Forces of Nature •Avengers: Age Of Ultron

Chapter Eight

A/N:

Just the italics and bold thing. Translation at bottom is needed. The story is finally picking up speed! I can't wait to dove right into Age Of Ultron!

Thanks for reading!

*****

The next morning I woke up trapped underneath warm blankets. My eyes peeled open just as Steve popped up from the couch. My head then slammed against the headboard with a yelp escaping my mouth I groaned massaging the back of my head.

"Ow."

"You're awake!" The golden retriever called happily. He rubbed his eyes making his way over to the edge of the bed.

"What happened?" I moaned as I sat up from the bed of comfortable pillows.

"Tony said you had a panic attack? Are you sure you're alright?"

"Did he tell everyone about that?" I winced from an incoming headache. Voices were quietly invading my mind I wasn't sure if I would be able to shut the out.

"Of course he did. He wanted to make sure you were alright around us." Steve took a seat on the edge of the bed. A smile graced his lips and brushed back a stray curl of mine. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I know how to deal with them normally but last night took me by surprise."

"The rest of the team is in the living room if you want to join us. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you didn't." Steve brushed a hand through his hair landing in the back of his neck. He awkwardly stood up moving towards the door.

I nodded and threw the blankets off my legs. Instead of finding my skinny jeans and combat boots I found a oversized sweeter and a pair of leggings.

"Who changed me?" I raised a brow sliding down from the bed.

Steve blushed slightly, scrubbing a hand over his face. He kept looking anywhere but at me. Even going so far as to stumble back a few steps.

"Um, Natasha. I didn't want you to be uncomfortable." He blushed some more. I don't think he realized just how much of a marshmallow he was. "You're clothes are being washed."

I blinked a bunch. "Thank you."

****

An hour later I stumbled out of the- what I assumed was the guest room- and into the hallway. It was a wreck.

There was still glass all over the floor, and torn apart robots. I had to find a way to actually get out of the room with all the glass finding a home in my foot.

So, I did what any irresponsible teenager would do: I yelled for help. The entire Avengers team came running into the small hallway. Every single one carrying their weapons.

Even Stark had an armored glove on his hand.

"What happened?" Steve crouched in front of me, his shield laying beside him.

"I needed help getting out of the hallway." I mumbled. My gaze cast downward and my lip between my teeth.

"That's it?" Steve laughed. He pressed a hand to his mouth to cover it but it was definitely there. His eyes were bright and crystal clear.

I nodded sheepishly. "I'm not wearing any shoes and I couldn't find my boots in there."

"Why not just levitate the glass or even yourself off the ground?" Stark questioned. I shrugged.

"Didn't think that far ahead."

He shook his head throwing his hands in the air. Turning around, his retreating back was the last I saw of him.

"I think you broke him." Banner laughed glancing back to Stark. He gave me a smile before following after the billionaire.

Natasha scoffed and kicked a pile of glass into the wall. There was a smirk on her face. She knew something. I wanted to dip into her mind to find out but I knew she wouldn't care for the invasion of privacy. Even though I had only known her for a day.

Steve scooped me into his arms, throwing me over his shoulder. I squeaked sharply. My arms came up to cover my face.

He chuckled as he carried me into the living room and set me on my feet.

There were files everywhere. Boxes upon boxes upon boxes. Every Avenger had a separate file. They were all scanning through each one, quickly flipping through each page.

"Well, these people are all horrible." Banner looked up from his files before closing it and set it beside him moving to the next file.

"Wait. I know that guy." Stark points out the file photo Banner was holding. The doctor hands it over. "From back in the day. He operates off the African coast, black market arms."

Steve gave him an accusing look, confusion present upon the forefront.

"There are conventions, alright? You meet people, I didn't sell him anything." I came up behind him. Peering over his shoulder to see the man. He had a scraggly beard and graying hair. Looked like he'd lived through some heavy stuff. Even had a tattoo that looked ominous on the back of his neck. "He was talking about finding something new, a game changer, it was all very 'Ahab.'"

Thor took a look at the photo from behind Steve. Frowning he placed a finger above the tattoo. "This."

"Uh, it's a tattoo. I don't think he had it..." Stark trailed off as Thor shook his head.

"No, those are tattoos, this is a brand."

Banner pulled up a page on a computer. The brand scanned into the interface. "Oh, yeah. It's a word in an African dialect meaning thief, in a much less friendly way."

"What dialect? It is not something I recognize." I asked tracing over the photo with my fingertip. The team gave me a odd look. "Strucker didn't care much schools, learning. He did, however, want us to know languages."

"Wakanada?" Banner fumbled over the pronunciation. "Wa...Wa...Wakanda."

"If this guy got out of Wakanda with some of their trade goods." Stark pointed out. Steve and him shared a look. Concern.

"I thought your father said he got the last of it?" The super soldier returned the feeling.

Banner took on a confused look, most of the team did. "I don't follow. What comes out of Wakanda?"

Steve and Stark cast a look at the shield leaning against the table. I filled their gaze my mist flowing down and lifting the shield up.

"The strongest metal on earth."

****

"It's a thing with me. Stark is, he's a sickness!" The bot, Ultron, growled as Stark landed in front of him.

"Ahh, Junior." He starts, Thor, Steve and I appearing behind him.

My eyes widened seeing the Twins. They both went into shock. I felt Wanda tugging at my mind and let her in.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm stuck with them remember. It would be helpful if one of you could get me out of here." I nodded towards the three Avengers.

"He beat me by one second." Stark's voice joked when I tuned back in. Pietro shot a meaningful look my way. It almost looked like longing.

"Ah, this is funny, Mr. Stark. It's what, comfortable? Like old times?" The speedster growled. I could see his hands clenched at his side and Wanda slotted over to grip his forearm.

"This was never my life." Stark snapped gazing at the shell in the corner.

Steve broke the tension, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"You two can still walk away from this." He said staring at the twins. Wanda's eyes drew to his hand and I quickly shrugged it off.

"Oh, we will." She muttered. Her eyes glazed over with a scarlet sheen. I stepped forward subtly. I wanted to get back to them. No matter what side they were on I would still protect them with my life if it came down to it.

I would always put them over me. No matter what.