Dani's POV
(Nightwing27th)

Mr. Fancypants walked into my office, here to collect his boss's money. He adjusted his glasses. I wanted to slap that smirk off his face. He thinks he's getting away with something, but I assure you his punishment will come. "Well?" He sat down at the desk in the lobby, me sitting on the other side. "Were you able to acquire sufficient funds?"

"Yes." I stood and then picked up the two large duffel bags behind the desk. I walked around to him, half tossing them to the ground at his feet. He looked oddly down at the bags before him, then up at me. He reached down and unzipped one of them, revealing one-dollar bills. "I figured quarters were too heavy to lug back to…wherever your boss is."

He zipped the bag, a slight smirk on his face as he sat back up. "Well, enjoy," I said in a perky, very fake, happy voice. "I'll look forward to doing business with you next time."

"I'm afraid this ends our business, Miss Dylan."

I let all emotion fall from my face, my voice going serious. "I'm afraid it's not. I might be done with 'your boss'"-using air quotes, sure to overdo it- "but I'm far from done with you, Mr. Dawson." His face dropped faster than I thought it could, losing all color and emotion. I know that's only a fake name, but clearly, I wasn't supposed to know it. And that scares him…so it pleases me.

"You see," I continued, sitting up straighter, placing my intertwined hands on the desk, mocking his voice, "my employer has asked me to find the man whose been threatening her. Now, I don't know about you… but I'm looking right at him." He adjusted in his seat, in a way I've seen too many times. "Now, come on. This is a civil conversation, no need for the metal," I shook my head. "But, I do feel obligated to tell you"- I leaned in closer, over the desk- "…if I don't make a certain phone call, you'll have two lawyers in places you didn't know you had. And from what I hear, that would be very bad for your employer, would it not?"

I sat back in my chair, crossing my legs. "What do you want?" he mumbled. I smiled, reveling in making him squirm.

"I want you to leave Miss Fletcher and her son alone. Like, forever. Yeah. That sounds right," I said. "And in doing so, I'll stop looking into you. Pretend like this never happened. I'll make sure my employer doesn't press any legal charges for emotional distress, or any other thing I can think of." I opened the folder on the desk in front of me, then spun it around to face him. I pulled a pen out of the holder and slapped it down on top of the open folder.

"What's this?"

"Our agreement. Sign or you will see jail time. That's a promise," I said. He picked up the pen. "This also states that, if any harm should come to me after this conversation, I'll know who to blame. Even if the harm was caused by myself." He raised the pen to sign. I quickly put my hand across the page, "Your real name." He nodded and I removed my hand.

He signed the page and then stood, picking up the two bags. "Good day, Miss Dylan."

I stood and adjusted my jacket. "I just hope you can keep your word. It'd be a sham if you couldn't." He turned back and looked at me. "I know I will. And that is a promise."

Alison's POV
(bellamysgirl)

My forefinger and thumb rubbed the bridge of my nose. I knew Foggy was pacing even though my eyes were closed—I could feel the cool wind of a draft. Dani was running late. She was supposed to be here, to let us know she was still alive, at least ten minutes ago. All of us were a little on edge. Karen and Mr. Murdock stayed quiet, but it was obvious both were nervous. "What if she didn't make it?" Foggy started, worried. "What if she made it, but got taken out on the way here? What if-"

My eyes snapped open. "Foggy!"

"…sorry," he sighed heavily. "I'm just freaking out."

"We're all freaked out, Foggy," Mr. Murdock said, sounding like he meant to say 'I'm freaked out'.

"Shouldn't she be back by now?" Karen asked, glancing between all of us. We stayed in the main room of Nelson and Murdock, mostly. Yes. Dani should be back by now. Where was she? Did she take a detour through Neverland? Did Steve get to her? My heart lurched into my throat and Karen startled hard, hoping a little, as the door swung open. Dani stood in the doorway, untouched.

