Disclaimer: So, I pulled a few strings here and there and because I'm just that awesome I was able to get the copy write to V for Vendetta!!! –rips open the envelope and pulls out a folded sheet of paper- -opens it up, all excited like- -eyes open wide- The letter reads: "PSYCHE!" -pouts- Yeah… still not mine. –huff-
Author's Note: Woo! Still chuggin along. First off I'd like to say thank you to my reviewers who have been loyally sticking by me during this crazy excuse for a fanfic. VnEvey, My-Lover-Gren-Gren, and Casper's Girl. Thank you very much! Reader's like yourselves are what make me look forward to coming home each day from work to get cracking on yet another chapter. :D
Side note- I have a few V for Vendetta pieces of art over at my DeviantArt gallery. You can find the link to it from my profile page here on For when you're bored. -
And VnEvey, your questions will be covered in this chapter. Thank you for the review:3 –bows and exits-
"Vindication of Life"Chapter 4
"So I fainted." Evey accepted the proffered mug of cocoa from the gloved hand. She was settled in her recliner, as V crossed the room to her sofa. It had only been about ten minutes from when they clung to each other in a full embrace to the point if either let go they'd loose each other once again forever. But V had pulled back, knowing all good faerie tales were only spent in moments.
Settling into the sofa himself he nodded. "Your will has not wavered a moment since I left you. Even while knowing full well of what you were walking into when coming into your apartment last night, you still entered. Every time you face your death with your head held high, your spirit grows stronger, allowing life to have meaning that much more."
"But when will I stop facing death? You'd think once was enough to make me understand."
"Death is life, as life is death. You face your death; you live on, while life slowly kills you day by day. But, is it not better, to face your death and live on stronger than before? Or allow life to drain your existence before you can ever truly reach nirvana?"
"But there must be happiness somewhere. It seems as I walk I leave a path of death behind me." She starred into her mug. The marshmallows had almost melted completely away.
"Everyone's fate is preordained. But it takes freedom to be able to change that. You must bring about freedom for the people. Otherwise it'll be a continuing cycle."
"I know I can, now that I know you'll be there to help guide me." She took a sip of the cocoa.
V's head moved from side to side. Evey leaned forward on the chair at this silent remark. Confusion and pain stretched across her face.
"What!? But where will you be? Why won't you continue the revolution you started? If you showed up on the telly, your supporters would be right beside you."
"I am no more a man, than what I was before. This is merely a vassal to put an idea to completion. You, however, changed my preordained fate. I had planned on dying on that train. But those three words gripped something inside me that I never knew I had. It brought about a desire to continue life. Something a man feels everyday of his life. The desire to live and continue the fight." He sighed and went on. "But I am still just an idea, Evey. You have made me see a small part of the man I once was, but it's only a fragment of what I was. If I died right now, I would feel no regret."
Evey's face was expressionless. Placing the mug on the coffee table, she stood up and walked in front of him. She starred right through the mask that looked up at her. The eyes under the mask slightly squinted, as if thinking she could actually see the flesh beneath.
Offering her right hand to him, he clasped it and she pulled him to his feet. Not under her own willpower, but V was curious as to what she was doing. She led him over to where the sun beamed in through the glass doors of her porch. A large path of light lay on the ground. Dust particles could be seen flitting through the air where the beams struck them.
She moved into the light and attempted to pull him into the sun as well. He wouldn't move from the spot. Only his arm lingered in the light as Evey still clutched at his hand.
"Evey, I might be seen if I go into the light."
"We're six stories up, and it's ten in the morning. One, everyone's at work or school, two, there are no other buildings high enough for where they can look into the windows or doors of this apartment." With a jerk, and catching him off guard, V stumbled into the light. For a minute, Evey questioned his reality once again. He was still so distant with his secrets that she feared he might burst into flames upon touching the light.
