a little death ➴ ᵏᵃᵗᵉ ᵇⁱˢʰᵒᵖ

𝟶𝟽

➴

The Bishop Security holiday party was a lavish affair. From the twinkling chandeliers to the guests mingling in fine attire, this was an event clearly intended for the well-heeled.

Remy, disguised in a server's uniform, adjusted her grip on the tray of champagne glasses she carried. She glanced around the room, her gaze lingering momentarily on the various partygoers enjoying the evening.

Clint Barton, ever the stealthy Avenger, had already slipped into the crowd, whilst Kate disappeared in pursuit of her mother.

"Eyes open, Remy," Clint's voice crackled through her earpiece. "Yelena's here."

"Got it," Remy whispered, scanning the room discreetly. She noted the arrival of Yelena Belova, whose attire was rather eye-catching.

Remy, hovering near Clint, tried to focus on her task. She kept her distance but couldn't help overhearing an intense exchange between Kate and her mother.

"Your business partner wants you dead."

"What are you talking about?"

Remy's eyes widened as she peered through a window nearby to see Tracksuits in the adjacent building, armed and ready.

"Clint," Remy whispered urgently into her mic, "They're outside. Armed."

"Get down!"

The atmosphere of the party was suddenly interspersed by the sound of gunfire. Screams of panic echoed as guests scrambled for cover. Remy's mind raced as she assessed the situation.

"Missy, Grills!" Remy shouted over the cacophony, waving Clint's backup toward the crowded elevators.

Missy, her eyes wide with alarm, grabbed the arm of a nearby guest and guided them towards Remy. Grills followed, ushering people with urgency.

"We need to get these people out," Remy instructed. Remy pushed her way to the front, holding the door open as Grills corralled more guests.

"Stay calm, everyone! Move quickly but don't shove!" Missy's voice cut through the panic in a moment of order amidst the chaos.

"More elevators coming!" Grills bellowed. As the elevator doors slid shut, taking a full load of guests to safety, Remy turned to face the next wave of people.

She could hear the distant sound of gunfire echoing through the building. "Move, move, move!" She urged, pushing people forward as another elevator arrived.

"We got this. Thank you, Remy," Grills muttered.

Remy nodded in determination before squeezing into the overcrowded elevator. As the elevator doors closed, she swiftly shed her server uniform, revealing the sleek stealth suit she'd concealed underneath.

"Clint, the Tracksuits are out here." Kate's voice hummed through Remy's earpiece.

The elevator finally reached the ground floor. With a jolt, the doors slid open and Remy stepped out into the fray, scanning the room.

Without a moment's hesitation, Remy pushed through the alarmed crowd. As she rounded the corner, she nearly collided with Kate, who was running toward the building, her face flushed and determined.

"Remy!" Kate called out.

A tall, lanky man lunged at Remy. She evaded his attack and landed a strike to his gut, followed by an uppercut to his jaw. He staggered backward, clutching his face as blood trickled from his nose.

Kate panted, drawing her bowstring back and letting an arrow fly, striking a Tracksuit in the shoulder and knocking him to the ice below him.

Jack, who had been fending off the Tracksuits with a sword, emerged suddenly, greeting them with a cheerful, "Hello!"

"Jack. Jack," Kate began frantically, "I am so sorry my mom had you arrested. Are you okay?"

"Never been better! But I'm afraid I've lost track of your mother."

"Yeah. You and me, both," Kate nodded, her expression hardening.

They moved in unison, their movements fluid and synchronized. Remy feinted left, drawing an attacker's attention, while Kate darted to the right, nocking another arrow.

A broad-shouldered man lunged at Remy with a knife. She expertly dodged the attack and delivered a punch to his ribs.

Kate fired another arrow, the sharp point embedding itself in a Tracksuit member's leg. The man roared in pain, dropping the knife as he clutched his wounded limb.

"Clint, where are you?" Remy panted.

"I'm in the tree."

Kate and Remy exchanged a confused look, "What tree?"

"The tree!"

Oh my God.

Clint was in The tree, The enormous Christmas tree that illuminated Fifth Avenue.

"What're you doing up there?"

"I'm just hangin' out" He joked, "The hell do you think?"

"Guys! Guys, where's my gear?" Missy asked, emerging from the throng of people. "I need my gear."

"Missy!" Remy greeted.

"Any eyes on my mom yet?" Kate asked.

"Not yet."

"No? Okay. Look, I need to get Clint out of that tree. Clear the civilians for me?"

"What about that guy? He doesn't seem to—"

"Take that!" Jack shouted, having overpowered an attacker with his sword.

"He's on our side," Kate confirmed, "But we should get him out, too."

"Alright."

"Let's go, bro." A Tracksuit member shouted, charging at Kate. She reacted instantly, releasing an arrow. It flew true, striking the man's shoulder.

As another member lunged at her with a crowbar, Remy ducked low, avoiding his swing and countering with a kick to his knee.

"Clint, I need you to hang on tight," Kate instructed, drawing her bow.

"Wait, wait, what do you mean?"

"I'm gonna get you out of that tree."

"No, no, don't do anything," Clint demanded, "I'm gonna get out myself!"

She released an arrow, her precise aim striking one of the cords supporting the tree.

"Kate, what just happened? Kate, do not!"

Kate struck a second cord, "Timber!"

Clint slipped free from the wreckage, his movements fluid as he hardly managed to evade the falling tree.

Kate's face beamed with excitement at the sight of Clint's new suit, "Oh my God, you wore it!"

"Listen to me. We need to get off the ice, okay? The only way off this ice is up those stairs."

"Great." Kate sighed, observing the swarm of men charging in their direction, "There's only about a thousand of them and three of us."

"Here, take these," He said, Supplying Kate with a handful of the 'way-too-dangerous trick arrows' they'd previously crafted

"No way. Is it time?"

"It's time."