"Are you sure it's okay to go?" Spencer asked after Peggy's funeral.
Nat was going to Vienna to sign the Slovakia Accords and had asked if Spencer would come along with her. Though Spencer was retired and doubted her powers would ever come back, Spencer didn't need to sign the accords but made it abundantly clear she wouldn't. The retired Avenger had been doing her best to help Steve mourn Peggy's passing, but it seemed like Steve just wanted some solitude after her funeral, which Spencer understood completely.
Nat had extended the offer to Steve, but Steve declined. Now, Spencer was about to go on a short trip to Vienna with Nat. Pietro and Wanda wouldn't be going since they both hadn't decided if they wanted to sign the accords yet. Spencer knew the Twin's wouldn't sign the accords, considering Spencer's stance on it, but also because they didn't agree with the accords in the first place.
In the last week, Spencer had gained some healthy weight, but not much. Her body still felt tired and drained, it was hard to get up and do some healthy activities, but she was trying her best to be positive. She didn't want to burden her friends' or family; her father called every day and updated her on his adventures and when he would come to visit her. Fury would call every so often, checking in on her, but his calls were always kept short.
There was obvious tension in the Avengers facility, but Spencer did her best not to hold a grudge against Rhodey, Vision, and Tony. She did end up apologizing to Tony about her outburst but told him that even though she doesn't agree with his decision, she would still support him from the sidelines, as she would with the other two.
Steve, Sam, and her were standing outside of the church where Peggy's funeral was held, and Nat was on standby in a waiting car. "With all due respect," Steve smiled softly at her and nudged his shoulder against hers, "I don't need to be coddled twenty-four seven."
Spencer rolled her eyes, "I know, but I worry."
"Does that mean you like being coddled, just not all day?" Sam wondered with a smirk.
Steve shot him a playful glare, "I'll be fine, Spence, you'll be back tomorrow. You need this, get out of the city, enjoy the sights that Vienna has, and come back home. I have Sam to babysit me." Steve reassured her gently.
"Will you keep an eye on Pietro and Wanda?" Spencer asked, with wide eyes. Wanda and Pietro had politely declined to attend Peggy's funeral out of respect since they didn't know her at all.
"Why? You think they'll go, rogue?" Steve joked.
Spencer laughed, "No, but I saw some tension between them and Rhodey and Vision, just try to place it neutral, you know? We might not agree with the decisions we've made, but that doesn't mean we should consider each other enemies." Spencer explained and sighed, "Okay, I can feel Nat's impatient glare on my back," On cue, the trio turned towards Nat, waiting in a car, and indeed she was glaring at Spencer impatiently.
Spencer exchanged hugs with Steve and Sam, "Behave, okay?" She gave her best friends a mild glare.
"You behave!" Sam retorted with a smirk.
Steve laughed and Spencer rolled her eyes, "Cheeky thing," Spencer turned on her heel and hurried to Nat's car, "I forgot to take Cooper to the park earlier, so, he's gonna be grumpy, FYI!" Spencer called out to the boys before getting into the car.
"You would think you were going off to war," Nat jokes.
Spencer relaxed against the plush leather seats, "You know how protective those two are."
Nat hummed in agreement, "I have a fun day planned for us after the accords," Nat said with some excitement in her voice, "You haven't been to Vienna but I have," Spencer rolled her eyes playfully, "I know exactly what places you'll love." Nat smirked, feeling proud of herself.
"Sight-seeing like a civilian sound nice," Spencer muses softly, "Normalcy sounds nice in general." Spencer puts her grown-out hair up into a bun on the top of her head, "Should I cut my hair short?" Spencer asks Nat curiously.
Nat glances at her hair, "I think you should grow it out some more," Nat says and wiggles her eyebrows, "More hair to pull for Pietro."
Spencer blushes wildly, "You pervy woman!" Spencer says with a laugh.
The short flight to Vienna only took maybe an hour or two, Nat really liked flying fast. It was very fast-paced as soon as they touched ground near the building where the Slovakia Accords signing would take place, Nat was extra vigilant on Spencer, too much stress on Spencer's body would make her ill, and that was the last thing Nat wanted on this short trip.
So, Nat made sure to send death-glares at the media who got too close to Spencer as they walked up to the building. Once they were inside the safety of the building, Nat and Spencer could relax a little. They were checked at security and given their ID badges before being let into the main room. Spencer tugged at her skirt, "I hate these, why couldn't I have worn a pants suit?" Spencer grumbled.
Nat shot her baby spider an impatient look, "You hate pantsuits."
"I also hate skirts," Spencer chimed.
"You hate anything that isn't a tee shirt or shorts." Nat rolled her eyes.
"Bite me," Spencer mumbled, feeling stares on her back.
Nat smirked, "That's Pietro's job."
"Not here, please!" Spencer groaned with a blush.
Nat just snickered as a woman came up to them, "Ms. Romanoff? These need your signatures," The woman handed Nat her tablet.
"Oh, sure," Nat quickly signed them, as Spencer scrunched up her nose. The woman smiled and hurried off, "Stop with the faces," Nat lightly smacked Spencer's shoulder, "What are you, five?" Nat glared at her.
Spencer pouted.
"I suppose neither of us is used to the spotlight," A very handsome dark-skinned man came up to them, Nat turned around surprised before recognizing who the man was, Prince T'Challa. Spencer, on the other hand, hadn't been introduced to Prince T'Challa and it showed.
Prince T'Challa noticed and extended his hand to Spencer, "I am Prince T'Challa," Realization dawned on Spencer's face, "It is nice to finally meet Shockwave in person," T'Challa had a very handsome smile, it made Spencer swoon.
Spencer took his hand and smiled, "It's an honor to meet you, Prince T'Challa. You are much more handsome than I imagined," Spencer chirped with a charming smiling that left T'Challa a bit taken back; from all the news and videos he's seen of Shockwave, the young woman in front of him looked sickly, but her charming personality wasn't what he would have expected, especially considering who was her mentor. If T'Challa remembered correctly, there had been some talk in the air that Tony Stark was looking for cures for a sick friend...perhaps Shockwave was this sick friend?
"You're taken, remember?" Nat nudged her shoulder with a soft smile.
Spencer smirked, "I'm allowed to compliment a prince, can't I?"
