"We cant win every case Foggy. You know and I know he was guilty as soon as we walked into that interrogation room" Matt Murdock said as he sat at his desk drinking coffee, his laptop screen opened in front of him, he took out the headphone he had in one ear.

"It's all my fault, fifteen years, I got him sent down for fifteen years Matt. We are meant to win cases" Foggy Nelson replied. He was sitting opposite Matt at the table, he sighed and rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands.

"He'll be out in about ten years if he behaves himself and you didn't get him sent down he got himself sent down. You know I wasn't happy taking on the case, he nearly killed a man and hurt another, but, I listened to you and took the job because we needed the money and the clients"

"Then why do I feel so bad?"

"Because we lost buddy, your pride is just bruised but you do realise, we really didn't lose Foggy. We got paid either way and the bad guy is behind bars. It's a win win situation. Hells Kitchen is safer tonight, personally I feel its the best result. Don't beat yourself up over it, we will win the next one" he smiled

"I should have been a butcher" Foggy mumbled

"Please Foggy, not the butcher story. It's one case there will be plenty more"

Picking up his jacket from behind the chair, he closed down his laptop and reaching for his cane he said, "I'm going to head home its been a long day. I'll talk to you tomorrow Foggy. Safe home Karen, don't leave captain misery mope for too long or drink too much tonight at Josie's"

"I promise Matt" Karen replied from behind her desk her head was stuck in a book.

.**************************

Matt went home still thinking of the case. He remembered catching the son of a bitch, Jimmy (as he was actually known as) one night while he was dressed as the mask. There had been a robbery in a factory near the dock yard. If Jimmy hadn't tried to run and then shoot the two security guards he wouldn't be serving fifteen years today. The judge had made an example of him today in the court room. He was fed up of seeing the same thing over and over so he came down on him but still a man was almost killed and another was lying in a hospital bed. Matt knew Jimmy wasn't working alone that night the others had gotten away before Matt had gotten to them. It would only be a matter of time before scum like that came back out of the woodwork, they always did. He hoped they were in the court earlier and had watched their friend being led away in handcuffs. He knew Foggy blamed himself when the judge was handing down the sentence, he kept fidgeting in his seat and his heart beat was doing ninety in his chest. His closing statement hadn't been very strong or confident. He didn't really believe his own client was actually innocent but he struggled on and got to the end of the rehearsed speech they had written together the night before. Matt had suggested that he go last and leave Foggy do the first part, but in the end Foggy got to give the speech.

Pouring himself a glass of water, Matt headed upstairs to the roof. He left his cane and glasses behind on the kitchen counter, he never needed them when he was walking around his own apartment. The cold night air was blowing in his face, this was his favourite place to just relax, here he forgot all the worries of the day. Breathing in slowly closing his eyes he just stood there listening to all of Hells Kitchen below him, the world going by unaware that he was up there. He could hear a car alarm going off two blocks away, a couple were arguing in the block of flats up the street and a baby crying for his or her mother. Different smells floated up to the night sky, the local Thai restaurant down the road being the strongest.

Thinking he might take a night off and for once just order food, listen to some music, maybe have a beer or two and chill out like a normal person on a regular Saturday night were quickly squashed when a piercing scream was heard in the cold night air. Ten minutes later Matt Murdock was back on his roof dressed all in black. Lowering his bandanna over his brown eyes he jumped off his roof and started his other work.

.**************************

"Matt, Matt answer your God damn phone" Foggy was walking up and down the street, he swore when his best friend didn't answer his call.

Thoughts ran through his head, was his best friend lying somewhere passed out from one of his nightly adventures and needed his help again or was the son of a bitch ignoring him while he bled out on his couch. He could hear Matt saying "I'm fine Foggy, I can look after myself" but Foggy didn't believe a word of that. As he paced back and forth, there was a car parked up on the opposite side of the street watching him.

"Is that him?" the man in the passenger seat asked the driver

"That's him"

"Who is he? He looks like a nobody. Why are we wasting our time on this loser?"

"This loser" he repeated, "he's one half of those two defence lawyers Nelson and Murdock, they represented Jimmy and got him sent down"

"So which one is this guy?"

