A/N: Hey everyone! We are getting closer to the climax of the movie: the ending fight! Are you guys ready for that? This chapter is basically the calm before the storm, so I hope you enjoy it! There is also a special scene between our two main protagonists that I hope you like as well. Thank you so much for the reviews and thanks to all of you who favorite and follow the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Avengers, except for my own original characters.

The ride back to the Avengers' Tower went surprisingly fast and Anastasia actually felt relieved at their quick arrival. The uncomfortable silence she shared with Pietro was beginning to become too much for her to handle. Thankfully though, once they reached the Tower, the four of them hurried up the building with Captain America leading the way. They stepped through a doorway that led into Stark's lab and inside they saw the two scientists scurrying about while experimenting on the synthetic body. Anastasia noticed that they had already begun uploading data into the cradle, trying to revive the body within.

The Captain took a step forward, grabbing the scientists' attention. "I'm gonna say this once."

"How about 'nonce'?" retorted Tony.

"Shut it down." Steve demanded loudly, but was ignored.

"Nope, not gonna happen."

The super solider then caught the other scientist's gaze, "You don't know what you're doing."

"And you do?" Dr. Banner finally spoke up, shifting toward Wanda. "She's not in your head?"

Wanda cautiously took a step out from behind Steve, "I know you're angry –"

"Oh, we're way past that. I could choke the life out of you and never change a shade."

His threat to Wanda caused deep anger to stir within Anastasia. She clenched her fists together and stood next to her protectively. No one could threatened her family; not even the Hulk.

"Banner, after everything that's happened –" Steve tried to speak, but was cut off by Tony.

"That's nothing compared to what's coming!"

"You don't know what's in there!" Anastasia shouted, hoping to get some sense into them. On the ride there, Wanda explained to her what she had seen in Ultron's mind…and it was not good.

More yells filled the room as everyone continued arguing over what to do. Pietro looked over at everyone bickering and sighed. In a blink of an eye, Pietro zoomed around the room in a silver stream and unplugged all the cords connecting to the cradle. Immediately, all the power in the lab was cut off and everyone turned to him.

"No, no. Go on." He stared at their stunned faces mockingly. "You were saying?"

A loud bang suddenly erupted through the room and everyone watched as Pietro fell through the floor, glass shattering beneath his feet.

"Pietro!" the two girls screamed.

Anastasia rushed over to the newly open hole on the floor and peered down to make sure he was okay. She saw Hawkeye pinning him to the ground with a smirk.

"What? You didn't see that coming?"

"Stop!" she yelled at the archer. "They are no longer working with Ultron! They are on our side!"

Before Clint could reply, a piercing beeping sound filled the lab. Tony focused his attention back onto the monitors of his computers and began typing rapidly.

"I'm re-routing the upload."

The second those words came out of Tony's mouth, Captain America wasted no time in flinging his shield at Stark's equipment. Sparks flew, but Tony was quick to react and summoned for his iron hand. Once it was on, he fired a blast at Steve, sending him across the room. Wanda's hands began to glow red, but she was stopped by Bruce. He had wrapped his arms around her, with one hand dangerously close to her neck.

"Go ahead," he snarled, "piss me off."

Without giving it a second thought, Anastasia pulled out her bo staff and ran toward the angry scientist holding Wanda. She didn't swing her staff at him at full force, but she did manage to shock him with a small jolt of Chitauri technology. Bruce cried out in pain and released Wanda from his grasp. Anastasia embraced her adopted sister and watched as he fell to his knees. She really didn't want to fight against any of the heroes, but she wasn't going to allow anyone to hurt her family. Family comes first.

The madness inside the lab continued on as Captain America and Iron Man's fighting remained unbroken. It was within all this insanity, however, that a missing Asgardian god finally revealed his presence. Thor jumped onto the cradle and lifted his hammer, calling to it as much lighting as he could muster.

"Wait!" Bruce shouted, now back on his feet.

The god paid no attention to his plea as he continued gathering thunderous energy to supply his hammer. Thor then pounds the cradle, sending a powerful bolt of lightning to the body contained inside. Warnings of a 'power overload' are seen across computer screens, but they eventually burst from all the excess power. Once the lighting ceased, all is quiet for a moment, but it doesn't last long. The cradle ruptured open, knocking Thor off his feet and sending a large blast of air through the room. Fog dispenses out of the silver contraption and a red human-like figure emerges from within.

