Hawkgirl #2 (Sequel to Arrow)

XXXI

"She must've been a wonderful woman."Valerie said as her gaze passed over Christopher beside her.The blond man only nodded as he looked down at the grave.

"She was."he replied."But it's been almost ten years."Valerie pressed her lips together,feeling bad about the man.

After Steve was releashed from his hospital stay the squad had a meeting at the cemetery in which Nick's fake grave lied with a bunch of flowers on top of it.She gave time to the grown ups to discuss whatever they needed as she stayed at Christopher's side who had came to say goodbye to her.And pay a visit to his mother.

"I'm sorry."Valerie said quietly and he shrugged again.He had a hole on his chest.Despite not showing he was hurt about his mother his whole body language showed it.

"Death is something that everyone goes through at some point."he put his hands inside his pockets.His green eyes never leaving the picture of a blonde woman with a bright smile sitting against the grave stone.Valerie lowered her head.She didn't knew how someone felt when loosing someone inside his family.She experienced Phil's death and even Nick's fake one.But probably this was nothing compared to what he felt.

"I'm sorry that we won't be able to get that coffee either."Valerie said as she turned to the man.

Her right arm was placed on a cast and a cloth was wrapped around her neck.She had a small operation as well.She had broken her arm in three different places and her skin had turned a shade of blue and purple from the bruises.The back of her head had a few stitches and her cheeks scratched were covered with small medical tapes to not re-open.She was a hospital wing herself.Too many injuries in just a few days time.

On the brighter side though Nick had brought her a spare pair of earpieces that Stark had made,without the communication part.She had her new pair on and she was able to hear again.

"It's fine,you have to get back to your family and heal."shrugged the man once more as he pressed his lips together.

"How do you know I have a family?"Valerie asked as she titled her head on the side.She was messing with him of course,plus it was going to be the last time seeing him for now at least.Christopher's eyes opened wide as he,surprised,opened his mouth and made a few funny sounds not knowing what to say before sighing and rubbing the back of his neck.

"Director Fury told me."Valerie frowned lightly."I know you're Hawkeye's daughter."he continued shyly while looking from the floor to her."I mean that's the reason I knew where to find you in the first place,and I knew you'd be weirded out but you never asked so I thought keeping it a secret would be safer."he smiled awkwardly down at her.

Valerie broke into laughter at the funny look on his face.Her cheek ached lightly but she didn't care this was the first time laughing in a while and she needed it.His cheeks did turn a little bright but she didn't comment on it.When she finally relaxed she looked up at him."I'm glad you know.I can complain freely about my father now."she giggled as she fixed the fabric that held her arm around her neck.He laughed lightly as well still rubbing the back of his neck.

Just then Nick approached them wearing more casual clothes and a pair of sunglasses instead of his usual eye patch."You two getting along?"

"Just saying goodbye.For now."Valerie smiled to the man.Nick gave her a friendly pat on the back.

"Yeah because we never know where you'll run off to.I said it once and it counts as a million,Bartons have emotion problems."Nick raised his hands above his head in defeat."Take care."he said before saluting and walking away.

"Sir."said Christopher as he nodded at the man."So I guess it's time."he shrugged again.

"You shrug too much,today.It's showing that you don't care about it but you're hunching showing that you're sad."Valerie suddenly said."Sorry."she giggled.Her phone suddenly beeped once and she pulled it out looking at the screen once,before placing it back inside her pocket.

"Val,"Natasha said behind her.She turned to see the red head nodding to the side,motioning to follow her.Valerie nodded and turned back to the doctor.

"I'll see you soon."she said and placed a hand on his arm giving it a gentle squeeze.She walked away,approaching Steve and Sam."Gentlemen."she said as she turned to the two."Hope I see you both soon."

Steve smiled at her."Hope you heal until the next mission."her phone beeped again as she walked backwards.

"Take care of the gift."Sam saluted as she pulled her phone out.

"I will."she smiled at the two before turning around and looking down at her phone.She nodded once before placing it back inside her pocket.She waved one last time at everyone before walking again normally.

She walked along with Natasha for a few minutes on the quiet cemetery filled with nature."Sad that you're leaving your boyfriend?"Natasha side smirked at her.

"He's not my boyfriend."Valerie turned to her with slightly raised eyebrows."And what about you and Steve?You've been flirting back and forth on this whole mission."Natasha scoffed lightly.

"No,that's a business that I can't deal with."she said as momentarily bit her lip and then released.She was showing her vulnerable side once more.

"Well you've been a matchmaker to us all these last few days,so I think I need to find you someone as well."Valerie smirked as Natasha opened the door for her.She slid in slightly wincing when her arm moved sharply.Natasha quickly closed the door and rounded the vehicle getting inside and speeding away in a matter of seconds.

"I don't think you'll find someone on my level."Natasha laughed.

"Well there's Bruce."said Valerie as she leaned her way.Natasha only rolled her eyes.Her phone beeped once more,pulling it out she looked at what she needed and then shoved it back in.

"You've been looking at your phone a lot today,is something wrong?"Natasha asked with a perfect raised eyebrow.

"No,"Valerie smiled."It's a game I downloaded and it keeps beeping."Natasha nodded,believing her words.A small silence fell over the two as Natasha drove her back home.

Valerie leaned back on her seat as she pulled her phone out one last time.A map of the whole US was on her screen with a red dot at the location Smithsonian,Captain America's museum.He was there apparently getting information about himself.

Valerie looked ahead at the road that passed quickly beside her.

A tracking device small enough to not be noticed yet strong enough to know people's exact location.

And right now it sat on his metal arm.She needed to know more about this man.The museum maybe would provide much but she knew where to look.This was her plan ever since she had found Stark's technology among her birthday present.

James Buchanan 'Bucky' Barnes.

His bright smile and warm eyes came to her mind.A broken man that she was going to look after.

This mission had been so much different than last time.There wasn't everyone this time.It felt kinda empty without the hesitant yet strong Dr. Bruce.The goofy yet cheerful Thor.The arrogant yet genius Tony.And the sarcastic yet compassionate Clint.She missed her family.

Her heart softly hummed under the metal arrow that what underneath her blouse.She was ready to go home once more.Heal and get her strength back.She was ready to face her family.