AN: So thanks to a good friend of mine, I realized I'd forgotten something vitally important. Thankfully this chapter clears all that up! Anyways, thank you for everything as all ways. You guys are amazing!

To much time had passed since Alastair had last come over to James' flat but finally the day came where as usual, they headed over with James' planning to make dinner and both bickering about something trivial.

For the moment they were actually on the same side of the argument, the invisible entity that was fighting them being the words of Alastair's mother from the night before. The whole issue centered around the fact that Roxy wanted karate lessons for her ninth birthday and yet the mother had adamantly said no.

"She's gone to the libraries, looked up all sorts of schools and techniques. Her little heart is set on it and yet mother just keeps saying no."

"And I'm assuming she's tried persuading her in every way possible?" asked James.

"Yes! She even promised to do ball room dancing lessons if she'd say yes and she still said no!" cried out Alastair. "But knowing her she'll figure out some way."

"Wait!" James shouted causing Alastair to jump. "I have an idea. So we tell her mother that she wants to take more flute lessons but that we don't want to inconvenience her so you'll take her when in reality we take her to karate and on days you can't I can and if we're both unavailable then Lily can and if her mother tries to come around then we can secretly try to beat her back to some flute studio and then end up in an awesome car chase!"

Alastair blankly blinked at him.

"Come on. You know it's a good idea!"

"I don't think good is exactly the perfect word," Alastair said slowly, "but it's so insane that it might actually work."

"Really!"

"Yes, minus your 'awesome' car chase scenario. Roxy has already given me a list of places that I've been meaning to look at."

"You mean you were honestly considering going up against your mother?" asked James

Alastair shrugged like it was nothing, though they both clearly knew it wasn't, and replied, "It means a lot to her and she doesn't just get these ideas and suddenly backs out of it. Her decisions are always sure and she will always do whatever possible to complete them. She wants to learn karate about as much as she wanted to see Hamlet and I'm going to make that true if possible."

That allowed a small smile from James as he softly commented, "You're a good big brother. But I still think my car chase idea with your mother was cool."

"She doesn't even know how to drive," replied Alastair as they walked into James' apartment building and headed for the stairs.

James snorted. "Of course she doesn't." He unlocked the door and through his coat over the side of his couch as headed for the kitchen. "How does pasta sound signore?"

"Fine," replied Alastair as he shook his head at the over dramatic voice. He sat down at the bar and as he gave one quick glance around the place, he suddenly asked, "You know, there's something I've been wondering."

"Hmm," asked James as he bent over and started grabbing utensils. "What?"

"You had a dog right?"

"Of course!"

"Right, yes, that's a stupid question. I suppose a better one would be where is your dog," Alastair amended.

James started up the stove as he poured water into a pot. "Gave her to the boy a floor down."

Looking on in shock, Alastair cried out, "You what!"

"I know you're older than me but I didn't realize you'd already begun to lose your hearing," remarked James with a crooked grin.

Alastair's scowl would have been answer enough but he continued on with, "Oh shut up! And why the hell would you give the dog away? First you shoot em then you just give them away like that!? Did grabby, shits rainbows, 'I'm an angel' James seriously not bond with a god damn puppy? I mean, what kind of dog did you even have?"

"A pug."

"Oh, now how can you not bond with that!?"

"I did but I'm ultimately not a dog person."

Alastair continued with his glair.

"What? You're making it out like I got rid her the moment I could! Listen, the kid's name is Mason. He's wanted a puppy since he was three but his family couldn't afford one and big dog obviously wouldn't work well in small apartments like these and they also don't have a lot of time for long walks which is what a bigger dog would need.

"Anyways, he became utterly smitten with Rosy, my pug, and she loved him right away to. It was perfect! I also pay for her vet checkups, her food, and anything else she needs so the family isn't burdened either. And it's not like I just completely abandoned her all of the sudden to! I visit her fairly frequently, at very least patting her head on the way out of the building," James responded.

Rolling his eyes, Alastair replied, "I suppose that's somewhat better. It certainly makes sense but I'm surprised you'd name your dog something as simple as Rosy."

"It's cute and straight to the point. What did you expect me to name her?"

"I don't know, something ridiculous like Mr. Pickles."

James snorted. "Who would name their dog something like that?"

"Wait, you mean no one's told you the story?" Alastair asked, his eyes widening as he seemed genuinely shocked.

"What story?"

"Alright, so Merlin and Galahad right?"

"Yeah, what about them?"

"Well, they went through training at the same time, all the tests, got their dogs, they did it together. It was one of those rare moments for Kingsman where more than one agent had to be replaced so it meant a lot more competition, a lot more youngsters trying to be number one. In other words, most of the candidates got more friendly with each other and got to know each other better unlike the usual last three or two candidates do with only one agent," explained Alastair.

"And yet, I hear a butt coming."

"Well Harry wasn't very sociable. I mean, from what I know, he was polite enough and certainly wasn't an outcast but he mostly kept to himself and was very serious and straightforward with everything," Alastair said as he leaned forward. "The candidates then got their dogs and most of the kids of course told each other what they'd named theirs but no one asked Harry and he didn't offer.

"So after a while a couple of candidates get bumped off, the numbers are smaller but still fairly large under the circumstances, and one day the current Arthur decides to have a breakfast meeting. Merlin happened to be sitting on his left, just luck really, and Harry was somewhere else. Doesn't really matter but at one point during the meal, Harry's terrier walks in. Before anyone can say anything he turns, takes a piece of bacon and goes, "There you are Mr. Pickles. Wakey wakey eggs and bakey.""

"You're pulling my leg!"

"I swear to god I'm not! And as he says it Merlin spits out every last drop of tea in his mouth and it goes spraying across Arthur's food and chest!"

James was dying. "You have got to be joking! Oh Christ, I better Merlin was blood red."

"What from Harry's told me he was and believe me I'm not making it up! It actually happened," Alastair said with a small chuckle.

"Mr. Pickles. I feel like I should have been more inventive with my name now. What did you name yours? Actually, what kind of dog did you even have and what happened to them?" asked James.

"He died from cancer not to long ago but his name was Reginald. He was a poodle."

"You named your dog Reginald the Poodle," chocked James as his voice hit a high note, clearly trying not to laugh. "Fucking Reginald?"

"Yes," replied Alastair with a roll of his eyes. "At least it's more interesting than Rosy."

"But it sounds like you're calling out to your dad or something," laughed James.

"Whatever, he liked his name and that's all that matters."

"Ever thought of getting another dog?"

"Thought about it but it is a busy life we lead," murmured Alastair. "What about yourself? Any other animal that you'd prefer to get?"

"Well I adore cats."

"Oh please tell me you're joking."

Turning back to Alastair, James put his hands on his hips and leaned to the side over dramatically. "Now why is it that if you mention dogs around a cat person they say 'Oh, I like them to. I love most animals.' But when you mention cats around a dog person they cross themselves and throw holy water?"

"I can't stand cats. They're evil little buggers," Alastair replied.

"Seriously? What, did you get mauled by cats when you were younger?"

"No, I just don't like them!"

"Not liking something and hating some are two different things. I mean come on. Cats don't have to be washed, they go in a litter box or outdoors, you don't have to be with them every second of the day, and you don't have to buy as much food. And for someone that's barely home they can take care of themselves just fine! What's not to love?"

"Perhaps the fact that they look like they're plotting your murder."

Rolling his eyes, James replied, "I'm going to get a cat one of these days and you are going to like them."

"Yeah, when hell freezes over."

"I hear it's quite cool this time of year."

"Don't be an ass!"