For the latter half of the day while Carly put away all of the clothes that they had gotten while V sifted through all of the information that had been forwarded to him regarding Tony. By now V had confirmed that Tony had indeed been taken in but every avenue that he had looked down to find his most current facility seemed to lead to a dead end of incorrect information that overlapped, and conflicted with one another. It turned out that he was taken in for disobeying orders to allow the assassination of the Chinese prime minister's family during their visit to discuss the oil crisis. The dignitary's wife and daughter were invited to watch a taping of Gordon's show, and they were going to dispose of them on their way out. According to the report Tony intervened when he shouldn't have. Killing women and children probably didn't sit well with him and after failing his assignment, they thought he was "corroborating with the enemy"
Leaning back into his chair, V sighed and let out a deep sigh. How was he going to tell Carly that? More importantly, how was he going to tell her that he couldn't seem to find his current location? Standing up, he found her tidying up from lunch in the kitchen.
"Find anything good?" Carly asked and placed the last dish that she was washing to dry on the rack.
"...No, unfortunately. It seems my source didn't reveal anything fruitful." V shook his head, "But I will keep at it." He vowed. Carly let out a sigh of disappointment but nodded her head, and turned to look at him. V felt a spike of guilt stab him in the stomach, as he wondered if she knew he was keeping information from her but she merely asked, "You said you weren't expecting house guests. I can imagine why, but when is the last time you had someone down here?"
"It's been quite some time... perhaps a few years ago." V stated simply and grabbed two small glasses and his bottle of scotch in his liquor cabinet.
"By careful choice or to simply keep up with your mysterious mystique?" Carly joked and perched herself on the living room couch.
"Do you drink scotch? I've found a liking to it over the years. Not for the alcohol or ability to numb you but for the characteristic it embodies." V poured some into each of the glasses and handed one to her. "Scotch, like any other liquor, starts life much the same. But it's the things that get added that gives it spice and flavor. Now alone that could be replicated, but then time sets in. The environment plays a role. It is held in secrecy in either adverse or complex situations till it is ready. In the end, someone tries it and decides that it's either acceptable and sells it or extraordinary and holds on to it, sharing only a bit." V pulled out a small straw and put it into the glass so he could drink it, it was by no means the dignified way of consuming his beverage but it prevented him from having to take off his mask. Perhaps he should have thought of that before he replaced his latex mask with his fauxian one. "I do hope that my hesitance to divulging personal information isn't offensive to you. I assure you it has much more to do with me...I am selective about what I share and keep to myself for safety reasons but...after what happened to me I can't imagine many wanting to know more about me that isn't motivated by malice, or morbid curiosity. So I offer a refrain. Ask me what you will, and I will try to be more direct." V turned to face her completely and joined her on the couch. "But I warn you that my answers may be challenging to your sensibilities."
Carly swirled the liquid around the cup and sniffed it before taking a sip and swallowing. It took everything within her not to cough, due to how strong it was despite how good she thought it tasted.
"I doubt that you are the scariest thing I've come across V." Carly smiled with a twinge of sadness and leaned back against the sofa as she took another sip. To say that she was afraid of him would be an absolute lie, but she would be a fool to say she wasn't afraid of what his conviction made him capable of.
V nodded at her as he considered her words. "Perhaps, but you must concede that if the tables were turned and you were masked because you believe the world could not perceive you without concern or fright, would you show yourself to someone you are just beginning to connect with?" He asked. There was no hostility in his voice, just certainty in his answer. But he recalled her reactions to their interactions thus far, and they had been filled with appropriate concern but not fight. "Ok.. then a moment of trust with you." He set his glass down on the table before him. Turning to her, he lifted his arm and set a gloved hand before Carly. "When you are ready, remove it. And see for yourself."
Her eyebrows raised in surprise and she very slowly moved her hands up toward his own extended one, giving him plenty of time to retract it if he changed his mind. But it remained still and waiting. Gently pinching the end of the gloves, she pulled at the tips to reveal his scarred flesh. Her eyes lowered to the rough and bumpy skin that had been healing very slowly but surely only for a moment before they moved back to the black mesh that hid his eyes.
V watched her carefully and, for the first time, witnessed unflinching compassion toward what remained of his body after the fire. It's almost terrifying if not awe encompassing. His eyes tracked her movements and her facial expressions for a few moments, and with each passing second it remained surprisingly calm and respectful.
With a less than steady voice he murmured "Well... that wasn't what I expected"
While she couldn't see his facial expressions, she noticed how his chest began to rise and fall at a slightly faster pace, and how his hand nearly shook in her embrace despite how the rest of his body refused to move a muscle.
