Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The funeral wasn’t grand, only encompassing family, friends, and a few strangers Kate didn’t recognize. She stayed back, lost in the crowd of people, avoiding those who had held him closest to their hearts. Avoiding their grief, their ire.  

She’d spoken to his family, they said the words, but she had never believed them, 

“It wasn’t your fault.”  

“He loved you too.”  

“He would’ve done it for anyone.”  

“Please don’t blame yourself.”  

“It’s not your fault.”  

“It’s not your fault.”  

“It’s not your fault.”  

What else could they say? Maybe the truth, He was out there because of her. He was out and Kate pulled him back in... Again. He was after Fisk because of her, he was in that tower because of her. He was killed because of her.  

Kate was to blame for their closed casket funeral. She was the reason Clint’s loved ones couldn’t look upon his face one last time, hold his hand, or kiss his head.  

The reason his body was bruised and broken. Fisk had been monstrous; she remembered screaming when Fisk had crushed Clint’s knee beneath his foot. The horribly snap. Clint’s pained yelp, his groaning, his pain. She struggled harder in her restraints, pulling and pleading to God for super strength to bust them off, to shake her captors off, to punish Fisk, to save Clint. She only cried harder when Fisk grabbed Clint by his harness with both of his enormous hands, lifting her mentor up and slamming him into the floor. The tiles had cracked underneath the force. Kate remembers hearing something else crack, human bones. She didn’t know what, she didn’t want to know but an ugly curiosity had urged her to hack the coroner’s office, they had been using Bishop security anyhow- an easy cyber-B&E.  

It was his back of course, that had been broken. Kate should’ve surmised as much but rationality had yet to return to her. She couldn’t stop reading. His lungs were riddled with his own shattered ribcage; Fisk had hammered his chest in, strong crushing blows that rendered Clint motionless.  

Kate wasn’t- She wasn’t anything at that point. She panted against the floor, struggling to breath as her visioned narrowed and spun. She turned away as the blows continued, flesh crushed by flesh. Someone grabbed her chin and forced her gaze back on the scene-  

“-At this point, we ask that each row come up and...” Kate filtered back into reality, urged by the precession picking up speed and those around her rising to their feet. She had been in the last row, thus would be one of the first to pay respects. Kate was the last to enter the aisle, everyone's eyes were forward, and Kate took the moment for what it was, an escape. While the others moved forward, Kate turned away. 

Kate woke with a start, something turning violently in her stomach. She tossed the sheet away and crashed through her apartment until she was hurling acid into her toilet.  

Every night since the incident her mind turned on her, cruel memories and heartbreaking alternatives played out in her dreams. Bruised flesh or a smiling Clint. It never mattered to her body; she would wake up shaking, sweating, with a creeping feeling up her throat.  

Something has to give. Kate pulled herself up with shaky limbs and washed away the disgust in her mouth with water from the faucet. She caught the time as she entered her study turned war room. 

Only four hours? Shit, could be worse.  

Turning the TV on, “NEW YORK NEWS 25/8,” Kate settled to fashion the trick arrow she had designed, well they weren’t solely her design. Clint had a lot to say about her choices.  

“Again Kate, how do you deal with the fact that they come back?” 

“You want them to what!?” 

“That one’s actually not bad.” 

”-The mayor’s office has officially declared Martial Law indefinitely due to the terrors posed by vigilantism. All citizens are expected to be indoors by-” 

An electric shock zapped through her, not just from the news. She dropped the now shot EMP arrow, wires frayed and still lightly smoking.  

“Motherfucker,” She kicked the arrow away, rubbing her arm as she took in the news. Kate’s disgust returned, Mayor Fisk. A bitter feeling burning through her at his name, at the cheers, at his adoration by New Yorkers who only years prior had been foaming for his head. She was angry.  

It was open season for vigilantes, Hawkeye included. She couldn’t bear to watch it further. Suiting up, Kate took little care in securing her home as she made for the roof tops of New York.  

She swung confidently from roof to roof, searching for the faintest whiff of crime. At three am in New York, it was not a difficult task to do.  

A scream drew her east. It was easy to swap directions, risky, but easy. Releasing her anchor Kate dropped into a freefall and whipped her body to the right, arm already pulling another grapple arrow. Draw. Loose.  

It stuck smoothly and Kate was swinging towards the screams. A couple more blocks and she found her target.  

