Wanda opened her eyes and stretched lazily. A glance at the clock told her it was just past nine. This was possibly the first time she'd woken up any later than seven, barring extenuating circumstances or radical time zone changes, since she had moved into Avengers' HQ. The weekend had been uneventful – even Bucky and Stark had gotten along after some initial coolness – and the group in New York had extended their stay to Monday morning. No one was calling her to run long distances outside or practice punching people in the gym. There was no weightlifting or telekinetic practice scheduled. Wanda was unsure of what to do for a moment, but she eventually settled on reaching for the remote of her rarely-used bedroom television as she remained warm under her covers.
The first channel she landed on was a morning news and entertainment program.
"So, for anyone who's been under a rock this weekend, this was the scene on Saturday night at Lincoln Center." A video played, showing Steve clearing a path for himself, Natasha, Sam and Hill through a sea of shouting photographers to the waiting limousine. The host narrated, "You're not imagining things. Yes, that is Captain America leaving the ballet with Black Widow and Falcon. The super night on the town also included dinner at a very exclusive restaurant. This is the first time we've seen the Captain and Black Widow together in public since their smooch after the bombing of the journalism conference several months ago…"
Wanda smiled at video of her friends looking like celebrities mobbed by the press and flipped to a different channel, only to find the same story.
"…the superhero couple and their friends attended a performance of the Mariinsky Ballet, though they didn't have much to say to reporters afterwards…"
This led into a clip of Steve with a microphone nearly shoved into his mouth, saying, "We're just having a night off, enjoying some beautiful dancing." He looked toward an unintelligible shouted question. "Yeah. Er, Zegna. Yeah, thanks."
Somewhat alarmed that she hadn't bothered to watch any news all weekend, Wanda changed the channel again, to a group of excited people sitting around a desk, enthusing over a picture of Natasha.
"…stunning in a gown from Marchesa."
"She really does look like she's on the red carpet at the Oscars."
"Honestly, I just want to find out what kind of workout she's doing to look that good. I mean, is it SoulCycle? CrossFit? How can a person look that good in high end couture and a leather catsuit?"
"Catsuit by Marc Jacobs?"
Wanda turned the channel again as the hosts laughed. A 'hard news' channel came up next, with a balding man ranting.
"…but no one is asking why? Why is Captain Rogers, a dyed-in-the-wool American hero, apparently in thrall to a Soviet spy? This isn't just me saying this, it's a fact. In the files that Natasha Romanoff herself, who, by the way, changed her name from the even more Russian-sounding Natalia Romanova, released during the infamous SHIELD disclosure, we learned all about her sordid past as a KGB agent. Who knows if she'd already seduced Captain Rogers at that point, convincing him to compromise our national security to further some scheme that…"
Not for the first time, Wanda wished she could send a small psychic punch through the airwaves, but settled for vehemently pressing the button on her remote. Another morning fluff piece replaced the anger.
"…a press release from Avengers' HQ on Sunday morning noted that Captain Rogers had escorted Agent Romanoff to the ballet, which she has loved since her childhood in Russia. I think we can say that no matter how lovely the dancers, Captain Rogers only had eyes for his date."
"Aren't they just the cutest couple?"
"They really do have a glow about them." Wanda had to agree, even if cameras didn't pick up the very real glow she saw around Steve and Natasha. "I think I speak for women the world over when I say, 'Ugh, so close!' I mean…not that any of us were, but we've gotta have our dreams, right ladies?"
"And something that – I mean, it's tough to remember your own name when Captain America is wearing a tuxedo, but I think it's also worth noting that the Falcon was along with a beautiful date of his own. Some people have been speculating that they were providing security for Captain America and Black Widow, but…" A video of Sam and Hill sharing a brief kiss played. "…I don't think that's a strictly professional relationship. So, sorry ladies, the Captain and Falcon seem to be officially taken. Our best to all our favorite superheroes on this Monday morning. Meanwhile, in the Middle East…"
Wanda changed the channel again, flipping past several more news stories and morning pieces about her friends before finding a program about dogs. She settled back into her pillows, wondering if a puppy would compromise security at HQ.
It had taken less convincing and even less paperwork than Wanda had expected.
As it stood, Black Widow was already getting far more media coverage than Natasha liked. For someone used to moving in the shadows, there were an alarming number of pictures and video clips circulating of her night on the town with Steve. The trip to the shelter was a good distraction from this latest assault on her anonymity and a canine mascot for the Avengers would likely prove interesting to the general public, turning the attention away from her.
Wanda had gotten directions at the Clydesdale Tavern from Dave the bartender, whose sister was the local rescue coordinator, so she was riding shotgun as Natasha followed a winding road away from the center of town. Steve was sitting in the backseat with a firm grip on the handle over his head. Speed and sharp cuts were apparently the best way to avoid roadside bombs or traps, though Wanda wasn't sure why they were needed in upstate New York. She concentrated on trying to read the few signs they sped past. "Oh, Oak Lane! That's what we want!"
The jeep's tires squealed as Natasha pulled an illegal U-turn, laying a patch of rubber across the country road. They accelerated into the turn. Wanda glanced over her shoulder and grinned at Steve, who was biting his cheeks to prevent himself from complaining about Natasha's driving. He gave her a pained smile. "It's on this road?"
"Should be ahead on the left before the road ends."
