"STEVE!"

It's almost as if time has slowed to a halt just to toy with me. I can see the first licks of flames erupt from the explosives wrapping around the vest of Crossbones and I panic. All knowledge, all confidence, everything, leaves me. It's like my brain has completely shut down. The only thing I can think about is how I'm going to be responsible for Steve's death. I'm going to be responsible for not realizing there were explosives taped to Rumlow in the first place.

But, that's it. I'm not. Because I have backup.

As the explosion goes full scale, Wanda creates a shield around it. I turn and stare at her wide-eyed, just as Steve is doing. Not only did she save Cap's life, but the lives of the bystanders and gathered crowds around us. Nevertheless, she seems to struggle to hold onto the shield as the reaction inside is possibly nuclear...meant to wipe out the entire city. I offer another layer of protection around her shield, just as she moves it up and away from the many people down here on the ground. But once it's in the air, and further away from Wanda's control, it's harder to keep in check. And that's when it happens.

BAM!

My secondary shield around it does little in the sense of neutralization since the reaction is so fierce. But it does, however, minimize the reactions slightly as it goes off. Unfortunately though, when it does explode, it does so right at the edge of a neighboring building. The explosion easily consumes five, maybe six floors, almost all the way through. Dust and small chunks of debris rain down, causing us to flinch and cover our faces. I find myself lifting a general shield over the heads of those in the crowds to protect them from the falling debris. Then we look up in horror. The building is on fire while shouts, yells, and screams can be heard from inside the building. The crowd around us only adds fuel to the terrifying atmosphere as they all begin to run and scream. I feel my heart sink.

We couldn't do it.

We could save them.

And it's all because I couldn't identify a threat fast enough.

In front of me, I can see Steve mumbling something to himself. He looks shaky and terror-stricken. My hazy gaze then turns to see Wanda, who's hand is covering her mouth as she looks at me with an expression that can only be chalked up as pain. "Sam..." Steve starts, voice calm but shaky. "We need..." He lets out a quick breath. "fire and rescue, on the south side of the building." And then he begins to walk forward towards the destruction. "We gotta get up there." Cap says as he continues forward, but all I can do is just stare at the building. My heart is constricting painfully. I can feel the spike of adrenaline pumping through my veins, causing my pulse and heart rate to increase dramatically.

I'm going to have a panic attack.

Behind me, I can hear Wanda dropping to her knees and try to focus on her instead. I shakily turn away from the inferno inside the building and look to Wanda, watching as she turns her attention to me, her bottom lip quivering in the slightest. "I'm so sorry..." I choke out, my hand quickly lifting to cover my mouth as I hear my own cracked voice. Then I walk towards her and kneel in front of her. My back faces the building. "I couldn't do it...I couldn't..." I stop and blow a quick breath of air from my lungs in an attempt to halt the oncoming panic attack. "I couldn't absorb that amount of energy. It was too much, I'm so sorry."

"No, it's not your fault." Wanda says back to me, reaching out and placing a shaky hand on my shoulder. "It's both of our faults."

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Getting back to the base was tenser than I thought it'd be. The Quin is silent with a mournful air about the cab as we all sit. I begin to wonder if this is how the team was after the battle of Sokovia. I really wouldn't know and I haven't been on a single failed mission since getting back from Carter's.

I lean forward and rest my head in my hands. My muscles ache from the tension I can't seem to let go of. I have yet to say anything else after apologizing to Wanda. I sit by myself and my eyes never leave the floor. I don't know the exact number of people injured, or even...well, dead, and the thought just keeps plaguing my mind.

How many people?

How many lost their lives because of us today?

My mind is still reeling with today's event. So much so that I begin to ignore the dull throbbing coming from both of my bullet grazes. They're gonna need to be dressed when we get back to the compound though, that much is for sure. Don't need an infection on top of everything happening already, right?

I'm so deep in my thoughts that I don't even realize we've arrived at the base until Sam walks by and gently pats my shoulder on his way out. That's when I finally look up, finding that I'm the last person in the jet. It's almost ironic, really. It's just how I feel on the inside.

Empty.

Deciding I can't stay in here forever, I carefully allow my legs to stretch out in front of me before I stand up. I permit my arms to hang at my sides as I hit the close hanger door button on my way out, causing the open ramp to shut behind me. I feel defeated and I'm positive it shows. My shoulders are hunched, my eyes are turned downcast, and I feel like I'm moving at a sluggish gait. In front of me, I can hear hushed whispers. I don't need to turn my gaze upwards to grasp the quietly mumbled words.

