Chapter 14

' My Heart Is Ever At Your Service'

Jazlyn lay back in the tub and closed her eyes. She had come to a decision about V and their relationship. The terrible ordeal V had gone through at Larkhill had created a void in his mind to create the monster he now thought he had become. She sighed to herself. Maybe, they would never have a relationship past that of friendship--as Alfred Lord Tennyson had once said, ' It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.' If that was to be the outcome, then she could no longer remain in the gallery. She would cast the time travel spell once again, and move into a new future. She would never forget the odd man who had saved her life but, hopefully in time, she may be able to find someone that could help ease the pain though. She would leave tonight after V had left on his nightly excursion--she couldn't face him, it would be to painful. Stepping from the lukewarm water, she wrapped the large black bath towel around her, taking a smaller one to wrap her wet hair in, and headed for the media room.

--

V paced, his hands behind his back, his eyes adverted to the stone floor. He waited patiently for Jazlyn to join him so he could re-wrap her shoulder wound. He took a deep breath and thought about what he and Guy had spoke about--his life, his ambition, but most important to him, his wife Maria and son Thomas.(1) He explained to V, that he too, was at first scared to death of the new feelings that coursed through his body every time he was near her. Love is a new facet that reshapes the diamond called life, he had said. V had explained the reason he wore the mask, about Larkhill, and finally, about the monster that lived within. Guy had told him that if Jazlyn truly did feel the way she spoke of, it was his responsibility to return that love, or either set the young woman free to move on with her life--but, if he did not give those feelings he had, a chance to grow they would wither and die, just as he would. Love knows no color, shape, or skin texture--it knows only what lies within the heart it blooms forth from.

" V, I'm ready." Jazlyn said walking into the room, and V's breathing hitched in his chest as he stared at the vision before him. His heart skipped a beat or two as his eyes took her in, his mouth opening slowly beneath the mask. She stood, drying her hair with the towel from her head, while V's eyes roamed her partially towel-clad body, feeling the beginning of a hot flame engulfing his body-- he was grateful that his jacket rode low over his hips.

" Are you ok?" She asked, concerned.

V snapped back to reality at the sound of her voice. " I--I am fine, Jazlyn. " he huffed at being caught--then moved to the couch. " Please, take a seat."

Jazlyn sat down to the right of V, her bandaged shoulder within his reach. Gently, he tried to remove one corner of the adhesive tape that held the bandage in place, but the gloves made it difficult to grab the edge--pulling his hands away, he quickly removed the gloves to the table. Feeling the unexpected touch of bare hands to her skin, she closed her eyes, sighing softly as her hand gently came to lay atop his.

Taking a deep breath, V froze. This was it--it was now or walk away from her forever-- . " Jazlyn, " he whispered her name softly, " Please, look at me."

Jazlyn hesitated as V's hand pulled out from under hers, then slowly, she turned to face him.

" I love you." He simply said as his hands went to the back of his wig--to the straps that held his fax persona in place. Her mouth opened as she realized what he was about to do-- reveal his soul to her.

V reached for the leather straps that held the mask in place-- dropping them to the sides as he held Guy with his other hand. Closing his eyes, he slowly lowered the mask and waited for her reaction--whatever it be.

" Open your eyes, V. " Jazlyn's voice gently commanded him.

Hesitantly, he locked his eyes with emerald green ones-- with a smile on her lips, she drew his face to hers, their lips meeting in a first kiss.

" Jazlyn," he sighed softly as his hand came up to cup the back of her head gently, then trail down her cheek. His head tilted toward her as it had done many times before, and his thumb caressed her jawline as his lips captured hers once again in a soft kiss--this time, longer.

Jazlyn opened her eyes, looking into silver-gold orbs, smoldering with uncertain emotions -- V picked her up in one swift move , her arms snaking around his neck, her face nuzzling into the silky black wig, making contact with the sensitive skin underneath. He could hardly believe what he was feeling as she felt the evidence of the scars she had seen before, her lips sucking gently on the flesh. " I have waited so patiently for you to come to me--to truly show me the real you." She smiled up at him.

