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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
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Chapter 8--Into The Night

Jazlyn sat on the bed, her legs crossed beneath her. The first thing she would have to do is physically learn how to protect herself, and the best place to do that was in the armory. First thing tomorrow, she would begin to teach herself how to use several of the weapons she had seen in the room. In between her practicing and other things, she would use some of the leather she had found in the sewing room and fashion an outfit for herself.

“ Damn him! ” She swore softly from the bed just as a knock sounded outside her door. She watched as Shadow entered the room, and found V standing in the doorway.

“ May I come in? ” He asked slowly.

“ I guess. ” Jazlyn replied as Shadow jumped onto the mattress beside her.

“ Would you still like to help? ” V asked, moving into the room.

Jazlyn rose from the bed and stood barely a foot away from the man. “ Only if you truly want me to.”
V let out a deep sigh. “ It seems that I have little choice.”

Jazlyn moved to within inches of the mask. “ I'll be fine, really. Remember, New London as not seen anyone like me.” She smiled, looking into the dark eye slits.

“ I will start your training tomorrow in the armory. You must know how to protect yourself physically, and I, must know that you will be safe on your own.”

Jazlyn nodded, then did something quite unexpected. Reaching up, she took the mask in her hands and kissed the cold lips gently. “ Thank you. ”

V stood motionless, trying to understand what had just happened. He had just been kissed--that he knew--but why?

“ Good night. ” He spoke, his voice shaky--he hoped that she had not noticed-- his breath, catching gently under the mask.

“ Good night. ” Jazlyn replied softly, watching him disappear quickly from the bedroom.

“ He cares for you, Mistress. ” Shadow's voice broke Jazlyn's thoughts.

“ I know, ” Jazlyn sighed, “ I can sense the turmoil he is going through, but, ”
She crossed her arms and moved around the room, “ this is something he will have to work through himself, and, it may take a very long time.”

--

V stood next to the roof top parapet, his cape, blowing in the wind gently as he looked out over the city. He had not told Jazlyn that he had business to attend to this night, and had ventured to the roof so he could try and make sense of the emotions that were rampaging through his mind--emotions that had been pushed back so deeply into the ravines of his psyche----ones, he had thought no longer existed--emotions that were now rushing through him like liquid fire--all because of one young woman--a woman who could break him with a single kiss.

--

The sleek, black car pulled into the rounded driveway and stopped by a set of large steps. Lewis Prothero stepped from the car, the valet holding the door. The lavish house that stood before him was just one of the many gifts he had received when Chancellor Sutler had appointed him to the position of lead reporter at Jordan Tower, the only broadcasting facility in the city. Besides being ' The Voice of Fate', Prothero was also involved with Viodoxic Pharmaceuticals, being on the board of directors, and also one of the main stockholders. It definitely beat being the Commander of Larkhill Detention Center--god, how he had hated that placed--how he had hated walking day after day among the undesirables that were housed within its cement walls, picking out lab rats for Stanton's experiments. How he had hated just being in the same rooms with them! The night the fire had destroyed the center, he had actually rejoiced in the fact that he would never have to see those faces again in his life time--he was meant for better things!

The front door opened and Prothero handed his coat and hat to the butler.” Good evening, sir.”

“ Good evening, William. “ He replied walking into the open foyer. “ Please have a sandwich and tea sent up to my room.”

“ Right away, sir. ” William replied walking away, while Prothero headed upstairs to his suite.
Opening the door, Prothero entered, picking up the tv remote and changed the channel to BNN, then sat down in the nearest chair to the fireplace. The evening broadcast had just began, when the room lights went out, throwing Prothero into complete darkness. Swearing, he rose from the chair, feeling for the lighter he had placed sometime earlier that day on the stand. If the fireplace had been lit, there would have been plenty of light to see by.

“ Good evening, Commander Prothero.” A low, ominous voice broke through the darkness.

Prothero froze as the lighter came to life. “ Who's there? ”

“ An old friend, Commander. ” Came the reply, and suddenly Prothero found himself face to face with Guy Fawkes.

“ Who are you? What do you want? Money? Is that it? ”

“ No Commander, it's not money I want...” V's knife came closer to Prothero's neck.

