Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Witch and the Widows

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 05:

When the trio pulled into the parking lot of their motel, Wanda and Kate wasted no time moving inside. Yelena stayed outside and opened the trunk, then began moving the multiple bags inside the room. Once they were inside, she ran back into the parking lot and pulled a car cover off one of the cars and covered their own BMW with it, hoping the owner wouldn’t wake up in the middle of the night.

Yelena closed the door behind them and took a deep breath.

“Thank you… for the help… partner.” She told Wanda with a thumbs up.

“You didn’t tell me what to do! In the morning whoever owns the car you took the cover from is going to be looking for it.”

“We will be gone by then. Tolliver will be looking for our car. Cameras at the club no doubt recorded us leaving. We have to ditch it. We can steal one here and be gone before sunup, then steal another.” Yelena told her.

Kate’s eyes widened. “That’s so illegal. You guys can do that? Do superheroes have like a pass to break the law? That is so cool!”

Yelena chuckled and pulled her wig off.

Kate’s eyes widened.

“Wow. You’re a blonde… you look really good as a blonde. I mean hot. Not that you didn’t before! But… wow.”

Yelena chuckled. “You are not so bad yourself, Little Archer.”

“Yelena! No flirting with the underage club girl.”

Yelena waved her off. “We are close to same age. We could be on the same cheer team. You aren’t a cheerleader, are you, Little Archer?”

Kate shook her head. “No and I’m like a foot taller than you, so I’m not sure why you are calling me little. If that guy hadn’t threatened to shoot my friend, I would have taken them all on the dance floor.”

“Including the one who had a gun shoved into your kidney?” Yelena asked.

Kate cringed. “He would have been problematic. I lost my shoes in the run to the getaway car and this dress is great for dancing but not so much for combat. Do either of you have clothes I can borrow? Also, since you have explosives and guns, maybe you have a bow?”

Yelena laughed. “You are funny. Only one person uses a bow as a primary weapon, and he is Avenger. Maybe he will offer you an apprenticeship after all.”

Kate shrugged, looking towards Wanda annoyed. “I wouldn’t know. All Wanda said was he saved her from a lot of Ultron’s robots by throwing her into a building before she got shot. That’s all I’ve gotten so far.”

Yelena offered her hands, letting Kate know she would be no help. The blonde assassin grabbed one of the smaller duffels then walked to the bathroom. She emerged minutes later, and Kate’s eyes bugged out once again.

“Wow.” Kate whispered.

Yelena winked at her.

Wanda who had been standing by the window, took her eyes off the parking lot and was surprised to see Yelena’s clothes. She wore a uniform similar to the one Wanda had first found her in. The only difference were the location of some holsters and knife slots and the green vest fit over it. Her widow bites were lit up over her black covered wrists.

“Where did you get that?” Wanda asked.

“Guns and explosives weren’t the only thing I picked up in Austria. Maris had a shopping center for combat.” Yelena showed her some sort of black metal device on her belt that had wires that went into the belt.

“Wait until you see me run down walls. Not as cool as wiggly woo flying but still pretty cool.”

Wanda didn’t like the idea of her wearing clothing from Maris. She didn’t like the idea of where it came from. However, they were in a combat situation and wearing casual clothes would not work for her.

A fifteen year old Kate was fascinated, taking in the guns, knives and…

“Those are Widow Bites! Are you a Black Widow? I thought there was only one. Did she give you those? Do you know her? Can I wear one?”

“No.” Wanda told her. “She won’t let me wear one. She isn’t going to let you. She better not. I asked first.”

Kata huffed and moved to look into the bag before Yelena stopped her. “Stop. There are things in there that can hurt you.”

“I told you, I’m pretty good at combat. Just because I don’t like guns, doesn’t mean I’m not safe around them.”

“We also have four types of grenades, C-4, Semtex, electric batons, detonators, and very sharp throwing blades. Nothing for a nice girl like you to be playing with.”

Kate pulled back her hand and stepped away. “Point taken. So, can I borrow clothes, Wanda?”

Wanda pointed to a red bag, much smaller than the army green ones. “That’s mine. Take whatever you need. Then we talk.”

Kate looked around for a few moments, shaking her head, blushing and then pulled some clothes out and moved to the bathroom.

