Dani's POV
(Nightwing27th)

Mary wasn't kidding. There really was puke EVERYWHERE. After I got Chase camped out in the bathroom, huddled next to the toilet, I then started on Lizzie. Her meds were helping a little but she still wouldn't quiet. It took a good half hour to get her down. And finally there was peace. Well…for us. I don't know what to think about Chase. We started taking shifts watching him.

I plopped down on the couch and then laid my read back. I really hope it wasn't a mistake coming here. A faint banging filled my ears and I sighed. I stood as Mary entered the room. "Who would that be?" she asked.

"Pray it's a drunk guy." She looked at me funny as I walked past her. I headed down the stairs and to the café's door. I opened it and Foggy rushed in. He was frantic, a crazy look in his eye. My heart went up in my throat as I had flashbacks to this morning. "Dani!"

"What's wrong?"

"It's Matt. He and The Punisher fought. Now no one knows where either is. They just vanished," he said. I sighed and cruised myself. I knew I should've gone with him. I'm such an idiot for listening to him. Why did I do that? "Where were you? You're not bleeding, this time."

"It's a long story. Just…check the hospitals, just in case." I grabbed my jacket and slipped it on. "Where's Alison?"

"She went looking for them."

"What?!"

"I know-"

"Why didn't you stop her?"

"Why weren't you with Matt?" he spat back. I glared at him till I felt satisfied. I turned and then left. I drove as fast as I could to my place and then change into the correct apparel. I pinged Alison's phone and then began the trek across town. She was stupid for going alone, I was stupid for listening to Matt, Matt was stupid for even suggesting I leave him, and Foggy…well Foggy's just stupid.

About ten minutes later, I arrived at where she should be. I looked over the edge of the roof. Sure enough, there she was. She was walking down the side walk, dawning my old leather jacket. I knew I shouldn't have given her that thing. Now I've created a monster. We don't need another vigilante. Especially, not Alison.

I jumped across to the next roof and then quickly shimmied down the fire escape. I landed in the alley and then waited for her to walk by. As soon as she did, I snagged her, pulling her into the alley with me. She let out a muffled scream. "Oh, cool your jets," I said, pushing her away from me.

She whipped around, completely frazzled. "What was that for?"

"That was to prove that you're not ready to go looking for a serial killer on your own," I said. "You should've heard me."

"Right," she sighed. "I take it you haven't found them?"

"No."

"Where were you? Why weren't you there?"

"I was with your son…worst mistake of my life," I bobbed on my toes. "His face is currently plastered to a toilet seat, right now. But we- I need to find Matt and The Punisher. You go home." I turned to leave.

"Wait, Dani!"

I turned around and glared. "Does the costume mean nothing to you?"

She rolled her eyes and then continued. "I need to ask you something. Well, I need to tell you something, then ask you."

"Out with it, woman."

"Okay. There's no easy way to say this," she paused, building suspense. I wanted her to just spit it out. "I know the man you attacked you at my place…and I know who The Punisher is." My mouth fell open. I looked at her dumbfounded. What is she talking about? "His name is Frank, he's a regular at Angel's. He wanted me to write a story for him. About what happened to his family."

"Wha-" I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Why am I just now learning about this? You knew the whole time? We could've prevented this whole night from happening."

"I know, I just…I didn't know how to tell you-"

"It's easy! You come up to me and say, 'Hey, Dani, just so you know, the guy that shot you in my apartment is also the same guy killing dozens of people and, oh, yeah, trying to kill your boyfriend'. See how easy that was?"

She crossed her arms, annoyed. "Yes," she said bitterly.

"What happened to his family?"

"I don't know. But they're all dead." She shrugged. "But I need you to do me a favor."

"What?"

"Don't hurt him."

"Oh, my-" I turned around walking a few steps, my hands on my head. I faced her again, dropping my hands. "Are you crazy? 'Don't hurt him'? Alison, do you not know what he's done? He's killed people in the most terrible ways, he shot me, he's got Matt right now as we speak. And you want me to, what? Ask nicely? I don't know who you think he is, but he's not going down without a fight."

"I know. Fine, then don't kill him," she looked at me. Her face said one thing, yet her eyes said another. "Can you at least do that?" I stared back at her. Why am I even debating this? "Please, Dani. He's not right, he needs help."

"He needs to pay for what he's done."

