Matt tried to ignore those feelings he has for Trish Walker, but after kissing her this has become even more difficult. That is just the kind of thing Stick would warn him about. He was getting attached and distracted and he really should be focusing on Fisk now. But from the moment he met Trish on her birthday he was attracted to her and she obviously felt the same. That became even more evident when she learned that he is Daredevil which was a new experience for him and now he is even helping her become a vigilante.

He is not sure what he has gotten himself into, but people keep telling him to stop trying to do everything alone and he is giving it a shot. He really can't be everywhere to protect everyone he cares about. If some of them could learn to protect themselves, that will be a huge relief. So why does he still feel like this will blow up in his face? He feels most accepted and appreciated in Trish's company, but it's somehow all subdued under a layer of dread. Something could happen to her or to anyone else while he is with her and he would be responsible. She could lose interest in Daredevil now that she starts her own journey helping the people in Hell's Kitchen. She could decide he's not the man she was hoping him to be. And then she'll probably leave like everyone does.

Matt meets her out of her work place to take her to Melvin. He's not wearing a lawyer's clothes, but a hoodie and jeans. She's in her professional less comfy outfit.

"It's gonna look like you're abducting me." She smiles.

"It feels like that, too. Do you want to change, before we meet my guy? You'll feel out of place out there."

"I don't mind." The next sentences make her nervous. "Do we have to shake hands, so you don't get distracted? Or do you think we can risk a hug?"

It seems like she needs some reassurance here that they are fine after what happened last time. He nods, embracing her, but staying very tense and kissing her hair as well. He does not want to hurt her again and she relaxes with a regretful sigh.

"You're not making this easy."

"I don't like it easy," he says and smiles taking her hand in his to guide her to her car.

"I don't wanna know how you can tell where my car is, do I?"

"It has your fragrance, of course."

"Well, that sounds better than smell… or scent…"

"I aim to please." He tilts his head contemplating something. "You don't prefer me keeping a distance from you, do you?"

"No, I don't. This is nice. It's torture, but it's better than the cold shoulder treatment." She winces, letting go of his hand so they can both enter the car.

"I'm sorry." He really didn't expect her to accept so easily that they shouldn't move forward in their relationship yet. Not after she practically pushed all of his buttons to make him train her.

"I know and I get it now."

He tells her the address and they drive over in silence.

Melvin beams at Trish when Matt introduces them. "He told me you'd be coming by, but I didn't believe it. Betsy makes me listen to your show all the time."

She winces. "That has to be very boring."

"No, it's calming, really. Maybe you can give me an autograph for her?"

"Sure." Matt can tell that Trish warms up to him already.

"So, you need some protection. I guess as much as possible? Not like this guy?" Damn. Was that really necessary? He can feel her fixate him with an accusing glare.

"What? I need to be able to move as fast as possible, Trish. Speed is my biggest strength." She puts her hand on his throat and he realises that she's trying to feel his pulse. "Really?" She asks sounding sceptical.

"I'm not lying." Wasn't she supposed to sense his sincerity? Maybe he isn't open enough.

After a moment she seems to be satisfied. "Well, Jessica told me speed is your advantage over the other one, so that actually makes sense."

"There really is another Daredevil out there, huh?" Melvin interrupts.

"Yeah. I don't kill. Or carry guns. Remember?"

"They said it was an accident."

"I don't do accidents."

Trish rolls her eyes. "Unlike him, I was there. It really was an accident, but the guy did indeed intend to kill her."

"Fisk is plotting to put me in prison somehow."

"Then it's a good thing you have some allies." He then looks very serious, probably remembering how that turned out last time. "I'll make her suit as safe as possible." Then he smiles at Trish again. "You okay with that?"

"Yeah, I am. I'm not thrilled about the prospect of getting hurt like he is."

That's a joke right? It's not really like he enjoys pain. It's the fight he enjoys, the challenge.

"Any special abilities I need to take into account?"

Trish smiles looking over to a pencil rockily starting to float in the air. "Nothing a costume could help with."

Matt is surprised. "You haven't been able to move a can yesterday."

"I'm not supposed to work after witnessing a murder, so I have more time to practice. Starting to figure out how it works."

Melvin is excited: "That's so cool! Any colour preferences, or a special look you had in mind?" He gestures at Matt. "You like the little devil horns I gave him?"