He carried her down the hall and into his bedroom-- it was the first time he had ever felt confident enough to not worry about the mask. He placed her gently down, her bare feet touching the stone floor as she faced him. He looked in disbelief at the young woman standing before him. Lowering his head, he caught her lips with his in a tender kiss that pulled him deeper into the moment, feeling her body press solidly against his, his head spinning with desire.

Jazlyn slowly backed away when he released her. He winced as he watched her retreat from him--had she changed her mind-- she couldn't bear to be with such a monstrosity after all? His breath caught as she let the towel drop to the floor. " Make love to me, V. I can't wait any longer-- I just can't."

His hands slowly touched the flawless skin on her shoulders, " You are a wild rose without thorns." His hand slowly moved down to the wound, and stopped. " I should tend your wound now..."

She took his hand and laid it gently on her bare breast. " Later." She whispered as her hands went to his face and gently traced the scars with her fingertips. " V, why did you hide from me for so long?"

" The scars of my soul, regrettably, match those that lay beneath this black skin, Jazlyn. You deserve far better than I could ever offer."

" Do you forget that I have seen and met what lies beneath?" She asked, brushing her hand down the side of his neck, feeling him tremble from her touch, even through the material.

" It doesn't matter--it never has."

Feeling more confident, he reached his other hand out to to run up her arm, to the nape of her neck as she moved, trying to get closer still. She had never felt such gentleness as his hands moved over her, " V..."

" How long I have yearned to touch you, to hold you..." he stopped, his eyes locking with hers, "...to love you."

Jazlyn's eyes welled with tears. " I love you, V--I have for so long..." She saw the power within those eyes that looked at her so hungrily. The face she was looking into was no different than the one she had physically seen in the hidden room at Gordon's, but the one she had seen when she had touched V's mind was different--it was a human face she had spoken to, but one so badly burnt, it look like melted wax in places. It had been created by V's mind to protect him from the memories of Larkhill-- she suddenly understood--it was not the physical one that hid behind the Guy Fawkes mask. His true face had not been so horribly burned. His ears were intact, except for the missing tip of his left one; his nose was lightly mottled with red and white tissue as was the left side of his face, the right side was worse, having taken the blunt of the explosion, but still not as bad as his mind portrayed it to be. Dark eyebrows and eyelashes accented those wonderful eyes, still. His hands had also received a majority of the explosion, but even with the roughness, they were still his.(1) She reached up and carefully pulled the wig off , laying it on the nearby table. Her hands gently traced the scarred skin of his head--it too, was mottled with red and white tissue. " V, I love you." She watched as he began shaking, tears rolling down his cheeks, and she laid a hand on his chest, while wiping away his tears with the other. " And always will." Her fingers began working on the buttons of the high collar, revealing a form fitting black turtleneck underneath. She smiled up at him as she continued unbuttoning the Jacobian jacket to his waist, pushing it from his shoulders onto the floor at his feet. Running her hands over his chest, she finally dropped to the waistband of his breeches, fumbling with the double buttons. His hand stayed hers as he pulled the black shirt from the waistband. Jazlyn moved like lightning, her fingers slipping under the dark fabric to touch scared flesh, the roughness against the palm of her hands made V jump. Quietly, she took his hand and led him to the bed, pushing him down, straddling his waist, she pulled the black material up--it had the same feel as Lycra she realized and wondered if he wore it to repress the scaring--finally, her lips connected with warm flesh as she left a trail of soft kisses across his chest and abdomen. She smiled, watching his muscles pull taunt against her lips.

" Jazlyn..." V breathed heavily, his eyes closed, his body reacting to the new feelings he was being bobbarded with. His mind was being pulled in a million directions all at the same time. Suddenly, he tossed her to the side, his shirt swiftly landing across the room. He looked down at Jazlyn as he lay across her, his desire , pressing hard against her stomach as his lips took hers in a dark passionate kiss. His hands touched every inch of her body he could feel as he slowly left a path of wet kisses on her neck and collarbone " My love, you take my breath away every time I look upon you." V spoke softly to her, his hand cupping a breast, rolling the erect nipple between thumb and forefinger gently, bringing a soft gasp from Jazlyn's lips. He continued his exploration of her body. ' Yes, ' he thought to himself, ' she is truly mine...' He felt himself grow more at the mere thought, and realized just how uncomfortable his breeches had become.