Anastasia, along with everyone else, watched this 'man' carefully as he kneeled over the cradle. He looked around the room, scanning everything in his path, but when his eyes found Thor, something changed. He went from being extremely still to exceptionally fast. He flew toward the god, but Thor was able to dodge him in time and throw him through a glass wall. The android crashed into the lounge, but stopped mid-flight right in front of a giant window. The beautiful view of New York City seemed to catch his interest because he stayed observing it for quite a while.

Everyone took this chance to run down from the lab and go into the living room. Captain America looked ready to attack the vibranium man, but Thor held out his hand to him signaling not to strike. Anastasia then felt a slight breeze beside her which indicated that Pietro had reappeared and taken his place between the two girls.

Once the android finished staring at the city below him, he turned around and faced the rest of the group. He magically created a dark green suit and a golden cape to cloak himself in.

"I'm sorry, that was…odd." He stammered before turning to Thor. "Thank you."

Steve was the first to take charge of the situation. "Thor, you helped create this?"

"I've had a vision." Thor clarified while pointing to the gem inside the red man's head. "A whirlpool that sucks in all hope of life and at its center is that."

"What, the gem?" Bruce asked.

"It's the Mind Stone. It's one of the six Infinity Stones, the greatest power in the universe, unparalleled in its destructive capabilities."

"Then why would you bring it to…" Steve trailed off, but Thor was quick to answer.

"Because Stark is right."

Bruce gave out a sigh, "Oh, it's definitely the end times."

"The Avengers cannot defeat Ultron."

"Not alone." added the android to Thor's previous statement.

There was something bothering Steve as he watched the vibranium man. He knew he had heard that voice before. "Why does your vision sound like Jarvis?"

"We reconfigured Jarvis' matrix to create something new." Tony said as he circled his 'vision' in awe. He couldn't believe his idea actually worked.

"I think I've had my fill of new."

Anastasia examined the 'vision' suspiciously, not yet fully convinced that he could be trusted. She had seen what Ultron could do and if he was in anyway like his creator, then they could be in some serious trouble.

Gathering her bravery, she asked "Are you a child of Ultron?"

When Vision set his eyes upon her, she was surprised to feel no fear, unlike the many times she faced Ultron.

"No." he softly replied, "I'm not Ultron. I'm not Jarvis. I am…I am."

Wanda took a step forward. "I looked in your head and saw annihilation."

"Look again."

"Yeah." Clint snickered insultingly, "Her seal of approval means jack to me."

Thor tried grabbing everyone's attention once again as he motioned toward the twins and Anastasia. "Their powers, the horrors in our heads, Ultron himself, they all came from the Mind Stone, and they're nothing compared to what it can unleash. But with it on our side –"

"Is it?" Steve glared at Vision anxiously. "Are you? On our side?"

"I don't think it's that simple." Vision responded.

"Well it better get real simple real soon."

Vision took a look at everyone in the room and came toward the middle of the group. "I am on the side of life. Ultron isn't, he will end it all."

"What's he waiting for?" Stark probed.

"You."

"Where?"

Fortunately, Hawkeye had already figured out that part of the equation. "Sokovia. He's got Nat there too."

Anastasia felt a sense of relief come over her as she realized her friend was not dead. Natasha was alive and her location was discovered, so that meant they would soon be coming to her rescue. However, Anastasia's relief was short lived when she finally came to terms with the location Clint had just mentioned. Sokovia… That was their home. It was the place where she grew up and where she lived with the twins. Out of all the places in the world, why did Ultron have to pick her home? Her country had gone through enough and its people even more so. I have to protect them.

Bruce walked over to Vision and stared him directly in the eyes. "If we're wrong about you, if you're the monster that Ultron made you to be…"

"What will you do?" No one said a word and so Vision continued with his speech. "I don't want to kill Ultron. He's unique, and he's in pain. But that pain will roll over the earth, so he must be destroyed. Every form he's built, every trace of his presence on the net, we have to act now. And not one of us can do it without the others."

