As soon as Alex was taken in for the lie detector test, Clint was already leaving the campus. Mostly because he was still absorbing the news, but also because he had to hear the truth from a primary source.
"Hey Clint," Kate said to her Godfather at the door of the Avengers lounge.
Clint dropped his serious expression and replaced it with a smile.
"Katie, do you need something?" The archer asked.
"You're gonna go see my dad aren't you?" She questioned
"I need to hear it from him," He replied.
"Can you give this to him when you see him?" Kate asked, pulling a letter out of one of her suit's pockets.
"Whatever's in that letter, I'll make sure you can tell him yourself," Clint said, giving Kate a parental kiss on the forehead before leaving.
After borrowing a quinjet, He set off to his destination. Los Angeles California. It was the only place Derek stayed other than New York when he was in the States. After touching down and obtaining a rental car, Clint drove over to his friend's property. The guards outside recognized him instantly and let him in without question.
When reaching the main building, Clint noticed the front door was ajar. Fearing for the worst, He started regretting not bringing his bow and simply braced himself for combat. Instead of conflict, however, he witnessed his best friends shuffling through some documents on the massive dining table, with a half-empty bottle of whiskey sitting beside him.
"Derek?" Clint said in an empathetic, confused and frustrated tone.
The man looked up from his documents and noticed the Avenger standing in the doorway.
Clint took a good look at the living/ dining area, noticing how messy it was. There were papers scattered everywhere, blueprints all over the couch, 3D prints of weapons placed out on the floor and more.
"What is this?" Clint asked
"Have a seat," Derek replied, clearing off a large enough section of the dining table for the both of them to sit comfortably.
On his way to the table, Clint picked a 3D print off of the floor and began twirling it in his hands.
The duo sat at the table in silence for what felt like an eternity, until Clint broke the ice.
"What are you doing man?" Clint asked, more disappointed than frustrated.
"I don't know anymore, I just wanna keep her safe," Derek said with his head down
"By working with Hydra," Clint replied disapprovingly
"Come on Clint, you know I wouldn't willingly work with them. You kept your family a secret from Shield so your enemies wouldn't know about them. I don't have that luxury," Derek explained
"It started as secret deals in an auction house I had some connections with which is why I moved back here alone but then it got more daring. They wanted me to steal from Wakanda. Of course, I didn't want to do it, but then they threatened Kate. So I moved her back here but I knew that that wasn't enough, so I gave them what they wanted. I can't lose her again," Derek explained, pouring himself another glass from the expensive-looking bottle and taking a swig.
"I'm gonna turn myself in," Derek revealed, after swallowing his drink.
"What?"
"Those new heroes stopped Hydra from getting their vibranium, and they captured one of their soldiers. They'll be looking for me. The only thing worries me is that I think they've got Kate,"
"You think Hydra has Katie?" Clint said
"Yeah, one of my guards told me that she left the house last night and didn't come back," Derek said, which made Clint chuckle.
"She's at Avengers campus, she's safe,"
Derek took a sigh of relief before a realisation dawned on him. "What is she doing at Avengers campus,"
"It's not my story to tell, but if you are gonna turn yourself in, you have to tell her in person," Cling replied.
Derek didn't respond, but he knew his friend was right.
"Come on," Clint said, helping Derek out of his seat and out of the house.
—
"And then this guy pours an entire bucket of water on my head to cool me off," Alex said, slapping Danny's back and wrapping up a story to the team who were barely containing their laughter.
They'd spent their entire day getting to know both Alex and Kate, not even realising that most of the Avengers had returned to their duties or gone home.
"Does anyone have the time?" Kate asked
"Yeah, it's just passed 7," Peter replied
"Clint's gonna be back soon," The young archer thought to herself.
She'd been quietly dreading the upcoming moment. She didn't want to have to look her dad in the eyes, but at the same time, she didn't want him to be locked away especially if she was the reason he did all this.
"I'm gonna go get some air," She announced to the rest of the team.
"Do you want us to come with?" Danny asked, noticing the drop in Kate's demeanour.
"No, I'll be fine," She replied and left the Avengers lounge.
She manoeuvred through the base until she found an open balcony, and leaned over the edge, releasing a large sigh.
