A.N: Oh my. I suppose there might be an adult situation moment at the end. Nothing too graphic... just thought I'd warn ya. yeah. okay. Hopefully this chapter gets things a little bit more on track. I know that things really wont make a lot of sense in the past chapters, (including this one) but bare with me, i PROMISE everything will be explained and clarified in the next chapter. Thanks!

(Updated 2/3/11)

Chapter 4: Wishful Thinking

Walter. She couldn't get her mind off of him, off of that mental image of him standing before her without a shirt on, with those well-chiseled abs and chest…

The person across the long oval table was staring at her. She flicked her eyes to him and he lopsidedly grinned at her in reply. The sun was peaking through the large windows that touched the floor of the board room, hitting the top of his balding head with an intense glare.

Teri reached up to make sure that she hadn't been drooling at the thought of Walter. Fortunately not. She assumed that Richard, the man across her, cared just as much about Veidt's stocks as she did. Not a cinch. Teri pulled her gaze from him, sitting back in the roller chair that was exactly like all the others around her. She didn't understand why they all had to be here so damned early. Teri ignored the voice of one of the board members as they chatted away, addressing Adrian at the head of the black, plate glass table. She looked back down at her hands, which were folded neatly in her lap.

Walter… she knew that life was never going to be the same. Silently she scoffed. She said that very same thing when Daniel gave her his bloodied mask. The same emotions were triggered, and she just longed to go home and hold him. She didn't want him to disappear…Teri consciously looked at her watch. It wasn't even close to the time when she could go home….

"I'm not leaving you."

She sighed, closing her eyes for just a moment. She had secretly hoped that Walter would have protested her going to work, to have physically restrained her or something, perhaps even made her call in sick. She wanted to be with him so badly it hurt.

"Ahem,"

Teri opened her eyes. All fourteen of the people sitting around the table were staring at her, including Veidt. Oh-sweet jesus-I didn't call out Walter's name, did I?

Adrian eyed her suspiciously, he'd been watching her the entire meeting; something was off about her today. He assumed it had something to do with the large bruise on her face. He took a breath before repeating his question to the sit-in for head of the marketing department, Emily Nueberg. "How will the stocks affect the new line?"

Teri sat up, remembering her position on everything. "Not at all. The Enigma line is still up and running," She shuffled through the papers in her open folder, "On schedule." She found what she was looking for.

"I assume the you're proposing a suggestion for it." Veidt stated, his slim fingers cupping his chin. It was, after all, her departments' deadline.

"Yes, sir," Teri passed the sketch down the table, earning several smiles from people whose hands continued to slide it down the table.

Veidt took it up in his hands, an eyebrow cocking at the rather racy sketch; It was a magazine advertisement for the new perfume. It had a scent bubble at the top, and Adrian brought it slowly to his nose, sniffing.

"My co-workers and I think that it might be beneficial to shift the consumer target from men to women." Teri explained, talking fast as Veidt raised his gaze to hers at the mere implication. "Since the last two were geared towards men…"

Veidt took a breath, reading once again the logo underneath the sketch. "In a time of change," He read aloud. "Bringing the bold prowess out of the proud business woman."

Teri nervously bit her lip. She'd come up with that line. The whole room remained silent, not a single person daring to make a comment; they all waited for Adrian's reaction.

His eyes flicked to hers. "See me after we're done here." He didn't need to give anyone else a go or stop signal besides her anyway. Why hold up the tedious meeting for a simple lecture?

Teri nodded, bringing her eyes back onto the papers before her as Adrian addressed the next line of business. He didn't like it. She knew that she'd get a little hell from him for even considering to change the focus of their new line to the opposite sex.
Teri nearly rolled her eyes. Wonderful. She had spent hours on that sketch of the woman standing in the doorway, her business suit unbuttoned, revealing a sexy corset beneath. She had even set up a schedule to cast for models for the photo-shoot. She clicked the top of her pen and made a note on her papers to have her boss cancel it.

Eyes bore into the side of her head, and hesitantly she matched Adrian's gaze. She didn't like him looking at her. Teri jerked her glance away, as if his eyes had burned her, and stared back down at the useless papers atop her personal, black folder. She tried to calm her beating heart, she felt as if he had read straight into her mind. As if he knew everything she was planning to do. She shifted uneasily in the leather chair.