No one moved—no one could. It was a collective pause. Then a smirk crested her lips and her arms shot out at her sides. "Guess who's not dead?" she said, sarcastically. I could almost feel the moment everyone in the room sighed in relief. Foggy rushed forward and wrapped his arms around her middle, lifting her slightly in his hug. "Whoa, easy! I'm only a couple minutes over time," she said, as he put her down.

"Are you kidding? TEN MINUTES, Dani," he said, over punctuating.

"Oh…yeah, that wasn't planned," she said, looking down.

"What took you so long?" I asked.

"I had to lift the guy's finger prints off the knob before I could leave," she said, exhaustedly.

"Well, next time call. You had all of us worried," Foggy spoke seriously, hooking an arm around her shoulders protectively. "Besides, I thought the guy would be cheesed because you payed him in dollar bills." My eyes shot wide and Karen let out a surprised chuckle. She payed him in dollar bills? Is she insane? Well, maybe. "If you don't mind me asking, how much did you give him?" Mr. Murdock inquired, cautiously.

"Forty thousand," Dani replied, simply. I gasped, covering my mouth with my hand. My mind tried picturing forty thousand dollars in ones. Just when I thought Karen's eyes couldn't get any wider, they increased by at least half an inch. Mr. Murdock looked like if he were drinking something, it'd be all over the floor. "Forty thousand dollars?" Karen asked, in disbelief.

"Yep," Dani nodded.

"In ones?" I gaped.

"Yep," Dani nodded again.

"And he just happened to be perfectly fine with you paying him forty thousand dollars in one dollar bills and, I'm assuming, signed the agreement that you typed up and let you walk away with your life?" Mr. Murdock pointed out, heavy skepticism in his tone. The air suddenly became thick, all light-hearted intentions dissipated. Foggy looked to be suddenly uncomfortable shoved against Dani's side—practically stuck in the middle.

"That's why I spent so much time lifting the finger prints off the doorknob. I've dealt with organized crime like this before. I knew the second he signed that agreement, that it basically turned into a two-week peace treaty," Dani rebuttled, mildly defensive. "That contract bought us some time, but the problem is far from being solved."

"But why risk it? Why give him the forty thousand in dollar bills and then black mail him into signing your 'peace treaty', putting your own life at risk?" Mr. Murdock questioned, also defensive.

"My life was already in danger because I had to give him the money, so I figured I'd just try to buy some more time to try and figure out what I'm dealing with," Dani defended, seeming slightly more agitated.

"And the good news is-" Foggy jumped into action, beaming. "-everything turned out okay! He signed the deal, you came back in one piece—it's all good." Mr. Murdock didn't seem too convinced of Foggy's words. But the tension was starting to settle down a little. As if getting the cue from Foggy, Karen snapped to attention with a smile that said she was fighting the awkwardness.

"Ah, we have to celebrate," Karen said, bubbling.

"Sorry, but I have to be at work in five minutes," I apologized.

Karen drooped. "Then Josie's, tonight," Mr. Murdock suggested. "First round's on me." Foggy smiled and threw his index finger in Mr. Murdock's direction, looking cheesy. "That's my man!" Foggy said, causing Karen to laugh. Mr. Murdock smiled a little. It was the first time I'd seen the man smile genuinely. It was nice. "I have to go or I'll be late," I announced, readjusting the purse strap on my shoulder. "You're watching Chase, right?"

Dani nodded adamantly. "Absolutely." I nodded back with a smile in thanks and started for the door. "Uh, hey, Alison," I stopped at the sound of Mr. Murdock's voice. I turned, raising an eyebrow. "Have a good day at work." It surprised me a little bit. But it was nice of him, so I nodded, though he couldn't see it. "Thanks. You, too," I smiled, before turning and heading out the door.

