FicWad

Chapter 5


V stood on the rooftop staring at city below him. He was hunting by himself this time; he needed space to think. He closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh, replaying the events that happened between he and Victoria earlier in the faux Gallery.

-----------------Flashback---------------------
Victoria was exploring the gallery looking at the paintings, statues, and his jukebox among other things. The box was magical to her----she was fascinated by how it's colors would change with the music. She walked around asking 'What is this?' or ' How does it work?' while V watched her, a smile on his lips. For some odd reason, he grew comfortable leaving his mask and gloves off in the privacy of the gallery. When he did this, Victoria smiled like an angel, and very slowly he began doing things to see that smile. He would answer her and she would go to the next item. He would chuckle and follow her to the next statue, painting or mechanical device that caught her eye, showing her how it worked, or educating her on a painting hundreds of years old, or a statue that held special meaning to him. He was in the process of showing her how to work the telly and dvd when her hand accidentally brushed his---electricity shot through his body. She pulled her hand away, hiding it behind her back. Glancing up, she caught his gaze and her eyes widen with surprise. V knew what she was seeing in his eyes----hunger---not the kind he felt when he had the need to feed, but slow burning desire.
The surprise turned to questioning.
"V?" she asked worryingly.
He couldn't take it any longer------turning, he grabbed her shoulders, slamming her against the couch----sliding them across the stone floor from the impact-----when it stopped V was on top Victoria, his body pressing her into the cushions as he placed wet kisses on her neck. She didn't resist, she didn't even hold him----she was still as stone. V didn't stop--- he didn't want to, he wanted to make her his----------- that thought burned in his mind until a flash of memory stopped him-----Evey.
"V?" Victoria asked gently against the side of his face.
It was like cold water splashed all over him----he froze, not even breathing. He was on his feet, his back facing Victoria within seconds. " I--I'm sorry Victoria.....I--I didn't mean.....I wasn't........"
"It's ok V, I understand what you are going through." She rose from the couch, touching his arm gently.
"Why didn't you resist? Why didn't you say something?" He asked, his eyes begging for understanding.
"Because I want to make sure this is something you want to do---something you won't end up regretting later.” Victoria answered calmly. “ I've waited this long for a mate, I can wait as long as it takes.” Her hand touched his face, and he turned into it. He did not speak, as his hands clenched into fists, loathing what he had done. She watched him silently and sighed as she closed her eyes.
"V......" Victoria spoke softly, " I think you need to be out----in the night, “ she paused, “ so you
can sort out your thoughts."
He nodded and left the room without looking at her.
---------------------End------------------------------
V sighed at the memory------what was happening to him? Why did he attack her like
that? Why had he done that? All of these questions rolled around in his mind. He already knew the answers and for some odd reason it didn't frighten him. He was slowly falling in love with Victoria----- but part of him still longed for Evey-------even though she had moved on. He stood quietly as the gentle breeze brushed against him, ruffling his shoulder length hair. It was the first time he had ever been with out the mask or gloves----then he heard it; Evey's voice calling for him. Without hesitation, he jumped off the roof and followed the voice. Within seconds, he found her and what he saw shook him to the very core. Evey lay unconscious in the middle of the darkened alley, three men standing around her. Again without hesitation V jumped off the roof and landed silently behind them
" What do you suppose we do with her?" asked one of the men.
“What do you think we outta do?" One of the others answered, smirking as he began to unzip
his pants.
The other two began to follow his lead. V couldn't take it anymore, reaching into his boot cuff, he pulled the single knife out, it's blade shimmering in the low light. He was upon the man without warning, the blade cutting through the jugular, almost severing the head from the neck.
"What the hell?!"
In a blink of an eye, all three lay dead at V's feet. It was simple snapping the other two's necks-------------- it was like breaking a small twig. He would let them remain here for Finch and his partner to find. V turned and looked at Evey, dropping to one knee to see if she had been harmed in any way--------her cheek and chin would have a bruise from a hit she had received, but other than that, she was fine. He looked in her pockets searching for her cell, removed it and found Dominick's office number. Pressing the send button, a connection was made immediately.
“ Inspector Stone.” A voice answered.
V froze for a moment, then taking a breath spoke into the phone. “ Inspector Stone, I just found Miss Hammond passed out near Victoria Station. I suggest you get here as quickly as you can. I'll remain here until you arrive.”
" Wh--what? Who is this ? What happened?"
