Pairings: Jessica Drew & Matt, Tony & Pepper, Thor & Storm (explicit)
Explicit Content: Vaginal Sex
Warning: Contains major spoilers for Daredevil Season 3 episodes 11 through 13
Jessica Drew is lying on the couch watching 'The Great British Bake-Off' while Carol is playing with her hair. "Her dough is much too thick. It's never gonna cook proper."
"Like you can do better," she says as she divides the lock of dark hair in her hand into three and starts a braid.
"Oh I definitely can't. Baking is beyond me. Give me a room with a dozen goons over having to make a puff pastry any day."
"I'm with you there." Carol isn't back to full power yet, but she's getting stronger with each day. "The thing I hate about this show is that it always makes me want whatever it is they're making."
"So true." Her phone buzzes with a notification. It's on the coffee table. Her fingertips can just reach it with her arm extended. It's enough. The stickiness allows her to easily bring it closer. She unlocks the phone to see what it is. "Shit."
Carol's fingers immediately stop braiding. "What?"
She sits up. "News is saying Daredevil is terrorizing a church," she replies as her eyes scan the story.
"Does it say where?" she asks as she pauses the show.
It takes a moment to get to the part where they finally mention the church by name. "It's his church."
"Who's church?" The answer becomes obvious as soon as Carol asks the question. It's Matt's church, the man her friend has been mourning since before she woke up.
"I have to go." She stands and looks around for her other things.
"Mask," Carol suggests.
"The place is going to be crawling with cops," she reminds her friend as she puts on her boots. "They aren't going to want an unsanctioned vigilante out there."
"I don't care what they want. If you plan on using your powers, put on the damn mask. Besides, you're only unsanctioned if you go to another country without permission. So either don't talk or talk American."
"Ugh. Yes, Carol." She hits the last syllable a lot harder than she normally would. She grabs her leather jacket and turns it inside out. Now instead of being all black, the front is red with her spider logo. She takes the goggles out of the pocket and puts them on. "Better?"
"Much. Now go save the church." As Carol watches Jess climb out the window, she feels a pang of jealousy. If she were stronger, she'd be going, too. The sudden appearance of Chewie on her lap pulls her thoughts back to the present. "No action for Carol," she tells her cat. "This sucks."
Chewie meows at her.
"No, not you. This." She waves her hand around. "The situation. No bad guys. No Bucky." She sighs. "If I don't get better enough to fight, I'm going to go crazy." She frowns. "No need to point out that I'm talking to a cat." She picks up the remote and stops the show. She's glad she has a training session scheduled for tomorrow. She has a great need to hit things.
xxx
By the time Jess gets to Clinton Church in Hell's Kitchen, the situation has changed. The police and FBI are on the scene. The fake Daredevil has disappeared. Word is that there is one casualty – Father Lantom. The news breaks Jess' heart. "Are you sure?"
The witness nods. "He moved in front of the blonde woman just when Daredevil…"
"It wasn't Daredevil. Not the real one," Spider-Woman assures them. She asks about the woman but only gets a description. "Thank you for the information." She moves to get closer to the church.
Scanning the faces of the cops, she doesn't see anyone she knows. But there is a fresh-faced uniformed officer that she might be able to convince to let her in. Not if she is in her vigilante garb though. She takes the goggles off and turns her jacket inside out again. She takes a moment to get into the right headspace before running to the church in a line that takes her near that officer.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. You can't go in."
"My sister, she told me she was going to church. Now I can't reach her," she tells him in a voice cracking with fear. "I can't reach her. Please, I need to know she's alright." She looks at the church with eyes wet with unfallen tears.
He feels bad for her. "Look, the FBI took over. Plus the church has been evacuated. There are people all around."
"Have you seen her? She has long blonde hair. Pale skin."
"I wouldn't know. Sorry, ma'am." He's interrupted by his radio saying there was no sign of Daredevil. "I'm gonna need you to step back." He looks sympathetic.
"I heard someone got hurt." Her lip trembles.
"A priest," he tells her. "Not your sister."
She touches his arm. "Thank you." After taking one last look at the church, she turns away and sees a familiar face walking toward the church. She walks toward him to get a closer look knowing she won't be able to intercept. If she wants to know what Matt's lawyer friend is doing there, she will have to find a different tactic. What was his name again? Something to do with weather. Smog? Fog. Foggy. That was it. Foggy. Yes, that is definitely Foggy.
In a dark alley, she turns her jacket around and puts on her goggles. Then she climbs up the building. Should be an easy glide to the church.
There's someone there. A shadow crouched next to the cross.
She runs to the ledge and jumps, gliding quietly to the church. It's still enough noise to make his head tilt. The top half of his face is covered in black cloth, but she'd recognize those lips anywhere. Walking toward him, she takes in a breath, preparing to speak.
He holds up a finger as his head tilts back down. He's listening to what's going on in the church.
Jess crouches down beside him, her eyes looking over his body. She's missed it. She's missed him. There's blood on his chest, and she wonders if it's his.
His lips snarl. His nostrils flare. His hand drops.
"My condolences," she says. "I heard about Father Lantom."
"Thank you."
"Is that your blood? Should I be concerned?"
"You should leave," he tells her just before he stands.
"I mourned you." She starts to follow him. "And I can help you."
He stops and turns to face her. "Fisk has Federal Agents in his back pocket. They just tried to kill my friend."
"They did kill your friend," she corrects him. "Or was Father Lantom just a priest."
Guilt causes his head to drop. "You're right. He was my friend. More. But that adds to my point. There's something I need to do. And I don't want you tainted by it."
"Tainted? Matt, I'm Spider-Woman. If you know anything about me, you know I was practically born tainted."
