Weeks, that's how long it's been since Dan's visit to Karnack and the day Rorschach…died. Trying and exhausting, he grieves in silence. Rorschach was his partner as much as a friend, one of his few, albeit the man was near insufferable at times. But that bond never quite severed even after so many years.

Dan sighed and removing his glasses and rubbing his eyes. He'd been here for far too long. Laurie had come by a couple times, concern laden in her eyes as she watched him. He moved slowly, tentatively, like something would break under his touch. She watched him glance to the door and fiddle with the new lock. Subconsciously grazing a scar in the wood around the lock itself. Some of it was subtle and other things were plain as day. But whenever she asked about it the same answer was what she received. It was always, 'I'm fine Laurie really I just need time.' or 'I'm just tired, but thank you.'

But he wasn't, he never was fine with Rorschach being dead and there was a problem with that. 'You quit' Yeah, he quit, but never on Rorschach, Nite Owl would never turn his back, not on him. Too trusting, far too trusting but did he really try to get to know Rorschach, did he really?

So, maybe he could have done more, just maybe, but there were too many maybes and what-ifs on that matter and he was always up too late thinking about it all. Tiring beyond belief, so, for once in the weeks that he mourned Rorschach, Laurie dropped the subject. It took time but somewhere along the line, Dan decided that he was going to move on with his life. He couldn't wallow in his misfortunes and sadness forever. He knew this well. And soon, he began to mend from the damage done.

…

Five days and he's already losing his mind. Every time he goes outside there is an eerie feeling that something is following him. All Daniel has to do is look around and there is no one there. Even at home, there are always eyes on him. He can't shake it and Dan has a feeling he never will. Cause maybe there actually is something watching him. Something from the shadows. Walking down the street he can't help but turn around in a near panic when he feels that creepy crawly feeling running down his spine. The pricks and tingles on the back of his neck.

He's never looked more paranoid in his life. Once and a while he'll stare into the shadows of an empty alleyway and just stare into the wet, dank depths of its walls. He can almost see Rorshach there, looking right back at him in the shadows. Watching him.

…

Laurie came over again and for once he's actually getting along just fine. He's not quite lying when he says that he's over his partner's death. She stays and keeps him company for the night before leaving again. That's when Daniel is left to his thoughts once again, that's when it's the most dangerous.

He had dealt with the loss of companionship for eight years at most but... even with the loss of someone being around it he atleast knew that said person was alive. Perhaps not truly well, but alive. He was sure at the time that the moment his partner died he would know about it. Not that it made it any easier but... he didn't know. It was different now, the loneliness was all the more real. All the more permanent than it had been. But Dan finds that he doesn't have the luxury of the excitement either to bring him away from the moments passed sadness, the silence. It's shallow and its hollow it's empty. Silence is something that he's been living with for some time but now it's all foreign to him.

Daniel's thoughts are disturbed as soon as he realizes he said the last bit out loud. "Silence is foreign. I'll get used to it again."

He knows though, he knows all too well that he won't for some time.

…

The first day after his epiphany and he's starting to notice some strange things, for one, there seems to be a crow following him everywhere. The only reason he noticed was when it didn't move when he went into the shop. He came back out it looked at him, he walked away and it followed for some time. It was only when he turned onto a different street did it leave him be.

A strange animal is all he could think at first but now he's not so sure. Once he gets inside his house it's cold and dark. It's unlike times in the distant past when he would walk in on a house that had been quietly invaded and taken care of before his arrival. He can't dwell on those thoughts now though, not anymore, not when he knows they will never happen again. At least not with the person he's thinking of.

Dan laughs at the thought of someone breaking into his house as a burglary attempt. It was humorous actually, to waltz into the house and be totally unconcerned about anything. Because Dan's aware that his first thought would be that Rorshach had broken in again only to realize then as he walked in 'but Rorschach is dead Dan' he isn't coming back.

