20. (Revelation) In the light of day

For Vera, the Sunday morning was… unpleasant. Firstly, it wasn't even morning when she woke up at her alarm set to eleven a.m. Secondly, she didn't feel rested, like at all. Thirdly – and that was the worst part really - she was alone.

She blinked in surprise when she found her bed empty, pricking up her ears, trying to catch the smallest noise indicating Matt was somewhere in her apartment at least. She couldn't hear any. It didn't necessarily mean he wasn't there, but… she made her way to the bathroom, checking the blurry picture of her kitchen. No Matt. No Matt in the bathroom either. Her mood, already not par excellence, fell below freezing point. That day would be shit, she was sure of it.

Vera brushed her teeth and hair on autopilot, looking at the girl in the mirror discontentedly – even when she put on a mascara, it was a sad image - she kinda missed the make-up from Terri. Her favourite black tea didn't cheer her up either. Flapjack had no effect. She went to work early, stepping out into the cold weather.

"You slept in," a voice behind her accused her and she jumped, hand over her heart.

"Ježiši Kriste. Terri!" She turned to her friend, her mood getting better instantly despite the fright. "What are you doi- what are you wearing?"

Her friend was all in black – black woollen hat, scarf covering not just her neck but also the lower part of her face, coat, jeans, boots. Everything. She even had sunglasses, which were totally useless that day. The only bright parts were her hair peeking from under the hat and scarf and a newspaper folded under her arm.

She raised a finger, wait a second, pulled out something that looked dangerously like a walkie and pressed one of the buttons. "Meeting the target. You can leave your position. Do you copy?"

Was Vera dreaming? It would explain a lot.

"Roger that. Status without change. Meeting at the café?" a mechanical, but undeniably male voice answered her.

"Copy that. Yes. Twenty minutes. T out."

"Copy that. V out."

Vera watched the exchange in disbelief and pinched herself on the cheek. She didn't wake up. What was it in the wine yesterday? Or the shots? She didn't have many of them…

"What the hell is happening? What is this?" She gestured towards Terri.

Her friend grabbed her arm and led her the way she usually walked to the café. Right. Work. "You need a bodyguard since you're famous now. I decided to take care of that."

Vera blinked in surprise. "What?" She was not famous. She did not need a bodyguard. She already had one, no matter he wasn't present at the moment or bothered to leave a message before vanishing. "And who were you talking to? Where did you even get hold on a walkie?"

Terri shrugged. "Victor. And Victor. He was watching your boyfriend ever since he sneaked up from your apartment at half past nine."

Vera gasped. "Victor?" Terri's boyfriend was- "He's watching Matt? Terri, what the hell!"

Whatever was this about, it was crossing the line. She hoped – and it was a fool's hope, she was well-aware – that Matt hadn't noticed Victor on his tail. Or at least hadn't jumped him and broken his arms or something, when he finding out he was being followed.

"He didn't even say goodbye, did he? Bastard. Typical male individual. Use the opportunity and disappear in the morning. He's lucky he went to church…" Terri fussed and then stopped in her tracks.

"What?" Vera asked for a hundredth time that day.

Terri looked at her, carefully raising her sunglasses, examining Vera with her piercing eyes. Her jaw hung open. She seemed scandalized.

"You haven't slept together!" she exclaimed, voice filled with pure shock.

Vera was shocked by her words as well, scanning her surrounding for possible eavesdroppers.

"How could you possibly know?!" she shrieked, covering her mouth and started walking again. That was it. Terri was a psychic, she was crazy and she was- whatever she was.

"Unbelievable! Is he frigid? You were hot as fuck, he obviously spent the night at your place, he sneaked up from your flat like a typical guy and yet you-"

Vera couldn't resist defending him even when she was angry with him. "He's not frigid, trust me." She felt her face reddened at the memory of their…something. He so wasn't. "And he's not exactly a typical guy either…"

Terri watched her with thoughtful expression as she walked by her side. "Huh. I guess it had something to do with your affair on the dance floor?"

Vera snapped her head to her. "How do you know about-"

"I told you that you were famous! Come on. Café is only three minutes from here. I'll show you," Terri offered and Vera quickened her pace, not asking further questions just yet. The warm air and almost empty space of MDDC welcomed them. Terri made her way to the nearest table, tossing the newspaper on it, stripping her coat. Vera didn't bother to strip. She reached for the papers with a circled article.

Habitual benefit with pleasant surprises

Oh god. Oh god, no.

Vera sat in the chair heavily, putting off her hat and running fingers through her hair. That was so, so bad if Terri knew about her scene with Alex from a newspaper article. She swallowed nervously, eyeing Terri rather than reading it – the text was short, but she could see a small arrow pointing at a number – the article continued on another page.