"Look, uh," Ashley started as Walter sat on the floor beside her. Alice was in her lap, blinking and gazing at the redheaded man as he settled on the soft carpet. "I have a key here," She shrugged as Alice stopped playing with the colorful block in her little fist to stare at Walter. "Now that you're here, I can understand if you two'd like it back."

Ashley, leaned up against the legs of the couch, and lolled her head to look at Walter. She was young, but she wasn't naïve: People liked to have sex, and babysitters coming in at inconvenient and sometimes forgotten times were drearily annoying-period.

Walter reached out. Alice took his pointer finger in her little hand and gripped it tightly. "Teri gave you a key?" He inquired, raising his eyebrow. He'd never heard of a babysitter with access to their employers apartment. Teri's gotten too trusting… Rorschach growled, looking the teenager up and down, inspecting her with scrutinizing eyes. Ashley was clad in simple blue jeans and a maroon tee, opposed to Alice's pink jumper and Walters trousers and green button down.

Ashley frowned, rubbing Alice's back, lovingly. "I don't have the greatest relationship with my father." she whispered, flicking her eyes to his. "He takes comfort in the bottle, ya know?"

The pain, the hurt in her voice sent a shiver down his spine. He knew all to well what she meant. He wondered how often her old man beat her. "How old are you?"

"Eighteen." Ashley answered, worrying her lips as she tickled Alice's belly, getting a fit of giggles as a reply. It brought a smile to her lips. Always did. It helped ease her mind as she tried to repress painful memories. "Teri's been kind to me."

"Not surprised." Walter replied, "Has that type of personality. Always trusting." Wonder about her occupation. Rorschach muttered. Surely not just a babysitter. Possible prostitute?

Ashley took a breath, nodding as Alice slid off of her lap. "She talked about you all the time, you know." She murmured softly. Even when Teri didn't talk about Walter-like when she liked to sit on the fire escape by herself for long hours staring into oblivion-it didn't take a mind reader to know that Teri was thinking about the man she loved. Ashley felt relieved that Walter was here now; to provide Teri with a kind of comfort that she'd never be able to give her.

Alice gurgled, blowing a raspberry as she tried to sit up, gripping Walter's pants in her little, chubby hands. Walter reached down and helped the infant, pulling her onto his own lap. She peered up at him, curiously. "Goo-ah." Walter raised his confused brow, a tiny, unnoticeable smile on his face. He was trying to ignore the man that chattered unheedingly in his mind.

Ashley watched him, stiff and unsure. He was like most first time parents, uncertain about how gentle he should be with Alice. It was almost amusing, but she held back her chuckle; she helped Teri through the nervousness, she could help Walter. "She even called your name during the labor." Ashley paused as a shadow of guilt passed over his face. "She was pretty drugged up, but it was clear."

"You were there?" Walter asked, brows furrowed. Rorschach blinked at the young girl.

"All fourteen hours."

"Didn't you have school or something?" He felt a small pang of jealously.

Ashley shook her head, "I graduated." she told him, matter-of-factly.

"Hurm." Walter muttered, as Alice took his finger in her gummed mouth; it was a little gross. Prostitution on the side? Rorschach considered, still on the matter of Ashley's extracurricular activities. "She was sad." Walter stated, it was meant more for a question. He knew that Teri was private about most of her feelings, at least to him. But it was obvious that Ashley was intuitive. Rorschach frowned, under normal circumstances, Walter wouldn't be talking to this would-be-teenage-whore, but… this wasn't normal circumstances. Unfortunately. Rorschach groaned; he hated small talk like this. No matter what it was about. Tedious. But Walter wanted to know. Wanted to know what they'd missed.

"Especially after Alice got here." She confided, with a lift of her shoulder, her eyes on her fingers as she picked at a fingernail, trying to be casual. She suspected that Walter could see right through her façade. "But that's normal for mothers, especially single mothers."

"Not single anymore." Walter replied, coldly. It still pained him to think about all the times he could have been there for her. Alice released her hold on his finger, finding something even more entrancing; That colorful block she'd abandoned to come into this strangers lap. Alice let out a squeal that almost had Rorschach jumping out of his skin.

