Evergreen
A
"V for Vendetta" story by Tina Price.
Preview: Ah, the joys of the Holidays; Spending time with loved ones, visiting friends and comforting those who feel the years have passed them by... A huge holiday gala inspires several people to rethink the direction their lives are taking.
Disclaimer: V for Vendetta and all characters therein are the property of Warner Brothers Entertainment Company and DC Comics.
Author's notes: This story is rated PG, for some adult language. It takes place immediately after "The Meltdown" and is based upon my own continuation of the V for Vendetta storyline following the events of the movie (refer to my homepage for previous stories) As always, constructive criticism and advice are always appreciated!
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Evergreen: Chapter 2 – Well Met by Moonlight
Eric Finch, Deputy Commissioner of New Scotland Yard, slouched in a cozy chair on the veranda of the Great Court Restaurant and looked out over the marble railing at the celebration going on around him.
The entire lobby, or Great Court of the British Museum had been transformed into a huge dance area, complete with hard wood flooring. The areas immediately surrounding the restaurant had become dining and lounging areas. A live band were playing on a raised stage off to one side and Holiday lights twinkled merrily everywhere, as did streamers, Christmas trees and giant Menorahs...
Wait staff floated around with trays filled with appetizers or glasses of Champagne.
On the whole, the place was lovely, lively, festive and inviting.
It just made him feel that much more alone.
His wife had taken their son and left him many years ago, finally done with him and his long hours at work. Rather than seeing his dedication, she saw abandonment and had repaid him in kind. Months later both she and the boy were dead, victims of the riots generated by the anti-Irish fear and paranoia Sutler's government had fostered.
Since she'd left, there'd been no other, save the occasional one night conquest..
Outside of work he had few acquaintances and fewer friends. It was only recently that he had gained the two friends he had; V and Evey, yet even they were more acquaintances than friends. His fault really; he just couldn't seem to let anyone in.
Thank God that he'd had Dominic as a partner... but now, thanks to his promotion, that was over as well.
And now he looked around himself and realized something; not letting anyone else in meant that he was forever shut out. Never before had that point been driven home so forcefully as it suddenly was.
His career would eventually end and then what would he do; what would become of him once the focus of his life was over?
As a waiter moved past him, he snatched a glass of Champagne off the man's tray and downed it in a flash.
It was the holidays and all of England was celebrating their freedom and joy with family and friends. And now that freedom had been restored and there was so much worth celebrating, he had no one to celebrate with.
Somehow he'd let the important things in life pass him by.
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Dr. Michael Cahill stood beside his date for the evening and cringed inwardly at the thought of being seen with her.
Audrey was a cross between a harpy and a man-eater... and that was if one were being generous.
Still, she had ended up being his only ticket into this party and he had to be here. It was all a part of his plan; the plan to get back into V's good graces. He'd done something terrible and lost the man's trust as well as his friendship. He'd have to work hard to get it back and he would never get it back if he didn't keep himself visible, if V were allowed to simply forget him.
Not that he really thought the man could, but it would be foolish to help him out there.
No, Michael really wanted to undo the damage he had caused. He had never truly let anyone of his own gender close enough to consider them a friend. Oh, he had acquaintances, that much was certain, but most of them wanted something of him.
That was not the case with V, who right from the start would much rather have made him disappear. The man had wanted nothing from him, not even the treatment that had saved his life and which Michael had given because it was his duty to do so. It was what he believed in; why he had become a physician... And so, when a certain Evey Hammond had asked him to help her save a certain vigilante's life, he had risked everything to do so.
And while he had dealt with V's alternating politeness and cruelty during his patient's recovery, he had discovered a sort of kindred spirit in the man. They, neither of them, let people get close. They both used a sharp tongue and a quick wit to diffuse situations and hold other people at bay. They were both lonely, and he suspected that secretly V craved a male friend as much as he did; they both needed another man's perspective and opinion.
Over time, they had formed a tentative but rewarding friendship and it had been growing stronger. They'd sat together and sipped tea while chatting on a variety of subjects, each able to keep up their end of the verbal sparing.
And Michael had ruined it.
"Oh my God; look who the cat dragged in!" his date exclaimed in a shrill tone, grasping his arm and dragging him after her.
He cringed, afraid of enduring yet another one-sided greeting in which Audrey was certain to find fault with the other couple's attire and just about everything else about them. She'd let fly verbally, launching a round of barbed criticisms before flouncy away again.
He so despised her! He had to ditch her as soon as possible. Perhaps he could do so now...
It was then that he looked up and saw who they were greeting...
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As V exited the taxi at the main entrance to the British Museum, he turned and offered Evey his hand. His strength was such that she felt as though she floated out of the vehicle, so little work did her legs need do to lift her.
