Lance Vs. Murdock
Disclaimer: Cause watching Defenders got my interest in Laurel/Matt all fired up again.
Summary: In the wake of Robert and Oliver Queen's deaths, along with Sara Lance's in the North China Sea, the Lance family plus an abandoned Thea Queen make a life changing decision when they move to Hell's Kitchen in New York City.
A loud popping noise was heard, followed by loud cheering in a 2 story house in Hell's Kitchen, New York. "That's right, boys and girls! Nelson, Murdock, and Lance are officially Avocados of Law!" Announced one Franklin 'Foggy' Nelson happily after popping open a bottle of champagne.
"I still maintain the defense that such a title would not work well for a serious image for the three of us." Replied Laurel Lance tongue in cheek as that had often been an argument she made to the man after one night when the three of them had been drinking and Foggy had come up with it while struggling to find the right words.
"And while the Defense notes your continued objection, we still deny any such claims. As Avocados of Law is a truly respectable name. Isn't that right Matt?" Retorted Foggy as he looked to his blind best friend much to the amusement of the others.
Matt shook his head while holding on to Laurel, who'd been practically a Godsend a few months after things had ended horribly between him and Elektra Natchios. "As the residing Judge, I still have to maintain an unbiased opinion of the continued argument between the two of you."
"BOO!" Cracked Foggy while Thea giggled.
"I'm sorry Foggy, but tough calls have to be made."
"And this is why I love you, Matt Murdock." Laurel told her boyfriend with a wide smile.
The man smiled in her direction. "I aim to please, Miss Lance."
Foggy let out a snort but wisely kept quiet where the pleasing was concerned. "You guys would make a killin' in the comedy world if bein' a Lawyer doesn't work out for you three." Quentin Lance remarked with a shake of the head.
"Just make sure you get a cut of the profits, Quentin." Thea told him sagely.
"Oh, but he will, sweetie, he will. My husband knows better then to let a potentially good thing like that out of his sight." Dinah said with a wink towards her husband while Thea fake gagged.
In the days after the sinking of the Queen's Gambit in the North China Sea that contained several crewman, Robert and Oliver Queen, and Sara Lance, things had been pretty hard for everyone. And it only got harder when Moira Queen took off for parts unknown, practically abandoning Thea in the Queen Manor with a note and a case file explaining that she'd been adopted when she was 2 years old. Many had been horrified by this turn of events and if it hadn't of been for Dinah and Laurel convincing Quentin to take her in despite the grief of losing both Sara and Oliver, Thea would have ended up either in the adoption system or with someone who didn't really and truly care for her. Malcolm Merlyn had offered to take her in but Quentin Lance knew what a bad idea that was given the stuff he'd over hear Tommy Merlyn saying about his dad. Malcolm really hadn't had kind things to say about that as he felt the Detective would use the opportunity to be a horrible man towards Thea but Quentin countered that while he may be grieving, he'd never pull something like that. Adding that he wasn't him much to the man's immense dislike but would let it go.
And despite abandoning her adopted daughter, Thea had been left with access to the Queen fortune that she wouldn't truly be able to make full use of until her 21st birthday. Attempts to find Moira had proven harder then expected and after several months, the search had been stopped much to Thea's dismay. Understandably, Thea had been very cautious and afraid of what Quentin might do considering his rage towards her brother but as he explained it, he knew she wasn't her brother and didn't deserve his ire in any shape or form. Her being around, along with the unity that had unexpectedly happened with her being in the Lance household, had kept the Lance family from degenerating. Tommy, despite his own grief over the loss of Oliver, was happy Thea was with the family as she deserved some happiness after their losses. Though he would be saddened to learn that Dinah and Quentin had chosen to accept job offers out in Hell's Kitchen in New York. Saddened but understanding as he knew the family wanted to get away from all the memories Starling City had.
Thea herself hadn't necessarily been happy either but gradually grew to accept it. It helped that sometime after the move to Hell's Kitchen, and boy was that a disturbing name, she made friends with two kids in her new school. Roy Harper and Cindy 'Sin' Klaus. Although it was safe to say that in other circumstances, she probably never would have made friends with them given their very different lives. Both were fairly sarcastic and in Roy's case, a bit jaded given his somewhat rough upbringing, but together, they made an awesome trio that Quentin claimed were going to give him his first grays much to their amusement. While Thea adjusted to their new life, so did Laurel and soon after beginning at Columbia, met Franklin 'Foggy' Nelson, Matthew Murdock, Marci Stahl and Jennifer Walters. A foursome she would end up becoming fast friends with and later on, develop a relationship with Matt. Who at the time of first meeting and getting to know him, had been dealing with a bad break up. One Foggy was of the opinion that was for the best given the bad influence he'd clearly seen Elektra to be on his best friend.