"He's the sidekick, Nelson. Murdock is the actual brains of the group"

"So, why don't we go after Murdock?" he paused. "Hang on Murdock, Murdock I've heard of that name before. Yeah, when I was a kid my dad and I were watching a boxing match on TV. Some guy called Murdock won the fight, but shit the next day he was all over the papers. It seems the poor bloke was found down an alleyway, pretty messed up and beaten to death"

"That's him alright, he's Jack Murdock's son I think he's called Matthew, goes by Matt. Seems the kid was left a bit of money after the old man's death, got himself through law school with it"

"Oh okay and?"

"And" the driver said turning to the passenger, "the best part is Murdock was blinded when he was a kid. Some tragic accident regarding an old guy crossing a road, don't really care about the details, anyway he can't see for shit. All we have to do is get rid of the friend Nelson and Murdock will be putty in our hands. We name the price, the blind guy pays out, can't be easier"

"We get money and our justice for Jimmy going down by these two clowns"

"Right"

Smiles appeared on both of their faces as they watched Foggy hang up his phone, put it away inside his suit jacket and headed off down the street.

.**************************

The church was cold, dark and quiet, just the way Matt liked it. Mass had ended about a half hour earlier so now it was completely empty. The congregation had left, gone back to their lives, done their Godly duties for another week. There were no more whispered conversations. The lights had been turned off. He could smell the wood from the pew in front, the candles were blown out but were still smoking slightly and a strong smell of incense lingered around the stone building. He liked to sit by himself talking to God, praying at times. Prayers he learned from when he was in the orphanage with the nuns, they mainly spoke of Mary the mother of God and asking for help and support. Today he was just sitting, head bent forward like he was bowing facing his chest. His eyes were closed behind his dark rimmed glasses, Matt was taking comfort in the silence. He was thinking of Father Lantom's sermon. The priest had spoken about penance and being remorseful. He questioned why people came to Mass and their routines. How people repented their sins, promised to not sin again but their spirits were always weak. It was a circle that continued every day. Matt wasn't sure what Fr. Lantom had said after that, he had started to think about his own life. He had confessed his sins, asked for forgiveness but had gone back to the real world, back to his life and re-sinned almost immediately. He thought he was doing right saving his city from evil, from all the badness but why when he threw the final punch that knocked last nights piece of shit out, he didn't stop there. What made him hit the man again and again. Knowing full well he had stopped him in his tracks ten punches back, yet there he was still standing over the body listening to his breathing get more shallow and his heartbeat get weaker. It was like God had spoken to him and said enough is enough walk away Matt you don't want to kill him.

He must have been more tired or more lost in his thoughts because he never heard Father Lantom coming up behind him.

"Jesus" he swore and jumped slightly when he felt someone behind him

It was only when Fr. Lantom said "language Matthew" did it register who it was

"Sorry Father, I didn't hear you"

"It's not like you to not hear me coming up behind you. Something troubling you son. You've been sitting here for well over an hour. I didn't want to bother you, but I wasn't sure if you had nodded off. It's hard to tell behind your glasses and with your head bent forward"

"I'm fine Father, I was just having a moment with the man upstairs. Just thinking about your sermon and life in general"

"It's nice to hear that one person in the church was listening. I usually just see a lot of people yawning, fidgeting, staring out the window or suddenly becoming very interested with their own hands when I look down the aisles"

"Well I am guilty of tuning out sometimes" Matt smiled

"We all would like to turn the world off Matthew once in a while"

"I wish it was that easy, unfortunately for me I think because of my" he stopped suddenly not wanting to say anymore.

Matt felt his phone vibrate in his shirt for the fourth or fifth time. He knew he should have turned it off when he came into the church, but now he was glad of the interruption.

"I really have to go Father, I have to take this call"

"I'm always here Matthew, if you need a friendly ear or just for a coffee. I've been told I'm a good listener"

"Thank you Father" Matt said as he picked up his cane from the floor. "When you are talking to God, can you put in a good word for me"

"I always do Matthew, especially after our chats and when I see your new cuts and bruises on your face. I don't know how you do it, but please be careful out there"

"I promise Father"

.**************************

After the third voice message Matt rang Foggy back, he didn't even get a chance to say hello when Foggy's voice was heard

"Where have you been? Do you know what time it is? I was so worried"

"Foggy, I" Matt started

"Where were you? I rang you four times" Foggy interrupted

"Foggy"

"Seriously Matt, you can't do this to me. I thought something happened to you"

"FOGGY, will you let me answer" Matt said louder

Foggy suddenly stopped.