Dani's POV
(Nightwing27th)

If Alison ever found out I've been leaving him alone for short periods of time like this, she'd have my hide and probably a few other body parts that I hold dear and near. I hung up my coat as I walked through my office and to my room. Chase was sitting on the edge of my bed, glued to the same video game he was when I left. "I'm back, time to put it away."

"Five more minutes," he begged, eyes not leaving the screen. Sometimes this kid makes me glad I don't have children. "Hey, I kept up my end," I said, "time for you to keep up yours. Nobody likes a man who goes back on his word." He sighed and then shut off the game, grumbling: "I guess."

The running deal between us is that he can play video games until I get back, but he has to agree to not tell his mom I left. So far, it's worked. But, now that I'm flat broke, I don't know what I'm going to do when the electricity gets shut off. That forty grand was literally all I had. And even with that, I still had to barrow five thousand from my cousin.

I turn and go to my desk, checking if the facial recognition software was done. Before I quit my 'top secret government job', I was sure to take a few things. And by take I, of course, mean steal. Like, my very high tech facial recognition software, amazing fingerprint scanner, and a satellite. Okay. The satellite is still in space. But I stole it's access codes. I use it for the little things, like hacking into police and FBI severs without getting caught.

Of course, even if someone could trace the signal, it'd go back to my old boss. And though he might know it was me, he won't do anything about it because of the way we left things. The loading bar is at ninety percent and moving fast. I saw Chase walk past out of the corner of my eye. "Homework."

"It's Saturday," he said like I forgot. He turned on his heel, whirling around and slamming his elbows into my desk, chin pressed firmly against his hands. My eyes flick up to him from the screen, which just reached ninety-nine. "You gonna catch the guy who's been freaking Mom out?" I nodded. "Then what's taking so long?"

I wanted to slap his ignorant face but my computer stopped me. It beeped, telling me the facial recognition had finished. "It's a very slow process," I mumbled. "Go alphabetize the box of crayons." I shooed him away with my hand. He rolled his eyes and left the room. My attention quickly turned to the computer.

The picture I'd captured of 'Mr. Dawson' from this morning was displayed on the screen next to a new name. "Wesley Owen Welch," I whispered. Now, are you the real man or another fake? Steve Dawson was under that name, listed as a known alias. But, that still doesn't answer the question: why'd he need to change his name in the first place?

I run his name through the FBI database and don't get any matches, not even for Dawson. I was, though, able to dig up the old police report from when he attacked Alison ten years ago. But, once again, that's the only case of his name, any of them, being used publically.

But, what if he wasn't a public person? He wouldn't be the first guy I've run into who seemed to have appeared out of thin air; operating in plain sight who no one knowing. Unfortunately, my dad didn't do business directly with this guy or else I could just find my dad and have him lead me back to the guy. My ex boss might have some insight, but I'm not braking our 'non speaking' terms.

But, in order to be 'employed' you have to have existed before you disappeared. Otherwise, how did his boss find him? From what I heard, the company he told Nelson and Murdock he worked for was a dead end. So finding the boss isn't going to work. But, Dawson truly seemed afraid of what I might say or do if he didn't sign the deal. What if his boss doesn't know who he is?

If that's the case, then Dawson would be the only one who knows he has a son; part of the reason why he wanted it swept under the rug. Alison said he wanted custody of Chase. Why get custody of a kid you've kept a secret from your work life for ten years, even going through the trouble of changing your name multiple times?

What if he's not after custody of the boy… what if he wants what comes after? What if making Chase disappear is the final piece to making himself disappear?

Alison's POV
(bellamysgirl)

My fingers were having troubles keeping up with my mind. It was racing, going a thousand miles an hour. Mostly with thoughts of a man I swore I'd never speak the name of—not after what happened ten years ago. I doubted he'd keep his word. But, if Dani was right, I had at least two weeks. I could hold on and try to just live my life without feeling pressured. That was the goal. But what happens when we reach the deadline?

