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Lila and Cooper's first week of school seemed to fly by. Of course, there was the usual complaints about homework, a lack of freedom, and a changing social scene but the kids didn't have any outstanding reasons not to go back the next week. Friday rolled around far more quickly than Pietro thought it had any right to.

Wanda and Laura drove into town early in the morning to go clothes shopping while Clint and Pietro did a few small tasks around the farm-fixing things that needed fixing and completely refurbishing the sunroom. Pietro suspected that all the activity was meant to distract him from the impending date. He still wasn't convinced he would be spending the entire afternoon at the farm, but he'd promised his sister he wouldn't interfere in the date or try to watch or record it in any way. And he didn't want to betray her trust. Things were back to normal between the two of them, but the normalcy was shaky; he got the feeling one wrong move was all that was needed to make things worse.

He sighed as he tried to make grilled cheese on the griddle. Laura had taught him how because he liked the sandwiches so much but he'd never tried to make them unsupervised.

"Something wrong?" Clint asked, reading a magazine at the kitchen table. "You seem upset."

"I'm fine." he replied.

"Are you sure? Because I'm an agent of a top secret government organization and I'm very good at reading people's emotions."

Pietro sighed. "Back in Sokovia…things were different. There weren't relationships, so to speak. There were first dates, one night stands…but nothing more than that. I suppose I'm just not willing to let her grow up yet. I feel like this is different…like this android is different than any of the other men she's met before. And I suppose, in a way, that I'm not prepared for things to go farther than a first date. I don't know what to expect."

Clint poured himself a cup of coffee. "Overprotective much?"

"I am twelve minutes older than her. It's kind of my job."

"I take it you've never been in a serious relationship yourself."

"Not like that, no-although Wanda will probably tell you that I've dated every girl in Sokovia."

"Let me give you some advice-sometimes you just have to let people go. Let them grow up. You might not want to…but you can't always hold her hand. She needs to grow up. She wants to grow up-and she can take care of herself."

"I know-but Vision is a robot."

"His intentions are pure. He wouldn't still be in one piece if they weren't. Things will work out. They always do. Don't worry about it."

"Easier said than done."

"You're about to burn the cheese."

Pietro swore and turned the cheese so it would cook evenly.

"Anyway," Clint continued, "she's lucky to have a brother who cares about her so much. Maybe too much. And deep down, she knows that. Just let things play out how they're going to play out. And make sure she knows that you support her decision-even if you don't. She needs your support. You're the most important person in her life. And that's not going to change anytime soon."

"I know." He sighed. "Sometimes…not all the time, but sometimes….I almost wish we were back in Sokovia. Things were simple-you steal, you lie, you cheat…you do whatever you have to do to get ahead. We helped out as much as we could-I stole a lot for others, those even less fortunate than us, and Wanda provided distraction. We…knew each other. Sometimes we could even know what the other was thinking. And ever since coming to America…there's been so much to adjust to. So much to change. It's overwhelming, and at times a little nerve wracking. And we're going different places…I am beginning to realize we won't be together for the rest of our lives. She'll find someone, I'll find someone…we'll have our own families, our own jobs. It's harder to connect."
"It's called growing up. Happens to everyone. But just because you're going different places doesn't mean you'll be any less close or love each other any less. You'll always be part of each other in one way or another. You're too close not to be; you have so many memories that no one should have to live through, especially not kids. But they're integrated into your being; they make you who you are. And they connect you. Yeah, you'll probably have your own circles. Your own families, your own friends, and your own jobs. Maybe you won't live in the same neighborhood, or even in the same country. But you'll still be close. You'll still be siblings. It's been a couple years at least since Laura has seen some of her siblings-they live all over the world, actually-but they're still close. They video chat at least once a week. They share pictures of their kids. They text each other all the time. It works. It's conventional, but it works. And it'll work out between you and your sister too. You're not going to lose her-in more ways than one. You'll always be close. This is a period of change for both of you. Sometimes it's going to suck. Let's just be honest here. But life has lots of good parts too. There are still so many things you haven't experienced yet-make your own frozen yogurt, quality fast food, two dollar Tuesdays at the movie theatre. And soon you'll be completely adjusted."

"I hope you're right, old man."

He rolled his eyes. "Trust me. I've lived it. Now what do you say we paint the barn? Laura is always telling me it's too faded to look like a proper barn."

"A proper barn is supposed to look faded. I would think it would give the property a sense of 'rustic charm'."

"Exactly. Nicely said, by the way."

"Thank you. For a while a few years ago Wanda was very interested in those home improvement shows."

