The mask

One would expect that the temperature in the Shadow Gallery would be, if not a bit cool, then at least in at a comfortable temperature. This had not been the case over the past few days. Evey had been watching the news earlier in the day and had heard the broadcaster announce that an incredible heat wave had hit England. If she was this uncomfortably warm in an underground lair, she would hate to think of how much people on the surface were suffering.

Clad in loose shorts and a tank top, Evey padded barefoot to the refrigerator for some cold water. She wondered idly where V had gone and when he would be back. Her musings were cut short by the sound of footfalls in the Gallery. A smile graced her lips as she set down her glass and headed to the main room.

"V," she said happily. Her enigmatic lover stood in the middle of the room. His face was smiling at her, as always.

"Evey." The tone of his rich voice betrayed the fact that his real face was smiling at her as well. V closed the gap between them and touched her face. Evey grinned and kissed his masked cheek. She was surprised to find the metal was cool against her lips.

"Mmm," she purred, pressing her cheek against his. "This feels so good." V chuckled and affectionately nuzzled her face and neck, further spreading the delicious cool feeling of the mask. "I heard it was very hot on the surface. Where have you been that was so cold, V?" He tensed in her arms and pulled back slightly. She could feel, rather than see, the guilty look on his face of flesh.

"V, what have you been doing?" Silence. "V, what did you do?"

He tilted his head, considering. "I've paid a visit to Mr. Garner."

Evey blinked in shock and withdrew. "The leader of the remnants of the Norsefire party?" Fear and pain settled in her gut. "V, why? What did you do to him?" The mask smiled at her, and she wanted to smack it. My God, not again. This was supposed to end! I had thought this had ended, that he was done with his bloody vengeance, but he's out killing again. And now he stands here smiling at me, mocking me. God, V!

"I was hidden in the heating vents. Or, as having heat is not an issue, I guess I should call them air conditioning vents. They offer a very good view of the inside of Mr. Garner's office. The cold air was a blessed relief at first, but it did get a bit too chilly for my liking after two hours," he replied blithely.

"My God, V, you waited for two hours to kill this man?" Evey looked at him through narrowed eyes.

"He is not dead." She blinked in confusion. "I had intended to kill him, of course, that is why I left you today. But then I heard him talking and, more importantly, was able to see the look on his assistant's face. Mr. Garner's own assistant was disbelieving and, I think, somewhat repelled by his exalted leader's ideas of rebuilding Norsefire. And then it occurred to me that a million Londoners donned masks and marched on Parliament, despite the danger. How many more sat safely in their homes, secretly wishing that they had the courage to do the same? I remembered, Evey, that the people had originally given Norsefire absolute power, and that the people would not allow this to happen again. The people will not willing deliver themselves back into the hands of those who had oppressed them." V gently grasped his lover's elbows and leaned in towards her. "It was not necessary for me to kill Mr. Garner simply because he is politically dead. Norsefire lost power and now needs the support of the people to regain the power it once had. But the people will never again support the Norsefire's views."

Evey stood in stunned silence for several moments. The notorious V, a man who had almost single-handedly plotted and realized the downfall of an oppressive government was putting his trust in the people. He was staying his murderous hand, and Evey suspected that it was, in part, for her benefit.

V tilted his head and looked at her worriedly. "Does this… disappoint you?" he asked uncertainly. Evey looked into the eyes of her lover's mask and kissed its cool forehead. Even through the barrier of a thick shirt and cape, she felt his muscles relax.

"You know this doesn't disappoint me, V," she replied softly. He wrapped his arms around her slight frame and continued nuzzling her face with his own still-cool mask. V turned her around gently and pressed the length of his body against her back. She shuddered as the lips pressed against the back of her neck in a cool, metallic kiss. Mmm…heaven, Evey thought blissfully as she arched her neck back over her shoulder. She looked at the smiling face behind her and pressed her cheek against it.

"The next time you plan to go somewhere nice and cool… take me with you." V chuckled softly. "Or at least, come back before your mask cools down too much."

Author's note: This is longer than I expected. I had to justify to myself why V's mask was so cold, and having him tell Evey "I was just chilling in a freezer, baby," just didn't cut it. Then, the question of why V was in an air conditioning vent had to be answered. I couldn't think of an innocent reason for this, hence the assassination attempt comes into play. I now wonder if Evey's disbelieving and angry reaction is a bit out of character. Is it just me, or does that part seem to be more like old Evey instead of new Evey? Comments would be appreciated. V's comment is long, but I was trying to show that the realization he made at the end of the movie still stands. He gave the people courage and hope, and finally, gave them his trust that they would no longer stand silently by and suffer the injustices of their government. He is still giving them his trust, to this day. We have Evey to thank for that.