A/N- Hey everyone! Sorry for the confusion update I posted on my discussion board last night, I truly didn't think I would be done with this chapter but here we are. 

I have decided I will be changing my posting days to Fridays instead of Wednesdays from now on, so starting next week it will be every Friday that I will be updating this book. 

I hope you all enjoy this chapter, and don't forget to leave feedback! I've been getting some comments from you guys and seriously adore them! 

Warnings: Some smut (no graphic scenes, but more suggested and talked about)

Jess squinted her eyes open, seeing a flash of white light shine through the large room she rested in. Hints of dark green, brown, and oranges filled the apartment as she looked around, everything completely still.

She pushed herself up against the arm rest, looking around the large and empty apartment building. Her bones ached with pain as she pulled the black and red checkered blanket over her body. 

"Matt?" She called out, not seeing the man anywhere near. She slightly moved over, seeing if he was in the other room, but still no sign of him was anywhere. 

She looked over to the table, seeing a note folded up with Jess's name written on top along with a light blue button up resting beside it. She reached over to the table, grabbing the note and opening it. 

Went into the office for a bit to get some things done.

Don't go into work, and stay at my place for the day. I'll be back before 1:00.

- M.M

(Ps. Your coffee is on the counter, help yourself to whatever you want)

Jess smiled to herself at the note, folding it back up and placing it down on the coffee table. She flipped her legs off of the couch, groaning at the feeling of her bones popping with every small movement.

"I knew I should have stretched." She groaned to herself as she stood up fully. 

She reached down, grabbing the button up and placing it over her head as the material fell down to her thighs. She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hands, for once feeling somewhat rested despite the lack of sleep she had gotten the night before due to her and Matt's... deep conversations.

Jess walked into the kitchen, grabbing the cup of coffee Matt had left her on the counter as she placed it in the microwave, hoping to heat it up a bit more. Jess's eyes had finally fully adjusted as she looked over at the clock rested on Matt's stove. 

12:01pm

Jess hummed to herself, for once not feeling rushed for anything. Typically waking up past seven in the morning was considered a sin for her, but today was different. She didn't have to worry about waking up for work, hiding bruises from Lily. Everything was well...calming to her.

So this is what it's like to live a normal life.

She walked over to the couch with her cup of coffee and toasted bagel in hand, plopping down on the brown leather as she curled her legs up on the couch, resting underneath a blanket to hide from the coldness of the early afternoon.

She always wondered what it would be like to live this kind of life. To be able to not worry about who or what was after her, to be able to wake up and not feel like your on the verge of death, and to be able to somewhat enjoy life. 

Jess was enjoying the solace of the morning as she ate a bagel and watched the morning news. It was rare Jess was ever able to have days like this. Peaceful, quiet and-

Crash

Jess paused mid bite as she heard the sound of a vase fall from Matt's room. 

"Matt?" She questioned, peaking her head up as she craned her neck a bit. "Matt, is that you?" 

A large groan filled the silence of the apartment. She launched from the couch, placing her plate down on the coffee table in front of her as she hurried to the bedroom.

And there that feeling was again.

 Fuck a peaceful morning, there is no more peace.

She looked around, eyes falling on an older man who was walking towards the direction of Jess, holding his side and wobbling like a drunk sailor. From the way he looked, he was obviously blind. He wore the same type of glasses as Matt, and when he took them off, he stared blankly into the other direction.

"Your not Matt." Jess pointed out, somewhat terrified by the fact there was a random old man in Matt's apartment. 

Was this normal for him? 

Is it normal for blind people to break into other blind people's apartments?

"And you not Matt either." The old man said, staring in the direction of Jess. "Where's Matthew?" He questioned. 

"Who the hell are you?" She questioned, throwing his question out of thought.

"Someone you don't want to get to know." He said, pushing past the direction of Jess, walking into the living room. Jess turned her head confused, following him as she padded through the apartment. 