"So you won't kill him?"

I huffed. "No, I won't."

"Thank yo-"

"But," I pointed a finger at her. "If he's hurt Matt, I can't make any promises." She looked like she understood, but she didn't like it. "Go home." I turned and walked away. I heard Alison call from behind me, "Where are you going?"

"Hell," I smiled at her and then took off running down the alley. I jumped from a stack of crates to a dumpster, then leapt up to a ladder. I climbed it to the roof and then continued running. I don't want Alison following so that's why I gave her a vague answer. But it was half right. I tried to trace Matt's cell before I left my place but the phone's either dead or destroyed. I'm betting on the last one.

So I got the location of the last tower it pinged. Which just so happens to be a mile from the Dogs of Hell. Coincidence? I don't think so. They were one of the first places The Punisher hit when he moved to town. I ran as fast as I could, jumping across roof tops. Until, finally, I made it. I stood adjacent to the Dogs of Hell.

Something moved out of the corner of my eye and I ducked. I looked a little closer and saw a man walking on the roof next to mine. I clenched my jaw as anger threatened to take over. That's him. The Punisher. Or Frank, according to Alison. I still can't believe she didn't tell me about him. I sighed and then moved to the corner of the roof.

I slipped out my grappling hook and then launched it at a billboard next to the building. I latched onto it and then I jumped off the edge, swinging just below the billboard. I can up on the other side and landed on the roof. I quickly rolled behind a brick wall and then froze. I stayed still for thirty seconds, making sure he didn't hear me. I peaked around the corner. Nothing.

I sighed and then unlatched the grappling hook. I tucked it away and then pulled out my bow. I left it folded down, for ease of movement. I slowly and quietly made my way closer, taking my time not to reveal myself before I wanted. I got as close as I could and then stopped. I peeked around the brick wall.

Frank was walking around, pacing. Open boxes of ammo were lying around. My eyes flicked to the right and I saw Daredevil. He was on the ground chained to a brick pillar. He looked unconscious, from here. I looked back at Frank. Ugh. I hate calling him that. Makes him sound human. Anyway…'Frank' was dressed in black. He turned to the side and I could see the vest on his chest. What is he up to?

Daredevil started to wake up. He looked around and then raised his right hand. A gun was taped to it. Oh no. This can't be good. There is no way Matt's going to shoot someone. Frank walked in front of him, looking around. ".357, one round in the chamber," he said. I sighed. "Some things, they just…they feel right in your hand, huh? I know what you're thinking, Red. You could put a round in my arm, in my leg, but it's not gonna work cause I'm all geared up. Only way to stop me is with a head shot."

Yeah, right. That's not going to happen. "I'm not gonna shoot you," Daredevil said.

"Nope. Not yet, you're not." He walked out of sight. I heard a door open and then a second later he came back into view. "Time to put a face to all your fancy talk about redemption. Elliot Grote, A.K.A Grotto." Frank drug him across the roof. I sighed, this isn't good. Then he threw him. Grotto bounced and rolled a few times. He finally came to a rest, saying, "I don't wanna die."

"What did you do to him?" Daredevil yelled.

"I caught this piece of trash stealing a car, trying to skip town."

"I was scared," Grotto said. "I'm sorry, I was running for my life."

"Shut up," he hit him.

"Stop it, Frank," Daredevil said. "He doesn't deserve to die just because you caught him stealing cars."

"Is that what you think?"

"It's up to the law, not me and not you!"

"Why don't you tell him a little bit about yourself," Frank said to Grotto.

"You have no right to do this!"

"I'm nothing," Grotto said. "I'm just nobody."

"Oh, yeah? That all?" Frank asked.

"I pour their drinks. I drive their cars."

"You were doing a little more than that a few months ago."

"What are you trying to prove, Frank?" Daredevil asked.

"You're trying to step up." Frank ignored him and punched Grotto. He wanted Grotto to talk, but why?

"No," Grotto said.

"No?"

"Who are you?"

"Lafayette Street, 2nd floor. Why don't you tell him what happened?"

"Please, I'm sorry. Please, please, I'm sorry."

"You tell him now."

"Frank, I'm not gonna shoot you. Frank," Daredevil said as Frank punched Grotto again. I sighed.

"Nothing happened, I'm sorry," Grotto said. Frank pulled out a gun. He cocked it and then put it to his head, "I'm only gonna ask you one more time."

