*I don't own any of the characters!* *Please don't exact revenge!* *Review PLEASE* enjoy!

"Once again London has seen record-breaking snowfall. Another 10 inches were added last night. An additional 3 inches are expected for this even—."

Even clicked off the television with a sigh. Snow. Christmas. She tried to remember the last time she had celebrated the time of year. Images of her brother making a snowman bombarded her. Since then, her winters had been sombre to say the least. Every year the only presents under her tree were gifts to herself and her flat didn't exactly have a yard in which to experience the snowfall.

Maybe things will be different this year.

Her mind drifted to V who was currently —as he would put it — working on his pyrotechnic flair in the basement of the gallery. Yes, apparently the underground had an even deeper underground. V had created a special room just for his 'practice' and gave Evey strict instructions not to enter when he was working. The waiting to find out whether he would blow himself to pieces always made Evey jittery.

Just think happy thoughts. Distract yourself.

She tried to take her own advice but the memory of a warm hand on her stomach kept entering her mind. Undoubtedly, the hand always led to an arm, and a shoulder and back to V. She sighed. It had been a week since her period had ceased and already the extra hormonal release was giving her restless energy.

I'm driving myself mad cooped up in here.

Just as the thought left, a realization took its place.

"Wait a minute," she murmured aloud. "I can leave. Can't I?" For half a month she had settled into simply being there in the Gallery, forgetting that it wasn't the same as the first time. This time she had choices.

"Well, you won't find any locked doors here." She recalled the words V had said before she left. Ha! You're right V. And now, I think I'm going to experience that.

Feeling a renewed sense of excitement, Evey quickly found a piece of paper and scribbled a note. Then, when she had finished it to her satisfaction, journeyed down the hallway, through two sets of doors to where a small metal staircase led down to the bomb room. When she arrived she hesitated. Should she knock? What if it caused him to slip up and make a mistake. No, she shook her head, a quiet approach would be better. Bending down, Evey gently flicked the paper under the door with her nail and fled back upstairs to get ready.

V raised a brow beneath his mask as he watched her shadow retreat from behind the door. Of course, he had heard her coming and paused his work. Thankfully he was just stripping wire at the time, not testing fuses.

"Hmm.." He mused after the expected knock didn't arrive and instead a paper was found in its place. Carefully, V picked up the note and angled it toward his small lamp to read.

I challenge you to a duel!

You've got 20 minutes to be dressed and ready to go! The fight will start in an hour. Dress warm because it's cold out.

No knives.

V chuckled, delighted at whatever mystery she was concocting. Never before had somebody given him something to do. It was always his responsibility to keep himself occupied so as to not go entirely insane. It was no mystery how he knew so many odd skills. Hours of endless boredom tended to do that to a person. Still, he was a man of honour, and he would show up to this duel.

Each Trojan that is a master of his heart, let him to the field; Troilus, alas!

Oh yes, he would show up. And he would win.

Evey waiting by the door, bouncing on the balls of her feet. After much rummaging through her closet, she found her bag of winter clothes and had donned everything from tuque to scarf to boots and mittens. Despite the cool atmosphere of the Gallery she was beginning to sweat. A wave of relief hit her as V rounded the corner, dressed in his typical dapper outfit of black. His cape flowed behind him as he approached her, bowing with his hat in his fingertips as he stopped.

"I believe the fair lady has requested a duel. I'm ready to meet my maker."

Evey grinned. "Perfect! Let's go then!" Turning, Evey pushed the secret latch that unlocked the Gallery door and slid it open. V turned to lock it as they left.

"May I ask where we are going?" V inquired.

"No you may not." Evey responded with a chuckle.

"Ah then I suppose I'll just have to trust you." V shrugged beneath his cloak, linking his arm through Evey's, letting her lead him. Just because they were going to war didn't mean they couldn't be cordial until then.