The thoughts stop and are quickly silenced by a soft caw from the window. He turns his head and faces the animal outside his window. There's that bloody crow, it pecks the window and stares at him for a moment before taking off. "I'm definitely losing it," Dan mutters to himself, placing the grocery bags on the counter with a huff.

…

Crows, they're everywhere now. They wreak havoc on the skies and fly through the night screaming a lovely tune. There's a problem though, he's only seen one crow in the past few days and it's still following him. Crazy and stupid is all that runs through Dan's head when he thinks about that damn crow that keeps making appearances. "It isn't following me it can't be I'm just seeing things, that's what it is nothing more nothing less than that, just stupid." He mumbles.

"I'm seeing different crows each time and just looking when there is one." That's what he's convinced that it is but he knows deep down that it isn't right.

Dan knows that it is the same crow over and over. Same feathers, same caw, same beady eyes. He sighs, sitting on the couch, barely paying attention to the television. Of course, he reasons, the crow isn't here tonight. Daniel glances out of the window, watching the rain pour down onto the ground like a waterfall. Yeah, no crow out there, no sane bird would go out there and he should know.

Then again, he may have jinxed his luck. There's a shaking noise downstairs which startles him and he hears the clatter of equipment falling to the ground. Daniel shoots up from his place on the sofa and looks to the basement door. Staring at expectantly, waiting for whoever found the entrance to come barreling up the stairs. There's someone down there or... something.

Suddenly, whatever is left of Nite Owl returns to him one fiery blast as he makes his way down the steps. The lights are off and there doesn't seem to be a living thing in site, not even any rats. Dan grasps the wall and searches for the light switch and once it's on he's shocked to say the least.

There in the workshop is no other than a black ball of feathers tangled in wires and tape. How the hell he got tangled in the tape Dan will never know but that's not the only thing he notices. It's the same crow that has been following him for days now maybe longer. The animal shivers and shakes its feathers attempting to free itself from the shackles.

Daniel reaches for the bird and isn't surprised when it pecks at him. No blood is drawn but it still stings. The bird flutters and flaps it, even attempting to use its beak to undo the wires but to no avail. After endless shuffling Dan reaches again, this time there is no peck or warning but what sounds like a huff. It takes only a moment to untangle the pour animal from its binds. The crow rests on Dan's arm, soaking wet from the rain, shivering from the cold, an oddly human reaction.

There is a moment when the retired vigilante takes in the black bird's appearance and stance. Most birds would have taken off the moment they were free but this one didn't. It doesn't grip or claw his arm like many of the hawks that he has handled do but simply stands there. Something else crosses his mind too "How did you get in here?"

The crow cocks its head to the side; Dan thinks this over for a moment. Never has a bird gotten in here before their tendency to stick to the air and not to mess around sewer tunnels pretty much ever prevented it. Why now, how did a crow that has supposedly been following him get in here anyway? As if knowing the crow flies up to the top of Archie and perches there staring back at Dan again with those beady eyes.

He reasons that the crow was out in the cold and just happened to stumble upon the entrance. Thinking that is was a dry place it rushed in out of the rain instead of attempting to get to its nest. There was no other explanation other than that theory.

…

The crow is a regular occupant in his basement now. He doesn't mind the company, in fact, Daniel enjoys it. It's nice to have someone to talk to even though they can't say anything but 'caw' back. Once or twice he's attempted to hold the crow again like that night but each time it shies away. If he doesn't attempt physical contact the animal is fine. It listens to his stories and memories even his thoughts. Or at least that's what he thinks, it is odd though.

Dan sighs and stares at the bird again like many times it looks back. Standing up he walks up the stairs towards his home above but this time it's different. He hears the fluttering of graceful wings as the crow follows him ever so closely. As Daniel opens the door and walks up the blackbird still follows. At first, he is tempted to shoo it back down into the workshop but he doesn't. It is warm up here and cold down there, maybe its compassion or maybe it's just his mood tonight but he lets it pass.

