Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Witch and the Widows

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 26:

Yelena and Wanda stood behind the couch with their arms crossed behind the other seated widows in the large hotel suite. They were all glued to the television and while the widows seemed to find the video humorous, Yelena and Wanda did not find it so. On the contrary, Yelena hadn’t spoken English since they left the Bishop residence and Wanda had reverted to Sokovian.

On the television was a car chase of a sort. Perhaps a car and foot chase would be more appropriate. Bucky Barnes was running in the middle of traffic, passing most cars. A stolen van behind him was being driven by Steve Rogers. On top of the van was a man or woman in a black cat suit. Steve was trying to shake him but unable. Then they saw familiar redhead on a motorcycle, pulling next to the van and shocking the cat man. The cat man fell off the van at high speed but only paused a second before running again.

The car chase ended when the occupants were stopped by a road block and surrounded by what seemed like hundreds of red and blue lights, black clad soldiers with rifles as well as helicopters over the scene. Tony Starks sidekick also landed.

Captain America, Bucky Barnes, Natasha Romanoff and whoever this cat man was, raised their hands and were promptly put in cuffs and taken somewhere.

“You sister is an idiot.” Stannic told Yelena.

Yelena nodded. “I know.”

“Should we get involved?” Antonia asked. “I have painted my armor black. I would like to see how it looks on television.”

Amanda nodded approvingly. “Sometimes we all need a makeover. Maybe we should start wearing white suits.”

“I just painted my armor black.” Antonia reminded her. “The fumes were horrible. We are not wearing white.”

“You could always go with gold and red.” Charlize suggested.

“Not funny.” Antonia told her. “So are we getting involved? If Natasha Romanoff joins us is this going to become normal? Being caught by police is embarrassing. I am embarrassed for her.”

“Let Helena and Michiko report in. Perhaps she will be given slap on the face and released.” Yelena told them.

“Slap on the wrist.” Dani corrected.

“No, I said it right.” Yelena told them. “Slap on face. I will be giving her one when I see her. Antonia is right. Being caught by police, a car chase where it can be filmed, having to shock a cat man because Captain America could not outdrive him in a minivan. I am embarrassed for her. I am embarrassed for them all. We should prepare jets and begin to fly to base just in case we need to be close. If they are taken to some sort of prison it will fall to us to free them. Someone contact Maria and tell her if we are all needed to bring Fanny and lock up house. We could be facing off against Iron Man’s sidekick and unknown cat man who is very good at sprinting and has sharp claws.”

“The material did not tear, even when he hit the pavement.” Sonia pointed out. “It is likely bullet proof. Widow bites only slowed him down. This one could be trouble.”

Yelena sighed. “Let us hope we don’t find out. Idiot! She was dropped on her head too often as a baby in the Red Room. It made her tough but not smart. Either that or time with Avengers has made her dumb through osmosis.”

Wanda was impressed. “Osmosis?”

“Word of the day app to impress Kate with growing English vocabulary.” Yelena explained.

Wanda wanted to laugh but she was too angry. She was picking up Yelena’s anger as well as her own. They did not need this. Yelena should be with Kate now.

“Where is Ava?” Yelena asked.

“Where do you think? She is in her room giving Wong a better life than he ever thought he would have.” Madison answered. “Apparently sorcerers do not give up all worldly pleasures.”

Yelena rolled her eyes. “Someone call her and tell her of situation.”

“I need to speak to Everett again.” Wanda decided. “Please call him, Yelena. I’ll be in the bedroom.”

In her hotel room Ava was not making Wong’s life better than he had ever expected. She was becoming more and more upset and ignored her phone when it rang.

While eating lunch Ava had told Wong of the girls plans to celebrate birthdays by class and deciding what the class wanted to do. Her suggestion had been a week hiking and camping and in the Swiss Alps. At some point he realized she had included herself in the seventeen year old class and asked her about it.

“Ava, do not lie to me. How old are you?”

Ava shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know! It’s not like I have a birth certificate. If it makes you feel better I think I was stolen from Spain and the age of consent is sixteen there. I know I am older than sixteen. I have had so many cover identities, I could be twenty five for all I know.” She explained, beginning to panic.

“Age of consent? You are talking to me about age of consent? You obviously have some idea.”

Ava turned her back to him. “My age didn’t matter and my consent was taken from me long ago. Eighteen, nineteen, what does it matter? Do you think of me as a teenager? I hope you don’t.”

“You are a teenager!”

“You thought I was 19. Did you not notice it had a teen on the end of the number! It didn’t bother you then. Is eighteen some arbitrary number for you? Is that your age of consent?”

“Stop saying age of consent! I feel creepy enough!”

