Chapter 2. I'm doing so much editing, I am so unhappy with the characterization of most of the Avengers. I've managed to make them somewhat better through editing, but still, sorry for any OOCness. They won't really be featured in the story after the next chapter or so, so bear with.
And thank you Buddy for your review! What I will say is this will have happy endings for all involved. It just may take some time getting there. It won't be full of angst and drama, that's for sure.
Anyway, onward!
Oh, PS: Disclaimer: I own not a piece of this. Don't sue, I don't have any money.
Clint and Jennifer sat with their jaws to the floor. Janet could just blink 'Was that Wanda?' she thought
"Well what's her problem?" The Captain snarled
Janet sighed from across the room. "I told you she was having a rough time. I told you to back off of her a bit!" She gave both men a look and stormed out.
Jennifer just shook her head and followed Janet.
Dumbfounded Steve turned to look over at Clint whos mouth was still wide open
The Captain just shook his head. "I don't get it.."
"He's being so damn stubborn," Janet shook her head as she grabbed a drink.
Jennifer lay her hand on Janet's shoulder "I agree, but.."
"He's being so demanding of Wanda, and we can all see how hard she's having it right now!"
"Janet.."
"She just needs time. She needs to adjust to all this. She as back in the game right after Talia was born, she needs to adjust to being a mother and an Avenger. I'm gonna go find her…"
Tired of being interrupled, Jennifer finally snapped. "Janet!"
"What?"
"Take a breath. You're getting too worked up over this."
"... I am?"
"Yes, just give Wanda some time.."
"But.."
"She'll be fine and she'll be back."
Janet sighed and collapsed in a chair. "I hope.."
"Anyway," Wanda pulled away from her brother embrace. "I think we should get back. Its getting late."
"Yeah, you're right.."
She sat her little one back into her stroller and grinned.. she was so proud...
"Wan?"
"Hmm?"
"You gonna be ok?"
"Of course, I always am, aren't I?"
Pietro thought about it. She was right. There had be nothing his sister hadn't overcome…well…except. "Yeah sis, you are."
As they walked up to the Avengers mansion Wanda filled with dread. *Please, just let them all be in their rooms..*
"Wanda? Something wrong?"
"Huh? No. It's nothing."
Pietro opened the doors and to Wanda's utmost joy.. the place was empty. She sighed hugged her brother. "Goodnight Pietro."
"Night Wan!"
As Wanda lay her little girl down a tap came at her door
"Wanda?"
"Oh, Good evening Janet."
"Do you have a minute?"
"Sure.. just let me tuck Talia in."
Up came that dread again. *Great.. Just what I wanna do.. Talk..*
Wanda tucked in Talia and sat upon her bed. "What's on your mind, Janet?"
"I just, I.. I wanna know whats bothering you Wanda.."
"Alot of things."
"..like?"
Wanda shrugged. "Life."
"Wanda, talk to me.. Tell me whats wrong.."
"Everything.! Janet, I run around the city saving this or that, while my daughter is at home with my brother and I.." Wanda paused. "I'm supposed to be a mother to her."
"You are her mother."
"No, I'm not! I'm never even here for her! I'm too busy with the dress-up super hero save the day fairytale nonsense!"
Janet just stuttered. "I..uh..I"
"I missed the first time she crawled, what else am I going to miss?" she sniffed as her eyes welled. "I don't want to turn around one day and she's 16 and doesn't even know who I am."
Janet was at a loss for words. "So what are you gonna do?"
".. I dont know, Janet."
She studied Wanda for a bit. "There's something else wrong, isn't there?"
"Yeah.."
"What is it..?"
Wanda looked down at the floor. "Pietro's been bringing Kurt up again."
"Ok…and?" Janet poked.
"And? And what? I'm tired of everyone poking in my life trying to tell me what I should or shouldn't do. This is my life! My decision," Wanda crossed her arms with a stubborn look.
Janet sighed. "Stop it, Wanda. No one is doing that. But…you don't think Kurt deserves at least a phone call?"
The Scarlet Witch stood, gesturing wildly. "Excuse me? You don't even know the entire situation! Kurt was the one who gave up on us! Not me!"
"And how am I supposed to know that? You never told ANY of us what happened. One day, you were crying and we never saw Kurt around here again. I'm your best friend, and you couldn't even open up to me," Janet's voice had the slightest hint of disappointment. "We were all worried. Especially when Talia came along."
"You sure had a great way of showing your worry," Wanda snapped.
"Just, open up for once, Wanda. Let me help you."
Wanda rolled her eyes, sighing, before sitting again. "I wanted us to settle down. I was prepared to give up this life, for him. If he would give up the Xmen. But he wouldn't do it. He chose that damn team over me."
Janet looked slightly suspicious. "Why would he do that?"
"Well, he said he wouldn't leave the Xmen. But, I could move in with him. So, I'm supposed to give it all up for him if he wouldn't do the same for me? It was an all or nothing deal, Janet. And he chose nothing."
"Why did it have to be all or nothing?" Janet questioned. "Why did there have to be an ultimatum? Why couldn't you just keep the relationship until you were both ready to settle down?"
Wanda paused, shocked by this line of questioning. "Because-" She started, before realizing there wasn't really any answer she could give. It all made so much more sense a year ago. "You just don't understand, Janet. It's complicated."
"Well, maybe I don't. But you're not exactly helping me to understand." Janet stood, moving toward the crib. "And if it was just between you and Kurt, I wouldn't ask you all this. But it's not just between you two." Talia lay asleep peacefully, blanket clutched in one tiny hand. "I think your daughter deserves to know her father."
"You sound just like my brother."
"Well, he has a point. It's not right to keep Talia from Kurt, even if he doesn't know about her. He'll find out eventually, Wanda, and you know it'll hurt him. I'm not saying forgive him for whatever he did, or be with him again. Just let him into her life. It's what's best for her."
Wanda stood, furiously. "I can't believe- You don't think I know what's best for my daughter?"
"I didn't say-"
"You think I can't raise her myself? I'll tell you, I DO know what's best for her, and I will be the one to decide Janet."
"Alright, sorry, Wanda. I'm just saying-"
"I don't care what you're saying-" Wanda was interrupted by Talia's small cry. She rushed to the crib and lifted her into her arms. "It's ok, baby. Aunt Janet was just leaving." Wanda glared at Janet, sending it home.
"Whatever you want. But I suggest you seriously consider what you're doing." Janet turned and left the room.
"Shh shh," Wanda soothed, sitting on the bed. "It's ok. Mommy's got ya."
The infant cried into her mother's neck. Slowly, her cries turned into small hiccups.
"Did we scare you, sweetie? Mommy's sorry." Wanda rocked back and forth, holding her daughter close. Soon, her cries died down, and Wanda remained clutching her sleeping child. She didn't want to let go.
Clint knocked then opened the door slightly. "Wanda, Steve wants us downstairs in five, in full uniform. We got a problem on the upper east side." He left as quickly as he'd come.
Wanda looked over at her uniform hanging behind the door and sighed. "Avengers Assemble."
As always, reviews are appreciated. Again, this was a bit of the previously written. One or two more chapters until we get to the new stuff :)