Meg is released from the hospital three days later. She's pretty sure that the reason they release her is they're tired of the security team that takes up residence around her rooms and the hospital to keep the press out. They must also be tired of the constant stream of deliveries that come to her room. Before the end of her first full day, it's full of flowers and balloons, along with gifts for both her and the baby. The letters begin arriving the next day, and Meg spends her time reading the words of love and encouragement the people send.

None of it is real, and it makes her sad to read what people write. They think she's someone special, but the only reason they think that is because of what Adrian made them think so. She was no one, just a woman working her way through the world. Then, after he killed all those people, he made her into his symbol of hope. Of triumph.

And the people ate it up.

Leaving the hospital is an ordeal. The press is in the front, cameras flashing, microphones out, shouting questions at her as Adrian wheels her out. Behind them are the general populace, holding signs and screaming.

"Remember to smile, dear," Adrian whispers.

Meg swallows the curse she wants to say and, instead, does as he asks. She smiles and waves tentatively at the crowd with one hand, the other resting protectively on her stomach. The sun is in her eyes, and she wishes Adrian had given her sunglasses. He'd brought a whole damn make-up and wardrobe crew with him to get Meg ready to leave, but somehow sunglasses had slipped his mind.

She waves at a little girl standing in front of the crush of people. The girl grins and waves enthusiastically back. Meg laughs a little before looking back up.

She freezes.

Rorschach stands in the crowd.

Meg gasps, sending a jolt of pain through her lungs. She leans forward to get a better view, but then he's gone.

"Meg?" Adrian stops the wheelchair in front of the car. He steps next to her and holds out his hand. "Are you all right? You've gone as white as a sheet."

She looks back at the crowd, but all she sees is the crush of people. No Rorschach.

Of course not. He's dead.

"I'm fine." She takes his hand and allows him to help her stand. The pain isn't as intense as it was a few days ago, but she tightens her grip and stays still a moment, catching her breath. Then, she climbs into the back of the car.

Adrian closes the door. A moment later, he gets in on the other side. "You can drive," he says to the driver. "

The car moves.

Meg lays her head back against the headrest and closes her eyes. "Where are we going?"

He takes her hand and kisses it. "A hotel downtown. I've rented the penthouse for us indefinitely. Until we can go home."

She opens her eyes and looks at him. "And where is home? Are we to live in New York or Washington D.C.?"

Adrian smiles. "I suppose that depends. New York is still somewhat of a mess. Not really a place to raise children right now. Washington D.C., however…"

"If only you'd known before."

His eyes blaze and he squeezes her hand warningly.

She smiles sweetly.

Adrian releases her hand and looks out his window. They continue to drive in silence for some time. Meg is lulled into a doze, exhausted by the ordeal of getting dressed and having her hair and make-up done. Adrian has never made her feel ugly, but since the blast, he never lets her go in public without looking her best. Which, under normal circumstances is fine, but when it's a little much after spending days in the hospital.

They get to the hotel, where, luckily, there is no crowd. Adrian helps Meg walk through the lobby to the elevator, which opens into the entryway of the penthouse suite.

"Do you want to go right to bed," Adrian asks, "or would you like to eat first, or…"

"I just want to sit down and get my bearings. And see Billy."

"Of course." He leads her out of the entryway into a living room. There are large windows on the far wall, light streaming in. A fireplace tucked in the corner, television on the wall. Couches and chairs scattered around, and a thick, plush rug on the floor.

Off to the side of the living room is a small kitchen area. At the kitchen table sit Billy and his former nanny, Miss Stacy. Billy has a pencil in hand and is writing something while Stacy instructs.

Adrian helps Meg sit on the largest couch and pulls and pulls ottoman close to prop her feet. "Do you need a blanket?"

"No. I'm not cold. Billy?"

He looks up. "Mom!" Glancing at Miss Stacy, he asks, "May I stop now?"

"Of course," Miss Stacy answers. She closes the workbook Billy had been writing in and stands, following Billy into the living room. "It's good to see you again, Mrs. Veidt."

Meg smiles. "You too."

Billy climbs onto the couch and cuddles into Meg's side. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." She smooths his hair back from his forehead and kisses his head. "I'm sorry I was gone."

