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Chapter 35

ONE YEAR AND EIGHT MONTHS LATER

We had been on the move for almost two years. Never staying in one place too long, we hopped from hotel to hotel, making sure that no one found us, or the jet we were using. Not only that, but we crashed whatever black market we could and shut it down. No one knew who did it, since we took care to conceal our identities. At least we were still doing some good.

Steve had grown out his hair, and a full beard. It changed the way he looked dramatically, but I wasn't going to complain. Nat had cut and dyed her hair white. It was much different than the red we were used to seeing. Wanda had highlighted her hair, but she had spent time going off and seeing Vision. I didn't blame her. She had stuck close, keeping in touch when needed. We knew that Vision could keep her safe.

I had also put highlights in my hair, unwilling to part with the length. I had permed curls into it, which helped change my appearance. The only thing I had truly refused to give up was flying. Over the last year, I had kept my trips far between, and I made sure that it didn't arouse suspicion.

Like now. I was probably going to regret this, but Steve knew it had been nagging at me for a while now. I had gone on a long flight, longer than usual, and had found myself at Tony's mansion out in upstate New York. He had moved across the US to be closer to the facility, I had known that. This place was private, which was nice. If I got caught, that was on me.

It was dark when I arrived, but there were lights on in the house. I could see Tony and Pepper inside, and I knew I had attracted attention. My arrival on the back lawn, in front of the large windows had them both swinging around. I landed as gently as I could, a rumble leaving my throat. Part of me panicked, because I was facing someone I felt responsible to what had happened to me. Tony wasn't directly responsible for what happened, he didn't tell Hydra to come and take me. I had drilled that into my head, until I had been ready to come here.

Tony walked out slowly, coming to stand on the large stone deck he had made. Moving, I leaned down and let him quietly reach up and touch my muzzle. I noted several emotions going through him, and I saw the tears come to his eyes. I had made the right choice in coming here. No matter how much I wanted to hate him, I had to forgive him.

"Well you're not someone I'd thought I'd see anytime soon," he said, gathering his composure.

"No, I suppose not," I rumbled quietly, keeping my voice down.

Turning human, I landed in front of him and pushed some of my hair out of my face. Tony looked at me for a moment, and for a moment we were unsure.

"I came here...to tell you that I forgive you," I said slowly. "What happened...it wasn't directly your fault. It wasn't your intention...and I now know you didn't mean the words you said...we were all angry."

"Yeah...we were," Tony replied, looking down. "I am so glad to see you are all right."

"I wasn't...for a while, but I am now," I replied, and he flinched a little.

"Is...Cap...is he..."

"We're all fine," I nodded. "Listen...what happened...it sucked. All of it. From what happened to me, to what happened to the both of you. I'm sorry, about your parents, I am. But I hope you understand that all of you are victims in that. And if you don't yet, I hope you do one day. He gave you that phone for a reason...wrote that letter for a reason. He meant all of it. And I'm here to let you know, that if you need me, I'll be there too."

"I...wow...I don't even know what to say to that," he muttered, and I arched my brow at him.

"Nothing smart I hope," I grunted, and Tony smiled.

"No...not this time," he murmured, and came forward. "Can I hug you?"

"I guess," I shrugged, and he crushed me to him without a second thought.

I hugged him back, careful not to squeeze him too tight. When we parted, I sighed and stepped back. He shifted as well.

"On the move again," I mused. "But please...remember what I said."

"I will," Tony nodded. "Thank you….thank you for coming back..."

Giving him a thoughtful look, I took form again and lifted into the air. I couldn't overstay my welcome, and I didn't want to get caught. I flew above the cloud layer, and stayed in the air until the following night. If anyone saw me land, or if someone saw me in the sky it wouldn't be good for any of us. I had stopped trying to control my size, because my true size was better protection. I wasn't holding anything back. I had also checked myself for any trackers, and was glad not to find any. I was a little paranoid, I'd admit that.

Going back to the hotel we had been at for the last two days, I easily made my way inside from the roof. No one saw me, which eased my worry. Sliding my key into the door, I walked inside to hear the shower going. Softly shutting the door, I decided not to join him, and instead hopped on the bed. The water shut off just a few minutes later, and he was walking out of the bathroom. I had to admire him, just simply wrapped in a towel. His eyes found me, and his eyebrow arched.

"You were gone for awhile," he rumbled, and I sighed softly.

"I had to do it," I replied. "No one saw me, don't worry."

"I know," he said gently, and got dressed.

"What did you do while I was gone?" I asked, shifting onto my stomach.

"Oh you know...Sam and I threw a wild party," he rumbled, teasing. "Attracted all the attention we could."

"Must haven't been too wild, I didn't even hear about it," I snorted, going along with his joke.

"It was just too crazy to report on," he sighed, giving me a look.

I laughed at him, unable to help it and he smiled in return. Walking over, he shoved me onto my back and then leaned down for a kiss. I couldn't help but run my fingers through his beard.

"I'm hungry," he sighed. "Come on."

"You're starting to sound like me," I teased, getting to my feet.

"Hush," he grunted, and threw my hat and coat at me.

I put them on, giggling slightly. Walking over to him, I wrapped my arms around him tightly, and he returned the gesture.

"I'm glad...that you are still able to tease, and joke," I whispered. "I know this year hasn't been the easiest."

"No it hasn't," he murmured. "But I haven't been alone now have I? You don't let me brood."

"I'll take that as a thank you," I grinned, and kissed his cheek. "Now come on, I'm hungry."

