Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Witch and the Widows

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 40:

The Widows were quiet as they walked to the dining hall. Wanda kept Zarola close, feeling her tension and fear. It was unusual because in battle Zarola was one of their fiercest fighters. She felt at home in battle, no tension, only concentration and a bit of joy. Feeling fear coming from her was different. Wanda considered relaxing her but doing so at night to keep bad dreams away and doing so while she was awake were two very different things in Wanda’s mind.

The table was long enough to fit all the widows who had come as well as Steve, Bucky and Yelena’s parents. Yelena, Zarola and Wanda sat closest to T’Challa at the head and the Queen sat on the other end of the table, with Shuri by her side. Okoye wouldn’t take her eyes off her supposed niece and it was doing nothing to help relax Zarola.

“Did Dreykov make it a habit to keep your names?” T’Challa asked.

“Yes.” Yelena answered. “Only those of us taken so young we had not been named were given new names.”

“I was never given a name by my mother.” Stannic spoke. “I was assigned one.”

T’Challa looked towards his mother who motioned for him to continue.

“Zarola, your mother was named Amara and your father was Omari.” T’Challa told her. “Your mother’s parents, your aunt Okoye’s parents still live. Your grandmother from your father’s side still lives here as well. He was an only child.”

Zarola’s eyes widened. “I have three grandparents and an aunt?”

T’Challa nodded. “Your mother was a relief worker and nurse. She trained most of her life to help those in need. Your father was a member of our intelligence agency and a former soldier. They left Wakanda to live for a year in Sudan. Your mother worked in understaffed hospitals, some barely more than tents and your father would take care of you while she worked.

“Your parents had settled into a small village and your mother was the only medical practitioner. After two months of living there, the village was attacked by a warlord’s army. We do not know which one because no witnesses were left behind. The entire village was put to death, the medication stolen, and houses burned.”

T’Challa paused and closed his eyes, obviously hurt at the thought.

“My father investigated along with our armed forces. There was a body pile in the middle of the village. The bodies had been burned. There were no way to tell how many bodies had burned. Many of the bones had shattered in the heat and we had no accurate count of how many were in the village. We knew it was over three hundred souls. Bones of adults and babies were found. You were two years old. Your parents wedding rings were used to identify them. We assumed you died with the rest.”

“I was taken and sold.” Zarola said quietly. “There must have been other babies. The healthy ones were taken and the sick were killed.”

T’Challa nodded. “Had we suspected slavers, we would have never stopped looking for you. All indications pointed to bandits seeking medication to sell.”

“The tattoo?”

T’Challa pulled his own lip down and showed his tattoo. “The tattoos are given to Wakanda military and to those who leave Wakanda for various reasons. Most who leave are intelligence agents and travel under false identities. These vibranium laced tattoos are the only way a person can be identified as a Wakandan. Your mother wanted you to have one in the event something were to happen to them so we would know you as one of ours. It is a blessing that is has happened. Welcome home, Zarola.”

Zarola stiffened for a moment then looked at her aunt. “I have a home and a family.” she said. “I am a Red Widow.”

T’Challa nodded. “I have no doubt. I have seen you fight as one. Understand though, you will always be a part of us wherever you go. I think you might be interested in knowing your blood relatives. They would be very glad to meet you. They can perhaps take you to your parents graves if you wish.”

Zarola looked to Wanda and Yelena. She met Okoye’s eyes and though she was too confused and thrown to smile she did give a small indication that she wanted to meet them and see her parents final resting place.

T’Challa and his mother smiled at her acceptance.

“Let us eat and we can discuss this situation in Rwanda.” The queen said. “I wish to know more about your history and this drug that is being made to control minds. Then we can discuss how we can act as one to destroy this evil.”

Shuri grinned. “And I can make you what we need to win. I already have some ideas. By the way, Sergeant Barnes, I feel badly that my idiot brother did not at least investigate what happened before hunting you. I hope you aren’t attached to that outdated metal arm… no pun intended. I have something a little better for you I’ve been working on. Why don’t we go to my workshop after lunch?”

Bucky nodded not showing any emotion other than a slight grin that quickly disappeared.

The next morning they all gathered for breakfast. Wanda looked like she hadn’t slept all night. She had thought of talking to Bucky but instead chose to fly over Wakanda and didn’t realize the time until the sun was rising. After breakfast had been served her and Yelena made the rounds, checking in with the widows and taking a head count, then went off with Zarola again. The girl has asked Yelena and Wanda to accompany her to meet her grandparents.

Outside Steve and Natasha were enjoying a breathtaking view on one of the many palace balconies.

“You should leave.”

Steve and Natasha turned around.

They found Rowan staring at them. Of all of the girls, Rowan was one of the quietest. She was soft spoken and docile until she got on a mat or a firing range. Her skills were on par with the other widows of her age even if she were one of the shorter and thinner ones. Her hair was a lighter shade of red than Nat’s and her Irish heritage showed in her pale, freckled skin.

“I think this is balcony is open to the public.” Steve said, trying to make her smile, having recognized her tone and understanding.

“All of you should leave when we get back to the Mansion. If you care about doing the right thing, you should leave. Natasha, we took you in to make Yelena happy. Steve, I’m not even sure why you are with us except Bucky wanted his friend around. Bucky is cured so I’m not sure what is going on with him. The girls say something is going on between him and Wanda and that isn’t right. She doesn’t need him. You three should go. If Stannic wants to go with you that is her decision but the rest of us don’t want either of you there.”

Nat took a deep frustrated breath. “You all had a vote? Another meeting?”

“No. They won’t say anything. They know you are all trouble but don’t want to upset Yelena and cause another fight. I’m saying it. You are both bad for us. Do you know how many times Yelena and Wanda argued before you showed up? Never. They never argued. Now you two show up and secret meetings are held and Yelena gets so angry she attacks and nearly kills you, then Wanda is telling you that you won’t split us up like the Avengers and not talking to Yelena. Wanda is right. You two are bad news. You don’t belong with us and you both know it. Wanda doesn’t need Barnes screwing up her life either.”