T'Challa smiles, "I am surprised to see you here, Shockwave. Last I heard you were retired?" T'Challa says politely.
Spencer smiles sadly, "I'm just here to support Nat, I don't particularly agree with signing the accords, but that life is behind me now. No more fighting or ass-kicking." Spencer explains and adds politely, "You can call me Spencer, by the way, I am retired so, no need to call me Shockwave."
T'Challa hums lightly, "That alone makes me glad you're both here," His dark eyes sweep the room with disinterest.
"Why?" Nat asks, surprised, "You don't approve of all this?"
T'Challa shrugs lightly, "The Accords, yes. The politics, not really," Spencer perked at that and smiled, "Two people in a room can get more done than a hundred." T'Challa said wisely, but it left Spencer confused.
"Unless you need to move a piano," An older, grave voice entered the conversation, Spencer saw an older gentleman join their little circle.
"Father," T'Challa greeted warmly.
Spencer's eyes widened, she met a Prince and a King? Wanda would so freak out when Spencer told her! Nat nudged Spencer in a silent 'Keep your cool' gesture and Spencer inwardly pouted. King T'Chaka turned to Nat and Spencer, "Ms. Romanoff," He greets politely and inclines his head Nat, "Ms. Coulson." He smiles at Spencer.
"King T'Chaka," Both Spencer and Nat greet politely.
"Please, allow me to apologize for what happened in Nigeria," Nat respectfully says and Spencer is impressed as usual by Nat's tamed behavior in these situations.
T'Chaka nods his head, "Thank you," He tells her, "Thank you for agreeing to all this," His eyes flicker to Spencer, "I am sad to hear that Captain Rogers won't be joining us here," T'Chaka regards Spencer, "But I am glad to see the retired Shockwave showing her support," He smiles again.
Spencer beams at the King, "Of course, I might not agree with the accords personally, but that doesn't mean I won't lend my support to my friends."
King T'Chaka looks like he was going to say something, but the announcement is made that everyone takes their seats, "That is the future calling," Prince T'Challa says with a small smile towards Nat and Spencer, "It's been a pleasure."
"Vice versa," Spencer chirps, "I hope for more happy interactions in the future," Nat smirks and tugs Spencer to their seats, leaving the King and his son to discuss alone momentarily.
Nat and Spencer get into their seats, Spencer chugs down the glass of water that was left for her, and Nat rolls her eyes, "Way to look professional."
Spencer gives her a smirk, "I'm retired, remember?" Spencer reminds with a mischievous look, "I can do whatever I want now, no need to keep up appearances."
"Not on my watch," Nat gives her a playful glare.
Spencer pouts and sulks in her seat, "You're no fun."
"Not right now, but once we get out of here, we'll have tons of fun and food." Nat pats her head before turning her attention to King T'Chaka who is walking up to his podium. Spencer straightens herself out and listens as King T'Chaka begins the session.
"When stolen Wakandan vibranium was used to make a terrible weapon, we in Wakanda were forced to question our legacy. Those men and women killed in Nigeria were part of a goodwill mission from a country too long in the shadows." Spencer's eyes wandered over to Prince T'Challa, who was standing off to the side, watching something from outside, "We will not, however, let misfortune drive us back. We will fight to improve the world we wish to join. I am grateful to the Avengers for supporting this initiative." Spencer's eyes furrowed when T'Challa turned his body towards the window, a commotion could be heard from outside.
T'Challa suddenly turns and yells, "Everybody gets down!"
Na's reflexes were faster than Spencer's, Nat grabs Spencer and ducks the retired avenger down underneath the table as a loud explosion goes off. At this moment, Spencer never felt so useless before. Her ears are ringing and her heart is pounding against her ribcage, Spencer feels angry; had she had her powers, she could've done something to protect these people.
When it's over, Spencer slowly gets up as Nat looks her over for any injuries, but Spencer's eyes are on Prince T'Challa. The handsome Prince clutching King T'Chaka's body against his chest and crying over the death of his father. Spencer's eyes watered and her hands were clenched into tight fists; if she had her powers, she would've been able to save the King.
But she didn't have her powers…
She wasn't an Avenger anymore.
There was chaos shortly after, Nat got Spencer out even though Spencer felt compelled to reach out towards T'Challa, who refused anyone to touch his father's body. Spencer was led by Nat outside, where medical tents were being set up. Spencer was in an angry daze as Nat led her outside and onto some benches, far away from the chaos that was happening.
"Little spider," Nat called worried for her, "Spence," Nat tried again, but Spencer's eyes were glazed over, lost in her own thoughts. Nat sighed and glanced at Spencer over again, making sure there weren't any injuries Nat had missed.
Nat's phone started ringing.
"Stay here, please," Nat gave Spencer a firm look before stepping away to answer the call.
Spencer's phone rang, too.
Spencer blinked robotically; her eyes and mind finally registering where she was and what had happened. Spencer saw Nat on the phone a short distance away, Nat glanced at her worriedly, and Spencer gave her a slight smile.
Spencer answered her phone, "Hello-?
"Are you okay?" It was Steve.
Spencer felt a pressure in her chest; was it her anxiety?
"I'm fine," Spencer answered softly, "Nat's reflexes saved us." There was some bitterness in her voice that Steve picked up.
Steve went quiet, "I'm sorry."
"So am I," Spencer's voice cracks, "If I had my powers, I would have been able to save King T'Chaka...or anyone." Spencer closes her eyes in frustration and sighs heavily, "This is my new reality now, and I hate it."
Steve murmurs gently to her, "It was a bad idea to let you go to Vienna, Spencer."
"I know," Spencer agrees, "I should've stayed home. I didn't think there would be a possibility of an attack here," Spencer opens her eyes and takes in the chaos happening behind her, "I want to go home."
Steve and Spencer speak for a short bit before Spencer gets another call; from Pietro. She says goodbye to Steve and answers Pietro's call. He's frantic and Spencer can hear Wanda in the background, too. Spencer wants to cry, she's frustrated and angry, she wants to go home to her family, to be in their comforting presence.
Spencer hates it.
Hates feeling so useless without her powers.