Evey motioned to the shadow on the floor that V now cast. "That shadow tells me more about you than you know. And the most prominent piece that sticks in my mind is that you're solid. You're alive, and you're free. You are a man, and a human being that came into this world just like any other. Your drive to continue your life may have been that of an idea. But the idea has passed, and has left behind a man with a mind like none other." Her hand's reached up and cupped his face. She felt him tense by the sudden intrusion of his space yet his hands did not move to remove the presence. She was careful enough to keep the ebony strands of hair between her hands and his face.
Her eyes searched the black pits where the eyes would be. How she longed to see those eyes. To hold him close without the hesitation and fear.
His hands went up and clasped over hers. A moment came and went as he held her there than lowered her hands down.
"Come with me. There is someone you must meet."
VEV
She had made it a routine trip once each morning to visit the Shadow Gallery. She knew her attempts had all been in vane but it was still a comforting feeling. It kept the knowledge that the previous year had happened, and that each morning when she woke, it hadn't been all just a dream. She had accepted V's 'death' that night when Parliament blew. When she declared that the man was everyone. And how she would never find herself alone ever again. V lived on in everyone as an idea. So every person she saw was V to her. If it had been any other way, she may not have been able to get as far as she had by herself.
V had her hand in his as he led her down the dust-strewn walkway to the rooms she knew all to well. The path she would walk had been clearly visible as they moved forward, but another's feet had hindered it. A shuffling motion had strewn the dust in a different pattern. Had it been V who had recently walked her path. Injured perhaps? The last few days she hadn't been able to return to the Gallery as much as she use to so anything could have happened since then.
He led her through the door and flicked on a light as they rounded the corner into the depths of the Gallery. It was how it was before. Still dust covered and abandoned. She heard a slight sigh escape V's lips as she assumed he hadn't seen the condition of his home since that night. Guilt overcame her as she starred at the layers of dust on the counter next to her. But she was quickly grabbed away from it as she heard a cough come from further in.
She looked behind her to see if V had taken to any sort of defensive position. But he remained calm. His grip in her hand remained slack.
"Ugh, V. Honestly, don't you ever clean?" An elderly voice came from the dark of one of the rooms. "You tell me to wait down here but you never warned me that I might die from clogged lungs as well." Then the owner of the voice stepped out into the light.
It was the old man from the park. The man she had assumed was V in disguise. He looked just the same since she had last seen him.
"Ahh, my dear. Pleasure to see you're in good health."
"Evey, this is William York."
The elderly man moved closer to Evey and, taking her hand in his, he brought it to his lips and lightly kissed it. "Mademoiselle."
"The last remaining of the royal blood line."
Evey practically fell backwards at these words. The royal family had been reported all dead. Creedy and his men had black-bagged every last one of them.
"But… I thought-" Evey stumbled.
"You believed the entire royal family to be dead. Well, that's true. They all are. I have been in hiding the majority of my life. Come." He motioned to the living room. "This entire place isn't completely dirty. I managed to fix up a seating area for us all. This is a bit of a winded story." William explained as he motioned with his cane to what could be called the living room.
Evey was surprised at how well the old man could gain his bearings. He was blind, no doubt about that, but it was almost like he could see. He knew right where everything was, and never troubled around much.
Taking a seat on an armchair, William waited for them to be seated. He was right about fixing up the room. The seats were all dust free, and he even managed to sweep a little. She had to hand it to the old guy. You most certainly cannot judge a book by its cover.
V sat down in his usual spot on the sofa. Evey looked down at V, asking silently whether it would be all right if she sat next to him. Noticing her distress, V patted the couch next to him allowing for a small smile to grace her lips. He moved over a bit into the arm as she sat. She leaned into him a bit, which made him recoil slightly. But gaining a bit of courage, he let his arm drape around behind her shoulders.
Again, the old man surprised her, as she saw a smile part his wrinkled skin. It was almost like he could see the struggle between the two of them. Unsure of each other in all matters, yet knowingly completely in love.
