R͟u͟t͟h͟l͟e͟s͟s͟ {Q͟u͟i͟c͟k͟s͟i͟l͟v͟e͟r͟/ A͟v͟e͟n͟g͟e͟r͟s͟}

Chapter 13: Discussion

"Crimson?" Somebody knocked on my door, "Crimson, open the door."

"Who is it?" I asked angrily.

Their voice was tense. "That wasn't the last order of business on Fury's calendar." Steve said through the door, "We need you."

A chill ran down my spine, and I felt myself open the door slowly. "What's going on?" I asked Steve slowly, still tentative. At any moment, I could still slam the door in his face. Steve looked incredibly relieved.

"Wanda's attacking S.H.I.E.LD. bases, and she has Stark and Banner." Steve informed me dutifully, "Fury wanted to ask what you what you think her motive is, and we're about to discuss our retaliation plan."

"Is Dr. Anderson still there?" I scanned Steve's posture. He seemed confident. He wasn't lying. In fact, I don't think Steve Rogers was capable of lying.

"No. Fury had him locked up as soon as you left the room. If what you said is true..." Steve whistled, "He's in for a lot of trouble."

Satisfaction crept into me. "Alright," I agreed with caution.

Steve smiled modestly and we walked back to the elevator in a comfortable silence. All the way up there, uncontainable thoughts buzzed into my brain and I honestly got a little dizzy. All of this was so overwhelming. "I'm glad you could come back and join us," Fury said, even though I'd only been gone a few minutes.

"My pleasure." I replied a little sarcastically, taking my seat again. Everybody seemed a little more uncomfortable with me around. I guess knowing that I was basically the cause of this war does that to people.

"So, Strong," Fury changed into his more business-like tone, "Do you have any ideas on Wanda's motives, any way we could stop this war without physically bringing in troops?"

"I'm not sure," I still felt shaky and slightly embarrassed. I was pretty sure nobody had let that little incident from earlier just fly over their heads. "I know that Wanda hates Stark, because he sent the troops in that killed our families." I didn't mention that I hated him as well.

"What troops?" Fury asked, looking intent.

"I'm not sure. I just know that the men who burned our house down had Stark Industries printed on their uniforms." I tried to mask the spite in my voice. Just thinking about my parents made my heart ache.

Fury's seemed to sear me down to the very soul. "You realize that it most likely wasn't Stark who killed your parents? You don't have any... Hard feelings toward him, right?"

"No." I lied skillfully, although knowing Director Fury, he could probably tell it was a lie.

"H.Y.D.R.A. was part of S.H.I.E.L.D., which Stark Industries was providing for. It was H.Y.D.R.A. who killed your parents, not Stark Industries, or Tony Stark."

"I know," I replied somewhat rudely, "You don't have to tell me."

"Just making sure." Fury said, still looking at me carefully. His expression calmed. "But back to the point, can you think of any other ulterior motives Wanda might have?"

"I think she's insane, Fury," I shook my head, "She and her brother.... They used to be so close. So close, the idea of her trying to kill him would be so crazy.... I don't know." I frowned slightly, "She's a little off in the head to say the least. Anything or nothing could've set her off. And I hadn't really seen her for, what, ten years? Since I last saw her, a lot has changed. There could be a lot of reasons why she's attacking S.H.I.E.L.D." Thoughts flew around my mind wildly, "I guess being experimented on by H.Y.D.R.A. could've made her angry at S.H.I.E.L.D., too, you know, for accidentally funding it."

There was a long silence between us.

"If what Crimson is saying is right, then she might not really have a motive," Clint said slowly, "What do we do then? Just fight her until she doesn't have any more weapons left?"

"Another one of my points. Our first item on our agenda against Wanda needs to be getting back Stark and Banner. Without Tony, Wanda won't have any weapons under her control. It may only make her more angry, but without her weapons she can't actually do anything about it." Fury looked at us carefully, individually. "The mission is to retrieve Tony Stark and Bruce Banner from Wanda Maximoff. Rogers.... You can take it from here."

"What?" Steve glanced up, surprised. "Oh. Well, do we know their approximate location?"

"As far as we can tell, Stark is still at Stark Industries HQ, but remember he's heavily guarded, and he won't be happy to see you," I was tempted to put in a rude comment about how it wouldn't be the first time Stark attempted to kill me, but decided against it because it would start up the conversation about whether or not I hated Stark again, "Banner's fighting with Wanda, though. We can only track her when she's attacking our bases, and it might be good to remember that because Wanda can control Bruce's mind, she can also make him get angry... So she can control-"

"The other guy." Natasha finished. She got a nod in return.

I could tell a plan was already processing in Steve's mind. It came natural to him. "Okay," he said, "I would've preferred that it be the people who have the least amount of issues with Stark get him, which would be Clint and Natasha, but I need Natasha if I'm going to get Bruce. So, Natasha and Clint will take back Bruce, and Crimson and I can work on Stark." Steve looked at me, "But please, don't let your feelings get in the way of the mission."

"I have nothing against Stark!" I exclaimed loudly, then mumbled, "For the last time...."

"Okay," Steve said, but I could tell he didn't believe me, "Can you all leave tomorrow?"

I don't think any of us would've made any arrangements for the next week, knowing we could be killed the moment we stepped out the door. "'Course, Cap," Clint said, saluting him. It made me laugh.

"Pretty sure," Natasha shrugged.

"Yeah," I said quietly, my feelings still kind of messed up, not even including how I now had anxiety about tomorrow.

I sighed loudly. I knew emotional issues shouldn't get in the way of the mission. I pushed the anger aside and got to my feet.

"I'm going back to check on Pietro," I mumbled, walking out again.

As the elevator closed, I heard Fury mutter, "Meeting adjourned, then, I guess."

IM MAKING DONUTS AND THEY ARE SO GOOD *cries*

THANKS FOR READING, VOTE AND COMMENT HOW GREAT ROBERT DOWNEY JR IS ON A SCALE OF 1-10.

-Emily <3