Collateral Damage

Chapter 3; You Just Have To Grow A Pair

December 22, 2024

As I sit in the kitchenette of my hotel room, in my pajamas, I realize I should probably get ready for the day. I didn't have a party to get to but my time in New York City was coming to an end in a few days, and Pepper filled those days with events to attend. As I stand up, I hear a faint ding, and look down at my phone to see a text from Kate.

Kate 🏹- hey y/n, would you wanna get pizza for lunch? also, I have some ideas I wanna run past you for some new suits!! clint doesn't think his issue is branding but it totally is. I can also fill you in on some things that have happened since the last time we saw each other.

y/n- of course! how does Angelos sound?

Kate 🏹- great! does noon work for you?

y/n- sounds good to me

Kate 🏹- see u then!!

10:45 AM, so I had about an hour to get ready. I take my time and head out around 11:45, my hotel was fairly close so it wouldn't take me long to get there. I pop in my airpods and head down the bustling sidewalk.

After the short walk to Angelos I see Kate already sitting inside with that same dog from the night we met. I walk in and sit down across from her.

"Y/n hey!" She says with a wide smile

"Hey Kate! You kept the dog?"

"Well what else would I do with him? I've named him," she pauses for dramatic effect, "Pizza Dog."

"Oh, okay I guess that makes sense. Have you already ordered?"

"Nope."

A waitress comes over to take our orders we both get drinks and a pizza. Very soon after it all comes out and we chow down. I guess I had forgotten to actually eat this morning, I just sat in the kitchen taking to Pepper.

"Okay what are your ideas? Lay 'em on me"

"You have no idea how long I have waited to talk about this. I actually drew it out. There's one for both Clint and I. They sort of match, I figured I could be his sidekick or something." She says happily, while pulling a notebook out of her bag. I notice her eyes light up when talking about him which makes me smile, who knew Clint had fans? I turn my attention back to the drawings.

"Okay I can definitely work with this. There is actually a shop we get most of our supplies from here in town, I can get the materials with Pepper's card and get to work."

"Really? Oh my god, that's so awesome! Thank you!"

"Of course, how about I come over to your apartment tonight with the materials and we can do dinner?"

"Hell yeah, also my apartment is sort of in shambles from this fire but like it's still functional so we should be fine." She grins at me but I have to take a moment to register what she said.

"The... fire??"

"Oh yeah," she nods enthusiastically, "those fucking tracksuits again. They connected the Ronan suit to me and figured out where I live. Its fine we all got out and kicked their asses, but it sucks. Anyways, Clint and I have a plan to take 'em down. They actually kidnapped Clint the other day but I broke in and saved him. We met their leader, this girl named Maya who's deaf, she might be a bad guy but she looks super badass I can't lie. Anyways, Clint is looking for this watch and he got coordinates for it, so tonight before we meet up we are checking it out."

"Okay Okay, that was a lot of new information but I got it. What do the tracksuits even want with you guys?"

"I guess they have a bone to pick with the Ronan, but I'm not really sure. They sure are a pain in my ass though."

"Yeah it sounds like it. I think it is hilarious how it just so happened to be you getting thrown into this situation when you've loved Clint forever and are basically the chick version of Hawkeye." I tease and she laughs.

"I know right! It's kinda awesome though, I gotta admit."

"It is. I could have used you the other day though, I almost got pushed into traffic." I speak nonchalantly but don't notice her eyes grow wide.

"What?? What are you talking about?"

"Well, yesterday I was taking a walk, and I was just minding my own business when suddenly someone just knocked into me and I was falling, but then before I could even register what was happening, a girl grabbed my arm and saved me. I didn't get a great look at her at first, but we like locked eyes and um," I feel my face warm as I think about her. I have to stop myself from mentioning her eyes. "I thought I was gonna fall right back down. But then she was just gone again before I could even say anything." I smile sheepishly but Kate catches that I'm not mentioning all the details. She grins evilly.

"Well, what did she look like?"

I purse my lips. "Blonde."

Kate rolls her eyes. Not buying it, damn it.

"Just blonde? Come on, spill. Don't think I don't notice this stuff when I see it. She was super hot wasn't she?" She wiggles her brows and I groan.

When Kate keeps staring I sigh and keep talking. "She had blonde hair that was down with like curtain bangs, it was wavy and her eyes, Jesus her eyes. They're big and green and just- mesmerizing. She was a little taller than me, and very well dressed. Her grip was intense though, I couldn't see her arms through her jacket but I'm assuming she's ripped because she was fucking strong."

"Ah, your knight in shining armor." She makes kissy faces and I glare.

"Shut up."

"Can't make me." She sticks her tongue out and I hide my smile. My smile falls lightly though.

"But, that's not all. I saw her a few more times, like all throughout the day, it was so weird. I saw her again on the street, then in a coffee shop, then in a bar that night. It was like she was following me. I don't think she was though, I have no clue why she would."

"Maybe she thought you were hot too?" She winks. I frown a little.

"Or maybe she wants something. You can't be too careful when you've been the Avengers' close circle."

"Well New York is big. You probably won't see her again, to be honest."

"Yeah." I trail off. Kate speaks again.

"Or maybe she's telling someone about how pretty your eyes are too and is trying to track you down and give you her number. Right now she's probably going 'Y/n my love! I'll find you, we have a chance at romance yet!'"

I laugh at her speech. "That's definitely not happening."

"Hey, don't say that, I'm sure you'll see her somewhere, you just have to grow a pair and actually talk to her."

"I'm not so sure I can, she was so intimidating, if I ever did talk to her and she told me she was an assassin or some shit, I'd immediately believe her."

"Her maybe being an assassin is no excuse."

"It's a great excuse. She could kill me."

"That makes it more fun." She grins and I roll my eyes.
"Anyways, Y/n, you have to talk to her. I've just decided"

"Ugh, I should have never told you about her. I knew you'd react like this."

"True that, but there's no going back now."

"Goddamnit'