One of the defining things about the relationship between Matt and Laurel was the fact he'd gone so far as to help her let go of her grief and anger towards Oliver and Sara. Even if it had gotten him a black eye and a few bruises in the process. This in turn, had helped her to move on from Oliver and give into developing feelings she had begun to have for Matt. Though she would have a slight paranoia about her dad being highly against the relationship but would be pleasantly surprised when he showed his support. As when he explained it when it came to his view of his daughter with Matt, it went like this. 'He's Catholic, respectful, wants to help people like you, and doesn't let his blind status effect his life in a negative way, what's not to like about the guy?'
Laurel had rolled her eyes at her dad but was honestly pleased by his approval. The two had even bonded over Boxing of all things while he and her mother bonded over History interestingly enough. Making Dinah proclaim she'd better marry him instead of letting him get away much to her embarrassment one day while Matt had been in the room! Matt and Foggy had also become like honorary Uncles to Thea and Matt had also even helped the young girl deal with her own anger and grief through Boxing much like he had done with Laurel. And unintentionally, getting the girl to gain an interest in the subject. Prompting Quentin to get her some self defense lessons and an education in Boxing skills so she'd be damned difficult for anyone to grab up! Tommy himself had come by on occasion as well to see how his favorite Lances/Queen were doing. Naturally, Roy and Sin hadn't been too high on him in their initial encounters but eventually he managed to win them over.
He also interestingly enough, developed an on and off again relationship with Jennifer Walters that made Dinah think that maybe if he just moved to the area, the relationship wouldn't be so tumultuous. Especially with it being clear just how in to her he is despite it usually being her who had the commitment issues due to thinking herself not good enough for him. An issue that would continue for a good long while until one day in the future when she got an accidental dose of Gamma Radiation courtesy of her Cousin Bruce. Of course he also had a healthy mix of fear and respect for her dad, who'd been rumored to have point a shotgun more then once at him. "So, where's Thing 1 and Thing 2? I'm also surprised Tommy isn't here." Mentioned Foggy curiously in reference to Roy, Sin, and Tommy.
"Roy and Sin are helping out a Community Center right now or otherwise they would be here." Informed Dinah.
"And Tommy… He's probably having a private celebration with Jennifer right now." Added Laurel.
Quentin eyed the long haired man. "And what about that girl of yours?"
"Uhh… We… We broke up about a week ago actually."
A wince flashed across the older man's face. "Aww crap, I'm sorry kid."
Foggy sighed. "Its okay, but thank you. To be honest, we were heading that way awhile now. I'm just glad it happened when it did instead of say like today."
"Want us to go and beat her up?" Asked Thea as no one hurts one of her Uncles darn it!
He smiled at her. "As funny as that would be to see, I'm gonna have to turn you down on that. But thanks anyways kiddo."
"Darn. But the offer is there to take at anytime."
"I'll be sure to file that away for future reference."
"You'd better. So, what are you guys gonna do now that you're offically Lawyers?" Wondered the girl.
Causing Foggy and Laurel to look one another while Matt got a look of thought on his face. "Well, we did get an offer from Landman and Zack." Informed Laurel.
Even if the offer seemed wrong to her. "Yeah, and I think Foggy and I are gonna take it on. Well, after a lot of him convincing me anyway." Added Matt with a shake of the head.
"And there was a lot of it. So much so that I had to get a water bottle to stay hydrated."
"He exaggerates."
Eye rolls were had by the two's actions. "Well, we hope the best of luck to the three of you." Spoke up Dinah with a smile.
Two months later would see the trio opening up 'Nelson, Murdock, and Lance' in Hell's Kitchen after realizing just how unfitting it was to work at Landman and Zack. Though unknown to Matt's loved ones, he'd also begin to go out and take on crime in Hell's Kitchen. Earning himself the nicknames of 'Daredevil' and 'The Devil Of Hell's Kitchen' as he did so. Laurel and Foggy both would respectively be pissed as Hell when they eventually found out after coming across his bloodied body in his home. But that's a story for another time.
Author's Notes: Hope you all enjoyed! Yes, I will do another part to this. Just don't know when. I'm open to anyone taking the idea on however as a full story but no romance drama between Oliver/Laurel/Matt and no Olicity.