Moving Forward

Chapter 4

After the various tests, Natasha walked Rani back to her room.

"You'll have a few more days to get settled before we begin training," Natasha notified her.

"Training?"

"You'll learn how to control your powers with Steve and Wanda and how to use firearms with Clint. I will be teaching you hand-to-hand combat," Natasha smirked.

They arrived at Rani's door. It slid open, revealing Wanda and Pietro, the former carrying Purnima in her arms. Rani was immediately suspicious.

"She woke up a few minutes ago," Wanda explained. "I was just rocking her back to sleep."

"Thank you," Rani sending her a small smile. She glanced at Pietro before looking back to Wanda.

"She's a very amiable baby," Wanda grinned, handing Purnima to Rani.

"Yes, she's very open to meeting new people." Rani affectionately kissed Purnima's cheek. "Thank you for watching her."

"It was no problem," Wanda replied. "I'll do it anytime you need me to."

Rani nodded, her eyes once again returning to Pietro's form. He could easily read the mistrust in her eyes.

"I was just stopping by to inform all of you that we'll be eating dinner soon," he smiled at her, hoping to exude friendliness. Wanda had convinced him that all she would need is some time to get used to all of them. "It'll be a sort of welcome dinner for Rani."

"That is very kind of you all," Rani spoke to the floor.

"I'll help you get ready if you want," Wanda suggested.

"Meanwhile, I could watch Purnima," Natasha added. She smiled at the gurgling baby.

Rani looked at the both of them. She could tell that they were making an effort to reach out to her and make her comfortable. "Okay," she nodded. "I wouldn't mind a little help."

"That's your cue to leave, Pietro," Wanda smirked. With a flick of her fingers, a red fog-like mist caused the bedroom door to open. Pietro rolled his eyes at her as he moved to leave the room. He glanced at Rani over his shoulders, their eyes meeting for a second before she looked away.

Wanda ushered Rani into the shower while she picked out something for her to wear. She stepped out of the bathroom, clad in a plush cream bathrobe and slippers. Wanda held up an orange summer dress with a white ribbon around the waist.

"How's this?"

Rani bit her lip. "Uh, how about something a little longer…"

Wanda nodded and walked back into the closet. She reemerged with a maxi dress of a dark red-burgundy color which complimented her caramel skin tone. It cinched around the waist before leading to a wide, flowing skirt. The long sleeves flowed in a similar fashion before binding around the wrists.

Rani's eyes beamed at the dress. "Is that…mine?"

Natasha laughed. "Everything in that closet is yours."

"I take it that you like this one," Wanda grinned. Rani nodded, blushing. She felt comfortable around these women, more relaxed. "Get changed and we can do something with your hair."

After putting on the dress and slipping on a pair of black sandals, Wanda French braided her hair; it took a while as Rani's hair ended at her hips. Rani watched Natasha play with Purnima, the baby's laughter ringing.

"You like children," Rani stated.

"Yes," Natasha breathed, her eyes remaining on the baby. "I've always wanted children."

Rani withheld from asking further questions. "Could you possibly pick out something for Purnima to wear?"

Natasha grinned at her. "Of course. I'd love to." She selected a simple pink dress and white cardigan for the baby, dressing her after Rani bathed her.

All the while, Natasha and Wanda told Rani humorous stories about the other Avengers. Natasha was happy to see Rani smiling so much. It didn't take much for Natasha to see that the girl hid a dark past; she smiled little and laughed even less, if at all. What could have happened to this young woman for her to be so somber?

"Let's get going, they're probably all waiting," Natasha said, laughing from a story about Tony.

The three women continued conversing as they made their way to the dining room. Natasha noted the way Rani became more reserved as they grew closer to the other Avengers, her grip on Purnima increasing. She kept her brow from furrowing, choosing to let Rani behave as she wishes.

"About time," Tony remarked as they entered the room.

"Perhaps you should learn a little patience," Natasha pointedly stated.

"Eh, I'm not really one for patience," Tony shrugged. "Speedy gets me."

Pietro ignored him, his eyes on Rani. She looked…pretty.

"Stop drooling, kid," Clint chuckled at him as he pulled out his chair.

Just as Clint was about to take a seat, his chair was pulled out a little further, causing Clint to fall to the ground with an 'oof'.

Pietro smirked as he sat down in his chair. "Careful, old man. You didn't see that coming?"

Thor's laughter mingled with Bruce's and Tony's chuckles. Even Vision had a smile on his face. Rani cracked a tiny smile at Clint's irritation as he climbed up from the floor, muttering as he glared at Pietro.

Rani chose the seat across from Pietro while Natasha and Wanda sat on either side of her. Vision took the seat beside Wanda, to whom she smiled. Steve and Tony sat at the ends of the large mahogany table, while Clint sat across from Natasha. Thor sat beside Pietro, followed by Bruce.

