Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Witch and the Widows

By BetterInTexas

Outtake 08:

This chapter happens a few days after the return from Knowhere. The meeting alluded to will be briefly covered in the next chapter of the main story.

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Four days before, a meeting was called in Switzerland among the coalition gathered to defeat Thanos. The actions of the Red Widows had not been as well received as expected. Some were angry they were not involved, some were angry about fighting Thanos on another planet and a few were angry Matt Murdock was still blind. Clint Barton had recognized Kate in a Red Widow suit because she couldn’t help but talk to him. He wasn’t happy she was allowed to go to Knowhere. Overall, there were many unhappy people. She also suspected many were not happy with how large the Red Widows memberships had grown, particularly Coulson who would no doubt be reporting to SHIELD since the group was officially recognized again. Only the Wakandans and the Masters of the Mystic Arts were impressed and happy with the outcome of their recent actions.

One consequence that came from the meeting had led the leader of the Red Widows to New York City.

Yelena lay on the roof of four story building overlooking 21st and Burrough Avenue in New York City. She was watching intently through a scope but for once the scope wasn’t attached to a rifle. Instead it was in her hand, something she found to be an annoyance and wished she had just worn her suit with its advanced optical lenses. She was trying to keep a low profile though and this mission may require her to hit the streets unnoticed.

Hiding from another Red Widow was difficult. She wasn’t supposed to be here. Aino was 16 as of two days ago and even before that was certainly old and capable enough to visit New York City on her own with only Staci backing her up from a distance.

However a date with a young, enhanced boy with the strength to stop out of control cement trucks was different than an average date.

There were children in the mansion. Twelve year olds with the emotional maturity of much younger children. Before the children were rescued, the babies of the house were Staci, Mika, Stanic and Aino. Stanic had attached herself to Romanoff and Mika was fiercely independent. Aino and Staci were the ones who needed the most help.

They needed the most love in Yelena’s opinion. They roomed together by choice, they slept many, many nights in Wanda’s room, Staci kept her widow bites on while she slept and until recently Aino slept with a stuffed animal that had a gun inside it. The bond between these two was special.

At the meeting of the coalition Peter Parker had asked Aino if she would like to hang out sometime in New York.

She said yes. She had been crushing on the boy since the first time she saw him and awkwardly talked to him at the meetings. Staci had agreed to accompany her of course. Widows did not travel alone. That was one rule that would never change. Staci agreed to keep her distance of course. Yelena saw her two blocks over monitoring traffic cameras on her phone that were fed to her by Rachel from the Mansion and satellite feeds from Silver Sable’s network.

Wanda had opened a gate in an alley for Aino and Staci to walk through and the boy showed up on time. They had entered some sort of deli and grocery store. Yelena was proud Aino had not taken a table by a window but also annoyed.

“Kate, do you have a line of sight?” she asked.

Kate who was pretending to window shop across the street answered.

“Yes, I have eyes on her. He could have taken her someplace nicer.” Kate commented.

“Supposedly these are the best sandwiches in the Burrough.” Staci told her. “You both know I got this, right? We aren’t children. Yelena, Aino is going to clock you. Kate, you really need to work on blending in. I can tell from the satellite feed that you are staring in the deli using the reflection from the window in front of you. Nice tactic but you need to move, to fidget, to change windows, blend in with the crowd more. If she weren’t so engrossed in Spider Boy, she would have already made you.”

Kate huffed. “I’m doing the best I can. No one has worked with me on surveillance in the field. They do look cute together. He made her laugh.”

“He told her a joke. It was dumb.” Wanda’s voice cut in.

Everyone listening quieted.

“Wanda, how do you know?” Yelena asked after a moment. “You promised to stay away.”

“I’m a witch. I’m scrying. I can see through the reflection of his glass of water and read his lips.”

Yelena groaned. “You cannot spy on them! Very invasive!”

“And what are you doing?!” Wanda asked.

“Back up! You cannot listen to them! We are watching perimeter, not listening to them. Stop your witchy spying at once. Do you understand?”

Wanda huffed into the com. “Fine. Keep me informed. I want updates every five minutes!”

Yelena shook her head and felt sorry for the twins if either ever decided to date. Bucky and Wanda would likely be sitting at the table with the girl and her date.

“I’m going to the street.” Yelena decided. “I will watch the backdoor. Kate, move to the traffic light at the end of the sidewalk. It will give you better angle with less chance of being seen. Stay by walkway and blend in with pedestrians.”

Yelena stood up and closed her eyes, not wanting to deal with the man but the familiar sound told her she would be whether she liked it or not. She turned around and watched Tony Stark in his armor landing on the roof.

“I am trying to be stealthy and you are landing in this? What are you doing here, Stark?”

Tony’s helmet came down. “Just watching out for our kids. Weird isn’t it? Our kids on a date. Its like we are destined to be tied together in some manner, Belova. I’m surprised you aren’t suited up. That scope can’t possibly give you a good idea of their position inside that place. Delmar has great sandwiches though. Take my word, it isn’t fancy but the kid is treating her right.”

Yelena was irritated by him in general but his pointing out the flaws in her equipment hurt. Of course he would have better equipment tonight. She was in stone washed vintage jeans and a Prince t shirt.

“They are doing fine. There is no need to spy on Red Widows and she will protect Spider Boy. Go away. I am leaving as well. We should give them privacy.”

“You are going to cover the back, aren’t you?”

Yelena nodded. “Fine. You cover front from sky. I have two others watching the ground in front. If we are going to be tied together tonight, make yourself useful. I hope your boy is unlike you. If he makes an inappropriate move, he will have several bullets in his head.”

Tony smirked, imagining Peter making anything close to inappropriate or even knowing how.

“Trust me, that kid is the exact opposite of me. So what exactly are we looking for?”

