Collide

Seventeen

She had tracked them down, and now they were sat outside a cafe in Paris. She had surprised them both when she took hold, and brought them here. She could feel the girl was trying to get into her head to read her, but Astrid was more powerful.

She brought them to the cafe, as it was one she enjoyed visiting often. It was close enough to have a good view of the Eiffel Tower. Sliding her shades up onto her head, as the waiter placed their drinks and food in front of them, she thanked the waiter, and slipped him a tip.

'Now, I thought I would bring you to neutral ground so we could talk..'.. She looked between the two of them, and added sugar into her tea... 'You don't understand the path you are on. Believe me, I know about revenge, but you both hold a lot of power, than can get innocent people killed..'

'Who are you?..'.. Was the boys first words to her, and Astrid watched him sit forward, leaning slightly to guard his sister.

'A friend. I know you are trying to read me..'.. She flicked her gaze to the girl as she picked up her cup... 'You won't succeed. I'm a lot stronger than either of you. To the point I can kill you both with a single thought if I wanted to, but I don't. People like you, those that have the power, ability to help this world, change it for the better, save humanity, you're amazing..'

Wanda had no idea who this woman was, and even though she couldn't read the woman, she could see the sincerity and honesty in her... 'Stark killed our parents..'

'No he didn't. His name may have been on it, but he has never dealt under the table. That was someone else. The moment he got back from being kidnapped, he declared he was shutting it down, and he did. I'm not saying he's without his flaws, but he's making up for his past mistakes..'.. Astrid sighed.

'If you went after him, hurt or killed him, could you live with that on your conscious for the rest of your lives? And if you hurt others in the process, they'd be collateral damage, right? You can do better, be better. Hydra, they would have used you, for their gain, and not cared about your wellbeing..'.. She looked between the two.

'We spent years, hoping to get our revenge for our parents..'.. The boy, Pietro hissed out at her.

'And you can. On those who would seek to harm more families, take children from their parents. The Ten Rings were the ones responsible, and they're just as bad as Hydra. Taking them down, stopping them from destroying homes, people, it's the best revenge..'.. She picked up her sandwich and took a bite. She would let them think on her words, but she hoped they would make the right choice, otherwise she would take them to the school, for Charles to help them.

'Who are you? You didn't answer..'.. Wanda asked her, as she relented and picked up her cup.

'My name is my own, but I'm a friend. I have met many exceptional young people who are gifted like you, though they were born with their powers. Many have had similar lives to you, but they made good choices and now, they're all over the world, making a difference, saving people..'.. Astrid smiled at her, and saw the twins share a look.

'What should we do?..'.. Pietro asked, sighing as he looked over to Astrid... 'You brought us here, can you take us back?..'

'The choice is yours, and yours alone. Hold onto that anger and hate, let it consume you, tainting your lives. Killing Tony Stark, you would be in a lot of trouble for it..'.. Astrid refilled her cup... 'Or, work with him. Become part of the team, and save the world. You would inspire others to do right, give them the courage they'd need to make a difference. Be the heroes, I know you to be..'

She sipped her tea, and grinned at the the two of them... 'Now, the only choices you need to make right now, is to eat and drink, then decide where you would like to go..'.. She saw them both give her a confused look... 'We're in Paris, so lets explore. Or anywhere else in the world you'd like to go. We have the whole day..'

'Why would you help us? You don't know us..'.. Pietro picked up a sandwich, devouring it.

'Because you are important. Whatever you decide, it's your choice. If you want to go back to Sokovia, I would help you find somewhere to live, and to get jobs, and I'd ensure you had enough money to live comfortably..'.. She drank the last of her tea... 'You are not the first gifted I have found, nor will you be the last. My purpose in this world, is to save it, right down to you two..'

'I've always wanted to see the Louvre..'.. Wanda shrugged with a small smile at her brother.

'What can we call you, if you don't give us a name..'.. Pietro sat back, folding his arms.

'Pritel..'.. She saw their lips quirk at the word... 'You can call me that..'

'Ok. So, the Louvre? We can go?..'.. Astrid nodded at him.

'Yes. Here..'.. She reached into her bag, and pulled out a wallet and a purse, handing one to each... 'Passports and money, should you need them. But don't worry, I won't leave you here..'... She dipped her hand back in her bag and pulled out two phones, handing them over... 'My number is already in them, under friend..'.. She chuckled.

'Thank you..'.. Wanda checked the purse, while Pietro went through the phone... 'We'll talk about it, and we can let you know..'

'There's no rush Wanda, for either of you. Whatever you choose to do, I'm on your side. But I don't want you going down a path, you can't come back from. Your life is worth more, than you think. Now..'.. Astrid checked the time, and grinned... 'We have some exploring to do. Come on..'.. She stood and gestured to the two, as they got to their feet... 'Off we go..'.. She linked her arm with Wanda, as Pietro took Wandas other side and they set off to the museum.

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He had heard her in his mind, as she told him how the conversation went with the twins, and from what she had said, it went well. He was glad it did, he knew the power that the Maximoff girl had, from what they had found out, but Astrid had assured him, the girl couldn't touch her.

Sitting back as he looked over everything, he wondered if he was doing the right thing. He knew how the Avengers would be, and they wouldn't stop, until they found out who had been in the system, and taken the scepter.

She had told him where it was, there were no secrets between them. He honestly didn't want it in anyone else's hands. Frowning at the screen in front of him, he got an alert that the bifrost touched down outside the tower. Switching the cameras, he watched with disgust, as Loki strolled in off the street and into the lobby of the building.

He shook his head, and called out to her letting her know, her brother was back on earth. He wondered if she would continue on with her plan, or throw it aside.

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