Even as an assassin, she feels useless. Her body won't let her do basically anything too rigorous, even now, her body is aching badly and her mind feels swollen with emotions. Spencer needs to get somewhere away from this chaos, somewhere where she can process and think. Fury calls in next, Spencer had to cut her conversation with Pietro short, and shortly after Spencer has a few minute conversations with Fury does her father call her. With her father, Spencer cries to her father without shame.
Phil does his best to console her daughter.
Nat watches Spencer as Nat is on the phone with Tony, "She's not taking this too well," Nat tells Tony.
Spencer gets herself together and a few minutes later, she ends the call with her father. Not even a short few seconds later does her phone ring again, this time it was Clint. His voice demanding and loud, Spencer reassures him that she's physically fine, but mentally Spencer feels as if the bomb went off in her head. Laura takes over the phone and demands Spencer that perhaps it was time that Spencer comes home.
"Baby, I think it'll do you some good," Laura says, sniffling, "I'm sure Pietro and Wanda could come if they wanted," Laura had been crying, and it pained Spencer to hear Laura's voice cracking, "Oh, Honey, please think about it. This stress isn't doing your body any good."
"This body in general isn't doing me any good," Spencer complains softly.
"You need to come home to heal, to get better," Laura says with conviction in her voice, "Living in the facility isn't doing you any favors, what's not to say that whoever attacked Vienna won't attack the facility next?"
Laura was right, of course, she was, when was Laura never right?
Nat came over to Spencer and Spencer quietly said her goodbyes to Laura, "I love you, and I think you're right, maybe it is time to come home."
"We love you," Laura says gently, "We'll be waiting for you."
Nat takes Spencer by the arm gently, "Tony wants to send you to our facility in Berlin," Spencer wants to see how T'Challa is faring, "I need to stay here, but Tony and Rhodey will meet you in Berlin, will you be alright on your own for an hour or two?" Nat asks her, guiding Spencer further away from the chaos of the bombing.
Spencer hates how delicate she feels and how delicate everyone is treating her, but does her best to shove these negative emotions aside, "Yeah, I'll be fine," Spencer gives Nat a weak smile, "I think a little nap will help my body right now, maybe some food."
Nat nods, "I'll be sure to let Tony know to get you something to eat immediately."
Spencer feels the pressure in her chest growing, but does her best to ignore it as Nat guides her into a blacked-out car, "This will take you to the airport where another Quinjet will be waiting to pick you up," Nat tells her, "I'll meet you in Berlin shortly after, maybe two or three hours after you land."
Spencer nods, not really listening before Nat ushers her into the black car and says a quick goodbye. Spencer sighs as she's hauled off to Berlin to meet up with Tony and Rhodey; at least she's getting away from this chaos.
The car ride was short, most of the streets surrounding the bombing were closed off to the public, so her driver was able to get her to the airport pretty quickly. It was as Spencer was settling herself in the Quinjet that her phone started ringing again. From the ring-tone, it was Steve.
She answered, "Hey, everything okay?" She asked.
"Where are you in Vienna right now?" Steve asks.
"Why?" Spencer asks suspiciously.
"Is Nat near you?" Steve ignores her question.
"No," Spencer says, "I'm being taken to Berlin to meet up with Tony and Rhodey and Nat is staying behind, why?"
Steve stays quiet for a few moments, "Have you seen any news?"
"No," Spencer mutters, "Why, what's going on?"
"They said Bucky planted the bomb," Steve tells her.
Spencer stays quiet, "They said?" Spencer squints her eyes, "You don't think Bucky planted that bomb?" Spencer says very quietly, her eyes darting towards the man piloting the QuinJet. She was in the back, and the man had his headset on, so, there was no chance this guy would hear their conversation.
"I'm going to Vienna," Steve says, "I'm going to find Bucky before they do."
"I'd love to help," Spencer says bitterly, "But I'm useless."
"Don't say that," Steve sighs, "I just wanted to make sure you were in a safe place."
"If you get caught," Spencer mumbles, "It's not going to be good, Steve."
"I know, but Bucky would do it for me."
"Maybe past Bucky would, but I don't know about present Bucky," Spencer says with a frown but shrugs, "You know I'll back up you, brother," Spencer says easily, "I can always sneak out and go on the run with you guys," Spencer adds cheekily.
Steve laughs softly, "I'll keep you updated, okay? Let me know as soon as you land where you are and what's going on over there." Steve asks her.
"No problem," Spencer says, "Any talk of Bucky, and I'll relay that information to you," Spencer promised.
"Stay safe," Steve said quietly, not questioning how quick Spencer was to side with him and back him up, "Love you."
"I love you, too, don't forget about me!" Sam's voice came through the background.
Spencer laughed when she heard Steve sigh, "I love guys, try not to get into too much trouble," Spencer says warmly, "I won't be there this time to watch your backs." The last part was said with some resentment and sadness.
"We'll try to save some excitement for you," Steve chuckles.
Spencer and Steve said their goodbyes and hung up.
There was no hesitation on Spencer's part to help Steve, it came almost naturally. The retired Avenger knew what Steve was asking of her, and if the roles had been reserved, Steve wouldn't hesitate either. The bond between Steve and Spencer was deep, perhaps even rivaling the bond Steve and Bucky had, and a part of Spencer was ready to personally meet Bucky; maybe punch him in the face for almost killing her two years ago.
It was only fairly, right?
It really didn't make sense that Bucky, who had been MIA for the last two years, and suddenly reappear to bomb the Accords, and for what? What gain did Bucky have to bomb the Accords like that? It really didn't make sense to Spencer, but she'd wait until she got to Berlin to gain more information about it.
Spencer made herself comfortable for a short nap, her body was beginning to feel sluggish, so a nap would do her good. It would help her relax and hopefully, the pressure in her chest would go away.
"How are you feeling, Pikachu?"
It was a few hours later, Spencer was eating with Tony in the facility in Berlin. Rhodey had briefly greeted her before making his way to Vienna to meet up with Nat. Spencer felt a bit better after her nap, the pressure in her chest was still present, but at least her body didn't feel weighed down anymore.
Hopefully, with some food in her stomach, she would feel better.
Tony was attentive with her, which was endearing. The last year had caused a strain on Spencer and Tony's relationship, not too much of a strain, but it was felt by both sides, and the strain only got worse after Spencer's outburst last week aimed towards Tony. Spencer blinked owlishly at Tony and smiled, "Better," She answered before shoving a spoonful of pasta in her mouth, "Not as good as Vision's cooking."