“This is her first date and with a human bug. Make sure no alien weapons are set off, no men in bird suits or goblin suits show up and I understand he has an issue with muggings and shootouts happening around him often. If any crazy supervillains, ordinary criminals or aliens show up, turn them back or turn them to dust.”

Tony chuckled. “I’ve heard that before. Cap really rubbed off on you, didn’t he? I’ve got the sky. Try to relax Belova. They are having a good time.”

Inside the deli, Aino sat listening to Peter talk about Star Wars. He was a big fan and thanks to the widows movie marathons she was knowledgeable as well. Aino knew Staci was somewhere nearby so she uncharacteristically let her guard down just a fraction. Peter had her complete attention.

“What was the alien planet like? I have to know. You got into an actual gunfight at the edge of the Universe! That has to be one of the coolest moments of your life, right? Maybe the coolest. What can top that?” Peter asked.

Aino blushed at his praise and excitement.

“I’ve had a lot of cool moments.” She offered, playing it off as cooly as possible.

Peter leaned forward. “Like what? What are the best moments of your life? Tell me your top five and I’ll tell you mine.”

Aino wasn’t quite sure what to say. Many of the top moments of her life weren’t exactly something she would normally share. Gutting the woman who physically and sexually abused her for years would be at the top of the list. Even if she had died that night, the act had been worth it.

“I almost died. I guess I did die for a moment. Wanda… she saved me. I was lost in this darkness and then I saw this red light. The red light filled my vision and then I could feel my body again, only my body was warmer than it ever had been. I felt like I was wrapped in a heated blanket on a cold night. I felt her magic. I felt her soul. When I opened her eyes and saw her over me, her eyes slightly glowing and her beautiful smile, that was probably the coolest moment of my life.”

Peter’s eyes widened at her description. He didn’t know Wanda Maximoff well. He didn’t know her at all if he was honest. Mr. Stark spoke highly of her but he had never actually talked to the woman.

“I didn’t know she could do that.”

“She can do anything. She is the greatest person you will ever meet.”

Peter was taken back by the awe in her voice, the reverence. He only knew one side of Wanda Maximoff. He knew the bad ass who never smiled, the one that stood in front of the widows at their training meetings, and the one who had taken down the Master’s of the Mystic Arts, the guy with the power rings and another witch at the same time. He was defintely intimidated by her and Mr. Stark had told him more than once if she ever became involved in a situation to stay out of her way and let her handle it.

Peter cleared his throat. “Okay, that’s one.”

“Your turn.” Aino told him, giving her a chance to think of others that wouldn’t completely horrify him.

“Wow… the number one moment has to be the first time I swung through Queens. It was an amazing feeling. It’s the closest I will ever come to flying. I wasn’t certain my web shooters would work. I had tested them but swinging at that speed was only a theory. I swung through ten blocks in like twenty seconds. I don’t think I ever felt better in my life. The second had to be finally beating the Vulture. I think it was the first time I knew Mr. Stark was proud of me. What is your second?”

Aino didn’t have to think long.

“I was lying in my bunk one night, unable to even go to the bathroom because we weren’t allowed up at night, and then this red dust was in the air. I breathed it in and my mind cleared. I could move. I rolled off my bunk and there was Wanda, Yelena and Oksana. I think Romanoff was there also. I saw my sisters standing from their bunks. My head felt like my own for the first time I could remember. Yelena told us they were there to free us and end Dreykov. We took our suits and weapons and took the Red Room over. Watching Dreykov die and realizing it was over had to be one of the scariest but coolest moments of my life.”

Peter paled a bit and Aino realized her mistake. She had promised herself to not talk about killing anyone tonight. The blush returned to her face.

“Hey there is no need to be embarrassed. I’m not under any illusions. I can handle hearing about your life.”

Aino shrugged, not able to help being embarrassed. She didn’t regret her actions, she only regretted airing them to a boy she didn’t know well.

“There are just things that shouldn’t be talked about, things I shouldn’t talk about… ever. Not with… so what was your third coolest moment?”

It was Peter’s turn to look embarrassed.

“I guess it was when Mr. Stark told me I would be going to Switzerland. I walked inside and saw all these heroes and then heard and saw what we would be facing and I had a hard time believing I belonged. I mean, Captain America was there, the Black Widow, Hawkeye, some of the vigilantes I had heard about in New York and you all. I recognized Wanda of course. She kind of fixed my screw up on the ferry. Then there was Yelena Belova. And then all of you. You took off your masks and I couldn’t believe it. I just had this idea that you would all be older, at least older than me. The way you all lined up like an army, standing there behind Wanda and Yelena… it was one of the coolest things I had ever seen. I guess in that moment I felt like this was all real. That people saw me as more than a kid who crawled walls and stopped muggers in Queens.”

Aino smiled at the memory. She remembered looking in the crowd. She was nervous as well but the girls agreed they weren’t going to hide their faces. They wouldn’t hide behind masks. Let them all see who was leading the defense of the planet. They were proud to be Red Widows.

“Since you gave such an awesome answer I will tell you my third is getting into a gunfight on a floating severed head in space inside a space museum and having to battle alien security guards and a talking dog with telekinesis. The talking duck who hit on Wanda was weird as well. Not cool, just creepy.”

Peter’s eyes widened. “None of you mentioned this in the last meeting. Talking dogs and ducks?”

Aino nodded. “Russian talking dog, shot off into space by the Soviet Union a long time ago. The duck was kind of an asshole. We didn’t mention it at the meeting because it didn’t seem that important. Everyone was angry they didn’t know about it or confused because they weren’t sure if they liked Yelena’s plan of fighting on another planet. Captain America and the Winter Soldier wouldn’t stop arguing. It was intense. Of course you were there.

