The Eternal Avenger

Chapter Twenty: Hury

(Natasha's POV)

A long night turned into a long week. All of us were on edge, uncertain about the woman that was kept in our safe room. All of us were also missing our friend. Clint had returned to the compound and even Thor came by to scope out the situation for himself. We never left her alone, one of the team was with her around the clock, just in case. Now that she had returned to her fully normal form, feeding her via cup was easier, and she responded. If anything, it seemed like she was even stronger than she was before.

The team was not doing well, if I'm being honest. Truthfully, it had always felt like my own little fucked up family and having one of us out of commission – possibly for good – felt like a loss. We were snippier with each other. All any of us wanted was for us to have our friend and teammate back, and as time continued that seemed further and further from happening. Wanda and I spent a lot of time together, bonding over mutual worry. She shared with me that she had been speaking via text and occasionally by phone to the mysterious Bridgit – an old friend of Claray's from the revamped Scottish Coven. I almost banged my head down against the desk at that revelation, prompting a chuckle from Wanda.

"Wait, did you think that Claray and Bridgit were a couple?" She teased. I rolled my eyes.

"To be honest, I didn't really know what to think." I admitted. Wanda nodded.

"They are very close." She admitted. "If I were in your shoes, I may have made the same assumption." I smiled slightly at her attempt at comfort. She sat beside me on my bed. "She's going to be okay you know...Natasha." I stared up at her. "Is that okay, for me to call you that?" She hesitated, second guessing herself. I smiled and hugged her, taking the young witch by surprise.

"Of course, it is!" She smiled happily. I was thrilled to know she was settling in and starting to view us more familiarly. Pietro was making friends quickly, and having her twin nearby socializing seemed to do wonders, allowing her to open herself up more. "To be honest," I picked at the comforter, unwilling to look her in the eye. "I kind of thought you and Claray seemed to have a special connection." Wanda blushed, uncomfortably.

"I like her, and I can't deny that we're connected somehow," she shrugged her shoulders, turning away from me, "but I don't know what it is, and I don't really know how I feel about it." I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, squeezing her into a hug. "I know she likes you, though." My grip tightened momentarily.

"What?" I turned to the witch, giving her my full attention. Wanda blushed again, turning away slightly.

"She thinks about you a lot. Loudly." She giggled slightly. "I don't think she realizes that she's projecting the thoughts into my head." I sighed, dropping my arm, processing the information. "Besides," she playfully poked my side, "I see the way that you two look at each other." A smirk traced the corner of my lips.

"I guess it's complicated," I shrugged. Wanda rolled her eyes, shoving me a little harder in the shoulder.

"It's not, you know. It's only complicated because you're both too damn stubborn to just give in already." I laughed. No wonder Wanda seemed so quiet a lot of the time. She was watching everything, catching things – probably about all of us – that most of us wouldn't recognize about each other.

"You might be right," I admitted.

"Also, I'm not sure how well a relationship would work when we can hear each other's thoughts all the time anyway," she giggled. I couldn't even imagine.

"I can't even imagine how annoying her thoughts might be!" Wanda and I collapsed into a giggling fit as we commiserated over a familiar hybrid.

(Wanda's POV)

Pietro gave me a gentle hug as we exchanged places. It was my turn to watch Claray, and I had managed somehow to pull a shift in the middle of the night. I showed up in my pajamas, still sleepily rubbing my eyes, leaning into my brother's hug a little bit too long. "Wake up, sis," he teased, propping me back up on my own feet.

"Mhmm," I mumbled, shuffling past him towards the observation area the team set up. I curled into an armchair. Claray seemed to be sleeping in the corner of the safe room. Just as I started nodding off moments later, I heard her unmistakable voice in my head. "I know what you taste like, witch," the voice hissed. My eyes snapped up to the room, suddenly wide awake.

"What did you say?" my voice carried a low warning.

"I know you liked it when I drank from you," she taunted. I shook my head.

"Claray, this isn't you," I countered, firmly.

"Oh, but it is, Wanda," she murmured. "This is the real me." I stood up, approaching the glass.

"Admit that you enjoyed it, witchy," she stared at me, eyes bright red and practically glowing. I could see her fangs, long and sharp and I felt a corresponding stinging sensation in my wrist.

"Stop it." My voice had deepened, my accent becoming more prominent.

"Give me another taste, Wanda, please..." her breathing quickened, approaching the window, resting her hand on the glass. I stared at her, feeling a familiar sensation in my head.

"You know that doesn't work on me," I spat at her. She seemed taken aback. "Back up." She shook her head, mouth widening into an evil grin.

"Make me," she growled. I pulled a ball of energy between my palms, rotating it slowly.

"Back away from the glass, Claray," I warned, my voice raising as took a few steps forward.

"Wanda!" Natasha's voice startled me from the doorway and distracted me long enough for Claray to lunge at the glass, a crack appearing in front of my face. I raised my hand, shooting the energy at her chest. She flew against the room, hitting the far wall with a thud. She lay there, gasping for breath, staring at me angrily. Natasha ran up to me, putting her arms around my shoulders, pulling me back from the glass, glaring over at Claray. "What the fuck?" She hissed at the vampire. Natasha was scary when she wanted to be, and I was glad I wasn't on the receiving end of that tone. Claray's eyes narrowed in confusion before opening wide, staring at the redhead in what seemed like recognition.

"Natasha?" She asked, hesitantly. Natasha shook her head, turning her back on the vampire, grabbing me by the shoulders and leading me away. She paused at the intercom by the doors.

"Send guards to the safe room for tonight's watch," she spoke firmly. The person on the other end didn't bother arguing, recognizing the futility. Natasha gently pushed me out of the room, assuring me that she'd be right behind me. I nodded before continuing down the hallway.

(Natasha's POV)

I stalked towards the inner safe room, furious. Claray was pacing anxiously in front of the window. She looked up at me as I approached. "Look, I know what happened to you was horrible," I started. She backed away from the glass, staring at the ground. "But frenzy or not, you don't have to be an ass. That's a fucking choice." She took a deep breath before lifting her head, red eyes fading to her normal electric blue.

"You're right," she whispered. Her voice was hoarse. My eyes opened wide in surprise.

"Claray?" I stepped closer, and she took a corresponding step back, shaking her head.

"I'm not...it's not over yet," she sighed. I stopped, watching her. "Tell Wanda to get Bridgit here," she said. She backed into the far wall before sinking down and sitting on the floor.

"Can she help?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. Claray nodded.

"She has before." Before I could respond, I heard a clatter behind me and a small formation of guards entered the room. I nodded to her before approaching the leader.

"Be careful, but if she gets hurt you have to deal with me," my voice left no room for argument. He nodded, gulping slightly. The guards spread out, flanking the inner container. "I'll be back," I called over my shoulder. Claray's response gave me a small, involuntary shiver.

"Hury."