A/N: Thanks for the great reviews, Oriental :) As always…you rock!
Disclaimer: Tra-la-la…V for Vendetta isn't mine. Don't claim it.
- - - - - - -
Shutting the door to her flat quietly, Evey kicked her sandals off with a heavy sigh. "Home sweet home." She grumbled negatively, exhausted body collapsing upon her white couch. Sprawled out on her back, her bare feet hung over the arm of the couch. Evey watched her wiggling toes dully, carefully keeping her gaze away from the glass doors of the balcony. She fought against the constant temptation, sparing herself the lonely ritual that constantly ended her evenings with no reward but bitter tears.
A heavy breath brushed past her lips as she crushed a pillow to her chest.
"Not tonight. Sorry, V." Evey whispered wearily, staring blankly at the creases of the ceiling. Once curled upon her small bed, she allowed her eyelids to slowly close. If only for that one night, Evey Hammond fell into a slumber without tears and painful regrets. But even while sleeping, her mind could not escape the memories of November 5th, no matter how she pleaded to forget.
The dreams came to her in rapid movements, flashes of random memories racing within her mind.
"Viola! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran." V's voice poured out smoothly as the masked man stroke a crimson V across the bricks.
"A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having." His massive frame bowed elegantly before her.
A small torn paper was pushed through the small hole in the walls of Evey's cell. She reached for it desperately, bruised and dirty fingers hastily unraveling the small note.
"Would you like to?" V asked her, light excitement detectable even behind the mask. "Does it have a happy ending?" She whispered.
He tightly gripped her wrists, a mournful sigh escaping him. "Evey, please. There is a face beneath this mask, but it's not me."
"You tortured me," Evey cried out. He held her body tightly, lowering to his knees with her. "Why?"
"By itself, a symbol is meaningless, but with enough people…blowing up a building can change the world."
"I don't want you to die.." Tears fell from hers eyes as she stared down at V.
She rested her head against his chest, smiling faintly to herself as they danced within the darkness of the gallery.
"So let me finish by saying," V turned towards Evey, resting one hand behind his back, "that it's my very good honor to meet you." A gloved hand reached out, hovering beforee Evey to help her to her feet.
A loud explosion was sounded. Sobbing, Evey fell to her knees with her arms wrapped around her stomach.
"And you may call me V."
Evey groaned softly, brows pressing together before her eyelids slowly parted. She'd avoided staring over the empty city, ignored the hidden winding tunnels, to spare herself one night of memories. She had failed greatly, and upon her sleep broken by unnerving memories, Evey slowly sat up. She moved towards the glass doors that lead to the balcony, but she withdrew in mid step and turned back towards the messy bed. The thoughts of resting raising an unpleasant moan from her throat. Looking over her shoulder towards the balcony, her mind wavered between both predicaments. Neither seemed likely to bring Evey's mind at ease.
"Bloody hell." She grumbled in annoyance, complying in the urges to settle upon the balcony. "Fine." With the doors pulled open slowly, and the cold winds rushed into her flat. Evey settled against the chilled railing, her body trembling only for a short moment as she searched for the hidden underground tunnels. She stared into the shadows, quickly finding the alleyway. As the winds whipped at her bare arms and face mercilessly, Evey's body slowly became numb to the cold. Thoughts wound up, as though carried by the evenings winds, she became oblivious to her surroundings as she dwelled within curiosity of the mornings headlines. 'No body, so is he alive?' Evey instantly cringed at the thoughts, as though she'd betrayed her own mind. 'No,' She hissed within, 'You saw it. You were there when.. ' Her eyes closed quickly, trying to force away the image. "God, don't do this." She pleaded aloud with herself. Once she forced her eyes opened, she willed herself to keep them away from the alley. Merely gazing down at the streets below, Evey continued to battle with herself over logic or consolation. 'I do miss you. I miss you so much,' Her thoughts wound, the nightly tears surfacing in her eyes. Shaking her head slowly, she pushed away from the railing. 'I want to go there. I want to see you..' Despite the hatred for her own tears, she allowed them to fall freely down her cheeks. 'Go look. Just to see if he's there.' She flinched again, one eye closing as the very thought brought insipid pain. Leaning back against the railing, her eyes traveled towards the dark alley. 'He won't be there. It'll only hurt to see he's gone.' Slowly, tensed muscles began to relax as she contradicted her heart. 'Still…I know he's gone. I'm expecting the Shadow Gallery to be empty. I can go…' She tried to rationalize with herself, 'It can't hurt worse when I know he's not there.' An audible whimper left Evey as she straightened her posture. 'It can't hurt worse. I know what to expect.' She repeated to herself, strengthening her decision. Slamming the balcony door behind her, Evey rushed through her flat before giving herself the chance the change her mind. Grabbing nothing but the black jacket hanging near the front door, Evey raced down the empty streets barefoot. A long nightshirt protected only her thighs as the winds stung at her exposed legs while she ran. She continued to mentally prepare herself for the gallery; to find it empty. Rooms where she and V once accompanied now vacant. She tried to steady her heart, fighting every hope that dared to linger within. 'He's dead' Evey frowned at her thoughts, but slowly found acceptance in V's status. Slowly descending the stairway, her eyes traced over the gallery. It was as empty and quiet as she'd believed, nothing gracing the gallery but its many paintings and random books scattered throughout the many rooms. A single tear ran down her left cheek, and she hastily brushed aside the evidence of disappointment. "See?" She whispered aloud, failing an attempted a chuckle as it was overpowered by a near sob. Evey's fingered traced the back of the couch as she moved around quietly, bare feet nearly tiptoeing around the gallery as though she were trespassing. She tried to smile, not fighting the memories she often wished to push aside, and ignoring the stabbing pain in her chest with each nod of how correct she was. "Empty." She stated when moving down the hall. Evey glanced into the vacant bathroom, and found herself delaying by V's door. 'Just go,' She urged herself ' Its empty. You know its empty.' Breathing a quiet sigh, she gripped the silver handle gently as she closed her eyes. 'Empty' She gritted her teeth as she turned the handle. No matter her reassurance, her hearts pounded heavily in her chest as she slowly pushed the door open. Releasing the handle, she forced her eyes open. Empty.
She forced another smile, blinking away the tears that clouded her vision. Softly, she pulled the door shut. Palms pressed against the wood, Evey smile twisted into a frown. Teeth grinding, she pushed away from the door in anger. He wasn't there. Moving away from V's room, she threw her own door open in frustration. 'Just get out. He's gone.' but thoughts melted into words. "Why cant I just leave?!" An audible cry escaped her when she pushed open the door to her old bedroom. She went to gasp, but her breath caught in her throat, and for a moment even her heart stilled. Evey worked so hard in preparing herself; trying to convince herself that he was truly dead. She refused to allow 'What if…'s
She expected to find an empty gallery, and emotions were caught completely off guard at the cloaked man sitting comfortably upon the floor of her bedroom. All hopes pushed aside to lessen the pain; there was nothing for Evey to fall upon when she was wrong. "V?" She whimpered hoarsely, falling against the doorframe.
-- -- -- -- --
Cliffhanger, indeed. But I feel it's a reasonable place to pause.
As always…your thoughts are greatly appreciated. Sour or sweet.
