Sitting on the backseat next to the smartly dressed man, Charlotte hoped that Matt had picked up his phone and was hearing everything that she was saying to him. She kept her distance from the man who had placed his phone away in his pocket, seeming not to think that she was any threat to him now that she was in the car. She watched as he looked out of the window for a moment, fiddling with his cufflinks before using his index finger to press his glasses further onto his nose. She kept on staring at him, noticing familiar sights go by her as they drove through the streets.

"Well, Mrs Jonas, you see we don't want any trouble," he said to her and Charlotte observed him, noting the way his eyes glimmered as he glanced to her. She tried to act brave, not wanting to be scared by the man next to her. "Your divorce settlement is more than generous. You husband is granting you your freedom. Now, we do not condone his behaviour and what he has done. In fact, I personally find it repulsive that he could lay a hand on his wife."

"Then why are you protecting him?" Charlotte questioned.

"Because he has his uses," he responded. "We need him to stay in office and you threaten to ruin that if you open your mouth and start talking. We can't have that."

"Why?"

"You know, you ask quite a lot of questions. That could get you into trouble," he said and she sat up straight as the car stopped at a red light. She shifted in her seat and tugged her coat tighter around her. "Now, I am not one for unnecessary violence. Believe me, we have no desire to hurt you…but if you keep snooping…if you think of releasing those photos…then you should know that there will be consequences, not just for you, but for that lawyer you're living with."

"You rigged the case against him, didn't you?" Charlotte continued pushing. "You made them drop it…claim they were lying…"

"They just told the truth," was all he said but she knew that he was lying to her. She couldn't exactly prove it, but she knew that he was never going to admit to anything. "But I would suggest that you don't contact them again. Moving forwards, I think it would be for the best if you just forget this all happened. Why don't you move somewhere else? Start a new life?"

"So the money was basically hush money?" she checked and his lips arched. She wasn't going to give in and he kind of appreciated that.

"It was a nice sum," he said with a nod of his head. "You take the money. You get away from your husband. It's a win-win situation for you. I don't quite understand why you're making this difficult on yourself."

"Because it's not fair," she responded, voice terse. "They deserved justice for what he'd done to them. Jonathan is a monster and you're willing to let him get away because he…because he has influence…but do you seriously think there won't be people out there who know something shady is going on?"

"I don't doubt there will be people who believe in conspiracy theories, but the fact of the matter is that this is done. The girls lied. Jonathan's name has been cleared. Yes, his wife leaving him is quite the blow…but even that can be explained…she didn't leave him. He left her. He left her because he discovered that his sweet, innocent Catholic wife had an abortion without telling him," he said and Charlotte felt her stomach churn, everything inside of her seeming to collapse. He couldn't be doing this to her. She shook her head slowly, eyes wide.

"You can't do that."

"And we would prefer not to, but this way we keep Jonathan in power," he replied and Charlotte slumped back on the seat, hand going to her forehead. "His reputation is not tarnished either. His wife didn't leave him because she thought he was a rapist…he left her because he found out what she'd done. People will feel sorry for him after the ordeal he's gone through…false allegations…a lying spouse…his approval rating will be through the roof and the chances are he will now win the re-election. He'll stay where we need him to stay."

"You can't do this."

"I think you'll find we can," he replied. "Yes, the press will be focused on you for a few weeks, but after that you'll be free to live your life how you want. It's a no brainer."

"And how long before Jonathan does something else like this?" Charlotte questioned. "You don't know him like I do. He's a brute. You can't cover his mistakes up forever."

"And when the day comes that we can find someone just as willing as him to replace him then we will, but today is not that day," he said to her and she shook her head, unable to believe what she was hearing. This couldn't be happening.

He observed her intently for a few moments, seeing how she was staring out the window, eyes wet as she tried not to cry. He moved his hand into his pocket and tugged out his handkerchief. Offering it to her, she felt as though she had no other option but to take it from him. She held it in her grip weakly, not dabbing her eyes.

"Honestly, I don't think you deserve any of this, but unfortunately you are in this predicament," he said to her with a shrug of his shoulders. "I'd suggest that you move on. Forget everything else that's going on in your life and just move on from him."

"It's not right."

"No, but it is what will happen. Now, do I have your word that you'll keep quiet?"