Tony rolled his eyes, "You two are awfully chummy."
Spencer gleefully smiled, "Jealous?"
Tony scoffed, "No."
Spencer took another bite of her food, "I feel a connection to Vision," Spencer told him, "An emotional one, a familiar bond, and Vision said it was because of the Mind Stone." Spencer explained to him.
Tony nods thoughtfully, "Makes sense, maybe that logic applies to you and Pietro."
"How's Pepper?" Spencer asked softly.
Tony shrugs, "Happy tells me she's doing good."
Spencer watches Tony quietly as he fiddles with his phone, "You know I love you, right?" Spencer tells him gently, "And I know you're only doing what you think is best to keep us all safe?"
Tony looks at her questioningly, "And you know that I love you even though you're a pain in my ass?"
Spencer laughs, "Even without my powers?"
Tony rolled his eyes, "Even more so without your powers."
Spencer snorted as Nat suddenly strutted in, "We have a situation," Nat says breathlessly going over to turn on the television in the corner of the room. Tony had turned it off more for Spencer's benefit than his, but Spencer watched as Nat turned the TV on.
Spencer wasn't surprised to see live coverage of a chase between Bucky, Steve, Sam, and some guy in a black catsuit. Well, the guy in the sleek black cat costume was definitely a surprise for her. "Lovely," Spencer dryly commented irked that her boys still managed to get into trouble after she warned them not to, "Those two are definitely getting an earful from me," Spencer grumbled.
Tony is sighing and rubbing his forehead, "Ross isn't going to be happy about this."
"Time to work," Nat says sarcastically.
"Rhodey?" Spencer asked.
"He stayed behind after I left in the Quinjet," Nat explained.
"This is going to be a shitshow," Spencer mused.
And what a shit-show it was especially when the guy in the sleek black catsuit turned out to be Prince-King T'Challa. Tony and Spencer moved into the conference room; Tony answering calls and handling Ross while Spencer ate the rest of her food slowly. Sam, Steve, and King T'Challa were being transported to Berlin along with Bucky who was kept basically in a concrete box.
They had been flown in from Vienna in a secured Quinjet before being piled into secured vans and being escorted to the facility. It had only been two hours since Sam, Steve, and King T'Challa were arrested.
Spencer looks and perks up at the sight of Steve and Sam. "Try not to break anything while we fix this," Nat tells the boys.
Steve looks at Tony, who hangs up his call with Secretary Ross, "Consequences?" Steve asks Tony with a quirked eyebrow.
"Don't push him," Spencer stands by Tony with a small smile, "He's been cleaning up your mess."
"Secretary Ross wants you both prosecuted. Had to give him something," Tony tells Steve in a sharp voice, not happy about this whole thing. Tony and Nat started walking away.
"I'm not getting that shield back, am I?" Steve asks.
Nat turns and smirks at Steve, "Technically, it's government property," Nat looks at Sam and grins, "Wings, too."
Sam gapes at Nat, "That's cold."
"Warmer than jail," Tony quips before the duo leaves Sam and Steve with Spencer.
Spencer greeted Steve and Sam with tight hugs, "You don't look as bad as I thought you were gonna look," Sam tells her with a smile.
"Thanks," Spencer smiled back, "After a nap and some food, I feel better."
The trio is left alone to their own devices until Tony comes back an hour later, "Spencer, Sam, why don't you two give us the room." Tony tells them politely, well, as politely as Tony can say without sounding like an asshole.
The trio had been playing a game of Monopoly to pass the time, Spencer had moaned about being bored and forced some poor bloke to acquire them the board game. Spencer narrowed her eyes at Steve, "Don't touch the board!"
"He's cheating, I'm trying to tell you," Sam gets up the same time Spencer does.
"Look at his smug face," Spencer grumbles, Sam and Spencer throwing glares at Steve who just sits in his seat smirking at them, "Don't worry, we'll beat him," Spencer and Sam leave the room ready to go find something else to occupy their time when Spencer catches King T'Challa sitting by himself in an office nearby. "Sam?" Spencer calls.
Sam turns to her, "What's up?"
"I'm gonna go talk to the King," Spencer tells him.
Sam makes a face, "Ew, why?"
Spencer scowls at Sam, "You have a problem with him?"
Sam shrugs, "He's too handsome for my liking."
Spencer laughs and bumps shoulders with Sam, "Think you can entertain yourself for a few minutes?" Spencer muses.
Sam sighs, "I guess I can call my mom."
"You haven't called her?!" Spencer demands, sounding horrified.
Sam winces, "Yeah, don't lecture me, my mom is gonna do that as soon as she answers," Sam waves Spencer away, and Spencer shakes her head.
Spencer walks over and knocks on the door where T'Challa is on his phone, the King looks up and his eyes take in Spencer's form by the door; His eyes have lost some of their shine, Spencer wondered if that's how she looked to others when she lost her father, "May I join you?" Spencer asks politely.
T'Challa stares at her, his emotions hard to read through his eyes, but he seems to think about her question before relenting, "I'd be honored," He replies slowly, unsure what to make of her presence. T'Challa knew Shock-Spencer had a close bond with Captain Rogers and Falcon.
Spencer sat down beside T'Challa, "How are you faring?" Spencer asks politely.
T'Challa sighs, "I am glad to see you were not hurt during the explosion."
Spencer smiled, "Thank you for your concern, my condolences for your father," Spencer reached out and patted his hand, "I know what it's like to lose a father."
T'Challa's eyes widen and he turns to look at the retired avenger, "You have lost your father?"
Spencer tilts her head, "Before the Battle of New York," Spencer recalls, "Loki escaped his cell, my father went in to stop him, and Loki killed him," Spencer's eyes flickered to the floor as the images ran through her head, "Right in front of me," Spencer adds softly, "I don't think I've ever felt pain like that," Spencer clears her throat, "Not even when HYDRA did experiments on me did the pain feel remotely close to what I felt when I saw my father die," Spencer's eyes watered slightly, "I remember the pain, the guilt, the anguish afterward, it felt as if my world was upside down. I was lost, even after the battle and we had won, I felt lost...I had already lost my mother who died giving birth to me, but my father, too?"