She came out a few moments later wearing black leather pants and a red leather sleeveless halter top, blushing at how it fit her so snugly.

“You look like teenage witch. Now you are ready for combat.” Yelena said approvingly.

“Your clothes don’t exactly… aren’t… I mean…”

Wanda shot her an irritated look. “Consider you were dancing in a club you were too young to be in and wearing a black minidress, do not complain about my clothes.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it. I think your shoes might be small for me. Yelena, do you have any boots or sneakers I could borrow?”

Yelena smirked. “Borrow? You say that as if I have a hope of getting them back.”

Despite her complaint, Yelena gave her an extra pair of combat boots.

“This is cool.” Kate admitted, once she looked herself over in the mirror.

“Glad you think so.” Wanda told her. “Now have a seat before we have to run again. Tell us why they are after you, Kate Bishop. Who are your parents?”

Kate had a seat on the bed then stood up again. “Pants are a little tight. Your waist must be a couple inches smaller than mine. Leather does not give at all, does it? Ugh… anyway, my Dad was Derek Bishop. He died in the Battle of New York. My mom is Eleanor Bishop.”

Yelena nodded, understanding. “Eleanor Bishop, majority owner and CEO of Bishop Security. They manage cyber security for many Fortune 500 hundred companies, as well as installing security systems in corporate headquarters, some government facilities including military armories and black sites, provide private security guards, most of whom are former military and current mercs and are rumored to have the largest, most comprehensive criminal database in the world, more complete than the American F.B.I. and Interpol. Where is your mother now?”

“Back in New York. I came here for an international competition yesterday that I won by the way. Mom couldn’t make it. She had to work so my friend Bianca’s mother offered to chaperone us. We thought we would celebrate tonight while Bianca’s mom went out with this guy she met at the competition.” Kate explained. “How do you know so much about my family company?”

“It is quite well known in my former career field. It is no wonder Tolliver wants his hands on you. Your mother would give him anything he wanted. Why do you not have bodyguards?”

Kate smiled. “I told you I can kick ass. I don’t need bodyguards.”

“And yet you would be in his hands if we hadn’t been there.” Wanda pointed out. “He would have squeezed your mother for every bit of information he could and then killed you. Here is a tip. Consider traveling with some of those mercenaries your mother employees.”

Kate knew Wanda was right. She got lucky these two women happened to be at the club tonight. She sat back down on the bed, wincing at how the leather pants pinched her and laid back.

Yelena walked over to Wanda who was still standing by the window.

“He failed.” Wanda pointed out quietly. “If he had gotten her, he could have called her mother and gotten whatever he wanted. Now the police had to have shown up. They would know there was an attempted kidnapping. They would likely connect the dead bodies to Tolliver. The F.B.I. is probably with Eleanor Bishop now, making sure she isn’t contacted or providing any information to him, even if he gets Kate back. Why don’t we just drop her off in front of a police station?”

“He will still want her. If he gets her, he could keep her for years. The F.B.I. won’t be able to watch her mother that long. He could get people past the F.B.I. to pass messages to her. Bishop Security’s reach is far. Whether he can get messages and information from Bishop or not, Kate is a prize he cannot resist. Tolliver’s whole organization would need to be torn down before she would ever be safe. He has people watching the police stations now. If she is within a block, they will grab her, and I don’t think parking directly in front of the station would be good for us.”

Wanda closed her eyes, frustrated at this new obstacle. “We don’t have time to take down Tolliver’s operation. We already have our hands full with the Red Room. She can’t stay with us.”

Yelena pouted. “She can’t?”

“No! We would get her killed! Plus, the entire law enforcement community would be looking for her, meaning they would be looking for us.”

Yelena quietly laughed. “You think they aren’t all ready? Please, can we keep her? I won’t ask for a puppy again.”

“Yelena!”

“I joke.” Yelena assured her. “You are right, but we need to get her back to States safely. I can give her information on Tolliver’s operation, at least what I know. Perhaps it could start an investigation and put pressure on him.”

Wanda looked at Kate who was lying back, staring at the ceiling, and quietly talking to herself.

“Does she ever shut up?” Wanda wondered quietly.

