Alex's POV

"Lena! About time, loser!" Spencer hops up out of her seat, running over and tackling Yelena in a hug.

To say I'm shocked as I watch Lena hug her back, even as she twirls her around, is an understatement.

I watch as she places her down and they start to talk like two old friends. Which I know they are, more like sisters, but it feels like a stab in the back. I know it shouldn't, but it does.

I know Spencer and I have talked about this before. I know she's Nats sister. I know Yelena and Spencer are something closer than best friends but nothing more at the same time.

Doesn't mean it's not still surprising to witness.

"Um, Alex?" Wandas voice drags me away from the scene unfolding in front of us.

"Yes?" I'm side glancing over to the sisters. Confusion is one of the many feelings I'm having right now.

"You're on fire."

"Huh? Oh, shit. Um-"

"Are you okay?"

I quickly put the fire out, knowing that, even though I really really have the urge to set Yelenas beautiful blonde hair on fire, I can't.

"Uh, yeah. Of course."

She gives me the head tilt. Damn it.

I start fiddling with my rings, giving them all of my attention as I speak, "it's just.. Yelena."

"I know.." she whispers.

"I'm sorry. It shouldn't bother me, seeing her. I didn't expect it to. I haven't seen her since that party and I thought I had all of this resolved.. I guess there's just so many things that went unsaid. Especially since I found out.. well, why we were dating and- and never got the chance to actually talk-"

"Blue?" She cuts me off.

I calm back down, sure my eyes were showcasing the fire raging inside me.

"It's okay. To have whatever feelings you're feeling. I'm not saying I like that your ex is here and I can't read you to know what's going on up there, but it's a lot. I get it."

I breathe out, "Yeah." This is a lot. "I'm sorry. I- I don't know what I'm feeling. I'm not trying to keep you out or shut you down, but I don't know."

"Hey," she moves my face to hers, "I trust you, alright? I'm right here."

Tongue is dry. Are we at a trust level yet? Can I give her my full trust? Do I have to? Even though she seems to be there, I don't know if I am.

"Yeah. Thank you," I lean my forehead against hers, taking in the peace she gives me.

I notice the quiet. It bristles over my skin making it hard to ignore.

I slowly move away from Wanda to turn around. Everyone is staring at me, awaiting my reaction.

Yelena has noticed I'm here. Her eyes stuck on me. Her whole body rigid, a frown formed naturally on her face. She doesn't know what move to make next.

Is she waiting for me to do something? I sure as hell don't know what to do. This is weird. Most of the time you don't have to see your ex at a party with your.. friend? Other ex girlfriend..

This is all just too much.

I'm suddenly feeling sober. Which really fucking sucks. I'd really like to not remember this. Now or tomorrow.. or the next day..

"Hey," she gives a small wave and smile.

I swallow the liar sized lump in my throat, squeaking out a, "hi."

"Alex, you good?" This time Spencer asks me, coming up on my left.

"Yeah," I croak out.

"Liar."

I'm trying not to let this fire out, "I- I don't know.. what. She's here. You hugged her. Of course you hugged her. But still.."

Everything in her sags, understanding my frustration, "I know it isn't easy, but she's regretted all of it. It was her job.. Plus, I have no room to judge. I don't exactly have a clean and clear past myself, ya know?"

"Yeah, but you never led someone on, let them believe you were both falling head over heals for the other, at the same time. That what you had held a future. That she was the future."

"No," she flinches, "not exactly. But.. we've all done things we regret, especially for some form of duty we felt obligated to uphold. So, I get it. And she knows. Trust me, she carries that guilt with her. Just like we all do. And she's trying to be better, she's doing her best, just like we all are."

"Please, if she wasn't Nat's relative.."

"Hey. Alex. I can sense this is hard for you. I know it is. I hate that this hurts you. We've all had to process betrayal of different levels at different times and in our own ways. But can I suggest something?"

"Sure." She's my friend. I should give her a chance.

"Talk to her."

I scoff, "what?! To the queen of fake? What could she possibly say that could make me forget what she did."

She shrugs, "you won't know unless you try. Holding all of that anger in you isn't going to help. I can't tell you what to do, but I have to think you might come out of it with a different perspective. We all have our stories."

I don't know if Spencer did it on purpose or not, but her saying I should let go of the anger instantly takes away whatever was boiling inside me. I've been working so hard on letting stuff like that go, not holding onto it and letting it run me in circles, burn me from the inside out.

I guess I should give her a chance.

"Hey, heat lamp, you have an issue?"

Fucking Tony. Why does he have to push me?

"No, actually, I don't. But I wouldn't mind a conversation with Yelena. Alone."

Everyone looks at me a little weird, a little like I might burn the place to the ground. Except Wanda. She looks like she wants to burn me in the ground.

"Uh, are you sure? I totally get it if you'd rather I stay the farthest away possible. Or I could just leave. I didn't come her to make you uncomfortable. I fucked up. I hurt you. I should be the one to leave-"

"I don't think that's necessary."

"Oh," she says quietly.

"But I would like to talk to you."

"You really want to talk to me?"

"I do."

"Then okay, I don't see a problem with that," she smiles.

"I don't know if that's a good idea, Yelena. Not if you value your life," Tony speaks loudly.

"I see no harm in letting them go about this talking," Thor bellows, giving me a soft nudge of encouragement. I've missed the big guy.

"Shall we?" I gestures to the common room since everyone was here in the kitchen.

"Are you okay? Do you want me with you?" Wanda asks. Though it might be for her sanity, too, I need to do this on my own.

"I'm okay, thanks sunshine," I kiss her on the cheek then follow Lena out sort of awkwardly.

"So.."

"Why," I hate how my voice cracks, but everything is hitting me all at once.

"What?"

"I just.. why did you do it?" She will not see me cry. Not again and especially not because of her.