“Steve was upset we didn’t tell him first like he is our father or something. He doesn’t like being left out of the loop. He will get over it or not. Either way his opinion doesn’t matter.”

Peter was surprised by her familiarity with Captain America in calling him Steve and the small hint of annoyance she spoke his name with. Mr. Stark had told him that Captain America and the Black Widow were a part of the Red Widows.

“Aren’t they part of your team?” he asked.

Aino shook her head quickly. “No! They went on some missions with us but they were never part of the team. They are farmers now. One of my best friends went with them to Idaho or Iowa, one of the states that starts with an I. They are defintely not a part of our team.”

Peter was even more surprised by the conviction and vitriol in her voice. Apparently there was more to the story but he suspected it was not time to push. Things were going well. He wanted to keep them going well. He had been fascinated by her since she smiled at him during one of the training sessions. He had talked to her briefly afterward but it was obvious she was shy and just as awkward as he was.

It took many glances, smiles and quick helloes before Peter finally just asked her to hang out. He wasn’t sure how it would work. He didn’t know where the Red Widows were based but suspected it was somewhere in Europe.

She agreed quickly though and told him she would love to see more of New York and didn’t seem worried about transportation.

“You are up.” Aino remined him after taking a small bite of her sandwich. Normally her and Staci would have wolfed down four of these but she was trying to improve her table manners.

“Okay, number four… oh crap. What he is he doing here? What is MJ doing here?” Peter asked.

Aino turned her attention to the door.

“MJ? The MJ you always talk about? The one who figured out your secret? Smart, pretty MJ?” Aino asked, not happy with this turn of events. She saw a heavy set boy and a tall thin beauty walking towards them.

They had seats without being asked, both staring at her intently.

“Ned, what are you doing here?”

The boy smiled widely at her but addressed Peter.

“You said you would be hanging here tonight. Thought we would come meet your friend. MJ wanted to meet a Red Widow. Hi, I’m Ned. I’m Pete’s guy in the chair.”

Aino was a bit confused. Of course Peter had told her about his friends, but she wasn’t sure what guy in the chair meant.

“I’m sorry? Guy in the chair?”

Ned frowned slightly. “Yeah, I handle the hacking, information gathering, giving directions and watching his back, feed him intel as we say in the superhero community. You must have someone like that.”

Aino nodded. “I suppose… we have a team of widows and other agencies who monitor situations in real time. So it was nice to meet you Ned but Peter and I…”

“It is so great to meet you! I have heard about you guys for the past year. I’ve even got some of your swag. Me and M.J. are your biggest fans! Tell her MJ.”

“Hi.” MJ greeted her taking in the situation. “Ned you told me Peter wanted to introduce us. I don’t think that is the case. We are interfering in a date, you idiot!” she finished, raising her voice at Ned.

Ned looked at the tabletop and grinned. “My bad. Pete said he was bringing you here and I just assumed when he told me the location he wanted you to meet his best friends! So what is it like being a Red Widow? What is Wanda Maximoff like? How many powers does she have? How fast can she fly? Does she have super strength? Hey how many bad guys have you killed? Can you do those cool gymnast moves like the Black Widow? Were you guys really the ones who caused the prison riot in Iran? What kind of base do you have? Is it like militaristic or set in the suburbs? It couldn’t be. It has to be remote. I heard there are over a hundred of you now! Do you guys have your own jets? What about Boston? Did the widows really skin those human traffickers?”

“Ned!” Peter cut him off. “Stop. We are on a date. C’mon man, what are you doing?”

“I just want to know your friend. So how good of a shot are you? I heard every one of you is like sniper level.”

MJ sighed. “If you don’t shut up you are going to find out how good of a shot she is. Let’s go.”

She stood and grabbed Ned by the ear, forcing him up.

“Ned?”

MJ and Ned turned back to her.

“We didn’t skin them all. One was drowned after having her bones torn from their sockets and some were shot. I shot four and broke one’s neck. We skinned the ones who had given up. Yes we were behind the Iranian Prison riot. They were holding a mind controlled widow and we went in to free her. I killed many people that night as well. Twenty six to be exact. I know I killed twenty six because that is how many bullets I fired and I never miss. As far as the rest of the questions, I can’t answer those. Top secret and you should be careful. Wanda does not like people asking questions about her. Some people have found this out the hard way. Being a catatonic drooling mess needing a diaper change every few hours wouldn’t be a good look for you.”

Ned and MJ both seemed unable to speak, instead staring at the cute girl with a streak of pink in hair and blue and gold glittery fingernail polish. She wore jeans, a blue top that said Keep it Regal and white bedazzled boots. She also had big hoop earrings plus a few other ear piercings and rings on each finger and a couple of bracelets on each wrist.

Before they walked away, MJ turned back to her.

“I get that you have had horrible things happen to you. I just want to say thanks. Thanks for doing what you do. I don’t care how many you have killed or tortured. You make this planet safer for women and children. That’s more than most of the world can say.”

With that, she walked out, pulling Ned by the ear.

“I am so sorry.” Peter said, his head in his hands.

“No harm done. If you want, you can make it up to me. I did bring a backpack for a reason. My suit is inside and you did offer.”

Peter grinned. “You sure?”

“Absolutely.”

“It can be kind of crazy. You don’t get motion sickness, do you?”

“I’ve practiced driving motorcycles out of quinjets skimming the ground. I can also run down a skyscraper on a wire as thin as your web. You said you would show me New York so show me.”

Peter grinned and the two walked out of the small deli into a dark alley. Peter turned his back while Aino changed. He thought she had done the same and she did for the most part.

A few minutes later, Spiderman was swinging through New York with an arm around a black clad Red Widow clutching onto him and shouting with joy. It was a feeling Aino had never experienced before. When Wanda levitated her, she was always careful. This was not careful. They skimmed over traffic, swung over and then below train tracks, ran up buildings and finally landed on top of the Empire State Building.

