Chapter 5

"They're ready for you, Mr. Unwin. The judges have made a decision."

Eggsy glanced at Harry, who gave reassuring nod, and anxiously followed the man out the door to find out whether or not he was properly tailored for service as a Kingsman agent.

The man led Eggsy and Harry into a room filled with a panel of official looking people. Eggsy sat down and waited for someone to say something official-like.

"Mr. Unwin," an intense looking woman said from the centre of the panel. "The extent of your success in this final task required much consideration, as it was the first resolution of its kind in Kingsman history. We, the judges, have thoroughly reviewed your simulation and discussed our concerns."

Eggsy absent-mindedly wondered what they meant by "reviewed" – had they recorded the simulation and played it over until they came to a unanimous decision? He was uncomfortable at the prospect.

"Firstly, we are disturbed that you did not take the shot when you had the opportunity. As soon as your holograms became kind, you seemed to let emotions blind your judgment. The majority of other recruits were able to shoot their simulated loved ones, or else find a way to jam the guns and/or re-plug the grenades."

Harry looked like he was about to interrupt, but the woman continued purposefully. "Emotions simply cannot interfere with the completion of your mission, Mr. Unwin." Eggsy lowered his head, thinking that the very thing Harry had warned him about was the cause of his failure. "Then there's the concerning factor of your willingness to throw yourself in front of those bullets. Many of the judges before you agree that the choice was hasty and reckless. Someone who is so inclined to sacrifice himself without consideration of all other options does not belong in the field."

He exhaled. That was it. Amidst his overwhelming disappointment and anger at himself, he was relieved to finally know the result of his task and that he would never have to face something similar in his dull, non-secret-agent life that would start today.

"However," she went on and Eggsy's heart began to race. "we believe you did consider all the options. You showed exemplary attention to detail, noticing both the grenades and the holograms' inability to redirect their weapons, which led you to understand the necessity of protecting the children. Many candidates miss one or both details. And, seeing as your task was to save the innocent lives in the room, the judges have decided that you were ultimately and unprecedentedly successful. …Welcome to the Kingsman Secret Service, Mr. Unwin."

An overwhelming sense of joy, relief and honour came over him and this time, Eggsy had to remind himself to breathe. He had never admitted to himself just how much he wanted this, because his life up until now had taught him to lower his expectations. But now, at last, his hard work and dedication were being recognized and he would get to live the life he dreamed of ever since the first time he had walked through those Kingsman doors.

He barely noticed the panel clapping and Harry gripping his shoulder, looking overjoyed. "Congratulations, Eggsy. You deserve this, more than anyone."

Eggsy relaxed his face, realizing just how widely he had been smiling. He shook Harry's hand. "Couldn't've done any of it without you, Harry. Thank you, for everything."

Harry smiled warmly. "I look ever so forward to working alongside you. And they've just told me there's someone outside who is as eager to hear your results as you were…"

Eggsy all but ran out the doors and saw Roxy standing around the corner, biting her lip and looking expectant. "Well?" She said.

Eggsy paused and put on the gravest face he could manage in all the excitement. Roxy gasped. "No…"

He dragged it out for another moment, nodding solemnly, and then his eagerness to let it spill overpowered him. "Just playin', I passed!"

She exhaled and gave him a look. "You arse, c'mere and give the other newest Kingsman agent a hug."

He wrapped his arms around her small frame and swung her around, despite her protests. "Well done, Roxy! I always knew you had it in you. It was me that was up in the air." They laughed and pulled back from each other.

"What a final task, eh? Not exactly what I was expecting."

"No, me neither. Brutal." Roxy said, then hesitated. "…Was I one of your holograms?"

Eggsy raised an eyebrow. "You were, actually. I'm guessing I was one of yours too?"

She nodded, looking away.

"Hey," he said gently. "Let's agree to forget everything the other person's hologram said in that simulation room and only pay attention to what the real-life person says, yeah? That's all that matters. Nothing said in there was true."

Roxy looked up at him, nodded in agreement and then said, "So, just checking…you don't think I'm an uptight bitch?"

Eggsy actually laughed out loud. "Farthest thing from it. And you don't consider me a pathetic lowlife?"

"I never!" She exclaimed. They were both happy to be able to make light of such an emotional situation, now that it was over, and hugged each other once more.

They were interrupted by Harry, who smiled at Roxy and said, "Congratulations to you, Roxy. You've both done an outstanding job. Eggsy, may I have a word in private?"

He motioned for his recruit to walk with him down the hall, and Roxy gave them a final smile before leaving in the opposite direction.

"How are you feeling, now that it's all over?" Harry asked.

Eggsy laughed and ran a hand through his hair. "I…couldn't even put into words, I don't think. Relieved, mainly, but it's more than that. I get to do that job I never knew I always wanted to do, and it feels bloody brilliant."

Harry looked very proud indeed as they continued to walk. "I'm so very happy for you, Eggsy. You've earned this. Now, I'll let you get back to celebrating in a moment but I wanted to give you something first. It's something that will hopefully remind you of your principles and foundations as you face real-life versions of what you just experienced in that room."

Curious as to what it may be, Eggsy raised his eyebrows. "Well don't keep me all in suspense, what is it?"

Harry reached into his suit jacket pocket and when he pulled his hand back out, it was holding the most beautiful and sophisticated semi-automatic pistol that Eggsy had ever seen. Harry handed it to the wide-eyed agent who looked it over in awe.

"Harry, I-"

"It was your father's. He, like you, executed missions with the highest regard for civilian life while still protecting his comrades. It's the very thing that caused his death. If he could help it, he never fired this gun and would want you to have it to be reminded of what truly matters in the field."

Eggsy ran his fingers over the barrel, on which were engraved the letter N, and his heart swelled with pride as well as sorrow. He swallowed and said with conviction, "I'm going to do everything in my power to honour his memory and make you proud, Harry."

He held out his hand and Harry shook it firmly, his glinting eyes revealing the pride and joy he felt for the new Kingsman agent. "There's no shortage of pride from me, Eggsy. And, on the subject, you've just been assigned your first mission as a Kingsman Secret Service Agent."

Eggsy waited with baited breath to hear about his very first, real-life mission.

"It's a trip with me to the tailor shop. You'll be needing many more, and much better, suits now that you're one of us." He grinned and took a laughing Eggsy by the shoulder, leading him physically to the tailor shop and figuratively to the ever thrilling, clandestine and dangerous world of the Kingsmen Secret Service.

And this fic has come to an end! Thanks so much to those who stuck with it all the way through or even just for a bit... readers are the very reason I love to write. If you're reading this years after I've posted the final chapter, I still love reviews (better late than never) so feel free to leave them! Until the next fic, my friends, I bid you adieu. xoxo JP