CHAPTER 25
The night was beautiful. A full moon shined high in the sky casting it's pale yellow glow on the city below. Normally it would be impossible to see the stars fighting for dominance over the street lamps, and bright security lights attached to the government buildings. V and Evelyn stood on top of a roof to an abandoned apartment complex high above the lights below. Evelyn's finger less gloved hands clutched two knives, one per hand, with a spare attached to the left side of her hip, a smaller one in her boot, and a night stick attached to her right hip.
"You have improved greatly Evey" V said turning to face Evelyn who was trying to hide the fact she was a breath away from passing out.
"Were you...huff...dodging me...huff...on purpose? Evey took a minute to catch her breath "I chased you all over bloody England V!" Evelyn shouted in irritation.
"Yes, and your speed has improved tremendously"
Though she would never catch up to him V was impressed and proud of her. Evelyn was no stranger to hard work whether it be training or otherwise and although she would roll her eyes, or press her lips together in agitation when he pushed her beyond her limit yet demanded more she always surpassed his expectations. So it was for that very reason he eliminated them.
"Why in the world would you do that? I swear if this was one of your tests V..." She huffed losing the oxygen to say anymore.
"I fail to see how I am to blame for this. I was not expecting company tonight. Were you not suppose to be watching the children?"
Evelyn opened her mouth only to close it knowing that he was right, but there was no way in hell she would admit it.
"They are capable enough to watch themselves" Evelyn huffed. "At least for a little while. Besides, you were deliberately doing your Houdini act on me once again"
"Either way I am grateful for your presence" V said with a bow hoping to diffuse the situation seeing it was neither the time or place for an argument.
"Oh? Is the infamous V admitting he requires assistance from his sidekick?" Evelyn teased.
V sheathed his knives crossing the short distance to her quickly though not at his full speed to prevent her from becoming dizzy. He knew the effect his unearthly speed had on her at times.
"You are no sidekick, as you put it, you are my partner Evey"
Taking her by the waist he smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Good. Now what is it you want me to do?"
"I need to get close to the prime minister but it is proving rather burdensome"
"Well if you can't do it then how am I suppose to?" Evey wondered in confusion as she stared up at him. "Has the student finally surpassed the master?" She grinned.
V's jaw tightened knowing once she was aware of the details of the plan that smile would vanish. Brushing a gloved thumb over her bottom lip gently he sighed silently before releasing her.
"Meet me behind Saint Madeleine Barat's in one hour. In the old Parish"
Spinning away from her he jumped off of the ledge easily scaling the building.
"So dramatic" She whispered. Rolling her eyes she left in the opposite direction deciding to take the fire escape down since the building didn't look very old.
Glancing at her watch she realized she had some free time before she would have to head to the church. She decided to check on George and Aggie to ensure the two ate and went to bed at a reasonable time before meeting V.
Evey punched in the correct security code to allow her entrance before resetting it and walking further into the place she now considered home. Aggie was stretched out in the middle of what they used as a living room her tongue caught between her teeth in concentration lost in her creative world.
"Hey Aggie" Evey called gently not wanting to startle the girl knowing her mind was far away.
Aggie lifted her head giving a bright smile before returning right back to her art. George, per the usual, was not far from his sister. He nibbled on a sourdough roll watching an old remake of the three musketeers. Sometimes it amazed Evey how much the little boy mirrored V. They were both head strong, quick learners when it came to combat or using weapons, and strong willed yet caring. Because of what was done to V it was impossible to tell if the boy could have resembled him and a few times she wondered if maybe V could have been his father. Fate was always funny that way.
"I'm going to make dinner"
George nodded never taking his eyes off of the screen. Removing her mask and sitting it on a counter she opened the refrigerator taking what she needed and closing it with a swing of her hip. The fish could cook in the oven, then she would stick the left over rolls to warm that last five minutes of cooking. Taking an empty pot and dumping left over vegetables in it to warm she then boiled another pot of water for rice pulling seasoning out of the cabinet.
As the kids ate she sat the dirty casserole dish in the sink then scooped the vegetables into the pot of rice laying the empty pot in the sink as well. The rice pot was too hot to put in the refrigerator so she left it on the cooled eye on the stove.
"Alright I have to get going but you guys clean up after yourselves and get in the bed, OK"
George and Aggie nodded with a mouthful of food each. Evey smiled shuffling her hands in their hair lightly before leaving the Gallery with her destination being the church.
The abandoned parish was over run with mountainous weeds and tall uncut grass. Evey silently prayed to every deity that may be above she wouldn't come across a snake. She hated snakes. They were like her Kryptonite. A shiver shot up her spine just from the thought as she quickened her steps.