"I LOVE the horns."

Matt smiles blushing a little bit.

"Personally, I'm more of a cat person. And I was thinking of… yellow?"

"What?! Yellow? Do you want to draw attention to yourself?"

"You're no fun."

"Melvin, please, don't make it too flashy….?" He's getting desperate here. This was not the point at all.

"Fine. But I want to wear a red wig. It would make sense for people not to know my real hair color."

"Well, if you start talking they might recognize your voice. It would make sense to throw people off with fake hair…" He thinks for a moment. "Also, she works more with her arms, so make them flexible and good for blocking."

"Understood."

"Sounds great." She hugs Matt again, more excited about her vigilante costume than he would like. He can tell that it amuses her to irritate him like that.

"You guys are cute together. Take care of him, Trish." Melvin winks at her and she ruffles Matt's hair. "I won't leave him out of my sight, unless I have to."

So, they look like a couple. Are they? Or are they both kidding themselves? Will he ever not be distracted? Claire was right. When Fisk is gone, there will always be another one. After Melvin takes Trish's measurements he tells them to come back in a week.

"I like him." Trish smiles when they are leaving.

"Of course, you do. He's sweet. Melvin has been looking out for me. I think I owe him my life."

"Then I owe him as well. Tell him if he ever has a song request for Betsy, I'll play anything. Even, I don't know... 3 Doors Down."

Matt giggles. "I don't think you have to go that far…"

"You don't know how much I appreciate you being alive."

Trish is in a good mood, when they arrive at her home and have another lesson. Even meditating is fine with her today and after that it really is remarkably easier to move stuff with her mind and let small things float. Then they do some basic self defense as well and Matt compliments her on her progress. Well, she even started to dream about fighting, so it is obviously on her mind a lot since she got kidnapped and attacked at her radio station. He really is a great teacher and she's glad she was finally able to convince him to help her help him. But she decides she is also going to honor his wishes about staying out of the investigation and he satisfies her curiosity by keeping her in the loop. They don't hear or see the other Daredevil again in the next couple of days. Maybe Fisk has a new plan for Matt which does not make Trish any less nervous.

In the meantime more and more people are calling for Daredevil's arrest and maybe his own city turning against him like that will crush Matt more than anything else Fisk could come up with. The way the issue drags on and on with more and more people getting involved is starting to take a toll on him. There are not many emotions coming from him, but whenever she picks something up at all it is guilt. Jessica doesn't get to work much on her cases besides Fisk, so Matt plans on paying her with his savings as much as he can. She wouldn't say anything about it, but Trish knows Jessica is avoiding her own problems by dealing with his. And she will probably feel insulted if Matt pays her. She'll take the money, sure, and make a snarky comment, but the friendship they've been building will suffer which Trish warns him about.

"I tried to tell her sometimes, how grateful I am, but she's not very good with feelings."

"That is one huge understatement."

"Yeah, I figured. You need to tell me how I can return at least some of her favors. I owe her so much. More than I can compensate with money."

Trish then remembers Jess complain about something weeks ago. "Did you get her a camera?"

"Yes, a better one actually, but I did break it before, so that doesn't even the balance in any way..."

"To be honest, I think taking her help is the best thing you can do for her right now. It gives her focus."

That is not enough for him, she can tell. He seems rather stoic. "She's the reason Foggy and Karen aren't mad at me. She's the reason I met you. She's the one yelling at me or making fun of me when I need to hear it. I did not know how much I really need a friend like her and I want to be the friend she needs as well."

Hearing that gives Trish's feelings for him another boost. Her two favorite people in the world right now looking out for each other. "I will help you with that in any way I can. I'm sure you'll get your opportunity to shine." She even has the idea to send him after leads about the origins of Jessica's power. But only after Fisk is dealt with. That could wait, so she does not want to mention it yet. "You know, don't beat yourself up over pulling us all into your fight with Fisk. We want to help, not just to save you and your friends, but because it is the right thing to do. A good cause."

"You're sure, you're not religious?" He smiles teasingly.

"Don't need no god to tell me what to do. Sorry..." Trish shakes her head and he hums approvingly. She's seen him hurt a couple of times now, but never this vulnerable, not even when his hearing was gone. Accepting help is definitely not easy for him. He is used to fighting alone and even from his best friend he kept so many secrets. She is so glad again that Jessica and her always had each other.