Spencer shook her head, "But somehow, my Godfather saved him, brought him back to life, I'm not even sure how, I never asked, but one night my father was dead, the next he was alive," Spencer looked at T'Challa, "I know your pain, my friend, and even though we just met, if you ever need anything, I'd be happy to lend you an ear."
T'Challa stares at this woman intently, processing her story, her words, and compares it to his feelings. A part of him feels guilty for acting so stand-offish to her, "I apologize for my earlier behavior," T'Challa says, his father would be horrified with his behavior, "I am doing the best that I can, I wish to return home, but not until I deal with the man who killed my father." T'Challa tells her.
Spencer hums lightly, "I wanted to kill Loki," She says to him, "I wanted to torture him in the worst ways possible, but after the battle, when Thor was about to take Loki and the Tesseract to Asgard, I saw Loki chained and muzzled like some feral animal, and I felt pity for him," Spencer rolled her eyes, "Not that I'm saying you should do the same, but this was my experience," Spencer tells T'Challa, "I looked Loki in the face and felt sorry for him. He had looked so defeated, so lost in that moment that I just felt like I needed to forgive him. He killed a lot of people, including my father, but I didn't want to hold onto that hate for him,"
"So I told him I forgave him," Spencer tells T'Challa who is listening intently, "He looked so unbothered by it, but right before Thor teleported back to Asgard, Loki looked at me, and he looked so sad as he asked me in my mind why I would ever forgive a monster like him, and it stung for some reason, it hurt that he thought he was a monster, perhaps he was, but to me, he looked like a man who had lost everything trying to prove he was something he wasn't, I don't know, but it always sticks me with him, his words."
"You forgave the man who killed your father so easily?" T'Challa sounds almost offended.
Spencer shrugged, "I got the same looks from the other Avengers, but honestly, hate is an emotion that sucks you dry, it's exhausting carrying around that type of hate, and dealing with the loss of my father was already taxing on my body and mind, I couldn't add on hate." She explained kindly.
"I mean this with all respect," Spencer tells T'Challa, "I don't want to seem as if I'm pushing my experience onto you or trying to tell you what you should do in regards to Bucky, but just know that I've been there, and even though we're basically strangers, I'll lend you an ear whenever you want it." Spencer shrugs and gives T'Challa a gentle smile.
T'Challa regards her carefully, "May I ask what sickness you have?"
Spencer shrugs, not surprised by his question, "Not sure," Spencer smiles at T'Challa's bewilderment, "It started when I lost the ability to heal myself, and then from there, I started to slowly lose my powers. It wasn't until a few months ago, that I collapsed during a mission. Whatever virus I have in my body, it wasn't content with my powers, it wants to kill me," Spencer says, trying to make sure her voice didn't crack.
T'Challa now understood why Stark was so intent on finding a cure for his friend.
"I am sorry," T'Challa returns Spencer's earlier gesture and pats Spencer's hand, "I would not wish that upon anybody."
Spencer smiles, "Even Bucky?"
T'Challa rolls his eyes, "Maybe him."
Spencer snorts.
There was a knock on the glass door, "Hey," Sam pokes his head into the office, "Bucky's evaluation is about to start."
"Oh, yay, the fun begins," Spencer mutters dryly.
T'Challa doesn't get up to leave but says to Spencer, "Thank you," T'Challa tells her warmly and gives her a small smile, "I now understand why Tony is so relentless in finding a cure for you."
Spencer returns the smile, "Thank you for listening."
T'Challa nods at her before turning his attention back to his phone, "Steve and I have to stay inside our office, wanna join us?" Sam asks as Spencer leaves the office.
"Sure," Spencer says, "I don't think I really want to listen to the evaluation."
"Hey, how'd the talk with Tony go?" Spencer asks Steve when they go back into their shared office.
Steve sighs, "Not well," Steve says, "We'll talk later about it." Steve really didn't want to tell Spencer that Tony was holding Wanda and Pietro basically hostage back at Headquarters.
Spencer shrugged it off and plopped down into a seat, eying their monopoly game to make sure no one moved anything. It was a few minutes later when they began Bucky's evaluation in the main control room, except in their little office. While the trio could see everything going on, there was no audio coming from inside the room.
"The receipt for your gear," Sharon Carter trots into the room, giving Sam a piece of paper, "Hey, Spence," Sharon greets her warmly.
Spencer smiles back, "Hey, Shar, how's it going?"
"Bird costume?!" Sam says appalled and offended.
Spencer tries not to laugh.
"I didn't write it," Sharon tells Sam to pacify him before reaching over towards the intercom and pushes a button on it to allow the trio to listen in on the evaluation.
"Bird costume, can you believe that, Spence?" Sam mutters angrily and sulks into his seat.
"It doesn't even look like a bird," Spencer scoffs, "Only the wings!"
"Assholes," Sam muttered back.
Spencer zones out the evaluation mostly because she doesn't care at this point, she just wants to go home and cuddle with Pietro. "Why would the Task Force release this photo, to begin with?" Steve suddenly asks.
Spencer turns her attention away from her phone, "Huh?" She says dumbly and sees Steve holding up the picture they took of Bucky in Vienna.
"Get the word out, involve as many eyes as we can?" Sharon says obviously.
Steve pressed on, "Right. It's a good way to flush a guy out of hiding. Set off a bomb, get your picture taken. Get seven billion people looking for the Winter Soldier."
Spencer didn't like where this was going right now, "You're saying someone framed him to find him," Spencer says softly, remembering her earlier monologue in the Quinjet.
Sam adds in his input, "Steve, we looked for the guy for two years and found nothing."
Steve continues, the wheels turning in his head, "We didn't bomb the UN. That turns a lot of heads."
"Yeah," Sharon agrees, "but that doesn't guarantee that whoever framed him would get him. It guarantees that we would," Her voice trails off as her gaze falls on the evaluator on the screen, her eyes narrow.
Steve frowns and looks around suspiciously, "Yeah," He says distractedly.
"You guys are going to jinx it-"
Spencer is cut off when all the power goes out inside the building, "Nice going," Spencer sighs as everyone springs into action.
"Sub-level 5, east wing," Sharon tells Steve.
