Authors Notes: Welcome back. :) Thank you all so much for the comments and the likes/kudos!

Bob and Weave

Chapter Three:

"Just rest for a moment." Foggy said as he helped Matt settle onto his dark matted couch and held his hands above Matt placatingly. Physically begging him to stay put. "Wait here." He said as he walked away. It took him a moment to take his eyes off of his friend and start a kettle of water. He stared at the wall as the container filled, letting the white noise of running water fill his mind. He didn't really want to think about how close today was. Twisting the tap closed he spun around turning the burner on and setting the kettle over it. As he did this his phone vibrated with a response to the text he'd been sending.

He glanced up at Matt as he pulled his cell out of his pocket and frowned. Matt was sitting quietly, his brown eyes tilted toward the window slightly. His mouth was tilted up just a bit. He looked content and it was really disconcerting. Well, not that he was calm. Foggy was glad that Matt seemed to be feeling at least somewhat comfortable, as weird as it was. It was just odd that Matt wasn't reacting at all to the phone. That he wasn't demanding to know who he'd been texting on their way back.

The only explanation was that Matt didn't know. Foggy felt bad that a part of him felt grateful for it. Matt could be stubborn and if Foggy could get an injured Matt help sooner, he would. It really did help that he wasn't fighting him every step of the way. It was a good thing. It was. Even if it felt underhanded.

Foggy's thoughts halted when a knock broke the silence. Unread text forgotten Foggy set his phone down and felt a ping of worry when he realized Matt hadn't even turned toward the knocking sound. Foggy bit his lip. Matt tilted his head.

"Foggy?" Matt sounded nervous as he stood up from the couch, never letting the furniture go. That was worrying too because Foggy knew that Matt knew the space well. His friend was not the kind to lean on crutches unless he was hiding, but Matt didn't hide from Foggy anymore. Moving around the counter Foggy headed toward the door. "There's someone at the door." Matt said and now Foggy was suddenly wondering if Matt's hearing was gone or just going in and out.

"Hold on!" He yelled for both Matt and the door. Opening the door he stepped back in surprise when it was not the person he was expecting. "Where is he!?" Jessica Jones pushed through the entryway causing Foggy to stumble. He watched stunned as she stocked down the entry hall.

"Jones?" Foggy could hear the confusion in Matt's voice as he recognised her.

"You little shit for brains!" She snarled as she rounded the corner into the living space.

"Hi." The person Foggy had contacted waved from the doorstep a sheepish looking Luke Cage standing behind her. "Sorry… they insisted."

Foggy sighed. "It's alright." It wasn't really. Matt was reluctant to meet the other vigilantes he'd fought with nearly a year ago. Time had moved the encounter from awkward to impossible for the man and Foggy knew nothing short of this kind of bombardment would change that… he just wished the timing was better. Then realized that such timing would probably never come.

"What are you doing here?" He heard Matt ask shock clear in his voice.

There was a "smack" sound followed by a loud bang and a not so quiet "shit" from Jessica that had Foggy rushing back to see Matt on the floor. His arm was up slightly and he tried to sit up, clearly stunned. His head lolling slightly. "That was not supposed to-! Are you okay?" Jones was trying to help Matt to his feet and he was, to Foggy's surprise, letting her. His grip on her jacket tight and trembling.

"Jess…" Luke sighed and Matt jumped at his voice. "You look like shit Murdock."

Matt's head tilted slightly in Cage's direction. "What are you doing here?" He asked looking genuinely confused. "Other than to smack me." His head traveled slightly back in the direction of Jessica.

"You deserved that." Jessica defended herself. "I can't believe you didn't tell us you were alive! I grieved for you! You don't get to just—

"You could have at least written a letter." Luke said in agreement.

"Yeah." Jessica said catching the silent reprimand to tone it down. Carefully, she helped set Matt back down on the couch where he finally let go of his vice grip on her sleeves. She continued, waving her hand in a rolling movement. "Like. 'Yo, just letting you know, so you don't get all sad and shit, but I'm not actually dead.'"

Foggy could see all the emotion that Matt was trying to swallow. He could tell that his friend was happy but confused and also deeply terrified. "Why are you here?" He whispered and Foggy knew Matt just couldn't process other people caring about him; it always hurt to see.

While all this had been going on Foggy's real guest was working in the kitchen. Claire Temple was the only person Foggy knew Matt wouldn't instantly run away from when it came to self-care. She removed the kettle from the burner as it started to whistle and Foggy moved in to make the tea. Setting out a few cups. "Tea?" He asked.

