(no subject)
Ok...I have written more to the Daredevil/Supergirl story...but I don't think it's very well written. But if Nano taught me anything, it's the push ahead that's more important right now than the quality. I can always go back and fix it later.
"I was helping the police with a fire...” She did remember who he was now. The blind man she had run into at the party. Matt something. But she wasn’t going to tell him that. “I am familiar with Miss Kent, she has a relative working at the Daily Planet, but that’s as far as it goes.”
“Fine, you can stick to that story if you like. But I know a lie when I hear it. The question is, what are you going to do now? It seems that you aren’t able to see any more than I can.”
Supergirl flashed her hand in front of her eyes, wishing that she could see through the grayness that was obscuring her view. “I’m afraid so,” she admitted. Matt smiled to himself. Now that was an honest answer. “Are you hurt any besides that?” he asked. Carly checked her limbs over as best as she could. “Doesn’t seem to be anything missing or broken. I just can’t see anything.” Another question was burning in the back of her mind. “How did I get here anyway? For that matter, where is here?”
“This is my apartment on 4th street and Main. It’s not much but I like the view.” There was a sarcastic lilt at the end of the sentence. Carly almost smiled at that. “Yeah, I’m sure that was the first thing you noticed,” she joked back lightly. “But that still doesn’t answer my first question. How did I get here?”
Matt leaned against the concrete wall, as if considering his answer. “Are you familiar with our...nighttime...um...”
“Vigilante?” Carly supplied.
“If you like, some do call him that.”
“Yeah, I’ve met him twice so far, briefly.” Carly remembered right before blacking out she was with Daredevil. “It was him that brought me in then.”
“Yes.”
Carly took a step forward. “Ok, why you? Why bring me here and not a hospital...or for that matter a newspaper, capturing me would have brought in big publicity. Anyone would have jumped on that.”
“He’s not like that. You haven’t been here long and probably haven’t even been to Hell’s Kitchen.”
“Hell’s Kitchen?”
The pair of them winced as a police car whined by after a suspect on the street below. “Ohhh, that’s awful loud,” Carly said, rubbing her ears. “Here, lets go back inside, we can hear each other better.” Matt gave her an arm. At first Carly wouldn’t take it. “Er, I thought you said you were blind too.”
“True, but if I may point out...I live here. You don’t.”
Carly couldn’t argue with that and let him guide her back inside the apartment. She still tripped over the doorsill but Matt caught her quite deftly before she hit the floor. “Nice catch,” she said. As she found the couch and sat down, an idea was working away in her head. But she wasn’t going to ask him if he was. Better to wait and see if she was right.
“So, what’s this Hell’s Kitchen then? Sounds like a reality show.”
Matt walked his way to the kitchen, leaving his walking stick on a chair. “Call it the wrong side of town. I’m sure even your city has that side of it. The Daredevil takes an interest in protecting people there because...well, no one else seems to care about anyone there. About time someone did.” He came back and held out a glass towards Carly. “Here’s some lemonade in a glass, it’s in front of you.” It took her a minute, but she eventually found the glass. “Thanks,” she said, taking a sip. “I do feel awful dry.”
Matt sat down in a chair across from her. “So what are you going to do now?”
Carly didn’t answer right away. She still didn’t really know this person. Matt seemed to sense that. “I’ll understand if you don’t want to talk about your plans. I understand that someone finding out your secret identity can be one big mess. But...” he leaned forward and emphasized his words. “I want you to know that I think you’re on the right side. And if anyone else finds out your secret identity, it’s not going to be from me. If I may share something about me, I’m a lawyer that represents those who can’t fight the system. I’ve heard that you tend to help those in trouble, those that can’t defend themselves. I think in that sense we are more similar than you think. Even if I can’t fly or lift buses over my head.”
Carly considered what he said. “A lawyer, huh? You’ve probably got it just as tough as me. Nobody likes an honest lawyer.”
“Tell me about it.”
Carly downed her lemonade and set the glass down. “Ok, let’s say I believe you. What’s in it for you?”
“The only thing I’m concerned about is bringing down the Kingpin.”
“Who?”
“Wilson Fisk.”
“Ah,” Carly nodded. “The man in with Lex Luthor last night. A kingpin you say? Sounds like someone up Lex’s alley.”