Two low lives grappling with a mother and her child, a van wide open halfway on the sidewalk, halfway in the alley- Their intent was disturbingly obvious. Kate descended rapidly, crashing into the back of one of men. A wet brutal thud sounded around them as her weight slammed him into the brick wall, his body went limp dragging against the wall as he slipped onto the ground.  

Kate was on the other attacker before his friend had even hit the ground, using the first attacker as spring board, Kate launched herself, latching her legs around the other attackers neck and pulling him from the sobbing child.  

Her vigilant subconscious heard the van pull away, burning rubber in its haste. Fully focused now, Kate spun and leaned forward directing the bull of a man into the pavement below them. Kate jumped away and just as the man was stumbling back onto his feet whipping her bow into his jaw sending him back down. He stayed down that time.  

“Hey, Hey! Are you okay?” Kate panted as she took in the state of mother and child. Kate offered what she hoped was a pleasant smile, it seemed to work as the mother rushed into her arms, child squeezed between them. Kate’s shoulder grew wet with tears, the mom praising and thanking Kate profusely.  

“I got you, Shhh. It’s okay now.” Kate soothed them both, eyes darting around them for additional danger. "I got you. Tell me where you were you’re heading and I’ll stay with you the whole way, Yeah? How does that sound?”  

Kate kept her word. Delivering the pair to a hospital only a few more blocks south. Apparently, the kids' father had been really roughed up by a couple of thieves while working overnight security. 

Fisk’s sentiment had not been shared with the folks here. Nobody turned her away and allowed her to escort the family directly to the husband's room. Kate stayed with them at the mom's request; her name was Katherine. It took a while for the little girl to settle down, her innocence seeming to return as she took an interest in Kate's outfit, sketching out rudimentary fanart as she sat next to Kate.  

Coughing drew the attention of all the occupants,” -K-Kat? Laura?” He groaned as little Laura carelessly threw herself into her dads' arms.  

Katherine gasped,” Laura! Be gentle,” She chided without heat as she made the family whole, taking both into her arms.  

“Daddy! Are you okay!?” Laura cried into his chest as both parents rushed to sooth her, lapping voices of sweet words.  

I can keep them together but not... Kate shook her head and quietly withdrew from the room; a single drawing tucked away safely in her suit. Herself and little Laura sharing the same outfit and Laura had even given herself a crossbow.  

The rest of the night was eventful. Muggings, drunks, gangs, etc, etc... Nothing new and nothing she couldn’t handle. Well almost nothing new, she had run into a few cops with nothing nice to say and even given chase for a while, a fruitless endeavor for stormtroopers.  

Not satisfied but without choice, Kate returned home as dawn broke. Tension filled her immediately at the sight of her open window. She’d left it unlocked but not open, Stupid. She shot a grapple arrow and swung to her bedroom window, silently slipping in there. Carefully, bow drawn she canvased her apartment, clearing rooms with practice. Stealth lessons with Clint repeating through her mind. The place was empty, nothing missing or changed- except for her war room. 

A note was stuck to her pin board, pinned onto the printed picture of Fisk’s face.  

“Leave Now – DD.” Kate had never personally met him, but she listened to his warning without really thinking. She’d heard of him, his brutality, his morality, compassion and kindness towards those in need. It was open season, and she was in Fisk’s scope.  

Kate was gone in ten. She took only a backpack of memorabilia, personal items and other knickknacks.  

She had always been listening to Clint.  

“You should always be prepared, ready to leave at a moment's notice.”  

At his word, Kate had established a predetermined stakeout spot of her own place, a rooftop far enough that Kate would need good binoculars to stake from.  

“It’s called a Bugout bag, for when things SHTF.”  

“Shift?”  

“Shit hits the fan.”  

Inside a nearby vent was a duffle bag of water, tasteless nutrient bars, basic medical supplies, and other necessary items to survive. Settled, Kate watched with laser focus for any signs of danger at her place. It wasn’t long. A few minutes had passed when a SWAT van pulled outside her apartment, boots rushing into her building and breaking down her door without minutes. Kate watched as flashes broke out and smoke filled the interior. She caught glimpse of flashlights cutting through the smoke. Her vantage caught two windows, one directly into her shared kitchen and living room. The other into her bedroom. The SWAT team violated her home, breaking furniture and tossing things careless around as they searched for her and any vigilantly evidence. Kate had spent most of her ten minutes dismantling her war room back into a study, “incriminating” evidence stashed in her backpack or already ashes in her sink.  