"V? Where are you?" Evey whispered trekking through the jungle of a Parish.
"Evey" A deep yet soothing voice called from the shadows.
The voice was like a beacon drawing her to him even if she could not see as well in the dark, overgrown Parish. V stood behind a raised statue of an angel with wings fully expanded concealing most of him, the darkness taking care of the rest.
It wasn't until they stood face to face, or rather mask to mask, that Evey caught sight of the dark duffel bag in his gloved hand.
"What's in the bag?" Evey smirked stepping forward reaching for the bag that was passed to her.
Evelyn unzipped the duffel peering inside angling herself to use what little light was available. Her grin fell as her hand shoved inside moving the clothing around. Lifting her head with a questionable and unamused stare that cut into V even if his eyes weren't visible at the time.
"What's this?"
V wasted no time in explaining his plan knowing Evey was already irritated and time was not on their side if they wanted to accomplish this objective successfully.
Evey's gaze did not waiver however neither did his.
"I would not suggest such a licentious idea if I could find a suitable alternative Evey"
At that statement, Evey's gaze softened as she sighed in defeat. She believed him.
"I will be there with you even if you can not see me. I would never leave you"
Evey nodded staring into the bag once more.
"I need to change" She muttered turning away from V.
V nodded before turning his back to offer her a bit of privacy with senses on high alert to ensure no one was watching.
"I'm ready" Evey finally sighed stuffing her vigilante outfit inside the bag.
V fought the urge to slowly sweep over her body barely covered in the skimpy fabric knowing Evey's discomfort.
"Let's get this over with. God I hate these pigs" She grunted.
Evey twiddled her fingers behind her back to hide the fact she was damn near panicking inside. On the outside her face appeared calm though a little uncomfortable. She was escorted and left alone inside of a room on the upper floors of the church. The hallways leading to the room seemed heavily guarded even if there were only four guards visible. Cameras pointed covering every corner possible and appeared to be motion activated. Evey kept her head lowered playing the role of the shy subservient girl, which aided in evading facial recognition from the cameras. One of the guard's eyes roamed her body unashamed as he held the door open for her to pass. The room itself was void of cameras, telephones, electronics of every kind really, except the antique vinyl player in a corner of the room near a large window. As soon as the door closed Evey ran over to unlock it before scrambling a safe enough distance away so not to be suspected.
Once the doors opened again the Bishop Anthony Lilliman stepped in nodding his head to his security. They knew what that meant and silently walked to the end of the hall through a pair of large double doors.
Evey nodded dipping into a curtsy, the pig tails of her wig swinging brushing her cheeks gently.
"Your grace"
"And to think I doubted your loveliness for an instant. Mea culpa, my child, mea culpa" He said taking in her appearance with a lustful gaze.
The shortened ruffled skirt in a sickly shade of pink, combined with the excessively low cut V-neck shirt displaying nearly half of her breasts leaving very little to the imagination, yet she didn't feel nearly as exposed as she did under the Bishop's gaze. He took a step towards her and Evey felt her breath catch in her throat. A voice screamed in her head for her to run. To separated herself as much as possible from the massive bed that lay a few inches behind her matching pink heels and knee high white socks. Her stomach turned and she lowered her eyes for a second to keep from throwing up over the expensive rug beneath her feet.
"Sit" The wrinkled man with thinning gray hair smiled as if to ease her fears.
Evey glanced at the bed steeling her nerves as she followed and sat beside him. The Bishop slid closer limiting the space between them. Evey gripped the comforter tighter to keep her shaking hands from giving her away.
"You seem familiar my child. Have we met before?"
"No your grace" Evey said lowering her eyes just enough to come across demure but not low enough where she would lose sight of his hands.
"Tell me your sins my child" Bishop Lilliman said removing his cross pendant and laying it on the nightstand behind him.
Evey's mouth opened to say something however her brain could not process fast enough to create sound from it. Closing her lips and trying once more she shifted her gaze so that their eyes were locked.
"I am Evelyn Hammond. Partner of the terrorist V, as you call him, and tonight you will die"
Steeled anger met watery blue. The sagging bruised bags underneath his eyes raised as his lips pulled into a wide smile.
"I love it. This is a game I've never played before"
Some of the anger fizzled from her gaze at the man's unexpected response.
"This is not a game"
"Oh I know. I believe you. In fact, let me show you the firmness of my belief" He chuckled taking her wrists and pushing her back onto the bed.
For a man of his age he was incredibly strong and swift. Still no match for V though. Evey struggled trying to break his hold. She had been in worse situations than this. V's sparring was tougher than this so why couldn't she break free? Evey's eyes were frozen wide in fear as a desperate scream ripped from her lips.