"That's not true." He steps closer to her. His hands gently take hold of her arms. "You deserve better. I wish I had time for this conversation, but I don't. Just…We'll talk later, okay?"
"You're damned right we're going to talk later. But you also aren't getting rid of me that easily."
"Jess, go home. Please." Before she can answer, he turns and starts to run.
She runs after him across rooftops, a part of her wanting to yell "parkour" as she watches him jump over a railing, land in a roll, and slide down some ductwork. She knows he can hear her following, but she stays back.
He finally stops at a rooftop railing. His head is bent forward as though listening to something on the street.
Jess stays in shadow at the other end of the roof. She watches him stand there for a long while. Then he steps back and pulls the mask off his face.
It's just as she remembers, though the eyes are more haunted. That's understandable.
Two people come out of the door from the building. It's the lawyer and the woman.
"So it looks like you needed my help after all," the man says.
"Yeah." Even from this distance, Jess can tell how hard that is for Matt to say. "Yeah, I did, Foggy. You're right."
"Do you have any idea how life has sucked for Karen and me while you were off doin' your own thing?"
Well now at least Jess knows she wasn't the only one being kept away.
"No, but I'm sorry, Foggy. Maybe I was wrong to…to push you away."
"Okay, it's insanely hard to fight with you if you keep agreeing with me."
Jess mouths, 'Amateur,' to herself.
"Good, 'cause I don't want to fight with you," Matt replies. "Look, the way I've treated you, the way I've treated all of you, you deserve better." His head tilts ever so slightly in the direction of Jess' hiding place.
"Yes, we did," Foggy agrees.
"Yes, you did."
The woman speaks for the first time. "Okay, so where do we go from here?"
"I don't want to leave you," Matt says, "but I can't ask you to be accomplices to what I have to do now."
Foggy makes a face. "What does that mean?"
It's Karen who answers. "It means that, uh, Matt's gonna kill Fisk."
"That building falling on you really did mess up your head."
Matt tries to make him understand. "We put him in prison, Foggy. Look what happened."
"It's not going to be the same this time," Foggy insists. "They're gonna throw him in some supermax hole where he can't compromise anybody."
"I know you're not that naïve."
"It's called having faith in the system. Something you used to have."
"It's called facing the reality that some people are so rich and powerful the system simply can't handle them, that they simply are above the law."
"That's the bullshit that people like Fisk want you to believe," Foggy tells him. "Nobody is above the law. The only thing powerful enough to take down scumbags like him is the law."
"He's twisted it into something that actually protects him," Matt tries to explain.
"Federal law, maybe, but we can build a state case that even Blake Tower can't deny, force him to take it to the grand jury."
"Fisk has been five steps ahead of us at every turn. You really think he's gonna allow that to happen?"
Karen tells Matt, "Hey, you're right. You're right. Maybe just hear him out."
"Fine. I'm telling you it's not going to work. You want to give the law another try, sure, I'm all ears."
"Simple," Foggy says. "Step one, we work together. Step two, we come up with a plan. And step three, we execute that plan."
Matt chuckles in disbelief. "That's genius. Come up with that by yourself?"
"So I'm still working out the details."
Karen sighs. "What about this? What about we find ourselves another witness. Someone who will flip on Fisk. But unlike Jasper Evans, we keep 'em alive this time."
Nodding, Foggy adds, "Someone who knows the details of Fisk's criminal operation. Who has nothing to lose."
"No," Matt says. "No, we find someone who has everything to lose."
"You have someone in mind," Karen realizes.
"I do. Stay here. I'll get him." He ties the black cloth over his face again. "Spider-Woman?"
"Yeah?" She steps out of the shadow.
"Stay with Karen and Foggy until I get back. When the Feds find out they aren't at NYPD, they're going to be in danger."
"Don't do anything stupid. We still need to have that chat," she reminds him.
He nods.
"Go on then. I'll introduce myself as we watch that lovely tush of yours run away."
The grin on his face is almost bashful. "Right. Stay safe." He turns and runs off.
She gives him a wolf whistle before turning to the others. "Karen. Foggy. I'm Spider-Woman. Shall we go inside? I'm sure we all have lots and lots of questions."
xxx
The nanotechnology is losing cohesion in the atmosphere. Tony is trying to figure out why, but so far it's alluding him.
"Tony, up."
He looks over and down. "Nicholas? How did you get in here?"
"Up," the little boy insists with his arms raised.
"Okay, come here." He picks up his son and puts him on his lap. "Where's mommy?"
"Mommy phone." He waves at the robot arm. "Hi, Dum-E."
The arm rises and makes a wave-like motion.
Tony pushes Nicholas' arm down. "Don't distract him."
"Bugs."
"Bugs?"
Nicholas points with his other arm. "Bugs."
"Nanites," Tony corrects him.
He pulls back his arm. "Ant bites?"
"No. Nanites. Doesn't matter," he realizes. Maybe he needs a break. "Hey, wanna play?"
"Tea party?"
"You want to play tea party?" He sighs. "Okay. Sounds fun."
"Tea party an' cookie."
There it is. "Cookie, huh?"
"Yes."
"Well you can't have tea without cookies." Tony groans as he stands, keeping his son against his chest. "Think mommy will want tea and cookies, too?"
"Yes."
"Yes. Great. What kind of tea do you want?" he asks as he heads out of the lab.
"Camo flower."
"Camo flower it is." When they get to the kitchen, he grabs the chamomile tea from the cupboard. Then using only one hand (the other occupied holding Nicholas) he fills the electric kettle with water and starts it to boil. "You know who always drinks tea?"
"Who?"
"Loki. Everyone else is a grown up and drinks coffee."
