A/N Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter up. It gave me and My2BrownEyes a bit of a hard time. The next chapter may take awhile to get up as well. Thanks for sticking with us - and please let us know what you think! We love comments!

Chapter 9

Matt Murdock only put the Daredevil suit on because it was bulletproof. That's how he justified it to himself. Against these Hydra people, he figured he'd need any advantage he could get. He crouched on the rooftop of the building next door and listened for any sign of Jessica Drew. He prayed silently, asking God not to take someone else from him, trying to bargain. It didn't seem to be helping.

He tilted his head. Someone else was on the roof. "I thought you weren't joining me."

"Oh, so you decided to put on the red pajamas again after all." Fury whispered from the shadows of the rooftop entry. He was holding a coffee. "I thought you didn't do that anymore."

He frowned. "I don't. I'm making an exception." He stood up. "Are you here to help? Or are you just checking up on me."

"Drew would be pleased to know you care enough to make an 'exception'." Fury took a sip of his coffee. "I haven't decided yet. Though I do enjoy destroying anything that Hydra tries so hard to cook up. We'll see if this place is worth that."

From what Matt could tell, the man wasn't lying. He decided to tell him what he knew. There were more people in the building than there should be at this time of night. Most were roaming the halls – security. In addition to the security station on the ground floor, there were two floors housing multiple computer servers. The heat and the sounds of fans gave them away. One of them, the one above with fewer servers, also had a large open area. In that area there were people lying in rows. He could hear their heartbeats. But there were gaps between some of them. Matt hoped that meant those beds were empty. The other option was, well, horrific. "If Jess is in there, my guess is that's where she'd be."

"Agreed." Fury reached into his coat and pulled out a device. "I need you to put this on. I can't be of assistance if I don't know what's going on in there."

"What is it?" he asked as he gingerly took it from his hand. "Earpiece?"

"And a camera." Fury confirmed. "Good as you are, there are still details you might miss, through no fault of your own."

The masked head turned slightly as though curious. "Where does it go?"

Fury took the items back from Matt and placed the camera to the side of the helmet. It was small and light weight – so hopefully it wouldn't interfere with the lawyer's hearing too much. "There. Get as much information as you can and do a sweep of every room you enter. Got it?"

Daredevil's stillness would have been unnerving to most people. "I got that you need me more than I need you." He let the words sink in. Then after checking to make sure his batons were secure in their holster, he ran to the edge of the building and jumped across the alley, rolling as he landed on the other side. He was up a moment later. Passing the water tower, he silently made his way to the door leading into the building.

Fury silently donned his sunglasses and let Matt think whatever he wanted. The truth was, even if he rescued the people towards the top floor, there was only so much information they could give and a lot more that Matt could miss. But first, there was the issue of security cameras. "He's heading in."

"Already? You couldn't keep him occupied for a few more minutes?" Maria Hill had a feeling this was going to happen.

"Maybe I should have asked for Black Widow's help."

"Don't be an ass, Nick. I've almost got it. Shit."

That did not sound good. "Problem?"

"Cameras are now on a loop, but they caught a glimpse of him. Let's just hope the guards weren't looking. You're clear to head in."

"Copy that. See you on the other side."

Matt's objective was to get to the area Jess was likely in as quickly and quietly as he could without alerting security. He stuck to the stairwell, but when a two-man security detail was approaching him from the bottom, he turned the nob of the nearest door. It was locked. He could sense the hum of electricity from a security sensor pad.

The two security guards were at the floor below him. If they didn't stop there, he would have 10 seconds before they'd be able to see him.

They continued up.

Daredevil threw himself over the railing, falling just behind them through the center gap of the stairwell. He grabbed the rail at the floor below. Vaulting himself over it, he silently ran back up the stairs.

Getting lucky for once, the guards opened the door to the floor he needed and went through.

He run up, catching the door before it could close fully. He waited for them to turn a corner before slipping through. His senses guided him toward the room he was looking for, the one he hoped to find Jess in.

There were definitely more security guards on this floor. He had to duck into a supply closet to let someone pass. Just to be an ass, he made sure to do a full sweep of the closet before leaving it.

Fury just shook his head and began to approach the building through the roof. "I'm heading in," he told Maria. "Alert me if they get onto us." He silently dispatched the guards and continued on his way. Murdock had been right in his observation that Fury needed him more out of the two of them. Jess was an asset he couldn't afford to lose. Things were happening, and he needed Spider-Woman on board to help prevent it.

He noted the chemicals in the closet but continued to make his way towards Matt. "Well done, Daredevil." He noted, though he made sure to sound as condescending as possible at Matt's code name.

After waiting for the figure to pass, Matt slowly opened the closet door and continued his way to the large area with the rows of people. He knew it was in there that he would need Fury.

There was one guard stationed in front of the door. Easy enough. But Matt wanted an element of surprise that the open space between the door and his hiding place around the corner didn't allow. He pressed himself against the wall and smiled. Digging into his shoulder was a light switch. He turned all the lights off and ran full speed at the guard.

"What the -?" The guard's hand flew to his belt where a push of a button would turn on his communication device. As soon as he pressed it, his jaw exploded in pain. Another hit to the head had him seeing stars before he slumped unconscious to the ground.