"Has any of this been what you expected V?" Carly asked honestly and absentmindedly rubbed her thumb over his palm, casually looking down and back up in an attempt to normalize a lack of reaction to the sight of his bare skin.
"No, I can't say that it has. I suppose I expected you to recoil or leave. Most do. And you are stubborn enough to do so despite still recovering. But you didn't and haven't, and now this revelation. It's challenging to fight my own urges to disbelieve this moment. But here you are." V took a deep breath and gently retracted his hand to slide the glove back on. "As much as I am enjoying this, I think I may be cresting my limit."
"That's okay, thank you for trusting me enough to show me... you. Besides, I believe you may be stuck with me as long as the government still has my brother in their clutches." Carly took a long swig of her scotch.
"Stuck with you... You make it seem like it's been a challenge. On the contrary, I find your presence in these hallowed halls to be delightful. I couldn't think of a better person to be the first visitor to my home, I would be remiss if I didn't say I will be sad to be without your company when you leave." The words tumble out of his mouth as he poured them another serving, perhaps the scotch had gotten to him. A small smile graced Carly's lips as she held her glass up to her mouth and took another sip. He was hard to read, but this was a confirmation that her presence hadn't been a nuisance.
"So that's what my new nickname means. Though, good luck finding a cat who will help tidy up from supper." Carly cocked an eyebrow and giggled.
"While I have noticed your default sleeping position is feline-like in nature, your presence is something to be revered in the same way that the ancients of old did for their feline deities." V realized he was saying entirely too much and took a long swig of his drink to prevent himself from speaking further. By now Carly had absorbed his words and was grateful that the scotch's ability to block her from thinking about it too hard.
"Do you object to your new nickname?" V made the mistake of pausing his drinking. But much to his surprise, Carly finished off her drink, smiled dreamily and nestled back further into the couch.
"Well when you put it like that, it's hard to." She laid her head back against the couch.
"Are you going to be able to make it back to your bed?" A surprisingly hearty chuckle came from V's chest as he observed how fast that last swig hit her. Before realized what he was doing, his glove once again gone and his arm had moved to the top of the sofa to gently run his fingers through her hair. He marveled how soft the strands felt between his fingers as he observed how they glided through it like water.
"I think so, but the idea of moving isn't very appealing right now." Her words slurred together as she did little to conceal her quiet purr of appreciation.
"If you fall asleep like that you will get a kink in your neck." V shook his head disapprovingly and moved to lift her up and carry her back to her bed. When he leaned down to place her on the bed her arms only dug into his shirt, not wanting him to leave. "Kitten..." His voice was soft and full of questions, "You're tired and your mind isn't clear."
"Don't leave." Her whimper is hard for him to deny. With a sigh he grabbed a sleeping mask that he had left for her and gently placed her over her eyes.
"It is my only requirement of you." The mask is small and black velvet on one side and soft, almost t-shirt material on the other. It easily covers the eyes and has a simple band that ties in back. "I cannot wear my mask as it could hurt you if I shift wrong." V shushed her as he pried her hands off of the back of his shirt and tucked the blankets over her, "I'm not going anywhere, just rest." He assured her and moved to the other side of the bed to lay down above the sheet. Once he was comfortably on his side, he removed his mask and placed it on the opposite bedside table and closed his eyes. With a small shift Carly curled into a ball and rolled over so her forehead was pressed against his shirt.
"Good night, Kitten." V whispered before falling into a peaceful slumber.
For the first time, in a very long time, V slept through the night. The slight buzz that hummed the stone surrounding them and indicated that the 9:15 is passing two stories above them and he did his best to slowly move without disturbing Carly as she slept. Despite his best efforts, his movement did wake her but after putting his mask back on, he leaned against the doorway as she touched the eye mask in confusion.
"Good morning, Kitten. Did you sleep well?" He asked, noting that her tossed hair and eye rubbing elicited a strange bit of contentment within him. "Are you hungry? Need anything to pick you up this morning?" V asked, trying to assess if she recalled the evening fondly or if it was a mistake.
"I did." her yawn covered up any facial expressions but her content sigh indicated the former, "I am, but how about I cook us breakfast? I've been told I make excellent french toast." Carly suggested and stretched, also wondering the same about him.
"I slept very well last night, thank you. I dare say this is the first time that I can remember a night's sleep lasting more than a few hours." V smiled and tucked his arm behind his back when he realized his glove was still in the living room before turning to retrieve it, "Anything I can do to assist or should I simply stay out of the way?"
