FIC: Remember the Idea, Chapter 6
This chapter is a bit different than previous ones. More vignette style. Chapter 7 probably will be as well. And lots of plot in this one. But fluff too. And the next chapter... *sigh* you can guess!

Previous chapters are HERE.

Title: Remember the Idea
Author: skinny_bacon
Rating: PG
Summary: Conflict rears its ugly head, changing Finch and Evey's relationship.
Disclaimer: Don't own them. Sorry.




Chapter 6

“Chief!”

Eric Finch blinked, looking up, trying to focus on Dominic’s voice. “Sorry, what?”

Dominic Stone was standing across from his desk, a slight chuckle upon his face. “Did you hear a word I just said?”

Finch shook his head. “No, sorry, I didn’t.” He smiled sheepishly.

Instead of listening to Dominic while he briefed him on the outcome of his meeting with the Interior Defense Secretary, Finch had been staring at his computer screen. It had been two weeks since his birthday and his work schedule had kept him from seeing Evey. That morning, she had sent him an email, telling him she missed their weekly meals and that she hoped he was taking care of himself properly and not living on liquor and coffee.

He had stared at the message, wondering how she had gotten to know him so well, and how that fact made him feel even more warmth and fondness for her.

“I said that the Interior also agreed with our conclusions, that they think this is an organized group. They have been looking into it but are as in the dark as we are about who could be doing it.”

Finch nodded, thinking, his mind switching back to work and puzzle mode. “Buggers,” he muttered.

“Sorry?”

Finch stood up. “Well, it just seems to me that things were going so well for a while, and now in the past couple of months, there has been all this trouble. The riots, the power grid, the fire. It’s all connected, I know it is. And whoever is doing this has been planning it for a while. It just infuriates me that people can’t just be happy with the progress this country was making. We elected a government, for heaven’s sake! Get over your grievances!”

Dominic nodded in agreement. “Buggers.”

“Exactly.”

Dominic’s phone rang and he picked it up quickly as Finch sat back down. “Yeah?” His eyes darted to look at Finch. “Yeah, okay, we’re on our way.”

Dominic hung up the phone and grabbed his jacket, turning to his partner. “That was Evey. She said she had some information for us. She’s waiting for us at her office.”

Finch jumped out of his chair, trying to decide if he was more excited about another piece to the puzzle or seeing her.

As they got into the car, Finch realized he had already known the answer. He was more excited about seeing her. And for a policeman, that was probably not the best stance to take.

~o~

In the beginning of August, one of Evey’s associates caught a lead on a story involving an unnamed organization within McManus’s government that was dissatisfied with the current administration. This group, Evey told Finch, may have some responsibility in the blackouts and the arson of the Norsefire bookshop.

“Do you have any names?” Dominic asked as the three of them stood in her office, the door closed to give them some privacy.

“Only one, and he may not be an actual player in the group.” She paused, looking at Finch. “Jamie Powers.”

“But he was on the tape!” Finch exclaimed. “V named him on the tape. He’s supposed to be one of us!”

“I know. That’s why I wanted you over here right away.”

One of Evey’s production researchers knocked on the door, interrupting them. A different story she had been following had a lead.

“Sorry, I have to go,” she said as she gathered some papers. Dominic held up the file.

“Can we keep this for a bit?”

“Yeah, I’ve got a copy.” She turned to glance at Finch. Dominic caught the look between them.

“Uh, I’ll be by the lift, sir.” He walked away quickly and Evey stepped closer to Finch. He held her arm lightly.

“I’m sorry I’ve been so busy lately, Evey,” he said softly. “Thanks for your message this morning.”

Evey looked at his chest, then up at his face. “Who would have thought it would be so crazy?”

There was something in her voice that made Finch’s heart tighten. It was regret, longing. Finch tightened his hold on her arm, pulling her closer.

He opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say.

A young woman popped her head in the door. “Evey, we’ve got to go.”

“Coming,” Evey called.

She looked back at Finch, smiling sadly. Finch nodded, knowing exactly how she felt. The days were growing shorter for them.

“I’m going to find out about Powers, Evey. I promise you that.”

She looked at him once more then hurried out of the room. Finch met Dominic by the lifts, making no attempt to disguise the sadness on his face.

~o~

Both Evey and Finch investigated it; Evey and her co-producer had several useful connections in both the government and its growing opposing groups that Finch did not have access to. Finch and Dominic had sources as well, in addition to computer and information resources, as well as the authority to investigate unwilling subjects.

