Chapter Two
“ Have you given much thought about what we talked about last week?”
“Yeah and I thought given the circumstances of the trial, I could forgo that last part. I know you’ve seen the video, that’s proof right there it might be better for me to lay low for a while, possibly subterranean if I can manage it.” You said absentmindedly playing with your bracelet.
You’d wanted to cancel therapy for the week but some not subtle urging on Matt’s part had you in front of your laptop in the middle of the day. It had cut into your tracking time and you were more than annoyed this time around.
“What I saw on that video was a person who had the courage to stand up for themselves and for those who could find themselves in that situation. Did you faint? Yes. But did you get out of bed and face a packed courtroom? Yes. I’m not placating you, but what you did for yourself with the world watching was powerful.”
“Thanks, I guess.”
“ If you can do that then we can get you out of your apartment for some fresh air a least three times a week. Go grocery shopping, go out for lunch, go on a walk, maybe even see me for an in person session. You’ve worked so hard on building a space safe for yourself and I think you’re ready for the next step. If you’re not, we can work more too. ”
She wasn’t wrong.
Also, there were only so many ways to track someone’s whereabouts from the internet and a fire escape.
You couldn’t do what had to be done if you could barely walk around the city you once loved.
“Fine, I’ll go on as many walks as you want, just don’t call me powerful again.”
“Deal. I think that’s a good place to stop for now, continue your exercises and we’ll pick up next time.”
You two exchange goodbyes and you get back to both your regularly scheduled sleuthing and actual job. Halfway through your last bit of work, two news notifications ping on your phone and you barely glance at it first before the headlines actually sink in.
NOW A FREE MAN, CONTROVERSIAL TECH GIANT SETS HIS SIGHTS ON POLITICS JUST IN TIME FOR CITY PRIMARIES.
JUDGE IN LANDMARK CASE REPORTED MISSING.
“ Done? What do you mean, Matt?” Karen asked, looking up from her work on their next case.
“She said last night, she doesn’t want to pursue any more legal action. The trial was enough for her, she’s done.”
“ Well I don’t blame her, all that she's been through. It just doesn’t make sense to me, you had evidence, you had witnesses, there’s no way the jury could have walked away with that. There’s something more to this that we’re just not seeing.”
“ What we’re not seeing is money. His team of lawyers would cost him more than we'd make any one lifetime, possibly two. Every angle of attack we had, they were prepared for, it’s weird.” Foggy said.
“ Weirdness aside, it’s what she wants and if it keeps her safe, it’s what I want too. “ Matt said, grabbing his cane and jacket. He didn’t like to leave you at home for long periods of time by yourself, too much had happened without him there and if it meant being your shadow from now to eternity, then that’s what he’d have to do.
“ Well things are going to get weirder: He just announced his run for Governor, it’s up on The Bulletin already.” Karen said, looking down at her phone.
“He didn’t even wait an entire 24 hours, what a piece of shit.” Foggy remarked, reading over her shoulder.
If Matt gripped his cane any harder, it would have snapped.
How could someone do that?
How could someone hurt someone else and offer themselves to the city, the entire state, as a hero?
God knew Matt had done things, terrible things.
But this made him sick.
This made him angry, so very angry.
As he walked home, he focused on your heartbeat. For the first time in days, it was calm, content even, and it pushed away all the previous thoughts of gratuitous violence from the forefront of his mind. Each and every beat made up for the time it stopped that night and there was nothing he wouldn’t do to ensure that never happened again.
The little jewelry box in his jacket he carried since before that night served as a reminder that he would love you, all of you, no matter what. Even if he never touched that box again, it didn’t matter in the slightest.
He’d love you in whatever form you’d take of him and that was that.
The sound of your laugh brought him back into the moment as he unlocked the door, taking care to announce his presence to you before locking the several locks behind him.
“Hey baby, dinner will be ready soon.” You said, sweeping by to kiss his cheek.
“ Smells good, can’t wait.” Matt said simply. He stepped back from the kitchen and leaned on a door frame, taking in your sounds, the clattering of pots and pans, an easy smile on his face.
“What’s with the goofy smile?” You ask, setting out plates on the table.
“ I haven’t heard you laugh in a while, it’s nice. “ Matt said, taking his place at the table, his hand slipping over yours for a second.
“ Well, today was a better day than yesterday. ” You explained, careful with your words. It wasn’t a lie, you were doing better today, you had new information on what his next moves were and that brought you one step closer to your decision.
But you hadn’t crumbled at the sight of his name, the sound of a door opening hadn’t sent your heart into overdrive. You got up today and that tiny act was enough to call today a better day.
“Good, I’m glad.” Matt said, bring your hand to his lips.
Right now, there weren’t any lies, no breaking news, no missing
Just two people enjoying dinner together.
While two people enjoyed dinner together on a better day than yesterday, across town a certain therapist’s office was being broken into, her laptop stolen, and a file on you was being delivered to someone in an unmarked car.
While you were hunting him, someone was hunting you.
Chapter 3 coming soon :) Hope you liked it!