I like to cook a lot of different things. It's fun to experiment, and I love all different types of cuisine. So it's kind of whatever smells good at the farmer's market is what I take home and try. Just know that vegetables will be involved, and no preservatives.

I wasn't sure if you wanted to hear from me. After I told you about Foggy, neither of us reached out. I thought you might have wanted space. I'm sorry if that was wrong.

And to think I was raised by men. One who definitely never watched Hallmark a day in his life.

[The very thought of Stick though putting on that channel amuses Matt.]

It was a screwed up time for all of us. Just glad that it wasn't screwed up permanently. And even though the city is shit right now, I'm also glad that you're still here. It's going to get better again. It has to.

Fisk wasn't always in office, and he won't always be in office. There are some shitty officials but there are also some good ones, too. The city won't ever be perfect, no, but it can be better than it is now. It does matter that each serial killer is put away, because that does make things safer. Even if it doesn't mean all crime will stop forever.

What we do matters. And the city is worth fighting for, always.

The clothes can sit a minute.

[His gaze, as always, doesn't quite meet her eyes. It falls just short, drifting to the side, but his head is inclined in her direction to show she has his focus. That he hears the change in her tone.]

What is it?

Can I get a little more detail to go with that answer? I was never one who appreciated the Hemmingway style of storytelling.

[A light joke that he hopes might create enough ease for her to talk.]

It's been a very rough year.

[He gently rests a hand on Kate's back, lightly rubbing some warmth into it.]

I won't pretend that I'm not tired, too. That some things have gone to shit in a way that can't be fixed.

I'd just hate to think there's nothing good in your life, too. Some hope of a balance with all the rest.

[Lucky, sensing his human's distress, crawls across Matt's lap to where he can rest his large, furry head on Kate's lap. Matt smiles a little at the dog's gesture. Sometimes it was so simple for a pet and so hard for a human. A lesson to take away when he's feeling less tired.

He's quiet for a moment, letting Kate's words carry the weight they deserve. He won't discount what she's saying or feeling. He gets it, as much as he wants to make it easier for her to bear as a burden.]

I know you can take anything. As you friend though, I don't want you to just survive. I want to make something go right for you if I can. And I want you to know you're not alone when things do go wrong.

[He sucks in a small breath of empathy when she talks about her mother. He can only imagine how traumatic an experience it was, and he understands what it's like to have conflicting feelings towards a parental figure.]

It wasn't, you know. It wasn't your fault, and that was terrible of her to imply otherwise.

Having our parents fall short of what we expect them to be, what they should be, is never easy. That you had to be the one to stand against her isn't something that most people would have been able to do. I'm sorry that you had to.

You can hate someone and love them at the same time. Or hate someone and miss the love you used to have.

[He thinks of Stick more than his real father. Jack had certainly made mistakes, had engaged in criminal activity. Yet he'd never killed anyone, he'd never made Matt doubt his love. Stick on the other hand had loved Matt and Elektra in his way, but it had held a much more toxic edge to it. They'd been tools for a cause that Stick would always put first. Matt's feelings towards the dead man were complicated, so he can understand some of what Kate's feeling towards her mother. Hadn't he tried to help Stick at the end, despite it all?

He doesn't want Kate to have to grieve like he did in failing to manage it.]

Is she being held at Riker's? If you didn't want to talk to her, I could arrange a meeting. See how she's holding up. Or Kirsten could do it, if you don't want my name near hers right now. Hell, even Cherry might have some contacts at the prison who could keep an eye out.

[Matt gives a look in her general direction at the mention of money before shaking his head.]

I think he probably has some contacts so he can pull in a favor to keep an eye out, yeah. Only stipulation is that you're not paying for it. You're a friend, so I got this. He's on my payroll already, so it's not an extra charge. I'll call him as soon as I put on some pants. Getting a little breezy here.

[Matt smiles, giving her hand a warm squeeze in return.]

You're welcome. And don't get up, you and Lucky seem comfortable. I got it.

[He wriggles out from under part of the dog and stands up, slowly heading for where the washing machine had been.]

[Matt manages to find the washing machine, the sound and the heat signature guiding him. He risks it by changing right then and there in the laundry room rather than going back to the bathroom. The clothing is dry and warm, smelling a whole lot better. He rests her bathrobe on top of the washer and heads back to the living area after.]

I left your bathrobe in the washroom in case you wanted to clean it. And it seems like someone took my place. [He smiles a little, sensing the dog.] You snooze you lose, huh?

Not freezing. Even my feet are warm now. Socks out of the dryer are one of life's great pleasures.

[He sits down once room is made, lightly patting Lucky's rump as that's the end that's near him now.]

I know. These clothes were too clean. Gotta get some dog hair on them.