“That was awesome!” Aino shouted not having a care in the world or even knowing that she had left a cursing Yelena Belova in Queens yelling at Tony Stark to follow them and the man refusing.

“You like it?”

“I loved it! That was so cool!”

Peter and Aino sat on the edge of the building, taking in the breathtaking view of the city. They didn’t speak about anything important. Aino gave small details of her life like giving manicures to the other girls for fun and her excitement about the swimming pool that would soon be completed. Peter talked about junk he had found in a dumpster that he was rebuilding. Aino was figuring out quickly that he was a genius. He wasn’t just smart but an actual genius.

“What do you plan to do when you get out of high school?” Aino asked.

Peter thought for a moment. “I thought about MIT. Its always been a dream of mine. But I love being Spiderman here in New York. What about you?”

Aino laughed. “I’m not in high school. I’ve never been in a school. I was never given an education like some of the other widows. I was taught navigational skills and how to read English and Russian but… that was all I needed. I was used mostly as an assassin. People never saw the cute girl with pig tails coming. After I was taken from the field I was assigned to a strike team and based in the Red Room where I stayed until we were rescued. I don’t really know much. Not like you. I’ve tried to read some since I have been freed but I don’t think school is really for me. Its not like I need it for my job.”

Peter took that in and realized how different Aino’s life really was. It broke his heart. He reached across and took her gloved hand in his.

“What about future jobs? Is there something else you might want to do one day?”

Aino shook her head. “Red Widow for life. Stannic used to say Red Widow till death. I suppose either one works. This life is all I have ever known.”

“We are sixteen. Life can change.” Peter pointed out.

Aino met his eyes and to his credit he pulled his mask up and met hers.

“In twenty, thirty years, do you see yourself not being Spiderman? Can you imagine a time in your life where you aren’t putting a suit on and helping people?”

Peter shook his head. He didn’t see that, didn’t want to see it. Being Spiderman was a part of him.

“I get it. Its part of you. But I’m also going to have a career one day and you could have one if you wanted. You are more than just a Red Widow.”

Aino laughed quietly. “Peter do you have any true idea of the things I have done? The things we all do. We aren’t heroes like you. We have tortured people to death. They deserved it but still we did that and enjoyed it. I have killed so many people I have lost count and that’s after I was freed from mind control. I don’t feel regret over my actions either.”

“You shouldn’t.” Peter told her. “And you are a hero. Who else would go to the edge of the universe to retrieve an infinity stone, not knowing what you were walking into? That’s a hero, Aino. I know you have all done some… wow… and I know Wanda can do some… yeah… but you are a hero. Don’t ever think of yourself as less than that.”

Aino didn’t feel pride at his praise. “The fourth coolest moment in my life was killing the woman who abused me for years. I was her toy and when we found her I gutted her then sliced her to pieces. I smiled the entire time.” Aino told him. “The fifth coolest moment was the first time I saw Wanda rip her way into some asshole’s mind, take everything from him, make him live his nightmares over and over and leave him a catatonic mess on the floor. Still think I’m a hero?”

“Yes.” he answered immediately. “By the way, right now is making its way onto my top five coolest moments.”

Aino felt warm all over listening to his words. She leaned towards him. He was surprised at first not having expected her to kiss him but he didn’t resist and returned her effort. When she pulled back she looked the most vulnerable he had ever seen her.

“Wow.” Peter mumbled.

“That’s the fist time I have ever kissed someone… by choice. Thank you.”

“I’m pretty certain I should be thanking you.”

An hour later after changing once again Peter walked Aino to the coffee shop Staci had told her she was at they decided to split ways. He kissed her at the door, promised to call tomorrow and left, leaving her happier than she had been in a long time. The last time she had felt like this was when Nadeja hugged her for the first time.

Staci walked outside and handed her a cup of coffee.

“Good time?”

Aino nodded.

“He isn’t moving in with us.” Staci reminded her. “Wanda isn’t happy. She called and asked how you were. I told her you took off with Spiderman flying around the city and I couldn’t keep up. Hard to back you up if you are miles and miles away from me on top of the Empire State Building.”

Aino caught that. “How did you know I was there? Is Rachel watching me? Was Wanda spying on me? I thought Kate was the only one. Wait… Is Yelena here?!”

“Your suit has a tracker, idiot.”

Aino nodded. “Oh, right.”

“But yes to everything you asked. Can we go home now?” Staci asked.

“Yes. Call Wanda…”

Before anyone could call Wanda a line of red appeared before them and spread out, opening a familiar doorway into thin air. The two girls walked straight into Wanda’s room. Bucky, Wanda and the twins were waiting for her.

“He took you to the top of the Empire State Building?” Wanda asked but it wasn’t really a question. “Aino do not go that high again unless you are with me!”

“If I would have fallen you would have opened a door in the air and I would have fallen right into your room.” Aino told her.

Bucky grinned. “So how was it?”

“Good except for the part where the annoying friend showed up with the pretty girl. I had fun.”

Nadeja stood next to Bucky and crossed her arms. “No funny business?” she asked.

Aino looked at Bucky who was also waiting for an answer.

“Funny business?” Aino asked the little girl.

“Papa said if any funny business happened he was going to squish a spider and then go after his daddy Stark. He didn’t try to tell you jokes, did he?”

If it had been anyone else Aino would have laughed. Since it was Bucky, Aino felt it best to keep the kiss and small make out session on top of the Empire State Building to herself.

“No funny business. I’m tired. Tell Yelena I appreciate the thought but I wasn’t so distracted that I didn’t notice Kate Bishop across the street. Somebody needs to work with her on field surveillance. Good night everyone!”

