Meg pushes the door to Adrian's office, shivering violently. Her umbrella had been blown inside out a few blocks away and the rain was freezing. It felt like drops of ice were sliding down her skin. It was warmer inside the building, but the damage had been done.

"Meg?"

She looks up and smiles. Her cheeks immediately tingle when she sees there someone else in the office with Adrian; tingle, but her blood is too sluggish to form a blush. At least the man doesn't seem to be either a reporter (which she knew Adrian had entertained that afternoon) or a business associate; his suite is off the rack and didn't fit well, and his huge glasses overshadow his face. He looks like the kind person she deals with every day: nonthreatening.

"H-hi Adrian. "

He comes over to her and leads her to his bathroom. "Go inside and get dried off. I have some clothes you can borrow."

"Thanks." She shoots an embarrassed smile at the stranger and disappears into the bathroom.

Adrian's bathroom is almost as fancy as the one in the penthouse. Large, purple, with a huge shower and big fluffy towels. It doesn't feel like a bathroom in an office; it feels like a home.

She's in the shower when Adrian brings the clothes in.

"My friend and I are having coffee. I hope you join us," he calls over the sound of spray.

Her blood's warmed and she's able to flush now. The doors on the shower and clear and even though they're steamed over, she's sure her naked body is visible through them. She's got her back to the bathroom, so she can't see if Adrian's looking or not.

God, she hopes he isn't.

"Okay," she manages, finding her voice. "I'll be out soon."

"Take your time." And he leaves.

She rushes through the rest of her shower, waiting until her fingers turn from white to normal again. Adrian's left a pair of slacks, a dress shirt, and a sweater. He's bigger than she is, and she's going to look ridiculous, but what else could she do? She didn't keep clothes in his office; she didn't even keep clothes in her own office. If she wants to be warm until she gets home.

Dressed, warm, and completely humiliated, Meg goes back into the office. Adrian and Dan are sitting, talking, coffee on the table in front of them. There are three cups, hers made probably exactly the way she likes it thanks to Adrian.

When she walks in, Adrian gives her a warm smile.

"You look much better. Come join us. Dan Dreiberg, this is my friend, Meg Walker. "

Dan stands and holds out his hand to her. "Nice to meet you. I've seen you in the papers. You rescued two kids from a child pornography ring?"

She blushes. "It wasn't just me. I mean, I had help."

"Rorschach helped her," Adrian says. He takes Meg's hand and pulls her down next to him.

"Adrian," she says, looking at him askance.

He smiles and shakes his head. "Dan here used to be Nite Owl. The second one, of course."

"Oh. Oh, you're Daniel," she says, looking back at Dan. "Rorschach mentioned you once. He'd been hurt and came to my apartment. I asked what he usually did and he said go to you. God, it seems like I'm meeting everyone recently."

Dan looks dumbfound. "You know… Rorschach? You've… He… What?"

"For reasons known only to himself, Rorschach has attached himself to Meg," Adrian says, sliding his arm around her shoulder. "They've become quite close."

"Rorschach and a woman? The world really is ending. No offense."

She shakes her head."No, I know. He's not the most sociable person and he hates, well. Everyone. But we get along pretty well. He's brought a lot of kids who need help to my attention. It's a working relationship."

"I see. He seems to prefer those. I actually hadn't seen him in over a year before last night."

"Last night?"

Dan glances at Adrian, then back at her. "Yeah. He, uh, dropped by to let me know something. It's not important."

"Oh," she says.

"Actually," Adrian says, "you might be interested. Eddie Blake was killed last night. Rorschach investigated and found out that he was the Comedian. He thinks there's a mask killer going around."

Her mouth falls open and her heart seems to stutter in her chest. Eddie Blake was dead. Had been killed. She talked to him just a week ago or so. And now he was dead. Killed. "A mask killer? Like, someone targeting former masks?" She looks at Adrian.

He nods. Lifts his hand and runs it down her cheek. "Don't fret. One man being killed does not create a pattern. More likely, someone with a grudge killed Blake. He had a lot of enemies, after all. I'm sure Rorschach is just being paranoid. It's not that much of a stretch."

She nods numbly and moves closer to Adrian. She needs to reassure herself that he's still there. Alive and safe and strong.

Adrian kisses her on top of the head. "I didn't mean to worry you." He kisses her again.

"It's okay. I mean, I'm not too worried about you. You're able to defend yourself. I just don't know about Rorschach. He's just… I don't know."

"Trust me, Rorschach is more than able to take care of himself," Dan says. "Look how long he's been able to avoid the law. And all those people he faces down, night after night. He'll be fine."

Meg nods, seeing his point. "You're right, I shouldn't worry. What about you?"