After walking the labyrinth of tunnels, they eventually made it up onto the streets of London. Night had fallen and the streets were barren, an inenvitable result of the snow. Cars wouldn't be able to move even if they tried. For V, it meant the roofs were impassable. Luckily, with the deep shadows cast by the moon, they would have no need for the discreet route. Or so he thought.

"Ey mum! Whaddya be doing our here at this time o' night?" A Fingerman passed by the end of the alley V and Evey were making their way down. The edge of the man's coat wavered into view as he halted a woman's path.

Before Evey could react, V pressed her against the wall of the alley, hiding them both in the shadows with the aid of his cloak. Drawing it up to his eyes with his forearm, he tilted his hat down so that the white of his mask disappeared. He felt Evey press against him slightly, her eyes trained toward the woman. To prevent a rash mistake, V turned slightly and whispered as soft as a breeze into her ear.

"Wait to see how it plays out. I'll help if necessary."

Evey nodded, suddenly realizing with a pang of guilt she had told him not to bring his knives.

You idiot!

Evey brushed a hand over his ribs to remind him and a faint sigh escaped the lips of his mask. Although, she wasn't sure if it was from the contact or if he got the message.

"I'm so sorry, the snow slowed our progress a bit more than I expected. Our building is right at the end of this block. We'll be better prepared for next curfew I promise."

"Mummy I'm chilly!" A small voice whined. Hidden from their view, the woman hushed her child. With a pwat! the Fingerman spat into the gutter.

"Alright fiwun. Just get outta my sight." His heavy boots sloshed away in the snow and the woman and son passed over the mouth of the alley. When the world had once against reclaimed it's snowy silence, V turned to Evey.

Beautiful.

The warmth of her breath formed a cloud around her, enveloping then both. Like a Scarlet Carson, her cheeks were flush from the frigid air. Her chest rose and fell against his and it was only through sheer willpower that he managed to push himself away from the wall and drop the barrier of his cloak.

Maybe I should let her win after all... No. Focus man, focus.

"How much further?" V's voice rumbled low in his chest.

"Just a few minutes. Let's go."

"Very well, but stay close to me."

Evey did as he instructed. After all, he was the expert at sneaking around. And as a plus, he was really, really warm.

Soon, they arrived at the edge of the city where a secluded park led to a small forest. Evey had visited the park many times in summer with her family to go hiking. She hadn't been back since. The untouched snow told her nobody else had either. Walking through the deep snow until they were hidden under the trees, Evey paused in a wide clearing.

"Ok, we're here."

V tilted his mask. "A fair ground for a duel I suppose. Though you still have me befuddled Evey. Are we using sticks?"

Evey laughed, shaking her head. "No. We're using snow! We each have five minutes to prepare, then we start. Go!"

Without waiting for a reply, Evey sprinted away across the clearing and buckling down under a tree began to pack snow into a fort. It was perfect, and stuck with ease. In no time at all she had it up to her waist and began to instead make ammunition. When she had an adequate supply ready she looked up to where she had left V. Of course, he had disappeared. Evey suddenly felt very alone in the moonlight.

It had taken V only a second to finally understand.

He sprinted away in turn, chuckling to himself as he glided silently between shadows. When he had circled completely around Evey he stopped behind a wide tree.

What to do. Hmm.

V looked up at the wide moon grinning back down at him.

Ah yes, that's it!

V jumped and caught the lowest branch of the tree. With an easy pull-up, he got his leg up and climbed high into the branches, moving from tree to tree to get closer to the fortress.

Evey knew her time was up. She packed extra snow onto her barrier as she gazed at the forest around her.

"Ok V!" She called. "Time's up!"

"Wonderful! I thought we would never begin!" A voice called back...from directly above her. V's smiling visage stared cheekily down at her. How had he gotten into her tree!? Evey gritted her teeth. No matter, she was prepared.