Ashley saw what Alice wanted, but Walter reached for it before she could do anything about it.

Walter handed it to the giddy baby, watching in amusement as she let out a high pitched laugh. Walter shook his head, having a hard time understanding how something so simple-that she'd had just moments ago-could make her so happy. Her laughter sent a strange sensation running through his veins; He wanted to make her laugh again.

"Its not so often that Alice takes to strangers," Ashley started, "She's sort of ornery. But she knows." Walter glanced at her. "Somehow she knows." Ashley smiled at him. The more time they spent around each other, the more Ashley was trusting him, slowly but surely.

"I like it when she laughs." Walter commented, distracted.

Ashley's smile grew wider. He didn't seem like much on the outside, but perhaps Walter really was all that Teri had been ranting about.

Oh thank god! Teri thought as Veidt concluded the meeting, she rose from her chair, her legs and butt tired from sitting. She took that time to inconspicuously stretch as her co-workers sauntered from the room, discussing the previous subjects brought up. Teri yawned, gathering the materials before her and placing them easily back into the black folder. She waited for everyone to leave. Adrian remained in his chair, ever staring at her through knowing eyes.

The door closing behind the last of the stragglers was strangely troubling. Teri still turned though-now alone-to Veidt.

He took a breath, breaking his stare as he stood from his seat. Pocketing his hands in his dark slacks, his jacket parting easily from his arms, he ambled over. He didn't open his thin lips until he was beside her, leaning against the black table, his hands moving from his pockets to casually support himself. He waited until Teri raised her gaze to his. "I'm not sure how I feel about shifting the focus to strictly women." He told her, softly.

His voice was soothing, gentle. It was alluring, and relaxed, but Teri tried to remember that he was a murderer, and that a murderer could be quite persuasive and sweet, despite their disposition. She was proof of that. "If you'd like, I can re-do it." Teri replied, eyeing the copy that still rested at the end of the table, looking oddly exposed.

Adrian shook his head, pursing his lips thoughtfully. "That won't be necessary." He crossed his feet. "I didn't say I didn't like it." He assured her.

Teri had worked for Veidt for nearly a year now, and though she moved up quickly, do to the lack of employees, and though she had personally met with Adrian on several accounts, his presence still bothered her. Not only was she in the same room with the smartest, fastest, richest man in the world, but she intended to bring him to his knees. It was unnerving to look her prey in the eyes. Teri wasn't for the thought of playing with her victims; 'Don't tell 'em you're gonna kill 'em, just kill 'em.' Things always went wrong with the people that let out long lectures before they executed someone, and Teri felt that that was exactly what she was doing. The longer she worked here, the higher the chances that he would suspect something, if not already.

"I want the line to continue forward." Veidt sustained, unaware of her inner turmoil. "Emily seemed to put her trust in you when she appointed you her representative," A lock of long blond hair fell in front of his eyes as he turned his head to her, and he reached up, casually brushing it away. "I'm putting my trust in you, too." He told her, dangerously.

Teri swallowed. "I wont let you down."

Adrian smiled, knowing more than he was willing to let on. "No, I don't suspect that you will."

"Is that all, sir?"

"No." Adrian added quickly. His eyes trapped hers for a long moment. "What happened to your face?" His asking had no lining of inappropriate manner towards her, merely a gentle caring.

Teri blushed widely and looked away. "Uh, a mugging." Teri lied, hurriedly. Slow down, fool! She hoped he couldn't hear her heart beating, for it was loud in her ears.

Adrian smiled, noting her unease. "Were you doing the mugging, or was it the other way around?"

Teri shot him a look; He was messing with her. Teri attempted a half smile. "I'm afraid if I answer that, I may incriminate myself." She joked.

Adrian chuckled; it was throaty, pleasant. "Yes, well, we can't have that, now can we?"

Teri shook her head. "No." she replied, her blush fading.

"I understand that you take a taxi home?" Adrian brought up, pushing past their joke onto the more serious notion of it. "Perhaps you would feel more safe with a company car?"

Teri froze. A company car? "I…I don't have a license." Teri replied, making small excuses. Oh, how a company car would be much nicer and cheaper compared to the daily taxi calls.

