Chapter 10
Tony
Tony waved as Ross drove away with designs for the grid prototype.
Wanda made it the purpose of his visit. Apparently, he brought the extra muscle to intimidate Tony into going faster. Tony raised his brow at that, but she shrugged and said it was believable to him and that was what mattered. She also made sure the guard – Mr. Lester? – would realize in a few days that there was no way Peter could be Spiderman and have his superiors move on to a different project. All in all, it felt like a win.
Tony kept the smile plastered to his face as the car disappeared outside the gate. "Goodbye, you smarmy son of a bitch."
He turned back to the compound and made his way to the hangar.
"… keep in touch," he heard Vision say as he walked in.
"I don't want to put you in danger," Wanda said, worrying her bottom lip.
"Ugh, reach out. No one's monitoring anything," Tony said rolling his eyes. "He mopes… and sneaks out to soup kitchens."
"What?" Wanda turned to Vision eyes sparkling. Vision sputtered.
"I hate to break this up and be the responsible one… wait why am I the responsible one? This is a terrible idea."
"What is it, Scott?" Wanda asked through a smile.
"The others are worried," he muttered.
Wanda's eyes fell. She shot a longing look at Vision, and Tony wished he could shove her back in her room. It seemed they both moped.
She squeezed his hand and turned to Tony. "You'll look out for Peter?"
Tony crossed a finger over his chest. "Cross my heart-" because he totally had one – "He's on his way home with Happy right now."
She nodded. "Scott?"
"What?" He turned back from studying the hangar. "Oh right, see ya Stark, Vision." He waved then shrank jumping under Wanda's lapel.
Wanda turned to Vision. "Fly me out?" Vision hovered to her side. Tony started fiddling with the tools on the closest workbench. Wanda looked back. "Tony?"
"Yeah," he said looking up from the screwdriver he was debating using as a drumstick.
"Thank you… for not-"
"Sure," he said, cutting her off. "Of course." He looked back down at the screwdriver, and she and Vision turned to go.
"Wanda..." She looked back. He let out a sigh. "I really am sorry." Tony looked up.
She was wearing a sad smile, small and wistful. "I know," she said, voice soft and forgiving. She looked down before meeting his eye. "Steve is too, you know."
Tony sucked in a breath… and they were gone.
Wanda
Are you sure you can get away? Wanda asked.
Tony seems to be going out of his way to be of assistance. Vision replied.
She smothered a laugh and looked out the window. If she tilted her head just right, she could see the Eiffel Tower. Natasha had the best safe houses.
Have you been cooking Paprikash, again? She accused.
…
…
…
The soup kitchen seems to appreciate my efforts.
That time she couldn't stop the laugh.
Ok, I can be ready in… half an hour?
I will be there.
Wanda rolled onto her back a smile plastered across her face. She couldn't wait.
"Where are you off to?" Natasha asked passing her in the hall.
Wanda shot her a smile. "To win you some money."
"What-" a sly smile slid across Natasha's face. "Finally." Her smile fell behind a stern mask. "Keep in touch…" Wanda nodded. "… and tell Vision hello for me."
"I will."
"You will what?" Clint asked. Wanda snuck a glance at the clock.
"Tell Vision hello for me," Natasha sang, the smile returning. Clint looked between them.
"No."
"What?" Wanda laughed.
"You're grounded."
Wanda shook her head, a smile quirking her lips.
"Why's she grounded?" Sam asked rounding the corner.
"She's going on a date with Vision."
"What?" Sam turned betrayed eyes on her. "You couldn't wait a week?"
Wanda bit her lip to hold back another laugh.
"Scott," he called continuing down the hall, "we lost."
"No, you didn't," Clint said to his retreating back before looking at her, "because you're grounded."
"You can't ground me."
"You can't ground her," Natasha backed her up.
"My roof, my rules." Clint crossed his arms.
"It's my roof," Natasha said. They stared at each other.
"Cap, you'll back me up, right?" Clint called.
Steve froze as he rounded the corner a chip halfway to his mouth. His eyes darted between the three of them. "Huh?"
"Wanda's going on a date with Vision," Natasha supplied.
"Oh… have fun?"
"No," Clint said, "because she's grounded."
Realization crossed Steve's face. A cheeky smile pulled at his lips. "Until tomorrow, right?"
"Right." Clint gave a confident nod.
"Don't look at me," Steve said, continuing down the hall. "I already lost."
"Have fun, Wanda," he said as he passed. She shot him a grateful smile.
Clint's mouth opened and closed a few times before he turned and followed Steve.
"Uh oh," Natasha's face fell, "I know that look." She turned to follow him. "Have fun," she called over her shoulder, "and stay in contact."
Wanda shook her head and slipped out the door. Light streamed into the courtyard. Still on the run, the Avengers still broken, she wondered why the smile on her face refused to quit. Then she felt the team at her back and Viz's presence flying closer. Things that were broken could be fixed, and she knew what waited on the other side.
Family.
A/N: Well, this is it, folks! Last chapter. Thank you so much for all the support and feedback. This fic was some of the most fun I've had writing, and I'm happy to see there are others out there who enjoyed it. You're all wonderful. Don't change a thing!