Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Witch and the Widows

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 51:

It had been one week since Wanda’s encounter with Thanos. Despite the drama of the moment, things had been silent since. The household seemed to go on as always and Everett was making himself at home. Ava had called and told the group she would be back this afternoon to stay. She had only texted a few times with Wanda and Yelena while away, saying that she was doing well and would be back soon. Having confirmation was a relief to the girls. The house was a very different place without her in it.

The girls never had a set training schedule but they were creatures of routine. Usually they all ran together in the mornings, through the valley or up one of the smaller mountains before hitting the training area for sparring, target practice and weights or agility exercises.

This morning was different. Sasha had sent a group text to a few select individuals to start the run later. Sonia. Rowan, Aino, Staci, Sasha, Michiko, Dani, Zarola, Mika, Angelica and Anastasia started an hour after the others. They also went deeper into the forest rather than following the typical mountain path.

Now Sonia stood in front of the group, six miles from the Mansion. She had been the one who first suggested it and the others had looked to her for leadership in the matter.

“Zarola?” Sonia spoke.

Zarola nodded. “I spoke to Shuri last night. Everything is ready. She is ready to buy a very large home in the Sokovian wild with a private hangar. She is using her own money and it can’t be traced by her brother. We will take one of the jets. We did help steal them. We take out personal weapons and she will provide us with tech.”

“I made a copy of Dreykov’s records.” Mika told the group. “We won’t have a bunker but we don’t need a large area to hold his records. Shuri can sneak us into Wakandan intelligence cameras and satellites.”

Sonia took a breath and nodded. It was possible. It wasn’t only possible but it was ready to be done.

“She hopes we won’t have to do this, but she understands.” Zarola added.

Sonia closed her eyes. She hadn’t wanted to do it either but the situation was becoming untenable. She would speak to Yelena on their behalf’s but doubted it would change anything.

It had been an idea started after Rwanda. While the others were fighting, they were left behind. It only got worse.

A little over a week ago, the Widows had rescued four little girls. They were left out of the fighting, only a few relegated to comforting the little girls in the jets.

Meanwhile Romanoff had been given Yelena’s team. Then Romanoff had picked her own team to go after Vostokoff.

That had been the final straw. Sonia had approached the others and they turned to Zarola who turned to the only one she knew who would give them the support and tech they needed to continue the mission on their own.

Sonia looked to Aino and Staci. “Are you two on board with this?” she asked the girls.

“Wanda will come with us, right?” Aino asked quietly. “She won’t turn us down.”

Sonia had thought hard about this. Wanda was very close to Yelena obviously but she wouldn’t want them acting alone without her. She would also understand their reasoning. Wanda hated Natasha. Everyone knew it even if she never acknowledged it. Wanda would have stood up for them in Wakanda when this age limit mess started but she had been going through a dark time and didn’t want to argue with Yelena.

“I believe she will, but regardless, we have to remain committed to this.”

“Wanda will join us but that means the twins. Doc will need to come with us as well.” Rowan pointed out. “Tanya and Sierra need to be near Wanda and need Imi. I’m committed. No matter what, if they don’t give us back our operational status we go our own way. I got into this to fight for girls like us, not sit around and learn to be a field medic, mechanic, or hacker.”

Michiko agreed. “We risked our lives in that airport to save Romanoff even after she told us over and over she didn’t want us to be involved and even called Wanda a bitch. Wanda could have been killed. We all could have. Since then, we have constantly been told what to do. She put some spell on Stannic, suddenly we are being told what to drink and not drink, when to sleep and Eleanor Bishop is having meetings with Oksana, Romanoff and Yelena. Wanda told Yelena the Avengers would tear us apart.”

Dani agreed. “Yelena had been so concerned making her fake sister happy she forgot who her real sisters are. Staci, Aino, you need to be prepared. You may be fighting with only us.”

Staci nodded. “We know. We are cool with it. They will probably give us what we want though, right? All we want to do is what we started out doing.”

Sonia had wondered that as well. “I wouldn’t count on it. Antonia, Naomi and Ingrid have fallen under her spell. Naomi believes she knows best. Yelena won’t go against her mother in law and fake sister’s wishes. Ava would only fight herself if she were able. She might support us but remember the meeting after Rwanda. We were outvoted. There are more of them than there are of us.”

Angelica snorted. “I never thought it would come down to them and us when talking about our sisterhood. I would kill Romanoff if it wouldn’t start a war. She made herself Stannic’s handler. Stannic would be devastated now if something happened to her.”

Anastasia finally spoke up. “Wanda will agree to come with us. I believe we should stress to her that we do not want Avengers with us. Maybe she will get the hint that we don’t want Barnes around either.”

Sonia disagreed. “Barnes is getting along with the twins. There is no reason he cannot come.

“Who gives a damn if he is getting along with the twins?!” Ana asked. “Just because Wanda has convinced them he isn’t a threat, it is obvious they are more comfortable with no men around.”

Aino sighed and crossed her arms. “We won’t be here when Anya gives birth. She is finding out the sex tomorrow.”

Sonia closed her eyes, wondering if they should have kept Staci and Aino out of this. Staci caught her expression.

“We are in this, Sonia.” Staci told her. “There are widows that need rescuing, bad guys need killing and we have been on the sideline for too long while Natasha Romanoff has slowly taken over. She is leading teams of Red Widows and it is Yelena’s fault. Yelena has been slowly pushing her into a leadership position since we first rescued her ass. We know what’s at stake. Yes it is going to suck but we have already spent too much blood and sweat to be sidelined now for an Avenger.”

“Two Avengers. Aunt Agatha will come with us too. Yelena can have her two Avengers.” Angelica said. “When are we doing this?”

Sonia thought for a moment.

“I think I should approach Yelena alone. I’ll ask her to call Ingrid, Antonia and Ava in. Antonia needs to agree with letting us back in. We aren’t going to have this conversation ever again.”

“Antonia has other things on her mind. I doubt she would care.” Sasha pointed out.

Despite Shuri telling Antonia she would most likely retain the muscle memory of the skills she had learned already, Taskmaster was not the same person she had been in combat. Her aim was not as dead perfect as it always had been. Her physical combat was not as sharp. She wasn’t the tall, hulking beast that resembled Darth Vader who terrified enemies. Shuri had pointed out to her that she was undergoing brain surgery. A piece of metal, an electric port was removed from her brain. Despite the skill of the Wakandan surgeons it was natural that something would change. Her brain wasn’t damaged. She was just different. She knew it and it frustrated her.

“Antonia will always care.” Sonia said, knowing no matter what she was going through, she would always put the girls first. She was like Ava in that way. She would do all the fighting herself if it kept all of them out of danger, even the seventeen year and older girls.

“We should get back. I don’t know how this will go. In the worst case we will need to leave right away so have a travel bag packed.”

Aino didn’t like the sound of that. “You think we will have to run?”

