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Jessica Jones just walked out of a bar at 3 AM on a Monday night. Anyone who knew Jessica would say that it was a normal night for her. Which was wrong. She wasn’t drunk -or she was, but she at least wasn’t completely wasted- and she was actually doing some tailing for a client. Lately, Jessica was trying to do some “clean” work. Getting arrested and getting caught in some delicate situations wasn’t really good for business… And she was actually trying not to piss off anyone since she had someone important in her life. Ever since the Blip, she had been seeing Karen Page, in a romantic way. And since Jessica Jones had a tendency for self destruction, she was trying very hard not to screw up the only good thing she had going on in her life.
So tonight, she was following someone. She was trying to get some information about a strange dude working for a stupid tech company with a dumb company name. She had followed him into this crappy bar -and treated herself with one drink or two- since this piece of shit was talking all the time in the world. And now, he just left, and she had to follow him, trying to catch anything crunchie.
She was walking at a reasonable distance, capturing some pictures with her phone. If it was daytime, Jessica would’ve probably put on her shades, but it was dark as a butthole in this side of town. And this guy she was following was the most boring shit job she did lately. He stopped in every convenience store on their way. Trying to find only Hell knows what kind of bullshit.
It only got interesting a couple of blocks further when he finally turned into some kind of darker alleyway. Trying not to blow up her cover, Jessica silently climbed up the building’s fire escape, just as she could listen discreetly. He was meeting a woman. They seemed to be talking about business… Or at least his associate was trying, the shit-walking dude was clearly just trying to hit on her… Or to fuck her, as Jessica could hear…
It seemed like they were starting to fight when something, a strange sound, filled the alley. Jessica risked an eye, just to see what happened. Someone was positioned on the building across the one she climbed on. The PI squinted. There was nothing to see. It was way too dark in Hell’s Kitchen tonight. But she could discern a silhouette… Holding a bow? She fronded, lowering her eyes to look at the two people still standing beneath her. They both looked terrified and confused at the same time. An arrow was stuck between two bricks on the wall. Seconds later, the silhouette had made her way down the building, now standing, bow bending in the direction of the man Jessica was following.
“Leave her alone!” Shouted the silhouette.
Jessica Jones sighed.
No.
It was certainly a joke. Not another one?!
What was it with teenagers playing vigilantes in the streets of Hell’s Kitchen? It wasn’t the first time Jessica had heard of that phenomenon. She sighed. And seconds later, she heard the sound of a gun. Not a gunshot, thank this kid’s good fortune. But Jessica Jones could recognise the sound of a drawn weapon anywhere. That was her time to move.
Before anyone could’ve moved under the staircase, Jessica Jones was standing in the alleyway, ready for a fight. She stood between the arrow girl and the semi-rapist and his associate. The blonde girl was the one holding the gun, but her hands were shaking. Jessica sighed. Really? That was what she had to deal with?
“Okay, can we all put our fucking weapons down? I can’t believe I’m saying that… Gun and bow?” She asked, annoyed by this stupid situation. “Everyone is going to walk away and nobody's getting hurt.”
“You’re that freak woman!” The blonde woman shouted. “You’re working with an Avenger?”
“What?” Jessica barked. “No, I’m not…” She sighed. “Fuck it everyone, I’m not here to crash anyone’s business. I’m just trying to avoid a kid being shot in the middle of the street.”
“Looking to clear your conscience, freak?” The woman replied with a weird smirk.
“And I’m not a child!” The Bow-Girl protested. “I’m actually twenty-two.”
“Okay, everyone shut up, or I’m going to punch someone!” Jessica declared, even more annoyed by both of her interlocutors. “Thank you.”
All eyes were on her as Jessica walked to the Bow-Girl and grabbed her by the arm. She tried to get rid of Jones’ grip, but of course, the PI was too strong. They walked almost two blocks from there, leaving behind the precious sources of information Jessica had her eyes on. What was wrong with her? Saving a child on her working hours? She ditched a night at Karen’s for this follow up and there she was saving some random suicidal teen? What happened to her professionalism?
“Get off of me!” The Bow-Girl shouted again. Jessica let her go, but continued to walk anyway. “You’re Jessica Jones?!”
“Depends who’s asking.” Jessica mumbled. “Listen kid.” She finally stopped walking to turn around and look this young girl in the eyes.