Nicholas makes a face. "Tea is a kids' drink?"
"No. That's…" He's reminded again of how much kids absorb even when you don't mean them to. "It was a joke. Ha ha. Lots of grownups drink tea. The Queen of England drinks tea." Then he adds, "I'm about to drink tea. So is mommy."
"And cookie," Nicholas says to remind his father.
"And cookie. Cookies are definitely for kids and grownups."
"Yeah."
Tony gets the teapot ready before going for the cookies. By that time, the water is ready. "I'm going to set you down so you can go tell mommy about our tea party, okay?"
"Okay." As soon as his feet hit the ground, he's off.
That makes preparing the tea and putting the cookies on a plate much easier. He's just getting the tray to the coffee table when his son returns pulling Pepper behind him. He smiles at her. "We're having a tea party."
"So I've been told."
"Mama, you pour," Nicholas says as he takes his place in front of his cup. The cups are tiny, barely holding a quarter cup of liquid.
Pepper sits and looks at her husband. "Do we need to let the tea cool?" That's code asking if he's put ice in the teapot.
"Nope. Should be fine to drink."
"Great." She picks up the teapot on pours the chamomile tea into the three cups. "There we are."
"Honey please," the boy says.
Tony adds a spoon of honey to his son's tea and moves it around to dissolve.
Nicholas picks up his cup, his pinky finger sticking out. He takes a sip. "Mmm. Good tea."
This is it. This is why Tony has done everything he's done. "Yes, yes, it is." He takes a sip of his own and finds he's drained half the cup.
Pepper looks at him. "Was your meeting with Secretary Ross today?"
"It was. He's thinks they can get funding to re-start the Iron Legion program."
That's not what she expected. "Really? Even after what happened with Ultron?"
"They wouldn't be autonomous."
"And you're okay with that?"
"I'm thinking about it." He knows that look she's giving him. "How about we discuss after the tea party." He pours himself another cup.
"Good idea." She turns to her son. "Nicholas, did you have fun at daycare today?"
"Yes. We learned about bugs."
"Bugs?" Tony realizes that's probably why Nicholas thought his nanites were ants. "That's cool."
"Spiders have eight legs."
"They sure do."
"Webs come out of their butts."
There is a moment of stunned silence.
Pepper nods.
Tony smiles. "Does anything else come out of its butt?"
That makes Nicholas giggle.
"Not good conversation when we're eating," Pepper warns them. Then she holds up the plate of cookies.
Father and son each take one. "Thanks, mommy."
"You're welcome."
"Do you like the tea?" Nicholas asks.
"I do. It's very good."
"Tony made it."
"Tony makes the best tea," she says. "Do you know why?"
"Love," he replies with a smile.
Smiling, Tony nods. His father never told him he loved him. Now, Tony makes sure to say it every day. "That's right. I made it with love for the two people I love most in the world." Later when Nicholas is asleep and they are lying in bed, he reminds Pepper of this.
"I know you do. But another Iron Legion?"
"This way I can retire. Like we planned before Captain Underpants decided he didn't need us anymore."
She puts the bookmark in her book and sets it on her lap. "I thought you worked for the U.N. not Ross."
"Same thing."
"It's not, and you know it." She looks at him. "I just want to know that you're sure this is what you want."
Looking at her, he knows he can't lie. Well, he can, but she would just call him on it. It's easier to tell the truth. "I don't know. I don't trust Ross. But I'd also like to retire from saving the world."
"Can't you train some new recruits? You all had started adding Avengers before the whole U.N. thing."
"Most of the ones we added left. Captain Marvel is still recovering. Spider-Man prefers sticking to his own neighborhood. Which, by the way, so do the ones I tried to recruit out of Harlem, Chinatown, and Midtown."
"I remember you telling me about them."
"Yeah. The one in Harlem has his own app, but he won't join the Avengers." Tony is more upset that he wasn't the first one to think of creating an app than about not recruiting Luke Cage.
Pepper reads his face. "You're thinking about the app, aren't you."
"It's a pretty good idea."
"And also kind of an invasion of privacy."
"I guess."
"You should look outside the U.S.," Pepper suggests. "For recruits. And don't limit yourself to people with powers. Natasha and Clint didn't have powers, just really good skills."
"Yeah."
"I'm serious."
"I know you are. Maybe you should be the one recruiting."
Pepper shakes her head. "No thanks. But Rhodey could help. He's doing a lot better now. Maybe he knows some people in the military who would be interested."
"Maybe."
"Have you told Rhodey about Ross' suggestion?"
"Not yet. We have a playdate tomorrow. I'll talk to him about it then," he promises.
xxx
Sam is sitting in the garden staring up at the stars. They are different than the ones back home. It makes him homesick.
"Stunning, right?" Bruce walks over and sits beside him.
"Yeah." He glances at him. "Do you remember anything about what it was like out there?"
"No. Not until Thor showed up."
"That's gotta be scary, so much of your life lived without you even being aware."
"Yeah. I try not to think about it."
Sam nods. "Avoidance. That's typical. At some point, though, you will need to face it."
"Pretty sure I went to space so I wouldn't have to face it," Bruce says.
"And life brought you back. Kind of an apt metaphor," Sam notes. "Funny how the universe forces us to deal with our shit."
"Thor brought me back."
"Thor wouldn't have been there to find you if not for a bunch of decisions and actions. If any of those things hadn't happened, you'd still be there."
Bruce looks at Sam. "Are you trying to psychoanalyze me?"
Sam moves only his eyes to look back at Bruce. "No. Why? Do you want me to?"
"No."
"You came and sat next to me," he reminds him. This time he turns his full attention to Bruce. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Did you have multiple personality disorder before Hulk?"
