.

"We have a second enhanced."

.

Sokovia, Eastern Europe.

Baron Strucker's Research Base.

Assisted by JARVIS through satellite feed, the Avengers assaulted the last known Hydra cell with efficiency. Even with alien powered weaponry, the enemy forces weren't a match for the well-oiled team of superheroes.

Only Pietro Maximoff's super-speed was able to cause some trouble, distracting Hawkeye long enough for him to be wounded by a stray energy blast.

"We have an enhanced in the field," warned Captain America, after being hit by a blur.

Quickly approaching to check on the archer, Black Widow was worried, "Clint's hit pretty bad, guys. We're gonna need evac."

It didn't take long. After defeating the last group of guards, Thor carried Hawkeye to the jet, while the spy went to calm down the Hulk. Following the mission's prime objective, Iron Man disarmed the energy shield around the fortress, and went looking for Loki's Scepter.

Inside the base, Captain America confronted Baron Strucker. Among all the atrocities Hydra had been known for, the soldier would first stand against the illegal human experimentation, "How many are there?"

The answer, however, came faster than Captain America could expect, when Wanda Maximoff appeared from a dark corner and hit him…

Everything stopped… as if frozen in time…

A red, glowing fog engulfed Steve, paralyzing him completely, and a searing pain ran through his strong toned muscles. There was a woman behind him, but he couldn't discern her face. Her intentions, however, were evident, as he felt her mind inside his, with a simple command, 'Surrender.'

However, that wasn't a word in the Captain's vocabulary, and he continued to fight hard, trying to free himself from that invisible field force. Despite his impressive strength, it wasn't an easy task. In an endless battle of willpower, the more she pressed, the more he resisted and was crushed back. Nonetheless, the answer in the super-soldier's mind was crystal clear, 'Never.'

After a brief while, the pressure ceased, but not the grip, and he still was unable to move. Outlined by a red light, a ghostly woman form appeared before him, sounding very frustrated, "Tell me Captain America… Do you never know fear?"

Reaching out, she touched his chest, and it burnt, like she was sucking the life out of him. Never before in his long life had Steve experienced such excruciating agony. A growl caught in his throat, when she held what looked like a ball of white blueish light, which seemed to have been extracted from inside him.

"So predictable," she said with despise, before smashing it and throwing it down, "Love is for souls, not bodies."

The emptiness he felt was overwhelming and the pain hit him like a wave… as if he was the one being torn into pieces. But the really terrifying shock came next, when he saw the broken ball transform itself into yet another feminine form, which was lying on the ground below him.

Fear. Deep, utter fear and despair consumed him entirely, as he recognized her.

Always the protector, Steve didn't hesitate. Summoning his last strength, the super-soldier broke free from captivity, and jumped by her side, as a huge explosion of light left him blind.

"Natasha," he panted, holding the unresponsive spy between his aching body and indestructible shield. His hands were still trembling due to his intense effort, as he tried to feel a heartbeat.

In the center place, two energy bolts were crashing against each other, in an exquisite soundless ballet of red and white lights, making it impossible for him to see anything or anyone.

Even so, Steve was solely focused on the unconscious woman in his arms. He feared for her safety, more than anything in the entire world. Her needs would surpass his own, and he dragged their battered bodies to a cornered wall behind them. Using his shield to block the brightness, he took off his fingerless gloves to better check her for wounds, but thankfully he found none, nor any sign of blood. Her pulse was weak, as her breathing, but she was alive.

Holding her even closer, he begged, "Please, wake up."

Another blast of light filled the place, and for a brief moment it looked like the white one had won the visual dispute. Then, everything vanished at once, except for the two Avengers.

Blinking slowly, Steve tried to adapt his eyes to the sudden darkness, when he heard Natasha coughing softly. Relieved, he breathed, "Thank God."

Recognizing the comforting warmness of the soldier's body and the soothing sound of his voice, the spy woke up quietly. After being partners for so long, it wasn't a new situation for her. Not that she would ever admit it out loud, but there was something familiar about the way he manhandled her – like no one else would ever dare. Because he did it so naturally, unceremoniously, as if she was part of him and he would do anything to keep her safe.

"Steve?"

"Yes, Nat, I'm here," he cupped her face gently, asking, "How are you feeling?"

"Not sure…" Opening her confused green eyes, she noticed his erratic breathing and the tension of his hold, and whispered, "What's wrong with the lights?"

"Long story," he sighed.

Placing her hand upon his chest, she felt the holes in his uniform and gasped, "Are you hurt? What happened?"

"It's okay," he shook his head, "There was another enhanced."

But she knew him too well and needed to check for herself. Trying to straighten up, she felt her whole body hurting badly, and complained, "Damn… Don't tell me that the Hulk hit me."

Instantly upset, he exclaimed, "He did what?"

"Kidding. But it feels like he did. It hurts to think."

