AN: I honestly didn't thank anyone would be interested in this! Thank you so much for the favorites and taking time to look at this. It really was a welcomed shock. Hopefully you enjoy this chapter as much as the last!

Alastair wasn't a huge drinker but he decided he needed something stronger than the bit of champagne he already had. The moment he got home he poured himself a Cragganmore aged twelve years, something he only took out for special occasions or when seriously pissed.

He was already missing the previous Lancelot. The man had been lucky enough to retire into their tech department which was great for him but now meant what looked like unending torture for Alastair. Once again, Alastair wondered if he just wasn't Kingsman material, at least in the personality way.

It was obvious Lancelot was going to fit in, the way he flitted from group to group, utterly happy and confident in his own skin. Alastair was sure he'd win in a fight with him, he was more experienced, but this new Lancelot clearly had that ability to draw people in and adored the attention. Alastair could do the same if needed but he preferred watching from afar. Perhaps that was why he was often underestimated when it came to undercover missions. Everyone simply assumed he didn't understand the pleasantries of meeting someone new or how to speak at a dinner table. In truth, he simply chose not to display such information when it wasn't necessary.

Still, despite this he couldn't quite understand this Lancelot. James as he had so proudly said it.

He wasn't a bully. He was to charming and jovial to be one and yet it appeared obvious that he'd gotten a kick out of bothering him. Where did that joy stem from? Was it because he'd shouted and gotten angry with the man? That didn't make sense yet he'd broken into a smile at the occurrence of it.

Granted, if he thought back on it and his memory was right, which of course it was, it hadn't been a cruel smile and certainly not a smirk. Perhaps it wasn't so much that he'd responded in that way but the fact that he'd responded at all. And then he'd proceeded to follow him outside. Most people would have apologized but he made a joke instead and only succeeded in angering Alastair even more.

With any luck he'd simply be like an annoying fly in the back of his mind. Buzzing constantly but only acknowledged when absolutely necessary. Besides, Alastair always worked better on missions alone and when it was absolutely necessary to have someone else it was always Yvain that joined him. There seemed zero reason why this would change and though he would most likely see Lancelot tomorrow at HQ, he doubted that another meeting between them would happen anytime soon. Hopefully never if he had any say in it.

Finishing off the glass, Alastair went to bed feeling somewhat better. He still didn't fully understand what had happened but he decided there was no need to overanalyze it. He wouldn't be spending much time with James anyways.

Getting up several seconds before his alarm actually went off; Alastair went through his morning routine. After taking a quick shower, he started the kettle and then changed into a simple, plain grey suit. He had more dashing ones when the occasion called for it but once again, preferred blending into the background and felt more comfortable with simple designs. The second he walked into the kitchen the kettle went off and he poured himself a cup of tea. He sipped from it as he picked up that day's paper, looked through it fairly quickly, took apart his gun, polished it, then put it back together, and finally looked through his fridge to double check nothing needed to be thrown out or bought. He made a small list of items to get if he ended up staying in London and washed out his mug as throughout this entire process he'd finished his tea.

Only then did he head out to the shop and then took the shuttle to work. No one really looked at him having realized long ago that nods of the head and good mornings were lost on him. Well, at least the regulars did. A voice cut through the dull static that already had him quickening his pace.

"Alastair! Wonderful to see you today."

Only one person would call him Alastair but it was significantly better than what he could have shouted. "How is it wonderful?" he asked, deciding it was best if he acknowledged him as the other would probably follow him until he answered anyways.

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"Wait what?"

"What?"

Alastair gave a piercing glare at James' otherwise innocent expression. He didn't break however and Alastair just muttered, "Never mind. Has Arthur given you your first assignment?"

"Taking interest in my life are we?"

"It is simply the polite thing to ask!"

"I thought you didn't do pleasantries."

He certainly had a point which only infuriated Alastair more so he shut up and continued his brisk walk, leaving James behind. Nevertheless, the other quickened his steps to match Alastair's longer ones as he commented, "So I suppose you didn't hear."

"Hear what?"

James handed over a file which Alastair quickly took and began to look over the information. His frown deepening, he looked over and muttered, "I suppose this is a joke as well though its punch line is rather lost on me."

"No joke. Honest! Do you really think I would go to this much trouble to create a realistic document that declared we were going undercover together?"

Alastair froze in his step and James actually had to stop and turn around, surprised by the suddenness of the action. "Of course you would. This is a joke. A stupid one but a joke nonetheless." He tried to keep his voice level but he could feel it slowly rising with each word. Three outbursts in two days? No that wouldn't do at all. He began to count the primary numbers in his head to try and calm down but his concentration was broken when James waved his hand in front of his face.

"Hey, joke or not this is our mission and we really need to get going," James replied as he tapped his watch. "I mean, you could always refuse Arthur but—hey! Where do you think you're going?"

Alastair didn't answer as he turned away and hurried off, thankful that James wasn't following him.

"Well I'll be with Merlin when you're ready to begin!"

Resisting the urge to do something obscene, Alastair started over with his counting of the primary numbers and succeeded on getting to two-hundred and twenty-nine when he finally arrived in Arthur's office. Thankfully the man was there. It would have been pretty embarrassing if he'd stormed into an empty room, even if he was the only one who knew of the event.

"I suppose Lancelot has informed you then."

"Yes and I refuse the proposal," he replied stiffly though succeeding in keeping his voice rather professional.

Arthur raised his eyebrows at that and replied, "It's not a proposal. It's a command Percival."

"What about Yvain?"

"He's looking into a plot about assassinating the Prime Minister."

"Have me go alone then."

"This requires two agents."

"Have Harry and Merlin go then! They're perfect when dual agents are needed."

"I think it would be good for you."

Alastair opened his mouth to argue but stopped as he realized what he was actually doing. He was fighting with Arthur of all people and if it was any other agent, he probably would have thrown him out of his office but the amused look in his eyes clearly showed his intentions. Snapping his mouth shut, Alastair simply glared at him.

"Besides, Lancelot seems to have taken a liking to you."

"Isn't it important to have compatible agents on missions like these?" he retorted. I.e. Harry and Merlin, he thought.

"Usually but you're always pointing out how excellent you are undercover. How about you really prove it?"

"Did Lancelot suggest this?"

"No, he was as surprised as I suspect you were. Though admittedly Harry did whisper a few suggestions into my ear," replied Arthur.

Galahad, god he should have expected it. It was like the man had been out to get him from the beginning though admittedly this was the first time he'd done anything that had really gotten under his skin.

He continued to stare for some moments before finally asking, "Is there no way to get out of this?"

"No," Arthur replied in a tone that suggested that despite the level of amusement he was having he wasn't going to allow any more arguments. "Besides, this will be very good for you…and most amusing for me." He clapped Alastair on the shoulder and steered him out the door. "Now do hurry Percival. Time isn't exactly on your side."

It was inevitable, Alastair decided. Unless if he decided to slit his jugular then and there he was going to have to suffer through this. Letting out a rather depressed sounding sigh, he headed out of the office and towards Merlin's where James would obviously be, even if Alastair secretly hoped the man would mysteriously disappear in between now and then.