"You had sex." He said simply, walking over to Matt's kitchen as he reached into the fridge, grabbing a beer as he slammed the door shut. 

Jess cocked her head, "Uh yeah-" She had her hand on her neck, "Why am I telling you this?" She questioned more to herself then him, "Who are you?" 

"Someone-"

"Yeah someone I don't wanna get to know, got it." She interrupted. "I'm not asking for your life story, I'm asking who you are."

"Your feisty." Stick said, turning from the fridge.

"No shit." 

He took a sip from his beer looking absolutely disgusted by the taste, "The names Stick." He said lowering the glass from his lips. "And you are?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"Its common curtsey." He brought out. "It would be rude to not tell me your name."

"Common curtsey would be knocking on a persons door, not breaking in through their window." She responded, crossing her arms over her chest. 

"Okay fine, don't tell me your name." He said, walking over to the couch as he sat down. "Where's Matthew?" He asked, taking a bite from Jess's bagel. 

"Why are you here?" She asked, once again not responding to his question.

Stick groaned, "Jesus girl just tell me where the boy is." He said standing up, annoyed. "I'm here for him, not to make small talk with you."

"You just broke into his apartment, I would be stupid to tell a stranger where he is." 

"Fine I don't need you to." Stick said standing up, walking near the front door. "He's here anyway." 

Jess cocked her head in confusion, right before the handle on the door began to twist. Jess launched near the front door, tackling the old man to the ground as Matt opened the door. She was seated on her knees on Sticks back as she held his hands behind him.

"Jesus Matty, what the hell is up with the chicks you bring home?" Stick groaned as Jess pulled his arms further back. 

Matt slammed the door shut behind him, "You've gotta be fucking kidding me." Matt said, motioning for Jess to get off of Stick. 

He pulled Stick off the ground aggressively, holding him by the collar as he pressed him into the wall. 

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"I told you women are distractions." Stick groaned as Matt held him up, veins popping from his arms through the tight button up he wore. "A distraction just like this shithole of an apartment. Silk sheets Matty, you fucking kidding me?"

"Your just pissed I made a life without your help." Matt said, pressing him further against the wall. 

"Okay Matt, maybe we should drop him." Jess said, walking over to the man who was choking as she took him from Matt's grip, making him slide down the wall until he was standing. 

"Your gonna die with all of this-" Stick moved his head around, "Stuff. All of it, it's gonna come back and bite you in the ass. Those silk sheets are gonna wrap up around your neck and strangle you."

"What is with your hatred towards the silk sheets?" Jess asked confused.

Stick looked in the direction of Jess, "Let's talk about you." 

"Let's not." Matt snapped. "You leave her out of this." 

"Let me guess, your The Devils Angel or whatever the hell they call you." He said, moving his arm around. "You just about broke my arm when you did that tackle. The knee to the head was a smart move." 

Jess didn't respond, just looked over at Matt. 

"You ever teach her to fight, Matty?" He questioned, "She would be a hell of an addition, maybe even better then you if we trained her long enough." 

"Don't push it Stick." Matt spat. 

"Your worse then your old man." Stick said, walking up closer to Matt. "Battling Jack Murdock, that damn bastard always lost." He stepped closer, "At least your daddy got paid to hit the floor-"

Matt grabbed Stick by the collar again, quickly getting stopped by Sticks hand grabbing Matt's arm and pressing it behind his back. 

"God damnit." Jess said, rushing over and grabbing Stick by the arm.

She grabbed his shoulder, tossing him into the rack of shoes that rested along the wall. He fell onto his stomach as he tried to get up. Sounds of shoes clashing onto the floor filled the apartment.

"Okay-" Jess said, placing her hand on Matt's chest as he attempted to run towards Stick who was trying to get off the floor. Despite the stark contrast in sizes, she was somehow able to hold him back.

She turned her head towards Stick, and then Matt again. "Here's how this is gonna work. You boys can talk in the living room, seated far away from each other so I don't have to risk either of you ripping each others throats out." 

