11.

Daniel had pulled Archie into his basement and landed her. It had not taken them long to find Lawrence McKinney. He had been cowering in a building in Middletown. He had admitted to them with a little leaning that his objective had been to kill a few watchmen and make them examples. He swore that he would never touch Tessa Park again, but unfortunately fro him, that wasn't near good enough for Rorschach.

"You didn't have to kill him Rorschach." said Laurie angrily for the third time.

"said before Midnight Phantom, if I didn't there would be no way to ensure Scarlet's safety…. Needed to send a clear message." He said stepping out of Archie.

"Well I'm not much of a fan of the messages you send… and I don't feel much like being associated with them anymore. Goodbye." with that she stomped up the stairs.

"Well it's nice to you see you two have put aside your differences and started becoming friends…" said Daniel sarcastically as he walked around Archie and checked external systems.

"Daniel…. Thank you." said Rorschach, "have gone above and beyond the duties of a friend tonight."

"Don't even mention it man…" said Daniel, "I'd like to think you'd do the same for me…"

"so our real problem now… is what the heck is going on with Adrian…" said Daniel.

"Any ideas…" said Rorschach.

"A few…" said Daniel, "But we're going to have to investigate further, I'll get in touch with a few contacts, and then we can talk."

"When?" said Rorschach.

"Well it's eleven now…. I don't think I'm going to get much sleep tonight… how about three?" said Daniel.

"Good." said Rorschach, "go see what I can find out on the street."

"I've got a better idea…" said Daniel, giving him a slight smirk, "Why don't you go be with Scarlet. She's had a hell of a week, not to mention you two probably have a lot to discuss…"

"Kissed her Daniel…" said Rorschach, "Right before we left…"

"Yeah I figured something like that would happen." said Dan giving him a crooked grin, "good for you man. Now how bout you go take care of her for a little while, I think you both could use it…. I'll see you at three."

"ok…" said Rorschach, and he stood and walked towards the tunnel.

00000

Eleven thirty…. Scarlet glared at the clock on the wall. How the heck was she supposed to sleep when first of all her ribs were killing her, and second of all those few perfect moments with Rorschach had made her feel more alive and alert then she had in years. She closed her eyes and let her thoughts linger on the kiss, the feel of his lips, she involuntarily curled her toes and sighed. She wanted to kiss him again. What the heck was wrong with her? She had never reacted this way to Timothy. She knew she had loved Timothy dearly, she had adored kissing him, but it wasn't the same. There was something desperate about the way she kissed Rorschach, like every touch and intimate moment was stolen and precious. She rolled onto her side gingerly and glared at the dark TV screen. Her ribs started to throb again, so she rolled back over onto her back which was the most comfortable position at the moment.

She growled in frustration and pressed a pillow hard over her face, she was contemplating screaming into it when,

"thought I told you to try and get some sleep…" said Rorschach.

"I was…" said Scarlet, sitting up from her position on the couch, "it just hasn't been working very well."

He came over and knelt next to where she was lying on the couch.

"Do you need anything?" said Rorschach.

"Yes…" she said, and she ran her hand down the side of his face and rested it on the back of his neck, she pressed her forehead to his knocking his hat off, but he didn't move to retrieve it. He put his hand on the side of her neck, rubbing her cheek with his thumb.

"Scarlet…" he said, his voice barely above a whisper. She gently kissed the spot on his mask where his cheek was, then his nose, she brushed her lips across his through his mask and he inhaled deeply, she felt him tense and hold her tighter. She could feel his internal struggle, she knew he was fighting to keep his control, while all the while wanting her as desperately as she wanted him. He pulled her away and looked at her; he put his hand on the side of her face.

"Slow down." He said gently, and she immediately obeyed.

"Hungry?" he said.

"A bit…" said Scarlet, trying to not let the terrible amounts of frustration that were building show in her face.

"How about an omelet?" he said, and he went to the kitchen to start making it.