He smiles and shakes his head. "I think Rorschach is being paranoid, personally. I'll be fine. But, if there is a mask killer, I can take care of myself. Don't worry."

"Don't worry about any of us, Meg," Adrian says. "Eddie was most likely killed because of his political connections. It's a loss, but it's not a threat to the rest of us. There's no need to concern yourself."

"Yeah, you're right. I'd just hate to lose you." She looks up at Adrian and smiles tentatively.

Adrian smiles back and pushes a wet lock of hair from her face.

Dan clears his throat suddenly. "I should get going."

Adrian rises. "Thank you for coming, Dan. It was good seeing you again."

"You, too. Let's not wait so long next time." A look crosses his face and he says, "Are you going to the funeral?"

"I plan to. He was one of ours. I take it I'll see you there?"

"Yeah, I'm going to go. Feel like I should." He glances at Meg. "It was nice meeting you, Meg."

"You, too." She smiles and watches as Dan and Adrian hug. Then Dan leaves, rubbing his hand over his hair as he goes.

"He seems… not as confident as you'd expect a former hero," Meg says after the door closes behind Dan.

"Yes, well. He was forced into retirement. And, while he was very good at being Nite Owl, I'm not sure he's really found a niche anywhere else." Adrian sits back down and pulls Meg to him. "You aren't really worried about us, are you?" he asks, face pressed to the top of her head.

She lets out a slow breath. Closes her eyes. "No. I guess not." She feels sleepy now that's she's warm. And Adrian's arms around her are comfortable. Soothing. "If you say there's no mask killer, I believe you. And even if there is, I'm sure you all can take care of yourselves." She yawns and snuggles closer.

"You done with work for the day?" Adrian asks.

"Yeah."

"Good." He kisses her head. "You sleep. I'll wrap a few things up, and we'll go home."

"Okay." She's drifting off as he moves her, laying her down. By the time he covers her with a blanket, she's fast asleep.

Meg's Journal, October 13, 1985

Billy's back in his own room now. He's doing better than he was right after Sara's death. He has a new friend at school, a little girl named Amy. She seems to be helping.

Despite Adrian's assurances, I'm still a little worried. I know they can take care of themselves. I know they can.

It'd be a lot easier if Rorschach would come by. I want to know he's safe.

The sound of pounding rain wakes Meg from sleep. She opens her eyes to see Rorschach climbing in, rain and wind practically pushing him inside.

She sits up, rubbing sleep from her eyes. "Hey," she says softly.

Rorschach closes the window and turns. "Hurm," he grunts. Nods.

"I'm glad you came. Adrian told me about the Comedian. Your theory about a mask killer." She clutches the blankets in her hand. "Do you really think someone is targeting masks?"

He crosses the room and sits on the bed. "Does Veidt think theory is correct?"

"He says one murder doesn't make a trend."

He grunts again. Water drips from his hat onto the bed. "Not entirely incorrect. Still. Have a feeling. Trust my instincts."

"I'm worried about you."

He shakes his head. "Don't be. Fine. Veidt more high profile target. Makes you vulnerable."

"Me? I'm nobody."

"Not anymore. Veidt made you somebody. Pushed into spotlight. If someone goes after him, they may go for you. Hurt you to get at world's smartest man."

She shivers. Hugs herself. "I didn't think of that. What about Billy?"

He cocks his head, lifting a shoulder. "Might be target. Be vigilant. Keep eye on him."

"Don't suppose you could hang out by his school and watch out," she jokes lamely, laying her head on her knees, which she'd pulled to her chest.

"Chase me away. Give me school lunch and threaten to call cops." When she looks up, he looks away. "Tried."

"Thank you," Meg says softly. "I'll ask Adrian if he can send someone, but he might not. He's convinced this is a political killing. Or the Soviets."

"America has Dr. Manhattan. Reds have been running scared since '65. They'd never dare antagonize us. Not now."

"But aren't they? I mean, they're making moves on Afghanistan. The doomsday clock got moved up. Yeah, we have Dr. Manhattan, but… I don't know. It's almost like they don't care anymore." She frowns. "On the other hand, why would the Soviets send someone to kill Blake? I mean, yeah, he was the Comedian and, yeah, he's still employed by the government. But it'd be kind of random." She lifts her head and rests her chin against her knees. "I met him. He was the one who gave me that bruise a few weeks ago. He broke in here, looking for information about what Adrian's doing. I thought he was a burglar and hit him over the head with a baseball bat. He hit me back."

"Veidt retaliate?"