Ava’s eyes widened, her hurt obvious. “You feel creepy? You think being with me is creepy? I have much more experience than you do in everything! You are the one who is practically a child! You were a 32 year old virgin when I met you! You hide out in with wizards in the Himalayas, learning magic like you are Harry Potter. He at least wears cooler robes! I’ve taught you more than you would ever learn on your own! You need to get over this!”

Wong shook his head. “You lied to me.”

“I’ve been more honest with you than I have to any other man in my life.”

“That isn’t enough. I thought we were completely honest with each other! You told me secrets, things that hurt you and… I thought…”

“You thought what?” Ava asked. “You wanted to see my birth certificate? My exact age is recorded in a file I will never look at so I’m going to go with seventeen until September. If you have a problem with that, then it is your problem, not mine!”

“I do have a problem with it!”

“Then get out of my hotel room, asshole!”

Ava opened the door and found a worried Antha on the other side.

“Yes?” Ava asked, trying to hide her emotions.

“Just letting you know to prepare. We are flying to Europe soon, either home or Germany. Why are you crying?”

“Why are you going to Germany?” Wong asked Antha, stepping behind Ava.

“I hope to kill some people. It has been a while. It’s a skill that requires frequent practice. Why is she crying?”

“He was just leaving.” Ava told her. “I’ll pack and be in the lobby in thirty minutes.”

Wong stepped outside the room and Ava slammed the door. He moved his hand in a circle and a portal opened.

“Wong, can I give you some advice?” Antha stopped him.

Wong turned towards her.

“Don’t make her cry.”

Antha struck him with a widow bite in the neck, causing him to seize up and then kicked him in the chest, sending him flying through the portal.

The portal closed behind his unconscious body.

“Men are assholes.” Antha knocked on Ava’s door. Ava still had tears in her eyes.

“What happened?”

“He found out I was lying to him about my age. It slipped out and he is more observant than most. He is one of those rare men who actually listens when a girl talks.”

Antha shrugged, not seeing the big deal. “He is surprised you lied. Who does he think he is dealing with? Did you meet him at a church bake sale? Did he think you were a bible schoolteacher?”

Ava shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess he thought I was better than I am.” she said quietly.

“You are better than him, Ava. So what if you lied to make him feel better about the two of you. Come on, sister. If we are lucky we might get out of New York and do some actual work. We are all being called up. I haven’t seen us operate together since I joined. A group mission will be fun. Gear up and wipe those tears. We are widows. We may not be made of marble anymore but no man will ever make us cry.”

Ava smiled at Antha and closed her door to begin preparing for whatever life was about to throw at them and doing her best to forget about the man she had just kicked out of her life.

Berlin, Germany

Steve, Natasha and T’Challa were brought before Agent Everett Ross, Tony Stark and Sharon Carter.

Everett angrily stood with his arms crossed glaring at the trio. Bucky had already been taken down into a special cell and was awaiting an evaluation by a psychiatrist who was on retainer.

Steve asked what was going to happen to Bucky. It was probably not the best question to ask.

“Both of you with me!” Everett told Steve and Nat. He took off and Stark followed behind them. When they reached a conference room, Everett told Tony to leave.

“I need to speak with them alone, Mr. Stark. If you would give us the room.”

“I am here as an official representative of the Department of Damage Control. When Director Hoag arrives I will take my leave and you can have this mess.”

Everett smiled. “I’m sorry. Of the two of us who is the Chief Agent of this station and who is best friends with a child killing war criminal? As a civilian you are not authorized to represent a government department no matter how in bed you are with them. When Director Hoag arrives we will cooperate with her in any and all capacities. Until then, stay outside this room or get out of my building.”

Tony shook his head irritably then smiled. “Of course, Agent Ross. I wouldn’t want to get in the way of you passing on messages for your witch. Tell her I said hello.”

“I am not passing along messages for anyone. Now leave. Rogers, Romanoff, inside.”

When the door closed Everett pressed a button that fogged the windows over, making them unseen from the outside. Then he turned to his biggest problems.

“He’s right, my witch is seriously pissed off!”

Nat chuckled. “In all your years as a pilot and then a CIA agent, I bet you never imagined you would say that, did you, Ross?”

Ross frowned. “You think this is a joke, Miss Romanoff? Yelena said she may actually kill you if she sees you again. She could barely speak English. This is bad. How could you make a bad situation so much worse?”

Steve sighed and had a seat. “Bucky is being set up.”

“I know!” Ross told him.

“If you know then why did you send a team after him?!”

Ross threw his hands in the air. “Did you expect no one to go after him? I brought in the best I could find and told them to try and bring him in alive. I understand you and him literally go way back, but have you forgotten what happened in Washington, Captain? Do you remember him leading assault teams at Pierce’s instructions?”

