"If you're wondering how long it'll be until you can stop mediating for two grown men, the answer is not anytime soon." His glasses slid down his nose as he ducked his head back into the virtual terminals.

In the corner Rhodey sighed, crossing one leg over the other as he sat down stiffly. They'd been huddled in the work shop for hours.

"Tony," Steve tried again. "I get it. You're worried about Nat and you're missing Bruce pretty hard. But this would be a lot easier if you'd keep your emotions in check and stop acting like you're the only one on this team."

Tony scoffed loudly. "I don't have emotions."

"You do, and they're flying all over the place."

"We have to get her back now, Steve!" He hadn't meant to raise his voice as much as he did, but now his heart was pounding and the blood was rushing in his ears. "Every minute she's gone is another minute that we don't know what's happening to her."

"So there it is," Steve said quietly.

"Shut up," Tony spat. He pushed the frames back up on his face. "If you really want to help, you can go get the girl. And Rhodey, you can figure out a way to help me transport this."

He stepped back from the console and the workspace widened to reveal a gadgety looking rectangle, large enough to fit a person inside.

Rhodey frowned. "Where are we transporting it to? And what the heck is that thing?"

"It's our best shot at bringing Widow home safely. And we're taking it to the mansion."

"The mansion?" Steve asked. "Your mansion?"

Tony rolled his eyes. "You know any other rich, good-looking geniuses who own a mansion in this county?"

"I know I suggested that you take a nap, Stark, but seriously? Now, when we're this close to finding her?" Steve said doubtfully.

"Tracker says that's where she is right now," Tony replied.

"But we've already had FRIDAY search your house. And every other familiar property. Even a few unfamiliar ones. Tony, she's not there," Rhodey said carefully.

"Maybe not in this reality," he said evenly, without an ounce of sarcasm. "Come on. I have most of an idea."

Steve's eyes glanced briefly over to Rhodey and Rhodey gave a firm nod.

"I know of a guy," Tony continued. "I don't like it, but it's our best shot. I've already contacted him and he'll meet us there, but first we need to grab the witch girl on the way. What?"

He chuckled, lightly tapping underneath Steve's slackened jaw. "You said so yourself. I'm not the only one on this team. Let's move."

"I'll wait for you to explain in more detail before I say good work, Stark," Steve said as he followed Tony out of the lab.

XXXXX

"Let me get this straight. You think she's in an alternate reality?" Clint raised an eyebrow.

"I know that's where she is," Tony said, his hands buried in the rectangular box.

"How do you know that?" Steve asked.

"Look your powers can bend reality, right?" He said, turning to Wanda.

She nodded mutely as she bit her lip, her eyes wide and fearful.

"Well, the tracker says she's right here." He shrugged. "Stark tech doesn't lie. Only, you don't see her, do you?"

He looked from Avenger to Avenger, smiling smugly as they nodded their heads and played along. "Strange will help Wanda guide her powers to target Nat. This chamber will channel the kinetic energy, and with any luck, steer her back safely before anything else can intercept her."

"And you think this could work?" Steve asked.

"What if your calculations are wrong?" Clint said.

Tony crossed his arms over his chest. "Do you want to take a crack at double checking my math?"

"He's right," Steve said firmly without looking at anyone in particular. "This is our best shot."

"Did someone say my name?"

All eyes turned to the center of the room, where a red cloaked figure had appeared in a circle of orange light.

"Seriously? We just got Vision to stop doing that. Didn't you ever hear of knocking?" Tony said, a slight hint of irritation tingeing his voice.

The cloaked figure remained still with a smirk on his face as he regarded his surroundings. "I'm Dr. Stephen Strange," he said solemnly. "Mr. Stark says the Avengers need my help."

"I'm Captain Steve Rogers," Steve replied. "And Mr. Stark is right."

Tony clapped his hands once. "Alright. Places, everyone." He turned to Wanda. "All eyes on you, kid."

XXXXX

His arms were solid around her as they enveloped her in the darkness, his body firm against hers and his lips molding with hers, kissing more and more passionately until it felt like they were breathing the same breath. His voice called to her as if from far away….

"Nat," He said softly, his hand gentle on her shoulder. "Darling, wake up."

"Mmmmmmm," she stirred, her limbs feeling heavy as her eyelids slowly fluttered open.

"Come on, sweetheart. I think I've got it."

"Tony?" She asked, sitting up straight, her face in front of his as everything came back into focus. "I remember," she said softly.

He held her steady, his hands on either shoulder as he waited for her to get her bearings.

"Remember what, Tasha?"

"Us," she breathed, reaching out a hand to smooth back his hair. "I remember what it feels like- the love, the tenderness, the… passion. It- it was all in my dream…. "

He grinned wide, his teeth sparkling and his eyes shining. "You had a sex dream about me?"

"Stop," she groaned. "You're supposed to be the mature one."

"The mature what?"

"The mature you!" She shook her head as he laughed. "Now, what were you going to tell me?"

"Great news. I think I've got it. We can send you home." He held out his hand expectantly.

She regarded his outstretched palm for a moment before slowly sliding her hand into his. "To a place where things are always tense among the team, Clint's gone and you and I don't even get along. Great."

"I take it you'd rather stay here?"

She sighed. "I know that's not practical. But… it's so much easier here."

He raised his hands, cupping her face and tilting her head to look at him. "Sweetheart. You're only seeing the good stuff, because that's what I've shown you. We're a team of how many people, now? Do you think we never have any kind of dissention amongst the ranks?"

She looked up at him, placing her hands over his where they were still holding her face.

"And darling, you and I, of course we love each other very much. But our relationship takes mutual work and commitment, the same as any other." He moved one of his hands, turning it over and gripping her fingers, then slowly drawing her hand to his mouth where he placed a tender kiss.

"I guess you're right," she said softly.

"It will be what you make it when you get home," he said. "Now, come on. Let's go downstairs with the others and get you there."