The Captain tried contact his team a few times, before saying, "The communication is down. Did you get hit or something?"

"I really don't remember. Maybe some paralyzing dart… I feel dizzy."

With his back resting on the stone wall, Steve kept his hold on her, using his shield as support. "Don't worry, I got you," he reassured with a shy smile.

"Where are we?"

"Somewhere in the fortress, a cell, I guess."

"How? I was walking back to the Quinjet… Where did you find me?"

"I was talking to Strucker when some kind of force field caught me. And that's the strange part… you just appeared in front of me."

"You mean like teleported?"

"Maybe," he breathed heavily, before replying, "Honestly, everything looked more like a freaky nightmare, but since you're here it doesn't feel so bad."

"So, that's your secret dream? Me in your arms in a dark room?" she wouldn't miss the chance to tease him, "Very smooth."

"See? It can't be real," he chuckled, thankful for the darkness that was hiding his blushing face.

"Well, it hurts too much to be a group hallucination," she gave him a small laugh.

"Agreed. Just give me a minute, and I'll get us out of here."

They remained quiet for a moment, relishing on each other's presence, and gathering strength to move. Whatever this was, they knew they would solve it… together.

But the peaceful moment was interrupted when a faint light started to grow up in the center place. In just a few seconds, a tall cloaked man appeared floating above the floor, surrounded by a glowing white mist, and he spoke calmly, "Captain Rogers, Ms. Romanoff. Please, do not worry. I am a friend."

Despite their exhaustion, the Avengers duo became instantly alert. Steve kept his shield in front of Natasha, who fought her own pain to hold her gun.

"Do we know you?" the Captain asked firmly.

"We had not met yet, in this time. I am Doctor Stephen Strange."

The soldier frowned, "This time?"

"Your name was on Project Insight's target list," Natasha remembered, "Hydra listed you as a potential threat."

"Yes. I owe you two my life. You do not need to fear me."

Puzzled by Strange's translucent image, the spy asked, "What are you? A ghost? Are we dead?"

"No, you're not. I am a practitioner of the mystic arts, a sorcerer, and I have achieved master level. I came from the future to help you. And these are our astral projections."

"You mean like an out-of-body experience," Natasha added dryly and Strange nodded.

But Steve protested, "What's this place? You have no right to detain us."

"I imagine that this must be confusing, but please, hear me out. The astral plane is a metaphysical dimension layered on top of the one in which you live. I've cast a spell for your safety. No one can harm you here."

The light emanating from Strange was now illuminating the small place, which was slowly transforming into a cozy living room of a wooden cabin. The soldier and the spy looked at each other, as they found themselves placed in a large couch. After meeting Thor, nothing was really too surprising, besides, the duo had no other choice than to play along. Always working in synchrony, Steve lowered his shield as Natasha rested her gun.

The sorcerer continued his explanation, "There are powerful forces that control the universe – some of them are beyond human comprehension. But everything must be kept in equilibrium, otherwise, Chaos will prevail. Unfortunately, the magics have been molested in an attack aimed at you, Captain. I am truly sorry I could not be here to stop this before it started."

Remembering what just had happened, Steve questioned, "Are you talking about the woman who hit me with energy blasts?"

"Yes. A young woman named Wanda Maximoff, who will be known as the Scarlet Witch. She's a good person, with a tragic past, whose heart was filled with hate and fear. Unfortunately, she sided with dark forces."

"Hydra," the soldier replied with concern, "What did they do to her?"

"Wanda was submitted to an alien force, which unlocked her latent powers with catastrophic results. Her hex power wasn't earned through spirituality. It was given to her without understanding of its consequence. And the worst of them all is the Chaos Magic." Strange paused for a moment, and his voice became even somber, "Can you understand the delicate mindset of a woman, a person, who has control over reality? It means that reality controls her. Imagination becomes the enemy. Structure disappears. Reality, eventually, as she knows it, starts to slip away. Elude her. Blur. Drama, conflict, tragedy. They become excuses to change the world to fit the image she has for it. There's a great possibility that she may not even be aware of what she is doing."

"Wait a minute. You're saying that some wicked witch created a chaotic reality?" Natasha couldn't sound more skeptical, "Very appropriate."

"I'm sorry, Doctor Strange. But none of this make any sense," Steve was also suspicious.

"I know it is difficult for you to comprehend the true nature of these attacks. But the fact is that she broke you two."

"Us?" Natasha frowned, "What do you mean?"

"Wanda's desire of revenge was set on destroying the Avengers. And you, Captain America, are the most dangerous of them all, because you inspire them. You're their leader. That's why she tried to control you. But your mind is too noble, and your will is the strongest I've ever seen. She was bound to fail."

Natasha smirked, proud of Steve, but he remained still.

