Hello, all! I just want you to know, I love you all for your amazing reviews! You are really what keeps me going! This is just a teaser chapter, but I promise you the V/Finch dinner showdown is coming up next. In fact, I hope to have it up before the weekend is over. Enjoy :)

Evey woke after the best sleep she'd had in weeks. A smile lit her face when she breathed in and smelled nothing but leather and spice... V. Opening her eyes sleepily, she realized V was contently acting as her pillow as he read. A book was poised in one hand while the other absentmindedly drew circles across her shoulder blades. No wonder she had slept so comfortably.

V sat down his book when Evey began to stir. He'd been up for hours but couldn't convince himself to leave Evey to an empty bed. Not after the strain he'd put them through.

"Ahh... good morning, mademoiselle."

His voice was full of such awe and reverence that Evey felt her value to him was far more than even his elegant words could convey; yet only he could make her feel that way by using so few.

"Good morning, yourself," Evey smiled, putting her hand on his chest as she leaned forward to kiss his cheek.

Rubbing her eyes, Evey turned from him to look at the clock and felt dread hit her full force. She was more than two hours late. Feeling a headache coming on, she narrowed her eyes at V in disapproval.

The vigilante was easily sprawled on his side, facing her, looking at his hands in a mock portrayal of regret.

"V, why didn't you wake me?"

V's mask titled toward her and she could feel the hidden amusement rolling off him in waves.

"Well, I must admit, being a pillow is much harder work than it would seem. That and I assumed you would want to delay your hangover for as long as possible."

Rolling her eyes, Evey carried out her sudden urge to smack the smirk off his Fawkes mask with a pillow, but V easily caught it and used it to his advantage to pull her back to him with a playful "Ha, ha!" Evey was surprised to find herself lying on top of him, his arms wound around her as if he'd won.

Hmm, she'd never noticed before how playful V was in the morning. Noting it for future reference, she immediately forgot how late she was when V leaned up to whisper in her ear,

"What I failed to mention is that I very much enjoy being your pillow..."

His rich voice did funny things to Evey's insides. Her eyes now bright and sleepiness forgotten, Evey's hands found V's shoulders and she pressed herself into him, lips finding where mask met skin.

"Well, I'm sure you'll have plenty of nights to perform your pillow duties..."

Evey felt V gasp as her lips grazed his skin and relished in the feel of his bare hands running slowly down her body. Before he could reply, she kissed his mask in a way that stole his breath away before promptly springing off of him and out of the bed. V sat up quickly, surprised by her sudden retreat but ready to give chase should it come down to it. Looking at him coyly from the doorway, Evey chastised,

"I really must get ready now."

V stood, approaching her slowly, his stance almost predatory. Evey felt a thrill of excitement when he casually leaned his arm against the door jam, his mask hovering just above her head.

"As a wheel turns smoothly, my will and my desire were turned by love, the love that moves the sun and the other stars...*" V's hand moved to lovingly caress the side of her face. "... surely the council cannot displace desire of such magnitude?"

"You of all people should know we don't always get what we desire," Evey replied, her hands slowly running down the front of his shirt, smoothing it out as she felt V's muscles tense underneath. She peered up at him from beneath her eyelashes, her words falling quietly,

"At least not without a great deal of patience."

V did not miss the meaningful glance she gave his mask before disappearing into her room. He crossed his arms as he watched her go. Every time he thought he had Evey figured out she surprised him. It was one of the many reasons he loved her. Evey poked her head out from behind her door, not quite able to keep the anxiety out of her voice,

"V?"

Curious, V tilted his head in her direction,

"Yes?"

Even bit her lip in a way that could only be described as naughty, distracting him even further until his mind caught up with her words,

"I didn't do anything embarrassing last night, did I?"

V smirked, even though she could not see it.

"Nothing of the sort... Although there was a moment when you-oh what's the expression bandied about these days... 'copped a feel'?"

Evey's hands flew to her mouth in horror.

"I did not!"

V laughed and walked past her to the kitchen.

"Patience, my dear, tends to be inhibited by intoxication and is certainly nothing I would hold against you. I would think you should start getting ready though... the Inspector won't wait forever."

Evey narrowed her eyes at him in a way that meant he would be questioned more thoroughly later before making a hasty retreat to her bedroom. By the time

V had put the kettle on she was already flying past him in a flattering yet professional blue dress. Leaning away from the stove so he could see her around the wall, V called out,

"Oh, and Evey?"

Evey peeked back around at him from the door with equal parts curiosity and irritation. Even when flustered, she was adorable.

"Invite the Inspector to dinner tonight. I think it's time authority was backed by retribution."

Evey's eyes lit up.

"At 7 then?"

V dipped his head in acquiescence and Evey flew up to him to kiss his cheek.

"You won't regret this!"

Smiling, Evey rushed out the door. Leaning against the counter, V found himself wondering when exactly he'd decided it was permissible to share his beloved Gallery with strangers, especially of the government sort. But thinking of the smile Evey had just bestowed upon him and the way she had melted into his embrace this morning, V knew there was nothing he would not sacrifice when it came to Evey. In all ways she was his undoing, and he was finding he was glad to be undone.

*Dante Alighieri, Paradiso

Hope you were left smiling! I'll be back soon! In the meantime, check out this new VEV fic by Avid Vampire Hunter: The Vacillent Villain. Definitely a great read and I am most certainly looking forward to more :)