By the third time Homelander had told the driver to go around the block, he knew that Victoria was sleeping soundly. He knew that they couldn't just keep driving all night and so he told him to stop in the garage. Homelander tried not to wake Victoria as he climbed out of the car, managing to cup her head in the palm of his hand as he moved it from his shoulder. He picked her up slowly as he stood up, adjusting her in his arms as her skirts fell over him. She shifted slightly in her sleep, head by his shoulder and an arm going around his neck to hold onto him.
"Are we home?" she muttered.
"We're back," he said to her. "I'll get you upstairs. Just go to sleep."
"I don't feel well," she mumbled and Homelander glanced down to her, scanning her quickly. She did have a temperature and her pulse was slightly higher than it should be. Homelander nodded his head and suspected that he might have to call for a doctor if her temperature didn't go down.
Stepping into the elevator, he hit the button for the penthouse apartments and waited patiently for it to arrive. He carried her into the apartment and climbed the spiral staircase towards the bedroom. Evelyn and Ryan were fast asleep and Homelander just nodded to Natalie, their babysitter, as he walked into the room and indicated for her to keep quiet and not disturb Victoria.
Coming to the master bedroom, Homelander kicked the door shut with the back of his heel. He lowered her to sit on the end of the bed and her eyes opened sleepily, but it was almost like she couldn't keep her eyes open. Homelander tugged his gloves from his fingers and tossed them onto the floor.
"Come on, we need to get you out of that dress," Homelander said.
"I feel sick," Victoria complained to him.
"Are you going to throw up?"
"I don't know," Victoria replied. "My stomach hurts…and my head…"
"Okay," Homelander said, growing with concern. He didn't think that this sounded like a cold. It sounded like something more serious. He just knew that he had to sort it. Reaching for her side, he tugged her zip down and the material loosened around her frame. He pulled her arms from the dress and let it pool around her waist before managing to lift her up just enough to get the material down and tug it down her legs.
Tossing the dress off to the side, he left it in a heap with her shoes before grabbing a grey tee from the his drawer and her sleeping shorts from hers. He went back to kneel in front of her and unclasped her strapless bra, tossing it off to the side before raising her arms just enough to get the tee onto her.
"I just need you to stand up for a minute," Homelander said and he knew that there would be no one else he would do this for. Victoria stood up, bent over and clasping onto his shoulders as he urged her to step into the legs of the shorts.
"I feel dizzy," she whispered and Homelander got the shorts up to her hips just before she collapsed to the ground in a heap. Her fingers slipped from his shoulders and her body went limp, eyes rolling to the back of her head. Homelander reached for her, hands moving to cup her cheeks.
"Vicky!" he snapped her name loudly. "Vicky, sweetheart, come on," he said and his heart hammered against his chest, fear rising up in his voice. "Sweetheart," he said and her eyes fluttered open for a moment as she lifted a hand to her forehead which was sweating profusely.
"Hey, it's alright," Homelander said to her and he continued stroking her cheek softly. "You're alright. Come on, let's get you sat up…can you move?" he asked her and she nodded.
He moved an arm around her waist and slowly helped her to sit up before guiding her to her feet, his free hand holding onto hers as he guided her to the bed. She sat down on the edge of it and he saw her swaying slightly, almost like she wasn't able to sit up straight. He sat down next to her, hovering around her as she felt like all of her limbs ached and were too heavy for her body. And then the wave of nausea struck her.
"I'm going to be sick," she said.
"Stay here," Homelander said and he left her sat at the side of the bed and rushed into the bathroom. He found a bowl underneath the sink and carried it back to the bedroom. Placing it in her lap, he only had to wait for a few seconds before she threw up into it. He pulled her hair behind her shoulders as she retched over the bowl and he wrinkled his nose at the smell. She continued throwing up until there was nothing left and Homelander took the bowl away.
He got her into bed, leaving the quilt pulled back at the bottom of it. He called down for a doctor, wanting a second opinion and needing to make sure she was going to be alright.
…
Victoria was suffering from severe exhaustion coupled with the flu. That meant she was on bed rest for the foreseeable future. She had slept for most of the first day she'd been ill, just tucked up in bed. She hadn't ate anything or drank anything. Homelander had looked after Ryan and Evie, ordering in dinner for them and taking care of his daughter.
"I want mummy," Evelyn said as Homelander tucked her into her bed that night.
He was knelt on the floor next to her bed, his fingers stroking her dark curls on the top of her head. Her light blue eyes met his and he smiled to her, trying to keep her calm and not worried about her mother.
"Mummy isn't feeling too well, honey," Homelander said to her. "She needs to get some sleep and she'll be back playing in no time, alright?"
"Is she going to be okay?"
"Of course she is, Evie," Homelander promised his daughter. "She is just ill, but she's going to be back to normal soon enough. We just need to let her sleep, alright? But I'm here, okay? And we can read a book tonight. What do you want to read?"