"Spencer-"
"I'll take care of her," Sharon tells Steve, cutting him off.
Steve and Sam's exchange looks, but it's Spencer who shoos them off, "Go, go on, go save the day, I'll be fine."
"Be safe," Steve tells her sternly before the duo leave.
"This is great," Spencer sighs, "I can't go into combat, Sharon, I'm dead weight."
Sharon glares at her mildly, "Follow me, okay?" Sharon and Spencer's speed walk out of the office and Spencer spots Nat and Tony racing down the corridor. Spencer can hear Tony and Nat bickering about something.
Sharon catches up to them, "Follow me!"
"Excuse me, where do you think you're going?" Tony grabs Spencer's arm gently.
"Sharon told me to follow her," Spencer shrugged, not bothered by the chaos happening.
"And where are-," Tony pinched the bridge of his nose, "I honestly don't want to know," Tony grumbled and tugged her along, "Out of danger, you got that? Stay close, but out of danger," Tony sternly tells her as Nat slows her pace and hands, Spencer, a short blade, and some small stun grenades, "Are you serious?"
Nat gives Tony a deadly glare, "She needs something to defend herself with!"
"I'm not a child!" Spencer huffs.
"Yeah, but your body isn't in good shape!" Tony says hotly, "Bucky will destroy you in two seconds."
"It won't come to that because I'm not getting anywhere near that guy!" Spencer says with wide eyes; she barely could take Bucky when she had her powers, let alone now!
Sharon, Nat, and Tony quickly make a plan as Bucky was seen on the lower level in the cafeteria. Spencer hangs back, watching and waiting for an opportunity to help with her shitty stun grenades. Once Nat and Sharon were in position, Tony went in.
And the three of them got their asses kicked by Bucky.
Spencer watched the whole thing with horror, "Yikes, that's embarrassing."
"Spencer!" It was Sam.
"Hey, whoa!" Sam grabbed Spencer by the arm and started racing towards the main entrance, "Hey, I was supposed to stay with-ugh, Sam!" Spencer complained as they shoved against scared civilians. Sam stopped pulling her as he made it outside the main entrance and walked up to a discarded shirt on the ground. Sam picked it up and cursed, "Shit."
"What? What?" Spence demanded, confused and slightly disoriented.
"Come on, we gotta find Steve," Sam tugged her along with the running crowd, "You okay? How are you holding up?" Sam asked, looking her over for any injuries.
"Fine," Spencer grumbled, "My body can't take all this chaos and stress though, Sam."
Sam looks at her with concern, "I know, let's call Steve."
It didn't take long to find Steve after Sam called him; they met up and Spencer wasn't happy to see that Steve had Bucky with him, both of them looked like they had drowned, and luckily Bucky was passed out. The gang were quick to find refuge in an abandoned mechanic warehouse and made sure that Bucky was properly restrained just in case he woke up and wasn't the friendly Bucky Steve knew.
"I left my phone back there," Spencer moaned as she sat on a dirty, old tire.
"What? You wanna sext your boyfriend right now?" Sam teased her.
Spencer glared at Sam, "Nat gave me a blade," Spencer flashed it to Sam, "I will stab you." Spencer threatened.
Sam blanched and apologized.
It doesn't take long for Bucky to come to with his metallic left arm clamped in a huge industrial vice. Spencer is playing a game on Steve's phone when Sam calls out for them. Steve was keeping watch outside and jogs over to where Bucky is being held. Spencer slowly follows but maintains her distance.
The trio stare at Bucky and Bucky stares at them.
"Steve," Bucky says.
"Which Bucky am I talking to?" Steve replies harshly, arms crossed over his chest.
Bucky takes a moment before responding, "Your mom's name was Sarah," Bucky then chuckles and adds, "You used to wear newspapers in your shoes."
Spencer snorts at that, "Aw, how cute!" Spencer coos.
Steve shakes his head and smiles, "Can't read that in a museum."
Sam's head turns quickly in shock, "Just like that, we're supposed to be cool?" Sam demands loudly.
Bucky sighs, "What did I do?"
"Enough," Steve answers.
" Oh, God, I knew this would happen. Everything HYDRA put inside me is still there. All he had to do was say the goddamn words," Bucky looks tormented by this and Spencer feels pity for the poor man.
"Who was he?" Steve presses.
Bucky shakes his head, "I don't know."
That answer isn't enough, "People are dead. The bombing, the setup. The doctor did all that just to get 10 minutes with you. I need you to do better than "I don't know."" Steve sharply told Bucky.
Bucky responded quietly, "He wanted to know about Siberia. Where I was kept. He wanted to know exactly where."
"Why would he need to know that?" Steve asked with a frown.
Spencer and Sam watched quietly as Bucky uttered, "I'm not the only winter soldier."
So, Bucky told them about the other winter soldiers that were apparently worse than him. "With these guys, he could do it. They speak 30 languages, can hide in plain sight, infiltrate, assassinate, destabilize, They can take a whole country down in one night. You'd never see them coming." Bucky told them and it scared the shit out of Spencer.
The trio moved to the side to converse quietly, "This would have been a lot easier a week ago," Sam tells Steve.
"If we call Tony?" Spencer puts in weakly.
Sam and Steve shake their heads, "He won't believe us," Sam tells Spencer and Spencer deflates a little.
"Even if he did," Steve says, "Who knows if the Accords will let him help."
There was momentarily silence before Steve spoke up again, "We're on our own."
"Maybe not," Sam says with an idea shining in his eyes. Spencer and Steve look at Sam with curious looks, "I know a guy." Sam smirks.
"Sharon said to get a getaway car, not whatever this is," Spencer gestured at the shitty blue Volkswagen that Steve had somehow procured for the group, "It's disgusting!" Spencer turned her nose up.
Steve shot her a look, "Spencer, not right now, we're on a tight schedule."
Spencer sighed, it had been almost an entire day since her last rest, and a decent meal. Her body was beginning to ache something awful and her mind felt heavy, she needed at least some better food. Hopefully, Sharon could bring her a decent burrito. She didn't want to voice this to anyone, she didn't want to slow them down because of her.
Spencer begrudgingly got into the dirty buggy in the backseat with Bucky. Sam was riding shotgun because he called dibs first. Spencer scowled at Sam who smirked at her through the rearview mirror. They were going to meet up with Sharon so that Steve and Sam could get their stuff back that was taken away when they first arrived at the UN facility.
