Devils and Angels

Chapter 6

"What's the name of this place, anyway?" Matt asked. "I just smelled some really good steak so I thought we could eat here."

Claire giggled. "Um..." She craned her neck to get a look at the sign. "Jeanine's." Matt nodded, taking another bite of his steak.

A waitress walked by their table carrying a tray of food. The tray wobbled slightly, and a dinner roll fell from a basket on the tray. The bread headed straight for the floor. Matt reached out casually and caught it. The waitress didn't notice; she kept walking. Matt handed the roll to Claire.

"For you," he said. Claire smiled.

"Aww...you shouldn't have." She said it with a hint of sarcasm. She accepted the roll, taking a bite. Her eyes closed as she savored the flavor. "This is delicious. I should've ordered one with my meal."

"Well, now you don't have to."

"And if I wanted another?"

"The waitress is coming back in a minute."

Claire laughed. "Well, I don't. I think I've had way too much food. But it's just so good!"

"Well then I'm glad we came here."

"Me too."

Matt paid the check and left a tip on the table. Matt Murdock, who was usually the one who let others lead him around as he tapped his cane in front of him, was the leader this time. He took Claire's hand and escorted her out of the restaurant.

He didn't have his glasses or cane with him, so it was useless pretending to be blind. Well, it wasn't exactly pretending, since he really was blind. More like, emphasizing it. Oh, you get what I'm trying to say.

Instead of catching a taxi, they both walked home, letting the cool air wrap around them like a blanket. It wasn't exactly paradise, since it was New York, with tons of people, trash, and pollution, but it was still nice.

As they walked, Matt further explained his abilities. How he could hear heartbeats, smell elements, and sense things like balance and direction. Claire listened, letting his soothing words and her light footsteps rock her into a microsleep. Not that she was tired. She was...comfortable. Happy.

She wasn't alone anymore. She finally had someone that cared for her.

It was wonderful.

Matt could sense that Claire wasn't listening to his words anymore, only his voice. He kept talking, though, because he knew how much he enjoyed listening to people's voices. Especially Claire's.

She leaned her head onto his shoulder as they walked. He smiled, then wrapped his arm around her. She closed her eyes and sighed.

-

"So, how was your date with Marci?" Matt asked the next day. They were almost done unpacking boxes in the office.

"It was good. Very good," Foggy said.

"Oh...uh, yeah. Okay," Matt said, realizing how the date ended.

"So, what did you do last night? Anything other than the usual?"

Matt smirked. "As a matter of fact, yeah."

"Ooooh? Wait. Don't tell me. You had a date, too."

Foggy's best friend laughed. "How did you know?"

"Dude, I know you like I know my own name. Always getting the girls. Who was it? Do I know her?"

"Claire."

"Yes!" Foggy jumped from his chair, standing up with a loud, enthusiastic clap. "The hot barista." Matt tipped his head down in amusement, nodding. "Go, Matt! How was it?"

"Nice. There was a delay, but it was still great."

"'A delay'? Like what?"

"Some amateur assholes grabbed her and a wad of money. Told me right where they were taking her, too. They're in jail now, though. The money was returned to where it belonged. Anonymous call to the cops."

"Man."

Foggy's phone rang. He answered it.

"Hey, buddy."

"Homicide," Brett Mahoney said from the other end of the phone. "Female suspect found at the scene. Definitely qualifies as interesting."

"She's been charged yet?"

"Assistant DA hasn't made the call yet."

"Do you have a name on the suspect?"

"Yeah. Page. Karen Page."