Now, we start to introduce other characters, specifically some of the ones that can be found in my story Bonds over Blood :)
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….
It was a slow day.
Ever since Foggy and Matt left Landman and Zack almost 6 months ago, they had been trying to make money by putting their home number in the phone book, and advertising as lawyers. Most of the time they received prank calls, but every so often a true case would come along…mind you, they never paid well. Simple robbery cases most of the time.
Whilst Foggy was initially wary about leaving the big law-firm, he couldn't help but think that it was a good idea at the time. Landman and Zack were clearly corrupt in some way and now that they were working from home, they were able to send a little bit more time with their son Joseph. It used to be that they hired a specialist babysitter to watch him whilst they were away.
Today was a quiet, Monday morning and whilst a now, three-year old Joey was playing in the corner, Matt and Foggy were going through their bank records in an attempt to try and find enough money to buy their own office to run their law firm from.
Foggy threw his hands up in the air in frustration, "This is ridiculous, we're gonna need a bloody miracle to get enough money to buy our own office!"
Matt frowned briefly at the use of the swear word before nodding in agreement, "What we need is a high profile case…but those almost always go to Landman and Zack. Foggy…I'm sorry I'm putting you through this."
Foggy shook his head, "Oh come on Matty, we were right to leave that hellhole! Besides, think about how happy Joey has been now that we're spending way more time with him!"
Matt smiled gently as he listened to their son talk softly to himself as he played with his brand new, police station set. "Yeah, he has been happier hasn't he?"
Foggy was about to reply, when suddenly the phone began to ring shrilly. Picking it up, he answered with a very serious, "This is Nelson and Murdock, how can we help you?" Usually it was friends or family of the pair, who usually teased them about the opening statement. The serious tone of voice then usually changed into something a bit friendlier.
This time was different though.
"Can I assume that I'm speaking to the lawyers, Nelson and Murdock?"
Foggy frowned, waving his hand as his partner frowned in concern. "Yes, this is Mr Nelson speaking. May I ask who I'm speaking to?"
"Of course. My name is Virginia Potts, I'm an employee of Mr Antony Stark."
Now this was interesting. From watching the news, Foggy knew that Mr Stark had confessed to being the mysterious hero known only as Iron Man. "A-ah, Miss Potts. How can we help? I assume it's about the incident a few weeks ago?"
"You would be correct. A few organisations have expressed their…interest in the suit and the media themselves have been getting very pushy about finding out new information. A few days ago, a few members of the press got a little too close the other day, and Mr Stark's son Edwin was pushed to the ground."
"Mr Stark wants to press charges then? No pun intended."
"Yes, although it should be an easy case. What my employer truly wants though, is a team of lawyers that he can trust. Mr Stane was responsible for hiring the last team and Mr Stark doesn't really want anyone hired by Stane on his payroll."
"I assume we'll be getting the full story at some point?"
"Of course. We're sending a car round to your apartment, if you wouldn't mind coming round for a more personal chat?"
"O-of course!"
"Wonderful. We'll see you in around half an hour."
Foggy barely had time to say goodbye before Miss Potts hung up. "I think…that miracle has just happened!"
Matt raised an eyebrow, "New client?"
"Yeah, you could say that. Mr Stark is sending a car round….I'd better put Joey's coat on."
"W-wait, the actual Tony Stark…Iron Man?"
"Yep! Come on, put your coat on and grab your stick!"
….
The car that was sent was practically a pot of honey for some hungry flies, especially in Hell's Kitchen. Thankfully, they didn't hang around and within an hour, they were making their way into the Stark Tower garage. Foggy was keeping a tight hold of Joey, who was squirming on his lap. They hadn't been available at that time, so they had to take him with them.
They were met at the entrance to the main building by a young woman with strawberry blonde hair, wearing smart clothing and heels. "Misters Nelson-Murdock?"
Foggy shook his head and grinned, "Almost. I'm Mr Nelson and he's Mr Murdock. No hyphen. We are together though, just not…you know. Oh, this is our son, Joseph."
Miss Potts smiled, "It's very nice to meet all of you. If you would like to follow me upstairs and I'll introduce you to Mr Stark and his family."
