#daredad

Past couple of weeks I’ve been getting really sick, like even just the smell of Hell’s kitchen’s smog is enough to make me puke my guts out.  I also began to realize that I hadn’t gotten my period yet.  So one day after school with Maddie at my side, we went to the local doctor’s office, told them about my symptoms and my late period and after some blood work and a pregnancy test, I came back positive.

Austin was the first person to tell and he was shocked at first but he took me by the hands, looked me in the eye and swore to me that he wasn’t gonna leave me like his daddy did him and his mama.  I was at least thankful to God above that I had the support of my friends and Austin, but the biggest hurdle was yet to come. My dad.

My dad is not just a Man of the Law, he’s also a Man of God. Not like holy religious that he beat the script of every verse of the Bible into me, or told me everyone is a sinner and everyone is going to Hell should they not repent (thank God).  But he did raise me to be a good Catholic girl ever since my mom died of cancer when I was only 2 years old.

He told me to always be aware of my surroundings, know the temptations, and don’t let anyone take advantage of you.  And just like that I gave into temptation and now I paid the price (before you say it YES we did use protection).

“How you feeling sweetheart? You ducked out of Chemistry class pretty quick.”

“I’d rather not relive that. I tried so hard to keep it in but that crap that Hilary was wearing as perfume became too much. I mean really there’s a reason why you don’t put on perfume in a classroom especially in a chemistry class. Can’t perfume catch fire or something?”

“Some can. But that scent she claimed she bought from Paris, she’d be a human candle if she got one knick of a Bunsen burner.” I laughed and said.

“Maddie gave me the homework for that class, god I still don’t get how you can understand all that stuff.”

“It’s not that hard really. I mean, we found good chemistry right?” I rolled my eyes and told him.

“That has literally got to be the worst cheesy pickup line I’ve ever heard.”

“Can’t blame me if I’m crazy positive about you.”

“Stop!” I whined as he laughed.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry I swear I’m done now.” He said through his adorable laughter.  “So you at Maddie’s again?”

“Yep. Thankfully my dad seems to buy into the fact that we’re doing a project together for history class and I just keep falling asleep here.”

“Wait but didn’t you guys finish that project last week?”

“Yeah but my dad don’t need to know that.”

“Babe. How long are you gonna hide your pregnancy from him?”

“I was thinking….maybe by the time our kid’s out of high school?” he raised his brow at me. “Okay, okay fine! I’ll…..I’ll tell him tomorrow after school. Will—will you be there with me?”

“Anything to take the tension off. It took two to tango after all. Plus I met your dad before, I know he’ll be okay with this.”

“I just….” I trailed off looking down at the ground sadly.

“What? What is it (Y/n)?”

“What if he doesn’t?”

“Babe…..”

“No, no Austin just—just listen for a second. Sure my dad’s cool, he’s a kickass upcoming lawyer. He’s not embarrassing, he’s not overbearing when it comes to us being Catholic, but what if he doesn’t want me anymore? Teenage pregnancies are frowned upon and as soon as I start really showing the signs, those hens are gonna cluck.”

“Then let them cluck. It’s not any of their business. This is about us, about you. Our child. Yes we’re still kids and yeah we’re still in school just about to get into adulthood, this is our life. If you still want to have this baby, I’m in. But if you change your mind down the line, I’ll support that too. Because we’re in this together baby girl.”

“How did I ever get so lucky to get you as my boyfriend?”

“Believe me, if anyone’s lucky it’s me. How I ever managed to convince you to be my girlfriend is a miracle that only the good Lord knows.” I smiled and said to him.

“Goodnight king.”

“G’night pretty mama.” He couldn’t help but say in his best Elvis impression.  I smiled and kissed my hand before blowing him a kiss and he did the same for me before winking at me and we ended the facetime call.

“I swear the way you two talk to each other makes me want to puke out butterflies and rainbows.” Maddie’s voice said.  I turned and she came in with some tomato soup, saltine crackers and pickles.

Another strange thing during my pregnancy is that every now and then I’m getting these cravings for the weirdest shit.  Like just the other day, I had sliced orange slices as a side dish for my mashed potatoes and everyone knows how much I loathe oranges (even the smell of them has made me gagged for years).  And yet I needed them, or I guess the baby needed them.

“Well that is if your strange food combos don’t make me first. You know how I’ve hated even looking at pickles.”

“I know I’m sorry. But you’re the best for getting some for me.” I said as I took a sliced pickle and put it between two crackers and ate it like a sandwich.  Maddie gagged and turned away as she turned on her tv and switched it to MTV to see our favorite show Ridiculousness was on.

“Ohhh I love this one with Sage. The Jeremy category makes me die everytime!” I exclaimed.

“I know right! But you also can’t beat when Ryan Sheckler came on the show and the animal stalkers category. That cat one still makes me think it was a weeping angel.”

“Right!? I swear all cats are the weeping angels familiars. I don’t care what any whovian says prove me wrong.” I said after slurping up my soup.

“So were you like for real about not telling your dad about the baby?” I dropped my spoon back into the bowl and set the tray aside.

“I thought you said you’d work on your snooping in on other people’s phone calls?”

“I did but when it’s a call this serious about my future godchild, I should have some say in it. And Austin’s right, you gotta tell your dad.”

“I know I should but…..do you remember what happened when Katelyn first came out as bisexual. Her parents completely disowned her and now she’s living with her cousin MJ in Queens. I got no other family to go to, what if my dad isn’t cool with…..I mean yeah I’ll have Austin and you but—”

“I get it. Really I do. I’ve seen how close you and your dad are, hell I’d trade my dad for yours any day.” I playfully shoved her.

“Your dad’s sweet.”

“Yeah sweet like a fly buzzing around me every second. Constantly in my business, wanting to look through my phone, I swear he’s the definition of a helicopter parent.” I looked down as I placed my hands over my lower abdomen where the baby was slowly growing.  “Hey,” Maddie wrapped an arm around me and I looked up at her, “Your dad loves you. He’s not like those crazy parents we’ve seen that come to preach about the Lord’s will or the End of the world. He won’t give up on you, I can just feel it.”

“I hope your right Maddie. I really hope so.” I looked at the clock and saw that it was just after 10:30pm.  “I’m getting kinda sleepy, think I’ll turn in for the night.”

“Yeah I’m gonna head to bed myself. Night (n/n).”

“Night Mads.” We hugged each other and she went across the hall into her room while I snuggled into my bed in her sister’s room (she had left for college in LA so it’s been used as a guestroom) and tried to get some sleep.

Time ticked by and while I was asleep and my eyes were shut, my brain was just buzzing with so many thoughts, fear and anxiety.  I got up from the bed and opened up the window that was near the fire escape and decided I needed some fresh air.

The cold autumn night wind blew over my thin pajama bottoms.  I almost wish I had grabbed a hoodie or her sister’s old fleece blanket before scaling up onto the roof.  I sat along the edge and just stared out into the city as I listened to the sounds of the sirens that passed by, the occasional stray dog barking or people shouting at each other.

“A bit cold to be up here by yourself.” A voice said behind me. I jumped out of my skin and was surprised to see the latest vigilante that had been rumored to be running around Hell’s kitchen.

Unlike the Avengers, this man is said to be brutal against his enemies.  Unleashing his untamable wrath on the scum of Hell’s Kitchen but he never kills them (if you ask me from some of stories I hear, I’m surprised they aren’t dead).

The upper half of his face was covered with a black mask with no holes for his eyes.  Seriously how is he able to see through that material? His whole attire was black with a skin-tight black shirt showing off every bit of muscle on his upperbody, thick black pants and black combat boots.

