Chapter Text
First of all thanks to all of you amazing readers who took the time to leave kudos and comments. I really appreciate the feedback and hope you enjoy this chapter as much as, and even more than you enjoyed the last one, because this one is a lot longer and better in my opinion.
Kate exited the aircraft and was met by the refreshing, yet uncomfortable sunlight rays. As her half open eyes adjusted to the sudden change of scenery, Kate took a moment to appreciate the attention to detail that was paid by the person who designed the private airport. Everything was so symmetrical yet so unique. Kate wasn't sure if it was her ADHD kicking in and not allowing her to focus on a single point on the buildings or were they just so full of minor and major sundries.
'There is no time to overthink architecture right now', Kate thought to herself. She needed to try and clear her head and focus of the mission. Even tho it isn't theoretically her first ever mission, it was her first time working for SHIELD. Finally an opportunity was granted to her and she is gonna use it to the fullest. First of all she desired Natasha's approval. She was Clint's partner for years and everybody knows they trust each other. But also what kept Kate going every day, always making work harder and do better, was the fact that Clint lays his trust in her, not only during battle but also with personal stuff. The famous Hawkeye, an Avenger and her hero, not only trusts her to watch his back in combat. He has even had enough faith to take her home to his family... the family which he kept a secret for so long to keep them safe.
Kate's one and only wish at that moment was to earn Nat's trust the old fashion way. Not over Clint as some sort of mutual friend, but to prove herself worthy all by herself, once and for all.
"Come on kid, move it, it's time to go", Clint said over his shoulder as he open the trunk of the car, once again ending her daydreaming session and snapping her back to reality. She followed the pair of assassins to the black SUV that wasn't parked too far away. While Nat and Clint one again started one of their childish arguments about who is going to drive Kate just opened the back door and sat on the comfortable back seat.
"Come on Clint, you know I am a better driver than you", Nat mocked him with an annoyed grin on her face
"I have never heard a bigger lie in my life Tasha", Clint said an Natasha put her hand on her chest, pretending to be insulted. "Nat you drive like a madman and you know it", as the archer teased her some more Kate started to find their childish arguments less and less enjoyable.
"Well first of all Clint, you drive like an old lady", commented Kate in a light hearted tone. She also couldn't help but notice the ever-growing smile on Natasha's face as she was nodding her head on approval. She wasn't trying to embarrass him or anything, she wasn't even taking Nat's side but she was telling the truth: Clint was not an amazing driver. "Plus I can not judge Natasha's driving without seeing it first", Kate added.
"First of all, I am truly disappointed Katie, you should be ashamed turning on you mentor like that", he said sarcastically with a terrible mocking of a pained face expression. "And second of all, believe me Katie you are gonna regret this when she almost causes five car crashes on the half hour drive to the safe house."
"Don't call me 'Katie' Clint", Kate snapped at him. It's not that she hated the nickname that much, but Clint always used it to mock or annoy her. It's just how her dad used to call her and is just brings back some painful memories. But one the other hand she feels like Clint is the only one who even comes close to being worthy of calling her like that.
"It is a half hour drive only if you drive, I can be there in 15 minutes", Natasha's comment was a like a cherry on top of this argument. "And kid...", Natasha added turning her head to face Kate, "You need to work on your insults a little bit if you are gonna spend so much time working with Clint. I mean 'driving like an old lady' is not bad, but you have potential for a something a lot better."
"You know when Fury first told me that I will be going on a mission with you two I thought 'They can definitely learn a lot from one another', however what I wasn't expecting was you giving her advice on insulting me."
"Who said that she can't learn anything useful from me", Nat said as she turned on the car. "First of all I will teach the kid that the best way to work in a team, especially with you, is to have a lot of light hearted fights so if you ever get on a big one you are used to it." Natasha tried her best to make her voice non threatening, because she wanted to be taken seriously without being intimidating. It would be a lie to say that she and Clint have never had a big fight, but they also somehow find a way to make peace. The two of them are an embodiment of a close sibling relationship with the only difference being the fact that in their job you might have a choice to take a bullet for someone you love.
The car ride was quiet, but far from peaceful. Natasha really did drive fast, but calling it 'like a madman' wouldn't necessarily be the truth. However Kate doesn't mind. Nat is not the only one who hates waiting for the lights to turn green, besides who doesn't like a little adventure. While Kate continued playing with her arrow the only sounds that could be heard were the music playing on the radio and Natasha's occasional cursing at the other 'incompetent drivers', as she called them.
