Later, SHIELD agents push Tanner in a wheelchair toward an awaiting van, Tanner with a glazed expression. Danny and Cage watch him go along with Colleen, Misty, and Burstein. "It really is a shame," Cage admits, "He wasn't a villain. He was just a product of villains." Danny nods, "Worse yet, those villains were the ones supposedly keeping us safe." Sitwell shows up, "Well fellas, there are still some people in authority who are looking out for you."

"You mean the guys spying on us?," Cage turns to him with a serious expression that gradually turns more friendly, "You people are alright. You stick your noses where it don't belong sometimes but you have your moments."

Sitwell shakes his hand, "We also keep our word. No more spying on you or Mr. Rand."

"Then we're straight."

"And we'll be sending our final payment in the mail," Sitwell further explains.

"Even better. Now I can pay my rent."

"So what's going to happen to Tanner?," Danny asks as he watches the van drive away.

"Once we turn him over to a military tribunal, it's out of our hands," Sitwell explains, "But we are working on finding ways to make sure these sort of things won't happen again. Hopefully, Professor Burstein, you'll be able to continue your research in peace."

"I'm sure no one will bother me now that my nano research has mostly been destroyed," Burstein explains, "The nanobots Tanner took were the last I had and I won't have the funding to make more for some time now."

"That's not true," Danny tells him, "My company may not be interested in medical research at the moment but that doesn't stop me from lending funds from my own pocket."

"That'll be wonderful, Mr. Rand," Burstein gladly shakes Danny's hand, "Thank you."

"Danny, you said your company isn't interested in medical research," Cage explains, "Would they be interested in a different kind of investment?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I'm looking to expand my business a little. Thought you might be interested in a merger."

"You want to put your business under Rand Corps' umbrella? I didn't think you were the type to trust big corporations."

"I have this month's rent covered. Next month... I'm not so sure," Cage laughs, "Besides, I've heard the CEO isn't too bad of a guy."

Danny smiles and nods, "Well, the board's bound to accept one of my proposals eventually. Deal."

They shake hands. A week later, Danny is presenting Cage in front of the board. "Heroes For Hire will be an assest to our company both financialy and publicly," Danny tells them, "With the recent surge of interest in superheroes, it is a logical choice." After the meeting, the board shake hands with Danny and Cage. "Great presentation, Daniel," the chairman tells him. "Thank you, sir," Danny says with a smile as he moves to Luke.

"We've decided to let you on board, Mr. Cage," the chairman says gladly, "Welcome to the company."

Cage smiles, "It's good to be here."

Danny pats him on the back, "This calls for a celebration."

Cage nods, "Yeah, but we're eating at my place. We're having barbeque, none of that caviar or whatever you rich folks eat."

As they exit the room, Danny informs him, "I've never even had caviar."

Outside Cage's house, he cooks burgers on a grill, "Who likes `em well done". Colleen Wing looks at her over-cooked burger, "I thought they were all well done." Around the table, Misty, Colleen, Burstein, and Jessica Jones sit and wait for Cage to bring over a plate of burgers.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Mr. Rand," Jessica shakes his hand.

"Call me Danny," he tells her.

"I know we're at dinner here but do you mind if I get an interview sometime?," she asks.

"Sure," he responds.

Misty bumps him with her shoulder, "Look at you, making bank and getting interviews."

Cage sits down next Jessica and kisses her, "Not a bad double date we got here, I guess."

"Mind if I have seconds?," Burstein asks.

"Sure," Cage piles another burger on his plate.

"HEY CAGE!," the discussion is broken when they hear a shout from across the street. They all turn to see a large gang of young men with baseball bats, tire irons, and other weapons. A familiar gang leader stands in front of them, "We ain't forgot `bout you, man!" Cage notices the black spade tattoos under their eyes and immediately identifies them as the gang he ran into a few weeks prior when he was hired to find Reggie Gardner. "Man, can't it wait?," Cage asks as he motions toward his plate of food, "I got company and we're having dinner." Danny smiles and stands up, "I got this, Luke." He steps toward the young men and stands still with his hands at his side. "Whatchoo want, Ryan Seacrest?," the gang leader snarls. Danny clenches his hand and summons the Iron Fist, allowing it to glow brightly. The gang jump back all at once and begin falling over one another as they scramble and eventually run away.

"Why you always gotta show off?," Cage laughs. Danny simply shrugs as he takes his seat. They all go back to their meals and conversations. Meanwhile, the sun sets over Harlem.

The Stinger

The next day, workers repair the damage done to the Empire State University quad. Inside, more workers repair the damage in the library. An older, Latino man enters the room and appears dumbfounded. "What happened?," he asks.

"Didn't you hear?," a worker responds, "Some freaks tore straight through the place. Apparently there was a big fight here over the weekend."

"Did they damage any offices that you know of?"

"Not sure, but if you have anything valuable in your office, I'd go check it out to make sure."

The man turns and races to another part of the university. He comes to an office with the name Hector Ayala on it. He rushes inside and notices there doesn't appear to be any damage. He isn't satisfied yet, however. He moves to a vault on the wall and quickly opens it. A moment later, he sets a jade box on his desk, which has a white tiger on the lid. He opens the lid and when he does, a faint, silver glimmer dances across his face. He smiles to himself. Whatever this object is, it's safe.

END