“Coming from the guy wearing a skin-tight t-shirt.”

“You’ve got a quick wit.”

“Smart-mouth Murdock some of the kids call me at school. That’s why I’m co-Captain of the debate team.”

“Co-captain? I would assume you’d be captain.”

“Well there’s always someone clever than you, not to say he isn’t a good captain but he can be an asshole at times.” He turned to me. If I could see under the mask, I’d assume he’d be judging me for my foul language.  “Pardon my French.”

“I’ve heard worse. Mind if I sit?”

“I’d assume you’d be out there knocking out bad guys. You know kicking ass and taking names.” He let out a scoffed chuckle.

“I prefer not to take names. That’s one difference between the Avengers and me. I would prefer my name to not be publicly known. Not for my sake but for the people around me.”

“I get that.” I replied softly.  “I mean look at Captain America. He shouldn’t even bother with a mask cause everyone knows his name. And don’t get me started on Stark’s public announcement, “I am Iron-man”. No wonder why those aliens came for us if the heroes are publicly announcing to the world ‘hey we’re the big and strong Avengers and you can’t do anything about it’. And next thing you know BAM! Aliens are flying in kamikaze style and nearly blowing us all to hell.”

“A bit cynical for one so young.”

“Sorry. I get snippy and cynical when I’m anxious or stressed.”

“And why’s that?”

“I—” I trailed off.  He slowly scooted closer to me and said to me in a soft assuring manner.

“If you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine. But I’ve been told I’m a pretty good listener. Plus with the mask you won’t get any judgmental looks from me.” I picked at my nails as well as stroking my lower abdomen with my pinkie and ring fingers.

“The whole aspect of catholic guilt it—it’s eating me alive.”

“Catholic guilt?”

“You don’t want to hear this. This is just dumb teenage drama that all adults try to pin us with even when we’re going through some really hard and tough shit. It’s not always just teenage drama we have our own problems that you folks don’t seem to get and—” I went on a ramble until I felt him ground me by placed a hand on top of my shoulder.

“Hold on now, take a deep breath.” I turned to him and even through his black mask, I could almost feel the gentleness of his eyes as he had his body fully turned to me, giving me his full attention.  I slowly but sharply breathed in through my nose before exhaling shakily.

I did this a couple more times until they became deep, steady breaths.

“There we go. I could hear your heart racing erratically and you were on the verge of a panic attack.”

“You—can you really hear a person’s heartbeat? Or are you just messing with me?”

“It’s a long story but I have enhanced senses that allows me to hear better than most.”

“Wow. That is both dope and freaky at the same time.”

“I apologize if it’s invasive. I don’t mean to do it on purpose.”

“Call me crazy but I believe you.” A slight smile came at the corner of his lips.

“So shall we get back to that spill on catholic guilt?” I bowed my head.

“I was kinda hoping you’d forget about that.”

“I don’t mean to push. But I just feel like you want to talk to someone about this. Someone who isn’t a friend.”

“It’s……my dad.”

“Your dad? Wait he—he doesn’t hurt you, does he?”

“No nothing like that. He’s the best. I swear he’s like my best friend, well after Maddie but still he’s sweet, he’s caring, he’s compassionate. He raised me all by himself for so long that I—I’m afraid he won’t be with me anymore.”

“I’m sorry. I mean eventually we all have to die at some point in our lives. But I’m sure that won’t be for a long, long time for your dad. Unless he’s—”

“I’m not talking about losing him to old age or cancer. I’m talking about that he’ll never speak to me again!” I snapped.

God this pregnancy already has got me so antsy that even the slightest thing in my already stressed out mind, can make me explode. He froze in his spot and it looked like his body was tense at my sudden outburst.

“Jesus Christ,” I muttered burying my face into my hands.  “The truth is I—I found out just a week ago, that I’m…..I’m a month and a half pregnant with my boyfriend’s baby.”

If I could see under his mask, I’d bet his eyes are bulging out from underneath the satin material.

“Yeah. Pregnant at 17. Go ahead and make assumptions, call me names.”

“You’re sitting next to a guy who goes around wearing a skin-tight shirt and a mask that beats up bad guys late at night. As far as I’m concerned, I am the last person who should be judging you.” He adjusted in his spot as he asked me, “Does the father know?” I nodded.

“Yeah. He was the first person to find out after my best friend. And he’s been nothing but supportive. Even though we’re just about to graduate high school, he’s willing to help out with anything.”

“It’s just you’re afraid to tell your own father about your pregnancy.”

“Don’t get me wrong he’s a great guy. Like I said never once raised a hand to me, was fair in his punishments when I needed them. And he’s not like those so called ‘preachers of God’ that you see out in the streets proclaiming the Lord’s Will and the End of the world. But—he always told me to be careful especially around boys.”

“Were you careful?”

“Yes! Austin had the condoms and everything! But it still happens you know.”

“No I know. I remember my days in health class.” I shook my head shamefully.

“I just…..it’s always just been me and my dad. My whole life he’s always been there for me. Whenever life got tough, no matter how busy he was, he always took the time to check up on me. Even if it’s just a quick hug or a peck on the nose before calling me his ‘guardian angel’. What if—what if he hates me? Or decides I’m not his sweet guardian angel anymore but a shameful harlot of Lucifer?”

Tears stung behind my lashes and I harshly tried to wipe them away but that caused them to start falling down my face.  I curled myself inward before choking out.

“I need him now more than ever but I—I feel like he won’t be there for me this time. That when I reach my hand out for him, he’ll turn me aside and I’ll be drowning in the unknown world of parenthood. The guilt, the anxiety, forcing us to drift further and further apart from one another until I…..” I sniffled and wiped more tears as well as my nose with my sleeve. “I feel so alone.”

I felt his hand gently stroke down my hair before it moved down to my back, his gloved hand rubbing soothing circles on my back.

“He won’t abandon you. I promise.”

“You can’t promise that.”

“Yes I can.”

“How?” I choked out as I looked up to him.  I saw as his jaw tensed up before he said.

“Because…because I have a daughter.” I looked at him surprised. Of course, superheroes and vigilantes can have their own lives they don’t have to be full-time superheroes 24/7.

But who would’ve thought that the Man in the Mask aka the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen was a parent.

“You’re a……”

“She’s just around your age. And she means—the world to me. I would want her to be able to come to me for anything, to not be afraid to speak to me. But if she ever did feel the same fear you are now, then I’ve failed as a father.”

“No I—I’m sure you didn’t. It would have nothing to do with your parenting skills, it’s just…..I’ve had friends who had parents just as loving as my dad is. But when they admit to something that goes against their religious code, they disown them or try to repent their sins.”

“But you said your father isn’t like those types of people, right?” I nodded.  “I won’t lie. He will be shocked at the news, but give him time to process things and he might just surprise you for what he has to say.”

“I know I should tell him. I can’t hide at Maddie’s forever. But there’s still a lingering voice in my head telling me that when I do tell him, it’ll be the last time I ever see him. I’d give anything to shut that voice up.”

“If you’d like, I could have a word or two with that nagging voice in your head.” That brought probably the first real laugh out of me ever since finding out about my pregnancy.

“I hope those words aren’t with your fists.” He softly laughed.

“No, I mean a real talk. I’d tell it, ‘Alright you negative worm. Stop filling this poor girl’s head with scenarios that aren’t true. Go make like a tree and get out of here!’”

“It’s leaf. It’s make like a tree and leaf.”

“Right that’s it.” I shook my head as I kept laughing.

“You know, you’re not what I’d thought you’d be like.”

