We Are Defined By What We Do

Six

They return their widow to the hostel, Yelena immediately getting back on the chopper instead of heading to her apartment. Kate hops back in with her, confused.

"Are we getting the dogs?" Kate asks.

"I got sent one more widow. This will be the last one for a bit, I promise. She's in Rome."

"Rome!" But Kate shrinks immediately. "No sightseeing. Right."

"Soon enough, malen'kaya ptichka."

Yelena maneuvers them back into the country, landing the chopper just outside the Colosseum. They get a hotel just next to the major artifact, the view glorious just outside their window. It's just turning the afternoon, and when they set down their bags Kate turns to her.

"Okay, are you trying to make me feel sad? It's literally right there." She throws her arm at the looming structure outside.

Yelena smirks. "There is no widow. I thought you'd want to see the sights. Show you where the Colosseum is. I can't believe you thought it was in Greece."

"I was bad at geography, okay?" Kate looks out the window, turning back to Yelena. "So you brought us here just for me?"

Yelena spreads her arms in answer.

"I'm growing on you. Admit it. I am. You like me."

Yelena almost smiles, shaking her head. "You are a character, Kate Bishop."

Kate skips over to her, wrapping her arms around the assassin like she's a giant teddy bear. Yelena tightens, arms pinned at her sides by the girl.

"You like me, you like me. The greatest assassin in the world likes me," Kate sings, lifting her off the ground and shaking her.

"Okay, enough, enough. Do you want to see the city?"

Kate drops her, nodding her head. "Yes, please."

And so they spend the day walking around Rome. They visit ruins and towns, street vendors and shops. The Colosseum looms above them as they walk circles around it. Kate talks and jogs ahead and dances every so often, excited to be out. Yelena laughs at her, sometimes scolding her, but mostly enjoying the bird being free.

The sun is starting to set as they walk back to the hotel, the oranges and pinks above them painting them in pastels. They lick gelato off of little spoons, Kate humming with happiness.

"This was the best day," she says, nudging Yelena with her elbow.

"It was nice," Yelena agrees.

Two men in suits walk past them in the street, double-taking at Kate. Yelena catches it, looking over her shoulder as they do. The men stop. Yelena stops. Kate continues, oblivious.

"Katherine Elizabeth Bishop," one man calls out in an Italian accent.

Kate spins, licking ice cream. "Who's asking?"

"The Carbone Family."

Kate furrows her brows. "Can't say I've heard of them. How do you know me?"

"You killed Wilson Fisk."

"Mmm, the people I kill don't really tell me their names. You're going to have to be more specific."

"Kingpin."

Now Kate grows serious. Yelena notices her change in demeanor and tenses.

"I didn't kill him. He escaped before I could."

The men begin to walk toward her. Kate and Yelena back up.

"Tell that to his dead body," one of the men says, starting to pick up speed.