Chapter 19

More Questions

Upon arrival from her room to the main living floor of Avengers Tower, Anna spotted Natasha mingling with a few people in a gorgeous black and white 40's style dress. Anna glanced down at herself with her black high waisted jeans, plain white top, and navy blue blazer and felt a little under-dressed. Fiddling with her left hand sporting her wedding ring, she fingered the locket Steve had given her and went to the bar for a glass of wine. She figured she'd start off slow. After all, this was a party thrown by Tony. She needed to pace herself.

Once Anna's eyes landed on Steve and a few of the other fellow heroes, she felt a little more comfortable with the articles she'd chosen. Getting all dolled up hadn't been Anna's intention. She wanted to look nice, but be comfortable in this situation where she knew she wouldn't be comfortable. At least there were plenty of people she did know there.

Finally, after standing there a few too many minutes to seem normal, Anna spotted Sam and Steve walking across the room heading towards the upper observation floor. Hurrying after them with ease in her ankle boots, Anna caught up with them before they made it to the stairs.

"Don't you two look nice," Anna complimented.

"Hey, Anna," Sam greeted. "You look gorgeous as ever!"

"Watch it, Sam. She's a married woman," Steve teased.

"Oh ha ha," Anna said. "Like it'd cheat. But thank you for the compliment, Sam."

"Anytime. Steve was just telling me about the retrieval mission," Sam said, as the group continued up the stairs.. "Sounds like a hell of a fight. Sorry I missed it."

"If I had known it was going to be a firefight I absolutely would have called you," Steve said. "Anna could've been a good backup too."

"No, I'm not actually sorry. I'm just trying to sound tough. I'm very happy chasing cold leads on our missing persons case. Avenging is your world. Your world is crazy," Sam clarified.

"You can say that again," Anna said.

"Be it ever so humble," Steve said.

"You find a place in Brooklyne yet?"

"You're looking to move back to Brooklyn?" Anna asked.

"I don't think I can afford Brooklyn," Steve said.

"Well, home is home, you know?" Sam said.

"I think home is where you feel the most loved," she said. "But that's coming from someone that was always moving around growing up."

"Growing up? You're still growing up," Steve teased.

"Oh shut it, Star-Spangled-Smartass," Anna shot back with a playful smile on her lips. "But if you want help finding a place there, I have a few acquaintances that work around there. They might have some leads on some affordable places."

"That would be nice," Steve said. "But don't go to too much trouble."

"Steve, you're never too much trouble."

The night was slowly starting to wind down, but Anna was still exhausted from all the socializing. Eventually she found a quiet spot tucked away in the corner to the right of the bar with some lounging chairs to just relax and people watch. It was a fun pastime, seeing as she could profile some people, or even make up conversations some people were having as a bad attempt at lipreading. Lipreading had been one skill she'd never managed to master.

Tony was playing pool with Rhodes and Thor. Sam was chatting up some cute girls, with Dr. Cho hovering to listen in on the conversation. Natasha was behind the bar making herself a drink as Bruce went up to get one for himself and to chat. She didn't know what they were saying, but from Nat's flirty body language and Bruce's ever awkward self, she could see the flirtations exchange.

The two had been spending a lot more time together as of late, and it wasn't just because of work either. It was because of their bonding at the tower that they'd managed to figure out the lullaby that helped Bruce take back over the Hulk after missions were complete. It was an odd coupling, but one that Anna was touched by. Natasha's guarded but flirty personality helped bring out a more adventurous side to Bruce, while he helped her feel protected and safe, especially when he wasn't Hulked out. She opened up to him more than she'd seen pretty much anyone.

Seeing the young potentially blossoming relationship just made her even more lovesick for her husband. She'd give anything to be able to flirt with him again. To make him smirk down at her like he always did when there was anything remotely flirtatious or seductive going on. She preferred his genuine smile, but she loved that smirk too. She loved every part of that man.

Natasha walked away, and Bruce was left there contemplating over something. Steve walked up and leaned against the bar and started up a conversation with Bruce, clearly addressing what had just been going on between the two Avengers. Steve didn't stay too long, but he left a flustered Bruce behind. Steve saw her sitting there alone and came over to join her.

"Hey," he greeted.

"Hey yourself," she greeted back. "How long have those two had a thing?"

"Who knows?" Steve said, sipping at his beer. "But it's good to see. We could use some more wins around here."

"Yeah," Anna agreed quietly, thinking back to her husband again.

Steve noticed. "We're gonna find him, Anna," he said. "You'll have your husband back, and I'll have my best friend back soon enough."

"I hope you're right," Anna said. "I really miss him."

"I miss him too."

As hosts of a party, it was typically very common for them to get so busy that they don't eat. Or when they do get a chance to eat after taking care of everybody else, there wasn't enough left for them. It was that reason alone that the Avengers, Dr. Cho, and Hill decided to order Chinese food after the guests had left. They all sat in the common room, now with full bellies and happy with their company.