Adrian considered this. "I could arrange for someone to pick you up."

Teri tried to remember to breath, "Sir, I cant… I…" She stopped her stuttering to furrow her brow at him. "I don't understand..."

Adrian shrugged, his eyes glued to her face. "I want to ensure that my employees are safe, that's all." He told her, "Should you have a driver, perhaps you would be less inclined to be in the range of attack."

Teri shook her head. Jesus, what is it with everyone and my safety lately. I get one bruise and everyone freaks out. "No, I can't accept-."

"-A five percent raise atop that, perhaps. You have been here for quite a while…"

Teri's words caught themselves in her throat.

Adrian sighed. "Done then." He shoved himself off of the table. "Keep up the good work." He commented before heading for the door, passing the flabbergasted Teri. Before his hand landed on the doorknob he turned back, "How is little Alice, by the way?"

Teri gathered herself, placing a hand on her stomach: a feeble attempt to stiffed the butterflies. "Doing well, thank you." She replied, shakily.

"Four months now, is she?"

Teri nodded, "Yes, sir. Almost five."

Adrian nodded, taking that in. "Yes, yes," He rather enjoyed the little girl when Teri brought her in, every once in a blue moon. His hand found the silver door handle. "There'll be a car waiting for you outside when you're done for the day." He cooed, throwing her a gentle smile before leaving.

Teri waited for the door to click shut before she placed a hand on her hip while her finger rubbed her temple: A headache was starting to form. "Fuck, just fuck."

"You ever notice that Teri cusses a lot?" Ashley asked, as Walter cornered himself in the baby's room while she changed Alice's diaper.

Girl talks too much. Rorschach commented as Walter averted his eyes from what Ashley was doing. It was the third time today that Alice had soiled herself. Even he didn't used the toilet that often. "Funny, considering she grew up in a catholic school." He answered, raising his voice loud enough so that Ashley could hear him from the other side of the room.

Ashley nodded, uncaringly. "Yeah, she doesn't do it around Alice, but boy, she could sure make some sailors proud."

Walter managed a smile. Taking his focus back onto the colors that the room was decorated in: last night, he hadn't gotten a chance to fully appreciate the lightly shaded walls, the colorful books upon a half-sized bookshelf, the matching curtains on the closed window. Walter took it all in; it seemed like a lot for just a little baby, but the room, nonetheless, was aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.

"How'd you two meet?" Ashley asked, suddenly.

He gazed at her before answering, fiddling with one of Alice's tiny socks that was laid across the top of a wooden dresser beside him. "Teri didn't tell you?"

Ashley shrugged, applying some baby powder to Alice's butt. "No, she did. But I like to hear the story."

He cocked an eyebrow at her; what a strange girl. "She stalked me." Walter answered shortly. He wasn't good at telling stories.

Ashley laughed, throwing him a look. "I haven't heard that version."

"What did she tell you?" Walter was clearly amused.

Ashley placed a new, soft diaper on Alice. "She said that you glommed on to her." She replied, lightly.

Rorschach scoffed as Walter rolled his eyes. "She lies."

Ashley sighed, "There, done." she took up the dirty diaper in her hand and turned to Walter. "See, its not so bad." She knew he'd have to learn to do it one of these days, but could understand his leeriness at first. "Here, you take Alice, I got the diaper."

Walter waited until she was out of sight with the full load before heading over to his daughter. She was shirtless, looking up at him with wide, blue eyes: his eyes. She suddenly smiled, bursting into a fit of laughter. Walter started. What did he do? She continued that shrill, rumbling laugh as he rubbed his fingers over her belly. She closed her eyes, reaching for his fingers, her face screwed up in glee.

Walter smiled down at her. He had always had a soft spot for children, being that he wished upon them a better childhood than he'd had. He'd always wanted them to be safe. But Alice pulled at his heart like none other had, not even little Blaire. Alice was his child. His baby girl. He swore to never let anyone hurt her, to never let anyone touch her in a way that was unbecoming of a human being.
Rorschach crossed his arms-not really minding the promises-but more rather thinking into the future. She's gonna grow up soon, can't always protect her. Walter shrugged. Maybe they'd clean up the city so that he wouldn't have to protect her. He knew that was a lie, Even if he did make a small impact to the city, he'd never stop watching over her. She'll find someone to care for her one day. To marry her… Walter frowned; Nope. Never.

