Foggy never used to be this attached to his phone. Then again, he never used to be best friends with a self-destructive fool, either. And it is entirely said self-destructive fool's fault that he is obsessively checking his phone to make sure the volume's high and that he hasn't missed any calls or anything.

He hasn't. Which should be a good thing, and probably is, but now there's the chance that Matt's bleeding out in a damned dumpster and can't call or...something.

He's staying late tonight, because here there's things to do. At home, there's nothing to do but sit and worry.

So sue him (ha). He's a worrier. Always has been. Not about everything (what happens after death? who cares?), but about people. And right now? Right now he's worried about Matt, because this has gone beyond child trafficking and straight to 'Mob Business'.

"Good evening, Mister Nelson."

CHRIST ON A STICK-

"How did you get in?"

Smooth. Just piss off the crime boss, Foggy, good going.

"You don't lock your doors." She pulls the chair out and drapes herself onto it. "That's on you."

Yeah. She's got a point.

"Can I...help you?"

"Your friend is becoming a real irritant." she informs him and at first he feels a surge of pride, followed by the sinking thought of, oh god, what's she done? "You understand, of course, that I'm not hoping for friendship as much as a temporary truce until this is cleared up. And threatening my men does not constitute a truce."

"No." Help. "No, I guess not."

"I am not going to threaten you per se." she continues, fishing out a cigarette and a lighter. "Because I was raised better. But I am going to inform you that I know where you live, I know where your secretary lives, and I know where your partner lives. I know your schedules, your favourite bar, and your family members. So keep that in mind."

Blink. Please blink now.

She smiles at him, wide and painfully insincere, and leans across the desk to pat his cheek.

"Do we understand each other?"

"Uh-huh."

"Good. Don't stay too late, darling, you look exhausted."

And with that, she stands up, collects her purse, and walks out the door. Foggy gives it a few minutes to make sure she's gone before digging out his regular phone and calling Karen.

She was asleep, if her slurred words and late answer time are any indication, and he's sorry, but it can't be helped.

"Karen?"

"Wha's hap'nin'?"

"You're okay? Your doors are locked?"

"Foggy?" She's more awake now. Good. "What's wrong?"

"Make sure everything's locked. I'm coming over."

"Why? It's the middle of the night!"

"Because du Maurier just dropped by and things were said and-"

"Wait, what? Slow down."

"I'll explain when I get there, just..."

"Okay."

She hangs up.


It's a long night, and they both head back to the office a little after five-thirty. They can't help it-Karen's apartment is too dark, with too many windows.

It smells like cigarette smoke in Foggy's office-or that could be lingering paranoia. He's not sure. Just to be sure, he opens the window and lights a candle. After a moment, he closes the window. Just in case.

Matt comes in a little after nine, looking tired but unharmed (for once).

"Karen. Foggy." He sneezes. "Candle?"

As if he doesn't know.

"Yeah. Office was a little stuffy." Let me have this. Please.

"Huh." He's not gonna let him have this, he'll just wait until the worst possible time, when there's no escape.

Lie detector friends suck.

"You okay?"

"A little tired, Foggy. That's all."

"How's your head?"

"It's fine."

Yeah, right. Matt's the worst liar on the planet. Life's funny that way. All the same, Foggy lets it go-it's one thing to spot a lie, it's another thing altogether to get him to admit it-and goes to blow the candle out.

He was right, about Matt waiting for the worst possible time: Karen nips out for bagels (goodbye, backup) and Foggy finds himself cornered at his desk.

"What did she want."

"Huh?"

"Foggy-"

"I know she was here, what did she want."

"You threatened one of her guys and she didn't like it."

"You're okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. We talked and she left and that was it." Matt does not look happy and Foggy suddenly panics that he might try to pick a fight with the damn mob. "Don't be stupid, we're fine, you still need her not to shoot you. Whisper, remember? Asshole stealing children?"

"I can manage-"

"No. It's fine. Nothing happened. Don't be stupid."

"I don't like it."

"You don't have to like it, you just have to not get her to actively try to kill you."

Matt scowls and Foggy gets up and hugs him.

"Why are you squeezing me with your body."

"It's a hug, Matt. I'm hugging you." He pats what is hopefully a non-bruised area on his shoulder. "Kick Whisper's ass first, then you may have my blessing to bring her down. But not now. Okay?"

"But she-"

"We're fine. She didn't even visit Karen. Just me. I think she likes me."

"If you see her again-"

"I'll call you, I swear. But it was fine this time, so calm down."

"Fine."

Foggy doesn't believe that for one second.