Charlotte said nothing. She remained silent, thinking about what she should do. He continued to watch her, drinking in her reactions before he looked down to his hands, flicking a speck of dirt from his fingernail as she scrunched up his handkerchief, her hand clenching into a fist.

"Landman and Zack's where he works, isn't it?" he said and her head whipped around. He had her attention once more. "It's quite sweet…you met him in the orphanage and you've stayed together ever since. Jonathan was quite jealous of him, convinced that you're madly in love with him still."

"Don't touch him," Charlotte said, voice sounding more like a plea than a warning.

"We won't, but it all comes down to what you do," he responded. "Matthew Murdock remains perfectly safe so long as your mouth remains firmly closed."

"He's not a part of this."

"But he becomes one if you cause us problems. You get that, don't you?"

Silence filled the car.

"I'm going to need a verbal confirmation, Charlotte."

"Yes," she spat out and he seemed appeased with her. He knew that as soon as someone's loved one was threatened then that was all there was to it. He laced his fingers together and let them sit on his knee.

"Pull over," he demanded from the driver who did so, parking on the kerb with his lights blinking. "A pleasure to talk to you, Charlotte. I do hope we won't be seeing each other again."

"Likewise," she mumbled, dropping his handkerchief behind her and climbing from the car and onto the sidewalk. She slammed the door shut and finally let out a deep breath of relief as it drove away from her. She waited until it was round the corner before she reached into her pocket and grabbed her phone. She placed it to her ear while turning around, but she didn't get far as she collied with a solid object in front of her.

…

Matt moved his fingers over the braille screen, coming to an understanding about his recent case. Foggy was sat opposite him, the smell of coffee coming from him along with the chocolate donut he had just consumed as a mid-morning snack. Matt's fingers continued moving along the braille as he kept his head down.

"You know, the more I think about, the more I think that I prefer the plain donuts," Foggy suddenly said. Matt's lips quirked at his friend.

"Sounds like you're real busy, Foggy," he commented.

"I am," he replied. "I'm trying to work out if the case is actually as clear cut as we first thought and I need brain food to do that, hence the donut. Besides, you've hardly said two words this morning since you got in here. Has it got something to do with the news last night?"

"Yeah, something like that," Matt responded with a nod of his head, lifting his hand from the pad as he finished a sentence and realised that Foggy was unlikely to drop the topic of conversation until he had the details. "There's something dodgy going on and I don't know what it is. What I do know is that it'll be dangerous to investigate…it's not as if we're dealing with nice, normal people here."

"And you think it should be investigated?"

"I know it should be, but I just don't know how…not without someone getting hurt and that someone is likely to be Charlotte…and I can't risk her. I can't do anything to risk her because she's been through enough and now I have to protect her."

"I mean, I don't want to sound pessimistic, Matt," Foggy said. "But these people are going to be people you don't want to mess with. If they can rig a trial…get people to change their story…then they must need Jonathan for some reason. They're powerful and I know you want to protect Charlotte…and I want her to be safe too…but I want you to protect yourself too. I don't want to see you hurt. You're my best friend."

Matt's chest clenched at that, knowing that his friend meant so much to him. Foggy cared so much for him and he didn't know what he had done to deserve such loyalty, but he adored it. Foggy continued to watch Matt, wondering if he was going to say anything to him. He did, eventually, voice soft and even.

"Thank you," Matt settled on saying to him. "That means a lot to me, Foggy."

"Well, don't expect grand gestures of affection every day. I don't get paid enough for that," Foggy said and Matt chuckled before he heard his phone begin to go off from where it sat on the desk. Foggy's brows knitted together as he heard it. Matt usually had people's name repeated for his ringtone, but this was different. "Is that Uptown Girl?" he questioned as Matt answered the phone, pressing it to his ear.

"Lottie, are you alright?" he asked but he received no coherent response. "Lottie?" he tried again.

"You have Uptown Girl play when Charlotte calls you?" Foggy questioned but Matt ignored him as he honed in on the voice on the phone. He held up his free hand to Foggy, urging for him to keep quiet.

"Well, Mrs Jonas, you see we don't want any trouble. Your divorce settlement is more than generous. Your husband is granting you your freedom. Now, we do not condone his behaviour and what he has done. In fact, I find it repulsive that he could lay a hand on his wife."