His laugh warmed my heart, and we left the room after telling Sam what we were doing. Nat had gone off somewhere, probably to check in on Wanda. She had gone silent over the last few months, but we weren't about to not know where she was. Sam sighed quietly, throwing on his own hat. It was cold out today. I hated the cold.

Two months later, I stood out on the balcony of the hotel we were at, my body so tense it hurt. Something was wrong. I couldn't exactly pinpoint what it was, but my instincts were screaming that there was danger. Steve had noticed it, just before his phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hey Cap..."

"Bruce..." Steve rumbled, and I turned around instantly.

"I wish I was calling under better circumstances, but we need you," Bruce replied. "There's been an attack on New York...Tony didn't come back. Steve, this is serious. Thanos is coming...can you find Vision?"

"I can," Steve replied. "We'll get moving now."

Looking toward me as he hung up, I nodded my head quietly. I knew something had been wrong. Tony's disappearance had just popped up on the news, and we had little time left. He made two calls, and we were moving. Getting into the jet, Sam and Natasha met us there. Wanda had said they were going to Scotland a week ago, so we headed that way.

I was irritated that Tony had not called for help, but I knew better. His ego would always get in the way. The hurt that had been caused would make anyone freeze. Maybe he had been about to call us, but something had happened. Steve punched in the coordinates and we were headed to Edinburgh. It actually wasn't that hard to find them.

Coming to the front of the jet, to stand next to Steve I looked at the giant ship that hovered over the city. I glanced at Natasha and she gave me a grave look. We were heading into something dangerous.

"Found them," Steve murmured, and I looked back out the window.

I watched, anger bubbling in my chest as they fought on top of a building. Vision looked like he was losing. Steve landed the jet as quickly as possible, and we were moving. They had crashed into a train station, so it gave us the perfect opportunity to help.

"I'll grab their attention. Attack from behind," Steve ordered, parting from us.

Nodding, I turned and followed Natasha as Sam took to the sky. Moving silently through the station, I watched a train go by, and that was when Steve used his element of surprise. Wanda was beat up, but she was ready to fight. I noticed Vision didn't look as good. Something had injured him. Was that even possible? The woman they were fighting, if I could even call her that, threw her spear the moment it was clear.

Steve caught the weapon easily, catching the enemy off guard. It was obvious no one should have been able to catch that. As soon as he stepped into the light, we were moving. Sam flew forward, delivering a kick that sent her flying as Nat ran forward to take on the other guy. I went after the woman, and the moment she got up, I had my weapon out and smacked her. She snarled at me, but I managed to keep my beast under control. I delayed her for just a moment, before she sent me flying backward. She was strong. I had to give them that. Rolling to my feet, I went after her again, when she hit me hard across the face. Her claws, if that was even what they were sliced across my temple and cheek. I almost roared at her, before I was shoved backward again.

She jumped forward, going after Natasha, who was fighting someone else but Steve managed to get there first. I took the chance and ran for Vision and Wanda. The fight ended just as Sam kicked the woman again, after Steve and Natasha had fought her off.

"We don't want to kill you," Natasha murmured. "But we will."

"You'll never get the chance again," she glared, and a blue beam transported them up into the ship.

"Are you all right?" I asked, turning away from the scene and kneeling in front of Vision and Wanda.

"It's...good to see you," Vision whispered, and I gave him a closed lip smile.

"Can you stand?" I asked, and shifted back as Sam came forward.

He reached up for help, and both Sam and Wanda helped him up. Vision looked at Steve for a moment, and breathed out heavily.

"Thank you, Captain," he murmured.

"Let's get you on the jet," Steve replied, taking a moment.

Facing Vision after what had happened, it was difficult on most of us. I could name a million reasons why I wanted to shred him, but it didn't matter anymore. If I could forgive Tony, I could forgive Vision. Turning away, I forced my eyes to stay on our path. Steve came along next to me, and Nat brought up behind us. Steve glanced down at me, and his shoulder bumped mine, just slightly.

"Your eyes," he rumbled, making me blink.

"It's….hard," I offered, and he gave me a soft look.

"Yes...it is," he agreed, opening the door to the jet.

I helped them get settled, once Sam moved off. Putting my mind in business mode, I grabbed something to help Wanda. She had blood on her face, so I helped her clean it up. Vision sat in silence for a little while, watching us.

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice a whisper. "For what I...did to you..."

"Seems there is a lot of apologizing that needs to go around," I muttered, glancing at him.

"Yes...there is," he agreed, pain laced in his features.

"We'll get you the help you need," I murmured, gently patting his knee. "Wanda?"

"I'm all right," she replied. "Thank you."

Standing up, I watched as Natasha closed the door to the jet and I knew she was upset. We had made plans for things like this. The world was a dangerous place, and we were not on the good side of things. Not that it mattered.

"Now I thought we had a deal," she said quietly. "Stay close, check in, don't take any chances."

"Sorry. We just wanted time," Wanda murmured, as we took to the air.

I sighed quietly and glanced at Natasha for a moment, and ignored the irritated look on her face. Even if we had checked in, it wouldn't have stopped this attack. I knew that we all knew that much. Steve stood silently in the middle of the jet, his hands on his belt. I had walked across so that I could see his face, and he was lost in thought.

"Where to, Cap?" Sam asked, glancing back from controls.

Looking at me for a moment, he then glanced back toward Vision and Wanda. His shoulders dropped for a moment. I sat down slowly, and sighed to myself.

"Home," he rumbled, glancing our way.