(Almost) Murder in the dance floor (for streetlevel )

[hawk_shot]

With her thumb, Kate tried to get it out. She dug, finger by finger, under the rim of each one of her nails as she tried to dig out those mucky red lines that had once been Matt's blood. Her hands were still shaking.

Looking back, she should have known. Deep down she knew, Matt and Kate had spent the day warning each other not to do anything stupid at the Black and White Ball the Fisks had hosted, inviting anyone influential at the city of New York. And not so very smoothly, Matt as his girlfriend's plus one. It was a recipe for disaster and they both pretended to have it all under control.

Things started well, even if by this point the water was starting to boil. Kate's gown flowed as she made her way through the crowd, always clocking Matt, Fisk and the task force around them. She had eventually spotted Jack too who, still warmed her heart with how graciously she treated her despite of how her mother had framed him for her crimes. It's shocking how you can misjudge a person sometimes.

But, before Jack could warn her about his conversation with Fisk, the Mayor had sent one of his people asking Kate to join him in a private room for a chat. Kate could feel Matt's presence on her back as the door closed behind her. She knew his ears were in the room with them too as Fisk, as charming as a murderer can be, reminded her of their first encounter. The fight during Christmas Eve. He made it clear that he knew about Kate's gig now as a vigilante. The demand for a monetary contribution from Bishop Security's behalf had not been all that subtle. A tax to keep his rabid guard dogs off her neck.

By the time Kate walked out of the room, her hands shook with frustration. She should have heard the water boiling by then.

It had all happened too quickly then. The dance, the gunshot, Fisk pushing Matt off himself as if he was trash. Her friend being down on the floor, red blossoming on his white shirt like a deadly rose. While Heather called for help Kate had placed both her hands on the wound while the ambulance came over, blood staining the silks of her dress. His blood giving her red gloves, blood still clinging to the rim of her nails no matter how many times she washed her hands at the hospital.

It was strange and tense and horrible, waiting. Matt might be stable now, but Kate and Heather barely broke the silence in the room until Kirsten showed up.

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[hawk_shot]

It helped, the way the familiar weight of Lucky's head on her lap gave her something to do. Running her fingers over the fur, stroking his face and letting her fingertips run over the lenght of those ears. It was distracting, soothing. It reminded her of how for the first time, tonight, Matt had seen her face in the only way he could. Kate smiled to herself as she relived the moment, how oddly comforting it had felt to have those fingertips tracing her face.

This almost felt like an inside joke, realizing that he got to feel her face for the second time tonight, bruised and swollen and getting to fix it.

"I know I'm in good hands," she assured him, even if her face twitched lightly as he had no option but to put a gentle pressure on some particularly sore spots. But Kate held her ground. She stood still, holding her breath every time the needle pierced skin, unable to participate in the chat as her jaw tightened, grinding her teeth when Matt stitched her up.

Karen wasn't so shocked by Frank's plan. As always, Frank danced to his own tune, did his own thing. As much as she had trusted that he would follow through with her request when she first called, even she knew that there was only so much she could ask of him.

Her gaze met his briefly on the reflection of the mirror he had on his desk. Her fingers stopped working, the last stitch done. Fingertips traced her work. Nothing odd, just tracing her own work. Not a real caress.

"You do your thing, Frank," Karen agreed, her tone soft but collected. After all, she could hardly see him joining their little Scooby gang, going after the clues instead of doing things the Punisher way. It was what kept them apart, wasn't it? Like Matt, who tended to disappear when things got ugly, Frank went off the rails. It was their way of dealing with pain, for the both of them. It was how they both thought they were protecting the people they cared about.

With the knot done, Karen cut the thread and, before he could move off his seat, put pressure on his shoulder in a silent request for Frank to remain seated.

"Be careful." Grabbing his chin, she forced him to turn to face her. She scanned his face, looking for anything else she might need to take care of. "Call when you're done."