"I didn't know! It was an address! This guy, I didn't even know his name. He…he got wobbly with the wrong people, owed something to somebody, 'cause the order came from on high."

"Yeah? What orders?"

"The sort you can't say no to."

"Say the words!" He grabbed Grotto by the collar and then punched him with the gun. "You say it, do you hear me?" He hit him again.

"You don't understand these animals. You can't back out. You can't…" And again.

"Just shut up! Stop talking Grotto," Daredevil said.

"You say it," Frank punched him again, letting him fall to the ground. He walked up to him and put his boot on his throat. "I won't ask again." He pointed the gun at his head. "Say the words!"

"I did it, I killed him!" Grotto said. I sighed and dropped my head. "I killed him. I put two in his head."

"No," Daredevil said. I looked back up.

Frank stomped on his stomach. I heard something crack as Grotto screamed. "I didn't know…I didn't know the old lady was in the house."

"What old lady? What did you do?"

"I didn't know she was in the house. She wasn't supposed to be in the house. She started screaming. I begged her to stop," Grotto said. I looked from Daredevil to Frank. His eyes were locked onto Daredevil. He almost looked satisfied. Oh…if only Alison knew exactly what it was she wanted me to save.

"What did you do?"

"She saw my face. I had no choice."

Daredevil bowed his head. I know that's not what he wanted to hear. Frank walked away from Grotto, staring at Daredevil. "Old lady left a husband. Dead man, wife and kids." Daredevil raised the gun and pointed it at Frank. He only held it for a few seconds before dropping it, defeated.

"You gotta understand me," Grotto said. "I had to do it." Frank looked at Daredevil, then Grotto and back again. "You still think this trash is worth saving?"

Daredevil looked up at Frank. "I am not gonna shoot him."

Frank paused a minute. "Yeah, okay." I've had enough. I stepped out and took a few steps closer before stopping. Frank had his gun on me in a second. "Well, well. If it isn't the other vigilante," he said. Daredevil looked at me, almost shocked. Either that he didn't know I was here or that I found him to begin with. "I've met the Devil so many times, I was starting to wonder when I'd run into his Angel."

"Funny," I said. "But we've met before." He looked puzzled, trying to recall the moment I was talking about. "What is it you want with the Fletchers? It can't just be to tell the world about your dead family." He looked angered at that last part. "I've been listening for the last few minutes. You and I are more alike than you think."

"Oh, and how's that?"

"We both lost someone we cared about in a tragic and horrible way. A way that will never ever leave us. And while you're hoping one day it will…a part of you is begging it not too. Because once it's gone, so are they." He slightly lowered his gun, looking confused and sympathetic at the same time. "They were killed right in front of you. Leaving behind the worst last memory anyone could ask for. And you…" my train of thought was momentarily derailed. I exhaled and got it back on track. "You saw it coming and yet you were still powerless to stop it."

He stared at me sincerely. Then something flashed across his eyes and he brought the gun back up. "Just because you looked into my past doesn't mean anything."

"Yeah, but I didn't. I only know your first name, and even that I only found out on the way over here," I said. "No. I know that because, what I'm seeing in your eyes, right now…it's the same look I see every day when I look in the mirror." His eyes softened but the gun stayed level. Grotto lay on the floor feet away, confused. Daredevil sat a few feet to my right, looking borderline dumbfounded. I've never told anyone that. I have no idea why I told him.

"Let me guess," I said, "these mobs and cartels you've been taking out...people think you're killing because you can, because you're a sick person. But I think I understand, now. Who you kill…it's not revenge. It's not justice. It's punishment. The punishment you feel they deserve for killing your family."

I knew I'd hit the nail on the head. He looked shocked. But he also looked saddened. Like at any moment he might cry. Now I know why he took the dog. His eyes and face hardened. His grip tightened on the gun. "That's cute," he said. "Try and change the subject all you want," he pointed the gun at Grotto, "but he's still dying, tonight."

"And if he does, so will you," I said. His head snapped back in my direction. "I don't know what you said," I shook my head, flicked my wrist and expanded my bow, "but you've got quite the fangirl at the café."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. She found me tonight, begged me not to hurt you." He looked shocked and intrigued. "I told her it deepened on what you did to him," I pointed at Daredevil. "So then she made me promise not to kill you. You see, you're not the only one whose killed people because that's what your orders were. A few I had to kill…but there are a few I'm sure I didn't. Anyway…she knows I can be unpredictable sometimes."