Her lip quivers. Good. "I- I don't have a good reason, okay? Fury gave me a mission. So, I followed through. I had no idea it would go on for as long as it did. Nor did I know I'd.. I'd end up loving the person that was suppose to be my mission."

Okay. I'm floored. She loved me?

My face must say it all, "no, not like that. Not- not like that. Because I get it. You're an amazing person. I knew it could never be real, through I wanted it to be on multiple occasions, like all the time. I should have stopped it all long before Fury told me to. But I was trying to impress him and.."

"And you wanted to make sure I wasn't the bad guy?"

She shakes her head, "I never thought you were. I even talked to Nat, Spencer and Wanda about it. When they finally got me to confess. I obviously missed a few things, like your powers, but I never thought you were a criminal. I still don't."

Woah. Could that be true?

"So.. after all of that time together.."

"I loved you. I love you. As a person. I think you've been through some shit. So have I. That.. that doesn't make us bad people. That isn't what we're stuck with. It shouldn't have to be."

Damn. She's getting to me.

"So.. if it wasn't for Fury's mission?"

"We probably wouldn't have dated. Not because I wouldn't want to, but I don't know if we would have met. Maybe. Through Wanda or karaoke or something. But I wouldn't of had to hurt you. I hate that I did," her voice breaks, fresh tears springing to the surface.

"Hey, please don't cry. I.." take a deep breath, "I get it. It was your job. Sucks that your job had to be messing with my feelings and putting me through a fake relationship I thought was real, but I get it." Trying to.

"It.. it was real to me. While I was in it. I-" she lets out a shaky breath. "I loved getting to be your girlfriend. You are incredible. And Wanda is very lucky. I am just so sorry. You never deserved to be hurt like that."

I nod my head a few times, "okay."

"Okay?"

"Yeah. I accept your apology. And I forgive you."

"Woah. I never expected.."

"Yeah, well. Life is too short to hold on to things. I've been working on that. Appreciate what you have when you have it. I did love you, Lena. You helped me open up again. You also helped me put my walls back up, and higher, too. But we won't dwell on that."

We both let out a small laugh.

"Thank you."

"For what?" I ask surprised.

"For forgiving me. I know that couldn't have been easy, but it really means a lot to me. I've been carrying that around.."

"Well, don't. You're a good person, Lena. Carry that around with you," I smile.

"Thanks.." she blushed! Haha.

"Am I interrupting anything?" Thor's voice cuts us off from an interesting moment.

"Uh, no." I look back to Yelena. "We're actually really good." Then she smiles that smile that use to make my stomach flip. But now that's Wanda. And I'm grateful for it.

"Um, I'll see you guys back out there?"

"Yeah, be right there."

She smiles at us both then leaves.

"Alex?" Thor's voice is soft, one he doesn't use often.

"Hm," I can't look up at him.

He doesn't say anything. Next thing I know his two tree trunks he calls arms are wrapping around me, pulling me into him.

I sink into it.

"It's okay, little one. I'm sorry you had to go through that. I'm sure she didn't know you'd be here."

I take a deep breath and start talking into his large chest, "I know. I didn't think I would be, either. It's been awhile."

"It sure has. But I'm glad you're back. You are back, yes?"

"I don't know.. I don't know what's happening, Thor."

"We'll figure it out. You're a smart one, you know what to do."

"Yeah, I guess. Can I get a piggy back ride?"

He chuckles, "of course. Hop on." He lets me go so I can hop on his back for the few short steps it takes him to make it back to the kitchen.

He then sets me down next to Wanda.

"Thanks, bud."

"Anytime, munchkin."

"I'm not that small!" He's just a giant. Everyone is small compared to him. Except Banner when he goes green.

He just laughs and walks over to the food. I cross my arms in defeat.

"Awe, babe. You're so cute." Then Wanda plants one on my cheek. My eyes widen.

I don't know why I am continuously surprised by the moves Wanda is making. I haven't stopped her. If anything I've encouraged it. I suppose it's because we haven't really talked about it? But I guess we should.

Then her hand moves down my arm until it reaches my hand and entwines them together.

I smile at the gesture.

Yeah, I want this.

"So," Tony claps his hands, "now that everyone is here plus company, are we ready for our team bonding day?"

We all agree, though I still don't appreciate the negativity he put on the word 'company' knowing I was the only one considered it.

"Okay. Get dressed, we're hitting the beach. Lazy day, but we'll have games, food and drinks. Now, chop chop. Let's go people. Well, criminals and er, super people?"

Close enough.

I start to follow Wanda, watching as Spencer teleports herself and Nat to their room. Then I remember that I can teleport.

Maybe one day I'll get use to this.

Since mine and Wandas hands were already clasped together, I teleport us to her room.

"Holy shit," was her response. I laughed.

Yes, Spencers teleporting and my teleporting work very much the same.

"Sorry. Forgot I could do it. Figured I'd save us some time. Also, I may need to borrow some clothes.."

I wasn't prepared for this, what can I say?

Then I think of something else, "Oh. I guess I could teleport home and get some clothes?" See what I mean?

"No! No. Um.. you can borrow some of my stuff," I can hear the hope in her voice. Who am I to crush her hopes?

"Okay. Your clothes it is."

She grins in excitement; if it makes her happy, then I am more than happy to wear her clothes.

As we were mostly dressed, she speaks up, "are you okay, Alex? Are we?"

"Yeah. It was a good talk," I say confidently. Which only crushes her confidence. Damn it. "I just mean I think we both got closure. And forgiveness. We're good."

She sags in relief, "good. I don't want to lose you." Her whole body slumps against me, I stumble back a bit as I catch her.

My chest tightens at her words. I focus on her adorableness and kiss her forehead.

"I'm right here, sunshine."