Taking her snowballs she threw two upward, catching V on the hem of his cloak and on his left shoulder. Scooping snow off the branches nearest him, V returned several, forcing Evey to dive behind her barrier. Of course, he wasn't using his full strength but the impact was enough to cause parts of her fortress to break apart.

A Pom-Pom appeared above the wall, followed by an arm.

"Ouf!" V cried dramatically as the shot struck him square in the chest. He fired one back before she could duck down, hitting her shoulder with perfect accuracy.

"Hey!" Evey yelled breathlessly. "Come down here and fight me like a man!"

"You dare call me less? My honour will not stand for this!" V retorted, swinging down several branches until he was only a few meters above her. Seeing her opportunity, Evey lunged out from behind her wall and began pelting him with shots. "Ah so you want to play like that? As you wish m' lady! Time for my finale!" V cried, stomping hard on the branch below him.

Things happened rather quick after that. A massive wave of snow broke loose from the evergreen, hitting Evey full force and burying her. V swooped down from his perch, triumphant.

"Do you concede?" He called to the snow pile.

Under the snow, Evey was furious. Not with him, but with herself.

How could you not guess he would have something planned? He did blow up a building when you met him.

Then, she heard him offer her a chance to surrender. It was at that moment her fury turned to him.

I'll get you! You smug bastard!

With a fierce battle cry, Evey emerged from the snow and tackled V at the knees, forcing him to fall back. Quickly, Evey crawled atop him, pinning his gloved hands.

"Do you surrender?" She said darkly. V couldn't help but chuckle. She was taking this so seriously and it was adorable. Her brown eyes narrowed and a sense of dread filled him.

"Very well." She hissed, pulling her hands away and stripping off her gloves. Before V could realize her plan, her hands had already slipped up under his doublet and shirt to press against his chest. He roared in pain.

They were ice cold!

Against his above-average heated chest they burned like fire. He tried to shake her off but she clung on.

"Fine! Fine! You win! I concede. You've got me. Evey please!" He begged her, gripping her waist.

Evey's dark expression broke and she smirked.

"Good, I'm exhausted." She laughed breathless against his chest, tucking her face below his mask and he couldn't help but return it.

"Well fought Evey, well fought."

"You didn't think I would have a trump card of my own? Give me more credit V." She still hadn't removed her hands, but the initial shock had faded, replacing the sting with a beautiful cool sensation. V hummed against her palms.

"I'll never underestimate you again." He bought a hand up to cup her cheek. Evey grew still, suddenly very aware of how close he was, of how alone they were. For several moments the only sounds echoing through the air was the pattern of their steady breathing.

V broke the silence with a murmur.

"Thank you Evey."

From her position wrapped against his chest it was like he had spoken directly into her soul.

"For what?" She asked softly.

"Everything you are. Coming back when I really deserved just to rot alone underground until my judgement day. For letting me..."

"Hm?"

"For letting me love you." Evey sighed contentedly and smiled.

He loved her. He LOVED her!

She could feel his chest tighten as he said it, unsure. She moved a palm slightly to rest atop his pounding heart. He shivered from the cold.

"I love you too V." And turning her head, Evey brushed a light kiss along the cheek of his mask.

The tension released.

V didn't know how long they stayed like that. Through the scattered branches above, he gazed at the twinkling night stars and for once couldn't imagine a single thing to wish.

His cloak kept his back warm and he could have happily remained there forever but eventually, Evey began to shiver. Sitting up, V lifted her with him and guided her with his arm as they returned home.

Evey didn't remove her hand from his chest until she was tucked lovingly into her own bed. As she dozed off she felt V run the lips of his mask over her forehead.

He sighed as he left her, wishing he could simply hold her the night through. But he knew tonight wasn't that night and closed her door softly behind him. He would have many more chances to prove his love.

Thank you so much for reading! Please please review! If you have any fluffy ideas you would like me to try feel free to comment below! Once again I don't own any of the characters!

Until next time! XD