Rowan never raised her voice. If she had, Nat would have put it off to tension, or a short fuse, perhaps increased training over the past week and now being in Wakanda for two days waiting for tech. She spoke so calmly that it bothered both of them greatly. She wasn’t accusing them as much as stating what she believed to be fact.

Before Steve or Nat could think of something to say, Rowan turned around and walked off. She stopped before she stepped inside and turned once again.

“Please go away. Just leave us alone. I don’t want my family to turn out like the Avengers. If you really care about any of us, go away.”

When she walked back inside, Steve and Nat turned back to the view, shaken and quiet. Neither had ever spoken directly to Rowan before. Steve realized there were many girls he had never had personal conversations with. He had observed them but never interacted with them and he realized what a mistake that had been now.

For Nat’s part she realized that though she was becoming accepted by some, getting closer to Yelena, and bonding with Stannic, she had no idea how many girls felt the same as Rowan. When her and Yelena had fought most all were content to stay back and watch Yelena kill her. Kate Bishop is the one who calmed Yelena and Stannic begged the others not to hurt Nat anymore. Steve was attacked for trying to break up the fight. She had spent so much time with Yelena and Stannic she ignored bonding with the rest of them. She had never said a word to Yasmine or Chloe. She was never asked to dance parties or movie nights and had never bothered to show up on her own accord. Nat wasn’t sure what Wanda really thought of her for that matter.

“Eleanor has the right idea.” Steve said. “I’m not sure any of us have an idea how to implement it though. We should have never met like that without Wanda. Wanda is defensive and the girls saw her call us out in the compound. Her and Yelena did have a fight. They haven’t been speaking to each other.”

“Yelena is trying. They aren’t fighting. Wanda even slipped a blade to her before they entered the palace. That doesn’t mean there isn’t tension. Wanda is just being more… Wanda. The Wanda I first met I mean. The street tough kid who would slit your throat without hesitation if she saw you as a threat and crack a joke about it. The one who got shocked in the head by Clint and still decided to go after Bruce and make him public enemy number one. She is smart, knows how to play head games and can be vicious if she sees you as an enemy.

“When Yelena was on the San Francisco mission, Wanda and I had a talk. She approached me, even comforted me. I thought maybe we were beginning to bond.” Nat admitted.

Steve understood. “She wanted Yelena happy and smoothed things over between you. We attacked her directly by talking about her behind her back. She saw it as a betrayal. Wanda does not trust easily. What did we expect?”

“We didn’t attack her.” Nat told him.

Steve shook his head. “We may as well have. Wanda was doing fine before we came along. She attacked HYDRA, she freed Yelena and tracked down the Red Room. She needed help to save the girls so swallowed her pride but other than that, when has she needed us? Her and Yelena were the ones who approached Eleanor Bishop and somehow talked her into giving them a base and tech. They took down A.I.M. and Osborn. They saved our asses in Germany despite us telling them not to get involved. Wanda stopped Bucky and Tony from killing each other. What have we brought to them that they didn’t already have?”

Nat understood what he was saying. Wanda was a loner for the most part. She had select people in her life. If you were in, you were family. In her mind, family had each other’s back always. The Red Widows were her family.

“We did something stupid like have a meeting without her and suggest the girls weren’t being raised right when she did show up.” Steve complained. “I should have known better but I am not good at this stuff.”

“Raised right? They aren’t being raised at all.” Nat said.

“I agree.” Steve told her. “But saying that to her… damn it… I’m lost.”

Steve gritted his teeth in frustration not sure what to say or do. He truly was lost. Dealing with regular teenage girls would be difficult for him, much less these girls.

“This is a damn nightmare.” he admitted. “All we can do is get through…”

“Don’t.” Nat snapped. “Don’t say we can only get through the next mission. This is more important than a mission, Steve. We have to figure this out. Yeah they have saved our assess more than once and we need to repay that. We need to save them. Yelena’s parents are a godsend. They are good people who want what’s best and she will listen to them. Wanda is another story. You and Eleanor are the only ones she will listen to and she isn’t thrilled with either of you.”

“She listens to Agatha.” Steve reminded her.

Nat raised an eyebrow and stared at him with a dull expression.

“Got it. Maybe there is someone else she will listen to.”

“Bucky practically worships the ground she walks on and won’t say a word. She won’t listen to me. I was the first person she blamed before Eleanor spoke up. She doesn’t trust me and probably never has. It has to be you, Steve.”

Nat paused and then told him about the night before.

“Most of the girls went into the city with Shuri last night to a club. Yelena, Stannic, Aino, and Staci stayed back. I don’t know where Wanda was. Zarola was in the gym with her aunt. Antonia and Lerato were out for a moonlight stroll, and Oksana was doing nothing, as usual.

“I asked one of the Shuri’s guards to keep me updated on the widows at the club. The girls had quite a bit of fun last night. Dancing, drinking games and stories about tearing slavers apart were shared with excited Wakandans who bought them drinks all night.”

Steve sighed.

“Michiko and Dani got to dance on the bar. I’m not sure if dollar bills were thrown but I hope not. Naomi beat all challengers s at arm wrestling, even guys twice her size. Antha left with a man and woman. I’m surprised she made it to breakfast but she certainly had a smile on her face.”

Steve could imagine the scene. It sounded like teenage girls with no supervision partying with the princess of a country.

“Shuri was okay with this?” Steve asked.

“Shuri was on the bar with Michiko and Dani. Something tells me Shuri has a somewhat sheltered life and enjoyed hanging with the bad girls all mothers warn their daughter not to hang out with. She looked like hell this morning. That’s what happens when you party with the Red Widows. You know who didn’t look like hell? The girls. They looked as if they had slept all night on clouds. Don’t try to out fight, out dance or out drink the Red Widows, Steve. They know how to kill and they know how to party.”

Steve sighed. “At least they didn’t start a bar fight.”

Nat chuckled dryly. “That was because no one grabbed their asses while they were dancing like strippers. If they had, it would have been a massacre. Still think the next mission is what is most important?”

Steve raised his hands in surrender. “What do you want me to do, Nat?!”

“Push Wanda to talk to them. We need this settled before we go forward. This crap has to stop. If Wanda would have told them no last night they would have stayed in the palace. Yelena isn’t enough and Wanda isn’t enough. Those two have to be united.”

