WandaWidow - Book 1

Chapter 19 - Hand to Hand

The next few days went by without any further hiccups. Natasha was extremely glad that Maria hadn't returned to the compound, and that she and Wanda were back to normal.

As they all gathered for breakfast one morning, Steve had brought up something that none of the group had yet discussed.

"Wanda," he started, "You haven't had any combat training have you?"

Wanda was confused about his question as the day previously she had been throwing energy balls at him in the yard, while he dodged them and tried to block them with his shield.

"Steve, we were just training yesterday?"she replied.

He tilted his head, and realised that she had misunderstood, so went ahead to clarify.

"Hand to hand combat training."

Natasha turned and looked at Wanda, her eyes wide.

"I don't know how we missed that," Natasha laughed.

"If I have my powers though, why do I need to learn hand to hand combat?"

Sam spoke up next, "Well I have a set of wings and I can still kick someone's ass without them."

Natasha laughed, "Tony Stark has a small armoury built into his suit, but the guy always seems to end up in a fist fight. You definitely need to learn how to fight with your hands Wanda, even if it's some basics to begin with."

Wanda didn't see the point in arguing, she knew that despite her not seeing the need for the training, they were all way more qualified to make these decisions than she was.

She looked to Steve, "Okay sure, when then?"

Steve pointed to his right at Natasha who was sipping on her coffee.

Natasha turned, brow raised and looked at Wanda, "No time like the present is there?"

After they had finished up eating the two women headed to the training room to begin their session. Wanda was nervous, but not about the possibility of being hurt, or of hurting Natasha. She figured that was highly unlikely due to Natasha's experience and Wanda's lack thereof, but she was worried about being so physically close to Natasha. This would be the first time since that night they had talked and shared a bed that they would be physically touching.

Although nothing had happened between them that night, it wasn't for Wanda's lack of want for it. Natasha had made it clear that she wasn't ready for them to be anything more than friends, and Wanda had been doing her best to respect this, and would continue to do so - but that didn't mean that being so close to her wouldn't prove difficult.

She had hoped that perhaps they would practice on the training dummies, but Natasha didn't seem to want to make things that easy for Wanda.

"Okay," Natasha began once they were acquainted in the room and the mats were in place, "I want you to come at me with all you have. Really go for it. No powers though, just try and get me."

Wanda tilted her head, "You're joking right? Is this payback for when I hit you?"

Natasha laughed, "Maybe. Just do it, come on. Come and get me," she teased.

Wanda grinned and ran towards Natasha, pulling back her right arm as though to throw a punch when she was in range. Natasha bided her time, and at the very last second avoided her easily, ducking below her arm as Wanda stumbled on the mat.

"Nice try. Go again."

The women continued like this for another 15 minutes, Wanda coming at Natasha in every way she could think of, but nothing was able to land and she hadn't even got close once. After her last attempt Wanda bent over out of breath and raised her hand to pause.