"They've had it rough today, man." I hear Sam say, to whom, I'm not exactly sure. Before I'm left to wonder, I feel a quick swish of air blow my hair from my face. I see a pair of trainers standing in the grass in front of me.

Pietro.

"Hey- Are you alright?" I feel my arm be lifted as the Sokovian inspects the open wound on my arm before I can feel his gaze shift to the one on my side.

"I'm fine..." I mutter and lamely tug my arm from his grip. I can't find it in myself to look him in the eyes and tell him we blew it. Literally.

"You don't look fine, Iris." He tells me softly before gently resting a finger under my chin, lifting it so I'm forced to look him in his eyes. "What happened?" My tired eyes blink once.

"Wanda didn't tell you?" I ask, my eyebrows furrowing.

"She said there was an accident...Iris, what happened?" His tone is obviously curious, but I don't think I'd be able to speak about the incident without running the risk of possibly crying.

"I don't think I'm ready to talk about it. You'd have to ask Steve. I need to get these dressed." I lift my head just enough so my chin is no longer resting on his finger. "Walk with me?" I hold my hand out for him to take before we walk in silence towards the main entrance of the facility. We walk quietly. He doesn't push for answers. We've been together long enough to know when to push and when to comfort each other. Right now is a time I don't think I could handle being pushed and I believe he senses that.

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Helen Cho has moved from Korea to the base and happens to be on staff when I go in to have my wounds dressed. Pietro gives me a quick kiss before leaving me in the med bay, knowing I'm in good hands with Helen. The doctor doesn't seem surprised to see me and thankfully doesn't press for any details on the mission. My wounds are checked, cleaned and flushed, then approved before being bandaged. I'm in and out in no time at all.

I'm walking back to the Avengers' residential area slowly, mulling over everything silently when I get to Wanda's room. I peer inside the open door but end up stopping when I see the news on the television. I can't just walk away now, because I want to know what's being said. Wanda must sense my presence, as she turns her head and sees me in the hall. She gives a small wave, beckoning me in her room before patting the bed next to her. I hesitantly walk in and take a seat on her right, my eyes focused on the screen and what's being said.

"Over twenty people were killed and many more injured in Lagos, Nigeria today. Traditionally reclusive Wakandians were on an outreach ministry in Lagos when the attack occurred." The newscaster declares, before the scene changes to the King of Wakanda in the middle of a press release.

"Our people's blood is spilled on foreign soil. Not only because of the actions of criminals but by the indifference of those pledged to stop them. Victory at the expense of the innocent is no victory at all." King T'Chaka states before it changes back to the newscaster again.

"The Wakandian King went on to state..." I look at my hands as the news anchor continues.

They have a wise King in Wakanda.

"He's right..." I mumble, which causes Wanda to look over at me. "Victory isn't victory if innocent lives keep getting trapped in the crossfire." I pick at the beds of my nails before looking back up at the television. Now there's a new newscaster speaking.

"What legal authority does an enhanced individual like Wanda Maximoff have to operate in Nigeria?" He questions before the screen goes black. My eyebrows furrow together and I slowly turn to look at the doorway where Steve is standing.

"It's our fault." I hear Wanda say. I nod solemnly.

"That's not true." Steve says, shaking his head from where he stands leaning against the door frame to Wanda's room.

"Turn the TV back on. They're being very specific." Wanda states mournfully as I tilt my head at Steve, a sad smile on my face.

"I should have clocked that bomb vest way before you should have had to do it." Steve states, walking into the room. "But Rumlow said 'Bucky' and all of a sudden...I was that sixteen-year-old kid again in Brooklyn." He finishes before he begins to sit on the edge of Wanda's bed. "People died. That's on me." Both Wanda and I are watching Steve silently.

"That's on all of us." I whisper without taking my eyes off him.

"This job..." He pauses and shakes his head. "We try to save as many people as we can. But sometimes that doesn't mean everybody. If we can't find a way to live with that...next time, maybe nobody gets saved." Steve quietly says, causing me to give him a small smile. Then Vision walks in. Or, more like, comes out of the dang wall.

"Vis!" Wanda declares, looking over at him. "We talked about this..."

"Yes, but the door was open." Vision motions to the door. "So I assumed that..." He remains quiet for a moment before dropping his arm. Then he motions to Steve. "Captain Rogers wished to know when Mr. Stark was arriving."

"Thank you." Cap says, looking at his hands before looking back up to Vision. "We'll be right down." Vision looks hesitantly to the door while pointing at it.

