So, before this goes any further, and just in case anyone was wondering (though no one really asked, I just wanted to put it out there), this story is post Avengers vs. X-Men, an AU of the aftermath (obviously-I mean I'm pairing two heroes that have almost no contact in the comics). Just thought I should put it out there, I guess.

ANYWAYS… again, thank you all for the support that you're giving this story, it means a lot. Yeah, my OTP is Spidey/Ms. Marvel, but I am having a great time writing Peter and Wanda together :D Seriously, I've already got the whole story planned out! And special thanks to Frivolous Thoughts, because dude, if you never wrote those awesome Scarlet Witch one shots, I never would've gotten the inspiration to write this amazing (pun not intended) story :D Seriously, guys, check out his one-shot series, "Caught in the Web." I personally like the Wanda, Raven, Ivy, Starfire, Storm and Carol (shocker…) as my favorites. This story would've never seen the light of day if not for him.

Now, onto the main event! Enjoy :D

Must I really insert disclaimers? We all know I don't own Marvel…no need to rub it in…

Chapter 3: Loss of Words

*Two days later*

Saying that the Avengers Unity Squad's very first real mission in its very first week had gone very wrong was an understatement.

Their first week wasn't off to a great start. The world was a testament to that.

The Red Skull apparently had created a failsafe clone of his own body as a failsafe plan. He had raided the grave of Charles Xavier and taken his brain. He now had the telepathic powers of one of the most powerful psychics to ever walk the Earth. He had a team of superpowered…things, the S-Men-his own mockery of the X-Men, his own enforcers. The team had barely even formed when the world was suddenly plagued by a desire to exterminate mutantkind, courtesy of the Nazi clone. Captain America, Havok, Thor, Wolverine, Scarlet Witch and Rogue had barely managed to quell the chaos (for now) and even in doing so, they had been torn against each other-Thor still felt terrible for falling into Honest John's deceptions and nearly killing Logan. All within the span of a few hours. Steve and Alex had agreed that it had gone badly.

Which was why today, the mainstay team of Avengers and the Unity Squad were meeting in Avengers Tower to discuss an issue that Stark, Steve and Alex had decided needed to be addressed.

Wanda had never actually been to the Tower before. To her, the base and headquarters of the Avengers would always be the Mansion. That was where the memories were. That was what her home was, and would always be, even with the pain she felt in staying there now. This was unfamiliar to her, and it seemed foreign in a sense. Why did they base themselves here instead of…oh, right, Wanda remembered. 'Because of me…' With a sigh, Wanda entered the elevator in the Stark Tower lobby and proceeded to head on up to the Avengers levels. She hadn't seen many of the other Avengers for a few weeks now, not since they had finally dispersed the Phoenix Force from Earth. After that, focus had been put on finding the rest of Cyclops' supporters and other problems that had to be addressed. Then the Wasp had returned, then the New Avengers had disbanded…

Which had all led to this new notion of an "Avengers World," an Earth where all-human and mutant-where protected by the Avengers, with two Avengers team. The main team, led by Stark and Steve; and the Unity Squad, led by Alex and focused on showing the world just how humans and mutants can work together as one.

That sure didn't seem to work in the last two days.

"Welcome, Miss Maximoff," an elderly voice greeted as she got off the elevator, one that Wanda remembered and smiled at. Before her was Edwin Jarvis, the faithful RAF veteran butler of the Avengers, an old friend.

"Thank you, Jarvis," she replied with a smile, not even bothering to resist the urge to give Jarvis a hug, and she was glad that the old man returned the hug in full. "It's so good to see you again."

"Likewise, Miss Maximoff," Jarvis replied warmly. "It warms my heart to see such a familiar face again after all these years."

"So…" Wanda began, hesitant to continue, "you…you don't-?"

"Carry a grudge?" Jarvis asked. "Heavens, no, miss. It is but a distant memory-as Spider-Man would say, it is simply water under the bridge. Now, if you'll allow me to show you to the Avengers' conference hall…"

Spider-Man…Wanda wondered about him yet again, and the words he had told her in K'un Lun that day. 'You matter.' He seemed to be quite the person, if Jarvis' words just now were any indication. He was indeed known to be an easygoing and friendly person, easily able to find conversation with just about anyone on the team. Would he care to extend the same friendly nature to her if they ever did have to actually interact? Wanda sighed as she realized that it most likely would never happen. She had hurt him too much during the House of M incident. She had mercilessly made his dreams come to reality, and it had made him question his reality. After that kind of pain, how could she expect him to be so kind and forgiving towards her?

'You matter.'

*Five Minutes Later*

Ding!

"No."

"What? Why not?"

"Because shut up."

"That doesn't seem like a good enough reason…"

"Thank you, Jess-"

"But it is a funny reason nonetheless."

"…Really?"

"Webs, I am not nythin' you anywhere near my students. End of discussion."