“Mean and scary?” I nodded. “Oh to most I’m terrifying but—I have a soft spot for those that are lost. Don’t tell anybody though. Can’t have the scum of Hell’s kitchen thinking I’m too much of a softie.”

“Your secret’s safe with me.”

“As is yours. Now you promise me you’ll tell your father in the morning?”

“Yes. First thing after school.”

“Good.” He said patting my knee.  “It’s late, you should get some sleep. You’re not just sleeping for yourself anymore now.” I rubbed my lower abdomen.  As he walked away and stood along the edge of the roof I told him.

“Thank you.” He turned to face me and gave me a soft nod before leaping off the roof and he disappeared into the night.  I scaled back down the fire escape and re-entered Maddie’s sister’s room and got back into bed.

As promised after school I stood by mine and dad’s apartment and took a deep breath in before exhaling.

“You sure you don’t need me to go in with you anymore baby? You know I don’t mind.” Austin told me.

“No sweetie, I—I need to talk to my dad about this alone.”

“Okay. If he shows leniency, give me a call later?” I nodded. He leaned forward and we kissed each other before he continued on his way home.  I took another deep breath and entered the apartment and headed for the elevator.

Once the elevator dinged on our floor, I walked down the hallway until I reached the apartment room.  Taking out my key I took another deep breath in and muttered.

“Okay, he won’t get mad. He won’t get mad. Just—tell him the truth. He’ll understand. He’s cool, he’s my dad and he loves me.” I placed the key into the lock, turned it to the left and heard the click and opened it up.

“Uh-huh, yeah. Alright yeah we can make it. Yes of course, thank you. Yes and have a good afternoon to you too, bye.” I heard my dad’s voice say as I walked through the front hallway until I got to the spacious (as spacious as a New York apartment in Hell’s kitchen can be).  “Well look whose returned. Finish your project already?”

“Dad I—I gotta tell you something.” I came right out with it.

“Okay, and what would that be?”

“Can we sit down on the couch?” he nodded before walking from the kitchen to the living room as we both sat on the couch.  

“Is everything okay? Are you okay? Did someone hurt you?” he asked as he reached his hands out to cup my face.  I took his hands and held them between us.

“I’m fine dad. Physically I am.”

“And what about emotionally?” he asked concerningly.

“Dad, I…..I lied to you. I wasn’t at Maddie’s for a project.”

“You-you—you lied to me? Then where were y—you weren’t at Austin’s were you? (Y/n) we’ve talked about this you’re not old enough to sleepover at a boy’s……”

“Dad I wasn’t at Austin’s either. I was at Maddie’s just not for a project.”

“Okay then I’m lost. (Y/n) sweetheart you’re starting to scare me. Whatever it is you can tell me, you know that right?” he asked as he scooted himself as close as he could get to me and wrapped his arm around me.

“Dad I—the reason why I was at Maddie’s was because I……I’m—” come on just say it.  I swallowed a large lump in my throat and felt my leg beginning to bounce anxiously. “Promise you won’t get mad.”

“Go on.”

“You didn’t promise.”

“That’ll depend on what news I’ll be hearing. If it’s something illegal you know I won’t be happy.”

“Not really illegal. God I don’t know why I can’t just say it! Why can’t I tell you that I’m a month and a half pregnant!? I—” my mouth stopped as I realized how I had said it.  I looked at my dad anxiously and saw how he just sat there flabbergasted.

“Y-you-you’re…..” he leaned back against the couch and just sat there limp like a ragdoll.

“Daddy? Are you—okay?”

“Just….need to process this.”

“Okay.” I muttered as I fiddled with my uniform skirt.  We sat there in silence for a few minutes before he finally spoke out.

“Is it Austin’s?”

“Yeah. I swear dad we used protection but it—” he held out his hand telling me he didn’t need to hear anything else.  Oh shit this is it. He’s gonna flip his lid, he’s pissed now. Way beyond pissed!

“And you’re sure you’re really pregnant? How did you even get an appointment and why wasn’t I notified?”

“Maddie has an aunt. Her aunt Claire performed the test and she was sworn to secrecy to not notify you.” He rubbed his hands against his face as he let out a deep sigh, his leg bouncing rapidly.  Whether in anger or anxiety I couldn’t tell.

“Baby girl, why-why wouldn’t you tell me when you first found out? Why did you go through all of this trouble to lie to me about it?” my heart ached with guilt as tears began forming in my eyes.

“I’m sorry daddy. I—I was scared. Scared that you’d disown me or kick me out with no remorse or hesitation. Everytime I wanted to tell you, my brain kept showing me all the possibilities of you never wanting me to be in your life ever again. That you’d hate me or never say you had a daughter.”

I couldn’t look at him anymore so I closed myself into the edge of the couch and sniffled as I wiped my tears away.  I felt dad’s hand gingerly stroke down my hair before coming down to lift my chin up.

I noticed how he had taken his red shades off and placed them on the table.  Very rarely does he ever take them off, even around me but when he does, it’s always because he wants to connect with me (even though he’s blind).  His unfocused gaze was staring in my general direction as he said to me.

“I’m not mad at you.”

“Y-you’re not?”

“No. I’m—taken by surprise don’t get me wrong. But it takes more than you getting pregnant at 17 for me to ever, ever, ever, think about disowning you or telling you you’re no longer my child.”

“Really?” I whispered.

“Yes.” He said giving me a nod.  “So don’t ever go thinking like that again, okay?” my lip trembled as I nodded. “Okay?”

“Yeah.” I choked out.

“Okay.” I immediately hugged him as tightly as I could as I buried my face into his shoulder.  His arms immediately wrapped around me as he chuckled softly.

“Oh daddy I’m so sorry I hid this from you!” I wept.

“I know you are angel. It’s okay now, it’s okay.”

“It’s just….I love you so much and I thought you’d—”

“Hey none of that now. There will be no more talk about the paranoid ‘what if’s’ in this apartment. There will never come a time when I tell you to get out of my life or that you aren’t my daughter anymore.” He said as he had me look up at him and he wiped away my tears.  “You’re the most important person to me angel, and nothing will ever change that.”

I buried my face into my dad’s shoulder again and hugged him once again.

“I love you daddy.”

“Alright! Yes!” I heard a man’s voice say as clapping was heard. My eyes widened and I quickly turned to see a man in a deep purple suit standing at the entrance of the alleyway with two gorgeous women at his side as they too applauded.  “That was absolutely tremendous! I thought I was good haha! You are a sight to behold. Wasn’t she amazing?” he asked the two women who nodded. “You bore me, leave.” And they did as he asked.

Shit! Kingpin said no witnesses, I reached for my shuriken but he told me.

“I’d keep put both hands at your sides where I can see them.” Suddenly I felt my arms go at my sides and they felt like lead as I couldn’t move them.  “If you’re worried about me turning you into the police, don’t worry. To be honest one less of them yakuza rats to worry about. I’m cool.”

“Yeah you’re cool.” I found myself saying.  He gave a slight tilt of his head before he said.

“Come here and take that mask off so I can see your face.” Again against my own will, I felt my hands reach for my Bobcat mask and removed it as I walked closer to the man.

He appeared to be around Matt and Foggy’s age, maybe even a bit older.  He had dark brown hair, a five o’clock stubble, and his eyes a dark, empty brown.

“Jesus you’re just a kid. A kid willing to do that much damage to a man twice her size. I can see it in your eyes.” He cupped my chin and had me look up at him.  “Ohhh yes. I know those eyes anywhere. Rage, vengeance. Just like me at your age. Tell me how old are you?”

“16.”

“16. Yes the prime age for a young woman but here you are. Kicking ass and taking names.” The smile that spread across his face sent a shiver of fear up my spine as his empty eyes shined a slimmer of a crazed, psychotic look.  “Tell me this, did you enjoy killing that man?” he asked as he finally let go of my chin.