That was a man's voice. Someone was talking to her. Did she mean to call Matt? Had she phoned him by accident? Surely she couldn't have? He shook his head as he looked to Foggy and Charlotte continued talking, asking the man why he was protecting her husband.

"Can you put this on speaker?" Matt asked.

Foggy nodded, moving to him and taking his phone, doing as he had asked, Charlotte's voice filling the room.

"What's going on?"

"I don't know, but it's not good," Matt said. "Can you trace her phone? Does she not have that trace a phone app thing? She mentioned it…I said it would help me feel better if she…if she had it…just so…"

"Alright, Matty," Foggy said, sensing that his friend was getting worked up. He took hold of his arm, giving it a squeeze before he began pressing buttons on the phone, Charlotte's conversation still playing in the room, her voice sounding strong but Matt could sense some apprehension and fear. "She's…she seems to be just round the corner from your apartment…she's not gone far."

"I need to find her."

"You sure you shouldn't call the police?"

"There's nothing they can do. If he rigged a court case then he's bound to have the police on his side too," Matt said. "I need your phone. Keep tracing her on mine and tell me where she is."

"Matt, you can't get to her that quickly."

"I can try," Matt just said to him. "Call me on your office phone."

"I don't know if this-"

"-Foggy, I need to get her," Matt interrupted, standing up and grabbing his coat. He shrugged into it and took hold of his cane. Foggy just nodded and took hold of his phone. He handed it to Matt and used his office phone to call his friend. The call connected and Matt kept it to his ear. "Be careful, Matty."

"Yeah," was all Matt offered him back before he left their office.

He took the elevator down to the foyer, cane in front of him as he used it to feel his way. He didn't need it. He just used it until he rounded the corner and tossed it off to the side in the alleyway. He ran through the alley, jumping onto the dumpster truck and climbing onto the roof of the building.

"Matt, you there?" Foggy asked and Matt placed the phone to his ear.

"I'm here," Matt said, rushing across the rooftops.

"They seem just to be circling your apartment, not going anywhere specific," Foggy said. "I mean, they've gone round the block about four times now."

"Where abouts is she?"

"Just outside that Thai place you eat from most nights."

"Got it," Foggy said and he knew that he could be there in a few minutes. "And whoever this guy is…he's threatening her, Matt. He knows about her past...something she's done...she...he knows she had an abortion."

Matt gulped loudly.

"What is she saying?"

"She's just asking him questions…she sounds scared, Matt," Foggy settled on saying and Matt could imagine it. He jumped from one building to the next one, focusing on getting there as soon as possible. He let Foggy navigate him before he came to the street where she should be turning onto in moments. He jumped down from the rooftops, landing on a bin after dropping down a fire escape ladder. Once he was on the street, he moved around people and he heard the man's voice.

"Landman and Zack's where he works, isn't it? It's quite sweet…you met him in the orphanage and you've stayed together ever since. Jonathan was quite jealous of him, convinced that you're madly in love with him."

"Don't touch him."

Her voice sounded desperate to him and the car remained stuck at the red light, its engine revving but not moving.

"We won't, but it all comes down to what you do. Matthew Murdock remains perfectly safe so long as your mouth remains firmly closed."

"He's not a part of this."

"But he becomes one if you cause us problems. You get that, don't you?"

Matt drew closer to the car, footsteps quickening.

"I'm going to need a verbal confirmation, Charlotte."

"Yes."

The car began moving again as Matt caught up with it. It rounded the corner and he followed the familiar noise of its engine. And then it pulled up, stopping its movements. He heard the man's voice again.

"A pleasure to talk to you, Charlotte. I do hope we won't be seeing each other again."

Matt heard the door open and slam shut, the car drive off. Pressing Foggy's phone to his ear, he spoke quickly. "I've got her, Foggy," and hung up without another word. He shoved the phone into his pocket and rushed towards her, smelling her perfume and hearing her heavy heartbeat. He knew she turned too quickly, her front hitting his as she startled, letting out a short scream. He took hold of her shoulders and heard her sigh in relief.

"Lottie, it's alright, it's me," he promised her and she moved a hand to his chest, fingers splaying against it as she drank in the sight of him. He tugged his glasses from his eyes and dropped them into his coat pocket. "It's alright…I'm here."

"I didn't know if you'd pick up," she said to him as people moved around them stood still on the sidewalk, shooting them dirty looks as they passed around them. She moved her hand up his chest to his shoulder. "Did you hear all of what he said?"