Kate knew she would feel something at the blatant violation, but the rage was unexpected. It probably shouldn’t have been. Fisk had flipped her world over again; he seemed to have made it his favorite past time and Kate was burning to play his game.  

... 

“Kate Bishop.” 

Chapter Text

“I need your help.”  

“I’m in.” She didn’t need to hear his reasons, what- who else could this be about? Plus, he wasn’t exactly subtle with the note . That had been a few days ago. Matthew, she’d learned his name was, a blind lawyer from Queens who served brutal justice after dusk, filled her in on some of the details. It was kinda difficult to keep a secret identity when you were sharing the best accommodations you could find in New York. The slightly moldy basement underneath the local bar.   

Things had been slow, her initial eagerness giving way to boredom as Matt followed through on step one, reaching out to other vigilantes. Most had refused, believing they would be better at hiding themselves in the shadows and, well, Matt nor Kate could dispute that. The pair of them had been the highest on Fisk’s hitlist; Kate being a public “vigilante," according to Fisk but a Hero according to the rest of America. Matt apparently had his own personal beef with Fisk, a trait they shared, pushing his public identity into the shadows as well.  

The vigilantes that had joined them had little choice and dwindling options, being public in their identities and chased ruthlessly by Fisk’s men. Two others had joined their crusade; Join was a gross exaggeration. Jessica and Luke had identities, powers and a track record more widely known than sliced bread, easily making them the next on Fisk’s “to go” list. The boots could’ve at least shaken up their plan of attack; It was exactly how they made to take Kate- the only difference was that Jessica and Luke had been in their homes.  Each was unique as they subdued the attacking SWAT squads. Jessica like a drunk tornado, knocking them down like bowling pins and tossing bodies like nothing, causing too much chaos for them to attempt any lethal engagement.  Luke was more laxed, tanking bullets and slowly handling them one by one. This happened to be the only time Kate and Matt had been out in during the day since she joined him, the pair had been scouting and stepped in to assist. Luke had been expecting it since the declaration of martial law, he was hardly surprised when his home was invaded and less surprised that Daredevil, though not Hawkeye, had come to his aid. He had agreed to leave easily with no other options available to him. Jessica was angry and begrudging agreed to leave though not before raiding her own liquor cabinet.   

Danny, another individual they approached, had been spared any hostile police attention being a public figure with a mostly hidden hero identity. His money and fame provided a great shield of protection from any moves Fisk might’ve considered, though Danny had promised to do what he could for the cast out vigilantes.   

Three of her fellow heroes under the same bar...It was hell, exciting once again, but hell. Obviously, they had history. Sometimes Kate couldn’t tell if they even liked each other much less would die for each other, nonetheless something tied them together. It honestly made Kate feel lonely.   

“No, no, no, no” Luke waved his hand, pointing hard at Jessica,” I had Danny dead to rights.” His dinner forgotten as Luke rushed to defend himself.  

The smile on his face betrayed his hard tone,” His feaky Chi-shit has never hit that hard. I think he’s juicing.”   

Kate smiled while the rest of the table broke into laughter.   

“You think Danny, our Danny, the skinny billionaire white boy raised by monks is juicing,” Jessica challenged.  

“Damn straight.”  

“Sounds like you’re jealous Luke,” Matt teased him, a small smile on his face. He calmly continued to eat as Luke listed all the reasons Matt was wrong.   

Matt sighed,” I guess you two need a rematch.”   

“Can’t wait for that,” Luke finished, grabbing his fork to shovel his remaining food into his mouth, he stood up still chewing aggressively and announced what Kate thought was him placing dibs on first shower. He scurried away upstairs to use the facilities generously offered by Josie, the namesake for Josie’s Bar.   

The conversation tapered off, Matt and Jessica falling into another conversation (argument) about their next steps. Kate found little interest in planning, her focus giving way to old memories.   

Kate hit the mat with a thud; she groaned as she pushed herself onto her knees.   

“I almost had you,” It came out less confident than she wished, still winded from the slam. She struggled onto her feet, wincing as she stretched her body out.   

“Not even in your wildest dreams kid. I have decades of experience on you.” Clint was especially chipper.   

“Just means your old and slow.”   

“Ha, ha. What does that make you?” He fired back, taking an attack stance across the room from her, bow drawn with training arrows- dull things with a serious punch.  

Kate huffed out a few breathes, hyping herself up- You got this, just beat the old man, take gold and become an Avenger. Just beat the legendary Hawkeye, no biggie.   

