Disclaimer: I do not own Agents of SHIELD or Avengers: Age of Ultron or anything to do with Marvel. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
*****
"So, do you want to come in and, talk?"
Natasha Romanoff took a deep sigh and hang her head as those words echoed in her mind. She missed the old days, were it was always easy to track someone from a distance. Admittedly it was foolish to think could do the same with Wanda Maximoff, as she was a God damn mind reader, but there was still so much unknown about her powers.
One theory was she could only do it while concentrating, and Natasha had gambled on that being the case, and that she could simply use her usual tactics for following someone. But for better or for worse she had been found out, and the best thing now was for her to reveal herself, and hope this didn't upset the incredibly powerful woman. After all, she was supposed to be here to smooth things over, not make them worse.
It was hard to tell whether this had any effect, one way or another, as she walked around the corner and towards the small apartment Wanda was staying in, as The Scarlet Witch had a hard to read expression on her face. Thankfully it seemed to morph into one of amusement, although Natasha had learned at an early age not to trust such expressions to be a positive thing.
Wanda then finished unlocking her door and held it open for Natasha to step through. Once the door was locked behind them there was a long silence, the two women staring at each other, before Wanda silently led her over to the couch, which Natasha then sat down on. Of course, there was so much that Natasha wanted to say, it was hard to know where to start, especially when she couldn't simply think it through without the other woman knowing about it.
"Would you like a drink?" Wanda finally offered, breaking the silence.
Natasha nodded, and then smiled, "Something strong."
"Naturally." Wanda smiled, before showing off by causing two glasses to slowly fly into her hands and then a bottle of bourbon poured it's contents into each glass. She then handed one glass over to Natasha as a sign of good faith, softly telling her, "If this is about the Agents of SHIELD, I sent them home today. I'll be wanting them back, but... I wanted to prove what we were doing was of their own free will. And I haven't hurt them. Not really."
Natasha blushed, and then quipped, "Not really?"
Another brief silence, and then Wanda questioned, "What was in the report?"
"I am no longer an Agent of SHIELD. How would I know?" Natasha said dryly, and then when Wanda just gave her a look she shrugged, "There is no report. Not yet. At least, none which was very helpful. But there was... some enlightening footage. Well, it was deleted, but let's just say, I know someone pretty good at recovering things, and they taught me a thing or two."
Wanda hummed, and then questioned, "But this isn't about that?"
"No." Natasha insisted, "Steve was wondering how you were doing. We all were."
Wanda narrowed her eyes, "And?"
"You seem remarkably good, all things considered. But I'd like you to tell me, in your own words." Natasha said softly.
"You expect me to believe that you're just here to see how I'm doing, after... everything?" Wanda huffed.
"It's the truth." Natasha insisted, before cautiously asking, "Can't... can't you search my mind for the truth?"
"The truth?" Wanda chuckled bitterly, "The truth is a matter of perspective. Yes, every man might struggle to hide his true intentions, and sooner or later everyone reveals themselves. But then there are people like you. People who have told so many lies and half truths, the struggle to know what's real and what's not in that mess of the head of yours. Honestly? It scares me. But..."
Natasha raised an eyebrow when the other woman trailed off, and gently pushed, "But..."
"I also find it comforting." Wanda admitted softly, before clarifying with a smile, "You're as fucked up as I am."
"So, let me be here for you." Natasha said softly, pouncing on the opportunity. Then when Wanda gave her a look she quickly added, "I know it's going to be hard for you to trust me, or anyone, but... The Avengers is the best place for you. We can take care of you, in a way that SHIELD just isn't equipped for. And honestly? We're all a little fucked up. Everyone is. Surely as a mind reader, you must know that by now. But, while I can't read people like you can, I was trained to do something similar. And I've seen awful things, done awful things, when I thought it was right. Or convinced myself it was. So I truly believe I can help you, if you let me."
There was a long pause, and then Wanda pushed, "You can appreciate trust is difficult for me, yes?"