"Once Wanda found no darkness, no hidden fears to use against you, the fear of failure consumed her." Strange said melancholically, "Her powers are triggered by her emotions – the stronger the emotion, the more dangerous the power. And that's when she lost control of herself."

Pensively, Steve pondered, "The woman I saw seemed old. But she did ask about my fears."

"The Chaos Magic is an ancient power, and that form was its manifestation, Captain. And that's why you're here, Ms. Romanoff."

"Me?"

"Captain America's courage is legendary, he wouldn't fear for his life…"

Realization hit the spy, and she replied, feeling a bit of guilt, "But he would die protecting any of us…" Protecting me.

"Exactly," the sorcerer answered, as if he was reading her thoughts, "Your relationship is too strong, based on trust, loyalty."

The Captain nodded promptly, and Natasha blinked in a silent agreement. As much as she trusted Clint with her life, Steve was just… more… more reliable, in about everything, no doubt about it.

"The bond you share balances you both and, consequently, keeps the team in harmony. In order for Chaos to succeed, this connection needed to be broken."

"Broken how?" the soldier questioned, "I still don't understand."

Also unsure about all that information, the spy reacted, "And how do you know all this?"

"The magics create a map. I just needed to read it. Clearly, your world is in immediate and grave danger, from a magic force of immense power."

Even though he was trying to processing everything, Steve wouldn't forget their practical needs. "Can't you help us? Alert our team? We need medical assistance, and they can rescue us…"

"You will feel better; it will just take a little time. And I am sorry if I was not clear, but no one can reach you here in the astral plane." Pointing to the wall in front of them, which became transparent like a glass, Doctor Strange explained, "Everybody else is out there."

Perplexed, the soldier and the spy looked at the frozen image before them, which was showing the exact moment Steve was being attacked by Wanda, while talking to Strucker.

Seeing himself out there, the soldier exclaimed, "What is this?"

Natasha questioned with a hint of disappointment, "We're not… real?"

"You both are as real as you see each other."

Definitely upset, Steve asked, "Can't you end this? Send us back?"

"I can't undo what Wanda has done, but I can prevent another misuse of her magic. Farewell."

"Wait!" the soldier yelled, but as quickly as he came, the sorcerer was gone. "Can you believe this…?"

But she pointed to the transparent wall in front of them, saying, "Look!"

More than surprised, Steve and Natasha saw the three people in the frozen scene began to move…

The red bolt of energy coming from the Scarlet Witch's hand hit Captain America, before she disappeared. Steve fell through the stairs behind him, but climbed them fast, commanding, "We have a second enhanced. Female. Do not engage." After knocking down Hydra's leader, he replied, "Guys, I got Strucker."

Meanwhile, inside the secret lab, among lost Chitauri technology, Tony found Loki's Scepter and reported, "Yeah, I got... something bigger. Thor. I got eyes on the prize."

.

Author's Note: Yeah. Wanda first attack was aimed to Steve, even before she confronted Tony with his fears. And I couldn't help but think why didn't she try to control the Avengers leader? It would be the logical approach, right? So… maybe she did. Am I too crazy? I don't know much about Scarlet Witch or Doctor Strange, but reading the comics, I found their connection and the Chaos Magic. I couldn't resist it! Please, check the references.

Anyway, I'm a hopeless romantic. I don't like drama, I don't even read drama. Yet, here I am, trying to write this, because of that… you know… Ultron! I hope I don't suck too much. There will be two more chapters, I think. Please, talk to me.

Thanks Bleh-X for your help! All favorites, follows and especially for the reviews and support, you guys are the best!

Love you all,

xoxo Mari

Ref: Comics: Avengers Vol 1 (2004) "Avengers Disassembled: Chaos"

#503 – [Stephen Strange] I am talking to you from the astral plane… a metaphysical dimension layered on top of the one in which you live. (…) Clearly you are in immediate and grave danger from a magic force of immense power. I am truly sorry I could not be here to stop this before it started. (…) But now I see that the magics have been molested in an attack aimed at you. (…) Her "hex" power, it wasn't earned through spirituality. It was given to her without understanding of its consequence. (…) There's a great possibility that she may not even be aware of what she is doing. (…) an orphaned mutant with a sordid, violent past… with powers she did not earn nor can she control… powers she never fully understood. Can you understand the delicate mindset of a woman, a person, who has control over reality? It means reality controls her. Imagination becomes the enemy. Structure disappears. Reality, eventually, as she knows it, starts to slip away. Elude her. Blur. Drama, conflict, tragedy. They become excuses to change the world to fit the image she has for it. (…) A person who lost control of themselves on a deep psychological level. You'd say this sounds like a disturbed person. (…) The magics create a… map.

Giant-Size Avengers Vol 1 #4 (1975) – [Wanda Maximoff] Love is for souls, not bodies.

Marvel Triple Action Vol 1 #21 (1974) – [Wanda Maximoff] Tell me Captain America… Do you never know fear?