Teri shuffled through the headshots and portfolios of women that had applied to be in the magazine advertisement. Hours had already gone by, and they'd (being her and her co-workers) had chosen fifteen blond models. Of which, would be Teri's final choice of who would finally be featured. Teri shook her head, placing her head on the desk in her little cubicle. Why? God why, did her boss have to give her this assignment? Her eyes bore into the ceiling above the rest of the marketing offices. "Hate you." She mouthed to no one in particular. Teri placed her arms over her head, taking the bobby-pins from her hair; they had served their purpose today. Teri moaned, closing her eyes as her arms went limp. She was so tired. She just wanted to go home. Plus, on top of that, she was having a hard time focusing on her game today: She wanted to be alone with Walter. Throw him down on the bed and take him, if she had too. She smiled. That would a sight for sore eyes.

"Heard about the 'after' meeting with Adrian."

Teri despairingly squinted open an eye to peer at her co-worker; Beverly. "So?" Teri groaned.

Her African American friend in leopard print tights and a jet black tank top smiled down at her from the open door of the grey cubicle. "You got a raise, and a company car." she wiggled her eyebrows. "I take it you did more than present the new line, eh? Eh?" Beverly leaned down to elbow Teri.

"Bev!" Teri sat up, frowning at her from her roller chair. "I pretty sure Adrian is gay." She told her, disdainfully.

Beverly rolled her eyes. "Say what you want," She told her, "But I think he's smokin'." Teri scoffed, but before she could open her mouth to retort, Beverly started again. "Still workin' on that page for Enigma?" Beverly asked, eyeing the papers on Teri's plain desk. It alluded her to as why Teri didn't decorate her office with much more that just a wall calendar, a clock and a picture of Alice. Beverly had decorated her personal cubicle in a range of colors, not a single space of the grey, carpeted wall was left exposed.

Teri nodded, tiredly. "Unfortunately."

Bev stared at her for a moment, catching the woman's frustration. "You got somewhere else you'd rather be?"

In bed. "Yes."

"Hm." Beverly knew that look in a woman's eyes, 'course she hadn't ever seen it in Teri's, but it was nice to know that she was getting some; At last. "'bout time you found a man."

She licked her lips, shaking her head. "I'm not telling you a thing." Beverly was one of the more pronounced gossipers of the company. She knew everything that was going on, everywhere. Teri refused to give up what little pride she had.

A smile appeared on Beverly's lips. "That just means the sex aint good enough."

Teri's jaw dropped, ensuing in a wide smirk from her friend.

Beverly pointed to Teri's cheek, before she could reply. "Though, if he hits you again, honey, I'm takin' his ass down."

Teri stood up as Beverly headed off down the row of cubicles to her own. "It was a mugging!" Teri called after her, throwing her hands up in the air, incredulously.

Rorschach gave in, only momentarily, as he held his daughter in his arms. He was starting to like this chubby little redheaded baby. Guess she's a part of us now. He commented, as Alice reached up and grabbed his nose; Walter wrinkled it.

Ashley nodded to him from the other end of the couch. "I told you you'd get the hang of it."

Walter sidelong glanced at her, as Alice still had a firm grip on his face, her other hand exploring his recently shaved cheek. Ashley had told her that Alice wouldn't take long to come to the realization that they were related, he just needed to spend a lot of time around her. Bonding takes time, she'd said.
Rorschach shrugged, he wasn't sure how he felt about having a daughter, despite the fact that it gave him almost a newfound reason to continue what he did best. Maybe we should start soon. Go out tonight, maybe? Walter considered this. He really just wanted to spend time with Teri. Perhaps tomorrow night? Rorschach shook his head. Don't go getting soft. Just cause we have a kid doesn't mean we should slack and become lazy.

Ashley sighed into the confines of the all consuming couch and glanced at her watch. "Hey! Time fly's when you're having fun, right?" Walter gave her a look that could have killed, but she ignored it: being here with him wasn't easy either. "It's almost six, Teri should be home soon." She gazed at Alice, her naptime was steadily approaching, and it was obvious; Alice had been slowing down, her eyes drooping slightly. "Want me to take her?"

