Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, followed, or favorited so far. This chapter isn't very long, but I hope you enjoy it.
GIJose: I explained in the AN last chapter how Wanda has powers. I do not at this time plan to have Wanda paired up with anyone.
Quinjet
Early morning
Clint put a blanket on Wanda, who was asleep in one of the back seats of the jet. In stark contrast to the fearful looks she had worn while awake, now she looked completely peaceful. If it weren't for the bruises that marred her face, she would have looked just like a regular kid. Clint watched her for a moment before turning and walking up front. He sat down in the co-pilot seat next to Natasha, waiting.
"Just say it Nat," Clint said after a moment of silence.
"Fury won't be happy about this," Natasha said, the faint Russian accent that was still there even after three years in America making her voice sound clipped.
"What was I supposed to do Nat, leave her there to die?" Clint demanded.
"It's not just that she's Sokovian Clint, although that's definitely part of it. She has powers. Fury will either see her as dangerous or an asset," Natasha pointed out.
"She's a kid, not a spy," Clint almost growled and Natasha looked at him in understanding.
"I know. Better than anyone, I know," Natasha said and Clint softened as he remembered her past. "It's not me you need to tell that to."
"Well, if worst comes to worse, you hit Fury over the head, I'll grab Wanda and we run like hell," Clint said, only half joking and Natasha smiled thinly.
"Don't get too attached to her Clint," Natasha warned him before turning back to the controls.
Clint was silent the rest of the flight as he became lost in his own thoughts. The moment he'd decided to take Wanda with him, he'd been acting on instinct and emotion, not thinking that far ahead. Now that things had calmed down, he realized the rather complicated situation he had found himself in.
Wanda was, according to her, an orphan. And one from another country at that. What Clint had done basically qualified as kidnapping. And what life would she have here in America? Put on the Index? Monitored like a criminal or caged animal? Had Clint saved her from one dangerous environment only to bring her into another?
These were the thoughts that tormented Clint over the next few hours as they returned to base. Not long before they touched down, Clint stood up and walked back to where Wanda was sleeping. He gently shook her awake and Wanda woke with a start, looking around as if she was going to be attacked at any moment. It broke Clint's heart that being attacked was probably a common occurrence for Wanda.
"Hey, it's okay, you're safe," Clint said softly as he knelt down in front of her. "We're gonna be landing soon. Just stick close to me, okay?"
Wanda looked frightened but nodded. Clint felt a little guilty that he was bringing her into this strange new place but damn it, it was the only call he could make.
A few minutes later, the Quinjet landed in the hanger of the Triskelion. The ramp lowered and agents stopped and stared as Natasha and Clint got out, Clint holding Wanda's hand as she seemed to try and make herself smaller by pressing herself into Clint's side.
"Barton, Romanoff, what is going on?" Maria Hill demanded in shock.
"I think it's best we talk to Fury," Clint said as he glanced down at Wanda, terrified by all the shocked agents staring at her.
Barton farm
Not long after
Laura Barton was changing her son, Cooper, when her phone buzzed. After he was successfully changed, she checked her phone and saw it was a text message from her husband.
'Back at HQ. Might not be home for a few days, mission had complication. Call you soon'.
Laura frowned before pocketing her phone.
"Your daddy is a complicated man to be married to," Laura told Cooper, who only cooed up at her.
Triskelion
Not long after
"So let me get this straight, you brought back an enhanced individual who has powers with no idea how she got them because she was being attacked by a mob?" Fury asked incredulously as he stared at Clint and Natasha. "You're either stupid or reckless Barton, two words I normally don't use with you."
"What was I supposed to do, just leave her there to die?" Clint defended himself.
"She might be dangerous Barton," Fury said in frustration.
"I'm dangerous. She's just a kid, a scared kid," Natasha backed Clint.
"From what you've told me, her fear is what makes her so dangerous," Fury said with a scowl. "Her powers seem to respond to her emotions. What do you know about her?"
"She says her parents are gone, probably dead. She mentioned someone named Pietro, might be a relative, that ran really fast. After that, nothing due to the language barrier," Clint said and Fury stared at him incredulous.
"Yep, you're definitely stupid Barton. I have a feeling I'm gonna regret this…but I think I know someone who might be able to help us figure out a bit more. Someone who owes me a favor," Fury said.
New York City
Not long after
In a rather spacious mansion, a bald man in a wheelchair was at a desk, seeming to go over some papers when his phone on the desk rang. He picked it up.
"Xavier's school for the gifted, this is Charles Xavier speaking," Charles answered.
"Long time Chuck," Fury said and Charles smiled dryly.
"Indeed it has Nick. You're not one for social calls, so how may I help you?" Charles inquired.
"One of my agents has created a rather…delicate situation. I'd like your assistance on it. Consider it a favor to me. How soon can you get to Washington?" Fury inquired.