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[flippin_peachy]

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[flippin_peachy]

Let me guess, when you found him he was in trouble and you decided to step in?

[pagekaren]

That is a good guess, but the actual answer might be worse?

[Karen makes a face, considering him for a moment before she continues.]

Uh, have you heard of Daredevil?

[flippin_peachy]

The bloke in red pajamas and a silly mask? Yes. I've heard a bit about him.

[pagekaren]

[There's a brief pause as Karen presses her lips together. And then she lets out a snort of laughter, as sure a sign as any that her brain is still swimming. God, Matt would get a kick out of that description.]

Well. He's one of the masked vigilantes in the city. And, uh, someone that I have worked with on more than one occasion.

[flippin_peachy]

How does one exactly 'work with' someone like that? Is he on the payroll?

[pagekaren]

God, can you imagine? No, I've uh...given him information a few times, when it hasn't been safe to give it to the authorities. And he's saved my life a few times.

[Her good shoulder lifts in a shrug, aware that it's a very brief summary.]

But our CI was working with a group that wanted to try to unmask him. They tried to use me as bait.

[flippin_peachy]

[The casual nature in which she explains her connection to this Daredevil seems genuine but he can already tell there's more to it than that. Things that she's not saying.]

And that's how you got hurt? By being bait?

[pagekaren]

[Well, there's a lot of 'not my secret to tell' involved in how she knows Daredevil. Keeping Matt's secret is a full time job in and of itself.

Still, she lets out another breath of a laugh. There's something sort of - self-aware, in the way she answers that question.]

As you can imagine, I'm not exactly a 'come along quietly' kind of girl.

[flippin_peachy]

Mmmmhmm. Just another reason why I find you so alluring.

[He says with a smile, because lord knows he loves a gutsy woman.]

[pagekaren]

Oh, alluring, huh? That's a great adjective.

[She's smiling back at him, sounding lightly amused when she speaks again.]

The fact that you didn't just lecture me about danger is pretty alluring too.

[flippin_peachy]

I'd be a pretty big hypocrite if I were to lecture you on that. Considering all the time I get into danger and trouble myself.

wow pardon my wild unclosed italics in that last reply

[pagekaren]

See, that never really seems to stop anyone else.

[And she does appreciate it in a way. But not as much as she appreciates the vote of confidence in her capability.]

That might be a bit more than alluring.

no worries :)

[flippin_peachy]

You find me getting into trouble alluring?

[pagekaren]

No. I mean, I do like that what you do is important to you and that you protect the people you work for. I meant not being hypocritical about me doing the same. I get where people are coming from when they worry, but it's a nice...vote of confidence, I guess.

[flippin_peachy]

Oh, okay. Well I don't think you would have gotten to where you are now by not knowing how to take care of yourself.

[He says but then leans in to kiss her cheek.]

But that doesn't mean I like seeing you get hurt so if there's ever trouble and your strange devil pajama bloke isn't around I hope you'll give me a call.

[pagekaren]

I appreciate that.

[She really does. Having people in her corner means a lot to her. Her head tips, leaning in to the press of his lips against her cheek.

Though she can't help the snort of laughter that comes at 'strange devil pajama bloke,' it's quickly chased by a look of wry amusement.]

So uh, I'm not necessarily saying no. But I should probably confess that Daredevil isn't the only vigilante that I could be considered associated with, before you commit to an offer like that. Which is probably shedding some light on why I find dating difficult.

[flippin_peachy]

[There's a pause and he gives her a long look.]

When you say you're 'associated' with these vigilante blokes, do you mean through work or have you dated them?

[Because why would she mention dating in the same breath as them?]

[pagekaren]

[Karen returns the long look, her expression somewhere between amused and annoyed.]

They're not all blokes. And no. It's because I have a lot of secrets I can't share, because they're not mine. And a lot of danger not just - directly in my line of work, but in my peripherals.

[flippin_peachy]

That's fine, I said the same thing to you before so why do you think I'd be bothered by that?

[pagekaren]

It's not about you being bothered, specifically, so much as...I don't know, full honesty, I guess? There's a difference between knowing I have a weird life and then knowing it's "associates with multiple vigilantes" weird.

[flippin_peachy]

Well if it makes you feel better sometimes my life is on a similar level of weird, I don't associate with vigilantes but I have dealt with shadowy political parties and Satanists before.

[pagekaren]

[Karen's eyebrows arch, and she repeats incredulously,] Satanists?

[There's a beat, and then she lets out another quick laugh.] Sounds like we could give each other some serious competition in a 'who's had a weirder week' contest.

[flippin_peachy]

[Her laughter is so easy and genuine and he joins in.]

Sounds that way, but it's kind of a relief in a way isn't it?

[pagekaren]

[Karen smiles at the way he joins her in laughter, though his question clearly takes her by surprise. She hasn't really considered it from that angle before. It's been a long time since she's met someone that stands a chance of understanding what her life is like. She'll still worry about getting him hurt with her bullshit, because she can only be who she is, but still. Being able to get it is a nice change of pace.]

You know, it kind of is. I'm glad I met you.

[She watches him for a quiet moment before speaking again.] How about I cook you dinner at the end of the week? Your place or mine.

[flippin_peachy]

I'm glad as well.

[He then chuckles and shakes his head.]

Oh no, I don't think your shoulder will be healed by then so I'll cook for you here.