“I’m proposing an...alliance of sorts. I need evidence to take down Fisk for good. You know about Lex Luthor and you’d be a good person to have on your side in a fight. I think we can help each other.”
“I’ll agree with you up to the fighting part. I don’t know what that machine was but it sure was effective. I don’t think I could fight well enough like this.”
“What machine?” Matt asked.
“It was like a ray gun of sorts but mounted in a foundation like a mortar. Shot some sort of beam of light or energy.” Carly’s voice took a grim tone. “But if it effected me like this, you can bet Lex had a hand in it. He’s been trying to take down me and my partner in fighting crime, Superman, ever since we came to Metropolis.”
“Tell me about this Luthor.”
“He’s a business man who’s got a hold on Metropolis that no one can see. If there’s some sort of crime going on in Metropolis, he’s probably involved. Especially if it involves taking down Superman or me. But there hasn’t been a criminal charge that can stick to the man. We’ve taken down some smaller fish but he keeps slipping away. All of Metropolis thinks he’s a scientific genius working for the good of the city...but a few of us know the truth. He’s only in it for his own gain.”
Matt sighed. “Nice playmate for Fisk.”
“Yeah, but there was something about last night. Those two might be too similar for their own good. I got the feeling they are both watching each other closely, watching for that inevitable backstabbing.”
“That’s good,” Matt smiled, rubbing his hands together. “We might be able to use that.”
Suddenly, Carly realized something. “Oh! What time is it?”
Matt pressed a button on his watch. A robotic feminine voice said, “10:32 AM.”
“Rats,” Carly jumped to her feet. “I’m late, I was supposed to meet Lois at 9.” She started making her clumsy way towards the door. “We were supposed to go to a big lunch with Luthor and the press.” Carly ran a hand over her spandex covered arm. “And I can’t go out like this.”
“I can lend you some clothes,” Matt began.
“No I have clothes, I just need a place to change. I got a hunch changing clothes is tougher when you can’t see.”
“It is,” Matt agreed. “Believe me. Here, I’ve got a guest room.”
The blind man led the blind superhero into another room and left her there. He worked on getting himself presentable, grabbing a tie and coat from the back of his chair. There was a couple of bumps and thumps coming from the guest room, but Matt wasn’t worried. He figured she would work it out herself. He was almost done tying his tie when he heard the door open. “Ok,” she said. “I hope it looks ok. Otherwise, Lois is going to kill me. You have a good hiding place for a costume?”
“Sure, here’s a closet.” Matt opened the door for her. He listened to her cautious steps coming towards him. “Stop there,” he said quickly. “The coffee table is right in front of you.” Carly maneuvered around it successfully. “Maybe I’m getting the hang of this.” She balled up the costume and stuffed it behind some shoes in the corner. Then she stood, smoothing her black skirt and white button up shirt.
“If I may ask,” Matt said, very curious. “Where did you get the clothes from?”
“None of your beeswax,” Carly said, a bit miffed. That was one secret NOBODY was going to find out.
Lois looked at her watch again for the tenth time. This just wasn’t like Carly to be late like this. The last speech was almost over. It was Lex of course. He paid for the breakfast after all. He was talking about art and the Da Vinci painting. “I believe even with the problems security had during the night that this terrible tragedy against culture can be repaired. I have dedicated my resources to helping to boost security measures with the blessing of Mr. Fisk.” He nodded to the man sitting next to him at the table. Fisk nodded back, but he was clenching the top of his gold headed cane. How dare this snipe business man just waltz in and take over. He had charisma to be sure, but he was only going to go so far. And once he crossed that line, there would be no more partnership. And Fisk never lost.
Lois was still taking notes as the breakfast ended and people started to disperse to various phones to get their story in. Lois had no need of that, all of her notes were going into one story once she got back to the Daily Planet tomorrow. She plunked her notebook back into her purse as she slid the strap onto her shoulder. She waited for the rush to finish before heading towards the doors. She was definetly going to have to have a talking to with Carly. A reporter shouldn't stay out all night and miss their deadline for a story like this. As she came up to the glass doors, a taxi was pulling up outside. Just as she went through the doors, she saw Carly getting out of the taxi with a man. The man was paying the driver, but Lois could see the blind man's white and red tipped stick in his other hand. Carly didn't look too well. Her clothes were rumpled and she had a glassy look to her eyes. Lois pushed through the glass doors and came up to the two of them. "Carly!"