After a moment she got up and followed him. He stood at the stove warming the frying pan. She walked over to him and ran her hand along his shoulders; he sighed and turned to her. As much as he was resisting she knew his resolve was wearing down quickly. This time it was him that initiated he slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him. Once again she felt as though her body had been wired to electricity. He put his forehead to hers again, he gently touched the tip of his nose to hers. He ran his fingers through her hair, and she leaned into his touch sighing in happiness and also frustration. She put her hands on each side of his face, he tightened his grip on her. She moved her hands down to the edge of his mask and began to lift it.

"No Scarlet." His words were gentle but firm as he pulled her hands away from his mask.

"Why…." She whispered.

"The face under this mask… it's not who I am…" he said.

"You're right…" said Scarlet, "but Rorschach… this mask isn't who you are either. Who you are isn't made up of flesh and bones. Who you are is about everything you've done, about who you've chosen to be." She touched his face gently, "I don't want you for this mask, or what's behind it. I wanted you for what's in your heart, and you soul. But I also want to be able to look into your eyes when I tell you that I love you, and know that you love me too."

Rorschach stood there in silence, she felt him shaking slightly, she wasn't sure exactly what was going on in his head at that moment, so she pressed her luck just a little further.

"Do you trust me?" she said gently.

"Yes…" he said immediately, his voice was a hoarse whisper.

"Then trust that when I take this mask off, I won't see just Walter Kovacs, that I will see you… I always see you…" she rested her hand on his heart and he covered it with his and squeezed it tightly

Scarlet moved her hands back to the base of his mask, she began to lift it again, but this time he didn't stop her. Her hands trembled slightly with apprehension and excitement. What if Laurie was right? What if he truly was not attractive to her? She was disgusted at herself for even thinking it, no matter what he looked like she would love him, she did love him. She pulled the mask completely off his face and her breath stopped, she momentarily forgot how to inhale.

She had been stupid to worry even for a second. She gently touched the side of his face, relishing the feel of his skin. It was curious, she realized she had the same reaction to him that she did to Adrian, except in complete reverse, when looking at Rorschach she could appreciate that by societies standards he would probably be considered plain, if not down right unattractive, but to her…. She'd never seen a more beautiful face in her life. She ran her hand through his short red hair, it was the color of copper, she traced the features of his face, high cheek bones, prominent jaw line, and freckles everywhere. She smiled, she wanted to kiss every one of them. She looked back to her favorite feature the one that had first stolen her breath, his eyes. They were huge, to her they seemed to take up half his face, and they were bright piercing blue, a color of blue she had never seen in eyes before. Except for one time….

"it was you!!" she said in shock, "On the courthouse steps… all these months, it was you!"

"Needed to keep an eye on you…" said Rorschach with a slight smile. His smile reached his eyes…. Scarlet could not get enough of looking at him. She leaned in a kissed him gently. She continued to just stare at him absentmindedly running her fingers through his hair. He seemed almost slightly self conscious, she was sure it had been a long time since someone had stared so intently at his face.

"So…. should I put mask back on now…" he said quietly.

"No!" said Scarlet a little too quickly, he looked up at her with such a soft and vulnerable expression that her heart seemed to melt.

"You're perfect…" she whispered gently kissing his forehead, and then each of his cheeks, and then his nose.

He scrunched his eyes closed and inhaled deeply. She looked at his face and saw that he seemed to be over come with emotion. He gently touched her face, his breathing was uneven. She wondered if he was going to cry, and as she did she felt the emotion welling up in her as well, she loved him so much. Suddenly she was caught off guard as he in one quick motion slipped his hands behind her neck and pulled her to him, he kissed her hard and passionately. She didn't hesitate; she slipped her arms around his waist and kissed him back with just as much enthusiasm. Their bodies were pressed tight together but Scarlet was still aching for him, it was as if no matter how passionately she kissed him it wasn't enough, she wanted more. She ever so slightly ran her tongue along his lip experimenting with what he would do, she felt him tense momentarily in surprise but then he parted his lips and began to kiss her deeply. She felt her heart beating wildly, it had been years since she had felt this way. She felt warmth beginning to seep through her body. This was easy, being with him, he made it so simple.

