Chapter 3:

"Merlin, I'm fine, honestly, it's just a scratch really…" Roxy trailed off.
Merlin blinked, glaring at her.
"Just a scratch, yes. As well as two stab wounds, a fractured shoulder, and who knows what else." He shook his head, one hand tapping the metal edge of the hospital bed. Roxy had the pillows propped up. She bit her lip, trying for a grin.
"Yes, basically." She sighed. "It could've been worse."
"Exactly. Imagine what could've happened!" he growled.
"Well, it didn't. Stop worrying."
"But what if it did?" Merlin pinched the bridge of his nose, breathing heavily. He wanted to take her hand, to never let go. Never, ever. Instead, he bent forward, pressing his forehead against the metal edge of the hospital bed, staring at the white tile floor.
"Come on, Teddy," she murmured gently, poking his cheek. "It's our job. I chose the risk, just like Eggsy. Harry knows he can't do anything about it with Eggsy, and they're engaged."
"That's besides the point, Lancelot! I ca-"
"Stop worrying about me!" Roxy burst out, temper flaring. Merlin lifted his head, surprised and slightly hurt. "Why do you worry so much? I'm perfectly capable of handling things myself!"
There was silence for a moment. She looked away, regretting her tone of voice.
"I worry because I care, okay?" Merlin muttered before he could help himself, ducking his head. Roxy was so taken aback that she didn't even notice the way Merlin's face became a rosy red.
"Oh," Roxy managed, blushing slightly. She smiled, and Merlin gave her a shaky grin.
"And once you're fixed up in a few days, you're to head straight to my office. That's a direct order," he added in a brisk, no-nonsense tone.
"Yes sir," she responded as he stood to leave.

"Oh my god," she whispered, gaping at the thing Merlin had given to her. She did a twirl in the mirror, eyes unbelieving. Her injured shoulder was still a bit sore, but it didn't matter. She stared at her reflection. It was black and shiny and utterly gorgeous. The neckline dipped below her collarbone, and the skirt hugged her waist, ending just above her knees. It was made of a rather stretchy fabric, adorned with silver embellishments.

The dress was bulletproof, and had several hidden pockets to stash knives and other weapons in a way that wouldn't be visible from the outside of the dress.
And then there were the shoes- silver stilettos, three inch. The heels were detachable, and the end impaled into shoe itself could be withdrawn and used as a weapon. The blade was also coated with the same deadly neurotoxin used on the blade hidden in the standard Kingsman Oxfords.
Merlin had also crafted her a delicate ring with the same properties as the standard issue Kingsman signet ring- except hers had the added advantage of containing a single projectile dart which, when fired, would emit a gaseous form of benzodiazepine, a psychoactive drug that would induce anterograde amnesia.
Finally, there was the little black clutch bag she now held firmly in her right hand. There were so many violent properties that Merlin had listed that she couldn't even remember them all.
She stepped out of Merlin's personal washroom and stood in front of him, waiting. At first he didn't notice her, as he was still typing furiously away on his keyboard with his back to her. He was also connected to a video feed with Arthur, who abruptly stopped speaking to stare at her, slightly agape.
Merlin didn't even notice.
Arthur winked at Roxy and continued talking.
"Yes, Tristan's mission is going according to plan. If I were you, I would suggest that you look behind you."
"Yes, yes. I've sent in a retrieval team just in case. And what?" Merlin asked, taking a sip of his coffee.
"Look behind you."
"What?" Merlin asked, glancing behind him before turning back towards the monitor. "What abou-"
Merlin froze, spinning around. He choked on his coffee.
"I… uh…" Merlin stammered, eyes as wide as saucers.
A little blip sounded as Harry ended the call, giving them some privacy.
Roxy put a hand on her hip, flipping her hair over her shoulder and posing for him.
"How do I look?" she asked, meeting his intense gaze.
"Great, actually," he replied, voice rough. He stood up, walking towards her slowly, eyes travelling up and down her body. She shivered slightly. "Fits well," he added.
"How'd you know my measurements so perfectly?" she asked curiously, eyes narrowing, lips pursed. He stopped less than a foot in front of her.
"I know every bit of you like the back of my hand," he whispered. His eyes widened as he realized what it sounded like. "I mean," he coughed awkwardly. She put a hand on his chest, cutting off his next words. He swallowed.
"Hush, Teddy," Roxy whispered. His eyes turned molten, sultry. He grasped her chin with his thumb and index finger, tilting her face up to meet his in a hungry kiss.
"Roxy," he breathed, leaning into her and pressing his forehead against hers, breaking the kiss. His eyes were apologetic. He withdrew, starting to take a step back. "I can't-"
"Shut up," she whispered, smiling, before ending whatever words he had wanted to say by grasping his cardigan and bringing his mouth to hers again.

AN: This just keeps getting fluffier and fluffier. My apologies.

-agent galahad