A/N: Is anybody out there?! Guys, these past few weeks have been crazy with packing and moving out. I'm so sorry for the wait. To the peeps who left amazing reviews, MulishaMaiden and EveWrites for your messages and great ideas I sincerely thank you for your insight. Enjoy!

"I miss you," the soldier whispered to the screen in front of him. He was relieved that Tesla got her somewhere safe, taking in the furniture, carpeted floor and closed curtains behind her as she lounged on the bed. It reminded him of their nights hiding from HYDRA, plagued by uncertainty yet finding stability with each other's presence. Sleeping on his own for the time being was an obstacle he had to overcome. The cold, empty space next to him taunted him, reminded him that she was there in Hell's Kitchen and not here; far from his protection. For hours, he would stare up at the pristine, white ceiling literally counting the seconds until she would return to his side. He pictured it perfectly and vividly; her mischievous smile, the playful glint in her eyes as she looked down at him. He could feel the softness of her skin like she was already there with him. A part of him was undeniably upset with her for making this decision to be without him; his mind went back to her promise of the two of them being partners.

But he knew that this was something he had to learn; a new level of trust, trust in what she was doing. The selfish side of him was constantly threatening to take over, tempting him to just grab her and whisk her away from this place. But he understood that this was bigger than the two of them; that was what she was trying to make him understand.

However, they contacted each other discreetly and agreed to video chat, his feelings of confusion and malcontent evapourated the moment he beheld her small but loving smile.

''I miss you too,'' she replied sadly, wishing this was just another mission of theirs so they could return home together. The first night for her was just as awful as his. The sheets were scratchy, the noises of the city were flooding in all at once; ambulances, police sirens, couples arguing in their apartments and conversations about heroes and vigilantes. She was grateful that she didn't have enhanced hearing; she felt sorry for superheroes who did. The peace and silence accompanied by Grumpy's presence was an insatiable craving she would always possess. The idea of going in blind without his warmth and constancy at her side was unnerving, making her increasingly anxious.

''Have you been having any more nightmares? Are you eating?" He questioned seriously. While his overprotectiveness was mostly smothering at times, at the moment it made him feel nearer to her. She laughed lightly at his never-ending concern.

"Yes I am. Tes is worse than you if there's such a thing," she replied, retreating back into the bittersweet mood of the evening. At the moment, her trusted A.I companion was running more scans on the dark web for where the Black Sky was being held, and if more were being shipped to New York City. Everything was currently in limbo and she found it difficult to breathe freely. The fear of something going wrong bore down on her like perpetual weight on her shoulders. She was constantly tense, muscles rigid as if anticipating intrusion and violence from her former captors and their new allies.

"How are things on your end?" She switched the subject, hoping that the Avengers' current plan would ease some of the agitation.

"Steve and I decided that we would stir up some trouble for them, try to draw them out. Maybe a Keeping them distracted on two fronts would give you a better chance of obtaining the Black Sky and getting back to the Tower without detection. We're still working out the technicalities of it all but we're getting there. For now, we're taking a look at what HYDRA could possibly deem as valuable. Strange is helping us with that since they still have a preference for occult objects," Grumpy explained. She nodded firmly and silently thanked a higher power for some sort of development. Hopefully this would work; it had to. The world depended on it, on her and the team. But then again, this was probably how the Avengers felt every day of their lives. It sucked.

"We'll get through this. We always do. This time we're not alone," he reassured her which made her slightly more optimistic. If he can see it, why can't she? She saw that he turned away from the camera to look behind him and met her gaze again.

"Your brother and sister want to talk to you. I'll be outside for a bit," he told her. Pietro and Wanda came into her line of sight and she heard the door on the right side of the screen close softly. A thought came to her head; so this is what it's like to be a real family, keep in contact over video chats and phone calls. It was a change for her of course since she had been alone most of life and had no one to even call on a daily basis. But it was a good change, a wholesome shift from individuality to community. Honestly, she was glad to see them.