"It's okay." He took her hand and began to play with her fingers. "Adrian said we're not going to move around anymore. We're going to go home and live with him." He looks up. "Is that true?" His eyes shine with a hopeful light.

Meg's heart twists and breath catches. It takes her a moment to say, "Yes. Yes, Adrian's right."

Adrian sits on the other side of Billy and puts his arm around him. His fingers brush through Meg's hair and against her neck. "That's right, Billy. We're going to be a family again. All of us, you, me, Mom and the baby."

Billy smiles. "I always wanted a family."

I can't do this. I can't…

But there's no choice. Unless she can think of something, this is her life.

So, she smiles and kisses Billy again. "Aren't you the luckiest boy in the world then?"

He beams. "Yes."

Meg can feel Adrian watching her closely. She swallows back her despair. Looks at him, eyebrows raised.

He studies her a moment, then gives a tiny nod. "Why don't we play a quiet game? What would you like to play, Billy?"

"Chutes and Ladders!" Billy climbs off the couch and runs to the kitchen, fetching the box and returning.

"Very well. Miss Stacy, you can go for now. Come back around seven?"

"Yes, Mr. Veidt."

They spend the rest of the afternoon playing games. Chutes and Ladders, Candyland, Memory, and Barrel of Monkeys. It's difficult for Meg at first, not just because it's all a lie, but because she's uncomfortable and in pain. It's hard to find a position where it doesn't hurt and then, the oddest things cause pain. Like burping. Such a small thing, but such enormous pain.

Despite only being seven years old, Billy manages to focus on the games for quite a long time. By the time he grows bored, it's early evening and time for dinner. Food is delivered. Billy talks throughout the meal, telling Adrian of the places he and Meg had lived and the people they'd met. Adrian listened and asked questions, keeping the conversation flowing and never asking Meg to participate.

Miss Stacy returns after dinner and takes Billy to his bath, leaving Adrian and Meg alone for the first time.

"You looked exhausted," Adrian says.

She nods. "I am."

He shakes his head and rises from the dinner table, reaching out his hands to help her up. "I wish you had said something. There was no need to tax yourself. You need to focus on recovery."

Meg allows him to pull her up and wrap his arm around her waist. He leads her out of the living room, down a hall, and into a bedroom. "I wanted to be with Billy. I needed…" She swallows. "I needed that."

"I'm not going to do anything to him."

"I know. That's not why." She sighs and pulls away from him to sit on the bed. "I need to know this is going to work. That I can… Forget enough to give him…" Her throat closes. Meg covers her mouth with her hand.

Adrian kneels in front of her. "I wish I could make this easier, Meg. I truly do. I'm not a comic book villain. I never wanted to hold you captive, like a princess in a tower. But we have a higher duty."

She doesn't reply, simply sighs wearily.

He stands. "Do you need help getting ready for bed? Bathing or anything?"

"No. I'll be fine." Meg sniffs and takes as deep a breath as she can manage. "I guess I'll see you in the morning."

Adrian doesn't move. Doesn't seem to breathe.

Her stomach drops. "No."

"What if something happens in the night and you need help?"

"Then I'll call for help. You'll be in the next room."

"What will Miss Stacy think if she realizes I'm sleeping in another room?" Adrian asks.

"She'll think I'm ill and injured and need the bed to myself."

Adrian shakes his head. "I won't touch you."

Meg glares at him. "That's not what I'm afraid of."

"Then what's the problem?"

There's no arguing with the man. Smartest man alive she reminds herself.

"Fine. But when we get home…"

"We'll talk. Because when we get home, we'll have a baby. An infant who will need a lot of care. You will not keep me from her."

She swallows at his steely tone. "I… Of course not. I wouldn't keep you from your child." She meets his eyes and adds, "I'm not a comic book villain."

He flinches ever so slightly.

Meg takes it as a victory. Struggling to her feet, she says, "I'm going to take a shower. When I'm done, I'm going to bed. I can't lie down. It's uncomfortable with the baby and my lungs, so I'll need a lot of pillows. Please make sure I have enough." Then, before he can answer, she sweeps from the room feeling that she's won at least this round.