Aino raced out of Wanda’s room with Staci on her tail. When they reached their room Aino raised her hands in the air and began twirling around.

“You had fun.” Staci said, not really asking.

Aino stopped dancing and took in her friend’s countenance. Staci was stoic, something Aino had never seen. She was always emotive, no matter the mood.

“You okay? You can hang with us next time. I just thought since it was the first night and you said you were good with hanging back it would be okay.”

Staci placed her hand on Aino’s shoulder.

“Just remember, there are four good males in this world. They all live under this roof and one of them is a baby.”

Aino was silent for a moment, taking that in.

“That isn’t true, Staci, What about Steve Rogers?”

“Avenger. Him and Romonoff practically tore us apart. Enough said.”

“T’Challa?”

“I don’t really know him. Do you? Do you know his middle name or his birthday or his favorite food?”

Aino wasn’t sure what to say. She knew everything about Staci but never realized how deep her hostility towards men ran.

“I get it Aino.” Staci further explained. “You were never given to a room full of HYDRA agents and taught how depraved men could be. You learned how depraved women can be and I am not denying they are. Just remember, you know nothing about this boy except he has superpowers and looks up to Tony Stark. That should be a red flag. The Tony Stark thing, not the superpower thing.”

Aino felt her good mood crashing and Staci noticed.

“I did it again. I ruined it. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s just you are all I have. Sure I have all our sisters, but me and you we are ride and die, right? We are like Wanda and Yelena, peanut butter and jelly, cookies and milk. We just go together. I don’t want you to get hurt. Because if you get hurt, I’m going to have a body to bury and I don’t like digging holes.”

Aino hugged her tightly. “You didn’t ruin anything.”

Staci sighed and let herself be held. All night she had waited, watched and absolutely hated that Aino was wasting her time on some soft brat who lucked into superpowers and thought he was a hero. Then he had taken her swinging away and Aino was on the other side of New York at the highest point where Staci could not watch out for her. It was beyond frustrating.

“Did you kiss him?”

Aino turned red.

“Okay, go brush your teeth then you can cuddle with me and tell me all about it. I promise I will be supportive and giggle at appropriate times.”

The next morning, after waking late, Aino still felt on top of the world. She walked around the grounds, saw girls running, sparring outside, playing soccer and baseball and enjoying the sunny day while waiting patiently for Dima to give all clear on the pool and hot tubs.

She watched Wanda in the fields behind the house making flowers grow for Nela to pick and Bucky was on the field teaching Nadeja how to catch and throw a baseball.

Yelena walked outside with Anya next to her. Anya was holding baby Erik.

It was a perfect atmosphere. No upcoming battles. Until the brain combo of Stark, Pym and Shuri figured out how to translate alien data or Thanos made a move, they were in a holding pattern.

Thanos. Aino had given much thought to this lately. The thought of the battle to come sometimes weighed on her mind. She had first thought it was on Earth and now it would be on an alien world if all went right. No matter where it was, she knew there was a high likelihood some would die. It could be her. She hadn’t given much thought to dying until this Thanos business had started. Despite her life, despite technically being dead for a second, she never concerned herself with her own mortality.

There was one thing she had wanted to do for a very long time. She didn’t want any regrets. Yet she hadn’t done it.

She had never had the strength to do it. She wanted to know but she was too afraid. She was afraid of what she would find. She was afraid to find out if she was sold like Stannic, had dead parents and even afraid if they were alive. Whatever the case was, it would change everything. It had changed everything for Ava. It had changed Rowan. She had to let her mother die and kill her father to avenge her mother. In her opinion it was a catalyst for Stannic attaching herself further to Romanoff. Yelena was happier though since meeting he parents.

If Aino found out what would be the effect on her? Good, bad, or no effect at all? No, it was impossible to learn something like that and it have no effect.

“What’s wrong?” Staci asked, walking up beside her. “Don’t say nothing is wrong. Did he not answer your call or something?”

Aino smirked. “I haven’t called yet. Staci, do you ever want to know?” she asked and didn’t have to explain what it was.

Staci shook her head. “Look around. I have my sisters, Wanda, my therapist. I have you. What other family could I ask for. It would also be cruel.”

“Cruel?”

“To them if they were alive. I’m not you, Aino. You know I’m not right. Everyone knows it.”

“That is not true!”

Staci smiled at her. “Your sweet and I know you love me but I’m broken in a way none of you are. I’m a psychopath, Aino.”

Aino was becoming angry. “You are not! You had a traumatic event that gave you a fixation on Disney characters. So what? I’m sixteen and sleep with a stuffed bear that only recently got real stuffing instead of a gun inside it.”

Staci was quiet a moment.

“You want to know. You want to open your file.”

Aino nodded.

Staci took her hand. “Then lets go find out. Do you want Wanda to come with us?”

Aino squeezed Staci’s hand. “No, just you. The two of us can handle anything, right?”

Staci nodded and hoped it was true.

They walked underground where Everett, Rachel and Maria were staring at some data on one screen while Sharon Carter’s face was on the other end in a video conference. They were closing in on the last widow that had been on Dreykov’s list. Many they only confirmed were dead. Those without families, the majority of them, were buried in the Widow’s resting ground when bodies could be found. The area had unfortunately grown exponentially. Some who lived had gone on to attempt normal lives but the majority of alive widows stayed here.

“Maria, I need a laptop.”

“You have a laptop.” Maria said then paused. “You mean the laptop?” she asked, catching on. She looked around quickly. “Where is Wanda or Yelena or preferably both?”

Aino remained calm and in control of her rolling emotions.

“I have Staci with me. The rule is we cannot look at our file alone.”

Maria nodded. “Fine. I’m calling Wanda.”

“No, you aren’t. I need the laptop. Please give me the laptop.” Aino said once again.

