|| LONGING || EDITTING

|| Chapter Forty - Four ||

After finding out that Hydra still existed, Steve was not a happy bunny. He was determined to rip them up like he had done when Shield collapsed and much like he tried back during World War II, Sam was obviously going to stand by his best friend and fight for the end of Hydra, the only problem was one thing -- they didn't know where 'S.H.I.F.T.E.D' would hide nor what their motives could be. The big secret that Ellie was holding back was who they had that was important to her. Nobody, not even Natasha, knew Hydra's new science division had taken the one thing Ellie can't live without. Natasha, on the other hand, was willing to take her time searching for Hydra, they weren't a threat just yet and she believed if they rushed into it without a plan then they would be creating an even worse situation.

Natasha was typing frantically away at the laptop on the dining room table, trying to figure out if anything in Hydra's old files had anything they could to link the two divisions together. Steve was sharing Bucky's file with Ellie, said girl wanted to see what they did to those they captured, her excuse being 'In case we ever get caught'. Sam was, what he thought was most important, cooking. He couldn't stand the thoughts that Hydra could still be out there to create another 'Bucky', one was enough; he was making dinner when there was a knock on the door. Ellie's head snapped up, she glanced around at the sudden weary air that surrounded them, said brunette stood up, and walked over to the door and opened it, her eyes widened at the red-coated woman, "Wanda?" Ellie was in shock, she hadn't seen Wanda since Ultron and Ellie couldn't help but feel a tug on her heart.

Wanda gave her a lipless smile, "I didn't know where else to go?" Her tone was questionable and Ellie opened the door further, Wanda's eyes widening at the sight of the trio and couldn't help but chuckle, "Ellie was our escape plan?" She joked, looking back at Ellie with a shrug, "I like it,"

Ellie shut the door, Natasha smiling, getting up and greeting Wanda, "Well, it's good to see you're okay, after breaking you out, you disappeared,"

"I know," Wanda sighed, "But I'm here now,"

Sam put a hand on his hip, Ellie's apron on his body, making him pose more woman-like as he clicked his tongue with pursed lips, "Well, are you hungry, Boo?"

Wanda laughed, "Yeah, thanks,"

Sam shrugged, waving it off with his hand, "Anything for you, Boo,"

Steve chuckled, Ellie and Natasha grinning, and Wanda smiled, glad she chose to brave it and show up at Ellie's apartment.

--xXx--

Sophie was sat on the floor, James paused playing with his cars as he covered his mouth -- coughing hysterically before turning to his Mother with teary eyes, "I don't wanna go to school tomorrow,"

Sophie pressed her hand to his forehead, We'll see how you are for the rest of the day and Dad and I'll think about it, okay?"

"Oh my, God," He whined, his head slumping back to hit the couch seat, his face curling up with sadness as he knew that his parents might send him to school, "But Mom, I -" He cut himself off as he began to cough relentlessly. Sophie sighed, feeling guilty for his coughing. She pulled him into her and let him lie down, "What's for dinner tomorrow?"

"Beans on toast," Sophie joked and James scoffed.

The door opened and William walked in, he immediately ripped off his tie and tossed it aside before kissing the top of his wife's head, before glancing at James, "Hey, Bud, Momma messaged me earlier, telling me you got home early, how come?" His tone was soft yet confused.