Back again. Here's Chapter 7.

With a smile, I turned my attention back to my suit. It really did look good. I owe Stark so much for this one. He was finishing up the reinforced stitching so I worked on the holster. Once that was finished, I could proudly say I have a suit for when the Avengers were needed. We would all look like we belonged. Of course the suit wasn't the most important part and we still had training left to go but we' were looking more battle ready than we were two months ago. I was good with a knife (better than the others) and a rifle. Hawkeye was obviously the best marksman but due to his training, we significantly improved within two weeks. I now had more control over my abilities; I'm still training with them but there had been progress.

We still had the teamwork tasks left to go, which included simulations of all type. We were due to start them this week but due to mine and Wanda's absence, they were postponed. The boys have been doing more rifle work in our time off. As long as we succeeded in the team tasks, we were fine.

"Piper," Wanda interrupted my musings. "We should get back and pack. We don't want to let Hawkeye down and be late."
"Well, it's done," I said, referring to the suit. "Let me hang it up and we can go." I grabbed a hangar off a table and placed it on there. "Have we got transport or are we walking?"
"There's transport here but won't be ready for thirty minutes, giving us a chance to eat."
"What do you fancy? Eggs? Bacon? Eggs and Bacon?" I studied the fridge contents.
"That sounds delicious. I'll make some hash browns and scrambled eggs while you cook the bacon."
"Now this is teamwork."

I placed four pieces of bacon on the cooker. I noticed Stark's iPod connected to a speaker and hit the play button. Bon Jovi's 'Livin' on a Prayer' started and we danced around the kitchen. Nat walked in and laughed at us as we belted out the words. Then American Pie came on and I grinned.

I danced around Tasha and she sighed, walking around me to check on the food that we had neglected. We continued singing as Wanda checked the eggs and the hash browns. Once it was all ready, I dished it out onto plates. Nat had already eaten but took a seat at the island anyway.

"Music fan, are you?" she chuckled in amusement as we ate.
"Yeah, especially the 80's," I replied between mouthfuls.
"I'm more of a 60's fan. The Beatles were the best band ever," Wanda added after a minute.
"Why does that not surprise me?" I paused, my fork halfway to my mouth. Tasha smiled.
"How are you both feeling?"
"I feel great, actually. The accident last week was just a small moment that I had. I'm not gonna let it happen again."
"So therapy went well then? I presume you did actually go?" She raised an eyebrow at me.
"Yes, I went to my appointment, albeit reluctantly. But Wanda stuck to her promise to Dr. Horne that I would go for as long as it was required."
"I read the woman's mind. With the attitude you showed, it won't be too long."
"Attitude?"
"She was really positive. I was so proud."
"Well, keep it up. You've got your suit now and the patches. Prove that you've earned them."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"How are you, Wanda? Feeling good?"
"Indeed. I feel safe and wanted here. Piper and I have each other's backs and of course, we'll protect the rest of the team as well as best we can."
"I'm glad to hear it. We are a team and we all bring something to it. You're the energy master that keeps us going; Piper is the knife-throwing, ass-kicking Ice Queen. Falcon is the flight. Rhodey is the eyes and ears and Vision is the quirkiness. We all have our place and I expect you will all pass with flying colours."
"And Steve is the leader; you're the brains, Stark, the engineer and Clint, the marksman."
"Exactly. We're all needed to keep the unit functional."
"Well, if it hadn't been for your training, things could have been very different."
"You were all well-motivated. That reduces a great amount of stress."

The conversation took a lighter tone after this and Hawkeye joined us. We were all sitting around laughing when he noticed the empty plates in front of us and pouted. After grumbling that no one offered to cook him breakfast, Tasha reminded him that Laura would have food ready and waiting for him. He perked up and started joking around with us. The conversation was interrupted when someone came to collect us to get back to base. We all stood up and they grabbed their stuff. I placed the plates in the dishwasher and grabbed my suit.

"Are we all going back?" I questioned.
"Us four and Cap as well," Hawkeye informed us.
"He isn't driving, right?" I looked at him in pure alarm.
"No, I am."
"Good, he drives like an old man."
"He is an old man!" Wanda pointed out.
"Fair point."

Steve was already waiting by the truck when we turned up. His shield strapped to his back, he climbed into the passenger seat when he saw us. They all placed their stuff in the truck bed and I laid my suit carefully to one side and put the cover over it. Making sure the back was secure; I climbed into the back with Tasha and Wanda. After I was strapped in, Hawkeye put his foot down.

We sped through the Manhattan streets, well as much as we could with rush hour traffic. After a half an hour journey, we pulled up through the gates of the training facility. The tower wasn't as tall as the Avengers tower but close enough. I swear Tony has a hug thing about height. Granted, the views were amazing on the upper floors but there's definitely height issues.

I grabbed my suit out of the back and then Wanda and I headed up to our room to pack. I grabbed the most casual clothes that I owned, some faded jeans, a couple of plaid shirts, my old leather jacket and my hunting boots. My few personal belongings, photos and a necklace were tucked into a secret compartment in my bag along with my S.H.I.E.L.D Identification and a small switch blade.

As soon as I was done, I turned to face Wanda who was sat on her bunk with a photo frame in her hands. I knew the photo all too well; it was of her and her twin before they'd fought with the Avengers, sided with Ultron or even volunteered to be a part of Strucker's experiments. Back before she had her abilities and her twin was still alive.

I sat myself next to her and wrapped an arm around her in comfort. She leant into the embrace offered and rested her head on my shoulder. Her arm came up to lace our fingers together and I placed my hand over the one holding the photo. We sat in silence before a few moments before she spoke, still staring at the photo.

"I miss him so much. He was so stupid, yet so brave. I wish we had never signed up to those experiments, that Stark had never taken our parents away from us and that life was simple!" she finished with a growl.
"Hey, hey, shh. Don't let yourself get angry." I brought the hand the covered hers up to her cheek and turned her to look at me. "I cannot imagine what it's like to lose a twin because I never had one. Especially when you were so close. But, Pietro is still with you," I moved my hand from her cheek and pointed to her heart. "In here." I can't imagine he'd leave his younger sister on her own."
"Hey, he was only twelve minutes older than me." I bypassed the objection and continued.
"He fought because he never wants to see you hurt. He knew that his actions would not only save Clint and that kid but you as well, in the long run. He died to save you and that's what made him the best brother in the world. It's what made him an Avenger. He knew Clint and the rest of them would protect you."
"He brought you to me, I swear."
"You know what? I have no doubt about that. Even in death, he's protecting people. He got me off the streets and you, a best friend that will protect you while he can't."
"You can never leave me!"
"And betray his memory in the process of hurting you? Never, I wouldn't do it." She smiled.
"We should probably get changed. We're still in yesterday's clothes."
"True," I shrugged. Do you want to get showered first or shall I go?"
"I take less time, I'll go first."
"Hey, I don't take that long!"
"Long enough," she smirked. Placing the photo on top of her bag, she grabbed some spare clothes and wandered into the bathroom with a smug smile.

Remember, reviews equal virtual cookies.