Sonia shook her head. “We don’t run. We may have to leave quickly to stop a fight from breaking out. I won’t let us go to war with each other. We are still sisters, even if we have two different teams. We may have to leave quickly so things can cool off and come back for our things later. Just be ready. I’ll talk to them tonight.”

Inside the mansion, Wanda, the twins and Bucky sat in the library at the long table where Wanda did her studying. She had two laptops in addition to her own. The twins each had one and were listening to the educational program sound out letters and watching the letters pop up onscreen. It was after their third day sitting with her as she studied that Wanda realized they couldn’t read or write. They knew basic math but that was mostly because they had to keep track of how many bullets were left in clips and how many their enemies had fired.

As much as she hated it, English was the most common language in the house and the one they spoke so she started with English but swore to herself she would teach them Sokovian.

She looked away from her own work to watch them. Bucky was sitting behind and helping them.

Despite their initial dislike of men, Bucky had slowly worked his way into their graces, as had Everett. They thought Everett was hilarious but the often brooding, intimidating Winter Soldier was a surprise. It made her so happy they had taken to him.

They were warming up to Dima but still kept a distance from Steve. Nela was more open but Nadeja was the jumpiest and Wanda knew it had to do with the Americans that held them as slaves and hero worshipped Steve. It wasn’t fair to him and Wanda could tell it was breaking his heart but he didn’t push. She had encouraged him and promised it would get better.

“How do you know all these letters and words?” Nadeja asked Bucky. “You make them easy to understand. Nela appreciates it.”

Bucky smirked. “Nela? I’m glad Nela appreciates it. Wanda won’t let me in the room when she is studying.”

“Because I don’t want you to know how dumb I am.” Wanda told him quietly.

Nadeja’s eyes widened. “You are not dumb! You are smartest person in the world. You are the most powerful and prettiest. You are the best!”

Nela nodded. “You know big words in two languages.” she then turned to Bucky. “Wanda reads to us every night. Do you know about Harry Potter? It is a big book but she knows all the words.”

Bucky grinned at the girls enthusiasm. “Yeah, I’ve heard of the guy. Are you planning to watch the movies?”

Nadeja shook her head. “Not until Wanda reads us all the books.”

Bucky glanced her way. “That’s cool. You know I read a list somewhere of all the locations that Harry Potter was filmed. When you finish the books, maybe the four of us can take a trip and see the castles and the train station. I’ve never been myself.”

Nela’s eyes widened. “That would be so great! Wouldn’t it Wanda?”

Wanda winked at Bucky. “Yeah, a vacation would be nice. Where would Bucky sleep though?”

“He could sleep on the floor next to our bed.” Nadeja suggested.

Bucky laughed loudly, seeing Wanda’s defeated look. Her room had become a little girls dream room and the twins even tried out their new beds one night. When Wanda woke they were curled up into her sides once again.

“Bucky helped his sisters study when they were young.” Wanda told the girls. “He was a very good big brother.”

He gave her a grateful smile but also had a hint of sadness. She knew he enjoyed talking to her about his sisters and she would often talk about Pietro to him. Talking eased the pain some but the sadness would always linger.

“That’s good.” Nadeja said. “You are great help to my sister. I like listening to you talk sometimes but you don’t talk much. I like that about you too.”

“How did you get a metal arm? What happened to your real one?” Nela asked.

Bucky shook his head and sighed. “I am afraid I lost it when I fell off a train.”

Nela patted him in his shoulder. “You should be more careful. I’ve had my shoulder popped out of place. Sister had to pop it back in. It hurts. Did getting your new arm hurt?”

Bucky nodded. “More than anything in my life, princess. Let’s get back to these letters. I bet you two know enough to make some words. Three letters are all you need.”

Wanda was filled with warmth as she watched him interact with these children who were quickly becoming her world. She was becoming as attached to them as they were to her. It was impossible not to. When she should have been practicing magic, she was reading books to them or watching cartoons. They were coming to accept the other widows more. Staci was making them watch the wonder of Disney while Wanda braided their hair and painted their fingernails and toenails. She dressed them in matching outfits every day, sat in therapy with them and then talked to Imi about them. It was becoming a habit and while she should have been focusing on preparing to battle Thanos in the future, she was instead focusing more on them. She didn’t mind it either.

Wanda felt a presence she had gone too long without and smiled brightly while looking at the ceiling. Ava was back and her mother was flying her above the Mansion.

“Ava is home, girls. Do you want to stay with Bucky or come with me to meet her?”

Nadeja looked at Nela for a moment then back at the computer screen.

“Bucky won’t let us get hurt while you are away?”

‘Bucky is a very strong man who will kill anyone for looking at you the wrong way.” Wanda told her.

“We will make some words with him then find you.” Nadeja decided. “I think I know how to spell that animal. It’s a dog like Fanny and Lucky. I miss Lucky.”

Wanda was as shocked as Bucky. This was a first. They were letting her walk away and staying with a man.

She walked off but turned at the library door. He was helping the girls sound out dog, but his eyes were sparkling. He caught her eye and she winked at him.

Upstairs Yelena was on the phone with Kate, listening to her problems at school. She had been back in school for a few days and it had not gone well.

“I don’t belong here, Yelena.” Kate complained. “I never did belong here but it’s worse now. I feel like an alien. They constantly talk about me in these loud whispers they think I can’t hear. The ones who do have the guts to come up to me have asked the dumbest shit. Do I have to see a rape counselor for the rest of my life. Tamara actually asked me that! Brent asked how many surgeries it took to put my face back together and then asked me out since I still looked hot! He actually said since you still look hot do you want to go out!”

Yelena cringed. She knew it would be bad but had hoped her classmates would have some class and discretion or at least common manners.

“I suppose his romantic overture did not steal your heart?” she joked.

“Nope. I told him I’m gay. The next day more people were convinced I was raped and turned gay because of that! I come out and my sexuality gets blamed on being assaulted like it’s some horrible side effect! I hate this place! I never should have left he Mansion! Mom isn’t helping things either. She has a car taking me to school and picking me up. The drive takes thirty extra minutes because she doesn’t want me to even see Central Park. I can handle Central Park.”

“Can you?” Yelena asked.

“I… I don’t know. Last spring was a nightmare and then the summer with you was a dream and now I’m back in this familiar but foreign world. Nothing seems the same and yet it is all so boringly the same.”

Yelena admitted to herself that not seeing Kate every morning, not touching her everyday was killing her. She kept busy, paid much more attention to the newest additions and spent much more time with her mother but not touching her or kissing her in the morning or even waking up with their faces next to each other was horrible.

Kate would have enough credits to graduate this year. She would still need to go to college for years. Would this be their life for the next five or six years? It would have to be. Yelena refused to let Kate put her opportunities on hold for her lifestyle.

