Walking in the Wind // Avengers

Semi-Happy Reunions

•••

After Bruce and Lexie had called Steve and told him to gather the others, find Vision and protect the stone, they'd travelled up to the Avengers Facility. On the way, he'd explained everything he knew about Thanos and the Infinity Stones. 

Lexie was a bit confused by it all, but understood that they were way in over their heads and that this was basically the end of the world.

So, not good.

They were waiting in the room next to where Rhodey was having a meeting, waiting for the others to show up.

Lexie was excited to see them again. She'd missed them. Especially Natasha, who she hadn't even spoken to for two years.

She was more ambivalent when it came to Steve though. She'd missed him, of course, but there was the unresolved conflict between them from two years ago that had to be taken into consideration. She wasn't necessarily mad at him, she just felt hurt and a bit betrayed by his decisions. He'd also left Tony injured in Siberia without a second though. 

She loved Steve, but hadn't really forgiven him yet. 

With that said, she hadn't exactly had the chance to either. Not with him being on the run and all.

She looked up when Bruce stood up and moved into the other room, having heard that the others had arrived. 

She trailed a bit behind him, still out of sight when he spoke up.

"I think you look great," he told them. 'Them' being more specifically Natasha. "Yeah, I'm back," he chuckled nervously.

"Hi, Bruce," Natasha greeted.

"Nat."

Lexie took a deep breath and entered their line of view. Her nerves disappeared when she saw Natasha smile when she noticed her. She quickened her pace and gave Natasha a big hug when she reached her, the older woman returning it, hugging her tightly. She pulled back and gave her a smile. "Hi."

"Hey." Natashas eyes drifted over her face to see if she was okay and if she'd changed at all. Her face was a bit slimmer, more mature in a way, but she looked happy and healthy, and there was nothing Natasha wanted for her more.

In the corner of her eye, Lexie noticed Steve looking at her, but she didn't turn her attention to him and instead went to give Wanda and Sam a small hug each.

She'd talk to Steve soon enough.

They'd be alright.

•••

"So we gotta assume they're coming back, right?" Rhodey asked as they were all in the other room, talking about Thanos and his 'children'.

"And they can clearly find us," Wanda added.

"We need all hands on deck," Bruce told them. "Where's Clint?"

"After the whole Accords situation, he and Scott took a deal," Natasha answered. "It was too tough on their families. They're on house arrest."

"Who's Scott?" Lexie furrowed her brows.

"Ant-Man," Steve replied and Lexie let out a small 'oh' in realization.

"There's an Ant-Man and a Spider-Man?" Bruce asked before he got back on track. "Okay, look. Thanos has the biggest army in the universe and he is not gonna stop until he gets... Visions stone."

"Well, then we have to protect it," Natasha decided.

"No, we have to destroy it," Vision spoke up. They all looked at him. "I've been giving a good deal of though to this entity in my head. About its nature. But also its composition. I think if it were exposed to a sufficiently powerful energy source something very similar to its own signature, perhaps... its molecular integrity could fail," he looked at Wanda.

"Yeah, and you with it," she protested. "We're not having this conversation."

"Eliminating the stone is the only way to be certain that Thanos can't get it."

"That's too high a price."

"Only you have the power to pay it," he insisted. She stepped out of his hold and put more distance between them. "Thanos threatens half the universe. One life cannot stand in the way of defeating him."

"But it should," Steve said. "We don't trade lives, Vision."

"Captain, 70 years ago, you laid down your life to save how many millions of people? Tell me, why is this any different?"

"Because you might have a choice," Bruce cut in. "Your mind is made up of a complex construct of overlays. Jarvis, Ultron, Tony, me, the stone. All of them mixed together, all of them learning from one another."

"You're saying Vision isn't just the stone?" Wanda asked.

"I'm saying that if we take out the stone... there's still a whole lot of Vision left. Perhaps the best parts."

"Can we do that?" Natasha asked.

"Not me. Not here," he shook his head. "And it can't be guaranteed that he survives the stone being removed."

"I might be able to help with that," Lexie held up her hand. When they looked at her, she explained. "I saved Helen Cho when she was just about to die, and I brought a cat back from the dead permanently. This is quite different and I don't know if i can help, but it might be possible."

"Okay, good," Bruce nodded while he thought. "This might work. We just need to find someone who can help and somewhere to do it."

"Well, you better find someone and somewhere fast," Rhodey said. "Ross isn't just gonna let you guys have your old rooms back."

"I know somewhere," Steve looked up.

•••

About 20 minutes after I posted the last chapter I opened the fridge and a porcelain plate fell on my head.

Lexie's giving Steve the cold shoulder, but they'll talk it out soon don't worry.

I'm so happy Nat and Lex are reunited and I'm excited for the iconic moments between the women during the battle in Wakanda. I obviously have to include Lexie in those (it's part of the reason I had Lex stay on earth).

Hope you're all doing well and staying safe <3

Vote and comment xx