Luke shrugged. Jone's shook her head. "Nah."

Matt let a trembling smile grace his lips. "Yes, please."

Foggy nodded and poured a cup. Moving quickly Foggy made his way to the couch and gently guided Matt's hands to the warm cup. As Claire slowly approached him and with a wet cloth began to wipe the blood and grime from Matt's face.

Matt flinched back, his tea sloshing before he relaxed slightly at her voice. "You never learn do you?" She said softly.

"Claire." He breathes.

"The one and only."

"I don't understand- how-

"Foggy texted me." She said.

"I kind of read the text." Luke said in response to Matt's raised brow. "'Our mutual friend' was vague but when I saw who it was from…" The man sighed with a half shrug. "You started showing back up in the news about six months ago. We all were hurt that you didn't tell us you were okay. Or got into contact with us after you did your whole coming back to life thing or whatever this was."

"Whatever. I didn't care." Jones said flopping down onto the couch next to Matt her arms crossed defensively.

Matt swallowed. "Danny?"

"He's kinda pissed with you." Jessica said flippantly.

Luke gave Jessica a warning glare when Matt's face crumpled. Then said in no uncertain terms. "No. He's just hurt. You should go talk to him." Cage crossed his arms and Jessica focused all of her attention on Matt.

Matt bit his lip and visibly restrained himself from leaning away as Claire used a weird doctor tool to look into his ears. Foggy shifted in the stifling silence. Matt opened and closed his mouth a few times before he whispered something.

"They don't want an apology." Claire said gently as she placed a butterfly bandage over a cut on Matt's left temple then moved to examine his leg.

And wasn't that just the kicker. Foggy really didn't want or need Matt to apologize. He never really did. He just wanted to understand. Jones and Cage deserved an apology, but they didn't want one either.

An explanation, maybe. Though Foggy doubted Matt would ever be able or willing to give one. At least not without some serious cajoling... "I can't change the past…" Matt said weakly letting Claire lift and support his leg on the coffee table.

"Good thing there's plenty of future for mending bridges." Luke said with a smile his arms relaxing back at his sides.

"More importantly," Jones said, taking a swig from a bottle she pulled out of her jacket, face grim. "what are you doing getting blown up?"

Matt sighed then tensed as Claire started stitching a wound on his leg with only a murmured apology. "I kinda just stumbled across it. I tried to stop it but…"

"We can help, you know." Luke said.

Matt's head tilted slightly and Foggy knew he was trying to listen for a lie. He wondered if Matt could do that at the moment. "It- it's okay. I appreciate the offer… besides, I know I kind of ruined the team dynamic… Is risking getting blown up really how you want to mend this?"

"We lost you in an explosion." Jones said with a shrug tipping her drink back before saying, "Might as well get you back with one."

"No. No. I can do this on my own. Besides, there's no real guarantee they are going to blow anything else up. I just need to find the guy and get him into police custody. Simple." Matt said.

"You sure about that?" Jessica looked doubtful.

Matt nodded looking overwhelmed. "Though, I imagine there are a few things you'd all like to tell me… and I deserve to hear them…" God, Matt looked like a kicked puppy right now. Foggy wanted to smack him and hug him all at once.

Jessica snorted looking away from him but didn't say anything. Luke reached over and squeezed Matt's shoulder giving him a significant look that Matt couldn't appreciate. "I'm just glad you aren't dead."

Matt nodded stiffly. Foggy shook his head at the look on his partners face. He could only imagine the self-deprecating thoughts running through his friends head right now. Matt pursed his lips and sighed. "Right. Claire?" He asked the woman who had been still and quiet for the past few moments.

"Well…" She said pulling off her gloves, taking Matt's attention as a cue to give her report and not an invitation to tare into him for past sins as Foggy knew Matt was trying to get her to do. "You have a few cuts and scrapes most of the blood on your face is from that. You had a laceration in your left leg. I've cleaned it and stitched it. Foggy said you mentioned ringing in your ears. Well… I have some good news and bad news." Foggy braced himself by taking a shuttering breath while Matt balled his fist and squared his shoulders. Claire sighed. "Your left ear might have a bit of tinnitus. It should clear up in a few days. However, it looks like you've ruptured your right eardrum. The damage will heal on its own. It doesn't need any special treatment but it won't work properly for two to three months… I'm sorry."

Luke let out a low whistle. Matt was blinking, though, looking wide-eyed and shocked. His next words were not what Foggy was expecting. "Is that what happened before?" He asked brokenly sending the room into a state of confused silence. Foggy could see it on everyone's face.