"Who are you?" he asked skeptically. I pulled an arrow out of my quiver and casually put it in to place.

"I'm the Angel of Hell's Kitchen, you Neanderthal."

He thought for a minute. And then it clicked. He looked madder than I've ever seen. "You!" he spat. He walked over to Grotto and drug him up to his feet, then putting the gun to his head. "The babysitter, huh?"

"Hey, everyone's got a day job."

"The last time we met, you put an arrow in my chest!"

"And you put a bullet in mine!" I said. "Bygones?" He threw Grotto to the side, charging at me. He pointed the gun at me and fired continuously. I ducked and rolled to the side. I came up on one knee and aimed. I pulled back the string and released it in the blink of an eye. He pulled the trigger as I did. My arrow hit him in the left shoulder, on his vest. His bullet skimmed my left arm. It didn't go too far in, barely a scratch, but the force of the bullet slammed me into the ground.

I sighed and pushed off the ground. I got to my feet as Frank was pulling out the arrow. A string of blood hit the floor. "Yeah," I said. "Next time…make sure your gear's arrow proof." I ran up to him and planned on planting my feet in his chest and then back flipping off. I got my feet in his chest, but he grabbed my ankles.

I changed the move and let gravity pull us down. He slammed into the ground as I rolled forward. I quickly moved, wrapping my legs around his neck. I started squeezing. He pulled a gun out of his belt and brought it up. I smacked it out of his hands as he pulled the trigger.

He then grabbed me and began to sit up. He forced himself backwards, slamming me into the ground. I instinctively let go. I rolled onto my back as he got on top of me, pinning me down. His hands pressed my wrists hard into the ground. We were both out of breath. He hovered above me, staring. He was enjoying this way too much.

I flung my head forward and slammed it into his face. Then I pulled my knees up into my chest and pushed him off of me, over my head. He slammed into the brick wall behind me. I quickly stood as he pulled out another gun. How many does this guy have on him?

I ran forward. He pulled the trigger and I dodged to the side. I recovered and then proceeded to take the gun from him. Once I had it, I smacked him across the face with it. He was still awake, unfortunately. I groaned, my shoulder aching. I put the gun in my right hand and then pointed it at him. I panted. "Happy now?"

His eyes were daggers, staring at me. In the blink of an eye he tackled me. I pulled the trigger, hitting his vest. We rolled a few feet before coming to a rest. He was on top of me again, this time straddling my torso. Somehow he'd gotten the gun. He pointed it at my face. The barrel hovered two inches from my skin.

He looked proud of himself. Like he'd just won. Only then were the rest of my surroundings coming into focus. I heard Daredevil pulling violently at the chains. "This is it, Red," he puffed. Out of breath his voice was still sure of itself. I heard the chains stop. We were only about four feet away from him.

"Shoot me," Frank said, pressing the barrel of the gun into my mask, "or I blow her head off."

"No," Daredevil said. I glanced over at him. He was clearly freaking out. Will he actually do it? If he kills Frank, he'd never be able to live with himself. If he didn't and I died, he'd never be able to live with himself. Two different options with the same outcomes. But in one of them, I'm still alive.

"I'm losing patience, Red."

"Don't you dare shoot her."

"Take the shot."

"Go to Hell."

"Too late." He put his free hand on my throat and squeezed. "I'm gonna count down. Five…" I sighed and closed my eyes. I tried to steady my breathing and stop shaking. "Four…" I could hear Daredevil protesting. "Three… Take the shot, Red. Take the shot!"

"No."

"You don't do it, her death's on you. Either way, you're a killer. Two…"

"What kind of choice is that?"

"The kind of choice I make every time I pull the trigger," he said. I opened my eyes and looked in his. "The kind I'm gonna make right now." He truly looked at me. "Bang." I simultaneously pushed the gun away from my face, to the right, while turning my head in the other direction. I figured I'm dead anyway. Might as well try it. Just as I was performing the move, he pulled the trigger. At the last second, I gasped and held my breath.

I then twisted my upper torso to the left, spring loading it. As the bullet struck the ground, taking the hearing in my right ear with it, I brought my right elbow back with as much force as I had. It crashed into the side of his head and he went limp. For a minute I didn't breathe, didn't move. Did that actually work? HA!

