I own nothing, everything belongs to Allen Moore.

"Yes he is." Nite Hawk patrols with us tonight. Encounter three men who attack us. Am encountering them now. No. Am in Archie now, arguing reality with Daniel. Must pick a present, stick to it. Must not get lost on tides of time. Must not feel sick. Must not think about Comedian. Despicable man. Must not think of Nite Hawk, half out of suit, scared. Must instead focus on now, on Daniel trying to get attention.

"Walter!"

Blink. "Hmm?"

"Walter. You spaced out. Are you alright?"

Shake head, dismiss thoughts. Stick to present. Don't worry. Thing that almost happens doesn't. "Rorschach, Nite Owl. On duty. Proper names... am fine."

Rory looks even more worried than Daniel. "Mr. K...Rorschach, you really oughta sit down or something." This coming from child who can't sit still, swilling soda. Damned alliteration.

"Am fine. Watch where driving. Unanticipated billboard."

"Wha-ohshit!"

Archie swerves. Am already holding Daniel and wall, leaning against turn. "Language, Nite Hawk."

"Wh-why didn't you warn me earlier?!"

"Should watch."

Daniel mute. Worrying. Land in slum. Woman's scream from alleyway. Three men, combined forces mugging/rape/murder. Nite Hawk overeager, jumping into fray. Dispatch of thugs swift, efficient. Teamwork natural. Victim runs off. Thugs tied up, left at corner. Police will pick up later. Flash of light elicits growl.

"Oh no, not the press." Nite Owl groans. Nite Hawk seems delighted. I don't like.

"Who are the two newest members to your group, Nite Owl?!"

"How are you all coping with the sudden disappearance of Adrien Veidt?!"

"Do you have any comments at this time for us?!"

"Go. Home."

"Why are you working with a Rorschach, Nite Owl?!"

"Sir, why did you decide to imitate Rorschach? Will you be following up with his harsh methods?!"

"I. Said. Go. Home."

"Sir, the media has a journalistic duty t-"

Reporters and camera men gone. Home, probably. Can't know for sure.

"Rorschach....was that necessary?"

Ignore Nite Owl. Stupid question.

Spend rest of night looking for trouble. Find fair amount. Nite Hawk proves mettle. Good fighter, uses size as advantage. Will be viscious if cornered. Nite Owl needn't have worried. Knew it.

Two Molochs, half a dozen petty theives, handful would-be rapists. City is large, overrun with vermin. Work until eastern skyline yellow. Watch dawn from Archie, Nite Owl driving. Nite Hawk asleep, left foot twitching.

"Kind of romantic, in a silly way, isn't it, Walter? And...hopeful."

Nite Owl tired. Gets...silly...when tired. Humor him. "Yes. Hope." Ponder. "Wait. Referring to....?"

"The sunrise, of course....."

"Oh. Of course." Simply a star. We're trapped in orbits, no control. No hope of freedom. Unromantic. Opressing. Sad. Don't share thoughts with Daniel.

Arrive home at 6:30. Daniel carries Rorry up to bed, child groggily shedding outer armor before disappearing under covers.

"So...um...just uh...are you comfortable if you're in the basement, Walter?" Out of costumes, name is again okay. Am Walter. Not Rorschach.

"Cot suits me fine."

"Well, alright..." Head to respective beds.

Stay alone for maybe 20 minutes. Restless. Go back up to Daniel. He's sleeping. Pout.

"Daniel."

Sleeps.

"DANIEL."

Still sleeping.

"DANIEL!"

"I'm up, I'm up!"He's alarmed. Oops. "Are you alright?"

"Can't sleep."

"Oh?... Ah... um...why not?"

Sit on edge of bed. "Cot smells like Veidt. And fire."

"Well the fire is your fault, you know." Avoids mention of Veidt.

"Hurm. Perhaps."

"Also, haven't slept in five years. Perhaps am not capable."

"Oh. Yes, that might be it as well. I don't know if Jon ever slept, Walter. If Laurie were here, she'd know.... Veidt might know too..."

"Doesn't matter. Don't care. Not tired."

"Then why does it matter if you can't sleep?"

"Bored."

Looks nervous now. Allow small smirk to cross face. "Well... I don't know what to do about that, Walter. I ... um... Jesus, you're a bit close, aren't you?"

Am slowly taking over bed. "Entertain me, Daniel."

"W-Walter....r-right now? You.... want...?"

Small chuckle. "Cute, Daniel. Cute. Yes. Now. Want."

"Like....Right now?"

Losing patience. "YES. NOW." Whisk blanket off Daniel, only in boxers. Big Jewish prick happy to see me.

"You're...this is...d-different.... R-remember last time?"

"Of course. Been dwelling on last time for five years."

"M-me too. I just .... ah... let's um..."

"Daniel?"

"Y-Yes?"

"Shut up."

"Okay."

Better this way. Chatter distracting. Peel off own clothes, ignoring Daniel's look at Veidt's borrowed boxers. Tug at Daniel's waist band, urging similar nudity. Am sure door is locked. Triple check mentally. Don't want Rory wandering in. Dismiss such thoughts.

"Take them off. Now."

Almost says something. Doesn't, blushing and removing only article.

"Good."

Push him into mattress, tracing over old marks, hickeys, Veit's. Replace with mine. Like Daniel's low moans, whimpers. Missed his voice. Missed his voice like this.

"W-Walter...." Arching under me. Wants attention. Chuckle more.

"Patience."