She had to focus on beating an alien invasion or there might not be a college for Kate to go to. The invasion could be this year or ten years from now. Thanos could wait until Wanda died of old age if he wanted but Yelena knew he wouldn’t. He wanted a fight. Wanda had thrown the first punch and the kind of ego he possessed would make him itch to fight back.

An excited Amanda knocked on the door and then opened it without being asked.

“Ava is back! Her mom is landing this sweet jet in the front yard. The jet is even silver! Hurry up!”

Yelena grinned, happy that her friend was back home. Ava had told her she would be returning but a part of Yelena wondered if she truly would.

“Say hi for me.” Kate said, sounding even sadder. “Maybe ask Wong if he could portal me this weekend?”

“You have his number. Send him a text and if he says no then I will call him and tell him he will. I love you, Любимый.”

“Я люблю тебя к моей русской матрешке.”

Yelena shivered, loving to hear Kate speaking Russian then ended the call while she still could. Kate had come a long way in her learning of the language over the summer. At least she knew the important words and phrases.

She met Wanda walking out of the library and was shocked her shadows were not by her side.

“Where are the twins?”

“They are working on reading with Bucky!” Wanda whispered.

Yelena was very surprised to hear this. “Have they noticed you are gone?”

Wanda nodded. “I gave them the choice and they wanted to stay with him.”

Yelena grinned happily. The twins were getting over to their aversion to men in the house. They still kept a very close and wary eye on Steve when he was in the room. They had taken to Everett immediately after he performed a shadow puppet play for the girls one night and then made a pillow fortress. Wanda was forced to sleep in the fortress and wasn’t crazy about it but did it regardless. Everett had even made armor and swords for them all out of cardboard boxes. For a guy who never had kids he was very good with them. Tanya especially loved to hang out with him.

The entire house was waiting outside. On the front lawn was a very sleek hover jet and as promised it was completely silver, almost blinding to look at. It had a cockpit like a fighter jet which was what it was. The wings were armed with multiple missiles and guns and the cockpit was a two seater with Sable in the front and Ava seated behind her. When the canopy rose, Ava jumped out and rushed to her sisters. Wanda and Yelena waited for the greetings to be over and give her some air before hugging her and welcoming her back.

Ava was pulled inside by most of the others.

Yelena noticed a large group was returning from their run later than usual. She paid no mind, thinking they must have had a late start.

Sable walked up to the leaders of the Red Widows.

“You were right, Wanda. I did my best but could not talk her into staying. I even offered her a thousand soldiers under her direct control with orders to support the Red Widows in their operations. She turned me down.”

“I will come live with you if you make same offer.” Yelena said quickly.

Sable shook her head and grinned. “It appears we must work out a joint custody arrangement. It should not be difficult considering she has a… much older, cradle robbing, creepy, boyfriend who wear pajamas all day and seems to think I should be impressed with sorcerer tricks. His portals are useful and she has promised to be home most nights and will be here during the days to train. The poor fool thinks he will be more than just a shuttling service for her. He is very wrong.”

Yelena and Wanda both wanted to cringe but kept their faces neutral. They had wondered if Wong would be brought up.

“So you have met Wong.” Wanda prompted.

Sable looked at Yelena. “Yes. He thought he could sneak into her room. My entire compound has a DNA scanner and a program that runs the house. It was alerted the moment unapproved DNA entered her room. He had quite the welcome. It is only because of my daughter’s fondness for the man that he isn’t full of holes. If the Ancient One were still alive the two of us would be having a very serious discussion. My sympathies to you both. I understand she was close with you.”

Yelena raised an eyebrow even as Wanda’s face saddened. “You knew the Ancient One?” Yelena asked.

“I know everyone of importance to this world, just as you do. I pay particular interest in those of extraordinary power like the residents of Kamar-Taj. As I said, Wong will be a very good shuttle service. She has agreed to sleep at home every night. Should you need her in the middle of the night, call. She has told me if she misses a mission due to not being called she will move back into the Mansion. Do not let her miss a mission. I may accompany you on some to evaluate your team. Now, if you could show me your set up I can make a list of improvements you will need and wish to speak to this Everett Ross. I have watched him for months and his investigative skills are impressive. With my advanced technology and his talents you will not have to rely on facial recognition to find lost girls.”

Wanda was offended and on her way to being furious the more Sable talked.

“I’m sorry, but you want to evaluate our team. Our team is just fine…”

She stopped speaking when Yelena put a hand over her mouth.

“It would be an honor. Please step inside and we will be with you momentarily.”

Sable smiled brightly, ignoring the affronted look on Wanda’s face. Once she was safely inside, Wanda threw Yelena’s hand from her face.

“What the hell, Yelena?!”

“Be nice.” Yelena whispered.

“The woman thinks she will walk in and judge us and you are good with that? I know you have a crush on her but damn it!”

Yelena shook her head. “Wanda, this isn’t about me. I do not have a crush on her. I admit she is attractive and her planned operations come together so beautifully it is like two lovers reaching a crescendo of passion and then erupting into a beautiful symphony of blood and destruction but I only crush on my Kate Bishop. We need her. We have weaknesses that she could fix.”

“What weaknesses?”

Yelena shrugged. “We went months with no widow sightings until we got lucky with three in one day. Everett is working with Rachel and Maria to improve our techniques for investigating. She is right. Facial recognition is not effective. We can be more proactive with her help. She has software, satellites, field operatives and freelance investigators. Look at that damn jet! It is a true jet, not our hybrid carrier combat jets. We need an army against Thanos and any other invaders that may come. She has an army! This is like Daenerys taking the Unsullied but we don’t have to pretend to give away dragon and ambush slavers! Ava gets to spend nights and have dinner with her mama and Wong stays alive as long as he is of use!”

Wanda thought for a moment. “Her soldiers didn’t go through the same training the Unsullied did, right?”

Yelena smirked. “If they are not whole and have killed innocents it was not on her orders. Her people have a reputation for being very loyal to her. If she wants to evaluate our methods we let her! What is worst can happen? She gives us ideas on how to be better and gives us better tools. How would that be a bad thing?”

Wanda shrugged. “I don’t know. I just… I think we are missing something here, Yelena. We have all been sisters. That has changed over the months. I am sensing this… divide. The more people who come into our business the farther away we get from who we started out as. Maybe we could do better, but what about us? What about the soul of the team? The girls didn’t trust Oksana at first because she hadn’t been mind controlled. It took her a very long time to fit in.”

Yelena shrugged. “The girls are evolving. They have not complained about Natasha leading teams. They haven’t complained about Bucky and Steve going on missions.”

Wanda was silent. There were many things she could say but didn’t. Yelena had worked hard to make Natasha be accepted and eventually a part of the team, even a leader. They had also benched many of their members. Hard feelings were expressed in the meeting after Rwanda. It was probably the worst argument they girls had ever had amongst themselves. Feelings like that didn’t go away.