Steve leaned his back against the guard rail and crossed his arms, not sure what to do. Tough love may have worked for Eleanor but it wouldn’t work for him. He didn’t feel comfortable talking to Wanda about this.

Nat took pity on Steve, seeing how lost he was. She took his hand.

“I’m not trying to put this all on you. I’m just scared and I don’t know what to do.” she told him quietly. “I wasn’t made for this either. I feel like Stannic has gone from this smart ass kid that was annoyed by me to looking to me like… that scares the hell out of me, Steve. She is putting her heart in my hands and I don’t want to let her down.”

Steve lifted their hands and looked at their interlocked fingers. She did the same and moved closer until they were inches away from each other.

“We had a building explode on top of us and we survived. We will find a way. I got your back, Nat. Always.”

Nat smiled and moved closer. Their lips almost touched.

“Nat, I found this cool glass dome rolling thing like in that Jurassic Dinosaur movie.” Stannic interrupted. “There is a guy who says he can take us to roll with gazelles while they run. He has some kind of special call for them. Can you come with me?”

Steve and Nat blinked, coming back to reality and both aware of what almost happened.

“Yeah, kid. That sounds fun. I’ll… I’ll see you later. Unless you want to come with us?” she asked.

Steve shook his head. “You two have fun. She doesn’t need an old man tagging along.”

Stannic took Nat’s hand then stopped and turned back to Steve. “How many times are you going to get a chance to roll with gazelles? You should come with us… if you want.”

Steve winked at her, heartened that she asked. “It would be cool. I just don’t want to cramp your style.”

“Its fine as long as you two don’t make out or anything.”

“Stannic!” Nat hissed, but Stannic only shrugged unapologetically in response.

That afternoon when Wanda had returned, Bucky went to her. Wanda opened the door before he could knock as usual and pulled him in.

She began moving him to her bed but he stopped her.

“Something wrong?” she asked. “We can pick up where we left off in the great outdoors. This bed is much better than the grass.”

Bucky had a seat on the sofa in the room and patted the spot next to him. Wanda slowly took a seat, wondering what the hell the problem was. She could feel his desire.

“Doll, I know everything about you. I’ve been thinking though and realized I have no idea what your thoughts are now and I need to try. This is going to take work. I want it to work but I’m not great at talking. I think that needs to change for both of us. Talk to me.”

“About what?” Wanda asked, wondering where this was coming from and wondering if Eleanor had something to do with it.

“What do you think of Yelena’s parents?”

“They are great.”

“You know Yelena was in the library meeting because her father talked her out of drinking and encouraged her to take a more proactive stance. She wasn’t talking about you behind your back. I’m sensing some tension between you two. At least on your part.”

Wanda shrugged. “What do you want me to say?”

“The truth. Tell me how you feel.”

“You want to know how I really feel? I’m not happy at all. I know there are some screwed up things that need to be fixed but Eleanor, Rogers, and Romanoff deciding they would make changes and use me as some mouthpiece… you want the truth?”

Bucky nodded. “That’s all I ever want from you.”

“I wish Nat would go away. I am sick of Romanoff. I have tried to make her welcome, played referee between her and Yelena and her and the other girls. I’ve done my best for Yelena’s sake but I can’t stand her. I’ve never liked her. In Germany she… I hate her. There, I said it.”

“Does Yelena know this?”

Wanda shook her head. “No! She can’t ever know. Neither of them can. I will deny it. Yelena loves her so I will keep my mouth shut and play nice. You are going to keep your mouth shut too.”

Bucky smirked. “Tell me more.”

“More?”

“Get it out. You can’t talk to Yelena so talk to me. I want to be with you, Wanda. I want this thing to work and get to know you, take our time…”

“What the hell did Eleanor say to you while I was out?!” Wanda asked, wondering where this softer version of the tough guy she loved came from.

Bucky grimaced, recognizing the barely concealed anger in her tone and not wanting to agitate her.

“Nothing! She just asked me about myself and I asked her some questions she dodged. C’mon, Wanda, you know what I was like before the war. You know all the girls I dated.”

Wanda nodded. “Mary, Stella, Candace, Stacy, Betty, Betty number two, Marsha, Martha, Vicky, Vicky number two, Annette, Pam, Pammy, Candy… I still can’t get over that one… Veronica, Lizzie, Catherine, Mable which I also can’t get over, Liz, Annie…”

“Alright. You don’t have to name them all.”

Wanda rolled her eyes. “But it’s so fun. Nothing like knowing every girl your guy ever dated in intimate detail. I use the term dated liberally. I thought women were more conservative in those days.”

Bucky smiled fondly at her exasperated tone. “So what didn’t I know about all those women?”

Wanda sighed. “I’m not sure. You knew where most of their birthmarks were. I can’t believe I fell in love with you after experiencing your life. You are a bit of a womanizer.”

“A bit? I was an ass.”

“You are a cute ass though.” Wanda countered.

“Yeah, but what I was getting at is I didn’t know their birthdays, their parents or siblings, and some of them I didn’t know their last names. They were not the one. You took my breath away the first time I saw you. Then I experienced your life and I knew you were fierce and loving and vengeful and beautiful when you are angry and looked like an angel when you were happy. I knew you and me, we were something. If not for you, Wanda, I would be lost right now. You are the only thing keeping me from crawling up into some hut in the middle of nowhere and disappearing. I gotta do this right. Forget what Bishop said. This is me. As much as I want to rip your clothes off right now, I’m not going to do it.”

Wanda squinted her eyes. “Why not?”

“Because I want to do this right.”

“You can do it right. Any way you do it will be better than I have had it done before. We can cuddle after if it makes you feel better.”

“Enough with the tough act. It’s hot with that damn accent and is driving me crazy, I know you as well as you know me. I know you are scared and you haven’t had any good experiences. I want you to… just let me do this the way I want to do it, okay?”

Wanda shrugged.

“Whatever you want, Buck. Everyone else knows what is best for Wanda.”

Bucky sighed. “Let me ask you a question. You got any direction?”

Wanda wasn’t sure what he meant. “Direction?”

“Where do you see all this going? Everything. The Widows, me and you, the future. What do you want?”