“Yes.” I responded coldly.

“Hmm-mm, why’s that?”

“Because it gets me closer to my goal.” I replied. “Avenging my mother.” His eyes slightly widened as he was gobsmacked at my statement before he said.

“Well…..so sorry to hear that. What’s your name?”

“Bobcat.”

“No, no, no not your superhero name, your real name.” I hesitated until my name suddenly rolled off my tongue.

“(Y/n) Perry.”

“Perry? Well…..no wonder why you looked so familiar. You are practically a resemblance of her.”

“You knew my mother?” I asked as my heart skipped a beat.

“It seems we have a lot to talk about. There’s a good Thai restaurant around the corner, join me for supper.” He extended his hand out to me. I stood there in my spot looking between him and his hand. “Come on.” He softly ordered and soon I walked up to him but just before I could take his hand, he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and guided me down the dark streets of Hell’s kitchen.

When we got to the restaurant, he ordered all the costumers to leave and told the workers to bring out everything they had and to not question my attire.  I ate the last of my fried rice before sipping my water.

“Yep. Nothing like a nice meal after performing feats of vengeance.” He said to me.

“How do you know my mother?”

“Oh wow straight to business, okay fine. Guess I’ve kept you in suspense long enough.” He cupped the side of my face. “God you really do look so much like her when we first met. Same eyes, same mouth, even your skin feels like hers.” I got uncomfortable hearing that part.  “Been 16 years late to say this but, (Y/n) Perry….the name’s Kilgrave, I’m your father.”

My heart stopped, my eyes widened and my head was swirling.

I quickly stood up but he ordered me.,

“Sit back down.” Immediately I sat back down and even scooted my chair back into the table, my eyes never once leaving him.  “I know this is all a bit of a shock, believe me how do you think I feel? But it’s true.”

“How do you know? Any man could claim they’re my dad.”

“True. Most men could, but they can’t say they’ve got official records, can they?” he pulled out a folded piece of paper from his purple jacket and slid it over to me.  “Go on, take it.” I took the paper and unfolded it to reveal what looked like an official copy of my birth certificate.

Now I have seen the copy my mom had but for some reason she had the name of the father blacked out.  When I was younger, I did ask about my father but she always refused to tell me about him until one day she told me that he left us with nothing and wanted nothing to do with us.

But this certificate didn’t have my father’s name blacked out and there I saw his name. Kevin Thompson.

“Kevin Thompson is my legal name but I’ve longed forbidden anyone from calling me that.” He told me.

“It could’ve been forged. I have friends who could do this and make it legal.”

“You’re a smart girl, I’ll give your mother that much for not raising an idiot.” I narrowed my eyes and softly growled. “Stop that.” He ordered me as he then took out another piece of paper.  “This here is an authentic, 100% guarantee DNA test. Performed by the Hell’s Kitchen ancestry agency. Don’t ask how I got yours just know I have my ways.” He handed me the paper which I took and opened it up.

According to the Ancestry and Family Bonds society of Hell’s Kitchen, the tests show that (Y/n) Perry and Kevin Thompson, provided DNA hair samples, are 99.998% a match.

I was in shock.  I leaned against the chair dropping the paper to the ground as I said solemnly.

“She lied to me.” Kilgrave, who had gotten up and got himself some liquor from the back and poured himself a drink.  “She told me that you abandoned us.”

“Not to speak ill of the dead, but your mother has been lying to you ever since she stole you away from me when she was pregnant with you.”

“Why would she do that?” I asked.

“Because she somehow believed that I would hurt the two of you. Listen to me (Y/n), hey,” he leaned forward cupping my face in his hands. “Your mother, through whatever delusion she thought, I never once hurt her. I loved her. I cared so much for her, I gave her the world. But then she—packed up and left me. And when she found out she was pregnant with you, she did everything in her legal power to keep me away from you.”

“You loved her?”

“She was the Éowyn to my Faramir. Both of us being kept back by society or mistreated by our families. I tried….everything in my power to see you but……but then I heard what happened to her.” Tears formed in my eyes as I tried to look away.  “Ohh darling.” He wiped the tears hidden at the corner of my eyes as he gingerly shushed me.  “I cannot imagine what was going through your head the day she was found. What your heart was feeling.”

“I was lost……broken……but mostly I was angry. I’m still angry. I wanna kill him. I wanna tear him apart. To make him feel every ounce of hurt he made me feel.” I first said solemnly before my sorrow turned to hate.  

“And you believe this Wilson Fisk can give it to you?” he asked me.

“He promised me.”

“The way I see it. He can get you part of the way there. You may find the guy who did it, but you won’t get him to confess. He’ll deny it until he either dies without admitting it, or not share every last little thing he did to your mother. Things that only the killer himself knows.” I looked at him perplexed.

“You can teach me to do that?” he smiled softly and stroked a strand of hair out of my face.

“Isn’t that what all fathers do for their children? Help them achieve their goals.” He stood up and extended his hand out to me.  I took it and he helped me stand up as I asked him how he could help me.  “You can start, by getting rid of that.” He pointed to my neck.

I reached and touched the chain but clenched it in my hand refusing to let it go.  It was my mother’s Evanstar necklace, I had taken it just before they buried her (Mahoney allowed me to take it after they recovered her remains instead of it being put into evidence).

“C’mon (Y/n). you need to let it go.” My hands reached back and I unclasped the lock and removed the necklace which showed the Evanstar pendant shining at me from the light.  My father held out his hand and I set the necklace down in his palm before he put it away in his pocket.  “That’s my girl. Now c’mere and give your father a hug like you mean it.” I ran into his arms and squeezed him as tight as I could.  “I’m here now (Y/n). I’ll always be here.” He said to me as he embraced me just as tightly.

Soon I found myself being trained by my father in the act of ‘verbal persuasion’ or so he called it.  It’s basically what he can do (after sharing with me the gruesome backstory of what his parents, my grandparents) did to him.

I tried my best but nothing I said to any of the volunteers he had set up for me followed my directions.  And it would only be a matter of time before Fisk suddenly came back into the picture.  When he had sent the cops he had under his thumb into father’s house, he ordered me to run and forget everything about our meeting but that he’d find me again soon when the time was right.

After fleeing from the house, I soon forgot just why I was running, the cops took me back to Fisk, I got a stern talking to but he sent me back out into the world.  And of course you know the rest from there.

*End of flashback*

It was pitch black outside by the time we reached the cabin. Well when I say cabin it looked more like a castle.  Multi-level (2-3 levels), clear glass windows, a grand balcony on the second floor that spread pretty much across the entire house, and a stone chimney and stone pillars that held it up from the floor to the grand balcony.

Father turned the car off and said.

“We’re here.” I looked at the cabin mansion and he asked me, “Too much? It is too much isn’t it.”

“No, no I—it’s lovely I just…..”

“Just what?”

“Will they find us? They’ll be looking for me. I-I shouldn’t have left.”

“Now, now relax, hey look at me.” He cupped my chin and forced me to look him in the eye.  “They won’t find us. In fact they’ve forgotten all about your case. Remember what I told you I can do, what we can do.” My breath was shaky as I exhaled but nodded.  “Let me hear you say it, it’s all taken care of.”

“It’s all taken care of.” I repeated.

“That’s my girl.” He then got out of the car and I followed behind him.  As we rounded toward the cabin, I felt his arm wrap around my shoulders bringing me closer to him as we walked inside together.

