Happy Fifth of November!

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"You were shot…and you jumped from a train and just walked back here?"

"Staggered, actually…when I had the strength."

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V had offered her many things to try and cut the tension he felt building. Once more, Evey seemed overcome with his previous actions when V had finally believed he'd broken that bitter shield. She denied his offer of more music, tea, breakfast, and a book. Finally, she accepted his proposal of a movie. They sat on opposite ends of the couch at first. Evey's eyes never seemed to leave the screen, but due to the occasional questions leaving her, V knew she wasn't focused on the movie.

"What about the bullets?" Her tone was hushed as she stared down the unchanging smile of V's mask.

"Removed. A rather simple problem I've dealt with many times." V assured her. Evey seemed to accept the answer, nodding her head while she stared blankly at the television. She had fidgeted occasionally, first leaning on the arm of the couch as she clung to a pillow, then later when she shifted closer to V and tucked her feet beneath her.

By the middle of the old film, Evey was curled at V's side. As she'd lean herself against him, Evey would smile from the simple satisfaction of a not-so-simple triumph. It was there, watching movies with V, when Evey managed to get the closest with V. She could press her entire form against him, and rest her head upon his chest of shoulder, and neither would verbally question the position.

There were a few occasions when she would feel his arm wind around her, and she'd melt even closer in response. On an even rarer occasion, V's grip would feel rather possessive, and often Evey found herself smiling at that thought.

It wasn't long before it came to an end, and Evey stood within the lift as she wrapped her scarf securely around her neck. V stood in the dim light, his folded hands completing his usual stance.

"See you after work?" She offered, smiling faintly at V. His hands fell to his sides, as if he were about to reply..., but no words came.

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As Evey rounded a corner, she felt herself slam into a soft structure. She stumbled backwards, hands feebly grabbing at the brick wall as her felt her balance slip away. A hand gripped her arms quickly, lifting her back onto her feet. Evey's eyes lifted, meeting with the brown eyes of a hair haired man. "Thanks," She mumbled quietly, shrugging her arms free from his grasp. "Sorry about that…"

"My fault," Instantly, Evey could feel herself drawn to the familiar voice…, but a name never registered. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Thanks again." Despite the familiarity of him, Evey made a quick retreat. She politely waved a farewell and slipped past him. The rest of her walk to work became more of a mild jog.

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Evey finished handing out the juice boxes while Mark still fought to open the box of crackers. "Off y' go, Evey," Mrs. Port called, poking her head into the back room. "Just hurry back." With a breath of relief, Evey left the circle of children to Mark.

As the doors swung hung, she distinctly heard Mark call out for her to leave room for dinner. It wasn't until she stepped out those glass doors that she could figure out why. She agreed to dinner the previous night and, unlike her, Mark hadn't forgotten. Dinner with Mark would mean she'd not be spending the evening with V. "Shit…" She groaned out tiredly, eying the watch upon her wrist. She had only twenty minutes for her break…and the streets were busy…

She ran. And she was more thankful, with each step, that she'd not worn heels. She received a few curious stares from people on the streets, but overall went unnoticed. The closer she drew to the gallery, the more careful in being spotted she became. She even found herself hidden in the shadows, pressed up against a dirty brick wall to avoid a couple that came staggering down the alley.

It wasn't until she was safe within the Gallery she felt at ease. She'd not made it a single step inside before V came bounding down the hallway at an alarming pace, small daggers already drawn. "Just me," Evey breathed out with a smile, "Sorry."

"Evey?" Slowly, the blades lowered. "Are you alright? You look flustered…"

"Just came in a hurry, I guess…I only have a few minutes."

"Is everything alright?" He questioned again, motioning her into the living room before he set the daggers upon the wooden table.

"I'm fine." Evey allowed a faint smile while following him away from the lift. V placed one hand on the couch, propping himself up slightly as he watched her through a tilted mask.

"It is still mid-afternoon, is it not?" V asked, and Evey moved one hand in a non-comprehendible fashion.

"Well yes…"

"It is still daylight?"

"Naturally." A heavy sigh from V was rather unsettling, and Evey frowned up at him in silent confusion.

"Evey…" She was silent, unfastening the buttons of her jacket as a way to divert her nerves. "Do not think I don't love your visits…I do." Her frown was twisted with confusion, and her scrunched eyebrows left a light crease on her forehead. "But your timing is rather…unsafe, Evey. For both our sakes."

"..I don't understand."

"At this time of day, are the streets not bustling? They were long before they had restrictions, I can only imagine it worsening." Evey gave a half-hearted shrug. "Its daylight. Anyone can see you…were you cautious?" Before Evey even had the chance to respond, V continued, "Could you have been followed? Do people not wonder where it is you're randomly running off to?"

"No one followed me…"

"But have you thought about this?" Evey's silence brought out a sympathetic sigh from V. "I cannot risk you leading someone down here."

"Are you asking me not to visit?" A tinge of worry churned within the pit of Evey's stomach, but she fought to keep her face clear of emotions. V pushed himself away from the couch.

"Of course not," V's voice seemed to lighten, "You're always welcome here. I simply ask that you take more precautions."