After they settled down William began. "As you know already, Evey. I served in World War II. Well before that time. My father and mother never cared about wealth and power. They wanted to live quietly and peacefully, even with the knowledge of where their heritage lye. They moved to America and took up a small home in Quincy, Massachusetts. With their names changed to Hawkins from York, life was peaceful. Then came the war. My father and I both went into the service. He returned home safely, I on the other hand, was reported dead." He paused and continued. "I was found wandering around after that ambush I told you about. A German family there who took pity on me took me in. I lived there for many years after the war had ended. Peace returned, and I finally decided to return to the states. They were very understanding, supporting the outcome of the war, and allowed me leave."
He moved a bit, his bones creaking from being stiff.
"Upon returning to the states, I learned that my parents had died of pneumonia. I was now alone, but it didn't bother me. My outlook on life had drastically changed during the time I was in the war, and then living with that poor couple in Germany. I didn't care about money, or high living. I then moved to London where I took up small jobs here and there. With the money I was left from my parents, I was able to afford an apartment and live out my years there."
"Years carried on. Soon Norsefire took hold of the government as that terrible disease spread throughout the country. At this time I was an old man and was overlooked. I was surprised by how my immune system was so ragged that I somehow avoided the disease. By this point I was an old man, and had taken up living in a small cottage in the forests just outside of London. It was a Quarantine zone but I hadn't much else to care about. I was left alone, and could do as I pleased as everyone continuously overlooked me. I had become a living ghost. Which was exactly how I wanted it."
He laughed and added, "And then this chap came bloodying up my home."
Evey felt V as he held back a laugh. "After escaping the train, I was able to get out through an abandoned and barred entrance way that wasn't to far from the forest he lived in. I wandered around a bit until I finally collapsed. I was lucky, as William had been out walking and found me in a crippled heap in the snow."
"I thought you were a goner. But these old bones are still tough from the war, and I was able to bring him to my home. While there I was able to nurse him back to health. It was remarkable how his body could sustain all of those wounds and loss of blood and still recover in record time. Before I knew it, he was helping me with chores and shopping." William laughed heartily.
"Since the 5th, I lived with Mr. York, up until now."
"Those damn terrorists who are trying to overthrow Vars are what made him come after you. Quiet honestly my dear, " William leaned in a bit and lowered his voice at an attempt so that only she could hear. "I think he was growing rather tired of my constant badgering him to go and see you." V shifted uncomfortably next to Evey as she chuckled to herself.
"But that's the story. And here we are." William sighed as he leaned back into the winged armchair.
"And what next? We need to bring this to the nation's attention. Faith will surely be with the people once you come out to the public, Mr. York." Evey said hurriedly.
William moved a bit uneasily in his chair. "That's where we run into a bit of a snag in the line, dear."
Evey turned confused to look at V. "With the knowledge that the royal blood line had all died with the past, the thought of bringing someone randomly to the stage as being the only living relative could start a riot. How could we prove to the people that William is the real thing."
"There has to be something." Evey pouted as she tried to think.
"Right now, my dear, I think the most dire situation is to figure out what to do with those terrorists. They need to be eradicated before any order can come under way." They fell silent for a minute as they tried to think, until a rumble spoke for them instead. William laughed heavily as he patted his gut. "It seems we may have to put off the serious chatter for another time. Right now, I think it's time for some eats!" The old man said cheerfully as he went to stand and cracked his back.
Evey went to get up and help the man, but V was already there by his side before Evey could even make it to her feet. "Evey, you stay there. I'll make something for us. I'll see Mr. York to the door."
"But he can eat with us if he'd like."
"I'm sorry dear, I appreciate the offer, but I have a certain menu I must abide by and that is at my home. I will see you all again soon." V helped him to the door and while they were well enough away from listening ears the old man grinned and lightly jabbed V in the side. "You go get her now." He laughed as he moved out into the hallway.
V watched as the man moved off. Shaking his head with a smile to himself. 'He'll never let me rest.' He thought.
"V."
"Yes, Evey. What would you like? I've got uh-" Rummaging amongst the cabinets could be heard as he unceremoniously attempted to make breakfast.
