t h i r t e e n / what's your definition of party?

"That's your idea of a party?"

Cara was the one that said it, but she knew everyone was thinking the same thing.

Tony smirked, and poured himself another glass of scotch. "What? Are you intimidated? I mean, I know it's hard to get to this level, but--"

Cara rolled her eyes. "Tony, you're saying that we attack Skull when they try to attack us?"

He grinned triumphantly, held out his arms, and waited for applause that didn't come. "What?" He asked, letting his hands fall back to his sides, "does anyone else have an idea worth trying? Besides," he added with a smirk, "this one's more fun."

"It doesn't matter which one is more fun," Steve chided, "we're trying to take down a group that's after the twins, Bucky, and have already made their mark on Peter. They need to be stopped with a legitimate, working plan."

Cara nodded. "He's right."

"Since when did you two--right," Tony reminded himself, "you're just about the only ones in the tower that get along."

Wanda rolled her eyes, and stood up from her seat away from the rest of the group. "Skull isn't something to dismiss to the back of your mind. Pietro and I have both seen them in action, and even though they may not be the best funded, they have willpower, and determination. That's all they need to go after us. And if we hadn't gotten out of there, we'd most likely be fighting for them right now, under their control." She looked at her brother, and when he nodded to confirm what she said, she added, "we need to focus on what can be controlled."

"Which is preparing to fight these assholes," Tony said, "what else is there to focus on?"

"No," Wanda shook her head. "That's what everyone would expect from the Avengers." She lifted her chin. "Sometimes you have to...what is it you Americans say? Think outside of the box."

Cara stifled a giggle at Clint's whiny response. "But we could be kicking their asses right now," he frowned, gesturing at his bow that was sitting to the side.

Before Steve, Cara, Wanda, or Pietro could object, Scott stepped in. "As much fun as that sounds, I think 'thinking outside of the box' would be even more fun. I mean, come on, we're--I mean, you guys are--the Avengers. Whatever we end up doing will probably be a mile from where the metaphorical box is." He shrugged, unaware of the confused looks he was getting from his statement. "I don't know, let's, like, try to find them first, or something."

Tony snapped his fingers. "See, that's what I meant!"

The room was filled with a chorus of eye-rolling.

Sam crossed his arms. "Didn't we just try to find them? They're all over, there's no way we could pinpoint a headquarters for these guys. It's literally impossible." He looked in the direction of the screen that had shown the attacks growing nearer and nearer to the tower. "All we know is that they're coming for us next."

"Yeah, but we're not the only ones in the world," Cara put in, pulling Steve closer to her for support. "You guys aren't just meant to save the world, you're supposed to save the people living in it." She looked at each and every one of them, locking eyes with them. "Please don't tell me that you just wanna save our asses when we could be ensuring the safety of the people around us."

The room was silent as each and every one of them processed what she was accusing them of. Slowly, their expressions changed from "this is a good idea and it's going to work" to the deepest shade of guilt Cara thought she'd ever seen in her life.

"Damn, Cara," Nat smirked as she looked around at her friends, "you really know how to get through to them."

The teen smiled at the bit of approval, and flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Damn straight."

Following the eye roll she received, Nat moved to look at Steve. "Alright, Rogers, what do you suggest?"

His eyes widened slightly; he hadn't been making plans in his head, he'd been completely sucked in by his girlfriend's words, proud that he'd been able to start her on this lifestyle of not just caring for herself.

"Um..." He searched Cara's eyes for an answer, but didn't get anything, just saw a warm smile in their depths, creating a fluttery, tingling sensation in his stomach. He cleared his throat, trying to rid his mind of his thoughts. He had to focus. "I, uh, I think it's best if Cara takes this one."

Pietro scoffed. "I'm sorry," he drawled in his deep, accented times, "I think I misheard you."

Steve shook his head, his lips turning up in a small smile when Cara peered up at him, shock embedded in her features. "No," he said firmly. "You didn't. It was Cara's idea, she's got to have the best plan already in her mind." He met her eyes evenly. "Right?" He prompted.

Cara ducked her head. "I...I had a few, I guess."

No one said anything outright, but Tony moved away from the group muttering, "I need a drink."

Steve smiled. "Then it's settled. I've never been more happy to hand off the leadership duties."

"Okay, couple time is later," Clint interrupted, picking up his bow and replacing the arrow he'd been holding onto its rightful place in the quiver. "What's the plan?"

Cara shifted her weight on her feet. "Um, I was thinking we could go...find Bucky?" She really didn't know what she was doing; it was her first time leading a squad of highly trained superheroes.

Scott raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you say we should save the people around us?"

"Well, yeah, but..." She ducked her head, unsure of what to say. Usually, she was used to talking in front of them, but now, with her as their leader, it was different.

"You do know we don't have all the time in the world, right?" Sam squinted at her.

"I know," she said, "I just don't know how to explain it."

Steve shrugged. "Try your best." He reached down and squeezed her hand in encouragement.

"Okay, so I know I said to keep surrounding citizens out of danger, but I didn't necessarily just mean the people in New York City. I meant the people that could pose a potential threat to Skull. People like Bucky." She began to find her words again as she continued, "If we find Bucky, and keep him away from Skull, that might be just what we need to find out information about them."

"So you're saying Bucky could know things about Skull?" Steve asked, confused. "But he's not even captured by Skull."

Cara shook her head, disagreeing politely. "We don't actually know that, we just assume that he's running from them because that's the best case scenario. He could be sitting in a cell, wherever Skull is keeping him."

Silence fills the room, due to Cara's words yet again.

"And if we get him out of there, then we'll be able to ask him if he knows where they are--" Sam started.

"What if he doesn't remember?" Nat proposed, hands on her hips.

Cara paused. There was a possibility. But then she shook her head. "That's a chance I think we should take. Would you rather leave him in the control of Skull?"

"Hell no," Steve hissed, sucking in a breath. "I'm not losing him again."

"Sounds good to me," Nat said, and Scott smiled encouragingly. Pietro said nothing, but nodded.

"Not too shabby, kid," Clint grinned at Cara.

"If Steve's on board, then I'm going with him," Sam clapped his friend's shoulder. "Where do we start?"

This took so long to write I'm so sorryyyyy😫😫😫😫 but I hope you all enjoyed😘😘😘