Chapter 10

Viper looked at the results of her Spider's work up, more than a little perplexed, though one would never know it looking at her. While Jessica might be knocked up in the framework, she most certainly was NOT in the physical world. She had even had the work up done twice more just to be sure there were no false negatives.

They had begun the re-indoctrination process with Jessica already. Viper was treading carefully, but so far everything was going smoothly. Jessica was a good little Hydra citizen and was going deeper each day. Unfortunately, seducing her Spider's loyalty not only to Hydra but to Viper alone was proving to be a far more slow and arduous process. Her Spider was certainly attracted to her – there was no question by the way she would blush or how her pupils would dilate if Viper made a subtle pass at her. But her loyalty to Matthew Murdock was unwavering and she would get this besotted look every time he was brought up. A flare of possessiveness rose up within her, and she curled the medical results into a ball of crumpled paper. The fool girl was in love with the man, and she had taught her Spider better than that. To love only Hydra and Viper.

Of course Viper could chalk all that was displayed in the framework to wishful thinking. It could be that they were just fuck buddies getting their jollies when they could. Viper didn't think it was that though. No. There was something more going on here-

A cough caught her attention, and she looked up to see one of her agents standing just inside the door. Clearly this agent wasn't stupid. "Close the door please." Her voice was a soothing purr. She did not like being interrupted this way. The agent gulped and did as he was told. "And come closer." Again, the agent complied, and clearly he was terrified. Good. "Report."

He cleared his throat as he looked down at the three folders in his hand. "Would you like to hear about the Essex building or Matt Murdock first?" His heartbeat rose as she looked at him as though he should know. He dropped his eyes and made a choice. He opened the top folder. "Of the dozen subjects within the framework at the Essex Street location, 11 are deceased and 1 is missing. Barry Anderson." He handed over Barry's file. "Inhuman with the power to create fog. There was a report of fog in the building, so we believe him to be alive."

He consulted his notes again. "Barry has a sister. She is under surveillance as we speak. Best we can tell, it was a small elite crew who broke him out. The family doesn't have the money to hire that kind of team. And since none of the bodies were taken, it's doubtful any of their families hired them. Could be mercenaries or techno pirates. Whoever it was took out the security cameras and tried to hack into the Framework. Our IT guys assure us they weren't able to get much." He paused again partly expecting an outburst and partly to put off the next piece of information. "Some of the security guards think it was the Daredevil. If it was, this is the first time I've heard of him working outside of Hell's Kitchen." He stopped to let her ask questions before changing topics.

"Daredevil?" Her eyebrow rose. That was interesting. Why would Daredevil interest himself with Hydra. Usually he went after smaller fish as her agent so helpfully pointed out. A thought occurred to her. "Did you not report months ago he was seen with the Spider?"

"I believe so." He flipped some pages in the folder. "He was. He was spotted with Spider-Woman during a few altercations that arose when she was working to bring in Luis Santiago, a resident of San Francisco who was arrested in New York City and then jumped bail. Huh. Matt Murdock was Mr. Santiago's lawyer."

"Is that so?" How very, very interesting. "Continue."

He switched folders. "Matthew Michael Murdock is an attorney in Manhattan. Mother left when he was a baby. Father was Jonathan Murdock. He was a Heavyweight boxer known as Battling Jack Murdock. He was shot after winning a fight he was supposed to throw. A couple of years before that happened, Matthew lost his sight when he saved a pedestrian from getting hit by a truck." He handed over a newspaper clipping with the story. "The truck was carrying radioactive material that got into the kid's eyes."

This was information Madam Hydra already knew. "Everyone knows that. I hope you have something far more interesting for me on this lawyer." Other than the possibility that he was fucking what was hers.

Inwardly freaking out, he hoped it didn't show. He started talking faster. "He recently dissolved his partnership with his college roommate Franklin Nelson. Mr. Nelson went to work for a prestigious law firm. Mr. Murdock now works out of his apartment. His was one of the places targeted when we were trying to capture Spider-Woman. She showed up there but got away before she could be apprehended. Mr. Murdock disappeared for a couple of days after that, but he's back." He looks through his notes. "Oh, uh," he's nervous about this one, "while he was working on the Santiago case, Spider-Woman was basically living in his apartment." He said it quickly and in a softer voice, obviously hoping he'd be allowed to leave before she blew up.