A wine bottle sat at the center of the table. Tony picked it up and reached out a hand to Rani. "Would you like a drink, Rani?"

"Oh, I don't drink alcohol," Rani shook her head.

"Really? That's a shame," Tony replied, going on to pour himself a drink. He passed the bottle to Clint, who helped himself to a decent amount. Pietro passed the bottle on to Thor—he knew it displeased Wanda.

Thor poured himself a hefty drink, adding his own Asgardian alcohol to his cup.

Once everyone had a drink—either wine or water—Steve raised his glass.

"To our new member, Rani," Steve toasted. "May she quickly become a part of this family and serve this team well."

They all took sips of their drinks, while Thor threw back his whole cup. Several conversation took place over dinner, though Rani said little; she preferred to listen.

"Oh, Rani, remind me to tell you about Budapest," Natasha laughed as she shared a look with Clint. "It was wonderful."

Clint, on the other hand, grimaced. "You and I remember Budapest very differently."

"You all have been to so many places," Rani smiled. "I've only ever traveled within India."

"Where have you been in India?" Clint asked, taking a bit of his food.

Rani paused. "Only between Himachal Pradesh and Delhi," her eyes remained on her plate as she answered.

"I've always wanted to go to Himachal Pradesh," Bruce commented. "I've heard it is very beautiful."

"It is," Rani nodded. "I grew up there, in Shimla."

Purnima dozed in her arms, her chest rising gently.

"Do you have family there?" Steve asked.

"…no. No, I don't."

Rani felt everyone's eyes on her, particularly Wanda's. Wanda frowned, as if she didn't understand something she had read.

"I should take Purnima to bed." Rani stood from the table. Her hazel eyes met Pietro's, unintentionally conveying her discomfort. "Thank you for the meal. Good night everyone." With that, she left the dining room.

Silence lingered over the rest of the Avengers.

"She's quite shy," Vision commented. "Perhaps we make her feel uncomfortable."

"She's very comfortable around us," Natasha countered, motioning towards Wanda and herself. Wanda stared at her plate, a wrinkle between her brows.

"Well, womenfolk are always the most comfortable around one another," Thor chuckled.

"Give it some time," Steve insisted. He sipped from his glass of wine, pursing his lips at the taste. "She just needs some time."

Pietro observed his brooding sister and knew that she had glimpsed into Rani's mind. Wanda was working on controlling her powers and refraining from reading people's minds—she wanted everyone else to have the same privacy that she desired for herself. Once in a while, however, she would slip, oblivious to what she was doing. Reading into the minds around her was as natural as conversation.

After dinner, the group dispersed. Wanda and Pietro walked into his room and sat on the couch.

"What did you see?" He asked in their native tongue.

"I was trying not to look into her mind but it sort of just happened," Wanda sheepishly began. "When she said that she has no family there, a man and a woman appeared in her mind. Rani looks like the woman but she has the man's eyes."

"They must be her parents," Pietro deduced.

"I was thinking the same." Wanda gazed out the window for a time while Pietro played with her hair.

"She'll open up sooner or later."

Pietro nodded in agreement. "She doesn't seem to like men very much."

Wanda hummed. "I noticed that as well."

"Maybe she prefers women," he snickered.

"Pietro," she rolled her eyes at her brother. "I'm going to go spend some time with Vision."

Pietro wrinkled his nose. "You're leaving your brother to go spend time with a robot? Some sister you are."

"Good night, dear brother," she laughed.

The door slid closed behind her. Pietro ran to his bed, flopping onto it. He lay on his back, thinking about Rani. He couldn't imagine not having his parents and having to be completely alone; he couldn't imagine a life without Wanda. How was Rani able to live on her own with a baby to care for?

He recalled the small hovel which she had called home prior to them recruiting her. There was no evidence of any kind of parent. He rolled over, yawning. He absentmindedly wondered whether her parents were still alive.

Pietro's eyes fluttered shut as he dreamed of his own parents.

Pietro jolted awake, his slumber broken by the faint sound of crying. He glanced at the clock on his bedside table: it was around two o'clock in the morning. He clambered out of bed and sped out of his room, trying to locate the sound. He came to a stop before Rani's door.

Purnima's cries barely could be heard through the thick walls but Pietro had excellent hearing. He could hear Rani shushing Purnima and her soft footsteps as she paced. As Pietro continued to listen, he heard humming. A faint and short tune which Rani repeated over and over again as Purnima settled down.

Pietro remained at Rani's door until she had stopped humming. Her voice had taken him captive, leaving him in awe at her doorstep. What felt like hours after her room had gone silent, Pietro walked back to his room. He lay back in his bed and closed his eyes, though sleep did not claim him immediately. Rani's humming replayed in his mind, soft yet significant like the sound of rain on the window.