Elektra froze for a moment, then lunged toward the bed.
"Dad, you're awake!"
"Elektra..." Natchios breathed faintly. "I never thought... I'd get to see you again..."
"Dad..." Elektra held her father's hand, her gaze fixed on Natchios in the hospital bed. Her usually cool, sharp eyes now brimmed with excitement and lingering fear she could not hide. Days of worry and anxiety surged up all at once. Her throat tightened, and it took her a long moment to squeeze out a trembling sentence. "You're finally awake."
Natchios's eyelids felt as heavy as lead, and every breath brought a dull, tearing ache. He wanted to raise his hand and touch his daughter's face, but even that small gesture proved painfully difficult.
"Dad, don't move." Elektra quickly brought his hand to her cheek herself, letting him feel her warmth. "I'm okay, Dad. You're okay too..."
As she spoke, tears filled Elektra's eyes. Her father was the only family she had left. She did not know what she would do if she lost him.
"Elektra..." Natchios panted, softly calling his daughter's name. He gazed hungrily at the contours of her face, as though every glance were stolen.
"I'm here, Dad. I'm here." Choking back sobs, Elektra answered his calls again and again.
After a long while, Natchios slowly turned his stiff neck and looked weakly at the man beside him. "You're... Matt... Murdock?"
"Yes, Mr. Natchios." Hearing his name, Matt stepped forward and bent slightly at the waist in deference.
"You're a good man..." Natchios looked at Matt with approval in his eyes. "Elektra... likes you very much... It's been so long... since she smiled like that..."
Elektra's throat tightened, and she forced a faint smile. "As long as you're okay, I'll keep smiling."
"I'm sorry I worried you..." Natchios slowly turned toward