Even tho this team was usually fun and games, when the mission starts for real they become all business (except for the sarcastic moments, of course). As soon as they arrived to the safe house they didn't waist any time getting to work.
Clint left immediately to scout out the aria in which their informants said the mafia's base of operation was. It was just an abandoned warehouse in the industrial zone of town. Lucky for them it was surrounded with low buildings, so there were many opportunities and locations for a lookout and scout, and of course for snipers on missions (or in this case: archers).
Kate didn't know what to think about being alone with the Black Widow. Natasha could literally kill her right now and no one would never know. I mean of course she wouldn't ever do that, but it is disturbing that she could. Instead of worrying about being murdered by an Avengers Kate decided to focus on the mission. She changed in her purple archery outfit and started preparing and sorting trick arrows. She always does one of two things with her arrows: usually she just throws them in her quiver and shoots them on random, in a way it is like opening a present, you never know what you are gonna get. However, on rare occasions, when she is feeling fancy, Kate sorts them in an order from least dangerous to most dangerous, and today us one of those days.
As the archer was enjoying the peace and quite, not even wondering where Nat was right now, she felt a strong cold arm on her shoulder. She wasn't scared, I mean Kate Bishop is never afraid, but being caught by surprise she did two things: she dropped her (now full and sorted) quiver, and she grabbed and twisted the arm as she looked over her shoulder. Can you imagine the shock on Kate's face as she saw Natasha Romanoff standing behind her. It took her a moment to release her wrist and then immediately mutter an apology. Trying to hide her embarrassment she started picking up the mess on the floor that were her arrows, a part of her expecting Nat to get mad at her for not paying attention to her surroundings. But instead of anything like that Natasha just sat on the sofa next to Kate and gestured for her to leave the arrows alone for now. The younger woman skeptically took a seat next to Nat.
"Hey kid I know that we just met, but no need for be on edge like that when you are with me", Natasha said, her voice soft as if she was talking to scared child.
"Yea sorry for that, I guess it is just the stress and stuff", Kate responded clearly still embarrassed. "Plus it's more of a force of habit by now. Clint likes jumpscaring me from time to time I am kinda used to it", Kate said while cursing herself under her breath for telling this woman that she was trying to empress a silly thing like that.
"You know Clint can sometimes be like that", Nat said. "I hated him at first. I hated the way he would smile and I hated the way he would only call me by my nickname. The one thing I wanted was to wipe that smirk off his face", she continued with a dreamy expression on her face, as if she was remembering the good old days.
Kate just smiled and nodded, she really understood. Clint can be annoying and the way he smirked can be even more annoying.
"That has never meant, however, that other people were ever allowed to hurt him", as she continued, Kate understood was she meant even more. "Whoever dares to hurt my partner deserves no mercy, and show I them none", her face now more serious and her tone serious. "But Clint isn't my only partner anymore Kate, you need to feel safe with me, because I will watch you back", Natasha's voice was now softer but still 100 percent serious.
Kate just nodded and smiled awkwardly, not really knowing what so say. Her hero is here, sitting right next to her and having a casual hearth to hearth conversation about partnership. The woman who's trust she tried desperately to earn was calling Kate her partner.
Kate broke the silence, "I know how much Clint means to you", she said knowing they were pretty much siblings. "I just want you to know he means a lot to me too", she continued, "and I always do my best to keep him safe".
"It's nice to hear it from you, but if Clint took you under his wing that means you are trustworthy, and he never puts his trust in the wrong person", Nat responded without eye contact to Kate, instead choosing to look through the window.
"You've been through a lot kid and I know it", Natasha said, "what happened with your mom, I know you feel guilty but did the right thing", Nat said it as if she was talking from experience. Kate was speechless, and that was a rare occasion. She really didn't know how Natasha knew what happened last Christmas, but then she remember that she is talking to the Black Widow and it made sense, she was a super spy after all.
"Clint told me that this job comes with a lot of loss", Kate said, this time she was avoiding eye contact. "I didn't think I had a lot to loose", she continued, "but then I lost my mother". It was hard to resist calling her 'mom', however that woman did not deserve it. Ever since her dad died, her mother just yelled at her and called her worthless and stupid. "Last Christmas was the only one in a decade when I didn't feel kinda empty inside", Kate was now trying to blink back all the tears that threatened to slide down her face. Kate Bishop doesn't cry, especially in front of hero.
"I lost my family too kid, but what is important is who you choose to be your family. Because when I accepted my past I realized I had two families all along".
