This is just a fun story of Punisher and Daredevil love. Let me know what you think and come back for the next chapter
Matt was just finishing his nightly patrol when the sounds of distant gunfire reached him. Miles off the sounds reached Daredevil's ears crystal clear. Quickly moving in to investigate a familiar heartbeat began to take shape. He was surrounded by a dozen more steady heartbeats, but the others were quickly slowing down and disappearing as the shots continued.
The steady beat barely increased in the firefight. For Frank Castle murder was nothing to get his heart moving in excited patterns. It was as natural as eating for him. The closer Matt got the less steady it seemed. The Punisher was in trouble. From this distance Daredevil could hear the stress his body was under. The thought that Castle might have finally reached his violent end didn't comfort Matt. In fact he became angry that some street level thugs were going to do him in.
Frank was a constant of New York. No matter what you threw at him he always managed to survive. Sometimes Matt wondered if he didn't have some hidden powers. Now that Daredevil could smell Frank's blood mixing with the others he was overridden with a need to help Frank no matter what he was. No one touches Frank. Wait, why was he feeling possessive of the Punisher? It had to be the threat of loosing one of life's constants. Milk will spoil if you leave it out, fire and gasoline are a bad combination, and the Punisher would survive. Matt knew that Frank's actions could only end one way. That didn't mean he could sit back and listen to it happen.
The screaming could be heard over the guns along with someone laughing. Whatever they found so funny Frank apparently didn't share the joke because after the next shot the laughter was silenced. When Matt reached the warehouse only two of the thugs were left standing. He hit the first one with one of his billy clubs and leapt at the other, easily blocking his sloppy fighting. Throwing him into a concrete wall he turned back to the first one delivering a quick jab to his jaw. As he slumped into unconsciousness Daredevil was already turning to the second man whom he could sense was pulling out a gun. Knowing he couldn't reach him before he fired he began to move out of the pathway of the first shot. Before the man's gun cleared his shoulder holster a bullet went straight through his head.
The Punisher was slumped against the opposite wall surrounded by blood, bodies, and shells holding his smoking Colt. Half lidded eyes followed Matt as he slowly approached Frank, stepping over rapidly cooling bodies and listening to be sure they were alone. Frank's breathing was labored, but his heart sounded steady for the moment. "Murdock," he said by way of greeting. His voice sounded strained as he continued to breath in and out. In and out. Matt listened and counted corpses.
"Taking on this many seems foolhardy, even for you, Frank."
"Just a regular Tuesday," he said with a cough. Matt could hear the blood he spat out and the wetness in his lungs.
"Let's get you to the hospital."
"No."
"Frank, I can hear you heart slowing. You need a hospital."
"I have a private number. No hospitals." He pushed himself to his feet. How Matt would never know. Maybe sheer determination was Frank's power. The Punisher didn't seem to stop for anything. Matt closed the remaining distance and caught him when he started to stumble. When he didn't push away, but leaned more of his weight into him Matt followed his directions to an unmarked van behind the warehouse.
"Do you have the number on you? How much is this going to cost?" Matt was helping Frank into the driver's seat wishing more than ever that he could drive. Frank struggled to produce his keys and start the car as Matt jumped into the passenger seat.
"I've got it memorized. Got enough cash in that bag in the back."
"My place is close. I'll make the call so he can meet us."
"I'm not going to your place."
"I'm not leaving you alone with your injuries. You're coming to my apartment or I'm taking you to a hospital." He tried to force as much finality into the words as possible. When he looked at Frank he noticed the way his head was drooping and his breathing was slowing. "Castle! Don't you dare fall asleep!" his head slowly turned to look at Matt.
"Where to?"
Pulling into the Parking garage under the apartment Matt grabbed the bag of cash and half carried Frank from the car. Over the drive Frank's awareness started going in and out. Using his sonar Daredevil was able to steer in those moments but having no way to tell what color the lights were he could only rely on his other senses to guess if it was safe to go through each intersection.
It was around three in the morning so it was unlikely they'd meet anyone on the quick walk to apartment 12A. To prevent a highly suspicious blood trail leading to his front door he wrapped Frank in a rough spun military issue blanket he found in the back by the cash. Limping to the elevator and down the hall listening for anyone watching from the other side of their doors Matt barely noticed when Frank leaned even more of his weight on him.
"Still with me, Castle?"
