Ch. 20
Rorschach was in an ugly mood that day.
Rorschach had been proud of himself for not having killed Ozymandias the first ten minutes they spent gathering information before they headed towards his turf. Ozymandias was very pushy, and Rorschach didn't much like him. Not as much as he disliked Nite Owl II, but Ozymandias was slowly climbing the ladder up there. They had spent the night before looking for the mysterious source of the broadcast. Initially they found nothing, but Ozymandias was determined to find it, and they scaled the rooftops. It was hard work, considering Ozymandias had a grappling gun and he didn't. It really irked him that he had his fancy equipment. What ever happened to using your own appendages the good old fashioned way? They snooped in each building in the area and finding one that appeared suspicious to them they had entered it. Inside, there had been eight to ten mutilated bodies. They were slaughtered to such a degree that it was hard to tell what belonged to whom. Rorschach remembered the look of distaste Ozymandias had on his face when he saw the scene, and that was when he decided that he hated him.
"What happened here?" Ozymandias had asked, as if he had walked into a room where he had been keeping a week old puppy, and the puppy had made a mess.
"Murder," said Rorschach, considering it for another moment as he watched the man stalk around. Ozymandias actually smiled at him.
"Interesting," he said. "How interesting, look at this."
Rorschach threw up his hands and came to look. It was a smiling face drawn in the blood. It was quite reminiscent of the Comedian's trademark button.
Of course, Rorschach didn't suspect the Comedian; Ozymandias didn't either. But something was strange about find that in particular in a murder scene. They made their way to the docks to look for the Comedian. They didn't find him there. Ozymandias suggested that he might be on the lookout for Moloch. Rorschach figured he could be anywhere then, but Ozymandias was relentless. He wanted to track down the Comedian. He was so sure that he could do this himself. Rorschach scoffed at him at first, but he quickly realized just how clever Ozymandias was. In fact, he might be considerably more intelligent than he let on. That thought somehow brought a chill to Rorschach's spine. It was almost a cakewalk finding the Comedian, and even he seemed annoyed that they had discovered him. He had been short and terse with them, but Ozymandias informed him of the strange murder scene with the smiley face as if he were discussing the weather. Strangely enough, the Comedian was angry instead of laughing it off like he usually would have done.
"What the hell are they playing at, the frame game?" he had asked them. "Don't want to deal with this shit -- I'm already up to here in Moloch's crap as it is." Ozymandias assured him that he and Rorschach didn't view him as a suspect. He didn't care, though. He didn't care what other people thought. It just annoyed him that someone would steal the face.
After that conversation, Ozymandias had wanted to continue to investigate. Rorschach wanted to push him off a roof top. They spent almost all night theorizing. It was actually Ozymandias who did most of the talking while Rorschach watched his mouth move, sullen. He returned home to have enough time to sleep for a couple of hours before he had to get up to go to work. At work, they had an issue with a back order and it had taken all morning to straighten it out. By early afternoon, his boss had to send him down the street to pick up the dry cleaning they had sent out for altered dresses. That was when he had run into Laurie. And Dan.
Who the hell was Dan? Nightshade, Laurie; she hadn't told him anything about having any male friends. More than anything, it was the fact that this Dan was an annoying awkward bastard that drove him crazy. Why was she doing, going out with this man? What did she see in him? Walter had laughed then, a bitter laugh. It wasn't like he was in the running for the competition so it didn't matter. She wouldn't pick him over anything when it came to that. And yet, she had picked this Dan. Why? He wished he could ask her but knew he couldn't unless he somehow saw Dan again as Rorschach. Suffice to say, that little run in had put him in the ugly mood he was in now.
Rorschach made his way to Nelly's house early, hoping that he might have some time to talk to Nightshade before they got sent off again. He was the first one there.
"Oh, hi," said Nelly, looking surprised. "Please, have a seat. Nobody is here yet."
Rorschach made a point of standing. He concluded that most of his mood was Nelly's fault and hated him. Nite Owl II came in next, then he said something about realizing that he had forgotten something and left. Rorschach hated him as well. Then Ozymandias came in, talking to Nelly with that smug expression. Hate. Nightshade came in soon after, and he hated her for one brief second before he stopped himself, feeling bad about it. No, he didn't hate her. He was just angry with her. He was undeniably hurt that she hadn't told him about this Dan.
"Wow, it sure is nice to see you," said Nightshade, obviously unable to contain her excitement at seeing him. He was afraid she would hug him in front of everyone and watched her warily. "I could practically kiss you."
Rorschach moved away, and Nightshade laughed.
