While Red hates Eleanor with a passion there was one good thing about her and the company she ran…her workers.
If it weren't for those amazing people Red wasn't sure she'd be able to convince the….how to put it nicely?...aging clientele that Bishop Security had as investors.
Nearly every one of them didn't want Kate as the new leader of Bishop Security, always feeling that while Eleanor proved herself worthy to be in that position, Kate apparently has not.
Mind you those words were fucking stupid.
Yes Kate didn't necessarily show the drive or passion to take over Bishop Security….BUT she was literally raised TRAINED and KNOWING she'd have to take over someday…whether she fucking liked it or not. Assuming she stayed in her mother's graces of course.
While they might not be on best terms at the moment due to….well Kate having to assist in arresting her own mother, she knows that her mother would prefer if the business went to Kate for the time being and then when she's out? She will fight her tooth and nail, and illegally most likely, to get the business back….assuming Kate would fight her on it….and don't worry…Red plans to.
It was dumb to think that Red…sorry Kate…couldn't handle running the business.
Not like her mom did much to begin with anyway.
But thank god for the higher ups in the business all agreeing that losing the business, and their paychecks, due to ignorance and ego wasn't a smart idea.
IN FACT having a new face of Bishop Security during such an important, and controversial, moment might actually be good for the company. So long as they can take the proper steps to avoid more controversy with Kate at the wheel.
Red was happy that they all eventually agreed to let her have full control over the business. Completely removing Eleanor of power under the guise that when Eleanor was to get out of jail that Kate *could* give the business back to her mother, if her mother wanted it back, as none were the wiser that the two were in a tough spot in their situation and Red has no plans of doing any of that.
"I'm just suggesting that we create social media accounts OUTSIDE of Facebook and Instagram" Red was now standing and writing on the board as apparently nothing she said made sense to the investors without visual representations. Here she thought the days of pie charts and 2000s graphics were over…guess not.
"It doesn't have to be immediately, in fact if we rush them it'll look suspicious and be a clear sign of damage control. No, I propose that we slowly build an idea of what exactly the social media accounts should consist of content wise, hire people who know how to script, direct, and shoot content and build upon a younger audience."
She could see the older men squinting in clear confusion of WHY a security business would care for a younger audience.
"You aren't seeing the bigger picture. It's not about us being a security business. It's about being relatable enough that people will want to either INVEST in our company, or BUY products from our company. Look at TikTok for example…Duolingo a language app…has TONS of people downloading the app JUST because of relatable content ALONE. That's not even including the people that continue to use it because of the relatable content and persona built for the brand that scolds you for NOT using the app."
Everyone gives an approving nod in the room
"That's a good point actually! I started using Duolingo for French back in highschool. Ton of fun tbh…." Peter softly says from the darkness of the conference room.
"Speaking of highschool….who is that highschool boy behind you Kate? Is he a friend of yours? Boyfriend?"
Red quickly shakes her head
"No! No boyfriend."
Peter shakes his head as well and emerges from the dark corner and more into the light
"No sir, I'm going to be her assistant and work with the tech and IT department"
Terry the IT guy, and Thomas the tech head both stare at Kate
"He has good grades, he's even applied for Stark Industries, and he seems to know what he's talking about when it comes to our system and how it could not only be improved but strengthened. I was going to introduce him to you two after the meeting in hopes you feel the same."
The two nod at her in understanding but are clearly unsure of Pete
"He's a good kid and a lot of the ideas he has….I've also had. I've just never been able to input them to my mother because we've always had our differences….as I'm sure you are all aware."
Kate fixes her coat to ensure it's hiding her Hawkeye outfit and stands up straight
"But now that I'm in charge….we can really move Bishop Security forward into relevancy and into a better monetary status….without the previous issues my mother and father faced. I just need time to work with my team to push through the news, any controversy, and to work with them on solid plans to help the company make it through all of this."
Call it the power of persuasion, charisma level 100, or just the power of talk jutsu but Red was able to convince the investors.
Due to how late it was getting, and how badly everyone wanted to go home, they ended the meeting with investors willing to give time for improvements and change, and the higher ups will call Kate and Pete tomorrow with an ideas and updates.
-After everyone leaves-
Red took a deep breathe and locked eyes with Pete
"Well….we can part ways or?"
Peter looks at her both confused and shook
"You told her earlier you don't have anywhere to go dude…."
Right….right
"Well I mean…streets can't be that bad can they?!"
They stare at each other in complete silence before Pete points a finger at her and slowly speaks
"Are you really….like that rich you don't know how bad NYC streets are or? Or are you joking?"
Red looks at him
"Hawkeye I swear to god if this is one of those 'I didn't wanna be a burden to you so I figured I could just sleep on the streets' type of thing I'm gonna be….oooooo I'm gonna be mad."
