The Witch or the Widow: Old Wounds

Chapter Two: Wake Up Call

I was awoken rather rudely at too damn early o'clock by a loud, persistent banging on the door. I groaned, smashing my face into the pillow, willing the sound away. I heard the door slam open, light footsteps, and then felt the comforter being ripped off of me. I snapped around, seeing Natasha, mouth open wide, staring down at me. I realized quickly that I was only wearing a crop top and tiny shorts, but I followed her eyes down and watched them trace over the scars that were now visible to her. I snatched the comforter back out of her hands, covering myself quickly.

"What the fuck, Natalia," I hissed at her, between gritted teeth. She shook her head slightly, coming back to reality.

"I wanted to let you know that it's training time," she said. The edge usually present in her voice was there, but her tone was softer. I glanced up at her, and she immediately looked away.

"See something you like?" I taunted. She shook her head.

"Be in the training room in half an hour. Breakfast is already out." She spun on her heel and left without another word, not bothering to shut the door on her way out.

"Rude," I muttered to myself. I got out of bed, making my way over to the closet. I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye, and immediately, instinctively, lowered myself into a crouch, clenching my fists. I relaxed instantly to see Wanda leaning against the doorframe, hands up in surrender.

"I didn't mean to startle you," she said, smiling. Seeing my residual state of undress, she turned her head to the side, looking away. I sighed.

"No, it's fine." I quickly grabbed some pants, pulling them hastily up my legs before pulling my crop top over my head, replacing it with a sports bra and a tank top. "You can look now," I smirked at Wanda as she gracefully turned back towards me.

"Was someone pounding on your door, or did I imagine that while I was wishing for coffee?" I smirked, running my fingers through my messy hair.

"It was Nat...asha. Came to get me for training," I explained. Wanda rolled her eyes.

"She's a little too excited about early morning training," she smiled.

"Want to show me where the kitchen is?" I asked, grabbing a hoodie. She nodded, and I followed her out the door, down the hall, to the elevator. We rode down the floors in silence, stealing glances at each other and pretending not to notice. We both made the move to exit the elevator simultaneously, and I pulled back with an exaggerated bow, gesturing for her to go first. She snickered softly, but obliged. I wasn't going to complain, the view was pretty spectacular. I heard a soft giggle in front of me, and right before entering the kitchen area, Wanda stopped short, causing me to nearly collide into her. She stopped resting her fingertips on my collarbone as she leaned in and whispered soflty.

"By the way...Bex...I can read minds." She spun on her heel, entering the kitchen before I could collect myself enough to reply. I sheepishly followed behind her, refusing to make eye contact which earned another giggle.

Natasha was sitting at the counter on one of the stools, sipping a smoothie. Steve and someone I hadn't met yet were at the table, talking over pancakes.

"Help yourself," Steve said, gesturing to the assortment of food on the counter.

"Thank you," I said, softly, following Wanda towards the coffee pot first. I fixed my coffee to perfection, not noticing Natasha staring at me from across the counter.

"I'm pretty sure with that much cream, it's just coffee flavored milk." My eyes immediately shot up, staring at her. Her tone was gentle. Teasing. I frowned.

"What's it to you?" I retorted. Her eyes widened somewhat, but she didn't respond. Instead, she downed the rest of her glass in one gulp, placed the empty glass into the sink and walked past me out the room. I made my way over to the table with my coffee and a small plate of eggs.

"Protein is a good choice if you're going to be sparring with all of us today," Steve said, motioning to my plate and smiling. I coughed, almost choking on my eggs. The man sitting with Steve brought a fist down on my back, allowing me to dislodge the food so I could swallow it like I was supposed to. I caught Wanda watching me from across the table, smirking.

"All of you?" I finally choked out. Steve nodded.

"We need to analyze your skills and fighting pattern in order to make a specialized training plan for you," he explained. "Don't worry, we've all done it too." Somehow, that reassurance didn't make me feel a hell of a lot better.

"We'll go easy on you," Wanda smirked from across the table. I rolled my eyes at her.

"Who said you'd have to?" Steve and Wanda's eyebrows both raised, but they smiled widely.

"I like her," the man beside me announced.

"Bex, this is Bucky. We go back a long time," Steve introduced us. I accepted his outstretched hand, noticing that his other hand wore a single glove. Interesting.

"Pleasure to meet you," Bucky said with a slight smile. The smile never reached his eyes. They looked almost haunted.

"Likewise. So, how long is training? How many of you are lining up to fight me today?" I smirked, glancing around the table. Steve leaned forward, elbows resting on the table.

"Today should be an interesting first test for you," Steve began. "You're going up against Clint, Sam and Natasha." I gulped.

"Why those three?"

"They're excellent fighters, but they're not enhanced," Wanda spoke up. I nodded. It made sense.

"And the rest of you are?" Bucky nodded.

"In one way or another."

"I thought Rhodes was an air force colonial?" I asked. Steve sighed.

"He is, but ever since the accident, he's had some help walking. An invention of Starks." I nodded, processing this information.

"You're a super soldier," I gestured at Steve, who nodded. "But what about you two?" Bucky and Wanda exchanged a glance before either of them began to respond. Finally, Bucky broke the silence.

"I received a version of the serum as well – and I have other...enhancements." He looked down at his arm. That was one hell of an enhancement.

"Vibranium?" I asked. He nodded. I turned all of my attention back to Wanda.

"And you? What can you do?" She smirked.

"Maybe if you're lucky I'll show you," she said, teasing. I couldn't help but smile. All of us jumped as the kitchen door banged open, and an angry agent Romanoff stood in the doorway.

"You coming or what?" I sighed to myself, downing the last of the coffee. Here goes nothing.