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Shadowsteps	By : vsvigalante Category: DC Verse Comics > V for Vendetta Views: 912 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own V for Vendetta, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
Chapter 13

An Unexpected Situation

Jazlyn watched V, she hoped she was doing the right thing------in her heart she knew she was, but yet doubts still filtered through her mind, she didn't want to push him to the point that he would turn from her completelooked into his makeup mirror, only fed the hatred that burned so deeply within. Larkhill had taken everything------his identity, his memories, his future. He turned to Jazlyn----it was one of those times he was glad she could not see beyond the mask, for if she could, he would have collapsed before her and begged forgiveness.

He rose from the chair, and spoke quietly. “ I can't, Jazlyn. I am sorry.”

She watched as he retreated down the hallway, and cried silently into the emptiness as tears ran down her face.

------------------------------------------

Shadow watched as Jazlyn laid the large leather-bound book on the bed. She was searching for a particular spell as she began turning the age old pages. The spell she was looking for was one used to gather knowledge from the cosmos about a certain item or person. She had decided that it was time to learn more about the idea and the man that V so diligently represented----Guy Fawkes. Her shoulder was still painfully sore, and V had changed the bandage shortly after their 'meeting' in the kitchen—before he swept down the hallway and disappeared in one of the other rooms where he had remained , until he left the gallery, into the night. It was eleven pm according to the digital clock that sat on the table next to her bed. He had been gone for two hours----god, it felt like twenty! Jazlyn let go a deep sigh as she focused back on the book. After a few minutes of flipping pages, she found the spell. It was one she had used several times in the past, and very few components were needed----she had found them in the kitchen and storage pantry. Carefully, she placed the items on the alter she had made on a nearby nightstand, and began.

'God of west wind, goddess of east wind
Hear my plea

God of north wind, goddess of south wind
Grant your humble servant the knowledge of the one requested

I offer prayer and offerings, to the four corners of the universe
Grant this request, grant this plea
To your most humble servant, bring the knowledge of Guy Fawkes

Jazlyn lit the incense, raising it to the candles she had placed in the four corners ( or where she estimated corners to be in the round alcove) illuminating some of the darkness of the bedroom. She closed her eyes and waited for the visions to begin as always before-----what she saw instead was a bright flash of light before her closed eyes. Startled, she opened them, finding a tall man standing in the candle light before her, a sword dangling from his side, staring at her , then quickly taking in the surroundings before him.

“ What place is this?” He asked, locking her eyes with his as a dark form raised from the bed, growling. His hand reached for the rapier.

“ Please....” Jazlyn raised her hand toward him, the blade clutched in his hand, at the ready as he watched the panther step from the bed to stand near the young woman.

“ What witchcraft is this?” He asked, confusion crossed his face.

“ She won't hurt you, I give you my solemn word.”

The man watched the panther, then quietly put the foil away. “ As you wish, my lady.”

“ Thank you.” Jazlyn smiled at him. “ My name is Jazlyn...... and you are?”

“ Guido Fawkes, my lady, at your service.” The man bowed his head in response, “ Why have you captured me? Are you one of the king's followers?”

“ Guy Fawkes? The Guy Fawkes?” she asked, reaching over and turning the lamp on.

Shielding his eyes against the sudden light, the man slowly began to lower his arm, and Jazlyn took in the sight before her. Atop his head sat a plumed hat, and the graying beard matched the shoulder length hair that lay carelessly atop a royal purple jacket that clung to muscular shoulders. The black breeches he wore fit snuggly to sculptured thighs, and black leather boots reached his knees.

“ Oh...my...god...” Jazlyn breathed.

“ I assure you, mistress, I am not the almighty. “ He answered, dark eyes flashing.

“ No....no.... I didn't mean it like that.” she tried to explain. ' How in the hell am I going to explain this to V?'

Fawkes reached a hand toward her. “ Please, pray tell, where am I?”

“ London?” Jazlyn answered nervously, looking at her guest. She studied the man before her. He and her V were not so different.

Guy eyed her. “ And how did I get here? Was I drugged? Or did Catesby finally show his colors?” (1)

“ I brought you here, “ Jazlyn began, “ by mistake. I wanted to know more about you and the gunpowder plot.”

Guy Fawkes stared at her. “ Brought me here? How can that be?”

“ I'm a .....witch.” Jazlyn answered slowly.

Fawkes quickly made the sign of the cross on himself, and back a step away. “ A witch?”