*Cough
"Your guy will be here any minute. I'm gonna help you lay down on my bed okay?" He guided Frank to the edge of his bed and carefully lowered him into a sitting position. "Hold on we should cut your armor off before you lay down." Matt considered the various holsters and buckles that were all over Frank's chest. Frank found the strength to start unbuckling some of the straps so his weapons started falling to the bed. A small pile of knives, guns, and grenades began to take shape until all that was left was the vest Matt knew had a blazing white skull on it. Helping him shrug it off Matt put all of the blood spattered gear into a garbage bag he shoved into the closet. Cutting away the blood soaked shirt he was able to start inventorying Frank's most resent wounds. A few shots had definitely grazed his right lung with another in his hip. Unlacing his boots and cautiously pulling off the ruined pants Matt was met with two more bullet wounds in his right thigh and calf. Coughing up more blood and wincing he slowly opened his eyes.
"You need to take your costume off, Murdock. Doc will be here soon." Matt was frantically trying to keep pressure on all of the wounds at once with a large stack of towels.
"I'll be right back. Try and keep pressure on those." Changing quickly he heard a knock on the door. Rushing to the door he opened it to a man who smelled like alcohol. "Hurry he's right in here. He'd been shot in the chest and his leg."
"Right, right. Do you have my payment?" he grumbled as he followed Matt through the apartment.
"You get three thousand upfront. If I live you get another four and an additional two for your silence," Frank said this calmly as though he wasn't the one who was currently dying. He indicated for Matt to show the doctor the bag of cash. Rubbing his hands together and taking a quick pull from his flask the doctor opened his bag.
"I'll give you a sedative. I need to stop the internal bleeding right away."
"No sedative."
"This is going to hurt. You're going to want a sedative."
"No. Get to work."
"Have it your way." He began placing his tools out all neatly wrapped in sterile plastics. Pulling on his gloves with he snap he went to work.
Frank went in and out of consciousness through the surgery. Matt sat next to him listening to his heart for any signs of stopping. At some point he'd unconsciously taken Frank's hand that was clenching in the sheets. When he felt his body tensing with pain he'd give the hand a reassuring squeeze. He could feel tremors coursing through his body as he fought to stay conscious.
"I'm here. You can relax. I'm watching him."
"You're blind," was the soft reply that Matt could only hear with his extra sensitive hearing.
"Shut up and relax. I won't leave." Frank cracked open an eye and stared Matt down. Matt nodded and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. Hesitating he returned the gesture. Another wave of pain made his whole body tense up. Matt could hear his jaw clenching. If he didn't crack any teeth it'd be a miracle. This time he passed out easily without fighting it. "How does he look?" Matt asked the doctor as soon as he was sure Frank was completely out of it.
"I've stopped the internal bleeding. He'd going to be out of it for a few days. He shouldn't move for a few weeks. Looks like he'll pull through though. Your friend has obviously survived plenty," he gestured at Frank's body. Matt could detect some of the larger scars with his sonar but he had no idea the full extent the Punisher's work had taken on Castle.
"What should I do in that time?"
"I'll leave you with some antibiotics he needs to take. This place is cleaner than a lot of the places I get called into, but it isn't even close to a hospital. I've also got some painkillers to keep him calm. His muscles contracting from pain won't help him heal any faster. You should change these sheets and wipe him down everyday. He'll probably have a fever for a bit, but if it lasts more than a few days call me back and I'll give him something." He began stitching up the incisions he'd made and looked down at the bullet wounds in his legs. "Have you checked him for any other wounds?"
"There's more?"
"His boxers are soaked through. We need to take those off to be sure we've found all the damage. Besides you'll have to clean him up soon anyway. You can't leave those on him." Matt followed the line of Frank's body with his senses. He'd been so focused on getting to his apartment and hoping he didn't die that he hadn't thought what being Castle's nurse would require. The thought of having to touch all of Frank's body made him nervous and maybe a little excited. No not excited. Definitely no that.
"Right of course. We'll just take his boxers off. No big deal," he was talking to himself as he hesitantly reached for the scissors the doc was offering him. Carefully releasing Frank's limp hand he began to carefully cut away the blood soaked briefs. Taking a deep breath he pull the ruined fabric away and tossed them toward his garbage can. Matt's sonar usually gave him a rough guess about men's…endowments. He usually ignored it, but having a now naked Frank Castle in his bed with obviously generous parts was impossible to block out. He sat slightly in shock no longer sure what he was supposed to do next. Right, the Punisher is naked in his bed full of bullet wounds with his life resting in an alcoholic shady doctor's hands and Matt was thinking about his dick. Taking a deep breath he looked to the doctor that too busy removing a bullet to notice Matt's discomfort.