Stick stood from the ground, listening to Jess. 

"And if either of you get the bright idea to go after the other, I swear to God himself I will rip your dick off and shove it up your ass." She spat angrily, "Got it?"

Matt's eyebrows raised in surprise. He nodded softly as Jess took her hand off Matt's chest, looking over at Stick who nodded in agreement. 

"Good." She nodded. 

Both Matt and Stick began walking, just as Matt was stopped by the feeling of Jess's hand on his arm. His head turned back towards Jess. 

"Hey are you-" 

Jess was quickly cut off, being pulled into a deep hug by Matt. He placed his head in the crook of her neck, breathing hot air onto her skin. He held that position for a moment, and Jess let him. It was more of a comfort to him then it was to her. In this position nobody could hurt her, nobody could touch her, and she was safe.

Matt pulled back slowly, holding Jess's arms in his hands.

"Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" He asked, trying to listen for any sounds of bleeding or distress on her body.

Jess shook her head, "No- no I'm okay." She continued, "Who the hell is this guy?"

"Grew up with him. He's the one that taught me all of my skills, practically raised me." He said, running his hand down to her hands. "Guys a dick but he's the closest thing I have to a family. Haven't seen him since I was a kid."

"Do you think he has any information on Fisk?" She questioned.

"Possibly." He shrugged, "I doubt he would just stop by to see how I'm doing." 

Just as Jess was about to walk away, Matt pulled her to him one more time. He looked down at her, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. 

"I promise my life isn't always like this. My plan was to come back and take you to lunch if you where awake. But, I promise I'll pay you back for- whatever the hell is going on." He chuckled lightly, "In whatever way you want." He said suggestively. 

Jess smiled as she scoffed, "First lets deal with the guy in your living room, then we'll figure that out."

"Just do me a favor and do that whole serious boss thing you just did." He said motioning with his hand. "That was pretty hot." He smirked. 

Jess rolled her eyes, grabbing him by the tie and pulling his lips to hers. 

"Whatever you want, Murdock." She smiled, "Now, handle Stick." 

Matt nodded as his cheeks became red and blushed, "Right." He pointed, "Here goes nothing." He said, walking off as Jess followed. 

˜"*°•.˜"*°• The Devils Angel •°*"˜.•°*"˜

10|| The fine art of bullshit and relationships

"Are you going to tell me why your here or is the suspense supposed to kill me?" 

Matt, Jess, and Stick where all seated around the coffee table patiently waiting for someone to talk first. Stick was sitting back on the couch, and Jess and Matt where seated in separate arm chairs across from him.

"The war, Matty." Stick said annoyed, "The never ending fucking war." He said, popping the cap to another beer as he took a sip, his face growing sour from the taste.

"With who?" Matt asked. "You never really got around to that part."

"Now the Japanese." He said, sitting back into the couch as he took a large swig. "Mostly." 

"The Yakuza?" Jess questioned, making all heads turn in the direction of her voice. 

Stick chuckled, "Yakuza?" He questioned. "You don't even know what's going on in your own damn backyard, do ya?" He continued, "That guy the Russian was yapping about, Owsley. He's got a friend."

"How did you know about the Russian?" Jess questioned. 

"Just like your little boyfriend over here, I got the gift of shitty ass hearing." He said, taking a sip. "I had been following Vladimir for months, you guys just so happened to make a move before I got the chance to." He turned his head towards Matt. "When you guys showed up last night I was listening from the rooftop. Heard him go off about Fisk, heard your little conversation, all of it."

"Who's his friend?" Matt asked. 

"He goes by the name Nobu. He's high up, higher then Fisk."

"I've heard of him before." Jess said, sitting forward. "I tried stopping him and his posse when they first started working." 

Matt and Stick both had their heads turned in the direction of Jess.

"Surprised you even made it out alive." Stick said, surprise showing in his tone. "Those guys are ruthless dickheads. You must be a hell of a fighter."

"If you wanted this Nobu guy, why'd you come to us?" Matt asked, turning back to Stick.