“She is very funny, isn’t she? She has nice voice.” Yelena said, glancing at their new friend. “See that blue full size SUV with the tinted windows? The bumper has a sticker that says world’s greatest grandmother. No one will look for us in that. We are taking it. I don’t want to leave the grenades and explosives behind. We do not know when we might need it. We need to find a safe way to get her home and then we get out of this country.”

Wanda sighed, not having a clue what to do. Yelena was the expert at this stuff.

“Short of blasting our way out past the border… and wiping out Tolliver’s henchman until he stops sending them, I have no idea what to do.”

Yelena crossed her arms, and leaned against the wall next to the window, keeping her eyes on the parking lot with Wanda.

“I know a man I can contact. He is a free agent who lives in France sometimes. He refused to work with the Red Room, but I know where he is. He can provide air transportation out of the country.”

“Air?”

“He can get us a helicopter and the location of a landing zone in Spain that smugglers use. His name is Rick Mason, and he is a former SHIELD agent. If we can find him and he can help us then we can fly over the border and land close to Barcelona. It will take money, maybe a hundred grand for a piece of shit helicopter but we can always steal more money. I’ve been wanting to hack Tony Stark’s bank accounts anyway.”

“And her?” Wanda motioned with her head.

Yelena sighed. “She needs to be picked up by someone you trust. Someone who can protect her until she reaches the states and could preferably investigate Tolliver. A private organization that may be filled with idiots but has good intentions and resources would be best.”

Wanda grimaced, knowing what Yelena was getting at.

“You know what comes with that kind of help. They will want to know our business. We can’t have them involved. We are trying to end the Red Room while keeping the widows alive. I only trust us with that.”

“Tell them nothing of our plans. Ask for those you trust to take Kate home. You said Rogers is a good man and you like Barton. Ask them to come pick her up in one of their fancy Avenger’s jets. If anymore show up, the exchange is off, and we figure out how to protect her on our own.”

Wanda knew she was right. They couldn’t keep a fifteen year old rich girl who wanted to be a superhero with them alive. Not only would it not be safe for her, it would put more pressure on them.

“Natasha?”

Yelena shook her head immediately. “No… maybe one day. I… not now. I might send her a message through Kate Bishop but after she is gone we go dark and we end this ourselves. Just as we talked about. Dreykov belongs to us.”

“How much time do we have?” Wanda asked.

“It’s three. We need to be gone in an hour, latest. Any idea how to get their phone number? Did Barton leave his with you?”

Wanda shook her head. “No, I didn’t give him a chance. I know how to contact them. I’m going to need absolute quiet. Do you think that’s possible?”

Yelena looked at Kate, still mumbling to herself and nodded. “Is this going to hurt you?”

Wanda shrugged. “No idea. If it is too much I will back out and find another way, I promise.”

Yelena still looked wary. “I don’t want you hurt.”

“I’ll be okay.”

“You think you can contact the robot with the stone in his head?” Yelena asked, guessing that was her plan.

“I can try. It’s the only idea I got.”

Yelena cringed but nodded in acceptance. “If you look like you are in pain, I will shake you until you snap out of it. Do not blow me up.”

Yelena walked over to the bed where Kate was laying and mumbling to herself. Seeing Yelena, she smiled brightly and sat up.

“The pants are getting broken in. I’ve given this a lot of thought in the past five minutes. You two are obviously in the middle of something big. I’m going to help. It’s the least I can do. I don’t even need my bow, I just need a bow. Any bow will do. We make a stop at an archery shop and I’m good. It would be better if I had a saber too, but I can use your electric batons. Do you know where to find another suit like yours? These pants really pinch and that looks so awesome on you.”

Yelena appreciated her spirit but needed her to face reality.

“We have killed over twenty people in the last week between us.” Yelena told her. “Granted they were all very bad people, but they were still people. On our journey, we will kill many more. Killing is not something you want to do if it can be avoided. It is not something you want to do at fifteen.”

“But… I handled it last night. The dead bodies didn’t bother me.” Kate argued. “You’re not much older than me.”

“You handled yourself admirably, Little Archer. But seeing dead bodies is very different than being the one who caused them. I have been doing it for a long time. I have become immune to it, but I never want that for anyone. You see, when you become immune to taking life, no matter how righteous your reasoning, it means you have a damaged soul. You are fifteen. You have much to do in life, much more training to complete. Your soul is still pure. You are not ready to lose that.”