“ It's the truth, Commander, that I want. It's the truth I want New London to know about.”

“ Wait,Wait. You're the one who blew Big Ben up.” Prothero's eyes widen as V nodded. “ You're making a mistake. I'm nobody...”

“ The only mistake is that you survived, Commander. ”

“ Why do you call me that? ”

“ Because it was your title at Larkhill, was it not? ” V asked pressing the knife into Prothero's neck even more.

Prothero was sweating. “ I don't know what you're talking about .”

“ Maybe I can help your memory. Let's see. Larkhill opened in the summer of 1999. You were appointed its Commander. You wore a uniform in those days. ” Prothero swallowed hard as V continued. ” You were a man of many responsibilities. You made sure Larkhill made all its quotas, especially the oven quotas, even though they were required an excessive amount of maintenance. ” V paused, “ But there was one task you took to with great relish--remember the medical block, Commander? I believe, you called it the funny farm.”

Prothero began to shake. “ I only did what I was told. ”

“ Yes, I know. ”

“ What do you want of me? ” Prothero asked as sweat began to run down his face.

“ Right now, Commander, nothing. ” V answered as he lowered the knife slowly away
from the man's neck. “ I will be watching you. But soon, in the future, you will be judged for the crimes you committed. ”

“ I wasn't the only one! ” Prothero exclaimed. If he was going down, he'd be damned if he were going alone!

“ And those too, will be held responsible for their actions also.” V answered in a whisper as he quickly moved back into the shadows. “ Until we meet again, Commander.”

“ Wait! ” Prothero wheeled around as the lights came back on. He looked in every direction, but the man was gone, back into the night, and the ex-commander of Larkhill Relocation Center shook harder. He couldn't report the incident to Creedy because that would open up a can of worms--he couldn't take the chance of having it fall into Inspector Finch's lap-- he couldn't have the real truth about Larkhill come out. This was something he would have to deal with himself.

--

Jazlyn finished the last stitch on the outfit she had created, and rose from the sewing machine, clutching the garment in her hands. Moving to a nearby mirror, she held the leather jumpsuit up to her, admiring her handiwork. The red stitching contrasted the soft, black leather, and, the old cape of V's she had re-worked in some places with pieces of extra leather, and then lined inside with soft material, would protect her against the cold and damp New London nights. Rounding the outfit out was the black leather boots V had gotten for her, or possibly had made for her. The last thing, and the longest piece it had taken her to make, was the mask that concealed her true identity It was was also made from leather, with black eye slits hidden by mesh in the shape of bird's eyes. The nose and mouth had been constructed the same way along with the ear openings, The skull piece was adorned with the patterns of bird feathers colored in a deep red hue. She would from now on be called Raven on the nights she would patrol with V, and Shadow would be their constant companion.

--

It had been several months since V had begun Jazlyn's training with the weapons of her choice--a pair of sais----ones she had seen used by a woman in a movie from the past. (1) At first, V was a strict and hard teacher, but Jazlyn had began noticing that on more than one occasion how he would abruptly end the sessions, leave the room for a half hour or so, then return, blaming his absence on a project he had to check on. She knew that just being around her was becoming his biggest distraction, but he would always continue her training.

There were many nights that she would go to bed stiff and sore just because he had raised her challenges to a higher level. She had watched V on occasion from the shadows as hepracticed alone in the armory-- trying to work through the demons that kept his mind occupied--demons that included her, but with determination, she had become as efficient with the sais as V was with his knives. One thing she always looked forward to was the regular routine she did with him every evening. V would do what Jazlyn had named “ The Dance Of The Knives ”, and she, with sais spinning in hand, as though they were an extension of her arm, would move through the movements in perfect unison with him.

V had become the doting instructor, lavishing praise every time he saw fit, and always reassuring her of her natural talents with the weapons. Well, tonight, he would finally meet Raven. Jazlyn had a nice little surprise in store for V--one that if she miscalculated, even by the closest centimeter, could cost her life.

--

It was early morning when V finally arrived back at the Shadow Gallery. The lights were in the night mode, and silence filled the room. Jazlyn was already asleep, and V, just in from his night rounds, was wound up tighter than an old clock. Since Jazlyn had started her training, the voice had returned once again, not as bad as usual, but still throwing doubts into V's mind about the feelings he had began learning to deal with. Tonight, his muscles ached with the need to release energy and relax his always thinking mind. V headed toward the armory in an effort to escape his own personal hell.

