Chapter 6

I felt like I was drifting through a haze that I did not have the strength to find my way out of. The sound of music pulled me closer to a light until I cracked open my lids. I looked around but I was too weak to turn my head.

"V" I croaked grabbing a hold of the sheets.

Everything seemed too bright and too loud I wimpered lightly until I felt a cooling glove hand brush against my cheek.

"V"

"Shhhh" V said gently.

I closed my eyes trying to go back to sleep when I felt gloved hands touch me again this time on my arm. I looked down to see V changing the dressing on my wound.

"What happened?" I asked.

"You lost too much blood" V answered.

"Oh" I groaned trying to sit up.

"You should rest. You will be weak for a few days"

"That sucks"

I winced as V tightened the dressing on my arm.

"Wait. Just stay...for a little while" I asked grabbing onto him.

V gently uncurled my fingers from it's grip on his clothing before placing my hand back on the bed beside me.

"Rest. I will not be far" V tried to assure me. I never liked to be alone when I didn't feel well but I couldn't fight him and in a matter of seconds I was sleeping again.

V's Point of View

I closed the door to the bedroom Evelyn was sleeping in and took a deep breath gripping the handle a little harder than usual. The tingle from the pressure of her small fingers gripping my sleeve pressing into my wrist made me brush my fingers over the spot. What was wrong with me? Aside from her outburst she was nothing but kind to me and perhaps that is what made me have these feelings for her. It was obvious to see she was beautiful but I did not tend to put such weight on physical beauty yet still...no. I was only feeling guilt from harming her more than I intended to. The memory of the dark voice within my head yelling at me to kill her echoed within my mind. I released the handle of the door and rushed towards my room. Knowing she would be safe here I swung my cape over my shoulders before placing my hat on top of my head. Arming myself with a few knives and setting the alarms I raced into the night with one destination in mind.

A window to the ten bedroom house was unlocked unfortunately it was on the third floor but it was not too much difficulty getting inside. Silently I roamed the halls making sure that Gordon was alone. The house sounded unusually quiet and I began to wonder if Gordon was out when the soft playing of music captured my attention. Making my way closer to the sound I peered through a cracked door to see Gordon in his study. Books and music surrounded the room along with a few musical instruments. A fire was roaring in the fireplace as Gordon sipped on a glass of wine and hummed along to the sound. I opened the door expecting Gordon to turn around but he continued to sit staring into the fireplace with an expression I had become familiar with.

"I did not expect to find you home this evening" I said calmly.

"Jesus! V!" Gordon cried out in alarm spilling his wine over his clothing and leather couch.

"Do you have any idea what this is, or was? It was a 1970 Chateau Margaux. Do you have any idea how much it cost?" Gordon groaned.

"174£ if I am not mistaking" I said hiding a mocking smirk behind my mask.

"One hundred and...no one likes a smart ass V" Gordon pouted.

"My apologies" I bowed.

"Well seeing that it's the middle of the night I doubt you are here for a social call so what has happened?" Gordon sighed getting straight to the point as he attempted to clean the wine from his couch and wooden floor.

"You are correct. I am in need of your assistance"

"My assistance with what?" Gordon asked with one brow raised.

"A young woman"

Gordon stopped cleaning and stared up at me.

"Good Lord V please do not tell me you have murdered some woman"

"Murder? It is insulting that you would think I am capable of such a thing" I said with annoyance and anger.

"Well what the bloody hell do you expect me to think when you come barging into my house in the middle of the night asking for my help with some woman"

"I have never murdered an innocent woman and I do not plan on starting tonight" I said through clenched jaw.

Gordon huffed in equal irritation.

"Is she here?" Gordon asked.

"No"

"Let me get my coat" Gordon sighed defeated.

I turned at his words and left the room. It seemed like an eternity until Gordon climbed into his car as I lay in the back seat.

"Don't get too comfortable you have some explaining to do" Gordon said adjusting his rear view mirror to look at me.

"Well it is fortunate we have plenty of time" I said sarcastically as he pulled out of his garage and onto the street.

Gordon hid his car miles away as I lead us to a secret entrance to the subway tunnels and we began the walk to the Shadow Gallery. Gordon cursed under his breath about the long walk and I could see he was becoming winded. I smirked in amusement but continued walking.

"How much blood has she lost?" Gordon asked.

"Not nearly enough to be fatal but she will require around the clock care for a few days" I said with a sigh.