“You have accepted Nat, right?” Yelena asked, trying to hide the doubt and worry in her voice.

Wanda hesitated. “Yes. She has become a very valuable member of our team.” She finally said, keeping her voice as neutral as possible.

Yelena knew better. She knew Wanda would never like Nat. She had hoped Wanda would warm up to her but it wasn’t happening and probably never would. They had never spoken of this but Yelena knew they would need to one day. Yelena thought the early interactions they had, like Wanda smoothing things over with Nat when her and Yelena fought were because Wanda wanted Nat as part of the team.

Wanda wanted Nat to make Yelena happy. That was it. If not for Yelena, Wanda and the girls would have let Nat and Steve rot in the Raft.

As soon as they were in the door, the twins and Bucky were waiting for her.

“We spelled Dog. D O G.” Nadeja told her. “Bucky showed us Cat also. Can we have a baby cat? They are called kittens. Bucky thinks it’s a good idea. Maybe we can have two since there are two of us.”

Wanda gave her attention to Bucky who was standing behind them with his usual stony brooding look, arms crossed and ready to fight. He could only stay like that for a few seconds before he smiled brightly and silently laughed.

“Bucky thought it was a good idea, did he?”

Nela nodded quickly and held her hands together, looking up at Wanda with those big pleading eyes she used so often to get what she wanted.

“Did Bucky say if he would change the litter box out every day?”

Nadeja looked suspiciously at Bucky. “What is a litter box?”

“Yes, Bucky. Tell them what a litter box is.”

Bucky shrugged. “A litter box is a small plastic bed filled with a kind of dirt. The kitten goes to the restroom in the box and it doesn’t stink. All we have to do is take the box out every day and dump the litter outside. It only takes a few minutes.”

Nadeja’s eyes widened. “So we wouldn’t have to take the kitten out for walks like Yelena has to take Fanny?”

Bucky shook his head. “Nope, a kitten in a house this size would probably never need to go outside. I like the idea of two kittens. We should start thinking of names.”

Wanda huffed. “And where will these kittens sleep?”

“In our room of course.” Nela answered.

“Our room? So with the three of us? Will you two sleep in your own bunk beds?”

“Maybe.” Nadeja said uncommitted to the idea.

“Yes.” Nela responded.

Nadeja shook her head and whispered. “Don’t lie. Say maybe and we don’t have to lie.”

Wanda raised an eyebrow towards her boyfriend and mouthed silently that he would pay for this. He only winked in response.

“I have to go make sure our bunker isn’t being repainted silver. Are you three coming along? If I leave you with Bucky alone you will want a tiger or lion next.”

“At least they didn’t ask for pet snakes.” Bucky mentioned, earning a scowl from Wanda. He knew how much she hated snakes.

Down in the bunker, Yelena walked beside Sable and Ava as Ava showed her mother the details of their technology and weapons.

Sable didn’t seem to be impressed until she walked into the room with their suits. She felt the fabric, noted the nano technology of the helmets and the improved Widow bracelets. She also was impressed with the vibranium weaved into the fabric.

“I thought no suit could be more advanced by my flexible Kevlar. I was wrong. Wakandan technology is as good as advertised. When T’Challa made his announcement to the U.N. about their technology I was intrigued. I have done my best to find out all I could but Wakanda still holds their secrets very close despite supposedly being open to the world.”

Yelena nodded. “They are very good allies.”

“They even gave you a psychologist. How many of your girls talk to her?”

“More than I expected.” Yelena said. “They keep their attendance secret but I would guess over half of them.”

“And you, Yelena Belova?” Sable asked playfully. “Do you bare your soul to the psychologist in hopes of finding inner peace?”

Yelena shook her head. “I am not searching for peace while a war is still being fought. Another war is coming. My inner demons are good so long as they are kept on a leash until the time comes to release them.”

Sable was impressed. “Spoken like a warrior. You are too young to be so wise in the ways of war. I suppose that can be said of all of you. I never wanted this life for my Ava. Silver Sable International has always been a family run business but I dreamed of her becoming a dancer or an artist. Maybe she would want to be a doctor or veterinarian. Maybe she would want to run the business behind a desk, never being placed in danger. Life has a cruel sense of humor when it comes to plans. She was taken from me and turned into me.”

Sable walked to the hangar with Yelena by her side.

“Your Quinjets are impressive. The ones you keep under a tarp outside should be scrapped for parts. You need drones, both surveillance and attack drones. I saw in San Fransico that your team is very good with motorcycles but they were standard bikes. A lucky bullet could have taken out an engine. I will have better bikes delivered to Paris along with armored delivery trucks. You can meet my agents there to take possession and drive them here. I assure you no trackers will alert anyone to your location. My daughter will be spending half her time here. I do not want this place found. Bishop Security software and cameras are a nice tool, but I will give you exclusive access to four of our spy satellites.”

Yelena began to shiver with excitement but did her best to play it cool.

“If possible I would recommend building a large hangar camouflaged from the air. You need attack jets and a place to store the drones when not in use. I assume you can handle this. Wanda Maximoff did rebuild a city. I noticed additions to the Mansion. Would twenty drones and ten smaller fighter craft be sufficient for now?”

Yelena nodded. “They would be of great assistance.”

Sable held back a smile, enjoying Yelena’s attempt at deflecting her excitement.

“What else do you want for an early Christmas? Ask and it will be yours.”

Yelena calmed herself and tried to think rationally.

Then it occurred to her.

“We need a neutral site with a large building for a very large group to meet. Ava has told you of Thanos, yes?”

Sable nodded. “She has mentioned him. She told me Wanda destroyed one of his ships in space while she was away. She was quite concerned but it appears Wanda is becoming so powerful she can reach across the universe to kill this man while her body remains here.”

Yelena nodded. “This is true but the effort take much out of her and if she pushes too far she could die in the attempt. If Thanos comes to Earth it will be because he has four rocks that could potentially make him as powerful as she is. He also has an army of monsters. We will not be able to help her. The best we can do is keep the army away from her. The nations of the world are too inept and would likely kill each other than kill the enemy. I want to form a coalition and need a neutral place to meet.”

“A coalition?”

“Yes.” Yelena confirmed. “A group of warriors powerful enough to hold back an army. Wakanda will stand with us. Silver Sable International will stand with us but we need others. We need a plan. We have two of the stones and can draw him to a battle ground of our choosing. We have the Masters of the Mystic Arts who can portal everyone quickly to the battlefield. We have no idea how much of a notice we will receive before arrives but we cannot wait until the last minute to assemble the pieces of our defense.”

Sable nodded. “A wise course of action. I have a remote staging area in Switzerland that will work. Gather your people and meet there. I shall have it prepared for guests.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you Yelena. Thank you and Wanda for not leaving them to their fate like SHIELD did. Thank you for saving my daughter. Now I must do something very difficult. I must say goodbye to my daughter for the night. I will spend my time preparing what we have spoken about. There are more girls out there. I understand Everett Ross and Eleanor Bishop are tracking down possible locations of trafficking centers for babies and the Hand may be returning. I am very interested in this. They cannot be allowed to thrive again.”