"No," Matt confessed. "I left my phone with Foggy so that he could track yours. I took his and he listened in."

"Then we need to talk," Charlotte said. "Because there's something going on here that is bigger than I thought it would be. I have no idea who that man was...but I know he's no good."

"Yeah, yeah, of course," Matt said. "Come on, we'll go back to the apartment and work something out."

Charlotte agreed with him on that point and began to walk, placing his hand into the crook of her arm before she noticed what was missing. "Where's your cane?"

"Tossed it before I scaled the building."

Charlotte frowned and looked to him as his sightless gaze stared right ahead. "You scaled a building?" she demanded to know from him. "Matty, what the hell were you thinking?"

"I was thinking that I had to find you before something bad happened," Matt said. "And if that meant scaling rooftops and losing a cane then so be it."

Charlotte nodded her head slowly and moved her arm across her body, hand squeezing his hand that was sat on the crook of her arm. She said nothing more, but she didn't need to. He knew that him coming after her meant everything to her.

…

Charlotte had filled Matt in on everything that had happened and they had both agreed that whatever was going on was dangerous. Matt had told her not to do anything brash. He said that they would investigate, but they had to be smart about it and not rush into anything.

"You know that it might be best if I go," Charlotte said.

Matt shook his head. "No."

"You know that it makes sense," she replied and picked up the bottle of beer, taking a long drink of it. "As soon as the news breaks about what happened then it's going to be chaos. There's going to be people…reporters…things aren't going to be pleasant, Matt."

"We can handle them together," he assured her in a soft voice.

The pizza box was open on the coffee table, several slices left and Charlotte had left the crusts. She was still wearing his Columbia sweatshirt, Matt having change from his suit into a grey top and jogging pants with white socks. He was lounged on the sofa, arm slung over the back of it. Charlotte was next to him, legs crossed as she sat on the cushion next to him.

"Matt, you have no idea what is coming. I've lived through it. I've lived through reporters waiting outside for me…following me…all because I started dating Jonathan. You…they'll drag you into this, you know? Say things about us."

"I don't care."

"You should. You have a job, Matt. If this gets in the way of that-"

"-A job I don't even care about compared to looking out for you," Matt interrupted her. "We'll be front page news for a few weeks and then it will pass. People will move on to someone else to victimise."

"I mean…the things they'll say…his Catholic wife having an abortion behind his back…moving in with her childhood friend who her husband thought she always loved…and I'm going to let them say it because there's nothing I can do," Charlotte said with a shake of her head and he heard her take another long drink of beer. He reached a hand out towards her, his hand taking hold of her free one. She looked down at their entwined limbs, her fingers squeezing onto his.

"The people that know you know the truth," Matt said to her. "And one day…when all of this comes out…then so will everyone else. We just need to find a way to make that happen."

"You think we can?"

"I think that corruption never stays undercover for ever," Matt said to her and she nodded her head slowly. He moved closer to her as she set her bottle down onto the coffee table. He kept her hand in his, arm wrapping around her shoulders and holding onto her tightly as she leaned against his side.

"Thanks for being here, Matty. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"I'm never going anywhere. I promise."

Columbia University Dormitory

"Are we going to this party or not?"

Charlotte was visiting Matt for a weekend and she'd had a bad week. Work had been manic and the customers had seemed extra rude. She had missed the deadlines for applying to art school. She'd missed them on purpose, of course, but that still didn't mean she didn't feel a sense of disappointment in herself for not even trying to apply. She felt like she was lost and the only thing she wanted was to forget in a bottle of cheap vodka mixed with lemonade.

"You're sure you want to go?" Matt asked from her.

She had come to him early and he had heard her move around the room, changing into a velvet black dress. He'd listened to her curl her hair before checking her reflection in the mirror, delicately applying her makeup before she was ready.

"Yeah, you said it was a college party and I've never been to one before."

"It's just off campus in some frat house so it's quite a walk if you're intending on wearing those heels," Matt said to her.

"How did you know I had heels?"

"Just a hunch," he said, not wanting to tell her that he could hear the thud they'd made when she had moved them from her weekend bag to the floor or that he smelt the leather. He stood up straight from the bottom of his bed. He hadn't made much effort. He was just wearing a blue shirt over his dark jeans, glasses on his eyes and cane by the door that he was ready to grab. He suspected it wouldn't be much use in a college party, however. Maybe he'd better leave it so it didn't get ruined. Besides, he'd have Charlotte with him all night in case he wanted to stop feeling so alert to everyone's presence.