The question makes him uneasy. This isn't the first time someone has brought up that possibility, but it is the first time anyone has asked so bluntly. It causes him to hesitate. "No. Not that I know of."
"But you aren't sure?" Sam asks.
He frowns. Memories he's tried to forget cast shadows on his thoughts. "There were a couple of times when things got really bad with my dad that I blacked out. I always figured he had knocked me out."
"And now you aren't so sure?"
"I was sure until you asked."
Sam makes a face. "Sorry. I was just curious. Didn't mean to stir up any doubts." He can't help himself. "But that's something you may want to explore with a psychiatrist."
"Right." Bruce hasn't seen a psychiatrist since S.H.I.E.L.D. fell. It was the only reason he had talked to one. It was required. It wasn't like he went on his own. His father used to say only crazy people saw them. Even though he knows that's not true, he can't help but feel like going to one on his own would be admitting he was crazy. Then again, he has a giant rage monster living inside him that likes to take over. Maybe it's time he admitted he needs help, beyond the help Logan had given him that he has now completely regressed from. He sighs. "Guess I can't hide here forever."
"Is that what you're doing?" Sam asks. "Hiding?"
"No. I'm helping." He shifts his shoulders. "Hiding is just a bonus feature."
He nods. "We all need help sometimes, Bruce. No shame in that."
"Yeah."
There's a long pause. "I think I actually miss the sound of the water," Sam realizes. "And the moon. I miss our moon."
"Yeah." He shakes his head. "I can't believe how much I missed."
"It was a lot."
"Tony really sided with the government?" Bruce still has a hard time believing that.
"He did. Having a kid changed his perspective." It's understandable if misguided in Sam's opinion.
"It certainly did."
"It certainly did," Sam repeats.
xxx
The plan is for Matt to accompany the person who is going to testify against Fisk to the courthouse where a Grand Jury is to be held. Hopefully. It hasn't actually been scheduled yet. This person is an FBI agent named Rahul Nadeem. Everyone calls him Ray. Jessica is supposed to make sure Karen also get to the courthouse.
They work out the details of what will happen to Agent Nadeem's family after in an old boxing gym.
When Jess protests about not going with him, Matt informs her that Karen is the one the fake Daredevil was trying to kill.
Karen looks away. "Father Lantom –"
"Did what he thought was right," Matt reminds her. "It wasn't your fault."
Jess agrees. "Blame fake Daredevil. We really need to call him something else."
"He's a hell of a shot," Matt tells her.
"Well we can't call him Hawkeye. Clint is still using that wherever he is." She snaps her finger when an idea comes. "Bullseye." When she notices the three of her looking at her as though she has the wrong priorities, she challenges, "What? Part of this is getting Daredevil back his good name. We need to give newspapers a catchy name to call the other one. Otherwise they're gonna keep calling him Daredevil, and that will not be helpful." She points at Karen. "You should call him that during your press conference thingy and in any stories you write."
She nods. "Yeah. Okay."
"Good. I'll be in regular clothes for that and keep an eye on the crowd."
That makes Matt feel better about leaving his friends. "Thanks, Jess."
"Certainly. But you can thank me proper later."
He's not sure how to take that, but he can't deny his heart speeds up at those words. Outwardly, though, there is no change.
Karen pipes up. "We should go."
Jess touches his arm. "Matt." She kisses his cheek then says, "Be careful."
"Always."
"Liar," she says as she, Karen, and Foggy walk out leaving Matt smiling.
Foggy goes to talk to the District Attorney to get the Grand Jury ready. Jess sticks with Karen. Matt remains at the gym with Nadeem until Foggy returns with the District Attorney. As a witness to Wilson Fisk's many criminal pursuits, the Federal Agent cuts a deal to testify. Despite Nelson & Murdock trying to get him full immunity, Nadeem agrees to do five years for each homicide he witnessed. The District Attorney thinks he can get a Grand Jury together by 4pm. It's progress.
xxx
Jess keeps watch a bit away as Karen goes to the food cart her old editor always goes to. There is a hug and then an intense conversation. She watches as Karen walks back to her, nodding as she gets closer. Her editor will arrange the press conference. Thinks are falling into place.
They get to the courthouse just before Matt and Agent Nadeem do. Foggy is already there.
Jess quickly looks over Matt. "Scanner said there were shots."
"We got through it," he assures her. "We're fine."
"Okay."
Agent Nadeem is taken to the Grand Jury room.
Karen heads outside to speak to the press. Jess follows a little behind, scanning the crowd to make sure no one tries to kill her.
"Wilson Fisk tried to have me killed last night. It wasn't Daredevil. It was a man Fisk hired – Benjamin Poindexter. Bullseye."
It all goes perfectly until Matt hears what's going on in the jury room. Fisk had one of the jurors memorize the names and addresses of the others. The threat is unspoken but very real. They return without an indictment.
Karen is accosted by the press, calling her a liar. She rushes away, Jess tracking her, making sure she's safe.
Ray runs to the bathroom to puke. This was all for nothing.
His lawyers go after him. Matt punches the wall. "It's over."
"No,"Foggy says. "The system will work."
"He's bought the system!" Matt takes a breath to calm his voice. "We tried it your way, Foggy. It didn't work." He leaves the room just as Agent Nadeem opens the stall door. He's already out of the bathroom and too focused on his own task to hear the agent knock out Foggy with a single punch.
It's night when they meet back up at the gym. That's when Foggy gets the call. Agent Nadeem was found shot in the head in the backyard of his house.
Matt leaves.
Jess follows after him. "That wasn't your fault. You had to try."
"Stay away, Jess. You're not going to like what comes next."