Stick groaned, "I don't want him. I want what's on the ship they're bringing in. They're meeting at the docks tonight." 

"What's Nobu bringing in?" Matt questioned. "Drugs or something?"

"A weapon." Stick said.

"The Black Sky." Jess said, sounding almost nervous. 

"Bingo." Stick pointed. 

"What kind of weapon is it?" Matt questioned, leaning forward as he folded his glasses into his shirt pocket.

"Not one we want to mess with." Jess stated, leaning forward. "When I was trying to stop them before they always talked about it. They said once they where able to get The Black Sky in their hands it was all over." Jess could see the confusion on Matt's face, "It's a person. A figure they look up to." She elaborated. 

Matt sighed, looking over towards Stick. "Just say it." 

"Say what?" 

"Say you want our help." Matt stated, "I know you, your not one to show up out of the blue just to check in on someone." 

"I want you to help yourselves." Stick said. "Nobu and his guys are in tight with Fisk. If you stop Nobu, Fisk will be scared out of his shit of you both-"

"You know about Fisk?" Matt questioned. 

Stick scoffed, "I know a lot of shit, Matty." He lifted his bottle of beer, "This beer for example, sucks." 

He dropped the bottle down to the table, "I'm not here for a friend, I'm here for a solider. Or in your case Soldiers." He looked between Matt and Jess, "Not some bleeding heart idealist holding onto half measures." He stopped when he was 'looking' at Jess. "Plus, your girlfriend seems like she could kill." 

"I don't kill."

"You could."

"She said she doesn't kill, so she doesn't kill." Matt stated aggressively. "Don't make her do something just because your too big of a pussy to do it yourself." 

Stick ignored Matt's comment, "You can kill. I can tell you can, just by the way you tackled me down at the door." He said, leaning closer. "It's in your veins."

"I said it once and I'll say it again, I don't fucking kill." Jess said, "You wanna find someone that will, look somewhere else cause I'm not the girl for the job." 

"How many people do you think you've killed trying to save the world, huh?" Stick questioned, "Your holding onto this idea that hero's don't kill, but you've killed at least a dozen people." 

"I don't kill." Jess spat. "Now if you wanna keep arguing with me and wasting your breath, by all means go ahead." She leaned closer, her voice low. "But I don't kill." 

Stick sat up, "Your a good fighter." Stick said, "Your mentally strong. You don't back down." Stick nodded. "I like that about you." 

Jess leaned back into her chair, as Matt reached over and grabbed her hand, intertwining her fingers with his. 

"Fine, fuck it." Stick said, standing up. "Both of you guys ride with me tonight, help me destroy Black Sky and keep it off the streets. And I promise you this, Wilson Fisk will know the taste of fear when he see's either of you ever again." He paused, "What do you say, kid?"

Matt took a deep breath, "I go with her." Matt said squeezing Jess's hand, "She's goes, I go." 

Both heads turned towards Jess. She looked at Matt, then back at Stick. 

"One rule." She said, "You don't kill anybody." 

Stick sighed, "Fine." He said annoyed, raising his hand up as he groaned. "I solemnly swear I won't kill anybody." He dropped his hand, "That good enough for you, princess?"

"Jess." She stated, "My names Jess." 

"Ah, so you do have a name." 

"Common curtesy." She shrugged, "It would be rude if I didn't tell you my name."

Stick had a small smile grow on the corner of his lips as he turned around and walked towards the door. "I'll be back tonight for you both." He turned the handle on the door, opening it and turning back. 

"Do me a favor and keep the screwing and foreplay for after tonight." He said sounding disgusted. "I'd rather not have Matty showing up with a boner."

"Get out, Stick." Matt yelled embarrassed, walking over and shutting the door behind him. 

His back rested on the door as Jess walked up to him, arms crossed over her chest. 

"You sure about this?" He asked, "Cause if your not-"

"When it comes to The Black Sky I don't have much of a choice." She said, pressing her hand against his arm. "Its either we stop it, or it stops us."