Inside it was even grander than I could imagine.  It was like living in a castle with all the expensive vases scattered around, the paintings and marble statues that looked like they belonged in a museum.  A large staircase stood at the center of the living room.

“(Y/n) Perry, my pride and joy, I’d like to welcome you to your new home.” Said Father as he gestured to the manor.  I looked around in awe as I walked along the grand living room.

“All of this is—”

“It’s all ours. Nothing’s too good for my girl, right? And speaking of, Ivy!” soon a woman in her mid-50’s maybe even early 60’s with short grey hair came out from the back hallway and she said.

“Yes sir?” her accent was thick, possibly she could’ve been from Ukraine or Russia.

“Take my daughter upstairs to her new room and have her change clothes. Make sure to burn this atrocious jumpsuit the pigs forced on her.” He said as he came up to me placing his hand on my shoulder and giving it a rub as well as a squeeze.

“Yes sir.” He looked down at me and I up at him.

“I expect to see you for dinner in 10 minutes.”

“Yes father.” I said as I walked towards Ivy and she lead me up the stairs and into my room.

My new room was twice as big than any of the apartment rooms I’ve had in the past.  A large king sized bed, a large wooden wardrobe (that almost looked like it came from Narnia), some bookshelves with all my favorite books and authors, as well as some Tolkien collections like Bilbo’s party sign, the flag of Rohan hanging just over my bed, and some of my favorite character posters like Aragorn’s movie poster holding Andúril in front of him, Éowyn stabbing the Witch King of Angmar, and Merry and Pippin riding on Treebeard.

“Come Ms. Kilgrave, we best get you ready.” We walked in and I removed the orange jumpsuit as well as the white t-shirt and shorts I had also been given to wear.  Ivy collected the prison clothes and wound them up into a ball to be burned just as father had commanded.  She then went into the wardrobe and got out a beautiful red blouse with black leggings and black flats.  “Your father wishes for you to look presentable at dinner.”

“Do you work for my father willingly? Or did he order you to do this?” I asked her.

“Your father has done me better than my previous job. Same with the rest of employees here. I was about to be evicted from my home and have my son taken away by Child Services because of our financial situation. Your father is a good man who just wants to help you, and I’d do anything to help him achieve that. From a mother to a father.”

I nodded and got on the clothes she had picked out and then she had me sit before a large mirror that almost looked to be silver and she began to brush my hair of the tangles and knots from my lack of sleep and stress I had been through the past few days.

Once I looked more presentable, she lead me back downstairs to a grand dining area with a large, long table and a roaring fireplace to the right of the table.

“Cutting it kinda of close aren’t we Ivy?” father said looking down at his phone before glancing back up at her.

“Sorry sir, it took a while to get her hair brushed and braided.”

“Are you criticizing my daughter?”

“No! No sir absolutely not!” she said worriedly.

“Leave us now.” He said.  She nodded before immediately walking away.  “C’mon, don’t be shy darling, come here so I can have a better look at you.” He said turning his chair toward me.  I walked towards him and when I got close enough, he took my hand and moaned softly. “Now that’s much better, don’t you feel better without those horrid prison scrubs on?”

“Yes.”

“Take a seat, eat. Armani is serving up your favorite Italian dish.” Father said as I sat down beside him.  Soon the chef Armani came out wheeling our food out on silver platters on a large tray.  He set the platters down before us then removed the lids to reveal a beautifully made fettuccini alfredo with some breadsticks.

It smelled incredible and it made my mouth almost water. I reached out for the breadsticks first and took a single bite of them and immediately I fell into the pleasure of just how warm and soft this bread was.  Within seconds the breadstick was gone and I went over to the alfredo.

“Someone was clearly hungry, just what is it they serve you in prison?”

“School food is worse.” Father softly laughed and said.

“I’ll bet it is. But no more of that now, just full on 5 star meals three times a day. Like I said, nothing’s too good for my best girl.” He reached out and stroked the back of my head.  I paused my eating and felt my stomach turn in knots.  “What’s wrong? Is it not prepared right? I swear if you end up sick, I’ll have Armani cut off each of his fingers one by one!” he threatened angrily.

“No, no the food’s wonderful father. The finest I’ve ever had, it’s just…..”

“Just what?” I looked away from him nervously.  “Just what? Look at me and tell me (Y/n).” I looked up at him and said.

“What if the Kingpin stops us like last time? Or the police who aren’t under his thumb find us?”

“I told you darling, no one is going to find us. They’ve forgotten all about this case, now you just need to forget about it. Forget about what they’ve told you, who was involved, everything.”

“Even Jessica Jones?”

“Especially Jessica Jones.” I trailed off thinking about Uncle Matt, Uncle Foggy and Aunt Karen.

“And my family?”

“Your family?” father questioned.

“Aunt Karen, Uncle Foggy and…..and uncle Matt. They were all involved with the case, do I have to forget about them too?”

“Yes. You don’t know those people anymore, they aren’t your family.”

“But—”

“Don’t!” he snapped angrily but caught himself and exhaled sharply.  “The only family you have is me. Okay (Y/n)? There’s no Karen you know, no Foggy, what the hell kind of name is that anyways by the way? And above all else, there is no Matt Murdock you know. Do you understand?”

“Yes father.”

“Let me hear you say it.”

“There is no Karen Page, no Foggy Nelson, and no Matt Murdock that I know.” Father’s hands cupped the sides of my face and he said.

“That’s my good girl. I’m proud of you.” He pressed his forehead against mine and I felt his strength pour into me as my mind went blank from any memories I had of those three names until there was nothing left of them.

*3rd Person POV*

In Matt’s apartment, he was pacing back and forth in a panicked manner while Foggy and Karen sat on his couch and Jessica Jones was leaning up against the wall, her arms crossed over her chest.

“This can’t be happening. First Kingpin and now Kilgrave? I can’t even imagine who is worse to have her.” Karen said.

“I may not know Kingpin as personally as you guys but if I had to put my money somewhere, I’d prefer the kid be with him than with that manipulative son of a bitch.” Jessica said.

“But why? Why does he want her? At least Fisk had a reason even for as terrible of a reason it was, but how does Kilgrave fit into all of this?” Foggy asked.

“He’s right this doesn’t make any sense. What use could he have for (Y/n)?” Karen said.

“Think I found the reason.” Jessica said.  “See I’ve been doing some digging into your kid’s mom, your former partner. Did any of you ever hear her speak of (Y/n)’s father?”

“No. She never liked to talk about it.” Foggy said.

“Yeah. One girl’s night we went out for drinks and I got curious about it and asked her but she kept trying to change the subject. She even got defensive about it telling me to drop—wait. Jessica you’re not saying……” Karen started off, then her investigative brain began to piece together where Jessica was going with it.

“What? What is it Karen?”

“Perhaps I better take over from here. So like I said, I did some digging into your partner’s past. Birthplace, credit card info, any property she’s bought or rented, everything and Murdock will you stop pacing like that?! You’re literally gonna fall through the way you’re stomping around like an elephant.”

“Stop? How can I stop when (Y/n) is out there being held hostage by someone even worse than Wilson Fisk!? Jones you promised me you’d keep an eye on her. You said you’d keep her safe!”

“And I did…..”

“Then where is she!?” Matt exclaimed frantically. “Because she’s not with Mahoney nor are you with her!? A prison riot allowed a man who has the ability to manipulate one’s mind and actions to his own will, come in and kidnap her! And the police can’t look for her because they were ordered not to! Those were your words right?”

“Look Murdock, I don’t like this anymore than you do. But pacing there festering in your pity anger and pointing the blame at me won’t help us find her quicker.”