"I'm not going to! Come over here, I need to talk to you." She grabbed him by the arm and brought him closer. "I feel like I haven't seen you in forever -- I know I just saw you yesterday, but it seems longer."
No, she had seen him just a couple of hours before. Didn't she know? Or was she just mocking him?
Rorschach cleared that idea out of his head. His line of thinking was getting ridiculous. Of course she wasn't -- she didn't even know who he was. He was just being paranoid.
"I'm not living with my mother anymore," she said.
"Oh?" Rorschach was studying her facial features, wishing he could reach out and pull away the mask that was partially obscuring her eyes from him. He had felt her absence dearly also, and he had to agree with her; it had seemed like it had been longer. He wanted to memorize what she looked like before she was taken away from him again. He dared to let his gaze dip lower than usual, below her neckline before he realized what he was doing. He looked away, surprised with himself.
"I'm living with.. you know, my dad."
Rorschach looked up at that. She was? Oh, he was glad to hear that. He felt a little relieved, though that uneasiness was still in him, stirring somewhere in the pit of his stomach.
"That's good," he told her.
"Yeah, it's... it's nice, so far," she said, nodding. "I wish I could spend more time with him though. And you. Now you know where I am if you want to visit."
She looked at him and bit her lip. It seemed as if she was going to say more, but she didn't. She looked up as Nite Owl II walked in, waving something in his hand at anyone who bothered to notice. She frowned.
"Had a run in with Nite Owl II this morning," she muttered to him. "I mean, without his disguise. He recognized me and decided to invite himself along."
Rorschach blinked at her, comprehending and yet unable to at the same time.
"I was glad enough when I was rid of him last night," she laughed. "Imagine my surprise when I got stuck with him out of costume, too."
"What is he like?" he asked her, tentatively.
"Oh, I don't know... very bookish looking I guess?"
Rorschach stared at Nite Owl II, who was deep in conversation with Nelly. So that had been him. Dan. What was he playing at? He thought he had made it clear to him that he didn't like where he was getting with Nightshade. He thought they had an understanding. Obviously not. Nelly started the blasted meeting and Rorschach stewed in a surprisingly acute bout of rage that threatened to explode. He watched as mouths moved and words were exchanged, probably describing what had happened yesterday, didn't matter. He just wanted to get his hands on Nite Owl II. Rorschach turned away, finding the open door leading outside far more inviting. He swiftly crossed the room and went out the door, pacing around in the driveway as he tried to get himself under control. What was wrong with him? He hadn't gotten that angry in a (Ain't that right, whoreson?) long time.
"Rorschach, what's the matter?"
Rorschach turned and saw Nightshade standing in the doorway, looking concerned. He tried to speak but he couldn't. He realized he was shaking. She frowned and closed the door behind her and she crossed the driveway to reach him.
"Nite Owl II," he told her, feeling mortified to find that his voice was trembling. "Don't like him hanging around you. Upsetting."
Nightshade nodded, sighing as if in deep frustration.
"Tell me about it," she said, rolling her eyes. "I really can't stand him. I don't want to be stuck with him anymore. I just wish I could be back with you again."
Rorschach found himself hugging her, and he was astonished to find that he was crying. What was he crying over? He didn't remember anymore. Nightshade was hugging him back and he drew her even closer, wishing he didn't have to let go.
"Rorschach, are you all right?" asked Nightshade, a concerned hand resting below his neck, the other on his mid back. "You're shaking."
Rorschach had to muster up as much strength as he could to push away from her. He really was a mess.
"F-Fine," he said. He turned away, hoping his mask wasn't staining and she could see. He tried to compose himself as he looked at her. He hoped for everyone's sake that Nite Owl II didn't decide to be nosy and walk outside to join them. He wasn't sure if he would be able to stop himself from killing him.
Rorschach was breathing heavily, closing his eyes for a moment to ease himself into a calmer state. He felt something brush against his arm and he looked up. It was Nightshade, of course. She was looking for his eyes through the mask, and she found them briefly.
"Hey, are you okay?" she asked him. She reached out with a tentative hand to grasp at his own. He let her take it.
"Let's go out on our own," he told her. "No more Crimebusters, they can take care of their own problems."
Laurie smiled.
"I'd like that. Actually, I don't mind the Crimebusters so much as being paired up with Nite Owl II and you with Ozymandias."
Rorschach nodded but didn't say anything. He realized she had still been holding his hand and he ran his thumb across her knuckles. She flinched as if startled and tightened her grip. They looked at each other then at their hands as if surprised, but neither of them made the move to let go.
"Hey Rorschach," said Nightshade, finally. He was surprised to find that her cheeks had gone red. "Why don't we give them an ultimatum -- either they let us work together, or we don't work with them at all. I'm sure Nelly will just deal with it. He isn't one for confrontation."