"Get off of me!"
The Bishop laughed clearly turned on by her distress. His hard member safely tucked inside of his pants for the moment brushed against the side of her leg. When did he manage to get between her legs? Evey's heart thundered in her chest as she struggled to breath feeling the walls closing in on her along with her attacker getting closer to his goal.
"V!" She screamed. Pleading for the man she loved.
Suddenly the thin wooden door splintered from the force of the boot kicking it in. The Bishop stilled taken aback from the interruption. Evey took the moment to crush her pink high heel into his crotch earning a gagging cry of pain.
"You little whore" He wheezed grabbing his private area.
V's attention strayed from the Bishop knowing he would be incapacitated for a brief enough period for him to check on Evey, who was shaking and eyes darting in panic and confusion.
"I can't. I just...I..." She stuttered before running out of the bedroom.
"Evey!" V called in concern when the soft rustling of movement forced him to spin his attentions back to the Bishop just in time to dodge a bullet before twisting the wrist holding the gun until he heard a satisfying snap.
"And thus I clothe my naked villainy with odd old ends stol'n out of holy writ, and seem a saint, when most I play the devil"*V's voice trembled darkly.
"Please have mercy" The Bishop sobbed with tears cascading down his weathered cheeks.
"Oh, not tonight Bishop. Not tonight" V growled.
Evey found her way out of the church using another window to make her escape. She fled down the streets trying to put as much distance between herself and that pathetic, blasphemes excuse for a church as possible. Grabbing at the clothing needing to rip it from her skin she gave a shaky breath letting her hands fall back to her sides. No longer able to even look at the clothing she yanked off the heels throwing them into an open storm drain before finally taking in her surroundings. She knew this street. The familiarity washed her in safety and comfort as the now dingy socks pounded against the pavement cutting across a manicured lawn to a beautiful mansion. Evey gasped in relief running as fast as her legs could carry her pounding on the front door. If her mind weren't so muddled she would have realized it would be more effective to use the doorbell which could be heard throughout the entire house. When no answer came she banged harder.
"Gordon" She cried tears falling down her cheeks trailing mascara and eye liner along with it.
Soon the door pulled open causing Evey to stumble forward into the unsuspecting arms of Gordon, who looked sick with worry.
"Evelyn? What's wrong? What's happened?" He questioned staring at her clothing in confusion.
Evey cried managing a few whimpers. Gordon held her tightly afraid she might collapse and closed the door quickly before the neighbors found them. Walking her over to a couch he tried to ease her down but she shook her head knocking the wig off center in the process.
"I need to get out of these clothes. I need a shower. Please"
Gordon answered her by quickly showing her to the nearest bedroom. Gordon's brows drew together as he could hear the tearing of fabric and frustrated cries before a door closed and there was silence. Through his exploits as the millionaire playboy he obtained a nice collection of women's clothing. He usually kept it as bragging rights whenever the more obscene wealthy men of England soiled his home. Searching through the chest he tried to choose the most simple and less revealing outfit from the pile. Silently he laid the clothes at the foot of the bed hearing the rhythmic sound of water beating against the walls of the shower.
Gordon sighed deeply debating with himself silently as he turned on the coffee maker so it could do its job. V would be sick with worry once he realized Evey was gone. Then again perhaps they had a spat. Gordon shook his head. No. Even if that were the case she wouldn't have come running to his door as if the devil himself were at her heels. She would have invited herself over for lunch so she could freely express her frustration with her lover, his best friend. He would smile every so often watching her rile herself up until she got it out of her system and then realized how much she missed him and wanted to see him again. This wasn't that at all and Gordon had a sickening pit in his stomach telling him that whatever happened was terrible. Evelyn was strong in every sense of the word. Yes he had seen her worried and even fearful but she always fought threw it and did the impossible. She let nothing and no one hold her back. To see her in such a state like this was heartbreaking but no matter how horrible the story may be he would listen and offer support praying it had nothing to do with his most trusted friend. However he needed a strong mug of coffee to calm his nerves first.
Evey smiled softly at the clothes that lay neatly waiting for her. Untying the towel from her tender skin, flushed red from the scorching heat of the water, she sighed slipping into the clothing quickly. Her body ached calling out for rest but she couldn't even look at the bed in the room so she turned off the light and followed the scent of freshly brewed coffee to the kitchen. Gordon's hip rested against a counter as he raised a mug to his lips watching himself on television. Grabbing the remote to pause the show he turned to Evey with his signature smile.
