Sacrifice

Her fingers tapped against the steering wheel, drumming to the beat of the music. Her head danced as she hummed and sang with the music that was blasting in her car. She fixed her sunglasses, putting them in a proper place on her nose, letting the fresh sun beat down on her and warm her pale skin.

It probably would've been much faster to take a jet, but she decided to drive, considering she didn't want to be anywhere near the city or the team. Everything was just crazy and insane, and it didn't help that Tony, Hank and Steve were making it an even bigger deal, no thanks to Nick Fury either. Fury was like a raging bull that wanted to kill its annoyance and just be done with it. However, everyone knew that wasn't possible.

So as she pulled up to the quaint house that overlooked the city from a far distance, she smiled at the fact that it was quiet and tranquil for the time being. She grabbed her purse and walked out of the car and over to the edge of the hill, overlooking the tall forest trees and city. Just smelling the fresh mountain air was enough to keep her calm and at bay from any stress.

"Did you come to see the view or me?" a voice called from the house, as Janet turned around to see Carol waving at her.

"Carol," Janet breathed, smiling to see that she was healthy and better. Carol gestured for her to go inside, as Janet shrunk down and flew to the porch, growing back to her original size.

"You're just in time for tea," Carol said, walking to her kitchen. Janet sat on the couch, watching the news on the television. Carol brought the tea over and sat down with her on the couch.

"Not gonna lie, I didn't peg you as a tea person," Janet grinned.

"Ever since the accident, I've been trying new things. I had to get off the coffee; the caffeine was too much," Carol admitted. "My body isn't taking the sugar as good as I thought."

"So…it hasn't been…?"

"It's been rough," Carol disclosed, nodding her head. "I'm still not used to anything." Janet nodded, remembering her first days of being 'different.' It wasn't exactly the best time of her life, but at least she had Hank to experience the transformation with.

"I'm guessing this is a touchy subject," Janet sighed, diverting her eyes toward the TV.

"Actually…you're the first person to talk to me about it. When I was discharged from the hospital, the doctors wanted nothing to do with me. Besides Hank checking up on me, I haven't had any appointments or scheduled arrangements. I've just been here…away from the city and other people," Carol confided, gazing out the window longingly.

Janet kept quiet, doing her best to keep her mouth shut while trying to ignore the annoying broadcast of Strucker on the television. Carol was in her own little world, still staring out the window, watching the birds chirp and fly through the sky. She looked so sad, as if ready to cry and shed the many tears she had been holding back for so long. Janet bit her lip anxiously, not knowing what to say. People always told her she was a good listener and knew the right things to say, but clearly all the people that told her those things were either delusional or insane. She had no idea what she was doing, and frankly, she actually hated listening to other peoples' problems and trying to come up with a solution.

"Carol, I know it's hard. Believe me, I know exactly what you're going through, but this isn't the end. Now you can practice and harness the power that resides within you. You can be a force for good. You can be an Avenger," Janet encouraged, smiling softly. Carol continued to stare out the open window, letting the slight breeze blow her hair. Janet's smile turned into a frown, facing the television while crossing her arms in defeat.

She listened to her 'favorite' blonde anchor present the piece on Strucker. She spoke highly of him, praising his every move and encouraging the public to believe him. She wanted to gag. Why would anyone believe anything he had to say? She growled aloud, feeling static run up and down her body. She was ready to blast the TV with her stingers just to shut her up.

"I don't like him either," Carol spoke up, getting Janet's attention.

"I can't stand him. The way he presents himself, like he's some long lost king that everyone should welcome with open arms…it's sickening."

"Take it from someone who used to work for the government…he didn't do this alone. Someone is helping him achieve all these goals. There is no way he was able to accomplish this so easily."

"Honestly, I hate to admit it, but this guy is a genius. He's always a step ahead of everyone and he knows how to corrupt the system. Even if he has someone on the inside, he's the one calling the shots and he knows what he's doing," Janet further explained, as the screen showed Strucker and then a zoom in on the Black Widow. "And it doesn't help that he has SHIELD's most top assassin and agent in his pocket. Whether people believe so or not, she plays a huge role in this. She's smarter than she looks."

"Oh, so the gorgeous red hair, perfect body, and big breasts have nothing to do with it?" Carol asked rhetorically, grinning widely.