"Story of my life."
"I mean it." He stops and turns to her. "Fisk isn't done. He won't be done until we're all dead and he owns every cop, every lawyer, and every politician."
"Agreed. But we need to play this smart."
"There is no we, Jess!"
Her breath catches. "Rude much? I can help, asshole."
"You wanna help? Make sure Foggy and Karen don't get themselves killed." His brow furrows. "And make sure Fisk doesn't know you're involved in any of this. Please." His shoulders slump. "I have to do this myself."
"You're an idiot," she tells him. "But I actually understand. Just know that if you're doing this for revenge, it will only feel better for a moment. And it will change you. You may think it won't. You may think you can go into confession and do your penance to make it go away, but you can't. Believe me."
He nods. "You sound like me a few years ago," he admits.
"Oh, so you used to be smart then, eh?" It's not much of a joke.
"Yeah," he says with a hint of a chuckle. "Please, Jess, don't follow me. Carol needs you."
"Oh you son of a bitch." She watches him turn and rush away. How did he know that was the one thing that would stop her from following him? "Stay alive, asshole!" Softer, she repeats, "Stay alive."
xxx
Jess has keys to Carol's place. She lets herself in the street door but knocks when she gets to the apartment. As soon as the door opens, she hugs her friend.
"Are you okay?" Carol asks, all her other questions falling away as she holds her friend.
"Not sure yet."
"Ice cream?"
"Definitely ice cream."
Carols closes the door and takes the few steps to the kitchen area. "Are you involved with this Fisk business?" She opens a pint from the freezer and grabs two spoons.
"Yes. Sort of."
"Sort of?" She hands her friend a spoon. "Spill it."
Jess needs a bit of ice cream first. She savors the cold, creamy, chocolatey, caramel-y goodness when it hits her taste buds. She takes a breath. "First and most importantly, Matt is still alive."
"Confirmed?"
"Confirmed."
"Jess, that's great.
"Yes. But wait, there's more." She has some more ice cream. "I met Daredevil."
Carol immediately looks concerned. "The one at the church?"
"That wasn't Daredevil. That was an imposter. Did you see the news conference earlier today?"
"Yeah. The woman said it was some guy called Bullseye. But it ended up being a bunch of bullshit?"
"Not bullshit," she says, emphasizing each word with a wave of her spoon. "Bullseye was the name I came up with. I think it's brilliant. I don't want to hear any criticism."
"I like it. It's catchy."
"Right? Anyway, the church Daredevil who shot up the place was this Bullseye. The real Daredevil was on the roof of the church." She holds up her spoon to stop Carol from interrupting. "The real Daredevil was wearing all black, not the suit. That is how I know they were different." She gets more ice cream. "Anyway, I was helping."
"As you do."
She lets the ice cream melt in her mouth before swallowing. "As I do. Agent Nadeem was telling the truth. Fisk got to one of the jurors."
"Well shit."
"Yeah. And now he's dead."
"The juror?"
"Nadeem. One shot in the middle of his forehead."
"Bullseye?"
"That's the working theory." She gets more on her spoon. "Daredevil is convinced the only way to stop Fisk is to kill him."
"And you?" Carol studies her friend.
Jess thinks for a moment. "I think he might be right. But he's never killed before. Either he won't be able to go through with it, or he won't be able to live with himself if he does."
xxx
Storm finally has everything in order. Her lesson plans are done through the end of the term. Her classes will be covered by Jean, Kitty, and Rogue. Charles even said he'd cover if needed. Her bag is packed.
Ever since Thor came to get his mother, Storm has been trying to arrange things so she can join him on Asgard.
She heads downstairs with her bag. First she'll let Charles know she's leaving then head outside to ask Heimdall to give her a lift.
Charles is in the living room watching an FBI press conference. The Special Agent in Charge is releasing information about the deaths of two agents. The first, Agent Winn, was found shot to death a few days ago. The gun used was recently found. It belonged to Agent Nadeem who was killed when the FBI went to arrest him.
Storm clears her throat.
He turns and smiles at her. "All set?"
"Yes. I'll try not to be gone too long."
"Take all the time you need," he tells her. "We'll be here when you get back."
"Thank you." She heads outside.
"Storm?"
She turns around and sees Rogue running after her. "Yes, Rogue?"
"If you see Helena, would you tell her hey for me? And if you happen to see Logan, could you give him a hug? Tell 'im I miss him?"
"I absolutely will."
The two women hug goodbye. "I'm gonna miss you," Rogue says.
"I won't be gone too long. Try not to kill any of the students." They both smile at the joke.
"I promise to wait until you get back."
Storm continues her walk outside. Then she looks up into the sky. "Heimdall, would you mind bringing me to Asgard?" Suddenly she's surrounded by light just before getting sucked through the Bifrost. She has to catch her breath when she finds herself on Asgard. "I will never get used to that."
"Welcome, Storm," Heimdall greets her.
"Thank you, Heimdall. How are things?"
His eyes drop for a moment. "I'm glad you're here. Thor needs your support."
"That bad, huh?"
"It has not been easy," he tells her.
"Where is he now?" Once he's told her, she flies into Asgard. When she's in the area Heimdall indicated, she starts to scan the ground for him. He's easy to spot, though she had almost forgotten about his short hair.
A gust of wind makes Thor look up. He smiles as soon as he spots Storm. He waves at her.
She lands and immediately hugs him. "How is your mom?"
"Better. I've missed you." His words are tense with emotion.
"I've missed you, too." She can feel his need in the way he holds her. "I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner."
"I understand."
"I just need to put my bag somewhere, and then I can help wherever you need."
Thor pulls back. "You can put it in the palace. I think Loki is there."