Foggy was also the first to break that silence. "What?"

"What are you talking about?" Claire prodded gently, massaging Matt's knee.

Matt's face was closed off but as the worry in the room persisted his armor seemed to crack. He licked his lips and his eyes flittered side to side nervously. "After… After the fight with…" Hesitated, his eyes starting to glisten and his voice shaking as he set down his teacup. "The Hand… After Midland Circle— When I came to. I couldn't hear anything. For a long time…"

"Shit." Jones said staring at Matt horrified and Foggy was right there with her.

"I couldn't hear. Even voices right next to me were muffled. I… I lost hope. I even…" Matt balled his fist shaking his head and Foggy felt his blood run cold at the look in his friend's sightless eyes. Like Matt was somehow looking at death. "If it hadn't been for… my anger…" He swallowed again thickly ducking his head as tears fell. "For Sister Maggie… For my mother… I…" He shook his head stiffly. "Well, it doesn't matter."

"Doesn't matter!?" The words were out before Foggy could think. Matt flinched and frowned toward him, head cocking slightly, looking confused. "God." Foggy breathes feeling his shock shifting with irritation in his gut. "You never- why don't you tell me these things?!" He was starting to wonder if Matt would ever fully trust him.

"It was over…" Matt said wiping his face, reigning in his emotions under Foggy's rage. "By the time— It wasn't a problem anymore."

Foggy swore. "Damn it! Matt, you tell me these things! From now on! You tell me. Even if it is done or what have you." Immediately Foggy regretted losing his temper as he saw his friend deflate. Of course, Matt didn't see it as important and now Foggy had snapped at Matt when he'd willingly shared. Had willingly opened up. He could punch himself. It felt like a sock to the stomach as he watched Matt shrinking into himself nodding frantically.

"Us too." Luke said leaning his elbows on the back of the couch and Matt seemed to freeze.

Jessica looked slightly panicked at that the man's words. "Don't tell me. I don't want to hear your sob story's." Luke shoved her lightly and she looked to him. "What?" She groused. Luke just gave her a raised brow and she rolled her eyes.

Matt couldn't seem to help but laugh at their antics. "I guess I can… try and keep you guys… aware of when I'm injured." Matt said with a sigh. Foggy frowned. He wanted to know when his friend was hurt emotionally and mentally too but it was a start so he left it. It was probably for the best. He could be a little too passionate when it came to worrying. "I got through it though…" Matt's voice was tentative as he spoke, "and I learned I can use vibrations to see too… so it wasn't a total crapshoot."

"Vibration's, hu…" Cage said sharing a look with Claire.

Matt smiled seeming really pleased with himself. "I always know when the subways are running behind." The smugness in that made Foggy laugh. Matt was always super proud of the weirdest things. Foggy was worried though.

Bomb's were not something small… not something one usually walked away from. Matt almost didn't today. He hoped all that was left was to catch the guy. That there weren't going to be any more explosions. He hoped Cage and Jones would help even if Matt tried to push them away.

Matt was sitting on his couch as sound wavered in and out. His right-hand flexing. The world was off-kilter as sound was only ever coming in on the left side. His depth perception was shot. He'd have to practice with his sense of vibration to make up for the (if Claire was right) temporary hearing loss. It was overwhelming having Claire, Jessica, and Luke here. He hadn't expected to see them again. He kind of figured they hated him. He wouldn't blame them if they did.

It sounded like Danny did. No matter what Cage said. Jessica said he was mad, and she didn't seem to be lying. Though Luke seemed to think they could talk it out. Matt had his doubts. Past experience told him he didn't work well with others. That no matter how close he wanted to be with others that they always left when he got attached. Whether they wanted to or not everyone always left in the end.

Stick said it was best not to have others close. Matt always wanted it though even when he pushed others away. He couldn't just be a lone wolf. Even if it made him weak, he craved human contact. Even if it only ever ended in pain, he wanted to be apart of a group. For a moment when he was working with Jessica, Luke, and Danny he'd felt like maybe he was apart of something bigger than himself.

So, of course, he'd essentially tare it apart. Jones and Luke were here though, and so was Claire. They'd come to help him. To see him. They were not treating him like someone they couldn't stand. They were treating him like… like they might actually care about him.

He didn't want to get his hopes up on that front but for a moment he felt warmth run through his chest before a cold fear seeped into his bones. This interaction did have him kind of pausing. Thinking about others who might care about him. Thinking that maybe it was time to let Hawkeye know who Daredevil really was. His hand twitched. He was suddenly itching to get into his suit and search the city for the bomber. To go meet up with Clint and let him know what had happened.