She shakes her head. "No. He was upset. Got quiet when I told him, but I think he was just glad that it wasn't worse." She licks her lips. "Blake came and saw me a week ago. I was at lunch. Told me I should skip town. Run out on Adrian."

"Say why?"

"No. Just that Adrian was a bastard and I'd be better off without him."

"Two never got along. Rumor is first time they met, Comedian attacked. Beat Veidt. Things never got better. Pride, arrogance. Lost sight of important things."

"But Adrian still helps people. And the Comedian was still working for the government, for better or for worse. They didn't have to like each other." She yawns. "You don't like Adrian."

He shifts on the bed. Clenches his fists. "Veidt is a bleeding heart liberal. Pampered. Decadent. Shallow and liberal. Possibly homosexual."

"Hey, now," Meg objects. "What's his sexuality have to do with anything?"

He grunts and doesn't answer.

She rubs at her eyes. "Don't know if Adrian is all that fond of you, either. I mean, he admires you for continuing to fight. I know he appreciates what you did for Billy and Sara. And me. But sometimes, I think he doesn't like that we're friends."

"Objects to me?"

"I think he's just kind of jealous. It's stupid. I don't know." She looks up at him. "You're the same, sometimes. When I got hurt and was in the hospital. It kind of felt…"

He gets off the bed abruptly. Walks to the window.

"I'm sorry, Rorschach." She climbs out of bed. Goes to stand next to him. "I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have said that." Her hand drifts towards his. Brushes against it. "You kissed me. As a point to him."

He edges away. "Wasn't thinking clearly. Wasn't…"

"I know." She licks her lips. "Your friend Daniel came to visit Adrian today. I met him."

Rorschach says nothing, but he tilts his head towards her.

"He seems nice. He was surprised when he found out we're friends, but I'm getting used to that reaction."

He makes a sound in his throat and his shoulders shift. "Not common to have friends. People mostly corrupt. Unworthy. Women worse."

Meg snorts, but doesn't say anything. It isn't worth it.

Rorschach hears her, though. Glances at her. "Not talking about you."

"Oh, I know." She smiles, blushing. "Don't know why I've been set up as a paragon in your mind, though."

"Different."

"I don't think I am."

He doesn't say anything, just stars at her, the dots on his mask slowly swimming.

Meg breaks the contact and looks back out the window. "Be careful out there. Not just in your investigation. But the weather's turning. I worry about you, standing on the street corner in the pouring rain. You don't eat right and you expose yourself to the elements. I'd hate for you to get sick."

There's muffled sound that's almost like a laugh. "Will be careful."

She smiles. "Good." Meg yawns, tears squeezing out from her eyes as she does. "I should go back to bed."

He puts his hand on the window, preparing to go. "Stay safe." Rorschach turns. Looks at her. "Serious when I said you may be target. Watch out for yourself. And Boy."

"I will. I promise."

They stand there a moment, looking at one another. Then, almost too quick for her to react, he leans forward. Presses his masked mouth against her hair.

And then, he's disappeared into the night.

Rorschach's Journal, October 16, 1985

No leads on death of Comedian. Funeral today. Am certain the murderer will attend. By now, am certain Veidt knows me without my face. Will notice my attendance, but will he say anything to others? Know former vigilantes plan to attend: Daniel, Dr. Manhattan, Veidt. Original Nite Owl probably will stay away out of misguided sense of righteous anger, as will Miss Jupiter. Comedian was one of our brothers. All who fought besides him should be there.

The penthouse is dark and silent except for the rain when she gets in. She's exhausted from her day. Her feet hurt and she's damp from the wind blowing under her umbrella. She's cold and hungry and wants nothing more than slide under the covers and sleep.

But Adrian's up. Standing by the windows, looking out, his face barely visible in the darkness.

"Adrian?" she whispers, crossing to him. She doesn't want to speak too loudly for fear of disturbing the peace in the room.

He turns slightly. "Welcome home."

"Are you all right?" She joins him at the window, looking up into his face.

Adrian looks drawn. Worn. Tired. He nods and lifts a glass of what looked like Scotch to his mouth. "I'm fine. Just… contemplative. I tend to get this way after funerals."

"I'm sorry I wasn't able to join you. We got a call…"

He waves a hand, cutting her off. "It was fine. It's not as if you knew him, not personally. Not really. You just met him twice, and no one can say the second was the most sociable visit." He takes another drink, finishing it off. "Dan and Jon were there. Military personnel. Not really anyone else." He looks down at the empty glass and says, "Well. Rorschach."

"He was there?"

"Sans mask, yes. No one knew who he was. Just another indigent man proclaiming the end of the world. In a cemetery, no less. At a funeral." Something like a smile crosses Adrian's face. "For once, I almost believed him."

