Chapter 3

Frustration

A couple of days passed by. It was the usual routine: in the morning V would make Evey breakfast and then disappear for an hour or two. During those hours, Evey usually practiced on V's old pianoforte, read, or cleaned up a bit around the Gallery. In the evenings, V ordinarily made himself known to the Gallery and then spent his time reading or playing chess. Evey noticed, however, that he would make it a point to spend time with her as well. Not that she minded; after being alone all day, it was nice to have somebody there. For V, it wasn't so much as having someone there; spending his evenings with Evey was a time to put his busy mind to rest; no more bombs, no more blood, no more fighting. It was just a time to enjoy something truly innocent and heavenly.

However, in this particular instance V had been absent from the Gallery practically the entire day. And she was left to clean. "This is nothing unusual," Evey sighed heavily. Bucket in hand, she slowly and carefully climbed up the ladder. Dipping a rag inside the bucket, soaking it in warm soapy water, she began to wipe the dust off a tall statue of a roman soldier. She was a bit angry that he hadn't been home. She moaned another frustrated sigh. Evey knew that V was in fact busy, but she did not understand why he left almost every day, for hours at a time.

"He couldn't possibly be that busy," she thought. She had no way of knowing what he did for sure; she was almost positive that if she asked him, he would tell her just how he spent his day. But the fact was that she didn't want to hear about his activities. Hearing and seeing V's victim's pictures and stories on the news was enough for her. What troubled her and made her the most angry was that she felt a bit jealous that he spent so much time on his mission rather than with her.

"Being jealous is a completely unacceptable way to feel," she told herself. She understood why she had those sorts of feelings, she was growing to like him more and more everyday, but something else must be having effect on her to make sure feel this way. "Being cooped up underground in this place is driving me mad," she complained. "It's making me feel things I should never even begin to feel." Evey wanted the warmth of the sun on her face again. She wanted a change in scenery; she wanted to talk to other people; she wanted to go out to little coffee shops and sit by the window to watch people go by. However, she most desperately wanted to breathe fresh air again.

Music began to play outside the room and seconds later, V appeared by her side. "Hello Evey." Startled, Evey quickly turned around. The light behind her made a silhouette of her figure; Evey looked like a goddess, standing high upon the ladder.

"V!" She said excitedly. "You're back." V shifted his weight, trying to hide his fatigue from the day's work.

"Would you like some tea?" He asked. "It looks as though you've been working hard." Evey blushed and looked down at her clothes that were filthy from the dust.

"If you would be so kind," she said wiping sweat from her forehead. "Just let me finish up in here." V bowed and left the room.

Evey grabbed the bucket of soap water and took a step a down carefully, followed by the next foot. As she moved her other foot down, she misplaced it, slipping off the ladder. She was so surprised by the sudden loss of balance, she reached for the closest thing to hold on to, the bucket of soap water. The liquid spilled all over her, soaking her from head to toe as she hit the floor. Pain surged through her body as she tried to sit up. "Christ!" She yelled in agony.

Absolutely drenched, she sat up looking around to she the mess she had made. The surrounding carpets were flooded with the soap water, not to mention there was a huge puddle in the middle of the room. And a few books that were stacked on the floor got soaked as well. "Heavens child," said V, rushing into the room. "Are you all right?" He had been in the kitchen when he heard the commotion.

"I-I'm so sorry V," she said, flushing a bright red. She hid her face in her hands and started to laugh. She couldn't believe this; she was so embarrassed. "I didn't mean to make such a mess, I'll clean it up." V walked over to her, sliding his arms underneath her shoulders, and helped her to her feet.

"Can you walk?" Asked V, stepping back to observe her.

"If wasn't able to walk, I probably wouldn't be standing here on my own right now," she said, her voice holding the smallest hint of sarcasm. But to please V, she took a few steps toward him. "Satisfied?" She said looking up at him, trying not to grimace. She had twisted her ankle a bit from the fall and it did hurt somewhat, but it was nothing major.

"Quite," V said firmly. "Anything hurt?"

Maybe it was because he had caught her in a vulnerable situation or it was the lighting, but for whatever strange reason, she more strongly felt attracted to him than usual. "Or maybe it is because I hit my head," she teased silently. "Nothing serious," she replied, rubbing the small knot that had already began forming on the back of her head.

He gulped softly, "she looks beautiful". Even though her hair was in disarray and she was soaking wet, he couldn't help admire her beauty. Her cheeks had a soft tint of pink from embarrassment, the water droplets made her skin glisten in the light, and her clothes hugged her small curvy figure; revealing its glory. "Would you like me to draw you a bath?"

Later That Evening….