"Lois?" Carly was so glad to hear a familiar voice. She was also apprehensive about what to say to the next inevitable question. "I've been waiting for you, what happened? You missed the whole breakfast. Were you out all night?" Lois snapped a look at the man she was with. "Who are you?"
"Lois this is Matt..." Carly began to introduce him. "Matt Murdock," he put out his hand. Lois hesitated but shook it out of courtesy. "And I'm afraid your friend was not late of her own accord."
"I'm listening," Lois said, her arms crossed. But she was inwardly getting more concerned. Carly wasn't looking at her at all. She was looking off to the side. "Well," she started awkwardly. "I went out after the party..."
"You left your hotel room?" Lois asked sharply. "By yourself??"
Carly nodded, hanging her head a bit. "Yeah, I...I wanted to get a local take on the night's events and...well..." She cleared her throat and hoped this would fly. "I got mugged."
"You what?" Lois thankfully didn't sound mad anymore, just more concerned. "Are you ok? Did they get anything from you?"
"I'm ok it's just they used mace or something and I kind of got it right in the face....and now I can't see." Lois' eyes went wide and she tested the statement by waving her hand in front of Carly's eyes. There wasn't any reaction that she could see the hand at all. Lois reached out quick and poked Carly in the nose. "Hey!" Carly pulled back, rubbing her nose. "No, I guess you can't see," Lois said. She looked at Matt Murdock standing there, listening in. "And how do you play into all of this Mr. Murdock?"
Carly held her breath inwardly as she waited for the answer. "I found her unconscious in an alley and helped her back to my apartment for the night," he replied. "You were out walking at night?" Lois asked, unconvinced. Matt gave her a disarming smile. "I've lived here all my life. You'd be surprised how well I can get around."
Lois eyed him suspiciously but decided he was telling the truth. She put her hands on Carly's shoulders, "We should really go see a doctor about those eyes, girl."
Eek, that wouldn't do, Carly thought to herself. Just watch a doctor try to explain why her blood didn't have any type, at least none that was human. "Actually, Matt already took me to the doctor," she lied. "He said my eyes should clear up in a couple of days." At least, I hope that's how it's going to work, she thought to herself. At least it would buy her time to see someone she could trust about her eyes AND her identity.
"I was helping the police with a fire...” She did remember who he was now. The blind man she had run into at the party. Matt something. But she wasn’t going to tell him that. “I am familiar with Miss Kent, she has a relative working at the Daily Planet, but that’s as far as it goes.”
“Fine, you can stick to that story if you like. But I know a lie when I hear it. The question is, what are you going to do now? It seems that you aren’t able to see any more than I can.”
Supergirl flashed her hand in front of her eyes, wishing that she could see through the grayness that was obscuring her view. “I’m afraid so,” she admitted. Matt smiled to himself. Now that was an honest answer. “Are you hurt any besides that?” he asked. Carly checked her limbs over as best as she could. “Doesn’t seem to be anything missing or broken. I just can’t see anything.” Another question was burning in the back of her mind. “How did I get here anyway? For that matter, where is here?”
“This is my apartment on 4th street and Main. It’s not much but I like the view.” There was a sarcastic lilt at the end of the sentence. Carly almost smiled at that. “Yeah, I’m sure that was the first thing you noticed,” she joked back lightly. “But that still doesn’t answer my first question. How did I get here?”
Matt leaned against the concrete wall, as if considering his answer. “Are you familiar with our...nighttime...um...”
“Vigilante?” Carly supplied.
“If you like, some do call him that.”
“Yeah, I’ve met him twice so far, briefly.” Carly remembered right before blacking out she was with Daredevil. “It was him that brought me in then.”
“Yes.”
Carly took a step forward. “Ok, why you? Why bring me here and not a hospital...or for that matter a newspaper, capturing me would have brought in big publicity. Anyone would have jumped on that.”
“He’s not like that. You haven’t been here long and probably haven’t even been to Hell’s Kitchen.”
“Hell’s Kitchen?”
The pair of them winced as a police car whined by after a suspect on the street below. “Ohhh, that’s awful loud,” Carly said, rubbing her ears. “Here, lets go back inside, we can hear each other better.” Matt gave her an arm. At first Carly wouldn’t take it. “Er, I thought you said you were blind too.”