"So are we going?" Charlotte wondered from him.

"Yes, we're going," he promised her. "But we're not going to be late back…besides, Foggy said you could have his bed tonight."

"Is he sure?"

"He's gone back to stay with his parents," Matt said. "Right, let's go and get this over with then."

"You could sound more enthusiastic."

"I've been to tonnes of these parties before, Lottie," he said to her. "I'm only going to this one because you begged me to take you and you know I'm a sucker for giving into you."

"Only because you know I'd just nag you until you give in," she replied and he chuckled as he tucked his room keys into his pocket. Charlotte stood up, slipping her feet into her heels and ignoring his warnings. She didn't bother with a bag, tossing it onto Foggy's bed and reaching for Matt's hand, dropping it into the crook of her arms and walking with him out of the room, heading down into the cool night air.

They walked to the party, Charlotte asking Matt about his studies and he answered her dutifully. He could feel the velvet of her dress underneath his fingertips, the material soft and ticklish. He could smell her perfume on her, knowing that it was the one he had bought her for Christmas. He hated to admit that everything about her was intoxicating him. It had been months since they'd last slept together. He had insisted on keeping his distance from her while he was at college, but he was beginning to think that it was a mistake judging by the way she was all he thought about whenever she was away from him. But he had to at least try and give her space, let her find someone else if she wanted to.

Matt knew they were near the house before Charlotte had even seen it. He could feel the thud of the music vibrating and could smell the cheap alcohol. Charlotte looked to the house, people already spilling out of it onto the front lawn, some drunk already and other smoking what she assumed was weed. Matt began to think that this might not have been his best idea but he suspected he could keep Charlotte by his side most of the night. It wasn't her he worried about, it was other people being a bad influence and he got the feeling that Charlotte would be led astray based on the week she'd had.

"This is like every college party I've seen on TV," Charlotte said to him as they ambled up the path and stepped inside. Charlotte ensure that they moved around people, the music some kind of bass as the house thudded along with it. "Do you even drink out of red cups?"

"I wouldn't know that."

"Well, let me confirm for you that you do," Charlotte said as she saw bottles of spirits and mixers on the island in the kitchen, people dotted around. Most of the girls were dressed in skirts or dresses, the boys in jeans and shirts. "Beer?" she asked from Matt.

"Yeah, thanks," he said and she left him stood by the island as she grabbed him a beer, handing him the bottle before getting her own drink. Matt held the bottle and took a swig off it quickly, Charlotte taking his arm once more and leading him away from the kitchen and towards the sitting room that seemed to be a bit quieter.

They found somewhere to sit and Matt listened to her as she told him about work and what was going on with her roommates. He didn't know how long went by before someone from his class greeted him, Matt introducing him to Charlotte. She excused herself for the bathroom after a few moments and Matt listened to her go. He continued talking to Nigel, the guy from his criminal law class. He finished his beer and placed the bottle on the windowsill behind the sofa he was sat on. He knew that enough time had passed by for Charlotte not to be in the bathroom. He moved his fingers over the watch on his wrist. She'd been twenty minutes. He frowned for a moment as Nigel kept talking about their upcoming assessment and he knew he should excuse himself. He moved his hands to Nigel's shoulder and squeezed it.

"I'll be back in a minute, buddy, just need to get another one and see where Charlotte's gotten to."

"Is she your girlfriend or something?"

"She's just my friend," Matt said. "I've known her since I was a kid…practically grew up with her."

He didn't need to know that had been in an orphanage.

"Well…do you know if she's interested in dating? I mean, she's pretty cute…"

Matt knew that he had no right to be jealous. He should say that it was down to Charlotte. He should say that he should just ask her out and see what she says. But he did none of that. "I think she's seeing someone right now…nothing serious, but just this guy."

"Right, okay…thanks," he said.

Matt just nodded and headed off into the kitchen, wondering where she'd gotten to. He honed in, trying to pick out her voice and follow it. It didn't take him too long before he narrowed her down. She'd gone outside. He found her talking to other people, listening in for a moment before he moved from the doorway to the path.

"So…you're a waitress, huh?"