Wanda stood up and snapped her fingers. A bottle of bourbon appeared in her hand. She set it down and a glass with ice was in her hand.

“I definitely want to keep perfecting that trick. Want a drink since we are discussing future plans and mortgages and pets?”

Bucky reached out for the glass Wanda poured. Wanda snapped another glass and sat back down after pouring a drink.

He toasted her. “You really should drink less and eat more.”

Wanda laughed. “You are pushing your luck, Barnes. When do you get the new Vibranium arm, the princess made for you? I think she might have a little crush.”

Bucky smirked and raised his silver metal arm. “If it replaces this damn thing I’ll be happy. I hate this arm. HYDRA gave it to me. If you didn’t need me to fight I would have ripped it off.”

“Really? I need you to fight?”

Barnes cleared his throat. “If you didn’t think it was hot, I would have ripped it off.”

Wanda raised her glass. “The truth comes out. The future huh? I have big plans for the future. I want to outlive Stark so I can dance on his grave and not deal with his insistent need for me to like him. I want to evade Yelena’s parents for the rest of my life so I don’t have any more food shoved in my mouth. I’m going to find this Bosco asshole and play around with him for a while until I decide on a sufficient punishment before death. Then… we keep finding widows and bringing them home.”

“Nothing else?”

“I don’t want a dog if that is what you are asking. Maybe a cat. As Agatha would say, it is on brand for today’s brooding teenage witch. Oh, that reminds me, I’m pretty sure I’ll have a couple monsters, aliens and demons to kill in the future. I doubt magic books have prophecies about girls who stay in the remote French countryside and never fight the big bads of the universe. I have that to look forward to. I’ve got my eye on one Big Bad in particular.”

“That purple asshole I saw in your head?” Bucky asked.

Wanda nodded. “Yes, I have a bad feeling about that one. I don’t think it will be long before I see him. It is just a feeling I have but I have learned to trust my instincts.”

Bucky nodded. “What about marriage? You grew up in church. You ever think about that?”

Wanda shrugged. “Maybe if I ever found the right guy. Chiseled jaw, blue eyes, blonde hair, super soldier muscles, clean haircut, knows how to shave and most importantly, has two arms. If I find a guy like that, wedding bells are definitely ringing for this Sokovian church girl.”

Bucky stared at her for a moment and grinned. “You can be a real bitch sometimes. I love that about you.”

He wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up then threw her on the bed. Bucky tickled her while she unsuccessfully fought him with a pillow.

They broke it up when there was a knock on her door and Wanda could feel Yelena’s presence outside.

She opened the door and was taken back by Yelena. She looked as if the light had left her eyes.

“I am guessing Barnes is here?”

Wanda nodded.

“T’Challa wants to have some sort of war council with the team leads, him, Okoye and Steve. I know Bucky is lead on this but I asked Ingrid, Sonia, Ava and Antonia to sit in with us as well. I think they should lead the smaller teams. Bucky is over the whole operation but we will be spread out. It’s in that small conference room with the pretty glass table and chairs that are somehow comfortable.”

Wanda shrugged. “Great. We are on our way. Let me brush my hair. We will meet you there.”

Yelena nodded. “Afterward do you think we could talk. Just two of us?”

“You don’t have to ask, Yelena.” Wanda told her, upset that Yelena felt the need to ask her. She closed the door and fifteen minutes later after getting lost more than a few times, Bucky and Wanda walked inside.

Steve, T’Challa, and Okoye were present as well as Ingrid, Yelena, Antonia, Sonia and Ava.

“Welcome. I hope you are enjoying your stay.” T’Challa greeted them. “Now that we are here, we can discuss the situation in more detail and forge a path forward.”

Okoye cleared her throat. “I spoke to Zarola about staying in Wakanda and preparing a place in my home for her. She has refused. I expect you will do your best to talk her out of remaining with you.”

T’Challa closed his eyes and sighed. “Okoye…”

“Nobody tells a Red Widow what to do. If she wants to stay in Wakanda she will.” Yelena told her. “If she wants to stay with her sisters, then she will. I understand you and your army are fierce but anyone who tries to make a widow do something she does not want to do, faces us all. I think you will find we can be fierce as well.”

“Okay, not a great start. Okoye this is a family matter between you and Zarola.” T’Challa tried once again to get the conversation on track.

“Why is she not here?” Okoye asked.

Yelena stared at her for a few moments, wondering what she was talking about.

“Zarola? I brought my team leaders. The girls are in the gym. We will pass on information afterward.”

Okoye snorted. “I sparred with her last night. I doubt there is a widow who could defeat her. Why is she not a team leader?”

Yelena and the other widows looked at each other not sure what to say. “Because… I don’t know! What does it matter? Most of us were team leaders on tactical strike teams. We kept our role once we were free.”

“How does she get promoted if she insists on staying with your organization?” Okoye asked.

Ava could see Yelena was becoming angry quickly. Wanda and Yelena had been volcanoes lately and either could explode at any minute. She was wishing Wanda would do Barnes already and release some tension. She stood up and took control of the conversation.

“Look, I’m not sure how you think we work, but you are wrong. We aren’t an organization. We are a family for girls who were once mind controlled by a man named General Dreykov. We try to free others like us and stop human trafficking wherever we can find it. We don’t get paid or have ranks. There are no promotions. If Zarola wants to lead a team she can lead a team and she knows it. Sometimes if Naomi isn’t flying, she leads a team. Sometimes Ingrid is covering primary sniper duties and another leads a team. I’ve been on a team that follows Yelena’s lead. I’ve been on Ingrid’s team. I also ran with Taskmaster a few times. We all have followed at some point. We don’t need ranks to work together. We aren’t an army. We are sisters. We are one.”

Okoye was quiet for a moment, staring at them. T’Challa kept his eyes closed and rubbed his forehead.

“Okay, now that Okoye’s questions have been addressed…” the king started once again.

“Where is Natasha Romanoff? She should be here.” Okoye interrupted.

Ingrid clinched her teeth and stood. “Natasha is not a team leader. She should be training with the others.”

“This is ridiculous. Romanoff has much more experience fighting than any of you. Why is she not a team leader?”

