The Invisible String: Matt Murdock/ Daredevil

8.

His face twisted as his right arm swung harshly at her head. She caught it abruptly and twisted. He rotated to dull the pain, but she seized the moment to push upward, making him scream out in pain. It wasn't a break—just a warning. Damn, he was soft.

"Shit, let go!" he yelled.

Annalise dropped his arm and looked at Matt excitedly.

"How long was that?"

Matt smiled and chuckled softly.

"Two point seven seconds."

She leaned against the ropes, a smug look plastered across her face. The man, having finished his small tantrum, gathered momentum to kick her in the back. She rolled to the side, still against the ropes, ducked down, and swept his leg out from under him. He landed hard on his back with a groan.

She popped back up, returning to her spot in front of Matt.

"Ready to let me help yet?"

"Did you start this just to prove a point?" he asked, teeth clenched as he walked closer to the ropes, handing her a small tennis ball that had fallen from the man's bag when he slammed it down.

She smirked, juggling the ball between her hands.

"Heads."

She tossed it centimeters above Matt's head as he walked away. The ball ricocheted off the wall, colliding with the man slowly climbing to his knees. She used the ropes as leverage to roll over them back to the ground. Matt grabbed his duffel bag as they met in the middle of the room.

"You done showing off?" Matt asked, eyes drifting slightly past her.

She shrugged.

"Depends. You done thinking I'm useless?"

His eyes closed, head tilting back in annoyance as he sighed.

"You know that's not what I think."

"Good. We have people to see."

She took his duffel bag, threw it over her shoulder, and tucked his arm under hers.

"I can't see them, Anne," he said, putting on his glasses.

"You can't see anyone, Matt. Either you talk to them or I will," she replied curtly. She knew the guilt was killing him—the worry that his only friends might be murdered because of him weighed heavily on his conscience.

"What would I even say? The last time I spoke to Foggy, I told him it was a mistake being his friend."

"You're right, I should go instead. Don't need you showing up half dead again."

A small smile broke between them as they exited the building and walked down the busy street.

"I'm serious, Matt. From what I can tell, Foggy seems like a great guy. He would know you're only doing this out of fear."

Matt's face cringed at the word. He always despised the idea of being scared, but he was. He was scared for the safety of those he cared for.

Annalise hoped Foggy would see her message. She wasn't entirely sure he would, but since it was daylight and the dodgy bar they had been to before was usually packed, there was a chance. She had stolen a glance at the number on Matt's phone when he called during the time she was stitching his side, memorizing it in case of emergency—not an emergency, but still important. She shrugged as she sent the text: Josie's Bar, please bring Karen. The only indicator was the silent "read 7:04 a.m."

"What are we doing here?" Matt asked sternly as they arrived at the bar. She walked in, and he sat at the same table she had with Foggy and Karen near the entrance.

"Waiting for two people in particular."

She scanned the room, searching for their arrival. Matt's head rested in his hand as he rubbed his face, nervously twitching at every sound that might signal danger. This was risky—terribly risky and completely against his plans. He prayed silently this would work out.

Finally, she saw the familiar shaggy-haired man in a casual button-up shirt and jeans, accompanied by Karen in a white and black long sleeve, black jeans, and a beige trench coat. She slipped off the stool quickly and out of sight, watching as Matt's heart rate jumped slightly.

"And that's my cue to go to the bathroom. Tell them."

—

Foggy and Karen entered suspiciously, scanning the area before their eyes landed on Matt. A mixture of anger and deep relief washed over them simultaneously. They both took a seat in front of him, sighing as if their hearts were racing too fast to calm.

"What's going on here, Matt? First you go AWOL, playing dead, only to be resurrected?" Karen asked quietly, clearly unnerved by the situation. Were they all in trouble with Fisk? That much was obvious.

"And then you show up out of the blue, saying you regret our friendship and telling me to stay out of everything involving Fisk?" Foggy continued for both of them, hurt evident on his face.

Matt took a deep breath. What could he say?

"I know, I'm sorry. I—" He breathed, "—I was trying to do what I thought was best, but I can't. I can't keep you guys protected. Staying away only brings more harm than good. Fisk is after all of us no matter what I do. It's just not worth losing you both over. If I haven't already."

Annalise listened from the bathroom, glaring at anyone who looked at her strangely as she leaned against the sink. Karen and Foggy's heart rates slowed, clearly aware of the weight this held over Matt. Neither wanted to lose him either—they had tried to make that clear from the start.

What had changed?

"So, you're back?" Foggy asked hesitantly, afraid of the answer. Matt's eyes faltered as they met his.

"I'm back, Foggy."