Matt didn't recognise that voice.

"Well, yeah, I mean it's not as cool as studying economics, but it's fine for now."

"And what is it you want to do?"

"Still to be confirmed."

"Well…I'm sure whatever it is, you'll be super talented," the man responded and Matt could almost hear the leering tone.

"I don't know about that," Charlotte said.

"I'm sure Davies is right," another voice chimed in. "Although I bet you're a pretty good waitress. Do they make you wear those cute pink uniforms that you see them wear in the films?"

"Hate to disappoint, but not really," Charlotte said and Matt stepped in then.

"Hey," he said. "I wondered where you'd gotten to."

"Oh, hey," Charlotte said and he felt her step closer to him. He moved his sightless gaze back and forth between the two men she was stood with. He could sense that she didn't want to be near them. She had a note to her voice that told her she wasn't impressed with the two men. "Matt, do you know Davies and Tom? They study economics."

"Can't say I've had the pleasure," Matt said.

"Think I've seen you around campus," Tom said.

Matt moved his head in her direction. "I guess a blind man must be pretty hard to miss," he said and there was a moment or two where there was an awkward silence.

Davies coughed into his fist. "Charlotte, can I get you another drink?"

"Sure…thanks," she said the two men walked away. She waited until they were gone before she turned to Matt. She moved her hands to hold onto his forearms, stepping closer to him. He could smell the cheap vodka on her breath as she spoke. "We need to get away from them. They're creeping me out."

"Why did you come out here with them?"

"I came out here for some air because I was hot. They happened to be here," she replied to him and he just gave her a soft nod. "But they're seriously creepy."

"Come on…we'll hide from them."

Charlotte laughed softly as Matt took hold of her hand and they snuck around the side of the house to the back. She grabbed a bottle of wine from the outside table as they found the pool house. It was quiet in there, just a few couples dotted around and talking intimately. Matt sat down with Charlotte next to him on the small loveseat, her thigh brushing against his. She took a drink of wine as he listened in, hearing the Tom and Davies from the kitchen if he focused hard enough.

"What do you think?" Tom asked.

"I think we could easily get her upstairs…a few more drinks…I say we tag-team."

"Don't fancy sharing?"

"Think she'd be-"

"-Earth to Matt?" Charlotte interrupted his listening and he looked in her direction. He felt her hand go to his thigh, holding it gently in her grip. "You alright? You looked like you were thinking of something else?"

"Just daydreaming," he said, not wanting to tell her what had happened.

"Right…well…I mean, do you want a drink of this? It tastes pretty nasty."

"I'll try some," he said and he took the bottle from her, drinking straight from it.

He didn't know how long they sat there, sharing the bottle. The alcohol started to make him feel slightly buzzed and he could tell the same had happened to Charlotte as she became more animated in the way she spoke, her body pressing closer to his on the small seat. He moved his arm behind the back of it, letting her press tighter to his side before he heard her speech become slightly slurred, the bottle of wine now empty.

"You know," she said, "I was in the line for the bathroom and there was this girl…she said you'd taken her on a date the other week. You never mentioned anything."

"I didn't know Charlene was here."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Charlotte questioned from him, brows knitting together and frown deepening on her face. She watched Matt tug his glasses off his nose, placing them into the pocket of his shirt. His dark eyes darted round and his lips tugged upwards into a smile.

"Would you want to know?"

"Would you want to know if I was dating someone?"

"It was a date, we're not dating," Matt retorted, correcting her on that point. "I took her for a couple of drinks…we kissed…and it was just nice. I don't think there's anything serious going on there."

Charlotte thought about him kissing someone else. She looked down to her lap, feeling stupid for even buying the new dress thinking he would notice. How could he when he couldn't see it? Why was she still bothering? He was clearly happy to get on with his life and date other people. She just wished that she could do the same.

"Lottie," he spoke her name when she went quiet.

"I'm fine," she replied. "I just didn't think that we kept things from each other."

"I just don't want to make it awkward between us. If something ever becomes serious then I'll tell you…but right now…it was just one date and the kiss wasn't even that great. I mean…it was fine, but not the best I've had."

"Go round kissing many girls, do you, Murdock?"

"Only the ones who can't seem to resist me."

She rolled her eyes at him. "You think you're so irresistible, huh?"