"If you'd like you can come and help me." Carly threw her blankets off and called out as she started trifling through the kitchen and the fridge to look for ingredients. V watched from the archway, amused during her hunt for utensils and ingredients.
"I don't know if I should help or watch, it's rather entertaining. No one else has used this kitchen but me, and you seem to be finding everything you need. As you are doing that, maybe I should get some protein going? Bacon perhaps?"
"I suppose I pay in company and in entertainment." Carly poked him with the spatula that she procured and shuffled over to the jukebox and play La Vie En Rose before turning back into the kitchen.
As the bacon cooks V set the table and hum a bit of the music that filled the Shadow Gallery. In a moment of inspiration V grabbed Carly's hand, still holding the spatula, and will her into a few dance steps before returning her to her duties. Within a short time, breakfast is served and smells fantastic. "I conceded a victory to you, this is excellent." V was careful to eat so that she doesn't catch a glimpse of his face. He wasn't quite ready for that, and breakfast isn't the place.
"I regret to leave you but for now, I must attend to some business before I gather some more provisions for us. Nothing as scandalous as you would think, but he needs to reconsider his employment before it is his undoing. So... anything I should pick up while I am out, Kitten?" V mentioned and waited for her to shake her head before excusing himself.
Once Carly finished the dishes she turned on the TV for some background noise. Just as she was about to head into the training room to practice what V had taught her, the BTN bulletin flashed across the screen and Tony's face flashed on the screen.
"Tensions between China and the UK rise as negotiations to settle the oil crisis become critical. These tensions are exacerbated by the assassination attempt of the Yang family during their visit this year and the involvement of Tony Park, a security detail of the BTN."
Later that evening V walked through the tunnel to the Shadow Gallery paused at the door. His mind was in a slight fury after the events of the day, further pushing his plan forward after blowing up the Old Bailey. While he was out, BTN had broadcasted information about Tony before he had returned. He was keenly aware and concerned of what it could mean for for his new house guest. Knowing that she might have seen the broadcast and probably will have questions for him, at best, and at worst she may be furious. Either way, V would have to explain why he was out and what he believed was going on.
Quietly entering V heard the TV still on the news network and know that it means she saw something. As he walked into the main room he started to talk softly. "Carly, I am sorry I was not here when you saw the news today. I did not expect them to broadcast it." He walked further into the room preparing himself for her response.
Carly slowly processed what he was saying as tears flowed from the corners of her eyes. Thoughts and memories of what had happened when she was taken ran through her mind, except this time it wasn't her...it was him. She knew her brother. Tony was too soft and brash, and if someone didn't find him soon, he would be knocking on death's door-step.
"Carly, your brother was suspected of corroborating with foreign entities. He prevented the assassination of the Chinese prime minister and his family but I believe it was due to his ethics rather than any other nefarious reason. He was instructed to stand by and let it happen but he intervened. It's just now that they are releasing the information. Probably to ensure that you will have a reaction and possibly come out of hiding if they suspect you're still alive. They clearly are still trying to affect you. And you need to remain strong." He stepped fully into her view, "Kitten, just because you are no longer in their hands it doesn't mean they won't stop trying to manipulate you."
It takes a moment but the fog in her brain cleared instantly when she realized V was disclosing information that he hadn't mentioned before.
"How did you know that?" Carly demanded gravely and her eyes lifted from the screen to look directly into the sockets of V's mask.
V bowed his head a bit, "I have searched as much as I can to try and find where they currently have, but I cannot find anything else. I still stand firm on the fact that you will find your brother... and what I said when we first spoke. It's not how we find him but what you are prepared for when you do find him."
"You lied to me." Carly stated simply, trying to contain the rage that was building within her. He had told her that he hadn't found anything but you had apparently found out quite a bit. Up until now he hadn't given her a reason not to trust him.
V felt the words burn into him, but the sting of knowing he should have been transparent with her burned hotter.
"My dear lady, I never lie. Lies are something conjured up by menaces who are too afraid to speak the truth of what they know-" V was about to object to him fitting that description until he realized that was exactly what he did. "I'm sorry Carly. I shouldn't have lied to you or kept information from you. If you wish to be angry at me, fine. I'll be in the training room waiting. Choose your weapon and take out your anger, but know that you will be fighting the only person who has done his best to help and protect you."