Daredevil grabbed the guard's security card and let himself through the door. "I'm in. This is definitely the place." Ignoring the computer station near the servers, he began his walk between the two rows of beds. He didn't bother telling Fury that the people were restrained with wide straps around their wrists and ankles. He figured that would be visible in the camera as would their faces (hopefully). He searched for Jess using his augmented senses, knowing he'd be able to identify her by scent alone.

Halfway down he knew. "She's not here," he said quietly, unsure if Fury could hear him. He continued down the middle of the rows to capture the people on camera and to make sure. The chemicals in the supply closet could have been messing with his sense of smell. At least that's what he hoped.

"No, she's not." Fury agreed, entering the room not long after Matt did. He immediately went to the computers at one end of the room and inserted a USB drive into it. "I'm going to try and get these people out. Rule one: if people are hooked up to machines, just don't yank them out. It doesn't end well for them." He looked at Matt. "I'm going to need you to create a diversion."

Matt stepped out from the shadows where he hid when he heard someone coming. "Any particular kind?"

"One that lets us get these people out quickly. Though, there is a chance some of them might not survive the experience." He looked over at some of the bodies – they looked starved, as if they were just hooked up and left there.

"Quickest would be ambulances. They'd get any medical attention they need." Otherwise he wasn't sure how the two of them would be able to get all of these people out.

"But would alert Hydra that we're here. No." Fury's tone made it clear he wasn't going to argue on the issue further.

He tilted his head in confusion. "By causing a diversion, wouldn't I be alerting them that we're here anyway?"

"You're assuming Hydra is going to let medical personnel in here? Hell, no they're not. Let them fight for their lives. That's a far better diversion."

Matt realized Fury was probably right. "You know them better than I do. I'll see what I can cook up. How much time do you need?"

"Five minutes. Mix some bleach and ammonia or something." He was already at work trying to hack Hydra's systems.

Making his way back to the supply closet, Matt closed the door before letting his nose help him find the right chemicals – bleach and ammonia. Next, he listened to the air conditioning to figure out the best place for dispersal of the toxic gas he was going to create, a place where it could cause the maximum disruption without killing anyone. That meant it needed to be placed on a different floor. He was not going to risk the lives of those poor souls who still lay unconscious near Fury. He'd be very surprised if they were actually able to get those people out of there.

Matt made his way down two floors. He found the spot, thankful these buildings were all essentially the same on every floor. He pulled the nearest air vent off the ceiling. That was where he mixed the bleach and ammonia. That done, he quickly made his way back to Fury.

"Any luck?"

Fury didn't respond right away as he concentrated on what he was doing. He had found a wealth of information – just nothing that would help them find his missing agent. "I did." Fury looked up as one of the people on the cots began to cough.

Matt immediately went to them. "Take it easy. You're okay."

The man held on to Matt for dear life as the sound of the heart monitors of the other victims flatlined. "Don't – don't make me go back in there! Please!"

"Not planning on it." Fury stated. He looked at the remaining victims who hadn't made it and shook his head. He wrapped up his work then looked toward Matt and their new acquaintance. "Time to move. Let's go."

"We're here to help," Matt assured the guy who was still freaking out. "I need you to calm down. Come with us and be very quiet. We'll get you out of here. What's your name?"

"B-Barry" the former captive whispered, still clearly terrified. He continued to grab on to Matt as Fury lead them through the building, toward the roof.

Matt spoke softly. "They call me the Daredevil. It's nice to meet you, Barry. You're doing great."

Barry brightened a bit. "I know. I've heard -" he stopped at a dirty look from Fury.

"There are people up ahead. Think you can take them Daredevil?"

"Yeah. Just so you know, there are some coming up from behind, too." He ran up ahead where he was greeted by gunshots, just what he was hoping to avoid. But it was a close space, which gave him an advantage. He had kept training as a way to get his aggression out without taking to the streets again. It had been working. But being in the costume, using his batons to hurt these people who took Jess and now wanted to kill them, it made it too easy to lose himself in the violence. When Fury and Barry caught up to him, he was panting from the effort and willing himself not to feel the guilt until his mask was off. "The three behind us are coming up fast."

Fury smirked while Barry just gaped at the bloodshed. A fog started to creep up around them, obscuring them from the Hydra soldiers who were approaching. Fury didn't miss a beat. "Let's move. You one of those Inhumans, son?"

He looked out of the corner of his eye as Barry nodded. "Y-yeah. Hydra doesn't like us much." He shivered visibly as Fury led them down another corridor. He was trusting Murdock to take care of the rest of the goons.

Matt stayed behind pressed against the wall. Once the guards were in arms reach, he struck the first with a kick to the stomach before bringing his baton down on the back of his head. He threw the other baton. It hit his target square in the forehead. This left one firing on him blindly.

The bullets hit the wall and ceiling.

Matt hated guns. They were too loud and smelly. He pushed the arm away before driving his palm into the guard's chest. Another blow to the head, and it was over. He stepped over the unconscious bodies on the floor then ran to catch up with Fury and Barry. "We should be clear to the roof."