She gives him a kiss. "I'll be back soon."
He looks and her, not wanting to let her go. "Promise?"
The emotion in his eyes is almost frightening. Her hand caresses his cheek. "You can come with me if you want."
"I should stay here."
"We have this," Volstagg's voice calls out behind him. "Go give your attention to the pretty lady."
Thor looks around to see if anyone objects. If they do, they keep quiet about it. "I'll be back soon," he promises. He knows he needs to make up for his prior absence. He takes Storm's hand. "Mind if we walk?"
"Not at all. How is your mother?" she asks as they start for the palace.
"Better. Better physically," he amends. "She has lost her husband. That is not an easy thing to heal from."
"Thor, I'm so sorry." Storm hadn't been in the room when Thor told his mother a brief synopsis of what had passed. She found him just as they were leaving the house. All he said then was that he needed to return to Asgard. "When did that happen?"
"Just before I went to get her. Much has happened, Storm."
"So it would seem."
Thor looks different. Somehow older and more weary. It's not just the short haircut. It's his eyes.
"What else did I miss?"
He tells her about Bruce, the Valkyrie Borghild, and Loki's son Vali. "When we returned, we were able to push back all the invaders. But the cost was high."
"Your father."
"Aye. Among many."
"What does that mean for Asgard?"
"It means I am king," he replies.
"That's…a lot to deal with. I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner." When he says nothing to that, she asks, "Have you had the funeral?"
"No. I was waiting for Mother to get better. Now she is awake," he says forgetting Storm didn't know she had been in a coma, "we plan to have it tomorrow night."
"Let me know how I can help. Whatever you need from me," she offers.
"Thank you."
Storm can't help but wonder what this means for their future. Will he want to marry sooner? Will they be pressured to have children immediately after? Is this what she really wants? What of her place on the X-Men? What of her friends back home?
Loki's voice brings her out of her thoughts. "It's good to see you, Storm." He introduces his son.
She smiles. "Nice to meet you." She looks back at Loki. "Helena?"
"On Helheim."
"Ah. Rogue wanted me to say hello for her. I don't suppose Logan is here."
"No. He decided to stay behind when he learned Bruce was here. Bruce is here," he tells her."
"Thor told me. When you see Logan, give him a hug from Rogue. She misses him."
"He misses her, too. We all do." He glances at his brother. "We have to go find Steve. It's good to see you, Storm. We'll talk later."
"The child looks like him," she notes as they continue through the palace.
"Aye."
"And he's older than Hel?"
"He is. Older than Wade, too," Thor says.
"Wow."
They go upstairs and get to the hallway. He stops. "Did you want to lie with me? Or would you prefer your own room." He cannot bring himself to look at her as he asks this.
"I'm here for you, Thor. Whichever you'd prefer." Storm presses against him.
He thinks for a moment then leads her into his room. "You can put your bag anywhere."
She walks in and sets her bag down at the foot of the bed. "It's been a while since I've been in here."
"It has." He sits on the bed.
Storm steps over to him and stands between his knees. Then she pulls him close.
Thor can feel the warmth of her belly against his cheek. His arms wrap around her body. Suddenly it's as though a damn has been released. His body begins to shake as tears run down his cheeks. "I should have been here. I should have saved him."
"Shh." She pets his head. "You couldn't know. And you came as soon as you did."
"If I had been here…"
"You can't let your mind go down those roads. You don't know what would have happened. It might have been better, but it could have been worse. Asgard might have lost both of you. Asgard might have fallen. But it didn't. You came and protected it, and that's all that matters now." She gently tilts his head up to look into his eyes. "You saved Asgard. And now you are Asgard's king."
"I'm not sure I want it," he confesses.
She nods. "Then turn it into a democracy. Or fake your own death." The last one is meant a joke, but he doesn't find it funny. "We'll figure it out," she promises.
"Maybe my sister will come and claim it." But even that would not be simple. It would be his duty to fight for the throne. He couldn't just let someone who wasn't raised here take it, much less someone who was raised as an enemy.
"We don't have to figure it out now," she reminds him. She bends down to kiss his lips.
"I've missed you."
"You don't have to miss me anymore." She sits on his leg and kisses him again.
It feels like ages since he's been comforted like this. And it isn't long before his hands look to become reacquainted with her body.
She leans into his touch. "We don't have to get back right away, do we?"
"I'm sure Volstagg has it handled." He kisses her again, this time turning his body so they both end up lying on the bed.
Storm hooks her leg around one of his. Her hands work at his leather shirt. "Why are Asgardian clothes so complicated?"
"They aren't that complicated."
They get his shirt off then work on hers. Their boots come off after that, mostly to removing the trousers easier. Soon there is nothing between their bodies. Storm claims Thor's mouth before climbing on top of him.
"My beautiful goddess," Thor says as he strokes her hips.
Her eyes turn completely white. "Hello, God of Thunder."
He takes a breath. Strands of lightning begin to move around him. "Hello, Storm Goddess Ororo."
"I hope you don't mind me visiting your realm."
"Not at all."
She kisses him again. "Condom?" Her eyes move to the drawer he points to. She moves to it and grabs one. It's easy enough to put it on him after a few strokes. "Now, I think we're almost ready." Her hand slides between her thighs and slowly moves back and forth.
"You are indeed a goddess," Thor tells her as he strokes up her torso to her breasts.
"Thank you." Her fingers are slick now. They part her labia so she can lower herself onto his cock. Her eyes close in pleasure as wind begins to blow through her hair. She moves slowly at first, enjoying the size of him inside her. "I'm here for you, Thor." Her hands grab his muscled arms.