Kate’s disappointment was obvious. She nodded and looked away from Yelena.

“Little Archer, one day you will be ready. You are fierce now. You will be unstoppable when your training is done. I have no doubt you will be an Avenger one day, if that is what you want. I also promise we will see each other again.”

“We will?”

Yelena smiled. “How could I stay away from one so brave? Perhaps if we finish our journey I can go to school and we can join the cheerleading team, no? We can be… what is it called… mean girls?”

Kate laughed despite feeling disappointed.

“Now I have a surprise for you. Wanda and I were just talking about your situation. We think it is best if the Avengers come pick you up. You can provide information I will give you to them and perhaps help them investigate this man so intent on capturing you.”

Joy filled Kate’s face. “You know how to contact them?! They would get me?!”

Yelena put a finger to her lips. “Wanda is going to try but it will be difficult. She will try to mentally connect across the ocean to a robot who wears a cape.”

“Vision! The new Avenger. He joined with War Machine and Falcon! He’s a robot? I thought he was a guy in a colorful suit who could fly.”

Yelena patted her shoulder. “This will be very difficult for her, so I need you to do something very difficult for you. I need you to be quiet.”

Kate raised an eyebrow. “That’s it? I can be quiet.”

Yelena stared at her for a few more moments.

“I can… I’ll do my best. Should I go to the bathroom?”

“Stay here. I have faith in you. If it looks like you won’t be able to help yourself, I will put a hand over your mouth. Don’t make me put you to sleep.”

Kate gave her a thumbs up.

Wanda who had been listening to the conversation very amused, sat down on her bed and crossed her legs, then rested her palms on her knees. She closed her eyes and focused, sending her mental powers as far out as possible, seeking a light in the darkness. She was not sure how long it took. She had no concept of time at that moment. She was searching, moving past the thoughts of those in the motel, the noise that was Paris, the silence that was the ocean, searching in the dark until she found it.

The Mind Stone.

Upstate New York, Avengers Compound

Secretary Ross waited impatiently while the Avengers filed in. Tony Stark had agreed to meet here as well and uncharacteristically was the first one in attendance. Colonel Rhodes was with him, also on time.

The others filed in over the next ten minutes, having a seat at the long conference table.

“Thank you all for responding so promptly.” Ross started.

He received no response and was not surprised. He knew he was hated. Stark was the only one who tried to collaborate with him and that was because Stark was desperate to keep the Avengers together. Stark grew up surrounded by the court of public opinion and knew how powerful it was. The Avengers could do no wrong after New York. That was then, this was now. After the Sokovia incident and rumors swirled about Ultron, who he was, where he came from and his connection to the Avengers. Those who dared not call them out before, were suddenly daring. They were no longer the untouchable media darlings.

The majority of the public still worshipped them, but there were cracks in the dam. It was only a matter of time before they screwed up and came under the command of the United States Government where they belonged.

“I wasn’t aware we were on your payroll or answered to your schedule, Secretary Ross.” Rogers said.

Ross gritted his teeth but got to the point.

A picture appeared on the screen behind him.

“This is Kate Bishop. Her father Derek, the previous owner of Bishop Security was killed in the battle of New York. Her mother is the now the majority owner and CEO of Bishop Security. She is the fifteen year old heir to her mother’s business, a global powerhouse that deals in the protection of sensitive information for large corporations and some of our government facilities.

“She is also an archery prodigy, maybe as good as Barton, has black belts in two forms of martial arts, a state ranked fencer and accomplished gymnast. S.W.O.R.D. has every intention of recruiting her as an agent after she graduates college, not only for her skill but to give them a relationship with Bishop Security when her mother steps down and she takes over.”

“Nice to know S.W.O.R.D has such noble goals. Planning to use a fifteen year old as a weapon and then use her company. Nice.” Romanoff said dryly.

Ross scowled at her but continued. He instead switched the screen to a paused video from outside what looked like a train depot surrounded by people, obviously a club of some sort.

“She was in Paris for an archery competition yesterday. Five hours ago, she was the target of an attempted kidnapping. We haven’t identified the offenders, but French authorities have their bodies and are working on identifications. According to witnesses, including her friend she was with, a group of men pulled her off the dancefloor at a club and attempted to put her in a van outside. Brazen, but quick.”