"He's clean. I've got his hip sewed up. Make sure he doesn't move too much. He shouldn't put his full weight on this leg for a week at least. This one in his thigh might be a problem. Come here and get ready to hand me a clamp." He pulled the bullet out and his leg immediately began to bleed freely. Holding out his hand he took the clamp and began feverishly working to stop the bleeding. Matt noticed Frank's heart speeding up and started pacing nervously. "Got it you, you little fucker," the doctor said under his breath unaware of Matt's sharp hearing.
"Is he okay? That was a lot of blood. Should we do a transfusion?" Matt was panicky and was anxious to get a report.
"He's on the border line of needing a transfusion, but he won't die without one. Do you know his blood type? If you can find a match I can set it up or I could leave you with some vitamins to help him out."
"Vitamins for now. I'm sure he knows his blood type."
"Okay, I'll finish up on this last one and get you the antibiotics, painkillers, and vitamins," he was tying off the stitches on Frank's thigh and moving down his leg. The last bullet had cleanly passed through muscle and was quickly sewed up. "I have another call waiting. I'll leave you with plenty of bandages, so once you clean him up you can bind the wounds. Be careful not to do it too tight. You don't want to stop his circulation and at first you'll need to change them frequently." He handed Matt a few pill bottles with the bandages and started repacking his bag.
"Thanks for this. Here's the money. I'll trust you to take only what you're owed. He'd probably got that money counted out to the dollar and he isn't a guy you want to piss off," Matt would never let Frank go after the doctor and he doubted Frank would take the time to go after him. Money was just one of those necessary things for his war, but carried no personal value. He could always get more off his victims. Being blind Matt had to trust people not to shortchange him when he was alone, but he didn't want the doctor feeling too comfortable with the situation.
"Don't worry, son. I deal with lots of people like your friend. I'm not dumb enough to piss that type off," he counted out his payment. "Call me if those get infected." He walked out without looking back staring at the stack of cash in his bag. Matt wondered if he had another patient or just an appointment at the nearest bar.
Locking the front door he filled a large bowl in the kitchen with hot water and grabbed another stack of old towels. Setting everything on the bedside table he began to rip the towel into smaller rags. Ringing the first one out he turned to his task. He could smell the blood on the air as he started at Frank's shoulder. Feeling for the dried blood he moved to get some on his neck leaning over him. Breathing deeply and slightly leaning into the touch Matt had to wonder how long it'd been for Frank. His life was centered on his war. When was the last time he allowed someone to touch him with any sort of tenderness? Carefully moving over his chest he got his first real 'look' at the scars that covered his body. Gunshots, knife wounds, burns and the small jagged marks from shrapnel passed under his hands. He didn't notice Frank was watching him. Frowning at the damage and pain this man had suffered he delicately moved around the most recent scars.
Winching slightly when the rag moved over the fresh incision Matt finally realized Frank was awake. Ringing out the rag again he moved back to his patient. He concentrated on making his chest and arms spotless, trying to postpone the movement downward. He'd been counting on Frank being asleep for this part. When he could put it off no longer he looked back at Frank. His breathing had slowed and his eyes were closed. It figured the most peaceful he'd ever seen the Punisher he was full of bullet wounds. When Matt stopped, Frank opened his eyes again waiting to see what he'd do next.
Deciding to start at his feet he worked his way back up and before he knew it he was once again staring at Frank's dick. Cleaning the rag once again he took a deep breath and gently placed his hand on his hip. He focused on getting the blood off the hip that'd been shot. Somehow the blood had run directly between his legs drying in the coarse hair there. He glanced back at Frank. At some point he'd closed his eyes again. Now that he was paying attention he realized how tired Frank seemed to be. Every small movement took tremendous effort. Matt doubted he had the strength to lift his head. Suddenly he became aware of the way Castle's body was trembling. The blood loss and the water were obviously making him cold. Stealing himself Matt began to quickly clean. His own discomfort no longer mattered as the trembling increased. Frank's body didn't react when he lifted his dick to clean around the shaft and start to gently scrub the blood from his balls.