"Foggy seems to tell me I have a certain charm," Matt said and Charlotte rolled her eyes, chuckling before moving to her feet. Matt frowned. "You going somewhere?"

"I think I might call it a night," Charlotte said. "You stay here if you want."

"And leave you to walk home alone?" Matt asked and he stood up, feeling slightly woozy, the alcohol going straight to his head. He moved a hand to his forehead, rubbing it softly. "I think we've both had enough anyway. Come on…we'll go and sleep this off."

Charlotte agreed with that, feeling out of sorts. She guessed it was the mixture of the drink and Matt's earlier comments. She walked with him away from the party, the two of them moving along the streets, the night cold. Looking to Matt, Charlotte watched his profile, seeing how his eyes flickered around.

"I might not be able to see you, but I know you're staring at me," he said to her. "Do I have something on my face?"

"No, just a nice red blush from being drunk," she responded and he chuckled at that.

"Shame I can't see your face, but I know you're blushing. I can feel the heat from your cheeks," he said and she nudged him in the ribs. He laughed again at that. "You know that-"

He had no time to finish the sentence. Charlotte's lips were on his in seconds. He stood still on the sidewalk, Charlotte to the side of him, her mouth moving over his and his eyes closing in contentment. It felt so natural and right. He knew that he shouldn't feel this way. He knew that he was being selfish, seeing other people and still wanting her. But they had been honest with each other. He had told her that they needed time apart, but it was the last thing he wanted. Yet, he felt selfish for not giving her a chance to grow, to find someone else who didn't have the demons that he had.

"Lottie…Lottie…sweetheart," he gasped her name as they pulled apart for breath and he had no idea how his hands had found her hips, keeping hers pressed against his as she held his neck in her hands.

"I miss you," Charlotte said to him and he knew that they were both too drink for this conversation. "And I know you said that we should spend time apart, but I don't want to, Matty. I don't want to."

"I don't want this to end in heartache. I don't want to lose you."

"You don't have to," Charlotte promised him, "but tell me that this isn't what you want. Tell me that you don't think about me too."

"I can't," he said to her. "It's selfish and I know it's selfish…but when I was kissing Charlene…all I kept thinking about was that she wasn't you."

Charlotte moved again then, kissing him firmly and he gave in. His hands roamed over her body, feeling her curves, teasing the edge of her dress as they stumbled back to his dorm. He didn't know how they made it back. They'd been so many interruptions, Matt pressing her against a brick wall of an alley between two bars as they got there, her legs hooked around his waist as he felt along her bare thigh, lips teasing her neck. She finally told him that they had to move, stumbling into his dorm where he finally pulled the zipper down her back. She collapsed onto the bed behind her, Matt stepping in between her legs and pulling his shirt from his body. She watched him as he bent down towards her and his lips met hers again, her legs tightening around his waist.

He kissed her slowly and sensually, pushing her up the bed until her head was against the pillow and he reached for her underwear, pulling it from her until he fumbled with his belt buckle and pulled his pants off. He didn't last as long as he'd hoped, feeling far too pent up after their behaviour on the way home. He made sure to last long enough for Charlotte, but then he was exhausted, collapsing on top of her as she kissed his neck softly, her hair nestling against his cheek and he found himself nuzzling tighter against her.

"I don't think you'll be needing Foggy's bed tonight," Matt whispered to her and she nodded her head, laughing softly as she kissed his shoulder and he rolled off of her, collapsing by her side, arm slung around her waist. He kissed gently along her shoulder blades, moving her hair from her neck to give him better access.

He kept peppering kisses along her skin as they lay in the darkness. He didn't know how long passed by until he heard her breathing shallow. She was on the verge of sleep and he felt her roll over, her front pressing to his. He adjusted his grip around her, holding her tight to him, chin by his forehead. He knew that he should try and sleep, but he couldn't. He also knew that when morning came he had no idea what he was going to say to her.

…

"I wish nothing but the best for my wife. She has been a rock in recent years, but every marriage comes with its troubles. I do not blame her for keeping the abortion a secret from me…at the time…things were not perfect…but I cannot continue a marriage that is shrouded in secrets. We were both unhappy and it is only right that we be allowed some happiness."

Matt was in the kitchen making breakfast. It was Saturday morning and he had work to catch up on, but he figured it could wait until Sunday. He could hear Charlotte watching the news on his laptop considering he hadn't gotten a TV. He had intended on ordering one as soon as possible. He scrambled the eggs in the pan as the bread toasted.