It was the first time Jessica could have a good look at her. Twenty-two she said she was? Yeah, it made sense. The Bow-Girl was all dressed in a purple archery suit -that looks expensive-, a sophisticated bow and quiver on her back. Her long brown hair pulled up in a ponytail. She looked young. And expensive. Her baby face was scattered with scars from old cuts. This kid wasn’t on her first rodeo.
Which made Jessica sighed again.
“I’m Hawkeye.” The girl said proudly, bumping her chest.
This time, Jessica rolled her eyes. Yet another stupid kid playing real life superhero.
“Listen, I don’t care about your wannabe Avenger bullshit.” Jessica finally said. “You should just bring your rich kid’s ass back to your penthouse. Believe me, there’s nothing good for you in those alleyways.”
“This guy was gonna rape her!” The so-called Hawkeye argued.
“Didn’t you see that she could really take care of herself? She had a gun pointed at your head.”
“I was trying to help…”
“You should rethink your career choice.” Jessica sighed. “Vigilante stuff won’t do anything good to you. You’re gonna bring yourself tons of bullshit. Save yourself while you can.”
“What about you?”
“I’m already broken anyway.”
As she said that, Jessica Jones walked away. She could only hope this girl was going to listen to her advice and try not to get herself killed… again.
Little did she know her encounter with this Hawkeye girl was only the first of many…
***
For the following couple days, Jessica has found herself sleeping at Karen’s place more often than she usually would. And she needed her girlfriend’s presence next to her as she was working her ass off every day on that damn weird tech company’s case. In those time, when she just felt like a ticking bomb waiting to explode, Jessica was in need of the only person that could change her mind of things, and that only person was Karen. Jessica loved listening to her talk, she would have listened to Karen’s voice for hours…
The next morning, Jessica Jones woke up at 7 AM to Karen’s phone ringing. Something came up at Nelson, Murdock & Page. As it usually did, but her girlfriend didn’t ask for her to leave, she kissed Jessica on the forehead and got ready for her day at work. Karen only asked for Jessica to lock the door on her way out.
Jones couldn’t get any more sleep though. She left Karen’s apartment only half an hour later, after stealing some orange juice and a slice of bread from the kitchen. Jessica was still as exhausted from the day before, but she couldn’t sleep. Might as well work her ass off, as she usually did.
When she got into her apartment -and office of Alias: Investigations-, her associate was already there. Malcolm Ducasse was one of the only people Jessica really trusted, apart from Karen. He was a good friend; a good neighbor and he was hell of an investigator. Not as good as Jessica -or as reckless-, but he was doing a good job. And, to be totally honest, he was as considerate for their clients as she ever was. And she needed that sometimes. Malcolm was sitting on the ugly orange couch in the entryway, as Jessica went straight to her desk, dropping her keys and grabbing a half-empty bottle of scotch from her shelf.
“Well, ‘good morning’ to you too.” Malcolm declared as she took a good look at her.
“What? You know I never say ‘hi’ in the morning. Don’t act so surprised.”
“I was trying to be nice.”
“You know I’m not so.” She said as she raised her shoulders, drinking annoyedly from her glass.
“I actually have good news I wanted to share.” Malcolm continued, ignoring her grumpiness. “You remember that we agreed on hiring an assistant right?”
Jessica sighed. Malcolm was a good investigator, but since they were associates, he took more cases for himself and didn’t have any more time to do the boring stuff -like answering the phone, setting up appointments, sort mail and requests-. Jessica understood he was overwhelmed and he needed help, she wasn’t that kind of cold hearted, but she was always reluctant about the idea of letting someone new into her work life. She had given her trust to the wrong person one too many times now… And she was beyond careful. A little paranoid even sometimes.
Deep down inside her, Jessica knew it was the right thing to do for Alias, and more importantly for Malcolm’s sake. So, she nodded as she sat down at her desk and turned on her computer.
“Yeah, what about it?” She finally asked.
“I think I finally found the right person for the job! I met her yesterday and she is smart, charismatic and she actually looked professional.”
That was the thing when so-called superheroes needed some help in the professional department: usually, the candidates were desperate fans looking out to meet their idols. And Jessica hated everything about that. That was why Malcolm was taking care of that part of the job for her. And he was nicer to people, in general. Which helped to not scare any potential employee -or client- away.