"Obviously, but she influences Strucker a lot," Janet giggled, continuing to grimace at the screen. She was quiet for a moment, suddenly grinning mischievously, "Steve actually has a crush on her…"

"What man doesn't?" Carol scoffed, rolling her eyes. She focused back on the topic about Steve, "But I thought he was better than that? What do the others think? I bet Clint has a lot to say…"

"Please, I'm the only one that knows. He hasn't told anybody, for good measure. He would never admit such a thing."

"And he told you?" Carol smirked unbelievingly.

"No way, he's taking that secret to the grave. You should see the way he stares at her so longingly. Even if I did bring it up, he'd deny it right away," Janet stated, continuing to watch the screen. "Must be nice to have all the men drop to their knees for you…either because they love you or because they're afraid of you."

"Jan, you're not jealous, are you?"

"Me? Hell no! I'm just saying…"

"Good, because you shouldn't be. You may not like wearing what other women wear to get men's attentions, but you are beautiful. And if you put on an outfit like Widow's, trust me when I say you'd be turning heads too."

"If that's supposed to make me feel better, you failed epically," Janet grinned. After a few paused moments, Janet turned to Carol, "Although, I am worried Car. I'm worried for what the world is going to experience once Strucker's reign becomes global. Hank is already freaking out and running around the mansion, trying to figure something out with Tony."

"Wait one second…when did Hank get back?"

"A few days ago," Janet responded, looking at her confused.

"He came all the way back from Wakanda to check this out?"

"Um yeah! There's an evil dictator that joined our government and is attempting world domination! Wouldn't you come back for that?"

"Maybe if he already attempted an attack or something, but he hasn't done anything. If it were me, I'd stay in Wakanda and get daily reports on what's happening. Janet, you don't come back from a trip just because you got an update from your team…"

"He came back because he wanted to be there just in case. I really don't see where you're going with this."

"I think he came back for you."

"Here we go…"

"Think about it Jan! Sure he came back for the team, but he mainly returned so that he knew you were safe," Carol said, watching Janet squirm uncomfortably.

"I'm done with Hank, Carol. I don't see how our relationship can ever grow from here."

"We've been down this road a thousand times, Janet. He's just afraid."

"If it involves me then he shouldn't be afraid of anything. If he hasn't learned that by now-"

"He loves you, Janet."

Janet narrowed her eyes, squeezing her arms tighter around her. Whenever Carol brought up the 'Hank' subject, she couldn't help but become hostile. Janet and Hank's relationship was…strange. They both loved each other deeply, but neither one of them were willing to admit it. Everyone else saw it, but they couldn't. Janet turned to Carol swiftly, "You don't want to talk about your powers, and I don't want to talk about Hank. Consider it even now." Carol shut her mouth, remaining silent on the subject.

The rest of Janet's visit was uneventful. The tension between them was awkward and obvious. After spending a couple more hours with Carol, Janet went back to the city. Naturally, Carol's words of advice always replayed in her mind like a movie. Janet couldn't help but sigh in desperation. She wanted a life with Hank, she really did. In fact, she wanted nothing more than that. It was her deepest desire, but she felt it could never happen. It was too good to be true in her mind.

She finally pulled up to the mansion, parking the car in its underground garage. She got in the elevator and made her way up to her own room. She tossed her bag onto the floor and slammed her body on her bed, groaning into it.

"Rough visit?" a voice asked, as Janet's body tensed. She knew Hank's voice anywhere, as she lifted her head to see him nonchalantly sitting in one of her chairs. "You usually like your visits with Carol."

"I knew we should've gotten voice recognition on our doors instead of a simple lock and key," she said, smiling. Despite her attitude, seeing Hank made her feel better. She sat up, crossing her legs and getting comfortable on her bed. He smiled in amusement, loving her bounce back attitude. "Oh you know Carol, still indecisive about her powers."

"I think time will do her some good. She just needs to get used to it," Hank replied, shrugging his shoulders while gazing into her eyes. Janet narrowed her own, looking at him suspiciously.

"So why are you really here? Not that I don't mind the breaking and entering, but I do have a phone."

"You've been avoiding me, Jan."

"Talk about calling the kettle black," Janet fired, raising her brow in speculation. She leaned forward, smiling mischievously. "Why are you really here?" Hank stared at her, clearing his throat embarrassingly. She always could see right through him.

"I'm just…worried about you."

Janet cocked her head in surprise, "Why?"

Hank sighed, feeling more embarrassed, "I saw…I saw Strucker looking at you."

"You saw him looking at me. Did he not look at you?"

"No, no, I saw him looking at you. Like physically gawking at you as if…as if…"

"As if what?"