"Hopefully not in a cliff," he muttered, though not apparently as quietly as he'd hoped if Natasha's acceleration was any indication. They passed a building with large outdoor enclosures just before an abrupt sandy area that indicated the end of the road. Another skidding turn preceded their arrival in the gravel parking lot.
Wanda hopped from the car to give Steve and Natasha a moment to dispel their raised tension level. A smiling brunette appeared and waved from the doorway. "Hi! Dave told be you folks might be along, but I didn't really believe him!"
Wanda held out her hand. "You must be Nicole."
"That's me! Are you Wanda?" They went through brief introductions as Steve and Natasha came over and Nicole told them about the shelter. "We don't have a huge number of strays here, but we're still overcrowded because we maintain a pipeline from the South – their shelters are really overtaxed. Anyone you'd like to adopt is great, though. When word gets out the Avengers have gotten a rescue dog…wow! So great for all shelter dogs!"
They followed her into the main kennel, a concrete floor lined by chainlink fences on both sides. Wanda looked into the first kennel and felt her heart melt. The shelter staff had done their best, providing a blanket, bed and some toys for a mother dog and her litter of puppies. Nicole noted her interest immediately. "That's our special Lizzy-girl. She gave birth here last week. Came up from Alabama and went into labor almost right after she came off the truck. She won't be available until the pups are weaned, but…"
"This one."
Wanda, Steve and Nicole looked in the direction of Natasha's voice. Against instructions, she had gone into a kennel three-quarters of the way down the row to sit on the floor with a shaggy puppy, which was covering her face and neck in doggy kisses. Wanda scrambled to find her phone so she could record the moment.
Nicole was already enthusing over the dog Natasha had clearly chosen already. "That's Freckles. He was the runt of his litter and he's been here since he was born. It was touch and go for a while because he came down with Parvo, but he's healthy now. We think he's a retriever/Aussie/terrier mix, but who really knows? He's super friendly, four months old…"
Natasha rubbed the furry belly the puppy spontaneously offed up. "Steve, sign whatever they want."
"Nat, there's a bunch of other…"
"Yes, other people who will adopt the other dogs. This one is coming with us."
The process was short, possibly helped along by the fact that Captain America was handling the paperwork while the Black Widow and Scarlet Witch played with the puppy. Natasha was apparently as adept at reading dogs as she was with people. Although he was current on all his shots, Nicole had been kind enough to schedule an appointment with a local vet for a checkup before they left the shelter. Natasha insisted on sitting in the backseat with him while Steve drove back to HQ, as they hadn't expected to bring a dog back after one visit to the shelter and were lacking a harness or carrier, though Natasha had produced a collar and matching leash before they'd gotten outside.
With his floppy ears and speckled muzzle, Freckles was an instant hit. He peed on several spots between the garage and the lounge, but assorted staff had offered to clean up after him. Two techs had nearly gotten into a fight over who would go to the local feed store to pick up some necessities, barely settled by Hill and a base credit card. Still, the hardest test appeared to be ahead of them.
Steve crossed his arms over his chest as he stood and addressed the team. "As you all know, we've gotten a dog to serve as the Avengers' mascot. He needs a good name. I suggest Rover. That's a good name for a dog."
Although Bucky had agreed, Sam immediately scoffed, "In 1941, dude. This adorable beast is gonna be the first thing people think of when they think 'Avengers' from now on. He needs a name that's powerful but approachable."
"I've got it!" Rhodey shouted. "Wag Machine!"
"Why don't we just call him Captain Dog-merica? Sit down, Chair Force."
"Like you've got something better?"
"Uh huh." Sam waited for a moment. "Fluffzilla. No, hear me out. He's gonna be a big dog. Look at his paws! Strength, power, cuteness. Fluffzilla. Bam."
"What about Spot?" Bucky suggested.
"Go take a nap, Grandpa. If y'all don't like Fluffzilla, how about Sergeant Shaggy. Huh? Huh?"
Wanda wondered if any of her Sokovian names would be considered; she liked the idea of an Ataman or Druzhok or Pushok. She held her tongue as the boys continued to debate.
"Max? That's pretty innocuous," Rhodey said.
"I think he would make an excellent Hamlet," Vision interjected. "Look how soulful his eyes are. Come, Hamlet."
The dog didn't look up from his spot on the couch beside Natasha. She scratched his chest and he licked her cheek. "Don't think he's a Shakespeare fan."
"I guess Romeo is out then," Sam said with a sigh. "What about Chew Jackman? Bark Simpson? Woof Blitzer?"
"He could be Ranger," Steve said, "Like an Army Ranger."
"Okay, okay. I like that." Sam reached out to scratch behind the dog's ear. "Not exactly Pararescue, but I like the Army cred. Even Barnes can get behind that, right?"
Bucky nodded. "Ranger is good."
"Why is everybody arguing? He already has a name."
A flurry of protest rose from the assembled Avengers.
Ignoring the protests, Natasha stood calmly and started to walk out of the room. The dog watched her attentively. She turned in the doorway. "Come on, Freckles." He was on her heels as she disappeared around the corner, asking him if he wanted to go for a walk outside.
Rhodey spoke up first, "I still like Wag Machine."
Freckles had a tag engraved with his name the next day; it didn't list a last name, but Wanda noted that the contact number was Natasha's cell.
