Wandas POV

"Holy shit!"

She laughs at me.

"That's not funny, Nat! You scared the shit out of me!"

"Clearly. Didn't think anyone would be up at.. 10pm?"

"Well, I.. didn't really think about it."

"Uhuh. That's obvious."

"Right." Time to evade and escape to my room so I can await Alex's text that she's home and we can plan our next.. hang out? That's what friends do.

"Not so fast."

I stop dead in my tracks, slowly turning and raising an eyebrow at Nat, trying to act innocent.

"You are just going to leave? Without actually telling me who dropped you off on the bike? Who has you smiling like you had Botox gone wrong?"

Ugh. Damn her for being a Russian spy.

"Fine. But.. you have to promise not to get too mad."

"Okay.. why would I be mad?" She narrows her eyes at me. Full spy mode now.

"Well.. it's kind of hard to explain.."

"Try me." Arms crossed.

She just isn't giving up.

"Fine. So you know how I went to grab some food and then stop at Spencers shop?"

"Yes.." suspicion.

"Well I did. Visit Spencer. And I may have bumped into someone there.."

"Okay? Why are we always doing this? Spit it out, Wanda. You have me worried." Her tone shows it.

"I may have ran into Alex when I was there, we got to talking and she offered me a ride so I said yes. Then we ended up going out for ice cream and we talked about a lot of things and long story short we're going to try to be friends," I finally take a breath as I rushed all that out.

She shakes her head. "Okay. Did I hear that right? You ran into Alex? Went for ice cream? You're going to try to be friends?"

"Yes, yes and yes."

"Woah."

"Yeah.."

"Like.. she talked to you? You talked? Normally? Without any yelling or use of powers? And she was the one on the motorcycle?"

I wince, "well I may have yelled a little bit.. but it's all good! Trust me, I'm still finding it hard to believe, but I'm not questioning it. I'm so beyond happy and lucky that she's even giving me a chance, I don't want to ruin it. I won't. I have to do everything I can to keep her this time."

Her face softens, "Wanda.. are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't it be?" I feign ignorance, not wanting to pop my bubble of joy.

"Well.. just.. you have so much history.. so many things went wrong. You hurt each other, pretty deep. You think this time will be different?"

"Really, Nat? Of course it will be. It went wrong before because of the whole Fury-hiring-Yelena-to-be-her-fake-girlfriend thing. She knows about that now. We've cleared the air. Sort of. I know about her powers and her history. Everything is good."

"Okay. I just care about you Wanda, I don't want you to get hurt. I've seen how the break up has practically destroyed you this past year. We all have. I watched you hole yourself up in your room for days at a time, begging you to eat. Just don't want to see you there again."

"And I won't be. We're taking things slow, starting as friends and seeing if there's something more," I shrug to emphasize the simplicity of it all.

"Wanda.. we both know you still love Alex. Do you really think you'll be okay if she doesn't love you back?"

I clench my jaw to stop the first words I'd like to say from flying out of my mouth. Instead I go with, "yes. I'll be fine. I'll have her back in my life and that's more than I ever thought I'd get. I hope she loves me back.. but I'll be fine if she doesn't."

"Alright. Does she know you still love her? What if she dates someone while you're 'friends.'"

My heart tightens at the idea, practically stopping it from beating like it should. "Yes. I'm pretty sure. If she doesn't then.. she should. I think I made it obvious." Crying in her arms might have done it. "And if she dates somebody.. we'll cross that bridge when we get there." I don't want to give it anymore thought.

"Alright. I'm not trying to hurt you,Wanda. I'm just making sure you don't get hurt. I won't push it. But I'm here if you need me. Always."

I let out a long sigh, "I know, thanks, Nat. But I'm doing this. I have to. I can't lose her again."

"I get it. I hope you can work things out, that she loves you back and you get your happy ending," she finally smiles.

"I really hope so, too."

"Now that that is cleared up, how about we watch a movie in my room?"

"What about Spencer?"

"Oh, well she's there, too."

"Alright. Fine by me."

We grab some snacks, taking the elevator up to her floor, I stop at the door, "should we make sure she's decent before we go in? Maybe you go first."

Nat rolls her eyes but can't really argue with me, so she goes in first, calling out to Spencer.

