Who: Wanda and Sharon What: Random Encounter When: Recently Where: Outside the Library Warning: nope Status: Completed via Gdoc
Sharon had a lot of time to kill while she was settling in around these parts. Madison Valley seemed to be a fairly good place to settle, though Sharon was still a little confused as to how the whole thing worked. She was taking it day by day, though. Sometimes she was taking it hour by hour, and sometimes minute by minute.
Today she was visiting the library. Now that she had an apartment in Madison Valley, she wanted to get herself a library card. Lots of time meant lots of time to read. Sharon loved romance novels, and couldn’t get enough of them. The Library saved her a lot of funds when it came to her book addiction.
Sharon was outside of the library now, with a bag over her shoulder filled with books. She was holding one in her hand, flipping through the pages, not watching where she was going as she walked along the street.
***
After picking up Judith from school, Wanda and her daughter headed over to the library for some new books. Excited by the prospect, she ran up the steps to the building and nearly bowled over the woman standing outside. “Judith! Slow down!” Wanda called, hurrying her own steps to catch up with the excited six year old.
“My apologies,” she said to the woman, realizing when she got closer that she recognized her. “You’re Agent Carter, right?”
***
Sharon looked up at the sound of the voice. She blinked at the sight of the child, and then the woman who was chasing her. Wanda Maximoff. Sharon hadn’t seen her in years. She’d seen that Wanda was here in Madison Valley, but hadn’t thought to make contact. Would this Wanda have any idea who she was?
“Sharon,” she said, breaking into a smile. Agent Carter was my great-aunt Peggy... “It’s been a long time since I’ve been an agent of anything. And you’re Wanda, right?”
***
“Yes, Wanda Maximoff,” she said, though she knew that Sharon likely knew that already. “And this is my daughter, Judith. She is quite excited about the library.” Judith looked up and said hello, but it was clear she was not interested in talking to her mother’s friend.
With a sigh, Wanda opened the door and let Judith go inside. “No running. I’ll join you in a moment.” There was an area set up for children where they held the Drag Queen Story Hour and she knew that her daughter would immediately head there.
“How are you doing?” she asked. “Settling in well?”
***
Sharon definitely knew who she was. Being on the fringe of the Avengers for so long--and working for SHIELD--had its benefits. She nodded, smiling at the little girl. “I don’t blame her. I love the library. I was thankful to find it--it gives me more to do until I find other ways to fill my time.” Sharon needed a job. She was going to reach out to Pepper Potts… eventually.
“As well as can be expected, I think,” Sharon said, watching the retreating form of the little girl as she headed across the library. The door slowly closed and the girl was out of sight. Probably in the children’s section--which looked lovely to Sharon. “How long have you been here?” She added, turning from the girl to Wanda. “...six years plus nine months at least?” She asked, though it was with a friendly tease in her voice.
***
It took a moment for Wanda to grasp the meaning behind Sharon’s words. When she did, she laughed a bit. “Ah, well, I’ve actually been here a little more than six years, yes,” she said. “But Judith is adopted. She was three when I first met her. My former husband and I were taking care of her older brother, Carl, when she arrived. We adopted both of them.” She paused. “John was sent home about 18 months ago, so now it’s me and the children. Carl is 20 and lives with his girlfriend in a loft on our property. Clint and his son, Nate, live with me, Judith, and Pietro.”
The farm was always chaotic and she liked it that way. It reminded her of the sitcom families that she’d enjoyed watching on television as a child.
***
Sharon only felt a little sheepish that she’d gotten that wrong. She shrugged her shoulders, smiling apologetically, and nodded. “I’m so sorry for your loss,” she added. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around this place kidnapping people and sending them away. It’s a lot.”
She listened and nodded once more. “It sounds like you’ve got your hands full! Better to be busy than bored, I guess?” She wondered if the Clint Wanda mentioned was Clint Barton, but didn’t ask. There were so many things Sharon had yet to learn. So many people were here.
***
Wanda remembered when she first arrived here and was trying to make sense of everything. It took a while. “I’ve also been taking college courses,” she said. “I’m just about finished with a degree in social sciences.” She was hoping to get a job with social services here in town so she could help people.
“Is there anything I can do to help you adjust?” she offered.
***
It was very disorienting to be thrown into Madison Valley, under the dome. Sharon had come in after a particularly traumatic and exciting event, wounded, and already very stressed. Now that things were calming down a little, she was starting to feel like she could make a home for herself here. Though she was still struggling with the idea that this might be her new forever.
“You’re so sweet to offer, Wanda,” she hoped it was okay that she called the other Wanda. Out of all of the Avengers, Wanda was one that she had hoped to befriend the most. “Just having someone to call on would be very helpful. I… I wasn’t exactly surrounded by friends in Madripoor, but I had some. And it would be nice to have some here, too.”
***
“Of course,” Wanda said. “We all do what we can to support each other. We also have a lot of parties.” It was something to do. “You’re welcome at the farm anytime. There’s almost always someone around. You know Clint. And you’ll have to meet Pietro.”
She was always happy to make new friends, especially considering the way people tended to come and go.
***
Sharon gave a little laugh. “I like a party. That sounds wonderful! Thank you for the invitation.” She paused. “Clint Barton? I know of Clint Baron. We haven’t actually met in person… that I can recall. We run in the same circles, though.” At least, they had. Five plus years ago. “Pietro… your brother?” Sharon asked, sounding a little surprised. She’d read folders on all of the Avengers, so she knew about Pietro and Sokovia. She sounded excited and pleased. “He’s here?”
***
The smile on Wanda’s face answered her question better than any words could. “He is,” she said. “It’s been wonderful having more time with him. And, yes, Clint Barton. I assumed you two knew each other through SHIELD.” Why she assumed that, she didn’t know. It was a huge organization, so it made sense that everyone wouldn’t know each other.
“Do you know Natasha? She’s also here,” Wanda said.
***
“I was always undercover,” Sharon explained. “...well, until Fury was shot and Steve made me. Then I got put behind a desk for a bit. I’m… I’m not sure they liked me very much. Mostly because they were infiltrated by HYDRA. Nothing to do with my work ethic, I swear.” She teased.
“Anyway, I’m sure I’d get along swimmingly with Clint. And yes, I know Natasha. I worked with her--well, the her back in my world? I don’t know when this Natasha is from--around the time the Accords…” She paused. “It’s hard for me to remember that everyone comes from different times. Were you around for the Accords?”
***
The Accords had been Wanda’s fault after the incident in Laos and she frowned a little thinking about it. “Yes,” she said, opting not to elaborate. “Natasha is from just before they were able to restore those of us who disappeared during Thanos.” Something else she didn’t like to think about.
She forced a smile. “I should probably go make sure that Judith isn’t destroying the library. But let’s plan to do lunch soon.”
***
Sharon instantly felt guilty about bringing up the Accords. It was definitely a sore spot for a lot of the Avengers. She was about to apologize, but then Wanda went on explaining when different people were from.
“I would be honored,” she said, giving a warm smile at the invitation. “Thank you. I’ll come out to the farm and meet everyone. Or, see them again, as the case may be.” Then she took the last few steps down to the sidewalk in front of the library.