Jazlyn reached for him when she felt his hardness against her, rolling him onto his back as she began trailing kiss down his jaw to his neck, suckling gently on the tender flesh she found there as her hand traveled to the waistband of his breeches, loosing the confining material that held him tightly.

" Jazlyn..." He groaned low in his throat as she wrapped her hand around his hardness, stroking him gently. His eyes closed , his breathing becoming dramatically uneven. She smiled against his neck as she heard him whispering her name so softly. Jazlyn withdrew from him suddenly as he began to tremble under her touch, and he cried out at the warm hand leaving him. Opening his eyes, he found her hands working to slide his breeches from his hips.

Smiling, he rose from the bed only long enough to shed the boots and the pants to the floor.

" V..." Jazlyn smiled slyly up at him before he returned to the bed, and beside her. " No underwear today, huh?"

" I was up rather late this morning, and didn't have time to search through my drawers for a pair..."

Jazlyn giggled as he lay back upon the bed, taking her into his arms once again, " Like I believe that What have you got planned?"

" I--" his voice faltered momentarily, looking at her. " I don't what you are implying..." fringing innocence.

Jazlyn moved from his arms to rise above him, " I think you do..." She caught his lips once again.

" Oh, the plans I have for you tonight, my dearest..." he husked, his voice almost a whisper as he smiled back at her when he felt himself press between her thighs, her back arching, her head rolling back as her eyes closed. V reached up taking her by the shoulders gently and laid her back upon the red and black comforter, then raised above her, resting on his arm as he looked into those green eyes that had bewitched him from the first moment he had seen her in the alleyway. His head moved down to her breasts as he took one in his mouth, gently closing his lips around the erect nipple as he slid her thigh open with the other, a coarse finger slowly beginning to stroke her pulsing center. Jazlyn moaned in a way he had never heard before and he sucked her breast roughly as she arched her back causing it to press more fully into his mouth. He moved his finger into her wetness, exploring her gently, moving slowly as Jazlyn instructed him in what to do to bring her pleasure. She began moving her hips in rhythm with his strokes as he released her breast and watched the play of emotions cross her face.

V really had no real memory of sex --all he knew was that what he was doing seemed very natural--like something he had done before. He drew another breath--the musky scent of Jazlyn's arousal was sending him close to the edge " I have to have you...I can not wait any longer..." His voice horse as he removed his hand and raised himself above her, positioning his hard member at her entrance. Jazlyn cried out as he took her deeply and roughly, suddenly stopping, fearing he had hurt her.

" Don't stop..." she breathed, as he looked at her eyes, half closed with desire. " Please V..."

He grabbed her hips, driving into her again, feeling his whole body tightening--if it would have been any other time in his purposeful existence, it could have registered as pain in his fragmented brain, but as he drove in again and again, he found himself settling into a slower rhythm that matched his growing tension. Jazlyn moved beneath him, allowing him deeper entrance to her as she took his hips in her hands, guiding him back and forth, teaching him what she needed to bring her to her peak. He readjusted his angle, and when he entered her then, she could feel her approaching climax. Her nails dug in as she forced him to move faster and deeper, his movements pushing her up the mattress until she felt the explosion rising deep within her center. She came, screaming out his name, as she clung to him trembling awkwardly. He could feel her muscles tightening around him as he also felt the final curtain coming down on this passion play of theirs. He wrapped one arm around her, pulling her as close to him as possible, as he pumped until his mind finally gave way and he exploded into small fragmented pieces when he cried out her name, and came violently deep inside of her.

Jazlyn held him as his body shook, tears cascading down his rough cheeks. This was what it was like to love someone and have that love returned? The emotions that had flowed through his body had brought this terrorist/vigilante to his knees in one swift movement-- something that had never been done before. His heart burst as he felt soft fingers trailing scar patterns across his back, and he moved from her, taking the soft body into his arms, her head laying on his chest.

" I didn't hurt you?" V asked, his voice a whisper, pushing long strands of black hair from her flushed face.

