Chapter 2

Colleen Wing woke up in luxuriously soft sheets. Groggy and sore, she rose to her elbows and glanced around. Bloody dressings, aspirin and a glass of half-empty water sat on an expensive-looking night table next to the bed. Blasting from somewhere within her hazy mind, her latest memories played serially in her mind' eye. She shot out of bed, paying no attention to the strong protest her tender body uttered.

"Danny?" she called out excitedly, exiting the room into a vast open space decorated with posh, tasteful decor.

Ward Meachum was peering out a massive window nearby, his back turned, hands deep in his fancy slack pockets.

"Ward?" said Colleen, confused.

He turned to look at her, indifference shining in his eyes. "Oh, hey," he said awkwardly. "You're up."

"Where is Danny?"

"He isn't here," Ward answered obviously.

"What's going on?" she said, crossing her arms around her chest, disappointment pulling her lips down into a frown.

"I don't know," he admitted. "Danny called me….told me to come over here and check on you."

Her initial reaction was to ask where "here" is exactly, but instead she said, "You've been in contact with Danny?"

"He called me tonight for the first time in months."

"He was at the ring….Bakuto…he is alive…and we were fighting…I was losing and then….Danny. He brought me here. Where is he?"

"Ring? Bakuto?" stammered Ward, confused. "I don't know where Danny is…or what is going on…I just came by to make sure you are ok, like Danny asked me to."

"Let me see your phone?"

"My phone?"

Colleen was at Ward's side in a second, hand out. "Yes, your cell phone….I need to see it."

"Ok…" he handed it to her reluctantly.

Contacts. Danny Rand. Message. COME QUICK. COLLEEN IN TROUBLE. "Where are we?" asked Colleen.

"Safe house," said Ward.

SAFEHOUSE. A small part of Colleen felt guilty for the lie, but a much bigger—and much more hurt—part of her was sweetly satisfied.

She handed Ward's phone back. "Don't you dare tell him I'm ok," she warned, "or I will find you and kick your ass. You can leave now…I'll be ok."

She walked back to the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed, letting out an exasperated breath as her mind started to turn. Bakuto is alive—and he kicked her ass. He didn't kick your ass, Colleen argued with herself. Up until the end, she had him, but she let her excitement at the possibility of finding out what happened to K'un Lun fog her senses, distract her. The glowing light she saw before she passed out—it had to have belonged to the Iron Fist. The costly room in which she sat in now was a testimony to that. But what happened? Has Danny been watching her from afar? Where is he? She had a million questions.

Restless, she returned to the living room. The huge window let in a truly miraculous view of the city. She looked down at all the buildings and lights and cars. So many people, so many broken lives…she wished she could help them all. "Hah," she laughed, remembering how naive she was, when she truly believed she was helping kids get off the streets.

Suddenly, and to Colleen's wonderful amazement, the front door, far behind her, flew open.

Danny Rand came running in, eyes, entire body, riddled with fear. "Colleen!" he called out, and then he saw her, standing by the window, safe. His stance changed entirely. Confusion.

She was relieved to see him, however angry and confused. For weeks she dreamt about kicking his ass, hard, but she found herself completely overcome by an unexplainable, bombshell-of-a-sensation, which intensified as he drew closer.

"Ward said…" he began.

"That was me," she admitted. "I didn't know what else to do, Danny. I had to get you here."

He was close enough now…she could punch him. She really wanted to, but his face…it was such a nice view, so much more beautiful than the broken city sparkling behind them.

"I'm so sorry, Colleen," said Danny, reaching out to run his fingers gently over a bruise on her cheek.

She closed her eyes at his touch. "I missed you so much," she muttered, and then she was hugging him. Softly, she placed her face against chest and breathed him in. She wanted to cry but wanted to be strong more, so she tried her best to keep a straight-face as he kissed the top of her head.

She drew back but kept her arms locked securely around his waist, scared he would run away again. "Why did you leave?"

Though her grip around him was strong, he broke away, pushing past her to stand in front of the window, a look of trepidation twisting his handsome features.