Neil could feel a tension headache coming on as he stared at the six candidates. The afternoon sun was turning gold and he had to be back in London to change in time to meet Valentine for dinner with Harry later. The adrenaline that had filled him when watching the task had left him feeling tired. He had gotten a new phone recently as well but that hadn't stopped it from ringing constantly the night before. Family were growing impatient with him. The headache was not helped by the fact that he could see a familiar angry grit to Eggsy's jaw. The younger man was not amused.

Merlin stood slightly in front of Neil, armed with his usual clipboard. He surveyed the group with analysing eyes. "Hugo, Digby. You don't land in the K, you're not in the K. Rufus. You opened too soon. You were all over the radar. All three of you can pack your bags and go home". The three men trudged away. Their opened parachutes hanging over their shoulders and their flight suits sagging with their shoulders. Neil was examining his nails with a furrowed brow. His pale lilac nail polish was chipping. He would have to take it off before meeting Valentine. 

"Eggsy, Roxy", Merlin continued. "You've set a new record. Congratulations. Opening at three hundred feet. That's pretty ballsey. Fall out". 

Roxy and Charlie turned to walk away but Eggsy didn't move. "Sorry, Sir. But why the fuck did you choose me as the gimp?" Merlin tilted his head and Neil looked up at the language. "Am I the expendable candidate?"

"You don't talk to me like that", Merlin's voice had gone low. "If you want to issue a complaint, you can do so to Agent Tristan here". He turned and patted Neil on the shoulder, sending him a wink. Neil glared at him as Merlin grinned slightly and walked away. Eggsy was still fuming where he stood, anger now turned to Neil. 

"I should have guessed you'd pick me as the gimp", Eggsy scowled. "You've had it out for me since I came here". 

Neil sighed and pressed his fingers to his temples, mentally cursing Merlin out. He wasn't in the mood for this. In his pocket, he could feel his phone vibrating with another call. He waved a hand to beckon Eggsy closer. The brunette shrugged and stalked forwards to stand right in front of Neil, so close their chests were almost touching. Neil opened his eyes and met Eggsy's gaze. Blue against green. "You really need to take that chip off your shoulder", he muttered. "I didn't pick anybody, so don't think you're special". Then he reached round and pulled the cord of Eggsy's chute. 

It burst out so suddenly that the wind caught it and the man was yanked back of his feet and dragged a couple of metres across the grass. Neil smirked, mood lighted by the sight of Eggsy's face. He walked after him, stopping in the patch of empty space between Eggsy' legs. His baby blue floral suit bright in the sunlight as he leaned down at the waist to grin at him. "Good work", he breathed. "I was almost impressed. As Merlin said, that was 'pretty ballsey'.

"You going to finally give me a reward then?" Eggsy's voice was low. He raised himself up on his arms to stretch up his neck so that their faces were only an inch apart. 

Neil smiled slow, watching as Eggsy' gaze lingered on his lips. He leaned closer. Head twisting round so that he could whisper in his ear. "Nice try but you're not in the final two yet". Then he pulled a away and rose. He stepped over Eggsy' leg and began walking back towards the mansion. 

"Not yet!" Eggsy called behind him. "Just wait!" It sounded like he was smiling. Neil allowed himself a small private grin where no one could see. Not yet, but he had no doubts that Eggsy would make it.  

--------------

Valantine's house was out of London and near the sea. It was a modern property of white stone and curved walls. Neil smoothed down his emerald green suit, the fabric decorated in black velvet outlines of Art Deco prints, as the limo pulled away. It was strangely silent in the property. No sounds of the party that was supposed to be occurring. There was no one in sight. No staff or other guests. It seemed wrong. He glanced around as he rung the doorbell. "Harry?" the question was just under his breath. 

"He has already arrived", Merlin's voice in his ear. "But there is some interference with the feed. Be careful". Neil pushed the black glasses further up his nose as the door swung open. 

The woman who opened it was small and pretty. She had black hair cut in with a sharp fringe drawing a line across her forehead. She wore black but the silver of her prosthetics gleamed in the light of the hallway. Neil recognised her as Valentine's personal assistant. He greeted her with a polite smile. "Hello. But I seem to be in the wrong place. This is not Valentine's house, is it? I was told there was a gala". 

"Greetings Mr Draven", she smiled. "But Mr Valentine has cancelled the gala this evening. Business plans". 

"Oh", Neil frowned. "That is a shame. I shall be on my way then". He made to turn but the woman's voice stopped him. 

"No no. You have got me wrong. Mr Valentine is still expecting you. If you would follow me". She held open the door and gestured inside. Neil glanced round the open glass and varnished wood hall and stepped in. Outside the sky was a midnight blue. 

"He is?" Neil turned his tone into an innocent question as more warning signals started to tug at his brain. 

"Harry is in the dining room with Valentine", Merlin notified. "They are discussing property rates". 

Neil didn't reply as he followed the woman down the corridor, passing statues and art that lines the walls. There was a set of wooden doors at the end and a spiral set of stairs next to them. Neil expected to be led into the room where he could hear the vibration of voices, instead he was led up the stairs and down another wood floor. The upstairs hall was just as large and decorated as the one downstairs. Half way down was a set of wooden double doors, one of which was ajar and light poured out. Valentine's assistant pulled it open for him and Neil stepped inside. 

The air left his lungs as a sudden static filled his ears. The room was a dark wood with books lining three of the walls. A couch had it's back to the glass window that decorated the last wall and sat on the couch was a familiar figure. Neil swallowed and nervously licked his lips. A flashing light in the corner of his glasses told him that they were off. Something had fried his tech. No Merlin in his ear and no video feed from his glasses. He pulled them off and polished them on his suit jacket before tucking them into his breast pocket before he felt composed enough to greet the man in the room. It was not Valentine. 

"Father", The word was bitter. "This is a surprise". 

The man crossed his hands over his lap and leaned back in his seat. Blonde hair now grey and steel blue eyes cold and sharp. His skin was wrinkled and littered with the occasional pock mark that had come with age, but still the resemblance was uncanny. When he smiled, it was a unfeeling thing, only full of irritation. "Neil. Glad you could make it. Take a seat son and let us talk". 

unedited