Conflict of Interests
Wanda steps off the plane and back onto American soil for the first
time in weeks. Strangely she has missed the place, with all it's gaudy
commercialism. It is a far cry from the struggling economy of Transia.
She had been luck to be able to get the connections to transport
herself over from Europe so easily. Normally Tranisan air travel was a
perfect example of chaos theory. Her Stark credit card had also come
in useful.
The ticket she had bought was one way. She was not sure that she
should have done that - she had promised Sven, the shaman of her clan
of gypsies that she would return to Transia for tuition in the occult.
Her return journey would be under her own power. When she returned she
wanted it do it under her own steam - without interference from the
Avengers or the Stark Foundation. She had been thinking about her
powers and what she could do with them. Probability is a funny thing.
She waves her hands frantically at a passing yellow cab but it fails
to stop. Wanda sneers at the driver and the cab's engine backfires and
the radiator boils over. What a shame! Another cab pulls up to her and
she clambers in.
' Avenger's Mansion, please.'
Behind her in the airport a sleek black cat slides through customs as
if it were invisible. Ebony arches his back - it is good to be back
home where he can get a decent feed and a warm place to sleep.
****************************
Wanda's cab pulls up in front of Avengers Mansion. She alights and
pays the driver with what little cash she has left. She stands and
stares at the huge building. This is a special place for her. The
Avengers - Captain America in particular - had made her feel welcome
when the world was convinced she was a force for evil. This building
had been her home for the most part of the last decade - could she
give all this up and return to eastern Europe for good? She pushes
open the huge iron gate and is instantly aware of the mansions
defences scanning her. She approaches the mansion's doors and realises
that she is shaking. she takes a deep breath and ...
The door opens and the ever friendly face of Jarvis appears. The
balding Englishman's smile has been so familiar to Wanda over the
years that she feels tears well in her eyes as she guides her into the
house and then, strangely, into an ante room off the main reception.
she notices that the main staircase has been recently repaired.
' Jarvis, what is the matter!?'
' I noticed you coming up the drive Miss Wanda and I thought that I
had better intercept you before you entered the mansion.'
' Why?'
' I'm afraid that your recent departure has caused a good deal of ...
commotion here amongst certain other Avengers. Master Simon and Master
Vision have lately come to blows over your affections and then the
alien called Century has arrived looking for you.'
' Century is here??'
' Yes. He arrived just after the altercation occurred. Captain America
vouched for him but all he was interested in was your whereabouts.
When we told him that you were travelling and that you had asked not
to be followed he simply stated that he would wait until you arrived.'
' And what's this about Simon and Vision?'
' I'm afraid that master Simon is still having a very difficult time
adjusting to his new lease of life. He seems to think that you are in
love with him and that .... well, Miss Wanda, it is not the place for
me to speculate on what he feels. The Vision has been almost stoic
about the entire situation. He has tried to calm Master Simon's anger
but as I have said, it has boiled over on a number of occasions,
including a fracas with Captain America.'
' Simon struck Steve?'
' Indeed. The situation here has been tense to say the least. I
thought it would be best if you were aware of the situation before you
returned to the ranks of the team.'
' That was very kind of you Jarvis. I'll freshen up and then go to see
everyone.'
' Certainly. They are out at the moment at a public function but they
are due to return within the hour. If you wish to avoid him, Century
is in the drawing room. Shall I prepare you something to eat in the
meantime?'
' Yes Jarvis. A beefburger if you please. There are somethings you
just can't get where I have been. Oh, and Jarvis?'
' Yes Miss Wanda?'
' Thank you.'
******************************
Century sits in the Avenger's drawing room spinning his axe-weapon in
his fingers. She is here, in the building. He can feel it. He is not
sure whether this is the right thing to do. Whilst Wanda was a dear
friend and ally during his time with Force Works she never made any
impression that she reciprocated his feelings. It would be wrong of
him to compound the problems here by acting like this being called
Wonder Man. Could he suppress his feelings for Wanda if it meant that
she would be happy? Almost certainly but before he left he just wanted
to see her one more time. To hear her voice say his name again would
be enough.
******************************
Simon Williams strides through Central Park with a look of desperation
on his face. No-one had ever shown him true affection until Wanda
arrived. No one loved him except Wanda. Now she has gone and his one
true chance of happiness was gone too. If he had known this was going
to be the way of things he wouldn't have wanted to come back to life.
What right did they have to bring him back from oblivion for anyway?
Why can't people just let him stay dead?