For a moment, Vision glanced down at his hands. "Maybe I am a monster. I don't think I'd know if I were one. I'm not what you are, and not what you intended. So there may be no way to make you trust me. But we need to go."

Silence quickly filled the room when Vision lifted Thor's hammer off the table. The fact that he was able to pick it up so easily left everyone in shock. Thor, who was happily surprised, grabbed back his hammer with a smile. Vision then strolled out of the quiet room, leaving everyone wondering why he was worthy enough to lift the mighty weapon.

"Right." Thor grunted; he went over to Tony and patted him on the shoulder. "Well done."

Although everyone was still completely in shock, they knew this was not the time to get distracted. The world was in danger and they were the only ones who could save it.

"Thirty minutes. Get what you need." Steve commanded to his team. He then turned his attention to the three youngest heroes. "You three follow me."

Captain America led the trio to a large locker room that held cabinets full of gear. He said they were free to use any equipment they thought would be needed for battle; whether it be clothes or weapons. He also said to meet back in the living room when they were ready to go. After he finished giving instructions, he exited the room, leaving the three of them alone.

Wordlessly, they each peered into a few lockers until they found what they needed. Wanda was the first one to find clothes that fit her. She quickly went into one of the changing rooms and came out wearing a black dress with long socks and boots. Pietro threw at her a red jacket which completed her look. She didn't need any weapons since her magic itself was a weapon.

Anastasia opened a few more cabinets until finding what she required. She found a purple three-quarter-sleeve shirt, black jean shorts, and purple sneakers. She decided to leave on her tights even though they were a little slashed. She gathered the gear in her hands and headed to the changing room. Before she opened the door, she stole a quick peek at Pietro, but she wasn't surprised that he wasn't looking at her. He had barely given her so much as a glance since they reunited in Seoul.

Will things ever be the same between us? Anastasia sighed at the thought and sulkily stepped inside the room.

Outside, Pietro finally found a good pair of running shoes in his size and a blue-ish silver athletic shirt. He took off his old shirt and put on the new one in its place.

"I will meet you in the living room." Pietro told his sister.

He wished to avoid Anya as much as possible; being around her was just too difficult to endure. Guilt lay like a rock in his heart, but the more he ignored her the heavier it felt. Yet he didn't feel like he deserved to be in her presence after what he did to her. She had always been special to him, yet he abandoned her so easily and was quick to call her his enemy. Could he ever be able to forgive himself?

However, just as he was about to walk out the door, he heard voices conversing on the other side.

"No way we all get through this." Tony Stark's tone was serious. "If even one tin soldier is left standing, we've lost. There's gonna be blood on the floor."

"I got no plans tomorrow night." Steve replied.

Pietro's eyes widened, allowing the severity of the situation to flow in. He was such an idiot! He was thinking about this all wrong. There was no guarantee that he would have more time to fix this later. They were all about to head into war… and in war, casualties are inevitable. If Ultron wins, then they could all die tomorrow. There would be no second chances. He needed to say something to her before it was too late.

Wanda silently watched her brother as he internally struggled by the door. Using her powers she could sense the heavy guilt and shame he felt for his actions. She felt how much he cared for Anya and how much he wanted to be with her, even though he was denying himself. Wanda shook her head at his irrationality and approached him. She gave his hand an encouraging squeeze.

"Go to her."

Pietro took a look at his sister's comforting gaze and nodded. Just like that he overcame his desolation, knowing that if he missed this moment then he would never be able to live it down.

Inside the changing room, Anastasia had just finished putting on her new clothes. Her bo staff was securely fastened on her belt, but she also added two pistols at each side of her waist for backup. She reached toward the door's handle to exit, but it seemed someone from the other side had beaten her to it. The door swung open and she was met by a pair of stunning blue eyes.

"Pietro?" she blinked in surprise while taking a step back. "What are you –"

"There is something I wanna say to you."

He stepped inside and swiftly closed the door behind him, locking them both inside the rather small changing room. His voice was stern. His facial features serious. Anastasia already had some sort of an idea on what was about to happen. She figured he would confront her about their situation sooner or later. She sighed and looked down, expecting the worse.

