//------------------------------// // Chapter 55 - Down but Not Out // Story: This War of Ours // by JDPrime22 //------------------------------// Queens, New York City LaGuardia Airport 12:44 p.m. Karen Page saw him stick out like a blind man in a crowd. She quickly shot up from the bench she had been spending hours upon hours resting on. With fresh adrenaline rushing through her veins and giving her weary body just the extra push she needed, Karen tore through the growing crowds, several people looking back as they passed her. They watched as she embraced the blind man, practically crushing him in a bear-like hug. Matt Murdock chuckled lightly as he exhaled, bringing his arms around Karen and returning the hug. He whispered words of comfort to her, to which she replied by grabbing his face and plunging her lips right onto his. Matt was stunned for a moment, his eyes wider than usual behind his dark shades. The kiss didn’t last too long, Karen and Matt both breaking away. Karen watched as Matt smiled at her, gripping onto her hand and telling her everything was going to be okay. Words like that. All sounding numb when her eyes drifted behind him and onto the lone figure walking past them. He was there for a split second, casting a dark glance her way, then was gone the next second. She spun her neck around, eyes landing on the figure slip through the crowd, a hat, overcoat, and dark glasses on his person. The face looked familiar for a reason. They caught Karen’s eyes for a reason. She could have sworn it was Frank Castle. Turning back, she saw the knowing smile on Matt’s lips, the tiny but powerful nod he gave her that told her everything she needed to know. Matt and Frank were both back, Frank coming willingly. Karen breathed a sigh of relief. She caught that breath, however, when Matt grabbed her hand and directed her behind him, to the two men waiting behind Murdock. They each wore a hat pulled over their eyes, heavy shades resting on each of their noses and concealing the person beneath. When Matt and Karen were close enough, the two men removed their glasses, smiling and causing Karen to gasp, the woman failing to conceal it. The noise and chaos of the airport made it impossible for anyone to hear or notice her, or any of them for that matter. As far as anyone else knew, they were just random bystanders that meant nothing to their daily routine. So, people strode on by, paying no heed to Captain America and the Falcon standing in front of the Daredevil and Karen Page. Karen was momentarily stunned, words failing her. Despite the fact that two Avengers, both war heroes, were standing in front of her, they were smiling at her. If Steve Roger's warm smile couldn’t ease the tension then nothing else really could. But it did help when Matt pushed Karen onwards, properly introducing the three. Steve was the first to hold out his hand, saying it was a pleasure to meet the brains behind the devil. Karen didn’t know how to respond at first. Nearly star-struck, Karen held out her hand, managing to offer a strong handshake with Steve. She did the same with the Falcon, saying very little. They did most of the talking, explaining that Murdock helped them a great deal. Without his help, they would have never been able to reach the location of the other Winter Soldiers… despite the fact that the mission was a bust. Karen asked why. Steve Rogers and the Falcon looked at each other, simply stating that the Winter Soldiers were dead before they got there. They couldn’t say anything else. She understood. There were some secrets she’d rather not dig up. Other than that, both Steve and the Falcon said their final goodbyes, shaking both Karen’s hand and Matt’s hand. They thanked him again for all of his efforts, and not to hesitate if he needs them for anything. They surely wouldn’t hesitate if they need his help. Matt just smiled at that. He picked up his suitcase, grabbed Karen’s hand, and turned around to walk home. All the way home. Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson both put their sunglasses back over their eyes, hands slipping into their coats’ pockets. Steve saw as the suitcase in Matt’s hand swung lightly back and forth, his other hand still holding onto Karen’s. Neither letting go. It was a small bond, but it concealed something much greater. Much stronger. As for the suitcase, it concealed something darker, something Murdock literally carried with him the rest of his days and the life he would continue to live. But that was something that was hidden. When Matt and Karen held hands and strode through the crowds, they did it for all the world to see. Sam chuckled. Steve turned his way, turned to his smile. He asked, “You made sure to erase all of that data on Castle and Murdock?” Steve nodded, looking back at Matt’s retreating form. He pointed at him, saying, “Per his request, Frank Castle’s whereabouts are currently unknown, as far as everyone knows. And as of now, Matt Murdock is just a struggling lawyer in Hell’s Kitchen, son of a boxer. Nothing more. Nothing less.” The blind man held onto the strong woman, both needing that grip on home and reality. But he looked back, one final time. He looked back to Steve Rogers and the Falcon, watched as they retreated and vanished within the crowds. Possibly for the last time. The last he’ll ever see them. And so Matt Murdock, the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen, smiled one final time, as he and Karen returned home. Back to Hell.