“He was being mind controlled.” Steve argued.

Ross nodded. “I get that Rogers but the world doesn’t! The world saw a killer from a few years ago, show up outside the United Nations before a bomb went off. Either he was mind controlled to blow up the building and expose himself or that was someone else setting him up. I needed to find out which one it was and having him in custody was the only thing that would buy me time to look into it!

“Now you, Romanoff and the new king of Wakanda are all over the news. The son of the leader of the registration faction outed himself as an enhanced human, Bucky Barnes looks even guiltier and the world is questioning whether you and Romanoff assisted him.”

Steve understood where Ross was coming from. He had hoped to get Bucky hidden safely but he didn’t have the time. It was frustrating and dangerous and looked bad all around. The new King of Wakanda being enhanced and out for blood was also something he had not accounted for.

“If we hadn’t gotten involved, Bucky would have killed most of your men.”

Ross sighed and took a seat.

“Yeah, I know. Barnes is going to be psychologically evaluated. When Hoag gets here I can’t stop her from putting him in the Raft. That is going to be her first move. It’s out of my hands then.”

“What is the Raft?” Nat asked, never having heard of something called such a thing.

Ross was surprised, having assumed they must have known.

“It was… is… a project with Stark Industries and the Department of Damage Control. He never told you?”

Steve shook his head, not liking where this was going. How many other secrets had Tony kept from him he wondered.

“No, he didn’t.” Natasha told him. “If you could enlighten us?”

Ross sighed, irritated that he had to waste time with this. “The Raft is a high security prison built to hold enhanced humans. I don’t know the location, only that it out on the great big ocean somewhere, mostly under it. It hasn’t been used to hold anyone yet as far as I know but I do not know everything. The General wasn’t forthcoming with his projects he considered the greater good.”

“Damn it, Tony.” Nat whispered, disappointed but not surprised. How many other secrets had he kept from them? How embedded with the government was he?

Steve remained calm though he had the same thoughts as Nat. “We can’t let Bucky go to the Raft. They will never let him out.”

Ross pointed to himself. “We? When is there we? Do you know what we do? We track down A.I.M., Red Room remnants, international human trafficking rings and are doing our best to find a very rich man in hiding named Norman Osborn. That’s a we problem. This is a you problem. Maybe you should worry less about where Barnes is being held and work on proving his innocence.”

Nata shook her head. “You said it, Ross. Barnes is already wanted for Washington D.C. If he goes to the Raft he will never get out. Proving his innocence in the bombing won’t prevent that.”

“Neither will you two, if you keep interfering. It is because of my good will and fear of Yelena that you are not in cells next to him!”

Nat smiled. “That isn’t going to happen. Your witch will get us out. Won’t you, Wanda?”

Wanda appeared and Steve jumped back from his seat, nearly falling over.

“She has that effect on me too when she does it.” Ross told Steve sympathetically.

Wanda was not amused. “You may be safer in the Raft than letting Yelena find you. She has given up all pretense of speaking English.”

Nat snorted. “Tell her to relax. We can handle this. You should all stay out of it. In fact, I insist.”

Wanda raised an eyebrow. “You insist?”

“I insist. This is our mess.” Nat told her.

Wanda shook her head and smiled. “I think it is your mess too. But other people’s messes quickly become our own. If Bucky Barnes is taken to the Raft, call me. I will watch him as he is taken to find the location of this prison and tear it to the ground… or water. No matter what you prove, they will take him. We have a personal dislike for those who hold mind controlled people used as weapons by evil organizations.”

Steve did not like the sound of her voice. She wasn’t asking if they would like her to tear down the Raft. She said it as if she were looking forward to it.

“Wanda, there are innocents on the Raft, guards who have done no wrong. It is going to require a surgical strike, like we did to free the Red Room and save innocents, remember?”

Wanda glared at him. “Do not speak to me as if I am a child, Steve. Anyone who voluntarily works at a secret prison where people are taken and never seen again is anything but innocent. Prove to me General Ross is mind controlling the guards and we might have a different discussion. This is another example of Stark working behind the scenes with the government because he believes he is right. If Barnes is taken we can tear it apart and save him, or you can try to save him yourself and fail. Then we will have to save both of you on top of Barnes.”

Natasha crossed her arms and stood, facing Wanda’s astral form. “As I said, we have this. There is no need for you and the Widows to be involved. It would not make the situation better. There is also no need to get an attitude. We don’t want more people to die. That isn’t your expertise.”

“Fine words coming from the Avenger after Lagos.”

Nat turned red from anger. “Watch how you talk to me.”

“Watch how you talk about us. You have no moral high ground here.”