"I still don't like this Dania," Pietro expressed his discomfort with their current position. He sat in the chair that was previously occupied by his sister's boyfriend. Wanda stood behind him, somber with a steady hand on his shoulder, as if holding him at bay before he sped off to Hell's Kitchen himself.

"I know. I don't like it either. But this is our one chance to rid the world of HYDRA and their plans. We can finally get payback for all they've done to us," Kennedy implored. She wasn't only talking about the torture she and Grumpy managed to escape, but also the experimentation her siblings were subjected to. While it was voluntary, HYDRA preyed on their loss, their insecurities, their weaknesses for each other. And then, she realised that there was more to it.

"They took me away from you...the four of you," she continued, acknowledging the parents she would never meet. She frequently dreamt what it would be like, to know them, to grow up in a simple home. Would her mother have been a housewife or a working woman? What was it like to see a father come home smiling to his children? Even though she was at a total loss as to that kind of life, she could at least get an idea from her siblings. Unfortunately, amongst the chaos of the last few weeks, she was unable to have a proper chat with them. However, they showed their unwavering support and trust which made her warm up to this idea of family even more.

"They shall pay, Dania. One way or another. And we will do it together...as a family..." Wanda told her sincerely. Kennedy clamped her mouth shut in order to not let go a sob in response to her sister's sentimentality, a concept that she was still trying to understand with others besides Grumpy. She nodded fervently before saying,

"When I get back...when this is all over, we should talk. The three of us...I-I think a nice, long talk would be great. I'm sorry it's taken this long to...you know what I mean."

"I really think we should come over there. I can take out the HYDRA scum in seconds," Pietro interjected, shifting restlessly in the chair.

"HYDRA knows you too better than anyone. They basically created you and they probably know your powers more than you do. Stay with the others. I mean it." Her brother snorted and crossed his arms, resulting in Wanda giving him a scolding tap on his bicep.

"You promise to call us, yes? If things get bad?" Wanda asked.

"I swear it," Kennedy replied sincerely, "I know I'm not alone." Their youngest sister's answer seemed to sate their uncertainties. Grumpy strolled into the camera's vision and they took their leave.

"We've made contact with Strange and he thinks he has a plan to draw them out," he told her, leaning on the long control panel.

"I'll leave you to it. Tes is almost done here as well." He nodded solemnly, not wanting to end the conversation; but she gave him a mission and he would go to the ends of the earth to see it through.

"Is he taking care of my girl?" The soldier asked with a crooked smile which made her radiate with delight.

"Yes I am," the A.I replied in the background.

"Good," he replied and turned his eyes to her, "I love you."

"I love you too." After sharing a short moment of loving silence, they logged off and settled into the lonely spaces of their respective corners of New York City. The soldier returned to Steve's side, pensive and business-like as Stephen Strange's expressionless face appeared on the computer screen.

"Strange, you've found something we can use as bait?" Rogers folded his arms, hoping for some good news.

"Yes. Have you ever heard of the Darkhold?"

…...

Kennedy anxiously waited for her A.I to finish his configuration. Her burner computer was still trying to grow accustomed to Tesla's power and the colossal amounts of information he provided. She chewed on her thumbnail nervously as the bar loaded to 99.8%.

"Complete. Sources from the dark web and not so discreet chatter in Hell's Kitchen confirm that an exchange between HYDRA and the Yakuza shall take place tonight at 2300 hours. At least two dozen men...weapons expected. Do we have a plan?" Tesla questioned.

Kennedy looked down at the green stone that rested in her palm. What was the plan anyway? It hadn't given her visions since they arrived in the district it wanted her to come to. Was it screwing with her? As if reading her mind, it started to pulse a bit brighter, a sign that all would be well and to have faith. It was difficult to have faith in a city like this, with people like HYDRA, mafias and other criminal organizations running amuck.

"It will be ok. We'll just improvise I guess," she answered unsure. She knew Tesla would give her an eye roll if he could.

"Are you sure that's wise?"

"It will be fine. I'll take them out when the time is right, we get the Black Sky, send word to Grumpy and we get the hell out of this place."