Evey's body ached terribly. She had spent an hour or so cleaning up her mess. Of course V wanted to clean all of it for her, but she refused his offer and let him help her instead. Now Evey laid stretched on the couch reading while V practiced his sword fighting. It was a rather noisy activity that Evey had no taste for, but she tolerated it just the same. Every once and awhile she would look up at him, watching him go at it; wondering what was going through his mind. What the suit of armor really a suit of armor to V? Or was it the enemy, like Chancellor Sutler?

She admired his graceful and swift movements. He had great talent; that was obvious. She kept her book open, but was no longer reading. She was fixated on V. She noticed how his hair would move and bounce by with every move and she became painfully aware of his leg muscles. She zeroed in on his lower torso. His legs were the perfect size, neither too big nor small.

V rammed his sword into the suit of armor and walked over to the couch, "Evey are you hungry? "

She broke out of her trance, "no I'm fine, thank you."

V rested a hand on painfully his hip, "what about some tea?" Evey smiled and shook her head. "Very well, I'm going to be in my room if you need me." And with that, V went to the kitchen, loaded a tray with food and tea and locked himself in his room. She hated that. She hated the fact that they could never have a real meal together. Sure she wasn't hungry this time, but if she would have said yes, V would have sat at the table and watched her feast– all the while hungry but not eating a bite.

"All because of that stupid mask," she mumbled to herself. She wished he had the confidence and courage to take the mask off. She didn't know how much or how badly he really was burnt, but she didn't think it could be that bad…

Bathed and fed, V emerged from his bedroom. He wondered if Evey was still up. He looked up at the old antique clock hanging on the wall. Quarter past two. Going down the hall, he came into the living room only to find Evey fast asleep upon the couch with her book atop her chest.

"Sleep is a reconciling,
A rest that peace begets:
Doth not the sunrise smiling

He walked slowly towards her, not wanting to wake her peaceful slumber.

" When fair at even he sets?"

Rest you then, rest, sad eyes,
Melt not in weeping,"

His breath caught in his throat. She looked so angelic. Her breathing was a soft susurrus.

" While she lies sleeping."

Softly, now softly lies
Sleeping
."

Out of compassion for her, he put the book away. He then gingerly slid his arms underneath her small body and picked her up. His heart raced as he held her lovely frame in his arms; her eyes closed, head tilted back, exposing the soft and delicate skin of her neck. Oh what he wouldn't give to just taste her in his mouth, to have her writhing underneath him, feeling his heat upon her. Or to feel her soft smooth body against his. What he wouldn't do to have her cry out his name is sheer ecstasy. He held her tighter to him.

V slowly walked to her bedroom, using his shoulder to push the door ajar and laid her gently on her bed, covering her with the bed sheets. He could barely see her in the dark; the only light was coming from outside the room. Bringing her hand up slowly, he kissed it delicately. He rested her hand softly by her side. "Stay," Evey whispered softly. Her hand grasped his and tugged lightly. Holding his breath, V stood there dead silent, not knowing what to say or what to do. He battled himself; should he stay or should he go? "His feelings could prove to be dangerous to his mission if he were to exploit them in any way possible…" She laid there; her heart had never pounded this hard before. The dead silence was unbearable to the both of them; it felt like an eternity.

"I can't," V finally said regretfully. Why couldn't he make himself stay? There she was, looking at him, asking him to stay. "Stay, stay, stay with her," he told himself over and over. Evey sat up, disappointed and almost desperate. She needed him by her side.

"Please," she pleaded softly. Her hand slowly glided up his forearm, all the way up past his elbow. V's breath caught in his throat as she pulled him towards her slowly.

"Evey…" V murmured. Leaning forward, she lifted her head as though to kiss him. They could both hear the other's breath grow to pants. Their faces were only but inches apart. "I'm sorry Evey, I can't."

It took every inch of will power in his body to separate himself from her. Though he could not see her face, he knew she was humiliated and hurt. He couldn't do it though. He couldn't let his feelings for her get in the way. Loosening her grip, V pulled away, her hands sliding down his arms numbly. Speechless, V turned around and walked out, closing the door behind him. He left her sitting there, alone in the dark, ashamed and rejected, with tears in her eyes.


Author's Note: THANKS to EVERYONE who reviewed or put this story on alert/favorites! You GUYS TOTALLY ROCK! I do appreciate you guys reviewing! Again I want to thank my beta, Ellina Hope, for being my beta and totally kicking my ass for my bad grammar!

Also I must apologize for the long awaited update. This chapter was the hardest for me to write because it is mostly just filler and it is suppose to be build up to the next chapter. You cannot imagine how many times I've spent REWRITING this chapter. Dear Lord! The story line must have change ten times…atleast!

Works Cited: "Weep You No More Sad Fountain" is a poem by John Dowland and in no way do I claim the lyrics or the title to be my own creation. To check out John Dowland's poem please visit (http)oldpoetry(dot)com/opoem/41258