“Ready?” Clint called, stone faced.   

“Ready!”   

“Go!” Clint loosened his arrow and dived left. Kate did similar though to the right. Their arrows met in the middle, a thud sounding as they made impact and fell useless in the center of the room. Their fight followed a similar pattern as all their fights did. Duck for cover, trade arrows as they slowly worked their way towards the center of the room. They both depleted their quivers just as they reached the center, the fight devolving into hand-to-hand combat. Just as before Clint had Kate on the mat within minutes. Kate was getting better, but she had to admit that yes, years of experience does beat her relentless enthusiasm.   

Since then, their fights had grown to last significantly longer, Kate's abilities to fight with her hands improving rapidly under Clint’s tutorage. Still, Kate had never won against him, now she never would.

That sobering thought broke her from the past, dialing into Matt and Jessica’s then conversation, now full-fledged fight.   

“You want us to risk our lives for that fucking maniac!?”   

“Yes.”   

“He’s probably already dead!” Kate silently agreed, though who they we’re discussing eluded her. She didn’t really need to know who it was; she knew Fisk- Violent, brutal, and quick to end a threat.  

“No.” Matt argued firmly, conviction dripping from his words,” Fisk knows me, knows that I will come for Castle.” Frank Castle!? Kate eyes widened as the mysterious figure dawned on her. Fully invested, her eyes ping-ponging between the two.   

“He’s a violent killer; you don’t prefer the rabid dog in a cage?”  

“He still deserves to live. Locked up sure, but not like this.” Matt faced her, breathing hard. Matt looked like he could argue for hours, Kate could see the arguments and counterarguments brewing behind his open gaze. Jessica appeared to see the same thing.  

“Fucking lawyers,” Jessica conceded. She made her feelings known, pushing herself from the table and stomping away. The intention fell flat as she only moved a few dozen feet away falling backwards into her cot.   

Satisfied, Matt returned to his food. Kate did the same. A few minutes later as they finished, Matt took care of the dishes, silently collect her plate as well as the others. She thanked him. Kate watched him as he cleaned the dishes, drying them off as he passed them to her, she took the opportunity to satisfy her relentless curiosity.   

“...So, how do you know the Punisher?”   

Matt briefly paused his washing, exhaling through his nose before sharing their backstory.” He executed a client of mine. Elliot Grote, Grotto. He was a member of the Irish mob.”   

Kate spoke before she could stop herself,” Oh!”   

“Yeah.”   

“How are we gonna rescue him?” Kate pivoted quickly.   

“We’ll have to locate him first, then rescue.”   

“Sure.” Kate waited for him to explain further.  

“Am I correct to assume you’re familiar with cybersecurity? particularly breaking through it?” He finished washing the last dish passing it to her and turning to lean against the counter.   

“Yeah, I’ve done my fair shares of B&E’s.” Kate mirrored his stance, taking care not to knock any of the dishes off.   

“Good. Jessica’s a PI,” Their gazes turned towards the already sleeping hero,” and I’ve done my fair share of investigating, as a lawyer and umm...” He nodded his head, "in other capacities.”  

“Luke’s been around the front grounds more than any of us. He’s familiar with gangs and cops.”  

“They’re the same thing Matt.” Kate jumped as Luke’s voice came from behind her, joining the conversation. For a big guy, he moved quietly when he wanted to.   

“Not all of them,” Matt defended, cops like Brett Mahoney flashing through his mind. Luke only raised his eyebrows.  

“He’s familiar with some of their hideouts.” Matt pushed on.” More importantly he knows how they think, why they do what they do. He’ll help narrow down locations.”   

“So what? You cherry-picked the Castle rescue squad.” Kate prodded, it all seemed so convenient.   

“No,” Matt said with a breathy laugh, a small smile briefly gracing his lips,” Just lucky.”   

“Cool, cool. Well, I can put two and two together and it sounds like you want me to break into Fisk’s servers- no issue there- to locate New York’s friendliest psychopath with...” Kate trailed off,” what exactly? Your ‘vintage’ laptop?”   

Luke swung his arm up, bringing attention to something in his hand. A thin black rectangle something. It was smooth with no blemishes or writing to be seen.  

“Is that-” Matt started, a grin creeping onto his face.  