"You can not set your vendetta aside for a few days to care for a woman you injured?" Gordon judged disapprovingly.

"No" I answered simply although I knew it was not my vendetta that was on my mind.

"It was the voice again wasn't it?" Gordon asked slightly more gentle than his previous tone.

I did not answer as I walked up a key pad.

"V..."

"She will be waking soon and will require medicine and food both of which I have provided" I said interrupting Gordon.

He did not say anything else about the matter but I knew the subject was far from forgotten. I showed him into the Shadow Gallery but seeing he had visited hundreds of times I did not feel the need to stick around. He began walking towards the spare bedroom Evelyn occupied and I took my leave heading back up to the city.

Gordon entered the bedroom and felt his heart drop at his new found friend laying in the center of the bed with the upper portion of her arm bandaged. Her once radiant complexion was paled and sallow. She groaned in her sleep and he saw the covers rise and fall from her deep sigh.

"Good lord V" Gordon muttered under his breath knowing his friend had disappeared.

Gordon walked over to the bed taking her pulse and rubbing her forehead trying to soothe her. Taking a seat in a chair he watched Evelyn with a guilt ridden expression. He loved V like a dear brother but Gordon knew V was far from harmless. V would never willingly kill innocents but he did suffer from rages and a dark voice that took over him in his mind. It was not like he knew she had went in search of V but he still felt responsible.

"I am sorry Evelyn. He did not mean it sweetheart" Gordon sighed stroking her forehead brushing some of her unruly hair out of the way.

What was he going to do with these two? With a sigh of determination he left her side to grab the pills from the counter where V left written instructions for him. Filling a glass of water and heating up a plate of food left in the frig he walked back to the bedroom where Evelyn was beginning to awaken.

"Evelyn?" Gordon spoke softly.

"V" She whimpered.

"No dear it's me, Gordon"

Evelyn's eyes opened as she stared at her friend.

"Gordon? How did you?"

"No questions right now. Here eat this" Gordon said pushing a spoon full of food towards her mouth.

After finishing half of her meal Gordon offered her the pill and water which she swallowed with an unpleasant expression.

"Feeling better?" Gordon asked after a few minutes.

"Much, thank you"

"Don't thank me this was all V's doing" Gordon said placing the half eaten plate on the night stand.

"Where is he? I think I remember him being here" Evelyn sighed.

"He stepped out for a while but he will be back" Gordon said not able to look her in the eye.

"He said you should get plenty of rest"

"Yeah I know" She croaked.

"So is it true you fought sword to sword with him?" Gordon wondered.

Evelyn nodded yes.

"Brave girl" Gordon smiled.

Evelyn chuckled.

"He did not leave me much choice"

"What do you mean?" Gordon wondered.

Evelyn did not answer and closed her eyes.

"I'm really tired Gordon do you mind if I get some rest?" She asked.

"Oh course not Evelyn. Get some rest" He smiled although he knew she was simply dodging his question.

What the hell had happened down here? Well whatever it was both of them were alive even if Evelyn was a little worse for wear. She did not seem to hate him in fact she did not seem too bothered by the whole ordeal, strange. Gordon stood taking the empty glass and partially empty plate before heading into the kitchen. Rubbing his face and eyes already exauhsted by the two. After wrapping the food and placing it back in the frig he sat on the couch and flipped through channels wondering when V would show his face again.

It was merely a few hours later when V returned to find Gordon and Evelyn fast asleep. His eyes lingered on the young woman and sighed quietly before closing the door. He could no longer ignore this feeling inside of him that could only be described as guilt. He was determined to make it up to her once she was feeling better. He placed a small bag containing a few of Gordon's things like fresh changes of clothing on a chair in the living room. V paused in his steps listening intently when he thought he heard sounds of struggling. Turning his head in the direction of where Evelyn slept he continued to listen until he was sure he heard something. Crossing the room within seconds he opened the door to see Evelyn's head tossing from side to side and her head covered with sweat. She whimpered and he was not sure if it was in pain or from a nightmare.

"No please don't...daddy...Jonathan. No" Evelyn cried.

V sighed in relief knowing she was only having a bad dream and not a reaction to the medication. He wanted to comfort her but a tightening in his chest prevented him taking a step closer. When it came to family there was an emptiness in his heart seeing that his memories from that part of his life were gone. Knowing that she was in no form of danger he gently closed the door to the room and retired to his own.