The crow lights upon a lamp and watches Daniel close the basement door behind him. It waits and follows him upstairs, why he doesn't know. It is only when he walks into the bedroom that the crow stays put where it is on the banister outside his door. Like a guard bird, he muses.

The thought is actually funny that there is a bird outside his room watching over him like an avenging angel or something…a bit closer to home.

…

It's around seven maybe eight in the morning when he is awoken by the sound of cawing and flapping. So maybe letting the bird up into his house was a bad idea Daniel groans into his pillow. Getting dressed and putting his glasses on in a mere minute or two he pokes his head out of the door. Except the crow isn't there, in fact, the noise is coming from downstairs, and then there is a second noise and its human.

There's that instant when he becomes Nite Owl again and everything he does is the vigilante within. Rushing downstairs he races to the door or at least as fast as his legs would let him run. Then there is another thing that is terrifying, whatever was happening stopped completely as he reaches where the door is. There is no burglar well…not anymore that is. He can still see where the door was knocked open; the crow rests on the ground. Blood is splattered on the walls and on the crow as well. The animal seems to be lightly wounded and is now content on resting on the floor; Dan picks the blackbird up. No ordinary crow, it has loyalty and devotion as it would seem all towards the second Nite Owl. 'Sure it pecks usually if I try to touch it but it never is too far from me.'

The thought is familiar and the personality of this animal reminds Dan of Rorschach for some reason. Instantly the animal perks and up and attempts to take flight into the air only to lazily rest on a table. Daniel looks to the door knowing that he will have to fix it up for the first time in quite a while. Ever since that night when Rorschach came in and told him about the death of the Comedian, the last case that he would ever perform.

Daniel sighs, letting the memory wash over him in a quiet rush. The little things seem to bring his mind to dark places, bringing memories and feelings back in short, snarling bursts. But who could blame him, he lost his partner, in fact, he watched as his partner screamed for death. Then, the blue god obliged. A red smear in the snow, Laurie seem to care and, to be honest, it bugged him a little. He knew she didn't like Rorschach but he was a good man, he had his flaws...his detrimental flaws but he never quite lost sight of his mission in life.

Of course, something happens that surprises him yet again. "Dan?"

Laurie walks in through the damaged door looking around suspiciously. "I'm fine Laurie, uh, why are you here?"

"I was in the neighborhood and just wanted to.. stop by."

The crow that is still perched on the table makes a cawing noise and flutters over to Dan's shoulder. It's unnerving that the crow makes physical contact for the first time since that stormy night. As it stands perched on his shoulder it reminds Dan of some sort of horror movie, especially with the blood. The usual reaction happens, Laurie asks why his door is knocked open Dan answers and she is sent on her way. No harm no fowl but there is the bird. Apparently, it didn't like Laurie, of course, neither did Rorschach, it was becoming increasingly normal to compare his deceased partner with the crow.

…

This bird was his company and everlasting companion as it would seem. The days went on and soon turned to weeks as then to months. His companion is the crow; he doesn't consider the animal a pet but rather a friend. The animal, he hopes, thinks that same about him. But as time goes on he notices that this crow seems to be more than an animal. It seems rather human to be honest. The more Daniel thinks about it the more it seems ridiculous but then again the more he thinks the more likely that it's true.

It's after a year passes that finally, he realizes the truth.

Daniel is rummaging through random items looking through them all. It's when he grabs the hat that everything unfolds. Nite Owl stares at it for moments because this is…was Rorschach's hat. He wore it on patrol, on their last mission and times before the last mission. It can't be given to anyone else. Fate interfered that day though and time stood still as the hat was taken from his hand.

The crow's claws grip the fabric and fly it over to a beam in the attic. The black animal perches there and seems mesmerized by it. "Hey, give that back." His voice is raised and cracking.

Daniel wants to say a name but he knows that he never gave the bird one. For some reason, every name he tried was struck down in his mind as if the animal needed no name.