Kate pretty much gave up hiding her tears by now and two little waterfalls her making their way down her cheeks. Kate was expecting for Nat to make fun of her. What she wasn't expecting was for the Black Widow to hug her. She needed a moment to collect herself and figure out what was going on. By the time she hugged her back, Kate stopped crying.
"Thank you so much Nat", Kate said as she pulled away from the hug, kinda surprised to call her by a nickname.
"For what?", Natasha responded with a puzzled look on her face. She didn't really do anything. She only told her what she wished someone told her when she was Kate's age. Everyone needs support (and sometimes a hug), especially people like Kate who don't think they deserve it.
"For giving me that big hero inspirational speech. I really needed it", Kate said as if it was obvious. "And you need to stop walking around so quietly. You scared the shit out of me, and I am someone who pretty much hasn't gotten surprised when I found your sister in my apartment making mac'n'cheese", Kate said jokingly as Natasha laughed.
After a few minutes of comfortable silence Natasha said in a far-away voice, "You know what kid? When we finish this mission I am taking you to have a drink, the Russian way."
"So you want us get drunk out of our minds with vodka?", Kate responded in a silly tone.
"Yea pretty much. It'll be a lot of fun!", Nat said with a stupid grin on her face. She was considering teasing Kate by asking her if she is old enough to drink, but they were in Germany and she didn't want to ruin the moment by being childish.
Not long after that Clint came back to the safe house, carrying a briefcase with his spy equipment looking as if he had just seen a ghost. He quickly rushed into the apartment closing the door behind him. The worries escaped his mind for a short moment and a smile adorned his face as he saw the two women sitting on the sofa and laughing. He sure hoped they weren't telling jokes about him.
As Natasha turned her head to face Clint, seeing the worry on his face and the sweat on his forehead, Nat's smile dropped. She shot up from the couch, followed shortly by Kate. They approached him not saying a word, their body language asking a million, non verbal questions.
Clint finally opened his mouth, words were barely audible through his stutter, "So I was chilling on this roof next to the warehouse. I got my binoculars and was looking through these big windows. After like half an hour, a dozen thugs show up following this one guy dressed in a fancy suit. My best guess is that he is the boss of the whole operation. They were talking for a bit and I could see that the thugs were definitely scared of their boss. So there is no way they are up to anything good. Then another thug arrives through the door holding some kid at gunpoint. He looks pretty beaten up, and scared when the boss starts yelling at him. The only phrases I managed to understand by reading lips were 'finishing the machine' and 'big heist'", Clint stopped for a second to catch his breath.
"So they have a hostage, that's not good. We need to be quick and careful", Natasha said with far-away voice. You could see in her eyes that hundreds of scenarios were going through her head. She was really suspicious about that possibly dangerous machine and a mysterious heist.
"But I saw something else going on in there", Clint continued while blood was draining from his safe, "I think know what that mysterious machine is. I've seen them trying to turn on what looked like a metal robot. And them the boss...", Clint stuttered, "her entered the robot like a suit. I think they are trying to recreate the Iron Man armor".
"This is not good, not good at all", commented Kate with a worried face expression.
"We need to get going, we need to stop this and lock up those guys before they start committing heists and crimes in an Iron Man suit. No German thug is going to ruin the memory of Tony Stark by hurting people. Imitating a part of what made him a super hero", Natasha said in an angry tone. And Clint knew that when she gets pissed, you not want to be the guy she is mad at. Clint was angry at these idiots himself. Iron man was a hero who sacrificed himself for the good of humanity and no one will stain his memory by copying his genius technology and using it for evil.
There was no need for any words to be said. Everybody knew they are going to their base now to end it once and for all. Kate grabbed her bow and freshly sorted quiver and followed the pair of assassins out the door.
This time the car ride was short and productive. All three of them were discussing possible tactics of action once they arrive. What they came up with was simple but effective. Clint was going to be on a taller roof a bit more far away from the warehouse. While Kate was on stationed on a shorter rooftop close to the main entrance of the building. Natasha did her standard thing being on the ground ready to take on thugs in hand to hand combat.
Once they arrived they were all business and ready to fight. Everybody was on their position and focused on their goal, keeping in mind the primary task of making sure no harm comes to the hostage.
Kate was prepared for what was coming. Her task was to make sure Natasha has a safe entrance and exit. And she get severely outnumbered, it is Kate's job to get there as soon as possible and watch Nat's back.
With a deep breath she confirmed everyone is ready and let the first arrow fly. It was an explosive arrow which blew up the front door, alerting all the bad guys of their presence. But Natasha wasn't rushing in the warehouse, instead she was waiting for them to come out. This was allowing Nat defend instead of attack while also allowing Clint and Kate to shoot the mafia members more easily because they were more predictable.