"I didn't realize you and Eddie Blake were so close," Meg says a touch wryly.

Adrian rolls his eyes. "It's not him." He turns from the window. "He ignored me. And I him, out of his mask. He's so cagey about his identity, although I can't imagine why. Who is he that needs protecting?"

"It's not that. He doesn't view his mask as a mask. It's his face. What you saw today, that's his mask. His disguise."

"Of course. I should have known." He tilts his head back, leaning his head against the window. "Do you love him?"

"What?"

"Rorschach. Do you love him?"

Her face warms and Meg looks away. "I, uh. Well. Yeah, of course. He's a good friend, and after all he's done for me…"

"That's not what I'm asking, Meg." He levels his gaze at her.

Meg runs her hands through her hair. Blushes even harder. "I don't… I don't know. I mean… I'm not ever going to have anything other than what I have with him. There's no nothing. Nothing that I want from him other than for him not to go away. Not to get killed. And not to suddenly decide I'm like all the other women he hates."

"I don't think that will happen. You'd have to undergo a massive personality transformation for that."

"I guess. I hope. "

"So. Ignoring the fact there isn't a future with anything more between you and Rorschach, are you in love him?"

"What does it matter?"

He shrugs. "Curiosity."

Meg sighs. Closes her eyes and moves, blindly, until she's standing next to Adrian. The glass is cold against her back, seeping through her clothes. She can feel the heat Adrian's radiating, and she shivers at the contrast.

"When I was seven years old, my dad killed my mom. In front of me. He came home, drunk and just… out of it. He was manic depressive and got really violent and scary during his manic periods. He just went off. Freaked out and started beating her. I hid behind the sofa, but I saw it all. And then he grabbed a knife and stabbed her over and over." She lets out a shuddering breath. "When she was dead, he… he came back to himself. Started sobbing. Oh, God, I can still… hear him. He kept screaming that he was sorry and that he didn't mean it and why couldn't she just come back. Why was she being so mean? And for a moment… I felt sorry for him. I still do, deep down. There's a part of me that feels sorry for him." She wipes her eyes, shaking her head. "But he killed my mom and I want to hate him. I should hate him, but I'm not allowed to. Because I felt pity. Because… because the world isn't black and white and sometimes the people who kill your mommy are sick and you're not allowed to hate them."

Adrian puts his arm around her waist and draws her close. He kisses her on top of the head but he doesn't say anything.

After a few minutes, the knot in her throat loosens. She's able to draw air in more easily. Voice hoarse, she says, "Yes, I'm in love with Rorschach. I guess. Because I like that his world is so black and white. I want to live there, but I can't."

She doesn't notice the tears sliding down her face until Adrian wipes them away. He moves so he's standing in front of her. Takes her chin in his hand and tilts her face to him.

"I knew, of course. About the murder. Not the rest."

"I figured. Smartest man in the world."

The corner of his mouth lifts. "You may think you want a black and white world, but you really don't. You wouldn't do what you do if you did."

"I know. But there's something… I don't know. Attractive about someone who is so absolute in his convictions." She puts his hands on his hips to steady herself. "The weird thing is, there's a part of me in love with you, too, and I know you see the shades of grey."

"We're two halves of the same coin, Rorschach and I. So…" He trails off. Runs a thumb down the side of her face before bending down and kissing her.

It's not like the usual kisses he gives her, chaste and soft. This is… firmer. Open-mouthed and his tongue traces at her lower lip teasingly. When he pulls back, his eyes are dark, pupils hugely dilated.

"I didn't mean to…" His jaw tightens. He steps away, clenching his fists.

"Adrian…"

"Don't, Meg," he says, voice suddenly harsh. "You don't understand what I've… But it doesn't matter." He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. When he opens them again, he's calm. "I'll be returning to Antarctica tomorrow. Just for a few days, but Jon thinks he's finished with the machine and ready to transport it to Karnak. I'm taking my scientists down for the final phase."

She tries to smile at the news, but it won't come. For as hard as he's worked on it, now that he's almost finished, Adrian doesn't seem happy. He almost seems conflicted or… or something.

"We'll miss you, but I'm sure we'll be fine. Unless you're worried about Rorschach's mask-killer."

"Believe me, Meg, the last thing I'm worried about is Rorschach's mask-killer." He lets out a long sigh. Scrubs at his face with his hands.

She moves closer to him and slides her arms around his waist. Rests her head against his chest. "Just think. When this is all over, you'll have a cheap, renewable energy source to offer the world. You're going to save it, right?"

He sighs and holds her close. "Right. I'm going to save it."

He says the words, and Meg can't help the shiver for foreboding that goes through her.