"No." Walter answered, almost too quickly.

Teri slid out of the back of the slick black company car, her brown paper bag that she'd gotten from the drug store in her hand. "Thanks." She commented lightly to the driver, failing to mention what time she'd like to be picked up tomorrow. Her feet touched the pavement, clicking delightfully. Teri stared upwards, she knew that she wouldn't be able to see her apartment windows, but the sight of the building granted her a sense of excitement. She'd waited all day to just come home. Teri rushed inside, not bothering to take the elevator, as she started up the stairs. It was a good workout, trekking up and down five flights of stairs everyday, but it was a bloody pain in the ass if she forgot something back in her apartment. Her hand slid easily up the varnished railing, and she started to feel a slight burn in her legs by the fourth flight, but she didn't slow. Teri's keys were out of her jacket pocket before she reached the door, dangling metallically in the eerie silence of the building.

When she came inside, she tried her best to not come barreling through. Her apartment was quiet as she tossed her keys to the side table, and kicked off her shoes before treading into the living room. Her feet thanked her profusely, enjoying the semi-soft carpet of her apartment. Teri sighed as her sight fell across the three most important people in her life.

Ashley looked at her over the back of the light brown couch; she was sitting a seat away from Walter on the three person couch.

Walter peered back at her as well, Alice laying on his chest, nearly asleep. When Teri walked close enough and Alice caught sight of her, she perked up, shrieking in joy. Walter started, wincing at the youths excitement.

Teri promenaded and leaned over the back of the couch, her lips touching the top of Alice's forehead and she set the brown paper bag on the head of the couch.
"Hey sweetie." Teri made loud kissing noises as Alice gurgled and chortled.

"How'd that meeting go?" Ashley asked.

Teri drew back from her baby, "Oh, it went well." She tilted back down to kiss Walter on the cheek; butterflies fluttered in her stomach. "Hey, you." His cheek was smooth, warm. "You shaved." She commented, affectionately.

Walter lifted a shoulder, restraining the child in his arms as she flailed and tried to reach for Teri. "Found a razor in the bathroom, didn't think you'd mind."

Teri smirked as she unbuttoned her dress jacket, stepping back from the rear of the couch. "You didn't want to wait for me to do it?" she teased, remembering the last time she'd shaved him; It was one of her favorite memories of Walter.

Ashley took hold of Alice, freeing Walter from the shifty child. "Still don't trust you with sharp objects." He replied, emotionlessly, as he straightened his shirt. His chest went oddly, chillingly cold from the child's absence.

The brunette teenager caught the scoff from Teri as she looked between then, holding Alice in her gentle arms. "What?" Ashley asked, her eyes shifting between them. "Why what'd she do?" She finally asked Walter.

"Tried to kill me." Walter replied, flicking his eyes back to Teri, still behind the couch, removing her jacket, revealing a white, low cut blouse. Rorschach frowned, she wore that in public? Seems… whorish. Walter brushed the thought aside.

"I did not." Teri replied, coldly.

"Narrowly missed jugular." Walter countered, turning around and staring at the blank TV that had remained off the entire day.

"It was a knick on your jaw." Teri corrected, eyeing Ashley, who was busy looking between them. Teri tried to give her a convincing look, but as Walter spoke, Ashley's eyes left hers.

"Don't listen to her."

Teri took note of the subtle change in his voice, that deep rumble of a voice, how it softened rather than lowered. He was playing with her. She relished how she could remember such small details about him after so long. She paused, staring at him for a moment before she took her few steps to the couch, pressing herself to the back of it- and reaching around-Teri covered Walters mouth from behind. "Better be nice," she whispered, warningly, in his ear. "Or next time, I wont miss." Teri placed a chaste kiss by the corner of his eye as his breath started to tickle her fingers.

Teri let him go then, eager to get out of her work clothes, as she proceeded to her bedroom; feeling Walters eyes on her back as she snatched up the brown paper bag to take with her.

As Alice bounced on her lap, Ashley rolled her eyes. She recognized that oh so sweet tension between the two: This was her cue to leave.

Walter shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his palms rubbing against the knees of his pants.

