Arson

Chapter Twenty-Six

Alexandria's P.O.V

Hours passed.

I wait, watching the monitors. The news and what not.

Nothing interesting so far, so, I sit in thought.

Frank really seems to care about this reporter...he's rushing off to save her, and just completely forgot about me.

His refusal to let me help buzzed around in my head like angry hornets. Just thinking about him made my heart race...

Would he be doing the same for me?

"Of course he would!" I scolded myself. "He...he's saved my life! Stop being stupid, Alex!"

Ugh. Sitting here in my own thoughts was scary.

As the hours ticked by, I became concerned where everyone was. Maybe Frank got tired of Matt and shot him or something, I would never know.

Maybe they even got the bomber...?

Oh well, I wouldn't -

"BREAKING NEWS: THE VIGILANTE KNOW AS 'THE PUNISHER' IS ALIVE!"

The air that penetrated my lungs went in so quickly, it made me go into a coughing fit.

"There's no doubt about it, that's Frank Castle's face on the dash camera," The news monitors all switched to his face. Everywhere. Oh, Frank. What have you done? "A police dash camera caught Castle fleeing from the scene of a murder, and potential bombing. He's been tied to the bombs that have gone of all over New York this week. Facial records..."

I was frozen. The reports all clashed together, but they all showed one thing. Or, one man.

Well, the cat's out of the bag. No point to try and stuff it back in when everyone saw it.

Almost on que, the garage door opens.

Frank pulled into the parking space, shutting off the engine to the van. He stepped out, his footsteps echoing along with the car door slamming.

"I hope you're happy with yourself." I snarled.

"What are you-"

Turning up the volume on the monitors, it was clear what I was talking about.

"The entire country's gonna be looking for you, Punisher. Where's Matt?"

He didn't answer, approaching the screens in bewilderment.

"Frank. WHERE IS DAREDEVIL!?"

"He's makin' sure Karen's okay," He bit back, locking eyes with me in a glare. "Why? You concerned with 'em or somethin'?"

"He's my friend! You two drive me nuts with your constant bickering and fighting!" I began to walk off, a storming of sorts. But of course...he follows me.

"Oh, so you're mad now!?"

"Can't you tell!?" My hands wrapped around an open ledge, now lifting myself to the second level. The concrete was cold, I could feel it even through my clothing.

"C'mon, Alex - WAIT!" He struggled to follow me, but did nonetheless. "Why!? I didn't do anythin'!"

"YES, YOU DID! Everyone knows you're alive now! Meaning people will be hunting you, MEANING OUR HIDEOUT AND OPERATION IS IN JEOPARDY!"

"Slow down!" Frank yelled, trotting after me as he became more desperate.

I opened the balcony door, snow flurries immediately flooding in to catch us both in the face. I manage to get a few feet out the door, but I'm pulled back by a rough grasp on my arms.

"GET AWAY FROM ME, FRANK!" My yell cracked into a desperate cry. "GO! JUST...go..."

"No. I ain't leavin' you here in the cold," He grazes his other hand on my freezing arms...no. Don't let him win. He will not break you, Alex. "Yell and scream at me all you want, it won't make me leave."

"...Would you do the same...?" My voice becomes nothing but a whisper.

"What?"

"Would you rush off to risk it all and nearly ruin everything if it was me? Or is Ms.Page just an exclusive thing-"

Castle suddenly pins me on the door, my wrists pressed onto the cold metal. It burns at first, but fades into a cold chill.

"You listen here and you listen good," Frank's lips hovered around my ear. His whisper...I didn't know it then, but what once was sweet and comforting became cold. "Karen isn't just a friend, she's family. I will always put the people I care for before me. Every time. She saved my life, so I'm gonna save her's. Understand...?"

"Y-Yes..." I whimpered. Guilt ripped and tore at my heart...how could I be so selfish? Frank deserved to be happy.

"And to answer your question," Frank pushed me farther into the door, now on me with no intention to let me go. "Nothin' would stop me if you were in her place. There's no crook, no crimelord, or spray of bullets that would stop me until you were back in my arms."

"...You don't want me-"

"Let me decide what I want."

I wouldn't meet his eyes.

"I'm not..." The tears in my eyes threatened escape, burning the corners and collecting on the eyelashes. "I-I'M NOT WHAT YOU WANT, CASTLE!"

"You are." He states simply.

"Don't do this to yourself..." I plead, beg, whatever I had to do to convince him otherwise!

The tears are falling freely now, no resistance or attempts to shake them away.

"It's worth it. You are worth it."

"...And how do you know!?" My voice cracked.

"Fine. You wanna know why? I've been alone ever since my family died. A part from a few select people in my life, I've gone lone wolf, with no intentions to feel this way for anyone ever again," He lifts a hand off my wrists, grasping my chin softly. I'm forced to lock eyes with him...but it's such a different look, I practically melt. "But then you walked into my life. First time seein' your face, I nearly had a heart attack...you make me weak. Vulnerable."

"You make me feel that way, too."

"So...what do we do now?" He asked, the cold wind blowing around the hood to his jacket.

"You tell me..."

Castle takes me off the door, but doesn't let go. Frank remains as close as he was...slowly, that grasp he had on the lower section of my twisted and let go. His knuckles, bruised and bloody, slid over the tears falling from my eyes.

"Stop cryin' - it's breakin' my poor heart."

"I'm scared..."

"Of what?"

"Of losing you."

"I ain't goin' anywhere."

For every word that came out, he had a response at the ready.

"You say that now-"

"And I'll keep sayin' it. I don't break promises, it just isn't somethin' I like to do."

"...Promise...?" I stared up at him with a teary expression.

"Mhm."

Suddenly, I'm held in his arms, legs dangling to the left of him while my head rests highly on his shoulder.

"Let's get out of the cold...you're shaking."

He gently nudges the door open, taking me into the shadows and safety of the factory walls.

They may no longer be safe now...but I knew I'd be with Frank by my side.

Always.