"Kate," A voice said just minutes after Kate had found this spot.
She whipped around quickly and saw Monica at the entrance of the balcony.
"I've been looking for you," The captain said.
"Is Clint back?" Kate asked, already knowing the answer to the question and Monica simply nodded.
"Alright, let's get this over with," The young archer said, trying to convié herself that it would all be okay.
"If you wanna change, I can bring you some clothes," Monica offered, making Kate notice that she was still wearing her suit.
"No, it's- I think I'll be fine," The archer stammered.
The two walked in complete silence to the entrance of the containment cell Derek had been placed in. Monica scanned her hand on a wall panel, and the large metal door in front of them slid open. They stepped down the stairs and into a dark empty room, with a single chair.
"Where's-" Kate was cut off by Monica pressing a button on her tablet. The opposite wall transformed into an inertial confinement laser barrier before revealing the hidden cell in the room. There was a single bed placed on the right-hand side and laying on it was Derek.
"Dad?" Kate whispered loud enough to get Derek to lift himself off the bed. She took a good look at him and he looked horrible. The only time she'd ever seen him in a state close to this was when her mom died.
"Kate, thank goodness you're okay," Derek exclaimed before taking a look at his daughter's outfit.
"Why are you dressed like one of those people on the news?" He asked worriedly.
Kate was fully ready to confess even though her dad probably knew the answer already.
"Dad-" She started but was interrupted by a loud click and the door opening.
Through the door entered King T'challa and General Okoye.
Kate instantly got up from her seat and stood by Monica.
"At ease everyone," T'challa said, raising his hands.
"Your Highness, I'd like to" Derek started
"Turn yourself in, I am aware," T'challa replied
"I am also aware of the current circumstances," He added, taking a short but noticeable glance at Kate.
"Which is why after hours of discussing with the elders, I'm able to guarantee you a reduced sentence,"
"Reduced sentence, what are you guys talking about?" Kate questioned
"We are taking your father into custody," The General revealed
"What?" Kate spoke softly
"You can't do that, I mean he was being blackmailed by Hydra," Kate tried to argue
"May we have the room, please," The philanthropist pleaded and Monica agreed, leading the king and general out and opening Derek's cell.
Kate automatically dashed into her father's arms.
"You can't go, not after mom," The young archer pleaded, Carley containing the tears forcing in her eyes.
"Look-" Derek stammered, pushing Kate away slightly.
"I want you to have something," He added, reaching under the collar of his shirt and unclipping a necklace from his neck.
"Is that mom's necklace," Kate asked, instantly recognising it as she wiped her eyes with her sleeve.
"Yeah, she got it from her mom when she turned 18 and she wanted me to do the same but I don't think I'll be out when that happens," Derek explained, placing the chain in Kate's hand.
She picked it up and noticed an engraving on the pendant that she had never paid attention to.
"A grand adventure is about to begin," She read aloud.
"Seems fitting, you've gotta take down Hydra and avenge me. That's what you guys do right," Derek said, trying to lighten the mood.
"Actually we're the Newyorkers, not the Avengers, so I guess we'll get you back in New York before you know it," Kate replied.
Just then, the door slipped open and Monica signalled that it was time for Derek to leave.
"I love you, Dad," Kate said, gripping her new necklace.
"I love you too Katie," Derek replied, kissing her forehead before leaving the room to join the King and General.
She waited a few minutes in the room before leaving and taking a deep breath on a nearby balcony, letting a few tears drop down her face as she stared into the night sky
"We heard what happened," A voice said behind Kate, shocking her out of her thought. She turned around seeing Wanda a few feet behind her and the rest of the team at the entrance back into the compound.
"Yeah," She responds, clearing her throat.
"You know, they're not gonna let you live by yourself," Shuri said
"And the mansion has like 15 or so rooms that need filling," Danny continued
"You're welcome to stay, you too Alex," Peter proposed to the two new heroes
Kate thought about it for a moment. She liked being with these guys, and they had a mission to finish together.
"I think I might take you up on that," Kate replied, wiping her tears again with her slightly damp sleeve.
"Anything's better than Hydra," Alex also replied, earning a few laughs and the newly expanded team shared a few more moments in the start night.