Matt reached down, placing his hand behind Jess's hair as he planted a kiss to her lips. "Like I said, where you go I'll go." 

Jess smiled as Matt pulled away, his hand still on her neck, under her hair. "You know," She said, placing her hands on his neck. "I never got to actually eat breakfast." 

"Neither did I." Matt said, shaking his head. 

"I can make us some eggs if you want." Jess said, placing small kiss's on Matt's neck, leading to his jaw. 

"I was thinking something else." He said simply, running his hand down Jess's back and to her ass. He lifted her up in his hands, letting her wrap her legs around his waist. 

"You heard Stick, he doesn't want you showing up with a boner." Jess said, trying to stay serious as her face grew into a smile, followed by a laugh she couldn't stifle back. 

Matt laughed, "Your trouble you know that?" 

"Me? Never." Jess said, pressing a hand to her heart as if she was offended by the comment. "Now, back on the topic of breakfast. I feel like your idea is wonderful." 

"Oh really?" Matt said, a smirk growing on his face. "You don't have any other ideas? We could always stick to your original idea of eggs, toast-"

"Matthew Murdock, just fuck me already." 

Matt smiled as he pressed his lips against Jess's, pulling back as he threw her over his shoulder and walked off to the bedroom as Jess's laugh filled the apartment. A sound he would never get tired of. 

━━━━━━━━┛ ✠ ┗━━━━━━━━

Jess, Matt, and Stick where all crouched down on a shipment container, watching as Fisk stepped out of a black BMW. 

"Asshole." Jess said plainly. Memories flooded her mind of getting out of that same car for events, her fathers hand grabbing a hold of hers so the media wouldn't speculate what was happening behind closed doors. 

A crane lifted one of the shipping containers, hovering it over the water as it moved from the boat to the docking station. 

"That's him." Stick said, referring to the man that was stepping out of another car. His hair was neatly slicked back, and he wore a white button up with a black suit jacket. "How many do you see?" He asked Jess. 

"About 7 people." Jess said, slightly craning her neck. She looked towards Matt. "What about you? How many heartbeats are you picking up." 

"About a dozen." Matt stated, "Slow, steady, not even a flutter." Matt's voice grew a bit, almost as if he was surprised by something. "There's one more. Stronger-" He shook his head. "Different."

"Nobu." Stick said. 

"Their armed." Jess said, slightly standing from her crouched position to get a better look. "MP7's." 

"They have suppressors." Matt said whispering. "They want things quiet." 

"We'll be quieter." Stick said, sitting back down. He lifted two Billy-Club's out of his bag, handing one to Jess and then to Matt. "You know how to use these?" He asked the girl.

"Won't need it." She said simply.

"Just take it, cause you will." He said, forcing it into her hand. "Thin out the heard, I'll take care of The Black Sky."

"How?" Matt asked. 

"Just do your jobs and I'll do mine." Stick said, shaking his head. "Now go."

Jess and Matt both fled with his words, jumping down from the containers as they landed on the concrete floors. Three men stood in front of dark blue shipping containers, holding guns to their sides as they kept a look out. 

"I'll get the guy on the left, you get the guy in the middle." Matt said. 

"What about the one on the right?" Jess asked. 

"Whoever beats the shit out of their guy first gets the last one." He shrugged. 

"Fair." Jess said, watching Matt as he launched forward, tackling the guy on the right down to the floor and covering his mouth with his hand.

The man in the middle looked over suspiciously, holding his gun up as he started walking over to where Matt was. Jess ran forward at him, grabbing his gun and hitting him in the side of the head with it as he passed out on the ground. 

Matt was standing up, with his hands on his hips as he nodded behind Jess.

"Third guy." He said, "You wanna take him?"

 "You can do the honors." 

"Split it?" Matt questioned. 

"Sure." Jess shrugged nonchalantly. 

