The Punisher: Vendetta

Noah and I headed back to the apartment the following afternoon, and as soon as I crossed the threshold, my boots crunched on glass.

"What the hell..."

I gingerly pick up a shard of one of our whiskey tumblers. I noticed a dark stain on the wall and realized she must have thrown the glass into an argument. I sigh and keep moving forward, keeping my head low just in case.

"Aw. I liked that vase!" I pout as I see it shattered across the living room.

Noah froze near the door to her bedroom and turned to me, grabbing my upper arm.

"Grab your laptop, and let's go," Noah suggested.

"Wait, what?" I asked. "Why?"

"Just trust me," he says in a low voice. "Wait, where did you leave it?"

"In her bedroom," I replied.

"...Just use mine," he says quickly, ushering me out.

"Noah, why-"

I'm an idiot. I left them alone, but I didn't expect them to take that step finally. About damn time! We ease our way back into the living room as quietly as possible.

"So they fought, and now they're fu-"

"-You're the one who didn't want to interrupt," he reminds me, closing the door quietly.

"Well, it's about time," I murmured. "Maybe she'll be a little less uptight..."

"ERYKAH!" Noah admonished me, trying to keep a straight face.

"What?!" I exclaimed. "She needed to get laid, okay? But like. She hates almost everyone! You know? She once threatened to chop off a guy's balls and put them in a blender if he ever touched her ass again!"

"Uh. She did what?" he coughs.

"Yeah, to say that she was violently uptight would be an understatement!" I inform him.

I froze. "Well, I've got to head to the mall."

"Why?" He frowns.

"I need my onesies. My stuffies. I usually write on a giant Snorlax bean bag chair-"

"How about you just move in?" He gently breaks in. "You're at my place more than yours lately...and honestly, I'd love it if you did."

"Well...you make a compelling argument," I quipped. "Also...I won't have to sneak around when my best friend has a boy over. I'm in!"

I paused.

"You still need a few things," He guessed.

"I highly doubt that you have a giant Pikachu or a Black Widow mug at your place unless you've been holding out on me," I shrug.

I struggled in the examination chair as I was blinded by a bright light being shone directly into my eyes. It's strange because even though my instincts told me to shy away from the optic intrusion, I could also see the spectrum of color that made up the light, which fascinated me.

I didn't exactly lie when I told Noah that I had an appointment—I simply omitted the details! I know how this goes. It's in every comic book and movie written: if I tell anyone what I'm doing, they'll try to stop me. I've come so far in the last week and a half.

In my research about Jessica Jones,   I found Malus. He's the founder of IGH, giving Jessica her powers while saving her life. I also knew that his process could be harrowing, and his test subjects didn't often survive. I had a plan for that, as well.

I have a contact in Madripoor who is undercover and within the ranks of the Power Broker. He needs my help to break the story of what's been happening there. The latest is that they've recreated the infamous super-soldier serum. I asked for a sample...for research purposes.

... That wasn't a lie, either. I chose to omit who the research was for. I know I'll have to come clean...but not right now. I don't want to be a burden. I don't want to be a victim again. And the next godamn time I see Billy Russo, I'm going to kick his ass to the point that he'll beg for death...again.

Karl's voice brought me back to the present.

"Your sight has improved marginally," Karl Malus murmurs.

He clicks off the light, and I blink a few times in relief. I hear his footsteps as I shake off the slight headache I'd gotten from forcing my eyes open. I hear his footsteps fade, and I can even count them.

"Can you hear me?" He asks.

"Slightly," I report. "You're down in the basement..."

"Good," he mutters.

"You're taking more notes," I comment. "I can hear the pen scratch the paper."

"Astounding!" He crows.

When I opened my eyes, he was on the opposite side of the room and threw something in my direction. I caught it seconds before it struck my face. It was a blade. Then I threw it at the target he'd set up yards away.