Ashley sighed. "Go on, go chase her or whatever." She moaned, the last thing she wanted to do was impeach on the intimate time of the two. Heaven forbid they might wait a few minutes. "I'll put Alice to bed and then I'm gone." She pulled Alice closer to her as she stood, and left Walter to his thoughts.

Teri reached up her skirt to her garter and unhooked her stocking; her foot up on the mattress, allowing her a better reaching angle. The bedroom door slowly opened, but she didn't have to look to know it was Walter. He sauntered in, closing the door behind him. Teri eyed the paper bag that she'd tossed on the bed before switching legs. "How was your day today?" she asked him.

Hands wandered her side before wrapping around her and pulling her against his firm body. It felt so good. A blush rose from her cheeks as her leg stood, abandoned at the foot of the mattress. She leaned back into him, reaching her own hand up to touch his smooth face as he buried it within her shoulder, breathing deeply.

"We'll save talk for later." He growled in reply.

His hair tickled the side of her head as he tightened his grip on her. His lips found the skin of her neck, and taking it into his mouth, he bit down.

Teri's breath hissed back into her lungs as a deep shiver ran down her spine, her body threatening to go limp in his arms. Instead, Teri craned her neck to allow him better access as his lips started to trail up her neck. His fingers constricted against the silk material of her blouse; he wanted to rip it off, to toss it aside…

She found his mouth first, softly biting at his lips. Running her fingers through his hair, she felt the coarse, red hair that stuck out in all directions on his head. Teri closed her eyes, relishing in the moment, fearing for it all to be taken so abruptly away. "I shouldn't have gone for work." She breathed out, the air in her lungs catching in her throat as his hand slid under her skirt. Her jaw clinched together, as his rough hand angled further down, answering her statement in kind: Walter clearly felt the same.

Her body tightened in his embrace and still holding her close with his free arm, he too closed his eyes, delighted with the whimpers that left her lips.

Her mind blurred with feelings, textures, scents and sounds as the next few minutes past, as she used every ounce of her being to move their endeavors to the bed-and to open that little paper bag-helping Walter into his protective sheath. It took every ounce of her being to silence her initial cry of submission as Walter slid into her. His thrusts slow and cherished, as he took great care to keep his eyes open; to watch her as he moved inside of her.

Walter not only took pleasure in the many expressions that Teri held, but also in her embrace; her warm, wet embrace. Aside from its ultimate gratification from such a lengthy dearth, there was a familiarity in it. A welcoming comfort that had not been met in a long time.
Teri's hand found his, as his thrusts became more defined, more steady, and she intertwined their fingers, squeezing his hand in yet another comfort that Walter had near forgotten.

Their ecstasy now long gone, Teri and Walter laid side by side, each moment of their interlude accented by a simple smile. She warmly ran her fingers over his face, tracing his cheekbones as she kept his piercing stare. They had pulled the covers up around themselves, their bodies intertwined for not only warmth, but security.

Walter never took his eyes from hers, taken captive by her green irises. He took that long moment, as her eyelids started to droop with exhaustion and drowsiness, to breathe her in. To savor their time together here in the soft bed, their legs entangled as their bodies recovered from their recent activities. He hoped-with a light heart-that there would be more of those nights to come. That they could lay in each other arms and just be. Walter sighed, his fingers finding the palm of her free hand. He could feel her breath against his own; as they shared the same pillow. "Never got to tell me about your day."

Teri smiled, a low sigh escaping her and she closed her eyes, breaking their gaze. "Not counting what just happened, it was great."

"And Veidt?" Rorschach couldn't help himself with that; he wasn't one for the lovey-dovey hoopla after they had sex. He wanted to get to work.

Teri's eyes came open, resting on the bleak curiosity that lined his features. "He gave me a raise." She whispered, her hand dropping from his face to the limited space between them. "and a company car."

Now it was Walters turn to not be able to help himself. "Why?" A fling of jealously passed through him. How dare that purple-wearing homosexual-

"I'm a temp-charge of the advertisement for the new line." Teri answered, not entirely catching his turmoil. "I suspect he did it 'cause he liked my work." She wondered if maybe she was lying to Walter.