"Foggy" Matt repeated a lot quieter this time. "What day is it?"

"What day is it? How the hell do I know"

"It's Sunday Foggy. Where do I go to every Sunday morning?"

"I don't know, where do you go to every Sunday morning?"

"Where do most Catholics go on a Sunday? "

"Will you stop doing that?"

"Doing what?"

"Answering everything with a question and just tell me. Jesus, Matt"

"Yeah, he's a major part of it."

"What! Who's a major part of what?"

Matt couldn't help but laugh. Foggy wasn't laughing back, so coughing slightly he said "I was at Mass Foggy, nothing else"

"Oh! right of course, I wasn't thinking Matt, I was having awful images of you on the floor again"

"Foggy, you'll have to relax. I can't ring you every minute, to check in"

"No but, an odd text might help"

"You know I can't text like you can. I couldn't start to dictate a text message during Mass now could I. Why would I lie about going to Mass"

"Okay fine, I believe you"

"Where are you anyway? Do you want to meet up maybe grab some food or something?" Matt said changing the subject quickly

"I'm at home you want to come over? I'll cook I have plenty of food"

"You cook!, I don't know especially after the last time" Matt teased

"Funny Murdock, just get your tiny ass over here. I'll ring Karen see if she wants to come over too"

"We could start on that case"

"It's Sunday Matt, just relax for one day and anyway as a Catholic doesn't it say in your bible its the day of rest or something" Foggy groaned

"Bye Foggy"

.**************************

Karen was already at Foggy's apartment when Matt arrived. He buzzed the bell and she answered the phone.

"It's open Matt, come on up"

She met him at the door, he could smell her perfume and her strawberry shampoo that she always used. The apartment smelled of Foggy's aftershave slightly musky and a layer of dust filled the air. There was a gorgeous smell coming from the kitchen.

"I hope you are hungry pal" Foggy called from the sink. "I honestly think I could feed a small village. I'm not used to feeding a crowd"

"Have you invited others?" Matt asked

"No, no, only us but it's usually just me so that makes it a crowd" Foggy grinned "what took you so long?"

"Oh, I got dessert and wine. It took a bit longer than I anticipated. I couldn't decide on red or white, so I got both"

"Great, Karen brought coffee and cake for afterwards. Take your coat off and sit down, you want a beer or something?"

"Eh no thanks I'll just wait for dinner. I'm starving breakfast was ages ago"

.**************************

"This smells delicious Foggy, what is it?" Matt poked his fork into his vegetables.

"It's my mom's recipe, one of her specialty's, there were so many of us at home this was made a lot"

"So you guys were room mates in college" Karen said as she poured the wine. "You must have some great stories about each other"

Foggy and Matt looked towards each other grinning.

"Oh there are secrets that can't be revealed" Foggy winked

"What would you like to know Karen?" Matt interrupted

Foggy, how long were you and Marci together, the first time?"

Matt choked and laughed at the same time.

"They were always arguing. It was off more times than it was on. What was your longest length of time together, a month or two?"

"In my defence Murdock, it wasn't always my fault, and anyway you can talk. At least I was for the majority with the same girl, you my friend changed your women as often as you changed your socks"

Matt stopped eating, raised his eye brows with a shocked expression. "I don't know what you mean"

"I'm telling you Karen" Foggy continued "every time there was a beautiful woman in a bar, in the library even in the halls, all he had to do was open his mouth, rearrange his glasses and smile. Be honest Matt, how many times did you ask a girl to help you find something, when you totally didn't need their help"

Karen laughed and Matt blushed, he loved the sound of her laugh

"You always told me I was clumsy Foggy. It's not my fault if I occasionally got lost and anyway how would I know if they were good looking or not"

"Dude, you so knew, how come you never asked a guy to help you"

"I had you for that" Matt laughed

"But Matt, was there anyone who was actually special" Karen asked "who's heart did you break or who broke yours?"

Matt went to stand up from his seat ignoring Karen's question.