“Danny’s Black Card.” Luke grinned back. Kate’s eyes grew. Look, she was rich, but not rich-rich, not that rich. She had her own exclusive cards, had, back when her mother was around, still those paled in comparison to what Luke was holding.   

“Cha-ching” Kate said softly. Fantasies of getting out of this stuffy basement to go window-shopping with the girls (Luke, Matt, and Jess) flashing through her mind.  

Kate was pissed, at no one in particular, but pissed, nonetheless.  Fantasies as quickly as they were born were shut down, rightfully sure, but yeah, Kate was a touch moody.   

Some ladies Kate had never seen came by to take the card. One of them, the shorter one, Colleen Wing, had such a mischievous look in her eye as Luke passed the card to her it made Kate downright jealous. Desperate even, tempted to throw her ego to the wind and start begging.   

Kate scarfed the feeling down and held her breath as Colleen and the other one, Karen, left. Kate was plunged back into boredom, resolved to space out from the beaten couch and watch as Matt and Jessica started up another one of their fights. It played in the background of her mind, similar to a track you grow bored of but feel obligated to listen to.   

People fighting, voices overlapping, arguing. It all meshed into one noise, voices changing, twisting into-  

“Not worth it?! Not worth it?!” Kate was stunned, her mind drawing blank with anger. The audacity of this-  

“Kate,” Clint started, voice shaky with pain, understanding, anger for her. Her anger faded, barely.  

“I can’t be talked out of this Clint.” Kate sighed, her hands coming up to rub the back of her neck, tension strumming through her body. She released it with another huff of breath, hands swinging out in a, ‘what do you want from me gesture’ before slouching into the chair across from him.  

“You can’t start down this path.” Clint looked down before meeting her eyes, they were filled with guilt,” You’re angry, hurt. I know Kate, God I know, but you-  

“Stop Clint! You did it! You we’re out there hunting the sons of bitches who hurt your people, your family, friends, loved ones. I-” need it, deserve it, can’t live without it,” He needs to be brought to justice.”  

“Justice Kate?” Clint questioned,” This doesn’t sound like justice. It’s sounds like revenge- Jesus Kate what that did to me.” Clint paused, his voice grew softer, "I see their faces. The people I enacted my- my, ‘revenge’ against.”    

“Maybe cause you weren’t killing the right people,” Kate said quickly, a sliver of regret bursting through her at Clint’s stunned, guilty look. She shoved it down and pushed on,” I know who killed my mother...and I’m gonna fucking kill him.”  

“What this will do to you is not worth it Kate.” She shook her head and scoffed,” Look at what it did to me.”  

“I’m not you.”  

“But you can be better."

Chapter Text

Kate opened her eyes to darkness, her dream-memories falling away with consciousness. But you can be better . Kate pushed herself off the couch, grabbing her phone. 1:07 am.     

Thank Christ, I need out of here. She glanced over at the shared sleeping area, confirming the others we’re asleep. Kate moved quickly. Jacket, retractable bow, disguised quiver, and a mask. Simple black bands to wrap around the eyes, holes cut out to see; the group had bummed a few of Colleen’s black belts to modify, dropped off when her and Karen came for the card . Speaking of... Kate glanced around, eyes landing on a few discrete boxes by the door, boxes not there this morning. On her way out, Kate stole a look. Oh, hell yeah, this I can work with.   

Like herself, Kate's outfit had lost its vibrancy. Simple and black like the band around her head; She didn’t have much of a choice, her signature purple would have enemies on her the instant she started putting faces into the dirt, but if it meant getting out it was worth it.  

Kate took her time rediscovering flight. Shoot, swing, release. She fell through the air, eyes closed, wind rushing through her ears. The longer she fell, the clearer her mind became. Each second caused a euphoric feeling to build inside her, her blood rushing and warding off the winds that tore through her. She fell, fell, fell until the fear kicked in and forced her eyes opened. It pushed her body to pump more adrenaline, the ground growing frighting close. Kate twisted around and saved herself. Kate left a trail of smoke behind her, rubber burning against pavement as the tips of shoes scrapped against the road. The sensation shot electricity through her, an exhilarated laugh bursting from her morphing into shout, loud and shameless.   

Unburdened, Kate swung through the city amped for a fight. Something in her guided her left, right, swinging carelessly through the city. Sirens fell on deaf ears, red and blue lights passing by in a blink. She followed the feeling like it was her North Star, guiding her through the unknown and to salvation.  

Kate landed on a nearby skyscraper with a thump.  

Before her, Fisk Tower.   

