-Come on!-He grabbed her hand as they sneaked through the night.

-Someone's going to see us!-She whispered worried.

-They won't, come on Kate, trust me.

She looked at him for a moment, her partner in all their tricks and treats, her best friend, Rowan. If there was someone she trusted in was him.

-I trust you.

-Then, let's go.

No one saw them leaving in that darkness, neither did the guards noticed the plants of the garden moving slightly, because they were hiding between them. It took a long walk, but they managed to get to their objective.

Her eyes sparkkled with the lights, a mix of light and snow, a magical air within the cold.

A huge rollercoaster speeded with people screaming, a smell of food full of calories filled their noses, a ferris wheel moving slowly, so big to their sight that a "wow" escaped their mouths.

But her eyes stopped at a single entertainment vehicle. It spinned in circles, the horses moving up and down, each one painted in colorful colors and detailed traces, as kids sat on them, celebrating by each ride they had.

Rowan noticed his friend's reaction, they only had enough for one ride in one toy, but if that made Kate happy, then that's what they'd do.

Grabbed her hand and leaded her to the ride. The security man didn't ask about it, he just wanted the money, wich accepted gladly from the boy's hands.

Rowan helped Kate get onto one of the horses, a brown one, with white nose, and a pink hair. He sat on the one by her side, a white one with green haired fur.

-Ready Rowan? You're gonna loose!-She challenged him.

-Ha, you will, Kate!- He interjected.

The vehicle spinned slowly, the horses moving up and down, as both the kids pretendex to be in a real race, with runnung horses fast through field full of lights in a dark night as the one they were.

The laughs and joy filled the whole time they spent on that carousel, and memories never faded since that moment.

-Hey Rowan-Kate walked with the boy back home.- That was very nice. Thank you.

Before he could speak, she delivered a gentle kiss on his cheek, a sweet, purity act of childhood love. He blushed, pretended it wasn't a big deal and that it was actually digusting, she only laughed, grabbed his hand, and walked home like that, even though he was already her home.

°°°

-Hello, Rowan Ledger speaking.-He picked up his phone.- Well, that's great, have you find out?-He heard the answer through the speaker- Excuse me what?-Rowan stopped, cursed a bad word then turned off the phone.

He looked fastlt in his laptop, typed some key words, and finally, got what he wanted.

He grabbed his coat, went to the closet, and prepared his gear, before his assistent could say anything, he had already gone.

°°°

Clint got free from the ropes, he was trying to escape while the Tracksuit men were after him and Kate, who tried to hide from a woman called Maya.

They were too fast, and, both of the archers were lost about where they were.

Hawkeye's hearing aid was smashed during the fight with Kazi, one of the Tracksuits, but managed to go outside and meet Kate there.

-We need a car to get out of here.-Clint said to her.

Suddenly, a loud noise was heard, in front of them, a black, fancy vehicle, shining.

-Did you say you need a car?-The driver smirked.

-Rowan!-Kate smiled and already got inside, sitting in the passenger's seat.

-How did you-

-Rowan, go, go, go!-Kate interruoted Clint.

-Alright, hold on to your seats!-He said.

Her friend stepped into the gas, the vehicle increased the speed, throwing snow at the enemies behind them, wich still didn't give up.

-How many we got?-Kate asked, trying to look back.

-Four!-Clint yelled from behind.

The race continued, as Rowan attempted to don't get all of the killed while passing through the cars in the traffic.

Clint looked for something inside his bag, they didn't have time, they needed to get rid of the adverseries as fast as they could.

-Wait, wait,wait, we are out of regular arrows.-He muttered.

-What do you mean we're...-Kate turned aroujd observing the content of her partner's bag - Oh, my God, are these trick arrows??

-Wait, trick arrows? That is so cool!-Rowan and Kate got excited.

Clint still tried to don't take most dangerous ones, and tried to filter wich one would be best for Kate to don't explode the whole city down.

-This one fine? -She asked grabbing a random one- I'm using this one.

-Hey, be careful. -Clint tried to stop her

-I was born careful.

-Ha.-Rowan laughed at her answer- We're dead.

-They're not regular arrows. -Clint tried to stop her-Kate!

She put her body through the window, targeting at the back her enemies, the posture still, eyes on the prize, pulling the arrow with caution at the bow:

-Eenie, meenie, miney...-One breath, and she shot- Mo.

The arroe hit the car, an explosive purple substance involved it completely, blinding the drivers.

-Is that..a Play-Doh arrow?-Roean asked widening his eyes.

-Hut their wheels with the putty arrow!-Clint shouted.

Kate tried to shoot, but from her position, it was still to hard to do it.

-This'd be a lot easier if we were facing... -Rowan started.

-It'd be easier if we were facing the other way.-Clint said, because he was barely hearing what he said.