Viper's nostrils flared at that. No possibility. He was definitely fucking her. This Matthew Murdock had some something to win her Spider to him. The other information was worth knowing and interesting. She looked at her agent. "Files on the desk." The agent gulped and did as he was told but didn't retreat. Madam Hydra regarded him for several moments and took note of the beads of sweat on his brow. "You're too nervous. I can't do with nervous agents."

She pressed a button at her desk and three more agents entered her office. She pointed to the agent who gave the report. "He needs more training. Use more pain. And if he's shaking in his boots the next time he reports it'll be all of you." The agents nodded and saluted, then two escorted the first out.

She looked at her remaining agent. "I want all the dirt you can come up with on why Murdock would dissolve his firm with such a long time friend. And anything questionable and career ruining you can dig up on Murdock. But don't do anything with the information until you report to me, understood?"

"Understood," she said then decided to take the initiative. "The firm was dissolved after the Frank Castle case. Rumor has it Murdock is an alcoholic and left Nelson to do all the work. Nelson dissolved the firm after he got a better offer from Hogarth, Benowitz and Chao. Nelson's girlfriend also works there. I will verify the rumor and return with a more definite explanation." She wanted Viper to know that she was ambitious and willing to put in the work to rise in the organization.

Now that was interesting. Viper took a moment to make note of this particular agent. She liked those who took initiative. "Do so. I need the info by this evening." The Agent turned to leave before Viper added one last command. "Make sure security on the Framework is doubled down. The fact that they even got so much as a letter is unacceptable." With that, she waved the agent off and opened the files. She had a feeling it was time to pay a certain lawyer a visit.

Matt had been having a hard time concentrating ever since he heard the words Jessica Murdock. Different scenarios kept playing out in his head. They had married. They were related. She had taken his life, and maybe he had taken hers. He wondered if she were happy or if they were doing experiments on her like they had with Barry.

He needed to find her. He needed answers even if he was a little afraid of what they might be.

He actually managed not to think about it too much during the bail hearing he was just at. He figured that was progress.

His client couldn't afford bail. It's why the guy was stealing. His mom had gotten sick, and the medical bills had wiped out everything they had. The guy had robbed a liquor store to get money to buy her medicine. It was sad, but Matt hoped he'd be able to get him a good deal.

As he walked down the hall toward the lobby, the Hydra agent who had been waiting for him spotted him and smiled. She'd prove just how good she was to Madame Hydra. And soon she'd be rising up through the ranks. All she needed to do was manipulate one blind lawyer and maybe his former friend.

Viper slid in through the rooftop exit, the lock on the door was a joke to pick. Murdock needed to work on his security. She made her way down the stairs and peeked in to see the sleeping form of the lawyer. Good. He couldn't have been asleep for more than an hour or so. She had been starting to think the man never slept.

She made her way over to his refrigerator and peaked in, not even trying to be quiet. Viper sighed at the lawyer's taste in beer. He liked that German piss. Her agent had been right. He was definitely not an alcoholic. She reached in and grabbed a bottle just as she heard Matt make his way towards her. She popped the lid off with a finger as she spun around to face him. "You're taste in beer is atrocious." Her imitation of Jessica, British accent and all, was spot on.

Matt's hands clenched at his sides. It didn't help that he was standing there in only his boxer shorts. "Who are you? What are you doing in my apartment?" His voice was gruff with sleep and anger.

Viper didn't answer immediately and instead walked a circle around him, her heels clicking with each step. She appraised the man, and she had to give her Spider credit. He was attractive. She paused in front of him. "Oh, I just wanted to pay a visit to New York's greatest lawyer, Matthew Murdock." Her tone was mocking as she dropped the accent and took a swig of her beer.

The woman from the courthouse. Only this was not the same woman. Guess he was right to be paranoid. The hairs on the back of his neck were on end. He could feel the tightness in his muscles, ready to strike if needed. That was something she might notice. He took a breath to calm himself. He forced his shoulders to relax. He listened. Whoever this was, she was alone. She didn't see him as a threat. That gave him a potential advantage. But he needed information. "Did Fisk send you?"

She laughed with a haughty amusement and took a seat on his couch, legs crossed. "Oh darling, no one sends me anywhere. You got lucky with Fisk. The Castle trial just proved to the world how truly inept you are." Viper took another swig of beer. She noted the way his muscles twitched. The movement made her notice the scars that were scattered over his torso. Why would a lawyer have such interesting scars? She knew enough to know those weren't surgical. "No, I wanted to see what she saw in you. Why she would fuck someone who is as spectacular a failure as you."

His jaw was clenched, but he tried to keep his voice casual. "I suppose that depends on the girl. Which one are we talking about?"

