tuesday 21st of june 2016

J.D woke up the next morning to see her new gift staring right back at her. She eyed it carefully, a mixed emotion twisting in her stomach. She sat up in her bed, reaching for it and holding it in her hands.

The note that came with the present made J.D smile a little, she couldn't lie.

Do you know how long it took me to find this?

You two look adorable, i don't know what i can say about myself (i think it was the first real smile i've ever seen on you) -- Wanda xx

It was true though, it was the first real smile from J.D whilst they were in Sokovia, and it showed in the picture sealed in the white wooden frame.

"First group training." Strucker announced, walking into the holding area, where J.D, Pietro and Wanda sat, the former shaking slightly -- she still hadn't recovered from her most recent trial. "We will be testing your ability to work as a team, and how you react to specific situations, so when the Avengers or any other potential threat come for the sceptre, we will have something to slow them down. You will not try to escape, or you will be punished."

J.D could only assume the last comment was meant for her.

The doors were opened and guards grabbed each of them, leading them into the training room, where weapons and simulators resided for them to use.

After being thrown into the room with the other two, J.D looked up and saw the two people she had become ever so close to over the last couple of months. She couldn't help the grin quickly spreading onto her face as she used all her strength to run to the twins, collapsing in Pietro's arms, with Wanda laughing and wrapping her arms around them both.

Kissing the youngest girl's head repeatedly, the twins held her tightly, not wanting to let go.

Little did any of them know, the entire scene was captured by the four security cameras in the room.

J.D could only imagine how long it might have taken Wanda to find the moment, but she was grateful of it. It made her remember that they were the silver lining to the dark cloud Von Strucker and Krüger forced over her head.

She could still remember how warm they were. To finally come close to them and touch them, hug them, come into contact with the two people who were in the process of changing her life.

"Morning, J.D!" Mason burst into her room, and J.D flashed him a soft glare. It wasn't yet midday, how was she supposed to be enthusiastic?

"What do you want?" She grumbled, setting the picture face down on her beside table. Mason raised an eyebrow and folded his arms.

"Drop the attitude, young lady." He mocked, before grinning. "C'mon, we're going to the zoo today!"

"Why so early?" J.D muttered, rubbing her eyes and standing up. Mason sighed and grabbed her arm, pulling her into the kitchen. J.D's eyes adjusted to the natural light and she groaned, before everything became clear in front of her. Then, she let out a shocked yelp when she saw her friends standing in the middle of the apartment. "Fucking hell!"

"Morning sunshine." Harry grinned, and J.D narrowed her eyes at him. "Love the shirt."

J.D glanced down at her Star Trek tee and scoffed, before turning around and grabbing a piece of bread from the packet on the counter. "How long have you all been here?"

"About twenty minutes. Michelle said that you were probably tired." Gwen replied, and J.D sent Michelle a thankful look. It was nice having someone know her secret, she had decided.

"She's right." J.D said, chewing on her breakfast. She ran a hand through her messy hair and forced a smile. "Give me ten minutes."

+++

"Can we see the monkeys?" Mason asked as he ran through the entrance after they had paid. He was definitely the most excited to be there without a shadow of a doubt. "I wanna see the monkeys first!"

"What about the tigers?" J.D called and pouted as Peter laughed beside her. "Don't judge me Parker, tigers are the best."

"I'm not judging you." He held his hand up in defence, as his other one was holding the picnic basket Gwen had prepared. "I just think it's cute."

"What's cute?" She challenged, and his ears went slightly pink. She chuckled and took his hand in hers. "Don't worry Parker, I won't try to embarrass you."

Peter flushed and looked away from her. "I'm not embarrassed."

"Liar." She muttered and he chewed on the inside of his cheek, feeling butterflies in his stomach.  His feelings for her were inexplainable.

"Whatever." He said and she laughed, before tugging him along so they joined the rest of the group.

The day was going quite well in J.D's opinion. Nothing had gone wrong, everything was working out nicely. They had made it through most of the zoo, stopping now and then for food breaks. It was a nice distraction for J.D, who was finding herself thinking too much. School breaks did that to her, she had more time to think, more time to dwell on her problems. Being with her friends separated her from her spinning mind.

"Don't look now, but there's some old dude staring at you, J.D." Harry snickered, and J.D furrowed her eyebrows. "Maybe you're his long lost granddaughter or something."

"Weirdo." She shook her head, before turning her head slightly and noticing that someone was, in fact watching her. Her eyes widened, and she clenched her jaw. Her hands began to tremble, and she felt Peter's hand on her shoulder.

"What's wrong? Do you know him?" He asked, and J.D gulped quietly.

"I'll be back in a minute." She muttered, before pushing herself up and hurrying across the fields, ignoring the concerned stares from her friends.

Mason and Gwen walked over from the café, fries in hand. Mason looked around in search for his sister, and noticed the group looking in one direction, so he lifted his head and his eyes narrowed. "What's J.D doing?"

"Dunno, she just left." Harry replied, and Mason looked down at Peter, who seemed the most worried. "Don't worry about it though, she's a badass."

Mason hesitantly sat down, his eyes glued to his sister, who continued to stalk across the field until she reached the older man.

"What the fuck do you want?" She hissed as soon as she was within earshot of him. "Why are you here?"

Adalgar Krüger humourlessly chuckled and folded his arms, staring down at her. "Why do you think?"

J.D swallowed silently, her head beginning to pound at his familiar voice. She hated it. It was raspy and sickly, all while sophisticated and haunting. "I'll call the police."

"No, you won't." He sneered, though his face remained neutral. "Now that I know who your friends are."

J.D felt like she was going to throw up. "What do you want from me?"

"I want to finish what I started." He said, his voice twisting dangerously.

J.D glanced back at her friends to see them all watching her cautiously. She looked back at the scientist and placed her shaking hands in her pockets. "You don't have the sceptre, the power you need."

"You already have what I need in your blood." He said, and J.D pursed her lips. "You have a choice, Purnell. You either come with me or everyone you love will disappear."

J.D clenched her fists. Everything this man had forced her to go through, all the pain he had caused, it all filled her with an unspeakable rage. "I'm going to kill you."

Krüger leaned it with a sickly smirk on his chapped lips. "Try me. Though I'm sure my friend will get to you first."

J.D froze. She felt the world freeze around her and her chest tighten up. "What?"

"You have forty-eight hours to make a decision, sooner would be better rather than later." He snarled, and she felt a hot tear run down her cheek. She was angry at herself, angry that she had let him make her feel weak.

As he began to walk away, J.D pursed her lips. "How will I find you?"

"Trust me." He chuckled dryly. "I'm always one step ahead."

J.D could only watch as he turned on his heel and stalked away, his shoulders tense and grey hair unevenly chopped at his neck. He wore cheap clothing, though he still managed to look presentable.

A shiver ran down her spine and she felt her insides lurch. She looked back at her friends with a slightly watery gaze.

She had to protect them, no matter what.

She wouldn't be the reason for more misfortune.

OH SHIT

hi short chapter I'm sorry

also wow hey krüger u asshole

{there is highkey foreshadowing for major events coming up in the story that probably won't happen in the mcu, which makes me sad, but hey, this is fan fiction and the rest of the movies haven't come out yet, so fuck you marvel i'm living my life (just kidding i love you marvel i have sold my soul to your franchise)}

UNEDITED***