“She’s right Matt. You hadn’t slept all night nor any time since this whole case opened up against (Y/n).” Foggy said.  Matt exhaled sharply but trudged over to his chair and sat down in a huff.

“Talk Jones.”

“You’re lucky I’m letting the attitude slide this one time.”

“Talk!”

“Matt, easy. Go on Jessica.” Karen first eased Matt before turning back to Jessica.  Jessica pulled out some files from her bag and pulled out some DNA test results, pictures of Kilgrave from over 17 years ago, and (Y/n)’s birth certificate.

“Seems your former partner had some secrets she didn’t want let out. Kilgrave is (Y/n)’s birth father.”

The three of them turned to Jessica in shock.

“Paternity and DNA tests were used by Kilgrave himself, don’t ask me how he managed to get a hold of hers you honestly don’t want to know. That creep always finds a way. But these documents of a restraining order against Kilgrave for one (M/n) Perry around the time when she would be pregnant with (Y/n) sealed it for me. I even managed to get a hold of some of the medical staff that helped deliver (Y/n). They told me how Kilgrave even showed up at the delivery to try and take (Y/n) away from her. But thanks to the approved restraining order, they immediately called the cops. Of course the bastard told them to shoot themselves before he could be taken away. That’s when SWAT was called and the hospital was forced to be on lockdown.”

“Oh Jesus.” Foggy muttered shaking his head solemnly.  He couldn’t even begin to imagine the horror his deceased best friend had to go through in order to deliver (Y/n).

“How did they finally get him to leave if he can make anyone do what he wants?”

“Tranquilizer darts. If you ask me, they should’ve put a bullet through his head though. But of course the weasel wormed his way out of trial but then he never went after them again. Until a year and a half ago I took this picture of him with (Y/n).” she placed down a photo of the two of them at the Thai food restaurant.  Karen picked up the picture and she said.

“This was taken around the time she was missing. When she was training with Fisk.”

“Seems the kid’s double dipped. Because she ended up staying with father-dearest for a good 2 months before your boy Fisk got her back.” Matt stood up and grabbed his cane and headed towards the door.

“Where the hell are you going?” Jessica snapped but Matt didn’t respond, the only response he did give was the loud slam of his front door.

He walked out before hailing down a taxi and told the driver to go to the Hell’s Kitchen cemetery.  The driver drove through the traffic, all the while Matt’s leg wouldn’t stop bouncing as so many thoughts were going through his head.

“You want me to help you find the tombstone you’re looking for sir?” asked the cab driver.

“Thanks for the offer but I got it. I—know her tombstone by touch.” After a few more minutes of weaving in and out of traffic, the cab driver soon arrived at the cemetery and Matt paid the cab driver his amount before getting out and walking forward.

Using his sense of touch he touched each and every grave stone (even though he remembered exactly where she was buried, but for the sake of those who were there, he kept up the facade).  Until he finally felt the tombstone of the one he had been searching for. His former partner’s and best friend’s (M/n) Perry.

He fell to his knees before her tombstone as tears formed behind his red shades.  His lip trembled as he said.

“I failed you.” He shook his head in regret.  “You asked me to watch over her, and I—I failed you. I’m sorry (M/n). I know you had your reasons for not telling us about her father, but he—he has her. And I don’t know what to do. I know who he is but it—the only way to stop him is to kill him. And I can’t do that, I just can’t. I don’t know if you ever did know of who I am at night but I can’t kill him. Yet he must die.”

He knew Kilgrave and Fisk were two completely different people. Fisk may have had the power of persuasion but he only does it the way normally, rich powerful people can do it. Kilgrave, he’s practically on a mutant level of a threat.  One word and he can have someone slice their throat or take another’s life.  Hell that day when (Y/n) was born he could’ve had everyone, including (M/n) shot by the very police assigned to arrest him.

And people like him don’t go down so easily unless you call the Avengers, and he most certainly did not want that.  

He reached out and touched her gravestone and stroked down it until he felt her name.  “I know God won’t answer my prayers so I hope you can, please (M/n). I need a true angel on my side, what do I do now? Tell me what I need to do.”

But all he got was the soft whistle of the wind, other than that all was quiet.  He shook his head angrily as he sighed heavily and gripped the grass beneath him before standing up and walked away.

All throughout the day both Jessica, Foggy and Karen were doing research in order to find just where Kilgrave could’ve taken (Y/n) all the while Matt was getting changed into his Daredevil suit to go out and look for her.

“Any of you ladies coming up with something?” asked Foggy.

“Nope.” Replied Karen.

“I’ve been hacking into the security cams all around Hell’s kitchen but I’m coming up with jack shit. Can’t find the car he drove in or anything. Slick bastard must’ve had someone delete them beforehand.” Right as Matt came out placing his gloves on and holding the mask underneath his arm Karen stood up and said.

“Wait, wait, wait, wait I think I got something.” Everyone gathered around her and she opened up a security footage from the Forest Lodge hotel in upstate New York.  The very same cabin lodge where Kilgrave had taken (Y/n).  “This was taken sometime last night. A man coming in carrying a huge suitcase. See there he is giving it to the manager. And next thing you see is the entire staff leaving the lodge.”

“That’s him. That is him the bastard. He must’ve bought the hotel and removed the staff. He pulled this move with me when he bought back my childhood home. The bastard’s grooming her.”

“We have to call Mahoney and get the police up there.” Foggy said.

“No it’s too risky. We can’t risk any innocent people getting killed or becoming killers themselves.” Jessica said.

“She’s right. I’ll go.” Matt said.

“By yourself?” both Karen and Foggy said.

“You can’t take him on by yourself Murdock, trust me. And with your whole ‘no kill code’ he’ll play you on that weakness.” Jessica said.

“Then maybe that’s what I have to do.” At hearing this, Foggy and Karen’s hearts sunk and they were taken back by what Matt had just said, while Jessica was stunned to hear such a confession from the ‘good catholic boy’ Matt Murdock.

“You can’t be serious Matt.”

“He’s not like Fisk, Foggy. He’s not powerful in the sense of money or who he is, he’s powerful for his power. Much like Jessica….”

“Do not compare that asshole to me!” Jessica snapped furiously.

“He was forced to have these powers. One word is all it takes for him just walk freely and no one would be able to question it. This is what (M/n) wanted of me to do to protect (Y/n).”

“But it was also to show her that revenge isn’t the answer!” Foggy snapped.  “We’ll get her back Matt, but we need to think this through carefully.”

“I can’t wait anymore Foggy. I—I made a promise to her. To both Perry’s. I already lost one I—can’t lost another one. I can’t.” he put on his mask and without another word, he quickly raced up toward the staircase that led to the rooftop and left them in the dust.

“That stupid fucking idiot. He’s gonna get himself killed. I’ll go after him, you two stay here and call your detective friend Mahony but also get in touch with Hogarth. I don’t like the bitch but she’s got something that might help with the officers arresting Kilgrave safely, if he isn’t already dead.”

“We’re going with you!” Karen said.

“I already got one idiot out there, I don’t need two more. You two are clearly smarter than Murdock is right now. Look I know where his head’s at cause I’ve been there. And if Kilgrave can control him, he’s gonna need me to snap him out of it. If by some miracle he can’t control Murdock, god save him from the wrath of the Devil that’s coming for him.”

“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. But it’s nothing compared to the fury of a father willing to do anything for his child.” Foggy said. “Ever since we first met her, Matt’s always been closer to (Y/n) than I have. I always see the way he looks at her, talks about her. He loves her like she was his own daughter, and ever since (M/n) died, he always kept saying how he promised her that he’d protect her. Be the parental figure she has left.”