On August 13, three of McManus’s direct officials, including Jamie Powers, were murdered, their bodies dumped in the Thames. The ensuing investigation had few leads, and both Evey and Finch suspected it was the same group that was involved. The organization and direction of this group was becoming more dangerously apparent.

Evey spoke to Finch about it as they left his office to go to lunch one day towards the end of August, their first lunch in nearly four weeks. “I can’t find anyone who knows anything more about them. Or if they do, they aren’t talking.”

“They’re escalating, to be sure,” Finch said, holding a door open for her. “First blackouts, then arson, and now murder.”

“There aren’t too many more places to go after that.”

“Yes, there are.”

She paused. “It’s strange. I feel bad, really bad, about suspecting Jamie was involved.”

“Me, too.”

~o~

On August 31, Evey called Finch late at home, asking him to meet her in the Shadow Gallery. He dressed quickly and slipped out into the night. Whereas a year ago at this time the streets would have been deserted, the curfew keeping people home, tonight there were many individuals on the street; standing outside pubs, walking in the almost-darkness between streetlights. Finch parked farther away than usual and walked quickly but calmly to the alley entrance. The sun was just setting in the late summer night and Finch checked around him twice before entering.

It had been a long time since he had been there; he couldn’t even recall if there had been a time since the disastrous Christmas meeting. This time, no warm carols or bright lights led his way. Most of the lights were off and Finch suddenly felt the spookiness of the dark caverns, the foreboding doom that maybe Evey felt during her time here. A single light from the main circular chamber led him on and there he found Evey, looking intently at the jukebox.

“Hey,” he called, not too loud in the silence.

She turned and looked at him, a smile breaking out in her face. She was simply but comfortable dressed in a blouse and capris. She faced the jukebox again and pressed some buttons, then some soft, lilting music filled the area.

He walked over to her and drew her in to kiss her cheek, their familiar and enjoyed greeting. She remained close, hugging his arm as they stared at the jukebox, letting the music wash over them.

“It’s a sad song,” Finch commented. Evey tightened her hold on his arm.

“Yeah.” Finch expected her to say more but she fell silent, a look of calm resolve on her face. Finch was reminded of November 5, when she led him to the roof and he was amazed at how calm, serene, and peaceful she looked. She had that look now: strong, powerful, completely in control, but infinitely peaceful. Beautiful.

She must be thinking of him, Finch thought, both surprised and glad that the thought did not make him jealous. Well, not too jealous. He still harbored some feelings of envy and disdain for the masked man who had stolen her heart, but in the past ten months of spending time with her, Finch knew that he himself had a place somewhere in that region, as well. Where, he wasn’t entirely certain, but he knew it existed just the same.

Evey leaned into him once more before stepping away from his arm, moving through the Gallery, past some heavy curtains to stand in what Finch called the Rose room. It was where V had kept a shrine of Scarlet Carsons with the pictures of Valerie and the Salt Flats. Finch watched her with keen interest, watched her body swayed somewhat as she walked, watched her eyelids lower slightly and her head bow in quiet reverence. After a few moments Finch joined her, moving behind her and wrapping his arms around her middle. She covered his arms with her own, stepping back into his embrace.

Her hand covered his, her thumb rubbing his hand slowly. She moved it slowly but with purpose, his soft, cool skin comforting to her. For too long she had been consumed with thoughts, memories, flashes of ideas that would appear and disappear just as quickly. Many of her thoughts were occupied with the man she was holding. They had been heading somewhere important, somewhere special, and the month since his birthday when she had seen very little of him outside of professional obligations had affirmed those feelings to her.

She loved V. She missed V. Sometimes she felt she had never known another person better and sometimes she felt that she hardly knew him at all. But he was gone now, a phantom, a dream, a memory, holding about as much significance as dreams and memories do. They are cherished, savored, but, sadly, left behind when one wakes up.

Finch’s hand moved to her stomach, his fingers smoothing her shirt softly and she leaned back into him further. It was Finch who had helped her wake up, she realized. Finch who had cared for her, watched over her, believed in her, treasured her. Finch, wise weary old Finch, who had stopped her from the hell of dreaming forever.

“I’m closing this place up,” she said after a few minutes. So far away, the sad song ended and another took its place. Finch stared ahead at the pictures. Evey let go of his arms and turned to face him. Finch’s arms fell to his side. “I’m going to lock it down, shut off the power.”