"It's funny. Jess was calling you a lot of names in the beginning."

"She still does." He laughs when he points that out and she realizes for the second time in this conversation that it doesn't reach his eyes. Suddenly she remembers Jessica's warning about him getting numb. Was he suppressing stuff, so she does not notice or was he just feeling less in general? She doesn't remember sensing anything that day although he seems rather hopeless. She slowly moves her hand on his cheek. In moments like these she'd like to look into his eyes and see him look back.

"Yeah, Jessica still does bitch about you, but I know it's because she cares. She even told me to stay away from you and I think it was for your sake as much as it was for mine." His eyes widen at that. "She knew I always had a not so secret desire to save the world. Meeting you had to bring that out and she knew you would worry about me. And she has this ridiculous theory that all your relationships are doomed."

Trish sees him swallow and regrets mentioning the last part immediately. "She doesn't even know how right she is about that. You should listen to her."

"Well, I do, because she's now actively rooting for us to hook up."

Ha! That made him laugh honestly. "Your sister is absolutely insane. It's a good thing you're not really related." Trish knows it's a joke. He already treats Jessica like the big sister he never had.

"Also, she is not very optimistic for anyone's relationship. It comes with the job…"

They sit together in silence and Trish is trying to remember if he ever seemed genuinely happy. Her birthday comes to mind, before all of this spiraled out of his control. It was the last night they were able to relax. Maybe they all needed another night off. Sadly, throwing him a surprise party is no option, since it would just never be a surprise with his senses and he could leave the moment he realizes what is going on. So she needs to get him on board and that would be difficult. But she has an idea how to do that.

"You should throw a little thank you party." He doesn't like that at all. "Look, we could ALL use one evening off. Jessica sure could. One night of irresponsible drinking and mayhem at my place, where it's pretty safe. I'll organize everything with Foggy, you pay. He would like that." She sees that he's going to give in when she mentions Jess and Foggy. He just needs a little push.

"Trish, I'm not in the mood for a party right now." Matt makes a frustrated face.

"Nobody is, but that's the point. This whole thing could take a while. We need some energy to pull through it. We can't save the world if we don't live a little. Just waiting for some attack or some scheme of Fisk to surface is killing us and maybe we could use a little team bonding as well." She almost has him. "Think of it as a promise that you'll be there for them as well when they need anything from you. That's what friends are for."

"You media people and your cheesy talk. You just want to party." His smile is resigned.

"Maybe I do. Sue me."

When Matt leaves he finally gathers the courage to see his priest after the church bombing. Father Lantom seems shocked when he recognizes the lawyer in his hoodie in front of the church.

"I didn't want to scare you, sorry."

"Don't be sorry. I'm glad to finally see you again. We heard that you were alive, but you never came back to church, son."

"I didn't want to put anyone else in danger. But that didn't help apparently." Matt sighs dramatically and the priest looks concerned.

"You can't blame yourself for that bombing. I heard that you even helped people get out before it happened. Explained to that person that god probably gave the blind man strength in that moment." Father Lantom smiles at his quick thinking to protect the Devil of Hell's Kitchen.

"No, but it was my fault entirely. The church became a target, because it was the one I visited, because the guy with the bomb met me there. You could become a target if they see me here again."

The priest didn't know that. He looks at the man before him in contemplation. "You look so very young without those glasses and the suit, Matthew. I worry about you."

"Did you even listen? The church was attacked because of ME."

"I heard. Did you carry the bomb?"

Matthew shakes his head, closes his eyes and sits down on a bench. "It's just… everything is going to hell."

"Matthew, I thought you were dead. You being alive is a miracle to me, it has to mean that you have a purpose. If this feels like hell to you, you need to let some light in."

Matt tries to indulge that thought and thinks of Trish's idea with the ridiculous thank you party.

"What happened anyway, when you were gone? Your friends told me you sacrificed yourself."

"I tried to save someone."

"Did it work?"

Matt shrugs. "I think it did, but people are now constantly expecting me to do it again."

"Do you regret it?"

He hesitates, because he knows that it is a sin to give up on life. "No. I wanted it all to end and needed it to have a meaning. Coming back didn't."

"Do you think you'd do it again?"

"I'm not sure." He sighs. "Things are different now."

"From what I gathered before, things have become worse?"

"A lot of people are helping me now."

