WandaWidow - Book 1

Chapter 49 - Ultimo

Natasha watched Wanda carefully as the two walked out of the main building and across the lawn to where the Quinjet was waiting for them. When Natasha had explained to her what was happening and where they had to go, she had expected Wanda to be either upset or angry, but she hadn't counted on the reaction she recieved instead.

Wanda was stoic, and if you didn't know her history with Ultron, you could mistake this for apathy. She had barely said a word since, and Natasha was growing increasingly concerned about what was going on in her companions head.

As they boarded, the two were met by Sam who was sitting patiently waiting for the rest of the team to join him. He too looked at Wanda with slight concern, but Natasha was thankful that Wanda didn't seem to notice and just went and took a seat opposite him. Once Wanda was buckled in she turned to look at Natasha who was still just carefully watching her.

"What?" Wanda asked, her voice low.

"Nothing," Natasha shook her head, and gave Wanda a smile which she weakly returned. With nothing else to add Natasha headed forward to the cockpit where Steve was waiting in the pilots seat.

"Where's Vision?" Natasha asked, having not noticed him on board.

"He's waiting for Rhodes. He was on the way back here anyway, so he's coming with us."

Natasha nodded in understanding and took the seat to Steve's right.

As he kept flicking switches to get the jet ready, he realised Natasha was unusually quiet.

"Romanoff?" he asked.

"Yeah?"

"How did Wanda take the news?"

Natasha shrugged, "I have no idea."

"Maybe this will give her some closure."

"She was the one that ripped Ultron's heart out of his chest in Sokovia, I don't think closure is what she needs. I think she just needed him to stay dead."

"Didn't we all," Steve sighed, "Where the hell is Rhodes?" he added impatiently.

"I'll check," Natasha suggests, and heads back into the main body of the jet. Sam was making some adjustments to his drone. It had been a new feature when his wings were updated, and Natasha knew he was eager to try him out. Wanda was looking right ahead, as if she was watching him, but Natasha could tell her gaze was going straight through him. Her mind was somewhere else entirely.

Natasha picked up an earpiece on the war table and switched it on before placing it into her ear, once it had connected she spoke into it, "Vision?"

"Nat?"

"Have we got an ETA on Rhodes?"

"On our way now ma'am," Vision confirmed, and a few seconds later they could all hear the sound of two sets of footsteps boarding the jet.

"How's it going team?" Rhodes asked as he entered first. Vision just threw a smile in the general direction of the team and took a seat near Sam.

"Rhodey," Natasha greeted, "Could be better. Hows you? How's California?"

"Hot," Rhodey laughed, before taking a seat beside Wanda. "Hey Wanda," he greeted, as she hadn't spoke since he'd entered.

"Hi," she muttered quietly.

"She's getting her game face on," Natasha explained, as Rhodey looked at her for confirmation all was okay with the brunette. Rhodey just nodded and began buckling himself in. Natasha gave the team one last look before returning to the co-pilots seat.