“True, but if I may point out...I live here. You don’t.”
Carly couldn’t argue with that and let him guide her back inside the apartment. She still tripped over the doorsill but Matt caught her quite deftly before she hit the floor. “Nice catch,” she said. As she found the couch and sat down, an idea was working away in her head. But she wasn’t going to ask him if he was. Better to wait and see if she was right.
“So, what’s this Hell’s Kitchen then? Sounds like a reality show.”
Matt walked his way to the kitchen, leaving his walking stick on a chair. “Call it the wrong side of town. I’m sure even your city has that side of it. The Daredevil takes an interest in protecting people there because...well, no one else seems to care about anyone there. About time someone did.” He came back and held out a glass towards Carly. “Here’s some lemonade in a glass, it’s in front of you.” It took her a minute, but she eventually found the glass. “Thanks,” she said, taking a sip. “I do feel awful dry.”
Matt sat down in a chair across from her. “So what are you going to do now?”
Carly didn’t answer right away. She still didn’t really know this person. Matt seemed to sense that. “I’ll understand if you don’t want to talk about your plans. I understand that someone finding out your secret identity can be one big mess. But...” he leaned forward and emphasized his words. “I want you to know that I think you’re on the right side. And if anyone else finds out your secret identity, it’s not going to be from me. If I may share something about me, I’m a lawyer that represents those who can’t fight the system. I’ve heard that you tend to help those in trouble, those that can’t defend themselves. I think in that sense we are more similar than you think. Even if I can’t fly or lift buses over my head.”
Carly considered what he said. “A lawyer, huh? You’ve probably got it just as tough as me. Nobody likes an honest lawyer.”
“Tell me about it.”
Carly downed her lemonade and set the glass down. “Ok, let’s say I believe you. What’s in it for you?”
“The only thing I’m concerned about is bringing down the Kingpin.”
“Who?”
“Wilson Fisk.”
“Ah,” Carly nodded. “The man in with Lex Luthor last night. A kingpin you say? Sounds like someone up Lex’s alley.”
“I’m proposing an...alliance of sorts. I need evidence to take down Fisk for good. You know about Lex Luthor and you’d be a good person to have on your side in a fight. I think we can help each other.”
“I’ll agree with you up to the fighting part. I don’t know what that machine was but it sure was effective. I don’t think I could fight well enough like this.”
“What machine?” Matt asked.
“It was like a ray gun of sorts but mounted in a foundation like a mortar. Shot some sort of beam of light or energy.” Carly’s voice took a grim tone. “But if it effected me like this, you can bet Lex had a hand in it. He’s been trying to take down me and my partner in fighting crime, Superman, ever since we came to Metropolis.”
“Tell me about this Luthor.”
“He’s a business man who’s got a hold on Metropolis that no one can see. If there’s some sort of crime going on in Metropolis, he’s probably involved. Especially if it involves taking down Superman or me. But there hasn’t been a criminal charge that can stick to the man. We’ve taken down some smaller fish but he keeps slipping away. All of Metropolis thinks he’s a scientific genius working for the good of the city...but a few of us know the truth. He’s only in it for his own gain.”
Matt sighed. “Nice playmate for Fisk.”
“Yeah, but there was something about last night. Those two might be too similar for their own good. I got the feeling they are both watching each other closely, watching for that inevitable backstabbing.”
“That’s good,” Matt smiled, rubbing his hands together. “We might be able to use that.”
Suddenly, Carly realized something. “Oh! What time is it?”
Matt pressed a button on his watch. A robotic feminine voice said, “10:32 AM.”
“Rats,” Carly jumped to her feet. “I’m late, I was supposed to meet Lois at 9.” She started making her clumsy way towards the door. “We were supposed to go to a big lunch with Luthor and the press.” Carly ran a hand over her spandex covered arm. “And I can’t go out like this.”
“I can lend you some clothes,” Matt began.
“No I have clothes, I just need a place to change. I got a hunch changing clothes is tougher when you can’t see.”
“It is,” Matt agreed. “Believe me. Here, I’ve got a guest room.”
The blind man led the blind superhero into another room and left her there. He worked on getting himself presentable, grabbing a tie and coat from the back of his chair. There was a couple of bumps and thumps coming from the guest room, but Matt wasn’t worried. He figured she would work it out herself. He was almost done tying his tie when he heard the door open. “Ok,” she said. “I hope it looks ok. Otherwise, Lois is going to kill me. You have a good hiding place for a costume?”