"Your reflexes have improved, as well..." He mutters, making more notes. "You're almost done with your doses, too. Any other abilities?"

"I'm a lot stronger. Faster," I report. "Luckily, I've been able to reign it in. You know how the city gets when someone shows up with abilities."

"You are one of the few success stories I've had," he admits. "I'd prefer it if you weren't exploited or carted off."

"Right," I muttered, getting out of the chair.

"Your injuries-"

"-What about...oh!" I realized that I didn't feel them anymore.

I pressed the side of my ribs. Nothing. I peeled off the unnecessary gauze. Cool.

"They've healed," he marveled, just as fascinated as I am.

He took the serum I'd given him, and he said he would modify it. We weren't sure what I'd be capable of, so this was new. The only side effect I dealt with was blinding headaches that I'd nearly passed out from. The oxycodone that the hospital prescribed me helped, so I ignored it.

My alarm sounds off again, and I administer my dose. Looking at the time, I also realize I must go dress shopping for the op tonight. I bid him goodbye and promised to give updates when I could. I'm thankful that I've gotten faster, or I'd be late.

"I did think we'd ever get you out of the bedroom," Erykah jokes, sipping her iced tea.

"If we didn't have to stop Cerebus, I wouldn't have," I admit.

"Wow," Madani chuckles. "someone finally tamed Frank Castle..."

"Yeah, no." Erykah blurted out. "From what I heard, it's the other way aro-"

Shit. The whole table was silenced.

"I-I needed my laptop, and I-"

"How much did you hear?" I ask, smirking.

"Enough to accept Noah's offer to move in," she reveals.

"Wait a minute, was it that, uh, awkward?" Sarah asks.

"Well, no," she shrugged. "But now that things with Frank have progressed, it only makes sense."

"And what about things with Noah?" I inquired, looking over the top of my glass.

"I mean, have you seen him?" She gushed. "I'm surprised I get any real training done...like, he has a tattoo right above his-"

The table laughs as Erykah rants about the man she confided about wanting to marry someday.

"I have," Madani chuckles. "Respectfully."

"You probably didn't get to...you know...be around a lot of people...on the run?" Sarah asked hesitantly.

"You're asking if I got laid," Madani chuckled. "And you're right, it wasn't a priority...anyone could have been an agent, too, you know?"

"Wait, so you haven't since Bill-"

"-Okay! So dress shopping!" I interrupted brightly.

Madani sighed gratefully, and Sarah whispered an apology. If my last encounter had been a psychotic snake, I'd want to forget it, too. Maybe she'll run into someone at the gala...

"That one," Erykah suggested, spinning me around in the floor-length mirror.

After a few dresses, I tried on a lacey, blood-red gown that spilled to the floor. It has a plunging neckline and is backless. It clung to me like a second skin, making mine look porcelain. She's right. This is my dress.

"I agree," I sighed, pulling my hair back, already making plans. "What did you end up with?"

"Something sparkly that I can hide my weapons in," she shrugs. "Sliver. Shimmering. Sexy."

"Where are your options?" I asked her.

As she arranges them for me to appraise, I notice a small bandage at the crook of her elbow.

"Did they take blood today?" I wonder.

"Oh?" She looks down at her elbow. "Yeah, I got a full check-up."

"Is everything okay?" I ask her. "We never got to talk about what happened-"

"-I'm fine," she replies, a bit abrupt.
"Nothing like that will ever happen again. I'll make sure of it."

"Okay," I nod, dropping it for now. "But if you ever need to talk...I'm here."

"I know, " she tells me before perusing her chosen dresses.

Erykah ended up choosing a slinky silver dress with a high slit on one side. She's already figured out how and where to hide her weapons. Something's different about her. Off. There were moments when she wasn't herself, and I don't mean because of the trauma of being held captive. It was as if she was someone else...maybe I'm reading too much into it.

Madani chose a black and gold dress. Sarah elected to stay in the van with her husband, which I found romantic. I also knew they would be kid-free, so she could spend time with him at the very least.