"…They can be addicting. Sometimes…"

~IT~

"What do you think?"

Laura eyed the dress critically, holding it up to first the mannequin and then to Wanda. "I like it. Add it to the pile." She placed it in the car, where the pile of dresses to try on was steadily growing higher and higher, and moved on down the line. "Although I did like that red one."

They browsed for a minute or two before she pulled out a blue one. "What about this? Do you like it?"

"It's nice." Wanda fingered a fold of fabric carefully. It ran through her fingers like sea foam. The clothing store Laura had taken her to wasn't expensive by any sense of word but the price tag still made Wanda's eyes want to pop out of their sockets. She felt bad having the Bartons spend any more on her than was strictly necessary. "But there are others-"

"Put it in the cart."

It was late morning on a Monday; the store was borderline empty. "How old were you the first time you went on a date?"

"Fifteen. It was a guy from my biology class whose friends had dared him to ask me out. We were both so nervous I can't believe we actually went through with it and we spent the first fifteen minutes in awkward silence. But after that it was fun-I actually dated him on and off for almost three years. Have you ever been on a date before?"

"Maybe once or twice-but that was a long time ago and it was more because we were curious about how it all worked than any real attraction. Besides, this feels…different." She couldn't quite explain it; she wasn't really sure she understood it herself.

Laura nodded. "Understandable. You're a little older, a little wiser-probably not looking for the same things you were when you were fifteen, sixteen years old. I like this one. What do you think?"

"Too many rhinestones."

"Don't you like rhinestones?"

"Not an inordinate amount. How do you know when you've found the right man?" She knew she was too young for that sort of thing, but she was very curious. Besides, the Hydra base she'd lived in for the past five years had taught her a lot about science but not about the way the world of dating worked.

"Hmm." Laura glanced through a few more dresses but didn't add any more to the cart. "I don't know. I suppose you just know. Subconsciously, when you feel like you know the guy almost as well as you know yourself…when you know you can trust him with anything. It's a long process; it's not one to be rushed."

"And sometimes it's not forever."

"Right. Times change, your opinions change, things happen that you wouldn't expect and sometimes you find yourself in the market all over again. That's the good thing about love-sure, it breaks your heart but it also gives you a second chance. Sure, it didn't work out this time but who's to say it won't work out next time? You always have a fresh start. Just because you think someone's perfect but you end up finding that you have conflicting interests doesn't mean you'll never find that special someone. Love is just a game where you roll the dice and hope you get lucky-but you have to play. It doesn't work if you don't at least try." She eyed their pile, which had increased almost exponentially. "I'd say we'll be able to find something from within this pile. What do you think?"

"I'd hope so. Otherwise I think we've cleaned this store out."

Laura sent her off to the dressing room with the first five dresses. "And don't worry about the price. If there's a dress you like but it's more than you want to spend, save it anyway."

"I wouldn't want to cause any trouble-"

"No trouble. You're a friend. We always provide for our friends."

They spent most of the morning in the dress shop, with Wanda trying on dress after dress. Some of them she liked, others she didn't, but they were all a little different and very pretty in their own ways. Eventually, she decided on the red dress-it wasn't too gaudy, but it was comfortable and had a reasonable price.

Laura checked her watch. "We still have a couple of hours before the kids get home from school. I know a nice little diner nearby that serves good lunches. Want to get some?"

"Sounds great." Wanda knew she wouldn't be able to eat much as the time wound closer and closer to the date but she thought she'd be able to manage some soup. "Thank you so much-for everything."

"Of course. Don't mention it."

~IT~

The afternoon seemed far longer than usual. Wanda did what she could to keep herself entertained-she went on three different walks around the property, tried to read, and even tried to watch a little TV. It didn't work. She always felt restless; more and more she was wanting the date to be over just so she could stop worrying about it.

She threw her book down in annoyance, realizing that she wasn't going to be able to get past page ten. Instantly, Snowflake took this as a sign that she could jump onto her lap and sit down, begging for attention. Wanda laughed and scratched behind the cat's ears the way she knew she liked it. "You know, I'm really going to miss you when I go back to New York." The date was already circled on her calendar; it loomed in the back of her mind like a big red question mark. She didn't know exactly what to feel about the whole thing. Of course, it would be good to train and see the other members of the team again-but she couldn't imagine leaving the farm. It was basically her home now-or the closest thing to a home she had. "You're lucky you'll never be in love."

Snowflake just looked up at her curiously and played with her fingers.