- Yeah, just a... Hey, we're communicating!-Kate celebrated as they were a team now.

- Hang on.-Rowan muttered with his hands on the wheel.

The car screeched on the pavement, as he turned the wheel fastly with his hands, now facing the other side.

Kate attempted to shoot many arrows, but, not knowing wich one she should use, some were completely useless.

-Kate use a good one!-Rowan groaned.

-I'm trying!-She yelled back.

She grabbed another and positioned at the bow, targeting at the car again, she took a deep breath.

-Please be a good one, please be a good one.-She hoped.

The enemies were there, not far behind, screaming at the girl.

-Merry Christmas!-She shouted and shoot the arrow.

Working successfully, she celebrated and got inside, Clint gave her another arrow, a toxic one as he called, to break the stoplights.

Arriving at a bridge, Rowan had stop suddenly to don't hit the car in front of them. A little girl staring surprised as the trio stopped abruptely behind her car, and, exchanging "sorry" glances at her.

The enemies truck was coming behind them, a syhe traffic moved. Clint, Kate and Rowan got out of the vehicle, the truck wasn't stopping, instead, it speeded.

-What is he doing?-She asked.

-Gonna crash into us.-Clint replied, grabbing his bow.-Aim high. Bring the arrow down on him.-He gave her another arrow.

-What's the plan? This is just a normal arrow.

-Kate.-Rowan spoke, she looked at him-Just do it, you can do this.

I have no idea what you're saying, just gonna assume you're on board. -Clint replied- On my mark. -Kate prepared hersrlf- Ready? -She took a deep breath.- Shoot up.

Kate aimed high and shoot exactly where he asked her to, aiming high as well, Clint another arrow, but different, a Pym one. Wich touched Kate's and doubled its' size, falling and hitting the truck, creating a huge explosion.

-That was amazing!-Rowan and Kate exclaimed at the same time.

-Here- Clint gave her an arrow- cover me.

-An USB arrow? What am I supposed to do with this?

Clint ran foward, sneaking into the cars and hiding to get one of the arrows they shot before. Kate pointed, nervous, paralyzed, not knowing what to do.

-Step back!-Rowan threatned- you don't wanna see what this arrow does!-He helped her.

They exchanged looks, the enemies were kind of scared, Clint had grabbed the arrow.

-Now!-Rowan shouted.

Kate shoot the arrow, one of the Tracksuit men screamed, but it did nothing. It just helped to scare them off for a moment.

-Follow me!-Clint yelled and grabbed an arrow.

He ran towards the edge of the bridge, prrparing the bow as Kate followed him.

-Wait, we're gonna jump??-Rowan gasped.

-Rowan, come on!-Kate pulled him and all of the jumped.

Clint shot an arrow to grab the edge of the bridge as they were falling, Kate held to the bow, while Rowan hugge her to don't fall, as those ladies in danger in movies holding to their heroes.

-Woo-hoo!-Kate shouted, Rowan trembled.

They angled foward with the impact of the weight of their bodies, and managed to fall above a train, beneath the bridge, escaping from the menaces.

°°°

-God...-Rowan sighed tired, sitting by Kate's side at the train. Clint sat across them.

-We gotta walk the dog. -Kate suddenly said.

Rowan didn'r know if he should cry because of all the rush they passed through or laugh because of Kate's sudden decision.

-You're not wrong...-He agreed.

- He's been cooped up all day. Not quite sure how long a dog can...

-...call yourself one of the world's greatest archers.- Clint complimented.

Kate surprised herself.

-Oh, my God, do you really think so?-She gasped with a smile on her face.-I wasn't sure how I'd do under all that pressure...

-Probably should walk the dog. Don't you think? Been cooped up all day.

Kate looked at Rowan, giving tiny smiles, he felt so proud of her. She was, for him, the greatest archer of all time.

°°°

Again at Rowan's apartment, Kate was in the shower, Clint just by Pizza dog, petting his head, as Rowan texted something on his phone.

-I need to talk with you.-Clint said, approaching him.

Rowan hid the phone fastly, avoiding the archer's eyes.

-Oh, really?-He asked-Sure.

-You did help us today, good job.-He said.

-That was nothing-

-But what makes me wonder is how did you find us.

Rowan stared at him speechless for a moment, Clint looked at him back intensely, serious. It was strange, how suddeny he found them at the exact place, the exact time.

-I...Well, I just-

When Rowan was about to explain, Clint's phone rang, he tried to pick it up, but couldn't speak properly to his son, Nathaniel, he couldn't hear it.

Rowan grabbed a note and tried to help him, as Kate stepped out of the shower, in Rowan's clothes he lended her, observing the scene.

He pratically translated what the kid was seeing through writting, so the archer could understand. That way, he could at least, worry a little less his family.

At the end, he turned off the phone, gave a half smile, nodding and thanking the young man.

