He knew who she was, everyone did. She had been talked about alot during the past couple of weeks. A new hero was one thing, but one so young . . .
The encounter had left Adrian visibly shook, and unable to concentrate fully on his work. So deciding it was better to return home early, then stay out distracted and make a mistake, he finally gave up and headed back towards his New York apartment. He moved silently through the night, unseen, unheard, invisible. The streets were almost empty, he passed no one but drunks, whores and gang members, all the decent folk locked away safely in their beds, hiding from the truth, and hoping that they'll survive the vicious streets again tomorrow. This city disgusted him. The ancient Eygptians would not have allowed their own society to rot in the way this one had. He had never felt close to anybody in his life, no family, no friends to speak of. Nobody. But there was something, something about her face.
Adrian arrived as his building and made his way up the fire escape, to he window he had left open. He pushed back the soft curtain and climbed into his bedroom, letting the window slam shut behind him. He tore at the costume angrily, pulling it off and dropping it heavily onto the wooden floor. He couldn't shake the odd feeling in the pit of his stomach, and he suddenly realised how lonely he truly felt. Leaving the costume discarded on the floor he walked quietly to the bathroom, in nothing but his underwear and turned on the lap above the sink. The room lit up instantly and Adrian smiled. His shoulders ached from another active night, burning away under his skin. He looked up, staring at himself in thr mirror, tired eyes looking back out at him. He turned the shower on and stepped in under the hot stream of water. The first drops stung his skin and Adrain hissed against the pain until his body adjusted and soon the water felt nothing but good.
Being a vigilante was hard, both emotionally and physically. Seeing so much hurt and pain, so much fear, every single night had its effect on a person, and there was only so much he could do, he was only one man. And no matter how many drug rings he bust, rapes or murders he stopped, criminals he but behind bars, there was always a thousand more, just beyond his reach. He soaked in the hot shower for a long time, his head down in thought, his blond hair sticking to the sides of his face as the cascading water dripped down from his chin onto his feet, escaping down the drain. He stood in there until the water ran cold and the sun was starting to rise through the frosted window. He switched the shower off and stepped out, pulling a towel from the hanger beside the sink and wrapping it around his waist, walking back out to his bedroom, leaving a trail of wet footprints behind. Adrian collapsed, exhausted onto his bed, still in the towel, and fell into a deep slumber.
Adrian didn't see her again for two months. Captain Metropolis had come to him with a proposal. He wanted the heros of the modern day to band together as he and his partners had done back in the 40s. He wanted them to work together as a group once more. He held a meeting with all the heros there. Nite Owl and Rorschach, Silk Spectre II, Dr Manhattan, The Comedian, Titan and Adrian himself, Ozymandias. It hadn't gone well. The Comedian hadn't given him much time to speak before interrupting him, shooting down his arguent, setting his map on fire. The masks quickly lost their interest, and soon left.
Adrian had been entirely focused on her the whole time. She stood towards the back of the room, beisdes Silk Spectre II, the girls already friends. She was as beautiful as he remembered her. Her skin pale and perfect, her long hair draped over her shoulder, pooling in the crook of her elbow where her arms were folded against her chest. She had smiled at him when she came in, a small blush falling across her cheeks as she tried desperately to surpress a happy smirk. He had looked at her again lost for words as she glided past him and over to Silk Spectre II. She had been quiet the entire time, listening to the others talk, studying Adrians face curiously while he spoke to the others, her head tilted to one side. Giving him a sweet smile when he met her gaze, making his breath catch once more in this throat.
He gazed after her as she felt, following the others. He had opened his mouth to speak as she past, but managed nothing. And then she was gone.
Soon enough, he found himself in her company again. He had decided that Captain Metropolis was right, if they wanted to have any real impact on the world, they needed to band together, so he thought he himself would try to pull them in, this time without the Comedian. So he too called a meeting to address the situation in America. Again she was silent whilst the others spoke. A very beautiful kind of curiosity on her face. This time they agreed, enthusiastic. After Nite Owl had convinced his reluctant partner that it was indeed a good idea, and not just a publicity stunt. So they banded together, calling themselves The Watchmen. But by far, the best part of Adrians evening was a comment from Nite Owl.
'We should pair up, partners, like Rorschach and me' He suggested.
'But who will go with who?' Silk Spectre II had asked, taking a step forwards.
'Well, I'd like to stay with Rorschach' he noted 'You could go with Dr Manhattan, and Ozymandias could go with Titan' he looked around at the group 'That is if no one has a problem with it?' Adrian's stomach was going insane, the thought of spending time alone with her make him sick with nerves. He wouldn't know what to say, or how to act around her. Or even if he could control his urges. He knew she was young, only 17. A full ten years younger than himself, but he didn't care, There was something about her that drew him in. She entraced him with only the slightest smile or look. And her eyes, it was as if she knew how she made him feel, how his body reacted to her.
'That's not a problem at all' she said, taking a step forward into the group. It was the first time she had spoke since he had met her. Her voice was rich, kind and somewhat mature for a girl of 17. The others mumbled their agreement and talked a little while longer before saying their goodbyes and taking their leave, until there were just the two of them left alone. She smiled, almost seductively as she came to stand in front of Adrian 'So, I guess we're partners' she said nonchalantly.
'So we are' he replied, offering his arm, which she took. 'Come on partner, I'll walk you home'