As one group of about ten of them ran out of the building Clint shot a regular arrow straight into one dude's chest. The thug immediately collapsed onto his knees. At the same time Kate's arrow pinned another guys shoulder to the wall, he cried out in pain not able to move. It seemed that they were to stupid to notice where the arrows are coming from, instead deciding to focus on taking down Natasha. A big mistake
Meanwhile Nat was taking down multiple guys twice her size with ease. One was trying to punch her in the jaw but she avoided his fist with no effort and used his own weight against him, pinning him to the ground.
"Everything alright down there, Widow", Kate asked over the comms already knowing the answer.
"Yea Hawkling, it is", Nat answered, not even out of breath, "these guys are terrible at fighting".
"Hawkling, I like that. I am so gonna steal that nickname", Clint smiled as he let another trick arrow loose from his bow.
"Am I crazy or did these guys stop coming?", Kate noticed as she was looking at the group of mafia members that kept shrinking.
"Yea you are right", Clint confirmed with a smile on his face as his arrow stabbed the leg of the last thug left of the ground.
"Maybe they are still inside regrouping or something, 'cuz non of these guys had weapons", Natasha said while reloading the gun that she fired only once.
"Maybe they evacuated and ran 'cuz...", Kate was in the middle of her sentence when she heard footsteps behind her. She started to turn but it was to late. Next thing she knew was that there was a strong arm choking her. She struggled under the grip when she realized one of the thugs must have climbed to the roof to stop her from sniping them from a distance.
"Kid, what is going on down there. Is everything ok", Clint asked worriedly as Kate's voice went quiet and he heard struggling on the other end of the comms.
"A little busy here...", Kate said out of breath as the man was still choking her and now trying to push her off the edge. Kate focused and collected all of her strength into a kick that landed into the man's stomach. He lost balance and fell to the ground, the yelling went quiet when he hit the concrete pavement with a thud.
"What the hell is happening up there, kid", Natasha asked in a confused tone while worriedly looking in Kate's direction.
"Those idiots must have noticed where the arrows were coming from", Kate responded, out of breath, "One of them climbed the building and tried to push me off the roof."
"Oh my God Kate!", Clint yelled in full dad mode, "Are you ok, are you hurt?"
"Yea, I'm good. Don't worry about me. We should worry about those guys", Kate responded while pointing at another group of thugs, it was about as large as the last one but they seemed better prepared and armed with guns.
"Get your bows ready hawks, another round is coming", Natasha said casually while getting ready to fight herself.
"Shit!", Kate muttered to herself but loud enough for everyone to hear.
"What's going on, kid", asked Clint while the arrow he just shot stabbed a guy in the shoulder.
"My quiver is gone!", answered Kate in an angry tone, "It must have fallen off the roof when I fought that guy."
"Are all of your arrows gone?", asked Clint being worried that he will not be able take down all the thugs by himself and keep Natasha safe.
"Yea they are, I have nothing left", Kate said, "You know what I'm gonna do? I am going to the ground to help Nat."
"Kate that is dangerous, just be careful", responded Clint while letting another arrow fly.
"When am I not careful. Plus I can't just sit here while you have all the fun without me", Kate's voice was nonchalant but on the inside she was panicking a bit. She was a champion in martial arts, but hand to hand combat with multiple armed men was different from self defense.
Kate was going down flights of stairs in seconds. She was pretty much flying while skipping three stairs a once. Honestly it is miracle she didn't trip and fall.
As she approached the entrance of the building, running the entire way, she found Natasha taking cover behind a dumpster to avoid the rain of bullets flying in her direction. But Nat was not without a plan, she never is. They were not able so surround her because she was prepared to throw different gadgets at them. Natasha threw a grenade in the direction of the thugs, while they were running away and taking cover, they were stunned them long enough for Nat to escape her cover and empty her pistol, not missing a single shot.
Kate used the opportunity to come onto the battlefield and disarm the last few guys standing. Another one of Clint's arrows stabbed one of the mafia members in the leg. Meanwhile Kate and Natasha where standing back to back ready to finish this once and for all.
Kate punched one of them in the face and kicked him in the stomach, he lost his balance and fell to the ground, not even trying to get up. Nat avoided a few punches and then caught a fist of a skinny guy mid air, twisting his arm behind his back, and when a crack was heard he crumpled to the ground in pain.