Ingrid scowled at her. “Because she has only recently joined. As far as experience you know nothing about our experience. You only know about her’s because she was on television. Speaking of television, Antonia saw a video of you sparring with Zarola. She was very impressed. She also knows your moves now before you could make them. Nobody is a better fighter than her.”

“I would take that challenge.” Okoye said heatedly.

“You bring your army and we will bring Taskmaster and the Scarlet Witch. How is that for a challenge?” Ingrid asked just as angrily. “If you want a fight with us, we aren’t hiding!”

“Who do you think you are…”

“Okoye! Enough!” T’Challa snapped. “Take a seat, please!”

Okoye sat down, obviously unhappy. Ingrid sneered at her and sat as well. Okoye met Wanda’s eyes and scowled. Wanda smiled and tilted her head, her eyes turning red…

Until Yelena elbowed her.

“No!” Yelena whispered.

Wanda stuck her tongue out at Yelena then winked at Okoye, planning on giving her bad dreams tonight.

“Great start to the meeting. I can feel the chemistry already.” T’Challa said and smiled. “Sergeant Barnes, I understand you will be leading the assault from the ground.”

“Why should he lead…”

“Not now, Okoye!” T’Challa said. “What is your plan?”

“Call me Bucky. Oksana believes the equipment needed to mass produce the drug will put out quite a lot of heat making it easier to detect on scans. Our quinjets will fly over the area at night and map it out by electrical impulses and infrared. When we have the general area, we will drop down at night within ten miles of the destination. We have to worry about moving patrols, changing camp locations and traps. If we drop in too close we could be outflanked. We will come down in separate teams. I’ll be taking the point and calling out what I find. Steve will be with me. Yelena, Antonia, Ingrid, Ava and Sonia will all have teams. Our teams are going to be small. We don’t have a choice. We expect to take on hostiles in all areas. I’ll try my best to get to the main campsite first. Once I arrive I will give out intel and plan an attack in the dark with all of us.”

T’Challa nodded. “I believe our military can boost your teams’ numbers. I would like to go with you and Steve. The Widows and our military can work more efficiently with greater numbers and move faster while covering a wider path.”

“You expect us to follow their command, my King?” Okoye asked.

“Why do you keep saying my King and then question everything I say and do?” he asked in return. “This is their mission. We will follow their lead. Bucky, Steve and I go in first, Yelena and her team leaders will call patterns and place our military in the right areas to close in. Our goal is to sweep the jungle, kill those who need to be killed, try not to kill those who can be saved and do not let ourselves die in the process.”

Okoye motioned to Wanda. “The world has read and seen your power, Wanda Maximoff. Where will you be during this operation.”

“The world hasn’t seen all my power. I will be a distraction when needed. My friend Agatha and I will be casting spells over the jungle. I will also be monitoring for minds. Those I can read I will give intel to Yelena to pass on. Those I can control, I will control. And when plans go bad as they sometimes are known to, I am going to fly in and do what I do best.”

“What do you do best?” T’Challa asked humored.

Wanda winked at him and showed a small ball of red light roll between her fingers. “A wise sorcerer told me recently that I am the personification of chaos. If all hell breaks loose step back and let me do my thing.”

“I do think it would be a good idea for your units to work under your existing command structure.” Yelena added. “In the field we follow our team leads without hesitation, or second guessing. It may be better for us to stay on our own teams and the General can lead her own units as she sees fit. We cannot operate efficiently if we are being second guessed in the field. Trust is important in teams.”

“I understand.” T’Challa told her then looked at Okoye. “I agree as well. Forgive my general. The Dora Milaje have a structured way of operating that does not lend itself to change or adaption.”

The group rose and dispersed. T’Challa motioned for Okoye to stay behind. Once they were alone he turned toward her.

“What is wrong with you?” he asked.

“Forgive me my King. I was out of…”

“Stop it Okoye. I’m not your king now. I am your friend. You provoked them. Why? That was not like you. Talk to me.”

Okoye sighed and tilted her head back. “I introduced Zarola to my parents. She was very quiet. I took her to her parents’ graves and she didn’t have any reaction. I… I expected… she kept insisting that Maximoff and Belova follow her everywhere.”

T’Challa nodded, understanding. “It was not long ago that we were fighting for the future of Wakanda after the death of my father. You were fighting our countrymen. You had to arrest the man you loved, a man I considered as close as a brother. He let us both down. Now, you have this wonderful gift but it is not turning out as you thought.”

“She does not want to be a part of us. We have just discovered that the beautiful baby we grieved over the years is alive and is with us and… its like she doesn’t care.”

T’Challa sighed. “When we were finished with the battle at the airport, I asked Romanoff how it was possible that girls as young as they were could be so well trained. She told me it wasn’t her story to tell. Now that I know the story it makes sense.

“She came here with the only family she has ever known. The Red Widows are the only ones in her life who have given her unconditional love and support. She comes to Wakanda and finds out that not only is she from here, but that she has living relatives. She is taken to meet grandparents and to see the graves of parents she never knew and you are trying to talk her into leaving the only family she has ever known to move in with you. Okoye, are you truly surprised by her behavior?”

Okoye shook her head. “We have both lost so much. I thought we had lost you. Your father died and… then the spirits send one of our own right into our hands. I have moved too fast, haven’t I?”

T’Challa grimaced and nodded. “Provoking the girls she considers family isn’t the best idea either. Also don’t anger Maximoff. You weren’t there. You didn’t see what I saw.”

Okoye raised an eyebrow. “She is that impressive?”

T’Challa nodded. “Stark was afraid of her for good reason. She has come here and is receptive to our offer of friendship. When you are in a war, having the best warriors is important. Having a woman on your side who can burn thousands of enemies into ash with a flick of her wrist is also important. We want her as our friend. She is a good person. She is brave and more importantly she healed a man I suspected did not like her. She stopped a conflict between Stark and Barnes from happening. You have read the intelligence reports she leaked herself. She has every reason to be bitter at the world but she is here, taking care of girls who had been used as weapons and protecting them. They adore her. Be nice, for me? I can say pretty please. She is a good friend for us to have but a very bad enemy.”

Okoye nodded. “I understand. It is ironic though, isn’t it?”

