Chapter 13

The soft rhythmic tones of music drifted into V's dark bedroom slowly beginning to stir him out of sleep. The only source of light peeked from beneath the closed bedroom door although it would not be enough for a normal person to make out much inside the room V was no ordinary man.

Evey swayed to the soft jazz playing from the radio in the kitchen as she made a simple breakfast for the two of them. Giving a quick peak at her watch she scraped the scrambled eggs onto two plates before tossing the dirty pan in the sink. Humming along to the dizzying beat she poured juice into two glasses bringing one to her lips as she turned to place the carton back in the refrigerator. Closing the door to the fridge she lifted her eyes to the figure standing in the doorway.

"Good morning. You shouldn't be out of bed" Evey scolded gently.

In the archway stood V. He was not dressed in his signature black outfit but a more casual attire. He wore a dark colored button up shirt with black pants. His hands were hidden in his gloves while his Guy Fawkes mask and banged wig sat firmly in place.

"I am feeling much better. Thank you" V said with a slight nod.

"I was on my way to bring you breakfast. I'm afraid I can't stay long this morning. I have to get to work but I should be back around 1, 1:30. Oh I almost forgot" Evey said with a slight tap to the head.

In a corner of the kitchen laid V's bloodied and torn clothes. Evey placed her empty cup on the table as she walked over to the small pile lifting his shirt in her hands.

"I am quite capable..."

"Hush V" Evey smirked leaning over to grab the rest of the clothing.

"Evey don't" V warned sternly.

However it was too late for as soon as the words left his lips the soft ping of a metallic object striking the hard floor caught both of their attentions. Evey's expression slowly morphed into recognition as she leaned down to pick up the golden bracelet. V's blood soaked clothing fell from her fingers but her eyes never strayed from the bracelet now in her grasp. The dim lights reflected off of the small charm dangling from the center link. The miniature ballerina twirled left and right as Evey's misty eyes followed, however they were not focused on the ballerina but rather lost in nostalgia.

"Where did you get this?" Evey asked in an all too serious tone.

She turned her eyes to V silently demanding nothing less than the truth. Although she had no real evidence to support her theory she had this feeling V was avoiding her gaze although his mask had not moved.

"Have you had this the whole time? Have you known the whole time!?" Evey shouted.

"Evey" V cautioned feeling his fingers twitch slightly for his knives. He had no intention on killing her but he would always defend himself even against the beautiful woman in front of him.

Evey closed her eyes for a brief moment before staring back at him. They were still a flame with confusion and anger but she seemed a little less hostile.

"I won't ask you again" Evey stated calmly.

"Sutler had it stored with various other black listed items he is afraid will spark rebellion" V explained.

"Did you know the whole time?" Evey questioned unable to look at him so she played with the golden ballerina between her fingers.

"No. I discovered about your past not long after I met you"

"Why did you not say anything?"

"I know better than most that one should not be judged by ones past" V answered.

Evey clenched her fist ignoring the pinch of the ballerina digging into her palm.

"You should not have risked your life for this" Evey spat before throwing the bracelet to the ground.

Spinning on her heels she rushed over to the kitchen sink and busied herself with cleaning up the mess she made cooking breakfast. V took a few steps further into the kitchen watching her.

"I did not mean to upset you" V said genuinely.

"Of course you didn't" Evey huffed taking a Brillo pad and nearly scraping a metal pan raw.

It did not take her long to finish cleaning dishes making her grow more agitated that she did not have a distraction.

"You should go eat. I'll be gone soon"

"Evey" V said gently placing his gloved hands on top of hers as her back pressed against his chest.

Evey felt the breath leave her body momentarily as the slight pressure of V's hands on hers and the hardness of his chest seemed to be the only things she could focus on. His scent surrounded her and it took a minute for her to realize he was speaking to her.

"Focus on fixing England, not me" Evey said barely above a whisper.

"Fix you? I would never attempt to change who you are. Everything you have been through, good and bad, has shaped you into the woman you are today. I only hoped to make you see the decisions of your father in a different light"

Evey's finger's tightened around the skillet in her palms. Her nose scrunched up as her jaw tightened. V sensed her sudden transition in mood but he did not not remove himself from behind her.

"Albeit far from my place..."

"You're damn right" Evey interjected placing the skillet on the drying rack before rinsing the dish rag and laying it across the sink.

"Such language is not becoming of a woman" V scolded lightly.

Evey sucked her teeth and tried to break the intimate position they were in but V clutched the edge of the counter tightening his fists as his muscles tensed keeping her right in place.

"I have to get to work" Evey tried to reason turning around in his arms to face him.

"It can wait" V answered simply.

"I need to check your bandages" Evey prattled on looking for another excuse.

"No. No more running" V said gently lowering his head until he stood inches from hers.

Evey clutched his shirt in both of her hands finally finding the courage to raise her eyes.

"I'll stop running when you do"

V's muscles tightened even more as he raised his head trying to create distance but Evey kept a firm hold on the cotton material.

"You can not ask this of me without offering the same in return"

Evey's words rang in his ears as he felt the pounding of his own heart. How could she not feel it beneath her fingers? Even with his mask and wig on how did she manage to make him feel so exposed? The soft crinkle of leather relaxing as he uncurled his fingers from the counter and placed them over Evey's fists gave him little distraction from his thoughts. He was not quite sure if he wanted to remove her hands or not, so he settled for just covering her small fists with his much larger hands.

The two stood there as unspoken words seemed to press upon them like a heavy fog. Evey could feel V's chest rising and falling in a faster rhythm than normal and a part of her wondered if she shouldn't push the subject. I mean she had no idea what happened to V or who he was but she knew his story was not going to be a fairytale and more than likely much worse than her own tale. Was is unfair of her to ask him to stop running from her love? To trust her and let his walls down. She was terrified of letting V in anymore than he had already managed to maneuver. They both had so much at stake if they both committed to traveling down this road together. She did not try to console herself with illusions of rainbows and a happy endings at the end of this road for them but she would push her shoulders back and walk with her head held high. She already realized and accepted that choosing to keep him out of her life was not an option.

V uncurled Evey's fists from his shirt as he took a step back from her. Silence continued to envelope them both until Evey broke it with a soft sigh. V forced himself to look away from the pleading pools of mahogany knowing that if he didn't he would have promised her anything to make those corners of her tantalizing mouth stretch into a small.

"I...I need to go to work. I'll come back later to check on you...if that's ok"

"If you wish" V said spinning to leave in the opposite direction.

Evey watched him go and cursed at herself as she felt tears pooling in her eyes. Her eyes shifted to the food on the table.

"V wait"

V stopped in his tracks simply turning his head in the direction of her voice. Evey walked towards him holding out the plate of food.

"You still need to eat. Please"

V gently took the plate from her grasp and continued further into the shadow gallery. Evey sighed once again before glancing at the watch attached to her wrist.

"Damn it" She grumbled under her breath.

Evey gave one last look in the direction V headed before leaving the Shadow Gallery.