Thor nods as lightning continues to dance around and through him. She's the only one who'd be able to take this. It only strengthens his belief that she's the one for him.
Storm makes love to him. She strokes his chest and face as her body moves to a relentless, silent beat, the rhythm of their breath, their pulse, their need.
Thor comes with a groan that turns into a roar.
She continues to ride him, her movements more insistent. Finally, her head falls back as pleasure spasms through her body.
He pulls her against him, holding her as they try to catch their breaths.
"What happens now?" he asks.
"What do you want to happen?"
"I don't know yet."
She kisses his shoulder. "Then this is what happens. You will hold the funeral for your father. You will help Asgard rebuild. And then you will decide what you want."
"You make it sound easy."
"You and I both know better." She moves to be able to look at his face. "You don't have to decide now. But at some point, you will need to decide. It isn't fair to Asgard if you don't."
xxx
How many text messages is too many? Jess sent Matt one after she saw the press conference about Nadeem. Since then she has typed and deleted at least 20 follow-up texts to him. The thought of the phone voice reading her messages to him is usually enough to stop her.
"Is this about Daredevil or Matt?" Carol asks.
"Daredevil."
"If you're that worried, go find him."
"I'm not worried." She ignores the look from her best friend. "He made it very clear he doesn't want my help."
"And you expect me to believe that's actually going to stop you?" She has at least three examples of Jess not obeying requests to not help at the ready. She doesn't need them. "Also, when did you get Daredevil's number?"
"And Matt's not jealous? Or was the point to get him jealous."
"Can you please not interrogate me?" Jess requests.
Carol can see that her friend is really worried. "Sorry."
"Thank you. Now try to blast me again."
She does her best to concentrate her powers to her hands. They glow. Not as bright as they used to, but they do glow. With a thought, she sends a ball of energy at her friend.
Jess flips backwards, her hands landing on the ground just behind her before her feet make contact with a wall that she easily climbs up. The blasts hit the wall below her. All of this happens within a couple of seconds. She looks at the scorch marks on the wall. "I think you're getting stronger. We'll need to find a different place to practice soon."
Carol walks over. "I thought you were letting me blast you."
"Not after last time. It ruined my shirt."
"Dinner?"
"Dinner."
"Rooftop?" Carol suggests.
"Rooftop," Jess agrees. "Pitas."
"Healthier than a hot dog."
Jess gets falafel. Carol gets gyro. Then they head to the roof of Carol's building. It's dark. The stars are out. The air still has a chill in it, though the spring warmth can be felt during the day.
"I still can't believe your lawyer is alive. That's amazing."
"Yeah. Wish he had trusted me enough to let me know."
Carol thinks back on her own brush with death. "Maybe he didn't want you to see him like that."
"Like what?"
"Fragile."
"Bollocks."
Carol gives an exaggerated sigh. "How many times do I have to tell you? You're in America. We say 'bullshit'."
The corners of Jess' mouth curl up. "Then I say bullshit to not saying bollocks." Her phone vibrates.
"Shit, not another phone alert."
"Hush." The alert says 'FBI Agent Dying Declaration Accuses Fisk'. She clicks on it. A video begins to play.
Carol leans over to watch.
The dying declaration is a video made by Agent Nadeem just before he was killed. In it, he names the other FBI agents that Fisk had in his pocket. He also talks about some of the illegal activity he witnessed.
There is another alert. Daredevil is at Fisk's wedding and apparently trying to kill him.
"You gotta go," Carol guesses. She holds her hand out for the uneaten portion of Jess' falafel pita.
"Thanks." She covers what's left of her food in the foil it came in before putting it in Carol's hand. "See you soon." She jumps off the building, extending her arms so she can glide down to the street where her motorcycle waits.
By the time she gets to the fancy hotel where Wilson Fisk both lives and is having his wedding, there are reporters and other onlookers there. Through the crowd, she sees two familiar faces. "Foggy? Karen?"
Foggy turns at the sound of his name. "Jess. What are you doing here?"
She answers with a question. "Daredevil crashes Fisk's wedding?" She immediately follows that up with, "Do you know what's going on?"
"We know as much as you do."
Karen says, "I heard someone say that Daredevil tried to kill Fisk and his new wife, but that a man in black was trying to stop him. So there's hope."
"Did he change his mind?" Jess asks.
"No idea," admits Foggy.
She looks around. "I need to try to get in there."
"Wait," he says. "There are cops coming out. It's Fisk. They're alive." He breathes out in relief. "They're alive."
"I'm going to go find him." Jess leaves before they try to talk her out of it. She goes to the back of the hotel and starts climbing up the outside. She figures he'll be high up the way he had been at the church.
Her hunch is right. She finds him crouched on the edge of the building's roof.
"You didn't kill him."
"I couldn't. I couldn't let him destroy me." He turns his head in her general direction. "He knows who I am. I told him if he ever reveals me or hurts the people I love, I'd go after his wife and prove she was the one who ordered the hit on Agent Nadeem."
Jess walks closer and sits next to him. "Do you think that will work?"
"He loves her. It has to."
"Doesn't mean it will."
"Can't even let me have one victory." His smile is tired.
"You were brilliant," she tells him. "So now what? Does Matthew Murdock return to the land of the living?"
There's a pause before he answers. "I think so. But before that happens, there's something I need to do."
"What's that?"
"Apologize to my mom."
"You mom? The one that left you as an infant?"
"That very one. She's a nun," he reveals. "She left because of post-partum depression. She decided it was better to leave than to risk harming me." He shakes his head. "I said some pretty awful things to her and to Father Lantom before he died. I need to make amends."
Jess nods. "I am sorry about Father Lantom. He was a good man. Would it be okay if I attended his funeral mass?"
