Your Hands Can Heal, Your Hands Can Bruise

Author's Note: Hello, and welcome to my second Daredevil fanfiction. I had this idea floating around in my head for some time now but nothing seemed to bring that idea forward, but after seeing a certain episode in season two (I won't give any spoilers), I knew where I wanted to set it and I have been writing it non-stop ever since.

I have a few things that you should know before reading this story:

1. This is set within Season One before the whole Wilson Fisk storyline begins to take hold. I have changed a few things around meaning that the current storyline with Matt and Karen in Season Two begins much sooner in this than what it does in the show. I thought it works better with how this story will unfold, and I'm happy with how it plays out. With the threat of Fisk still being around, this will deal with quite dark content and the similarities between Fisk and Matt as Matt learns more about the very man everyone is too scared to talk about. Also, Foggy is aware of Matt's alter ego by this point.

2. I am not a medical professional and so I will do my best with any medical terminology that I may include in this. If you are a medical professional then please get in touch with me as I may need your help with a few things, and your help will be greatly appreciated. As a writer, it is my main priority to get all that information correct.

3. All reviews are welcome and appreciated. It really helps me to understand what you like and dislike about my work, and any constructive criticism is something that I thrive on so please get in touch and let me know what you think!

4. Also, if there is anything that you would like to see in this story and any subjects that you want me to mention in this story whether it's Daredevil related or regarding personal issues then please let me know.

Okay, I think that's it! I hope you enjoy! I'm currently half way through watching Season Two and I'm already loving it. I'm interested to see how everything unfolds. How are you all enjoying? What do you like about it so far? I'd love to hear what you think of it!

Chapter One
Falling Through

The rain had begun to fall on Hell's Kitchen as soon as they stepped out of the bar, and it was a small relief upon their skin and bodies as the change in weather meant the heatwave the city was experiencing was beginning to cool off slightly. As the raindrops fell from the sky and bounced against the concrete floor beneath their feet, he was aware of the raindrops landing upon her bare delicate arms and making their way down the length of her arms like tears streaming down a face, clinging to her fingertips before they descended once more down and carried on their journey to the ground. He heard every small thud the raindrops made upon the ground and he smiled as the coolness from the rain soaked through his clothes.

Karen was laughing as she danced in the rain, with her laugh being muffled slightly by the onslaught of raindrops pelting down around them. It was becoming heavier but neither of them cared, knowing that not even rain could ruin the moment between them. They were making their way towards Karen's apartment, with Matt ensuring she would get home safe despite her refusal of his kindness. He knew she was capable of making her own way home but didn't like the idea of leaving her alone in Hell's Kitchen when he knew the dangers that hid within the shadows of night. Karen was pleased he had made the decision to take her home, and she was daring herself to ask him up for a drink. They had already consumed quite a bit of alcohol and she knew they could do with one last drink to end the night on a high, knowing deep down that one drink would help her to ask him to stay the night. Whether he accepted or declined the offer, she had the excuse of having a little too much of the old liquor when and if he spoke with her about her question about him staying. For Karen, she had wanted this to happen for so long that the thought of messing it up when she wasn't as drunk as she would've liked to have been only made her more stressful.

As they closed in on their destination, Karen took the opportunity to observe Matt as he walked behind her in the rain. The rain had soaked through his clothes, and they clung to his body. He shivered slightly as raindrops trailed down his face. He was aware of her watching him and he offered a genuine smile. He heard Karen's heart rate intensify as she knew his smile was just for her.

"This is it," Karen spoke, her voice hoarse. "We're here."

Matt nodded slowly. "I had a really good time tonight. I'm glad we went out."

"So did I. We should do it again," Karen suggested. "If you wanted to, of course."

"I would love that," Matt replied, hearing as Karen's breathing hitched.

"I was thinking… would you like to come up and have another drink?"

"Are you trying to get me drunk, Ms Page?"

Karen smirked. "I think you're already a little intoxicated, Mr Murdock."

"Guilty as charged," Matt chuckled. He was about to answer and accept Karen's invitation when he smelt the unmistakeable hint of blood in the air around him. It was disguised by the overpowering scent of rain but it was there. He focused his hearing and sense of smell to find out where it was coming from, wondering if it was someone who had too much to drink and had stumbled or gotten into a fight. He wasn't sure but he knew for certain that it was close to where they were.

He instantly became sober, the amount of alcohol in his bloodstream evaporating almost, as he couldn't shake the scent of blood filling his senses. It was overwhelming to him, and it was capturing his attention. Something felt wrong.

"Matt? Is everything okay? Do you want to come up for another drink?" Karen asked, her eyes searching Matt's face to give her any indication of an answer. He was hard to read sometimes, and she was usually quite good at reading people's facial expressions and body language, but Matt was the first person she found difficult to read. She wasn't sure if it was because he was quite a private person that he didn't give too much away about him, or he was like this around her. Matt was different around Foggy, and she understood their difference in friendship. They had known each other for years whereas she was new to his life.

"I'd love to but I just remembered I have something I need to do," Matt replied. "But I would love to, just another time. That okay?"

This stung Karen more than she cared to admit, but nodded. "Of course. I completely understand!" she said a little to enthusiastically. "Thank you for taking me out."

Matt closed the gap between them and brushed his lips against her cheek, just millimetres away from her mouth. She felt herself being pulled into his kiss, and she was aware of her breathing changing and becoming hitched in her throat. Matt heard her sharp intake of breath and smiled. "Sleep well," he whispered just inches away from her mouth and feeling her nod against him.

"Goodnight, Matt." Karen said, as she made her way up the concrete steps and entered her apartment building. He listened as she made her way upstairs. As soon as he heard the key slip into the lock of her apartment, he knew she was safe.

The scent of blood was still in the air but it was fading away the more time that passed. He followed the scent, and found that it was pulling him towards the alleyways down the street. He folded his cane, allowing the scent solely to direct him. As he closed the gap between him and the scent, he was aware of a faint heartbeat. It was slow and shallow, and the blood at that moment was overwhelming at that moment as he was able to taste it more properly. He moved closer and that was when he could feel her presence.

A young woman was leaning against the wall next to the dumpster, her hand trying but failing to stop the wound to her abdomen from bleeding out. There were numerous cuts to her body that he could taste, but they were less serious and less overpowering than the one he was worried about. He could sense that the knife was still in her body, and he cursed.

Pulling out his phone, he called the only person he knew could help.

She answered, her voice groggy. "Are you hurt?"

"No… it's not me this time. I need your help," Matt said. "I have a young woman. I'd say twenty-four… she's been stabbed. The blade is serrated, and it's still in her abdomen. She's bleeding out."

"Is this your work?" Claire asked, her hint of worry in her voice.

"No… I could smell blood in the air… so I followed it and I found her. I think she was attacked," Matt said hurriedly.

"Bring her to me, and I'll see if I can help her," Claire said. Matt thanked her but she interrupted him. "She may need to go to hospital. If she's losing a lot of blood like you say she is, then I might not be able to help her like a hospital can."

Matt understood, and ended the call. He placed his hand gently on her face, and he knew she was unconscious. He had to act quick and get her to Claire's apartment before it was too late.