“Ladies! If we could focus.” Ross told them.

“Shut up!” both women told him.

Wanda planted a false smile on her face. “As you wish, Black Widow. Yelena told us you wanted to join our mission. This is a try out. Keep up the good work. Everyone is very impressed. You looked good getting handcuffed on a freeway with the world watching.”

Wanda disappeared and Nat began to pace.

“What is the Sokovian word for bitch?” she asked. “I would like to be prepared the next time I see her in person.”

“Nat.” Steve called and reached out to her. She brushed his hand away.

Nat closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead in frustration. She didn’t want the Red Widows involved. It wasn’t because she didn’t believe they could help. It was because this was too public for them. They operated in the shadows. It was ironically where they shined. Being in front of the world in defense of a man the world considered a terrorist would be a horrible position for them to be in. Nat did not want to be the one responsible for them being brought forth as anything but the heroes most of the world saw them as.

If Nat was in danger there would be no stopping Yelena from saving her. With Yelena came Wanda and with both of them came the Red Widows and probably a witch named Agatha. Destruction would follow. Receiving help from women who didn’t give a damn how the world saw them would not end well for anyone. Wanda may have not blamed Stark for her parents death any longer but Nat suspected if Yelena had the opportunity and the slightest excuse she would put a bullet between Stark’s eyes.

They needed to solve this. If Nat and Steve helped Bucky escape they would be fugitives. Nat planned to live in hiding as a Red Widow regardless assuming she was even given a chance to be considered, but Steve was not accustomed to living on the run. She supposed he would have to get used to it.

Then there was the problem of Bucky’s brainwashing. Whatever triggers HYDRA put in him were still there. Was he still a danger? Did someone know those words?

As if the universe was answering her question, an alarm went off in the building.

“That isn’t good.” Ross mumbled.

“Are we under attack?” Steve asked.

Ross pulled his weapon. “That is an alarm if the cells are breached. No one is trying to get in. Someone is getting out.”

“You only have one prisoner, don’t you?” Natasha asked, already knowing the answer.

She ran outside behind Steve and found Tony tense and unsure. He looked at both of them with worry and then they heard gunshots.

“I don’t suppose you brought a suit.” Natasha mentioned to Tony.

Tony said nothing, his eyes glued to the corridor.

“Tony!” Nat yelled, finally catching his attention. “Something is going on. Somebody let Bucky out. We need to contain him. He has probably been triggered. Do you have a suit?”

Tony shook his head but activated his watch that turned into a gauntlet.

In a hallway near the control room, two girls who were pushing cleaning carts rushed into a cleaning closet, took off their outer clothes to reveal black combat suits underneath. They pulled their weapons from under the cart and outfitted themselves.

“What is the plan?” Michiko asked Helena.

“Watch out for the dumb sister. Keep our C.I.A agent alive. If we are still alive after that, we can follow Barnes.”

The two widows pulled their faces masks on and ran out of the room. The lights were off but there was still enough natural light that night vision was useless.

“Do we kill him?” Michiko asked, hearing screams and gunshots. “It sounds like he is killing everyone he comes across. That seems like the kind of thing we should stop.”

The two rounded a corner and saw Tony Stark trying to use a metal glove to battle the Winter Soldier.

“You think they would have removed his arm when they took him into custody.” Helena mumbled. “Let’s wait a moment and see if he kills Stark.”

“Helena!”

The blonde rolled her eyes and they both ran into the room, getting Barnes attention before he offed Stark. Barnes saw them aim and threw Tony by his neck into them.

The girls hit the ground with him on top of them. They pushed him off and he tried to stand but Helena held him to the ground as she rose.

“Damn it man, stay down!” Helena growled. “You are wearing a three piece suit, not one of iron. Know your strengths.”

Tony looked with wide eyes at the two girls dressed like ninjas on top of him.

He saw their belt buckles and realized they were Red Widows. Red Widows had saved his life.

“What are you doing here?”

“Trying to save your ass and getting knocked down by you in the process. Stay down and put your glove away.” Michiko told him. “Let the professionals handle this.”

The two widows took a different hallway to flank the Barnes. Before they could make a left turn they ran into Ross, who was armed and moving towards Barnes location.

“What the hell? How did you get in?” he asked, recognizing their outfits and belt buckles.

“We entered through service entrance.” Helena explained as if it should be obvious.

“With those weapons?!”

“Your security sucks. I’m surprised a bomb does not go off every day here.” she told him. “You cannot go after Barnes. You are no match for him and he will kill you. Someone has activated him. Find out who.”

Ross shook his head. “I’m not going to chase a lead while people are dying.”