"Foggy which way to the sink again, I just want to get some water"

"Here give me your glass, I'll get you some. Karen do you want anything?"

"No thanks, I'm fine" she replied

"There was that Greek chick" Foggy said clicking his fingers answering Karen's question. "She was so hot Karen"

"Foggy, please don't" Matt said picking up his glass of water

"What! she was gorgeous, a bit fiery but gorgeous.

"Foggy" Matt sighed shaking his head hoping Foggy would leave the subject drop. "More wine Karen?"

"Why didn't it work out with her again? He was so picky Karen. None of them were right enough"

"Foggy"

"Come on Matt, what was her name. It began with an E"

"Will you just leave it" Matt spat.

He didn't mean to raise his voice but enough was enough. He picked up his napkin and slowly wiped his mouth.

"I'm sorry"

"No, I'm sorry" Karen interrupted "I shouldn't have asked. It's really none of my business"

"Matt" Foggy said waiting for his friend to apologise again and to clear the air with Karen.

"It's fine Foggy, leave it." She pushed her chair back from the table throwing her napkin down over her empty plate.

"I'm just going to use your bathroom and make a quick phone call. Any chance of a coffee?"

"Yeah, sure. Bathroom is first room on your right, you can't miss it"

Turning to Matt, when Karen had left the room he said.

"What is wrong with you? What was that all about? Don't your spidey senses tell you when you are being a dick"

Matt sighed "There's no need to be like that Foggy. I didn't mean to snap, but you" he paused "doesn't matter, just let it go"

"Karen is our friend, you don't have to bite her head off over a silly ex-girlfriend that happened years ago"

"I don't want to talk about it or her Foggy"

"Karen is just interested in our previous lives and believe it or not our lives were much more exciting back then compared to now, well I know mine was, we won't start about yours"

"I'll apologise when she comes back. Elektra, was" he paused and sighed. "You know what happened. I really don't want to open old wounds, not tonight Foggy"

"Elektra" Foggy squealed slapping his hand off his forehead, "how could I have forgotten a name like that"

"Are you even listening to me?"

"Man, when she got angry her eyes would ignite and she looked like she was being electrocuted. Electrocuted Elektra, remember we would call her that. She hated me calling her that although you always laughed. She never liked me anyway"

Matt smiled his anger leaving him, he always found it difficult to remain angry with his best friend.

"She was fiery wasn't she and no she wasn't too fond of you" he smirked

"Why was that? Didn't she realise how wonderful and delicious I am" he laughed. "I wonder what happened to her?" seeing Matt's reaction to that he coughed "still her loss buddy, her loss. Hey do you want a coffee? I'm making some for Karen and I"

"Why not Mr. Delicious, stronger the better"

"On the way" Foggy winked

.**************************

"What time is it?" Matt yawned from the armchair

"It's almost eleven Sleeping Beauty, you've been fast asleep for the last few hours"

He lifted his head up from the armrest quickly "no way"

"It's true Matt" Karen's soft voice came from the couch opposite him. "We didn't want to disturb you. Your glasses are on the table just in front of you, they were sticking to the side of your head so Foggy gently removed them"

"Dude, I had forgotten how heavy you breathe when you are asleep. You could wake the dead from your snoring alone. I was telling Karen while you were out for the count that if she wanted to hear stories about our college days this is what actually happened. Matt studied on his bed, I went out with the lads or Marci and I would come home and find the poor guy passed out, book on his lap, fast asleep mouth wide open"

Matt felt his cheeks turning red and getting hotter. Finding his glasses on the table in front of him he said, "I didn't realise I was so tired. I'm not really much company tonight. I think I'll head off home. Thanks for dinner Foggy, I'll flag a cab downstairs. Karen, I'll see you in the office in the morning"

Karen gave a little drink related giggle but this was lost on Matt, he hadn't even realised what he had said that had made her laugh.

"Night Matt, safe home" she replied.

Foggy stood up from the couch, handing Matt his coat and cane, he walked his buddy to the door.

"Are you really going home or are you heading out tonight as our" he whispered and paused looking over his shoulder to make sure Karen wasn't listening, "our masked friend?"