"Mummy was reading The Giraffe and The Hippo," Evelyn told him and she pointed to the book on her bedside table.
"Right," Homelander said and he picked the book up.
He sat on the edge of her bed and opened the book and started reading. He even did different voices for the characters. He got to page twenty by the time she was asleep. Homelander's voice trailed off gently and he set the book down before standing up. He tugged her quilt up her body and bent down to peck her on her forehead. Turning the lamp off, he turned the nightlight in the corner on and stepped over her discarded toys on the floor and moved to the door. He shut it behind him gently and left her sleeping before going to the master bedroom, passing Ryan's room and telling him not to play on his game too late.
He stepped into the master bedroom and found Victoria sat up against the pillows. She had a book in her fingertips and Homelander closed the door behind him. "How're you feeling?" he asked her.
"Just tired," she said. "I feel like I could sleep for another week."
"Well, you can," Homelander promised her. "You're on bed rest for the week. That means no work, okay? I'm not surprised this has happened after everything you've been through recently with the trial…your dad…I think this is probably your body's way of saying you've had enough."
"It's not wrong," Victoria said to her husband and he moved around the bedroom and hung up the dress that he'd tossed on the floor. Victoria watched him place her shoes back in the closet too before he picked up some of the pills that she'd been prescribed from the dresser.
"You need to take these. It's been four hours since your last dose," Homelander said and he pushed two pills from the splinter and into his palm. He sat down on the side of the bed and held them out to her. "Do you want a tea?"
"I'm fine," Victoria said and he picked up her glass of water. She picked one pill up and swallowed it back with water before taking the other. "You know, you don't make a bad nurse."
"Only for you," Homelander said to her and he kissed her forehead. "And I don't want you worrying about anything, alright? The kids are fine."
"Can I see them tomorrow?"
"If you're feeling up to it," Homelander said. "I didn't want to disturb you today. You've been sleeping and I wanted to let you rest."
"Thank you," Victoria said gratefully to him and handed him her glass back for him to put on the bedside cabinet. "You know, I might try and get some more sleep. I think I've read the same page about six times."
Homelander chuckled and he took the book from her. She laid back down, head against the pillows and eyes closing. He moved his fingers to brush her hair from her face and nodded. "Get some sleep, sweetheart," he urged her softly. "I'll be here when you wake up."
…
Victoria had been on bed rest for a week and was bored. She had gone about the apartment and had recovered at home. She felt better by the time the Tek-Knight event rolled around and Homelander had asked her if she would come once more. She had complained, but he had pleaded with her. Apparently she was popular with conservative women and they were likely to be in attendance. They saw her as a novelty because she'd come from nothing and made something of herself. They didn't particularly like her politics, but they were willing to overlook that.
"I look like an idiot," Victoria complained.
"You look lovely," Homelander promised her as he tugged his gloves onto his fingertips.
She was standing in front of the mirror, looking at her reflection and trying not to tug at the material. The dress she wore was blue with a high collar and square neckline. She felt the material clench around her stomach and that was driving her insane. She kept on pulling at it and looking at her hair which she had curled and had tried to get it so that it hung in loose curls down her back, but it looked too big for her liking.
"I look like a politician's wife," Victoria muttered.
"You look beautiful," Homelander promised her. "And the fact that you're coming with me means a lot. I know that this is your idea of hell."
"It's going to be difficult for me to hold my tongue," Victoria admitted to him, meeting his eye in the mirror as he moved towards her and stood behind her. His lips arched in amusement and he moved her hair over one shoulder before bending down and kissing her there softly. His arms came around her waist, fingers splaying on her stomach as he rocked his hips against her and Victoria arched her brow.
"Me looking like the First Lady gets you going, huh?" Victoria asked him and he chuckled as he moved his fingers against her skirt, bunching the material up towards her hips. Victoria reached for his wrist as his fingers trailed along the edge of her underwear against her thigh. "We need to go, don't we?" she said to him.
"Just…you doing this for me…the idea of you by my side…I guess you deserve something as compensation," Homelander said to her and kept kissing along her neck. Victoria shook her head quickly and turned around, hand moving to his chest and resting there.
"And you think that's compensation?" she wondered from him.
"A taster of what's to come then," he replied and Victoria shook her head at him.
She ran her hand up his chest to his neck, cupping it softly. "Oh no," she said. "You owe me a lot more than that."
Homelander's lips remained arched upwards in amusement at hearing her. "And what do you have in mind?" he questioned, hand skimming low on her back and pressing her hips against his. Victoria lifted her free hand to take hold of his hair, fingers threading into it.
"I want…to get out of the rally next week," Victoria said to him. "And I want dinner at Gio's one night. I want that carbonara and I want the tiramisu as well."
"You drive a hard bargain," he joked.