"What's the worst that can happen? Carol, back me up!"

"Sorry, Peter, I have to side with Logan-you do tend to bring the chaos and destruction to Horizon Labs, don't you?"

"What kind of friends are you?"

"The kind that mess with you and your fragile self-esteem-"

"And yer ego-"

"Every chance we get, but will always be ready to help you out no matter what."

"Duh!"

Peter shrugged as he took off his masked. "Well, with friends like you guys, I certainly don't see any reason to go out at night and get my ass kicked by Rhino and whatnot," he smirked. At that, Logan, Carol and Jess laughed as Jess ruffled his hair.

"Of course you do-you can't expect us to beat the snot out of you-"

"No matter how tempting it is," Carol laughed.

Spider-Man, Spider Woman, Wolverine and Captain Marvel walked through the Tower lounge as they headed for the main conference hall. From what the other three had heard from Logan, this was a meeting being called forth by Captain America and Havok in regards to what had recently happened in Manhattan in the last two days. THAT had certainly been a bit of a…eventful situation. The Avengers, led by Stark, had been deployed worldwide to quell the chaos surging all over thanks to the Red Skull, while the Unity Squad had remained in New York and did everything possible to stop the Skull and his S-Men as they ran rampant in Manhattan. It was because of this that Cap and Havok had decided to add in some new members to the Unity Squad.

"So, any new details on this meeting that Cap and Havok called," Jess asked Logan.

"Nope, just that it involves both the main team and the Unity team," the mutant Avenger remarked. "S'posed to help us-both teams-in situations like this. Somethin' about teamwork and more unity."

"Meaning…?" Carol inquired.

"The hell should I know?" Logan replied.

"Well, it's your team-"

"So is this one, and I don' know everythin' that happens in it, right?"

The four friends were silent as they continued to make their way to the conference hall, at least they were until…

"So, back to the subject of me teaching at your school-" Peter began.

"Kid, I am not letting you come within a hundred miles around my students, and that's final," Logan interrupted.

"So you running the school-you of all people, I should remind you-is perfectly fine and ok, but me teaching there is completely wrong?"

"Pete, I'm keepin' you safe from these kids, trust me."

"Peter, why do you want to teach at his school anyways?" Jess asked. "I don't see you as the teaching type."

"Oh, I don't want to teach at his school," Peter replied with a smirk. "I'm just trying to piss Logan off."

"Wait…what?" the X-Man demanded as he turned to the Webhead, his eyes slitting in anger.

"Logan, I've seen those kids-I don't want to go anywhere near them," Peter said.

"Oh boy, here we go," Carol sighed.

"So this whole time, I've had to listen to you for an hour straight because…you wanted to get under my skin?" Logan asked angrily as he came up to Peter's face, which was kind of hard due to height difference.

"You act like you're surprised," Peter replied.

The two heroines accompanying them took a step or two back to give them some room. There was silence…until…

"Yep," Logan smirked as he looked Peter over. "The white costume definitely looked a lot better on ya."

"Oh, that is not right!" the arachnid exclaimed as Jess and Carol laughed. "Why does everyone suddenly like the white suit? I mean, yeah, it was one of my better ones, but what's wrong with the classics?"

The four friends and Avengers continued their way to Avengers Tower Conference Room, where the Avengers and the Unity Squad were to assemble and discuss whatever it was that they needed to discuss with Captain America and Havok. As they approached the large oak doors, they came across Jarvis preparing his usual gourmet food for the after-conference lunch that would occur. "Good day sirs and madams," the elderly butler said with a smile. "I take it your trip here was well?"

"Hey, Jarvis, and yeah, it was well," Carol replied with a smile. "Some muggers here and there but nothing we couldn't handle. Is the meeting starting yet?"

"No, ma'am, Masters Stark, Rogers and Summers have yet to arrive yet," Jarvis replied. "In fact, a number of Avengers aren't present. Only about three or four are."

"Thanks, Jarvis," Logan answered as they four of them headed into the conference.

"Of course, sir," Jarvis replied. "Oh, and Miss Drew, as you were preoccupied with those rather unpleasant consequences of the Skull's attack last night, I took the liberty of recording the Manchester football final match for you. Splendid game, if I do say so myself."

"Jarvis, you are the bloody best," Spider Woman said with a smile as she quickly hugged him. And with that, the four heroes walked into the conference hall. Jarvis was right-there wasn't much anyone in here. At the far corner sat Bruce Banner in his Hulk form, wearing his full Indestructible attire, and he appeared to be just staring around the large hall. His acknowledgement when the four of them said hello was a simple grunt. Sam Gunthrie and Roberto da Costa, Cannonball & Sunspot, sat at the large conference table, talking about who knows what, though Peter though he heard Sam mention something about Smasher and "a date." And sitting all by herself at the left side of the conference table, her head resting in her gloved hand as her eyes stared at everything and nothing, was Wanda, the Scarlet Witch. Peter had heard that she had changed her look when she was reinstated as an Avenger, but this was the first time he had seen her in it-or seen her since the Phoenix Event ended. Clearly, Jess and Carol saw her too, and they decided that all four of them would sit with her.

