Matt did not dare speak to Frank during the cab ride back to his apartment. He could hear the man's shallow breathing, and when he touched the back of his neck, he could feel the beat of his heart. They had dressed Frank in only a thin t-shirt and worn work jeans. It was far too cold for that. He tried his best to just rub his hand along Frank's arm, a comforting gesture.

It wasn't until they were in the apartment that Matt felt he could function properly again.

"It's okay Frank," he said softly. "It's fine..."

Frank did not respond.

Matt moved across the room and turned the heat on.

"We'll find you some clothes," he said, his words eliciting no response. "Here, I'll take that collar off of you..."

Matt walked over to Frank and felt up the line of the collar around his neck. He reached the clasp, which he undid, rather carefully. He took it off and set it down on the counter nearest Frank.

"Go ahead and sit down."

Frank said nothing, but did not move from where he knelt. Matt could hear the tiniest of sounds - whimpers escaping his lips, but other than that, he made no sound.

"Frank, I give you permission," Matt said firmly, realizing what he was dealing with. "Go, sit on the sofa, while I get you some clothes."

Frank then moved, hurrying quickly over to the sofa, where he sat down. He sat, but there were tiny shifts in his body that nobody but Matt would be able to sense. He was terrified, conflicted between following the order given to him by his Master and the fact that it had probably been drilled into his head that he had no worth, that something as simple as sitting was not permitted.

Once he was sure that Frank was seated, Matt went into the bedroom. Frank was bigger than he was, but he had old clothing that would fit the man. He could buy more later. He selected a large, worn out shirt that was made of a thicker, warmer material than the one Frank on. He then found pants that seemed right. He returned to the living room.

Frank had not moved an inch. Matt handed him the clothes and Frank took them, dutifully. Matt could feel his gaze, full of fear.

"Put them on," Matt said, trying his best to keep a strong, steady tone. The details of slave reconditioning were never made absolutely clear to the general population, but he was certain that he was dealing with an utterly broken man. "Frank, do you know who I am? Do you remember me?"

Frank slowly began to put on the clothes. He seemed awkward, like he didn't exactly remember how to use his body. He was utterly unashamed of nakedness though, because he cast off his clothes quickly and did not falter or look away from Matt.

"Yes, sir."

"Who am I?" Matt asked.

"You're Matthew Murdock, sir," Frank said softly, voice wavering slightly. "You're a lawyer, and...something else. You own me."

It was a barely detectable change, the little waver in Frank's voice, but one that accurately displayed his utter terror. He was so afraid. It left Matt staring.

"Do you remember the trial, Frank?" he asked.

"Yes, sir."

"I know that this is going to be hard for you," he murmured, touching Frank's arm lightly. Frank flinched, and suddenly stopped changing his clothes. He had the new pants on, but his shirt was still off. "It's going to be hard for me too, but if you can manage it, you don't have to call me sir. I don't want you to."

"I can't, sir."

Matt couldn't help the feeling inside of him, like his heart was being wrenched and twisted. Frank looked so broken. There was no saying what damage had been heaped on top of the psychological hell that Frank had already endured.

"Don't worry about it," he said. "Let's eat something and rest and we can figure out more in the morning."