" No..." she mummered, throwing an arm and leg across him protectively.

" You are mine now, Jazlyn--I will have it no other way. Love sought is good, but given unsought, is better" (2) He kissed her head gently as he listen to her soft breathing--she had already fallen asleep in his arms. Now, he truly did know what love was. " Thank you my friend." He whispered as his breathing relaxed, sleep over taking him, and for the first time in years, he would rest comfortably.

--

V was up early the next morning, the kitchen alive with the wonderful smell of cooking. Shadow lay beneath the table, sampling any tidbit he would throw her way. Her eyes shone brightly at her true master now. Something had changed between him and her mistress--something for the better, and she purred a song of happiness for them. He was humming one of the many songs to be found on the jukebox as he put the finishing touches on the apple pies--Jazlyn's favorite--, and slid them into the preheated oven.

Jazlyn didn't know how long she had been standing in the shadows of the archway watching a maskless, wigless and gloveless V move around the table humming loudly to himself. She had awoke to find him gone, but the indention next to her still carried his body heat then, she smelled the aroma drifting in from the kitchen. She pulled one of his shirts on from the amoire, and headed for the kitchen. Now, she stood in silence, her heart nearly bursting with love for this man, who was throwing pieces of meat to Shadow, who ate them greedily.

V sighed happily as he dried his hands on a nearby towel then took a seat next to where Shadow lay, his hand reaching out to scratch behind the big cats sensitive ears.

" Well, don't you two look cozy." Jazlyn said, crossing her arms and ankles, leaning against the archway, smiling lovingly at the two figures by the table.

" Jazlyn..." V greeted rising from the chair as she approached.

' Always the gentleman...' she grinned as her arms snaked around his neck, planting a soft kiss on the semi-scarred skin. She was ecstatic that the items he had used against her for so long to hide himself were no longer to be seen. He was still dressed in the form fitting breeches, but now, instead of the jacket, he sported a black linen poet's shirt and wore a quilted vest over it. My god, she could melt in his arms right now from the way he affected her.

'I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out.' (3) He quoted softly as he held her head in his hand, staring into her eyes. " You have made me believe in myself again, and have brought feelings to me that I thought no longer possible. I love you, Jazlyn. Now, and forever."

She looked into his eyes, so full of emotions, and kissed him softly as he pulled her tighter just as the security system alarm beeped, acknowledging entrance into the gallery. V picked up the knife from the table ( old habits die hard), and stepped in front of Jazlyn, to protect her if necessary. V's eyes never left the gallery door as it slid open, revealing a very wet Gordon Dietrich.

" Has the gods placed a cur..." he stopped mid-sentence, looking up as he slid the wet coat from his person. V stood before him as he had never seen him before-- in all his vulnerability, with Jazlyn peering out from behind his shoulder.

" Hi Gordon. " She greeted, hurrying to give him an affectionate hug.

He smiled at Jazlyn as her arms left his neck, then looked over at V. " Did I interrupt something?"

V grinned broadly, finally free of the confining mask. " No my friend, I was just about to begin breakfast. Would you care to join us?"

" I would be delighted!" Gordon chuckled. He would never give up a chance to have some of V's delightful cooking.

" I'll go change." Jazlyn grinned at V. " Shadow, come."

They watched as she and the panther disappeared down the hall, then Gordon turned to V. " You look very chipper today, old boy." His eyes sparkled as a large grin appeared on his face." What happened--finally take my advice, eh?"

V chuckled as he crossed his hands over his waist. " Yes and no."

" Yes and no?" Gordon repeated as he took a seat at the table.

" Tea?" V asked picking the kettle up and gesturing.

" Yes, if you please." Gordon replied, anxious for V to continue.

" I used a combination of yours, and another friend's." He handed the cup to Gordon.

" And...?" Gordon lifted the cup to his lips.

" He told me he loved me." Jazlyn answered as she walked over to where V stood, her arm going around his waist. " And, " she paused, looking up at him, " the rest is history."

" Good morning, Master Gordon..." Shadow purred as she laid her head in Gordon's lap.

" Good morning, Miss Shadow. I hope you are well." Gordon answered stroking her head.