"Angel," Daredevil's voice echoed through the ringing. I gasped, taking a breath and then heaved the Neanderthal off of me. He flipped to the side. I reached over and grabbed the gun from him. "I'm okay," I coughed. I heard Daredevil sigh with relief as I stood. I pointed the gun at the chains holding him, just behind him. I pulled the trigger and the chains broke.

He started shaking off the chains as I quickly got down with him. I let out a shaky breath. He brought up his left hand and put it on the side of my face, as I pressed my forehead against his. "I'm sorry," he said, choking up. "I couldn't do it."

"No," I shook my head and cupped his face. "It's okay. I didn't want you to." His lip quivered as I felt mine wanting to do the same. I quickly pressed my lips against his. That was one of the scariest things I can imagine someone going through. I would've understood had he pulled the trigger. But, in a way, I'm glad he didn't.

"Should've known you two were lovers." I startled and looked for the owner of the voice. Frank stood at the edge of the roof, a rifle pointing down at the street. How did he get over there? And, now what is he doing? I suddenly had a light bulb moment and remembered Grotto. I looked around and found him lying on the ground about ten feet away.

Daredevil looked angry, staring at Frank. Alright. Round three. He stood, a gun tapped to one hand and about ten feet of chain stuck to the other. He walked up behind Frank, using the chain as a whip. Frank pulled the trigger as the chain wrapped around his neck. Daredevil pulled back on it, causing Frank to slam back on the ground.

I turned away from the ensuing fight and went to Grotto. I crouched down next to him and rolled him over. He had a gunshot wound in his chest. Must've been a stray from when Frank and I were fighting. I sighed and then stood. He's dead. Had I stepped in sooner…oh, who knows. Frank could've killed him at any time. But he was heck bent on making Daredevil a murderer.

Wait. So then why'd he want me dead? Why was Frank going to kill me if he knew I was one of the good guys? Or does he? Oh, no. I told him that I've killed people that probably didn't deserve it. I incriminated myself. Now he thinks I'm the bad guy. Daredevil hit the floor and I snapped out of it. Frank walked back over to the edge with his gun, leaving Daredevil reeling on the ground.

I found my bow and picked it up. I don't even remember loosing it. Frank stepped on something, turning on a spot light pointed at the ground. What is he doing? He then raised his gun. I readied an arrow as I walked a little wide, to get a better angle.

"One batch, two batch," I heard him whisper as he aimed. "Penny and dime." I released my arrow, shooting the gun out of his hands and over the edge. It's not like he doesn't have another. Daredevil was standing now. He swung the chain and wrapped it around Frank's neck. He pulled him in closer and then held him there, strangling him.

"You're done now, Red," he choked out. "They're coming for you. Only way you get out of this, is if you grow wings." Daredevil slammed Frank's head against the wall, knocking him out. I sighed with relief. He's finally quiet. Gosh! The man doesn't shut up. I glanced over the edge of the roof. All the motorcycles outside the Dogs of Hell, were baked until golden brown. Great. So that's who's after us. An angry motorcycle gang.

"We need to go," I said. "There's still a bullet in that gun." Daredevil pointed the gun taped to his hand off in the distance, pulling the trigger. He nodded and then hefted Frank over his shoulder. "Of course," I sighed. "Can't just this once we not do the right thing?" He ignored me and hurried toward the door. You know, it's stuff like that that probably make Frank think I'm a bad guy. He needs to look up the definition. He'd find his face next to it in the dictionary. I sighed and quickly followed. We walked down two flights and then came out in a hall way on the top floor. I followed Daredevil, turning right.

He walked up to an elevator and pressed the button. This thing looked a million years old. Nothing happened. I stepped forward and just started pressing it repeatedly. I could hear the bikers getting closer. The doors finally opened and we stepped in. Daredevil dropped Frank and then the doors began to close. The bikers rushed down the hall toward us, as an old man stepped out of his apartment. Daredevil forced the doors back open and then stepped out. I followed, reloading.

One of the men pointed a gun at us. Daredevil smacked it out of his hands with the chain and then grabbed his collar. He forced him to walk toward the others, while putting the gun to the back of his head. "Drop the gun," he said. "Drop it!" I raised my bow pulling back the string, walking next to Daredevil. The men started backing up as we got closer. "You okay, Sir?" he asked the old man.