On the way out the two ran into Wanda, Bucky and the twins behind them.

“I apologize for being late. I assume Yelena has showed you our operations.” Wanda told her.

Sable smiled. “You have done such good work. I will let Yelena tell you about the gifts you will be receiving to find more widows and keep your sisters safe.”

Wanda planted a false smile on her face that Sable noticed.

“I do not mean to criticize you or take over your operations, Wanda. I am very impressed. I just thought you might like some drones.”

Wanda raised an eyebrow. “Drones? Like attack drones?”

“And spy drones. Armored weaponized motorcycles and vans, spy satellites, a fleet of smaller fighter craft like the one I arrived in, safehouses, the latest in firearms, and so forth. I don’t want to step on any toes though. If you like I can stay out…”

“No! I mean… that is very generous of you. We could use… all those very cool… items… drones? Like the ones on television?”

Sable nodded. “Much better than any television could dream of.”

“That would be… okay. Would you like to stay for lunch?” Wanda asked, her opinion having changed quickly.

Sable winked at her. “I would love to. Afterward I must go and prepare your shipments for you to pick up in Paris. Perhaps the day after tomorrow. Ava and I can drive one of the armored assault vans and your girls can drive the other six.”

Wanda’s eyes widened. “Six?”

“I can get more…”

“No! Six is good… okay, let us get lunch.”

“Yelena, we are getting kittens.” Nela told her. “Two kittens. Wanda said we could. Can we pick them up in Paris when we get the armored cars, Bucky?”

Bucky nodded. “Absolutely. We need to think about colors and how furry we want them to be. Then we can think of names. It shouldn’t be a problem, right Wanda?”

Now three sets of large pleading eyes were looking at her.

“I suppose…”

“Yes!” Bucky shouted. “I told you she would go for it. Let’s go to the internet and spell out some words on a search bar. We can find different pictures of kittens there.”

Bucky walked off quickly with the twins following him.

Sable was for once nearly speechless.

“That was James “Bucky” Barnes” The feared Winter Soldier? The fist of HYDRA since the second world war? Rumored to be the deadliest man alive.”

Yelena sighed. “Yes.”

“He is the love of my life.” Wanda admitted. “Oh, how I hate him right now.”

The group had dinner together at the same time in honor of Ava’s return. The two Belova women, Natasha and Everett made pizza following Everett’s homemade pasta sauce he had learned from his grandmother. Ava entertained them with tales of her mother’s compound, her childhood room that hadn’t been touched and the nightmare that her sneaking Wong in turned out to be. He mother had been less than happy that he was thirty two and started an affair with a girl he believed was nineteen and thirteen years younger than him, then finding out she was seventeen but asking her back weeks later.

Wong was lucky to escape with this life.

Ava had spoken to her mother and hoped she would come around but for now, they felt it best Wong stayed out of the compound and out of range of its highly sophisticated DNA scanners.

Suggestive jokes were made about the impact on Ava’s sex life this would have but were kept discrete due to the presence of the children. Fortunately after allowing an examination by Oksana, Sierra and Tanya had not been raped either. Neither had they been operated on like the twins to sterilize them so they were still rather innocent in some ways.

After dinner, Yelena, Wanda and the twins retreated to their rooms, Yelena planned to join Wanda in hers so they discuss the coalition in greater detail and how Silver Sable’s contributions could be best used.

At the door, Sonia was waiting for them with a strange look on her face.

“Sonia, what is wrong?” Wanda asked, immediately sensing her apprehension.

“I need to speak to you and Yelena and whoever you consider leaders of the strike teams. Can we meet in the second story library?”

Yelena nodded. “Now?”

Sonia took a breath. “The sooner the better. There is an issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible and it is better to get it over with.”

Sonia walked off leaving a stunned and very worried Yelena and Wanda behind.

“I don’t suppose I could talk you into reading her mind?”

“Yelena.” Wanda slightly chastised.

“I know. I just have a bad feeling about this.”

Twenty minutes later, Naomi, Ingrid, Ava, Natasha, Antonia, Wanda and Yelena were waiting for Sonia.

The girl who had called the meeting walked in and looked over the gathered widows.

“I asked you to call the leaders together and this is who you brought in.” she observed, looking straight at Natasha. Natasha suddenly felt uncomfortable.

“I can leave.” she offered.

Sonia shook her head. “No, I asked Yelena to gather the leaders. I’m going to get straight to the point. Those of us who have been sidelined due to age want to go back into the field.”

Yelena let out a breath, relieved that was all it was.

“We can set up another meeting and discuss it then vote…”

“No.” Sonia told her. “There will be no vote. We will either be placed back into the field or we are leaving. We have made plans. We will only take one of the jets we helped steal. We do not need money or any weapons beside our own. We do not want to leave but we will.”

The room was deathly quiet.

“Who is we?” Yelena asked.

“Rowan, Aino, Staci, Sasha, Michiko, Dani, Zarola, Mika, Angelica and Anastasia.” Sonia told them. “We believe it is time we return to the mission we swore ourselves to. We have fought since the beginning, we have shed blood and taken lives and nearly lost ours and not once did we doubt the mission. We will carry on the mission. It is up to you and Wanda if we do so here or elsewhere.”

Naomi laughed. “Where do you think you will go?”

Sonia stared at her for a moment, not amused. “Sokovia. We have found a large, isolated area and suitable housing. We will have all the technology we need to help find widows. Should you need us of course we will come to your aid but we will not be sidelined any longer. The choice is yours.”

Naomi leaned forward. “Where the hell did you get a house and tech? No wait, let me guess. Wakanda forever. Is it T’Challa or just the princess?”

Sonia ignored her. “Wanda, if we have to leave, we would like you to come with us.”

Naomi snorted. “So Aino and Staci still can’t sleep unless they are near her but are ready…”

“Would you shut the hell up for once in your damn life?” Sonia asked her. “I am speaking to Wanda. Go lift more weights or something. You obviously aren’t burning off enough aggression.”

Antonia spoke up. “If Wanda leaves the twins leave and that means the doctor. Sierra and Tanya like her. You would take them away from us as well? What about Everett? Are you going to uproot him again?”

Sonia shook her head. “See that’s the thing. It is his choice. We used to believe in freedom of choice. We each made our own decisions. That changed in Germany. You remember Germany, right Yelena? That would be the time we fought, bled, burned and nearly died to rescue your Natasha despite her telling us not to be involved. That would be when she called Wanda a bitch for wanting to help. She and her boyfriend would be rotting on the Raft if not for us. Since that time what has happened? Rules about our behavior have been set at her encouragement. The ones who saved her ass in Germany were excluded from fighting. In Rwanda you gave her leadership of a team after you took Maria’s spot on that landmine. Then you gave her a team to rescue the children. When she came back you told her to pick her own team to go after Melina. You have slowly pushed her into a leadership position while we have been relegated to the sidelines and told to learn other ways to help our cause.”