"That's good, right?"

"No, they are putting themselves at risk. I didn't ask for it."

"But it feels better. Receiving help from other people who see what you tried to do? Who want to do something to help as well?"

"It does. I still feel guilty about it." They are going to get hurt.

"Matthew, you need to let go of that. If you're trying to help, you also need to be able to accept help from others. Give them a chance to do good."

"I know you're right. And working with Foggy as Nelson & Murdock was also better than doing it alone. Giving up on it was the hardest thing I had to do... Still, I know someone will suffer."

"Then it's still not your fault." The priest smiles and puts a hand on his shoulder in comfort.

Matt just shakes his head. "It's really difficult to see it that way."

After a moment of silence they pray for his friends and the church. Matt feels a little better. He was avoiding to go there for a long time and now he is glad that he did.

"Don't stay away so long this time. It's not good for you. Disguise yourself, if you think you need to."

"Yes, father." Matt smiles hesitantly.

When Trish asks Karen to meet her she sounds excited to get out of her Castle hole. They agree to go for a coffee in a small café and Karen's face lights up when she sees her new friend.

"I'm so glad you called. Frank is trying hard to accommodate me, but he's not the most sociable guy. And we were getting along so well."

"Yeah. I know."

They hug and sit down. Then Karen eyes Trish cautiously.

"So… any progress with Matty?"

Trish laughs and blushes. "For an ex you're incredibly supportive…"

"I just wanna see him happy, because he's been through a lot. And I think he has a better chance with you." Karen sounds like she means it. "If he had let me in, I think I could have loved him."

"Yeah... he's not good at opening up." Karen snorts. "But after lying about Daredevil's identity he shared some things. After I made him train me he was really angry at me though."

"You got him to train you?!" Karen's eyes widen in surprise. "How is that going?"

Trish smirks and picks the fork up with her mind. "You're kidding! Do I get an exclusive?" Karen winks at her.

"I'm keeping this secret." Her friend can't hide her disappointment when she nods. "And one lesson ended with us kissing."

That makes Karen smile. "Those kisses were quite the preview."

"Ugh…. Tell me about it…." She rolls her eyes. "Such a tease."

"So, I guess, you didn't get further. And Foggy swears there were a lot of girls."

"But he also did not know about his best friends fighting skills and non-women-related night activities."

"True. Matt definitely did it with Elektra though."

"Oh yeah. No doubt. She told me to kiss him for her as well."

Karen is stunned by that. "I hate her, but please tell me more."

Trish smiles. "She told his imposter he could never tempt her to be good and that the real Daredevil was way hotter. Said she was insulted by the cheap copy and what it meant for her reputation. It was pretty cool actually." Of course, in that moment she just feared for her life.

"That would make a nice headline for the tabloids. Well, she saved him after all. And maybe he's worth all the worries in the end." Karen smiles encouragingly.

"Claire also had a fling with him, but she just smiled when I asked her about it." Trish sighs. "And apparently I distract him, so we'll put the kissing on hold till Fisk is done with."

"Let me guess: His idea."

"Ours, actually. It's so good to talk about this to someone who understands… He is driving me crazy."

"I know the feeling." Karen is starting to look uncomfortable. "Well, I hope you'll figure it out." She giggles and smoothly changes the subject. Trish decides that if she ever gets into Daredevil's tight pants, she'll downplay it for Karen, no matter how enthusiastic she appears to be.

Before they say goodbye Trish has a favor to ask.

"A while back we've been digging into the origin of Jessica's power and it might even be related to the substance I was injected with accidentally. And some red and white pills they are using on soldiers." Trish can see that she has Karen's undivided attention. Her reporter instinct is kicking in. "Do you think you could take a look at this? Maybe also ask Castle because of the military angle?"

Karen nods. "It would definitely give me something to do. Thanks!"

Trish gives her a folder with documents and her friend immediately looks at them, asking some more questions. Then she puts them away, probably already thinking about where she should start on this.

"And there is something else… I'm making Matt throw a little thank you party for everyone and he wants to invite you and Frank. Do you think you could get him there?"

She looks sceptical, but nods apparently liking the idea. "I'll try my best! When is it?"

Jessica still doesn't find anything on Fisk's whereabouts, but she has several leads now and one of them will bring something to light. Maybe Jonah will tell her something. She will also get messages when the Moranos are up to something. It is just a matter of time. But she doubts that Trish's mother will be involved again. They probably figured out that she is useless.