“We know.” Helena told him as she stepped forward. She tazed him in the neck and Michiko caught him and lay him on the floor.

Barnes had passed them so they ran behind him once again, losing the chance to ambush him.

They entered another common area. People were screaming and rushing to the exits. A woman they recognized as Sharon Carter had been thrown through a table and the Winter Soldier had Natasha on a table, choking her. She was pinned and unable to move.

Helena jumped him from behind and put both bracelets against his ears and fired.

Bucky stumbled back and shook his head, just having absorbed what would normally be a fatal shock straight into his skull.

Helena flipped over him and Michiko swooped in low, using a knife to swipe at his tendon.

Unfortunately the blade did not slice through the tendon but the slicing pain made him focus again.

Michiko and Helena pulled their batons and began fighting him from both sides, using the full charge of the weapons. He blocked or absorbed each one. Helena took a knife and swung for his ear but Bucky grabbed her wrist and twisted, then threw her hard into Michiko.

He stood over the two widows on the ground and aimed a handgun at them when a blur flew into him.

They rolled over and saw Prince T’Challa fighting the Winter Solider. Barnes ran up a staircase and T’Challa chased him.

“I’m really starting to hate Barnes.” Helena whispered.

“I thought the shocks would fry his brain up and we would have to give condolences to Captain America.” Michiko admitted. “How much electroshocks did HYDRA give him?

Helena rolled off Michiko and then helped her up.

Natasha walked in front of both. “Are you both okay?”

“We weren’t the ones getting choked on a table. We did get our ass kicked because you insisted on getting involved in a deadly situation because of a man you aren’t even sleeping with. If by some miracle you do join us, you are sleeping in the bunker.” Helena told her.

The two widows began to leave.

“Where are you going?” Nat asked.

“To our rental SUV. The cat man is fighting him and Captain America will no doubt find him. We need to watch from a distance. Chasing him now will do no good.” Michiko explained.

The two walked away then stopped and turned back to the Black Widow who seemed undecided on her next actions. “Are you coming?” they asked Nat.

Nat looked at the stairs Bucky had gone up and knew it was pointless to follow. She ran after the widows.

Due to the commotion, the sirens and the general chaos outside no one noticed the black clad women running with Natasha into the garage.

Once they drove out they took a long route and gained some distance.

“Above.” Michiko pointed. Helena parked the SUV and looked above. On top of the building, a helicopter was trying to take off.

Steve Rogers was preventing it from doing so.

A phone rang and it was put on speakerphone.

“What is situation?” Yelena asked.

“Bucky Barnes was activated while in custody.” Michiko reported. “He killed many people, we stopped Everett from getting killed to make Wanda happy, we stopped Natasha from getting killed while he was choking her to make you happy and now Barnes is trying to leave from the roof in helicopter and Steve Rogers is holding onto helicopter so it cannot take off. It is a very impressive sight that will defintely make the news in usual Avengers style. The cat man is Prince T’Challa of Wakanda and he accidentally got in our way and prevented us from taking Barnes down or we would have defeated him.”

“My idiot sister was choked?” Yelena asked.

“Yes, she got beat very badly. Hardly put up a fight. Pathetic really.” Helena said. “Wait, the helicopter is falling int the river next to the building. Rogers is going down with it.”

“Find the nearest possible exit point from the bay and retrieve Rogers if possible. If Barnes is unconscious take him but keep a gun barrel deep in his ear and shoot if he shows signs of waking up.” Yelena ordered.

“What should we do about your idiot sister?”

“Don’t worry about her. Perhaps she will lose them and go back to New York. We are on our way to Germany to put an end to this situation.”

“All of us?” Michiko asked, sounding very excited. It had been a long time since they had the entire group working as one.

“Even Fanny and Agatha. This has gotten out of hand and it falls to us to put a stop to it. Something is going on. Someone behind scenes is causing a lot of death and I want to know reason. If you are able to retrieve Rogers and his boyfriend take them somewhere safe. We will be there in five hours.”

“No!” Natasha spoke up.

“Ahh, so my idiot sister is with you.” Yelena said, her tone cold. “Take her to airport and put her on plane home.” Yelena said, not bothering to address Natasha. “Tell her she is grounded. I would do so but I am not talking to her right now.”

Michiko turned to Natasha. “Yelena said to tell you that you are grounded…”

“Yelena, stay out of this! I do not want you involved. None of you need to be involved in this. Promise me.”

Yelena was quiet for a moment.

“Fine. Tell her I said I don’t want to save her stupid ass anyway. She makes shit spaghetti and drinks lousy brand of vodka.”

Helena looked at Nat. “Yelena said…”

“Cut it out! Go to your home or go back to New York. Do not get involved in this.”

Yelena huffed.

