Mastermind - W. Maximoff

Chapter Two

"Can you stand?" Sam asked Vision, holding him on one side. Wanda immediately moved away from him, putting her arm around Alex.

"Thank you, Captain."

Steve didn't look anywhere other than Vision, taking in his gratitude and how hurt he was. They couldn't stay here. "Let's get you on the jet."

The six of them got to the jet, taking off before closing the door to make sure no one else was following them. "Now, I thought we had a deal. Stay close, check-in, don't take any chances."

"I'm sorry," Wanda said, standing next to Alex who had her head down. She was in her second trimester now, and the sickness certainly hadn't gotten better. "We just wanted time."

"Why was Vision with you in Edinburgh?" Natasha asked continuing to question the two of them. Part of the deal they made was that they stayed far away from anyone who weren't criminals like them.

"For our wedding," Alex said, poking her head up. A sudden rush of nausea hit her, but she willed it down. They hadn't told any of them about the wedding or the baby.

"You're getting married." Sam acknowledged, stepping closer to Alex when he saw her face go pale. He put a hand against her forehead. "You're burning up. Are you okay?"

Alex bit her lip to refrain from crying. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... excuse me."

She stood up, making her way to the bathroom at the back of the jet. She spilled her guts out in the toilet, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Everything had gone to shit.

A knock sounded on the door. Alex opened it, looking up at Steve. "You're pregnant." It wasn't a question.

Alex nodded silently, putting her hand against the wall and standing. "I'll be thirteen weeks tomorrow."

Steve pursued his lips. "Let's head back to the others. I'm sure we have a lot of catching up to do."

——————

The five of them walked into the Avenger's compound, observing those in front of them. Rhodey was talking to a holographic Secretary Ross and Alex couldn't help but take a step back. "Mr. Secretary."

"You got some nerve, I'll give you that."

He walked toward them, watching as they didn't let their guard down. "You could use some of that."

Ross looked at Steve. "The world's on fire. And you think all is forgiven?"

"I'm the only one here who gets to play with fire, Mr. Secretary." Alex joked. "We're not looking for forgiveness, and we're way past asking for permission. Earth just lost her best defender. So we're here to fight."

"And if you wanna stand in our way," Steve continued for Alex, stepping closer to the hologram, "we'll fight you too."

Secretary Ross turned away from the six of them, looking at Rhodey. "Arrest them."

"All over it." Rhodey used two fingers to swipe the hologram away, not bothering to move an inch toward the rest of his team. "That's a court-martial. It's great to see you, Cap."

"You too, Rhodey." Steve gave Rhodey a side hug, allowing Natasha in for one as well. Alex hung back with Sam, Vision, and Wanda, offering Rhodey a small smile.

"Wow. You guys... really look like crap." Rhodey wasn't holding back as he looked at all of them, observing the scars and cuts and dirt on their faces. "Must've been a rough couple years."