Peter puts on his best 'I'm mad' face but Red just smiles at him because honestly the kid is SO bad at being mad when he's clearly not.
"Hey! Hey, don't laugh! I'm being serious, I'm so mad! So, so mad! You can stay with me until you get set up. Promise I'm not a bad roommate. OH and we're teammates now anyway so it's so cool!"
Red looks down at the ground and chuckles "yeah that is pretty cool, let's just head back to my place to pick up my stuff real quick."
As Red and Pete exit Bishop Security Red swears she saw blonde.
Or well she thought she saw a familiar blonde
Could it be?
Nahhhh
Right?
There is no way Yelena is still stalking her….right?
Red and Peter pick up the pace as the night air starts to dig deep into their bones.
Turning a corner Red and Peter are met with a big bork
There on some stairs is Yelena with Lucky and one of her backpacks. Next to Yelena is a taller blonde with another dog.
"Yelena?!"
Yelena gives her a small smile
"Kate Bishop"
Yelena gets up from the stairs and meets Red and Peter halfway
"Sweet dog! He's such a good boy!" Peter immediately squats down to pet both of the dogs happily.
Yelena looks down at him with clear judgment
"This is your boyfriend?"
Red looks at her in clear disgust in return
"Why does everyone think we're dating? No! No, he's my new assistant at work"
Peter looks up at Yelena and the other blonde "Names Peter! Nice to meet you two, any friend of Kate is a friend of mine!"
Yelena's face softens with what seems to be sadness as she looks at Red "You are going home with him though?"
"Wha? Well, well yeah dude. I don't have anywhere else to go. Got a few days left technically but…figured I'd get some "self perseverance" as Clint keeps yelling at me to get…and figured that staying in the same place bad guys both know exist and helped burn down….proooobably isn't the best idea. Right?"
Yelena nods approvingly, thankfully Yelena doesn't seem suspicious of her ability to act like Kate…which is good. She hasn't had to take over their body in years now.
"I mean….if your friends here want you to stay with them that is ok! I understand that you like JUST met me so I get it, totally sus to stay with a dude you just met." Peter stops petting the dogs and jumps up.
The taller blonde with Yelena looks back and forth between Yelena and Red with a small smile of mischief.
"You can stay with us….I really don't mind, you seem…eccentric…good for Yelena"
Yelena whips her head back and glares at her friend
"Sonya!"
Ahhh her name is Sonya
"I'd love to actually!"
Yelena whips back and looks at Red in shock
"Looks like you got my stuff anyway"
Red softly pulls on the backpack strap which accidentally brings Yelena a bit closer to her. Yelena looks up at her in shock, both of them clearly surprised that Yelena had let that happen.
Their faces turn red and out of the corner of Yelena's eye she can see both Sonya and Peter smiling widely at the two. Idiots….
Yelena pretends to clear her throat before speaking "It was not nice of you to leave Lucky alone for so long you know Kate Bishop, someone mean could have taken him away and what would you have done if someone took the baby? I would not be here to help you get him back you know."
The shorter blonde uses the mention of Lucky to take a step back as she motions to the dog behind her happily playing with his new friend.
Lucky momentarily looks up at Kate with a wide puppy smile before pouncing on the other dog who gave a small yip in surprise.
"Well thanks for being there for him. Means a lot to me." Red places a hand on Yelena's waist and pulls her towards her to force the blonde to look at her. Both of them hold their breath.
.*CLICK*
Sonya takes a picture of the two.
"Sorry! Sorry, forgot to turn my phone to silent. But very cute moment, I shall print that out for you later Kate Bishop…..you seem like the type to keep photos of your girls…no?" Sonya tilts her head and smirks
"I…UH….UHM….PETE?" Red looks at him for help but he just shrugs
"Kinda getting cold out, dogs should probably get inside soon, see ya tomorrow Kate? I'll text you someplace we can meet up!" Peter hands her a napkin with his number on it and starts booking it before Red can change her mind.
"Wha…what was he going to do if you guys said no to me staying with you?" Red looks at the assassin
"You should keep him. Thought we were friends and chose to let you stay with us instead of forcing you with him….that is good. Good kid. Now come Kate Bishop, let's get the dogs someplace warm." Yelena swiftly turns around and starts walking without looking back
Red looks at Sonya for confirmation but she simply winks at her, smiles, and walks off following Yelena.
Welp
Guess we're gonna bunk with not just one, but TWO, black widow assassins….that of which Clint specifically told her to avoid….and now she's gonna spend the night with them if not stay with them for an indefinite amount of time…..lovely. He's gonna love hearing that.
Red shrugs and jogs to catch up to Yelena and Sonya
"Soooo Sonya right? How long have you known Yelena?"
This was gonna be a long interrogation wasn't it?