“Her bodyguards killed the kidnappers?” Sam Wilson asked. All the Avengers were giving their complete attention to Ross, knowing a fifteen year old girl was involved.

Ross shook his head. “For some reason, the very rich heir to a very important security company does not travel with bodyguards.” he played the video.

He pressed play and the video began rolling. They saw the girl being forced out of the club by five men, with two more waiting outside. A van pulled up and the side door was opened by a man who reached for her.

Before he could touch her, there was a hole in his forehead, and he was slammed back into the van. Streaks of red balls of energy destroyed three of the men disintegrating them. More gunshots rang out and the other gunmen were quickly killed with head shots.

Two women walked out behind Bishop, both brunettes, one with glowing red hands and the other with a handgun in front of her, searching for more targets.

The shorter woman checked on Bishop then looked down the street. They could see half her face and she appeared young. The woman who was obviously Wanda Maximoff followed her gaze and saw something as well. They grabbed Kate Bishop and ran off. Minutes later a BMW swerved onto the street. A black SUV traveling in the opposite direction slammed on its breaks and did a U turn, following the other SUV that was chasing Maximoff, the unknown female and Kate Bishop.

“Wanda Maximoff and a new friend.” Ross said. “Four miles away, the women took an off ramp. Witnesses on the highway below reported a red glowing human jumped from the car while it was being driven and hovered in the air. The ground and pavement rose up to form a wall that the pursuing vehicles slammed into at high speed, killing all the occupants.”

The room was quiet, as the Avengers took that in.

Romanoff smiled. “Wanda and whoever was with her, saved Kate Bishop’s life.”

“Atta girl.” Rogers whispered.

Ross frowned. “While I can appreciate her actions, Maximoff is still a problem and your screw up. She has incredible power and instead of harnessing it, you let her go. She is good at staying under the radar. We have exhausted every resource looking for her. We can only track her after the fact. She has spent the last six months finding and killing HYDRA agents and crushing their bases, leaving some dead and others with minds that are so scrambled they would be better off dead.”

“This is a problem?” Wilson asked.

Vision spoke up. “Secretary Ross doesn’t have a problem with her actions. He is upset that she is not doing so at his orders.”

Ross stared at the android, infuriated. He had no idea if that was a guess or if Stark’s latest monster had read his mind.

“Wanda Maximoff is a loose cannon with more power than one person should have, much less an emotionally unstable teenage girl who was easily manipulated into working for HYDRA. She has picked up a very deadly companion who took out multiple trained mercs in seconds with pinpoint accuracy. We don’t know her emotional state, her reasons for being in Paris, or why she has not turned Kate Bishop over to the police. Her actions may have been heroic, but she must be contained, and Kate Bishop must be returned safely. There is no telling what Maximoff plans to do with the girl. You need to find Bishop and bring Maximoff in, whatever it takes. She must be contained. Don’t forget, Maximoff was a supporter of terroristic actions against the United States before she ever willingly fell into HYDRA’s hands. She is no friend of this country.”

Vision stood up, making Ross nervous though he did his best not to show it. “From what I understand, harboring aggressive feelings toward a country that killed one’s parents is a natural human response. Kate Bishop is safe with Wanda. If Wanda hasn’t taken her to authorities, she has her reason. As far as her being contained, it won’t happen. I won’t allow it.”

“You don’t get to make that decision.” Ross told him. “Stark, would you get your android under control?”

Tony crossed his arms and glared at the man. “He isn’t my android. He is fully conscious and sentient. As far as Maximoff, if anyone should be scared of her it’s me and I agree with Vision. She is doing what we should be doing. She is taking down HYDRA remnants and saving young girls from being kidnapped by terrorists. Wanda will get Bishop to safety.”

Ross shook his head. “Keep it up, Stark. This circus act you have going on is going to end one day. Rogers, maybe you could send a memo to the President letting him know who the actual leader of this team is.”

Ross walked out of the conference room and made his way out of the building.

The Avengers stayed in the conference room, silently contemplating the new information.

“I want to know who her friend is.” Natasha finally spoke. “The way that girl moved, the lack of hesitation, the gracefulness, she could be a former widow.”

Rogers shook his head. “Natasha, you, and Clint took down the Red Room, years ago. I only saw a glimpse, but that girl looked younger than Wanda. There shouldn’t be any former widows her age. Right?”