"Yes," said Rorschach, feeling so relieved it made him feel faint. He swayed for a moment and looked skyward. The stars were brilliant tonight, despite the light pollution from the city.
Nightshade smiled and nodded, and they walked back to the door, hands letting go as they went inside. Ozymandias was still talking to Nelly and Nite Owl II, and it seemed they had hardly noticed their absence.
"In any case, I would like to investigate further," said Ozymandias. "If these murders continue, we might actually have a serial killer on the loose."
"A little out of your usual dealings, isn't it?" asked Nightshade, walking up to them. "Don't you usually deal with organized crime syndicates?"
"Yes, but we must step out of our boundaries once in a while." The smile he gave her was eerie given the context.
"Indeed," said Nelly. Rorschach noticed now that the man looked like he had a headache.
"So should we resume yesterday's formation, or..." Nite Owl II started to ask.
"No," said three voices at once. Nelly looked up, surprised. Nite Owl II just seemed mildly startled.
"If I'm going to be coming to these meetings anymore, I'm going to be working with Rorschach and no one else," said Nightshade. Rorschach felt nothing but warmth for her.
"I agree," he said, happily.
"And I for one would prefer to work alone with this case," said Ozymandias. "No offense."
"Uh yes, of course not," said Nite Owl II, looking disappointed.
"Considering that the Moloch case is impossible to solve given the current circumstances, I doubt if we will need to meet for a while," said Nelson.
"Good," said Rorschach. Nightshade laughed, and he felt better. Suddenly seeing Nite Owl II didn't seem to bother him as much.
"How will I reach you if I need to...?" Nelly started to ask, but everyone was already making their way out the door.
"I'm sure you'll find a way," Rorschach told him.
"And you can always reach me at my number," said Ozymandias.
"Yes, it's written in all the men's rooms with 'Call me for a good time'," said Nightshade. Rorschach was surprised. Nite Owl II laughed, oddly enough. Ozymandias ignored the comment. They didn't even wait for Nelly to reply. Nightshade grabbed Rorschach's arm and marched them away from the house.
"I'm glad to be out of there," she said, sighing. "I have to admit though, I don't really feel like fighting crime tonight."
Rorschach nodded. He didn't want to say it, but he didn't much feel like it either. It seemed that Ozymandias had dampened his fervor for now. They patrolled the streets like they did in the old days. Rorschach still couldn't believe they had been apart for only a few. The night was quiet -- they stopped a mugging, but that was about it. Rorschach walked Nightshade home like he usually did, and earlier than usual, but this time he went further with her and accompanied her to the door.
"Well, good night," said Nightshade, looking at him with a smile on her face. Then she brightened as if she remembered something pleasant. "Oh! Actually, why don't you come in?"
Rorschach blinked at her, taken aback. What was she asking? But she was laughing already.
"You know, I forget sometimes that I don't have someone domineering waiting inside to pounce," she said, opening the door. "Come in -- you met my dad; he doesn't bite much."
Nightshade walked inside. He started to refuse, but then she took off her mask and tossed her head a little and he had to come inside. He saw the name plaque next to door as he stepped inside: Edward M. Blake. Rorschach peered in cautiously as he ventured further in. It was warm and inviting, and there was the faint drone of a television set. The Comedian, no, Blake -- was sitting on the couch with the news on, but actually reading the newspaper. Rorschach was surprised to see him out of costume, but of course, this was his own home.
"Hey kids," said Blake, looking up briefly and talking through his cigar. "I guess you made up, huh?"
Laurie laughed.
"I hope you don't mind me bringing Rorschach home -- I just figured, since he knows, and all--..."
"Nah, don't care. In fact, bring all your friends."
"I don't have any others."
"That's okay -- don't have any myself."
Blake laughed, but he seemed a little bitter. He looked up at Rorschach.
"Hey, close the door, will you?"
Rorschach obeyed and closed the door. It was surreal to see Blake like this, looking normal without his striped armor and rifles.
"Rorschach, are you hungry?" Laurie asked him. He started to follow her as she walked into the kitchen. "I could make us a very late dinner."
Rorschach didn't know how to respond. He was hungry -- he hadn't eaten lunch or dinner -- but at the same time he didn't know how to handle having a dinner in someone's home without drawing attention to who he was beneath the mask.
"Why don't you sit down?" asked Laurie. "I'll make something right now."
Rorschach sat down at the table, his hands folded in front of him. His heart was racing, and he felt nervous. However, he couldn't help but stay where he was -- so he did.
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To be continued...