"Too simple…" her conscience nagged, "You shouldn't rush into this without talking about it, you'll regret it…." She groaned to herself, knowing it was right, she mustered up all her self control and pulled her lips from his.

"Rorschach hang on a minute…" she gasped, her breathing was ragged and her heart was pounding out of her chest.

"What's wrong." Said Rorschach, his breathing was rather uneven as well.

"It's just… well… is this going where I think it's going...?" she said timidly, feeling that if she was completely wrong she would probably die of embarrassment.

He stood there for a long moment looking at her appraisingly, he ran his hand through her hair as he did.

"Most likely…" he said.

"Well…." Said Scarlet, taking his hands in hers, "It doesn't have to… I mean… I don't need… We don't have to… I can wait…." She finally finished feeling stupid; she looked into his face and felt much more assured.

"I want to wait until you're ready." She said firmly.

He sighed and rested his hand along the side of her neck. He leaned in and kissed her softly.

"The highest form of respect and commitment," he said kissing her cheek lightly.

"Yes…" she whispered, and he began to kiss her again. This time her conscience seemed to be giving her no issues, he knew what he was doing, and he wanted to do it, so did she.

"Come on…" she said pulling away and taking his hand, she led him down the hall towards her room, if she was going to make love that night she was not doing it in her kitchen.

When they got to her room he entered it shyly. She turned and gave him another long lingering kiss.

"still trust me?" she said softly.

"Always…" he answered.

She gently pulled him over and pushed him into a sitting position on her bed, then she climbed into his lap and began to kiss him again. He clung tightly to the back of the t-shirt she was wearing balling the material up in his fists. She slowly let her hands reach down and undo the buttons on his jacket, he slid out of it easy and it was tossed aside. Her hands were trembling with excitement and slight nervousness as she began to undo the buttons on his shirt. A few seconds later she slipped his shirt off his shoulders and threw it to the floor next to his jacket. His body was amazing, she let her hands run down his well defined chest and stomach, his skin was so soft. She kissed along his broad shoulders, and she felt him tighten his grip on her and inhale deeply. She could tell he was still very nervous, she sat up and put her forehead against his and looked deeply into his eyes, he seemed so scared and vulnerable, she knew he was trusting her completely in this moment. She took his hands from where they were clamped firmly at her waist, she directed them to the bottom edge of her shirt all the while keeping her eyes locked on his, showing him it was alright. He gently lifted her t-shirt off of her and it joined the growing pile of clothes on the floor. She saw anger and then sadness flicker across his face as he softly touched the bruises on her chest and stomach, he leaned up and tenderly kissed a particularly angry purple bruise that was just under her right collar bone. Scarlet closed her eyes and sighed she couldn't remember the last time she felt anything as amazing as the touch of his lips on her skin. He slowly moved his lips up and began to kiss the side of her neck, she gave another sigh of pleasure and wound her fingers in his hair. She pulled his mouth back to hers and began to kiss him again. He kissed her passionately and deeply, as he did she reached her trembling hands down and began to undo his belt, he gave a sharp intake of breathe and began to kiss her even harder. She was caught off guard as he slipped his arm around her and in one swift motion he stood up, lifting her easily with one hand so she now had her legs wrapped around his waist. He very gingerly laid her down on her bed and positioned himself over top of her. She knew he was worried about her injuries. He looked down at her with the strangest expression, she wasn't quite sure how many emotions where churning inside him, all she knew was that she loved him more than she could ever imagine. His attention was suddenly drawn to her now bare hip, he ran his thumb over the tattoo there.

"How long have you…." He began.

"Since I was seventeen…." She said, "it reminded me of the kind of person I wanted to emulate, of the good people in this world."

Rorschach kissed the spot on her hip, and she involuntarily bit her lip. She had never imagined the magnitude to which he could drive her crazy. He brought his face back to hers and kissed her slowly, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing their bodies together tightly and closed her eyes.