They were back in the safe house, and Fury stared at Barry as the kid stuffed his face with a microwaved frozen pizza. Fury would've gone right to questioning but Murdock had insisted. And Daredevil had a point – the kid could only be described as emaciated. They had to practically carry him here after escaping the building.

Fury pulled up a chair so he was sitting in front of the kid. "You done yet?"

"Give him time to swallow," Daredevil said from his place near the window. He could tell by Barry's heartbeat how nervous the kid was. "I know you've just been through something traumatic and it'll be hard to talk about. But we have a friend who was taken by the people who had you. We need to find her. And we're hoping you can help us."

Barry turned to look at Daredevil then back to Fury and gulped. "It's all so fuzzy. The last thing I remember – now that I'm out, because I thought everything was real until you woke me up and I still think it was. I Remember it – it was real!" Fury raised an eyebrow and the kid took a second to breathe. "Anyway, the last thing I remember was an ad in the paper. That they needed people to test a new program. And look – I'm Inhuman. I can't get job – it's hard right? It paid well, said there were benefits. And then the next thing I know, Hydra rules the world, and we Inhumans are science experiments!"

"Hydra rules the world?" Daredevil asks in confusion. "Was it like virtual reality?"

Fury frowned. He'd heard of something like this before. "Worse." He leaned back. "How long were you in there?"

"2 weeks? 3? They'd pull me out and do experiments on me and then put me back in. But they made sure I knew what was going on. Had the News running all the time – Hydra this, Hydra that. I mean it was clearly stuff they wanted everyone to know. Who was in charge of what. Some chick name Ophelia Sarkissian is the Mayor – was the Mayor?" He looked up in fear. "She's not the Mayor right?"

"She's not the Mayor," Daredevil assured him.

Fury scrutinized the guy with his one eye. "Pulled you out of where? And Hydra was in charge when you were pulled out?" He needed more clarity. He needed to know exactly what was going on. He needed to know if there was a chance this kid saw Jessica.

"Prison - or something like it." Barry looked overwhelmed and a little confused. "Hydra was always in charge. Mayor Sarkissian came by weekly to look us over. Like we animals in a zoo."

"You're not in prison anymore." Daredevil tried to be reassuring.

Fury asked Barry when he answered the ad. He wanted to know if time worked the same way here as in there. It did. At least now he knew he wasn't dealing with a Narnia situation. He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a picture, the old-fashioned kind on paper. On it was a serious woman, brunette and beautiful with sad eyes and a determined mouth. "Did you see this woman when you were there?"

Barry stared at the picture as recognition flitted across his face. "She was never at the prison. That's the DA – Jessica Murdock. Except – she never looked that sad."

It took all of Matt's self control not to react at the last name. His mind was racing. Why? How? He had to force himself to keep paying attention to the conversation.

"Jessica Murdock," Fury repeated slowly. "The District Attorney." He was finding this very interesting. It was clear this kid didn't have the same set-up as Coulson, Fitz, and the others in SHIELD who had gone into the Framework. They had their biggest regret changed. Coulson had become a teacher instead of an agent. May had chosen not to kill a very dangerous girl, and the world had fallen to Hydra. Fitz had grown up with his dad and became the head of Hydra along with the android chick. Could the same have been done for Jessica? "Do you remember what landed you in prison?"

"I am an Inhuman. It was a crime to be one." Barry looked down and began to twist his shirt in his hands. That wasn't much different than here.

He nodded. "I'm sorry." He put the photo back into his pocket. "Is there anyone you need to get in touch with? Parent? Significant other? Friend?"

"My sister. She's probably worried sick...oh my God..." Barry immediately tried to stand.

Fury held him down with a hand on his shoulder. "Alright. We'll get in touch with her. But first I gotta know, how much does Hydra know about you?" The implication was practically tangible. Could they be putting Barry or his sister in danger by contacting her.

"Everything. You can't hide anything from them."

"I'm sorry to hear that. This might be more complicated." He stood up. "We'll have to do this carefully." He turned to Matt. "See if you can find out if these people have any other buildings that use that much power." He paused. "You think you can do that?" It wasn't an expression of doubt but rather a check of whether Matt was alright after Barry's revelation.

"Yeah." His voice was breathy, low.

Fury looked him over for a moment. It was hard to tell if the man was telling the truth what with Daredevil keeping to the dark. "Okay. I'll meet up with you after I get Barry sorted."

Matt nodded head still reeling as Fury gathered up Barry. Fury eyed him once more. "I won't be long," he said before pushing an increasingly bewildered Barry out the door, his hand already reaching for his phone to get in touch with Maria.

As soon as they were gone, Matt tore the mask off his head. He bent over trying to catch his breath. He didn't understand. Did that mean there was some version of him in there? Or had she taken his place and decided to work for the District Attorney. Was that really her in there? Was she still alive?

He grabbed a coaster from the table and flung it across the room.

Matt sat on the couch to catch his breath. He rubbed his hands over his face and through his hair. He needed to find her. He needed to save her.

His dream flashed through his head. He needed to save her. Otherwise his actions tonight would have been for nothing. That was something he knew he couldn't live with.