"Oh, I'm a top negotiator," Victoria said and he laughed before bending down and kissing her tenderly. His lips moved against hers as a hand went to the back of her head, thumb running just beneath her ear.
"Come on then, First Lady," Homelander joked, swatting her backside and letting her tug her skirt back down. Victoria turned to glare at him and he laughed at her. "We need to get going."
Homelander took hold of her hand and the two of them said goodbye to Ryan and Evelyn, leaving them with Natalie again for the night. They had agreed that they would meet the rest of The Seven at the mansion. The drive out there was slow, but Victoria quite liked the fact it dragged out. Hopefully that meant that they would be back home sooner rather than later. Victoria felt Homelander's thumb brush over her knuckles as they came to the countryside and the lights dimmed from the city as they passed fewer buildings.
"So what is this?" Victoria questioned from her husband. "I said that I would come, but I am not entirely sure what I've gotten myself into here."
"It's a Federalist Society gathering," Homelander said and Victoria rolled her eyes. "I know this isn't your scene and I get that, but we need to be there to talk to some people and try to get them on side to vote against Singer's legislation."
Homelander wasn't intending on telling her about the private meeting he was planning. He knew that she would disapprove and he didn't want that. He just figured that he'd be able to keep her away from it. He suspected that there would be some people she could talk to while they quickly had the meeting. Alternatively, he would tell her to go and wait in the car and make it seem like he was getting her out of somewhere she didn't want to be. No doubt she'd be grateful for that.
"An alt-right cocktail party isn't exactly somewhere I'd prefer to spend my Friday night," Victoria agreed with her husband on that point. She could think of so many other places she would rather be. "Do we have to stay long? I don't see why you need them to vote against the legislation. The last I read that was pretty much a done deal."
"Well, we need to make sure it's buried in the water," Homelander told her.
The car slowed down as they pulled up the private driveway and the mansion came into view. Victoria whistled lowly at the sight of it.
"He gets all of this from his true-crime series?" Victoria questioned.
"I think his family has generational wealth," Homelander replied. "Either way, he's a nobody. I find him pathetic."
"Why?"
"You know he has enhanced senses, right?"
"More than yours?" Victoria wondered and Homelander climbed out of the car first. She followed him and took his hand again, tugging her dress down and leaving her coat in the backseat.
"Well, he can smell better than I can, but that's not all. He has a thing for holes. Vought caught him once in a bathroom," Homelander said and he led her up the steps of the mansion. The door opened for the pair of them and there was someone stood there handing out champagne. Homelander didn't bother taking a glass or acknowledging the people there. Victoria just smiled and said she was fine before she looked at her husband again.
"What do you mean 'he has a thing for holes?'" she wondered from him.
Homelander glanced around to make sure no one was watching them. Bending down, he whispered to his wife as they walked slower than they needed to towards the main reception room where the event was in full swing with politicians, judges and businessmen and women stood around and gossiping. Soft music played in the background. The mansion was old and lined with portraits and antiques, the wallpaper patterned and the lights dimmed.
"He likes to be…shall we say…intimate with holes," Homelander said. "Anything that has a hole is fair game for him."
Victoria's eyes widened and she shook her head, looking up to her husband and arching her brows. "Let me get this straight," she said, voice lower than usual. "You're telling me that this guy has a kink for sticking his private parts in any kind of hole?"
"Exactly what I'm telling you," Homelander whispered back.
"And that's some kind of supe power?"
"No, I just think he enjoys doing that," he shrugged to her.
Victoria frowned. "I mean, I have so many questions. Surely it has to be a certain size hole, right? And I mean…in the bathroom. What is there in the bathroom to be caught with?"
"Hand-dryer," Homelander answered her and Victoria's eyes widened as her mouth gaped. Homelander chuckled at her expression and just nodded his own head, appreciating how strange the situation actually was. Nodding his head, he watched her as she slowly composed herself as they came to the door of the main room.
"Just when I thought I'd heard it all," she mumbled.
Entering the main room, Victoria didn't have a chance to say anything else.
"There's the big man!" Tek-Knight shouted and all eyes turned towards them. "The myth, the legend, the symbol of America."
He raised his glass in Homelander's direction and the people in the room started to clap. Victoria instantly felt uncomfortable, her lips only slightly forcing themselves into a smile as Homelander laughed once. "Please, we're all patriots here," Homelander said and he walked further into the room as Victoria spotted other members of The Seven loitering around. She wanted to roll her eyes when she noted Firecracker in the corner with A-Train. Deep and Noir were nowhere to be seen however.
"How's that gavel, Mr. Speaker?" Homelander suddenly asked a white-haired man dressed in a black suit with a flag pin on his lapel. He shook his hand, letting go of Victoria's hand for a moment to do so. His wife shifted uncomfortably, her fingers moving to brush against the dress by her thighs.
"Well, it might've taken eighteen rounds of voting, but I think we got there and killed the legislation," the speaker said. "You know, sir, it's humbling to see your commitment to America."