"As if he was infatuated with you…"

"He thinks I'm hot?"

"Oh come on Jan, this isn't funny. You're gonna tell me you haven't noticed? You notice everything," Hank said, looking at her skeptically. Janet was silent, telling Hank that she had noticed. Of course she noticed; she was practically stalked by him at the beginning. "That's what I thought. Why haven't you told anyone?"

"What the hell Hank? He just stares at people…it's probably an old man thing."

"Yeah but the way he looks at you so…so…"

"Are you jealous?" Janet asked suddenly, perking her head up. Hank gulped nervously before speaking.

"No, I don't want my closest friend being sexually assaulted by an evil dictator from the past."

"Well, then at least we can get him fired and put in prison right where he belongs," Janet retorted back.

"Jan…" Hank rolled his eyes, sighing to himself. She leaped on the bed gracefully, leaning in close in front of him. His eyes widened at how close she got in a matter of seconds. She smiled at him.

"Hank…if he keeps doing it, I'll tell Fury, ok?" she whispered, causing him to shut his mouth. She stood up straighter, sauntering to her bathroom while beginning to take off her shirt. Hank's brows rose, his brain telling him to look away but his eyes continuing to stare. She went into her bathroom and began to undress and change into her uniform. "Besides, it's not like he's gonna come up and talk to me personally."

"I'm just worried, that's all," Hank called out with a deep sigh. Janet looked in the mirror and smiled fondly, appreciating Hank's protective side. She stepped out, full in uniform and ready to patrol the streets with Thor.

"Don't be," she replied with a smile.

"Well now that you're ready, we can go."

"Go? I'm patrolling the streets with Thor right now."

"Actually, change of plans. While you were gone, Fury made it clear that we would go to the UN again. Strucker is going to be there signing important documents that apparently are sacred to the government. We need to make an appearance," Hank explained.

"I'd rather patrol the slums," Janet made a disgusted sound, shaking her head. She held out her arm for him to grip. "Shall we then?"

"We shall," he put his arm through hers, as both exited the room and made their way down to the hanger. The rest of the team was already down by the jets, prepared and ready to go. Tony was speaking with Jarvis, while Steve, Thor, T'Challa and Clint were talking amongst themselves.

"Hey Jan, how's the living battery doing?" Clint asked, seeing the two of them approach.

"The living battery has a name and it's Carol," Janet responded, stifling a laugh. "And she's fine."

"She would be a great ally to the team once she controls her powers," T'Challa added. Tony continued speaking to Jarvis about logistics, checking underneath the jet.

"Why doesn't green machine get to go? Just because he can't fit through the doors…" Clint complained.

"That's exactly why he's not going," Steve rolled his eyes, as Clint ignored his answer and kept talking.

"Ok, logistics and all systems are prepared. We better go before Fury has an aneurism," Tony walked forward, shutting his faceplate. All of them boarded the jet, as it left the hanger and soared in the sky. It didn't take long to get to the United Nations, as Tony landed the jet next to the building. They exited the plane, seeing the infamous press lined up in the front. They immediately turned and sprinted toward the team, snapping pictures and shoving more microphones in their faces.

"Talk about déjà vu," Clint murmured, putting his hand in front of his face to block the flashes. They entered the building, enjoying the silence. They went to the conference room, noting a few press people were there, but not as much. Fury immediately ran up to Tony to speak with him, mainly on how furious he still was.

Janet looked for Strucker this time, seeing him speaking one on one with a reporter. She locked eyes with the Black Widow, who was standing behind Strucker protectively. The Widow's eyes were telling her to run and get far away from here as possible. Why were Natasha's eyes so full of fear and worry? Janet was suddenly confused and suspected that maybe she was reading her wrong. Janet awkwardly looked away, looking back at Fury who was telling them what to do.

"He's going to sign some important document, saying that he will do his part to help the world," Fury shook his head in disgust. "Before then, the press is going to fill up this hell hole with their damn cameras and damn reporters. It's going to be a living hell."

"So I hear," Hawkeye mumbled to Wasp, making her giggle lightly. The buzz in the room became louder, as Strucker sat down do sign some contracts and important documents, making him a legal leader of the state.

"I want to talk to him," Iron Man announced, stirring everyone's interests.

"And what do you intend to say to him? Trust me, all of your questions have already been asked by me. His story is clean," Fury informed. "He's not gonna tell you anything."

