbed the bridge of her nose between her fingers. "There's no reason to keep them here, not when you know Lamorak needs any help he can get. From what I saw, they're physically alright, just a bit shaken up by recent events. And it's not like you can keep them from going, Merlin."

"I can try."

"Yes!" She flung her hands up in exasperation. "Yes you can, and you will lose. And all the wasted energy for what? The knowledge they are here, safe and utterly useless?"

"No," Merlin snapped, but his voice wasn't as firm as Morgana had expected. "We just got one back and I am not willing to bury yet another agent just because someone decided to throw all caution into the wind out of a heroic, irrational desire to sacrifice their life in exchange for a quite unlikely chance!"

"Is this was you think rescuing Percy is? A wild goose chase?" Morgana asked, dumbfounded. The Merlin she knew would never doubt the success of their proceeding, nor question the judgement and ability of any Kingsman agent.

Merlin halted, fingers hovering above the keys before letting them rest on his knees. "No. No, that's not what I meant," he responded, looking defeated and tired. "I'm simply afraid that Roxy, and therefore Eggsy, might take it too personally."

"They've grown more mature and reasonable than you give them credit. Have faith, Merlin, and they might just surprise you."

Morgana looked at him intently again, as if considering whether she should tell him something or not. Her eyes, albeit soft and vibrant, showed uncertainty and a hint of an emotion Merlin found himself unable to place. Was it hope? Relief? Or excitement? Except for the pity he thought he spotted, none of these made any sense considering their current situation. But before Merlin could ask, Morgana was shaking her head and, blinking a few times, turned away.

"I'll go back down to prepare for Lancelot's arrival and check in on the examination of the vials I brought with me. If all goes as planned we should have a more detailed knowledge of its components by the end of the day."

Merlin knew a dismissal when he heard one. It was obvious she didn't want to argue about their youngest agents anymore, and he was beginning to agree with her opinion anyway. Morgana was, after all, seldom wrong. "Alright, be careful."

Upon hearing the apology in Merlin's voice, Morgana turned on the doorstep to meet his gaze. "Always."

~oOo~

"Get up!"

A hand shoved him from his place on the bed to the ground. The harsh light blinded him and spiked the searing pain in his head to a completely new level. Percy groaned in pain and tried to roll on his side, away from the light and cruel voice, but was quickly reminded of his abdomen injury.

The hand was back, this time grabbing his left upper arm and pulling him roughly to his feet. He stumbled, trying to get his limbs under control so he wouldn't crash to the floor. His sight was unfocused due to the absence of his glasses, making it harder to keep upright while being dragged along.

Blurred shapes passed his vision, before it all slowed to a halt as he was shoved onto a chair. The metal was cold and the remains of his trousers did little to shield his body heat. His hands, still clam and numb from lack of use, were pressed onto the desk in front of him and quickly secured by chains, the sharp edges digging into the skin of his wrists.

Cold, hurting, and more than a bit nauseous, Percy waited. He knew the procedure and was well aware of the possibilities of torture. He had used pain to gain information before, and was well acquainted with how it felt to be on the receiving end himself. But somewhere in his fogged brain, the thought that this time might be different was taking shape and increasing his heart rate.

A door closed and Percy shivered in the cold breeze. Shortly after, a man sat across from him, without even affording him a glance. He put down various folders, a voice recorder, and several unidentifiable objects before leaning back in his chair, his cold eyes roaming derogatorily over Percy's body.

They stared at each other, neither uttering a word. The tension was by far not enough to even make Percy sweat, but he was nonetheless relieved when the man finally broke the tension. His voice was, just like his whole appearance, cold and cruel.

"We know who you've been looking for," he snarled in broken English. "And we know what it is you do. All I want to know now, is whom you do it for."

He leaned forward, hands flat on the metal surface of the table, his eyes blazing. "You will tell me how Kingsman works. You will tell me how to hack it. And you will tell me how to bring the organisation to its knees."

It was a statement, spoken with the determination all terrorists possessed. Percy didn't move an inch.

The man's mouth curved into a cruel smile. "You will tell me. Eventually."

Yes, I put that Sherlock quote there on purpose ;D

Have you grown to like Morgana as much as I do? Because I'm really enjoying writing her ^^