Maria crossed her arms. “Why don’t you want Wanda here? You both sleep on the twins’ beds more than you sleep on your own beds. It may not be good news, Aino. I understand you had a good night but…”

“Maria!” Aino snapped. It was so uncharacteristic that Maria’s eyes widened. She looked at the girl and nodded. Everett and Rachel were watching her closely but not interfering.

At least she thought they weren’t interfering until Wanda appeared out of nowhere, having teleported the short distance from outside to inside the bunker.

Aino glared at Maria.

“I said…”

“I did it.” Everett told her. “I’d say I’m sorry but it would be a lie. I’ve seen too many girls break down. I’m not taking the chance of you hurting yourself.”

“Thank you, Everett.” Wanda told him. “Give her the laptop. Do what you need to do, Aino. We won’t interfere. I’m just going to be here. I won’t look over your shoulder, I promise.”

Aino took a breath and realized this was the best she was going to get. She hadn’t wanted to bother Wanda. She had wanted to be strong and do this herself. Staci would be enough.

Maria handed her the laptop. The laptop as it had become known. The one that was not connected to the internet and only contained the files of the widows who had been in the world. The files that told each one how they were found, their statistics before and under mind control and the DNA reports that were taken by some crooked doctors on the payroll of the Red Room.

She opened it with shaking hands and found the file marked with her name.

Aino Anderson. Former residence, Queenstown New Zealand. Taken at age 3 from daycare playground along with four other girls in raid by Sansom Group. Kills before chemical subjugation, six. Kills after chemical subjugation, twenty two. Expert in quick infiltration, clean kills and knife skills.

Parents are Susan and Justin Anderson. They have continued to search but the likelihood of discovery is less than one percent. Killing them would bring unwanted attention.

There wasn’t much but the information was life altering as she expected it would be. She was stolen. Aino rushed to a computer with access to the secured internet and began typing in her parents’ names.

Their were quite a few articles on them but the first one told her all she needed to know.

Susan and Justin Anderson, founders of the New Zealand Center for Missing and Stolen Children, are holding a fund raising and public awareness event in Queenstown in two days. They began the organization to force the government to become more proactive in the search for missing children and greater amount of police assigned to investigating and stopping human trafficking rings. Their daughter was taken during what New Zealanders know as an assault on Rainbow Daycare thirteen years ago by armed assailants, leaving six daycare workers dead and four children under the age of five taken.

The police believed the attack and three more like it across New Zealand were orchestrated by an organized crime syndicate called the Sansom Group that specialized in drug trades and the trafficking of children. Finding no leads the police stopped investigating after three months but the case remains open.

Since that time, Susan and Justin Anderson’s center has grown in scope, including funding search teams for missing children, lobbying for more resources to be in place to investigate human trafficking rings and providing therapy for parents who have lost children. The event begins at six PM.

Staci whistled. “Your parents are alive. They… they seem cool.”

When Aino turned from the screen she was crying and they weren’t tears of joy.

“What is wrong?” Staci asked her. “This is good.”

Aino nodded. “They do important work. They aren’t the kind of people who can just up and move to Red Widow Compound and leave the world behind. They aren’t the Belovas. I’m not leaving the widows.”

Staci understood. “You can’t tell them you are alive. If they know you are alive and leave them it will be like they lost you all over again.”

Aino nodded. “What kind of person would I be if I let them keep thinking I am dead? I never should have looked.”

“Aino?” Wanda called her name softly. Aino turned and threw herself into Wanda’s arms and Wanda held her tightly though she didn’t know what Aino had found.

When Aino pulled back she noticed she was surrounded by widows. At least the original ones who lived in the house. Word got around quickly, no matter how many more widows there were now. None of them said anything to her, They just surrounded her and though she wasn’t Wanda, she could feel the love. The twins and Tanya rushed through the crowd and hugged her.

“Did you find them?” Nadeja asked.

Aino nodded.

Aino looked up at Wanda and Yelena who had rushed to Wanda’s side.

“I don’t know what to do.”

Yelena hugged her. “You will figure it out. No matter what you decide, it isn’t wrong. Tell me what you need.”

“Having a mama and papa who love you is the best thing ever.” Nadeja told her. “If you can’t get one of both you should.”

Aino took the day and night and still could not make a decision or had a clue what she needed.

It was Staci that made up her mind for her.

“You deserve to meet them, even if you don’t tell them who you are. You deserve it, Aino.”

Aino shrugged.

“I lied to you. I shouldn’t have but I did. I looked at mine.” Staci admitted.

Aino was shocked. “When?!”

“Five months ago. I begged Wanda not to tell anyone. I was eight months old, the only survivor of a house fire in Bangor, Wales. I had two older brothers and two parents. A fireman saved me. I was taken to an orphanage but before I was even signed in, I was taken. The fireman never checked on me I guess and I was listed as dead in the fire by someone.”

She paused. “I wondered why he did that. Why he saved me. Why did I have to live. It wasn’t fair. I lived so I could go through hell. I lived to become a weapon, a clueless mind in a body that wasn’t my own. If I had just been left to burn, I think things would have been much better for me. Maybe my best friend would have lived but probably not. If it weren’t me it would have been someone else. But I wouldn’t have had to do it. I wouldn’t have to live with that on my conscience. I wouldn’t have to relive it in my nightmares.

“I wanted to kill myself but Wanda wouldn’t let me. Her and Yelena sat in my room all day and night while I switched between silence and crying then screaming.”

Aino felt sick.

“Where was I? Wait, you said you had the flu and Wanda was working on curing you but you were contagious! I knew you sounded different on the phone but I thought it was because you were sick.”

Staci shrugged.