She looked at his face, his eyes. “I’m going to let him go.”

His face at that moment was fascinating and Evey would have done anything to properly memorize the change of emotions that passed over his face in the second following her words: understanding, realization, dawning, hope, guilt, empathy, and love. She smiled warmly at him and stepped into his arms once again, finding solace in the weight of his arms around her. One of his arms held her tightly around her back and the other tangled in her short hair. She felt his lips on her head once, twice, and clenched her eyes to keep an unwanted tear from forming.

“It’s time,” she whispered into his chest.

“Okay,” was his only reply.

~o~

The next day September 1, after only a few short hours of sleep, Eric Finch awoke revived and invigorated. He had helped Evey walk through the Gallery, shutting and locking door, turning out lights, shutting off generators, electrical lines. He had stood by her side as she locked every entrance and exit, as she pocketed the key and smiled at him. He had driven her home, remaining in his car when they arrived at her flat but more than anything wanting the courage to follow her inside. He had returned to his own home after 3:00 am and had no trouble falling into a peaceful, dreamless.

When he got to work he had to make a conscious, physical effort to keep from grinning like an idiot. He was not a good actor as the first thing Dominic said to him was, “Why are you so happy, chief?”

Finch said nothing in response, which was probably a good thing, as his happiness did not last.

Just as he was about to consume his second cup of coffee, he got a call from the lead physician at the downtown hospital. Within a few short hours they had over thirty people in Emergency with identical symptoms. At first they thought it was food poisoning, but there appeared to be no link between the patients.

By the time Finch and Dominic got there, seven more people were admitted and one had died. By the end of the day, every hospital in the city was overwhelmed with patients. Doctors didn’t know how to treat their patients. The military was called in and research centers sent specialists.

There were twenty-four deaths in the first twenty-four hours, and the rate grew exponentially in the following days.

Finch and Dominic lived at work. Panic had once again gripped the city. White medical masks were now a part of everyday wear. Pharmacies were broken into, drugs and medical supplies stolen at all hours of the day.

Some thought it was infected beef and cattle. Others pointed to bird flu. Still others claimed insect bites. Evey day that passed brought more theories. Contaminated rodents. Drinking water. Airborne pathogens.

Biological warfare.

Terrorism.

St. Mary’s, all over again.

There were riots, mobs, demonstrations and arrests. Evey worked around the clock, investigating, reporting, and looking to give some hope. Restaurants were burned, people beaten, more patients for the bloated hospitals.

And as quickly as it started, it stopped. On September 8, there were no new admissions to hospitals. Over the next few days, the deaths stopped. People recovered without any intervention.

And that scared everybody almost more than the disease did.

~o~

DID V DESTROY ENGLAND?
Recent Outbreak Linked To Terrorist

The headline blared from the newspaper, taunting her. Evey picked up her pace, not stopping to pick up a paper and a coffee like she usually did. Maurice, the elderly man who ran the stand, stared at her as she walked quickly by. Other people stared as well, their eyes peering over the screaming headline, accusations in their eyes. She walked past a pharmacy, its windows smashed. Somebody had written “You can’t save me” across the broken door. Still Evey walked faster, using her security pass to enter Jordan Tower.

At Security, Mitchell said nothing as she signed in. Looking over the counter, Evey saw a newspaper folded on his desk. Evey smiled thinly and entered the lift. During the ride, she pretended to be reading a file, anything to avoid the people around her.

In her office, Evey dropped her bags and picked up her phone, dialing his number without thinking. He picked up on the first ring.

“How bad is it?” she asked, her voice high with worry.

“It’s bad, Evey.” Finch’s usually soft voice was thick with tension. “Have you read it?”

Evey sat at her desk, checking her mail on the computer. “I didn’t dare stop to buy one. I could just tell on their faces. They hated me.”

“It’s not a flattering read. They say that the outbreak is related to the outbreak a year ago that Norsefire implicated V in, that V is involved. They also say your name, too, that you knew beforehand this was going to happen and did nothing to stop it.”

Evey slumped further in her chair, turning away from her computer. The first fifty messages were responses to the newspaper article. Finch filled the silence.

“Evey, are you all right?”

She sighed. “People believe it, Eric. They are believing it. The entire way here I felt like I had a spotlight on my head, that everyone around me was blaming me.”

“It’s bollocks, Evey. You know that.”