"Greatest country on Earth," Homelander replied and Victoria could hear in his voice that he was genuine.
"Which is ironic considering you married a Brit," the speaker declared and Homelander laughed at that as the man pointed at her. Moving to take hold of his wife again, Homelander didn't hear her complain as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and drew her against his side.
"Well, we've always had a special relationship, right?" Homelander replied.
Victoria was grateful she didn't have to say anything. She just stood there in silence and smiled like people expected her to. It was then when Tek-Knight made his move, stepping towards them with his arms outstretched. Victoria felt Homelander's arm tense around her shoulders and his face fell slightly.
"Oh, Captain…my captain," he said. "It is such an honour to have you here. I mean, you and your gorgeous wife…Victoria…looking absolutely ravishing," he declared and held his hand towards her. She moved to shake it, but he picked her fingers up and bent down, kissing her knuckles once and she knew that Homelander was less than impressed. "I have to say, I was surprised when I received word that you would be coming. I didn't think that this would be your thing…what with being a UN intern."
The speaker rolled his eyes at that and Victoria stood up straight then.
"And what about that is surprising to you?"
"Well, let's just say that your politics and ours doesn't align," Tek-Knight said to her. "But here you are, looking as ravishing in person as you do on screen…supporting your husband and standing by his side."
"You know, back when I first started out, women never had those positions of power," the speaker said and Victoria wanted to balk at his comment. "I mean, we had secretaries, but we hired them based on not only their typing ability, if you know what I mean?" he said with a nod of his head and Tek-Knight chuckled but Homelander had the good sense to remain stoic. "And women aren't entirely rational, are they? I mean…I can tell when that Senator from Detroit is having her time of the month. Sometimes I don't think they should really be so close to power…and the UN…don't get me started."
"Well, I hate to tell you, Mr. Speaker," Victoria said, unable to help herself and not entirely caring if she annoyed her husband. "But a lot has really changed since your time…women can vote now," Victoria said and Homelander tried to hide a chuckle with a cough into his fist. "But I know my place, of course…to stand by my husband's side and smile as I dangle off of his arm. The only thing I draw the line on is letting his secretary blow him," Victoria said, voice full of sarcasm. "Never say I leave my man unsatisfied," Victoria said, patting her husband on the chest and then looking to the politician once more. "Because that's all I'm good for, right?"
"Your wife is quite the woman, sir," the speaker merely said, like he was unable to address Victoria openly.
"Oh, she really is," Homelander agreed on that point.
"I'm going to get a drink," Victoria settled on saying and she left them alone. Homelander watched her leave the main room and clearly stalk off to try and find a glass of something, despite the fact she shouldn't because she was still on her medication.
"Your wife really is an astonishing woman," Tek-Knight said. "Perhaps you could both come for dinner one night. If this little team up is going to work then we can discuss this over fine cuisine."
"Listen to me," Homelander said and he stepped closer to him. "There is no team-up. Sage and I might need you for the moment, but we're not equals. You're pathetic. You can't even fly for God's sakes. And if you even think of laying a hand on my wife again, I'll laser you on the spot."
He turned around and walked away then, finding Sage in the corner. She was holding her glass of champagne in her fingertips and he needed to make sure they were on track for the meeting later.
Victoria, on the other hand, was stood in the other room after ordering a glass of champagne. She was stood by the makeshift bar and waiting for it. The man behind the bar had told her he would bring it to her, but she was happy to wait in the other room. It was then when Victoria Neuman approached, dressed in a blue dress that was a similar shade to Victoria's dress.
"You need a tequila shot," Victoria settled on saying and she ordered them two from the bar before turning back around and leaning against the bar. "It's the only thing that's strong enough to get you through this. I'd suggest keeping them coming too."
"You know, I've just been told that my place should be on my knees under the desk pleasing a man," Victoria said. "Women, apparently, shouldn't be in positions of power. You're going to have a field day with that conversation when he gets to you."
"The irony of me being the most powerful person here and a woman then," Neuman said. "And you're okay with being here? This place is full of people whose very beliefs go against everything you believe in."
"My husband asked nicely and it's not like I'm in a position to argue with him," Victoria retorted. "Although I imagine by the end of the night he's going to wish he never asked me. I told him I'd struggle to hold my tongue and I've already proven that after speaking to only one person."
"I've imagined popping my own head off about six times…and I've been here twenty minutes," she responded and Victoria chuckled as the bartender handed them both the tequila shots. "Sucking up to these people is impossible."
"Then why do it?" Victoria wondered.
"Why do you stay with Homelander? It's not because you fucking love him, is it?" Neuman retorted. "It's because we're both trapped…and if we're trapped here…then we may as well numb the pain," she said and she held her shot glass up and Victoria clinked hers against it and the two of them downed the alcohol before placing the glasses down on the bar behind them.