--

Jazlyn hid in the shadows of the spiral staircase and waited. She had heard the attention buzzer go off announcing V's return just as she headed down the hallway toward the armory. She had given Shadow strict orders to remain behind unless she summoned her, and watching V practice in secret over the last few weeks had given her insight into his movements as he fought. The only thing that bothered her was the amazing speed he moved at. She would have to time her attack down to the last second. She heard the door open and slipped deeper into the shadows as she watched V enter and walk to a nearby table. The hat and cape were laid atop it, and V pulled two of his knives , laying them beside his hat. He unfastened the knife holster, placing it on the table top. Picking the loose knives up, he moved into the center of the room toward one of the practice dummies. He spun the knives in his hands as he looked his opponent over, then suddenly, the fight was on. Watching, Jazlyn studied the masculine form before her. The black breeches V wore clung to sculptured legs, and she held her breath as she watched muscles move and stretch with his movements. The Jacobian jacket molded to muscular shoulders and arms as well, and Jazlyn could see ripples of strength from beneath every time he lunged at the form. Finally, after watching for several moments, she decided to make her move and jumped from the staircase onto the floor in complete silence.

“ You, mademoiselle, need to perfect your ability of stealth.” V replied as he continued to practice.

Jazlyn just stared. How could he have known she was there? Must have been another of his quarky abilities. Sighing, “ Want a sparring partner? ” she asked as he stopped, and tilted his head toward her.

“ Are you sure? ” he answered softly.

“ I'm up to it if you are. ”

“ Very well.” V replied looking at her. He tried to pull his eyes away, but couldn't. Jazlyn stood before him dressed in black leather that molded to every curve she owned, and then some. “ Your new persona? ” He asked awkwardly.

“ You like it? ” She asked.

He cleared his throat. “ Very interesting design. Nice construction and details..”

“ V... ” She put her hands on the hilt of each trident. “ Just say you like it.”

“ I like it.” He replied, trying to keep his voice as nonchalant as possible.
Jazlyn grinned.” You may address me as Raven.”

“ It is my humble pleasure to make your acquaintance...” He paused as he brought her hand to the mask's lips, “ ... Raven.”, bowing deeply to her.

Jazlyn pulled her hand from his.” Shall we? ”

“ Indeed we shall. ” V began backing off as Raven drew her weapons and took a defensive stance.
Over the next hour or so, Jazlyn found herself spinning and deflecting advances made toward her by V. Several times, actually deflecting the blades of his razor sharp knives from her body. She knew he would never harm her, but this practice session was turning into one, that she had to use all of her knowledge and wits to keep from being pinned against the wall more than the two times she had already been. On a few occasions, when he had her backed against the wall, his strange giggle echoed through the room, giving Jazlyn the ferocity to fight back against him. She had watched as his attention slowly began to wane, and in one split second, she saw her chance--her right leg swung out, catching him completely off guard, and he fell onto his back with a thud. Quickly, Jazlyn moved to straddle his waist, the tip of one sai placed strategically just beneath the chin of his mask.

“ Very good. ” V breathed heavily as she leaned in closer to the mask. She still couldn't see his eyes through the slits, but she knew he was watching her silently as he berated himself for letting his guard down. He tried to move, but her legs had him pinned against the floor, and the situation was beginning to feel uncomfortable for him-- he could have ended the whole charade by simply removing Jazlyn from his person by sheer strength, but for some reason, at that moment, it was a thought that he would deal with later.

--

Jazlyn sat back, holstering the tridents at her side, smiling. “ What are you going to do now, Codename V? ” She teased. ” Seems I've caught myself a terrorist. ”

V grinned under the mask. ' Are you going to let her make a fool out of you? ' A voice, from far within the darkness of his mind, crept into his consciousness-- haunting, taunting him.

“ I am no one's fool...” He muttered under the mask. ' She is making you into one!'

“ No--never! ” He shouted, shoving her body from atop his. Jazlyn landed hard into a wall some ten feet away-- struggling to set up, she watched the masked man rise to his knees, his head buried in his hands.