The only thing keeping Spencer going was the prospect of seeing Pietro and Wanda soon. Clint was tasked with breaking them out from Vision's careful eye and tasked with getting some guy called Antman?
Steve was driving them out of the city towards the meetup spot.
Spencer was sulking beside Bucky.
Bucky was staring at her again.
Spencer glared at the man, "Got a problem?" Spencer snarled, agitated and hungry.
Bucky merely blinked at her robotically.
"Spencer, be nice," Steve sighed, "Bucky, please don't stare at her while she's in a bad mood, she will stab you," Steve warned him.
Bucky quirked an eyebrow and looked at Spencer's form, "I'd like to see her try."
And suddenly there was a blade pushed up against Bucky's throat, the reflexes somehow kicking in without Spencer even thinking. Bucky's eyebrows shot up and even Sam and Steve looked shocked at the suddenness. Spencer blinked surprised and felt painful prickles shooting through her body, she winced and lowered her arm.
"You okay?" Steve asked worriedly.
Spencer nodded mutely.
"I asked Sharon to get you some food," Steve added in, wary of Spencer and Bucky getting into an altercation, "So, at least you'll feel better with some food in your stomach."
Spencer grumbled, "I want to go home."
Steve and Sam exchanged looks, "We know," Steve said quietly, feeling guilty for dragging Spencer in this mess.
It took some time to finally meet Sharon at her meetup spot which was under an overpass, "Not sure you understand the concept of a getaway car," Spencer heard Sharon tease Steve.
"That's what I said!" Spencer grumbled, feeling cramped inside the small car.
"Can you not be so close?" Bucky glared at Spencer.
Spencer shot him a deadly look, "Do you not see how small it is in here? Maybe you should lose some pounds!" Spencer shot back hotly.
"Children, please," Sam smirked from the passenger side.
Bucky and Spencer glared at each other as Bucky scooted as far away as the car would let him, "Pussy!" Spencer seethed back.
Bucky flipped her off.
"Oh, damn," Sam said, gaining Bucky's and Spencer's attention.
Steve and Sharon were caught in a lip-lock! Spencer scrunched her nose up, "Ew, Steve, that's Peggy's niece!" Spencer muttered.
Whilst as Sam and Bucky were smirking at Steve and nodding their approval; Steve turned to see their reactions and looked away embarrassed, "Aw, he's blushing!" Spencer cooed with a laugh.
On the 6th level of a parking garage at the Leipzig/Halle airport. Steve drives into the parking lot and parks beside a grey van. Spencer is restless to see Pietro. Sam could barely get out fast enough for Spencer's liking as Spencer threw herself at her boyfriend. Pietro caught her easily and twirled her around, "Princezná!" Pietro holds her tightly against him.
Spencer melts against his embrace, happy to be reunited with him. Her anxiety dies down a little now that she's with him. "Ew," Wanda fake gags with a smirk, "It's so cute I want to gag." Pietro sets Spencer down and Spencer gives Wanda a tight hug, "You look terrible," Wanda frowns and glares at Steve, "Is this how you take care of your best friend?"
"Best friend? Bucky voices.
"Yeah, best friend!" Spencer quips back, death glaring at Bucky.
Bucky death glares back.
"Heel," Clint pats Spencer's head, "Down, girl, before you fall over and die," Clint laughs.
Spencer huffs and accepts Clint's fatherly hug, "You know I wouldn't have called If I had any other choice," Steve tells Clint with a small smile.
"As long as I can haul this one back with me, it's all good," Clint says to Steve. It was the only condition Clint had when Steve asked Clint for help.
"Thanks for having my back," Steve says to Pietro and Wanda.
"Well, it was time to get off our asses," Wanda muses, exchanging a look with Clint.
"Pietro didn't need much convincing, huh, Pietro?" Clint smirks at Pietro, who glares at the older man.
"He needed to come to save his little lady," Sam laughs and Spencer shoots him a deadly glare, "I mean," Sam coughed awkwardly, "I'm sorry, don't kill me," Sam says.
"How about our other recruit?" Steve asks Clint.
Clint perks up, "He's rarin' to go. Had to put a little coffee in him, but… he should be good." Clint opens up the back of the van to reveal Scott Lang aka Antman laid out in the back seat.
"Is he hungover?" Spencer deadpanned.
"Maybe," Clint shrugged.
"What timezone is this?" Scott looked dazed.
"Come on, move," Clint shoved Scott in front of Steve.
"Captain America," Lang's voice trembled in awe as Steve and Lang shook hands.
"Mr. Lang," Steve greeted respectfully.
"It's an honor. I'm shaking your hand too long. Wow! This is awesome! Captain America." Lang is fangirling and looks to Wanda and Pietro, and Spencer, "I know you three, too! You're great, too!" Lang says excitedly before reaching over and feeling Steve's shoulders, "Geez, would you look at those bad boys?" Lang awed, "Look, I wanna say, I know you know a lot of super people, so, thanks for thinking of me!" Lang said grinning before looking over at Sam.
"Hey, man!" Lang greeted.
Sam smirked, "Hey, tic-tac."
Spencer tuned out of the conversation and buried her face into Pietro's chest, Pietro hugged me, "I missed you," Pietro murmurs into her ear gently.
Spencer smiles up at him, "I missed you, too."
Clint coughs.
Spencer sighs, "You, too, old man," Spencer rolls her eyes.
Pietro laughs and gives her a quick kiss before an announcement rings out throughout the airport. "They're evacuating the airport," Bucky tells the group.
"Stark?" Sam says with a sigh.
"Stark? Like, Tony Stark?" Lang asks with wide eyes.
"Suit up," Steve orders, "Except you, Spencer."
Spencer rolls her eyes, "Yeah, I know."
While everyone else fought, Spencer crept her way towards the fighting, wanting a good look at the action. No one had caught her yet which was great. Pietro could've sped Cap to the hanger, but from the looks of it, Nat had shot Pietro with a dart that immobilized his speediness. Spencer would have to have a word with Nat about that.