"What does it say?" she asked her friend and got caught off guard as she saw a spark of excitement in Terri's eyes.

"Well, it's kinda boring. Short version of the opening speech which, ew, list of the headiest head honchos attending the benefit despite the last year fiasco with Fisk's corruption case, complimenting the musicians and the singer and…" she turned to the other page, colourful pictures all over it, "a tribute to anonymous dancers, who opened the evening with the coolest dance ever." She solemnly jabbed her finger in one of the photos and Vera looked at it with fear.

It wasn't the slap. In fact, it was a nice photo from before their evening went out of rails. It was a snapshot from her first dance with Alex, the one she had enjoyed - her excitement was shining from the picture as well. She was in one of those mocking positions, escaping Alex and he grimaced as he followed her. And yeah, in the background, she could see the people watching them in awe.

Her lips formed a smile subconsciously. She found one more picture where she was with Foggy, Karen and Matt, small figures in the crowd. But all of them together.

"I am waiting for an explanation!" Terri burst out and snapped her back to reality.

"Uhm… I met my old dance partner there?" Terri's eyebrow up. "I used to do contemporary dancing and then switched to group dancing in pairs? And because fate is a bitch, I met Alex on the one party I attended and he insisted we went dancing despite the empty dance floor and we kinda… enjoyed it. And then it went to shit, because he couldn't keep his hands where he should and I slapped him-"

"You slapped him?! Atta girl!"

"Yeeeeah. There's nothing in the newspaper about that, right?"

Terri frowned. "No. Sadly. But I can keep looking in tabloids…"

"Looking for what?" a voice from behind her demanded and Terri smiled brilliantly before she turned her head to its source.

Vera looked up – very up – and her gaze met a huge guy with short military haircut, stuffed in his coat, which was obviously too narrow for his broad shoulders. Smiling dark brown eyes observed Terri as she stood up and pecked him on his lips.

This must have been the famous Victor then. And Vera could see why he was working in security, okay? If he wasn't giving Terri a bear hug at the moment, he would be terrifying. He wasn't as tall as Vera's brother, but he was… well, broad.

"Hey, sweetheart," he greeted her and kissed her once more, properly this time. Vera tore her eyes away, giving them some privacy, biting her cheek to keep herself from smiling goofily.

"Hi, Vic."

They were totally in love. Vera silently got up from her chair, planning on vanishing to the back so she could get ready for her shift.

"Don't move. I need to introduce you," Terri warned her, without interrupting the kissing notably and Vera froze, staying in her half standing position. Terri was a psychic with eyes on the back of her head.

Finishing their make-out session, Terri turned to face Vera with wide smile. "Vera, meet Victor, my boyfriend. Vic, meet Vera, my greatest friends and the one of the most insane people I had a chance to encounter."

Said Terri. Ha! Her words warmed her heart though. She didn't know Terri considered her the greatest friend. She was touched. "Thanks, Terri."

"Yeah, yeah, just don't kiss me, he gets jealous, don't you, Vic?"

Victor grinned at Terri and held out a hand in Vera's direction. She offered hers, slightly afraid he might crush her bones. He didn't – his grip was firm, but surprisingly gentle. It reminded her of Matt. His arms were far from Victor's size, but he could break bones with them easily as well – yet, his touch could be tender, treating her like fragile glass. Apart from him loving Terri, this made Vera like Victor instantly.

"Pleasure to meet you. Really. Heard a lot about you," she admitted and smiled at him honestly.

He returned the courtesy. "Pleasure all mine." His eyes said another sentence though – sorry for tailing your boyfriend. Vera already forgave him – him being in one piece was a good sign, after all.

Terri clapped her hands. "Great. Now, that I fulfilled my duty and let you know you're a star – seriously, I can't let you go anywhere alone without making it to papers - we'll leave you to your work. The newspaper is yours. Have a nice shift, we're out."

Terri quickly wrapped her coat around her and grabbed Victor's arm. He waved at Vera from the door and Vera, still little baffled, waved back. She shoved the newspaper in her backpack as fast as she could though.

She made it through her shift without catastrophes. Michelle was with her, so she found out her trip was ahead and despite the poor amount of customers, she wasn't bored. She headed to the Fogwell's afterwards. She was still tired, but she was hoping music and moving would help. She had to clean up first though. Bugger.

Vera put on some songs while cleaning up as well, so it wouldn't bore her to death and she managed. She wrapped her hands happily and changed the music to something more… well, beating, and realized she was delighted. Sure, Matt left without bothering to let her know or leaving a note (and she did not punch the bag harder at that thought and did not kick it with more strength than usual, nope), but otherwise everything was great. She had nice memories of yesterday, today wasn't as bad as she anticipated, she met Terri's boyfriend and pretty much approved him. And she was fit-boxing on the top of that.