As her associate was describing the candidate, Jessica smirked.
“She sounds like your type.” She joked.
“Oh God no!” Malcolm protested. “She is like… Eighteen, or something. I’m not gross and inappropriate with my relationships!”
“Debatable.”
“Anyway.” Malcolm continued, still embarrassed by Jessica’s comment. “She starts today and should be there at…”
He didn’t have any time to finish his sentence when someone knocked on the door. Jessica raised her eyebrows and gave a look at the time. It was barely 8 AM, who could have something so important that they needed to come to Alias that early in the morning?
“I’ll take care of it!” Malcolm said, reaching for the door.
Jessica let him take care of that as she was browsing through her computer, reading her notes from her last case. The one that was giving her headaches for weeks…
She wasn’t really listening to what Malcolm was saying, in the background. She heard him talk, greet, being the nice and pleasant person he was. Jessica couldn’t say she was mad at him working with her. Alias needed some kindness, and she couldn’t provide it. And working with someone was… Actually, pretty nice. And working with a friend was less annoying than she even thought it was going to be.
But as the voices came closer to the living space of the apartment, Jessica froze. She recognised this voice. It was young, innocent, almost childish…
Her eyes went from the computer screen to Malcolm and their new assistant, entering the room. Jessica stared at this small, brunette girl with wavy hair and big brown innocent eyes. In the light of day, she could see that this girl was not wearing any makeup and she dressed up nicely, but still a little tomboyish. Even without her purple suit, ponytail and weapons, Jessica would’ve recognised this face everywhere.
It was Hawkeye.
“You must be fucking kidding me.”
Malcolm looked surprised as the teenager’s cheeks turned red with embarrassment.
“You know her?” Jessica’s associate asked.
“She is a kid vigilante.” The PI responded, crossing her arms against her chest. “We met a couple of nights ago on the street as she was threatening an armed woman with a stupid bow and arrow.”
“You remember me?!” The girl shouted with excitement.
Jessica couldn’t believe it. This stupid kid had eyes glowing as she realised that she actually left Jessica Jones quite and impression of herself.
“I thought Hawkeye was a dude…” Malcolm pointed out.
“He was.” The girl answered him. “But then he retired. So, I’m the new Hawkeye.”
“That’s so cool!”
Malcolm was worse than a child right now, asking this Bow-Girl all about how she met an Avengers, became his apprentice -or something like that- before he just went back to his family and left her being the new archer hero. Jessica had to admit -but only to herself- that she was impressed by this girl. But she was yet another young hero fanatic. She was just lucky enough to actually bond with one and get to fight next to him.
But she chose this life. And she was living it very -very-poorly and recklessly.
“That’s all cute and stuff.” Jessica interrupted. “Since you seem like the only competent person to have ever impressed Malcolm, I’m okay with you working here. But, let’s settle some ground rules: do not use my business to go out after some assholes and don’t get in my way.”
“Is she always like that?” Bow-Girl asked Malcolm.
“She’s actually having a good day.” He answered with a smile on his face.
Jessica glared at him, not impressed by how he bonded so easily with this stranger girl.
“Be careful, I could fire the two of you. I’m still the boss.”
“Technically…”
“Oh shut up, Malcolm.” She shouted as she stood up. She stepped forward, arms crossed, looking at her new assistant from head to toes. “So, do you want this job or not?”
“Under your conditions?”
“Take it or leave it.”
“I’m in.”
“Then congratulations, you’ve got the job.” Jessica said, holding out her hand in the direction of her new employee.
Bow-Girl did not hide her joy as she joyfully grabbed Jessica’s hand.
“I promise, Jessica, you won’t be disappointed!”
“It’s Miss Jones to you, kid.” The PI sighed. “And I guess you don’t expect me to call you ‘Hawkeye’ on your new day job?”
“Right! No.” The girl consented. “My name is Kate. Kate Bishop.”
“Well, Kate Bishop.” Malcolm started with a huge smile on his face. “Welcome to Alias!”
***
For once, Karen was the one crashing at Jess’s apartment tonight. Lately, Jessica was the one working late, joining her girlfriend whenever she would finish her job. But the roles were reversed. Jessica and Karen both had messy work lives. But that was probably why they were so good together. There were days when Jessica would like to spend more time with her beloved. But she knew that people were counting on them.