"Hi, Wanda," Carol said with a smile as she and Jessica sat down on her right while Logan sat to her left, with Peter taking his usual position by clinging up on the wall behind them, his mask now back on but rolled up to his nose. "Good to see you."

"Oh, hi Carol," Wanda said with a smile as she came out of her daze. "Hi, Jessica."

"Hello, Wanda," the British Avenger responded with a smile.

"Logan," Wanda greeted as she turned to her fellow mutant Avenger. "Are you feeling better from the hit the other day?"

"You know me, I heal from nything'," Logan huffed bluntly. He was still a bit edgy around Wanda, even after knowing he could depend on her during their missions on the Unity Squad. Everything was still fresh in his mind, and it still bothered him, even if he hid it very well. Wanda knew he hid it well, however; she could tell by now-hell, she was very well versed-when someone was being a bit distant with her, and again, she could not fault him. He had every right to be like he was. It didn't mean it didn't hurt like hell, though. Regardless, Wanda just handled it like she always did: keeping it inside and being friendly regardless, working to regain trust.

"I'm glad to hear that, Logan," she answered with a small smile.

"Aren't you forgetting someone?" Jess asked with a smirk.

Wanda frowned in confusion; she had only seen the three of them walk in. "I am? Who?" She hadn't noticed anyone else with them.

"Behind you," Carol told her, and indeed there was someone behind Wanda that she didn't see. Wanda turned and looked up to see the grinning face of the Amazing Spider-Man as he was waving at her, clinging to the wall by his feet.

"If it makes you feel any better," Peter said to a surprised Wanda, "that's kind of the usual reaction, so don't feel bad. Good to see you again though," he added with a grin. "Last time I saw you was during the Phoenix Incident. So, what's new with you?"

Wanda didn't respond immediately, mainly because she was surprised to see him-just as she was actually thinking about him. Before Carol and Jess had got her attention, she had been contemplating her current situation with the other Avengers. She knew that there were some that may never forgive her, and some that were willing to, but still held back because of what had happened. She felt that if she wanted to regain the trust of others, she would start with those who would be willing to forgive her. The fact was, however, there were still some Avengers that she had no idea whether they would forgive her or not. Thor…Hulk…Spider-Man; Spider-Man had only become an Avenger after her mental breakdown and the New Avengers first formed. She didn't know him at all, except for that small conversation in K'un Lun. She had no idea what he was like, except for what she had heard from others. For the umpteenth time in just three days, she found herself wondering if Spider-Man would find it to forgive her for what she did to him in the House of M incident. Why did she care so much what he thought, though?"

"Wanda?" Peter asked, snapping Wanda out of her thoughts, concern in his voice and a slight frown on his lips. "Are you ok?"

"Um, I'm fine," Wanda replied quickly. "It's just-"

"Ok, everyone," Steve Rogers said as he, followed by Tony Stark and Alex Summers…and suddenly a whole mass of Avengers started filing into the large conference hall, thus ending the conversation that barely even started. Both Peter and Wanda diverted their attention to their leaders. "Now that were all here, let's get started on the meeting. We need to get right to the point on this one. Alex, you want to start?"

"Thanks, Cap," Havok replied as the mass of Avengers began taking their seats. "Now, you all know by now we had a massive attack from the Red Skull just two days ago, and were still feeling the repercussions, and we've been…" As the leader of the Avengers Unity Squad continued to speak, Peter found a thought entering his head-why did Wanda not respond to him right away? Sure, she didn't notice him immediately (like he said, it happened a lot, and it was especially helpful for beating up the bad guys), but when she did, she seemed to have frozen for a few seconds. Why? As Peter split his focus on Havok's words and his own thoughts, he wondered…it was no secret that a lot of the Avengers either didn't fully trust her or feel comfortable around her, and probably 99.999999….something-ish percent of mutantkind hated her, especially most of the X-Men; perhaps she was feeling alone? Maybe she was caught unawares of someone being so openly friendly to her?

He hadn't talked to Wanda since K'un Lun. He had no problems with her.

After this meeting was done…he'd try to strike up a conversation with her.

What harm could that do, right?

XXXXX-A/N-XXXXX

Well, I know there probably wasn't much to go on in this chapter, but in my defense, it was originally going to be longer, and I didn't want to write too much exactly. Don't worry, there'll definitely be more to it all in the next chapter.

Well, there you have it guys, and don't forget to leave a review, an opinion and all that good stuff. And I know I say it a lot, but again I thank everyone for the support you've given this story :D

So, next chapter, we see that convo between Peter and Wanda. Like he said, what harm could that do, right?

Until next time, readers.