Natasha nodded but did not comment. Her mind was racing. Steve was right. She could see her talking briefly to Bishop, likely asking if she were all right. The bit of her face they could see, indicated she was young. She was highly trained but there were many organizations in the world that could train one as herself. Wanda had been raiding HYDRA bases. Perhaps this girl was one of their operatives, forced into service and Wanda had liberated her.

She couldn’t be a widow. If she was, that meant the Red Room was operating. The Red Room should have died with Dreykov. There were no successors, no one who could have taken over. The widows would have scattered.

Since Dreykov’ s death, there had not been one report of a widow involved in any illicit activity. If they were still operating, they were doing a good job of staying under cover.

That was what widows did though. They infiltrated, killed and left without leaving a trace.

A sinking feeling in her gut told her who trained her didn’t matter. Natasha needed to know who this girl was.

“Ross was right about one thing. We should be with her. She shouldn’t be doing this alone. Nobody her age should have to do something like this on her own.” Steve said, regretfully.

Tony sighed. He still felt a tremendous amount of guilt and always would. He had felt guilt for years after learning what his weapons were used for. He now dreamed of a little red headed girl hiding under rubble next to a little blonde boy and both of them staring at a missile that had his name in big bold letters beeping in front of them. The young girl always pointed at him, tears in her eyes, and asked why before the missile exploded and he woke screaming.

Other times he dreamed of the dead in New York. What would have happened if they had worked as a team and stopped Loki before he opened that portal? What if he had never built Stark Tower? It was his Arc Reactor that powered the portal, that unleashed hordes of monsters. Would Loki have found another way, a place not in the middle of a city filled with millions?

Kate Bishop’s dad would be alive. Now Kate Bishop was out there. He knew she was in good hands. He knew it in his gut, but he still needed to help get her home. He needed to find another living, breathing reminder of his failures, just like Wanda Maximoff was.

“I tried to find her a few months after we left her.” Tony admitted quietly.

“Why would you do that?” Rhodey asked. “She could have killed you.”

Tony shrugged. “I’m not sure. I just hoped she would talk to me. Maybe I could I… maybe I was seeking forgiveness or wanted her to know that I was sorry. It didn’t matter. I got reports all around the ruins of Novi Grad that she lived in the forest, I even got directions. Few wanted to talk to me but maybe a few knew what she was capable of and hoped she killed me. She was supposed to have some house she built, not far from her brother’s grave. I searched everywhere but couldn’t find any clue to her location. I gave up.”

Wilson wasn’t surprised. “She could screw with all your heads when you first encountered her. Who knows what she can do now? Ross did say she was leaving HYDRA operatives with scrambled brains. Killing out of revenge is one thing. Leaving those assholes to a fate worse than death is revenge to an extreme. My point it we don’t know what she can do now. Maybe she made herself invisible. Maybe she got into your head, and you didn’t realize it. You could have been looking right at her and never seen her.”

Rogers knew Sam was right. HYDRA bases were not east to crack, even with Thor and Banner with them. Wanda was pancaking them, leaving them all dead or better off dead. They had no idea how much her powers had grown.

“I think it’s important for us to look into this.” Steve decided, “Not to bring Wanda in. Just to find out how she is and the condition of the Bishop girl.”

Vision agreed. “Wanda still has her, meaning the Bishop girl is not safe even in police custody. If it were safe, Wanda would have gotten her to the authorities…”

Vision lay his head on the table, grabbing it with both hands and groaned. Those around the table jumped back, never having seen Vision in any sort of pain or discomfort.

“Vision!” Stark shouted, rushing to his side. “Talk to me! What’s wrong, buddy?”

Vision held up a hand and sat up, his eyes still closed and the Mind Stone glowing brightly. The pained expression on his face relaxed and he smiled.

No one made a sound as they all watched him.

He opened his eyes.

“Have a seat. I just gave Wanda our number. She should be calling any moment.”

“She talked to you telepathically from Paris?!” Rhodey asked with wide eyes that mirrored those in the room.

The phone buzzed and Tony pressed the speaker button. He motioned for Vision to talk.

“Wanda, I am glad to see it worked. It was quite a shock at first. Are you okay?”