I follow behind her and there's Spencer already surrounded by snacks with a movie ready on the screen.

"Love!" She opens her arms and Nat launches herself into them. Then she notices me. "And Wandaaaaa." Said with no enthusiasm.

"Don't act too excited now." I walk over and sit on the side that had more room.

"I am, truly. Just surprised. But since you're here... how'd it go with Alex?"

"Um.. it went really well. We're actually going to plan another time to hang out once she's home. I know there's a lot of work to do to mend our relationship, but I'm ready to work for it," I beam.

"I'm really happy for you, Wanda. Alex has come a long way since your break up. Really worked on herself and she's happy with where she's at. She's going to make sure she can keep her happiness. She isn't going to let herself fall without a guaranteed harness. So, give it time."

"I will! I'm not in any rush. I just want to get to know her all over again."

"That's great, Wanda. I'm glad you're both getting the chance to. I could practically see you drooling over her at the shop," Spencer laughs.

"You can't blame me! When you said she was working on herself, it was really in more ways than one," I smirk.

"Oh, I know. It's boosted her confidence a lot, never mind the added attention."

"What do you mean?" The playfulness is gone.

"Uh, nothing. People just.. notice?" She brings it to a question, but I knew what she means.

"Right.." that doesn't hurt to hear at all. I try not to let any images pop into my head.

"But it goes beyond the gym! She's really trying to better herself all around. And she is. I'm just happy you guys are talking."

"Uh, yeah. Me too. I'm just glad I get to- wait. Why are you both acting so chill? Nat, you knew Spencer talked to Alex? And you're not surprised Nat knows?"

Spencer waves her hand, "pshh. Nah. I tell Nat everything. Well, not everything." Nat glares at her, "about Alex! She knows she comes to me for tattoos and that we talk, hit the gym sometimes, rides our bikes. But Alex's business is all hers. I don't share that."

Nat is nodding her head as she grabs some popcorn and throws it into her mouth.

"Well, alright then."

"Now.. aside from you telling us what Alex says, are we ready to start this movie?"

"Yes." Nat and I answer at the same time, getting cozy as Spencer hits play.

It's about an hour into the movie. I can't focus on it. I haven't heard from Alex yet. I'm worried. I should be worried, right? She should be back. I mean she can teleport anywhere she wants, but still drives around her motorcycle. I get it. However, I now have no choice but to worry something happened.

Do I text her? Call her? Wait it out?

Ugh, I'm texting her. If I look like I'm worried, I am.

I sent a quick text and put my phone away. I can't keep worrying.

Then there's a ding almost immediately. I jump at my phone, startling Spencer as I do.

'I'm okay, I'm home. Didn't mean to worry

you, sunshine'

I beam at the use of my old nickname.

"Why are you smiling so much?"

That's when I realize they have paused the movie and are both intently watching me instead. Guess I reread that text more than a few times.

"Sorry. I was worrying about Alex. She's fine, though. Used my old nickname."

"Oh boy. You've got it bad, Wanda." Nat says.

"What gave that away?" Sarcasm. Completely. Blame Spencer.

"Oh, shut up. I'm allowed to be excited."

"Of course you are. What'd she say? You make plans yet?"

"Not yet. But we will."

They both realize that's all I've got so they start the movie again. I try to pay attention as I text Alex back and forth. I return my gaze back to the tv once Alex and I have a date and she went to bed. Seems early, but she has work tomorrow.

"Okay, tell us."

"We're going out for lunch on Friday!" I squeal, way too excited to play it cool.

"That's awesome, Wanda!" Spencer encourages.

"Yeah, it'll come up in no time."

"So I'm going to need your help picking out what to wear. It's been so long. I want to remind her of what she had and leave her wanting more. Oo! Maybe we could do a double date!"

"I'm sure we'll be all for that, but I think you should stick to hang outs with just the two of you for now."

"I know. I'm getting ahead of myself, but I can't help it."

We all went back to the movie, at some point playing another one.

Eventually Nat and Spencer fell asleep all cuddled up. I wasn't long after them.

And I got the best nights sleep I have had in over a year. I knew I was seeing her in two days. I had a chance. She was giving me a chance. One I didn't think I would ever have or deserved.

But I have it and I'm not going to blow it.