“What about our lives isn’t? What irony do you speak of now?”

“We are going to free child soldiers, being led by child soldiers. No matter how valiantly they fought, most of them are children. Zarola is only sixteen. She wouldn’t be allowed to join us until she was eighteen no matter how great a fighter she is. Does this not bother you?”

T’Challa frowned and dropped his head. “It bothers me greatly. Everything about the girls lives bothers me greatly. However they are proud and noble warriors. I wish they weren’t so young but we are not in a position to influence them. We will never be if my general aggravates their leaders.”

Okoye smirked. “Of course, my King. I shall be on my best behavior and withhold my wise counsel from the children.”

T’Challa rolled his eyes and smiled at her. Okoye left quickly and he lay his head on the table.

Despite his calming words to Okoye, he was troubled. He had seen them fight. He had also seen many of them nearly die. He remembered their bloodied faces, burns, wounds and torn uniforms. He remembered how young some of them were under those masks and his shock when he saw some of their faces for the first time.

T’Challa stood and went to his bedroom with much on his mind, doubting he would get any sleep. It was a common occurrence now. His father was right. It was difficult for a good man to be king but he was determined to stay good, even if it meant thoughts keeping him up all night. Tonight he would think about a stolen girl and mind controlled child assassins and a very young witch that likely had the power to destroy the world.

In front of the palace, Yelena and Wanda walked side by side. Yelena reached out and took Wanda’s hand.

“My parents were alcoholics.” Yelena told her. “So were my grandfathers on both sides.”

Wanda closed her eyes, hating to hear that.

“He didn’t tell me to stop drinking. He just told me about his life and… I had to make a change, Wanda. But I did not go in there trying to go behind your back. Eleanor called me and my parents in and Steve and Nat and Bucky were already there. Oksana came in but she wasn’t happy. Her and Natasha got into an argument but Eleanor asked her to stay and she agreed.”

Wanda was surprised. “What did Oksana and Natasha argue about?”

Yelena took a deep breath. “Natasha has not made a secret of her feelings about our way of life. Nat asked Oksana why she had said and did nothing. Oksana yelled at her. She told Nat that if she were kicked out or the girls turned against her they would be on their own. No medicine, no antidote, no advanced medical treatment. She pointed out that instead of getting closer to the girls Nat was becoming more hated and Oksana couldn’t afford to associate with her or else she would be in no position to help us at all.”

Wanda nodded. “Oksana was right. The girls are just now beginning to take vaccinations and medicine she has made without suspicion. They are trusting her more and more every day. I would say she has their complete trust. If she is seen conspiring with Romanoff to try and change their ways… it wouldn’t be good.”

Yelena caught the fact that Wanda used Nat’s last name and brought up something she had been afraid to ask about.

“You hate Natasha, don’t you?”

Wanda shook her head but didn’t meet her eyes. “Of course I don’t. I wouldn’t say we are best friends. I don’t know her very well. She is fine though. Stannic loves her and so do you.”

Yelena was quiet for a moment and then squeezed Wanda’s hand. They stopped walking and Yelena looked at the stars above.

“Nat is trying. I don’t think she wants to change…”

“Everything about the girls?” Wanda cut in. “Make sure they have healthy meals, drink milk with breakfast, give them bedtimes, make sure they aren’t out after curfew or she will ground them. Of course she doesn’t. You want my true opinion? She seems to have a superiority complex. A part of me wonders if I had let them go to the Raft for a while before saving them if it might have taught her humility.”

Yelena nodded, having suspected that Wanda felt that way and probably did hate Nat. “Eleanor is worried. I talked to Kate earlier. Eleanor loves you Wanda. Right now she is afraid she has pushed you away. You need to talk to her. She has been good to us and very good to you. Whether you agree with her or not, she did what she did out of love.”

Wanda nodded. “I know.” she said quietly. “We have always said the most important thing we would provide the girls with is freedom. No one would ever tell them what to do again.”

“We won’t let them. But… take Natasha out of the equation. Forget about her. Did learning Stannic’s true age does not bother you?”

Wanda nodded. “Yes it did.”

“We have to change some things Wanda. I’m not saying we need to begin giving them orders outside of missions. I’m saying maybe we could all talk about it. Without Natasha or Eleanor. Without Captain America. Just us. Maybe others see things they don’t like and want to change.”

“What do you want to talk about exactly? I’m lost here.”

“We come to a compromise on some things. I don’t… I would like to talk but I need you by my side. I can’t do this without you.”

“No time like the present.” Wanda said, not liking this but knowing it had to happen. This could turn into a nightmare. One disagreement and she would have succeeded in letting a fracture develop in the family for the first time. If it did, Romanoff and Rogers were gone no matter what Yelena and Bucky thought. Eleanor could keep her mansion. She would take them all back to Sokovia. The girls meant everything to her.

“I told Mama to stop shoving food in your mouth.” Yelena told her.

“But I don’t eat enough, remember. I suppose you want me to stop drinking as well.”

Yelena shook her head. “No, just because I am in danger of becoming alcoholic and it is genetic in family there is no reason you should stop. It will be easier for me to carry you to bed when you pass out if I am sober. It is not like we have to share burdens and painful sacrifices. Just because one of us has a problem…”

“I get it! Whatever you want. Good luck convincing the other girls.”

The girls met in a large lobby just outside their rooms that resembled a hotel entertaining area. Most of them had seats but a few brought out pillows and sat on the floor just like on movie nights or video game tournaments.

Oksana and Natasha were the only Red Widows not invited. Oksana barely ever gave an opinion and putting Nat in this room may well cause her to be attacked again.

“Thank you for all coming out of your rooms. I know it is late.” Yelena started. “This has been an intense couple of weeks for all of us. Changes have been happening quickly.”

“It started in Germany when we brought Romanoff back.” Naomi said loudly. She looked around the room and then gave Yelena an apologetic glance. “Sorry, but she seems to be at the heart of every argument. No one else has caused problems.”

Yelena waved it off. “No, do not apologize. We always say what we mean when we are together like this. That is one of the things that makes our sisterhood so strong. I know the integration of Rogers, Romanoff and Barnes has not gone as smoothly as I hoped. Part of this is my fault. I shouldn’t have beaten her so badly. We shouldn’t have accused her of things we did without proof.”

