Chapter Text
“Stay sharp!” Steve called out, focused. He was confused as to why their cover seemed to be blown. This operation was supposed to be smooth, it’s why Wanda and Vision had come along. Great, their first mission as an official team, and they were already on red alert. “Status Natasha.” He requested, pausing with his back against the wall while he waited to hear a reply in his earpiece.
“I’m clear so far. Steve, I don’t know about this. It seems too easy. Something is wrong.” Natasha’s voice was clear.
“Vision?” Steve asked for a second opinion.
“There is a large gathering of people on the top floor, which seems unusual given the size of the building.” Vision responded, confirming what Natasha was worried about.
“Alright. Fall back.” Steve gave the order in a disappointed tone, but he had to put the safety of his team first.
“Cap, you might wanna hold that order.” Sam piped up, “I’ve got a visual on the top floor.”
“Get out of there Sam. Fall back!” Steve commanded, but Sam pressed on.
“They’ve got the package Steve. They’re auctioning it off.” Sam was disgusted as he peered through the window. A mangled but mostly intact Ulton Bot stood in a display case at the front of the room. “Armed guards, and I’m sure these buyers are carrying, but it’s a clear shot from the window on the east side. They’re practically begging for it to take a ride.”
“If we break that glass we don’t have much time to clear the area.” Natasha sounded apprehensive.
“Wanda.” Steve left his spot on the wall, a plan formulating. “Could you use your powers to get it down to the ground?”
“Yes.” Wanda spoke for the first time, and Steve set his jaw.
“Falcon, keep an eye on the sky and cover Wanda in the lawn. Vision, fly up there and break the glass, then draw as much fire as you can while Wanda gets that Bot down to the ground. Natasha, you and I will occupy the building and take out anyone who tries to get to the ground while Wanda loads the package.” Steve paused, then asked “Anyone got a better idea?”
“Sounds good.” Natasha sounded like she was running. “I’ve got the third floor.”
“I’m in the lobby.” Steve responded, and Natasha answered with a snarky comment.
“You’re gonna miss all the fun.”
“I’m in position Cap.” Sam was serious, and Vision responded after him.
“I am in position to take out the east window.”
“Wanda?” Steve requested, and she spoke.
“I’m ready.” She sounded nervous, but Steve took her word.
“Vision, on your mark.” Steve gave the plan a green light, and Vision responded.
“Moving in.” The moment he finished speaking there was an echoing shattering sound. Everyone could hear the glass break from their positions, but also through the earpiece from Vision's side.
Wanda stood in the grass outside the desolate commerce building, watching the shards and chunks of glass fall from the top floor. Vision had beamed it with a ray from the mind stone, then instantly began taking heavy gunfire. Crushed bullets rained down into the grass after the glass and Wanda was horrified. It wasn't hurting him, but she hated what she was seeing.
She wasn't sure what she had expected, but the sight of Vision taking clip after clip above her had her hyperventilating. Seconds ticked by, and she struggled to remember what she was supposed to be doing, fear and worry taking over. She was having a panic attack. She thought she was ready for the field but clearly this was all too soon. Her mind wandered to Pietro and she tried not to lose herself.
“Wanda! Get the package!” Sam shouted in the earpiece, and her chest felt like it was in knots.
“Wanda, you've gotta move.” Natasha pressed, urgency in her voice. She could see Wanda frozen in terror from her position.
Wanda closed her eyes tightly and dug deep as she raised her hands, willing her powers to climb the building as the cloud of red grew. Steve exhaled heavily as his view out of the windows tinted red, Wanda's magic clouding the air outside the building.
“Atta girl!” He encouraged, relieved.
Some of the gunfire had been aimed at Sam now, having been sighted in the sky despite Vision's efforts. Wanda’s magic crept up the building but those moments of hesitation had cost them.
“Uh Steve, I’ve got company!” Natasha was clearly fighting someone off as she yelled out. The guards had been quick.
“Do you need backup?” Steve headed for the stairwell, and Natasha grunted. “Natasha, do you need backup?” He called, pushing the door open and taking the steps three at a time.
“Argh!” Sam cried out, and Steve was beginning to panic. Natasha had not answered and now Sam was in trouble.
“I’m hit! I’m hit!” Sam sounded a distress call, breathing pained.
“Get out of there Sam!” Steve called out, pausing on the steps, but Sam protested.
“We’ve almost got this thing! I’m not hit bad, but I’m gonna need medical.”
“Wanda! How are we looking?” Natasha yelled, and Steve was relieved to hear her voice. A guard entered the stairwell and he prepared to fight.
“Almost… there…” Wanda grunted, clearly working hard.
“Let me know when you have it.” Natasha responded, the sound of men crying out in the background.
Wanda’s magic reached the top floor and encompassed the Ultron Bot in its display case, Vision having occupied everyone so there was no chance for it to be moved.
“Got it!” She gasped, and Natasha whooped in victory.
“Don’t celebrate prematurely. That’s what got us in this mess.” Steve knocked the guard out as he remembered when they had retrieved Loki's Scepter, and Natasha scoffed. “Get it to the ground.”
Wanda lowered the case at a much faster pace than she had been able to retrieve it at, Vision flying lower to stay with the package.
“She’s got it, I’m going to the jet.” Sam grunted in pain, and Natasha planted one last kick to her current victim.
“Ready to fall back Steve?” Natasha didn't want to keep fighting if she didn't have to. Steve watched Wanda drop the case harshly to the ground, glass shattering. Vision pulled the Ulton Bot from the case, and Steve nodded.
“Fall back Natasha. We’ve got it.”
Wanda tried not to look at the thing in Vision's arms as they flew together to the ship. She hated it, and she never thought she’d have to bear the sight of one again. She felt the panic returning as Vision laid the broken Ultron on the floor of the Quinjet. Natasha and Steve joined them, and everyone was quiet until they were up in the air.
Vision sat beside her as far away from the Ultron Bot as the Quinjet allowed, putting himself between the empty Bot and Wanda. He held her hands in his own, gently rubbing each one to keep her focus on him. Steve was praising everyone for their efforts, but she could care less.
She still had a long way to go.