[streetlevel]

Feeling his chin her hand, Frank gave a small nod and smirk. "I got this shit on lock, Ace. I'll call you when I'm done." When he'd cleared the task force, maybe. As he was plotting to go over Bullseye. After all, that man was miliary too, wasn't he? Former, at least. Also former FBI. Off the grid, black ops, the world is on fire and you've got hell on your back soldiers.

Frank knew Bullseye. He knew him in a way that Matt couldn't. This wasn't about a city, or heroics.

This was putting a former Brother, a rabid dog, down.

Frank clasped Karen's hand and gave it a squeeze. 'I got this. I got you.' He didn't say it. He just meant it. He leaned forward, tapped her forehead to his. Then he stood up, and he went to make coffee.

It wasn't long before the brew, too bitter and astringent for Matt's taste, filled the air.

He cleaned and fixed Kate's wound, putting a patch over it that he taped when done. "Your leg." So many injuries to go. So many people to help. Fuck. Alice? Fuck... Matt had most of his building on speed dial. He reached for his phone, it fell from his clumsy fingers. Fuck.

Lord, was it ego to have brought them back? Was it blood money to have kept them contained, fought to a standstill, in one location?

"Alice watched out for me..."

His tone was soft, just for Kate. A friend they shared. That addled, paranoid, influencer who was so kind to leave treats out for Lucky, to help Kate without question when she needed to get into Matt's apartment. That kind kid in grad school, hundreds of thousands in debt, who hid behind a mass of matted hair and was stronger than she looked.

That girl who had been abused, frightened, who felt safe inside thanks to Daredevil and who had hoped for a future beyond it thanks to Kate, because of her savvy online skills.

He looked at Kate, not with his eyes, but his heart.

Ping.

Ping.

Ping.

Shots in the dark.

Messages beyond the rumors.

Peter was out there, with his Spider channel.

Ping.

Ping.

Bishop security was receiving messages, on a level that was too deep for any tax bureau to detect.

Ping.

Ping.

Ping.

It was so small. It was so minimal. But Kate and Matt get a message from Alice.

'At Sam's Deli. Tell me you're okay. I got everyone here I could gathered, but I can't hold them for long.

I heard that bomb.

I got everyone out I could.

I told them we're taking back the night.'

Matt sent back a message. Of direction. Of hope. He didn't even know what it meant just yet, it was a blind shot in the dark that he hoped Kate would confirm, or correct as needed.

'Head to Josie's.'

[hawk_shot]

Kate was ready to argue, to tell Matt that her leg was fine and his busted stitches from the gunshot was far more important. But she noticed the way he zoned out. His focus went somewhere else, like it did whenever he was trying to figure something about his surroudings. Except this time was different. His phone, what about his phone?

"Matt?"

He didn't need to explain, a single name said it all. His building. The place had exploded, but how many people were collateral damage? Even their own. Frank had not killed everyone, the task force had been willing to kill their own, completely pissing on everything they had talked about not winning this by following Fisk's rules.

And then there was the innocent people. Matt's neighbors. Alice. Alice who had been doubtful at first but so incredibly kind towards Kate and so welcoming. Normally Kate could have easily broken in, but had forgotten her lock picks at home. And honestly, she was exhausted and desperate for something normal, for the fake sensation of protection Matt's apartment would grant her.

Alice had been so kind and welcoming.

Reaching for her quiver, Kate checked the pocket she had made for it, installed to fit against her back to keep her phone protected. But her inbox wasn't as full as Matt's, she'd had plenty of time to catch up with worried friends and co-workers while Matt was unconscious. Despite taht, she heard Alice's message coming from Matt's phone before she even read it on her own screen.

Before she knew it, Kate was doubling over, wrapping her arms around Lucky in a relieved hug. "Oh, my God. I swear I lost like ten years of my life over how stressful this was."

Turning to Matt, and only a little unsure, she held her arms out and, showing enough hesitation for him not to accept it if he didn't want to, pulled him in for a hug too.

"Do you wanna go there first? We don't have to do the storage right away. Or you can go check on Alice and Karen and I can look for the files?"