“I’m sorry.” Yelena said quietly, stunned.

“Yelena your problem is you have been so concerned about making your fake sister happy that you forgot who your real sisters are.”

That statement shocked the room. No one was sure what to say but Yelena appeared as if someone had just slapped her and was on the verge of tears.

“Wanda wants to come with us because she hates Romanoff. She won’t admit it to make you happy, Yelena. She puts up with it to make you happy. We all nearly died to rescue her to make you happy and in return we have rules set on us and votes to take us out of the field. She became Stannic’s handler and nothing was done. I give Naomi and Ingrid credit. At least you tried to stand up to her but once again, you backed off. Before we first left for Wakanda after your secret meeting of the so called adults, Wanda told you they would tear us apart.”

Nothing was said. Yelena seemed incapable of speaking and Wanda was deep in thought.

“I’ll leave.” Nat offered.

“And take Stanic from her only home? Or leave her and have her hate her sisters? You owe it to them to stay and fight. You didn’t just leave us to slavery after you thought you killed Dreykov. That flimsy lie about thinking it was over was pathetic. You didn’t want to think about it. Neither did Barton or Fury or that entire HYDRA infested organization. You owe it to the ones out there to fight until you die to save them. What you don’t have is any moral high ground. If these sheep want to follow you then so be it. We won’t.”

Sonia looked around. Only Naomi had a look on her face that was anything but sadness. Naomi was angry. It was a state she was in quite a bit.

“Fine. We leave in the morning. Wanda, we hope you will come with us.” Sonia said.

She began to walk away but Naomi stood and grabbed her arm turning her around.

“You would tear us apart over this? Over Romanoff leading a team? You are that upset you got your team taken away from you, that you will divide this family?!”

“I didn’t divide anything. Look to your leaders! By the way, you aren’t a leader, Naomi! Yelena gives you a couple strike teams and suddenly you think you are a top dog. The only time you showed any guts was when you stood…”

Naomi pushed her away and Sonia pushed her back. Seeing a fight coming, Wanda stood. She stood between the two just as Naomi struck out with her fist, landing on Wanda’s jaw and knocking her out. The sound of the fist connecting with flesh, the breaking of her jaw shocked the occupants. Her unconscious body seemed to fall in slow motion and the thud of her head hitting the floor sounded far away.

Those in the room were so mesmerized by the unreal sight of her on the ground, bleeding from her mouth that no one noticed the door had opened. No one noticed Nadeja with a kitchen knife, stabbing Naomi over and over again in the abdomen, then crouched over Wanda protectively with the butcher knife in front of her.

“Stay away from her!” she screamed and that snapped the others out of their haze.

Naomi looked at her hands and saw they were covered in blood, she stumbled back.

Nadeja looked at the doorway towards a wide eyed Nela. “Run! Not safe! Run! We will find you!”

Nela did as told. She turned and ran. Others were coming out of their rooms including Bucky. Nela screamed at Tanya and Sierra as they came out of their room.

“Run! They attacked Wanda! We have to run! The widows aren’t safe! Bucky help Wanda and Sister!”

In their pajamas, the three children raced from the house out the door while the rest stood and wondered what just happened.

Antonia was in the hallway by the railing, screaming for Oksana to bring a medical bag.

Upstairs, Ingrid and Yelena were putting pressure on Naomi’s wounds. Sonia tried to check on Wanda, but she found a bloody knife pointed at her.

“Stay away.” Nadeja warned her.

Sonia held her hands up and looked toward a shell shocked Natasha who couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

Others had made their way into the library including Bucky who had pushed his way in. He knelt near Wanda and patted her on the cheek.

Then the window crashed in from the outside and Agatha was inside. She looked over the situation and placed her hands on Naomi. Purple magic enveloped the girl and her wounds came together.

Nadeja wasn’t happy to see that. She looked at Bucky and turned the knife in her hand to a fighting position rather than a stabbing one.

“Get her out of here. I have to find Nela and then we can escape. Try to find us.” she whispered in Bucky’s ear. Before he could formulate a response, Nadeja was gone. None of the widows tried to stop the blood covered girl holding the bloody butcher knife as she raced out of the house.

Imi had been up reading in the first floor library when the yelling started and had seen three of the four youngest girls run out of the house. Now Nadeja was leaving as well and looked as if she were either injured or just stabbed someone to death. Imi had a sick feeling which one it was.

It had happened. Since she had come into this house she had found the others more receptive of her help than she ever would have guessed. Most of her day and nights were spent talking to one of the girls. Despite their touch exteriors and devil may care attitudes, they were hurting, traumatized teenagers who were lost and only had each other to cling to. These weren’t the happy, solidified sisterhood they would have had her believe it was. These were screwed up kids trying to make the best of a situation.

She also learned the history of this group and the additions that had joined from outside the widows. It was a combustible mix and she knew when it blew up it would be violent. One did not put this many teenage girls who were raised to be violent killers in the same house then add controversial elements to the mixture and not expect an explosion to occur.

Wanda wasn’t chasing the twins meaning she had been attacked. She listened closely but heard no sounds of combat, only screams for Oksana and then a shattering window.

She thought of going after the girls but wasn’t sure what the best idea was. What would she do if she found them? Nadeja had snapped and told her sister to run. Nadeja was armed. Only one person could talk her back from the state she was in. Imi needed Wanda with her or they wouldn’t listen. Chasing little black widows who were defensive, scared and quick to violence did not sound like the best plan.

Upstairs, Wanda began to come to. She tried to grab her jaw but Bucky softly took her hand to stop her from touching it. Wanda’s eyes widened when she saw Naomi on a blood soaked floor. Her first thought was Sonia had killed her, but Sonia was still there and had no weapons in her hand.

She tried to ask what happened but couldn’t speak. She recognized what had happened. It had happened to her before on the streets of Sokovia. Someone had broken her jaw and knocked her unconscious.

“Listen,” Bucky whispered to her. “I need you to relax until Agatha can fix you up. I need to find the twins. They are outside and probably scared. Nadeja asked me to find them after I got you out.”

Wanda closed her eyes. She thought she understood. Her head ached and her vision was still only slightly blurry but she was putting it together.

Wanda nodded and Bucky ran out of the room. He jumped over the stairwell to the first floor.

After Bucky had left, Sonia took in the room and met Yelena’s eyes.

“We will be gone in the morning.” she told her and then looked at Nat. “Congratulations, Black Widow. You and Rogers did it again.”

Sonia left the room to tell the others they would be leaving.