The third man came around the corner, seeing the vigilante pair. Matt grabbed him by the head, slamming him into a shipping container as he bounced back towards Jess. She swiped his feet from under him, landing on her knee as she punched him square in the jaw, knocking him out.

A loud thud filled the air as the shipping container landed on the floor. Jess and Matt both turned their head in that direction, running towards it and hiding behind another container. 

Jess grabbed a hold of the Billy-Club, placing it behind her shoulder and throwing it forward, hitting a guard in the face and sending him into the water without anyone noticing. 

The fabric on Matt's mask raised when his eyebrows went up in surprise. 

"Your a natural." He said, following Jess as they continued walking closer to the main shipping container. 

"I used one of these when I was younger." Jess said, hiding behind a container as she stood next to Matt. "Haven't used once since I was 15."

The sound of the door opening filled the docks as Matt's head cocked to the side. He was listening at the persons heartbeat as people spoke. 

"What?" Jess asked, seeing the concern written on his face. 

"A child." He said, "It's a little boy." 

"That's not the Black Sky." Jess shook her head, "They said this thing was a weapon, there's no way its a kid." 

Locks where released on the young boy as Jess peaked her head over slightly, seeing the young boy stand as he was taken towards Nobu.

A sound went off in Matt's ears as his head peaked up.

"No." Matt said quietly, running forward without warning as he blocked an arrow with his Billy-Club. 

"Fucking shit-." Jess said, as men shouted and unloaded their guns in the direction of Matt. 

Jess ran forward where Matt was as a group of men hurried towards them. 

"What the hell was that?" Jess asked, kicking her leg into the chest of one of the men. 

"He was gonna kill him." Matt said, pushing a guy by the shoulder over to Jess as she slammed his head into an other guy. 

"And your solution was to get killed with him?" Jess questioned, punching one man as he blocked it with his hand. A fist flew towards her face, knocking her in the cheek as she grabbed onto his shoulders, slamming his head into her knee. 

"It was that or the kid died." Matt reasoned as he did a flip kick into a guy's face. "I chose to risk it." 

"Well next time you risk it at least tell me so I'm prepared." She said, throwing a guy into a container as he hit the floor head first. 

Two more men rushed at the pair, one going straight for Jess. He placed his hand out, pushing her back into the shipping container behind her. He held onto her neck as he lifted her up.

"God damnit." She groaned, flipping her legs around the mans head as she took him to the ground with her. 

She had his head wrapped in the middle of her knee as she pulled hard, trying to get him to pass out. He grabbed her by the waist, flipping her over so she was on her stomach. He had his hand on her neck as he pressed it into the ground. 

"I've been waiting to meet you for a while." He said, the voice sounding familiar. "Devils Angel." 

She grunted as she kicked him in the face, sending him back into the cargo containers back first. Jess stood up, looking over and seeing Matt dealing with a pair of two men. 

She stood with her fist's in front of her face as the man rushed after her again, he grabbed her by the arm as he punched her in the stomach. Jess grabbed his arm, twisting it around his back and pushing him to the ground. 

"Believe me, I wasn't looking forward to meeting you." She said, kicking his head to the ground just as Matt grabbed onto her hand from behind. 

"We have to go." Matt said, pulling her away from the man as they all hurried away, running from those who where following them. 

━━━━━━━━┛ ✠ ┗━━━━━━━━

"So, which do you prefer? Dick-" She paused, pulling the wrap off her hands "or face?" Jess asked as both her and Matt walked through the door leading from the roof. Her hands where bloodied, and her face had already grown a large red mark on her cheek from getting punched. 

"Jess." Matt said, walking down next to her as they made there way to the floor. Matt threw his Billy-Club into Sticks bag which was resting on the floor next to where he was seated.

"No." Jess said exasperated, pointing to Stick. "This dickhead wants to go behind our backs and try and kill the kid, he deserves to get punched." She faced Stick. "You swore you wouldn't kill anyone." 

"Yep." Stick said, popping the p at the end of the word. 

