The Winter Witch

Chapter Ten: Avengers Assemble

Steve and the others found me an hour after Bucky left with Amell. When we got back to the compound, I went up to my room and stayed up there. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I didn't want to tell anyone that I had witness Bucky become the Winter Soldier again. A week had gone by so fast. I was up in my room staring at the wall when I heard a knock on my door. I turned and saw Vision.

"Wanda...we're having a meeting downstairs. Steve wants you there." He said.

I got up and started to walk out, but Vision gently grabbed my arm. "We will save James. We won't let anything happen to him, or you."

I looked at him, but didn't say anything. What would I say? I shrugged him off and walked downstairs. I had stepped into the meeting room and I saw all of the Avengers. I had only seen Thor and Bruce a couple of times, but that was when we were dealing with Ultron. Bruce and I had started off on the wrong foot, but after Pietro died, Bruce seemed to have forgotten about that. Everyone looked up at me as I entered the room.

Steve gave me a sad smile. Bucky is his best friend. I was so stupid for not being there for him. I was just consumed in myself.

"Wanda. How are you?" Bruce asked. He seemed so sincere.

"I'd be lying if I said I was fine." I replied.

Bruce slowly nodded and looked down.

"Might I ask why I am involved?" Thor spoke up. His loud booming voice made me jump. He noticed and coughed awkwardly.

"You're here because Steve's pet has the longest leash ever." Tony snapped.

"Bucky is not a pet, metal man." I snarled. I could feel my hex burning through my veins.

"Wanda, it's alright." Natasha coaxed. She gently put her arm around me.

"Tony, we know how dangerous Bucky is when he's the Winter Soldier. We need to take him out before he hurts anyone." Steve explained.

"Take him out?" I asked.

"Not like that. We need to revert him back to himself." Steve replied.

"I still don't see why I am involved. This isn't a matter of aliens or robots. This is one small human." Thor said.

"We need all the power we can get. Amell's guys are not like anything I have seen." Steve seemed so broken, but he held it together.

"Well how do we...'revert' him back?" Rhodes asked.

"If we hit him on the head hard enough..." Sam casually replied.

"Ah! Perfect. I'll use Mjolnir and we can call it a day." Thor said.

Tony let out a small chuckle.

"No way. That could kill him!" I snapped.

"Thor's right, guys. You don't need us. This isn't a green or God fight. This is just a guy messed up in the head. You guy's can take him." Bruce piped up.

"Great! So it's settled! Call us when there is a real threat to Earth." And with that said, Thor walked out with Bruce in tow.

Steve ran his hands through his hair. He looked so defeated.

"Rhodes and I will help you, Steve. I really don't want to because I still think your friend needs to be put in maximum security, but he means a lot to you." Tony said.

Rhodes looked shocked. "Did you guys just hear what came out of his mouth or was that just me?"

"Okay! Never gonna' be sincere again." Tony held his hands up and started to walk out of the room.

Natasha laughed quietly and followed with Rhodes. "Tony Stark! The most sincere guy in the world, ladies and gentlemen!" I heard Rhodes and Nat tease him all the way down the hall.

I looked at Steve and then at Sam. "We're here for you, man. Both of you." Sam placed a hand on Steve's shoulder and then mine. After a heartfelt look at each other, he left us alone.

I walked over to Steve and grabbed his hand. "I'm sorry I haven't been here for you." I said softly.

He held onto my hand and looked at me. "You're going through the same thing, Wanda."

I nodded and placed my head on his shoulder. Everything was going to be okay. Bucky was going to be okay. We were going to save him.