“Take her to closest point where Rogers might swim to shore and dump her there. She does not want us involved, we will not be involved. We are returning to base. Screw them and this mess. I cut my time short with now healthy girlfriend, you save her ass and she does not want us. Return to home first shoot finger at her when she gets out.”

Yelena hung up.

“Orders are orders. Dump the Avenger by the water and let’s get out of Germany. I miss home. Danse Avec Les Stars is on tonight. If we can be at LZ in an hour we can be home in time to make popcorn before it starts.” Michiko told her.

“I appreciate what you girls are doing for us and…” Natasha started.

“Do you hear something?” Helena asked.

“I thought I heard someone being choked by metal hand but it must have been my imagination. There is no one else here.”

Michiko turned on the Wi-Fi stream and selected music. Poker Face by Lady Gaga began blasting through the speaker and the girls sang along and danced in their seats while Nat fought her annoyance in the back and looked or any sign of Steve.

It was Helena who first spotted him swimming to the shore quite a distance away from where most of the search area was. He was dragging an unconscious Bucky Barnes.

Helena parked by the shore then tuned back to Natasha.

“Get out.”

Nat nodded and stepped out of the vehicle. “Thank you both.”

Neither said anything.

Nat looked at Steve dragging Bucky. He looked exhausted. There did not appear to be anywhere to hide and she saw helicopters flying in from the South, no doubt planning to search the area. They would be discovered soon. She didn’t see any cars available to steal.

“Could I ask for a favor?”

“What would that be?” Michiko asked.

“Do you think you could give us a ride to somewhere we can lay low?”

Michiko and Helena looked at each other doubtfully.

“I’m sorry but didn’t you tell Yelena you did not want us involved.” Helena asked.

“Yes and I don’t. I just need this one thing.”

“Saving your life wasn’t enough? You want us to take you to hide? Hiding fugitives seems like being involved.” Michiko pointed out. “I am certain I heard her say more than once that we shouldn’t be involved.”

“We have orders to drop you off by your not boyfriend and his boyfriend. Very complicated relationship you have here. There is your not boyfriend. You are asking us to disobey direct orders from our leader?” Helena asked.

Natasha took a deep breath. “Yes I am. Could you please drop us off somewhere we can stay hidden?”

Michiko and Helena looked at each other for a moment. Then Michiko smiled with false sincerity.

“Of course. Drag their half dead carcasses into the SUV. It is a privilege to help the Avengers.”

After finding an empty workshop and clamping Bucky’s arm down with a big hydraulic press, Steve Rogers thanked the two.

“I appreciate what you have done. I’m sure you could have killed him but you didn’t. That’s means a lot to me. I’m in your debt.”

Michiko and Helena did not mention they had tried their best to kill him.

“We must be going. Good luck with your brainwashed friend.” Helena told him.

“Thank you both.” Nat told them. “Tell Yelena… tell her I’m sorry and I will see her soon.”

“I doubt you will see her soon.” Helena said. “If this was an episode of Survivor you would be voted off the island quickly. Also just because Wanda’s visual form disappears does not mean her astral form is gone from the room. She said the Sokovian word for bitch is nexus being. You can ask Kate Bishop if you need confirmation.”

The two drove away, leaving the tired trio alone.

Once they were away they called Yelena.

“We stuck the tracking chip under Barnes metal arm pit. Unless he uses deodorant on that arm it should be secure.” Helena told her.

“Thank you. We are close. We have all five jets enroute to Germany. Take yours into the air at sundown and search for an area in the countryside we can all land and set up base away from populated areas. We will be searching as well.”

United Nations Counterterrorism Task Force Center, Berlin Germany

Anne Marie Hoag stood in front of the monitors watching the scene as it had unfolded hours earlier. It was a disaster but disasters were why her department had been created. Though she was in a foreign country, the United Nations Secretary General had asked her department to take over.

Their country had taken a hit recently. After General Thaddeus Ross was outed as a war criminal and quickly confessed to every charge against him, the United States was looked very unfavorably on by the rest of the world. Most of the world didn’t matter but allies like the United Kingdom, France and Germany were backing off their traditional support in the United Nations. It wouldn’t be long until they began losing support in NATO decisions and that would be a problem.

The man who cofounded and financially supported her Department in the beginning was reviled by the world now. Hoag did not believe Tony Stark knew of any of Ross’s actions, but she was only one person who was in a position of authority and had to watch her words carefully. She needed to bring this case to a quick solution. The United States needed a win.

“Who are the two girls in black?” Hoag asked, impressed by their skills. Though half his size they had attacked the Winter Soldier with no fear and had inflicted the most damage at risk to their lives until T’Challa became involved.

