Pardon, forgive (6)
I believe the answer is:
excuse
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'pardon' is the first definition.
(I know that pardon can be written as excuse)
'forgive' is the second definition.
(I know that excuse is a more specific form of the action forgive)
(Other definitions for excuse that I've seen before include "Condone or forgive" , "Justification for wrongdoing" , "Cop out" , "Forgive - allow to pass - plea" , "Defense of offensive behavior" .)