But just as father opened the door there stood a man in what looked like a red suit? The horns on the cowl made me think I was looking at the Devil himself, and the red framing around the eyes didn’t help my heartrate any better.

And his posture—dear god his posture was so intimidating as each breath he took was sharp and heavy.  Father hid me behind him and he ordered the man.

“You will leave this cabin, forget everything you’ve seen and never bother us again.” But the man stood firm in his spot.  I noticed how father’s face was shocked to see that his powers hadn’t worked. “Did you not hear what I said?! I said you will leave—” the man threw something long and metal at my father right at his head knocking him down to the ground motionless.

“Father! Father! Father wake up.”

“(Y/n).” the man said to me.  I looked up at him fearfully and watched as he slowly walked closer to me. I looked around and found his weapon and threw it at him but he caught it instantly before setting it as well as the other stick down.  “(Y/n) it’s alright. I’m not going to hurt you, you know that.”

“No I don’t!” I whimpered.

“Yes you do. Your mother and I were friends. I know you’re scared but you don’t have to be afraid of me.” I ran towards the main living room and grabbed an ashtray, some pens, a couple of gaming pieces from a chess board, pillows, anything I could grab and just started throwing them at the Devil.

“Get out of our house! Get out! Leave us alone! You’re not welcome here!” unlike last time when he caught his own weapon, the man shielded himself and took the hits I was tossing at him.  If he was such a threat that he could knock my father unconscious, why wasn’t he fighting back with me.

“(Y/n). Wait, please, (Y/n) stop. I’m not…..STOP IT!!!” his sudden outburst made me stop my throwing and I quickly raced over to one of the grand pillars and hide behind it.  “(Y/n), (Y/n) wait I’m sorry. I-I didn’t mean to shout I…..”

“Please don’t hurt me.” I whimpered as tears ran down my face. The man stood there stunned as he said as he slowly approached me.

“I would never hurt you. I-I would never, ever dream of hurting you (Y/n). I’m…..” slowly he reached up for his cowl and removed it to reveal a man with dark hair and brownish eyes.  He set the cowl down on the table and turned to me, but I noticed something strange about the way he looked at me.

Normally when you look at someone, especially with the way his voice was trembling, there is direct eye contact.  But this man wasn’t looking me directly in the eyes, he was looking in my general direction yes but not directly into my eyes.  Was he blind? No he-he couldn’t be. How could a blind man do what he had just done?

“I made a promise to your mother, I promised her I’d take care of you. Please (Y/n), I don’t know what he’s said to you but you must remember. Look at me, remember my little hobbit.” Little hobbit? That’s what my mother used to call me.

“Take him down Bobcat!” as soon as Father’s voice said that command, my fear suddenly turned off and all I saw was red.  I ran at the man and pounced on him, wrapped my legs around his neck, and using my momentum I managed to flip him down onto the ground. I got off of him and got into my Bobcat attack stance (which was get low to the ground, right leg extended outward, one hand on the floor in front of me and my right hand outward with my fingers curled inward like I had claws as I growled lowly).

A growl that was inhuman as I glared up at my prey.  The man slowly got up and looked at me in shock.

“Quit playing with your food Bobcat and kill him!” Father’s voice shouted.  I leapt out at the man and the two of us rolled across the floor until I had him pinned to the ground, my hand over his head exposing the jugular vein.  I knew where to take him down from here, all I needed to do was deliver the final bite.

But the man put him a good fight by trying to keep me away from his neck but I would claw his hands or arms with my nails before trying to lean back down to his neck.  This prey proved more than my last victims but he still needed to die, he couldn’t live anymore.

“Let him go Bobcat.” Father’s voice soon said.  I stopped my attack but refused to get off of my prey.  I roared animalistically at him, baring my teeth at him as I roared and Father ordered me again, “Back off!” reluctantly I got off of the man and came back over to Father’s side putting my hands behind my back and standing at attention.

Father stroked down my hair before brushing his fingers across my jawline and he said.

“Go out to the cliffs and wait for me there.” I turned and walked out of the lodge and headed towards the cliffs.

*3rd Person POV*

Kilgrave turned to Matt and walked up to him as Matt slowly got up.

“I must say I am impressed. Not only can you resist my power but for a blind man to do all this damage, who would’ve thought? Unless you’re not really blind cause if you are that’s just plain wrong.” Matt refused to answer him as he looked up at him and glared daggers at him.  “Strong, silent type. Well no matter. Tell you what, let’s have a little chat about our girl, ehh?”

“What did you do to her?” Matt asked.

“I haven’t done anything. She’s my daughter and she was just trying to protect her father.”

“You’re lying!” Matt hissed.

“Oh right yeah you’ve got that umm….what is it? Echo-location or whatever so you can tell when a person’s lying. Yeah my baby girl told me about that when we first met, so…..yeah you’re right that was a lie. But like I always said, children need discipline, and my daughter’s the most obedient child there ever will be.”

“She’s not an animal you can control to your whim! She’s a living, human child! With feelings and flaws!”

“Well of course I know that. But it is nice to have a little insurance. And when I first saw her as the Bobcat, ohhhh it was perfect leniency I needed.”

“You made her kill that couple, you set this all up.”

“Surprise!” Kilgrave mocked cheered.  At this point Matt wanted to strangle Kilgrave and end his life but there was a pull at his head that if he did, he could call (Y/n) back and he couldn’t dream of ever hurting her.

“What was all this for?”

“I’m glad you asked, you see ever since (M/n) took every legal way to ensure I would never see my daughter again, I began to wonder what if there was a way to surrender one legal way over to me? After her death, I knew there was one way that the law would have to get me to my child again. And that’s where you come into play, Mr. Murdock.” Kilgrave explained as he walked over to the main desk and pulled out some files and set them down.

“You…..want me to sign away my legal Guardianship.” Matt replied.

“She did name you legal Guardian over my daughter. So what you say Matt Murdock? From one father to another.” Matt finally stood up and said.

“I would rather be hang from a gibbet and left to the sports of the crows than surrender (Y/n) to the likes of you.”

“I was really hoping you wouldn’t say that because I really didn’t want to do this but if you don’t, you leave me no choice.” He then pulled out a small remote and he continued, “Our girl has a bluetooth device in her ear, at the press of this button a recording of my voice will play for her to jump off the cliff to her very death.”

“You wouldn’t…..”

“Not only that but one of my security guards will then shoot me dead right in the head. Symbolizing that we will be together even in death as a father and daughter should be.”

“You’d be willing to throw away her life just so no one can have her! Jones was right, you are a deranged psychopath.”

“I’m willing to do anything to be with my daughter again, I’ve missed 16 years of her life and no one will take her form me again!” Kilgrave’s voice gradually got louder before he screamed out the last part of his confession. “But if you sign these papers, she will live.”

Matt honed in on Kilgrave’s heartbeat and found that he was actually telling the truth.

“You must also be aware that once you do sign them, you can never be with her again. No amount of your lawyering practice or whatever alliance you have with the good cops, (Y/n) Kilgrave is mine and mine alone.”

“I know the laws of how guardianship and legal rights to parenting work.” Matt said.  He walked over towards Kilgrave who held out a pen with his free hand while the other one holding the remote kept a steady hovering presence over the button to play the recording.

Matt took the pen and reluctantly began to sign his name at the bottom of the braille line.  As he paused mid-way he just had to ask in order to stall for time, but he also knew from Jessica that Kilgrave did like to brag about certain things.

“Her mother. What happened to her that night on the bridge?”

“Such a cause, a true mother to the end. She really did love our child even though she had my blood surging through her veins. But it was all worth it, when I made her cut off as many of her own limbs before she died.” Matt then began to picture his best friend, his partner and co-worker being forced to cut her own limbs one by one.