The pair nodded and followed the young lady to the elevator where they travelled up the building to the main penthouse. Once arriving, they made their way off the elevator only for Matt and Joey to wince as the noise level increased.
Foggy watched as three small ran around the large sofa, shouting and screaming as they jumped on the piece of furniture. "I assume one of those is Stark's son?" he asked Miss Potts.
However, a different voice answered. "Yes, the one with dark brown, almost black hair." Foggy spun around to see a young, blonde man with unnaturally blue eyes and a clear British accent. The man smiled, "My apologies. I'm Jarvis, Mr Stark's…well, I suppose you can call me his husband."
Foggy nodded in recognition. There had been rumours going around for years about Tony Stark's mysterious lover, with some rumours even stating that the man wasn't human. Jarvis smiled, "It's very nice to meet you Mr Nelson and Mr Murdock. Tony is in one of his private rooms with a young photographer, probably the only one he can trust and Agent Coulson, an official from SHIELD. You'll learn all about them in due course."
The pair nodded as Jarvis gestured towards the children, "The one with those leather gloves on and the bright red t-shirt is Sebastian Parker-Wilson, the young photographer's son and the other one in the sleeveless top is Ian Barton, Agent Coulson's son. Perhaps your son would like to join in with the fun?"
Foggy glanced down at Joey, who had buried his face in Matt's leg whilst clutching tightly to his Papa's pant legs. "I think…it's a little loud for him for the time being. His hearing's a little sensitive, what with the blindness and everything."
Jarvis nodded in understanding before spinning around to frown at his son and friends…who were still shrieking and running around. "Edwin Stark! If I want to hear shrieking, I'll buy a parrot. Play quietly please!"
One of the children, presumingly Edwin, stopped in his tracks before grinning cheekily. "I wanna a parrot as well!" He then continued to run around, although this time, it was a lot quieter.
Jarvis sighed wearily and smiled apologetically at the pair of lawyers. "This may not last long, but I'l remain down here with Joseph if you want, whilst you go and see Tony?"
Matt grinned, "We would appreciate it, thank you."
"No problem Mr Murdock. Miss Pot-my apologies, Pepper will show you to the room."
The pair nodded before following Pepper…well they tried. When they began to walk, Matt heard a small whimper. "Papa…Papa, don' go!"
Both Matt and Foggy winced at the tone of their son's voice, as Matt knelt on the floor, placing his stick down and gently pulled his son into a hug. "Daddy and Papa are just going to another room for a bit sweetie. We're not going far, but there are three other children for you to play with while we're working, okay?"
Joey nodded, tears building up in his eyes as he forced himself to let his Papa go. He listened to their footsteps as they left the room, wincing as the noise level increased steadily. He clutched his own stick closer to his body in a faint attempt at comfort. He slowly navigated his way into a corner and buried his face in his knees, wrapping around his legs as he hugged himself and tried to block out the sounds of the other children playing.
He remained there for what seemed like hours. Despite his defensive posture, he heard someone walk up to him and felt them pat him on the knee. "Hey…you okay?"
With his face still buried in his knees, Joey shook his head. The voice continued, "Okay…do you wanna play?"
Joey shook his head again.
"You sure? We has Cap'in America toys?"
This caught Joey's interest. His Dad had been reading Captain America comics to him for a few months now, and Joey was fascinated with the superhero. "Weally?"
"Yeah! I has lots but you can has this one!"
Joey felt his hand being grabbed as an action figure was placed in it. Using his other hand to feel the rest of the toy, Joey grinned at the disc shape of the shield in the figures hand and again when his fingers gently nudged against the wings of the helmet. "This is weally cool!"
His excitement at the toy distracted Joey long enough for the mysterious child to pull him off of the ground. "Come on! Come on!"
Joey stumbled as he was pulled up off the ground, dropping his stick to the ground. However, before he could bend down to get it, he heard it being picked up off the ground and felt it being handed back to him. "Sorry…." Apologised the other voice, "…I shoulda told you I was gonna do that."
"It okay…"
"I'm Ian! Eddy and Seb are gonna love you! They love Cap'in America too!"
"O-oh…I'm Joey…."
"Cool!"
