Fauna

There weren't many pages inside the envelope. It didn't take long for Fauna to take a quick glance at them and snap a few pictures. She would process the information in her head later, when she had time. The only thing truly disappointing was there weren't any details in the papers, no definite condemning evidence.

That was okay, she felt good. Better than she felt in a while. Nervous, Scared. Yes. But she was optimistic. She hasn't been much of anything for a while, this felt good.

She finished up in the ladies room and peaked out the door, hoping a certain somebody was gone. Thankfully he was. She hopped back in line and began considering what was about to happen. Somebody on the police force was about to receive a package with times and dates. It wasn't hard to conclude that Grayson had someone in his pocket. Possibly multiple people.

Fauna moved forward, she was next. "Davis. . . Davis." She whispered to herself. "Davis."

"May I help you?"

Fauna looked up. The clerk was an older gentleman, he looked like a cop that grew too old to walk the streets so they stuck him behind a desk until he decided to retire.

Fauna smiled. "Hi, um... Davis." She hesitated then nervously answered.

The clerk stared at her. Fauna began to grow uncomfortable as the seconds ticked by. She wondered if she had done it right. She went back to earlier in the day when Grayson gave her the instructions. Yes, she did everything he asked.

The pounding of her heart went to her ears.

"Down the hall, room four." He said, his voice was considerably lower than before.

"Thanks." Unsure of the situation, she made her way down the hall.

Fauna turned the knob on the door label number four. The room was dark. A quick glance to her side and spotted the light switch. She raised her hand and flipped the switch.

POP!

Fauna yelped as she watched a stream of electricity encircle her fingers. The light switch crackled and fizzed. The overhead lights blinked brightly, then dimmed.

She cursed, inspecting her fingers for any burn marks. Thankfully there were none. "That was weird." She shook the feeling from her hand.

The room was a small interrogation room . Fauna had never been in one before and glad of it. It was dirty and smelled of mildew. The ones on TV looked much nicer.

She wasn't sure what to do. There was no one in the room . Should she leave the envelope on the table? Should she sit? She didn't like either of those ideas so she decided to stand and wait.

Matthew

"Foggy, you just handed over to her the ability to get herself in all kinds of trouble."

"Sorry Matt." Foggy said. "I didn't realize that until after. You couldn't have gotten from her anyway. Not without causing a scene."

"I know. That's why I plan to track the person she's delivering it to."

"Oh, yeah. Sorry man. Guess I'm not skilled in all the vigilante stuff."

Matthew explained the phone call from Karen. Foggy went ahead to the office. Matt stayed behind to make sure Fauna got home safely.

He jumped up from the bench and started to run when he heard the loud POP and Fauna cry out. He froze in place, realizing the crowds of people around the area might think it odd of a blind man running through the street. This was a busy time of day. He couldn't just blast through the doors.

Instead, he tuned in on Fauna. She was alone in the room and fidgeting nervously. He could hear and smell the buzzing of electricity in the air.

She was okay.

He found the bench again and waited.

Fauna

The seconds ticked by slowly. She jumped and spun around at the sound of the door slamming shut. A dark headed man stood before her.

"Well, it looks like Grayson's tastes are improving." He remarked as his eyes moved up and down her body.

Great, she thought, another one. Just keep it business, she told herself. Mostly to help calm her nerves.

"Davis?"

He stared at her for a long moment, studying her, just as the clerk had done.

"Yes. well..." He paused, looking her over once again. "Give it here girl."

He stretched his hand toward Fauna. She handed him the file and he began opening it.

He studied the document then his eyes met hers. "Well, go on. Git!"

Fauna didn't hesitate. Her hand was around the knob opening the door. Suddenly it slammed shut and the knob slid from her hand.

She felt the man at her back.

"Tell Grayson I enjoyed the scenery this time." He chuckled.

Fauna cringed and opened the door. She hurried from the building as fast as she could.

She took a deep breath of the fresh air and made her way down the precinct steps. She was glad that it was over. She felt a weight lift from her shoulders. There was a little doubt that everything wouldn't work out today, but it had. Her good feeling returned. She began walking toward her apartment. Hopefully soon it will no longer be.

"A flower?"

Fauna stopped as a young girl thrust a daisy before her, cutting off her path.

The poor looking flower was drooping, but the girl's eyes pleaded. She looked the same way Fauna felt, hungry and tired.

"I'm sorry, I can't. "

Fauna couldn't afford it. The girl's eyes dropped, disappointment shifted her face. And Fauna's heart broke. She wished she could help her, but she needed her money for a few extra groceries.

"Allow me." Matthew said from behind Fauna.

She turned and glowered at him. "You're following me?"

He reached around Fauna and handed the young girl a bill.

"Thank you!" She said, her voice lifted with excitement .

Fauna stepped to the side to keep from touching him. She caught the scent of his aftershave and soap in her nostrils. She wanted to decline his offer to buy the flower. Under normal circumstances she would, but she couldn't deprive the young girl.

Matt met her eyes, holding the poor flower up for her. Silence surrounded them. She turned on her heel and began walking away, ignoring his offer.

"Fauna wait." He called after her.

"You're kidding, right?" She continued walking.