A throat clearing caught my attention, and I glanced up. Karen smiled at me from the doorway to my cubical. I smiled back and turned in my chair to see her. "Hi, Karen. What brings you to the Bulletin?" I asked, standing.

"Well, I, uh...I have some information I want to get out to the public but I- I don't know how to go about it," she said, her voice shaking a bit. Her behavior was a bit odd, and I tried to shrug it off, but it just felt weird. I nodded slowly. "Okay. What kind of information?" I inquired, trying to be discreet. I glanced over the edges of the cubical walls to make sure no one was listening.

Karen inhaled deeply. "It's about the Union Allied Construction article," she started. I tensed, pausing a second. "There's more than what was in the paper—a lot more." I nodded and took her hand, leading her out of the cubical and toward the Bull Pin. "I know just the man for this," I tossed the words over my shoulder as we walked.

I pulled her up behind me at the door to Ben's office. I listened for a second, made sure it was quiet, then rapped my knuckles on the door. A muffled, "Yeah," came through and I opened the door. Karen seemed hesitant to follow in behind me, but I gave her a reassuring look. I pulled her into the office. "Ben, this is Karen Page," I introduced. "Karen this is Ben Urich. She has something on the Union Allied story."

Ben's features instantly were focused, and he stood up from his desk. He quickly walked around to the front of the desk, stopping a foot from us. "What kind of something?" he asked, intrigued. Karen stepped up more next to me than behind me. "There's more to the story," she announced.

Dani's POV
(Nightwing27th)

Foggy and I ordered a couple of beers and then sat down. He'd gotten to Josie's about thirty seconds after I did. "So, how's it going with the kid?" he asked. Small talk has never been my thing, but this I can role with it. "Well," I sigh. "He'll have a job with his name on his shirt." Foggy quickly covered his mouth, trying to prevent a fountain of yellow from spewing.

"I told you to be nice to the kid," Sarcasm lacing his voice. I rolled my eyes and took a swig of my beer. "Any luck on the case?"

"Come on, Nelson. You didn't drag me down here just to talk about work."

"I know," he grinned. But not a normal grin, more like what you'd get from a two year old. Thankfully, Karen and Alison showed up a minute later. I wasn't sure what else to say to Foggy. He and I haven't really spoken since he found out about my other half. I'm afraid if I'd opened my mouth any more to him, I'd end up saying something to him about it.

We greeted them as they sat down. Karen started looking around. "Is Matt not here yet?" Foggy replied with something that probably meant 'no', but I tuned him out. I forgot that this shindig included him. Might be a little weird since we had that argument earlier. But, hey. If I pretend like it never happened, eventually it'll just come back and slap me in the face.

I always love my options. But, today shouldn't come up…besides the fact that today is why we're here. "I'm sure he'll be here soon," Alison said, trying to encourage Karen. "In the mean time," Foggy stood abruptly and overly excited, "shots!" I groaned. "What? We're all consenting adults."

"Yeah, I'd like proof you're a 'consenting adult'"- I used air quotes- "before shootin' back anything that comes out of those grubby hands." He smiled and the others laughed. Foggy threw his hands up in the air like he'd won the lottery and then hollered: "Shots all around!" before disappearing.

I looked at Alison and Karen, still smiling at Foggy's outburst. "What have you two been up to?" I thrust my chin in their direction. Karen's face instantly says 'I just saw her naked in the shower' before turning into a 'I need to lie and cover my own butt' kind of face. "Well… I, uh…" she stammered. "You know? Work stuff…at the… law firm. Papers and stuff."

Alison's face told me they were both hiding something, but I decided to drop it. How much trouble could they get into anyway? Foggy returns with shots as Alison opened her mouth to reply. But she took Foggy's interruption as an excuse not to reply. Foggy slams the shot glasses down, spilling some of the liquid. "Tonight, we celebrate!" He exclaimed. Matt walked up to the table, causing Foggy's smiling to grow even wider.