Standing he stumbled slightly in the off-balanced and dizzying world around him. Hands were immediately on him steadying him. "Whoa." Cage's voice said from his right.

"Slow down." Claire said from in front of him. Both of them had their hands on his shoulders.

"I need to go find the bomber. I'm the only one who might recognize him." He was rationalizing, he knew, but Matt felt restless. Getting thing's done was the only way he knew to quail the feeling.

"Oh, no you don't!" Claire said. "I'm not going to let that happen. If it's what it takes, I'll let Luke knock you out before I let you out of this building. Don't tempt me, Murdock."

"I can't believe you'd actually go out in your condition!" Foggy said sounding angry and Matt caught his heart beating wildly before his hearing was lost to the ringing again. "Or, I'd like to say that." Foggy amended sounding suddenly tired. "Unfortunately I know you too well."

"I'm not usually the type to tell others what not to do." Jessica said from behind him, still sitting on the couch and smelling strongly of alcohol, as usual. "But, you really should consider waiting till at least tomorrow, man."

Matt tried to shrug Claire's and Cage's hands off but Luke just tightened his grip. "What if he blows something else up?" Matt growled.

"That's on him and it won't be your fault." Foggy said stepping closer. "Matt. You can't do anything like this but get yourself killed." Matt felt his jaw tighten and his mind flashed to his time at the church when he last lost his hearing. When he had actively tried to get himself killed. He felt his eyes shift down and his shoulders drop in defeat. Foggy was right.

He couldn't go out like this. It would be suicidal. He let out a slow breath. "Okay." He said. "Okay… I won't go out tonight."

"Promise?" Foggy asked his voice begging and sad.

Matt lifted his head tilting his face toward his friend. He tried to look at Foggy but he wasn't sure if he'd succeeded. He gave a nod hoping to reassure Foggy. "I promise. I won't go out tonight."

Foggy sighed. "Good." He said. "You can stay home tomorrow too if you need to buddy. I'll explain everything to Karin."

Matt shook his head. "I should come in. If for no other reason but to keep me busy." He felt the air shift around him and felt his face scrunch in confusion at the silence.

"I just nodded." Foggy said chuckling uneasily. "You're right. We have so much work to do anyway." He said suddenly sounding exasperated.

Matt felt a smile tug at his lips. "Well… now that we've all decided not to let the devil out how's about a drink."

"Hear, hear." Jessica said lifting her bottle and tipping it back in agreement.

He caught the sound of shuffling feet as Foggy made his way back to the kitchen. "Let's see what you've got." Foggy said sifting through the contents of the fridge. And felt as Cage followed Foggy. He made for the kettle though grabbing a cup of tea before settling into the armchair across from the couch. Claire followed and he handed the cup to her. She took it with a happy hum as she sat on the arm of the chair.

Foggy passed out beer and with that, they settled into light conversation and Matt allowed himself to sink into the feeling of camaraderie, even if only for a moment.

Clint found himself sitting on top of a giant illuminated billboard adjacent to Murdock's building. When he had arrived a group of people had been in the space. Now they were leaving. He figured it made sense. After nearly dying by bomb earlier in the afternoon most people would seek out comfort from those around them.

It was a strange group of people though. He kind of felt like he recognized the bigger guy but he couldn't place why. After the others had well and truly left he stayed and watched as Matt paced his apartment running his hand's through his hair. Stumbling and bumping into things every once in a while.

Clint watched as Matt's knee collided with the couch and the man slammed his fist down into it out of frustration. He walked up to a wardrobe and placed his hands on the doors. Clint couldn't see his face from the angle he was at but he could tell Matt was tense. After a while of pacing and stumbling and kicking the couch in an irritated manner the man finally stumbled into bed. Clint let out a breath.

So far Matt hadn't shown any intent on communicating with the police. It left Clint feeling uneasy. It wasn't like the bombing was just some inconvenient event. Anyone else would feel the need to at least leave a statement. Or something. Maybe the archer was actually on to something.

After about 45 minutes of inactivity, Clint decided he'd seen what he could for the night and left with the intent to come back the next day.

Authours Notes: Things haven't hit the crunch time yet, so stuff is a bit slow moving for now...
Throwing in a bit of Defender's love here. (I wanted Danny here too but it just wasn't happening.)

Tensions are building and soon things are going to explode. (Pun intended?)
(I kind of suck at fast-paced though... so we'll see... I want to try though. [please give me a chance])

And thank you so much for reading! ^-^