"Yeah," he said, frightened by what was happening.

"I suggest getting back inside and locking the door," I told him, my eyes not leaving the men. I heard the apartment door close and assumed the man had listened to what I said. There were four guys total, including the one Daredevil had at gunpoint. Which is kind of ironic. I heard a crash and then the lights went out. I stepped forward, shooting the guy closest to me. I ran and kicked off the wall. I came down on top of another guy, my bow hitting his face, first. I came to a rest on top of him in a crouching position.

The fourth guy came at me, raising his bat over his head. Just as he brought it down on me, Daredevil's hand reached over and stopped it, inches from my face. He pushed the guy away from me, punching him in the face. I heard something to my right and turned that way. One of the guys on the ground was going for a gun. I quickly loaded, aimed, and fired an arrow. It crashed into the guy's shoulder blade, pushing his arm forward. As it did, he pulled the trigger, shooting the guy next to him.

I looked at Daredevil. From what I could see, he was punching the guy into oblivion. "Come, on." I stood, walking toward him. "We don't have time for that." I grabbed the back of his collar and pulled him up off the guy as I walked past. He shook my hand off as I chuckled. At the end of the hall stood a door, with who knows how many of these nincompoops behind it. I pulled an arrow out of my quiver as we got within ten feet of the door. Daredevil whipped the chain in the air, knocking out another light.

I slid my arrow into place. "Would you stop that!" The door opened and a guy ran at us with a crowbar. Daredevil kicked him as I shot the next guy who stepped through the door. Something hard hit me in the back and I cringed. I whipped around, bringing up my bow to stop the next hit. Some guy was hitting me with a very large wrench. The sound of it hitting my bow echoed off the walls.

I kicked him in the knee, hearing a crack, as the next guy stepped up. This one had a piece of a pipe. What is the matter with these people? Have they not heard of proper weapons? I swung my bow like a club, smacking him in the side of the head. He slumped to the ground as the other guy tried to stand. Someone wrapped their arms around my neck from behind.

I kicked the guy on the ground in the chin, and then floored it backwards. We slammed into a wall, causing him to loosen his grip. I twisted, bringing my elbow into his side. I then fully faced him. I punched him with the fist holding my bow. He slid to the ground. My chest heaved as I looked around. Daredevil was just wrapping things up with his guy. I turned and walked toward the door.

A few idiots tried to stand, and I wacked them with my bow. Like a life size Wack-A-Mole. Except, this edition would be called Wack-An-Idiot. I sighed, inwardly laughing at myself. I got to the end of the hall and then leaned against the wall next to the door. Is it wrong to say I'm having fun?

Daredevil walked past me and through the door. He pushed it hard, and I heard it hit someone behind it. I hissed, in a mock sympathetic way. I pushed off the wall and went through the door. It leads to a staircase. I walked to the banister and looked down. Wow. A staircase full of angry bikers. Lovely.

Daredevil was already working on his third guy. And there's plenty more where that came from. I walked down a step and then launched myself over the banister. I landed two flights down, punching someone as my feet hit the steps. I had one guy beneath me, another to my right heading up, and one to my left. The one to my left swung. I brought up my left arm and blocked it, stepping forward and jamming my bow into his face twice. Three more guys appeared behind him.

I quickly dropped my bow, grabbed the banister and the wall, then lifted myself off the ground. I planted my feet in his chest, sending him back into the other guys. A guy behind me hit me in the side with something hard. I chocked on a scream, my heel slipping off the edge of the step. The guy hit me once more as I feel. I hit the ground, landing on my bow. He hit me again on my right shoulder as I reached for one of my knives. I slipped it out of hiding and then threw it at the guy as he prepared for another hit.

It stabbed him in the shoulder. He grabbed for it, dropping the crowbar in his hands. I pulled myself to my feet with the banister. Still holding on to it, I planted my right foot into a guy's neck. He gagged and fell backwards down the steps. I cringed. I think that idiot broke something. Speaking of which…the guy was on his knees, coming at me with the knife. I rolled my eyes. I grabbed his right wrist, pulling it off to the side. Then I punched him a few times. I slipped the knife out of his hand as he fell.