Jazlyn shook her head . “ Yeah.” She smiled at him softly., “ And this, “ she put her hand on Shadow's shoulder, “ is my guardian, Shadow.”

Shadow watched the man with intense interest.

Guy looked around the room he stood in. There was a bed and tables, but other things he saw, he could not fathom what they were or what their purposes could be. This place was definitely not of his time. “ Are we within your realm?”

“ No.....” Jazlyn was beginning to feel frustrated by the man, but he was now her responsibility, and she would have to accept that------at least, until she figured out how to reverse the spell and send Guy back to the sixteenth century, where he belonged. Taking a deep breath, she began again, “ you're four hundred years into your future.” She watched as he swayed for a brief moment, then regained his footing.

“ The future?” He looked at her, his eyes never leaving hers. “ You are indeed a sorceress.” He paused, “ If I may inquire of the year?”

“ It's 2012,” she answered as he staggered to a nearby chair, collapsing into it. “ I came here from my own time to escape.”

“ Escape?” He asked, his voice, hoarse and scratchy.

“ Yes, I and others of my kind, were being hunted down and thrown in prisons by our government.” She answered, sitting on the bed, Shadow at her feet, watching him.

“ James' twisted plans have reached far, I see.” He replied bitterly.

“ Guy, “ Jazlyn began, “ James I has been dead for four hundred years, “ she paused, “ as you have been.” She waited, allowing what she had told him to sink in, when she heard the gallery door open and close-----V had returned........and she knew he would seek her out if she did not met him.

She rose from the bed and came to stand by Guy, placing her hand gently on his shoulder, he looked up at her. “ I have someone I want you to meet. He feels the same way as you do----or did, about freedom.”

“ Then he is a man of great integrity----I would be honored to make his acquaintance.”
He smiled at her , taking to his feet. He took Jazlyn's hand in his, and kissed it softly, his dark eyes locking with hers.

“ Then come with me.” Her hand closed around his, and led him into the hallway.

------------------------------------------------

V laid his cape and hat on the piano bench and walked into the media room, hoping Jazlyn had waited up for him. He had to talk to her, explain why he walked away----but found the room was empty. ' She must have retired for the night.' he thought to himself, and left the room, heading for the hallway that led to Jazlyn's room. V stopped dead in his tracks as he saw her walking toward him, another man at her side, and a knife appeared in V's gloved hand as if by magic.

“ Hi.....” Jazlyn began as she dropped Guy's hand, turning her attention to V. “ I can explain.....”

Guy's hand rested gently upon the hilt of the rapier. The man standing before him was an imposing figure and the way he stood, with controlled purpose, Guy knew, would make him a formidable opponent. He was dressed entirely in black, a mask covering his face and about his waist was a belt, sheathing six throwing daggers, one of which the man held in a gloved hand. Guy sensed a connection to himself within the man.

V's eyes locked with the man's. Who was he and what was he doing in the Shadow Gallery with Jazlyn?

“ V, put the knife away.” she smiled at him, “ He's a friend. Please?”

Within a matter of seconds, Jazlyn found herself propelled behind V's back, the knife had been transferred to his left hand, and his right arm was held protectively in front of her.

“ Who are you?” V's voice was harsh, anger seeping into the tone.

“ My name sir, is Guido Fawkes.” Guy replied.

Under the mask, an eyebrow lifted. “ Guy Fawkes is dead......and I, for one, do not believe in an afterlife.” V replied, holding Jazlyn as she struggled to get loose.

“ Are you calling me a liar , sir?” Guy asked as he pulled the rapier from the sheath.

“ That is what I believe.” V shoved Jazlyn roughly away from him, ans began to move around the gallery, never taking his eyes from his opponet.

“ Then sir, I demand justice!” Guy exclaimed, slashing the rapier through the air, then bringing it to his face in a salute toward V--------who nodded in return.

Guy led off with a series of cocksteps at v, who returned a coverta with the dagger. Hurrying over to where the suit of armor stood, Jazlyn grabbed the sword from the metal hand and sent it sliding on the floor toward V. Fawkes paused in his attack while V unfastened the knife belt and let it slip to the floor after he had replaced the knife. Reaching down, he picked up the rapier, sliced it through the air a few times as Guy had done before, then turned toward him. “ En garde!”

Jazlyn could not believe her eyes as she watched the two of them parrying with each other throughout the gallery------admist all the valuable antiques------all of V's prized possessions! “ V!” She screamed across the room as Shadow looked up at her.

“ They must be made to stop, Mistress-------before someone is hurt.” It was the first time Jazlyn had heard such concerrn in her voice for V.