"Nice one kid!", Nat yelled as Kate took down the last thug. They fist-bumped each other while standing in the middle of a pile of unconscious mafia members.
What the weren't expecting was for the boss to exit the warehouse, ready to fight them. But he was either a coward or just wasn't stupid enough to face two Avengers empty handed. This man was wearing a full Iron Man suit. But it wasn't totally right, it just wasn't done to perfection, like Tony's was. It seemed like a prototype and not finished. It looked like it is just body armor, not able to fly or shot lasers. It was obvious that it was made quickly and not by someone who loves their work.
"So the famous Avengers have come to fight me", the man said in an angry tone. As if he was annoyed but still proud that the Avengers have made the lost trip just to ruin his plans.
That is when a vicious battle commenced. The man was punching strong and avoiding Clint's arrows. Clint wasn't able to do much, because he couldn't shoot explosive arrows with his partners so close. Kate's and Nat's kicks and punches weren't doing any damage to the metal robot.
"Clint, I have an idea", Kate said while getting up from the floor after being kicked in the ribs. "Use one of your electrical trick arrows. Aim for the head", Kate continued avoiding another punch and pointing at the man's eye holes.
"Kate it's a solid idea, but I have a problem. There is only one electrical arrow left and you keep moving and fighting. I can maybe hit one of you and I am not taking those chances."
"Clint we have no other option right now", Natasha commented, "Plus, the world's greatest archer never misses."
Clint took in a deep breath, struggling to aim at a constantly moving target. Just as he let the arrow fly, he realized his mistake. The boss must have heard them discuss the plan, because he was prepared to ruin it. He picked up Kate by the neck, trying to use her as a human shield.
For Kate time seemed to slow down. She couldn't breath and her feet weren't touching the ground anymore. She saw the dot in the air become bigger as the arrow was coming towards her at high speeds. And then her whole body erupted in pain. Her abdomen felt like it was on fire, but the pain didn't just stay in that area, instead it was pulsating in waves down her legs and up to her head.
The arrow was electric
Natasha was watching and just didn't know what do to. She promised this kid that she will protect her and look at her now. But there was no time to feel sorry for herself, she needed to help her now. The boss let Kate's limp body fall to the ground, but she wasn't motionless. The electricity was still making it's way through her shaking body while the blood from the wound made a sizable pool underneath her. Natasha was pissed, her vision went red and actions were done by instinct and not by rational thinking. With a deep breath she took the arrow that pierced Kate's skin and prepared to pull it out. Kate's eyes widen as Natasha grips the back of the arrow, and her eyes squeeze shut as a wave of agony overtakes her.
Natasha's soul hurt for causing the girl pain, but deep inside she knew it was for the best. Still being pissed at the man responsible for all of this. She stabbed the man's metal mask through the left eye hole with the now bloodied arrow. Getting a taste of his own medicine really ruined this terrible man's day. As the arrow stabbed him in the eye and the electricity made its way through his body and disabled his suit. He was yelling in pain and he collapsed to the floor.
That exact second the threat was over and they were out of danger Natasha's anger disappeared and all of her attention was focused on Kate. She was confused to see Clint kneeling next to barely conscious Kate. Clint was frantic and constantly apologizing to Kate who didn't seem to hear or listen to him. Nat didn't know how did he get here so fast, but there was no time for that. She was trying her best to stop the bleeding and apply pressure to the wound while calling the EMTs.
Kate's world was turning black. All she could feel was the pain that just seemed to be getting worse, it was overwhelming and she just wanted it to stop. Unconsciousness seemed like a gift, but Kate Bishop doesn't give, she never does. She could hear a voice talking to her. It was quiet and far away, but still soft and in a loving tone. Was someone apologizing to her? She knew the voice, but couldn't quite place it. Kate could feel her energy draining. Moving or opening her mouth just seemed so difficult. Fighting to keep her eyes open was becoming to feel like an impossible mission.
Kate still seemed to be awake but barely hanging to consciousness, her eyes were wide with pain.
"It's ok", she muttered quietly, her teeth bloody. Her eyes closed and no amount of yelling from Clint caused her eyelids to open.
I am super happy to finally publish this chapter and am really glad that I took my time with writing, because I feel that this middle chapter is like the hearth and soul of this fanfiction trilogy and I'm super proud of it
I'm sorry to leave you on a cliffhanger but I didn't have much time to finish the chapter (I kept you waiting for lost enough). So I hope you enjoyed this roller coaster of emotions :P
A special thanks to: MT05, MoreThanJustSurviving, Darkmaiden and wheelsupsevenup for their support on the previous chapter :D