" No time for questions Inspector, lets just say I am a friend. Please hurry.” V closed the phone, and turned back to Evey putting the cell back in its place, as she began to stir. He knew he should leave, but he couldn't--- his legs were glued to the ground. He held his breath hoping she wouldn't wake up, but fate was a cruel mistress, and her eyes slowly began to open.
“ V?” She whispered as she tried to focus her eyes.
V turned to face her, to show the man behind the mask she had always wanted to know.
“ No, Miss Hammond, I'm not V. “ He said sadly as he knelt beside her. “ I've called for help, it's on the way.”
“ Who are you?” She asked looking into the man's eyes----they seem to be glowing.
“ Just a friend.” He smiled at her.
“ Thank you, “ V helped her to sit up slowly, her hand going to her bruised cheek. “ I----I thought you were someone I knew.”
V smiled, “ No harm done.” He helped her to her feet. “ I told the police I would remain here with you until they arrived.”
Evey looked at the man. He was quite handsome, what she could see of him in the dim light. Tall, muscular build, shoulder-length hair that lay recklessly across broad shoulders-------then she saw the way he held his wrists at his waist, and bells went off in her head. Her mouth dropped as she reached her hand out toward him.
V backed away slowly as he heard sirens approaching at a high speed. “ Good night.” He said before disappearing into the shadows, then whispered softly, “Evey.” He watched as a car screeched to a stop, red light flashing atop the dash and Stone sprinted from the driver's side to where she sat. He reached a hand out to her, and she folded into his arms, Dominic holding her close.
“ Are you alright, Eve?” Stone asked as he released his grip, his hand touching her cheek as he looked at her.
“ One of them got a lucky punch in, but I'm ok.” She blushed looking up at him.
V watched them from the shadows, jealousy rising up in his body. Stone had everything he had ever wanted----a normal life, a normal body, and most of all----Evey. He saw her place her left hand on his shoulder, and that was when the sparkle caught his eyes. On her finger sat a diamond ring. ' She's engaged....' he thought sadly, ' yet, it was my name she called----not the Inspector's......' Somewhere within him, a small spark of hope was lit as he closed his eyes and leaned back against the brick wall. He knew what he had to do-------he had to confront her, he had to know if he could give Victoria the answer she so desperately wanted to hear-----he needed to know if he could move on with his life. If Evey choose him, there was only one way they could be together------something he could not do to Evey-----he would sit in the blazing sun and let it take him before he turned her into one of the undead! 'God!' he cried silently into the darkness, ' Why are you tormenting me?! Hasn't my life in this hell been enough to appease you?' He opened his eyes in time to Stone leading her to his police car, and shutting the door after her. He spoke with the other officers for a few moments, then returned to his car, driving out of the alleyway. Silently, V rose to the roof top, following them.
-----------------------------------------------------
Victoria watched as V disappeared across the rooftops following the car. She had been on the roof of the building that shielded the Shadow Gallery when she had heard his name cried out. It was a female voice-----and only one female would have used his name---Evey Hammond. She followed the copper scent through the air, and arrived upon the rooftop of a nearby building, watching as V took out three men, leaving their bodies lying on the wet pavement. She had watched as he went to Evey, kneeling beside her checking her condition, then finding her phone, had most likely put in a call to the
police, then replaced it back in her jacket pocket. Victoria's eyes narrowed as he helped her into a sitting position, then as sirens appeared in the distance, moved back into the shadows.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dominic walked Evey to the front door of her apartment. “ I have some paperwork to do at the station----will you be ok?”
Evey looked up at him, a soft smile on her lips. “ I'll be fine, Dom. My jaw is sore, that's all.” She reached up and kissed him gently.
“ I'll be back as soon as I can.” He whispered before turning and walking away.
Evey shakily turned the key in the lock and pushed the door opened. Stepping inside, she locked it behind her. She laid her purse and keys on the nearby table, and then threw her coat on the couch. Flipping the wall switch on, entered the kitchen, taking a bottle of wine from the cabinet, and sat it on the counter. Reaching into the adjacent shelf, she pulled out a small glass and poured it half full. Leaning against the counter, she took a long drink. She stared at the burgundy colored liquid as her finger slowly traced the rim of the glass. Once again, her mind wandered back to the man in the alley. Had she imagined the characteristics between V and him? She remembered, upon opening her eyes, the three bodies laying on the wet pavement not to far from her.......and how he had helped her to her feet with no effort on his part. She exhaled a deep breath-----he certainly did not look like V from what she could remember-----his bare hands had no scar tissue covering them, and those eyes-----god, they stared right through her, and she swore they glowed in the dim light of the alleyway. Finishing off the drink, she headed for the bedroom to take a shower.