"Don't you look dazzling" Gordon smiled pulling a stool from the breakfast bar for her to sit.
Evey plopped into the seat grabbing his abandoned mug of coffee, Her face twisted in distaste and Gordon laughed sliding her the mug he made for her and taking back his black coffee.
"Better?" He asked as she drank a few sips.
Evey nodded wrapping her fingers around the mug soaking in its warmth.
"Are you hungry?"
Evey shook her head no. Gordon's eyes scanned her face, neck and bare arms but could not find anything out of the ordinary. Picking up the remote he pressed play reviewing his upcoming show.
"The BNB is not the same without you. Way less fun" He grinned mischievously.
Evey chuckled shaking her head and drinking more coffee.
"Aren't you going to ask?" She finally spoke staring at the mug that was now half full.
"I'm sure you will tell me when you're ready" He answered simply continuing to stare at the small television in the kitchen.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have just shown up like I did but...actually I didn't even mean to end up here. Somehow I stumbled onto your street"
"I am a bit surprised that you would show up here and not the other place" Gordon said glancing over in her direction for a few moments gauging her reaction.
"It's a long story. One I'll have to tell you later, but I need to go. You're not safe if I'm here"
"No one is safe Evelyn, but if you wish to leave I can't stop you" He chuckled remembering how close he was to having his ribs broken from surprising her.
Sitting her mug down she hopped off of the bar stool rounding the Island to wrap her arms around Gordon tightly.
"Thank you"
Gordon hugged her in return and kissed the top of her head.
"Anytime my dear. Tell your lover I said hello"
Evey smiled and rolled her eyes removing her face from his chest.
"Will you stop calling him that?"
"I would but your blushing face is simply too adorable" He sighed as if he had come to a difficult decision.
Evey touched her cheeks before slapping him lightly on the chest.
"Stop it. Love you"
"You too. Be careful"
"I will"
Evey's POV
The Shadow Gallery was quiet and I questioned if V was even home. Quietly I tiptoed to my old room peeking inside to see George and Agatha sleeping, her feet pushing into the boy's back sending him inches from toppling over the side of the bed. Covering my mouth to muffle a giggle I closed the door flinching from the sudden appearance of V poised a few feet away.
"Hi" I said. Lame, I know that, but I was kind of at a loss for words.
A feeling of disgust rose in my chest forcing me to look away.
V took a hesitant step closer as her eyes fell, fingers extended preparing to pull her safely against his body but he changed his mind keeping them at his sides.
"Forgive me" V said quietly.
My head lifted in confusion staring at him. Forgive him? For what?
"It was selfish of me to ask you to endure...I should have arrived sooner"
My shoulders fell feeling the pain in his voice.
"I allowed you to be harmed twice while in my care. It is unforgivable"
"Stop that. You have enough on your shoulders and I won't let you add this. I'm not hurt. More importantly, you stopped him before he could do anything to me V"
The mask tilted at an angle.
"Look at me V, please"
The mask straightened.
"I don't blame you. I'm sorry I took off. I shouldn't have left you. You didn't leave me. I'm...I'm ashamed. I should be asking you to forgive me"
V's arms darted out wrapping around my hips the feel of his textured skin brushing against the skin exposed between my shirt and skirt. Leaning into his touch to rest my head on his chest I breathed in the unique smell of him letting it saturate into the clothes wrapping me up making me feel safe and loved.
"I love you" lips uttered brushing ever so close to my ear but not enough to actually make contact.
I smiled brightly pushing away to capture his lips but it didn't seem like enough as they traveled down to his chin and neck earning a satisfying moan that vibrated his throat and tickled my lips. I smiled against his skin.
"I was afraid V"
V's arms tightened on reflex from the words.
"I thought...I thought he was going to take what I have saved for you" I said with a blush though I found the courage to find silver and gold.
"That is if you want it...if you want me..."
V felt his own nervousness grow. He wasn't ignorant in the idea of making love. He read enough books to fill a library so it was only logical that the subject was bound to come up eventually, but because of his forgotten past he couldn't remember if he was truly ignorant when it came to the act itself. As he held Evey in his arms he knew that the answer didn't matter. It was still going to be special because it was their first time. He knew he should say something elegant to persuade her to wait especially after the ordeal she faced earlier but he couldn't bring himself to form the words. He wanted, had been wanting, her for what felt like an eternity. Gently he picked her up, unsure if she had any unseen injuries, and carried her to their bed.
Evey turned to bury her face in his neck to hide the Cheshire sized grin spreading across her face while she clutched V's mask that she plucked from his fingers right before he swept her up in his arms.
* William Shakespeare, King Richard III