For a moment she stood frozen beside him and gaped at the scene surrounding her. Red carpeting covered the sidewalk and the stone steps leading up to the entrance. Doormen in formal attire greeted guests at the door while a maitre-de stood behind his podium and checked off names on the guest list. Paparazzi stood to one side, their cameras flashing like strobe lights.
"Whoa!" she breathed.
Somehow V heard her, even above the din of people surrounding them. "Indeed!" was his comment as he offered her his arm. "Shall we?"
She slipped her hand through his offered limb and was escorted up the stairs. A quick check showed that they were on the guest registry and then the doormen were holding the doors open for them.
It was like being transported to some magical ball, Evey thought as she took in the band, the dance floor, the tables and the décor.
They were immediately offered Champagne and Evey was heartbroken at having to refuse.
"You may have a sip of mine," her lover murmured, having apparently noted her wistful expression. He offered her his glass even before he'd sipped it.
"Do you think it'll be alright?" she asked.
"Yes. Just a sip won't hurt and I promise to buy you the best bottle I can find once it's safe for you to drink again."
She caught such a tender look in his eyes as he watched her sip from his glass that she knew he was thinking about the child she carried. His absolute belief that all would be well with this child was becoming infectious and she found her own worries slipping away… at least for this one night.
He had a point, didn't he? This child's existence defied so many odds that it seemed to go beyond all logic that it might die as a consequence of inheriting the genetic aberrations of its sire.
With a smile, she handed him back his glass and received an unexpected and rare public kiss in return.
"Evey!"
They both flinched slightly in recognition of the voice, then turned with the politest of expressions to greet her coworker, Audrey...
...and were stunned to see her on the arm of none other than Doctor Michael Cahill.
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Dominic Stone, newly promoted to the title of Inspector, led his date up the steps to the outside veranda of The Great Court Restaurant.
So far, their second date was going fabulously and he was intent upon finding them a more secluded place where they could have a few drinks and talk more intimately.
He was therefore surprised when they rounded a potted palm tree and found Eric Finch sitting at a table there. Still, Dominic only missed a beat before greeting his ex-partner, "Well met and Happy Holidays Commissioner!"
Finch had come to his feet as soon as he saw them arrive and now held out his hand.
"The hell with that!" Dominic threw his arms about the older man and gave him a hug, which Finch awkwardly returned.
"I've missed you, old boy!" he said with the greatest sincerity.
"Merry Christmas, Dominic," Eric replied. "Yeah, I miss you, too... and my office... and my old job."
"But think of all the good you can do where you are now! Give it some time and I'm certain you'll warm up to it."
Finch changed the subject. "And who is your lovely dance partner?"
Dominic placed a hand on his date's back and moved her forward. "Do you remember Jennifer Douglas? She was one of Evey's nurses at hospital."
Finch peered more closely at her and then shook her hand. "Yes indeed, I do remember you, Ms. Douglas and might I add that you're looking lovely tonight?"
She laughed as she withdrew her hand. "Thank-you. It's very nice to see you again as well. By the way, congratulations on your promotion."
"Thanks."
There was an awkward silence.
Finch broke it. "Well, why don't you two take my table? I'm going to go stretch my legs anyway."
"Sure thing. Have a good time out there. We'll catch you later," Dom called out to the retreating man's back.
"He didn't look very happy," Jennifer observed.
"He never does."
"Yes, but at a party like this? Do you suppose he brought a date?"
"Jen, I'd fall right over if I found out he did!"
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Michael gaped.
V and Evey were standing in front of him.
Evey's mouth was open in surprise and V...
V stared at him as though he had stepped in something unpleasant.
"Evey. V," he greeted. "Have you just arrived?"
"We've been here for nearly an hour," Audrey chirped. "I like to get to parties early so that I can see everyone as they show up."
"Yes, we've only just walked in," Evey answered. "I have to say that I'm very surprised you see you... and Audrey."
"Yes, how is that you two know each other?" V asked.
"Oh, he's an acquaintance of Martha's," Audrey chimed in. "She gave me his number and once I'd called and asked him to the hottest party in town, Michael was very keen to attend with me!"
"I see," V said, in a tone that implied he did not.
"I know several people attending this gala whom I was eager to see again, so I was quite fortunate to have Audrey ask me," he replied, looking his would-be friend in the eye and then mouthing the word, "Help!"
Evey bit her lip hard and looked away, while an amused twinkle lit V's eyes.
"I am quite certain that they will happy to see you," he replied. "And now, if you two will excuse us, I promised Evey that we would mingle a bit at the buffet." With a nod, he guided his lover away.
Michael sighed.
"Come on, Michael!" Audrey hissed. "Stop acting like a bore and ask me to dance!"
Time to lose the bimbo, he thought, even as he asked, "Perhaps, after a quick trip to the bar? May I bring you anything?"
"Yeah. I'd like a whiskey sour. Make sure they use the good stuff; I will not drink that crap that they usually try to get rid of at this kind of party!"
"As you say."
With that, Michael disappeared into the crowd as quickly as he could.