[streetlevel]

It was reaching a point where Matt didn't know if he could feel anything any longer. The constant battering was overwhelming, wringing him out from the inside. He'd insisted in going back to his apartment. Maybe if he'd moved quicker, they wouldn't have been there to bomb. He'd lost everything in his apartment, but he cared more if his neighbors got hurt just because they lived next to him. Guilt and worry already laid heavy on him for his choices that night, a crushing weight he had to carry to keep moving forward.

After a moment's hesitation he leaned in for the hug, moving slowly as pain coursed through his upper torso. He held Kate and Lucky for a moment, letting the warmth seep in before reluctantly pulling back. He finished stitching up her head wound then set to patching up what he could with whatever was wrong with her leg. "I'm pretty useless in looking at files, so. I can go check on Alice and the others while you two get a head start on the files. I'll meet you there as soon as I can."

He knew he had to talk to Karen, a real talk, eventually. Plus he didn't like the thought of leaving both of them alone for long with Kate injured and Frank going off on his solo mission literally nobody but himself assigned to him. Not that Matt was annoyed or anything. Not that perhaps in this respect, Frank was too much like Matt for Matt's taste.

Behind them Frank had started the coffee, coming over to hand Kate a cup. "You can take it black or not at all, Red. Up to you."

"All or nothing, I'm so surprised, Frank," Matt muttered, then sighed. "Yeah. Black is fine. I can smell the motor oil from here that's passing for the coffee, but it's better than nothing."

"It's coffee, it shouldn't cost nineteen dollars so someone can fart cinnamon into it or whatever the hell you order," Frank retorted, going to get them both a cup now.

Matt sighed as he worked on Kate's leg. "Yeah. Should have warned you that he's a charmer."

[hawk_shot]

Kate always wondered if Matt would feel uncomfortable with how touchy she is. How she favors a good hug when she's feeling stressed out and is never afraid of holding a friend's hand. But Matt never did, never really turned her down. Kate held him, aware of the tension on his body and how worries ate him up.

"You know," Kate started as she tore even further the hole on her legging, giving Matt more room to work without forcing her to strip. "Once you talk to the people in the building, ask if they have somewhere to crash at. If not, give them my number. I'll cover hotel costs until they find somewhere to stay at." Aware as she is that Matt will consider it a big gesture, it's meaningless to Kate. And therefore, something she will insist in if anyone turns it down.

As Frank approached them, she took the cup of coffee and thanked him, blowing off the steam as she tried not to wince while Matt patched up her leg. "Aaaaw, I was half expecting you'd draw me a little skull with milk on my drink. Totally a wasted opportunity there, Frank," she teased him, wasting no time in being her usual, shameless self again.

Karen, already on her phone, tapped at the screen rapidly, catching up with sources along as she checked on things. "Okay, the people at storage will open up for us." She lowered her phone as she stood next to Frank, taking his own cup from him and giving it a sip, before returning the cup. "And Fisk is giving an emergency announcement first thing in the morning."

Yes, she had turned down coffee, but even the motor oil he drinks became a temptress in a moment like this one.

[streetlevel]

"I'll make sure they have a place to stay," Matt promised, leaving it open-ended on what that might look like. He didn't love the idea of using Kate's money for his mistake. If he had no other solution he'd turn to it, but he'd try and find an alternative first. It wasn't like he needed his personal savings right now.

Frank gave a snort at Kate's remark, bantering back with, "Yeah, maybe see how well cyanide tastes in that milk, really lean into the skull theme. Hey..." That last word was directed at Karen as she stole his drink, though he didn't make any real effort to stop her beyond that token protest. Taking it back once she was done, he took a long drink then set it on one of his tables. Moving to one side, he began to gear up for the rest of the night.

Matt finished with Kate's leg and slowly got to his feet. He drained the coffee in his cup, wincing at both the hot temperature and the burnt, acidic flavor of the brew. His body could feel though that it was very, very high in caffeine. "Damn," he murmured, unsurprised. "Cuban coffee would feel inferior right now." Matt only got Cuban coffee when he was very, very tired because of the punch it packed. Even that didn't hold a candle to Frank's coffee.

