1.

Evey made her way grudgingly through the streets, to the market to pick up food and such necessary items for the week. As she walked she didn't really notice the people or any of their conversation topics, she knew what they would be about.

November the fifth.

Had it really been a year? Could it possibly have only taken a year for the original government to collapse and for the people of England to regain control? Apparently so, she was reminded as she walked past a bank displaying the date proudly in red neons.

Evey had helped of course but Finch had become the real key player after V died. she knew that none of what change had been made would have been possible with out him. He really was a great revolutionary thinker, so quietly opinionated and commanding at times. Of late there had been many speeches made, about Finch. Some, accusatory, but most had been about how many wanted him to be the new figure head of the english government.

As evey made her rounds at the market, she saw more than one child, or teenager wearing a V mask, she new that this was supposed to be a symbol of remembrance of the day he made the ultimate sacrifice, but to her it felt like a personal reminder of all that she had lost. Her masked lover was gone, no matter what legacy he lay behind.

Every time she passed a V in the market or in the street on her way home she was instantly reminded of his voice, the feel of his leather gloved hands that she she had only rarely had the opportunity to hold. Almost as soon as she rounded the corner of her street she turned around, and went back the way she had came. And soon she was at the entrance of the secret tunnels that led to her favorite place in the world, the shadow gallery.

Although V had left it to her to with what she wanted she could not bring herself to live there alone, without the smell of his cooking or the sound of his wonderful collection of music. Instead Evey kept it for special moments when she was overcome with a longing for V's presence.

Evey had not been to the gallery in many weeks, and when she entered she noticed several things askew. The door to V's chamber was ajar and something smelled of garlic, and whatever culinary delight he was preparing for her. Instantly she new that it was her mind playing tricks on her. as soon as she shook her head the flicker of hope and the tantalizing smells faded into the stone walls and the shadows.

But the door remained ajar, obviously not a figment of her imagination. The slight opening seemed to call her, like a beacon in the dark, drawing her in.

When she peered into the room nothing was out of place, just as she had left it, she must have left the door open. It was not V back from the dead, what a stupid hope. she thought to herself.

As she looked around the room she felt the tears begin to well up in her eyes. Before she knew it Evey had flung herself onto V's large bed and curled her face into the beautifully soft sheets, that still held the slightest bit of his scent.

Evey cried herself to sleep that night in the comfort of V's bed, but not his arms.

***

When Evey awoke her nose was immediately assaulted by what she thought to be the phantom scents of bacon and maple syrup. But even after she closed her eyes, and concentrated on reality she could not rid the overly sweet and mouth watering scents of breakfast.

Instantly Evey found herself leaping from the bed and sprinting to the kitchen.

She entered the kitchen at the exact place he was looking as though he had willed her to the exact spot. For only a moment did she stop to take in his appearance, before flinging herself at him, pushing him against the granite counter, and enveloping herself in his arms.

"Evey..." he whispered, his voice trailing off into her her hair, making her skin crawl.

She felt his warm body encase her in it's strong frame, protectively but not overly so, concerned but at the same time loving.

finally after what could have been hours Evey felt his hands slide up her arms and to her cheeks, as he gently pulled her face to look at him,

"I'm sorry" he said tenderly while his fingers caressed Evey's cheek.

She understood what he meant.

He continued, "I should not have made you wait so long, but I am afraid there was really no choice Evey." as he spoke her name he thought how good it felt to finally have her name on his lips, to say it aloud.

"Shhh." she said to V, "don't apologize please V, i just want to know what happened."

As she finished speaking she let her hand trail up his back. she felt him slightly twitch away, but he did not move, which was a good sign considering his intimate proximity problems.

"Of course dear. I will explain over breakfast." he said finally breaking away from her to gather upon a plate enough pancakes and bacon for two full grown men, but Evey was grateful, and she knew she would end up eating it all.