The group was all together, sitting in a square. Anna was on one couch next to Steve, with Thor on his other side. To Jamie's left sat Rhodey and Tony in individual chairs. Straight across Anna, across the coffee table, was Maria Hill, Clint in the middle, and Bruce, who was turned to Nat who was on the final side. She sat in a chair by herself, with Dr. Cho fast asleep on a loveseat to her left.

There had been many conversation topics as the group of adults drank away to good company. Eventually, the conversation landed on the topic of Thor's hammer, Mjolnir. The said hammer was currently resting on the glass coffee table, the focal point of the entire group relaxing on the couches and chairs.

"But, it's a trick!" Clint accused him.

"Oh, no. It's much more than that," Thor answered.

"Uh, "Whoever be he worthy shall haveth the power!" Whatever man! It's a trick!" Clint insisted.

"Well please," Thor said, motioning to the weapon. "Be my guest."

"Come on," Tony

"Really?" Clint asked, sounding bewildered that Thor was actually letting him do it.

"Yeah!" Thor answered again.

"Oh this is gonna be beautiful," Rhodey muttered.

Clint got up and Tony couldn't help but add in his two cents. "Clint, you've had a tough week. We won't hold it against you if you can't get it up."

"Dude, seriously?" Anna asked, making a face of disgusts.

"You know, I've seen this before, right?" Clint said. He grabbed the hammer and tried to lift it with a groan, but couldn't lift it. "I still don't know how you do it."

"Smell the silent judgement?" Tony asked.

"Please, Stark, by all means," Clint said, moving away for Tony to give it a try. Tony, in turn, got up to do just that.

"Oh, here we go," Nat muttered.

"Okay," Hill added.

There were various other little comments, like Rhodey's "Uh-oh" and Clint's "Um-hm." It was all very amusing, but like the grew knew far too well, things could get out of hand very easily when it came to them.

"Never one to shrink from an honest challenge," Tony said.

"You seriously just had to use the word 'shrink,' didn't you?" Anna groaned, rolling her eyes. "Why do you always have to make things weird?"

"Get after it," Clint ushered. Tony was stalling.

"Here we go," Nat groaned.

"It's physics," Tony clarified.

"Physics!" Bruce repeated humorously.

Tony wrapped the strap of the handle around his wrist and grasped the handle and, just before pulling, looked to Thor to ask "Right, so, if I lift it, I-I then rule Asgard?"

"Yes, of course," Thor answered.

"I will be re-instituting Prima Nocta," Tony stated. He tried to lift the hammer, but it didn't budge. He let go, and looked at it them a moment before muttering, "I'll be right back." And he was, with his armored hand from his Iron Man suit. He tried to lift it again with the aid of the propulsion, but it still didn't move.

"Little help here, Rhodey?" Tony shot out.

And a couple minutes later, Rhodey had his own glove on, trying to help Rhodey lift the damn hammer.

"Are you even pulling?" Rhodey asked.

"Are you on my team?" Tony asked.

"Just represent! Pull!"

"Alright, let's go!" Tony said.

The two pulled as hard as they could, all the while being watched by a group of teammates laughing their asses off. "Neither of you are going to pick it up. Perhaps it's best to leave what little dignity you have left intact," Anna suggested.

"Would anybody else like to try?" Thor asked though. This was just too amusing to him to let go.

Bruce got up to try next. He grabbed it with both his hands and pulled with all his might, standing on the table. He let his hands slip off as he roared, teasing as if he would change into the Hulk. Pretty much everybody just stared at him, like his joke was just a bad one. Not in the sense that it was inappropriate, but like a bad pun. Nat just grinned.

"How about you, Steve? If anybody can do it, it's you," Anna asked, shifting away from him. Steve smirked and nodded. He got up, and walked up to the hammer.

"Let's go, Steve, no pressure," Tony teased.

"Come on, Cap!" Clint cheered.

Steve gripped the hammer, and Anna thought she may have been seeing things, but he managed to make it budge just a little. He was not, however, able to pick it up. Anna looked over to Thor to see what his reaction was, and she saw that he laughed, with a look of relief.

"Nothing," he muttered.

"And?" Tony asked for another contender.

"Widow?" Bruce asked.

"Oh, no, no. That's not a question I need answered," Nat clarified.

"Anna?" Steve asked, plopping down in his previous spot.

"No, I'm good. I'd rather not know," she said.

"Really? Why?" Steve asked.

"I'd like to think I'm a good person, and that I'd be worthy, but if I try and fail then I'll just be disappointed in myself. I'm good as I am," she answered.

"Nicely put," Steve complimented.

"She's just scared she'll lose," Tony said. Annajust rolled her eyes. "All deference to the man who won't be king, but it's rigged."

"You bet your ass," Clint agreed.

"Steve, he said a bad language word!" Hill pointed out.

Steve looked to Tony and asked, "Did you tell everyone about that?"