Rolling one stiff shoulder and then his neck, feeling joints pop, Matt listened to Karen and gave a small nod. "All right. There's no time to waste. I'll make my way back to Sam's Deli and get everyone settled. You two head to the file storage. I'll meet you there shortly. And Frank?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't be an asshole." Matt set the cup down and headed for the door.

He smiled a little, his back turned so it couldn't be seen, when Frank called back, "No promises."

[hawk_shot]

"Matt." Karen's voice resonated with the authority neither of the men in the room could muster when they were too busy being hot-headed. Either to run back into danger or to bash their heads against each other.

Grabbing the first aid kit Matt had been using to clean up and patch Kate's wounds, she crossed the room, grabbing him by the wrist and gently stirring him back in. "You're still bleeding," she gently reminded him in that tone that Matt surely remembered well. A tone that gave no room for argument but that also carried so much empathy and care for those she worried about.

Aware that he had a point and she wouldn't be able to hold him down for long, Karen kept the conversation to the minimum and focused on the wounds that truly couldn't wait. She worked on his suit, probably not surprising Matt with the ease in which she remembered where the Daredevil uniform cocealed its zippers and how to unattach each piece until his torso was bare. That gunshot had clearly pulled a number on him.

"If you don't stay still you're not going to be able to go to the beach this summer," she playfully chastised Matt, aware of the tension that was growing in the air. She could hear Kate trying to make herself busy, Frank gathering his equipment and filling duffel bags with it. Her heart beat faster at the realisation.

Before they knew it, she was helping Matt dress again. Holding his helmet, she pressed a kiss to its forehead before carefully placing it on Matt's head again.

"We'll meet you at the storage." With a pat to his arm she dismissed him, turning and getting off her seat, ready to go grab her coat. "Be careful, Matt."

Kate, done with her drink, took her and Matt's mugs to Frank's sink, thanking him again for his help and hospitality. "The coffee could do with an improvement and I would maybe put some pictures on the walls? I know Matt can't appreciate the art, but it would make the place more lively," she teased him as Lucky came forward, standing againts the man on his hind legs to get Frank's attention one last time.

Unsure of how to approach him, Kate simply held her hand out. "Thanks for helping us, Frank. It was real good to meet you."

[streetlevel]

Matt had held every intention of just walking out the door. He thought his body would survive no matter the trauma he put it through, no matter the punishment he thought he deserved. He didn't want to be a few seconds late again. Matt barreled ahead through a lot of things, but when Karen put herself in his path, it made him stop. Much like with Frank, Karen knew Matt in ways that nobody else alive now did. She knew how to handle each man, and if their roles had been reversed, wouldn't he have made sure she got treated?

So Matt found himself in a seat, helping to inch off the top of his Daredevil suit. His body was clear of any tattoos, but there were a series of various scars he'd accumulated over the years. The left side of his body where his ribs had been injured was bruised, and the chest wound was bleeding badly. Around Matt's neck was also a chain, with a cross at the end. He'd never taken it off earlier when he'd changed. Matt Murdock wore that under his suit shirts daily.

His eyes closed for a minute as Karen worked. He felt the familiarity of her touch. His lips turned upwards in a small smile at her teasing. "Maybe I could get one of those Popeye shirts to wear, really lean into a sailor motif at the beach." He'd never taken Karen to the beach when they'd been together. Why hadn't he? Nearing the end of her work, Matt reached up gently to take her hands in his. Slowly he brought her hands up to his face. Then he slowly reached out to touch hers, briefly. With permission. He felt the side of her face, felt her cheek and gave it a light stroke. "It's good to see you, Karen."

Clearing his throat, he dropped his hand and nodded. "Yeah. We should get going. Stay safe. I'll join you all shortly."

Meanwhile in the kitchen, Frank gruffly rubbed Lucky's head, letting his fingers fluff the dog's fur.