"I'll...use the door." He begins to leave before pausing in the doorway. "Oh, and apparently he has brought a guest." He says while turning to face us yet again.

"Do we know who it is?" Steve questions.

"The Secretary of State." Vis says before nodding and leaving the room. I suck in a quick inhale and look to Rogers, who turns to look at Wanda and me.

"Well, as if the day couldn't get any better." I grumble.

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After Vision leaves, the three of us sit in a brief silence before Steve gets up off the bed. He walks to the door and pauses there, casting the two of us an 'are you guys coming?' look. Wanda stands before I do and I follow suit a little more slowly. The last thing I want right now is a confrontation with the Secretary of State. No. What I really want, however, is a really long nap.

Steve's already begun to move down the hall with Wanda close behind him. She quickly makes her way to his shoulder and falls into step with him. I slowly trudge behind the two of them. Up ahead, I hear a quick burst of air and can tell Pietro just got the news as well. I think he'll just speed off to the main room instead of waiting at the junction of the halls for me. I'm surprised to find him standing there, waiting for me. I look up at him and stop walking once I get to where the halls meet. I can't help but just stare. I'm not sure what to say as I haven't had time to think about what I want to say. I've just been going all day without time to just collect myself. Before I'm forced to think up something quick, Pietro walks forward with two quick strides and envelops me in a tight, reassuring hug. It's not what I'm expecting, but it takes me no time at all to return the hug. I refuse to let myself cry right before an important meeting, so I just hold him tighter to counter the waterworks that threaten my eyes.

"I'm sorry I couldn't talk about the accident earlier. I just...I don't know." I begin, but stop when I hear Pietro shushing me as he rubs one of his hands up and down my back comfortingly.

"It's alright. After the bombs in Sokovia, I didn't want to talk to anyone about it either." The Maximoff twin whispers calmly.

"I'm still sorry..." I mumble while lifting my head from his shoulder. I pull away just enough so I can look him in the eyes sincerely.

"Don't worry about it." He smiles and releases me before easily throwing an arm over my shoulder before tugging me along down the hall. "Now let's get to that meeting before we're late."

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IRIS + AVENGERS INTERVIEW

@LeviathanTeeth
"Do you ever think you will go back and visit Carter?"

Iris;
I'm gonna make a surprise visit and take Pietro with me so he can piss Carter off. And then place bets on how long it'll take Carter to hit Pietro upside the head with his cane.

"For Wanda and Iris. What are your opinions on each other?"

Iris;
Whoever pisses Wanda off is gonna geT WRECKED. Also, that sister you wish you had. The one to scare all the boys away and beat people up for you? Yeah. I love her. If I wasn't so straight I'd probably propose.

Wanda;
Iris is...odd. But not in a bad way! She's quite humorous, and I think that's why the entire team is drawn to her, specifically my brother. Her jokes may come at inappropriate times, but I think it helps with the tension. She's like this glue that the team didn't realize was needed until she joined. I absolutely enjoy her company. She's very accepting and not quick to judge, which I admire.

@defectivepuppy
"Who is your best friend out of all of the Avengers (Besides the twins)?"

Iris;
WELL IT WAS CLINT UNTIL HE DITCHED ME. THAT SOGGY GARLIC BREAD. So now my only friend is food.

"So, how do you feel about Civil War? Like, what do you think about all of the fighting within the Avengers and how you're forced to pick sides? When you have to, which side is your heart with and which side is your head with? (Tony or Steve's?)"

Iris;
Honestly, it's like a bunch of frickin' five-year-olds having a fight on the playground about who's prettier. And picking sides is just childish. Everybody needs to sit their butts down and kiss and make up. Honestly. I'm half tempted to call Pepper up and have her come beat some sense into everybody because all I want is a nap.
As for sides though, my head and heart are with Steve. But that's just because I don't want people telling me what to do. And if I signed the Accords, I could sit down for dinner and the UN can call and go, 'Yo, you gotta go to frickin' the next dimension to buy me some ice cream. But not the generic stuff, the fancy stuff, and be back within two seconds or you're fired.' Nah man. I ain't dealin with that BS.

@ktAmazing3669
"Who would you save first, Wanda or Iris?"

Pietro;
Preferably it would not come to that...but if I were put into the position, I would save Wanda first. Afterall, she is my sister. Unless it would be more dire to save Iris first. Which really means, it comes down to the situation. My heart says save Wanda first, but my head says to save the one who needs it most first.

@greendogs56
"Okay, who is the gamer in the team? Do they play games like Assassins Creed, CoD, NBA, ect. ect.?"

Iris;
I play Mario Cart if that counts...