Hawkeye II

Take care when one goes wandering in the woods. Especially where a Labryrinth lies hidden in the depths. Never know where one might end up. A croquet game with old yet new friends. The Ruler of a strange and peculiar kingdom where logic and proportion had fallen sloppy dead.

Kate didn't know where she was. She thought her friends acted strange, and she found herself feeling sorry for how Cassie there was being treated. They weren't like that with her even after she defected to the Initiative. No matter how much this Eli urged her on.

Even curiouser and curiouser was seeing Eli as King, and herself as Queen of Hearts, resplendent in an ermine cape and crown. She was compelled to act haughty, rather like some of her classmates from the Academy. The stuck up rich offspring who cared more about summer homes in the Hamptons, and how much was in your mutual funds account than being a friend. She wasn't sure how she came to be here, and how to get back. And the longer she was here, the more nonsense made sense. Watching Tommy as the White Rabbit, zipping around to do her errands. It was getting too comfortable here.

So of course, it takes an Alice, or a giant Cassie to bring the house of cards crashing down.

The practice targets closer to the woods were a chilly place to be this time of year. Especially as the sun quickly sank below the horizon. Why Kate was bundled up a bit in warmer if movable athletic fabrics so she wouldn't lose too much body temperature as she worked up a sweat. She had already did a warm up of light exercises and stretches before grabbing her bow and quiver.

Once again, she was contorting her body and running to hit the targets from various angles. It made a better challenge. Though it also made it more of a hike into the trees when a few arrows went errant in their path. As it was, she sighed, and jogged her way further into the woods to fetch them. Good thing there was only a couple of arrows that hadn't hit the target.

Kate carried the movies up along with her bow and quiver before holding the door open so Will could bring the food in. She set the DVDs near the TV, and set the table for them.

"Thanks," she grinned to him.

It took a bit longer to get ready this day. But it always was so, for this and the anniversary of it. The first year after, all of them, Susan, Dad and her had all taken a ride out to the cemetery with flowers. This year, Dad remembered the day, but he was half way around the world yet again. Another deal to be worked out, more meetings. To Susan, it was another day and Mother's Day meant more about special sales than anything else.

Kate couldn't really imagine her older sister having kids one day anyway.

She was dressed in a subdued outfit as she headed out to the cemetery, a fresh bouquet of flowers in her hand. Her mother hadn't wanted anything elaborate, just a simple headstone stating 'Eleanor Bishop, Beloved Wife and Mother' along with the years.

"Hey Mom. Happy Mother's Day," She whispered, carefully brushing the leaves away. Seemed like more every year even though the groundskeeper kept the sites relatively neat. She glanced up, and could see a few other scattered people here. Making the same trip as her. It was sad, but slightly comforting in a way she supposed. She gently laid the flowers down on the ground, and kissed her fingers before touching the polished marble surface lightly on the engraved name.

Her vivid memory brought back the last Mother's Day with her mother. As usual, her mom took her to the shelter saying on how days like today, those without mothers or had to be away from them would need something more. The kids were often excited to see her, and Eleanor always had a hug and a smile for each of them. Even for the more sullen and withdrawn ones, she could find a way to coax a small smile from them. Kate always wondered how she was able to do that so well. She still wondered sometimes.

Still she was glad not to making this year's trip alone as she got up, and took Will's hand before she was pulled into a tight reassuring hug. They lingered there a moment before turning away to head back to the door and Milliways.

It started with all of them seeing what one thought of as the 'Baxter building' eating itself. Debating on what to do, if they should fight, if they should contact the older Avengers.

And then the Skrull ship came down in Times Square starting to fire which took the decision out of their hands. They were there, and a fight was starting. No time to get more help. Barely time to suit up really before the Skrulls starting pouring out with weapons, attacking people and cars.

"Guys this is a little bit over our heads, don't you think?" Kate yelled to her teammates trying to dodge laser attacks, and huge fists coming after them. Even with Eli's admonishment that that they couldn't just leave. They couldn't. Somebody had to hold the line here in the city. And it was just them.

Still for once she was glad to see the Initiative, including Cassie show up to help out.

But they were outnumbered and outgunned still. And as Vision was shot, everything went pear shaped.

Kate and Will had headed out back. It was late afternoon, the spring air still warmed from the sun. No weapons other than hand to hand today.

"Let me know when you're ready," Kate simply said to him.

Kate was bustling around her room with Will. Making sure everything was ready for their shopping trip. Sparrow was whining a little as he paced around. Usually those kind of trips meant he couldn't come along since the stores had a silly rule against those with four legs.

"Hey Will, you about ready to go?" She called to him.

The sun was just rising up, and the couple were cuddling together in the cot in the cottage. Arms linked around each other, steady rise and fall of chests breathing in sleep. Sparrow was snoozing, snuggled in around their legs. The puppy sleepily awoke, yawned and stretched before getting up, and padding over to them.

Lick, lick, this is your morning wake up call.

"Rockefeller Center
Has the biggest
Christmas tree of all
You can go downtown
And see it all
I guarantee
You'll have a ball
On Christmas
In the city"
Through the door, it was around sunset so the lights were being switched on all around Manhattan.
Kate took Will's hand, and lead him the short blocks from the door to Bar to Rockefeller Center where there was a giant lit up Christmas tree, and lots of people either milling around, or staring at the sight of the tree, the costumed Santas, the lit angels, or the people skating on the rink.

"Radio City's close by here too, and there's lot of displays this time of year to see."

Kate opened the door to New York, and they stepped through, holding hands. This time they were at the Clubhouse, but it was quiet right now. Early morning, and the sun could only faintly be seen through the thick low clouds overhead. Looked like the start of a cold December day.

"Come on. I got excused time from school to visit both Julliard and Empire State's music school. Can see either."