“We didn’t all accuse her.” Stannic said, glaring at Naomi.

“If one of us does something, we all do something. We are one. Any of us could have spoken up and we didn’t.” Yelena pointed out.

“So we are all doing Wong?” Mika asked. “Because that is disturbing.”

Yelena glared at her and Mika grinned and apologized.

“The base in Sokovia and then the Mansion were supposed to be safe havens. Only those like us and Oksana were allowed. Now we are growing. As you can guess, Eleanor believes that some things could be different, perhaps better for us.”

Dani raised her hand. “I thought Eleanor was only mad because Wanda is topless wrestling and dry humping the Winter Soldier?”

Wanda shot the finger at her.

“I want your opinions. Are their truth to her concerns? Do any of you think there is validity to her worries or things we should change?” Yelena asked. “If not we do not discuss it again. If it keeps being a problem we cut all others out. Maybe we find new base somewhere.”

The room was quiet.

“I think there are things we should change.” Antonia spoke up, breaking the silence.

Yelena motioned to her to stand. Antonia stood tall and faced the widows.

“If we are being honest, I do not like that our youngest fight and torture and kill. I do not like that I have seen Aino, Madison and Amanda having a drinking contest at one A.M. I have seen all of you have such contests. I do not like this. It is no good. Yelena said if one of us does something we are all doing it. We are failing each other. All of us are.”

Antonia sat back down.

Wanda was surprised to say the least. The entire room was quiet.

“Stannic can’t fight anymore.” Amanda said.

“Excuse me?” she asked. “I’m one of our best fighters.”

“You confuse short with best.” Lerato told her.

Chloe bumped Yasmine with her shoulder. “Are all team meetings this intense?” she whispered.

“This is my first.”

Rachel nodded. “Trust me, serious drama going on all day every day. Ask Sasha. She keeps notebooks to catch new widows up. Very interesting reading. I’ll give you my copy. She hasn’t had a chance to print yours yet Chloe. You will get the update with this meeting in it.” she whispered quietly.

“I am not short!” Stannic responded. “Since when is there an age limit?!”

Yelena raised her hand. “That is a good question. Should their be an age limit on who goes into the field?”

A chorus of yes and no rang out. The older ones believed there should be and the younger ones did not.

“Maybe we are not on the same page as we thought we were.” Wanda said. “Maria, is there a way to find out everyone’s birthday without opening their file?”

Maria nodded. “I can run a blind search crawler. It can comb through data…”

“Is that a yes?” Wanda asked, not wanting to get into her long winded technical explanations.

Maria smiled sweetly. “For those of you who can’t keep up with technology and appreciate how much of a genius I am, the answer is yes. I can find all your actual birthdays without seeing anything else.”

Wanda looked at Yelena. “Let’s start. We all get a say. I personally don’t want anyone sixteen or younger to fight in the field.”

Staci stood up. “I have done as much work and am as good as anyone here. I am a fighter!”

“The two of us will have a Disney movie marathon once a month and I will work on perfecting the Little Mermaid hex if you agree with me.” Wanda told her.

Staci sat down. “I agree with Wanda. I am way too young to be fighting.”

Staci looked to Stannic who was sitting beside her.

“If I don’t fight, what good am I?” Stannic asked.

Yelena closed her eyes and cringed. “Maybe you shouldn’t fight because you have to ask that question. The fight will carry on for all of us, but in different ways. In my opinion sixteen year olds should be allowed to continue positions as pilots. Only seventeen year olds and older go on widow retrieval missions or into combat.”

Mika smirked. “And if you hadn’t turned seventeen a few weeks ago would you be putting the cap at seventeen Yelena?”

Yelena shook her head. “No, I wouldn’t.” she answered honestly. “Since we began this family all of you have looked to Wanda and me to led us, no matter how many times we said we weren’t leaders. We finally accepted the responsibility. That means whenever we fight, Wanda and I will be the first ones in danger. If we lead, we lead from the front. Unless it is too hot for Wanda to run because she has horrible cardio, doesn’t eat enough and drinks too much.

“That said, a family that doesn’t protect its young, dies very quickly.” Yelena finished.

“What are we supposed to do? I’ve been in every fight since we were freed.” Sasha said. “Now I am supposed to sit back until I hit some arbitrary number? If we are talking about age limits, are we going to stop Ava from screwing a guy over a decade older than her or Wanda from screwing a guy eight decades older than her?”

Wanda shook her head. “I don’t have the answer, Sasha but I agree with Yelena. Sex and killing are very different.”

“Not if you are doing it right.” Antha said.

Every widow looked at her.

“What? It’s true.”

The room broke out in laughter and much tension was released.

Yelena laid out her idea.

“Technical aspects. Sixteen and younger support the field. We need more training in many areas. Charlize is the only field medic we have. Some of you can begin learning the skills now. We need more forensic accountants and hackers. We need more pilots and we need to acquire more drones that will need operators. This means flying from control room. Some of you can learn more languages, maybe.” Yelena told them. “There is always something that needs to be done that we do not have the special skills to accomplish. You train, you learn. Maybe Oksana teaches some of you chemistry so if she is ever killed during one of Stannic’s tantrums, someone else knows how to make antidote and other medicine we need.”

“I only tried to kill her one time and if I really wanted her dead she would be.” Stannic countered.

“We can talk about what our roles can be. This could make our family better.” Wanda pointed out. “We can all learn some things. I only have a sixth grade education. I have difficulty writing English. I am very bad at math, know nothing of science and I know next to nothing about history.”

“You are screwing a fossil.” Anastasia commented then slapped a hand over her mouth. She mouthed sorry and Wanda winked at her, then continued.

“For the record we haven’t screwed… yet. Beside the point. We need to decide this. Do we put a cap on those fighting in the field?”

The room quieted, the widows looking around at each other.

“I vote yes.” Antonia said.

Some were reluctant but they all eventually nodded.

“Show of hands in favor.” Yelena called.

The vote was unanimous.

“Alcohol.” Antonia said immediately. “When I was a little girl… before this… I saw my… I saw Dreykov drinking all the time. He constantly smelt like vodka. So did my mama. He would kiss his little princess good night and that smell would cover me and my room. I hate the smell to this day. I hate the smell on my sisters.”