I glanced up at Daredevil. He was closer now, dealing with some guy. A door just past him opened and a guy came out. Weird. I didn't notice that before. Oh well. I grabbed my bow. The sight was broken, but I didn't really use it anyway. I pulled it off and tossed it as the next gut came up the stairs. You've got to be kidding me. The guy had a machete. I loaded an arrow and then shot it out of his hands. I ran and jumped on him, clinging to his upper torso. We flew down the remaining steps.

He was knocked out on impact. I rolled and threw my knife at the next guy, then shot him with an arrow. Someone pulled me to my feet and slammed me into the wall. The guy started punching me. I dug my foot into the banister for some leverage. His hand locked around my throat as I started punching back. He then picked me up by my throat and swung me over the banister. I landed on my back with a crack on the next flight of stairs, two guys to cushion my fall. I coughed and then moaned.

That was nuts. I groaned and rolled over onto my stomach. I broke a couple ribs, that's for sure. Probably finished off what that one guy started .I pushed up to my hands and knees, when another hand grabbed me. I jabbed my elbow back, missing, as I turned to see my attacker. "Easy," Daredevil said. I sighed with relief. He handed me my bow. "Are you okay?" He breathed heavily, just as exhausted as I was. Blood ran from a few places on his face.

"For now," I nodded. "Go." He walked the few remaining steps. I glanced up the stairs, at the mass of moaning bodies. Ugh. Like the staircase from Hell. I turned and followed. We walked through the door, leaving the stairwell. I will never look at stairs the same way again. Daredevil slipped something metal into the door latch. Locking it. I held my bow in one hand and wrapped the other around my waist. I hissed.

I kept walking so the Daredevil couldn't stop me. All I want to do is get out of here. And, I'm sure, more are coming. We walked about twenty feet and then to other set of stair. This one was small, only two flights. We walked down the first and then stopped on the landing. Three guys stood in the middle of the room. I sighed. "Really?"

Daredevil walked down the stairs, preparing to use the chain in his hand. He jumped on the first guy, jamming his gun into the top of his head. I bit down on my lip as I reached behind me for an arrow. I walked down the steps and aimed. Daredevil rolled across the ground, knocking over the second guy. I aimed left and shot the third. I walked closer as a fourth guy stepped out in front of me.

It took a couple steps back. This guy was huge. He was at least twice the size of Daredevil. I practically growled as he swung his fist at me. I quickly put the bow in my right hand, grabbing onto it's lower limb. I thrust I forward and up between his legs. It barely fazed him, and didn't stop the fist from slamming me into the wall. He punched again and I ducked, dropping my bow. I came up and started punching him. I must've hit him five times. He barely moved. What's this man made of, steel?

He grabbed me with both hands and pulled me into him, head butting me. So a second I felt light headed. I tried to shake it off as I became air born. I slammed into someone and we tumbled to the floor. I groaned as I saw the guy I hit was Daredevil. He didn't look too good. I didn't feel too good. I rolled off of him and onto my back, as the guy was on top of me. He grabbed me again and left me a foot off the ground before pushing me back into it. I hit with a loud thud, taking all the air out of my lungs.

Daredevil stood and tried to tackle the guy. I closed my eyes and coughed. I rolled onto my stomach, struggling to get to my knees. My whole body hurt. It ached in some many places… A drop of blood it the ground. I looked down and saw the blood from my shoulder bleeding through my suit. I took a few deep breaths and then spit out a wad of blood. I pushed it out of my mind and got to my feet.

I wobbled a sec and then started walking. Daredevil was pinned. Someone was holding him while the other hit him. I pulled out two knives, holding one in each hand. I walked up behind the guy and drove my knives his back. He screamed and recoiled. He began to fall as I yanked out my knives. Daredevil had gotten the other guy off of him.

I dropped the knives. I spun and kicked the guy, knocking him out. I continued to spin, not putting in the effort to catch myself. I let gravity take its course and run me into the ground. I just laid there a second and tried to catch my breath. I coughed a few more times, and then rolled over. Daredevil was leaning into the wall, hands on his knees. He straightened, gasping for more air than I was. He walked up to me and reached down the hand with the chain.

Alison's POV
(bellamysgirl)

I cut the engine to my car as soon as I'd pulled up along the sidewalk. Dani told me to go home. But there's no way I'm staying out of this. I practically dove from my car and ran up the sidewalk to the entrance to the building I knew Dani and Matt were at. Dani's not the only one who knows how to track a cell phone.