Tony quickly changed the subject and continued to address Thor on the hammer. "The handle's imprinted, right? Like a security code. "Whosoever is carrying Thor's fingerprints" is, I think, the literal translation?"

"Yes, well that's, uh, that's a very, very interesting theory. I have a simpler one," Thor said. He got up from his seat and picked up the hammer and flipped it. "You're all not worthy."

"All hail the future King of Asgard!" Anna just laughed as everybody that tried groaned and made various disgruntled disagreements to that statement. Before the conversation could go any further though, there was a loud screech, like when a microphone got too close to the speakers.

"Woooooorthy."

The group collectively turned to see who had said that. What they saw was disturbing, to say the least. What hobbled towards them from the opposite side of the room was a husk, almost skeleton of one of the legionnaires that Tony controlled. It spoke in a deep male voice.

Queue the horror movie music, Anna thought, cautiously placing her hand on her gun at her hip.

"No, how could you be worthy? You're all killers," it said.

Sure, they'd all taken lives, but it wasn't in malice. There were casualties in war. As much as the heroes tried to avoid taking life, there was always a risk. Did that make them murderers? She supposed it was debatable.

"Stark," Steve said, not even needing to give him the order.

"JARVIS," Tony called out.

"I'm sorry, I was asleep. Or," it said. "I was a dream?"

"Reboot, Legionnaire OS, we got a buggy suit," Tony went on ordering, tapping away at his phone.

"There was a terrible noise, and I was tangle in...in strings," it said. "I had to kill the other guy. He was a good guy."

"You killed someone?" Steve asked.

"Wouldn't have been my first call. But, down in the real world we're faced with ugly choices," It said.

"Who sent you?" Thor demanded.

The robot played a recording over it's speakers. It sounded exactly like Tony, if not with a little added white noise in the background. "I see a suit of armor around the world."

Tony has something to do with this? Anna thought, glancing to the man. But why? How?

"Ultron!" Bruce exclaimed in realization.

"In the flesh," it, Ultron, whatever that was, answered. "Or, no, not yet. Not this...chrysalis. But I'm ready. I'm on mission."

"What mission?" Natasha asked.

"Peace in our time," Ultron said.

The rest of the Legionnaires busted through the wall behind Ulton, and jetted towards the group of heroes. Swearing in her head, Anna jumped behind her couch and took cover, only popping out to take a few shots before taking cover again. Steve had remained in his spot, but jumped up and used the coffee table as a shield. One of the bots rammed right into him sending him flying backwards.

Could really use Rey right about now, Anna thought. The alien beast was asleep in her room. Parties were definitely not his thing. And though he often hung around the Avengers when Anna was there, and sometimes accompanied her out in public on her shoulder or in her pocket, people weren't exactly used to seeing an alien beast fox around. He'd opted to stay and sleep on her comfortable bed instead of freak some of the guest at the party out.

Movement behind her caught her attention. Anna's eyes met with Dr. Cho's, crouching down behind the piano. It was a terrible hiding place. Anna, moving from her relatively good cover ran over to her and grabbed her arm, shooting with the gun in her other hand a few times. "Stay behind me," Anna said as one of the bots started to come closer. She raised her gun to shoot, but her clip was empty. As fast as she could she released it and pulled out another from her belt, but Steve had already taken care of it.

Anna could just make out some of the others making calls. "Stark!" Steve ordered to do something.

"One sec!" Tony called back, almost in the same exact situation with another Legionnaire. "One sec. I got this."

Finally, Thor and Steve took out the last Legionnaire, and that just left the Ultron husk.

"That was dramatic," Ultron said.

Standing with the woman behind her, Anna kept her reloaded gun pointed at the original talking robot. The others were finally taken out, but this one still remained. If that thing could control the Legionnaires, then the chances he could hack into other sections of the tower meant a far greater danger.

"I'm sorry. I know you mean well. You just didn't think it through. You want to protect the world, but you don't want it to change. How is humanity saved if it's not allowed to...evolve?" Ultron leaned down and picked up one of the dismantled Legions. "With these? These puppets? There's only one path to peace: The Avengers' extinction."

Thor growled and threw Mjolnir, breaking Ultron. It wasn't completely dead though. As it slowly died, the body continued to play in the same eerie voice. "I had strings, but now I'm free. There are no strings on me. No strings on me."

So, a whole lot of dialog this chapter. There will be in the next one too, but action comes soon enough. I promise. I really enjoyed writing all the action scenes for Ultron, which is saying something since I hate writing action because I feel I suck at it. I'm much more into the slow burn romance. Anyway, hope you all enjoyed the chapter!

Thanks to the following for their reviews on the previous chapter:

ShomebodyWhoCares - Yup! Everyone together!

Jedi Jesla777 - Yeah, there might not have been a whole lot of fighting for Anna in the last chapter, or in the next either, but she will definitely get her fill once things really start to go down in Sokovia. I had a lot of fun writing that.