Erykah confirmed that the guys were getting their tuxedos as we chose our masks and accessories. I wonder if Frank grumbled about it or accepted that it was part of the job.

"We're in position," I murmur over comms. "Security is going to be tight. Only one board member has the access codes we need."

"Boris Johnson," Lacey supplied. "He's...easily swayed. We could get close enough to grab his key card."

"Or," Frank grunts. "I break his fingers."

"Uh-"

"I'll handle Boris," I interject. "No need to break any bones."

"Fine by me," Frank sighs. "But I'll still snap him in half-."

"-I thought getting laid would mellow you out?" Micro interrupted.

"David!" Sarah admonished.

I heard a slight scuffle over comms, and I had to cover my laugh with a sip of champagne.

"Anyone have eyes on him?" I asked.

"Not yet," Dean replies. "But the security team has started their rounds. "We need to blend in."

He joins me at the bar as the couples take the dance floor. He orders a drink and leans in with a pretense of hitting on me.

"He's on the move," he murmurs. "Dancing with another member of the Board, Elizabeth Arnez."

Dean sighs heavily, and I motion to turn the comms off.

"Are you alright?" I asked him.

"...I'm as good as I can be," he confides softly. "The only way to atone is to let her be happy. I thought I could swoop in and fix things."

"You never got the chance to mourn her or the baby," I realized.

"No...Cerebus kept looking for me," he reminds me.

"I remember," I chuckled. "We took the fight to them in Madrid..."

"Do you think she'll be safe with him?" He asks abruptly.

"I trust Frank with my life," I admit. "We've pulled each other out of the fire several times. If there's anyone on this earth more qualified to protect someone, it's him."

"I guess you're right," he clears his throat and downs his drink.

"You don't have an issue with him," I observe. "Not really...the way you talked about her...you held on to the hope that she would be waiting for you, and when you saw that she moved on, you lashed out at him."

"You're very observant, Dinah," he chuckled.

"If I were, I'd have seen what Billy was up to," I sighed. "Now I can't rest until I take him down myself."

"You didn't deserve what happened to you," he commiserates. "No woman does..."

"And what about you?" I asked. "She's forgiven you...she's moved on. Have you thought about what you deserve?"

"No, I haven't," he mused. "My military record has been exonerated, but after what happened, I want nothing to do with it."

"I'm not talking about work," I elaborate. "I'm talking about the rest of your life! After we take them down, what's next for you?"

"I could ask you the same thing," he counters. "What's next for you once Russo is out of the picture? And why does he have a hold on you?"

My phone sounds off, and it's Micro, asking if our comms were compromised. Shit. I'd almost forgotten where I was, talking to Dean. We turned them back on just in time for Lacey to inform me that I needed to get the key card from Boris.

Frank's reaction to my dress made it worth the fact that I probably won't get to wear it again. And the sight of him in a tux and mask made me want to abandon the mission entirely...damn, he cleans up well...

He kept his hand on the small of my back all night, easily navigating small talk, charming his way through the party, and gathering intel. This was a side of him that I'd never seen, and it made him more compelling, especially after the huge step our relationship had taken.

I notice Dean and Madani at the bar. They've barely moved, and they seemed to be deep in conversation. I remember that they'd met while on the run. Hm.

The four of us glided through the dance floor to get a layout of the building. We looked over blueprints, but according to Frank, you shouldn't go in blind.

"Security cameras are on each corner of the room," I murmur.

"Two guards on each corner," Frank adds, sending a shiver down my spine as he leans close so no one else hears him. "Every half an hour, two patrol the top floor."

"That's where the vault is," Noah contributes. "Considering their security protocols, it's pretty simple. All we need is a thumbprint and his hey card."

"Only two?" Erykah echoes. "Easy."

"Go easy on 'em, killer," Noah advised. "You've been going hard in training lately."