00000

It was quiet, neither of them made a sound. They were simply enjoying each others presence. Scarlet lifted her head from where she was resting it on Rorschach's chest and she looked up into his face. He looked back at her and held her gaze, absentmindedly playing with her hair.

"So… how you doing?" she said and she rested her chin on his chest, still looking at him.

"Good." He said quietly.

She scooted closer to him and wrapped her arms around him as she put her head on his shoulder.

"Scarlet…." said Rorschach.

"Yeah…" she said, as she kissed his shoulder, she loved watching him speak after months of never seeing his face, it was enthralling to her. Every expression was exciting. He had big teeth, and big ears...she suppressed a happy giggle, she found him absolutely adorable.

"Tattoo on your back….what does it mean?" he said.

Scarlet smiled, she had a second tattoo that was right between her shoulder blades that Rorschach had noticed a little while earlier.

"Quis Custodiet ipsos custodes." quoted Scarlet, "It means; who watches the watchmen?"

"Why would you get that?" said Rorschach curiously.

"Because it keeps me from getting a Messiah complex like the one Adrian had…" she said running her hand through his hair. "It reminds me that my actions have consequences, and in the end… there's someone bigger than me out there…"

"You believe that…" said Rorschach, "In God…"

"Yeah… I mean… it doesn't make sense not to… look at the intricacy of everything around you… I can't bring myself to believe that things like the perfect engineering of a bee's wing that makes it fly, or the complicated system that makes a brain function, or a heart beat…" she kissed his chest, "could be a random co-incidence. Do you?"

"No…" said Rorschach, "I believe we were made… but I figured out a long time ago, God may have made us, but he doesn't seem too concerned with us anymore, he's let us slowly kill ourselves…"

"see now that's where I think you're wrong…" said Scarlet.

"How so?" said Rorschach as he slipped an arm around her waist.

"I think…. That if you look closely, God is working very hard to clean up all the disasters that humans keep creating with their bad choices, and their wasted lives. I mean look at us…" Scarlet slipped her hand into his entwining their fingers together.

"we're both so broken, the world and humanity has hurt us, ripped us apart and made us less than whole, but in our brokenness somehow against all odds we found each other, and we fit, like pieces of a puzzle, together we can be whole again. I can't believe that is just coincidence, I have to believe that it means there's someone out there bigger than us, who's fighting for the good people in this world."

She looked into his eyes and he stared back intensely. He began to kiss her slowly and she immediately responded, she shifted her weight and began to push him gently onto his back he complied immediately but then he inhaled deeply and broke the kiss off.

"What time is it?" he said.

"About two forty, why?" said Scarlet looking at him quizzically.

" have to go…" he said putting his face in his hands and sighing in frustration, "Told Daniel I would meet him at three o'clock."

"Oh…" said Scarlet quietly, she didn't want him to leave. "So when will I see you next?" she said putting on a brave face as he climbed out of bed and began to get dressed.

He stopped and turned to her, he sat back down on the edge of the bed and gave her a almost shy look.

"Was planning on coming back… in a few hours… if…. You want me to." He said slowly.

"I want you to…" said Scarlet immediately, and she leaned over to kiss him.

He stood back up and finished putting on his clothes, as he buttoned up his coat he looked over to where she was lying smiling at him.

"What?" he said raising an eyebrow at her.

"It's just kinda cool to get to watch you put your outfit on…" she said with a smile.

He shook his head and leaned over the bed to give her a long kiss. He finally pulled away but kept his face close to hers.

"Be back soon…" he said, and he headed for the living room to collect his mask and hat.

"Hey…" said Scarlet, and he stopped in the doorway and turned his face back to her.

"I love you." said Scarlet.

"Love you too." said Rorschach, and it sounded as though he could barely believe the words were coming out of his mouth.

Scarlet smiled at him and he disappeared from the doorway. She rolled over on her back and let out a long sigh. She was so excited she was sure she would be awake all night, but it only took a few minutes before the exhaustion hit her.