Tony cleared his throat. “They are Red Widows.”

Hoag looked over to Ross. “I knew you and Maximoff had a partnership and it’s a poorly kept secret among those in the know that Maximoff is the leader of the Red Widows. I didn’t realize she kept two of her widows close to you Agent Ross.”

Agent Ross pulled at his suddenly stiff collar, wondering how to explain that he didn’t know they were there and telling her they had snuck in all the weapons on them.

Tony of all people saved him.

“Agent Ross told me. We wanted to keep it in ears only until you arrived on scene. Wanda Maximoff reached out to Agent Ross and offered her assistance after the bombing. We spoke about it and we thought it best to have two of her widows undercover if the worst happened. As you can see, they halted his progress long enough for T’Challa to become involved. They saved lives, including mine.”

Hoag nodded. “A good call. A shame we don’t have that kind of relationship on a permanent basis. I wish Maximoff would have come personally. From what I understand of her power, Barnes would be no match. If the rumors are true I doubt anyone would be. I wouldn’t have too much confidence in the Raft if she ever became a global threat.”

Ross snorted at the thought of Wanda being held in a prison. He doubted Stark’s technology could counter actual, real life magic. Hoag looked at him sharply.

“Pardon Director. It’s just Wanda Maximoff has torn twenty thousand tons of earth over an A.I.M. base and tossed it away like it was nothing. No prison is going to hold her. Because of her power and recent notoriety she did not believe it would be a good idea for her to be seen in Vienna.”

Hoag could understand that and even agreed but the situation had changed and this world needed heroes.

“Are you able to get in contact with her? We could use her help going after Barnes. I suspect the Captain America and the Black Widow are with Barnes. That makes them accomplices. All three need to be brought in.”

Tony shook his head. “Maximoff has a close social circle only comprised of the Red Widows but she does have a great amount of respect for Rogers and the Red Widows are former Black Widows. It is unlikely they will attack Romanoff. Maximoff isn’t going after Barnes. Getting Barnes back into custody is our problem.”

Hoag did not like the sound of that. She hadn’t really expected Maximoff to do anything but the idea that she cared enough about Ross to send him extra support gave her hope that she may become involved. Stark had a point though. Wanda Maximoff was incredibly powerful and likely lived life believing those in power wanted her contained or controlled. Hoag was not ashamed to admit she would love to have her in her Department. Wanda Maximoff was the most versatile weapon of mass destruction in the world and answered to no one. To top it off though she worked with Agent Ross personally, her hatred for the United States was well documented in the information packets that had been leaked no doubt by Maximoff herself.

She was faced with this challenge now and could not fail. Her Department might be the only chance the United States had to get back into the world’s good graces.

“We will have to call in NATO special forces. Have all CIA and U.N. taskforce teams report to my section leaders. I suspect they are still in Berlin. Once we find them, they will be brought in one way or another.”

Tony raised an eyebrow. “Do you really want to be known as the woman who killed Captain America? Take it from the man who ended the Avengers. Titles like that stick with you.”

Hoag sighed. “What would you have me do, Mr. Stark? We both know it is likely Romanoff and Rogers are hiding Barnes. Barnes has killed people. Instead of turning him back in they are keeping him from custody. How do you see this playing out? If I must be the one the world hates then so be it as long as I save lives.”

Ross shook his head. “Barnes didn’t bomb the United Nations. He was set up.”

“But he did kill people today.” Hoag pointed out. “I am looking at the proof. I saw the proof in body bags being carried out of this building.”

Ross nodded. “Yes, he did kill people. We believe he was triggered. The psychiatrist who was in the room alone with him before his rampage disappeared. We checked his hotel room and found the actual doctor dead. He had appeared dead for more than two days. We have been running facial recognition on the imposter who infiltrated us. No hits yet but I won’t stop looking until I have identified and brought this man in.”

Hoag sighed. “I understand. However we cannot announce to the world that Barnes was set up without proof and someone in custody. We cannot look past the assassinations he has been linked to in the past. We cannot condone the bodies he left behind in D.C. While he was most likely mind controlled by HYDRA he is still a dangerous person as we have all seen. Barnes must be locked up or taken out. If Captain America and the Black Widow stand in the way what would you have me do?”

Tony understood where she was coming from. Steve had made a mistake getting involved. That Natasha had followed him was no surprise. What did surprise him were the Red Widows. He recognized the sparks coming off that one Widow’s bracelets. He had worked on Natasha’s enough to know that amount and the color of the sparks meant full power. A shot like that should have killed even a super soldier. One of the widows had tried to stab him in the ear. Had Yelena Belova sent the Widows to kill Bucky Barnes or did they read the situation and decide he had to be stopped at all costs. Regardless, he knew the two made the right call and decided saving lives was more important than Barnes. Did that mean Wanda was not blindly following Steve?