“I have a headache, but it could be from the Vodka shots I had a few hours ago. Has anyone told you of the situation I am in?”

“Secretary Ross just informed us minutes before you called out to me. You have Kate Bishop with you?”

“Yes. She is safe and unharmed. I have information on the organization that tried to take her. They have eyes everywhere. I have no doubt they have operatives outside the police departments. His name is Jacques Tolliver. I have some information that should allow you to start an investigation and take his organization down. Kate Bishop won’t be safe until you do so.”

The room stayed quiet, content to let Vision talk. Wanda was being open with Vision. She sounded tired, but the usual edge of anger and grief that always tinted her voice wasn’t present. She just sounded exhausted.

“When can I gather this information from you?” Vision asked.

“As soon as you can get here. We are writing all the information we have, and she will give it to you. Come to Paris. When you are close, contact me telepathically. We are about to leave our location and search for a landing spot. Take her to wherever your base is and keep her safe. Trust no one until Tolliver is neutralized.”

“I understand, Wanda. You can count on me.”

“Bring Steve Rogers for back up. He is the only one beside you I trust.”

“Wanda, you don’t think the Avengers are in league with this man.”

Wanda sighed. “No, he is just the only one I feel like speaking to beside you.”

“Who is your partner?” Natasha spoke up.

Silence filled the room and most scowled at her for speaking up, not having wanted to scare Wanda away.

“She prefers to remain anonymous. If you, or anyone beside Vision and Steve show, the meet is off, and I will keep her safe myself even if it means tracking Tolliver down and killing him myself.”

“I understand, Wanda. It will just be us.” Vision assured her.

The group heard excited, joyful shouting in the background, and Wanda telling her to calm down while another person was laughing loudly.

“Vision?” Wanda asked, obviously frustrated.

“Yes?”

“If you could, if it wouldn’t be too much out of the way, could you pick up Clint Barton and bring him along?”

Vision looked at the others, his confusion mirrored on their faces.

“That can be arranged I’m sure. Is there any specific reason?”

“He is Kate’s favorite Avenger. He saved her life during the battle of New York, and they share a love of primitive weapons. She also wondered if he could bring an autographed bow to give to her. There are also questions about apprenticeships… you can deal with her once you have her. Please, please hurry.”

The call ended.

Rogers smiled widely. “This is great.”

“Great?” Rhodey asked. “She is handpicking who shows up and says she will call the whole thing off if the Avengers she doesn’t like show up.”

“Maybe she is afraid of being overpowered.” Wilson said. “You heard Ross’s attitude towards her. She isn’t stupid. Maybe she thinks we feel the same.”

“I need to be on the jet.” Natasha said. “Drop me off a few miles away. Her partner will be there. I want to see her face.”

“Why?” Rhodey asked.

Nat shrugged, not sure herself. “I just do. She is a deadly player who just burst on the international scene in a big way hanging out with a very powerful former HYDRA weapon. I want to know who she is.”

Rogers sighed and stood up.

“Wanda just telepathically reached Vision from France. She is going to know every one of us who shows up even if we are miles away. Let’s look at probable scenarios. Nat, you take your own jet despite us asking you to stay behind, and she cancels the whole thing. Tony, you and Rhodey follow us in your suits because you both like to do what you think is best. She will know you are there.

“She reached out to us! Do you know how big of a deal that is? She didn’t know who to trust with the safety of a girl in trouble and contacted Vision to talk to us! This is a major step. We can’t screw this up if we ever want her as part of the team or even associate with us.”

Sam agreed. “The man is right. Steve is the leader. We are a team, right? Vision and Steve can take care of themselves. I seriously doubt she took an opportunity to save a girl about to be kidnapped and in a few hours turned it into a plan to kill the two Avengers she actually likes.”

“I’ve never hurt her.” Nat pointed out. “Why doesn’t she want me there? It has to do with her partner.”

Steve sighed. “Maybe if we play nice, she will introduce her partner to us one day. Nat, is this going to be a problem?”

Nat shook her head. “Not as long as I can speak to Kate Bishop when we have her.”

“Good.” Steve decided. “Somebody get a hold of Clint and find out if he has an extra bow that he can sign and give away. Vision let’s go. Nobody tell Ross what is going on until Bishop is on our custody.”