After a moment, Jazlyn crawled to where V was crouching, touching his shoulder gently . “ V, are you alright? ” She had never seen him like this in the six months she had shared his home with him.

' Kill her...' The voice continued , ' Kill her before she kills you...'

The voice commanded as the war raged in his mind.

“ No, I will not harm her!! ” He cried out as his mind burst into a thousand shards of pain, and he collapsed, weeping into his hands.

She looked at him as a chill shuddered across her body, while gently prying his hands away . “ V, what is wrong? ”

“ Go away...” he moaned, not looking at her.

“ No, I won't leave you. ” Jazlyn took the mask in her hands.” “I want to help you through this, whatever it is. ” She gently raised his face to hers. “Please, let me help. ”

V placed his hands on hers, pulling them away slowly. “ There is nothing no one can do...” He broke off, lowering his head. “ It is to late...”

“ I told you I would help you in your cause, no matter what it entails...” She smiled at him, her hands on the mask once again. “ I 'm not going anywhere. ” She spoke to him softly, “ Besides, I care too much to let you go through this touch of madness alone. Whatever is happening to you right now, we can get through it--together. ”

V shook his head slowly.” You don't know what you are asking. ” It was taking all of V's willpower to keep himself under control.

“ I think I do. ” Jazlyn replied, pausing, taking one of his hands in hers, her thumb rubbing the leather-covered knuckles gently. “ The other day, when Shadow and I were at Larkhill, there was a woman there. I didn't know who she was--I thought she was a nurse or something. I watched as she moved around the ruins like she was looking for something, eventually walking over to a section where some flowers were growing...”'

“ The garden...” V spoke in a whisper.

“ She found a rose--a single red bloom--one of the most beautiful roses I have ever seen.”

“ Valerie's roses...”

Jazlyn was silent for a moment. “ Then, the visions started. “ She stopped when she saw V's head tilt toward her. He was listening. “ The first one was of her sitting at a table, writing an entry into her journal. Next...” she continued, slowly, “ was lines of people being given a series of injections, and then, ” Jazlyn stopped, looking away from the mask that had been staring into her very soul, “ I saw you V-- or I assume it was you-- I couldn't see any features, only the eyes staring--, from the corner of the room. ” She looked back to him.

' She knows! She knows about the monster that you keep hidden!' The voice cried within, as V closed his eyes against it.

Jazlyn took a deep breath. “ I saw explosions, a fire, and a lone figure standing in the court yard among the flames. It was you, wasn't it? ”

“ Yes...” V answered as his hands clenched into fists.

“ V, the woman's name was Dr. Diana Stanton-- she was the same woman I saw at the ruins. She was one of the scientists that conducted the experiments at Larkhill, wasn't she? ”

V gained his strength, and rose to his feet, sheathing his knives. “ One of many .”

“ You're going to kill them all, aren't you? ” Jazlyn stated.

“ Yes. ” V answered as the voice receded back into the darkness of his mind once again.

“ I won't help you kill, V. ”

“ I would not want you too. ” He answered, helping her up. “ There is no need to involve yourself in my vendetta. It does not concern you. ”

“ Whether it concerns me or not, I'm already involved.” Jazlyn spoke softly to him, her hand on his arm. “ I'm falling in love with you V, and god help me, I can't stop. So you see, I'm in too deep already. ”

V raised his hand to her face, touching it gently. “ You deserve better. ” He replied as he watched Jazlyn close her eyes, and rest her cheek against his palm.

“ I don't deserve any more than what you can give me. ” Jazlyn answered in a whisper, “ That alone, will always be enough. ” Touching his shoulders, she raised on tiptoes and kissed the mask's lips gently. “ I love you. ”

V pulled away abruptly, “ How can you love me? You've seen my life at Larkhill, you saw what happened--how can you love a monster?! “ He turned from her and walked away.

“ V, please...” She called after him to no avail. “ Damn! I handled that real well! ” How could she fall in love with someone who had no idea what love was? She needed to talk to Gordon, maybe he could help.

The movies referenced in this chapter are: 1) Daredevil with Ben Affleck and Jennifer Gardner,and 2) Electra,with Jennifer Gardner
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Shadowsteps