Motorcycles and hunks of metal were burning in the street. What happened here? I chose to ignore my curiosity and hurry inside. As soon as I walked in, I saw Dani and Matt. Both were in costume, heaving for a breath, with blood coming from various places.

"Are you guys okay?" I asked, quickly, skidding to a stop just inside the open door. They shared a look, and then both looked at me. Dani spoke up first. "What…are you doing here?" she asked, panting. I looked around at the bodies of passed out bikers strewn about the floor. "Uh…helping?" I said, a bit unsure. I looked back up at Dani.

She sighed. "Well, you're a little late for that."

"I can see that. Where's The Punisher?" I asked, looking around again. I didn't see him passed out along with the bikers. So where was he? Did he get away? Part of me hoped for that, and the rest of me begged them to tell me he didn't. Matt shook his head once. "He, uh…he got away," he said, exhaling. "He was in the elevator. But he's gone." I nodded, thinking. Maybe this is a good thing?

What am I saying? I inwardly slapped myself. This was not a good thing—this was very far from a good thing. The guy is crazy and he either belongs in prison or a mental institution. Maybe even both. "It's back to square one," Dani groaned.

Matt's voice caught my attention. "Alison, you should know…Grotto's dead." I was stuck a moment, unable to really feel the weight of what he was saying. Then it hit me. My lungs felt constricted and my throat suddenly felt too dry. I swallowed. "Did…did, um, the Punisher-?"

"He shot Grotto," Dani answered, looking at me pointedly. My shoulders dropped. The disappointment was almost as bone-crushing as the guilt. Grotto died because he agreed to do that stupid set up with the DA, something I pushed him to do. I all but promised that he would survive. Well, he survived the meet. Just not what came after.

I nodded a little, trying to keep my chin up, like it didn't bother me. "Let's call it a night, yeah? See what we can do as civilians in the morning," Matt suggested.

"Good idea," Dani rubbed her shoulder, wincing. "I'm ripped in places I didn't know I had." Then, to me, she glared, "But we are going to talk."

"Got it, boss," I gave a mock salute, which only made her glare harder.

"Cops will be all over this place. We should go," Matt said, turning to us. He seemed to have been tuning out the lot of what we were saying. It made me wonder briefly it he should even be out in the field yet. Probably not. But he's Matt Murdock. He'll do whatever it takes to save lives even if it kills him. On one hand, it's really misguided. But, on the other, it's something to look up to.

Dani nodded. "Agreed," she pointed at me. "Go straight home, got it? And take off the jacket, will you? You're not a vigilante, Fletcher."

"No…but I wanna help my friends. There's a difference." I smiled dryly, closed-mouthed, and Dani sighed, shaking her head. She mumbled something I couldn't quite make out as she followed Matt up the stairs. I guess they were going to take the stairs and get home by way of rooftop. Lovely. I sighed and started back out of the building for my car.

I felt a bit deflated from the events of late finally ending. And saddened, and guilty, and stupid, and a thousand other things. A small portion of me felt relieved that it was over. No more roller coaster of emotions. I was just stuck with one. I lazily pulled open the driver's side door to my car and slid in behind the wheel, shutting the door behind me. I sat there a minute, thinking. If I had been against the meet, would Grotto still be here?

Probably not. Frank would've gotten to him sooner or later—even in witness protection. So why do I feel bad about it? Because he trusted you, and you wanted him to get out of Hell's Kitchen, get his second chance. But he didn't, did he? I inhaled and stuck my key in the ignition. "Hey-" My whole body launched forward an inch as I whirled in my seat, letting out a squeak of a shriek. Speak of the devil.

Frank sat in my back seat, a little more draped over the cushion than a normal sitting position, on the passenger side. I stared at him with wide eyes, my chest heaving to keep up with my rabbit heart beat. "What…are you doing…in my car?" I asked, my voice rising with every syllable.

"I need your help." He adjusted his position, and only then did I notice the red. It was slowly streaming down his right arm. Great. I quickly looked around. I didn't see anyone I knew—or anyone in general, for that matter. This is ridiculous. I glared at him a moment and he remained silent, staring back. I groaned, turning to face the wheel. I stuck the key back into the ignition and started the car. "You're crazy, you know that, right?"