"Certainly not Elektra. Tell me, did those scars come from dating her?" Viper questioned, her head tilting exactly how Jess' would. "And definitely not Karen Page. She hasn't done anything interesting at all. No potential there." She took her legs off the table and leaned forward, arms resting on her knees. "You know exactly who I am talking about, Matthew."

"For someone who thinks me a huge failure, you sure are interested in my love life." He lifted his head ever so slightly to listen to her heartbeat. "Jealous?"

"Curious." Viper leaned back. "You dated the likes of Elektra, I can see why Jessica would be of interest to you. But why would you be of interest to either? Hmm?" Some things started to click in Viper's head. "So, are you aware that your darling Jessica has powers?"

"You mean like persuasion?" He turned around and went back into his bedroom. "Jessica Drew is a bounty hunter and a good one at that." He returned wearing a shirt and holding his cell phone. "But I haven't heard from her in a while. Do you happen to know where she is?"

"She's where she belongs of course." Viper took a last swig of beer and allowed a sly smile when he came back wearing a shirt.

"Which is where exactly?"

"Hydra." Viper stood and swayed closer to Matt. She reached out and slid a finger down his chest. "Her home."

He pushed her hand away in disgust. He did not want her touching him. "Hydra isn't a home. It's a Nazi cult. Jess' home is in California. You don't know her if you think she'd ever be a Nazi."

"Oh, but I do know our little Spider very well. She went away and tried to play hero, but she realized her mistake and returned home to us. We're the ones who know her best. Understand what she can do and accept her for it." She reached out again to finger the sleeve of Matt's shirt. "She's where she belongs now."

He moved his arm to get her hand away. The woman was tactile. Somehow that creeped him out even more, the thought of her touching Jess. "Jess never talked about her past, but I knew it was something that hurt her, something she'd never willingly go back to. Which means if she's with you, you took her."

Viper snorted with contempt. "I didn't take her." Which was true. She gave the order and someone else did. "You don't know her at all. Well at least not her mind. She always returns to us eventually." She was unperturbed by Matt moving away from her. She just stepped a little more into his space. "Her body though...Well. She can make any man feel however she wants them to. I'm sure you're no stranger to that." She leaned in as if sharing a secret. "I taught her everything she knows."

Matt turned his head away in disgust and not just by the scent of the sushi she had for dinner or her godawful perfume. "Meaning you raped her. You're sick, lady."

"I did no such thing. She came to me willingly – she had to learn control of her powers after all. And who better to teach her than another woman? Men couldn't think straight when they were around her. I showed her how to use that to her advantage. And so what if I got a little pleasure out of it? You can't say you didn't do the same when you met her." She slid her hand down Matt's arm holding his phone again, this time taking a hold of his wrist. "All men do. The Spider is irresistible."

His free hand snatched hold of the wrist holding his. His grip was firm, almost painful. "Where is she?" he demanded. "What have you done with her?"

His grip hurt - it would most certainly leave a bruise -but Viper wouldn't let him know that. Interesting that the Lawyer had such a strong grip. "You must work out." She replied mildly. "She's safe. You shouldn't worry – the things you feel for her aren't real. She made you feel that way on purpose. It's what she does." She reached with her free hand and snatched his phone, then twisted herself out of his grip and stepped out of reach with a grace similar to Jessica's.

"Siri, call 9-1-1."

"Calling 9-1-1."

Viper powered down the phone before it could connect. "Nice try darling, but no one will help you now." She sent the phone skittering across the apartment. "Now before I go, if you happen to see Daredevil, since you happen to live in his neck of the woods so to speak, tell him to stop looking for our Spider. She's better off with Hydra and without you." Viper reached into a belt pouch and produced a handful of powder. It wouldn't kill him – she didn't want that. Not yet. "For now, you should go back to sleep." She blew the powder into Matt's face then turned on her heel and left.

He turned his face away and coughed, but it was too late. He already felt woozy. He was unconscious before he hit the ground.

Matt woke up on the floor, head pounding and mouth dry. There was a small puddle of drool where his mouth was. He sat up slowly and wiped his lips.

That wasn't the worst part.

The worst part was remembering what happened before he was knocked out. That woman, what she said, what she implied.

He crawled over to his phone and turned it on. "Siri, call Snakes on a Plane." His voice sounded more like a croak than an actual human voice. As the line rang, he placed his palm against one of his eyes and applied pressure hoping it would help his head stop aching.