"You don't need to listen to that," he urged from her.

"Yes, I do. I need to know what he's saying so I'm prepared," Charlotte replied. "I mean…the comments are bad enough as things stand…I don't understand how people can have so many opinions on someone they've never met."

Matt continued stirring the eggs, ensuring they were well scrambled before taking them off the heat as the toast popped up. He moved over towards the toaster and grabbed them, buttering each slice and then covering them with the eggs.

"Because people love to judge other people," he said to her and she scoffed. He was right on that point. He carried the plates to the dining table and set them down on the surface. He'd set the table already and poured two glasses of orange juice. He went to the sofa and closed the lid to the laptop, taking it from her hands and placing it down onto the sofa cushion next to her. Grabbing her hand, he hauled her up from the chair, hands going to her shoulders and guiding her to sit down at the table.

"Now, you're going to eat this and we are going out this morning to buy a TV."

"I'm not sure I should go out."

"So you're going to hide in my apartment forever?"

"Not forever."

"You're going to go out and face people. Let them stare. Let them gossip. None of them matter. I am not letting you lock yourself away in here, do you understand me?"

He settled across from her and she picked up her knife and fork, cutting into her breakfast. "You're bossy, do you know that?"

"Yes, and I'm okay with it," he assured her on that point. "So eat that…then get dressed because we are doing this."

Charlotte didn't argue with him. She knew she couldn't lock herself in his apartment forever, no matter how nice that sounded. She insisted on washing up the dishes and he waited for her to get dressed. She changed into a cream jumper with a green floral skirt. Matt sat on the sofa, waiting for her to finish getting ready. She opened the door to his bedroom and stepped out. He was wearing a dark blue jumper and jeans, shoes already on his feet. He had heard them outside already, but he didn't know if Charlotte had. He gathered she must have as he heard her move over to the window.

"Shit," she whispered, looking onto the street and seeing the gathered reporters.

"I guess it didn't take them long to find you."

"Or someone gave them a tip off?" Charlotte suggested.

"Wouldn't put it past Jonathan," Matt said.

Biting her bottom lip, she turned to look at him as he stood up, hands on his hips. "Maybe this is a bad idea. We should just give it a while, you know? I don't care what they call me but people are going to assume things about us…you and me…"

"Let them."

"Matt, I don't get how you're so nonchalant about all of this," she said and he could hear how tense she sounded.

Sighing, he moved towards her as she looked out the window. He stood behind her, his hands going to her upper arms and holding her softly. Leaning back into him slightly, she closed her eyes and let his chin sit by her cheek.

"We don't have to do this if you really don't want to," he promised her, knowing that he maybe shouldn't push her. "I do get that you don't want to listen to people talk about you…judge you…but I want you to know that whatever is on the other side of the door, you are more than strong enough to face. I don't want Jonathan to think that he's won…made you a recluse…if you want to go out then you can do it. No one has any power over you…not your husband…the press…the sad people who sit there calling you names on the internet. None of them matter."

"How do you do that?"

"Do what?"

She turned around in his grip, his hands moving to her shoulders. "Make me feel better instantly?"

His lips turned upwards at hearing. "It's a gift," he promised her and he heard her chuckle as she bowed her head, hands going to hold onto his. He pecked the top of her head softly. "Do you want to do this?"

"And you really don't mind coming with me?"

"Lottie, I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be," Matt promised her, hand going to brush her hair behind her ear. She let out a shaky breath and then steeled herself.

"We'll do it then," she said and Matt wondered if he had ever been so proud of her.

They moved to the door, grabbing their coats. Shrugging into her red woollen coat, she buttoned it up to her chin. "And you still owe me a DVD player with that TV," she teased him.

"Sweetheart, you can have anything you want," Matt said and she wondered if he noticed the term of endearment. Had it just slipped off his tongue? She didn't entirely mind it if she had to be honest. She bit back a smile at it and Matt opened the door, offering her his hand silently. She took it and she knew that whatever was coming for them, she could face now that she had Matt back in her life.

...

A/N: So as we move into the series (not yet but soon!) I would love to know what you'd want to see? Any characters pop up (one definitely will!)? Anything else you want more of? There are going to be some more flashbacks too so I can add things to those. As always, please send me your thoughts!