As soon as he was satisfied he ran to get fresh sheets. He slipped them off one side and put the new one's on with a layer of towels to save his mattress. "I've got to move you over," he said sadly. Frank didn't make a sound as Matt slowly lifted him, but his body did tense. Once he was settled he finished the sheets and grabbed the bandages. He hurried to wrap his calf and lifted his leg to reach around his thigh. Once that was done he pulled the blankets to his hips. Climbing onto the bed next to Frank he carefully lifted him so he could slide behind him. He gently helped him lean back against his chest. Frank's head came to rest on his shoulder as he took quick shallow breaths. Matt began to subconsciously run his fingers through his shaggy hair, trying to sooth him. When his breathing had steadied he carefully wrapped a bandage around his waist. Gently placing the end of the bandage over the wound on his chest he awkwardly slid it between their bodies until Frank looked like a mummy, a very sexy mummy. No not sexy. Nothing sexy here.
Matt moved a little too quickly as he tried to get away from the warm body resting on his chest. Frank winced and grasped his leg through the blankets. His breathing had become shallow again and his head rolled on Matt's chest until it was tucked under his chin. Without thinking he wrapped his arms protectively around him making hushing noises when he groaned softly. Being carefully of his injuries he rubbed Frank's arms in what he hoped was a soothing way. It seemed to work as his breath slowed again. Matt didn't move for the next ten minutes to be sure he was asleep deeply enough for him to move. This time moving slowly he slid out of the bed and wrapped Frank up in the blankets. He added a few more from the hall closet to try and add some heat. Making sure he was resting and wasn't bleeding again he made his way to the shower.
It'd been a long night, but he was covered in the Punisher's blood and sweat. He was too tired to get too excited at the idea of the naked body in his bed. Making a list of things he'd need to do once the sun was up he washed quickly and dressed in some loose sleep-pants. He had decided to sleep next to Frank on the floor incase something happened in the night, so he began pilling cushions from the couch and covering them with his remaining blankets. His head barely touched the pillow before he was asleep.
After felt like only a few hours Matt suddenly woke up. For a second he didn't know why he was sleeping on his floor. The sound of sheets rustling and a soft moaning reached his ears. Frank was clearly stuck in some sort of fever dream. Kneeling next to the bed Matt listened to his heart pumping furiously and his incoherent muttering. He started running his hands through his hair soothingly and making hushing sounds again. Frank visibly relaxed when Matt started touching him. His breathing evened out and his limbs stopped shaking. Once he was calm Matt stood up and stretched until he felt the satisfying pop in his back. Turning to put the coffee on and make some calls he heard Frank sigh something. Matt froze and listened when Frank sighed the same thing. "Maria…"
Matt knew what'd happened to the Punisher's family, but Frank rarely showed any sign that he had once been a normal man with a wife he loved. Somehow hearing her name from Frank's lips for the first time made her seem suddenly real. For the first time he wondered how they'd met. What she'd thought when he'd proposed? Was the father Frank Castle as calm when his kids were born as the Punisher was when he was raiding a mob safe house. He wished he could see Frank from her eyes. When he was still young. Seeing Frank Castle smile would be a real sight. Hearing him laugh or watching him play with his kids. Matt turned away sadly and began making his coffee.
The rest of the morning he spent making phone calls to cover his absence for the next few days. He could've asked for some help, but he didn't know how to explain the ridiculous circumstance. Wolverine was the only Avenger who had any respect for Frank and Matt was certain Logan wouldn't turn him in. Unfortunately Logan was also one of the busiest people he knew. He walked back to his room with his steaming mug of coffee. Frank was once more resting peacefully. Well, mostly. Matt could feel the way his eyes were moving back and forth under his eyelids. Occasionally his trigger finger would twitch. Stepping forward Matt gently checked his bandages. Only his thigh needed immediate changing so once he'd finished his nurse duties he began cleaning up the scene from last night. He'd settled on hardwood floors years ago to make the clean up easier. Wiping away the blood and filling a bag with all the evidence took most of the morning. Frank slept all morning, and into the evening. Matt was going over a case when he heard him wake up.
"How're you feeling?"
"Better," he replied weakly.
"I have some stuff you need to take for infections and the blood you lost. I don't suppose you'll take some painkillers as well?" he finished hopefully.
"No. I've had worse, Murdock," he sounded a little stronger.
"I can't imagine. Here I'll get some water." When he returned with a glass and the pills Frank hadn't moved. Trying to sit up was obviously too painful. Frank crumbled back onto the bed and tried to reach for the pills. His arm barely rose but it was shaking too badly to stay up. Matt placed a hand behind his head and gently lifted the pills followed by the glass to his mouth. Even swallowing seemed to take extra effort. By the time Matt had lowered his back down he was already dosing off again. "Rest up, Frank. I'll be here when you wake up."