Trish's idea of the party sounded stupid at first, but since Jessica is considered the devil whisperer, she tried to convince Matt to go along with it. And again, he did listen to her suggestion. Funny. So the following night they have this little gathering at Trish's place.

It's a way for him to thank all those people that continue to help him against Fisk. Jessica knows he's doing it for Trish, but she's not saying anything. Just shares a knowing smile with Foggy and Karen when they arrive. It's surprisingly fun for a group of people that only have Matt in common. Karen and Trish still get along as if they knew each other from college, but since Jessica is very observant she can make out signs of jealousy every time she sees little touches between Matt and Trish. They're still not fucking, she can tell. Maybe that would actually help release some of the tension.

Foggy sees their familiarity as well and he's very excited about it. His girlfriend is not at all what she expected from him. A cold blonde lawyer who doesn't seem very fond of Matt. Jealous of their friendship, maybe. She kind of likes Foggy for picking a woman with that much confidence. Can't be easy trying to please her and he's such a people pleaser. She rolls her eyes.

Then there are Melvin and Betsy. She's never seen them before, but they're nice and fun, fans of Trish apparently. And they look at Matt like estranged relatives, happy that their troubled kid has actual friends. She guesses they know him from Daredeviling. Claire also comes by shortly with Luke, but she has to work, so she only stays for one drink, very happy to see everyone together without needing stitches or worse. Luke stays next to Jessica for the rest of the evening, a calming presence in all the noise.

The immortal iron moron also makes an appearance with his patient girlfriend, but by this time it's so crowded she barely has to talk to them. The biggest surprise, though, is Castle stopping by, keeping a slight distance from the little party, only acknowledging Karen with a soft smile and getting a hug from Matt who whispers something in his ear to which he nods. He's gone a couple minutes later and Matt shares a disappointed look with Karen.

"Are you trying to make the Punisher hang around decent people?"

"I like him, just don't like working with him." Matt shrugs.

"Is it because he saved you?" Jessica had a knowing smile on her lips.

"That, too. But throwing him off by hugging him also amuses me." He laughs.

"You're so trying to save his soul or something." Jessica drinks.

"Got a problem with that?" He raises his eyebrow.

"No. Seeing him get hugged was the funniest thing I saw all day. But he's a mass murderer. You and your lost causes…" She looks down at her drink smiling.

"You know… This is a thank you party. Everyone here helped me." He tries to look at her meaningfully and she just rolls her eyes. At least he doesn't say it anymore. Somehow it always makes her uncomfortable when he expresses his gratitude. Buying her a drink is fine.

For a moment Jessica thinks, getting them all in one place might not be a good idea, even if Fisk hasn't done much lately. Maybe he's just waiting for an opportunity like this. She prefers to stay mum, but alert. It's too late now anyway. They can't live in paranoia all the time. Matt certainly deserves a party like this. All of them do. Playing darts with all their special abilities is silly though. Danny and Colleen are extremely good at it and Matt is also quite impressive, followed by Trish. Yeah, if she didn't believe them before she would now. Her sister was never this good at darts.

When Matt returns from the toilet where he stayed way too long he looks distressed, so Jessica corners him and takes him outside to talk on the balcony about what just happened. He immediately starts punching and kicking shit and slides down the wall with a bloody fist.

"What's going on?"

He turns his head away from her and sighs.

"Fisk called. He says if I stop involving you all that he won't hurt anyone but me. He just wants to see me alone and that we should fight it out like men. Among us."

"Sexist prick. You don't believe him, do you?"

He doesn't answer, so Jessica gets on her knees to turn his head and look into his devastated face.

"Look my way, you blind fool. I don't hear your heartbeat, but I need to see that you understand what I'm saying: This is a good sign. He's getting desperate, because we're too many, so he's trying to scare you away from us."

There is surprised expression on his face. He didn't think of that. "But…"

"There is no fucking but, Matt. He is not gonna go in alone and if you do, he will kill you."

He winces. "You're right."

He's still got that look on his face that says: So be it.

"Let me make one thing clear: We're not gonna let you out of our sight. Let us help, or we will without knowing all the details and that can't be good for any of us."

He nods slowly, closing his eyes and whispers: "Just like Trish…"