“But they don’t. And it’s what they know or don’t know that matters, isn’t it.”

There was silence on the phone as Finch gathered his thoughts. “I’m worried for you, Evey.”

Evey closed her eyes, not knowing how to respond.

~o~

Six days later, Evey arrived home around 7:00 pm, relieved. The past week had been a nightmare. This first thing she did after speaking to Finch had been to call a meeting with her staff. They investigated, hunted, scoured for clues, hints, any ideas as to what might have caused the outbreak.

Every time she found something, it lead her to the same spot: Jamie Powers and the group suspected for the power grid, the arson, and the murder of three people, including Powers himself.

“Evey, he’s dead,” Finch repeatedly told her. “I was there when we pulled his body from the river. He was more than dead; he was mutilated.”

“I know that, but someone must still be using his name. It’s the same people, Eric. I know it.”

“If that’s true,” Finch replied, “than whoever is responsible has a substantial grudge against everyone V named on that tape. I just got a report of all the dead from the Health Board. Breanne McClure and Anthony Boyle were on the list. And nobody’s seen or heard from Harold Pinset since the outbreak ended.”

Three more people from the tape. Probably three more people dead.

After much discussion, Evey and Finch had both decided it was best to release the information they had. They consulted with Justin McManus and he agreed.

That morning, the newspapers had printed the stories, releasing Evey from any implicated involvement.

Evey changed out of her work clothes, donning her pajamas early. Reheating some leftover food, she settled in front of her television. Instead of turning on the news, she put in her well-worn copy of “The Count of Monte Cristo”.

The sight of Dantes’s sword battle brought a smile to her lips. She thought back fondly to V, and when she caught him fighting the suit of amour. She had been scared of him then, and amused, and charmed. Intrigued.

That was the last thought she had before she heard a tremendous crash and her flat filled with light and heat.

~o~

Dominic arrived first. The scene before him was becoming increasingly familiar. Fire and rescue workers were struggling to contain the blaze and tend to the wounded. People sat around dazed, leaning against cars, trees, walls, wrapped in blankets, huddling close to loved ones.

But this time was different.

One woman was alone, leaning against a police car, a blanket draped over her shoulders in an attempt to block the evening chill.

Dominic had never seen Evey look so lost. The sight of it frightened him. He hurried over to her side. She looked up as he approached, a recognition and appreciation passing over her eyes. Her face was blackened slightly with smoke and there was a painful-looking gash on her chin. Her hands, holding the blanket close, were also scratched, burned and raw. Dominic pulled off his outer jacket to drape over her shoulders.

“Are you all right?” he asked, running his hands up her arms in an attempt to warm her. Evey nodded, smiled at him slightly, and then turned her gaze back to the fire that was destroying the last remains of her home.

“Is he coming?” she asked.

Dominic leaned next to her against the car, one arm around her shoulders. “He should be here soon. He was only a few blocks farther away.”

Evey nodded, resting her head on his shoulder, a sudden weariness and exhaustion creeping on her.

This hurt.

This hurt more than she thought possible. This was her home. She had been attacked in her home. And it wasn’t just her. Her neighbors, her friends. The entire building was in flames, her neighbors now homeless, like herself.

Why is this happening? V, what did I do wrong?

She clenched her eyes shut, pleading with herself not to let the tears come, not in front of Dominic. She felt his arm tighten around her shoulder and she was grateful that he did not feel the need to talk, to give false feelings of hope. She looked around, trying to spot Finch in all the chaos of the people around her.

She needed him. For the first time since she had sent V’s train down those tracks, she wanted nothing more than to give up, just for a moment. To hand herself over to someone else, someone she trusted, and say, “Please, take the pain for a while. I can’t hold it anymore.” She wanted Finch to look at her with concern in his eyes, love in his eyes, and hold her, just this once, just for a few minutes, so she didn’t have to hold herself.

She was tired, and alone, and now, without a home.

She opened her eyes to look for him. The crowd was growing larger. People staring. A BTN news truck. Some photographers and reporters - they all wanted their piece of this tragedy, wanted something to write about, to manipulate and exploit.

She allowed her eyes to close once more; the heat from the fire warming her skin while the chill of the evening seeped into her bones, threatening to take hold. Another explosion rocked the building. People shouted, screamed, ran around.

The crowds parted, and there he was.

He was running around, looking around, trying to find her. Even from the distance she saw the fear in his eyes, his face. It scared her. She quickly stood up, Dominic’s coat and the blanket falling from her shoulders. She began walking towards him, too overwhelmed to call out.