But before he could do much of anything, he was caught dead in his tracks as Evey wrapped her arms around his waist from behind him. He stiffened as she leaned in close to him from behind. Resting her head just below his shoulder blades.
"Ahh, Evey. This is a bit of a difficult position to cook in."
"Why didn't you come back?" V stopped what he was going say as the weak sentence came from behind him.
"He said you had recovered quickly from your injuries, and yet you made no attempt at coming back to see me." She let go of him and moved to the counter. Placing her hands firmly, palm down, on the smooth surface. "Three months, V. Three months, I thought you were dead. Three months, I couldn't feel anything. Death was all I felt I knew, and forever would."
She sighed and clutched her hands into fists. "I thought of suicide, V." She paused. "But you had made me stronger than that. So I fought on. Each day, I fought on. But not as someone I wanted to be." Blood dripped onto the counter as her nails pierced the soft skin of her palms.
"Evey, I-" She spun around to face him. Her hands shook as she placed her fingertips on his chest.
"This man before me is real and alive. Blood pumps through these veins just like any other. And these eyes," She brought her gaze up slowly to his face, the Guy Fawkes mask, grinning ever so down at her, continuing to mask the sorrow that spread across the flesh beneath it. "These eyes that can see the women who loves their owner." Her hand lightly traced along the edge of the mask's right eye hole and down the rosy cheek.
"Why won't you let me in, V? Why do you continue this game with me?" Her eyes pierced the blackness behind the mask as she struggled to look into those eyes she had only dreamt about.
He stepped back from her and let his gaze fall to the floor. Her eyes felt like rod irons as they cleaved into his own.
"You had to be sent into this battle swinging. My role had ended on the 5th, and will continue to remain an ending. On that day, your role was just beginning, and shall continue. As far as everyone knows, I am dead. Since William took me in and cared for me, I continued to remain dead. Him, and now you, are the only people in this world who will ever know that the flesh still exists."
"But, why, V? Has life kicked you to the curb so many times that trust is no longer in your vocabulary? I thought you said you loved me. And to love is to trust, so it can't be lost." She moved towards him, he took a step back, but ran into the counter. She edged closer still, and brought her hands up to his face, forcing him to look at her. "Why do you refuse to let me love you?" Before V could move or say anything, Evey raised herself to his level and placed her lips on the lips of the mask. His grip on the counter behind him tightened ever more so as she slowly backed down.
"Evey. It's not as simple as you think it is."
Her eyes had found the floor, as her shoulders shook slightly. She finally dragged her gaze away and starred at him. Her eyes glistened with oncoming tears.
"Than make sure you let me know when it is simple for you. Because as far as I've known, all my life, true love," she paused as she swallowed. "Should be simple. As there are no questions that surround it."
With that, she turned and left following the old man's shuffling steps through the dust, once again. Her face, wet from tears.
V stood there and watched her leave. His gaze fell to the countertop and slowly looked up to see his reflection in the mirror. The grinning Guy Fawkes mask starred right back at him, almost as if it were mocking him.
Sucking in a breath, he reeled his arm back and punched the glass, shattering it to pieces. His black glove, sliced open, revealing the disfiguring scared flesh beneath, now oozing blood from where the glass sliced through.
Reaching up, he tore the mask from his face and slammed it into the ground. And with a blood-curdling scream, Evey rounded the corner onto the street above. Tears dried.
Author's Note: YES! Another one done, and I can happily declare that I reached my proffered eight pages.
Well, I hope some questions have been answered. Yet more no doubt have come up again. There isn't much humour in this, and I'm a rather happy person, no story has been written by me where there is no humour. So, I'm sure you'll all grow quite fond of our little old man, William. You could say he's the comic relief for this story. More on him later.
But, aww, poor V and his angst. No, Evey did not hear him scream for when she got up to the street. Those two things were just happening at the exact same time of each other. Just as an FYI.
Now then, I must be off. I have an essay still to right for Humanities… and it's due in five hours!! You people are bad influences on me! ;3
Ahro
P.S. Please R&R on your way out:D