******************************
The Vision trails behind the other Avengers as they walk away from the
exhibition site and towards their transport. Looking at the others he
can see that he has a great deal to learn. Captain America is not a
driven man, but his determination to be the best he can be has allowed
him to function without the constant need for female companionship.
The Beast he knows little about in that area but he is all to aware of
the marital difficulties of both Namor and Hank Pym. They both seem to
have overcome their problems to some degree or another. Ms Marvel? He
doubts he will ever know what has truly happened in the life of Carol
Danvers. He casts his mind back to when the world first learned of the
love between the android and the mutant. People had been willing to
die in order to stop them from being together, saying it was unnatural
and ungodly. Maybe they were right? maybe he should not have
considered the possibility that she would be able to be with him.
******************************
Wanda has changed into another set of jeans and a checked shirt. She
opens the door to the drawing room.
` Century? Is that you?' Wanda scans the room as the alien stands up
from the chair. He is still as tall and imposing as ever. His deep
blue cloak unfurling behind him as he strides across the room towards
her, palms flat and outstretched in a sign of greeting.
` Wanda. It is so good to see you again. It is good to be back.' Wanda
grasps his hands and squeezes them, smiling at his craggy, almost
rock-like face.
` It is good to see you again. How have your travels fared?'
` Fine, but what of your journey? Will you be here with us now for
sometime?' The look of expectation on Centuries face hits Wanda like a
brick. Suddenly she looks into the eyes of the alien warrior and sees
the same look she once saw in the face of the Vision. An expectancy of
something more.
` Century. There are many things I need to tell you.' She leads him to
sit down and closes the door behind her.
*********************************************
Ebony slides into the cat flap at the home of Agatha Harkness.
Noticing the lithe body of the feline familiar enter, the witch
dismisses the spirit she is conversing with and reaches out a hand.
The cat jumps up her arm and nestles against her chest.
` Oh it is good to see you again my old friend. Is our protege safe?
Was she delivered to Sven without incident?' Ebony purrs and rubs his
head up and down Agathas shoulder.
` I see. Food first, then information? I suppose it is only fair.' She
strides off towards the kitchen, sit carrying the cat.'
*********************************************
Century turns and faces Wanda Maximoff for the last time. He looks at
her face, at the soft human skin and the tresses of curling red hair
that frame it. He gazes into the eyes that have brought him halfway
across space to meet his destiny with her.
` I will miss you Wanda-Witch-Maximoff.'
` And I will miss you too, my friend.'
` I .... I .... I am sorry to have inconvenienced you in this manner.'
` Don't be silly Century. You weren't to know. Take care and please,
return to see me again someday?' She rises on her toes to kiss his
cheek. He turns away, dodging the kiss and mumbles something that
Wanda cannot hear. He cuts the air with his axe and space and time
split asunder. Century steps through the gateway and out of Wanda's
life.
*********************************************
` Jarvis, we're home!' Ms Marvel slides down the banister of the main
staircase of Avengers Mansion, having just landed on the roof before
the rest of the party. Jarvis comes bolting out of the kitchen and
ignores her, with a beefburger in his hand. Ms Marvel shrugs as he
steadies himself and with all the confidence and decorum she has come
to expect, slowly enters the drawing room.
*********************************************
` Your burger, Miss Wanda?' Jarvis smiles at her and them look around
for Century.
` He has left Jarvis.'
` Oh'
` And anyway, the actress turns to the vicar and says ...' Hank McCoy
- the Beast - enters the room with a grinning Captain America and a
perplexed Namor.
` I am unaware of the relevance of a religious leader to the statement
` That was a long, boring one' when I was talking about our recent
interview?' Both sigh and roll their eyes at the once king of
Atlantis.
` Hi Boys?'
` Wanda!' The grin on Captain America's face grows as he vaults the
sofa and hugs his long time friend.
` Well dye me red and call me Oscar. The wandering thaumaturgist
returns!'
` Hello Wanda.' The machine-like tones of the Vision stop the room in
it's tracks as he stands at the door.
` Hello Vision.' Wanda walks slowly across the room and then they
embrace. Not a sexually clinch but the hug of two old, old friends who
thought they would never see each other again.
` It is good to see you again, Wanda.' The Vision releases her at just
the right moment to show the lack of intimacy in the touch.
` Cap, Beast. If you'll excuse me I need to talk to Vision alone and
then I'll need to speak to all of you.'
*********************************************
The Vision and the Scarlet Witch sit around a table. She is finishing
off the greasy burger Jarvis has prepared.