"Ah, Vice-President Elect," a man called out and moved towards the two of them. "And Dr Anderton…Homelander's wife. It's a pleasure to see you both."
"Jonathan," Neuman spoke. "A pleasure as always."
"And I don't think we've ever met," he said and held his hand out towards Victoria. She shook it and he took a moment to look over her and Victoria wanted to roll her eyes at how obvious he was. "Jonathan Downey…owner of Great American Bank," he introduced himself.
"Victoria Anderton," she replied and he chuckled.
"Oh, I think everyone knows who you are, my dear," he said. "Two lovely Victoria's skulking in corners together. I take it you're both enjoying yourselves?"
"It's a lovely party," Neuman said and she reached for a glass of champagne on a passing tray. "I take it that you know the host quite well?"
"Well enough," he admitted. "And I've been meaning to get hold of you. I know that you're working with Singer, but the economy is in trouble and getting even worse with this Starlighter movement. Riots…unrest…it's not good for business. And then she comes out and tells the world that she had an abortion. What kind of example does that set for girls? The fact is that this country should be anti-abortion."
"Excuse me?" Victoria questioned.
"Well, there would be no need for abortions if girls were just careful and didn't get themselves into these predicaments. They should think about that before they open their legs," he said and Victoria's mouth dropped open.
"Seriously?" Victoria asked and Neuman remained quiet, arms folded after downing her champagne. "And what about rape victims?"
"Well, we know if the rape is legitimate then the woman's body has a way to reject that pregnancy," he said to her.
"If the rape is legitimate the body rejects a pregnancy?" Victoria echoed. "I mean, you can't seriously believe that. That's absolute insanity."
"How is it?" he said, voice turning defensive. "Look at what you went through. You were very brave for telling your story, but you never had an abortion, did you? It was because your body rejected getting pregnant."
Victoria didn't think she could say anything else on that matter. She had no words. She just looked to Neuman and then back to the man. "And they say woman shouldn't be in charge," she muttered and just left the room.
Victoria needed to get away from the party. She needed to get away from those people. She stalked off down corridors of the mansion, not caring if she got lost. She just needed somewhere quiet to go. She found a living room where no one was. It was also dimly lit with lamps and had a velvet sofa and two high back chairs. Victoria looked to the roaring fire and sat down on the edge of the sofa.
"I saw you escaping," Homelander's voice came from the door and he closed it behind him before moving to sit down next to her, pushing his cape off to the side.
"Do you know that the reason why I never got pregnant when Eddie raped me is because my body naturally expelled any pregnancy?" Victoria asked her husband and Homelander looked to her, face scrunching up with confusion. "Because apparently women shouldn't be allowed abortion. We shouldn't be given a choice. I mean…fuck me…what are you doing with these people? Why do you even need them? They think they should be in charge? They should be nowhere near power with opinions like that."
"And they won't be," Homelander said. "I promise you that they won't be."
"This place is insane," Victoria muttered with a firm shake of her head. "I don't like it, John. I don't like any of this."
"It's only for a short while," Homelander promised his wife. "Until Neuman does what we need her to do…we just have to play the game."
"I don't like the game," Victoria said and she leant back on the velvet seat. "And go on then, I imagine you found me to yell at me for how I spoke to that idiot back there."
"Trust me, I'm not going to yell at you," Homelander said to her.
Victoria looked at him inquisitively with an arched brow. "Really?" she wondered. "I thought you'd be annoyed."
"Granted, it wasn't ideal, but I know you have a temper," Homelander said. "I knew you wouldn't be able to bite your tongue if they said something so ridiculous…and I don't know…it's kind of hot whenever you get angry."
"So you wouldn't mind if I went back out there and kept on telling people how stupid they are?" Victoria wondered from him. He laughed at that and rested a hand on her thigh, squeezing it in his grip.
"I think you might be pushing your luck," Homelander told her. "Go on…you stay in here, sweetheart. Hide from people and stay out of sight…I'll come and get you when it's time to go."
"Really?"
"I can see how uncomfortable you are out there. Besides, you've shown your face and that's enough," Homelander said to her.
Victoria nodded her head and agreed with him. She wasn't going to fight him. She was more than happy to stay out of sight. Homelander moved towards her then and bent down, kissing her sweetly, lips moving over hers as she remained sat there. Pulling back, he let his forehead brush hers and he pecked her once more on the lips.
"I'll be back soon," he assured her.
"Okay," Victoria said. "Thank you."
"Anything for you, sweetheart," Homelander promised her and gave her one final peck before he stood up and left her alone in the living room. Victoria didn't have her phone, but she did see an old copy of Pride and Prejudice on the bookshelf. She picked it up and flicked it open, figuring she could read a few pages to pass the time.
She got to page five when the door opened and she looked to the side and saw Firecracker coming in. Rolling her eyes, Victoria was about to snap at her and ask her what she wanted. But then she noted that her eyes were glazy and she was sniffing.