Ingrid nodded. “No one drink around Antonia. Are we putting an age limit on that as well?”

Staci pouted. “But getting drunk is fun! It makes me feel loopy and floaty!”

Antonia pointed towards her. “My point is now made. Thank you, Staci.”

“You’re… welcome?”

Wanda sighed. She looked at Yelena whose eyes were beginning to shine and her emotionless face was beginning to show great sadness.

“Do you want me to tell them?” she asked Yelena.

The blonde nodded. “Please? I don’t want to.”

“What’s going on?” Ava asked, noting the exchange between Wanda and Yelena.

Wanda looked up at the group. “There is something that you should all know. I’ve been drinking since I was twelve years old. We drank on the streets to keep us warm. We drank very powerful alcohol. I’ve got a problem with it. I need to stop. I hope you all will support me. I don’t want to be around…”

“Stop.” Yelena told her then looked at the others. “Everything she said is true. She is a drunk who desperately needs to stop. Anyone who can go shot for shot with me needs much help. That isn’t what I wanted to tell you. She is protecting me but we are honest with each other. This stays between us. Please do not bring it up to my parents or anyone outside this room.”

Yelena closed her eyes for a moment and took a breath.

“My parents, my grandparents, at least my grandfathers, all had problems… they were alcoholics. My father told me this. I drink very much and am afraid of becoming one as well. I am afraid maybe I am already.”

Bea stood up and looked around at the others. “Alcohol is a trigger for Antonia and I think we all have known Yelena and Wanda drink enough alcohol to kill a horse on a regular basis. No more alcohol in the house. No more drinking. If one of us has a problem we all do. We will all fix it. Agreed?”

The show of hands was unanimous.

“Any other issues?” An emotional Yelena asked.

Anastasia cleared her throat. “I would like to make some minor suggestions about the manner in which we conduct our missions. Particularly the way we kill.”

Chloe snorted. “Leave me out of this discussion. According to the autopsy report Maria swiped I stabbed my former handlers forty two times and nearly decapitated them. I am not one to judge.”

Anastasia shrugged. “Look, when we started, we were making a name for ourselves, spreading fear and giving those assholes what they deserved. Who can forget the time we gutted Teller and kicked him out of the plane to see if he would die from blood loss before he hit the ocean.”

“We have missed so much fun.” Chloe whispered to Yasmine.

“But now, our kills are getting more complicated. I am all for trying new things, but it is getting harder to keep a sharp edge on my blade. Skinning is a lot of work. The smells from the disembowelments are disgusting, carrying heavy bags with nail guns and crowbars… it’s all becoming a bit… too much if you know what I mean. I feel like a construction worker when we begin to torture enemies.”

Madison agreed. “It does seem like we are trying too hard. We can cause as much pain without the need for heavy tools. I think we saw how imaginative Yelena got with her tools on Kate’s attacker and maybe we went with the theme, but it has run its course. The smells are a bit disgusting and the gases releasing stick to our uniforms the entire flight back until we can get to washing machine. It also makes the inside of the jets stink.”

“No more tools?” Yelena asked to be sure. “And no more gutting?”

Agreements around the room.

“The skinning thing was a bit overkill too.” Yelena admitted. “I mostly wanted to do that to screw with Carter.”

“Does a machete count as a tool?” Helena asked. “It’s good for dismemberments and I consider it something I always carry on me like my phone or handbag when I am out. Some of our enemies are still going to need to lose a limb or two, right? I have practiced very hard to cut in one strike.”

Michiko shook her head. “A machete is not something you carry around on a daily basis.”

“I use it more than my phone.”

“Liar.”

“I am not…”

Antonia stood up. “I carry a retractable sword. If a machete is needed you may use my sword instead. If you dull the blade I expect it sharpened when returned.”

Yelena and Wanda smiled. “Okay. Good meeting. So we made big decisions. Thank you all for supporting me and helping Wanda not be such a dumb drunk. I love you all.”

Stannic rose quickly. “I have something I want to ask.”

Everyone sat back down slowly and gave her their full attention.

“Nat has been good to me. I love you all but she makes me feel… I don’t know how to explain it. I… I almost killed myself when I read my file and she stopped me. She is important to me. Please, give her a chance. I know most of you probably hate her and I did too when I first met her but she does care and she is trying. Just please, for me, give her a chance.”

Most of the girls agreed though some like Rowan stayed silent.

Yelena huffed.

“We try or we don’t. If she fights with us she is one of us. She is mouthy and judgey and is not as hot as she thinks but she means well. If we all can’t genuinely try, she needs to go. No point in putting her through this.”

All the girls mumbled agreements.

When it was over, Stannic hugged Yelena. “Thank you.” she whispered.

“You didn’t tell me or Wanda. Do you not trust us anymore?” Yelena asked.

“Of course, I do. I just wanted to be alone when I read it and I… I didn’t… I hoped maybe there were parents like yours and when I…”

Yelena hugged her closely. “I am glad you have Natasha but do not forget you have us too. I will not let you lose Natalia. I don’t want my smallest Russian leaving with the oldest Russian if Nat is kicked out. Its going to be okay, Stannic. I’ll make it okay. If you ever feel like doing something like that… you have no idea how important you are to us and that is our fault. Please, come to us. Natasha is not the only one who wants to be there for you.”

Stannic kissed Yelena on the cheek and hugged Wanda then left.

On their way to their rooms, Wanda approached Zarola.

“I could use some company tonight. Want to bunk together? Maybe tell me what’s on your mind.”

Zarola nodded and grabbed Wanda’s hand. The two made their way to her bedroom. Neither slept most of the night. Zarola poured her heart out and cried while Wanda listened and held her. They had only got a few hours of sleep when there was a knock on the door.

Princess Shuri was outside.

“Hurry up everyone! I want to show you the new uniforms before breakfast. They are crazy. This is going to change everything. Hurry up!”

Wanda shook her head. “Your princess is a morning person.”

Zarola shrugged. “From what I have seen of Wakanda, if she is excited, it must be awesome. Let’s see what she made us.”