V slowly opened the bedroom window with his knife and crawled inside, hiding in the shadows. He could hear the water in the bathroom shower running, so he stepped into the dim light that shone through the open door. Moving silently around the room, he spotted a nearby table---reaching down, he picked up a picture---Dominick and Evey smiling, looking very much in love. Slowly, he replaced it, his eye catching something else-----the red domino that he had placed on the train earlier that fateful evening. Picking it up, his hand closed around it very gently as he held it to his chest. The water shutting off caught his attention, and he replaced the domino, disappearing back into the shadows of the corner.
Evey walked out of the bathroom dressed in her robe, a towel in her hand as she lightly drew it across her still short hair. She stopped, as her eyes very slowly skimmed the room. “ Hello?” she spoke into the darkness----listening. She continued looking around the room. Sighing, she threw the towel on the nearby chair and walked toward the bed, just as she caught the movement of something out the corner of her eye. Keeping her eyes peered into the direction she had seen the movement come from, she slowly opened the drawer of a table and took out a small pistol. “ I know there's someone here-----come out.” Reaching over, she turned the bedroom lamp on.
She saw a shadow loose itself from the darkness, and she took aim with her gun.
“ Hello, Evey.” V spoke softly as he moved into the light and her field of vision.
“ Who are you? What are you doing in my home?” She raised the gun to chest height.
“ You know who I am-----search your heart.” The man spoke, his voice a low intoxication to her
ears.
“ What do you mean?” She asked as he drew closer to her. “ I don't know you!” Evey stared at him for a minute, “ You're the man from the alley-----you're the one who took out the fingerman.” She looked up at him slowly, shaking her head. “ I only know of one man who could do that, and he's dead.......” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
“ Your heart knows the truth, my love----all you have to do is accept it.” He reached out and took the gun from her trembling hands. His eyes searched her amber ones.
“ V?” She looked up at him, in shock.
“ Yes.” He whispered in the voice she thought never to hear again.
Her bottom lip began to tremble as she reached up to touch his face, but was caught gently with his other hand. “ What happened? You.....you were dead.....” Her eyes scanned the pale white skin.
“ So much has happened, Evey. “ He sighed, “ I don't know where to start.”
“ I don't care.....you're alive---that is all that matters.....” She threw herself at him, her arms wrapping around his waist-----but pulled back, “ My god, you're so cold----you're freezing.....”
V touched her face with his hand---a hand as cold as ice. “ I know......I've come to say good-bye.” He smiled down into her eyes, now full of confusion.
“ Good-bye-----I don't understand.....you just got here.....” Evey began.
“ I'm not alive Evey, I'm dead.”
“ What?!” She looked up at him, “ I don't understand....”
Gently, he took her hand and placed it on his chest.
Evey pulled her hand back as if she had been scalded with hot water. “ Oh, God! Oh, God!” Her hand went to her mouth as she backed away from him, and V saw something in her eyes he thought he would ever see again-----fear--- fear of him.
“ Evey, please....” He moved toward her, his hand out stretched.
“ Stay away from me!” She cried, “ You're dead! You have no heartbeat!”
He lowered his hand as he backed away. “ I just wanted to know if you and Stone were happy.”
“ What does that matter........what happened to you? What happened to the scars-----how did you heal them?” She began to shake as her brain twisted in doubt and fear. “ Oh God, what happened to you, V?”
He exhaled deeply, as sadness filled his voice. “ I have to go.....Goodbye, Eve.” He smiled at her one last time, then vanished into the darkness.
Evey collapsed to the floor, her eyes fixed on the window. Had it really happened? Or, was it a result of the punch she had taken from one of the fingermen?
“ Evey?” She heard Dominic's voice call from the living room.
“ I'm in the bedroom, Dom.” She called, pulling herself from the floor, and walked to the window. Looking out into the darkness, she closed and locked it. Laying her palm flat against the glass, a single tear rolled down her cheek. “ Good-bye, V.” She whispered, walking away.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victoria was sitting on the couch when V arrived home. She turned, looking over her
shoulder at him, and she knew that the meeting between he and Evey had not gone the way he had expected. She had returned to the second Shadow Gallery once she had seen him enter through the window into the building, no longer able to stay and listen. He raised his head, his eyes catching hers. She had never seen him this way before, his eyes held such deep sadness in them, while his face showed no emotion at all. “V?” she asked softly, “Is everything ok?” She waited for his reaction.