As always, it teemed with activity. Snipers on the roof, bold and unaware to the danger that lurked before them. Chatting without a care in the world, rifles lazily forgotten on the ledge of the tower. The plentiful balconies had a similar site, soldiers believing themselves untouchable. The ground floor was a flurry of movement, trucks pulling in and out of the garage. The soldiers here didn’t incite as much rage as the others did. Guards standing aware and ready with regular shift rotations. Some of the guards we’re directing traffic or busying themselves with the cargo in the trucks.  

Kate watched for a while. She didn’t know how long she stood there detailing every movement. She’d witnessed at least two rotations- there were no gaps in their defense, guards tapping each other out with an overlapping field of view. It didn’t deter her; Kate was ready for a fight. She’d go in from a balcony, the one on the left side of the building, located on the 18 th floor- Kate had counted the floors at least six times, she would have to enter high- It was over casted by the tower next door, a tall imposing thing that paled next to Fisk Tower. Her targeted balcony was manned by two sleeping guards, lured into rest by their false sense of safety. Her mouth salivated with nerves as Kate made to jump-    

“That is not a fight you’re ready to pick.” Kate was firing before she even recognized the figure behind her. Matt caught it easily, picking it from the air and joining her at the ledge. He gave it back to her.   

“How the hel-” Kate accepted the arrow out of compulsion, hand moving before she could think better.  

“I woke up when you’re breathing changed.” Kate blinked. Um.  

“What the fuck? That doesn’t help y’know.”   

Matt offered her a grin that did little to sooth her nerves, first amped for a fight now twisted in confusion. His gaze drifted back to the tower, Kate followed it.   

“You’ll be gunned down before you even reached the elevator.” Matt stated simply, turning the conversation back on her.  

“What do you know? "Kate bite back, Matt’s weird comment already forgotten.   

“ I know Fisk has the best security in the city. I know you’ll be swarmed by guards within minutes of stepping inside. I know if you reached the elevator, it’ll already be shut down and what?” He prodded,” You’ll climb the next thirty something floors before reaching doors locked with biometric scanners, of course, assuming you’re not keeled over the steps by floor forty.”  

“If I have to, yeah” Kate said confidently, unjustified belief thrumming through her.  

Matt scoffed.   

“Listen asshole,” She pointed from him to the tower,” that asshole in there deserves some serious payback.”  

“No shit but going in right now will get you killed and ruin our chance to actually take this guy down. Kate, you’re not the only person to lose something to him.” Matt’s voice was disarming, a sense of comradery settling over them as their loses came a little too close to the surface.” We will take him down, I swear it to you, but right no-”  

His head jerked sharply, breath catching as his focus drifted away.  

“C’mon,” He was already jumping off the roof by the time Kate registered what he said. Talked off one ledge, Kate tore her gaze from Fisk Tower and followed him off another with a sigh, falling into an easy rhythm with her swings.    

They moved rapidly, Matt covering ground like a demon. Kate struggled to see the urgency, but it became blaring obvious when the dull sound of rapid gunfire grew louder and louder.   

Matt descended rapidly, turning a corner just ahead of her. Kate released the tension in her grapple, bringing herself lower and lower to the pavement. She braced herself as she swung around the corner.    

Something revved behind her, her head snapped back, to an armored van barreling straight towards her. Kate didn’t hesitate. She slammed into the van’s side, scrambling onto the roof as the thug peeking through the roof flailed in surprise, gun fumbling from his hands and onto the road. One hard flick with her bow and he crumbled into the van.   

Kate's moment of victory was shattered quickly as the van jerked hard- hitting what felt like a brick wall. Her grip slipped and Kate slid from the roof in front of the screeching van, she braced for an impact that never came.  

“It’s a red light, pal!”   

Spider-man gripped the van’s grill, his boots digging into the road as it roared forward, the driver absolutely flooring it. With a grunt, he flipped the van onto its side. Spider-man gracefully hopped up with a single leap, yanking the driver’s door from the hinges and tossing the driver into the air, webbing him against a nearby wall.  

Spider-man jumped down next to Kate, offering her a hand.  

Kate ignored his offer, pushing herself to her feet, dusting off gravel, dust, and whatever else was collecting on her clothes.  

“Thanks,” Kate said not so sincerely, aches starting to form dimming any appreciation she might’ve had,” I had them handled but thanks.”   