Matt Murdock crouched on a roof top a mile away from the hotel room of Hell's Kitchen's most recent visitor. From what he could piece together, she was planning to take the Black Sky for herself, for power or fame. From the time he spent tailing her, he pieced together what kind of person she was with the help of his independent research. Her name was Kennedy Walsh, British citizen, resident of Pentonville Prison in London until several months ago when she was mysteriously removed, incarcerated for treason in the attempt to sell state secrets. Why else would she want the Black Sky? It was obvious that she wanted to continue her criminal activities. Not in his city, not ever. His burner phone rang and he picked up on the first ring.

"Foggy," he answered huskily before he realised that he didn't need to disguise his voice anymore. It was still a new concept that his friend was aware of his nightly activities.

"How's your brooding on rooftops going?" His friend asked sarcastically.

"How do you know I'm on a rooftop?"

"Well aren't you?" Matt's silence proved this assumption.

"You see? You vigilante types love to brood over your city and shit, like that Bat guy everyone talks about."

"Are you calling to criticise my technique or is it something important?"

"Yeesh. Touchy much? Anyway, I wanted to let you know that Karen is getting more inquisitive. Watch your ass. You've been out every night this week. Is something going on?"

"There are some new players in the Kitchen. I think I'll pay them a visit. I'll see you tomorrow." That small voice in the back of his head scolded him for being cocky, carefree, feeling invincible. After saving his city from the likes of Wilson Fisk and effortlessly taking down what was left the scumbags on the street, he enjoyed his job as Hell's Kitchen's red protector. What was one young girl going to do? That was when he felt it. A strange pulse, the air around him vibrating with energy he only felt once on a field trip to a nuclear power plant. He tilted his head, confused and trying to pinpoint the source. Was that coming from this Walsh girl? He never read this off of someone before; bodily changes yes, but not...power. He wouldn't know exactly what kind of power until later that night.

…...

Kennedy crept through the maze of rusty storage containers at the docks. She tried her best to tiptoe around the metal bits, stray concrete chunks and deep puddles that would have alerted her shady friends of her presence. She peeped around the corner to see seven obligatory black SUVs forming a semi circled blockade around the dock's edge. Men decked out in tactical gear and machine guns waited patiently but tensely for the cargo to arrive. HYDRA definitely. Her last vision was playing itself out perfectly, from the positions of the men to the fresh, salty scent of the bay. The urgency within her increased; she needed to stop this while she could. Another motorcade pulled up, followed by a procession of less glamorous soldiers with a variety of different rifles.

The Japanese kingpin ceremoniously eased himself out of one of his Land Rovers and stood at ease before the curved line of strike team members. Kennedy's eyes analysed every inch of this man, trying to get a bearing of how threatening he was. His sharp cheekbones practically screamed villain, his gaze looked perpetually hard and cold and his stance was ready to take all these guys out at once. Shady as hell, even though his suit was most likely Westwood or Ralph Lauren.

HYDRA's leading man ominously stepped forth from the shadows of the night with a tight smile in greeting. He spread his hands out as a friendly gesture, or maybe to show that he wasn't armed. Either way, she thought he looked like a double crossing dick.

"Mr. Nobu," he said shaking the other's hand firmly.

"Mr. Garret," Nobu's accent played with the name, as if it was an inside joke or slightly mocking. Kennedy shook her head in disbelief; why didn't they just kill each other then and there instead of wasting everyone's time?

"Thank you for helping us in this endeavour..." While these 'pleasantries' were being exchanged, Kennedy was looking for a way to disrupt their trade. She counted the men; 48 in total, all armed. She believed that she stood a chance with the stone's power, her power and Tesla's assistance in cutting off all communication; a good way to keep things quiet.

Her attention snapped to a shipping container, the one containing the mysterious, otherworldly child in chains. As the lid was wrenched open, the child looked up expressionlessly at its captors. He didn't even look angry or scared, as if accepting his position. His eyes, however, discreetly drifted in her direction, to the shadows. She stopped breathing and hoped that the kid would realise that she was here to save him. His silence seemed to help her anxiety considerably.