" Quite well, thank you for your concern." she purred, her tail twitching in contentment.

Gordon stared at her for a minute--was she starting to become more human- like in her speech? He shook his head, dismissing the thought.

" What brings you out on a day such as this?" V asked as he and Jazlyn joined Gordon at the table.

" I have news from my contacts about a money laundering ring of Norsefire's operating out of a club called the Kit Kat Keller." Gordon said as V stepped to the stove to flip the crepes he had started cooking.

" H-mm..." V paused, walking to the fridge. He sat the butter, strawberry syrup and orange marmalade on the table. He placed plates and silverware down before looking up at Gordon. " I have done surveillance on it. It's a local waterhole for the Fingermen." He spat the last sentence out like it left a bad taste in his mouth.

" Well, it seems to have become more than a club now. My contacts say that patronage has almost tripled, and it hasn't be raided in over a year." Gordon watched as V sat a stack of crepes on the table, then joined them.

" I shall have to pay the establishment a visit." V answered as a sudden overwhelming flow of emotions over took him. This would be the first meal he had ever eaten in the presence of others. He laid the silverware down, and took a deep breath, trying to regain control once again.

Jazlyn looked across the table at him, seeing the emotions that crossed his face. " Are you ok? " She asked softly, reaching over and taking his hand.

V nodded. " Still so much to become comfortable with."

" You've got the rest of your life..." Gordon suddenly stopped, looking at V.

" What?" Jazlyn asked looking from one to the other, a look of confusion on her beautiful face.

' How can I tell her? How do you tell someone that you love that you will die when your vendetta is fulfilled? The words cut into V's heart so deeply, he feared he would die right on the spot. Taking a deep breath, he looked at her. " It is no concern of yours, my love."

" Bullocks!" she exclaimed, " It has something to do with that damnable vendetta of yours, doesn't it?" She looked at V. " How much time do I have to throw a lifetime of loving into your time table?"

V's head dropped toward the table.

" V, tell me!" She screamed at him, rage being overtaken by the most powerful feeling of loss she had ever experienced

" A year, maybe longer..." he whispered, so low that she barely heard him, never raising his face to hers.

" No...no..." she felt her breathing become shallow as what he told her sunk in. " I can't do this..." She ran from the table, Shadow on her heels.

" Jazlyn!" V called , but did not go after her.

Gordon looked at V. " I am so sorry..."

V held his hand up, silencing his friend. " It is not your fault, I would have had to tell her at some point. It's better that she knows."

Jazlyn sobbed into the pillow, her whole world had just fallen apart. She was going to loose him...oh my god, she was going to loose him after all!

A light knock sounded on the door. " May I come in?" V's voice came from the other side.

" Go away! Haven't you done enough?!" she cried, hiding her face into the pillow that smelled of him.

" Jazlyn, please..." There was something about the way his voice sounded that drew her to the door.

She opened it, then turned back to the bed.

" We need to talk--I need to explain." He looked at her as she moved away.

" What is there to talk about? You are going die--there's nothing I can do about it" . She sat down on the bed and pulled the pillow onto her lap, then looked up at him. " Why didn't you tell me? " Tears rolled down her cheeks. " Maybe I could have kept myself from falling in love with you."

He was by her side in seconds, taking her into his arms." I am so sorry that I've hurt you again. I knew I would have to tell you." He stroked her back. " It is something that I have to do--it is the reason I survived Larkhill, the fire-- "

" You don't have to die, V...please..." she touched his face, " There has to be a way..."

" There is none--I have no tree waiting for me at the end of this vendetta." He kissed the palm of her hand softly. " All I can ask is that you remain with me until it is finished."

Jazlyn looked into the eyes that now shone with pain. " I can't, V. I wouldn't be able to." She began crying into his chest.

He took a deep breath, rising from the bed, looking at her. " Then, it is over." He turned, leaving the room before she could see the tears that rolled down uneven cheeks.

(1) The description of V's burns I used came from the behind the scene photos of Hugo's stunt double as he did the fire shots at Larkhill. They can be found at vforvendetta. or on the DVD under special features.

(2) Shakespeare

(3) Elizabeth Barrett Browning