The crow cocks its black head and still stares at the hat. Familiar is a word that comes to mind as Dan stares the animal down. The bird then looks at him, its eyes an abyss of darkness that pulls the man in. Soon he finds himself inches away from the crow without any notion as to why. Then he sees it. He sees what is so familiar about this crow, its eyes are odd, its eyes aren't a pure black like most crows, in fact, there's a ring around them. A blue ring, almost as if they were human eyes staring back at him.

Daniel lets a shudder run down his spine. It isn't that they resemble a human's, no, not at all. These eyes, he knows them he knows them all too well. They are Rorschach's eyes, somehow he knows this, somehow he's always known just too naïve to notice. He only ever saw Rorschach's eyes once. The day he died. They were blue, they were haunting and they were pleading. How could he forget them now?

For a moment every instinct in his body tells him to run and hide because those can't be his partner's eyes. They can't be his brother's eyes, he stands there still watching them looking into the abyss of darkness. These eyes they have seen so much more, so much more than he will ever understand. It as if the crow…no, Rorschach speaks to him 'Hello Daniel' he can hear the voice as clear as day.

As Daniel reaches out his hand the crow lits upon it and he understood. He understood like Rorschach once had.

…

It takes only twenty-five years before someone catches up with him. That someone is death; he has had a full life. He spent it with two people one goes by the name Rorschach to other's name is Laurie. He married her, never had any kids which made Sally distraught but Laurie was happy that made him happy. Rorschach got past his grudge against the female or at least he thinks. Rorschach had cohabitated with her for twenty-five years but not without a squall or caw of complaint though. The woman he admired had passed two years prior, he, being very much blind and elderly was sent to a nursing home. It was too quiet there for his taste sure he had his brother but even he could not speak English.

Dan had made an agreement that if the crow kept quiet then he could keep Rorschach. One bad move and this could all come crashing down. The people here were friendly and old some loved his friend others despised him. Some actually looked at him and said "You know this crow actually reminds me of a maniac back in the day. Ruthless little terrier his name was…oh uh…Rorschach that's it. He was a good man for a while until the killing started." Some would reminisce about the heroes and vigilantes none of them actually knowing that one was living in the same building as them.

It didn't matter after a while Daniel never came out of his room he was becoming too weak to walk. Days passed and as they passed his time on this earth grew shorter. He could feel it deep in his bones that his death was nearing. Rorschach did not seem too awfully worried but who could tell when your blind and crows can't speak. Dan listened to the soft hum of the radiator and then to something he never heard before. It sounded like a human voice actually not speaking but singing a faded tune of old.

He couldn't identify it but it was soothing Dan could feel it pulling him to the endless possibilities of sleep. Maybe it wasn't sleep, there was a thud and everything went numb for a moment. Daniel's ailing joints settled suddenly and his body felt like it did back when he was young. He didn't realize anything unsettling until it already happened.

Daniel was standing that he was sure of, he hadn't moved from his room it was just the fact that he was standing. There was a flutter as a ball of black feathers burst from the other side of the bed. It scrambled and struggled before landing on the bed where Dan…his body lay. Dead, death had taken him now but Rorschach was now alone in a crow's body. The bird fluttered once again resting its talons on the fabric. Rorschach flopped over onto his side and let out a strangled cry.

At first, the noise was startling and downright scary to hear. He was to follow Daniel but it still hurt to watch someone die all over again. The body soon stopped moving and breathing Dan knew that he was dead.

It felt like hours but he knew it was only seconds as a human body materialized from the crow. Daniel smiled for what felt like so very, very long "Hello Daniel" the gruff voice was unmistakable. His instincts were ignored as he rushed up and hugged Rorschach like a kid on Christmas morning. For once Rorschach did not object to human contact, in fact, be embraced it. "It's good to see you again Rorschach, for a while, I thought you weren't going to join me."

A dry chuckle escaped the vigilante's lips "Was sent to keep an eye on you Daniel, intended to."

That night he saw every one of his since passed friends and family. Just maybe Rorschach is more than a partner just maybe he's a brother.