Jessica was reading files in bed, as she did quite often, waiting for Karen to come in, anytime now. To her surprise, the ex-journalist entered the apartment -and made her way to the bedroom- before 7 PM. Which was kind of early considering their work schedules. Jessica couldn’t help herself but smile as she looked at her girlfriend entering the room. Karen dropped her bag on a chair in the corner of the room, getting rid of her shoes and her coat.
“To what do I owe the pleasure to see you so early tonight?” Jessica asked as she put the files away on the bedside table. Karen offered her a smile. The most beautiful one Jessica ever saw in her goddamn life. “Is it a dream or something?”
“No it’s not.” Karen laughed, climbing on the bed. She sat next to Jessica and offered her a kiss on the lips. Jessica grabbed her check delicately, responding to this soft embrace. She had missed Karen way too much… She really should think about giving herself some more respectable work hours. She needed more time with her girlfriend… “We actually have a new intern. It helps so much!”
It was the same day that Jessica had hired Kate Bishop as her new assistant. She seemed a hard-working girl and she was actually taking her job very seriously, which surprised Jessica. Sure, Kate was often laughing with Malcolm on some pop culture or movies or Avengers stuff, but she was the best person that ever did this job. Although she was impressed, Jessica couldn’t escape the thought that Kate Bishop was a huge pile of problems. She was a vigilante at night. She could get hurt at any given time and she was so reckless…
Karen’s arms hugging her suddenly brought Jessica back to reality. Here she was, holding her girlfriend in her arms, thinking about how she actually worried about her new employee.
“Something is bothering you.”
It wasn’t a question; Karen could read Jessica like an open book. And, unfortunately for Jessica, her girlfriend wouldn’t let go until they had actually talked about it. Jessica was not the kind of person to open up easily. But it was Karen. It was totally different.
“You promise you won’t say anything?” Jessica asked. It was a rhetorical question. She trusted Karen with her life, but it was an old habit. She had been double crossed many times before. And Karen knew it was her trauma speaking when Jessica would ask this kind of question.
“Yeah, of course.”
“Not a word to Murdock OR Franklin.”
“I promise.”
Karen never took those questions personally, which made their relationship much easier. Jessica never trusted anyone. Except Karen and Malcolm. They were the only kind of family she ever had. Murdock was part of this very little group of people she trusted… Well until he pretended to be dead for seventeen months. She barely tolerated him now. But it wasn’t quite as it was. And Karen knew everything about that.
“I hired a new assistant today.” Jessica began.
“That’s awesome!” Karen smiled.
“Well… I don’t know about that.” Jones hesitated, but she decided to continue. “I met her before. She is a vigilante on the streets; she took up Hawkeye’s name after he retired.”
“Oh…”
“She isn’t really careful.”
“And you feel like you owe it to her to help her?”
“How do you do this?” Jessica asked, half-annoyed, half-moved by how Karen knew her.
Karen laughed. The most beautiful sound Jessica had heard all day.
“I know you well, that’s all.” Karen answered, sitting down more properly on the bed.
“I also know I have no right to give her any advice. I’m shit at vigilante stuff… I’m not even a good one.”
“You’re doing it your way, that’s it.” Karen said to reassure her. “And you are really good at it. As good as Matt, probably even better.”
“I hate when you mention him. Especially when we’re sitting in bed…” Jessica mumbled.
“But you are! Or at least to me…” Karen paused as she kissed Jessica on the cheek. “But seriously, what are you gonna do about Hawkeye?”
“I don’t know yet…”
“I think you could become a great mentor!”
“Don’t tease me…”
“No, it’s true. You’ve learned so much since you first started this. And believe me, anyone could use your advice…”
“I guess I can try…”
“And now, how about we get ourselves something to eat? I’m starving!”
Jessica laughed as she turned to Karen. She took her in her arms and let her fall on her back, on the mattress. A smile on her face, Jessica started kissing her girlfriend again, as they were both laughing. Karen slid her fingers into Jessica’s hair, holding her face against hers.
“How about we have some fun before we call for pizza?” Jessica whispered between two kisses.
“I couldn’t think of anything better.” Karen answered as she started pulling off her girlfriend’s clothes.