“Hmmmm?” He mummered as he snapped out of his trance, finally looking at her. “ Did you say something?”
“ I asked if everything was alright?” she repeated, watching him.
He hesitated for a moment, remembering what had just happened between him and Evey.“Yes, I'm fine Victoria, nothing is wrong.” V answered as he began to walk away.
“You're lying.” She stated calmly, rising to her feet.
He stopped and turned to look at her. “ What makes you think that?” he asked calmly, no emotion showing in his voice
“ A gut feeling.” She replied with a shrug, coming to stand within a few feet of his back.
He turned to her, his face full of pain and sorrow. She watched as his shoulders slumped, his arms hanging limply by his side.
“What has upset you so, my love?" she asked concerned, her hands gently touching his arms.
“Nothing....” His words falling silent as a tinge of pain caressed his deep voice.
Victoria wrapped her arms around his waist, laying her head on his chest. “ Do not lie to me, V...” she said gently, “….for, I know when you are.”
He looked down at her with a look of confusion. “How so?”
She chuckled softly, looking into his violet eyes, “Our bond, remember?" she asked, then placed her hand on his muscular chest, her fingers tracing patterns in the black doublet's material. “ I told you about it when we first met.”
He nodded as memories played in his mind of the time when he told her he loved Evey and it was impossible to love her, how ironic it was now that he was falling in love with this creature--- the one who had said......... “ Victoria?”
“ Yes, my love?”
“You've changed since we first met.” He pointed out, lifting her head so he could see into the black void of her eyes.
She looked up at him, “What makes you say that?”
“Before, you didn't believe in love, now, you address me as your love.” He replied, “ What made you change your belief so quickly?”
Victoria stiffened a little when she realized that it was true---- her feelings had changed toward V and she knew the answer for it. At first, she thought of him as something no more than a mate-----someone to spend eternity with---it was rare among vampires to change their personalities after they transformed. Everything seem to freeze in time for them----- what food they had liked or
disliked, their fashion sense----- everything about the person was frozen. Only their mate could change them. She squeezed his waist gently. “You.....” She answered, “You, made me change" she said softly.
“ Me?” V questioned, smiling slightly as his hand gently brushed against her cheek. “Why?” he asked.
Victoria smiled lovingly at him, her hand touching his cheek and V looked deeply in her eyes.
“ Because you have the most beautiful soul I have ever seen.” She said simply, “ I would love you even if you still had your scars.”
Very slowly, V's eyes once again began to cloud with sadness as the memories of Evey returned.
“ Please tell me what's wrong, my love....” She pleaded, “ I cannot bare to see you like this.”
He looked deep in her eyes, finding only but worry, trust and most of all, love. V closed his eyes and sighed in defeat. “ When I was atop the rooftop, trying to grasp everything that was happening, I heard Evey crying for me----I could tell there was something wrong.” He paused looking
at her reaction, “Naturally, I went to her-------I found her unconscious, several fingermen were about to attack her.....” He growled the last part, “ those three were easily taken care of. I checked her for any injuries----luckily she had only a bruise on her cheek. After that, I called Stone to pick her up. I stayed there until he arrived.”
“ Did she see you?” Victoria asked.
V hesitated, “ Yes, she saw me and asked if I were V-----I told her no... at first.”
“At first?” Victoria repeated softly.
He gave in, “ I followed her to her home and confronted her there.” He hesitated again, “ I gave her a choice------either she could stay with me, or....” He heard her hold her breath, “Or make a new life with Stone.”
“ What did she choose?" she asked in a whisper.
“ I don't know, I left before she could answer.....” V smiled gently at her and cupped her cheek with his hand. “ I think if she would have chosen me, I would have said ' no'. ”
Victoria looked at him, her eyes full of confusion. “ Why?” She asked.
“ Because I have changed as well.” He answered in a whisper.
“ How?” She asked, breathlessly.
“ Because of you.” V leaned closer, their faces, inches apart. He could smell her scent, and he inhaled it deeply. Victoria froze as he pulled her to him in a much wanted embrace----- he had to make the move first....... and very slowly, he captured her lips and gently kissed her for the first time.