A/N: I am writing at a frenetic pace at the moment and trying to get these first few chapters done. Expect a more regular publishing pattern from around chapter five and onwards :)

Matt Murdock looked at his watch. He may not have been able to read the time, but he could hear and feel the precise movement of all the gears. He concentrated for a moment, sensing each tick and each small motion of the watch. Given to him by his father - Jack Murdock - before he passed away, the watch was Matt's most prized possession. He figured it to be about quarter past three in the afternoon. He shook his head and let out a sigh. Being fifteen minutes late was not the way to start as the new District Attorney.

While scolding himself, he hadn't realised that a figure was standing in front of him. Matt frowned. No one ever snuck up on him easily. His senses were too advanced for that. At least he thought they were. He dismissed the thought and said to the figure, "I am sorry, my name is Matthew Murdock. I am here to meet with Commissioner Gordon, could you tell me where I would find her office?"

"Yes, I know you're looking for the Commissioner. She sent me to meet you ahead of her. She is running a bit late you see. After only two weeks there is still a lot of work for her to be doing." Matt instantly recognised the voice that spoke to him. He had seen him on television a lot. In fact, Matt grew up seeing Martha and Thomas Wayne as heroes in his mind. Although Gotham was a long way away from Hell's Kitchen, he thought that they were good people. But then they were tragically murdered in an alleyway after a mugging gone wrong. They left their only child with his pockets filled, but his heart empty.

"I know you, you're Bruce Wayne. I have to say I was always eager to meet such an influential patron of Gotham. Again, my name is Matt Murdock and I am the new DA here in town. Hopefully we can be friends." Matt extended out an open hand and Bruce took it firmly and shook it.

"Commissioner Gordon asked me to take you out for lunch before she gets back. Is that okay with you? I would love to talk to you about the work you've done in defending the underprivileged in Hell's Kitchen." Matt was again slightly perplexed. His senses meant he was able to read a person's heartbeat and other vitals. This meant he was able to determine if someone was lying, or if they were nervous or happy.

Matt could not sense Bruce's heartbeat.

Matt knew he had to have one. That meant that Wayne was concealing it, intentionally. Only those trained extensively in ancient martial arts were able to conceal their heartbeat in such a way. What reason would Bruce Wayne have for such training? Matt was unsettled; rarely was he thrown off his guard. Had his senses declined? Had his retirement from crime fighting meant he had neglected the senses he relied on so heavily? Matt cursed himself as he realised he was just standing there; Bruce was waiting for a response.

"Ah yes, sorry Mr Wayne. I have a lot on my mind right now with the new job and everything. Lunch sounds fine," Matt rubbed the back of his head, feeling as if Bruce had gotten the better of him somehow.

"Please, call me Bruce. I know the perfect place to eat, my shout," Bruce smiled at Matt and then chuckled slightly.

"I am sorry Matt, I am not used to interacting with a blind person. I must say though, you seem very astute for a man who lacks vision."

"So they say. Shall we?"

Bruce nodded and held out an arm for Matt so he could guide him back to his car. Matt took Bruce's arm and they began walking towards Bruce's car.

Matt's ears hurt as the tyres on Bruce's Lamborghini screeched off onto the road. The leather seats stuck to Matt's back uncomfortably and he squirmed around until he was in a good position. Bruce didn't seem to notice Matt's discomfort, or the fact he was travelling twenty over the speed limit. Bruce turned the radio down slightly and cleared his throat.

"So Matt how long have you been a lawyer? I admit I don't know a whole lot about you, but I know Barbara wouldn't hire the new DA without any background information on them," Bruce enquired with an unassuming tone but Matt wasn't convinced by Bruce's amiable appearance.

"No offence Bruce, but aren't you a bit too involved for someone who is meant to just be a businessmen?" Bruce frowned as Matt said this, sensing some kind of hostility or distrust. Bruce glanced at Matt for a moment, trying to get a read on him. Even though he Matt was blind he could still sense the subtle change in Bruce's position. Matt decided he wouldn't trust him, at least until he knew more about him.

The uncomfortable air between the two continued for the rest of the car trip until they arrived at the restaurant. As Bruce got out Matt pulled his phone out of his pocket.

"Do you mind if I make a phone call before I come in?"

"Will you be able to make it inside by yourself?"

"Many are surprised by my competency at navigation," Matt smiled as he said this, but a darker thought loomed in his mind. Bruce walked towards the restaurant doors and Matt directed his voice command to dial Foggy. As the dial tone commenced Matt speculated on Bruce. Clearly he wasn't just a normal businessman. Matt waited until he heard Bruce walk into the restaurant before opened the glove compartment in the Lamborghini.

His hand shuffled through the various items. He felt a pair of CD's, some tissues and a pair of gloves. It was the final thing he stumbled upon that made his breath stop. He ran his fingers over a-

"Hey Matt, what's up?" Foggy's voice filled the car with sound. Matt meticulously placed everything back into the glove compartment exactly as he found it.

"Not much Foggy, I was just checking in," Matt replied softly.

"Well I have lots to tell you. You know that superhero guy called Nightwing? Yeah well he's gone missing just like Batman and the authorities are suspecting foul play, but because they're technically breaking the law there isn't a lot they can do unless someone actually reports them missing, which is impossible because no one knows who he is!" Matt barely kept up with Foggy's fast speech.

"Woah, slow down Foggy. How did you find this out?" Matt's mind raced with possibilities.

"It is all over the press. Some ransom note was left. It was signed by some guy called -," Matt suddenly heard footsteps approaching the car and quickly cut Foggy off.

"I am sorry Foggy I am busy at the moment, can I call you back later?"

"What? You were the one that called me. Why would you call me if your-" Matt hung up abruptly and put his phone back in his pocket. Slowly he got out of the car. Not only by the sound approaching him but the smell as well, Matt knew it was Bruce.

Matt breathed in deeply for a moment. He smelt cologne, possibly Calvin Klein or Hugo Boss. There was a subtle hint of sweat. A normal person wouldn't detect it but he could. It seemed that Bruce must have been doing some physical activity before he met Matt. Matt breathed in even deeper, searching for any unique scent that he could detect on Bruce. A strong resinous smell assaulted Matt's senses. Matt smelt wood and trees, possibly a forest?

Matt mentally tucked these smells away. Even if Bruce could sneak up on Matt silently, there was no way to stop him detecting Bruce's scent now. Matt smiled slightly, feeling as if he won a small victory as he finally closed the door of the car.

"I see you've finished your phone call. Wasn't sure if you were coming. Thought I might check you're not stealing my Lamborghini."

"I'm legally blind" Matt chuckled slightly and followed Bruce's footsteps back towards the restaurant.

"You can never be too careful about these things Matt," Bruce grinned widely.

Even though he couldn't sense his heartbeat, based on the smell wafting from the kitchen windows, Matt knew Bruce wasn't lying about the parmigiana. His stomach grumbled as he realised he hadn't eaten anything all day.