“ I know! I know!” Jazlyn panicked as V became more aggressive toward Fawkes. She knew he would never give up, but Guy seemed to be holding his own against the vigilante. To her, V seemed to be toying with the man, and that scared her----if he lost control of his blood lust, Guy would never stand a chance! “ V, I am so sorry.....” she apologized, closing her eyes, and starting speaking a spell softly. Suddenly, waves of energy shot from her hands, hitting both at the same time, throwing them apart from each other. After a few moments, they looked toward her from the spots where each lay on the stone floor. “ Enough!”

V pulled himself up, immediately straightening his clothing, and checking the wig to make sure it was not out of place from the force of the blow he had received, as Guy struggled to his feet.

“ I shall never pick up another weapon-----whether it be in your presence, or to defend your virtue,” Guy paused as he sheathed his sword, “ for you mistress, do not need my protection!”

V stood watching as the two of them faced eye to eye, and couldn't help but let a short laugh escape from under the mask, Jazlyn wheeling immediately to stare at him, hands on her hips.

Guy bowed deeply to V. “ Truce?”

V tilted his head in acknowledgement, and approached where they both stood. “ no battle is ever won.....they are not even fought. The field only reveals to man his own folly and dispair, and Victory is an illusion of philosophers and fools. (2)” V bowed his head to the only man he could remember being so humbled before. “ It is my honor to meet you, Master Fawkes. “ he paused, smiling under the mask, “ You may call me V.”

“ V?” Guy paused for a moment, “ Such a strange thing, to only be known by a letter.” He returned V's bow, smiling, then turned his attention quickly to Jazlyn. “ You are indeed honored by having someone who guards you like the King's treasure, young mistress---honored indeed.”

Jazlyn felt her face flush under Guy's intense smile, then looked to V, who stood, seemingly unmoved by Fawkes' words. She sighed, silently wishing she could see what was going on under the mask.

---------------------------------------------------

Finishing the dirty dishes in the sink, she hung the towel on the rod nesx to the stove. It had been several hours since the sudden appearance of Guy Fawkes in her bedroom. V had been the gracious host, as always, showing Guy through the gallery and the artifacts it contained, explaining the best he could about what had happened to England over the last four hundred years---------finally ending on the situations they now faced from Norsefire. After that, she had lost track of the both of them, and decided to go to bed. She was exhausted, and from the throbbing pain she felt in her shoulder, wondered if she had pulled a few stitches loose when she had cast the spell. Turning, she walked toward the hallway leading to her room, when she heard V call out her name. “ What V?” She asked as he approached her. “ Where's Guy?” She asked looking past him, into the gallery's main room.

“ Gone. “ V simply offered.

“ Gone? What do you mean gone?” She looked at him. “ How could you let him leave

the Gallery?!” She was becoming frantic. “ We have to find him, V. If Creedy's men got to him......” she paused, “ ......I don't want to think....”

V interrupted her, “ Jazlyn, “ He took her shoulders gently in his hands. “ He did not leave the Gallery by the door, I assure you.”

She looked at him as confusion set in. “ What are you talking about?”

“ He simply disappeared.” V answered, dropping his hands to his sides.

“ The spell must have elapsed. “ She replied, her expression changing to one of concern.
“ He never knew what happened.”

“ I am sorry, Jazlyn, that it happened so abruptly. He was a great man, the father of our struggle for freedom from tryanny.” He tilted his head toward her. “ Thank you for giving me the honor of meeting him.”

Jazlyn smiled up at him. “ I am glad you had that chance, for no one can predict how long that particular spell will last.”

V's eyes caught the small wet spot that was appearing above her left breast. “ You have pulled a stitch.”

“ I think I did it when I cast that last spell, I forgot how powerful it was.” she replied, “ I was on my way to take a bath.......I'm exhausted.”

V touched her face with a gloved hand gently, “ Once you have finished, I will tend it.”
He marveled how her face fit so well in his hand as she laid against it with her eyes closed, her hand covering his.

“ Alright.” She smiled, and he could see love reflected in the dark emerald green eyes. Jazlyn kissed the palm of his hand, then continued down the hallway toward her room.

V watched her retreating back, the gentle sway of her hips. He felt such pride in her strength-------but most of all, he felt so deep a love for her, that it physically hurt. Maybe what Guy had offered was the only way to put his doubts finally at rest. He went to gather up the first aid supplies he would need to tend her wound, and the courage he would need to see his plan through.
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Shadowsteps