"The energy...the power resides in him?" Garret asked.

"Yes. It would have to be extracted of course. An unpleasant necessity."

"Thank you. You don't know what it means to us. Hail Hydra."

The stone pulsed frantically in her hand, as if to signal her that it was time to move. The centre of her palm began to radiate and increase in heat the longer she waited. She took a breath and held her fist out, squinting her eyes to aim at the cars. She knew the stone understood her desire to not kill everyone, but rather distract them. As the energy was about to leave her, all hell broke loose. She heard a loud clang on one of the containers, which made bullets and obscenities fly wildly in panic.

She swore and crouched down to go further into the shadows, trying to figure out her next move. So someone was here to disrupt the exchange, causing havoc. Was this her friend or foe? Who else knew about the activities happening here tonight? She didn't know what to do, looking down at the stone for some guidance; she was met with silence.

"Really?" She groaned and pocketed the wretched thing. She dared to peak around her corner and found that men lay unconscious and the cars either sped off or were abandoned in the commotion. She crept from her space into the open and gripped her hair.

"Fuck!" She screamed in frustration. What was she to do now? It took ages for her to find the smallest threads on the dark web; how the hell was she supposed to get the Black Sky back now? Without the team's help, her goal was further out of reach.

Her heart jumped out of her throat when she heard someone land on the gravel behind her. She spun around, a startled sound resounding in her throat but fell silent with shock as she beheld who it was. His red mask paired with the signature horns she recognised from newspapers all over town was in fact intimidating. The holes where his eyes were able to see out of were blocked out by red film, his kevlar body suit immediately gave her the impression that he was not one to mess around with and his two batons were gripped tight in his gloved hands. The Devil of Hell's Kitchen or Daredevil as he was formally known stood before her, jaw locked and ready to attack if she gave him a reason.

"You..." She breathed.

"You shouldn't be here Miss Walsh," he cut her off. She gave him a confused look.

"You know me?"

"I know enough. Traitor to the United Kingdom for attempting to sell state secrets to the highest bidder. Not your typical teenage angst story." She grinded her teeth, trying to keep calm.

"I'm not here to take the cargo to sell it. I need to get it out of the Yakuza and HYDRA's hands. The world depends on it."

"Nice try. Not gonna happen. If you don't leave my city tonight, I will know."

"The intimidating act won't work. I'm not leaving."

"I won't ask again." In a flash he gripped her forearm, but her powers were faster. Strange taught her to analyse an opponent's movements from their body language as soon as they entered the room. She had a feeling this little spat was coming. Her telekenesis along with the stone's protective measures shot him back with a blast of energy. He flew back and groaned loudly as he hit the floor. It wasn't like the movies where guys would flip back up without a scratch. Even though he was dressed like a superhero, she saw that he was just an ordinary guy; no powers, just pure will. She respected that.

He coughed and stood up looking pissed.

"I heard about people like you," he said cracking his neck. She scoffed at his typical badass kind of behaviour. He flipped and sent one of his batons flying at her. She admitted that it almost caught her off guard and she swore silently as she dodged it. He smirked as if he heard her and sent his last one at her before he bolted, jumping high to tackle her to the ground only to be suspended in mid air. He gave a irritated groan and snarled at his inability to defeat her. She guessed that this didn't happen to him often.

"Would you just listen to me goddamit?!" She snapped at him and she held him steadily in the air. He stopped struggling and glared at her beneath his mask.

"I'm not here to take the Black Sky for myself. This is a lot bigger than you and me, okay? It's cosmic. The Avengers and I need to stop whatever these groups are planning to do with it. If we fail, the world is as good as dead. I have a feeling that you're trying to do the right thing. I've read about the good things you do. Trust me when I say we're on the same side. Believe me, please," she pleaded with him. He remained silent in his invisible barrier. However, she saw him tilt his head to the side for a while, as if listening for something. She didn't ask him what he was doing; maybe it was his way of considering her words.

"You have five minutes to convince me before I take you out of this city myself," he grunted. She smirked before placing him on the ground gently. It would take a lot longer than five minutes.