Of course she wasn’t, he realized. Wanda Maximoff was too stubborn and strong to follow anyone outside of the widows. If that was the case he had a chance to bring Steve, Natasha and Barnes in safely. So long as no one else died while Barnes was with them, he should be able to get both Nat and Steve off, claiming they helped.

“We will bring them in.” Tony decided.

Hoag looked at him doubtfully. “We? Who is this we you speak of?”

“The Avengers… I meant me, Rhodes and Vision. Vision is stronger than the three of them and I’ll be suited up. They will come in once they have calmed down and we can promise to get Barnes help with his deprogramming. You get Barnes but you let Steve and Natasha off the hook. You say they were instrumental in bringing him in.”

“And if they fight you?” Hoag asked.

“Then we fight back.” Tony said, resigned and knowing it may come to that.

“And if she fights you?” Hoag asked not needing to say who she was.

Tony knew what she meant. Two Red Widows were already around. All it would take was one call from Ross, Nat or Steve and Wanda and her widows would show up. Judging by the skill two of the Red Widows displayed, taking them even without Wanda would be difficult. The thought of facing over twenty of them, probably closer to thirty now, was a daunting idea he did not relish. He would need more help.

He had to hope that Steve and Natasha knew if those girls became involved, bodies would be dropped, maybe his own one of them. Steve wouldn’t do that. Nat wouldn’t do that.

“If she gets involved we have Vision. We also have a newly crowned king who has a vested interest in finding bring Barnes in and determining if he was the one who killed his father. I’ve explained Barnes situation with HYDRA and the mental programming and he is willing to help and allow an investigation to take place.”

Hoag thought about it for a moment. She didn’t like it. The idea of staying out of something like this that she had been entrusted with went against her very nature. A fight between enhanced super soldiers, assassins and Avengers on foreign soil would not look good either.

“You have no one else you can call?”

Tony thought about a fifteen year old kid in Queens, New York. Then he thought of the bodies that had been carried out of this building today and the gunshot he had almost taken to the head that would have ended his existence in a split second.

He wasn’t bringing a kid into this, no matter how powerful he was.

“I may have someone. If I am turned down then we are enough.”

Hoag nodded. “I’ll give you first shot. My teams find him, I’ll let you know and you can handle it. If you lose, we have no choice but to declare war on Captain America.”

“I understand.”

“Mr. Stark… Tony, if she shows up do not engage unless you know your android can take her down without killing her. If we kill Wanda Maximoff, the United States will never be able to separate ourselves from Thaddeus Ross.”

Tony shook his head. “I don’t want anybody killed, Director. If we go down, do what you have to do. It won’t come to that.”

Hoag looked to Ross. “Agent Ross, please try to talk to her. She is the only one who can bring this madness to a stop with no more bloodshed. I know the Red Widows aren’t afraid of shedding blood but judging by the actions of those two today, they aren’t mindless killers. Do what you can. I suppose we all should get to work.”

Tony stepped outside and made a call.

“Alias Investigations. I don’t care.” Jessica Jones voice answered. Tony had never met her but he had kept up with the stories. He kept an eye on all the vigilantes around New York.

“How would you like to make a million dollars for twenty four hours work?”

Tony heard nothing for a moment. “You sound like that asshole Tony Stark. Is this some kind or prank?”

“No prank. This is that asshole Tony Stark and I am serious. I have a job for you. Are you interested?”

Jessica laughed quietly. “I normally don’t give a damn what people think of me but being seen hanging out with you is not a good look.”

“What about helping bring to justice the man who may have bombed the United Nations Building and killed quite a few people today escaping custody? Would that be a good look? I’m not looking or a fight but I need to be ready if there is one. I only need you for back up.”

“Do you even have a million dollars anymore?”

Tony rolled his eyes.

“Take the job and there is a high possibility you get to hit Captain America.”

“I’m listening. Where are you?”

“Berlin. Go to the downtown Manhattan Heliport. There will be a helicopter ready to take you to my private terminal. The sooner the better.”

“A million?”

“Yes. All I need is back up.”

“Against Captain America?”

Tony sighed. “Yeah and the Black Widow and the guy we are after.”

“The damn Black Widow huh? She doesn’t play fair and I like my guts where they are. Two million.”

“Done.”

“Fair warning, I don’t know kung fu.”

“I just need your muscle. You’ll take the job?”

“As long as you never tell anyone I worked for you.”

Tony winced and hung up the phone. He needed to call Vision and Rhodey and make sure they were on the same page. This had to end. He only hoped it didn’t end with more blood.