For the next few days Frank would wake long enough to take his pills. The rest of the day he'd toss and turn in a constant fit of nightmares. Matt didn't need to guess what they were about. He continued to repeat the names of his murdered wife and kids. It sounded like he was pleading with them. Sometimes he'd wake shaking and begging with someone. Matt would cradle him to his chest and try to sooth him until he was asleep once more. If Frank remembered his dreams he gave no indication when he was awake. Matt knew that this was a pain he'd been living with for years, but seeing it for him self was strange. The Punisher was always cold and distant. Now that he'd had a real look at the tortured soul behind the symbol he wondered if he could ever see Frank the same way.
When he started to stay awake for longer periods Matt was able to feed him small amounts and force some water on him. Today he'd already forced a few full glasses down his throat and he was wondering why he hadn't needed a bathroom yet. Suddenly Frank's eyes went a little wide and he cleared his throat. "Uh, Murdock?"
"Hmmm?" he said absently feeling the bandages to see if they needed changing.
"I need to, um…you know," he said awkwardly.
"To what?" he had never seen Frank embarrassed and he was about to laugh when he got his answer.
"I've got to take a piss," he said quickly.
"Oh, right. I was wondering when that'd happen,"
"You gonna help or are you just gonna stand there?" Matt heard the slight urgency in his voice. He quickly pulled down the blankets to reveal Frank's still naked body. Frank held out an arm to wrap around Matt's shoulder. Groaning when he sat up for the first time in days and leaning heavily onto Matt they slowly moved toward the bathroom. He helped Frank to the toilet and stood awkwardly. When they started moving back to the bed Matt felt something wet against his side. All the movement had made the bleeding start again.
"Shit, Frank, you're bleeding again."
"Some of the stitches might've pulled. Do you still have all my stuff? I have a needle in one of the pouches on my belt."
"I don't think you want the blind guy giving you stitches, Castle."
"I can do it myself. I'm feeling better."
"Do that a lot?"
"Yeah," he said simply. Matt helped him to sit on the edge of the bed and grabbed the bag of Frank's tools. Frank pulled out what he needed and set if next to him. He started gesturing for Matt to help him with the bandages. Once he was unwrapped Matt helped him lay back down. "I need you to hold a mirror."
"Okay, you're lucky my ex left one of her mirrors. I don't have much use for them."
"You're not missing much, Murdock."
"Hey! I've never had any complaints and… wait, did you just make a joke?"
"No,"
"That sounded distinctly like a joke, Frank. Are you feeling okay?"
"Must be the blood loss,"
"Oh I'm sure that's what it is," he said sarcastically. Frank moved the mirror so he could see the wound and began to stitch with quick movements born of habit. When he'd finished, Matt cut the thread and stood up. "You're all bloody again. Time for your sponge bath,"
"I'm not an invalid. Help me to the tub."
"Helping you to the bathroom is what started this whole mess. You aren't going anywhere." He gathered the rags and refilled the bowl with hot water. Returning he sat next to Frank and began to clean off the fresh blood and the sweat from the last few days. Sighing he felt Frank's body start to relax. He cut away the other bandages to reach the rest of his skin and just as he was feeling comfortable being so close to Castle's naked body he felt him tense slightly. "What? Sorry did I hurt you?"
"No it's fine. Maybe this isn't a good idea. I can just take a bath." He tried to sit up and groaned falling back.
"I'm almost done. I just have to get the blood off your stomach and your… oh," he suddenly realized why Frank had suddenly become uncomfortable. He must be feeling a lot better. "Well, that's, uh, normal. Nothing wrong with, uh, that. I'll just finish quick," Matt began to clean faster until he brushed his hip a little too roughly making him wince. His erection flagged a little at the sudden pain, but when Matt panicked and pulled away he accidently brushed his half hard cock with the rag making Frank groan before he could stop himself.
"Fuck, Murdock. Don't do that," his voice was strained slightly. Matt listened to his heart speed up and sat back thinking.
"Castle, um, how long has it been?"
"Long time," he said quietly not looking at Matt. "Just give me the rag, I can finish up." Matt rinsed the rag and handed it to Frank before he slipped out of the room. He told him he was going to the store before quickly leaving the apartment to give him some privacy.