"I think he'd be honored."
She wants to touch him but doesn't. She wants to ask him about their relationship but doesn't. She's not sure what holds her back. Maybe it's knowing how exhausted he must be feeling about now. "You should change before you see her, your ma."
"Yeah."
They sit for a while longer. It's nice just being there with him, knowing he's alive.
"Carol says hi. She doesn't know who you are. She says hi to Daredevil."
"She's out of the coma then?"
"Yeah. For a while now."
"I'm glad."
"Me, too." She swallows. "I hope she'll get to meet Matthew Murdock officially and consciously."
He chuckles at 'consciously'. "I hope so, too."
Jess stands. "You know, you could have just let Bullseye kill him."
"No, I couldn't. A sin of omission is still a sin."
And that, Jess thinks, is Matthew Murdock in a nutshell.
xxx
Clinton Catholic Church is more full than it's been in a long time. It is a testament to how important Father Lantom was to the community and to Hell's Kitchen.
Jessica is there in a black dress with large red flowers. Carol is beside her in a simple black pantsuit.
It's been a while since Carol has been in a church. It feels…weird but also calming.
Jess finds it a bit cultish, particularly when everyone speaks in unison. She can see how it might be comforting, though. Ritual. Repetition. These give meaning, a sense of purpose and place and something greater. There is a meditative quality to it.
There is a final prayer. Then the priest calls up Matthew Murdock to say a few words before helping him up to the lectern.
Jess whispers to Carol, "That's him."
Matt clears his throat before pulling out some cards from his breast pocket. "Feels like half of Hell's Kitchen is here today to say goodbye to Father Paul Lantom. Seems fair. He certainly welcomed everyone here, Catholic or not. And he expected those of us who were to, uh, look for ways to do good in our community. Not even the kids got out of that requirement. I'm sure I'm not the only one who remembers his 'suggestion' that we give some of our First Communion money to the poor box."
There's some chuckling of recognition from the audience.
"And that was his way, to think of the community, and the, uh, and the individuals in it. To think in terms of 'What can I give?' He gave his life, right here in this church, protecting others. Standing up to a man who used fear as a tool to set neighbors against one another.
"If Father Lantom had an enemy, I would say it was fear. For me, personally, he spent many years trying to get me to face my own fears. To understand how they enslaved me, how they divided me from the people that I love. He counseled me to transcend my fears, to be brave enough to forgive, and see the possibilities of being a man without fear. That was his legacy. And now it's up to all of us to, uh, live up to it."
As he's helped back to his seat, Carol whispers back to Jess, "Cute."
"And smart," Jess tells her. "I'll introduce you after."
When it's over and the attendees are filing out of church, a pang of jealousy turns Jess' stomach when she sees Karen Page leading Matt down the aisle. She does her best not to let it show. Instead, she and Carol wait their turn to leave. "Introductions might need to wait."
"That's fine."
"Thanks for coming with."
Carol had been a little surprised when she asked. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to go with you to the last one."
"You had an excellent excuse," Jess says. When they get outside, she sees Matt talking to Karen. She's not in a mood to interrupt. But as they get closer, Karen walks away leaving Matt standing there holding his stick with his head down. "Matthew?"
"Jessica?"
"Yes. My condolences." She hugs him. It's the first time she's held him since finding out he's alive. How was she able to wait so long? She takes in his scent before pulling away. "Carol is here. She woke up after…after. Carol, this is Matthew Murdock. Matthew, this is Carol Danvers."
Matt holds out his hand.
Carol takes it in both of hers. "Nice to meet you, Matt."
"We've actually met before. You just weren't conscious at the time. And that sounds much creepier than I intended." His smile is kind but sad.
"We've both had a difficult year. My condolences on your friend."
"Thank you. And thank you for coming. Father Lantom was, uh, he practically raised me." He scratches his nose. "I'm glad you're doing better. Jessica was…We had quite a few dinners in your hospital room. She didn't like leaving your side."
"Jess is loyal almost to a fault."
"I've learned that."
Jess touches his arm. "Will you call me? Later? When you have time?"
"Sure."
Carol gives her friend a look that shows her dislike of that answer.
"Good," Jess says. She suddenly wonders if his mother is here but decides not to ask. "I'll talk to you later then."
"Soon," he promises.
She gives him another hug because why the hell not. Then she takes Carol's arm.
"It was nice to meet you officially and while conscious," Carol tells him. After he agrees, they walk away. "Sure?" she says when she thinks they are out of earshot. "Sure he'll call you?"
"It's fine," Jess says knowing he can absolutely still hear them if he wants.
"It's not fine. How long did you mourn for him?"
"Not as long as I worried about you. Besides, it's not like we were exclusive or anything."
She stops and looks at Jess. "Were you sleeping with anyone else when you were banging him?"
"No. And can we please not talk about this now?"
"Fine. But if he doesn't call you, I'm gonna have words with him."
"Pfft. Words are about all you have right now." She jostles Carol. "But thanks for looking out for me."
"It's my turn. Pie?"
"Yes. Absolutely. Pie. Please pie." She rests her head on Carol's shoulder for a couple of steps. Then her head pops up. "A la mode?"
"All the mode," Carol promises.
"Perfect."
A/N: Life sure has changed since the last time I posted. Hope you are all healthy and surviving whatever COVID-19 measures you're facing. Hope this chapter helped if only for a little while.
The Daredevil Season 3 episodes I used for this chapter were written by Jim Dunn & Dara Resnik, Sam Ernst, and Erik Oleson. It was a great season. If you haven't seen it, I encourage you to do so.
If you are an essential worker, thank you so much for what you do. We couldn't get through this without any of you. Until next time…