A slow, agonizing death.  Probably even being forced to not scream as she did it or not die before she was found in the manner she had been found.  Now the killer finally had a face, after almost 4 years he had his partner’s killer right before him.

As he felt Kilgrave take the papers, with quick reflexes, Matt stabbed Kilgrave with the pen just short of the junction where his neck met his shoulder.  Using this moment of his pain, he then grabbed the arm that held the remote and he twisted it behind him forcing him to release it.

“Her name is (Y/n) Perry and she will never be yours as long as I am standing!” Matt growled before he stomped on the remote breaking it. Kilgrave snarled before exclaiming.

“Shoot him! Shoot him now!” next thing Matt knew, gunfire was going off as the glass windows of the lobby began to explode and the rapid gunfire continued.  Pressing his hand against his injury, Kilgrave made his escape into the woods leaving Matt to fend for himself, or in his hopes be dead while he took care of his daughter.

*My POV*

The sound of the water crashing below the cliff’s edge rang through the early morning sky.  The soft wind blew across my face when I heard Father’s voice say.

“(Y/n) darling come back to me now.” Suddenly my demeanor changed from Bobcat back to normal.  I turned around and raced towards Father and embraced him but felt him groan in pain.

“Father, you’re injured what’s happened?”

“I’ll be alright darling, it’s just a small prick.”

“Did that man do this to you?”

“Like I said, it’s nothing you need to worry about. In fact I don’t think we’ll ever be seeing him again.” He brushed his fingers against my cheek before he said.  “But I’m afraid this isn’t a safe haven for us anymore my darling.”

“Where will we go now?” I asked.

“Just follow my exact directions, okay?” I nodded.  “Turn around and I want you to walk until your feet are just towards the edge.”

“But—”

“Do as your father commands my love.” He said calmly but kept a strong eye contact with me.  I turned around and followed his orders.  I turned to face him but he told me again, “Don’t look back darling. Just straight ahead.” I walked and walked until I was just at the edge of the cliff, the tips of my feet just barely skimming the edge.

“Father, I….I don’t like this.”

“It’ll be alright darling. And you know Father knows best.” Suddenly I felt myself being pushed over the edge and I fell down the cliff screaming as my body scrapped and slid down the rocky cliff until what felt like halfway, I was miraculously saved by a hanging tree that caught my right arm and my feet were able to stand on just a bit of rock.

The sound of rocks and pebbles falling off the cliff and heading down the rest of the way toward the rushing water.  I slowly twisted myself around and gripped onto the rocks that were above me as tightly as I could and tried my best to not look down or even move fearing that one slip would send me the rest of the way down toward the rocks and the rising water.

“Father?” I called up to him.

“It’ll be okay darling, this is the only way we can truly be together.” Slowly I looked up to see father standing over the edge with a large rock in his hands as he slowly raised it up.

“Father please, please no…..” a yell was soon heard as I saw my father being tackled by the man in red once again.  I heard them scuffle with each other and I heard the man say down to me.

“Hold on (Y/n)!”

“Shut up!” Father screamed at him as he tackled the man and the two of them continued to scuffle with each other.  I gripped onto the rock and slowly began to pull myself up and inch by inch I slowly climbed up the cliff’s edge until I was almost at the top.

As I pulled myself up, I saw Father hit the man in the head with a large rock and roll over on top of him but just before he could slam the rock into his head, the man dodged it and punched Father right in his teeth.

“I’ll kill you. I’ll kill you fucking bastard!” Father growled deeply as he began choking the man but the man held him back and managed to roll him over.  Both men trying to overpower the other by being on top, but what they both didn’t know was that they were heading for the edge of the cliff.  

I pulled myself up and ran towards them and just as they both screamed about to fall to their deaths, I reached out and grabbed both of them. The two of them hanging over the cliff and I was their only lifeline.  I looked at the man in red and seeing his face from the faint light of the early lights of dawn rising, something was starting to click in my head.

“(Y/n). (Y/n) darling, you need to let him go.”

“No I….I can do this! Hang on!”

“He’s not your family, (Y/n) darling. I need your other hand.”

“No (Y/n) please!” the man said to me.  I turned to him and his blind gaze held fear and heartbreak as he looked at my general direction.  “He’s using you, I know you’re not a killer.”

“He’s not your father (Y/n)! Remember, Father knows best. Now please love, give me your other hand.” I looked between the two of them and I could feel the man in the devil’s suit’s grip beginning to slip.  I tried to hold onto his glove tighter but ever so slowly he was starting to slip.

“No. No!”

“(Y/n), I love you darling. I need you to help me please.” Father said.

“(Y/n),” the man said to me.  “I…..I’ll be okay.” Those were his only words.  He didn’t even try to plea or beg for his life, the only thing he could say in his potentially final moments were that he would be okay. I turned to father and whimpered.

“Father…..” as the tears slid down my face I let him go and used my other hand to grab hold of the man in red.  My father’s screams echoing throughout the cliff’s side until they were silenced.

I let out a cry as I heaved the man up and over to the cliff’s edge.  With his help, he managed to help me help him up, once he felt his foot was up along the cliff’s edge, he pulled himself up the rest of the way and stood close to me, our arms still wrapped around over each other as we looked down at the water.

As the first rays of dawn began to hit the earth, I could see the faint body of my now deceased father being washed away by the currents. I wept but felt the man embrace me and turn my head away from the water.  His left hand stroking through my hair while his right rubbed soothing circles along my back and I heard him softly hum the Shire theme song.

The last thing I heard before I felt myself pass out from exhaustion was the sound of a car being driven up toward us.

*3rd Person POV*

After the whole Kilgrave manor lodge incident and the authorities taking down Kilgrave’s death as a manner of self-defense, (Y/n) was resting in Matt Murdock’s bed, her body almost appearing child-like with how small she made herself.

“Whatever she went through with Kingpin, it’ll be nothing compared to what Kilgrave did to her. Plus she’ll have to live with the fact she’ll forever have the knowledge that she’s his daughter.” Jessica said to Matt.

“He may have been her birth father, but he was never her dad.” Matt said.  “(M/n) knew that much, and now she can finally be at peace knowing her killer has been put down.”

“Never thought I’d hear you say something like this Murdock.” Jessica poked at him.

“Like you said, Kilgrave had the power to control anyone he wants. No amount of legal force would be able to stop him. Took him 16 years to try when he first sought her out. And he planned this whole year and a half to get her again and he nearly succeeded.”

“Fortunately he didn’t count on one thing.” Jessica said as she took a swig of one of Matt’s cheap beers.  “She had a Guardian Devil on her side. And hell hath no fury than a father’s loyalty.” She stood up and walked out of Matt’s apartment.

Matt turned back to (Y/n) and walked towards her before sitting right beside her.  He adjusted the blankets back over her until she was completely covered once again but just before his hand left her shoulder, he felt her grip onto his wrist.

From all the times he’s been with her and seen her in this position since her mother’s death, he knew just how broken yet desperate her facial expression was for human contact.  Without a single word, Matt got onto the other side of her and she cuddled up close to his chest as Matt’s arms wrapped around her.  He kissed the top of her head as he proceeded to rub her back up and down in the soothing motion he knew she liked.

“Nin meleth le ada.” He heard her softly whisper.  Matt was stunned.  Sure he took on the mantel of being the father-figure she needed but never has he heard her actually call him ‘dad’ before.  And to hear her say it in Elvish, that was something truly special.

(Y/n) only ever spoke to her mother in Elvish and referred to her Naneth which was mother in Elvish.  Now to be called ‘ada’ by her, it warmed Matt’s heart.