“None of that is important. It happened and I moved on. But Aino… if I had the chance… if I had a family, no matter how broken or psycho I am, I would want to at least meet them, see them, hear their voice. I would want to know what my big brothers would have been like. Would they have looked like me? Would they have been protective or pick on me constantly or both. Would my parents be strict or cool? Would I have played some sport like soccer? I’m never going to get the answer.

“But you can. You can get the answer for yourself. You can do it for both of us. Don’t miss a chance I never had.”

Aino wiped her eyes and sat down on her bed. “I’m not leaving the widows. This is my home, my family. I would hurt them by not staying.”

“Then just meet them.” Staci said. “That’s all.”

Aino snorted. “You saw the photos. I look just like my mother. We could be twins. They will recognize me.”

Staci admitted to herself the resemblance was uncanny.

“We have two sides to us. We go as our other side. We take a page from your boyfriend’s playbook. We wear our masks.”

“You will come with me?” Aino asked.

Staci’s face made it apparent she thought that was a stupid question. Aino understood. She was grateful for many things in her life since being freed and her bond with Staci was one she held dearest.

The next day they stood in the rafters over the stage her parents were speaking on. It was a college gymnasium and it was packed. They were dressed in their uniforms and not seen in the darkness above. Her father had said some brief words of introduction and then her mother had taken over.

“Human trafficking. It is an age old crime. It is not a secret. Every government knows it is happening. Despite this, no one in the world talks about it. When a child goes missing, the community comes together… for a few days. They help take part in a search party, though the search area is not usually accurate. When a child is taken in a violent crime, law enforcement ensures the parents they will do whatever is necessary to bring back their child. A week later they tell you it is likely your child is dead. Your neighbors will tell you to just ask if you need anything. They are empty words.” Susan spoke.

“Every nation has a database of missing children that look for patters among other parts of that country. There has never been a worldwide coordinated search for these organizations until now. No one has targeted these criminal organization or attempted to rescue children in chains, until now. There is finally a worldwide database across nations to investigate and link these disappearances. People are talking about human trafficking in real public forums, worldwide news stations, magazine articles and even the United Nations is discussing the issue.

“Why does the world care now? Why are nations increasing funds for searching for these groups? What wonderful government is responsible for this increased awareness and action?”

Susan paused and turned to a giant screen behind her. She pointed toward it and a photo of ten black clad masked females, wearing guns on their legs and electric batons across their backs.

“No government is responsible. You all know who these lovely young women are. Some nations call them heroes and some call them villains but let us call them what they truly are.

“Liberators. Saviors. Victims who have fought back. They are the breaker of chains. They are the miracles taken children pray for. That is what it has come to in this world. Those who should do something haven’t. It has taken these girls to bring the issue of human trafficking to the forefront of public awareness. We have all heard the stories. Are they brutal? Yes. Do they follow a system of justice? No, they play judge, jury and executioner. I ask you, what choice did they have? None. They had to do it themselves because no one was doing anything. We said the right things and had our awareness months, our education initiatives but that did nothing. The world is talking about trafficking now because of a group of girls who were taken. We have heard the rumor that they were brainwashed as children, even mind controlled and rescued by these women.”

The screen changed to photos of Yelena Belova and Wanda Maximoff walking on a street in Novi Grad.

“We must keep the conversation going. We must continue to push for nations around the world to coordinate their efforts at striking the heart of these organizations! Maybe… just maybe… if we can make some progress these children could rest, find some peace and let the world protect their most vulnerable without them.”

Susan paused.

“I am not asking you to take up arms. That is not our job or skill set. I am asking you to help in any way you can. Whether it is money so we can continue to build our database, hire investigators when law enforcement fails, buy drones to aid our volunteer search teams or perhaps just your time. Write to your representatives, talk to news outlets and encourage the conversation.

“Buy shirts with red hourglasses on them and if anyone sys you are supporting villains, ask them what they are doing to rescue missing children.”

Justin Anderson pointed to the screen. A photo of Aino as a baby appeared.

“This is our daughter Aino. She was taken in broad daylight by armed killers belonging to an organized crime outfit who sole purpose was to take children for the purpose of selling them. Police tell us she is dead. Statistics tell us there is a very high probability she is dead. We don’t care about statistics. We will never top looking for her. You showed up here today, meaning you want to help. Help us find her and help all those effected by the nightmare of losing a child. Do not give up. Do not lose hope. Many children thought to be lost forever have been rescued and returned home by the Red Widows. Let’s do our part. Thank you all for coming.”

The Andersons left the stage and talked to some of those in attendance. After an hour, the two retired backstage and into a dressing room they had left their bags.

They were not alone.

Inside were two small girls dressed like Red Widows. They could tell the bracelets were real. The guns in their hostlers looked very real. This was no Halloween costume. One girl was the same height as Susan and the other only slightly taller. They knew the Widows were young but in their minds they were taller with superhero bodies.

“Hello.” Justin greeted them while his wife stared at the widows, speechless.

Aino took them in through her goggles. Her mother really did resemble her, more than the photo made clear. Her father was tall, maybe six feet in height so she defintely got her height from her mother. He was slightly greying and a bit overweight but had a relaxed appearance. Neither seemed particularly nervous though it was obvious they were surprised by their appearance. Walking into a room with two red widows inside it could do that to a person.

“Hello.” she greeted them with a distorted voice. “It is nice to meet you both. We listened to your presentation. We appreciate your work very much. Thank you for your kind words about us.”

Susan blinked. The voice snapped her out of her stupefied state.

“Two of you came to New Zealand to thank us?”

Aino nodded.

“We have placed ten million into your organizations account through various dummy corporations. It won’t be traceable. I hope it helps. Maybe the international database you want to build can become a reality without relying on ineffective governments.”

“Thank you!” Justin told her. “You have ten million dollars?”

