Disclaimer: If V were mine, halfway through the movie someone in the audience would have said, 'Hey, why is that short girl tackling V and dragging him offscreen?' None of it is. Alan Moore, the Wachowski Brothers, David Lloyd, Vertigo, and men in scary business suits own V and Evey. I just think naughty thoughts and giggle to myself evilly. I am making no money off of this. I do this instead of my homework. Please do not sue me. I have no money, and my organs have been tainted by smoking and alcohol, making them unsaleable on the black market.

Quotes are listed at the bottom.

'He lay beside her, an insomniac with visions of vastness. He thought of desert stretches so huge no Chosen People could cross them. He counted grains of sand like sheep and knew his job would last forever. He thought of aeroplane views of wheatlands so high he couldn't see which way the wind was bending the stalks. Arctic territories and sled-track distances. Miles he would never cover because he could never abandon this bed.'

- Leonard Cohen

She stood behind V in the kitchen, her bag slung over her shoulder, watching him read. She had been awake when he had climbed from his bed (their bed), clearly believing her to be asleep. Evey hadn't slept that night, and she doubted she would be able to for a long time.

V hadn't turned the page since she had entered the room. It wouldn't have surprised Evey to discover that he had been sitting in the kitchen since he had left his bed, staring vacantly at the same page. He hadn't even heard her walk up behind him. If it hadn't been for the steady rise and fall of his chest, he might have been just another beautiful statue in the Gallery.

For a second, Evey felt her control slip, and she loved him. Loved him so fiercely that she wanted to rip open his shirt and carve her name into his chest, to remind him that she was there. As if either of them needed physical proof of last night (last night). Then she remembered what she had to do, and her eyes hardened. It was the same look she had given V when he was still her guard, and had ordered her execution. Walking over to him, stopping just by his shoulder, she broke the spell.

'Good book?' Her voice sounded like a stranger's. V's head jerked up slightly, but he did not turn to face her.

'Very.' V honestly could not remember what he had been reading. He knew he had a book in his hands, and it had words, but beyond that, his synapses did not seem to be firing correctly. It would be easier if he didn't look at her. Evey hovered by his side, as if silently agreeing with him.

'I have to leave.'

'Oh?' His tone was the same as if she had just announced that Shakespeare was English, or that V liked to blow up buildings. But with four words, V felt like she had ripped off his mask.

(i knew i knew is it because of last night last night oh lord but she wanted it i wanted it of course i wanted it how could i not want it i was a man last night not the idea the IDEA i wanted and she wanted she's changed her mind did i hurt her i could never hurt i have hurt her i could never hurt her like she hurts me just by being last night she was mine i was hers last night i belonged to something i was a part of something that was not about death or violence or hate or revenge)

'Did you hear me?' Evey moved to sit across the table from him. Although the mask was looking directly at her, she had a feeling he was miles and years away.

'Perfectly.' He put the book down, and laid his hands on the table, trying to appear impassive. 'Because of last night.' His voice cracked slightly on the last word, and his gloved hand clenched into a fist. At that moment, V wished Creedy and his men would burst into the Shadow Gallery guns blazing, just so he could kill and hurt and die all at once. Maybe if he timed it right, the sensation would be a dull echo of what he felt sitting at a table across from her.

'Not in the way you think.' Evey was suddenly struck by the distance between them. Last night they had been as close as humanly possible. The mask inclined slightly, and a heavy breath snuck out. Evey knew he didn't believe her. (if i tell him the truth i won't be able to leave i don't want to leave) She reached for his hand; he jerked it out of her reach. There was an awkward moment. 'That's why, V. Nothing has changed.'

(everything has changed) 'Did you think it would?' V sounded so angry. (am i angry i can't tell i can't feel i am watching a man who looks like me die) Evey smiled at him sadly. (don't evey don't you dare look at me like i exist)

'I guess it was silly of me to hope for a happy ending,' she said. V stoood up. Evey resisted the urge to touch him, to prove his solidity to herself. (that's why he wouldn't touch me. a wall has crumbled. he can't trust himself with me)

'There are no happy endings,' he said quietly. 'Because nothing ever ends.' (that's why that's why don't love me don't you dare the idea will live on i may end but not what i've done ideas don't die they don't love they don't feel then why does your every glance tear out my insides)

Evey nodded. (has there ever been a morning after conversation like this?) A quote suddenly shot through her mind, although she could not remember the author, or even the book. 'She knew she would fall in love with him every minute, every second, over and over, for the rest of her life.'

(don't leave don't leave don't leave get out get out get out i can't do what i must with you here if you walk away i'll lose whatever i have left i have nothing left don't leave just go it's the mask the mask the FUCKING mask you will never know me but you know me better than i ever will i will never get past this mask)

Suddenly, something inside V seemed to collapse, although nothing visible happened. Evey watched him, wishing everything didn't hurt. V looked around.

'This is not the right setting for so auspicious an exit. The Wurlitzer, I believe, is an appropriate venue for such a farewell. Make sure you have everything, and let's try this again, shall we?' V made a dramatic half-bow. For a moment, Evey fantasized about staying. (if i don't say it again, we can pretend i never did. and i can't stay here) Instead, she nodded weakly to his suggestion. V spun sharply on his heel and walked out of the kitchen. After a few moments, she heard him shuffling through the songs on the Wurlitzer.

He was right. This first attempt had failed. It hadn't worked. She didn't feel like she was leaving. So, ever the vaudeville lover, V was giving her a second chance. To make the performance perfect. To pretend it didn't hurt. (there is no stopping this. he has been inside me, but even that wasn't enough) Enough for what, she couldn't say. Evey went into her room, and picked up Valerie's letter. She touched it gently. (like i touched him) It didn't matter who wrote it, she would still give it back. She couldn't carry any more pieces of him with her. The bed was still unmade; but she had stalled long enough. A song began on the Wurlitzer; V was ready. Evey took a deep breath, and walked out to say goodbye.

QUOTES:

There are no happy endings, because ever ends. – 'The Last Unicorn'

She knew she would fall in love with him every minute, every second, over and over, for the rest of her life. – 'Leaving Las Vegas'