V's footsteps echoed down the corridors till he flung open the training room door. Pulling his cape off he tossed it and his hat over a target dummy and grabbed a staff and waited for Carly to rightfully unleash her fury upon him. Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, he listened trying to quell the guilt tearing away at him as he waited for his retribution. His eyes opened once she entered the room and grabbed the staff that he had picked out for her just days prior. Who stood in front of him was not the woman he shared the Shadow Gallery with for the past few days. There was nothing in her eyes but anger and hurt, and if he had to be the receptacle of the poison that now dwelled inside of her because of his actions then so be it.
Standing, he held his staff at the ready, she darted forward and swung it in the same manner that he had taught her. He easily kept track of all of the blows but had almost missed the baton that she had picked up in her other hand and leaned back before it had a chance to collide with his mask. V was careful to never strike her, only to swing a few toward her staff to give the illusion of a counter attack. Carly wasn't truly thinking as her hands moved and struck blow by block that were blocked by V, with every clack of the staff colliding the same question repeated in her head.
Why didn't you tell me the truth?
After a while V made a little more of a concerted effort to strike with purpose to have her block his swings, but never hit her. Even the ones she missed he pulled the staff back so it was far enough to just swing passed her. Keeping track of the amount of force that she has been consistently using, V was concerned that she was going to soon hurt herself if she didn't slow down but he also didn't want to use too much force to subdue her. Throughout the sparring session she had managed to land a decent amount of hits on his person, and the latest one to his ribs was causing him to have trouble breathing under the exertion.
"Carly." V grunted as he blocked more blows, trying to get her to decelerate. She was hearing none of it, her moves were becoming more desperate and more dangerous and V tried harder to get attention, "Carly!" He was able to maneuver behind her and wrap his arms around and prevent her from striking. "Breathe. You are going to hurt yourself, just breathe." V urged her. Much to his surprise she snapped her wrist to smack his knee with the baton, causing him to loosen his grip enough for her to push him to the ground. Pouncing on top of him as he lay flat on his back, she raised the baton above her head to strike but his hand snatched her wrist, holding it suspended in the air.
"Carly. Breathe!" He commanded, raising his voice so it echoed around the training room. As V panted and held on tightly to her wrist, he finally saw her eyes shift from being filled with rage to overwhelming hurt as tears quickly slid down her cheeks. Utter heartbreak seeped into her face and V finally loosened his grip when she stopped resisting and dropped the baton. Moments later a small sob erupted from her chest and V sat up and cradled her to his chest. The constriction around her grounded her, without it she feared she may fly away. Breathing deeply he held her tight and sighed in both exhaustion and relief that she stopped.
"Why?" Was all that could come out of her mouth between racking sobs.
"I believed it was the best way to protect you because there is very little that we can do right now. That wasn't right of me. It was not for me to decide but it was a cowardly choice that I made. I also shouldn't have raised my voice at you, you never deserve that, especially not today. I hope that I can earn your forgiveness, Kitten." V gently stroked her hair. Carly sat in a space of helplessness as she realized what she had done, and that she momentarily lost her senses.
"V...I- I don't know what came over me, I must have been out of my mind." She apologized, expecting him to be angry but he leaned back to cup her face firmly in his hands.
"Don't you dare. I'm all too familiar with what is happening to you right now. Remember what this feels like, don't run from it. I've never seen a more impressive display, do you feel that power?" He asked intensely. The mask obscured his vision and the importance of the moment as she stared back into the mesh of the mask's eyes, and V quickly lifted his his mask to lock eyes with her. Carly reached her hands up in panic upon realizing what he was doing, but stopped once she set eyes on his face. He had a well defined jaw, brown hair that peaked beneath his black wig and the skin on his face was smooth aside from the scars similar to his hands that seemed to run up his neck and up the left side of his face to just above his temple.
"Do you feel that power?" He asked, his eyes boring into hers.
"Yes." She whispered, noting it still surging through her.
"Let me teach you how to use it." V urged her and stroked her cheek gently with his thumb, "You will walk out of this room a different person than you entered, she has been buried deep down and has been waiting to be released. I saw her the night we first met, clawing to escape from the wreckage. This is the most important moment of your life, commit to it."
Carly felt her breathing slow and the fog of her rage and betrayal lift from her mind.
"Help me." Was all that could come out of her mouth. Although her voice was quiet, it was strong and determined.
"I promise." V vowed and pulled her back into his chest in a tight hug, feeling pride surge through him as they both caught their breath.
I hope you are enjoying the story so far! If you have read please feel free to leave a review/your thoughts. This is my first story so please be kind!