“We have much money. We take the money from the bastards we kill and use it to kill others like them.” Aino explained. “It is good to meet you. We must go. I… thank you on behalf of the Red Widows and we wish you much success.”

Aino and Staci walked between them towards the door.

“Which one of you is Aino?!” Susan shouted.

Aino’s hand froze over the doorknob and her entire body stilled.

“Please. I can feel it. Please just tell me. Let me see your face. I am begging you.”

Justin stepped forward hesitantly. “She is right.” He said quietly. “Aino? You know your name is Aino somehow. You found us… however you girls do it, you found us. Aino?”

Aino felt Staci’s hand on her shoulder.

This wasn’t supposed to happen. She had wanted to speak to her parents, go outside, change and then hyperventilate. This couldn’t happen. It was the worse case scenario. She should have come up with a better cover story. Why didn’t Yelena tell her this would probably happen?!

Because Yelena knew it would happen.

Aino turned back to her parents.

Her parents walked closer and her mother touched her masked face.

“Please take this off. Please. You don’t have to be scared.”

Aino looked at Staci who nodded encouragingly. She pressed the button on her belt and like magic her helmet retracted into the suit and she was looking at her parents with nothing between them. No mask, no secret identity, just a few inches of air. She saw her own eyes looking back at her.

Her mother hugged her and her father squeezed both of them. They were in tears and Aino was on the verge of panicking. She finally pulled away but her mother clung to her.

“This is my sister, Staci.” Aino introduced her.

Staci’s helmet retracted and she waved shyly. Justin Anderson pulled her into a hug.

“I suppose that makes you my daughter also.” he told the shocked girl then looked back at Aino.

“Why were you going to leave? Yoi don’t have to be scared of us. We never stopped looking. We never stopped believing. I should have known. When we first found out about your group, when Osborn happened… Susan had this feeling but I was too scared to believe it. Mother’s intuition.”

“We should have gone to Sokovia.” Susan said, continuing to kiss Aino’s cheek over and over and reaching out to Staci, taking her hand and pulling her close.

Aino stepped back.

“I can’t stay.” she told her parents and it hurt her to vocalize the words.

Her mother’s eyes were shocked then realization and devastation took over.

“Yes you can. You and Staci, we have a house with two bedrooms. It isn’t large but it is in a nice neighborhood and if you want your own rooms we can get a new house with three bedrooms! You… why? Why can’t you stay? You found us! Why were you leaving?!”

Aino looked at Staci who was crying silently.

“Something is coming. There is something I have to do. I can’t tell you what but there is a battle that must be fought. Its hard to explain but this battle will be the most important battle ever. I’m not exaggerating. It will take us all. Everyone who has our skills will be needed. My family is preparing to fight this battle. We are needed. We can’t leave them now.”

The two parents looked at each other. “Then let us come with you.”

Aino sighed. “Then who will carry on your important work? What you do is amazing.”

“We have you and you want to go away? Let someone else fight the battle!” her father said. “Wanda Maximoff is powerful, The world knows it. She can win, can’t she? Does she need you?”

Aino nodded. “A few days ago Staci and I were on another planet, more like a rock, on the edge of the universe, fighting aliens and Wanda was knocked out. She isn’t all powerful but together, all of us together, we have always won. She needs us and I will always be there for her. She rescued my from mind control, she brought me back from death when I was poisoned, she comforts us when we have nightmares and helps us sleep peacefully. I’m not going to quit on her. I have to go and you have to carry on…”

“We have directors who can take over!” Susan shouted and grabbed Aino again. “I’m not letting you go! If you can’t leave then bring us with you!”

Aino looked at Staci. Justin still had an arm around her shoulder and she was leaning into him.

“I don’t know. You may not like what you see. What we are involved in… there are so many girls at the Mansion and… you have a home…”

“Not without you.” Justin told her. “I understand. You have to do what you have to do. It tells me the kind of person you both are. But let us come with you. Others can run the organization. Don’t leave us behind, Aino.”

The two girls didn’t jump but Aino’s parents when the room lit up in a red glow. They turned and saw a large red energy field and Wanda Maximoff stepped out.

“I conjured both your belongings to the first floor suite next to mine. It has a bed in one room, a bathroom and bunk beds in a connecting room, just like ours. Two widows have moved into your old room. Aino and Staci go home with them, help them pack their belongings and call me when they are ready to come to the Mansion.”

Aino looked between her parents and Wanda. “Are you sure?”

Yelena stepped out of the light and offered her hand to Justin and then Susan. “I am Yelena Belova and this is Wanda Maximoff. Welcome to the Red Widows, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson. Mr. Anderson. Just like the Matrix. I shall have fun with this one. Pack your belongings Mr. Anderson and take the red pill. Come see how beloved your little girls are.

“Aino, Staci, be good girls and help your parents pack. We don’t have all day. We are having a welcoming party for them by the pool.”

Yelena and Wanda disappeared into the door behind them and the red light was gone as well as the two young women.

Susan grabbed Aino again.

“Were they telling the truth? Can we come with you?”

“Yeah, I guess you can… Mom and Dad.”

Three hours later, Aino, Staci and Susan and Justin Anderson walked through a magical door in their house and exited the French countryside taking in the giant Mansion in front of them.

Every resident was present in front of the house and cheering. Some were clapping and some were crying.

“Welcome to your new home, Mom and Dad.” Staci told them happily.

“Yep, welcome home, Mom and Dad.” Aino agreed.

Susan kissed her daughter’s cheek. “Thank you, baby. Thank you.”

Aino hugged her back and took her hand, pulling her into the welcoming arms of the Red Widows.

The Red Widows had grown once more. The future was uncertain, a large battle for the fate of the universe loomed, children were still being stolen, but for today the Widows had won and today was all that mattered.