Wanda reached for her jaw and let her power flow into herself. Her head became clearer and though it hurt like hell, her bones realigned themselves and her jaw was healed.

“Wanda, I am so sorry.” Naomi told her.

Yelena had walked away from the crowd and was in the distant corner of the room. Her white t shirt was soaked in Naomi’s blood.

Wanda walked over to her.

“I ruined it all.” she whispered to Wanda.

Wanda shook her head and held Yelena by the shoulders. “Neither of us saw this coming.”

“You did. You tried to warn me. I wanted her to lead and I pushed too hard. I thought the strike teams were okay with it but I never thought of the ones we… you were right, Wanda. I let them… what have I done?”

“Hey, Yelena listen to me. I will fix this. I have to find the twins and Tanya and Sierra and then I will fix this. We aren’t splitting up. I will fix this.”

“How can you make the truth untrue?” Yelena asked. “Everything she said, it was no lie. We used them in Germany and then let others make changes and…

Wanda kissed her forehead. “Go to your room and let me take care of this, please.”

Satisfied that Yelena wouldn’t do anything drastic for the moment, Wanda stepped back. Natasha met her at the door.

“I’ll leave. We will be gone by morning.”

Wanda’s eyes glowed red. She placed a hand on Natasha’s shoulder and the red head stiffened.

“You aren’t leaving this house. You aren’t taking a step out of the door without feeling extreme pain as my magic drags you back in. Sonia was right. You do owe it to these girls to fight for them until you die. You will fight until you die. You will not take Stannic from her family or leave her behind after making yourself so important to her. There will be changes though and I will deal with you and this mess myself. You aren’t going to say a damn thing. Go to your room and calm Stannic.”

Nat fought back tears. “I didn’t know. I thought I was helping.”

“Avengers usually do think they are helping.” Wanda said and pushed her aside.

Outside Bucky was doing his best to follow the tracks of little girls. He searched the manicured yard and finally found the spot they moved into the woods. It was a cloudy night making tracking the footsteps difficult. When he reached the forest it took him more time than he would like to admit to find broken limbs that showed the path panicked little girls had taken.

“Bucky.” Wanda called out to him, flying directly to him.

“Tracking in the dark is not easy. You can feel them, right?”

Wanda patted his back. “Yes. They are terrified. They are hiding in trees maybe a hundred meters from us. Nadeja is on edge. The others are just frightened.”

“What the hell happened up there?”

“I stepped between Sonia and Naomi because they were about to fight. Naomi accidentally hit me. I don’t know how Nadeja became involved. I told them to wait in our room and I thought they were okay with it.”

“She wasn’t okay with it.” Bucky said. “At some point they must have made a stop by the kitchen because when I found you, Nadeja was standing guard over you with a bloody butcher knife ready to kill anyone who touched you and Naomi was on the floor with blood spurting up from several wounds. She’s lucky Agatha came in. Another thirty seconds and she would have bled out. Nadeja told me to get you out and then find her.”

Bucky stopped walking. “Nadeja! Its Bucky. I got Wanda out. She is okay now. No one has followed us. Come to us. Follow my voice.”

It took a few minutes and Bucky heard the sound of little feet walking all around them to ensure they weren’t followed. When the girls seemed satisfied they walked to them. Nadeja and Nela ran to Wanda and wrapped their arms around her waist then began crying.

“Can we go?” Nela asked.

“Yes, we need to go Wanda.” Tanya agreed. “Nadeja said they attacked you. Are all the Red Widows out to get you? Can you fly us away from them?”

Wanda sighed. “None of the Red Widows attacked me. It was a big misunderstanding.”

“You were bleeding from your mouth. Your jaw was broken. I saw. The big one was standing over you. You don’t have to be scared. I know they attacked you.” Nadeja explained. “They surprised you because you are too powerful to take in a fight. They are jealous of you.”

Wanda shook her head and knelt down. “Naomi and Sonia got into a disagreement. Naomi tried to hit Sonia but I got into the way. That’s all. No one is out to get us or me. I promise.”

“I know of a safehouse we can use in Budapest.” Sierra offered.

“We can get kittens in Budapest.” Nela suggested, seeming happy with this. “We must leave. Even if they didn’t mean to attack you, Nadeja attacked them. They will want revenge.”

“Let them come.” Nadeja said, tightening her grip on the knife. “Can we sneak back in and steal our computers? I want to learn more words.”

Wanda shushed them.

“Listen to me. All four of you listen to me. Do you trust me?”

Four heads nodded.

“They are not mad and they are not going to attack anyone. Nadeja you were protecting me. Everyone understands that, right Bucky?”

“Huh?” Bucky asked, thinking about the seven stab wounds in Naomi’s abdomen. “Yeah, no, no one is mad. Maybe next time come to me though before you go horror movie slasher on someone.”

Wanda frowned at him then turned her attention back to the girls. “We talked about not having weapons…”

“It was a kitchen utensil not a combat knife. I improvised.” Nadeja defended her choice.

“Yes, but you used it as a weapon.”

“I had to protect you like you protect us!”

“Shhh…” Wanda told her and held her tightly. “You are not in trouble. This is all new to us. There is a lot you don’t understand. You were raised to think that was a normal response. All of you were but that isn’t who you are anymore. It will take time to change your way of thinking and what happened tonight between Sonia and Naomi should not have happened. You reacted how you were trained to react. You protected the ones you loved. No one is mad at you. Not even Naomi.”

“Naomi hit you. Why should I care if she is mad?” Nadeja asked.

“Naomi isn’t an enemy. She just made a bad decision and didn’t mean for it to happen. Just like you responded the way you were taught, sometimes the widows fall back on violence when they are angry. So do I. When I am very angry I have done some very bad things to a lot of people. It doesn’t make it right but I am no more perfect than anyone. Let’s go back to the house and get this blood off of you. Then I am going to fix some things.”

“I don’t want to go back!” Tanya said. “I’ve noticed things. They don’t all like each other. They are not all sisters like they said. They are dangerous.”

Wanda shook her head. “They are sisters. We all are. But sometimes a family can lose their way. When that happens you do not give up on family. You fix it. I’m going to fix it. Everyone just needs to remember they love each other. We have been through worse… okay this was probably the worst fight we have ever had. But we will recover. We will heal. That is what we do. Come back with me, please? You can all have a sleepover in my room and Bucky can hang out with us too. After I fix everything, we will stay up and watch cartoons and maybe draw or color. Doesn’t that sound fun?”

The girls looked back in the direction of the Mansion.

“You swear it is safe?” Tanya asked.

“I do. No one will ever hurt you there.”

The girls didn’t argue any further. They walked hand in hand with Wanda and Bucky until they reached the doors. When they walked inside only Imi was waiting for them. She was seated on the bottom of the staircase and was very relieved when they walked in.

“I asked the others not to be here when you returned so they would have space.”

“Thank you.”

“Nadeja, are you okay?”