"It must have been the adrenaline," she says in a breezy tone that caught my attention. "It's fine. I got this."

"I'm on my way to Boris now," Madani reports.

"You good, Micro?" Frank asks.

"Yeah, we're good," he replied. "Enjoy the party. When ANVIL makes its announcement, that's the best time to grab the chip. Everyone will be distracted."

I hear Madani laugh seductively. Dean stays at the bar, but he's watching them. I guess it makes sense that he'd look out for her. They were on the run together for a while.

The music changes...the tempo has sped up, and the partygoers change partners in a waltz I'd almost forgotten. I've whipped away from Frank, and I'm accosted by-

"Billy Russo," he says softly, his dark eyes glittering. "Do you remember me?"

I heard collective gasps. Frank swore sharply under his breath, but we were stuck for now. We can't break character, or we'll lose our lead.

Shock rooted me to the floor, and he gently tugged me.

"How...when were you released from the hospital?" I asked.

"Last night," he replies cheerfully. "Krista...Dr.DuPont thinks that coming here will trigger my memory. ANVIL used to be mine, I'm told? I read the article you wrote about me. That must be why you're here. You're following the story."

"That's correct," I lied smoothly. "The company is going public for...well, you don't remember why. But how are you...here?"

"Ankle bracelet," he chuckled. "You look beautiful, by the way. Red lace suits you."

I'm unsure what terrifies me more: Billy in full form or this version. Something was menacing about how soft-spoken he was. The same sinister whisper when he promised to torture and kill Frank in front of me.

"Thank you," I answer back quietly.

"You're still afraid of me," he sighs sadly. "I'm so sorry, Lacey..."

I clear my throat and reply, "It's not that simple-"

"-I'm sorry that I couldn't finish the job," he finished angrily, pulling me close. "I remember everything...and I'm taking back what's mine...including you!"

I felt the floor tilt and my knees give out. I hear my friends over the comms, but I can't move. I'm being led off the dance floor, and Billy is back playing a character when Krista arrives.

"Is she alright?" Krista asks.

"She must be tired from all the dancing," Billy sighs innocently.

I feel sick. Frank was right; Billy is playing her...or is she in on it? I'm being handed some water from the bar. Where is he?

"I'll take it from here," Frank assures him.

The effort to contain his rage could be felt. We knew what was at stake, and we couldn't break character.

"Frank," Billy greets him. "It's been a while."

"Oh, you remember me, do you?" Frank asks tightly.

"Well, our time in the Marines," Billy shrugs.

"He's committed to this," Madani snorts over comms. "I've got what we need, but Valhalla is here. When ANVIL makes the announcement, we've got to move!"

I'd almost forgotten why we were here...once again, I'm in the middle of a blood feud between Frank Castle and Billy Russo.

I'm livid that Billy showed his fucked up face here. If we weren't undercover, I'd tear out his godamn spine!

"Babe," Noah whispered. "You're crushing my fingers."

"Shit!" I gasped, loosening my grip."Sorry!"

Super strength. I forgot.

"Frank will handle it," he assures me. "We'll get him. But for now...we gotta go."

The music stops as the Board of Directors takes a stage erected at the front of the dance floor. The dancing stops, and we make our way to Madani, who hands us the key card and a thin piece of plastic with a fingerprint on it—just like in the movies!

"Half of the security is on patrol," she informs us. "Valhalla is here. Move!"

"Hacking the security cameras now," Micro informs us. "And I'm gait tracking Valhalla and security."

I motion to Noah, and we slip into the elevator. I hike up the skirt of my gown to extract my batons. Noah has his bokken because we had to do this as cleanly as possible. When the elevator closes, I pull him in for a kiss.

"We're like...Mr. And Mrs.Smith, but without the murder!" I gushed. "This is gonna be so much fun!"

"If I had known that you're into this, I wouldn't have left," he chuckles, giving me another soft kiss. "Mrs.Chen is more accurate, though."