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"Martha!" Evey called out to her friend, having spied her across the crowd gathering around the buffet. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see V tilt his head inquisitively; no doubt keen to watch the interaction of two female friends.
"Evey!" Martha responded. "Oy! I can't seem to get to you!"
"Please allow me..." V somehow seemed to effortlessly part the crowd and laying a hand upon Martha's back, guided her to her friend.
"Thank you!" Martha told him as she was released safely next to Evey.
Both women laughed and then embraced.
"You look... perfect," Martha exclaimed, drawing back in her arms far enough to give her an exaggerated once over. "I hate you, you know."
Evey laughed even harder. "Yes, I know you do. And look at you; you look quite stunning yourself so I hate you too."
Beside them, she noticed the dumbfounded look on V's face. Noticing that both women were now watching him, he cleared his throat. "I'll leave you two ladies to chat," he said, before gallantly offering to fix them each a plate.
"Oh no, please stay," Martha insisted. "I need to get back to my date anyway..." She craned her head about. "He's here somewhere."
"And how is Eric doing?" Evey asked.
There was an uncomfortable silence.
"Actually he skipped out on me," Martha answered, looking quite upset. "He said that he wasn't certain he could make it and that I should probably attend with someone more reliable."
"I'm so sorry to hear that." Evey sighed, well aware of how much her friend liked the ex-Inspector. She'd confessed that she'd fallen for him while Evey was in hospital, although Eric seemed completely in the dark and had remained quite elusive. He'd accepted Martha's invitation tonight, giving them both hope that things might be about to change...
"Who is your date?" V asked.
"This is embarrassing…" Martha blushed. "I ended up asking my brother along. How sad is that?"
V gave her a gallant little bow. "Not sad at all, my dear. There are many of us who envy you the ability to share such outings with a sibling."
That brought a small smile to her face. "Is he always so nice?" she asked Evey.
Evey hesitated as images of V decimating three fingermen in mere seconds and blowing up the Bailey suddenly sprang vividly to memory. "It depends on who you are," she finally replied, noting the smirk it brought to her man's face.
"She knows me so well," he added.
"Martha, you'll never guess who I saw Audrey with!" Evey exclaimed.
"Would he be Michael Cahill?" her friend laughed. "Evey... I'm afraid I'm the one who set them up."
"How could you do such a thing to such a nice man?" Evey looked as though she had sucked on a lemon.
"Well, the truth is that he asked me out, but at the time I thought I was attending with Eric. He was desperate to attend so I told him that Audrey didn't have a date yet and of course, working for the museum, she was on the guest list as well. I offered to pass his phone number on to her along with a good recommendation"
"Martha, I don't think that poor man will ever talk to you again after tonight," Evey laughed.
"I wonder why he was so keen on attending that he would put himself in the company of that woman?" V mused.
Evey elbowed him as soon as she realized that he was obviously attempting to confirm or discount Michael's explanation.
"Actually, it was because he wanted to see you," Martha said, suddenly very serious. "You should give him a chance to say whatever it is he needs to say."
V immediately turned to look down at Evey. "Gossip my dear?"
She had the good grace to blush.
"She only talked to me about it because it was important for her to help the two of you out," Martha chastised him. "V, he's a good man. You are too. Do both of you a favor and forgive him!"
So saying, she gave Evey a quick hug. "I'd better go find Monty. I'll see you two later, OK?"
"Count on it," Evey replied, watching her friend disappear back into the crowd. She stood silently for a moment, thinking about Finch and how withdrawn he'd been lately; more so than usual anyway. It was a such a shame that he'd backed out… Poor Martha!
"Evey…"
V's hand on her back brought her attention back from her musings.
"Come, let's get you fed. You haven't eaten since late this morning and I'll not have you getting woozy on me." He leaned in close. "You must try to keep up with me tonight and in return I shall make it well worth your while."
One look into his eyes, which were sparkling with barely controlled excitement and she knew that his request would be impossible to fulfill. Who could possibly keep up with the man on an average day, let alone tonight?
"You know I do try to 'keep up' with you," she replied, "But I fear that you will tire me out in no time. After all, It's not just me in here anymore..."
That certainly got his attention.
He stared at her as though she were a masterpiece to be admired, then smiled and rubbed her back between her shoulder blades. "How wonderful… It really is taking a while to sink in." Shaking himself mentally, he returned to the here and now. "Well, we cannot have the little replacement unit going hungry, can we? Come. I still intend to feed you well and then coax you into partnering me on the dance floor for as long as you are able. When you've had enough I promise to whisk you home straight-away."
"And then you'll make it worth my while." She didn't phrase it as a question.
His only reply was a wolfish grin; a very rare occurrence in that it showed his teeth.
With that, he guided her towards the buffet.
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Next:
Chapter 3 on Wednesday
Chapter 4 Thursday
The rest on Friday!