"Don't like this." Walter stated. If Adrian suspects something-

"I've been there for nearly a year, Walter." Teri sighed, "Its about time I got a raise anyway." There was a part of her that longed for him to express a sense of joy for her. She worked hard for that, couldn't he see that?

Walter bit his lip.

That feeling came back: that impending doom feeling. Teri didn't approve of its arrival-but as much as she'd have liked to suppress it-she was seeing it happen, just like it had before. Teri was losing him. He was fading from her grasp.
Where was the man that had been here last night, this morning? The caring man that had now seemingly come and gone? You're expecting too much. Teri told herself. Walter isn't the type to change for anyone. He's still just as unemotional and detached as he always was… Teri bit back a quiver. It was merely wishful thinking. She licked her lips, knowingly.

There was a part of her that wished he'd said something along the line of 'I can't live without you,' or 'I wanted to kill myself, thinking you were dead,' … But she knew it wasn't like him. He was more dignified than that; not only did he not ever say such things, he also never felt them. He hadn't looked any worse for wear when she found him than when she'd first met him. Perhaps with her out of the picture, nothing ever changed for him… Teri shut her eyes, willing her thoughts to stop. She didn't want to think about such things anymore. Just enjoy the goddamned moment. Would they ever just have one moment in peace?

Walter watched her, he knew he'd crossed the line in mentioning Veidt. This was 'their' time, such business talk was supposed to be left for other, less personal times. He let it be; let it rest for the moment. Perhaps tomorrow he would bring it up again. Maybe remind her to be more careful around him. It didn't matter how brilliant her plan was, there was always the possibility of Veidt seeing right through it. He was worried for her. Rorschach moaned. Don't even know plan and already fretting.

Walter noted that Teri's breathing had slowed, her eyes remaining closed as her hand in his went dully limp. She had fallen asleep. Enough indulgence. Its time to work. He felt bad, just using her like that, and not once telling her how he felt today while he held his daughter in his arms, taking particular notice to how much she looked like him. Walter wanted to tell her his feelings, to express his need for her in a way other then this. Walter leaned forward, placing a agile kiss on her forehead. Isn't cleaning up the city, enough show of care? Rorschach prodded, hitting the right buttons. Teri will understand. He stared at her a moment longer; her face relaxed into a gentle serenity. Teri always understands.

It wasn't the movement that woke her, nor the quiet rustling of clothes, but rather the bitter cold from his absence, the warmth that wasn't easily satisfied by her thin blankets.

Teri opened her eyes, immediately adjusting to the pitch black darkness. She reached out for Walter, the hairs on the back of her neck standing alert. He wasn't there. Teri jolted, bringing the sheets around her as she sat upright in the bed, peering through the darkness.

A figure loomed over by her window: The only window in the house that led to the fire escape. It had uneasily reminded her of her days at Shairps. "Walter?" Teri whispered to the darkness. She wondered momentarily if maybe she was dreaming, but the figure turned from the window, the darkness around them unwilling to offer any assistance to whom the figure was.

"No." Rorschach growled.

Teri's heart calmed. Only slightly. "Come back to bed." She pleaded, with a yawn as she quickly glanced to the alarm clock by the bed; 10:09 pm. She really didn't want him roaming around the streets after so soon arriving back in town. That voice in the back of her head couldn't stop from mentioning how selfish that thought was.

Rorschach turned back to the window. "Not now. Go back to sleep. Have work tomorrow."

You're losing him. "Rorschach,"

Their moment was interrupted as a cry came over the baby monitor.

Teri pursed her lips. She didn't want Walter to leave her. She wanted to start a family with him, to start over like a proper family. "Rorschach," she called, "Please, don't go." Her eyes adjusted to the darkness, and she caught the ever-shifting movement of the mask covering his face.

"Have job to do." Rorschach rasped, turning back to the window, roughly pushing it up with his hands. "Like you do."

Teri opened her mouth to question that, but he was out the window and on the fire escape before she could. She briefly caught sight of his costumed figure sliding gracefully down the stairs before Teri fell back onto the mattress, the pillows caving under her sudden weight. She closed her eyes, bringing her hands up to the bridge of her nose as Alice's sobs continued through the monitor.

So much for wishful thinking.