Spencer peeked up from her hiding spot watching as the two sides had a stand-off, "This is going to be a funny story come Thanksgiving," Spencer mumbled to herself, going to take a step out of her hiding spot. She was trying to get into close range to throw her stun grenade at the enemy team to allow her team to dash the hanger.
Spencer watched attentively as both sides communicated to each other; Spencer couldn't hear, but by the looks on their faces, it probably wasn't anything good. Spencer briefly wondered if anything could be said or done in these moments to diffuse the situation, perhaps talking to Tony would have benefitted somehow, but watching Tony right now, seeing his angry face, a tiny part of Spencer was happy not to be facing him right now.
Spencer didn't believe she ever saw Tony this angry.
A small part of her did feel some guilt; the last thing she wanted to do was be a burden on any of her friends or family, and although Tony was playing the Devil's Advocate in a situation that involved world politics, she could have better worked alongside him to come to a better understanding or conclusion.
A thought struck her; maybe if she were to intervene now, perhaps Tony would listen? Spencer knew Tony had a soft spot for her, everyone did. In the heat of this moment, before this fight that would drive wedges between her friends, could she say or do something?
She bit her lip as she watched both sides taking their stances, ready to charge, and Spencer rose from her hiding place and began calmly walking towards them. Vision was saying something, he was hovering in the air above Tony and his side, Spencer eyed the Spiderman with curiosity before moving over to King T'Challa in his Black Partner suit.
Spencer felt the anxiety bubbling in her stomach, she hoped Tony would hear her out, but even if he heard her out, what could they do in terms of the Accords? It was a bit too late now, it was Pietro who spotted her first, then Wanda, and heads slowly started turning towards her as she walked towards them.
"Spencer," Steve looked at her confused.
Spencer stopped walking, in front of both sides staring at her now, confused and curious. Spencer felt her chest tighten and her arms felt tingly, but she ignored it. Spencer's blue eyes met Tony's; some of his anger had dissolved upon seeing her, and there was a concern in his eyes that made Spencer smile.
"Pikachu," Tony saw her relieved smile.
"I don't want this to be resolved by anymore fighting," Spencer says in a quiet and confident voice, "We took this to an extreme because we thought you wouldn't hear our side out," Spencer explained calmly to him.
Tony looked irritated, "After everything that's already been done, could you blame me?" Tony bit out.
Spencer gave a guilty smile, "I guess not, but this whole Accords thing isn't worth losing our friendship. It's only brought us apart, torn our family apart. I don't want to die knowing how this ended," Spencer fidgeted with her hands, "I know you're angry, you were trying to do your best in keeping us apart, and I shouldn't have been so stubborn in the beginning, thinking back, maybe I could've gone about it a different way, and maybe we wouldn't be here, but an enemy is seeing the discord between us, all of us, and using it to their advantage," Spencer saw Tony stiffen, "Can you hear me out? Please?"
Tony opened his mouth to speak, but Spencer flinched at the sudden pain in her chest, it was so sudden and sharp, that Spencer reached for her chest. "Spencer?" Pietro reached for her.
Spencer opened her mouth to reassure him, but a cry of pain escaped her, she fell to her knees as fire ripped through her chest, spreading through her body quickly, and everyone fell into a panic. Spencer's vision blurred, she was aware that she wasn't crying, she was screaming, the pain intensifying insanely fast. She can feel hands grabbing at her, calling her name in a panic.
The pain is cruel, attacking her entire body relentlessly, Spencer was delirious, screaming, crying, and mumbling incoherently. Was this how she was going to die? Right now, when it was the most inconvenient? God really had a shitty sense of humor. Spencer can't recall if she passed out, maybe she did, the next thing she could remember was the echo of a thunderous boom, the earth shaking, and strong arms lifting her.
A warm sensation crawled over her body, caressing her aching body, soothing these vicious pains to barely an echo, holding them off for the moment. Spencer's mind was delirious, her head spun, her eyesight was having a difficult time adjusting, she could see figures, couldn't make out who was who, but heard their voices.
"Thor?" Spencer was able to utter out, her throat stinging, she flinched from the pain.
Why couldn't she see anything? Before Spencer could ask another question, she felt a large, warm hand on her forehead, "Sleep, Spencer." Thor commanded her in a soft, gentle tone. A tone of voice Spencer had never heard Thor use before. Sleep came for Spencer almost instantly, despite her mind screaming with questions, another part of her needed to follow Thor's command.
A second later, Spencer closed her eyes and slept.
A nice long chapter for everyone, lol. This one scene at the end has been simmering in my mind for years. This is the climax of Spencer's journey, of course, we still have Ragnorak, Infinity War, and Endgame to go, but this was the one part that kept me going. There's a lot of theory with this, two of the stone's energy being confined into a human body would probably kill the host, I just dragged it out as long as possible. I think it's an interesting concept. Now, as for how Spencer came into contact with the Tesseract, well, we'll never know. It's a secret, lmao. Jk, I actually never realized that there wasn't a chance in the movies for Spencer to come into contact with the Tesseract until I started typing this scene out, and I was pretty bummed out.
Everything was how I wanted it to be for this one moment and somehow, I forgot to overlook the most important part!
Well, we'll just add that tidbit in everyone's minds. Now, the fun part will be which energy will Odin take from Spencer? If he takes the Space stone energy, well, Spencer will keep the powers she previously had. But if Odin takes the Mind Stone energy from Spencer, Spencer will emerge with new powers. It's kinda cool, huh? I'm not sure what I'm going to do when that time comes, tbh. What do you guys think? I'm not even sure what powers I would give her if Odin takes the Mind Stone energy from her. I guess I can research into it, or if you guys have any ideas, feel free to lmk!
Mind you, I began writing this so long ago. I don't even remember how old I was, tbh, so I know some of it might not make sense in terms of the Marvel Universe and such, but that's the great part of doing fanfic, I guess. Also, it's hard to re-write everything I've already done to make more sense and easier to understand, so, bear with me!
So, onto Thor: Ragnorak! We'll follow Spencer on her Journey in Asgard! I have a general idea of what I want to do, it's going to be so cool, I think!
EDITTED 4/08/2021: So, I was totally not happy with how rushed the ending was so, after some time pondering and debating, I re did the ending of this chapter. I quite like this alternate better as it focuses more on Spencer's thoughts and such. Hopefully, you all like it better too!