CHAPTER 9: He is just devastatingly charming

Her next training, with Steve of course, was going to be different this time as she wasn't going to be alone this time. There were also Sam and Rhody, who were already waiting for Kat in the training hall.

-Well, well. Look who's late - Rhodes teased Kat as soon as she entered.

-It's been only two minutes! And only because I couldn't find the way.

-This one time you will be forgiven, Raven - Steve voiced from behind, laughing.

-Oh, God bless America! - Kat chuckled - I swear it will never happen again. Or at least I will try.

-Fine - Steve sighed - Ok, no time to loose - he clapped his hands, ordering the three to focus on the training. - The rules are simple. Rhodes, Sam: no flying or using any advantages of your suit. Kat: reduce your powers only to materializing daggers or whatever you choose. Today we focus on hand-to-hand fighting. For now you are a team. And, obviously, kill as many holograms as you can.

Before Katelin could ask for any details, they were already surrounded. But given that, this training was so much fun. Of course not using her powers was a bit of a problem to her but she needed to break a habit of using them, because sometimes she felt like she was fully dependent on them. Few times she got painfully knocked out but she made sure to give the attackers a proper beating in reward. Working in a team was something new and very difficult to Kat. But she was a fast learner and she made a huge effort not to stab Rhodes or Sam accidentally. Steve's voice could be heard from the microphone, he was giving some advice how to punch or dodge. It was so much different than training in the HYDRA HQ, where the only thing she had to worry about was not to get killed. They needed her to be able to kill, not to fight.

The training session lasted two and half an hours. When Rogers announced the end, Kat fell dramatically on the floor, breathing heavily.

-Condition, my dear, is more important than you think - Sam laughed.

-Yeah, tell me more - she managed to gasp out.

-Oh don't torment this poor, little girl. The good news is that you are free today - Steve came towards them. - Good job guys. Keep up the good work.

-Thanks, cap. Do you need help in getting to your room, lady? - Rhody smirked.

-No - she said proudly. - But if you are so eager, you can help me up.

-Ok, come on - Rhodes laughed and after Kat was on her legs they headed to their rooms.

Katelin was resting, all fresh and fragrant after a long bath when she heard an alarm going off.

That was't in the instructions... Or it was? Shit, I didn't read them. - she tried not to panic, trying to figure out what the hell is happening. Slowly, she stepped out of her room on the corridor. It was empty. But then a door down the hallway opened.

-Pietro! - Kat called him. - What's up?

-A meeting in the tactic room. Probably some urgent mission or something - hearing that Kat sighed with a relief. She was pretty sure that she will not be included in this mission.

-Do I have to go too?

-Sure, aren't you curious what is it all about? - his current smile made him look like a rebelled teenager, who's planning some mistchief. Kat returned a smile, ready to go, but than she realized she had no idea where to.

-Sure I am. But where the hell is that? - Pietro stepped towards Kat pulling his hands in her direction. Katelin was standing only a step away from him, looking straight in his eyes. They were so deep and blue that she was afraid that she'll drown.

-May I?

-Oh God... - Kat really wanted to find herself in his grip but she liked to play the 'inaccessible' one. Without a word she stepped close enough for Pietro to lift her.

Pietro picked her up gently. Kat could feel hie every muscle cramping. She embraced him tightly and snuggle up on his neck. Pietro felt a warm chill down his spine and Kat heard his heart beat fastening. She just hoped that it is not because he was preparing for a run. With a big smile on his face, Pietro ran to the tactic room.

Despite Pietro's speed, they came as last. In the room there was director Fury and all of the Avengers. When Kat was put on the ground, giggling, she found out that everybody were staring at them with ambiguous looks. Katherine almost forgot how it is to be back in her awkward realm, but life was kind enough to remind her. If it wouldn't be for Pietro, she would be just standing in the door and figuring out which way of escape would be the fastest.

-You were saying? - Pietro asked in his attractive, Sokovian accent.

-Fine... - director Fury decided to go on as Kat and Pietro took the remaining seats. He projected a map on a large screen in front of them and continued. - We have encountered one more HYDRA base, this time on Kamchatka. It looks really massive so I will need a big team. Captain?

-I will need all of you ready. Well almost. Pietro, Katelin, you are staying - hearing that Pietro's smile faded.

-You're joking, right?

-Doctor Oakley gave me strict instructions. Your state has become more shaky, I can't let you out on field, not yet. - Pietro remained silent but it was clearly visible how pissed he is. He looked like he's going to explode. - Kat, you're not ready to fight in a team, so I hope you understand my decision.