` So, what would you like to discuss with me?' The Vision is impassive
as he speaks, guarding what emotions he has about the moment.
` I just thought I had better see how the ground lies between us. I
know that Simon has been causing some trouble whilst I have been gone.
How have you been?'
` If I were being truthful Wanda, I do not believe that it has
anything to do with how I feel and everything to do with how you
feel.'
` I suppose you are right. Vision, do you still consider yourself as
my husband?'
` Bearing in mind all that has passed, my answer would have to be
negative.'
` That's good ... well no, that's not good. Oh Gods, Vision, there is
no easy way to say this but I have decided that I can't see a way for
us to be together again. Not just yet. I still hurt too much from all
our pain and there is so much more I need to do. I'm sorry.'
` Do not worry yourself Wanda, I knew this weeks ago and I have
reconciled myself to the fact. I am glad that you still consider me to
be your friend.' Wanda reaches over and grasps his hands.
` You will always, always be my best and most trusted friend. I need
you to be that. I want you to be that.'
` Then that is what I shall be.'
` I had better speak to the others then?'
` Yes. I think you had better.'
*********************************************
The Avengers sit around their table and watch the Scarlet Witch as she
prepares herself. She looks at them. This is not the Avengers she
remembers. Cap will always be their in her mind, as will the Vision
and Dr Pym, but Namor and Ms Marvel? Where are Thor, Iron Man, Hawkeye
and the others? Maybe this is a sign. A passing of the torch to other
heroes. She steels herself and then speaks.
` Friends, fellow avengers. I have something to announce that will
shock you. I am retiring as the Scarlet Witch!.' The room is stunned
into utter silence.
` If you don't mind me asking, why?' Captain America will always be
just ahead of everything!
` I was coming to that. I have decided that I have a responsibility to
fulfil elsewhere. I cannot leave that responsibility any longer whilst
pursuing a career as a superhero and as a superhero I will always be
in the limelight and recognised. I need time to help some people and
to learn and during that time I need to be alone. This is not a leave
of absence. Of course, if you need me I will come but please respect
my wish for privacy.'
` Is there nothing we can do to persuade you to stay Wanda? The team
could do with your experience?' Again Captain America speaks.
` For a man who has been around since the second world war I think you
are gilding the lily a little. No, there is nothing ... and no-one who
can keep me here. I have made up my mind and I am going through with
it.'
` Will you take your Avengers card this time?'
` No. I'll know if you need me. Trust me on that. Now I will say
goodbye and good luck.' Wanda walks slowly over to the door that leads
to the washroom, waves her hand over it and opens it. On the other
side of the door lies a valley of sweeping grass and high mountains.
Transia.
` What a stroke of luck! The washroom door leads to the other side of
the world! What chance that happening?' Her voice becomes distant as
she steps through and the door closes behind her.
*********************************************
Epilogue One
Wanda pokes her head through the canvas flap that covers the entrance
to the tent of the shaman Sven.
` I have returned for your teaching.' The old man smiles and beckons
her to enter.
` Come in and sit. We have much to discuss.'
Epilogue Two
Century stands aboard the bridge of his ship again. He is alone and
grim. He stares out into deep space. That will be his only salvation
now.
Epilogue Three
`What do you mean she has been and gone!' Simon Williams smashes his
hands down through the table he is standing at.
` She has gone Simon, and she wants to be left alone.' Captain America
tries his hardest to stay calm. He is sick of Wonder Man's childish
behaviour.
` Why didn't you keep her here Steve? Why didn't you tell her about
me?'
` She knew Simon and she still left. She doesn't want to be here
anymore and we need to accept that. You need to accept that!'
Wonder Man falls to his knees and cries into his hands.' But she was
the only woman I ever truly loved!' Captain America places a hand on
the shoulder of the fallen hero and tries to help.
` We all loved Wanda in our own way. I guess we will all have to learn
to live without her for a while.'
Epilogue Four
The Vision stands in Wandas empty bedroom and stares out of the window
at the New York streets below. He can remember the excitement that she
used to have even when they met at being able to watch the people
going past. All those happy, American people.
He reaches into his cloak and pulls out a faded photo. It is of him
and Wanda during one of their first `dates' They had been approached
by a photographer in a restaurant they were in and Wanda thought it
would make a nice souvenir. He turns the photo over and reads the
message.
` To My Love. The love between two whose soul is one is a love that
endures for eternity. Wanda.'
Vision turns the photo over again and activates his solar beams,
burning the paper to nothing. The ashes fall slowly from his hand and
scatter on the floor.
The End
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