"Then what the hell was that?" Matt questioned from the kitchen, his hands resting on the countertop. 

"The mission." Stick said, taking his hands out of his gloves, throwing them to the floor.

"So that's what the war is?" Jess asked. "Killing children? You fucking kidding me?"

"That thing in the container was not a child." Stick argued. 

"Bullshit." Jess shouted, her breathing heavy. "Take it from someone who can see, he was a child!"

"His heartbeat was light and fast, he hadn't even hit puberty yet!" Matt yelled, joining in with Jess. 

"God Matty this girls got you turning emotional." Stick groaned, leaning back into the couch.  

"It's called having feelings, dipshit! If you had any form of feelings you would understand that child probably didn't have any control over what was going on!" Jess yelled. "For all we know he could have been kidnapped!"

Stick stood up, pointing at Jess as his voice rose. "If you had focused beyond your crybaby feelings, you would have sensed what that kid really was." 

"He was a kid!" Jess yelled back, her eyes welling up as anger coursed through her veins. "A God damn fucking child!"

Matt rushed over, breaking the pair up. He placed his hands on Jess's shoulders, slightly pushing her back as he looked at her with sympathetic eyes. 

"There's no point in arguing with him. He's stuck in his ways, there's nothing we can do about it." He placed his hand on her face, trying to calm her breathing. "You did all you could. You did great, Jess."

"Your as blind as you ever where." Stick said, making Matt's head turn around to face him.

"Yeah well maybe you should have stuck around and trained me yourself." Matt said.

"I wanted a solider." Stick paused, "You wanted a father." 

"Well I guess we're both disappointed then." Matt stated. 

"I guess we are." Stick said, turning away. "Take care of yourself, Matty." He groaned, "And it was lovely meeting you Jess." 

"I'm not gonna let you kill that kid." Matt said, walking in front of Stick. 

Stick threw his head back, "The kids dead, Matty." 

"No he isn't." Jess shook her head, "They took him away, Matt stopped you from killing him." Jess said, trying to form words despite the lump in her voice.

He turned around towards Jess, "I caught up with the van while you both where dicking with Nobu's men." He stepped closer, "I put an arrow through that things heart." He leaned his head closer whispering, "The kids dead, honey."

Jess felt immediate rage fuel her body. She threw a fist at Stick, just as he moved out of the way. She got punched right in the nose, making her head arch back at the feeling. 

Matt came up from behind Jess, trying to stop her. 

"You son of a bitch!" She screamed, pushing out of Matt's arms as she dove for his legs, knocking him to the ground. 

Stick grabbed a wooden chair next to him, throwing it at Jess and sending her to the ground. Matt went up to him, lifting him by his neck and slamming him back into the ground. 

"You better get the hell out of my apartment, or I'll beat the shit out of you myself." Matt spoke through his teeth as he whispered, "And if you ever touch Jess, let alone come near her ever again, I swear to God I'll kill you. I will fucking murder you." 

Matt lifted Stick off the ground, letting him stand. 

"Now get out." Matt spat, letting go of Stick. 

Stick just scoffed and shook his head as he walked towards the door, opening it and then slamming it shut behind him. 

"Jess." Matt said, turning around. Her heartbeat was elevated and she was trying to calm herself down as she breathed into her hands.

"I think I need to go." Jess stated, nodding her head. "I need to get home. Lily hasn't seen me in a day and I uh-" She took a deep breath. "I don't want her freaking out."

Matt just nodded in agreement, knowing she probably needed space after what had just happened. 

"Okay." Matt said softly, "Are you sure your okay to walk home? Is your head okay?" He asked, stepping closer as his fingers softly touched her head where it was bleeding. 

She moved back at the touch, "Yeah it's fine." She nodded, "I'll just go through your fire escape and then leave through the roof." She said, quietly, unable to look up at him. 

She wasn't mad at him, she was just all over the place. Every possible emotion in her body had just been thrown around, an innocent kid was killed. She knew the child wasn't a monster, wheatear Stick agreed with her or not.