-Perfectly Captain.

-Maximoff? - Cap turned back to Pietro - I would like to train with Katelin when we'll be off, she needs to have a better control over her power. Can you do that?

-Yes, sir. - Pietro said through set teeth.

Than Fury and Steve started to discuss tactics and the details of the attack. Katelin listened with interest wondering how imaginative one must be to come up with such brilliant ideas as Steve did. This discussion was a real brainstorm. It was amazing that every Avenger had an opportunity to express his opinion and have an active contribution in planning the attack. Of course, sitting and just listening bored Kat and she started subconsciously drifting off and flying away to her dreamland. But quickly she returned, remembering that Wanda any time could read her thoughts. Kat quickly took a look at the girl, but she was too busy discussing the plans with the rest of the squad. Kat sighed with a relief and her sight moved from Wanda do Pietro. And that view really scared her. He was sitting without moving and at first sight he looked calm. But in his eyes Kat saw a mix of pure anger and rage. And she wasn't sure if it is because he can't go and kill some bastards or because he has to wet-nurse her.

-Good. You all know the plan. We meet in 20 minutes on the landing platform B4 - Steve interrupted Kat's deep thoughts and left with the rest of the team.

-You two stay - Fury's voice stopped Kat and Pietro from leaving the room. - Maximoff, can I rely on you in terms of Ravenwood's training? - Nick had a nasty habit of referring to people by their surnames.

-I will do what I can, director - Pietro answered with deadly cold voice.

-Good. Ravenwood, according to Rogers' report you can join team's training, but during their mission you will be free. Excluding practicing with Maximoff and maybe some cross-fit... - he gave her a meaningful look - I hope to see an improvement when the Avengers will be back. That's all. Do you have any questions? - hearing a negative answer, Fury let them go.

Pietro made a quick exit but it was more rather like a 'human fast' than 'Pietro fast'. In fact he was slow enough for Katelin to keep up. But she hesitated. She didn't know if she should follow him, wherever he was going. Kat didn't know what to tell him and she felt terrible because of that. She wasn't sure if he's doing it on purpose to hurt her, but she felt like a pain in his ass. So she decided to let him go.

After 15 minutes of wandering around the facility, Katelin finally found a platform B4. She thought that she should at least bid them farewell.

Because that's what normal people do, right?

When she approached to the quin jet, most of the team was inside, waiting for Wanda, who was still talking to her brother. Katelin couldn't understand, because they were talking in Sokovian. But she heard Pietro's cracky voice filled with love and care towards his sister. He grabbed Wanda in a tight embrace and kissed her forehead. That scene was so touching, Pietro's care really moved Kat. As Wanda stepped into a quin jet, leaving her twin brother on the landing platform, the engines started and slowly the jet took of.

Once again Katelin and Pietro were left alone and once again she had no idea what to do. As always, Kat chose to remain silent. She always believed that it is better to be quiet than babble idiocies. They stood there for a little while when Pietro broke a silence.

-Do you think that I'm overreacting? - he turned towards Kat. She was really surprised, because she was quite sure that he didn't see her and didn't know she was here. On his face, Kat could see a mixture of fear, concern and care. The rebelled teenager was gone and his place was taken by a loving and protective brother.

-I think you love her and that is absolutely normal that you're worried. But you should also have trust in the rest of the team. Do you really think that Vision would let anyone hurt Wanda?

-No, he wouldn't. But what if he won't be around? And...

-Hey, now you're winding up. What than? Than Wanda will kill everyone who will try to harm her, because I am sure that Steve wouldn't let her go if he wasn't sure of her self-defense abilities - Pietro took a moment, looking at the floor.

-Yes. She will be fine - he looked up straight into Kat's grey eyes, which made her feel a bit dizzy. - The hour is late, it's time for us.

They returned in silence to the living quarters but the atmosphere wasn't heavy at all, rather melancholic. Kat wished she could say something else, start a conversation. But she had a sort of a blockade, which made her unable to say a word. Pietro walked her to her room.

-Goodnight. - Pietro said, before returning to his room. It wasn't a simple 'goodnight'. When he sad it with his low, almost humming voice, Katelin felt like her knees were bending. She was glad that he had left so soon, in other way she would be forced to explain him why her face turned red. She closed the door behind and leaned against the wall. She was trying to figure out how a single word can arouse such emotions. She wondered if he did this on purpose and came to a conclusion that he is just devastatingly charming from nature.

I know that today's chapter is a bit shorter, but trust me, the next one will compensate it 3:) Also, it's been a while since I asked so... REVIEW please! ;) I really want to know what you think