11:30 am

It may have taken about two hours to find an outfit, but it was all worth it to be sitting outside a Starbucks to enjoy a venti frappuccino without any interruptions from Tony.

Already I had been able to explore many of the tourist sites there in New York. I strolled through every floor of Macy's, walked down 5th Avenue, took time to watch street performers, did a carriage ride through times square, climbed to the top of the Empire State Building - not that I hadn't done that already, having been to many formal occasions there - then I was contemplating whether to first venture out on a ferry to Liberty Island and climb Lady Liberty herself, or crush a few boardwalk games on Coney Island.

It had been forever since I had a day off. I couldn't remember the last time I had so much freedom in my life: no rushing, no training, no fighting, not being absorbed in work, not having to run down to Burger King to get Stark a burger... that was life.

As I lounged back, observing the rushing New Yorkers fly by on their way to work, relief overcame my usually tense body.

"What could possibly ruin this perfect day?"

Suddenly my relief was ruined by a familiar voice in my ear. "Miss Stark."

"And I spoke too soon," I groaned, sitting up as I snatched up my phone. "What Jarvis?"

"You have an incoming call from Master Stark."

"Ignore it."

"I'm afraid I can't do that," he explained. "He has overridden your phone."

You've got to be kidding me. "Then override him back."

"For your sake Miss Stark, I have already tried. Unfortunately, his system cannot be maneuvered."

"What?"

"That's right," joined the king of gloating, otherwise known as my egotistical boss entering my strained ear. "Because no one is as amazing as me."

Oh my gosh... With his voice entered a familiar throbbing sensation in my head, replacing the relief I knew wouldn't last. "What do you want Stark?"

"I need you back at the tower."

"Now?"

"Yes. Now."

"For what? Stark, this is supposed to be my day off."

"And I am supposed to be an incredibly handsome, successful, genius billionaire... Oh wait, I already am."

My eyes could not roll back any farther than they did. "Is that supposed to be helpful?"

"No, it was more for my sake."

"Surprise, surprise," I mumbled sarcastically. "Alright... I'll be there in a minute."

"Make that a second."

"Whatever..." I slammed my phone against the table, clenching my fists as they threatened to burn. "I knew it was too good to last."

With the press of a button, I summoned my car to the curb, waiting impatiently for it to pull up in front of me.

Did I mention I had a self-drive car?

At thirteen I asked Tony for a car. He said I first had to get my license and he would provide the vehicle. In my head, getting a license sounded like too much work. As an alternative, I built my own vehicle, programmed it to the Jarvis system, and designed it to drive wherever I wanted on its own.

It was easier than going through the lengthy process of getting a license.

Stories aside, I had to head back to Stark Tower and figure out what the heck Stark wanted.

...

As the car pulled in, I was already out and ascending to the penthouse. Next thing I knew, I was storming down the hall, my fists balled as they began to heat. Whatever Stark wanted had better be worth ruining my only day off for probably... the rest of my life! I was mustering every ounce of resistance so as to prevent myself from turning Tony to ashes. And believe me, this wasn't the first time the temptation had visited me.

"Stark?!" I bellow, sharply rounding the corner, finding Stark by the window sipping a glass of Brandy. "Stark! What could possibly be so important that you had to call me in on my day off? Mind you, my only day off."

"Ahem."

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye emerged a figure. A guest. One whom I was all too familiar with. And one I was all too happy to see.

"Hawkeye."

"Hey," he responded casually.

The heat of my anger began to diminish. My flames were repealed with the glow of my light powers, causing me to glow with delight.

"Wh- what are you doing here?" I asked curiously.

"Stark called me over."

I cast a glance over my shoulder, briefing eye contact with Tony as I furrowed my brow, showing a means of confusion. "Uh-huh... And for what reason is that?"

"I thought he already told you."

Curiosity had revolutionized into suspicion. "Already told me what?"

"He scheduled us a weapons training session."

A what? Since when? I glanced over at Stark, clenching my jaw. "Since when was this planned?"

Stark merely shrugged, as if the answer was obvious. "Since this morning."

"Are you kidding me?" I spat, nearly shouting. "After telling me I could have the day off? Are you serious?"

"Hey," he raised his hands, stepping forward, "I thought you could use the extra practice. So I called up Robin Hood here and asked him to help you out a bit."

From the way Stark described the situation, I had a feeling there was something more behind the story he wasn't telling me. Another reason for having Hawkeye over, and of all days on my day off. An event planned at midnight just previously after I destroyed the training room. Wait a second... Is that what this is about?

However, I would not let him suspect I was of any suspicion. Instead, I played along with his little game.

"Alright," I huffed in annoyance. "Let me change. I'll be down in five minutes." Some day off this turned out to be.

As I strut off towards the elevator, Stark called to me last minute. "Uh, you better make that-"

"I better make it seconds," I interrupted Tony, "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know. I know."

Behind me I heard Hawkeye following close behind, catching up to my side. "I'll meet you down in the training room."

Training room? I paused temporarily, remembering my episode of the previous night. "Alright." Boy, you're in for a surprise.