Just then, Pietro came in and sat down on the couch on the other side of the room, draining a glass of lemonade. He was covered in a layer of clean sweat; obviously he'd just come in from outside. "How is it going?"

"Fine." she replied. "Did you have a good morning?"

"Yes. Did you find a good dress?"

"Yes."

"Are you nervous for tonight?"

"No." she lied. Doubtless Pietro would be able to pick up on that fact; he always did.

"Don't be. Vision seems like an android who has his priorities straight. You'll have a lot of fun."

She sighed. "I hope so."

"Hey," he said, nudging her so she would look at him, "don't worry. You just have to give it a try, you know? What do you have to lose? Nothing. Don't you talk to him all the time?"

"Not all the time. Just when he's in town."

"See? It's just like that. Just at a fancy restaurant with quality food instead of watery coffee. It's still the same premise."

She nodded, fiddling with one of her necklaces. "Are you still upset?"

He sighed. "I was never upset. Not at you, anyway. Just…at change. At the fact that we're both growing up and things aren't what they used to be. We have more responsibilities-and more opportunities. I think I got too overprotective and I let it all get to me."

"You think?"

"Don't push it. Anyway, have a great time. I know you will."

Her smile was genuine as she stood up to go get ready. "Thank you. Can things go back to normal now?"

"What do you mean?"

"Will you stop taking up arms at every little thing? Can we just be us again? Not Avengers or refugees. Just us-like always."

He nodded. "Just us."

~IT~

The ensuing night was one of the longest of Pietro's life-although this time it wasn't because the world as he knew it was coming to an end. Vision drove up at precisely five thirty on the dot in a shiny black convertible that Pietro was sure he had borrowed from Tony and drove off with Wanda in the passenger seat five minutes later. That left Pietro to find ways to entertain himself. First he and the kids played with Legos until Laura announced that it was time to eat. After dinner he had his driving lesson with Clint; both the twins were fast learners and they were fast approaching the time they could test for their learners permit. Clint wanted them to have at least that before they went back to New York in a couple of weeks.

By the time he got back Cooper and Lila had already gone to bed, which left him to watch a movie with Clint and Laura. Laura had taped one of the old-timey war romances she liked to watch, which both Clint and Pietro found brutally boring, but they pretended to watch with interest so as not to hurt her feelings. Once the movie was over it was close to ten thirty, which meant Wanda would be due back within the half hour.

First Pietro tried to read. Then he tried to draw. Eventually he resorted to pacing-at least until Laura told him to stop if he wanted the kids to stay asleep. He ended up playing with the cats; Chocolate Chip always needed someone to play with her while Snowflake seemed to look to him as the next in command with Wanda gone. The minutes seemed to pass at the speed of maple syrup and he found himself constantly looking out the window for Vision's car. His mind couldn't help jumping to all sorts of terrible scenarios; he checked his phone for new messages far more than he knew he should. Shouldn't they be back by now?

Finally, at exactly 10:59, the car drove up in front of the farm. Pietro watched as Wanda got out, said something to Vision, closed the door, waved, and started to walk back to the front porch. By the time she opened the door he was ready and waiting to open it and bombard her with questions. "How was it?"

"Calm down, kid." Clint said, reading some important looking documents at the kitchen table. "Give her some room to breathe."

"Right. Sorry." He took five steps back. "So, what happened?"

"It was nice." Wanda replied almost cryptically.

"Did you have any trouble with the reservations?" Laura asked, looking up from where she was washing the popcorn bowl from the movie.

"No. Everything worked out very well. We're going to see a movie Wednesday night, if that's all right with everyone."

"That should work. You and Pietro are going to school on Monday."

Pietro groaned. He'd been trying hard to forget. "And how was the date?"

"It was good. We talked a lot. He's such a gentleman."

"Are things serious yet?"

She rolled her eyes. "It's the first date, Pietro. Honestly."

"Right, right. I understand. Well, I'm glad you had a good time." And he was. She deserved a chance to be happy. "I assume you're tired."

She barely managed to stifle a yawn as she picked up Snowflake and absentmindedly started to pet the kitten's soft fur. "Yes. Very. Good night, Pietro."

"Good night." He said his good nights to the rest of the family, stopped in on both Cooper and Lila to check that they were both sleeping soundly, and went back to his room to finish his book. He shook his head almost ruefully as he closed the book on the last page. He had always assumed he'd be the first to find a steady girlfriend, the way he'd been first to experience almost everything else. But somehow Wanda had managed to go on a real sit down date before he did.

He hadn't seen that coming.

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