"How long have you guy's been waiting?" Matt asked rhetorically, smiling at Foggy's words. I'm sure he's asking 'how much has Foggy had to drink?' I'm starting to wonder the same thing. Foggy wrapped his arm around Matt and pulled him close. "There you are!" Foggy said, thrusting a shot glass into Matt's hand.

"Just finish your speech already," I said, grabbing a shot. Foggy lifts a shot glass into the air and says, "Tonight is to celebrate…the return of a great hero." Everyone starts to chuckle. I do too, but am secretly wondering if he's about to blow my cover. How much has he had to drink? As I'm entering 'fight or flight' mode, he continues his speech. "Some people call her Dani. Others call her late. But, most of all, I call her a friend. And I'm glad she survived today's stupid plan. So… to friends!"

Foggy downs his shot, about to swallow the glass. By now, we're all cracking up. I get off my high horse, kicking myself for thinking he'd spew my secret, and then down the shot with the others. "Another round!" Foggy says.

"No!" I slide my glass across the table. "I've had enough shot's, thank you."

"Yeah, I've got work tomorrow," Alison agrees.

"But, seriously, Foggy, thank you for making a big deal out of nothing," I said.

"What!?" He detached himself from Matt and then came over to me. "You've been working really hard on this case. And, as I've said, as stupid as that was, it was also awesome." I sighed at his enthusiasm. Then, I glanced around, hoping someone would change the subject. But, no one did, so I figured I would.

"Yeah," I said. "But, I do feel like I owe you guys an apologue." The others looked at me weird. "I should've called sooner and told you I was okay. I didn't expect you guys to be so concerned about me, you know? I'm not used to that." I was starting to get sympathetic looks from Alison and Karen, so I quickly changed my mood. "But, now that I know…. I promise, it won't happen again."

Foggy took the hint I wanted to change the subject, and straightened, becoming very serious and solemn. "Well. I'm going to hold you to that, Dylan." He slapped me on the shoulder as I smiled. Then his mood changed, "I'm getting a round of beer." He vanished. I wasn't even half done with my first one.

The air between us was quiet. I think Foggy's still kind of the only thing holding me to this group. Normally, I'd think that was good. That it was for the better. But, my plan is to stay here, in Hell's Kitchen. I don't need to run, no one's bossing me around, if my father's mistakes try to get me again, I won't run. I'll face it like I did this time. I'm here to stay.

"So," Karen said, almost fishing. Her gaze quickly fell on me. "Today, at the law firm, you said you 'had to' give him the money." I knew her words were directed at me, though she didn't say it. "Why?" I sighed and then took another drink. She almost shriveled up like she knew she'd asked the wrong question.

Foggy returned and passed out beers before sitting. I sat up and leaned into the table. "Well," I started, and then paused. The only way to tell make friends is to be honest, right? "My dad has a habit of getting into the wrong crowd and then letting his family pay for it." Silence filled the room.

Foggy was shocked, not have hearing the question. Karen and Alison froze, both looking at me. Karen looked like she hadn't expected that answer. Matt seemed to tighten his grip on his beer, as his jaw clenched. I took another drink, slightly bobbing my head as I sat the bottle down. "Yeah," I sighed ruefully. "That's why I don't lead with that."

"I didn't-"

"No, it's okay, Karen. I should've told you guys what that was about from the beginning." I brushed it off like it was nothing… but, it's never nothing. No one wants to explain how their father's a failure and how they've been suffering because of it. "But, I gave him the cash because- surprise – somewhere, my dad messed up again… and that was me paying for it."

"Which means you are done with that guy, right?" Foggy asked, wanting me to say 'yes'. I nodded. "Until the next time," I said. "But, hopefully that won't be for awhile. Otherwise they'll be beating something out of me I don't have." I probably shouldn't have said that last part out loud. Matt opened his mouth, when my phone ringing cut him off. I apologized and then dug out the phone, checking the screen.