Before Spider-man could retort, their attention was pulled to the jewelry shop still under assault. Gunfire flashed rapidly, aimed at a ruthless red figure tearing through the attackers. Two goons were already down, unconscious on the floor.   

Kate moved with zero hesitation, firing off an arrow into the nearest attacker. It pierced his shoulder and bought him to his knees; Kate used him like a springboard. She sprung from his back towards the second thug, leaving the first crumbling into the ground, groaning in pain. She swung her leg and smashed her boot hard across the thug’s face, blood splattering across priceless displays.   

Spidey moved simultaneously, he twiped a web overhead and sailed past Kate and her two victims. The three remaining thieves turned towards him at a snail's pace in comparison to himself- Spidey webbed two together instantly, faces squashed together in his tight web.  

“Aww, how adorable.” He fired off a last web, leaving them to struggle against the wall. The last thief swung on him, but Spidey caught his arm easily, he webbed the thief's fist and send him sky high, hanging from the ceiling by his hand.  

“Solid effort boys! Maybe next time.”   

Across the room, Daredevil delivered retribution with cold efficiency. He swung his baton hard against an already bloodied attacker, stumbling on his feet but still swinging widely at Matt. Matt’s baton met his skull and the attacker succumbed to oblivion.   

Kate hadn’t reached the ground for a second before a thug stepped up behind Daredevil, pistol whipping towards his skull. Before the idea of warning Matt could be born, he was twisting around and shoving the thug’s arm downwards, a bullet fired off rushing to meet tile and dirt. Daredevil twisted the thug’s wrist, and something gave with an ugly snap - the gun falling uselessly from the thug's grip. Matt pulled the thug forward, who screamed helplessly as Matt caused even more damage to their wrist. Daredevil’s knees rose to meet the thief’s face, silencing him instantly as he dropped like a sack of bricks.  

Suddenly the room was silent- besides the groans of the few still awake but hurting thugs.  

The store was in abysmal conditions. Glass, jewelry, and thugs scattered across the floor. Blood dashed across the room this way and that way and the strong smell of gunpowder floating through the air.  

“I’ve had better, but solid take-down guys. I’d give it a B.” Spidey was chipper, gracefully balancing on a display case, crouched down in that creepy spider way she’d seen on TV, something about it always caused a sense of uneasiness to rise in Kate.  

“Just a B?” Kate played it cool, but she was never the type to settle for less than gold.  

“Well,” Kate couldn’t see it, but she imagined Spider-man was side-eyeing Daredevil right now,” I think you lose a letter for the senseless violence.” He kept his tone light, but Kate could tell he wasn’t entirely joking.  

“These are Fisk’s men. "Matt ignored them,” Look at them Kate, they’re using the same gear as the men from Fisk Tower. No mask either, they weren’t worried about being caught.”  

With the threat subdued, Kate could stop and look, really look. He was right. The armored van was identical to the vans going to and from Fisk Tower. Fisk’s men didn’t wear uniforms per say but these guys looked the part. They carried the same weapons, better rifles than casual street gangs could pick up. Their protective gear was the same as well, likely issued by Fisk to all his men. The lack of mask was her nail in the coffin.  

Sirens started to wail in the distance, "Time to go. They won’t be coming for them.”  

“Woah! I know the cops don’t exactly like us but...What does that mean?” Spidey looked genuinely confused, or as much as he could with a mask on. Kate pinched her eyebrows together.  

“Have you not seen the news lately?” Matt said.  

“I don’t own a TV,” Spidey answered. Matt’s mouth was parted slightly; a puzzled look Kate could only imagine under his mask- She bit back a smirk.  

Kate spared Matt the headache, "Fisk declared open season on vigilantes. We’re illegal now."  

“Man, J.J’s gonna have a field day,” Spidey's concerns were widely out of order. He snapped back to the subject at hand,” I guess they have been way more kill-ey lately. Even the cops but that’s not too unusual.”  

The sirens grew closer.  

“Time to leave. Now.” Matt walked through the shattered window and climbed gracefully up the side of the building. Kate made to follow but held back at Spider-man's hesitancy.   

“You comin’ or what?”  

“Uh...” Spidey started, "I don’t really do team-ups anymore."  

“But you want answers, right?” Kate offered and left him to decide.  

“I don’t really have anywhere better to be," Kate heard Spidey mumble to himself. She shot her grapple towards the roof of the building Matt was just reaching the top off, underneath her, she heard a thwip as Spidey pulled himself up after her.