"I don't care, the Avengers need to have a discussion with him next. We need to let him know who he's really dealing with," Iron Man pressed. "We can't let him think we're going to stand by and watch him do this."

"It would be pointless," Fury shook his head, stubborn as ever.

"It wouldn't hurt to pursue it," Thor spoke, backing up Iron Man.

Fury sighed, "Fine. I'll let the Widow know." Nick left the team, walking over to his own team to discuss the situation before he went to speak with the Black Widow.

"What do you intend to say to him?" Black Panther asked, curious.

"I want real answers. All of you keep your ears open for any lies or holes in his story. We need to find something," Iron Man replied, watching Fury calmly talk to Black Widow. She nodded slowly, whispering it into Strucker's ear. He grinned mischievously, nodding in agreement as he signed the last signature.

"This should be interesting," Ant Man muttered to Wasp and Captain America. He turned to Steve, "We better join Tony in case he says or does something stupid."

"Agreed," Captain America nodded, as both left Wasp and walked next to Iron Man.

"Tis truly remarkable how one man can cause such insanity," Thor spoke softly.

"You should read on his past or listen to some of Steve's stories. That was insanity," Wasp continued. "I'm just afraid of history repeating itself."

"We have to make sure that doesn't happen," Black Panther assured.

There was a pause in their conversation, for Strucker finally stood up and was ready to talk with the Avengers. Naturally, the cameras shifted toward the famous team, as Strucker continued to walk forward. Strucker walked, grinning widely as he stared into the facemask of Iron Man. Tony lifted the plate, showing off his skeptical face. Tony was ready to shake hands and get on with his interrogation when Strucker pushed passed Iron Man, Captain America and Ant Man. Tony's eyes twitched in irritation, hoping the cameras got a shot of that. However, that wasn't the reason why Strucker ignored Iron Man's hand…

Strucker pushed passed most of the team and came face to face with Janet. The entire room went silent, as Janet's eyes widened as big as they could. The entire teams' mouth's dropped suddenly, including Nick Fury's, as everyone stared at the two. Cameras flashed in a frenzy and the tapes were rolling quickly. Time in that awkward instant stood perfectly still, as Strucker stared into her blue eyes.

"Good afternoon, Miss Wasp," he finally said, picking up her hand and kissing it slowly and gently. Janet's mouth dangled in shock, as Strucker finally lifted his head and gazed into her eyes once more, still holding her hand carefully. "I hope you don't mind my abrupt introduction, but I had to speak with you." Her mouth was dry and her palms were sweating in her gloves. She found herself, fluttering her eyes and coming back down to earth.

"Trust me, there is no need for the introduction," she said with confidence, although she could swear her knees were shaking with fear.

"Indeed," he smiled in amusement, still holding her hand. "Miss Wasp, would I be so bold as to call you Miss Van Dyne?"

"You can call me Janet," she nodded, swallowing some saliva. She moistened her lips to calm her nerves, praying she wasn't showing how scared she actually was.

"Janet," he echoed, liking the way it rolled off his tongue. "Well Janet, I was hoping you could join me for dinner to discuss a business proposition."

The room fell silent once more, as the tension in the air grew. Everyone, especially the team, was astonished at what was happening before them. The more Janet waited to say her response, the more unbearable the anticipation was. However, Strucker was a very patient man, so waiting for Janet's reply was easy. He kept the same smile on his face, so full of poise and confidence, not caring if she said yes or no.

The way she saw it, Janet had two options. She could either spit in his face and yell at him for being so rude and forward, all while officially naming him a pig for a mayor, or she could say yes. Maybe in some bizarre alternate universe she would say yes, but currently Strucker was still evil and Janet made it clear that evil wasn't on her list of eligible bachelors. However, the more Janet thought and wrapped her mind around it, maybe she could sacrifice herself for the team and world to go on this date with Strucker. She would be risking her life and everything she had…but something in her gut was telling her to do it.

A twinkle in her eye flickered suddenly, for a plan began to formulate. The wheels in her mind started to turn, as her plan unfolded into something bigger. She smiled confidently and said the words no one ever thought she'd agree to.

"Yes, I'll go with you to dinner."

Chapter 3:

Ah, bold and daring Janet at it again. She has a plan up her sleeve, and she's willing to risk her own life to do it. Strucker has his own plans, but what does Janet have to do with it? Even more so, what's the rest of the team going to think of this sudden 'relationship?' Oh and the whole Steve/Natasha thing going on, I totally stole that from 'Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow.' Credit goes to them…

R&R

SilverShadow65