"No" Matt replied yawning again, "I'm too tired Foggy, even vigilantes need a night off. I don't care if the Pope in Rome needs help tonight I'm not leaving my bed I promise. See you tomorrow , don't stay up too long yourself. I don't need to remind you, you both have work in the morning"

"Okay! Dad. I think Karen and I will finish off the wine and then I'll put her in a cab. An early night for all of us scouts honour" he started laughing. "I just did the three finger salute and everything just to show you how serious I am, but you knew that didn't you" he trailed off.

"See you tomorrow Foggy"

Matt walked out into the cold night air, shivered slightly and hailed down a cab to bring him home. A car with two men inside both drinking coffee watched Matt get into his cab.

"One down, one to go, then he's all ours. Not long to go now"

.************************

"Foggy Nelson, you are a bad man" Karen slurred. "You never said you had tequila in the apartment"

"It's only a night cap, okay maybe four or five. What number are we on?" he giggled. "Here drink up. Where's the salt? Shit!, there's a kick to that"

"Who will we raise our glass to this time" Karen said reaching for the salt. "We've covered friendship and lawyers, that was your suggestion. We've toasted Matt's health twice for some reason because you said he needed it. What will we do now?"

"Well, we can toast ourselves"

"Okay, to us"

"To us" they clinked their glasses and downed the tequila

"Wow" Karen waved her hands about. "One more, then I really have to go home or else you'll be putting me to bed"

"Would that be such a bad thing?"

It had come out of his mouth before he had realised what he had said. He moved in closer, inhaling her perfume. They both stopped and looked at each other and before they knew what was happening Foggy Nelson had placed a kiss on her lips. At first she responded back his musky smell enveloping her and he slowly placed his arm around her waist drawing her in closer. Foggy was enjoying it and really getting lost in the moment when suddenly Karen pulled away.

"Foggy, what are you doing?"

"I'm sorry" he whispered a little startled from her outburst. "No! I'm not sorry that felt so right. Damn it Karen. I thought you wanted that too, I know I do. Or did I get this completely wrong"

"I think I should go" Karen got up from the couch, grabbing her coat and bag.

"Don't go, stay for another. Come on Karen"

"Thanks for a lovely evening Foggy, I'll let myself out"

"Karen, lets not be weird about this. It never happened okay"

"I really have to go Foggy"

"Karen please"

"I'll see you tomorrow"

Karen slammed the door behind her and left Foggy standing facing the back of his front door. He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand

"Good one Nelson, you fool" he said to himself

He walked back to the coffee table picked up the bottle and the nearest shot glass. He poured the tequila and knocked the glass back. Refilling the small glass once more a small knock on the door interrupted him. Had she changed her mind and come back. He drained the glass and checked his hair in the mirror beside the door, his hopes a little elevated from the drink and the possibility that Karen was on the other side. Foggy opened the door and smiled but the smiled faded very fast when he saw it wasn't Karen at the door.

"How did you get up here. I didn't buzz you up" he said looking up and down the corridor

"Your blonde friend held the door open for us. She believed our forgotten key story very easily"

"Karen" Foggy sighed shaking his head. "What can I do for the both of you, it's a bit late to be selling real estate" he laughed nervously looking at one and then the other. "It's late guys" he said suddenly getting serious, "I have work in a couple of hours, so if you don't mind"

He went to close the door but a foot stopped him in his tracks and blocked the door.

"Now, now Mr. Nelson, there's no need to be like that. We just want to talk"

"How do you know my name? Look I have friends in the police force, one phone call and"

"Do you ever shut up?" the smaller man finally spoke producing a flick knife from his pocket.

"Hey, you can take whatever you want" Foggy raised both his hands and stuttered the nerves breaking his voice.

"You don't get it Mr. Nelson, we don't want any of your stuff. It's you we want"

"ME!" Foggy squeaked trying to run away from the two men.

Not looking where he was going he tripped over his shoes on the floor. The taller man grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back up. The first punch hit him straight in the lip splitting it open. A little dazed he went to throw a punch back but he missed. He got another punch straight into the stomach. Doubling over from the wind being knocked out of him, the final punch hit him straight in the face causing Foggy to fall over backwards. He fell full force on to the coffee table, the glass smashed everywhere and the world went black for Franklin "Foggy" Nelson.