It Will Come Back [Frank Castle].

Come Here

Frank stood in front of Michelle, acting as a human shield as he glared at the Daredevil. He didn't want her getting tangled in his shit, especially if that shit involved the righteous motherfucker he was looking at. "You want me to join your super secret club, Red, is that it?"

The Devil sighed, sounding tired and done with everything. "It's not a club. We're a team, and we could use your - "

"Ability to get the job done right the first time?"

"...determination and perseverance. Nobody's got endurance like The Punisher."

"'Cause I know what I'm doin' and why I gotta do it." It wasn't just about vengeance for his family anymore. It was so Michelle didn't have to walk around needing Max to keep assholes at bay. So he didn't have to worry every time she went out and he couldn't follow. So nobody else had to suffer what he went through because not everyone was given a Michelle to piece their heart together and open their eyes to the remaining spots of light in the world.

From behind the Daredevil, a dark-haired woman with pale skin snorted. "If that's a no, can we get going? Danny and Luke are waiting on us, Ma - man."

Daredevil didn't move, waiting on Frank's official answer. He was surprised when the woman who they'd found him on the rooftop with stepped close to Frank's side and began whispering in his ear, "Couldn't hurt to have a team at your six. Safer. I'd like to see you're safer."

Like putty in her hands, Frank huffed and grit out, "Fine, Chelle." His voice was rough and stern as he made sure to tack on, "But, I ain't gonna let you talk me outta killin' bastards that deserve to see what Hell has in store for 'em. Ain't lettin' you slow my progress down. Spent ten months gettin' things right."

The unknown woman laughed, and Matt could sense Frank shift so that she was in his line of sight, rather than behind him. He backed up, a little closer to her, and Matt heard the whisper of a hand against leather, two heart rates spiking. She only had her hand on Frank's shoulder, but they reacted as if it were a more intimate touch.

Frank wouldn't let just any civilian be so close, or speak their piece on a subject that normally wouldn't concern them. But this civilian was close, and did speak, and was concerned. Were they...?

"Wait... Are you two, like, a... y'know?" Jessica asked incredulously, and Matt was thankful for his friend's presence. It would have been much harder for him to get an answer out of Frank.

The irritated grunt Jess got was very telling. In comparison to the inevitable silence Matt would have gotten, it seemed like a formal announcement.

"Oh, shit! The Punisher's got a girlfriend. Of fuckin' course." Jessica snorted.

Matt resisted the urge to tell her to quit poking a bear that owned several guns. He settled on jumping in before Jess started making jokes that got them hurt. "Okay! We'll be in contact when we need you. Thanks for your cooperation. Goodnight, Miss..."

"Wright."

"Of fuckin' course," Jessica muttered, turning on her heel to leave. She jumped to the next building over, having the courtesy to check that Matt was doing the same.

When the two Defenders were far enough away from his liking, Frank turned to Michelle. His expression wasn't nearly as hardened when he grinned at her. "So, we still on for breakfast in the mornin' at that diner two blocks over?" he asked, adjusting the rifle on his back.

"Yeah, I just came up here to give you," she held up his favorite knife, "this. You left it on the table after sharpening it. Max was trying to stash it with his toys, and you know what happened with that wooden spoon he sleeps with."