"No more lunch breaks." Evey whispered with a nod, and V's mask bowed with hers.

"So," V moved towards her slowly, "What brought you here in such a hurry, Mademoiselle?"

"Just wondering if you'd be here tonight."

"…Where else would I be, Evey?"

"Out? You're always running off to only God knows where." A short laugh sounded from V, yet very little joy could be detected.

"I'm afraid that's long past. I can not go wandering down these streets anymore, Evey."

A puzzled expression writ its way across her face, but was quickly erased with understanding. V was supposed to be dead. It fell upon every news broadcast and paper. Very few people ever whispered about the masked vigilante. Now, everyone was hungry for something new. If he'd be spotted, it would take only a matter of hours before the entire country was aware of it.

"Not even for a moment?" V shook his head again, and Evey's face-hardened.

"When was the last time you got to stretch your legs?"

"November fifth." He replied casually. V had left her almost every night when she was locked within his Gallery, yet he stated then so emotionlessly that the fact he'd not gone over 15 days without setting one foot outdoors was natural. She was snapped away when she felt his gloved fingers brush at her hair.

"Still wearing that I see." For reasons unknownst to Evey, she felt a slight guilt for him spotting her in the wig. He had changed her – they both knew that fact; Evey would never deny what good he'd done, nor try to cover it up. Yet a slight discontent was heard from V, and she was nearly ready to pull the wig from her head to erase any doubt he had that she was hiding his alterations.

"I forgot it the other night," She laughed shortly, "You should've seen Mark's face."

"Mark…" V mumbled out, trying to place that name. "From your work."

Evey nodded. While succeeding in flooding the Shadow Gallery's kitchen with burnt remains of random desserts, Evey managed to keep V in countless conversations. What changes were happening outside the Gallery, her new job – which he claimed suited Evey well, a few of the kids she handled there… as well as discussing Mrs. Cane and Mark. Mark seemed to be the main interest of the conversations they brought up.

"He just began a few days ago. Accused me of making him sick, remember?" Evey chuckled, and V was warmed by the joyous sound he was neglected of after the fifth. "He is nice. Hopeless…, but nice."

"Hopeless?" Evey waved her hand with a chuckle and dismissed Mark from the discussion.

"He thought I had cancer," She rolled her eyes with a weak smile, "Then figured I'd just gotten a bit sloshed…" A small snort of amusement left Evey as her eyes trailed to the floor, "Wanker."

V clearing his throat had her eyes redirected to his mask, and she smiled a wordless apology. "We're having dinner tonight…Mark's idea…" Evey missed the small twitch of V's gloved fingers. "I'm not exactly sure where he plans to take me, but…" She tried to ignore another small wave of guilt. "I thought I should tell you."

The lowering of V's ivory mask egged Evey on, and she did…through a nervous laugh. "I didn't want you waiting…and, you'll still be here tonight? Even if I come a bit…late?"

"I will." Evey gave a wordless nod. A step backwards indicated her need to head back to work. "Be careful." She heard him utter.

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To Evey's dismay, work flew by quickly. Mark actually seemed to be rushing in cleaning up for the night. Evey had barely finished scooping up broken crayons and shredded coloring books before Mark announced he'd changed the garbage and mopped the bathrooms. Mrs. Cane was fumbling through paperwork, and shooed the two out the door without a single complaint. "See you two tomorrow."

Mark held the door open for Evey with a wide grin upon his face. Stepping outside, Evey shuddered against a cold gust of wind. She tightened the jacket around her, and the breath from her sigh turned to a frosty dust near her face. "Where shall we go?" Mark asked cheerfully. Evey felt his arm wrap around her waist, and tried to simply accept the notion.

"Wherever you'd like."

"I'd still like to cook for you, you know." Evey looked up, her eyes meeting with his as he flashed her another warm smile. "Would you mind?"

Evey shook her head while glancing back down to her moving feet. "Not at all." A homemade dinner seemed far more appealing than a restaurant. She lived off take-out.

"I don't live far from here." Finally, Evey faltered in her steps. Mark tightened his grip around her waist, and frowned down at her in confusion. "You alright?"

"My flat is probably closer."

"You don't mind inviting in a strange man?" Mark teased back at her, and Evey returned the stubborn glare.

"Better than going into the strange man's home." He chuckled again, and the two regained their unhurried pace. "So, what are you goin' to make?"

"Ah-ah-ah," His low voice purred out, "Let's keep it a surprise." Evey could help but smile and shake her head at his carefree persona.

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No idea how many people are ganna like this chapter .. Half of it was removed, and shall go into a later chapter. Due its removal, I had to create a new way to present the top half. If this chapter is crap, I apologize. Just let me know! Otherwise, the crap-chapter will just stare back at you. If I get enough negative (yet constructive!) feedback, I can reedit this to suit my readers' wants, and to better Boundaries. Lemme know!! I beg of you.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed chapter 6: Ann(firefly), Nightmistress92, SilverLittleOne, BlueCrow, My-Lover, Peroxide, Nicki , Mirwen, CFD, and BLP(My one and only muse) You guys are what keeps me going ;)

Aaand..Happy November 5th! ;)