He stood with his hands on his hips, his eyes scanning the increasingly frenzied crowd. Evey began walking faster, breaking into a jog when she saw his eyes meet hers and the look of relief pass over his face.

She practically jumped into his arms and he gathered her close, his arms tightening around her waist and back, lifting her off the ground. Her arms wrapped around his neck, seeking out his warmth. She buried her face in the crook of his neck, the tears finally coming. All around them were shouts, screams, lights flashing. Neither of them saw or heard any of it.

“Evey,” he whispered, setting her feet on the ground. His hands moved to her hair, smoothing, caressing, and he pulled her head back slightly so he could look at her.

She did not try to hide her tears. He did not try to hide the look of complete relief in his eyes. They stared at each other for a few more moments before Finch once again gathered her close, shutting off the outside world.

“Inspector!”

Finch and Evey separated quickly, both realizing that they were in the middle of a crowd of people. Finch looked over and saw Sean Wolfe, the Fire Marshall, waving him over. From the other direction, he saw Dominic walking over holding a blanket and his jacket. Finch looked down, suddenly noticing that Evey was dressed in a light shirt and pajama pants, not near warm enough for the cold. He shrugged off his own jacket and she put it on gratefully.

Finch motioned to Wolfe that he would be just a moment, and then called out to Dominic.

He put his hands on Evey’s face again, wiping her tears with his thumbs. “I need to take you somewhere safe, somewhere you can rest.”

Evey pulled his coat tighter. “I’d like to stay.”

“I’m not sure if it’s safe, Evey. This wasn’t an accident, and I won’t be able to protect you.”

Dominic approached them. Wolfe stood off to the side, waiting with an odd expression on his face. Finch put his hand on Evey’s back.

“I need to take Evey home. Can you run this for a while?”

“Eric, don’t do that. I’ll be okay. You need to be here.”

“Evey, I won’t be able to work if I don’t know that you’re safe and I can’t make sure you’re safe if I don’t take you myself.”

Dominic spoke. “I can cover this for a while, Inspector.”

Finch nodded then turned to Evey. “Is this okay?”

Evey nodded, turning to look one more time at the burning building. Finch slowly led her away from the commotion towards his car. As they walked, Evey wrapped her arm around his, leaning in to his body.

Wolfe moved to stand next to Dominic. “Where’s he going?” he asked, watching Finch open the car door for Evey.

“Doesn’t matter,” Dominic replied. “What’s the situation here?”

Wolfe said nothing, instead watching as Finch turned the siren on in his car and weave through the growing crowd. As they drove, a photographer snapped a picture. The look on Wolfe’s face was not one of approval.

“Hey!” Dominic said loudly. “Whether or not Inspector Finch even decides to be here is entirely his choice. Why don’t you stop gawking and focus on the situation?”

“Whatever you say, Inspector Stone.”

~o~

Finch unlocked his home, leading Evey in, and turned on some lights. In the harsh, unforgiving light of his kitchen he saw the full extent of her injuries. The smoke of her face gave her the look of being bruised. A sharp gash on her chin was caked with dried blood.

And her hands.

Finch rushed to her side, picking her hands up gently. They were burned, red, raw.

“Evey,” he whispered softly, pulling her gently to his bathroom. She followed willingly, silently, and allowed him to spread her hands with cream and wrap them in light gauze.

“Why didn’t you let them help you there?” he asked.

Evey looked up at him. “I didn’t even know I was hurt.” She looked down at her wrapped hands. “I didn’t even feel it.”

Finch hugged her. She carefully wrapped her arms around his back, pressing her face into him. Without breaking the embrace, Finch led her into his bedroom. He pulled down the covers and Evey sat down. Finch sat next to her.

“Sleep, Evey. I’ll be home soon.” Evey lay down and he leaned to kiss her forehead before walking to the door.

“Eric?”

He turned, walked back to the bed, sitting back on the edge. Taking her wrist in his hand, careful of her bandages, he leaned forward and caressed her cheek. She had questions in her eyes.

“Don’t worry, Evey. You’ll stay here, with me. I’ll take care of you.”

She smiled lightly at him and closed her eyes, sinking further into his pillows. He kissed her once more before leaving the room.

~o~

Next chapter - ROOMMATES!!!

Also, sorry for mistakes. I'm crap at proofing my own stuff.