"Yeah well, I ain't putting shit on the market so the place looks fine," Frank growled as he shook Kate's hand, but there was a small smile on his face, too.

He did miss having a dog, dammit. Seeing that Matt and Karen were still busy, he sneaked Lucky a bit of jerky, warning Kate, "You didn't see shit." A beat. "Watch out for yourself, kid. This task force, they don't operate like a street gang. Most of them are ex-service, I'm sure. They're gonna move as units. They're gonna follow standard tactics, just without any leash. Which means wave attacks, snipers in position, clearing rooms out with gas and bombs. That sorta shit. You hear them coming from one side, figure they've got a set up on the other. Break windows first, open your space. Stay on the ground when you can and go for shots in places only their mamas have seen. You got me?"

Matt came up then, touching Kate's shoulder. "Hey. I'm heading out. I'll meet you at the storage unit. Stay safe. You too, Frank."

"See you on the other side, Red. Just like we always do."

[hawk_shot]

Kate nodded to each one of Frank's suggestions, pleasantly surprised by his generosity, by how he had not once looked down on her despite of her age or gender. Ex soldier and big macho as he was, the guy showed nothing like respect. It was so different from Kate's past experiences with athletes, were people were cutthroat but at the same time wouldn't take a woman seriously. "I'll always try and keep in mind an extra exit. Breaking windows, shooting as many balls as possible." She nodded sharply. "Got it, Frank."

The weight of Matt's hand on her shoulder distracted her, making Kate turn to face him. Despite of the shades of his suit, she could still notice the dry darker stains coming from the spot Karen had thankfully patched up for him. "Promise you won't do anything stupid, Matt." There was a weakness in her voice, a cadence that showed she was worried he wouldn't be able to keep up with that request. He had already failed at that tonight. "And don't lie to me just because I can't do your crazy heartbeat reading thing."

She let him go, grabbing her phone and equipment and attaching Lucky's leash to his collar. Both women watched him go, Karen still rubbing her thumb to her fingertips. It was strange, the things you learned when you met someone who didn't rely on his eyes to see. Someone who opened you own eyes to your other senses.

The memories touch could awaken.

"Come on, we gotta get to work." Just done putting her jacket back on, Karen placed an arm around Kate's shoulder's as they headed to the door, only stopping at the door as Kate guided her dog out. It was enough time for a last lingering look at Frank.

"Thank you, Frank. For everything."

For again proving that he cares.

So many of the people in her life just left. People that shared her every day, suddenly gone, suddenly lost. Karen had to step out of the wreckage on her own so many times before, used to picking up the pieces by herself. Even Matt, who she would have trusted with her life, had left her on her own after Foggy was murdered. She knew it was a self-preservating thing, but at the end of the day, she couldn't always rely on him.

Frank might not step under the sun like other people in her life did. But he was a steady presence. Someone who would always step forward and out of the shadows if needed.

"Be careful."

[streetlevel]

"I'll be just as smart as you are," Matt promised, a knowing tone in his voice, a light teasing to carry them into the dark. He embraced Kate a final time, hoping that she and Karen would keep one another safe. Hoping that Frank would keep himself safe.

Hope. It could save the world. It could be lost in an instant.

Matt left, hearing Karen's and Kate's heartbeats on his way out. Hearing Frank's, when Karen spoke. Ignoring his own, which reacted to each and every one.

Frank picked up the bag and slung it over his shoulder. He hadn't missed the movements of Karen after Matt left. He didn't know what each meant, but added together, he got the gist. Who wouldn't want the good guy? The hero. Even if those heroics would get him dead one day.

Looking at Karen, it was hard not to think about all he'd lost. It was also hard to deny he still had something worth fighting for, even if it was just a shared cup of coffee and fighting assholes. Karen was something in his life that didn't hurt. Something that made the world a little less shitty, even if they were often dealing with shit. Even if this was all it was with them, he couldn't say it was nothing.

"Yeah. Don't mention it.

You know me. I always survive. Be seeing you, Ace. Count on it."