Touch on her hip shocked her and she quickly turned around, fist aiming at the intruder. Luckily for him, he ducked.

"Šmarja. Matt! Are you crazy? I could have broken your nose!" she cried out, more startled than angry, arm still extended, fist where his head would have been if he hadn't been fast enough. Seriously. What was he thinking?

And how did he always sneak up on her like that? Freaking ninja.

He caught her hand and pulled it down, standing up straight again, smug smile on his face. "I would like to see you try," he mocked her.

Vera, heated up from her training, suddenly realizing she in fact was mad at him, aimed her other fist. He avoided it without bigger effort, eyebrow raised. "For real?"

She tried few different hits, getting frustrated when he managed to dodge them all and captured her fist in his hand. She growled and he let go.

Vera quickly spun and placed a back kick to his ribs – well, almost – he caught her feet as well. He didn't drop it though. Bending her leg to get him in her reach, she used her hands again - blocking her jab and left cross, he grabbed her forearm, pulling her close.

"Got you," he whispered to her ear teasingly and held her firmly as she tried to jerk away. Her frown was in sharp contrast with his grin.

"Good for you," she spitted out and using his grip to support her body, she prodded his knee with hers in attempt to trip him.

Surprisingly, he sunk a little before straightening up – he didn't expect it. Vera didn't think it was some special move – she just tried the first thing that came to her mind. He still held her, but his confident smile disappeared. They stood in their bizarre position for a while, silent, just breathing, Vera measuring him with somewhat pissed expression, he focusing on her with everything but his gaze.

"You're mad at me," he noted and she chuckled without humour, the sound loud in soft tones on the background – she would be stretching now.

"No shit, Sherlock. Do you always leave the girls you're sleeping with, and I mean literally sleeping, without even a simple note?"

His body tensed and his face changed in a mask of guilt. "You were asleep, I didn't want to wake you up. But I'm sorry. I really am. I should have texted at least."

"Yeah, well, no good crying over spilled milk."

He sighed and released her. She laughed humourlessly one more time when she recognized the song.

"What?"

"The song."

He tilted his head. He didn't understand a word. Naturally. "What is it about?"

Her eyebrows shot up, actually satisfied with his question. "You want me to translate? I will."

Matt was baffled at the sudden change in her mood. She would translate. It was a good song. Gotta love that irony. He nodded.

Prázdná je noc The night is empty
Měsíc do řeky spad As the moon drowned in a river
Prázdná a zlá So empty and wicked
Když nemám tě rád When I do not love you
Prázdná je noc The night is empty
Bez obrazu rám like a frame without the painting
Prázdná a zbytečná So empty and pointless
Když usínám sám When I'm falling asleep alone

Vera was reciting the lines right after, repeating after singer's voice. "You want me to continue?"

Matt grimaced. "No thanks. I got the message."

She sighed and hugged the bundle of misery in front of her. He contentedly hid her in his arms, placing a kiss in her hair. "Sorry. Again."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah…" she mumbled to his chest, breathing in his scent. She realized she was kinda gross, so she quickly freed herself from his embrace, not wanting his shirt to be soaked with her sweat. "So… any advices for my punches?"

He opened his mouth and closed it again. She acknowledged he would probably have a lot of them, so she took it back. "You know what? Don't answer."

As she started unwrapping her bandages, he smiled. "It's not bad actually. Little more hips moving – but you're definitely better at that than most people. Remember to hold your arms high. Nice kick."

Yeah, the guy who got it to his knee in her flat probably thought so as well. "You caught it," she opposed.

"And?" His face was saying And what? I am not most people, you know.

Vera huffed and threw the bandages aside. "Show-off." He just loved showing off, didn't he? "Can I watch you?" she demanded as the idea popped in her mind. She would love to watch him during work-out. Only for observing his technique, obviously.

She totally knocked him off balance if his expression was anything to go by. He blinked furiously, head tilting in silent question. Why?

Vera shrugged. "I want to see how it's done right," she said simply and started stretching, well-aware he was examining her thoughtfully. And maybe, just maybe, she was showing off this time – she was proud of her limber. If she was spreading her legs wider than necessary, bending over more than usual, it was a pure coincidence. A wicked smile appeared on her lips, when she was facing the floor and heard his teeth grind. He walked to his bag, changing his clothes to return the favour of teasing. She kept peeking and finished her stretching fast.

"So… can I?"

Matt sighed and stepped closer to the punching bag. "Vera, it's…"

"Hey, if you really mind, I'll be out of your hair." But I rather wouldn't.