"Oh…I was looking for the bathroom," Firecracker said to her.
"Down the hall," Victoria replied and then narrowed her eyes and observed her intently. "You're crying…"
"I'm not crying," she said, but she sniffed loudly.
"Well, you are, but it's none of my business who upset you," Victoria said to her and sunk back down into the plush cushions.
"She thinks she's so much smarter than I am," Firecracker said. "You all do. You all look down on me because you think I'm nothing but white trash…excluding me from conversations…discussing things behind my back…and Sage might think she knows it all, but she doesn't."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Victoria said to her.
"Yes, you do," Firecracker retorted. "You look down on me. You sneer at me from your ivory tower."
"No, I don't," Victoria said. "You think I come from wealth like this? I don't. I came from nothing and I don't look down on you for where you come from. I'd never do that to someone. I don't like you because of how you act…how you spread lies…how you use your fame to do nothing but appeal to those who love conspiracy theories. I mean, then there's the fact that every time I see you, you try and steal my husband from me. So, no, I don't look down on you because of where you're from…I just don't like you because of who you are."
"And you think that makes things better?" she wondered. "Homelander has given me everything. He took me from obscurity and now I'm the lead anchor on VNN. I'm loyal to him. I'm loyal to him and I would never embarrass him like you did out there."
Victoria snorted and rolled her eyes. "He knows who I am and I have to say that I'm quite tired of you consistently telling me that I'm no good for my husband," she said. "And you really would be better placed doing something else other than going after him. He's not interested and you're beginning to look desperate."
"Time will tell," Firecracker said.
It was at that moment when the door opened once more and Victoria expected to see Homelander, but it wasn't him. It was Annie. Victoria's eyes widened and she jumped up from her seat. Annie held her hands up defensively and Firecracker advanced towards her with a glare.
"I'm not here for you," Annie said to Firecracker.
"I don't give two shits what you're here for," Firecracker retorted and Annie backed away into the room and Victoria rushed towards her. "Oh, I should call Homelander right now to come and laser your tits off."
"No," Victoria said firmly as Annie tried to use her powers, but failed miserably. "No one is doing anything."
"I should've known you'd stick up for her," Firecracker said, pointing at Victoria. "You're not on his side, are you? You talk the talk to him, but that's all you're good for. Wait until I tell him that you're protecting her."
"I don't need her to protect me," Annie said and she moved to stand next to Victoria. "And you were right."
"No, don't go trying to apologise to me," she turned her pointed finger to Annie. "I'm about to change your fucking life."
"I'm sorry for what I did to you when we were kids," Annie said and Firecracker got in her face aggressively as Annie took hold of Victoria's hand and dragged her behind her, the two of them still moving backwards until Victoria's back hit the wall.
"Let me guess? That was Starlight? And that's not you anymore?"
"No. No." Annie quickly said with a shake of her head and Firecracker watched her intently. "I tried to run away from Starlight, tried to leave her behind, like she was a different person, but she's me. She's all me and I said those awful, awful things to you. And if I'm being honest, to other girls too, and it doesn't forgive you for what you did…but from my end of things…I'm sorry."
Firecracker was quiet then and a part of her Victoria wondered if she was about to try and ccept the apology. But she didn't get a chance to as Annie lifted up a needle and jammed it into her neck, drugging her and making her pass out. Victoria watched as Firecracker swayed on her feet.
"You fucking whore," she mumbled before tumbling to the ground.
The two of them looked down at her, making sure she was passed out and not listening to them. Annie turned to Victoria and didn't waste another second before she embraced her tightly and Victoria held onto her as well. "What the hell are you doing here?" she asked, pulling back and resting her hands on her shoulders.
"Something is going on with Tek-Knight and Hughie's gone undercover to talk to him," Annie said. "But we lost contact with Hughie. I think he might be underground…and we're looking for him."
"We?"
"M.M. and Kimiko are here too."
"Alex?"
"He's sitting this one out. He's been MIA for a few days…along with your brother," Annie said.
"Are they okay?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure," Annie admitted to her. "Your brother…I think he's taken Alex under his wing and the two of them have been whispering in corners. I'll find them when we're back, but right now I need to find Hughie because I think something might have happened to him."
"Okay," Victoria said and she took a deep breath. "I'll come and help you…but why are you even here? How did you know this event was taking place?"
"We found out," Annie said. "And we know that Tek-Knight is working with Sage and Homelander on something. Do you know what?"
"John just told me that he needed Tek-Knight so that he could bring all these people together…he wants to make sure Singer repeals the anti-supe legislation. He's got it into his head that he has to create a better world for supes," Victoria said and she laced her arm in Annie's as the two of them snuck down corridors. "Why? Is there something else going on?"
"That's what we're trying to find out," Annie said. "And why are you here? He must know that you'd hate this."