"Sorry, I need to take this." I answered the phone, pressing it to my ear. "Dani…" the voice said. It's Marry, my sister-in-law. Any call from her is a must take. "I need your help. My land lord is threatening to kick me out." I pulled a pad and a pen out of my left pocket and set it on the table. I click the pen in my left hand.

"Okay. Give me his name and phone number and I'll see what I can do." She rattled it off as I wrote it down. She thanked me and then hung up. I put the phone back into my pocket and then reached for the note pad. "I thought you were right handed?" Foggy asked, confused.

I cringed, realizing I'd have to tell them that story too. "Yeah, I'm both, actually."

"Why? Isn't that really hard?" Alison asked. I nodded, "At first. But… it wasn't by choice." I spoke hesitantly.

"What do you mean?"

"Someone your father owed money to," Matt said, "came to collect and you didn't have it." He didn't say it like he'd just figured it out, more like… he'd guessed where this sad story had ended and wished he was wrong. The others finally got it, and didn't look like they knew what to say. I'm not sure I know what to say.

I never told anyone but immediate family. And I'm running out of that. I let out the breath I was holding. Having people say it out loud makes it too real. "Yeah," I said. "That's the nice way of putting it." I glanced around at everyone and then tried to change the mood. "Now… I don't think we came here to discuss all of Dani's secretes," I joked.

Foggy shot straight up in his chair, "No, we did not!" he said, cheerfully. I gave him a thankful look as I finished off my beer. Karen and Alison seemed to easy out of the tight wad they'd gotten stuck in, slowly sipping their drinks. Matt, however, didn't move for at least two minutes after a new conversation had begun between Foggy and Alison.

I sat across from him, staring. Wishing I could find out what he was thinking. He suddenly unfroze, taking a drink as I reached for my second. He still seemed stiff, but tried not to act like it. I'd missed what Foggy said, but whatever it was caused Alison to blush. Was he flirting with my client?

I made a mental note to tease him about it later. I casually glanced around the room, seeing the same guy sitting at the bar. He'd been here before I got here, but I forgot in amongst the discussion to watch him. I'm 98% sure he's the guy my new client's hired me to find. But, I can't stare too long without drawing attention.

"I'm serious," Foggy said. "He's a great kid. I don't know why that guy wouldn't want to be his father. I mean, there are much more legal ways to go about it-"

"I think we get it, Foggy," Matt said.

"I'm still trying to figure out where this discussion was going," Alison confessed, pushing her empty bottle away.

"With you two," Karen said, "on a date."

"What?" Foggy played dumb. "That's not where I was-" -he looked at Alison- "I mean, it could, I guess, if you're okay with that." He shrugged his shoulders. I rolled my eyes and Karen laughed. I put my hand on Alison's shoulder and said, "Normally, I wouldn't suggest making these kinds of choices with alcohol in your system. But, this time…no one's going to die if you say yes."

"'This time'?" Matt asked, sarcastically. "Where do you spend all your time?"

"Wouldn't you like to know," I replied, staring into his glasses. I took a drink.

Alison sighed, frustrated she couldn't think. "Sure, why not?" she said.

"Well…"

"Dylan, don't start," Foggy mock protested, pointing a figure my way.

"After considering how long it took you to answer," I sucked in air between clenched teeth, "I'm afraid you missed your chance." Foggy smacked me on the arm. I laughed and then pushed aside my empty bottle. "Sorry, guys, but I need to leave. Duty calls."

I stood and then pushed in my chair. Foggy stood and half hugged me. I said goodbye to the others and then headed for the door. On my way out, I walked too close to the bar. Just close enough to slip a tracker into the guy's pocket. I stepped out of the bar, glancing over my shoulders at the others.

They continued to laugh and have a good time. But, the guy at the bar stood out of the corner of my eye. As I let the door fall behind me I could feel his eyes on me. Let the games begin.