Hawkeye II

Because Billy was with her as invisible backup, it didn't take long for the news to pass through the team ranks. (Most of them anyway), and get right back to the person she really didn't want to find out.

So Eli chewed her out in front of everybody, and she nearly tore his head off in return before storming off for some stress relief in the practice room of the clubhouse.

Like that, basically.

Tommy caught up with her, well, being a speedster, this wasn't very hard. But she told him a little, and he suggested going some place. She surprised herself a little by saying it was a date. But she was angry, and hurt. She wanted to hurt back. Eli for chewing her out and getting her back for embarrassing him. And maybe Will a little for getting her hopes up about that someday.

Either way, she figured going out with Tommy for red bull mojito spritzers in a dodgy bar sounded like a good idea. He then insisted on asking again what happened, and she never was very good at hiding the truth. Because she never really wanted to. So they stepped outside, and she told him the whole story.

Next thing she knew he was suggesting they steal it back. She was shocked, but interested. Because dammit, it was her bow now, her name. Hasn't she earned it by now? Still, she wasn't sure. The Avengers would be out on patrols so they wouldn't be there. Could just sneak in.

And something about how Tommy said it, and the way he held her in his arms as they zipped along into the elevator... And that kiss.

She's clearly always had a weakness for thieves.
It didn't mean she was letting him sneak a kiss a second time.

She was briefly distracted with the picture of the Avengers. The original ones, and they all looked about their age. Young and eager to fight, not knowing what's to come, and how things would end up long years later.

It still didn't stop her from being happy to get her bow back, even when they heard Luke and Clint returning to the room. Tommy could get away easily, and so could she. But she couldn't help lingering to listen as Clint argued... Arguing and vouching for them. Saying how good they are, and they just need a little guidance.
"The world absolutely needs those kids in it."
Even adding that they had the right kind of fight for it.
She couldn't help smiling as she hugged her bow tightly, and snuck off finally back to the clubhouse.

Where Clint found her a little later much to her shock. And to her further shock, he didn't ask again for the bow. It was hers because she fought for it, and he even gave her a gift. The picture. The same one that she had stared at a few hours before. He then talked about tradition and family, and they were. They were young, but definitely getting there.

And she teared up a little as he added how people didn't believe in him, doubted and despised at times too. All of those things she had said to Brand months ago... and she wasn't the only one.

And now it was their turn to be the ones needed. Avengers.

She hugged the picture tightly, and then placed it carefully up on the wall.

Her "Thanks, Hawkeye," might have been to an empty room, but it was ok. She... they were doing the right thing with this.

She then turned to head out of the practice room, the door opening wide...

"KATHERINE ELIZABETH! GET DOWN HERE NOW!"

What the hell was that about? Kate finished her text to Eli, 'Gtg, dad freakout again.' She then set down her cellphone, and hopped off the bed. She headed downstairs.

"What, Dad?" She then froze at the bottom of the stairs where her father was holding up a newspaper with pictures of her and her teammates in costume.
'Outlaw Superhero Menace' was the headline.

"What is this? You think you can stroll around in disguise, be photographed by *my* papers, and NOT be noticed?" He berated her, and stopped her from walking past.

"No, but you're barely here, Dad." She shot back as she folded her arms in front of her.

"I'm away because I'm running around making sure this family has enough money."

"Really not a problem there."

Derek got more in her face, "Hey, watch it. We wouldn't be living like this if it wasn't for what I did. Look, I understand how much you miss Eleanor, and I always encouraged you to help out those in need. But this is too far. It's dangerous, and illegal."

"Only because of a stupid law!"

"I'm not going to have you going out every night risking your neck, and getting arrested. I want you home as soon as you're done with school, and that's final."

Kate snorted, "Right, I'm almost 18, Dad. This is what I want to do." Her father scowled more since he didn't like the reminder that she was getting older. The house would empty soon enough, but he wanted it put off as long as possible.

"You don't have powers, why are you doing this?"

"Because I want to help people! It's more direct than any charity, and keeps people safe!"

Her father threw up his hands, and paced around, "Then be a cop, go for the FBI, but I will not have you wasting your life with this costume crap."

He then came closer to put his hands on her shoulders, "Katherine, please. You girls are all I have now, and you know your mother would have wanted better for you than this."

She scowled more, "Mom would have understood and supported me."

Her father started to yell, but then bluntly stated. "That's it, go back to your room right now, and you stay there until you have school."

"It's the weekend, Dad."

"Too bad. Go."

She turned to go, and her father added, "And starting Monday, I'm setting up security cameras so don't even think of sneaking out."

She stared at him, "You can't be serious."

"I told you to go."

"Fine... look I know you're worried, but I'm doing the right thing. And you can't stop me, I'll find a way."

She then ran upstairs while her father sank onto the chair with a sigh. After Kate was upstairs and out of earshot, he picked up a photo of Eleanor. A shot of the two of them at their engagement party.

He sighed at the photo, "She really takes too much after us sometimes. She always listened better to you."

Upstairs, Kate flopped on the bed, a sigh escaping her that sounded identical to her father's.
Her cellphone then played the opening notes of Greensleeves, and she picked it up.

"Hello?"

Eli's voice on the other end immediately said, "Hey Kate, you feel like sneaking out tonight? Got something I gotta do."

She smiled, and grinned, "About time you called. I'll meet you. Usual place." She then hung up a moment later, and got up to get dressed.

She kept Will's hand closely linked in hers as she opened the door to a place that was full of metal, and underground. Realizing how strange and disturbing it must look to the medieval man with dark memories she squeezed his hand a little tighter. Looked quiet enough around this hallway at least for the time being as she walked along in her Hawkeye costume. Her boots making slight noise against the tiled floor.

"Need to find a place you can hide until I can introduced you to Cap. At least my teammates can vouch for you now as well. Everybody's really nervous with the plans to get into the prison now."

They walked through the door, and it lead out to a street a few blocks from the warehouse where the team now trained.

Kate got out her cellphone, and texted a message, her other hand linked with Will's.

"Just letting Cassie and the others know we're on our way. Another example of modern technology, a lot quicker than trying to call across a town square, and longer distance," She held up the phone to show him the modern device.