Jones.

"It was amicable." A mostly true statement. She had asked for the seperation. She had known for a long time that she'd been using Luke as a crutch for her own bad mental health and trauma. That was unfair to him.

It didn't make it hurt any less.

"I see him on weekends, when I pick up Dani."

That almost illicits a chuckle from her. Unfortunately, she can see his point.

"Yeah, well. If you figure out an answer for how to actually talk to people again after being in a long-term relationship, let me know. I'm not much better."

- "/I'm/ not even cruel enough to crush his ego like that again. Call the Spider."

- day, that.

"Well. You have my number." It was a promise, one Matt would know she wouldn't give to most. He'd done right by her for so long, she'd never turn him away, no matter what he needed.

"But if it's Scorpion or some shit, you're on your own. I beat his ass the first day I flew. -

- say you're worried makes me think shit's going to fall apart tomorrow." She sighed at that. She wasn't a superhero. She didn't ever want to live that life again. It wasn't for her, it never was. But she still put on her boots, when friends needed her. When Luke--

Conversation for another -

- years ago. Add onto that years of alcoholism and depression, and she was certainly an expert on pushing friends away or hurting their trust.

She couldn't judge him. And he'd always done right by her. Maybe that was because they were kidnred spirits, in that respect.

"Great. Hearing you -

Thing is, Jessica understood. She'd been in that hero shit long enough to be churned over and processed by it. It wasn't her life, it never could be again. But she understood it better than most. Life... falls apart, around it. Hers still does for being tangentially related to it, all those -

- always been able to see through her, ironically more than anyone else.

"Yeah, Matt. I'll stop by." She should probably tell him, if he hasn't heard from Danny or Luke yet. But not here, not now.

"I'm free during the week. Office hours, or?"

She didn't really know how to respond. She knew he was reaching out to her in a really genuine way. She also knew him well enough to guess that he could discern through her inflections or her dismissiveness, he had that kind of sonar for people, it was why he was so good at both his jobs. -

"Leadership?" She mused, batting off high praise in order to avoid the emotions that were born from them. "That's certainly something I've never been accused of being good at."

- could get through this morning without some kind of caffiene IV."

Jessica's order was even simpler, just a black coffee. She didn't really drink it for the taste, she just need a shot of caffeine right through her body in order to keep her going, especially as she neared a full twenty-four hours without sleep.

"I appreciate it. Truthfully, I don't think I -

Well, he did call her an alcoholic. Fair, but not the best conversation starter.

"It's fine." She replied, batting away his apology. "I'm sure you've had a long day. And... it's good to see you too."

"Were you?" She mused, trying to add a playful tone to her voice.

She pushed all those hurt feelings deep down. She respected Peter too much to let that hurt affect the friendship. But it still hurt.

"I'm having trouble seeing evidence of that."

- but it happens."

She doesn't like to leave New York. Really, she doesn't like being in moving vehicles. But, a job is a job. And her work tended to bring her into enough storms, this one was just... farther west than she was used to dealing with.

"Yeah, well, what can I say?" She gave a half-hearted shrug. "I've never really had the best timing, as evidenced by our meeting."

She gave a small wave to her in appreciation for opening the door, then stepped inside, returning the favor. "It's for work. Don't usually take jobs out of town,-

She wants to die.

Her reaction to him phrasing it like that was akin to a hammer blow atrop the temple. She wanted to walk into the ocean.

"It was a long time ago, Parker." She replied, pushing an edge into her voice, one that wasn't natural, and more protective. "Best to just let it die there."

|| Hey, take your time! I just want to make sure I don't leave anyone hanging, because I know some notifications have fallen through the cracks and not appeared for me at all!

|| Hey, if I owe you a reply, please let me know! It's come to my attention that I may not be getting all my reply notifications for some reason, and I don't want to leave anyone hanging!

- paying any more attention than you were. Long night, and I'm an out of towner."

Jessica gave the woman a small nod of the head, sticking her hands into her pockets and joining at her side.

She was nice - nicer than Jess might have deserved. She didn't react especially well.

"Jessica." She replied, finally taking the woman in fully. "It's fine. It's not like I was -

Jessica didn't respond immediately, but her chin did tilt inward, her eyes blinking in one, very very slow motion. Her reaction bordered on shock; Peter, with a joke like that?

The years really had passed by.

"I like you, Parker. So I'm going to give you a pass on that."

"One pass."

- "Not from the job, mind you. I'm shocked you remember me being a hero at all. I mean... school."

"And 'Spider-Man' was better?" She huffed, eyebrow raising. "If you think it is, I think it's only because the mythos surrounding it. At least I knew my names were shit."

After a pause, she looked away, moving a strand of hair out of her face. "Do you... not remember me?" She asked. -

Well, that's... appreciated, Murdock.

Unless it's literal.

"I would describe you with many kind words, but humble isn't one of them, at least not when it comes to jokes."

Ah, the million dollar question. "Yeah. Everything is swell." A horrible lie, quickly followed up by a joke to chase away said like. "Hell of a lot of hesitance in that compliment."

- She's supposed to be better than throwing tantrums in the streets.

Finally turning toward the red-haired woman fully, she gave a small nod of agreeance. "You know what? A new coffee would be great." She admitted. She wasn't sure how she was going to get through the day otherwise. "Thanks."

"No, no, you're alright. Not a drop on me, luckily. Our aims might have been shit, but they were just shit enough to make sure we didn't splatter hot coffee on either one of us." Jessica was calming down, that little twinge of annoyance fading into a not-so-visible guilt at her own reaction. -

|| Hey, if I owe you a reply, please let me know! It's come to my attention that I may not be getting all my reply notifications for some reason, and I don't want to leave anyone hanging!