Matt met her speed, his cane swinging side to side.

"I'd like to talk to you."

"Talking requires two people having a conversation." She kept walking. "What you want is an interrogation."

"Fauna."

She ignored him.

"Fauna."

When she still gave no response, he grabbed her elbow, gently.

"No." She protested, turning and pushing him away.

He let go. "You had someone following you." He revealed, keeping his voice low.

Fauna froze. "What?"

"It's alright, I took care of it." He released her.

"What?!" Fauna was horrified. Questions flooded her mind. Did he actually just kill someone, how can he be so casual about it? Who was it and why were they following her? Would she be in trouble if Grayson had sent the man? Was it a man? Did he kill a woman?

She stared at him. He had that look he gets when he's reading her.

"Don't worry I made it look like a mugging."

A small inaudible sound left Fauna's lips. "You just killed someone in broad daylight? Is there nothing you won't do?"

"Killed? No, Fauna. I didn't kill the man. I do my best not to kill people. So far, I've been successful in that regard."

"No, just beat up, kidnap, taunt, stalk. . "

"Fair enough." He interrupted.

More questions flooded her mind. How long had the man been following her? Did he see her searching for an envelope to replace the one Grayson gave her. Did he see the exchange she had with Foggy?

Here she was feeling good, thinking she had gotten away with today, now she wasn't so sure.

"It's okay Fauna. He wasn't inside the precinct." Matt's voice snapped her back. "He was outside, waiting for you."

Her facial expression must have given away what she'd been thinking.

Silence again filled the space between them. Fauna wasn't sure what to do or say. Giving him inside information backfired on her. She'd made it clear to him to leave her alone. He wouldn't. She tried stabbing him with scissors. To her everlasting humiliation, that didn't work either.

She sighed with a deep breath and watched as he swallowed nervously.

"I'd like to. . . " he paused, adjusting his glasses.

Fauna found it fascinating to watch the Devil of Hell's Kitchen struggle awkwardly.

"I'd like to walk you home."

Her face scrunched in confusion. "Why?"

"I'd like to make sure you get home safely."

"It's not my home." She muttered.

He nodded. "I know."

Fauna turned and continued walking, but at a much slower pace. Matthew came up beside her and gently took her elbow again.

She jerked away. "What are you doing?"

"It would look odd for me to be leading you." He explained.

"You want me to help you pretend to be blind?"

He shrugged, giving a boyish grin.

Fauna looked around nervously. People were all around them. They were mostly the nine-to-fivers heading home for the day. Conceding, Fauna turned and waited. Matt took her elbow once again.

Matthew

Fauna was swirling like Matt had never seen before. Almost like something has re-charged her. He didn't miss how she recoiled when he took her arm. Nor how she pulls away every chance she gets.

Matt coached himself to stay calm, take a gentle tone and be patient. No matter what she says or does. So far his plan seemed to be working. She was allowing him to walk with her.

Though it was a silent and awkward walk, he thought, it was still a victory. It took everything in him not to ask about the envelope. He wanted to know who sent her and why. Most importantly, why she was working for Grayson. She was clearly in distress, abused and neglected. Why was she putting herself through this?

"Are you going to start questioning me yet?" She broke the silence.

"Why should I, when all you're going to do is shoot me down?"

Matt smiled, trying to make the conversation light.

"Why don't you just tell me what you want." Fauna demanded.

"I did. I want to walk you home."

"You're lying." She accused, raising her voice.

"Are you going to attack me with scissors again?" He chuckled, watching her grow embarrassed.

"You're laughing at me."

"I'm laughing with you."

"I'm not laughing." She brushed her hair out of her eyes. "Yes. okay. It was stupid. Not in a million years could I ever defeat you in a fight. I didn't know what else to do. You made me so angry showing up at my mother's house like that. You could have given me some warning."

"You're right. I should have." Matt halted, stopping Fauna with him. He turned her to face him. "And you could with the proper training." Shutters vibrated up his arm when her hair brushed against him.

He inhaled, she overtook his senses. This time, surprisingly, he didn't lose any of his abilities. He studied her. The lights swirling within her were leaping toward the sun. He had seen this before, then it hit him.

Her scent... he knew what it was. It was the sunlight. It was warm and soothing, like the first day of Spring when everything was in bloom and brand new. It was sweet as it moved freely through the atmosphere, yet grounded as it penetrated the earth. It was fresh and crisp. And yet the sweetness of a perfectly ripe berry freshly picked from the vine. He never came across something so natural and invigorating. He found himself wanting to keep her there; hold her still and just breathe her in. He didn't want to return to the world of only knowing the stench of people's habits and daily antics.

Matt watched her momentarily in awe, craving the scent. For the first time he couldn't determine where someone had been, how long ago they'd been to the bathroom, whether or not they'd washed their hands, what they had shoveled in their mouth to be eaten, or who they'd slept with.

He snapped out of his trance when he noticed she was giving him that confused look again.

He took a deep breath. "I should have been up front with you about your mother. It was a mistake and I'm sorry."

Her breath hitched, "What?" She searched him with her eyes.

"I'm apologizing, Fauna."

Her heart jumped.