"Okay." 

That was all Matt could say despite everything that he wanted to. He wanted to tell her to stay with him for the night, he wanted to hold her close to him so she could hear his heartbeat knowing that she was safe with him, he wanted her to smile again. But he didn't say any of those things, instead he only said one simple word. Okay.

Jess walked off through the bedroom, opening the window as she slipped out and made her way to the roof, pulling her mask up her face again.

━━━━━━━━┛ ✠ ┗━━━━━━━━

Jess held her stomach as she walked up to the front door to her apartment. She had lowered her mask, knowing it was late and that nobody would be out to see her at this time. The streets where silent, besides the occasional wind gust blowing a plastic bag by.

She knocked on the door three times, waiting for Lily to come answer it. 

When the light turned on in the kitchen, Jess immediately felt like she was going to vomit. She didn't know if it was nerves, or the lack of food and the large consumption of alcohol, but whatever it was she was going to be sick.

Lily opened the door, her face growing soft when she saw Jess standing in front of her. 

Jess opened her mouth to speak, having to take a breath as she lowered her head. Her eyes where red and puffy, and her face already showing signs of bruising. 

To her she felt a feeling of deja vu. She had done this before, showing up to Lily's place bloodied and bruised. Only this time it was different, they weren't kids, they where adults. They weren't able to run from this, they where forced to accept it.

Jess looked up, her eyes watery as she took a deep breath. 

"You look like shit." Lily spoke feebly as the streetlight shone in on her face. She was standing resting on the doorway with her hands crossed over her chest, her red hair shining from the light.

"Yeah well what's new." Jess shrugged, her lip still quivering. 

Silence washed over them for a moment, "I knew she was you." Lily said, looking down as she played with her hands. "It explained the reason why you where being so secretive and why things had been different between us." She shrugged as a small smile crept across her lips, "Plus, You both had the same ass, it was kinda obvious."

Jess chuckled as tears streamed down her face. "I'm surprised your not beating the shit out of me right now." 

"Believe me, me too." She said raising her eyebrows as if she was shocked with her own manor. "But I haven't seen you in a day and I kinda thought you got killed so," She shrugged, "I'll give it about an hour before I yell at you."

"Okay." Jess whispered softly. 

"Okay." Lily whispered back as she lowly nodded.

Lily shook her head, putting her arms out. "Now, get over here you clumsy ass." 

Jess was pulled into a hug, her arms wrapping around Lily's shoulders as she breathed heavily into them. She missed this, feeling like everything was okay. They both remained like that for a minute, Jess feeling the relief already brush off of her.

"You will not believe the night I had." Jess said muffled into her shoulder, making Lily chuckle.

"I had a blind date and the guy showed up with his guinea pig to a restaurant."  Lily said, pulling back from the hug as her brows furrowed. "Worse then that?"

"I've only had three bites of a bagel and I got hit in the head by a chair by a blind man." Jess said, "And I beat up a couple guys." 

"Same blind guy that kissed you?" Lily questioned. 

Jess waved off her hand to the comment, "No another one." She shook her head, "Good news though, I did get laid." 

Lily guided her back inside the apartment as she pressed her hand against her back.

"Well getting laid is always a highlight." Lily said, shutting the door behind the pair as she closed the curtains to the apartment. 

Funny how some things never change, even when your an adult. That friendship, that closeness, it will always be there even when you would least expect it too.

A/N- How did we like the appearance of Stick? Yea he's an asshole, but he will always have a special place in Matt's heart so I had to include him. 

What about the new relationship between Matt and Jess? I love that we are slowly seeing the flame grow in between them, it makes me so happy. And with Lily! Oh my god, Lily! I was debating on having a scene where she is just yelling at Jess but thought about how much shit Jess has gone through so I decided to give her a break...for now. 

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I always remind people that I have one shots (requests are open btw)! I usually update them every few days depending on how much time I have, but recently I have started a mini series with it. 

See you all next week!