The phone rang several times before Fury answered. "What happened?" His voice was clipped as if annoyed that he was being interrupted.

Matt matched his annoyance. "Someone broke into my apartment. A woman." Just the memory of her made him shiver with disgust. "She drugged me with something. Feels like woodpeckers are trying to open my skull from the inside." He didn't mean to say that last thing out loud, but his filter was not functioning. "We need to talk."

The phone was silent for several long moments. "Don't move and don't talk. Someone will be there." The call was then disconnected.

He slowly stood up and stumbled to the kitchen. He needed painkillers and water, and not even a warning from Fury was going to keep him from them. His next stop was his bedroom for actual clothes. Whoever was coming over didn't need to see him in his underwear. That ended up being a much slower process than he anticipated. Finally, he went to the couch and collapsed on it.

Not much later, Matt's door opened, and Fury's voice was low enough so only Matt could hear him. "Don't move, Murdock. Or say anything." Then the sound of metal rolling on wood could be heard. The device paused, then a light on it flashed twice before an electromagnetic pulse bounced through the apartment. Fury waited another moment before entering the apartment. He locked the door behind him. "Sorry about that – I needed to short out the electronics. She probably bugged the place while you were focused on her." He immediately began searching. "What did she tell you?"

"Did you just short all of my electronics? Including my phone? My alarm?" His nostrils flared. "There wasn't another way to do that?"

"Either I short that shit out, our Hydra learns all of our plans. Your stuff will be working again in an hour or so. It's 4 am. I don't think you'll be getting any calls." Fury swept through the kitchen, pausing at the refrigerator. "And here's the first one." He placed it on the ground and crushed it with the heel of his boot. "So back to the question at hand. What did she say to you?"

Matt rubbed the bridge of his nose. "That Jess went back willingly. That Jess has powers, and that whatever we had was a lie. That she showed Jess how to use her powers." His jaw clenched. "She practically admitted to raping her." He lifted his head and turned toward Fury. "She's sick. A psychopath. She came to get a reaction out of me. And she wanted me to tell Daredevil to stay out of her business. Guess we struck a nerve."

"Good." Fury paused by the coffee table and knelt down to feel underneath. "And another one." He crushed that as well. "The woman who visited you tonight was Madame Viper. And I can assure you Jess did not go willingly – but you knew that." He studied Matt for moment with his good eye. "She thinks Jess is her own personal property, regardless of what she spouts about Hydra."

"Yeah. I got that message loud and clear." He pointed to the stairs where another bug had been stashed. "Seventh step from the bottom. We need to get Jess away from that woman as soon as possible."

Fury raised an eyebrow at Matt but destroyed the bug. He approached Matt but didn't touch him. "Murdock, let me remind you – whatever is happening to Jess right now. She's been through worse. She's been trained for situations like this. Yes, we need to get to her ASAP, but if we're not careful, we can do more harm than good. Do you understand?"

"I understand that she's currently at the mercy of her abuser." It was a similar situation, a girl being sexually abused, that made him first become a vigilante. "The longer she's there, the more harm that will do. I'm all for being careful, but we need to work quickly." If Fury ever doubted Matt's feelings towards Jess, his current reaction squashed them. There was fear and worry in his eyes and his muscles twitched like a caged animal.

"We are working quickly and that drew attention to you. Enough to make Viper think you have a link to Daredevil. We have been sloppy. We need to be more careful. YOU need to be more careful."

"She thinks my link to Daredevil is Hell's Kitchen." Matt stood and got into Fury's personal space. "If you want me to be more careful, then you need to step up."

Fury didn't budge or bat an eye. "I have stepped up, Murdock." He let that hang for a moment. "I care about Jess too you know, but I have a bit more experience with who we're dealing with here." Fury studied Matt for another moment. "Look, I know you love her, and that you're worried about her. But I need you to trust me. If you can't, then there's no way we're getting her back."

Matt's nostrils flared. His lips twitched. He flinched at the word 'love'. "You don't know me," he said in a low dangerous voice. "And I don't know you. But Jessica trusts you, and I don't have a choice. We have to get her back." His voice almost cracked when he added, "I'm not losing anyone else."

Fury raised an eyebrow. The kid was about to lose it. "Then I need you to get your shit together and suit up. I'll be back in two hours." Without another word, Fury turned and left the apartment without any indication he had even been there.

"The suit doesn't make me careful," Matt called after him. "The suit makes me dangerous."

AN: Sorry for the delay guys. Hope the next chapter isn't as long coming. As always, thanks for reading and please leave a comment!