Nadeja nodded. “This isn’t my blood. Naomi attacked Wanda and I stabbed her seven times in the abdomen. Mostly kill shots designed to bleed out slow and make the victim suffer. It was close quarters and messy and I got covered in blood. I can tell you all about it in the morning. I would have tried to evacuate you as well but time was of the essence. You should have an escape plan if you do not have one already, Dr. Zaru.”

Imi nodded. “I understand. We can talk in the morning. I am glad you are all okay. Goodnight.”

Wanda settled the girls upstairs in her room after making sure all four showered. She had to wash Nadeja’s hair of the blood and it chilled her to the core. It was a stark reminder that the girls were trained killers, something she never gave much thought to. They had been so calm she never considered their protective instincts might cause them to kill someone if she were in danger, real or perceived.

Once they were tucked away and Bucky was watching them color, Wanda went to Sonia’s room. Inside were the group that was apparently planning to leave in the morning.

“All of you come to the bunker. Sasha send a group text. I want every Widow in the bunker now.”

Ten minutes later the bunker was filled with the Red Widows. No other members of the household were present.

Yelena sat in the front but showed no sign of wanting to speak or even stand. Her head was down and her skin was pale.

None of the widows were happy. They all looked like they had been beaten in a fight for the first time and in a way they had.

“Can I say…”

Wanda raised her hand and Nat stopped speaking. “Nobody is saying a word until I have spoken.”

She looked over the room until everyone’s eyes were looking at her.

“I have failed you all.” She said, surprising the widows. “You have always looked to me and Yelena to be leaders and Yelena has led. I have sat back and done nothing. I have been wrapped up in my own problems, my own pain, my own depression to pay attention to yours. I haven’t stepped up. That is going to change now. You wanted me to step up so I am. I have made a few decisions tonight. I just had to talk four little girls back into this mansion because they are scared of all of you. Not just the twins but Sierra and Tanya as well. The youngest notice things we have ignored or are just too blind to see.”

Wanda paused. “Everyone who fought in Germany will be fighting again. None of the original group will be left out. I don’t give a damn what anyone else thinks. You want me to lead so I am leading.”

“This isn’t about just that anymore, Wanda.” Sonia said.

Wanda stared at her until Sonia looked away.

“I said no one speaks until I am done. You want to leave, then fine, I will leave with you. You want to split up then do it. I’ll come along. Yelena can lead this faction and I will lead the other faction. First I ask you to remember why we began doing this. Why didn’t we walk away? My mission was successful. I wanted to take down Dreykov and the Red Room, I wanted to free you all. I succeeded. What about you? You were given freedom. You were given the chance to go anywhere, do anything, be anyone. Why did you stay? Why did we live in that smelly, cold bunker over an old destroyed fortress and keep going?”

No one answered.

“When I ask a question feel free to answer.”

No one said anything once again.

Wanda nodded. “We did it because of this.”

She waved her hand and a screen appeared. A list of names began to scroll up.

It was the list of widows still in the world.

“We did it because we weren’t going to do the same thing SHIELD did. We weren’t going to walk away. We were going to free the widows still trapped. We were going to stop the ones who stole children like you were stolen. We wouldn’t just stop them. We would punish them. We would make them suffer and then send them to hell. Someone tell me what has changed. Anyone?”

No one said anything.

“Are the girls free? Are children no longer being stolen in the world?”

“No, the girls aren’t free.” Staci said quietly.

Wanda nodded. “So someone tell me how splitting up our forces is better for the mission. Is it going to make us better or are we doing it because feelings are hurt? Are we going to become less effective because of hurt feelings? Are you going to tell the next girls we rescue that we couldn’t do it sooner because some of us don’t like the others? Who is going to say it?”

The silence was heavy and Wanda let it go on, letting the room feel the weight of it.

She then pointed to Romanoff. “Yelena forgave Nat. But it wasn’t just Yelena Nat owed an apology to, was it? It was to all of you. Everyone involved in that mission was at fault. My brother died for Clint Barton. Guess what? He is at fault too. Why do you think I never speak to him or take him up on his offers to visit? I like Clint but I have never forgotten that he left you behind. I was ready to kill all the Avengers less than a year ago, including Captain America. I wanted them dead. If Ultron hadn’t decided to destroy the world I may never have turned on him. If all he wanted was the Avengers gone I would have stayed by his side. She knows it, don’t you Natasha? Steve knows it. Hate like that doesn’t just go away. It takes time to go away and sometimes it never goes away completely.”

“None of us are perfect. All of us in this home are broken in some way. That is one of the things that bind us together. Romanoff is broken. I’m broken. Rogers was prepared to die and instead woke up to find his friends were all dead and the world had moved on without him. Romanoff was psychologically conditioned to become a killer. Then she was given an illusion of family and had it ripped away from her. Agatha’s mother never gave her a chance to be good. She tried to kill her own daughter. After a lifetime dedicating his life to fighting for freedom and justice, Everett is now here with us with only the two bags he packed in a hurry. That’s what he has. A lifetime of doing what is right has come down to two bags of clothes. Do you know what has been doing since he arrived? He is figuring out how to use our software and Red Room records to improve our ability to find widows. He’s broken but like us, he hasn’t stopped fighting for those who need us.”

Wanda waved her hand and the screen went away. She then pointed to Natasha in the back.

“Hate her if you want to. Tell her after your morning coffee every day. Remind her that she left you. Call Barton if you want to remind him. I don’t care if you follow her but if some do that is their choice, right? Choice! How hard have you fought for the right to make your own choices?! If you don’t want to follow her then don’t! But she owes it to you to fight and we owe it to all the girls still out there to keep fighting as one!”

Wanda sighed and her wariness overcame her.

“Sonia, what are you and your team going to do in the morning or should I say, seven hours?”

Sonia looked around at those who were prepared to leave.

“We are going to fight. We may not be as effective apart but we aren’t as effective with us on the sidelines. It is up to the team if we stay or not but we will not be sidelined again.”

“You won’t be. We need to come together. We need to be a family. Some of you blame Natasha for breaking us up. If one person can do that how close were we to begin with?”

The widows looked around the room at each other.

“Girls I have a feeling in the next year or sooner we are going to face war, not for enslaved widows but for the universe itself. We have many enemies. Thanos has an army of hundreds of thousands and we are the ones who stand in his way. Some organization called the Hand may be starting up a child trafficking ring specializing in newborns and toddlers. They need us dead for that to happen. If the great United States had a chance to wipe us off the face of the Earth they would take it without hesitation.

“Either we come together now, or we die apart. It is that simple. It has always been us against the world and it still is.”

Wanda walked to the front. “Go to sleep. Tomorrow we all begin to heal. We remember how much we love each other. Right now, I have four little girls I must convince are safe with us. If you want to hold a grudge against each other think about that. They don’t feel safe around you. This meeting is over.”