Oh god, here it comes. He's going to tell me that I messed up; that I should have never picked the Avengers over family. He's going to say that things can never go back to the way they were; that I ruined –

"I'm sorry."

Anastasia's head shot up, her voice coming out barely above a whisper. "What?"

"I'm sorry." He repeated. "I'm sorry for losing my temper the night you tried to warn us about Ultron. I'm sorry for how I treated you during the fight in Wakanda. I'm sorry I did not try to stop and actually listen to you. But most of all, I'm sorry that I gave up on you and you never did on me."

Anastasia was completely blown away by his sudden apology. The conversation had certainly turned out better than expected. She examined him carefully and could see just how badly he felt about the whole situation. The sincerity in his eyes told her that he was telling the truth; but either way she had known this boy all her life, so she would know if he wasn't.

Her next words came to her with ease, "It's okay."

She placed a hand on his cheek and watched as his eyebrows lifted in shock.

"You would forgive me so easily?"

She smiled at him. "All I have ever wanted is to keep you safe. You mean the world to me Pietro, so yes, of course you are forgiven. You always will be."

Hearing her accept his apology felt like a heavy weight was finally being lifted off his shoulders. He wrapped his arms securely around Anastasia and rested his head on top of hers. He didn't realize how much he missed her touch until she was back in his arms.

"I will never leave you again." he whispered.

"Good."

As she let herself melt in his embrace, Anastasia couldn't help but think of how silly her fear now seemed. She let out a small giggle, catching Pietro's attention.

"What?"

She looked up at him and bit her bottom lip timidly. "So you do not hate me?"

Her question left Pietro rather mystified; how on earth could she ever think that was possible? But instead of listing why there were so many things wrong with that question, he decided to answer her in a much more meaningful way. Pietro lowered his mouth onto hers and stole a chaste kiss upon her lips. He lingered for a few seconds until breaking away softly; his signature smirk now playing on his lips.

"I could never hate you."

A heavy blush spread across Anastasia's cheeks, matching the warm sensation that now spread across her body. She wanted him – no, she needed him. After being apart for what felt like a century, she needed to feel his body against her once more. So with no hesitation, she gripped his shoulders and stood on the tips of her toes, brushing her lips against his.

Pietro responded to her kiss in a heartbeat. He wanted to kiss her tenderly, but it didn't help to mask his growing desire. He quickly took control and parted his lips, urging hers to open as well. She instantly complied and he sent his tongue to meet hers, deepening the kiss. As she moaned into his mouth, Pietro couldn't stop his hands from wandering, becoming familiar with the curves and lines of her body. He felt at war with himself, he knew it was not the time for this, but he just couldn't separate himself from her.

His kiss was like lightning; bright and electric, but with the power to cause great destruction. The shudder that passed through his body became her own, and Anastasia slid her hands up his chest and wrapped them around his neck. She felt so right pressed against him, as if she had always meant to be there. She kept her mouth on his, moving together like joined magnets. She never wanted this moment to end.

But eventually, they would need air.

Pietro and Anya slowly pulled away from each other, completely breathless. They stared at one other, gasping, with desire clearly written across their faces. However, neither one made an attempt to move, both knowing that if they continued they wouldn't be able to stop.

While out of breath, she looked at him and a sudden powerful urge overtook her. She now knew how she felt. There was no doubt about it. She wanted to tell him. Those three little words.

"Pietro… I –"

A loud knock on the door interrupted her confession, followed by Wanda's voice. "Let's go you two lovebirds! They are waiting on us."

Anastasia grinned at Wanda's teasing remark and returned her gaze to Pietro who also had a smile on his face. Perhaps right now was not the best time for her to confess. They had bigger things that needed their full attention at the moment, like the fate of the world for example. But at least she was right about one thing: Pietro and her weren't going to go back to the way things were. They were going to grow stronger from this, of that she was sure of.

So did I deliver? Were you guys pleased at how things between Anya and Pietro turned out? I would love to hear your thoughts in a review ^_^ (Gossip Girl may have inspired me a little for the apology scene lol). Well, I certainly enjoyed writing this scene and hopefully there will be more to come…or will there? The final battle is coming up next and who knows what could happen ;)

P.S. The next chapter may take a little longer to post because I am currently in the middle of studying for a big exam. Wish me luck!