"Erykah Chen..." I murmur as the elevator stops.

I must shake off how our little talk in the elevator makes me feel because it's time to go to work.

"Valhalla is a step ahead of you," Micro informs us. "They're waiting for you so they can take the chip."

"They can try," Noah grunts. "You ready?"

"Let's do some gratuitous violence!" I reply.

"Boondock Saints?" He chuckles.

"That movie is a national treasure!" I exclaim.

"Focus," Madani cuts in. "We have a small window of time."

"Right," I murmured.

We get off on the third floor, and I see four Valhalla members. They fan out in front of the vault.

"Hand over the key card," one of them orders me," and no one has to get hurt!"

"Yeah, they do," I fire back, extending my batons and kicking off my heels.

The crackle of electricity makes me feel alive. They rushed toward us, and I realized I could see their movements. I anticipate their attacks before they're made. They barely pose a threat.

"Damn..." I hear Noah swear.

I didn't realize that I'd taken out all four of them, so I didn't comment on it. I swiped the key card and applied the fingerprint when asked. The vault opened, and the data was inside. I saw two of them. One could be a decoy, so I grabbed both. An alarm sounded as soon as I did, and I heard a commotion downstairs through the comms.

"Micro, what's going on?" I asked as Noah and I fought off more incoming men.

"Valhalla has made themselves known," he sighs.

"Then we fight our way out," I decide. "Fine by me."

"I've taken Red to the van," Frank tells us. "She's shaken up."

"I'll fucking kill him," I growled.

"Get in line," he spat out.

"Get down here, now!" Madani orders us, "Homeland is working to get the hostages to safety, but we need more firepower."

Noah and I headed down to the ballroom. By now, the hostages were gone, and the team was left with members of Valhalla.

"Hand over the data!" One of the grunts demands.

"No," I shot back. "The fuck?"

Dean, Noah, Frank, and Madani flank me. My muscles bunch in anticipation. A smirk curls on my lips. After tonight, they'll know not to fuck with us. Not to fuck with me...

Two of them charge me, and the sounds of my weapons breaking their bones sound like music to me. Easy. I look for more. Three have Noah in a corner. He can handle it, but I'm itching for a fight.

I fling one of them away from my man using my legs in a move that would make Natasha proud. He takes down the other two, and we exchange a nod. I see Dean and Madani fighting pretty close to each other. Hmm...no time! I've got to get the data to Micro!

I easily fight the rest of them as the rest of Homeland enters. I'd almost forgotten that the new director is willing to work with vigilantes...is that what I am now? As we head out, Madani motions to me.

"We'll handle it from here," she tells me. "Nice work, everyone!"

I nod and hand over the data to Micro when we pile into the van. Lacey has her head in her hands, and Frank comforts her. I wanna plant Russo six feet under. I couldn't imagine what sick shit he'd said or done when they had been alone.

"Erykah," Micro lets out a low whistle.

"What is it?" I ask, pulling off my mask.

"...There's more than a client list on this," he informs me. "There's a dossier on every crime family in New York and Wilson Fisk!"

"Uh...what?" I squeaked."Why would they need that?"

"I'm willing to bet that Cerebus took over ANVIL, too," Lacey sighs. "Did anyone look into the company that bought it out?"

"No..." I answered sheepishly.

"It doesn't matter," Noah decides. "We have them where we want them."

"So now what?" Sarah wonders. "Exposing them only sent them into hiding."

"We'll bait 'em out," Frank grunts. "Kill 'em all. Then we expose 'em."

"Fair enough," Micro shrugs. "As for Billy-"

"-We have to figure out how deep he's in it this time and if that therapist is a part of it," Lacey declares.

"I'll check her out," I decide.

We head out, making plans for the next phase of our plan. I didn't care about all that. I could snap Russo's neck with one hand, but I won't. I'm going to play his game, starting with Krista DuPont.