When he returned from the store he listened at the door to be sure Frank had finished. Opening the door he could hear his steady breathing as he slept. Matt wasn't entirely sure how to face him after that and he was glad he was asleep for the moment. If it was anyone else he'd probably laugh about it, but Frank had obviously gone a long time without physical contact. As Matt thought about the way Frank's body felt under his hands he knew it wasn't lack of appeal. Maybe after all this time Frank didn't know how to initiate something so simple. He wished he could ease some of his pain. Eating a quick micro waved meal and showering he walked into the dark bedroom. Frank was having another nightmare.
Walking to the bed and slipping into the other side until he was pressed into Frank's uninjured side he began stroking his hair and murmuring soothing nothings. "Please…don't hurt them…Please…Lisa don't…Maria…Don't go…Please…" he continued to mumble so softly even Matt could barely hear him. Matt ran a hand across his chest and felt him shiver into the touch. As his breathing calmed Matt continued to stroke his chest and arms. He traced Frank's face with his fingers. Even here he found scars. Slowly tracing them over his body he marveled at all the things Frank had survived until he fell asleep curled next to him.
Matt woke slowly. He could feel warmth pressing into his side and the steady working of another pair of lungs next to him. Smiling into the pillow he relaxed under the blankets. The body next to him stirred slightly and he subconsciously reached out his senses following Frank's movements. Frank was looking at him now, but he didn't say anything, just settled back into his pillow and let out a breath. Matt stretched and sat up. He gave Frank a good view of his upper body as he worked out his sore muscles. Oddly enough he'd forgotten to wear a shirt to bed. Smiling at the small jump in Frank's pulse, he stood up and casually walked away. He started making toast and eggs while the coffee brewed. When he returned Frank was breathing deeply with his eyes closed.
"Hungry?" Frank nodded and carefully opened his eyes. "I made eggs and toast. The coffee just finished too," he added hearing the beep in the kitchen. Frank started pushing himself into a seated position, but had to stop before he got too far. Matt wordlessly walked around to him and gently lifted him to shove extra pillows behind him so Frank could rest. He released the breath he'd been holding and settled back down while Matt retreated to the kitchen to retrieve the meager breakfast.
"Thanks," he said when Matt set the plate on his lap. Matt nodded and sat down next to him to eat his own breakfast. They ate in silence in the quiet apartment.
"Coffee?" he asked when they had finished eating.
"Black,"
"Fitting,"
"Shut up," Frank grumbled. Matt smiled and took the plates back to the kitchen. "I can leave now if you need me gone," he said when he took the coffee.
"It's hasn't even been a week. Unless you have some mutant healing abilities you're staying here,"
"Why do you care so much, Murdock?"
"You've helped me when you didn't have to,"
"You're not me. We settled that at Ryker's,"
"Frank, I'm not arguing with you on this. You can't make it to the bathroom without help. You aren't ready to be on your own yet."
"Fine."
"That's it?"
"Did you want more?"
"No, it's just not like you to agree with me so fast,"
"I didn't say I agree with you."
"I guess not. I might need to go into the office for a while today to settle some business. If I leave you alone do you promise not to try and be all macho and leave?"
"Might?"
"Yeah I need to make a few calls first, but I'm not going anywhere if you plan on running,"
"Only if I get my guns back,"
"How do I know you won't kill any of my neighbors?"
"I'm not compelled to kill. I make a choice every time I fire. Unless your neighbors have done something to deserve a bullet they're safe."
"One gun,"
"The Colt then." Matt nodded and called Foggy. After a few minutes of talking it was clear he'd have to go in for a bit. Wishing he didn't have to leave he dug through Frank's bag in the closet and pulled out the handgun. Frank wordlessly accepted it and checked the chamber. He released the mag and counted how many shots he had left. Reloading the gun he set it on the table next to him within easy reach.
"You have my cell number? Your pills are there next to the bottle of water. Do you need anything before I leave?"
"I can take care of myself, Murdock."
"Right, just don't hesitate to call if you need anything." He slowly walked to the front door to give Frank plenty of time to call him back. Frank simply turned on the TV and ignored him. Locking the door behind him, he immediately started moving much faster. He wanted to get back as quickly as he could. Castle could certainly take care of himself, but Matt had always felt oddly responsible for him. He had tried years ago to pull him back from the brink but it was far too late for Frank. The Punisher became his identity. Matt picked up his pace and continued his half run to the law office he shared with his partner.