“Sure, here’s a closet.” Matt opened the door for her. He listened to her cautious steps coming towards him. “Stop there,” he said quickly. “The coffee table is right in front of you.” Carly maneuvered around it successfully. “Maybe I’m getting the hang of this.” She balled up the costume and stuffed it behind some shoes in the corner. Then she stood, smoothing her black skirt and white button up shirt.
“If I may ask,” Matt said, very curious. “Where did you get the clothes from?”
“None of your beeswax,” Carly said, a bit miffed. That was one secret NOBODY was going to find out.
Lois looked at her watch again for the tenth time. This just wasn’t like Carly to be late like this. The last speech was almost over. It was Lex of course. He paid for the breakfast after all. He was talking about art and the Da Vinci painting. “I believe even with the problems security had during the night that this terrible tragedy against culture can be repaired. I have dedicated my resources to helping to boost security measures with the blessing of Mr. Fisk.” He nodded to the man sitting next to him at the table. Fisk nodded back, but he was clenching the top of his gold headed cane. How dare this snipe business man just waltz in and take over. He had charisma to be sure, but he was only going to go so far. And once he crossed that line, there would be no more partnership. And Fisk never lost.
Lois was still taking notes as the breakfast ended and people started to disperse to various phones to get their story in. Lois had no need of that, all of her notes were going into one story once she got back to the Daily Planet tomorrow. She plunked her notebook back into her purse as she slid the strap onto her shoulder. She waited for the rush to finish before heading towards the doors. She was definetly going to have to have a talking to with Carly. A reporter shouldn't stay out all night and miss their deadline for a story like this. As she came up to the glass doors, a taxi was pulling up outside. Just as she went through the doors, she saw Carly getting out of the taxi with a man. The man was paying the driver, but Lois could see the blind man's white and red tipped stick in his other hand. Carly didn't look too well. Her clothes were rumpled and she had a glassy look to her eyes. Lois pushed through the glass doors and came up to the two of them. "Carly!"
"Lois?" Carly was so glad to hear a familiar voice. She was also apprehensive about what to say to the next inevitable question. "I've been waiting for you, what happened? You missed the whole breakfast. Were you out all night?" Lois snapped a look at the man she was with. "Who are you?"
"Lois this is Matt..." Carly began to introduce him. "Matt Murdock," he put out his hand. Lois hesitated but shook it out of courtesy. "And I'm afraid your friend was not late of her own accord."
"I'm listening," Lois said, her arms crossed. But she was inwardly getting more concerned. Carly wasn't looking at her at all. She was looking off to the side. "Well," she started awkwardly. "I went out after the party..."
"You left your hotel room?" Lois asked sharply. "By yourself??"
Carly nodded, hanging her head a bit. "Yeah, I...I wanted to get a local take on the night's events and...well..." She cleared her throat and hoped this would fly. "I got mugged."
"You what?" Lois thankfully didn't sound mad anymore, just more concerned. "Are you ok? Did they get anything from you?"
"I'm ok it's just they used mace or something and I kind of got it right in the face....and now I can't see." Lois' eyes went wide and she tested the statement by waving her hand in front of Carly's eyes. There wasn't any reaction that she could see the hand at all. Lois reached out quick and poked Carly in the nose. "Hey!" Carly pulled back, rubbing her nose. "No, I guess you can't see," Lois said. She looked at Matt Murdock standing there, listening in. "And how do you play into all of this Mr. Murdock?"
Carly held her breath inwardly as she waited for the answer. "I found her unconscious in an alley and helped her back to my apartment for the night," he replied. "You were out walking at night?" Lois asked, unconvinced. Matt gave her a disarming smile. "I've lived here all my life. You'd be surprised how well I can get around."
Lois eyed him suspiciously but decided he was telling the truth. She put her hands on Carly's shoulders, "We should really go see a doctor about those eyes, girl."
Eek, that wouldn't do, Carly thought to herself. Just watch a doctor try to explain why her blood didn't have any type, at least none that was human. "Actually, Matt already took me to the doctor," she lied. "He said my eyes should clear up in a couple of days." At least, I hope that's how it's going to work, she thought to herself. At least it would buy her time to see someone she could trust about her eyes AND her identity.