"He knows, but he thought I'd be useful," Victoria said and they peeled open another door.
Stepping into the room, Victoria had to a do a double-take. A-Train was in the room and he was picking up M.M. from the floor. Before any of them could ask what was going on, he sped out of the room without a single word. Annie looked to Kimiko, arms flapping by her side.
"What the fuck?" she snapped quietly.
Kimiko just shrugged in exasperation.
Victoria's mind worked overtime and she tried to put two and two together before she got it. "A-Train is the mole?" she asked as Kimiko went back to pulling books out of the bookcases, making a complete mess on the ground and Victoria wondered what she was looking for.
"You can't tell anyone," Annie said and she moved to Victoria, hands gripping her shoulders. "No one can know, okay? There's stuff going on…things happening that I can't tell you to keep you safe, okay? While you're with him, you need to stay safe, okay?"
"I know, but A-Train?" Victoria checked with her. "So it wasn't Cameron Coleman."
"No."
Homelander had told Victoria that Coleman had been fired and had been warned not to show his face in public. She had no idea that he'd gathered a room full of supes and had them beat him to death.
"Fuck," Victoria whispered. "And M.M?"
Kimiko imitated collapsing to the ground and none of them really knew what had happened, but it seemed apparent that A-Train had gotten him to the hospital. As Kimiko tossed books to the grounds, Victoria tried to think of the information they'd just told her. There was no way she could tell Homelander. He'd kill A-Train without a second thought. Keeping it from him was dangerous, but she knew there was no other option.
And then Kimiko found the book. She tugged it out, but it didn't come all the way out. It moved a shelf aside to reveal a hidden elevator. She rushed into it and Victoria looked to Annie.
"You need to knock me out," she said to her friend.
"What? I can't do that."
"You have to because Firecracker knew I was with you. You need to knock me out…I can't come with you…it protects both of us, Annie," Victoria said. "Just hit my head against something and knock me unconscious."
"It's risky-"
"-So is Homelander knowing that I helped you and didn't scream for him the instant I saw you," Victoria interrupted. "Go and find Hughie and get out of here. I can handle him. I promise you that I can handle him."
"Fuck," Annie muttered but she knew that time was of the essence.
She reached for Victoria and hugged her tightly. The two women clung to each other and Victoria rubbed Annie's back. Pulling back, they nodded to each other and then Annie took Victoria by the hair and slammed her head against the wood, knocking her out cold. She caught her as she fell to the floor and gently placed her down, checking that she hadn't done any serious damage before she rushed to the elevator. The door closed behind them and Annie let her eyes look over Victoria one final time.
…
The speech had been an utter disaster and Homelander knew it. Victoria Neuman had taken over from him and they had all cheered her. She had said the right things. Sage had clearly been shot in the head and was suffering from brain damage. Homelander had no idea how that had happened, but she'd failed him. She'd left him on his own and he knew that he didn't have the answers to the questions that had been asked.
He'd left the room in anger and annoyance. His eyes had started to tear up with rage and he knew he needed to get out. He had gone back to the living room where Victoria had been, but he didn't find her there. The room was completely empty. Frowning, he wondered if she'd gone back to the car, but surely she'd have said something?
Moving down the corridors in the mansion, he saw a door partly open and stepped into the library. It was then when he saw his wife in a heap on the floor, arms laid out to her sides and her legs curled.
"Vicky!" he snapped loudly. "Vicky, sweetheart," he moved to kneel down next to her and reached for her, grabbing hold of her by the waist and cradling her in his arms. "Sweetheart, come on…come on…"
Her eyes fluttered open slowly and her hand moved to her forehead. She had to admit that she felt light-headed and a part of her resented giving Annie the idea. She blinked a few times and groaned as her free hand went to Homelander's forearm and she took hold of it.
"She's got fucking strength, I'll give her that," Victoria muttered.
"What? Who did this to you?"
"Annie," Victoria said to him and she saw his eyes widen.
"Starlight was here?" he asked.
"She came to the room I was in. She had a fight with Firecracker…knocked her out too," Victoria said and she managed to sit up, but Homelander kept his arm around her. "She said that Hughie was here, but she didn't know where. I…I know you're going to be pissed off…but I didn't scream. I know I should've found you, but she knocked me out."
"Starlight did this to you?" Homelander asked.
"Not after questioning what I knew about this event," Victoria said and she began to stand up. Homelander moved to his feet first and reached his hands out to her, hauling her to her feet and moving his arm around her waist to steady her. She clung to his shoulders, knowing that she had to play this right. "I told her that I didn't know anything other than what you told me…and then I asked if Billy was here…turns out he's MIA. Anyway, she dragged me in here, apologised and before I could ask what for, she slammed my head against the bookshelf."
Homelander studied his wife intently. Her pulse was racing slightly, but he suspected that came from just being knocked out. He knew that she hadn't knocked herself out and he did spot a bruise forming on the corner of her head, but he saw no signs of internal damage.
