Yelena Belova saved my life. About two weeks before the blip, she found me, and she cured me of the chemical subjugation I was under for pretty much my whole life. During the years of the blip,I discovered that she was dusted at the home of another widow. When I was walking down the street in London and saw that people were appearing out of nowhere, I knew I had to find her. It's been much too long, and I haven't been able to track her down yet, but I think I've narrowed it down and she's in New York now. When I get off the plane I know I'm in the right place. I don't know how I know, I just do. The red room called it my special gift. My heightened senses, especially my intuition never steered me wrong, and since I've been freed from their mind control, it's become infinitely better. It used to be when I focused on a target, I knew what room they were in inside the building we tracked them to. Now, I know when I'm within miles of someone. I focus my mind on Yelena, and I can feel her presence in the city. The closer I get, the more strongly I'll feel her. I hail a taxi and tell them to take me to Rockefeller center, for lack of another idea of where to start. When we pull up to see the Christmas tree absolutely demolished, I know I'm going to find her today. There are crews running around, hastily trying to clean up the damages, and I easily slip through the red tape unnoticed. The ice rink has all of the tell-tale signs of a fight having taken place, and when I spot a police car about a block down the street with its lights on, I can't help but investigate. As I get closer, I notice an officer talking to someone in purple. I squint a little bit, and when his face comes into view, I immediately know his alias. Hawkeye. Yelena has to be here somewhere then. I've tracked her down well enough to know she was after him, and if he isn't dead, I'm sure she's close at hand. I start scanning rooftops, reaching my thoughts out to her, but I don't feel her in the immediate area. I'm close, but not as close as I thought, seeing the Avenger. I walk down the opposite side of the street, and when Hawkeye shifts to reveal a young woman at his side in a matching getup, I try not to chortle aloud. I duck behind a van and attempt to eavesdrop on their conversation with the police officer, focusing all of my senses as hard as I can. Surprising myself, I hear them loud and clear from across the busy street. I thought being out of practice from field work would make things more difficult, but apparently my senses are just as strong as the day Yelena saved me.
"No officer, I don't know where she went. But I also don't think she'll be making any more trouble for you. Not for a while anyway," Hawkeye is saying.
"Wait, Yelena just walked away and you let her?" The woman sounds shocked, and my interest is definitely piqued.
"I had some pressing matters to attend to, Kate," Hawkeye bites out.
"Alright, well I think I've gotten both of your statements down pretty good. Thanks, by the way, Hawkeye." The officer blushes. Ew. "And, uh, Kate. Good luck. Sorry about your mom."
"Thanks," the woman says as the officer turns to leave. She links arms with Hawkeye. "So, you going home for Christmas now?" she asks him.
"That's the plan. Let's go get Lucky, and you're welcome to spend Christmas with us. You know, since your mom's well," he trails off.
"In jail?" She supplies, and I can't help the chuckle this time. The pair start to cross the street, and I get a good look at the woman. Kate. She looks half beat to hell, but okay. She's tall. Much taller than me anyway, and she's honestly really pretty. Probably a couple of years younger than me, but not much. I figure they're my best bet at finding out which direction Yelena went in, and I jump out from behind the van as they approach.
"Hawkeye, wow! I'm a huge fan!" my voice is pitched almost comically high, and it successfully makes his guard drop. I shake his hand aggressively
"Hi, thanks," he tries to brush past me, but I flash my widow's bites just enough for him to see, and he yanks me into an alley, Kate close behind.
"Who sent you?"
"I'm looking for Yelena Belova. I take it you've seen her recently." I drop my voice back to normal and watch as he tries to decide whether or not to trust me.
"Wait, how did you-?" Kate starts, but she stops when she sees the look Hawkeye cuts her. Her cheeks turn pink. It's cute.
"Who are you?" He insists, shoving me into the brick wall behind me. I'll allow it, for now.
"Just tell me which way she went."
"Who are you?" he repeats.
"A friend. All I need is a vague direction." I'm getting bored now.
"Come on Clint, it's not like Yelena needs protection. I believe her." Kate smiles at me, and I feel a slight flutter in my stomach. Great. Just what I need, to be attracted to some Avenger wannabe.
"She went toward Central park." He finally tells me, and I promptly begin my journey.
"Thanks, Kate," I wink at her before I turn out of sight. When I get closer to the park, I start focusing on Yelena. Seems he wasn't lying, I can feel her stronger here. I'm essentially playing hot and cold as I walk around, and when I know she's within 20 yards, I finally hear her.
"Y/n?" I turn toward the voice, and immediately lock eyes with her.
"Yelena!" She walks toward me quickly, but without bringing attention to herself. She's got on a gorgeous overcoat in forest green, and it looks stunning against the snow.
"Why are you following me?" She cuts right to the chase. Her intensity is unmatched.
"I've wanted to thank you for years. For saving me." God, she's gorgeous. Her hair is slipping from an intricate braid, and her dark makeup is stunning. I almost forgot how captivating she is.
"It was nothing. Is that really why you've tracked me down?" She scratches her head confusedly, giving me a squinty look.
"After you left, I found out that the subjugation was muting some of my own special abilities." I say softly, never knowing who could hear. "My senses are much more heightened, and my intuition is infallible."
"That sounds useful." She admits.
"Let me be your partner. I need to work again, and I would prefer to do it with you." The request spills out less elegantly than I had planned.
"Why me?" She looks at me shrewdly.
"Your reputation is impeccable. And you saved me," I admit, feeling my cheeks flush slightly in the cold. She nods knowingly.
"Let's get a drink, yes?" she suggests, and takes my arm to lead me. When we get to the bar she has in mind, we slide into a corner booth and she orders several shots of vodka. The server brings us shots with mini candy canes sticking out of them, wishing us a Merry Christmas as they set them down. It is Christmas Eve, isn't it?
"Cheers." I say, and throw one back. Yelena does the same, and makes an annoyed face as she pulls the candy cane from her empty shot glass.
"Why ruin a perfectly good shot of vodka? If you want to give me a candy cane, fine, but not in my vodka!" She shakes her head. Then, leaning in toward me and grabbing another glass, she asks, "How did you find me?"