"You're not gonna like it. And…" he hesitated and fell silent, as if he said something he didn't want to.

Count her interested. "And what?"

"Nothing."

He placed few powerful jabs in the bag and Vera had to use her hand to close her mouth which was hanging open when she saw how violently the punching bag jerked. Okay. She was a total loser. He hadn't even started yet. She swung up on the edge of the ring to get a better view.

Vera watched him silently as he was quickly changing the frequency of his hits and alternating them, never letting his guard down (and forearms fall down) despite not fighting a real enemy. She knew the theory, she tried to do it as well, but theory and practise were different things – she believed that if she would receive few blows in her face, she would probably remembered better. She observed his posture, the way his body shifted when he stroke. And she really didn't focus on his butt. She didn't! It was her gaze flickering there against her will – and he didn't even wear the tight pants. Which… shame.

Matt caught the punching bag with both hands and huffed. "Fine, I'll say it: …And you're distracting."

"What?!" she protested and her heartbeat jumped at his accusation as if she got caught. She didn't do anything! Nothing he could know of. "I didn't say a word! I didn't make a single move! Is my breathing annoying or what?" When she said it, she realized her breathing was actually faster. And her pulse probably too. Damn.

So she liked what she saw, sue her.

"Your heartbeat," Matt complained and turned around to face her.

"Well, excuse me for being alive," she blurted out. She was kinda ashamed though. Not that she would tell him that.

The corners of his lips twitched. "It's elevated, Vera."

Vera threw her hands in the air. "Same excuse! It's not like I can help it!" It's your fault anyway!

He crossed their distance in few quick steps and kissed her. Hard. Ooookay. Her hands flew to his face and hair to let him know she was all for it, just in case her mouth answering him eagerly wasn't an adequate evidence.

"If it's any consolation, mine was too," he whispered to her lips and leaned back.

"Was, huh?"

"Well, it is, again. I'm not a mind reader, but I can take a hint. Next time, I'll be ready for it," he promised and she understood it was his tactful way to ejecting her.

"Sure. Me too. I'm out." Vera jumped off the ring and grabbed her backpack.

"Sorry."

Vera laughed ta the absurdity of the situation. "Are you apologizing for distracting me or being distracted by it?" she asked him, actually curious.

"I guess both."

She snickered in response. Well, be glad you don't train in your mask… she thought as she walked to the door. Watching his ass was one thing, but being practically forced to stare at his lips would be much bigger issue, since she knew what he could do with them and she remembered where they had been last night.

"I thought you hated the mask," he remarked and she froze in mid-step.

"Did I say that out loud?"

"Uhm..."

"Dammit!"

"Don't you?" he wondered as he followed her footsteps and she sighed in resignation.

"I do. In my own way," she admitted, refusing to reveal her reasons. She was telling the truth and that had to suffice. The fact that she somehow loved it at the same time and it meant a lot for her that she knew the man under it could remain hidden.

"Huh."

"Yeah. Huh," she repeated, a stupid idea forming in her mind. "You wouldn't happen to have a spare one, would you?"

His face changed into a confused grimace. "Why?"

Vera bit her lip. "No reason." She spun on her heals and headed to the coat-stand and got dressed.

Matt jogged away, so she considered their conversation finished. She was surprised when he returned, piece of black fabric in his hand. To cover her own confusion (and excitement – she knew Matt was Mike and all that jazz, but it was still strange coming to terms with it, meeting reality – it was a work in progress), she interrogated him.

"Are you wearing your costume in your sports bag?" she asked him, bewildered. On the other hand, what did she expected? A vault with a safety lock? A fingerprints authorization perhaps?

Matt shrugged. "It would be a waste of time to come home from here and back. It's a spare one. Not worn yet. You can keep it; I have few more at home. Don't show it around though."

"Yeah, no kidding. You… you wouldn't mind?" She blushed furiously. It was ridiculous, but she wanted to have it. She accepted it hesitantly and he gave her a small peck on her lips.

"Night, Vera. I'll let you know when I'll get home."

She blinked in surprise. "You won't ask me why I want it?"

"Do you want to tell me?"

She considered. Why exactly did she? As a reminder of him? Or of his trust? As a lucky charm? She couldn't really explain why so… "I guess not. I'll let you know when I figure it out myself. Good night, Matt... Mike."

"You make me look like a schizophrenic," he complained as she switched the lights off.

Vera was leaving the gym with laugh, warm feeling in her chest and the Devil's cowl in her backpack.

-.-.-.-.-.-

The song Vera translates is Prázdná je noc by Janek Ledecký. If you want a full translation (a very loose one), I can try. Just let me know. And yes, I already sneaked one of his songs earlier. So yes, this one is ancient too :D