Hawkgirl #2 (Sequel to Arrow)

XXII

Valerie was beyond shocked when Natasha had guided them to a mall.She had never been to one before.All her clothes were bought by her parents online,and her father would drive to the city nearby and get them from the post office.The same thing happened with her siblings and parents.But now seeing it up close she understood why people loved to visit this place.It was...extraordinary.

It had more than three floors and in every side and corner was a shop.She tried to keep her mouth closed,because if she didn't someone would think of her as an idiot with her mouth open.Steve and Natasha were now wearing more appropriate clothes for walking around in this place.Natasha had her hood up while Steve was given a cap and a pair of glasses.

The two of them would be easily recognized in public since their faces were often on TV or posters while nobody knew her face.She feared that someone though would know so just in case she kept her hood up.She almost felt like a spy.Like James Bond in one of those old movies her parents liked to watch.

They all went up one level and into a computer store.In order to not be traced down,according to Natasha, this was the best place to see what was in the flash drive.And hopefully safely.

"The drive has a Level Six homing program,so as soon as we boot up S.H.I.E.L.D. will know exactly where we are."Natasha said quietly to Steve who was looking around worried.

"How much time do we have?"asked the blond.

"Uh...about nine minutes from..."Natasha placed the flash drive on the computer in front of her."Now.Fury was right about that ship,somebody's trying to hide something.This drive is protected by some sort of AI,it keeps rewriting itself to counter my commands."Numbers and images popping on the screen.It made Valerie's head hurt.So many things popped up she barely had time to comprehend even Natasha's words.

Steve leaned on the table with the computers while he stood closer to her."Can you override it?"he asked.

"The person who developed this is slightly smarter than me.Slightly."Natasha said while she shoot a quick glance at Steve.

"Show off."Valerie coughed on her hand as she looked around to the computer.Only earning a small shook of Natasha's head.She was glad that comments like these could be taken as jokes even at this difficult time.

"I'm gonna try running a tracer.This is a program that S.H.I.E.L.D. developed to track hostile malware,so if we can't read the file,maybe we can find out where it came from."Natasha said mostly to herself since Steve and Valerie barely understood.They even shared a confused glance as they looked over the redhead's shoulder.

"Can I help you guys with anything?"Suddenly one of the men that helped around the shop approached them.He had long blond hair that reached past his shoulders and a fluffy beard.

Natasha then threw her arm over Steve as her demeanor changed into a more girly one."Oh,no.My fiancé was just helping me with some honeymoon destinations."

"Right,we're getting married."Steve said trying not to show awkward as Natasha turned back to the computer.

"Congratulations.Where do you guys thinking about going?"the man asked rather quickly as he turned to the computer as well.

"New Jersey."Valerie popped up,the name appearing on the computer being the first thing she could say,as she stood next to Steve who was ready to give another answer."I'm the Maid of Honor."she smiled rather awkwardly to the man that seemed to believe everything they said.

He made a sound of approval before he looked at Steve for a few good seconds,she could swear the man beside her was panicking."I have the exact same glasses."he said in an excited voice.