"How did she know we were here?" Homelander asked.
"She didn't share that information with me, but she seemed to suspect something was going on…I mean, was there?"
"No. You know what was going on," Homelander said and Victoria didn't believe him, but she couldn't challenge him. "And she knocked you out? Your former best friend just smashed your head against the bookcase?"
"She did exactly that," Victoria said with a nod of her head. "I think the fact that I've got a headache is testament to that. I know that you're probably pissed off because I didn't come for you, but I just…I just didn't have time…and she was my friend at one point. I was just shocked to see her here…but honestly, before I knew it, she'd knocked me out cold. I mean, I did try to stop her and Firecracker from fighting."
"I can't find Firecracker either," Homelander said. "And you're right, you should've come for me."
"I know, but it all happened so quickly," Victoria replied. "And you know that we have a history…she…but I don't think she trusts me. She didn't tell me how she knew you'd be here. She didn't tell me anything because I think she knows…she knows that I'm with you, John. She knows that I'm loyal to you and I am. I just don't want you to be mad with me over this. Please."
Homelander's gaze searched hers and she watched him, her eyes meeting his and she didn't back down. He exhaled a sharp breath and just nodded his head once. He moved his hand up towards her head and brushed her hair from her forehead. She winced as his fingertips brushed along the bruise that was forming.
"You're going to have a bruise there," Homelander said. "But no internal injury from what I can see."
"Well, that's something," Victoria scoffed. "Can we just go home? This night has been a disaster."
"That's an understatement," Homelander said with a snort.
"What happened?"
"Nothing," he said, not wanting to tell her how much of a disaster his speech had gone because he'd have to tell her about their plans to invoke the twenty-fifth amendment and he knew that wouldn't go down well. "It's just been a shit event and now I find out Starlight was here…which clearly means that Cameron Coleman wasn't the mole."
"You know it wasn't me, right?" Victoria said to him as he wrapped an arm around her waist and they left together. "I mean, I get if you'd be suspicious."
"I know it wasn't you," Homelander promised his wife. Other things had been leaked that she didn't know about and so he knew it wasn't her for definite. "I trust you, Vicky. It just means that I need to sort out what's going on sooner rather than later…but for now, we're going to go home and forget tonight even happened, okay?"
"I'd like that."
The two of them left the party, walking back through the main room without another word. There were some people who stared at them, but Homelander ignored all of them. Once they were in the car on the way home, Victoria picked her coat up and slipped into it, finding herself chilly. Glancing to her husband, she looked at his side profile as he stared straight ahead.
"I'd take the morning after pill," she suddenly said to him and Homelander turned to face her and she took her turn to look down to her lap. "When Eddie raped me…I went to the nurse at the health clinic and I asked her for the pill. She didn't ask me much, only my age and if I was using other forms of protection. I knew that I couldn't risk getting pregnant."
Homelander's jaw clenched slightly as he looked to her and saw her twirl the engagement ring on her finger.
"But to hear that idiot tonight say what he said…people like that scare me, John…everything that's going on scares me and I know you say that you'll always protect me and I know you will, but there's other people out there who won't be protected if those people get power…and that is genuinely terrifying," Victoria said to her husband. She glanced back to him, looking at him intensely. "That's not creating a safer world for our children and you know it. Deep down you have to know it."
"They're going to get nowhere near power," Homelander assured her on that point. "I'm here, Vic, and if I could go back there and laser that guy's brain off then I would…because the idea of anyone making you feel like that makes me feel sick."
"I don't want you to laser him in the brain," Victoria said to her husband, "I mean…maybe kick him in the balls and steal all his money."
Homelander laughed at her and shook his head as her own lips tugged upwards and he moved closer to her, his arm going over her shoulders and holding her to him. Victoria laid her head by his shoulder and closed her eyes, yawning.
"Luke," Homelander called the driver's attention, "can you go home via Burger Brown?"
She peeled her eye open and glanced up to him. "Is this what I get for verbally abusing people I was supposed to suck up too?"
"Well…this and then the fact that I would definitely prefer to get you back home and take you to bed. I think that might be the highlight of the night," Homelander said to her.
"I don't know whether to be insulted or flattered that you only think it's the highlight," Victoria replied and he smirked before kissing her on the forehead once more.
"Okay, then I definitely know," he relented. "And tomorrow…I'll find out who the leak is and sort this once and for all."
Victoria closed her eyes again and nestled closer against him, worrying that he might hear her heartrate increase and her pulse race. But he didn't seem to be focused on that. Instead, he was just content to have her with him. But Victoria knew the truth would come out eventually. And she knew she had to talk to A-Train before it hit that stage.
...
A/N: Things will now start to come to a head...not long before Victoria figures things out and we know how that will probably go down. As always, please do let me know what you think!