°°°

-Give me one minute, cash only.-The rude lady said, entering her house, as the two friends awaited at a diner nearby.

Clint was resting a bit at Rowan's place, he was exhausted, after all, he wasn't so young anymore. Rowan was with Kate, awaiting get the hero's hearing aid fixed.

She was eating and talking nonstop, exciting describing all the battle moments and how she awaited for that her whole life.

He smiled at her excitment, he loved to see how passioned he was about things, she could listen to it all day if she wanted to.

-You did very amazing today.-He told her.-Really, you...-He chuckled- you saved the day, Kate.

-Me?-She sniffed- You were the one who saved us from those Tracksuits riding the car. By the way, how did you get there so fast? How did you know I was in trouble?

He looked at the diner for a moment, people chatting, no worries, just eating and having a nice conversation. He thought about an answer, looked back at Kate, awaiting for his reply.

-I...I called you, but you didn't reply, so...um...I used the security key of my corporation to find you.-He looked down- Sorry, I shouldn't just hack ibto your phone...

-Wait.-She held his hand, he looked at her- It's alright, really. You helped me today. Thank you.

They exchanged smiles, her hand was soft and warm, while his was so cold. Her touch was comforting and gentle, and, for a moment, he wished she didn't take it off.

For a moment, her eyes were locked with his, and she wanted to keep her hand ther, with his, because it just felt right to do so. Everything felt right by his side.

-So-He leaned foward and whispered to her- You're really continuing with this...mission?

Kate looked at both sides, checking if they weren't being watched, leaning towards him, their faces close.

-Yeah, he nedds my help.

He chuckled softly, his smile warmed her heart everytime.

-Wow, super Kate, okay!

-Hey, not super Kate.

-Then what is your super hero name?

-I don'y have one.

-How come you don't?

-I...-She realized- I think I've never thought about it.

-Hm...-Rowan muttered- We need to find out one. Hawkeye Junior?

-That's just terrible.-She laughed, pushing him.

-Miss Bishop, like miss Marvel

-Pretty sure that's plagiarism.

-Nobody would know.-He winked.

-Nah, I would.-She chuckled- We need. sonething original.

-Well, whatever you're gonna call yourself.-He said kindly- You're always gonna be my favorite hero.

She smiled softly, still holding his hand on the table, if anyone watched both of them, probably would've thought they were dating. But both of them would say "no!" To it.

°°°

-Do you think that the Tracksuits were after anything else at that auction?-Clint whispered to Kate at the backseat.

Rowan was driving both of them to Eleanor's apartment, Kate needed to talk with her mother. But, even though Rowan helped them out, the two heroes thought it would be better for him to don't know what was happening, he would be safer that way.

-I don't know. I was pretty focused on Jack and Armand.-She whispered back.-It's pretty upsetting to think there might be stuff from the Avengers Compound floating around out there.

-So, you still think Jack is involved somehow?

- Yes. There's too many coincidences. -She assured- He was at the auction that night, and yesterday, he offered me a butterscotch.

-Not exactly a crime.-Rowan commented.

-Shh! You weren't supposed to hear anything!-She retorted.

-You're not very discrete, you know?-Clint told Kate, then looked at her friend.- And Rowan, stay out of this.

-When I tried to stab his face to prove he was lying, he would've parried, if someone didn't stop it.-She looked annoyed at Rowan.

-You tried to stab your mom's fiancé?-Clint gasped.

-Plus, he has everything to gain from Armand's death.

-The Jack thing, it's weird.-Rowan added.-I get it, but it's not exactly airtight.

-Right. Which is why we need more evidence.

-And why we're gonna sneak into my mom's penthouse.-Kate concluded.

- Wait, wait, wait, what? -Both men reacted.

-We can get into her company files. Bishop Security has a huge criminal database. There's gotta be info on the Tracksuits and Jack in there.

-Um...I don't think that's a good idea.-Rowan tried to make her change her mind.

-I mean, we can try.-Clint said.

-Kate what if you get in trouble?-Rowan worried.

He was nervous, the hands holding tight the wheel, as the two archers stepped out of the vehicle when he parked.

-Nothing's gonna happen, it'll be fast. Wait here.-She asked.- And if my mom shows up, call me.

-But-

°°°

Okay, Sloan Limited? Kazi is an employee?-Kate looked into the files at the computer- I've heard this name before...

- Wait, Sloan Limited, that sounds familiar.-Clint said thinking.

-You think there's somethin' there?

-I don't know. Maybe.

-Let me see what I can pull up on Jack.-She typed- Crap. Now there's an embedded hardware authentication.-It didn't work- And I've just been locked out. Clint?

A blade appeared behind Clint, he gasped at the weapon, evenmore, to who was wielding it.

-Don't move.-Jack warned.